Coming This Summer!

Family Driven Faith

I ran across THIS CHANNEL of videos from YouTube and thought I would share them with you. Dr. Voddie Baucham is the Preaching Pastor at Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, TX. His family legacy is riddled with family problems and divorces - 22 out of 25 marriages in his family have ended in divorce.

What he is talking about in this video is his book Family Driven Faith that, from what I read, is supposed to be phenomenal. I have already purchased it and my wife is currently reading it (since she reads a lot faster than I do).

So why am I bothering to write about this? Check out this video:

I agree completely with Dr. Baucham - we have been wathcing the breakdown of the Family since the 50's - and yet we wonder why we have all of these social problems and issues within society. I don't blog about this claiming to have it all together, but to open the lines of communication within our churches at how to bring our families together and raise Godly, Discipled kids of the faith; because the way we have been doing it does not seem to be working.

It's time for a wake up call.

Dean

Here is a little video I thought I would upload for you to look at. Children's Ministry is important to Jesus, and it should be important to me!

Blessings, Dean

Struggling Families

Everywhere we turn today we see messages of economic and moral struggles within our community and families. Every day I hear of a family struggling with crisis. Marriages in turmoil, families in danger of loosing their home, kids being molested by extended family members, church families at odds with each other - and those are just from this week!

I'll bet it breaks the Heart of God to see His creation in such trouble and turmoil. This was not the way He intended for things to be. He created a world that was supposed to be perfect and without these issues...but humanity's flesh and Satan had different ideas.

But while some may seen pure devestation, Paul saw the opportunity for God to be glorified (Romans 4:20-21). I know that during some of my darkest moments, I came out of those KNOWING that I was closer to God than I had ever been. It certainly does not feel like it, but when the shadows are the darkest is when the 'Son' is shining the brightest! So if this is you or your family right now - trust that God is watching during this "valley of the shadow of death."

Moving....again!

Well everyone, my family is moving again! This time right across the street from where we are now. If you are available and so inclined, we could always use more help. We will get started around 9:00 AM this Saturday, February 23, going from 1433 Jones Place to 1446 Jones place. I told you it was right across the street!

Joking aside, any help you could provide would be appreciated. I will provide some donuts, drinks and pizza (for lunch).

God Bless, Dean

Equip Meeting

In case you were not aware, or in case you forgot, there is another equip meeting this coming Sunday, February 24th at 6:00 at the Church. We will be talking about issues of filling the spaces of time we all have at various times AND some ways to handle transitions. Check out the opening video here:

If you can make it, you should definitly come - I promise you will enjoy it!

Colonial Woods Kid's Choir

Perhaps you have heard about this already, but Sunday, February 3rd, we are starting the CWMC Children’s Choir (we still have yet to come up with a fun, creative name). This group of kids, in Grades 2nd through 5th, will be practicing during the 10:45 Service getting ready for the Spring Musical on April 27th at 6:00 PM. In the future, this group will also perform at various times on Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary (similar to what the hand bell groups do currently) and also put on the Christmas Musical near the end of the year.

Leading this group will be Lori Butterfield assisted by Ann Aschauer for the Spring Musical. If your child enjoys singing or performing drama, this is the group for them! Have them attend their class as usual, they will sing the worship songs with all the other 1st through 5th Graders, then break off for their practice. For now, the kids will be practicing in the 3rd Grade room upstairs, so be sure to tell them where to meet you after the service is completed.

Hopefully we will see them there.....

Dean

Lest you think I am just crazy......which is true

I am not the only person who think that Children's Ministry is where EVERYONE should invest their time. Check out what this blogger (Gina gets a lot more hits that I do) has to say:

"If you want a place to cast nets that strain from the weight when you pull in your catch, march your evangelistic hind parts into your elementary age experience and share Jesus with the same amount of passion as you do to adults."

Gina goes on to say that she is not usally this intense, but is "just ruthlessly passionate that my 8-year old son is a walking Temple filled with the Holy Spirit. That he received power when the Holy Spirit came upon him and he is a witness to Jesus. That because he believes in Jesus, the works that Jesus did, he will do also; and greater works than these because of the Holy Spirit that dwells within him today."

Children's Ministry is more than just child care! It is more than just giving parents the opportunity to worship. It is even more than just "preparing them for the future." They can and should be making an impact RIGHT NOW. When you are interacting with them, help them to understand that God has given them power to impact the world around them - however little it may be.

His, Dean

Danger is Always Lurking!

Perhaps you heard about Jose de Jesus, a man in Miami, FL who is claiming to be the 2nd Coming of Jesus. He believes he is Jesus because of a vision he had several years ago. What is worse is just how many millions of people are believing him.

Of course we know that he is a one of the false teachers talked about in Matthew 24, but is scary to know that these dangerous influences are always lurking around the corner. As children's workers we have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to be an influence in the lives of kids. You are part of the influences that kids will lean on when tests come into thier lives.

So what type of influence are you in the lives of kids, your own other someone else's? What will keep our kids on solid foundation when trials and negative influences come? Do you want to be a part of that? There is NO BETTER time to influence the lives of people (even into adulthood) than when they are children! We should be as blessed to be able to have this opportunity.

God Bless, Dean

I'm Excited...

This coming Sunday evening (January 27th @ 6 PM) I get to preach my first sermon here at Colonial Woods. You should come and enjoy a time of getting to know a little more of my heart and hear from God's Word. In preparation, if you are interested, you could read Mark 12:28-31 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

I am also excited because of our next Family Journey in Faith Take-It Home Event. February 10th, during the 2nd Service in the Gym, we will be inviting 4th & 5th Graders AND their parents to join us for a family experience in prayer. These events are part of what the Family Journey ministry is all about - partnering with you to bring about the spiritual discipleship of our kids.

Be sure to put both of these events on your calender and hope to see you there.

-Dean