Focus on the Family & Colonial Woods

It's too soon to give all the details, but coming very soon Colonial Woods will be hosting a Faith @ Home Church Seminar the weekend of May 1st & 2nd with the Missionary Church's own Mark Holmen.  This event is being sponsored by the Michigan District of the Missionary Church.

There will be several components to the weekend - some for church leaders from across the Blue Water and Thumb of Michigan AND for parents who wish to take the next step in discipleship of their kids.  You can find out about how FOTF and Faith @ Home are partnering by going to their WEBSITE.

So stay tuned to find out more details as they become available.

Superman vs. Jesus

During my devotional time today - which is all too few and far between - I was reading about how Jesus was FULLY human.  It directed me to read Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 - likely one of the most famous Messianic passages from the Old Testament.  There are some interesting thoughts around this question:  What was life like for Jesus as he was growing up?

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

There are times when I may not have been popular, and certainly experienced suffering in my lifetime; but I don't think I can ever say I've been "despised!"  But our Savior was!

"Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards."

I have certainly been mocked before - both in my childhood and adult life - but I can't say I've ever been a "song of the drunkard!?"   But our Savior was!

I then got to thinking, what life would have been like for Jesus growing up?  Did these things take place as a kid, teenager, adult????  Here's an analogy...

Remember the original Superman Movie???  You know, the one with Christopher Reeves????  [Yes, I'm THAT old!]  As Clark Kent, Superman was just an ordinary kid who was made fun of and put down.  He didn't play any sports or show himself to have any special talent.  But underneath that, he was The Man of Steel!  He could do just about anything - including FLY!!!!!!

I wonder if Jesus was picked on and made fun of as a teen???  Did he keep his Lordship under raps??? Underneath the exterior of the Son of Man, was the King of Kings!  One who would save the world!!!

I guess what I'm getting at is that no matter what you've been through, God has been through worse!  No matter what you've done, God has been there!  Remember that as you go through your day!

More "Dear God" Letters

Just a few more.....enjoy!!

~ This is my favorite! ~

In Him, Dean

"Dear God...."

ere are some letters to God from Elementary Kids.  Read and enjoy!

More design input, please!

OK, so I updated the designs a little bit based on feedback received - and THANKS for that by the way.  Let me know what you think of these.  Thanks everyone!

I think I need to move the box up a little bit...

Graphic Design Thoughts

I'm going to be ordering a few table top displays to use for recruiting and promotional tables, and want to know what you think of these designs.  They need to be simple, but visionary.

Now, admittedly I am NOT a graphic artist, and I can only use Publisher to create these, so they certainly won't meet the standards of you MAC users - so be kind - but offer some input.  I am going to be ordering these designs through Momentum Media who is running a special as part of promoting this newer business to the folks who attend the Orange Conference.

OK, check them out:

I wrestled a while with the background color options, but still don't know if they work.  Thoughts??

Remodeling Pictures

We have been in process of finishing our basement (with it's own entrance) over the last few months and have gotten quite a bit done.  I wanted to share some pics with ya'll.  This will be where my wife's parents live in the future - likely in a few months.  Hope you enjoy this look into our home!

Future Kitchen w/ Tile Floor

Columns in the main living area.

The Throne in all it's Glory!

Shower / Tub Combo - there will be a pocket door in the space on the left (leads to the bedroom).

Beautiful double sink in the bathroom.  More tile flooring.

Additional Water Heater for the downstairs bathroom.

Sub-Electrical Panel for the downstairs.  Brad Morris ROCKS!!!

French Doors that lead to a cement patio and our back yard.

Hanging Light will be above an island in the kitchen.

Main living room again.  There are 3 columns total - for now.

A little nook for the future office!

Hot off the Presses - The Journey

As Family Journey in Faith has grown over the last 3 years at Colonial Woods, a desire to encourage, inspire and equip as many parents as possible has risen.  This desire does not just include families of pre-school and Elementary kids, but those with pre-teens and teenagers as well.  To that end, it is my joy to begin to offer a resource for parents of ALL aged kids who wish to continue to mentor and disciple their children in the home.

"The Journey" is a quarterly (for now) newsletter available for download that provides insights, encouragement, and resources for parents as we seek to carry out the Great Commission in our families.  I know what you may be thinking:  "Oh great!  One more thing to read to fill up "all this time" I have on my hands!?!?!?"  (Sarcasm intended.)  The FJIF team understands you are busy!  We understand there are thousands of messages speaking into your marriage and family every day!  You don't necessarily need one more thing to do....

But the FJIF team also understands that God has placed each parent into the primary role to teach their kids about God.  We are the ones they will learn about any and all spiritual matters from; and as Jesus followers I very much want my kids to follow Him as well.  Take a look through "The Journey" and let God encourage you through it.

Also, let us know your thoughts and insights for future editions.  There is also a Giveaway Contest if you would like to participate.

In Him,
Dean

Get Ready to Blast Off!!!

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls of all ages:  I introduce to you, the next adventure of Vacation Bible School for Colonial Woods:

Cadets:  You can begin your training by clicking HERE!

Parents:  Save these dates - July 18th - 22nd from 6:00 to 8:30 PM!!!!

Marriage Retreat @ CWMC

Husbands and Wives - do you need a little inspiration and encouragement?  Then I encourage you to check out this event next month:


Marriage Retreat:
“Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti”

February 19 & 20, 2010 Speakers:  Bill & Pam Farrel On February 19 & 20, 2010 we will be hosting a Marriage Retreat for our married and soon-to-be married couples. We welcome Bill and Pam Farrel, the authors of Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti. Tickets are on sale in the church office or at the table in the foyer. The cost is $49.00 per couple before February 8. After February 8 the ticket price will go up to $59.00. Schedule Friday, February 19, 2010 7:00 PM—9:00 PM Session #1 followed by a Sweet Treats Afterglow Saturday, February 20, 2010 8:00 AM—9:00 AM Continental Breakfast 9:00 AM—10:30 AM Session #2 10:30 AM–11:00 AM Break 11:00 AM-12:00 PM Session #3 For more information, contact Melissa at 810-984-5571.

