Liz Etherton discusses whether there is a need for Self-Esteem for youthm as Oprah suggests.
She highlights the need for youth to know who they are in Christ. I agree. This needs to start while they are still children.
Children need to know that they were made by God, God made their world God loves them unconditionally, And He wants them to be in a relationship (best friend) with Him! How do we do that ? That's another big question ...
Any thoughts ?
Yes! you read that right - I had the opportunity to help out with Sanctum this week at a local school. It was really eye opening and amazing to see the young people respond to activities that led them to reflect on life's spiritual side.
Tim Abbot and Amy who work for CYO in Colchester headed it up. And you can read their write up for all 5 days here. They're in another school next week. Can't wait to hear what God might do there too.
The Guardian reported more schools closing now
Government is weighing up closing schools in the fall when an epidemic could come when the flu season begins.
I know in Toronto after the SARS scare some churches responded by developing Emergency Response Plans in case there is a similar crisis. (Anglicans in Toronto) What could churches do here ? What could Children and Youth Pastors/workers do ?
I'm not sure where I heard this(can you help me?), but Rob Bell is recorded as giving advice to a parent whose teenage daughter was starting to make a lot of choices that were leading down a bad path. She was "writing" her own story because the story(Parents Faith walk/talk) she was receiving was not very exciting for her.
The advice was give her the better story. The husband went home prayed and started a journey that would involve his family in starting an orphanage in a third world country. The daughter changed her path to her families.
Faith is an adventure - but often we turn it into something else. Reggie Joiner elaborated at Orange leader's forum which is described well by Kenny, check it out here.
Are we living God's story for our lives and will we help our youth catch His story for thir lives?
Thank you Online Telegraph. It's funny old world. When there is some credit to be taken from something people are happy to own it. But if you suggest that some games might inspire violence all of a sudden there's "no proof."
Don't get me wrong I think its great to inspire children and youth to "make a new song" with their God-given talents and gifts. but ...
Lets get real ! We are all influenced by outside sources, why do companies still spend millions on ads or commercials? As influencers of Children and Youth is our influence good or not so good?
God help me to be a influencer for His good!
On Sunday our parent group (FEAST) discussion was around chapter 5 of Dr Tim Kimmel's Grace-based Parenting. It's focus is for us to lay a foundation of hope in our kids lives.
Tim goes on to give us two things that are needed to raise hope-filled kids
Childhood is a time we should move our children from dependence on us to
dependence on God. And knowing there will face challenges they can’t handle
but God can.
A) They need to see/watch parents who place confidence in the only true
God. When they see parents who say the right words but without much joy, with much fear and lack of love for not yet Christians they get a mixed message.
B) They need to be raised by parents who treat them the way Jesus treats us. With grace.
The importance of this really struck home when I read about 17 young adults in a Welsh town hanging themselves and 3 youth in Northern Ireland
As Jesse Jackson says we need to "Keep hope alive!"
Dr Kimmel goes on to say that childhood is a time we should move our children
from dependence on us to dependence on God. And knowing there will face
challenges they can’t handle but God can.He also talks about parents being there for their kids so the kids know that
there is someone bigger than there problems. This helps them understand as
they get older that God is bigger than any of our problems.
Here with an update on the Golden Compass Movie. There is a well written updated tract on the movie here. It's well worth reading. My prayer is that people would be discerning when it comes to this movie.
Way to go Elisabeth !
It's so cool to see youth stepping up and taking steps in Leadership. Girls at Girls Club were very ably led by the engaging Elisabeth. With our regular highly-valued leader Vino not able to be there, Elisabeth stepped up. Other girls are stepping up in Girls Club - like the talented Jessica Frith and others.
She is not the only one of our youth stepping up in leadership and using their gifts. Sean and Keshia bring their talents to teach and apply Bible truths to the kids at Live@11.
Worship teams too are staffed by the youth who lead the kids in both services.
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