VCC KidZone

Christian Parenting.... what?

2010-12-16T15:09:00.000-08:00

Christian Parenting

I love when the Christian community starts using a term so often that those in the church think it’s just a term that everyone knows and may have even been on the SAT or at least the ACT. “Christian Parenting” to me is one of those great ones that is continually used but what does it really mean. Some might think it’s having all your kids properly dressed and sitting in ‘Big’ church with you quietly on the front row each week, others may see it as acting Über righteously in front of your kids, never raising your voice or losing your mind when the happy meal toys are flying around the back seat of the car. Yet others may turn to Oprah or Dr. Phil to find the “real” answer to how to raise your children in a Godly manner, btw…turn your TV’s off and open your Bible for real answers because, the Bible has a very practical answer to what “Christian Parenting” is in Psalms 78. It tells parents to teach their children about God so that their children will put their trust in Him.

Wow, it all sounds so easy… but wait, there’s more… because each one of our little ones are a wonderful and unique creation with wonderful and unique human flesh desires and sinful natures therefore, God gave them a set of parents to help them turn their hearts to Him. I know it’s hard to believe when you are holding your new infant but somewhere between 2 & 3 yrs of age, when they stand on the toilet seat screaming “Wipe my &$%*” you think… that’s the sinful nature they spoke of. So, as parents it is our God given responsibility to teach our children the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, the wonders He has done and His commandments so they would put their trust in God and would keep His commands (Psalms 78) throughout their lives.

The Treasure "Key"

2010-04-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

Ever want to get a key to a treasure?

God's word tells us how, Isaiah 33:6 says “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the KEY to this treasure.” The fear or awe of the Lord is the key, it makes us aware of the glory and majesty of God. This is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7). It puts belivers in the correct mindset with the respect towards the Father. God is everlasting to everlasting, the all-powerful Creator, our salvation, coming King and I’m so thankful He calls me friend.

Afraid??? Not me...

2009-12-30T11:12:00.000-08:00

Sitting here watching too much Fox News... the reviews of 2009 in financial market failures, weather catastrophes and government chaos had me a bit unraveled. Then Psalms 27:1 came to mind which says "The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"

You know... I choose to stand on this "news" and not on Fox News latest story line... I'll sleep much better tonight knowing who is really in control and the my future is secure.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie Ten Boom

Temple Keepers

2009-10-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

The Temple Keepers small group started this past Tuesday at 5:30 am at Valley Creek Church. It's a workout bootcamp run by a sweet friend of mine, Ginger. Wow, can I just say that 5:30 am is really early but to be honest, it's been fantastic. I'm amazed at the number of women that have shown up to workout and it's been good to motivate and laugh with one another while getting our bodies (temples as God calls them) in shape. The small group's theme passage is 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 "Don't you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred and YOU ARE THAT TEMPLE". It has been a great motivator for me to turn my health situation around and get in shape. Come join us, it's free and so worth it!

Books and more Books

2009-10-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

There are so many great biblical based books out there but I've come to realize that not all books are good and much worse... some are even misleading. For now I'll focus on the books that are good and here are a few that have strongly impacted me...

(Missions) "Bruchko", "Heavenly Man" and "Brother Andrew, God's Smuggler"
(Family) "Parenting With Scripture" and "Proverbs for Parenting" - this one should just sit on your kitchen counter all the time!
"Practicing the Presence of God"
"The Pursuit of God"
"Invitation to Silence and Solitude"
"The Rest of God"
"Surrender All: Your Answer to Living with Peace, Power and Purpose"
"Surprised by the Power of the Spirit"

Hope this list helps and I'll add to this list as more come to mind.

Happy reading!

Power of God

2009-10-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

I feel that at times I forget the awesomeness of the God we serve. I just read Psalms 29:3-4 which says "The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders above the might sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty." Yes, this is the voice of the God we serve and it's beautiful, loving and kind but also powerful and full of majesty... what a priviledge to serve our King!

Missions Week

2009-09-25T08:57:00.001-07:00

This coming week is missions week at VCC. It's going to be amazing and God will be revealed in a mighty way. Pastor Shehker from India is going to be preaching tomorrow night and on Sunday. He has the gift of healing as spoke of in 1 Corinthians 12:9. I know that many amazing God stories are going to happen this weekend. I'm praying for might miracles in our church to occur so God's glory can be shown. I'm praying that many miracles and wonders will be done thru us so that people will be filled with awe as in Acts 2:43. Come join us at VCC!

Discerning the Voice of God

2009-09-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

I just started a new Bible study called "Discerning the Voice of God" through the VCC Soul Sister group that meets at the church on Wednesday mornings. It's not too late to join us and it's an awesome study by Priscilla Shirer, Pastor Tony Evans daughter. Here's just a note from the study that blessed me and I wanted to share:

Lord,

heighten my spiritual senses to

see that which is not visible

hear that which is not audible

sense that which is not tangible

believe that which is unbelievable.

Teach me to sort through

the noises of this world to

hear and discern Your powerful,

wonderful, pure, precious voice.

That is my battle cry during this Bible study, come join us if you are able, it's going to be great.

God's Chisel

2009-09-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent me this link to a video entitiled "God's Chisel". The two men in the drama really help explain how and why God models us and makes us into His likeness. It's awesome... check it out, here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXut0HxncvY.

New this week

2009-09-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

In KidZone during September we are going to learn about wisdom. Wisdom is finding out what you should do and doing it. God says if you accept His words and store up His commands inside you, tune you ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding, call out for insight and search for it as you would for hidden treasure, then you will find out how to know Him. He is the one who gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, the one who stores up success for His followers, the one who sheids them from harm, guards their paths, and leads them in the right direction. Proverbs 2:1-11 Get ready to do some digging in scripture this week as we hunt down wisdom from God's word!