Off the Wire 1-31-10
Stand Your Ground–The shoes of Peace
This past week, the armor piece that we focused on was the shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. We take shoes for granted, especially since now we all have at least two and some of us have many more than that. Our focus on shoes is more style that for comfort and durability. But the soldier knows that it is important to take care of your feet. Good shoes offer not only comfort but study footing, stability, and protection in times of battle. Being able to stand…we can’t stand very long without the right shoes. With bad feet we become ineffective and weak. We can’t wear sandals if we are playing baseball, swimming fins for basketball, and it is nearly impossible to run bear foot on rocky surfaces.
This piece of armor tells us that we are to be prepared in the Word of God, that is the gospel of peace. We must always be ready to share or defend the gospel as it is always under attack. Knowing God’s word puts peace in our hearts, making us ready and motivated to share God’s true peace with others. Here is what we focused on with your kids this past week.
Bible Story–Peter and John defend the gospel to religious leaders after healing a crippled beggar. Acts 3 and 4
Focus Word: Steadfastness–remaining strong and committed in what I think and determined in what I do
Bright Idea: Be ready with God’s word so you can stand strong when tough times come along.
The Connection Verse: 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be ready to give a defense of what you believe to everyone who asks,”
Off the Wire 1-24-2010
STAND YOUR GROUND: The Breastplate of Righteousness
We are explaining to our kids that we are in a spiritual battle and we don’t wrestle against this physical world and things that we can see but against the forces of darkness and a world that is invisible to us. This battle goes on everyday and as Paul explains it we have armor that we are able to put on to protect us. Part of this armor is the breastplate or righteousness. As we travel along in our discovery about the Armor of God we discover that it is important to know the truth but it is also important to act our the truth. We focused on the word righteous, and it is acting out a life that is obedient to the Lord. Our bible story came form Genesis and focused on Noah. The bible doesn’t really say what he did, but it does say that the world was really bad…evil in fact and God regretted ever creating it. But there was one man, Noah, who was righteous and pleased
God. We too, who are followers of Christ, are living in hard times and God wants us to obey him and live a life of righteous, goodness that comes from our hearts. How do we do this? By living our life according to God’s word,
according to Psalms 119:11, it says ” I will hide your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Here is the review of the past lesson:
Focus Word: Righteousness–always thinking and acting in a way that is just, right, and good.
Bright Idea: Put God’s word in your heart and doing what’s right will be easy from the start!
The Connection Verse: Strengthen yourselves so that you will live here on earth doing what God wants. 1 Peter 4:2
Off the Wire 1-17-10
A NEW YEAR–A NEW CHALLENGE
We are so excited to have completed our first full year at Gateway Fellowship church, it has its ups and downs, we have met lots of wonderful who have become our closest friends. We are excited of what God has started with us in this new ministry and we look forward to raising the bar in our efforts to reach the children of our church and our community for Christ. We want to continue to build a foundation in our kids that will sustain and last them throughout their life times. I as Children’s pastor, really want to change the way I lead first may family, second the ministry that God has entrusted me with, my team and the children. I pray that God would open my eyes to see my faults and short comings, so I can improve, but also help me to build up on my strengths so that I would not be satisfied with where I am. I am excited to see what God has in store for me and our ministry this year, as we add new people to our team, add more creative elements (more quality elements) and as God teaches me to be what he wants me to be. Keep us in prayer and let’s keep moving forward.
NEW SERIES–Stand Your Ground
We are rolling with our new series, Stand your Ground, and it is an 8 week series talking about the armor of God. As we take a military theme with it we are excited to dig deep into God’s word and truths about how God is our source of strength and protection in times of trouble.
The belt of Truth
The first piece of the armor that we talked about was the Belt of Truth. The belt was an important piece of the armor, in bible times the belt would lock in other pieces of the armor in place and with out it nothing else can stand alone. The way we build up our defense against the enemies schemes and lies.
Bible Story: Matthew 16
Memory verse: Psalms 40:11
Bright Idea: I need to know God’s word,in order know the truth.
Focus Word: Truth–all things that are proven, real, and unchangeabe
SPLAT–Week #3
FEAR
LESS FIREPROOF FRIENDS AKA “FFF”
Friends are very important and our superhero that talked about was not just one but 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. As we took a different look at our heroes, we focused on the relationship of the friends that they stuck together to make a difference and how powerful they were then they stuck and worked together.
Our Focus word was cooperation–working together to make life better
Our Bright Idea: We can accomplish more together than we can alone.
Our memory verse: We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Hebrews 10:24
Review this with your kids or use it as a family devotional this week.
