Cowboys and Training

We discussed how cowboys need to train their horses on Sunday.

Did you know that the scripture in Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go..."? The word "train" in hebrew actually refers to the mouth. One of the ideas is that a horse has a bit put in it's mouth, and it's by that that a horse is directed--or "trained." The rider needs to direct the horse. He let's it loose so the horse can run. He pulls back so it slows down. He guides the horse so it goes where it needs to go and does what it needs to do.

Sometimes people are more like "stubborn mules" than they are like trained horses. It's all in one's attitude. God wants us to have soft hearts, not be hard-headed! We need to be teachable and trainable.

Proverbs 12:1 says, "He who hates correction is stupid." Wow. That's a strong word. But people who are unwilling to listen to correction are headed down a wrong path. People who are not teachable will selfishly go where they want and do what they want...and it will lead to trouble eventually.

Proverbs 1:1 advises, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance."

Look up Proverbs 1:8 and Proverbs 10:17 & Proverbs 12:15. These are some great verses for you to talk about with your family.

Hide God's Word in your heart, and it will be like a lamp to guide you through your days!

Kidsworld - Focus For 2009

I've attached a short presentation here for all children's ministry workers. There are four key things I believe we need to focus on during 2009. Please take time to watch this presentation (about 12 minutes) and pray about the concepts that are shared. I've featured kids and Kidsworld workers from our church in this presentation.

Thanks for all you do! God wants to do great things in the lives of kids and families, and I believe he is using YOU to do just that in 2009!


Pastor Randy

Where Seldom Is Heard, A Discouraging Word...

Hey Y'all! Yippe yi yo ki yay!

I have no idea what that means, but it sounds cowboy-ish!

We are starting a short series where we are using cowboy stuff to help us learn our lessons! This past Sunday Vic Poverud shared about how families should encourage each other.

Sometimes family members get in a bad habit of discouraging each other, rather than cheering each other on! It's easy to find weaknesses and bad habits and little irritating things in the ones that are closest to us. It is easy to question the decisions of brothers and sisters, even if the decision is just something as simple as picking a color crayon. ("Why did you pick BLUE, instead of PURPLE?!!!)

We need to be careful to use our words to encourage others. We need to have attitudes that support and help our families be happy.

In Ephesians 4:29-32 the apostle Paul shares GREAT advice for each one of us. God wants to help each one of your families to live this out. (Take time to read that verse now.)

Instead of looking at the things that might frustrate you with your family members, take time to list THREE things you like about them. Or list three things that they do well. I encourage you to take time EACH DAY this week, and look for three things (three different things) each day. Then, make sure you tell them at least one of those things. They will be encouraged...and so will you! It'll make everything a little better "Home on the Range."

God Supplies!

This past Sunday morning, a group of men and women from Teen Challenge shared with our families. Numerous testimonies were given about God's help in hard times.

Philippians 4:19 states, "My God shall supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

You can trust God, even in the tough times! He know what you need, and He wants to give it to you.

Have you ever started to bake cookies and found out that you were missing an ingredient? You could not complete the recipe. You had to stop and go to the store to get that missing part.

Sometimes in life, people do not realize that they have a missing ingredient until things start going wrong. Then, they start to examine what that missing thing is. Often times, people will then try to fill their hearts and lives with something. The missing item usually is ...a strong relationship with Jesus!

Take care of that first. Have a strong relationship with Jesus. Read your Bible. Pray. Go to church whenever you can. Listen to those in authority.

When you put HIM first, you can know that he will supply all that you need!

Read Matthew 6:25-34 to find out more about what Jesus says about this!

Family Fights!

The Bible is full of examples of real-life people, in real families that have real problems!

Sometimes fights happen because people have different opinions? Ask each one in your family, "What is your favorite ice cream flavor?" Everyone has a different taste. No one is wrong. Just each one likes something different.

The fight comes in when people think only of themselves, and not others. Read James 4:1-3. That kind of explains some of the fights that happen in families, doesn't it?

A guy in the Bible had some BIG family fights with his brothers. You may read about Joseph and that whole problem in Genesis 37:12-36. You can read about how that all ended up in Genesis 41:56,57 and Genesis chapter 42, 43, 44 and 45. (That's a lot of reading, but you could take some time each day and look at a chapter.)

God's plan is for our good. God's plan is for us to love each other.

1 John 4:7,8 says, "Let us love one another, for love comnes from God. Everyone who loves has been bortn of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God..."

Let's show the love of God to every person in our families.

See you soon!

Honoring Parents

This past Sunday, as part of our "Family Series," we talked about showing honor to our parents with our words, our actions, and our attitudes.

You may read a little known story about Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:18-29. Ham dishonored Noah by making fun of him. Shem and Japheth showed honor by covering their father's "weakness."

Exodus 20:12 says that we should honor our parents. Ephesians 6:1 gives direction on another way you may honor your parents.

Deuteronomy 12:25 says, "Do what is right in the eyes of the Lord."

Remember, honoring your parents is ALWAYS the right thing to do, even if they don't always make the right decision.

See you soon!

Family and Parents

Today in Kids Church we talked about Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long on the earth."

We understand that God's plan is for our good. ...and part of that plan is for us to receive direction for our lives, our behaviour and our attitudes.

Do you remember the name of the girl who had a special type of puppet made for her? If you will come next Sunday and tell me the name of the girl, I will give you an award.

This special puppet is controlled by someone moving it's strings. It is given direction by the one holding onto the "airplane". In the same way, God has given kids parents to help give kids direction too.

Take some time to read about Josiah. He didn't have a dad, but God still had a great plan for his life. You may read about his dad (Amon) in 2 Kings 21:20-24. Then you may read about Josiah in 2 Kings 22:1-7 and 2 Kings 23:1-3. Josiah did not have a dad that loved and served God, but Josiah still did what honored God.

Lastly, don't forget that pre-registration for our Snow Blast Retreat (for 2nd-6th graders) is this Wednesday. Retreat STARTS at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. See you there!