Praying For My Child

At Mattis Avenue we have babies on the brain this month! We had a first visit from our tiniest new member this past Sunday morning in worship, two more babies are due within the next few weeks, and we'll be dedicating a special little guy and his sister to the Lord later this month. Oh, and our nursery renovation is almost complete- just in time, I might add!

Photo of infant toes, Credit: Chad Olson

Later this year, we'll be launching a program called "Faith Path" which is a strategy used by churches to help provide birthday-driven coaching kits to parents to create a spiritual milestone or spiritual discipline at the ideal age and stage of development.

Faith Path logo

This training is given for 12 important milestone times in a child's life, from birth to age 18. For example, when a child turns 3, those parenting the child will get a kit of information including a video and some creative idea pointers on the importance of blessing your child. At age 6, the training is on prayer and teaching your child to pray, at 9 you're learning about giving and serving, at 11 preparing for adolescence, and so on. The idea is to provide "just in time" coaching to parents, or those significant in the child's development. We tend to get so busy with all life throws at us, we hope that these kits will help parents be intentional about building faith at home step by step in a way that's not overwhelming, and even fun!  In case you're curious, here's a sneak peek at the Faith Path steps:

faith_path_guide_inside.pdf

As I was reviewing some of the Faith Path information related to dedication, which is typically provided to parents with infants, I found these simple ideas for praying for your child. Even as a parent with school aged children, these really hit home! In fact, at my girls ages, I would enjoy praying them out loud with my kids. I think it would be a great springboard for conversations with them. I thought I'd pass the ideas on for you to ponder, and maybe even try out at home today!

From Faith Path's "Praying for My Child": One of the most impactful investments we can make in our chilren's faith formation is the habit of praying for them. Rather than repeating the same simple prayers asking for health, happiness and safety, consider these ideas to expand your prayer life and establish a meaningful routine of praying for your child.

Prayers from their head to their toes:
You can begin praying for your baby during feedings or while he or she falls asleep in your arms. Side note: I also remember praying some particularly desperate prayers while cajoling a colicky baby! One simple method is to pray "from head to toes" by touching the child gently on the head as you pray and gradully moving your hand all the way down to his or her toes as you pray.

• Head: "Give my child wisdom, discernment and an understanding of Your Word."
• Eyes: "Help my child see the truth and guard his/her eyes from impurity."
• Ears: "Let him/her listen to the Lord and those in authority"
• Mouth: "Help my child speak with truth and honesty and use his/her words to praise the Lord."
• Shoulders: "Let my child cast his/her burdens on the Lord and give him/her friends who will help him/her stand strong."
• Hands: "Help my child learn to work as unto the Lord with a servant's heart."
• Heart: "Open my child's heart to salvation, a love of scripture and concern for other people."
• Feet: "Inspire my child to follow the Lord all of his/her days."

Praying Scripture:

Another method is to begin praying scripture over your child, inserting his or her name. For example, pray Psalm 23 by saying "Lord, be NAME'S shepherd so HE/SHE shall not want."Or what about inserting your child's name into 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 in place of love? I pray that NAME would be patient, NAME would be kind, etc." Try it for yourself as well! Jesus modeled the incredible power of combating Satan by speaking scripture aloud in order to align our desires with God's purposes. 

For those who would enjoy further study on this topic, I recommend "Praying the Scriptures for Your Children" by Jodie Berndt.

 A copy was given to us by a friend when our children were born. I wish I could say that it is worn out from excessive use.... I will say that I'm inspired to go crack it open again and get praying for my kiddos. I hope you're inspired by some of these ideas too! Do you have a favorite method of praying for your kids or grandkids?

Holy Week is Here!

Resurrection garden, source: wearethatfamily.com

Throughout church history, families have joined together to commemorate and celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. No holiday season is more central to our faith or more important to emphasize with the next generation. Too often, however, we forget to create and capture moments at home that could make the holiday more impactful.