Great job Jeanette!
We had a great treat today, as we had one of our newest team members, Jeanette join the team for the first service. She did a very good job with our Connection memory verse in engaging our kids. We love having you and look forward to have you do some more stuff. Welcome to the team, Jeanette!
SPLAT MAN makes an appearance!
We were treated to a special guest…Splat man made an appearance and our not-so-super super hero showed us that showed us his lack of power, but he refused to have help from anyone. Because of his lack to admit he needs help, he can’t complete he task the best way possible.
Thanks Splat man for showing us the importance of friends and working together to make life better!
Three boys SPLAT a Nursing Home
Way to go Garret , Ethan and Josh! We learned this week of these two boys who went to a Nursing home with family to spread some holiday cheer to some elderly people. They visited and spent some time with people who usually are lonely during this time of year. Great job sharing God’s love.
Stay tuned for more from Splat and the amazing adventures of Bible heroes!
SPLAT–week #2
Super hero Super Characteristic: Character
We are excited to be connecting with the adults in their series “Make a Mark” ours is called “SPLAT.” This series of lessons focuses on different qualities that can help us change our world around us.
Our Superhero was Queen E! Of course queen Esther and how she save a race of people by doing what was right and speaking up to the King. This was a difficult choice for her to make but she knew it was the right thing to do.
Our Focus word was character–making the right choices when the pressure is on
Our Bright Idea: I will honor God by doing right, when I am seen or out of sight.
Our memory verse (quite long)
Always do what is right so that you will live and always have the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 16:20
to paraphrase: Always do what is right so you can have a long and prosperous life. Deuteronomy 16:20
Review this with your kids or use it as a family devotional this week.
Getting New Team Members
We were so excited to have 2 new people come and visit our service who were interested in joining the team. Marty and Jeanette will bring some added help and a great dynamic to our service time. We look forward to having them join and start molding our kids and build foundations.
At the movies kids edition week 3
Hello everyone! We have been having such a great time with your kids in Kidz Rock and our new series, “At the Movies: kids edition.” We are teaching them some bible truths using clips from movies that they have seen. We have seen, “Horton hears a Who,” and we focused on faith, believing what we can not see, and next was “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” focused on faith in believing in God to help you do the impossible.
But now if you are reading this means that you are going to accept our Kidz Rock mission and watch the latest movie with your children entitled, “Meet the Robinsons.” I am so happy that some of you have decided to accept this challenge in spending time out of your busy week and sharing it with your family. You are the biggest spiritual influence that your children will ever have, so thank you for participating with us. Below are a the questions we gave your child that are on the Take Home Sheet plus a few extras. Have a great time of learning together with your child and may you all have a fun and blessed week.
Discussion Questions
- In the film, Lewis kept trying new inventions even after previous ones had failed. Why do you think he continued to persevere? What would you have done?
- Lewis’ roommate, Goob, blamed Lewis and others for his problems in life. He spent his whole life trying to get even with Lewis. How should he have responded instead?
- When Lewis met Wilber’s family in the future, what lessons did he learn about acceptance and perseverance?
- After his many failed attempts to hide the truth about Lewis and the time machine from his family, what did Wilbur Robinson learn?
- Honesty and trust are two qualities that are important to have in friendships. What happened when these qualities were missing between Bowler Hat Guy and his hat, Doris? What about between Lewis and Wilbur? How was the relationship between Lewis and Wilbur restored at the end of the movie?
- Why do you think that Lewis chose not to see what his birth mother looked like when he finally had the chance? What changed his perspective?
Let’s begin.
Wow…it’s been a while since I have been here to share some things with you all. Life has a way of sneaking up on you, but I think we kind of allow it to sneak up. We a lot of times loose perspective of what is really important in our lives. Not to say that blogging is really all that important to me and to the world, but living life is. I believe it is time to live my life, not the way I want but the way that Christ wants me to live it. My favorite verse is John 10: 10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL.” As I reflect on a month’s worth of God allowing me to be a part of things that may seem kind of …new to me one thing has come to the forefront of it all. God wants me…He wants me to live my life FOR him and THROUGH him. If I am to have the life that He has intended for me from the formation of my body inside my mother’s womb, I must get back to what it fundamental not to my life but to everyone’s life and that is….falling in love with Him, Jesus.
So as I restart, reboot, refocus, or whatever you would like to say, remake my life, I would like to journey with you. My prayer is as I discover new things in life, concerning God, family, and ministry, that I would be determined to share what I have learned with you and may you be blessed and inspired to reach new destinations in your life and that you would have a wonderful life, a life that is lived to the fullest, through Christ Jesus.
