I've been getting quite a chuckle out of my oldest child lately. When Rachel was a little girl.. right up until she left home as a young adult I tried like crazy to teach her to cook, clean.. be domestic. She fought it at every turn. I couldn't bribe her into the kitchen for anything!
As I watch from a distance now it amazes me how much she actually absorbed... apparently through osmosis! What on earth happened? She now LOVES to cook. In fact, she loves to "toy" with recipes just like her Momma! If you check out her Facebook page you'll inevitably see a running menu of delicious sounding meals.
She's become quite the "coupon queen" as well. I figured out that if you want to really get her excited.. tell her your sending her a pile of coupons! Her husband, Adam thinks she actually gets an adrenaline rush from seeing how much money she can save. Well, duh Adam, and so should you!
Over the years I've gone through quite a few phases of learning how to eat healthy and as naturally as possible. Well, low and behold, my candy sucking, junk food loving child is now on the organic food band wagon!
You know, it really just proves something. Young Mamas... don't give up. Keep teaching, training, living an example to your daughters. Eventually, no matter how much they resist they'll come around. Not quite sure how that happens? Maturity? Parenthood? Or... maybe it was all that whispering in her ear after she fell asleep? Whatever it was, I'm a pretty proud Mama...and she's quite the Mama too!
LOVE YOU RACH! <3
Feathers From the Nest
Monday, April 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Since my Facebook post caused quite a bit of conversation regarding whether or not children belong in a Worship Service I thought I would move the conversation to this venue in order to clarify my question and my thoughts regarding this topic.
First, let me say that I do believe that this subject deserves much more in the way of dialogue than most Sr. Pastor's are willing to have. We have created a culture within our churches that segregates children from all else in order to create "Environments where guests and the un-churched will not be distracted." It is my personal opinion that this is a grave mistake. Putting the practical implications of this aside, (Children who do not know how to behave in a worship service or interact in a multi-generational venue.)we must understand the deeper issues.
In the end, we must go to Scripture to find the principles, and maybe even the commands set before us with regard to this discussion. Thus, my question regarding the sufficiency of Scripture.
It is important to understand that to get a balanced view we must also understand that the primary Discipler in the life of a child should ALWAYS be the parents. It is NOT nor has it ever been the respondsability of the Church to be the primary Biblical teacher of our children. In fact, Sunday School and Children's Church are quite new concepts in the life of the Church. It is also important to note that Sunday School was not "invented" for the purpose of teaching Christian kids, in Christian homes to attend. It was created for those children who did not have that kind of teaching/training in their homes. (The unsaved/un-churched.) It doesn't take one too long to see the results of Parents giving over the primary training of Scripture to the church.
All throughout Scripture we find examples of children being present with adults during times of Scripture teaching. In fact, they must have been present during the times that Jesus was teaching the Disciples. (Matt. 18:1-5) (For more examples of the commands in Scripture for Children to be brought to Corporate Worship just shoot me an e-mail and I'd be happy to send those to you.)
Finally, lest you think I am proposing the dissolution of all things Children's Ministry let me assure you I am not. There is, however, a real need for us to understand that in order to reclaim a generation (and further generations) we must get back to what God's true plan was. PARENTS MUST DISCIPLE THEIR CHILDREN. The Church provides SUPPORT.
That looks like this in a Christian church going home:
Parents: Primary spiritual teacher/trainer (in missions, evangelism, scriptural knowledge)
Church: Support system through clubs, SS. classes, etc.
Peers: Encouragement/Social (Youth ministry, Camps etc.)
In the life of an unsaved/un-churched child/teen it looks like this:
Peers- The first line of evangelism
Church- The connection to the Body of Christ and Scripture
Parents- Hopefully reached through the ministry of the church to the child/teen
So when I asked the question here is what I was getting at:
1. The sufficiency of Scripture
This issue, and all issues of Christian living, needs to be approached through the
lens of “Sola Scriptura.” God’s Word has given us all that we need, by way of its
commands, as well as its patterns, for all decisions related to faith and practice. So
our concern on this question of “do children belong in church?” or “should
families be called to worship together in church?” needs to be addressed with the
patterns1 and commands found in Scripture. “Sola Scriptura” points us to ask, “If
we only had the Bible to refer to in making a decision about this issue, what
would we conclude?”
