A little Friday media...

Parenting with Hope in the Worst of Times...by John Piper...listen, be warned...and be encouraged in your journey of parenting.




Parenting with Hope in the Worst of Times


-Robert

Right On Time

Yesterday, I had one of those moments where I really enjoy being a pastor to the next generation. Here's the scenario. One of our families at church has three sons, and they have been inviting me to their community pool for weeks and weeks and weeks. I told them at the beginning of the summer, that I was going to come at some point during the summer months. Well, up until that point with camp and VBS preparations, I hadn't made it to the pool yet (or at least in the time frame they wanted). As you can imagine, there little brains had a hard time fathoming why I hadn't done it "YET"! I know this, because Sunday after Sunday, they would ask me, "when are you coming to the pool"? And each Sunday, I would respond..."I promised to come this summer, and before the summer is over, I'll be there. It could happen any day. One of these days you're going to be swimming at the pool, and I'm just going to show up...so you better be ready to be dunked and such."

Well, yesterday was the day that I showed up out of the blue...

As I got to thinking about it, it sounds really familiar. It sounds a lot like what Jesus promised when he said he would come back for those who have trusted in Him. And yet, month after month passes...year after year passes...and He hasn't shown up yet. The Bible talks about how no one knows the day or the hour that He will, but He has promised to.

I saw myself for a brief moment in those boys...aching/desiring for our "long awaited" guest to show up on the scene like he had promised. I have been promising them all summer and warning them that I would show up at a moment's notice...and our LORD and Savior has done the same thing. I wondered to myself if the boys ever thought...you know, I don't think Pastor Robert is going to come to the pool this summer...and I also wonder what the joy was like for them when they realized that I had finally shown up!

• "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoptions as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:23-25
• "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong until the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God who has called you into his fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is FAITHFUL." 1 Corinthians 1:7-9
• "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Titus 2:11-13
• "...for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." 1 Thessalonians 5:2

What would you do if you knew He was coming today? What would be different? We are told time and time again in the Scriptures to be READY at all times for that day. Are you READY?

Pursuing...

One of the things that can happen, as kids get older, is that parents feel less and less "connected" with their kids. Young teenagers start to get their "wings" and start to move into greater areas of independence. Kids can often begin to think that they don't "need" their parents as much as they used to need them.

But one thing will not change...that you, as a parent, have the greatest potential to influence your children (regardless of their age). In that vein, I read an article with a huge tip about how to deal with your kids as they get older, crave more independence, and don't necessarily think they "need" mom and dad again.


Be the Pursuer


Thoughts?

Kids and "Big Church"

One of the side effects of great children's-specific ministry is the neglect of kids attending the corporate church environment. What I mean by that, is that the segregation of ages in local churches, leaves something to be desired when it comes to training a generation to love and appreciate the corporate worship gathering. I often encourage folks to take opportunities to bring their children into the larger corporate worship gathering for a number of reasons.

In that vein, I saw a recent post and thought it was worth you reading...
Big Church for Small Kids

Thoughts???

Great Websites for Parents...

There is a bunch of good stuff out there for parents on the web. On all of these sites you can find great resources for parenting or the Christian life in general. Every now and again, I like to list some of my favorites and make sure you know about them. So, without any further adieu...here they are.

www.focusonthefamily.com
www.orangeparents.org
www.desiringgod.org
www.familylife.com
www.allprodad.com
www.imom.com

There's plenty more out there...happy searching!

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, Week 9

A months ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #9!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Special Topics #2

It's HERE...

It's VBS week here at Firewheel Church. It's always one of the most exciting and rewarding weeks of the year for those who love investing in the next generation.

Here are a couple of ways you can pray for the week:

• Energy and stamina of the adult/student volunteers.
• That Firewheel kids will use this as an opportunity to invite their friends.
• That ears and hearts would be open to the gospel this week.
• The safety of everyone participating.
• That God would be glorified through the body of Christ working together to accomplish something great.
  

Thanks a bunch...hope you have as exciting a week as I'm going to have!

ANGER

I get the privilege/honor/responsibility of bringing the message to the church body this coming Sunday (July 10).

We will be continuing the "Wisdom from the Road" series from the book of Proverbs. In God's providence, I was assigned the topic of "anger" almost 2 months ago. If you know me at all, you'll know that this one hits a little close to home. I am well-acquainted with my shortcomings in this particular area of my life.

Because of that, and because I've pleaded with the Lord to give me insight, I believe that this will be a message on anger unlike many you've ever heard before. I'm really excited about what the Lord has placed on my heart, and I really hope you'll plan to be there.


Here's the description from the bulletin...

"One of the consistent themes (well over 20 verses) throughout the book of Proverbs is about not being and/or associating with "angry" or "hot-tempered" people. But isn't that ALL of us? Aren't all of us, and some more than others, prone to anger? Simply telling ourselves or others to "stop being angry" doesn't really work...there's something deeper going on in our hearts. What's really at the core of our anger, and why does it matter so much?"


Hope to see you on Sunday! I'm really looking forward to it.

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, Week 8

A months ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #8!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Special Topics #1

"Independence Day"

My father served in the military for 27 years, and so I have a fond appreciation and deep respect for those who serve and protect us. On days like this, I'm reminded of the sacrifices that have been made so that we can enjoy freedoms.

But, as I was thinking about this day coming up, I couldn't help but think of the GREATEST sacrifice that was made to grant us true, real, eternal FREEDOM.

• "...and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you FREE." John 8:32
• "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been FREED from sin." Romans 6:6-7
• "...Jesus Christ...who loves us and has FREED us from our sins by His blood..." Revelation 1:5

So, celebrate the birthday of our country and remember the sacrifice made by those who bought it for us. But also remember what real Independence and Freedom is about.

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 7

A few weeks ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #7!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Make it Personal