Use The Power

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

Recently at church we had a series on the various I AM...statements that Christ made. One of those statements was that he was the vine from which we derived our strength. This got me to thinking as we often tend to react to challenges or anxieties on several different levels. Today I was working the Purple Door Festival in Pennsylvania. This is an alternative Christian music festival that caters to teens and young adults. Obviously not the type of crowd I am normally used to speaking to. However it was interesting to see the response from these folks in sponsoring children. Everyone first asks the question "How much is it?" When we tell them they either have the choice to sponsor or not. Unlike adults who have many questions about the ministry it is different here...

I have found that there are three schools of thoughts that I wish to share. Interestingly ,enough though I am applying this to sponsorship, it goes with everything we face in our lives.

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Awesome Craft To Do With Your Kids

By MAD21

I was reading through some of my favorite blogs and came across a really great idea from fellow blogger Kristen at We Are THAT Family.

The project is 'DIYP: Little Hands.' We all probably have at least one hand stamp or imprint of each of our kids when they were little, but I thought this was a unique way to preserve their handprints. And in a way that is easy to hang on the walls for everyone to see. Kristen found the idea at Country Living Magazine. Thanks for sharing it!!

I know what project I'll be working on over vacation!

BMI Tracking Tool For Kids

By MAD21

Most parents are concerned about how healthy their kids are. We've all heard of the Body Mass Index (BMI), but the calculators are usually just for adults. I found one that was made for kids on the site Health Key.

They state, "...This tool can be used for children ages 2 through 19. Be cautious if you use this tool or any height and weight charts to assess your child's growth after he or she reaches puberty. Check with your doctor if you have questions."

As I've said in previous articles, never go by just one source or calculator. But this looks like a good one to use to start tracking your child's growth through their BMI.

What Does Your Family Do For Fun?

By Kevin (Shooting the Breeze)

I believe that it is very important for families to have fun together. As the old adage goes “A family that plays together stays together” (that is an old adage, right?) This is so true. Having fun together helps build a healthy family. Having fun together helps develop a healthy family image – a family that the kids and parents are excited to be a part of. Here are some of the things that we do for fun as a family:

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Are You Spiritually Weary?

By MAD21

To be weary means, "physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; fatigued; tired..." (Dictionary.com). I'm talking about the kind of weary that we feel emotionally, or spiritually when we are ministering to people, when we are serving God.

There is an analogy of a person's heart, or emotional strength, being like water in a bucket or well.  Proverbs  4:23 says that our hearts are the "wellsprings of life." When we give of ourselves (like supporting someone emotionally) we are taking the water from the bucket. We are able to give freely and as often as needed so long as there is still water in the bucket.

But where does the water come from? Well, from a secular point of view, the water would come when other people do things for us. And there is something to be said about that. Our lives are definitely enhanced and changed when others love on us. However, that kind of water doesn't tend to last very long.

The kind of water we need is the everlasting variety. And that only comes from God. Matthew 11:28-29 Says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

We've all been in situations where we are giving support to our friends and family who are going through trials. As we are helping them through these times (filling their buckets), we need to be sure to also pray that God will continue to fill our own bucket. For he never grows weary and is the source of everlasting water.

If you find yourself feeling weary, emotionally drained or just plain tired. Go to the Well. HE will meet you there and fill you up. Bath yourself in his glory and feel the refreshing goodness of his mercy and love.

Isaiah 40:28 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."