2. The responsibility of parents to be the primary spiritual trainers of their children.
The responsibility for the discipleship of children is given to parents as the first
application of the Great Commandment in Deuteronomy 6:5ff and directly to
parents, specifically fathers, in Ephesians 6:4.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
strength. These commands that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home.” - Deut
6:5ff
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children, but bring them up in the training and
instruction of the Lord.” – Eph. 6:4
3. The vision of multi-generational faithfulness spreading the gospel to all nations.
The third foundation for this issue has to do with the mission of the church to
make disciples and to spread the gospel to all nations. Throughout the Scriptures,
from the first command to multiply throughout the earth, a vision and plan is
presented of generation after generation of God’s people bringing the message of
God’s truth and love to all people. The link between the discipleship of children
and the mission to bring the love of God to all nations is clearly seen in Genesis
18:18-19 where we discover that Abraham’s specific responsibility in seeing
God’s kingdom mission fulfilled was the spiritual training of his own children and
descendents.
In short: Parents, take back your role as the Spiritual Leader of your children. Give your children the opportunity to be involved in multi-generational worship. Know that they are far more capable of understanding "adult" teaching than what we give them credit for. Let them see you worship the God that you love. Let them see the ENTIRE church (the Body of Christ) in Worship. Help them feel accepted and a part of what we have gotten so good at excluding them from. Finally, forget the idea that a Sunday morning Worship Service is a venue for deep Biblical teaching. That should happen in our SS classes, Bible Studies or even in our own personal feeding times etc. (I've probably opened another can of worms with that one!)
We need to work hard in a decaying society to claim the next generation for Christ. I truly believe that if our families will start at home and then worship together with the Body of Christ we might just have a fighting chance.
First, let me say that I do believe that this subject deserves much more in the way of dialogue than most Sr. Pastor's are willing to have. We have created a culture within our churches that segregates children from all else in order to create "Environments where guests and the un-churched will not be distracted." It is my personal opinion that this is a grave mistake. Putting the practical implications of this aside, (Children who do not know how to behave in a worship service or interact in a multi-generational venue.)we must understand the deeper issues.
In the end, we must go to Scripture to find the principles, and maybe even the commands set before us with regard to this discussion. Thus, my question regarding the sufficiency of Scripture.
It is important to understand that to get a balanced view we must also understand that the primary Discipler in the life of a child should ALWAYS be the parents. It is NOT nor has it ever been the respondsability of the Church to be the primary Biblical teacher of our children. In fact, Sunday School and Children's Church are quite new concepts in the life of the Church. It is also important to note that Sunday School was not "invented" for the purpose of teaching Christian kids, in Christian homes to attend. It was created for those children who did not have that kind of teaching/training in their homes. (The unsaved/un-churched.) It doesn't take one too long to see the results of Parents giving over the primary training of Scripture to the church.
All throughout Scripture we find examples of children being present with adults during times of Scripture teaching. In fact, they must have been present during the times that Jesus was teaching the Disciples. (Matt. 18:1-5) (For more examples of the commands in Scripture for Children to be brought to Corporate Worship just shoot me an e-mail and I'd be happy to send those to you.)
Finally, lest you think I am proposing the dissolution of all things Children's Ministry let me assure you I am not. There is, however, a real need for us to understand that in order to reclaim a generation (and further generations) we must get back to what God's true plan was. PARENTS MUST DISCIPLE THEIR CHILDREN. The Church provides SUPPORT.
That looks like this in a Christian church going home:
Parents: Primary spiritual teacher/trainer (in missions, evangelism, scriptural knowledge)
Church: Support system through clubs, SS. classes, etc.
Peers: Encouragement/Social (Youth ministry, Camps etc.)
