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!

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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!

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Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Make it Personal

Switching Gears

Well, summer camp is officially over now, and I'm doing that thing I do every summer...attempt to switch gears very quickly into VBS mode. Needless to say, my head is just now starting to get on straight, but there's not much to say. I hope you're all doing well.

Here's a little fun for you on Monday. One of our adults rocked the boy's pool with an awesome belly flop at summer camp last week.

Check it OUT!

Summer Camp

All this week, I am at Summer Camp with a group of 50 or so folks. As you can imagine, there is no time to write. I will return next week (hopefully in one piece) and kick the blog back up.

In the meantime, would you do two things. One, keep our group in your prayers this week. Also, check out some of these past blog posts (in case you're new around here and missed them).

Your Marriage is a Sermon
Some Kids are "Egotistical Jerks"
One Day You're a Hero, and the Next....
Birds and the Bees
Friday Fun (With a Point): Cosby Style
The "Obligatory" American Idol Post
"Extreme Parenting"

A Little More Friday Media...

As you can imagine, I read a lot of stuff about kids/parenting/etc. It's just part of my job...one of those parts that I really enjoy.

There are few people who are writing/speaking in Christian circles that I trust more than Paul Tripp. His approach to parenting, marriage, kids, and family is refreshing. What I particularly appreciate is how he refuses to let parents accept "correct external behavior" as the end goal of parenting. There is so much more to parenting and family issues...Paul continually takes people to the real "HEART" of the issues they're facing.

He recently participated in a video discussion (video below) about his newest resource, "Getting to the Heart of Parenting." I couldn't recommend his work more highly.





If you can't see the embedded video for some reason, you can follow this LINK to find the video.

His "apple nailing" analogy (approx. 32:00) in the middle of the video is something EVERY parent should listen to and consider in their own lives!

Below are some other recommended resources from Paul Tripp, if you like what you hear and want to dig deeper.

Marriage - What Did You Expect
Family - Getting to the Heart of Parenting (I have this one, if you'd like to check it out)
Teenagers - Age of Opportunity

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 6

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 #6!

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 - Create a Rhythm

This Is Your Brain On _________

The effects of technology are all around us. I've been on this earth almost three decades, and I am just astonished at how far technology has moved us. I was a proud owner of the original Nintendo (as a matter of fact I still have it hooked up at home), but the difference between the original Nintendo and the Wii or PS3 is just incredible.

Technology has given us all kinds of things at our fingertips that astonish me. Right now, I can go to my contacts, pull up somoene's name, press one button and have a map to their house from my location...it's amazing stuff.

What we don't always think about is the potential negative effects that technology can have on us. I read a recent article in the New York Times about the effects of technology on our brains. I found it extremely interesting. It may be worth your consideration personally and especially if you're raising kids.

Your Brain on Computers

Crazy stuff...we thought technology was all good...it might not be.

A Little Friday Media....

This is an interesting take on some of the things going on in our culture and how it affects your role as parenting.




I think it's worth the listen if you get the time. Thoughts!

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 5

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 #5!

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 - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, Part 2

Watch this!

If you've got an elementary-age student at Firewheel Church, you're going to want to be filled in on what they're learning during the month of June in church. Below is one of the summary videos of all the lessons/theme they'll be learning about all month.

VIRTUE VIDEO: FAITH (June 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Watching this could definitely help you have great conversations all month about the things they're learning about at church. (wink, wink)

Open-ended question of the day....

How would you answer this question....


"The greatest spiritual danger to my kids is _________________ ?"


I thought for a while about whether or not I would give you what I think are some of the greatest spiritual dangers, but I really do want to get your uncontaminated thoughts. What do you think?

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 4

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 #4!

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 - Fight for the Heart, Part 1