Holy Week Scripture Reading

Palm Sunday (April 1, 2012)

·         Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

·         Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16

Monday of Holy Week (April 2)

·         Isaiah 42:1-9

·         Psalm 36:5-11

·         Hebrews 9:11-15

·         John 12:1-11

Tuesday of Holy Week (April 3)

·         Isaiah 49:1-7

·         Psalm 71:1-14

·         1 Corinthians 1:18-31

·         John 12:20-36

Wednesday of Holy Week (April 4)

·         Isaiah 50:4-9a

·         Psalm 70:1-5

·         Hebrews 12:1-3

·         John 13:21-32

Maundy Thursday (April 5)

·         Exodus 12:1-4, 5-10, 11-14

·         Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

·         1 Corinthians 11:23-26

·         John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Good Friday (April 6)

·         Isaiah 52:13-53:12

·         Psalm 22:1-31

·         Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

·         John 18:1-19:42

Holy Saturday (April 7)

·         Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24

·         Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16

·         1 Peter 4:1-8

·         Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42

Easter Sunday – Resurrection of the Lord (April 8, 2012)

·         Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9

·         Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

·         1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43

·         John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8

How Great Is Your Love?

My Family has been going through a season of sickness this winter.  Have you been there?  First one is sick then another and another.  Will it ever end?  At the pinnacle when everyone including my wife was sick we popped in the Jungle Book DVD.  It was time to let Disney transport us away from the aches, pains, sniffles and coughs for a short period of time.

I was reminded what a great movie and story the Jungle Book is!  But there came a point in the movie that I had to pause the DVD.  It was at this point:



"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13.

I had to pause the DVD and break the Disney trance to remind my kids that these were not just the words of Bagheera speaking about the actions of Baloo, but the very Words of Jesus, the son of God! 

Jesus was talking to his disciples about himself.  He was instructing them of the importance of demonstrating love an the power of the gospel.  He soon would demonstrate His love for His disciples and all people by laying down His life as the atoning sacrifice for the sin that we all have committed. Jesus set a very high standard and asks (really commands) us to demonstrate our love to each other accordingly.

John 15:12-17

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant[b] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

"I Can't Do It!"

In the January 2012 Focus on the Family Bulletin, Cheryl Gochnauer wrote this helpful article.

"I Can't Do It!"

Sooner or later, every parent hears these words, usually uttered with a pitiful whine and slump to the floor.  Try these tips to help your youngster turn "I Can't" into "I'll Try."

• Set Clear Goals.  Explain to your child that his bed doesn't have to be made like Mommy and Daddy's, but he should straighten the blankets and put his pillow in place.

• Divide the Project into Manageable Pieces.  Instead of telling your child to clean her room, tell her to put away "all the animals" or "every toy that is blue or green."  Continue suggesting different categories until she is finished.

• Reinforce Past Successes.  Point out specific things your child does well -- setting the table, kicking a ball, feeding the cat, and so on.  Tell him you can't wait to see what he does next.

• Don't Shield Your Child from Failure.  Let your child work through some frustrations, learning appropriate ways to deal with challenges.  Give her time to wrestle with a problem or try a task a few times before you offer assistance.

• Encourage Kids to Try, Try Again.  Talk about perseverance and what it means.  Share a story about someone in the Bible or in your family who showed determination.

• Assume Your Child Will Succeed.  Optimism is Contagious!  -- Cheryl Gochnauer  

To read more from this issue of the Bulletin - a publication of Focus on the Family, pick up a copy at any check-in station in Community Kids at Community Fellowship Church.
If your church or ministry does not subscribe, visit Focus on the Family and subscribe.

Relevant Children's Ministry: Why We Need More Marriage Ministry and Less Children's Ministry

Relevant Children's Ministry: Why We Need More Marriage Ministry and Less Children's Ministry: "The most important factor in a child's spiritual life is his or her parents. No one has more influence..."

Please take the time to click the above link because, "What happens at home is just as important, if not more important, than what happens at church."

Reminder for Children's Ministry

Yesterday I was able to attend a Children's Ministry Network meeting called Shepherds of the Sheep.  We invited John Walton,  Author of the Bible Story Handbook which is an amazing resource for any teacher of the Bible and Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College who on occasion enjoys living out the Old Testament, a lifestyle that helped him lead a team of 30 international scholars to write the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary on the Old Testament (November 2009).



John Walton gave us some really great reminders so I thought I would pass them along.

• Don't just settle for Truth. Shoot for Authority!
• Teaching Truth is a non-negotiable, but when teaching God's Word you must make sure that the truth you are teaching is founded in the Authority of the text.