In the life of an unsaved/un-churched child/teen it looks like this:
Peers- The first line of evangelism
Church- The connection to the Body of Christ and Scripture
Parents- Hopefully reached through the ministry of the church to the child/teen
So when I asked the question here is what I was getting at:
1. The sufficiency of Scripture
This issue, and all issues of Christian living, needs to be approached through the
lens of “Sola Scriptura.” God’s Word has given us all that we need, by way of its
commands, as well as its patterns, for all decisions related to faith and practice. So
our concern on this question of “do children belong in church?” or “should
families be called to worship together in church?” needs to be addressed with the
patterns1 and commands found in Scripture. “Sola Scriptura” points us to ask, “If
we only had the Bible to refer to in making a decision about this issue, what
would we conclude?”
2. The responsibility of parents to be the primary spiritual trainers of their children.
The responsibility for the discipleship of children is given to parents as the first
application of the Great Commandment in Deuteronomy 6:5ff and directly to
parents, specifically fathers, in Ephesians 6:4.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
strength. These commands that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home.” - Deut
6:5ff
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children, but bring them up in the training and
instruction of the Lord.” – Eph. 6:4
3. The vision of multi-generational faithfulness spreading the gospel to all nations.
The third foundation for this issue has to do with the mission of the church to
make disciples and to spread the gospel to all nations. Throughout the Scriptures,
from the first command to multiply throughout the earth, a vision and plan is
presented of generation after generation of God’s people bringing the message of
God’s truth and love to all people. The link between the discipleship of children
and the mission to bring the love of God to all nations is clearly seen in Genesis
18:18-19 where we discover that Abraham’s specific responsibility in seeing
God’s kingdom mission fulfilled was the spiritual training of his own children and
descendents.
In short: Parents, take back your role as the Spiritual Leader of your children. Give your children the opportunity to be involved in multi-generational worship. Know that they are far more capable of understanding "adult" teaching than what we give them credit for. Let them see you worship the God that you love. Let them see the ENTIRE church (the Body of Christ) in Worship. Help them feel accepted and a part of what we have gotten so good at excluding them from. Finally, forget the idea that a Sunday morning Worship Service is a venue for deep Biblical teaching. That should happen in our SS classes, Bible Studies or even in our own personal feeding times etc. (I've probably opened another can of worms with that one!)
We need to work hard in a decaying society to claim the next generation for Christ. I truly believe that if our families will start at home and then worship together with the Body of Christ we might just have a fighting chance.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Colic
Rachel called the other day. Seems Annslie was showing signs of "colic". If you are a Mom you may be familiar with that term. The medical community has had quite a time defining exactly what "colic" is. At first colic and gas were interchangeable terms. Then, as with any other malady ideas changed and therefore the definition.
Anyway, seems Rach had tried everything. Warm baths, running the vacuum cleaner (Which seemed to help but you can only run a vacuum for so long!) nursing. She tried it all and needless to say was getting a bit desperate!
When Addyson was born we got Rachel a "Moby". If you aren't familiar with what a "Moby" is, it is basically a long piece of fabric that is wrapped around Mom's body in such a way as to provide a snug little place for baby to "ride". This isn't really such a new idea. Many cultures have been using this method of carrying babies for hundreds of years. After all, did you ever see an African mommy with a playpen or swing sitting in her hut? (I wonder if African babies get "colic"?)
Anyway, I suggested to Rach that she put Annslie in the "Moby" and get her up really snug against her chest. This would provide warmth, and the ability for Annslie to hear her mommy's familiar heartbeat. A comforting place to hide.
You see, one of the most recent findings is that babies who are born early or have later developing receptors get to a time in the day when everything is on "overload". (Back in the day, we called it "The witching hour".) The theory is that warmth, the soothing sound of mommy's heartbeat and maybe even skin contact calms all of those "mis-firings" down and therefore calms baby.
Well, it worked! Rachel plopped little Miss Annslie's butt in the Moby wrap and within seconds voila'!
Now, this got me to thinking... I think we as adults get "colic" too! We get to a point in our lives when everything just seems to "misfire". We are on "system overload". All we want to do is scream! Well? Why wouldn't a figurative "moby" work?
What we really need is to just get back to something familiar. Something warm, comforting. Back to something very basic. I think sometimes we put so much "over-stimulation" in our lives we forget how to be "quiet". We forget how to "Be Still".
