Monday, August 17, 2009

Parenting Resources

Joe and I plan to periodically post some parenting resources we have found that seem to be quite helpful! If you want to find them easily - just click on the sidebar label "Parenting Resources" and you can find all of the posts that we do on parenting resources.

The Praying Family - Creative Ways to Pray Together by Kim Butts
It has been proven that when couples pray together, the divorce rate drastically declines. Kim Butts knows there are many obstacles to becoming a family of prayer. In The Praying Family, she not only tackles those barriers, but she provides a practical, step-by-step approach to making family prayer time the most exciting activity a family engages in. Broken into several steps, each "journey" will further enhance this essential aspect of your family life.

Each journey is made up of:
- Side trips to reinforce prayer concepts, to add variety for younger children
- Resources and Materials list for the journey.
- Memory Verses for your family to learn together.
- Journey for a Lifetime - practical suggestions to apply what's been learned.

About the Author
Kim Butts co-founded Harvest Prayer Ministries with her husband David, and is editor of Harvest Prayer Messenger, Kim is on the executive committee of the National Prayer Committee and on the advisory committee for PrayKids! Magazine.



Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware

Equips parents to guide their young children through all major doctrines in an understandable, chapter-a-day format.

Sure, it's easy to teach your children the essentials of Christian theology when you're a theology professor. But what about the rest of us?

With Big Truths for Young Hearts, Bruce Ware, (you guessed it!) a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6-14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand. Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their worldviews early, based on these truths.

The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, making it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children. With this non-intimidating format, parents will be emboldened to be their children's primary faith trainers-and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way.



Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas
Parenting is a school for spiritual formation—and our children are our teachers. The journey of caring for, rearing, training, and loving our children will profoundly alter us forever.

Sacred Parenting is unlike any other parenting book you have ever read. This is not a "how-to" book that teaches you ways to discipline your kids or help them achieve their full potential. Instead of discussing how parents can change their kids, Sacred Parenting turns the tables and demonstrates how God uses our kids to change us.

You’ve read all the method books. Now take a step back and receive some much-needed inspiration. You’ll be encouraged by stories that tell how other parents handled the challenges and difficulties of being a parent—and how their children transformed their relationship with God. Sacred Parenting affirms the spiritual value of being a parent, showing you the holy potential of the parent-child relationship.



Disciple Like Jesus For Parents by Alan Melton and Paul Dean
What others are saying about this book and ministry: Alan Melton and Paul Dean have gotten it right. If we are to see young men and women who look like Christ, then we must disciple as Christ did. Read DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS FOR PARENTS and prepare to have a paradigm shift. Your children are depending on it. Meeke Golden Addison, American Family Association, and Mother of Two DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS has the right idea. Their emphasis on parental discipleship is much needed, as we often seem to forget that one's own children provide the greatest opportunity and need for discipleship. Dr. Christopher Cone, President, Tyndale Theological Seminary The training up of children and youth has always been the God given responsibility of the parents and not the Church or government. Because this is the stance and passion of DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS I am pleased to endorse its ministry. Dr. Kenny Rhodes, President, Scofield Seminary and Pastor, Mable Ave Church DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS gets it. The key to reaching the world tomorrow is discipling our children today. The church is losing over two million children every year and they are not returning. What can parents do about this? Jesus showed us the way. Immediately following three years of making disciples, Jesus commanded us to do the same. Disciple Like Jesus For Parents offers practical, creative ways to make disciples of your children. Learn how His approach can transform your family into the image of Christ and allow you to enjoy the great blessings of children.


30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family by Rebecca Hagelin
Your Family Can Be Stronger...
Your Kids Better Protected...
And You Can Do It in 30 Days

As a parent, you know the challenges against you can seem overwhelming. While you're trying to raise thoughtful, considerate, innocent children, popular culture seems to want to turn your children against you. Schools sometimes seem less places of learning than bazaars where your children are sold bad language and surly attitudes--or worse, drugs and sexually transmitted diseases. Your own day is stressful and hectic--and you worry that you're neglecting your children. And you sometimes think there's nowhere to turn for help.Now there is. Rebecca Hagelin's 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family is the guidebook every parent needs, laying out 30 practical actions--concrete, doable steps you can implement one day at a time--to restore peace in your home and reconnect with your children.

In 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family, Rebecca Hagelin--a mother of three, as well as a syndicated columnist, author, and specialist on family, culture, and media issues--provides a guide for parents who want more than mere encouragement; who want a practical plan: with realistic goals, specific actions to take, and a clear path to achievement. In 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family, you'll learn:

* What to say to your teen as you pass Victoria's Secret in the mall
* How to make a clothing contract with your daughter
* How (and why) to write a letter to your child
* How to slow down your life--and your child's--so that you can enjoy your time together
* How to fight the culture--and not your child
* And much more

Raising your child should be a joy, not an uphill battle that leaves you frustrated or in tears. Rebecca Hagelin's 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family is a parent-tested guide to help you succeed in the most important responsibility you have--raising happy, responsible, well-adjusted kids.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Air Hockey!!!

I love blogging but I have been so delinquent this year - ugh, can you tell children's ministries grew and presented some fun challenges for us!?!?!

