Penguins - Honoring Others

We just watched the 3,2,1 Penguins DVD, "Trouble on Planet Wait-Your-Turn." The penguins and the planet inhabitants had to learn to be patient and allow others to go first. That's part of showing honor to others.

Romans 12:10 says, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." That means that we show our love to others by treating them with honor. We need to put others first, rather than selfishly putting ourselves first.

Read Romans 12:9-21. It lists a whole bunch of things that we should do to show honor and love to others. Also read James 4:1-3 and Philippians 2:3.

It's hard to put others first sometimes, but God will help you! That's what Jesus did. He put OUR NEEDS first.

Have a great day! The penguins are leaving, and hopefully Spring is coming soon!

Thoughts For Parents on FACEBOOK

On a snowy day, many people stay in side and watch a DVD, play a game, or go on the computer. Though, Facebook is intended for older folks (yes, there is supposed to be an age limit) many kids are involved in Facebook. Here's some great thoughts from www.EpicParent.tv
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Facebook is a great place to re-unite with old friends, make business connections, drive traffic, expand spiritual influence and post pics from 82 while you skated to “Another One Bites the Dust”. Facebook can also be a place of lust, secrecy and it can be a dangerous place for kids to spend their time.

FACEBOOK DANGERS FOR CHILDREN:

* Identity Theft: Scammers are lurking behind the pages to steal your kids personal information.
* Blemished Reputation: “A recent Career-Builder survey found that 45% of employers use sites like Facebook to research candidates; 35% found content that led them to reject a prospect.”
* Outrageous Spending: Kids are spending mom & dad’s cash on credits and Facebook games. The charges typically show up on mobile phone accounts. (be sure to double check your bill)
* Sexual Content: A 12 year old recently received a “how are you in bed” quiz on their wall.
* Predator Activity: Predators pose as children on Facebook with the goal of connecting and harming children. Peter Champman used Facebook as a tool to meet, rape and kill 17 year old Ashleigh Hall. You can read the story HERE.
* Addiction: Facebook can become addicting and zap all your kiddos time.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR KIDS ON FACEBOOK:

* Honest Conversation: Sit down with your kids and share with them the dangers Facebook presents. Don’t scare them, just make them aware of the risks.
* Form Rules: I encourage all parents to agree upon specific rules when it comes to Facebook, write down the rules so there are no questions asked.
* Watch Closely: As your children are creating their profile, watch closely and make sure there is no personal information shared.
* Use Privacy Links: Set your kids profile to private, this means that only approved friends can view your child’s information. Check out this detailed explanation on how to set up a private profile, READ HERE.
* Set Time Boundaries: Last week I did a post, 11 SIGNS MOM & DAD ARE ADDICTED TO FACEBOOK. Your kids can be addicted too, monitor their time.
* Be Their Friend: Create your own profile and become your kid’s friend.
* Monitor Behavior: Regularly check out the posts and pics associated with your kids’ profile.
* Just Say NO: Many requests and game invites contain malware that will infiltrate your computer system.
* Flag The Bully: If your child is being bullied, Facebook makes it easy to report the issue. Read HERE for more information.
* PcPandora: You can record every move made on your kids computer, read more HERE.

Penguins: Sharing & Caring

When God created everything, it was perfect! But, then Adam and Eve sinned. Sin brings destruction and pain. That sin not only affected people, it actually affected the entire creation when sin entered the world!

Read Romans 8:20,21

God has blessed us with a wonderful world that we share with all mankind. In Genesis 2:15 it says, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."

God still wants us to take care of this earth. Remember, there are three things we can do that may help us do that. Each one starts with the letter "R". Do you remember? (Find the answers at the end of this page)

We also need to be caring for God's greatest creation -- people! God has given us people to share with and to care for. Pray about what God may want you to do to share and care for others!

(The answer for the 3 "R's" are: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle)

Penguin Series: Praisers NOT Complainers!

Ooooooo, February is COLD!

There are some animals that have learned how to survive in the cold, and how to keep good attitudes while doing it too! They are penguins.

This past Sunday we learned a lesson from 3,2,1 Penguins about having a good atittude. We know that God wants us to be PRAISERS and not COMPLAINERS. Say it with me, "Praisers NOT complainers."

It's always easy to focus on the little things that we don't like. God wants us to focus on the good things and be thankful!

Maybe today you could sit down and make a list of things for each person in your family. List the things you like about them, and they are good at, and that you are thankful for. Skip listing the things that bug you. You don't want to focus on the bad things anyway. Be thankful for the good. It will mean a lot if you share that list with your family members.

Here's some good scriptures to keep in mind.

John 6:43 * Philippians 2:12-15 * 1 Peter 4:8-10

I know that it's sometimes hard to not complain, but if you focus on the good, it will be a lot easier. Jesus will help you with that if you ask him too. Now, there's something to pray about, huh?

Have an incredible week! Be a praiser and not a complainer! Everyone will be happier that way!

Faithful Until Jesus' Return

We had an incredible Sunday with "Big Dan" Rector. He talked with us about what Jesus wants us to do until He returns and takes us to be with him.

Revelation 2:10 is important for us to believe. It says, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

God calls us to live faithfully to his Word. He wants us to follow His ways and do our best until He comes back and takes us to be with him.

Here's a few verses to read, think about, and pray about. God bless you!

John 14:1-3
Matthew 24:36-44

Pray In the Spirit

God wants to help each of us with our weaknesses. We all have problems and God has set up a plan to help us.

It won't surprise you to know that a big part of that solution is PRAYER. When we pray, God works. But, the hard thing sometimes is to know what to pray. That's what Paul was talking about in Romans 8. He said,

"the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes (prays) for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,...and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." (vs.26-28)

You see, God wants to help us...and one of the main ways is that he helps us pray. We do not know what we should pray for...but God does! So, he HELPS us pray. The Holy Spirit is our helper.

Here's a few more verses to read and consider:

1 Corinthians 14:1,2 and 15
Jude 23
Acts 19:1-6

God can help you pray in language you know, and He can also help you pray in languages that only HE knows. "Really?" you ask. Well, Jesus said, "With God, all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

Ugly Sweater Contest for BGMC

Starting on Sunday, January 30th, you will be able to vote on which sweater you think is the ugliest/cheesiest. You vote by putting money into the container matched with the sweater you want to vote for.

The winning sweater will be decided on Sunday, February 20th. On the following Sundays both Pastor Randy and Pastor Keith will wear the winning sweater!

Why the “Ugly Sweater Contest” ?
Assemblies of God World Missions, in collaboration with BGMC, have declared 2011 as the “Year of the Child.” The main theme for “Year of the Child” is:

“No Child Without” ...without food
...without water
...without clothes
...without JESUS!

We understand that our offerings given towards the “ugly sweater” will help feed and clothe children around the world. Thank you for your support and involvement.