So why not? Why not pull things in close. Get back to something very basic. Eliminate the unnecessary. Maybe if more people did... we'd have less "colicky" adults running around!
Just a thought.
Anyway, seems Rach had tried everything. Warm baths, running the vacuum cleaner (Which seemed to help but you can only run a vacuum for so long!) nursing. She tried it all and needless to say was getting a bit desperate!
When Addyson was born we got Rachel a "Moby". If you aren't familiar with what a "Moby" is, it is basically a long piece of fabric that is wrapped around Mom's body in such a way as to provide a snug little place for baby to "ride". This isn't really such a new idea. Many cultures have been using this method of carrying babies for hundreds of years. After all, did you ever see an African mommy with a playpen or swing sitting in her hut? (I wonder if African babies get "colic"?)
Anyway, I suggested to Rach that she put Annslie in the "Moby" and get her up really snug against her chest. This would provide warmth, and the ability for Annslie to hear her mommy's familiar heartbeat. A comforting place to hide.
You see, one of the most recent findings is that babies who are born early or have later developing receptors get to a time in the day when everything is on "overload". (Back in the day, we called it "The witching hour".) The theory is that warmth, the soothing sound of mommy's heartbeat and maybe even skin contact calms all of those "mis-firings" down and therefore calms baby.
Well, it worked! Rachel plopped little Miss Annslie's butt in the Moby wrap and within seconds voila'!
Now, this got me to thinking... I think we as adults get "colic" too! We get to a point in our lives when everything just seems to "misfire". We are on "system overload". All we want to do is scream! Well? Why wouldn't a figurative "moby" work?
What we really need is to just get back to something familiar. Something warm, comforting. Back to something very basic. I think sometimes we put so much "over-stimulation" in our lives we forget how to be "quiet". We forget how to "Be Still".
So why not? Why not pull things in close. Get back to something very basic. Eliminate the unnecessary. Maybe if more people did... we'd have less "colicky" adults running around!
Just a thought.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Strrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeetching.....
I've given a lot of thought the last few days to something really kind of odd. Stretching.
You know, it feels good to stretch. Whether first thing in the morning, before a workout, or after sitting for a long time, it feels good.
Then there are times when stretching doesn't feel so good. Those times when we are pushed out of our comfort zone. Learning something new. I've had a lot of that lately in my life. With the start of a new job there have been lots of things that I've had to learn and will continue to learn over the coming weeks and months.
I won't lie. There have been moments of frustration at not being able to quite figure out how to get certain things to work. I don't like not being able to get things quickly however, it actually feels good to "stretch" my brain. Learning new things, meeting new people, starting a new routine, finding a new rhythm has given me a sense of adventure and excitement. (When I'm not cursing the computer or other inanimate object!)
When you stop to think about it, what is the object of being stretched? To gain flexibility! In that respect one of the things I've noticed about older folks is that they loose their "flexibility". I wonder if this is because they resist being stretched? Learning new things. Exploring new ideas. If we can somehow maintain the wisdom that comes with age but also be open to new ideas, thoughts and ways of doing things I think maybe we can stay flexible!
So.... here's to stretching! I just hope I don't pull a muscle in the process!
You know, it feels good to stretch. Whether first thing in the morning, before a workout, or after sitting for a long time, it feels good.
Then there are times when stretching doesn't feel so good. Those times when we are pushed out of our comfort zone. Learning something new. I've had a lot of that lately in my life. With the start of a new job there have been lots of things that I've had to learn and will continue to learn over the coming weeks and months.
I won't lie. There have been moments of frustration at not being able to quite figure out how to get certain things to work. I don't like not being able to get things quickly however, it actually feels good to "stretch" my brain. Learning new things, meeting new people, starting a new routine, finding a new rhythm has given me a sense of adventure and excitement. (When I'm not cursing the computer or other inanimate object!)
When you stop to think about it, what is the object of being stretched? To gain flexibility! In that respect one of the things I've noticed about older folks is that they loose their "flexibility". I wonder if this is because they resist being stretched? Learning new things. Exploring new ideas. If we can somehow maintain the wisdom that comes with age but also be open to new ideas, thoughts and ways of doing things I think maybe we can stay flexible!
