Lead Me - From Sanctus Real

Fathers:  in light of Father's Day yesterday, and the fact that our wives and children are SCREAMING for us to lead them, this video is just what I needed!!!!

Lead Me-Father's Day from Ryan Black Films on Vimeo.

Song is sung my Sanctus Real.  Here is the story behind the song from Matt:

The Story Behind "Lead Me" - Sanctus Real from BrightBulb Entertainment on Vimeo.

A Better Way

OK, so I've gotta get something off my chest - so allow me to vent for a brief moment!

What's up with the "in a relationship" statuses on Facebook?  I see tons (and I do mean tons) of young people's "relationship status" changing almost daily!  Going from single, to "in a relationship," to "it's complicated" all in a week's time!  Young people, take it from someone who's been there (albeit a loooong time ago):  THERE IS A BETTER WAY."

I realize that as God-created humans we have a need to be relationships - even ones with those of the opposite sex.  But I think we've gotten this whole relationship & dating thing all messed up!  Teens:  God doesn't want you to waste sooo much time on some random boy or girl, trying to "define" the relationship, then letting everyone know about it (through Facebook or otherwise).....He wants you to focus on the things that matter:  Loving Him, THEN loving others!  There is so much you have yet to experience, memories to be made - but you are so focused on the present you cannot see it, yet!

Parents:  help your teenage sons and daughters understand that being "in a relationship" is not the epitome of the teenage existence!!!  There is much that God has in store for your child/children - encourage them to spend time on that!  Help them understand that all that relationship "stuff" will work itself out as we follow Him.  Dads, let your daughters know they don't need to seek the approval from anyone other than you and their Heavenly Father.  Moms, let your sons know you love them unconditionally no matter what!

When I was in high school and even college, I spent an incredible amount of time trying to figure out who I could "go out" with or who would be my girlfriend.  It was a waste of time!!!  Instead, 5 months after finally deciding I would "Kiss Dating Goodbye" I met the love of my life.  She will even tell you that the first thing out of my mouth after meeting her was "Hi, my name is Dean and I'm NOT interested in a relationship."  That turned out to be a challenge for her - and she won!!!!

OK, I'm done with that rant!  Thanks for listening!

Aslan is on the Move!

Chronicles Of Narnia 3

" Faithbook" Summer Volunteers needed

Are you ready to have THE BEST Summer of your life?  Would you like to change the life of a child?  Are you looking to take the next step in your relationship with Christ?  If so, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!!!  For a short-term commitment (3 months), you can make a lifetime of impact.  We are in need of at least 25 more volunteers to volunteer this summer allowing our school-year Children’s Ministry volunteers to have a reprieve!  You can volunteer weekly, twice per month, once per month, for one month only (taking the rest of the summer off), as a sub only…..we will do our best to fit your schedule!

If this sounds like you, and you’re ready to take this next step, send an email to Dean answering these questions:

1)     Which service time would you be willing to serve?

2)     Which age group would you prefer to serve with?

3)     How often would you be available?

4)     What capacity – teacher, helper, large-group instructor, etc.?

Our Summer Program, faithbook, starts June 13^th and runs through August 29^th.

Dean Butterfield

___________________________________

Colonial Woods Missionary Church

3240 Pine Grove Ave.

Port Huron, MI  48060

Work   810-984-5571

Cell    810-300-9221

www.anchorchildrensministry.blogspot.com

Fun in The Sun

Lots of Great things happening this summer in and around Port Huron.  Come enjoy time with your families during our Wednesday night programs.  Check out the brochure below:
Summer Fun 2010

To what are we called to be?

If I believe there is a God, and if I believe that God has His hand in creating and running things on this planet, but what would His desire be for my life?  For what purpose do I exist?  Well, we may have not got that answer figured out completely yet, but I would venture to say there a place we can go to help us.....

• "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." - 1 Peter 2:9
• Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  - Romans 12:2
• Since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  - 1 Peter 1:16
• We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  - Romans 6:6

There are lots of versus in God's Word that point to how we are supposed to be "different."  Different than the world around us.  Different than those who don't have the Spirit living within them.  Different than those we run into every day.  But if you look around, can you tell if someone is a Christ-follower?

We hear a lot of talk today about "Being Culturally Relevant" - a phrase common in modern & emergent churches.  It's another way of saying we are to be "in the world, but not of the world."  But did you know that phrase is not anywhere in the Bible?  It's not.....search for it!  Furthermore, the Greek word is cosmos, and is most often referred to the place where Satan reigns.  We are to be physically present in this cosmos, but not follow its values.  

So I'll ask a different question:  Are we called to be 'relevant' or to be 'set-apart?'  Because I don't think we can be both!  I believe that we are to "be Holy as God is Holy."  And, as we are growing Holy, that gives us the opportunity to be light in the darkness and to be "inf the world, but not of it."

Book Review - Our Home is like a Little Church

I recently ran across a wonderful "new" resource for homes with young children desires to be a Faith@Home family.  They folks at Sojourn Community Church Kid's Ministry were kind enough to send me a copy of the book to review.

This book, "Our Home is Like a Little Church," is a children's book that tells the story of how "Pastor Dad" leads a family in passing on Faith to his kids.  It's a rhyming book - which kids TOTALLY dig - and has some great visuals to go with it!  I briefly showed it to a couple of families here at church and they immediately said they wanted one.  I read it my kids a couple of nights ago and they loved it as well.

This resource speaks the truth of God's word that our homes is where we are to live out our faith 24/7 - and not just as a 1 hour Christian on Sunday mornings.  The home is the front line of battle to win the hearts and lives of children - a war we are fighting against the powers of Hell and Satan.  Will you stand and fight against the tide of seeing young people walk away from the church?  I highly recommend getting this book NOW so we don't loose anymore of our kids!

Family Worship Guide

A Family Pastor, Rob Rienow from Wheaton Bible Church and Visionary Parenting, has put together Family Worship Guide to help families conduct some Worship events in their own homes.  This guide coincides which what is traditionally known as Ascension Week - the time when Jesus rose to Heaven and commissioned the Disciples.  Thought I would pass it along to you!
Family Worship Guide From VP

Faithbook - Summer Children's Ministry

Come be a part of living out Faith @ Home by ministering with your kids in faithbook!

Blessing of Your Home

Mark Holmen visited our church last week and conducted a Parenting Workshop.  One of the things he talked about was conducting a Home Blessing.  I went online and did a little research and found a few helpful resources.  The one I like the best is this one:

Home Blessing

Here are a few more:

http://ezinearticles.com/?House-Blessings---Bless-Yours-NOW!&id=120835

http://www.hannahscupboard.com/ST-house-blessing.html

http://homepages.sover.net/~hkfamily/Pages/HouseBlessing.html

If you live in the Thumb area of Michigan or attend CWMC and would like help conducting this ceremony, give me a shout!

God Bless