This year at Mattis Avenue FMC we're trying something new: distributing a guide to celebrating "Easter @Home" during Holy Week. Since everyone has a home, we created two customized versions, one for adults, and one for families with kids at home. Here is the guide for families. The following pages provide you with an easy-to-implement idea for each day from Palm Sunday to Easter. The goal is to try one ore more of the readings/activities to help focus on the true meaning of Holy Week together- at home. Pick an idea or reading and try one out!

Here is a link to the outside cover of the brochure:

Easter@Home guide, outside

and the inside:

Easter@Home guide, inside

One thing I love about the internet is the abundance of great ideas! Several months ago I found the photo above of a resurrection garden on Pinterest, and ever since then have been excited to make one. The girls and I had fun completing this project together. What a beautiful reminder that He is risen! Full disclosure: ours is sitting on the floor near our patio door so it will get some sunlight, and we're waiting on the grass to grow.  Oh, and one of the girls bumped into one of the little crosses and broke it, so we had to have the somewhat theological discussion of why we really do want three crosses there instead of two. Here's a link to the instructions:
http://wearethatfamily.com/

I tried to include some favorite ideas for celebrating Easter in the guide, but here are a few others that we ran out of room for:

Photo: resurrection rolls from eatatallies.com

Resurrection rolls are not only delicious, but a creative way to share the story and meaning of Easter. You can find the recipe and narrative here:
http://eatatallies.com

My Mattis Avenue friends can attest to the yumminess of these rolls. We made them to serve after our service last week, and they disappeared quickly! Side note: make sure you pick up PLAIN crescent rolls to use in the recipe. After completing one full batch, and wondering what the strange garlicky smell was, I realized I'd bought garlic butter crescent rolls..... definitely NOT the same! Fortunately, my sweet husband took pity on our church family, and rushed out to buy replacements.

My friend Ann found and shared this site and poem for using M&Ms (who doesn't love M&M's?!?) to share "The Sweet Truth of Easter":
http://katiewetherbee.wordpress.com/

I hope that in the busyness of life, you'll find time to slow down over the next few days, and really contemplate and celebrate the true meaning of Easter with your family at home, in addition to the special things your church undoubtedly is doing. Believe me, I know what a challenge carving out this can be! However, faith lived out at home in a meaningful way is so important in passing on truth to the next generation. Maybe some of these ideas will help! Please share- what are your favorite traditions or ideas for passing on your faith to your family at Easter?

The Story Challenge: Is God pulling back?

Don't you love it when you can see God orchestrate tiny details in life to work out according to his purposes? As some of you know, one of my favorite authors is Philip Yancy, and I've shared with you excerpts from his book "Grace Notes" from time to time.

Book Cover, "Grace Notes"

Well, yesterday I came across this reflection titled "Three Questions" and thought it pertinent to our reading of chapter 5 this week, "New Commands and a New Covenant", and want to share it with you. Here are Philip Yancy's words:

     Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God withdrawn? Exodus and Numbers taught me that quick solutions to those three questions may not solve the underlying problems of disappointment with God. The Israelites, though exposed to the bright, unshaded light of God's presence, were as fickle a people as have ever lived. Ten different times on the melancholy pathless plains of the Sinai they rose up against God. Even at the very border of the Promised Land, with all its bounty stretching out before them, they were still keening for the "good old days" of slavery in Egypt.

     These dismal results may provide insight into why God does not intervene more directly today. Some Christians long for a world well-stocked with miracles and spectacular signs of God's presence. I hear wistful sermons on the parting of the Red Sea and the ten plagues and the daily manna in the wilderness, as if the speakers yearn for God to unleash power like that today. But the follow-the-dots journey of the Israelites should give us pause. Would a burst of miracles nourish faith? Not the kinds of faith God seems interested in, evidently. The Israelites give ample proof that signs may only addict us to signs, not to God.

     True, the Israelites were a primitive people emerging out of slavery. But the biblical accounts have a disturbingly familiar ring to them. The Israelites tended to behave, in Frederick Buechner's phrase, "just like everybody else, only more so." 