So.... here's to stretching! I just hope I don't pull a muscle in the process!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Today (in Australia) is our middle "baby's" birthday. Brianna turns 22 today. How fast the time has flown. I so clearly remember the day Brianna was born.
It was not an easy pregnancy. At about 7 months we had a routine ultrasound performed both to check gestational age but also because we wanted to find out what we were having! What normally would have been quite routine began a chain of events that ultimately ended up in an early delivery for Brianna.
As the ultrasound technician scanned my belly I watched intently. (I have always been fascinated by medical things.) Being able to "see" this little person that was living my my stomach was such a cool thing. Everything was there... fingers, toes, a little nose and yes, those chubby, chubby cheeks were already there. Her little heart was beating and... as the technician pointed out, "There's the upside-down McDonald's sign." (Indicating that indeed we were having another little girl.) But, as the tech measured head size, femur length etc. she noted that something didn't look quite right. Unable to disclose what she was seeing she went to get the midwife.
What they thought they were seeing was a breakdown in the placenta and a lack of acceptable growth of this little person. The feeling that comes over you when you hear that there may be something very wrong with your baby and their development is undescribable.
Fear washed over me. We had already lost a baby. I didn't know if I could endure the loss of another.
What the Drs. decided was that I was burning more calories than I was taking in. (I wonder if running a 12 child daycare out of my home had anything to do with that??) Their prescription was for me to drink a very high protein drink made up of protein powder, ice cream, and raw eggs AFTER I was in bed for the evening. Great, who doesn't like a milkshake delivered to them in bed after a long day?
WRONG.... What that prescription brought on was NOT fun. Horrible leg cramps, serious kidney infections (from an overload of protein) and a whole host of other issues continued for many weeks. After ending up in the hospital more than once and passing out in the middle of the kitchen floor at 6am in the morning they finally decided that enough was enough. Brianna would be better off "out" than "in". In the end, Brianna was just fine. Which goes to prove that even with all of the advancements in medical technology they can sometimes get it wrong! Either that or God just overrules!
You know, as I think back to those days they seem like such a distant memory but at the same time like they were yesterday. Even with all of the physical and emotional stress that accompanied Brianna's arrival I would not for even one second change any of it. From the moment she was born she has been such a joy. Oh, don't get me wrong... we had the typical "I don't think she's going to live to see...." days! A very stubborn nature (She once went two days without looking at or speaking to her "Grandpy" because he spanked her!) and the tenacity of a little pit bull puppy often landed her in a fair amount of trouble. However, along with those traits came a little girl who has a penchant for finding fun every where she went. (And still does!)
I've often said Brianna came out singing. She has always loved to make music and has made some of her most hated tasks, whether chores, schoolwork and even pain more bearable by singing her way through them.
This is the very first time in her life that Brianna hasn't been at home to celebrate her birthday. It makes me a bit sad because I'm quite aware that it will likely be the beginning of many that she will not share "at home". Yet another reminder that life moves on.
To say that it is strange having grown adult children is an understatement. We work hard to raise healthy, happy, responsible adults and before we know it... they are gone. Adults. Out in the world making their own way. It's odd isn't it, how fast that happens?
Happy Birthday Brianna! You are loved more than the sun, moon and stars!
It was not an easy pregnancy. At about 7 months we had a routine ultrasound performed both to check gestational age but also because we wanted to find out what we were having! What normally would have been quite routine began a chain of events that ultimately ended up in an early delivery for Brianna.
As the ultrasound technician scanned my belly I watched intently. (I have always been fascinated by medical things.) Being able to "see" this little person that was living my my stomach was such a cool thing. Everything was there... fingers, toes, a little nose and yes, those chubby, chubby cheeks were already there. Her little heart was beating and... as the technician pointed out, "There's the upside-down McDonald's sign." (Indicating that indeed we were having another little girl.) But, as the tech measured head size, femur length etc. she noted that something didn't look quite right. Unable to disclose what she was seeing she went to get the midwife.
What they thought they were seeing was a breakdown in the placenta and a lack of acceptable growth of this little person. The feeling that comes over you when you hear that there may be something very wrong with your baby and their development is undescribable.
