VBS Wrap-Up

Well, what an amazing week we had this year at VBS!!! We had at least 260 kids each night with over 120 volunteers. Each and everyone of you/them made an impact on the lives of kids (I also hope you enjoyed your Snickers). The last night the pre-schoolers made a craft that everyone just loves. Check out the pic of it! (Yes that's my Tali!)

The kids were also able to raise over $2000 for the Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center to help mothers and their children receive pre-natal care, counseling and supplies. As a result, I did indeed shave my head. I don't have any pics yet of the act actually taking place, but here is one of the finished project:

Again, thanks to ALL OF YOU who helped make SonForce Kids VBS 2007 a smashing success. A big thanks to Kim, Lisa, Tammy and MaryLou for the leadership and behind the scenes work.
Until next time,

Dean

VBS Updates

Well, we have now had 4 days of VBS and have 1 more to go! So far, we have had 40 kids receive Christ for the first time and have collected $1085 for the Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center. The kids have one more day to riase $415 in order to see me have my head shaved. (I am farily sure it will happen.)

Also, we have been averaging 260 kids each night along with well over 100 volunteers each evening as well. If you volunteers during VBS, I just want to say you have been doing a fantastic job and have truely made an impact in the lives of kids. Hope to see everyone tomorrow night, where I may be going bald!

God Bless, Dean

Mr. Clean, Mr. Clean

Yes you heard it right. If the kids raise enough money ($1500) for our VBS Mission fundraiser this year, Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center, I am going to shave my head! Think that will get the kids attention!

Also, in case you are checking in how things went, we had 210 kids in attendance and raised $34.00 so far for BWPCC. I am sure more will be coming in tomorrow night! Hope to see you there.

Dean

Welcome to SonForce Kids VBS!

This post is for all of you checking out the blogsite from the conference room at Colonial Woods during our VBS week. Welcome to a great new way of communicating to our volunteers. Check around the site, look at a few links and make yourself at home.

The table you see before you is to entice you to become weekly or monthly volunteers of Anchor Children's Ministry. So be sure to sign up as we have A LOT of spaces available for you to make a difference in the life of children and impact them for God!

Thanks, Dean

Have you checked in yet?

ATTENTION ALL SCHOOL YEAR VOLUNTEERS OF COLONIAL WOODS CHILDREN'S MINISTRY! Have you let me know if you are returning in the fall? You should have received a postcard in the mail, but I have not heard from MANY of you.

So give me a call, stop by the Church, or email me.

Dean

It's about Quality Time, Not Quantity Time

Well after years of research in original Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the Greek word for that idea is...................bologna! I LOVE this verse in Deuteronomy:

"If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married." (24:5)

How great would that be! Only having one responsibility for a whole year: your family! When Pastor Phil spoke about this issue back on June 17, he used that phrase, "Dad's...PASTOR your families."

Care for them, offer input and advice, pray for them, organize activities for them, teach them, etc. Specifically, simply tell your kids something everyday about your walk with Christ. Of course, that assumes YOU ARE following Christ.

The song "A Few Good Men" by the Gaither Vocal Band is a wonderful testament to what is needed. Here is small taste:

Till next time, Dean

What does it take to change the world?

This is a commercial from Apple several years ago, long before the iPod and the new iPhone. It was when they were running their "Think Different" campaign. Check it out...

I think more often than not, we simply rest on our laurels, maintain the status quo, go along in life and not really ponder what kind of difference we can make. Let me share a brief verse with you: "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4)

We have, as believers in Christ, the VERY POWER that exists within God Himself! Now, I do not mean we are in some new age way "a god," but with the Holy Spirit living inside us we can and should in a very real sense CHANGE THE WORLD! So, what will your first step be?

Dean

Behold, The Power of ....

Kids! Now more than ever kids are taking society and our culture by storm. Starting off with the movie Newsies to the new show "Kid Nation," kids are showing just how much power they can wield. Kid Nation is a new fall series that will air on CBS within the genre of a reality show. Some kids lead, some will follow, but all will come out changed.

Check out the link to see the preview of what it will be all about. I have a feeling this show will be a big hit! Of course some are calling it wrong with the potential to do more harm than good. At the very least it gives us and idea of how society views kids.

Then, at the same time, you have this little survey. The Pew Research Company conducted the survey (Click Here for their website). Strange how to seeminly opposite things can exist at the same time? (There is a technical name for this, I just can't think of it at the moment.)

So how important are kids to you? Do you look for opportuniteis to teach and learn from them? Do you look for ways to leave a legacy in their lives? The thing is...kids are learning something from somewhere. I would like to be a GOOD influence on them, instead of having someone else be a BAD one. As CM Volunteers, you are in a position to influence the lives of kids and families, so reach out and change the life of at least one.

Dean

The Power of Forgiveness!

Tyler Perry is a Christian man who has broke into the world of Hollywood by putting his faith and need to forgive on the big screen. Diary of a Mad Black Women and Madea's Family Reunion have been two of his greatest movies that show his heart and passion for love, family, and forgiveness.

He learned these lessons as a result of having an abusive father and holding onto that grudge well into adult hood. “The heart of who I am as a person and as a man is forgiveness,” he explains, “after forgiving my father for a lot of things that were done when I was child.”

He also states, “To understand it from a child’s point of view, when you’re looking at this man who is supposed to be your protector and take care of you, [and] he’s the one that’s causing the most pain in your life, of course that is difficult.” His movies, stories, plays and books are a powerful testimoney to God and to His love for his people. You can check out an article on CBN by visiting their website. They also have a great video interview with him.

If you struggle with where to begin living a life of legacy in your family, start with learning the power to forgive. Don't hold grudges! Realize that kids are ego-centric in all things and that you need to forgive them. Don't be afraid to say you are sorry to your kids! Admit when you make a mistake. Start here and see what happens.

Dean