     I came away from my study of them both surprised and confused: surprised to learn how little difference it made in people's lives when three major reasons for disappointment with God- unfairness, silence, and hiddenness- were removed; confused by the questions stirred up about God's actions on earth. Has God changed, by pulling back, withdrawing?

It is so interesting to me that God put this very passage from Yancy in my path yesterday to notice and share with you, and yet the subject is contemplating God "pulling back" from signs. Maybe it's a good reminder to me that I need to focus more on him to be mindful of his everyday miracles? How quickly we forget that even the snow gently falling from the sky on a dreary March day is a miracle in and of itself. Every snowflake unique, and yet we trudge on through, grumbling about the mess on our boots!

I'd love to hear your thoughts this week!

Why did God really make a farmer?

Who says Genesis is irrelevant?  I must admit, when we started on The Story Challenge last week, I wouldn't have imagined that our reading would relate to what was arguably the most popular ad of last weekend's Super Bowl: Dodge Ram's "So God Made a Farmer" spot. In case you missed it, you can see it here:  

http://www.ramtrucks.com

Hopefully you were able to read chapter one of The Story, and ponder these words that God spoke to Adam:

"Cursed is the ground because of you;

through painful toil you will eat food from it

all the days of your life.

It will produce thorns and thistles for you,

and you will eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your brow

you will eat your food 

until you return to the ground,

since from it you were taken;

for dust you are

and to dust you will return."

God DID make a farmer, but it was the consequence of Adam and Eve breaking God's command not to eat from the tree of life. After last week's reading and seeing that ad, hopefully you felt Biblically knowledgeable, and culturally relevant as well!

A few of you are just joining us and getting your books this week (welcome!) and a few of you haven't been able to put The Story down and are chapters ahead. Wherever you're at in your reading, I'm glad you're on board! Up next: Chapter 2, "God Builds a Nation".  Try to finish it by Sunday February 10th to stay on pace. Infertility, favoritism and love triangles.....come to think of it, those issues sound like the makings of a memorable Super Bowl ad! 

The Story Challenge is here!

Have you ever set out with the grand ambition of reading the entire Bible (New Year's resolution, anyone?), only to start wandering in your mission about the time the Israelites start wandering in the desert? You're not the only one!  Ready to try again, with a good friendly support system, and a very readable narrative?  Then join us for "The Story Challenge!"  

First, what is "The Story"? Here's a description from christianbook.com: Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. 

And like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance and redemption- and this story's true! From the foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee: "This book tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time: the story of a true God who loves his children, who established for them a way of salvation and provided a route to eternity. Each story in these 31 chapters reveals the God of grace- the God who speaks; the God who acts; the God who listens; the God whose love for his people culminated in his sacrifice of Jesus, his only Son, to atone for the sins of humanity."

I'm up for a challenge, are you? We'll be reading one chapter each week and keeping each other accountable via e-mail. At that pace, the weekly reading should be manageable for everyone. Just shoot me a message at aolson@mattisave.org if you'd like to join the team! No need to be a part of Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church- this is open to all!  If you need a book, there are a variety of ordering options here: http://www.christianbook.com/the-story-niv/  CBD's price is $7.50 for a hardback copy- a pretty great deal!

If you're "in" here's your first assignment. Read Chapter 1: "Creation: The Beginning of Life as We Know It" by this Sunday February 3rd.  If you're ordering a book, jump in and join us as soon as you can. The first Chapter is only 12 pages, so don't worry! I am excited to see how God will use his story to speak to us and teach us this year!  

Creating a tapestry of thankfulness!

Last year I had the privilege of hearing husband and wife team Jack and Kathy Stockman speak at a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting. They run a ministry called "Celebrations and Traditions", whose mission is to "inspire and assist people in building families, friendships, and faith through the development of meaningful and fun celebrations and traditions." You can find them on Facebook under "celebrations and traditions" or at www.celebrationsandtraditions.com They have great ideas for special celebrations throughout the year. Guess what? They inspired me, and one of their ideas led to a new favorite family tradition: the thankfulness tablecloth! 