Moving forward,
James
Lesson learned…Beatitude #1
I am struggling on this great challenge that I have been given. Teaching our kids about the Beatitudes. One at a time, as I take these wonderful truths and create lessons simple enough for our children to understand, I get stuck, writers block…it feels like creativity has ceased, and nothing is happening for me. Why can’t any ideas come out? Why am I not feeling it? What is the deal here? Why can’t I….As I think and sit this word or more simplistic, this letter “I” sticks out. Could it be in the middle of MY struggles to write MY ideas down the God, the creator of all and the giver of all creativity and inspiration is teaching me the truest lesson concerning the first beatitude.
God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven! Matthew 5:3 CEV
May my life never find significance in my own self and abilities. May the plan that HE has placed out in front of me never be about me and what I can do. In MY efforts to express truth to children the the best of MY ability, God has taught me the truest meaning of the first beatitude. I must never depend on me, even I must never see myself as worthy of His treasures, I must keep in mind what Paul said, “in Him I live and move and have my being.” Acts 17:28 I am not worthy of the great responsibility he has given me, I am not worthy of anything that he may have, my dependence must be on him. I must push myself aside and allow him to be in control.
In order to be filled with his Spirit, I must empty myself. I must have nothing to gain everything. This is my prayer.
Off the Wire 8-2-09
T.W.I.S.T WEEK 6
We are very excited to come to a such wonderful climax in our series of training to be more like Jesus. Today our ever creative and entertaining trio of Eric, Amanda, and Mario brought a great message in spending time with God though studying His word. We emphasized how important it is to study God’s play book, the Bible, and that it is not good enough to just know it but to obey what it says. This is what makes you more like Him.
Bottom Line
If you want to be the best you can be, you must study and obey God’s word!
Whose Line Visits Kidz Rock!
Our kids were treated with to a great surprise with the story of Jesus in the Wilderness…Our Trio presented the story in 3 different styles and the kids pick how they wanted to see the story. The kids chose…Western, Samurai, and Ballet. this was creative and fun to watch…I look forward to seeing this again…and hopefully take part.
Austin Rocks
We want to extend a great thank you and major props to Austin Burns and his friends Charlie and Chris for having the audio set up before 8 am and also helping tear down after service so we could exit quickly. Also thanks for playing in our games and participating in our service…We will miss ya when Velocity starts…they are getting some great guys!
A wonderful break!
Since Eric, Amanda, and Mario were in charge of our Kidz Rock service I was able to enjoy worshiping led by Josh M. and listening to JVP bring a great message and show his passion for God’s word. We should all have such a passion and respect but not just for study but to put God’s word into practice.
Journals for All!
We feel so strongly about children studying God’s word and developing a love for the Bible that we provided all the children with a Kidz Rock journals so they could have a place to write down their discoveries of God’s wonderful treasures. As you spend quiet time with God during your journey, help develop this discipline in your kids and help them discover the blessing it is to spend time with God in studying his wonderful, awesome, powerful Word!
Off the Wire 7-26-09
T.W.I.S.T Week 5
An new word…This Week In Spring Traing…nice! Well anyway this week we studied something awesome…we learned about serving. This is hard for us because we like to be served…but we learned how to serve from the greatest example of servant-hood. Jesus! The bible says in John 13 that he showed the full extent of his love to his disciples with the action alone. Jesus, the Creator and son of God got down on his knees and cleaned a little toe jam! That’s right he cleaned his disciples feet and he gave us some pretty tough instructions after that. If he could do it, we should follow his example and do the same. We can show God’s love to others by the way we serve others, and if you want to be an all star for his kingdom you must be a servant to all.
Bottom Line
Serving Others is the Best Way to Serve God!
Service with a touch of Bev!
My wife is wonderful, she leads worship for the kids, she has smile that could light up the darkest room, but she also loves to act and tell stories. Today, we put aside the puppets and skits and Bev brought our “sticky situation” through narration. She did a great job and all the kids were fixed on every word she said. Thanks for telling the story in your way Bev…Love ya!
Donnell Withdrawals
I feel kind of weird saying this…but my family has become close to Chris and Jaime Donnell and their kids, that is not the what is weird, they have been in San Diego for the past approximately 2 weeks…I think that is the longest that we have gone without spending time with them and we find our selves bored at times. Like I said last week, friends are a valuable gift in life and we take it for granted that certain people will always be there, but God never designed us to ride out life solo. He loves it when his children get together and have fun and enjoy life. Chris and Jaime, we love ya and miss ya, but be safe on your way back and look forward to going to Bahama Bucks with ya soon! 
