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The Men’s NetWork is an Internet ministry-building resource center. They offer easy-to-use materials that will ignite and challenge the faith lives of men in the church. You will find Bible studies (video included), a blog,resources, regional event information, and a forum.
The latest Bible study from the Men’s NetWork is now available here: www.lhmmen.com/studydetail.asp?id=11684. In this Bible study the teachings of Islam are brought into focus. In addition to learning about the “Five Pillars of Islam,” participants will examine what the Qur’an says about the role of Abraham, the Trinity, angels and jinn (genies), the attributes of Jesus Christ, the character of Muhammad, Judgment Day, and paradise.
Lutheran Hour Ministries is a Christian-outreach ministry that operates both domestically and internationally in more than 40 countries. With programs like The Lutheran Hour, Woman to Woman, and the Men’s NetWork, as well as evangelistic efforts in places like South Africa, Europe, Indonesia, and Central America, LHM takes a clear and concise Gospel message to the nations: salvation has been achieved through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ and sealed by His resurrection from the grave (Romans 8: 1-11).
Our friends at Lutheran Hour Ministries have provided a simple audio file that helps to explain the symbolism of the butterfly as it relates to Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You can download the file here.
With the past political season so filled with “change” language, one might find it wise to shy away from further usage of the concept. If one did so, one might miss an opportunity to discuss the nature of change and its impact on the Christian life and especially on the life together of the Christian family.
Change comes to us in one of two general directions. Either we enact change or change is enacted upon us. In Ecclesiastes 3 we are reminded that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (v. 1). This in a way implies change. If there is a season for particular things to take place, then there are season in which they do not take place. Life is constant in its inconsistency.
When we enact change we believe that we have a measure of control over what is taking place. Yet, we know that God as the Omnipotent Lord of the universe is in control of all aspects of life, including those things that we are “changing.” This does not mean that we lack free will to act under the grace of God, just the the power we act upon is granted us by His grace. We enact changes in our lives for good and for ill. God grants a measure of freedom for both. I say a measure, since our sinful natures (which we do not fully shed in this life) impact how freely we are able to act. When we act out in was counter to God’s will, we are expressing our bondage to sin. When we act out in line with the will of God, we are expressing our new freedom of service to Christ.
Change sounds so nice and simple when it comes in the form of a political campaign promise. Yet, we know that just as we as individuals find it challenging to change ourselves it is far more challenging to change another. As parents we hope to positively shape the lives of our children. We endeavor to provide for them the best biblical example of Christian living that we can. Yet, we all know that we remain sinner in need of our own forgiveness, and I hate to remind you but your kids know this (or they learn it quickly). It is important that when we seek to make changes in our lives, especially changes that relate to our faith life, that we make these changes transparently before our children, that they may see that life is a process in which even parents struggle (again they see the struggle, you are just providing instructive time for them to gain additional wisdom from your own life experience and faith journey).
The other form of change is that change which is enacted upon us. Those changes can leave us feeling powerless. I am not one who enjoys feelings of powerlessness. There is little I enjoy less than not being able to fix what I believe needs to be fixed. Yet the reality is that much in life is beyond our control. When change rocks our world in unexpected ways, we know that we have a God who is not surprised by the things that throw us for a loop. There is no limit to the knowledge of God as there is for our own. God not only knows all, but is able to guide us in our response to life’s challenges and tragedies.
Knowing the power of God is present in our lives is comforting, but it does not eliminate all concerns. It does not mean that we are not called to respond to change with Christian character. Tough times continue to shape us in our adult lives just as we see childhood adversities and challenges shape our children. Just as we watch with care over our children as they problem solve and learn, our heavenly Father watches over us as we grow and mature.
Life is not a simple and easy journey. In Lent we examine how rough things got for Jesus as He sought to free us from our bondage to sin. Though this made life fantastically better for us, it did not eliminate all trial. The promise of God is however that “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20b).
As we journey together through Lent, I wanted to let you know about a great devotional resource from Lutheran Hour Ministries that you can make use of as a family. Go to: www.lentendevotions.net and click on “Read Today’s Devotion” to get the devotion for the day. Though not written specifically with families with kids in mind this series of devotions can enrich your own devotional life as parents and provide you with ideas and topics for discussion with your children as you journey together to the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb of Easter.
The summer might seem far away, but Vacation Bible School plans are already gearing up. So get our your pda, outlook, or dayplanner and write in July 13-17, 2009 for Gadget’s Garage.
At Gadget’s Garage, kids explore five Bible stories and discover that Jesus makes all things new, including each of them! Together, adult leaders and kids:
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Marvel at the mighty wonder of God’s creation.
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Discover Jesus changing water into wedding wine and sinners into new creations.
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Dig deeply into the parable of the farmer and his crops to unearth the reality of God’s Word growing in them.
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Learn that Jesus showed His true identity, power, and glory on a mountaintop and on the road to Emmaus.
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Discover that Jesus, our Savior, died to set sinners free so we can do His good works.
Every day, at Gadget’s Garage kids of all ages learn that God’s Always Doing Great, Exciting Things!
Registration and Volunteer sign up forms will be available soon at www.soth.org/children.htm#VBS.
The High School youth are offering baby sitting to families at SOTH on the evening of Feb. 13 starting at 6:30 p.m. For a reasonable donation drop the kids by and step out on the town (or just have a quiet dinner at home). Donations go to provide scholarships for the High School Winter Retreat at the end of the month. Please sign up in the breezeway this Sunday, call the church office, or e-mail Dave at drueter@soth.org.
Free Concert at Shepherd of the Hills
Saturday, February 7, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Seats are limited
Free Tickets Available in the Breezeway on Sunday, Feb. 1 or in the church office (M-Th, 9am-3:30pm).
Answers to Your Kids Questions
This morning at Mom’s Club a question was asked about the existence of books that offer answers to the more complicated questions that kids ask of their parents related to life and faith. The book I mentioned then I want to pass along now as well. Answers to Your Kids Questions by Chuck Colson provides a series of questions that your kids might ask of you and his take on how to answer them. The target audience is teenagers, but the answers can provide ideas for adaptation for pre-teens as well.
Here’s what you can look for in your new Home Base for January 2009: Click Here to download/read.
WAYS TO PROPERLY CLAIM OUR CHILDREN
FRESH INSIGHTS INTO A BREED APART – TWEENS
HOW OUR FAMILY CONFIDANTS HELP US BUILD CONFIDENCE
WHY GRANDPARENTS COME IN ALL KINDS
Two new issues of “24/7″ have been recently posted as well.
Click Here to download/read the January 2009 edition.
Click Here to download/read the February 2009 edition.
Now that I am a dad, I have been wondering what exactly to do with Santa. Since I have not yet reached any kind of conclusion, I will not offer much of my own thoughts. Rather I just wanted to pass along a link to a web-site that provides information about St. Nicholas, the original Santa Claus.