• Be God Focused.  It's all about God and His Story.  Focus on what He's like, what He's done and is doing, and what He expects of His People and how we can respond appropriately.
• Our lessons need to move away from Values, Heroes, Ethics and Behavior Modification focused.

• When teaching the Narratives, Investigate.
• Why is this a part of Scripture?
• How does this narrative operate within the context of Scripture?

Thank you, John Walton, for this Great Reminder!

A Marriage with Two Brains

I was with a group of Guys a couple of weeks ago discussing how we can be better Husbands.  We all agreed that our Marriages would be perfect if we could keep them in a Box ... But as you will see/hear in this video that's not going to happen.

Knowing how your Spouse thinks is key to having a Marriage that is filled with Love and Respect.

Marriage expert Mark Gungor explores the differences between men and women.

Words to Live by in 2012

Last week a Friend of mine on Facebook and in real life asked a question of sorts.  "In one word, sum up 2011." The responses were both positive and negative.  Ranging for Crazy, Sad, Rewarding, Fast, 2011?, Blessed, Accomplished, Insane, etc.  It prompted me to think and rehearse the events of my life in 2011, and what word or words I would use to describe it.

It became pretty clear to me that I was not going to be able to settle on just one word, but I could narrow it down to a singular progression of three words.  First there was WAITING.  Waiting for the Lord, which is something that I do not enjoy, by balancing the tension of uncertainty and of trusting in an all-knowing supreme God.  Then Waiting turned into ANTICIPATION.  The Lord was present and starting to move.  All I had to do was join Him with excited Anticipation.  Finally then, I am experiencing a TRANSFORMATION as God moved my family and me along a new path and set our course in a new way and ministry for His glory.

So what Word(s) define your last year or current situation?

While I firmly believe that it is important to rehearse and review the course of your life, we cannot allow our eyes to be entranced by what we see in the rear view mirror.  So let's look forward, and ask, "What Words will define your 2012?"

Proverbs 3:1-10, may give us some direction as we set some words before us to mark our way through 2012.

·         OBEY – Proverbs 3:1-2

o   Don’t forget my Commands/Teachings - Mind

o   Keep them in your Heart

o   Prove your Love by OBEYING – John 14:15  If you love me (Jesus) then Keep/Obey my commands.

§  Prosperity = SHALOM

·        Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. 

         §  Shalom:  Prolong your Life

·         LOVE -  FAITHFULNESS – Proverbs 3:3-4

o   Steadfast Love – Mercy & Truth

§  bind . . . Neck - outwardly Wear Love & Faithfulness in All you do

§  write . . . Heart - inwardly govern our motives with Love & Faithfulness – who you are

§  Shalom: Favor and Good name with God and Man - Repuation

·         TRUST – Proverbs 3:5-6

o   With ALL your Heart

o   Don’t Lean on yourself - False sense of stability will always crumble

o   Lean on God in and for All things 

§  Shalom: Paths Straight 

·         WORSHIP – Proverbs 3:7-8

o   Deep Reverance for God

§  Set aside your own wisdom and shun evil

§  Fixing your Eyes to Jesus – Hebrewa 12:2

o   Submission to His Lordship and Commands

§  Shalom: Health to your Body

·         GIVE – Proverbs 3:9-10

o   Honor the Lord with your Wealth

§  No matter how much wealth you have there is always someone who has more.

§  We are Rich/Wealthy

o   First Fruits!

§  Give First

§  Live Second

·         Don’t allow your life to get in the way of your Giving

§  Shalom: Barns will be filled

·         Phil. 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Let these Words define your Life in 2012! 

Obey
Love
Faithfulness
Trust
Worship
Give

Shalom!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" ...or at least it should be.  It's inevitable, when you consider the excitement, sugar, parties, and late nights with friends & family, that are added into our lives during the Holiday Season, at some point when you least expect it your child will lose it Big Time.  My Kids are no exception.

I am a firm believer in the power of knowing your kids and proactively anticipating their needs as a parent versus living on the edge of kid's potential chaos and overly reacting in the midst. Now, I know that this is an ideal that is often too lofty or even unrealistic in every life situation like during the Holidays, but I am confident that a simple shift towards being proactive from being reactive will help you and your kids reduce the number of meltdowns.

I read this quick article today from the Focus on the Family Bulletin, Dec. 2011 edition.  I found this to be a helpful reminder and hope you will as well.

Nap-Time Disruptions

Children have meltdowns at the most inconvenient times—like during a special holiday meal that happens to be scheduled at your child’s regular nap time. The question is, What’s a parent to do? Here are a few tips for managing meltdowns:  

Keep calm. Irritation will only make your child more anxious. Take a deep breath and count to 10.
Meet immediate needs.  Determine what will bring your child comfort, such as food, drink, quiet, rest, a book or a toy.
Have an escape plan.  Sometimes it’s best to remove an exhausted, over-stimulated child from the situation.
Call in reinforcements.  A second pair of hands is helpful. This person can help you gather your gear, fix a plate of food, or just offer a smile and emotional support. —Jean Blackmer ~ Focus on the Family BULLETIN, Dec. 2011.