Fear washed over me. We had already lost a baby. I didn't know if I could endure the loss of another.
What the Drs. decided was that I was burning more calories than I was taking in. (I wonder if running a 12 child daycare out of my home had anything to do with that??) Their prescription was for me to drink a very high protein drink made up of protein powder, ice cream, and raw eggs AFTER I was in bed for the evening. Great, who doesn't like a milkshake delivered to them in bed after a long day?
WRONG.... What that prescription brought on was NOT fun. Horrible leg cramps, serious kidney infections (from an overload of protein) and a whole host of other issues continued for many weeks. After ending up in the hospital more than once and passing out in the middle of the kitchen floor at 6am in the morning they finally decided that enough was enough. Brianna would be better off "out" than "in". In the end, Brianna was just fine. Which goes to prove that even with all of the advancements in medical technology they can sometimes get it wrong! Either that or God just overrules!
You know, as I think back to those days they seem like such a distant memory but at the same time like they were yesterday. Even with all of the physical and emotional stress that accompanied Brianna's arrival I would not for even one second change any of it. From the moment she was born she has been such a joy. Oh, don't get me wrong... we had the typical "I don't think she's going to live to see...." days! A very stubborn nature (She once went two days without looking at or speaking to her "Grandpy" because he spanked her!) and the tenacity of a little pit bull puppy often landed her in a fair amount of trouble. However, along with those traits came a little girl who has a penchant for finding fun every where she went. (And still does!)
I've often said Brianna came out singing. She has always loved to make music and has made some of her most hated tasks, whether chores, schoolwork and even pain more bearable by singing her way through them.
This is the very first time in her life that Brianna hasn't been at home to celebrate her birthday. It makes me a bit sad because I'm quite aware that it will likely be the beginning of many that she will not share "at home". Yet another reminder that life moves on.
To say that it is strange having grown adult children is an understatement. We work hard to raise healthy, happy, responsible adults and before we know it... they are gone. Adults. Out in the world making their own way. It's odd isn't it, how fast that happens?
Happy Birthday Brianna! You are loved more than the sun, moon and stars!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
New Phases of Life
There are times in life when you wake up and suddenly realize that you've entered a new "phase".
Sometimes this may come as a welcome change. Others, we maybe head into grudgingly, unwilling to admit that time moves on and life changes.
There have been lots of changes to our "nest" lately and this Momma Bird is noting them.
As if a career change isn't enough add another grand baby to the mix along with sending a child to the other side of the planet (literally) and the preparation of the last "baby" for high school graduation and I'd say that I'm pretty much "phased out"!
Where has the time gone? Is it just me or do the days seem to be speeding by faster than ever? When I was the mom of preschoolers I felt like I was stuck in a never ending version of "Groundhog Day". Then, all of a sudden, without warning, those little faces are grown (and having their own babies!) moving to the other ends of the earth and have grown taller than their Daddy!
I am hoping that what will be documented here will not only document all the changes in life but will in some way provide encouragement to those who have yet to reach these those milestones in life. Life is constantly about changes... phases.... I guess the key is how we adapt, adjust and welcome each new phase. I hope I can navigate this one gracefully!
Sometimes this may come as a welcome change. Others, we maybe head into grudgingly, unwilling to admit that time moves on and life changes.
There have been lots of changes to our "nest" lately and this Momma Bird is noting them.
As if a career change isn't enough add another grand baby to the mix along with sending a child to the other side of the planet (literally) and the preparation of the last "baby" for high school graduation and I'd say that I'm pretty much "phased out"!
Where has the time gone? Is it just me or do the days seem to be speeding by faster than ever? When I was the mom of preschoolers I felt like I was stuck in a never ending version of "Groundhog Day". Then, all of a sudden, without warning, those little faces are grown (and having their own babies!) moving to the other ends of the earth and have grown taller than their Daddy!
I am hoping that what will be documented here will not only document all the changes in life but will in some way provide encouragement to those who have yet to reach these those milestones in life. Life is constantly about changes... phases.... I guess the key is how we adapt, adjust and welcome each new phase. I hope I can navigate this one gracefully!
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