Attention Ladies!!!

There are a couple events coming up just for you!!!

Spa Night
February 5, 2010 from 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Cost - $5/person

Ladies, this night is for you – a Ladies Super Bowl Party!! Time to get out of the house, leave the kiddos at home and come enjoy a little pampering (or a lot)? Women’s Ministry has designed this event to give you an opportunity to bring your pre-Christian friends to a relaxing evening where they will have fun, laugh, and enjoy spa services provided by our volunteer technicians, all in a Christ-centered environment! So invite your friends, neighbors, and family members to come with you. Refreshments will be provided. Registration will begin in January! Call the Women’s Ministry Office (810-984-5571) if you have questions.

Ladies Day Away
April 17, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

“Set Your GPS for Life’s Journey”
God’s Peaceful Splendor

We invite all women to join us for Ladies’ Day Away 2010. It’s a time to relax, share with other women, experience great worship, and grow in relationship with the Lord. Gigi Graham, daughter of Billy Graham, will be our guest speaker. Gigi believes in being open and transparent about her faith and life experiences – “the ups and the downs, the valleys as well as the mountaintops.” Although she comes from a well-known Christian family, she is the first to admit that she does not “have it all together” and like the rest of us, is a work in progress. She will share from her heart and hopes that you will find yourself setting your direction in life that leads you to a place of fulfillment and joy.

Ticket prices are $30 which includes a box lunch or $25 without lunch. Plan to join us for this day of inspiration.

Call Julie at the church office, 810-984-5571 to register for any of the above activities or email Julie.

Tips on Prayer

For those of you who are looking for some tips on prayer, check out this video:




Side Note:  I always thought that those who interlocked fingers must secretly like each other.....I'm just sayin'!

Going A.F.T.'R. More - Equip Notes

If you were unable to attend our monthly Anchor Children's Ministry volunteer Equip Meeting last night - you missed out on a great training.  We have been working through a series called "What's the Big Picture?" - looking at the issue of Discipleship and how we can carry that out in our own lives and in the lives of the kids in our ministry.

I've been taking some of the information from SonLife Discipleship that we have also been using with our Christian Education staff under the direction of Pastor Dwight Weber.  Last evening we looked at the idea of "Going A.F.T.'R. More' in our effort to walk in-step with Christ.  Here are some of the notes:

We studied the purpose of the 'Ministry Training' phase of Jesus' training of the Disciples.

•Jesus’ Objective during the Ministry Training Phase was: 

1.  To gather a team of people who were AFT’R more. 

2.  To shape his team by equipping them for peer care and peer share. 

Available – Luke 5:1-3                 

• Disciples left EVERYTHING to follow Jesus. 

•Faithful – Luke 5:4-5 

• The Disciples did what Jesus asked them to do, even if it didn’t make sense.

Teachable – Luke 5:6-10a

• The Disciples allowed Jesus to be their teacher / Rabbi.  They recognized their position before Him.

Responsive – Luke 5:10b-11

• The Disciples followed through in following Him.  They responded to His call.
• Without a response, this is just a nice, little story. 

We wrapped up by asking ourselves these questions:

• A - Are you willing to follow Him?
• F - Is there an area of your life you have not remained faithful?
• T - Have you let Pride creep into your life somewhere?
• R - How are you responding to the call of God? 

[And no, the apostrophe doesn't have a meaning!]

So there you go.  Any thoughts or comments????

Dean

The Race is On for our Kids

I ran across this recording from a website - Visionary Parenting - and needed to share with all of you.  Dr. Rob Rienow is the Family Pastor at Wheaton Bible Church in Wheaton, IL.  It's a little long, but you could listen to it while checking out Facebook, your email or other work.

Here is the description from Dr. Rienow's website:

How effective is your Children's Ministry at supporting parents and helping children discover and grow in Christ?  This message from Rob Rienow was given to the 200 Children's Ministry leaders/volunteers at Wheaton Bible Church. Please consider sharing this message with the Children's team at your church. Listen by clicking below, or download via the podcast link. After listening to the message, view the powerpoint (warning: VERY graphic) that Rob refers to HERE!


Our kids are being sought after HIGHLY by Satan - will we win the fight for the next generation?  Are we being the parents God wants us to be in carrying out our MAIN purpose in our families?  


In Him, Dean

Children's Pastor's Conference

I had the privilege and enjoyment of attending and volunteering last week at the 2010 Children's Pastor's Conference in Nashville, TN.  This is a premier Children's Ministry conference for pastors, directors, teachers, leaders and volunteers of children's ministry.  The event is hosted by the International Network of Children's Ministry based in Castle Rock, Colorado.

For a 2nd year in a row I was able to volunteer as a Conference Assistant helping set-up and maintain Audio/Video equipment for several of the Breakout Sessions.  It is always a blast meeting new CM folks and re-connecting with people from around the country.  Below are some pics into the week of CPC.

The Beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN.

The AMAZING - but CRAZY - 2010 Conference Assistants!

The Lads from New Zealand had the best booth there - IMHO!

Worship with Michael Neale was incredible!

Green Team RULES!!!!  No, I'm not related to Shreck or he Hulk; and yes I feel fine!

I got nothing to say...

Throwing down with Karl Bastian - aka Kidologist!

Ryan Frank heads up Kidz Matter out of Sweester, IN.

Quite possibly the highlight of CPC this year was Tim Hawkins!

I hope you enjoyed this little trip into my week at CPC!