4 generations, and LOTS to be thankful for at Thanksgiving dinner 2012!

I think this tradition resonated with me for two reasons. First, it's really cool! Second, it is SO EASY to do! The Stockmans suggested taking a plain white tablecloth, and choosing one color of sharpie (or other permanent marker) for each year. We've found that the fine point markers work best. Set the Thanksgiving or Christmas table with your special cloth. Note: my "special" cloth cost around $10 online. Then comes the cool part. Have each person in your family trace their hand, and write something they're thankful for, or a way they've seen God work in their life that year. That's it! For the following years, select a different color. Over time, you'll develop a tapestry of handprints, and a visual reminder of God's faithfulness to your family. Beautiful!

We started this tradition at Thanksgiving last fall when my side of the family was gathered together, then the tablecloth traveled up to Minnesota with us for Christmas to capture my husband's side of the family too. As it turns out, 2011 was a special year on BOTH sides.  Seeing the tiny footprints of two new babies, and the handprints of newly two newly adopted teenagers from that year is truly special. My grandmother is 91, so I hope that someday my girls will look back with love seeing their small hands next to hers. And it's priceless knowing that your 3 year-old nephew is thankful for "church and breakfast!"

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition? As I've found, it's always a great time to start a new one. Especially when it's easy and meaningful!

An Evening with Jill Savage

I love Jill Savage.  If I had a celebrity "mom crush" it would be on her. No, she's not a Hollywood starlet, or someone who blogs about her perfectly organized home. She is a normal mom from Central Illinois. Well, one who also happens to have written several books on marriage and parenting, and is founder and CEO of the popular Hearts at Home conferences.

Jill Savage photo

I really enjoy Jill's down-to-earth demeanor and candor. She's a polished speaker, and is able to covey the juggles and struggles of motherhood in an honest and funny way. Every time I hear her speak I leave refreshed, encouraged and best of all, with a greater desire to go home with a heart full of love for my husband and children.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to hear Jill at "A Night with Jill Savage" hosted by Crossroads Church in Monticello. Here are a few of the points she shared that stuck with me:

• We must consider motherhood a profession. What do you want to accomplish in your career as a mom? Ask yourself "am I being intentional every day in that career?"
• Maximize the moments you're given, you can't go back! She illustrated this point by showing photos of her family and telling the stories of each of her children throughout the talk. Funny, this has already been on my mind recently. I actually shared a similar message in my Faith at Home moment at MAFMC in August. One nugget of wisdom Jill often shares is that we have to CUT BACK on all the extra "things" that fill up our lives and zap us of our time and energy. She suggests "One major, one minor" outside of family. If you have two full time careers, mom and another, that's your "major". It also might be homeschooling or a part time job. The "minor" might be a volunteer ministry position, or something like a room mom responsibility. I know this is hard, because there are so many good things out there! It reminds me of another quote I heard recently "saying 'no' right now is not the same thing as saying 'never." She points out that you will miss the moments that matter if you're too stressed out!
• We must never compare our insides to other mom's outsides.  I've also heard it stated, don't compare your insides to someone else's external "highlight reel". Ever feel that way after scrolling through Facebook? My hubby does pro photography, and let me tell you, it is AMAZING what that camera and some photo retouching software can do. Except for a few serial over-sharers, most of us don't put our daily struggles or darkest thoughts out there for the world to see. Jill pointed out that honesty breeds honesty.
• We must understand our value and self worth in Christ. If you have a relationship with Christ, remember HE defines you, not your children, their choices or behavior.  If you don't know Christ, or want to learn more, please reach out to me, one of us at Mattis Avenue (www.mattisave.org), or someone at a church near you. Our kids need secure moms who know their identity in HIM.

Jill has a new book coming out soon titled "No More Perfect Moms".  As someone who once sent her kindergartener to school with her jeans on backwards, I look forward to reading this one soon!  Oh, and if you'd like to check out her blog, you can find it here:  www.jillsavage.org  

Have you learned a nugget of wisdom from Jill? If so, what's your favorite?