Tag: children

November 13, 2023

November 13th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 21

Highlight Verse:

“They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I had the privilege of teaching the 1st through 3rd graders at church yesterday morning.

When I tried to explain to them what worship was all about, most of them didn’t really get it.

But when it came time to worship, most of them dove into it wholeheartedly.

They were willing to act on what God said even when they didn’t fully understand it.

Let’s face it, there’s a lot that most of us don’t understand about God.

We tend to shy away from things we don’t get.

We fear failure or judgement when we act on a command of God that we don’t fully grasp.

If we come at it from a child’s perspective, we would act on the command even if we didn’t know why.

Why as adults need to get past our stubbornness and regain a childlike faith.

Like children, we need to simply trust God even when we don’t understand him.

Do you have a hard time trusting that which you don’t understand?
In what areas do you struggle with trusting God’s commands?
July 25, 2023

July 25th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 48

Highlight Verse:

“One day not long after this, word came to Joseph, “Your father is failing rapidly.” So Joseph went to visit his father, and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭48‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I was in my 20’s, I got a call that my Grandma Clarey was going downhill fast and if I wanted to see her again I needed to go. My then fiancé and I took to the road in my 8-year-old VW Rabbit that was in bad need of a clutch. The clutch was slipping even as we went up the gentle hills in Santa Cruz. It couldn’t possibly make it to Fresno.

We prayed.

It made it over the two passes without a problem – and back!

The next day it wouldn’t even work on level ground.

I believe that God saw it as important that I be able to say goodbye to my closest grandmother – So much so that he held the clutch together for that trip.

Joseph gives us a good example of what to do in that kind of situation.

Go spend time with your loved ones while you can. Bring the kids so they can get to know them.

In the case of Manasseh and Ephraim, they received a literal blessing as well.

Do you have a parent or close relative who may not be around for too many more years?
Have you made it a priority to spend more time with them?
July 15, 2023

July 15th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2:21-24

Highlight Verse:

“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today we have a party.

Our second daughter is engaged so a bunch of friends and family are coming to celebrate with us today.

One of the reasons we celebrate is because this is how it was meant to be from the beginning.

As much as we sometimes don’t want them to grow up, our kids were meant to become adults.

They’re meant to fly from the nest.

They do best when they soar on their own wings.

In most cases, marriage to the right person brings about a new family with a new life of its own.

We have two more kids to go before we complete the transition to the empty nest. While I look forward to the time my wife and I will have together in retirement, I am more excited about seeing our kids launch into their own families.

Of course, the time flies too quickly so we will cherish each of these days we have with them now.

What stage of family life are you in?
What do you look forward to the most when your kids launch into their own lives?
What do you fear the most?
June 25, 2023

June 25th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 78-79

Highlight Verse:

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I grew up in the age of Sunday schools with folding metal chairs and flannelgraphs.

When I was old enough, I went to a youth group that was focused more on keeping kids out of trouble than raising them up for ministry.

But then there was camp.

Confirmation camp when I was 13 opened my eyes to a whole new species of people. These people had a genuine love for God and each other. They were not afraid to live out loud for Jesus.

A few years later, I went back there for C.I.L.T. (Campers In Leadership Training) which taught me that

anyone could be in ministry.

I’ve been in ministry of one sort or another ever since.

I’ve focused on nextgen (children and youth) ministry since something like 85% of Christians today came to faith before the age of 18.

Keep in mind that Samuel was called by God at a very young age.

So was David.

And Mary.

And Timothy.

Notice a pattern here?

Tomorrow’s leaders are in our nextgen ministries today.

It is critical that we reach them with a faith that is honest and alive.

Have you considered getting involved in nextgen ministry?
What gifts and talents do you have that can be used to reach the next generation?

Tag: children

November 13, 2023

They were willing to act on what God said even when they didn’t fully understand it.

Like children, we need to simply trust God even when we don’t understand him.

July 25, 2023

Joseph gives us a good example of what to do in that kind of situation.

Go spend time with your loved ones while you can. Bring the kids so they can get to know them.

July 15, 2023

One of the reasons we celebrate is because this is how it was meant to be from the beginning.

They do best when they soar on their own wings.

June 25, 2023

anyone could be in ministry.

It is critical that we reach them with a faith that is honest and alive.