thankful for my marriage

I sat near an older couple, ok they were probably my age, recently meeting for the first time and discussing their past marriages talking about the fact that it's hard to date in your 60's, I'm pretty sure they met on-line.

It made me VERY thankful for my marriage.

We recently moved and found that it drew us closer together, a common dream and quite the challenge to empty a house after being there 23 years and squeezing into a tiny house!  So fun.

I also appreciate a ministry that offers opportunities to grow closer as a couple.  

Currently Crossroads is offering a Valentines Banquet CLICK HERE for couples and singles both and we're bringing Kirk Cameron live to speak to us about both marriage and parenting.  PLEASE register right away CLICK HERE.

I'm challenging you to take advantage of both of these events, as well as classes and groups being offered right now in our Winter Semester CLICK HERE to see the catalogue, and try to be intentional about being thankful for your marriage!

Go love your spouse well!

weekend review

I saw many people wiping their eyes as they left the auditorium this weekend. It is always moving to involve children in the weekend service. Combine the impact of children with the teaching of our Family Ministry Director, Jeanette Chase and you have a God anointed weekend!

Our Setlist: We began the theme right from the opening element and carried it all the way through

Instrumental: Linus and Lucy

Announcements: we used our Senior High Ministry Pastor who brought up a tiny side kick (we look for thematic ways to have fun with announcements- so involving a child was perfect)

Praise: As For Me this song is taken from one of the texts Jeanette used

Praise: Today

Praise: One Voice this is an original song written by Milo Sgambellone one of our worship leaders...if you watch our service on line, you will see a video within the teaching of a little boy who played and sang this song for Milo ! A perfect illustration of how we model for our children.

Special: Cats In The Cradle I have to confess when the music guys told me we were doing this song I thought it too predictable. But, the way it was performed was so great, a great take on the original!

Drama: Fat Chance (a WillowCreek drama) A perfect representation of what every parent deals with and how it is difficult to even find time for prayer.

Teaching: Prayer in Parenting

Ending Special: Shout To The Lord kids choir

This weekend took a lot of behind the scenes people to pull of, I would like to thank them all so much. Our congregation was very moved and I'd like to pass all the thank yous on to all of our amazing team members!

If you would like to see what other churches around the country and around the world did this weekend, go to Fred McKinnon's site!

If you visit our site on Tuesday, you can watch the Crossroads services on line! God Bless!

consistency

A younger friend of mine asked several of us at small group Sunday night what the secret to good parenting and good relationships with our older kids is. (Obviously she understood that a personal walk with Christ is the very most important aspect of success!)
My response - consistency.

I really cannot think of another thing that is more important in parenting. This is true in every area. Parents must demonstrate consistency in their own marriages, consistency in our pursuit of spiritual maturity, discipline of our kids, a big one is encouragement of our kids, we need to be very present in their lives - attend things that are important to them, then there is honesty with our kids... I could go on and on.

Even the Christian kids I know who have lost respect for their parents seem to resent them because they see they don't practice what they preach. We cannot expect our kids to act any differently then we act. Certainly there are exceptions, and it doesn't always mean that the parents did wrong things. Some kids just seem to struggle with authority their whole lives. All we can do is our best to demonstrate a responsible, consistent, Godly life for them!

Generally speaking, what I see is if there is consistency between what we say and what we do, the relationship with our kids can flourish! I pray for my kids and praise God for our relationship every day!