While every child is unique, there are some common developmental stages that affect the way children react to the world, and being aware of some of these common stages can help to make holiday planning simpler.  Read this article for more details on how you can Maintain Cheer Throughout the Holidays.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Advent Week 4: Promise Delivered

Promise Delivered
Isaiah 9:1-7; John 3:16-21

Opening prayer:

Purify us, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son, Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Devotional thought:

When you love someone, you want to give them the best you can. Have you ever wondered why? It’s because love by its very nature is generous, and God is love! That makes him the most generous giver in the entire universe! In fact, Christmas is about celebrating this very fact - God’s generosity on full display for the whole world to see. God demonstrated his love for the world by sending His son. His love is the most generous act the world has ever seen. This is why Christmas is a time for us to show generosity. We give to others in response to the incredibly generous and loving God who sent His son, Jesus, to save us.

How are you showing generosity as an expression of love this Christmas? What are some ways that you as a family can demonstrate God’s generous love to a needy world? This Christmas, commit to making the holidays more about giving than receiving. Give generously and lovingly so that all those who receive from you might glorify God for Christ's sake.

For to us a child is born,

   to us a son is given,

And he will be called

   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

   will accomplish this.

Family Activity:

Christmas is coming.  Ask God to give you ideas about how or what you can give to someone else.  Think creatively about what you can do for a neighbor, a stranger or even another family member.  Then do something in the name of Jesus without expecting anything in return – that’s true giving.  Do something together so that the busyness of these days doesn’t overwhelm your good intentions.   

Child’s Prayer:

O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, all things are in your hands, come and show us the way to salvation.

Songs for Worship at Home: 

Joy to the World, by Nat King Cole

O Holy Night, by Chris Tomlin

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, by Mariah Carey

Silent Night, by Andy Williams

Dec. 25 – Christmas Day – A Story

Luke 2:1-40   Matthew 2:1-12

Family Activity:

Join the family of God at Community Fellowship to Celebrate and Worship the New Born King together at 11:00 AM!

Songs for Worship at Home: 

Various Christmas carols - WOW Christmas 2011

Advent Week 3: Promise made to a King

Promise Made to a King
2 Samuel 7:8-17; Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11; Philippians 2:1-11

Opening prayer:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are burdened by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Devotional thought:

Imagine entering into the grand throne room of the King.  May the words of your mouth reflect the intent of your heart by pleasing Him with this refrain:

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

This week, let’s focus on the promise that God made to David, who was declared by God to be a man after His own heart.   God’s promise to David came from Nathan, the Prophet. David was not allowed to build a house (a temple) for God, but God promised to build a house (a kingly dynasty) through David, and this house will never fall, according to 2 Samuel 7:16.  “Your house will always stand, and your throne will be established forever,” was the definite promise. From that time on, the people of Israel firmly believed the royal line of David had a lasting place in God’s plans for Israel and his monarchy would never collapse.

The Messiah, the anointed one was to be a descendent of King David.  He would restore Israel to a position of prestige once more among the nations. In the light of Christ’s coming, we see that:

· David was to have a son to succeed him and establish his kingdom.

· This son (Solomon) would build the temple instead of David.

· The throne of his kingdom would be established forever.

· The throne would not be taken away from him even though his sins justified punishment.

· David’s house, throne, and kingdom would be established forever.

Let us consider what is wrapped in this promised gift.  God established that through King David a greater King would come and reign forever.  This King became the emphasis of our adoration and worship.  No longer would God’s people need to focus on a place of worship to enter into God’s presence to worship, but through this magnificent, eternal King we are able to worship and adore Him personally.

As you go about your busy week, practice entering into true worship and adoration of the Messiah, Jesus Christ the Lord, our King of Glory.  Carve out some time to do this as a family.

Family Activity:

As you and your family prepare for Christmas, have each member of your family take a blank piece of paper with some crayons or markers and create their own “Vision of the meaning of Christmas”.  This may be the start of a new family tradition so that you can trace the evolution of your family’s artistic expression of what Christmas is all about.

Child’s Prayer:

O Key of David, Jesus Christ, King of all nations, the gates of heaven open at your command, come and show us the way to salvation.

Songs for Worship at Home: 

O Come All Ye Faithful, by Amy Grant

Here I Am to Worship, by Passion Worship Band

King of Glory, by Chris Tomlin

The First Noel, by Johnny Mathis