Family

Keeping Thanks in Thanksgiving – A ‘Thank You God for’ List

About the 1st of November, I used to always put a large piece of paper on the refrigerator  with the words, “Thank you God for” at the top.  Family members were encouraged to regularly write down something they are thankful for.  This has been a tradition for many years in our home. We enjoy writing our own and reading what the rest of the family has written.

Now that we are separated from of our children most of the time, we start a thanksgiving Groupme chat about the first of November and we all post on it throughout the month. (You can download the Groupme app for group texting – this has really helped to keep our family connected!) Writing down your blessings can really change your outlook.  As the old hymn by Johnson Oatman says, “Count your many blessings; name them one by one; and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

Share

More of “A Brother is Born to Help in Time of Need”

This week we are emphasizing the Bible verse “A brother is born to help in time of need” (Proverbs 17:17b)

Today Grant and I read the story of Moses in The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes; we talked about how Moses’s big sister helped her little brother in time of need. We also read Courage the Monkey in which the little brother helped his big brother have courage. We read a favorite again today We’re Very Good Friends, My Brother and I.

We sang this song: Grant has a new brother

We cut out, colored, and put happy faces on paper dolls of Grant and Hudson.  We then covered them in plastic to make them durable to play with.

A simple activity but it gave us opportunity to talk about the fact that brothers are friends and that Grant can help Hudson and one day Hudson will be able to help him.

When Hudson was crying today, we stopped what we were doing and prayed for him to be happy and not cry.

I think Grant loves his brother!

Share

“A Brother is Born to Help in Time of Need”

How fun to be able to spend time with Josh and Becca during these special days in their family.  What a privilege to be with Grant as he grows to love his new brother.   This week we are using Proverbs 17:17b with him and Hudson – “. . . a brother is born to help in time of need”.

Grant and I found a picture of an older brother helping his younger brother and glued it onto a styrofoam plate.  I wrote the verse on the plate and we tied a ribbon to it and hung it on a door knob for him to look at all week.

Becca let Grant pick out Hudson’s clothes for the day.  Grant helps with diaper changing by taking the dirty diaper to the trash with great enjoyment.  He checks his diapered Teddy for poo often.

We read about Joseph and his brothers in Joseph and His Brothers: Genesis 37-47 for Children (Arch Books).  We talked about how sad it was for the brothers to be so unkind to Joseph.  We prayed that God would help Hudson and him to be good friends and help one another. We read We’re Very Good Friends, My Brother and I.

We sang “You’re Something Special” from Especially For Children (classic moments from) The Bill Gaither Trio.  You can download the song here and see the lyrics here.

It seems like just yesterday I was using these same activities with Josh when Jer was born.  Moms, don’t miss a moment with your little ones because with the blink of your eye, they will be grown and having little ones of their own 🙂

Share

What to Look for in a Preschool, Children, and Youth Ministry

Malachi 4:5-6
“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. [6] His preaching will turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

I believe this sums up what to look for in any ministry.  God’s plan is to work in children’s lives through the parents.  Anything that tries to do otherwise is wrong. Don’t let anyone rob you of the joy of leading your child to Christ, or training your teenager in spiritual matters, or being the wise counselor for your adult children.  Find a church that understands this.   Luci West so aptly expressed this in the Dudley Baptist Church Children’s Ministry Statement: “partnering with parents to lead their children into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ”.  This is done by making sure the parents have the resources and the training they need to lead their children.

Not only does Malachi point out that the preacher was to turn the parents’ hearts to the children, but it is just as important to turn the children’s hearts toward the parents.  For example: the Youth director should not be getting the youth to rally around him, but should be continually pointing them toward their parents, just as the pastor’s goal is not to have the people dependent on him but to continually point them to a personal daily relationship with their Heavenly Father.

The message in this Scripture appears to be very serious in God’s eyes.  Look at the consequences of not turning parents and children toward each other – a curse on the land.  Hmmm.

Share

Seven Basic Stages of Life

Hear these stages explained in a sermon by Dr. Billy Daws Fathering and Family

Seven Basic Stages of Life

1.  Foundation Stage  –  (birth through 6)

Focus on Discipline

A. Attentiveness
B. Obedience
C. Contentment
D. Neatness
E. Reverence
F. Forgiveness
G. Gratefulness
H. Faithfulness
I. Truthfulness
J. Security
K. Meekness
L. Cautiousness

Mother primarily works with child during this stage. Father’s responsibility is to keep mother happy.

2.  Training Stage (6-12)

Focus on Information

A. Patience
B. Dependability
C. Determination
D. Punctuality
E. Discernment
F. Loyalty
G. Compassion
H. Alertness
I. Thriftiness
J. Responsibility
K. Virtue
L. Tolerance
M. Fairness
N. Joyfulness

Father has the important role in this stage.  Begin Life Notebook

3.  Skill Stage (12-20)

Focus on Self-Control

A. Wisdom
B. Self-Control
C. Discretion
D. Diligence
E. Endurance
F. Deference
G. Sincerity
H. Generosity
I. Humility
J. Enthusiasm
K. Initiative
L. Love
M. Creativity
N. Decisiveness
O. Sensitivity

4.  Apprenticeship Stage  (age 20-30)

Focus on Serving

A. Thoroughness
B. Responsibility
C. Flexibility
D. Availability
E. Hospitality
F. Gentleness
G. Boldness
H. Persuasiveness

5.  Ministry Stage  (age 30-50)

Focus on Ministry

6.  Counsel Stage (age 50 to End of Life)

Focus on Guidance

7.  Heritage Stage (Left to Others after Death)

Focus on Written and Living Epistles

Share