learning NOT to quit

Yesterday, at WonderWorks, we taught kids how to stick to it, even in the face of adversity. Our lesson was from Nehemiah, chapter 4. The Israelites were working to re-build the wall around Jerusalem, but were facing struggles from inside and outside their city. There was no actual fixed battle, but the war of words was intense! The enemy was almost able to overcome their efforts by simply taunting and threatening.

I pointed out three things to the children. #1 God helps us FIGHT. #2 God helps us FOCUS. #3 God helps us FINISH. Interestingly, I asked the kids if they had ever stopped doing something they loved because other children made fun of them. Hands went flying up! One child shared about giving up flying his kite because another boy made fun of its design. Another young man said he quit riding his bike while he was trying to learn, because he was teased for being uncoordinated as he learned.

Our kids felt the heart of this lesson deeply. I think adults do as well. Quitting can become a habit, and after a while, we find ourselves surrounded by the rubble of unfinished plans. Like the torn down wall around Jerusalem, these experiences rock our confidence and tear down our persevearance.

The Israelites REMEMBERED God was on their side, and fighting with them. They didn't just pray about it. They prayed and worked! They also REDEEMED the stones. Each building block has to be handled with care and cleaned to be useful again. This was a very focused effort. The stones had to fit together, and they had to follow a plan. It took time. Every big decision to start something, must be followed by hundreds of little decisions to keep moving forward. Finally, they RESOLVED to take it personally. They were fighting for their families. For their sons and daughters. Something was at stake!


Prayer:
Lord, help me to fight, help me to focus, and help me to finish!

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a goodwork in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Breaking Bad News to Kids

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:6-10

Kids and Bad News

As a parent, we feel very deeply about protecting our children. We even become tempted to shelter them from any bad news that would be difficult to share or tough for them to comprehend. (we do this with grownups, as well)

Even in the New Testament, leaders were confronted with how to navigate a crisis. Believers who were very deeply devoted Christ, were faced with loss of homes and livelihood, and even persecution. In other words, bad things were happening to good people.

The Apostle Peter sits down and writes a few lines to the elders of the church, who were helping families deal with bad news on a daily basis. In this letter, Peter reminds caregivers of a few basic truths about God’s watchcare in all of our lives.

Peter had learned how to trust Jesus. He had literally been through the storms with Him. I pray you do not need to refer to this blog, at any time in the near future. But, someone much wiser than me once said, there are many storms in this life and we are usually in one of three states. We are about to head a storm, we're in the middle of one, or we are just coming out of one.

I have put together a few reminders we can share with our children, when confronted with bad news. You alone should decide what news is age appropriate, and the amount of details to share. But, when the news is bad, these points will serve as an anchor during rough weather. Be sure and tell your child...

1.     We are in God’s hand. Nothing can remove us from God’s care. His love for us is not changed by our circumstance. His grip is tight. We are surrounded by His grace, and He is still in control. (v.6)

2.     We can tell Him what is wrong. There is no lack of faith in acknowledging the bad news. Trust is knowing that He is taking care of us, even when things are going wrong. Bad news does not prove anything about God. But it can prove our trust in Him. (v.7)

3.     We will look to the Bible for guidance. We will not handle bad news by allowing the enemy any access in our life. We do not need to look to the ways that people who have no faith, cope with difficult situations. This will not take us out of our faith walk with the Lord. (v.8)

4.     We have people around us who can help, because they care about us and they know the kind of thing we are going through. We are not going to become isolated and draw away from our church family. We can pray with other people and get good advice from those we look to for leadership. They have faced bad news, and still trust in Jesus. We are helped by being a part of God’s family. (v.9)

5.     God will help us get through this. There will come a time when we will not hurt this way inside. God will help us feel better and show us how to remember His love. (v.10)

Prayer:

God, We know you are with us, even in this bad time. Help us to get through this, as we trust in your love. We pray for others who are going through bad news, and we thank you for the people around us who love us. We know you are with us right now and will stay with us every step of the way.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Blessing Baskets by Vicky Copeland

Today's guest blogger, Vicky Copeland, shares how her family has personalized this year's Blessing Baskets. Vicky serves as our Kindergarten Connect group teacher at WonderWorks, and is a vital part of our volunteer team. I asked her to share here experience, after I heard someone telling about how she and her husband were spending their Saturdays, going door-to-door, looking for families we could share a meal with, this Thanksgiving.

Our Pastor cast a Great Commission vision for Thanksgiving and I have been honored to serve on the Blessing Basket Team.   His vision was to prepare a basket of food for 400 families in our community. The basket is complete with a 15 lb. turkey, 25 other food items and the Book of John which will be distributed to the families to take home for Thanksgiving Day.  This is not a basket filled with the leftovers of our pantry but a meal designed especially for them to enjoy on Thanksgiving.  He felt there is sense of pride and dignity that belongs to all of us as we open our homes and share a meal with our loved ones, our children, our parents and other extended family during the holiday.  This gift allows families to remain in their home rather than going to a mission or watered gardens for this holiday meal. 

 

It was not only the vision of our Pastor to provide physical food for families but spiritual nutrition as well.  The only criteria for receiving a Blessing Basket is to attend our worship service the evening of November 18, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. to hear the gospel presented.   The message of John 6:35 is clear and on our hearts as we make all the necessary preparations.  

 

I love our Pastor's heart and his desire to hear from our Lord and to serve Him.  I have had the privilege of speaking with families personally and hearing heartfelt prayer requests.  My husband and I have been door to door and received many hugs and words of appreciation to pass on to our Calvary family.  I may not have been called to serve in Africa or Haiti but I truly feel the call of God on my life and I thank the Pastor for allowing me to be a tool the church and God can use to touch Joplin with the love of Jesus Christ.  I can hardly wait to make new friends on Sunday evening and watch the outpouring of love from an incredible body of believers who love the Lord with all of their hearts.  Thank you, Calvary and thank you Pastor Brad for this opportunity of service. 

In Christ,

Vicky Copeland

be amazed

"You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host..." Nehemiah 9:6

As a boy, some of my fondest memories were the summer nights when my dad would bring us into the yard, and spread out a blanket, so the whole family could lay on our backs and look up at the stars. That is something my parents excelled at...creating memories. They planned and staged moments like that for us, and we loved it!

I love it even more, now, as a 45 year old. I realize that one of the best opportunities I have to teach kids about God, is when I can lead them to look at His creation and be amazed! I don't have to study ahead of time, or come up with trendy illustrations. No Phd. required! Just look around for a platform on which God can shine.

In Nehemiah 8, they built a stage for God. They raised up a platform where one man, Ezra, stood to read from the book of the Law. The Bible. They elevated God, and the result was amazement!

Its also a picture of family worship. Everyone who was old enough to understand, was gathered together, to listen and be amazed. (see Neh. 8:2). Look around for those moments to gather your family together, build a platform moment, and be amazed by God.

Prayer:
Lord, I elevate you in my life, today. I praise your name! Show me your glory, and I will reveal you to others. I stand amazed in your presence.
In Jesus name, amen!