Here is a fun Thank you for Gibbons' to show how much the kids LOVE their new air hockey table!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Monday, September 8, 2008

Extreme Church Makeover!!

All we can say is, "PRAISE GOD!!!!" He is SO good - oh yes, and we thank ALL of you too - we could NEVER have done it without EACH ONE of you!!!


Sunday, April 27, 2008

Taco Night

Our LAST night for this session will be Sunday, May 4 ~ Taco Night.

Little Kid's Club and Kid's Club will both be together for that. We are just asking to keep church costs down that each child bring $2.00. We will end at 7:00 for the graduation party at church. So - Kid's Club will run from 6-7 pm. See you then!!!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Roller Skating Info......


Roller Skating Party

SUNDAY, February 24,2008
6:00 PM- 8:00 PM

Roller Roulette, Sheldon, IA

Everyone is welcome to come to skate or not to skate. The facility is setup so everyone can enjoy the skating and fellowship. We need 50 skaters so bring your friends, children, and grandchildren. We are encouraging life groups to participate as we'd love to have parents attend as well!!

Transportation and Other Information
If anyone is able to provide transportation please let Joe Bilby know so we can place extras or those children needing transportation.
(737-4359/ home #)

Cost is $3.50/skater ($2.50/child 6 yrs. & younger)
(This includes the rental of the quad skates. Inline skates are available for an additional $2.00/pair. No discount for bringing your own skates, which need to be approved by the Roller Roulette staff prior to use.)

Food is available for additional cost through the concessions at the rink. They offer all the best in junk food including pizza and soft pretzels!

Bring board games and cards for those not skating. Plenty of booths are available to gather for conversation and fun. Phase 10 or Sequence rematches may be conducted!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Skating is Coming!!!

Just to give you a heads up - Roller Skating Night is coming!!! The rink is reserved and we are ready!!


February 24 - stay tuned for more details!!!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Christmas Operation

Well - the Christmas program is over, and now that we've had time to recover (!!) thought we'd post some pictures! We have just oodles of pictures - so if you'd like some of your child/children and you don't see them on here - just email and let us know - we would be happy to email them out!! (Karen took many pictures of each family, and I don't have room to post them all - but feel free to email and ask!!) Thanks Karen, again for a superb program!! And Thanks Parents, your dedication to bringing your kids to practice made this year's program a success. Oh yes, and Thanks Kids - you did awesome!!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Christmas Program

Here are some dates and times (off of the sheet that was passed out last week at church):

Sunday, Dec. 16th - 9:15 - Come to the Sunday School Room (at the Daycare) and we will go over the 1st song in the program. At 9:35 we will walk over to the church and march up on stage ( they do not need their t-shirts on).

Sunday School Time - 9:50 - after we sing at the end of the 1st service, we will go back to the Sunday School Room and have Sunday school time. The first 10 in. will be to review any songs we need to work on and then the last 30 min. will be spent with their Sunday School teachers.

10:45 - At 9:40 we will line up at the Sunday School Room and go back into the church to sing the 1st song again.

Sunday Evening, 16th - all children in program should be in the Old Children's Church Worship Room with their t-shirts and pants on at 5:40 (khaki or black pants). Please find your box as soon as you get there and you will get lined up in order.

Parents - please bring 2-3 dozen goodies to the kitchen when you arrive.

Jr. High students, shepherds, angel, PA announcer, mary, Joseph, Rich Man, Poor Widow, Character of Jesus, Readers, etc. should be dressed and at the Old Children's Worship Room at 5:50 and will be sitting in the back of the church until you need to go on stage.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

BK Challenge

BK CHALLENGE!!!!

Where did Abram live when God called him?
(Remember, just leave a comment on this post with your answer and your name!!! The winner will be announced in Kid's Club!!)

Tug of War

Welcome Back! After two long weeks off it is nice to be back in Kid's Club. He hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

This week we had a great time with Renee and Justin. Thanks Cole for inviting your parents to spend the evening as our special guests. The evening started off with an exciting competition between Justin and Cole. We had a tug of war matchup. It was a fierce battle but in the end Cole was no match to Justin's brute strength. (Not to mention Justin's just a little bit bigger than Cole.) The second round of Tug of War was a bit different. Cole teamed up with about 15 of his heavy weight friends and easily put down the competition. Team Kid's Club was victorious. Now you may be asking what does this have to do with Kid's Club, and honoring our parents? Our lesson for the week was on the Tower of Babel. Scripture says that when God came down he said "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." God had told the people that they were to fill the earth and they wanted to build a tower "so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." In their unity they sought to disobey God so God confused their language and the result was obedience. They scattered over the face of the whole earth. When we unite to honor God we can accomplish much but when we unite to dishonor God he can break the unity to bring about his will. As families let's be united to honor God. Let's use our time together to accomplish much for God.

As you spend time this season decorating Christmas Trees or baking great Christmas goodies, think of things you can do as a family to accomplish much for God. As a family seek out an opportunity to show love to someone who needs it. If they ask why tell them you just wanted to share the good news of the season.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Haiti Packing Night


We'll let the pictures speak mainly for themselves - we had a great night and pray that our gifts will bless others with God's love.