Fall in Love....Read.

Books

I love books.

I love books in the sun.

I love books on the run.

I love books at my school.

I love books by my pool.

On a picnic blanket, laying in the grass.

On a bouncy trampoline, stopping to rest, at last.

How do you love your books?

  

Are you familiar with the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?  I have no clue what the first law is (some of you are mentally informing me as you read).  But I do know the 2nd law, and this premise just really lights my fire, in a good way!  I love it because it makes sense of the disorder of life.  The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics - in my words - states that anything left to itself tends toward a state of disorder.  This is encouraging and instructive.  Why, you ask?  Because it explains why my home and car tend toward states of disorder.  Why my brain does.  Why my heart does!  This encourages me because it is normal- expected, even.

This 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is instructive, too.  It teaches me to prepare for the disorder and plan accordingly.  So, my son cleans my ultra-cool minivan each Saturday.  My daughter runs the vacuum.  (Teaching life skills and conquering disorder!)

What do books and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics have in common?  Well, in our house, we like to read.  We also like a bit of laziness.  So you put the two together and we end of reading anything and everything that crosses our path; this does not amount to quality literature ("Trending on Facebook" sidebar is so tempting!)  Our intentions to read great books start strong...... but start to slide.  

If this sounds like you, have no fear!  A quality summer reading list is here.

On the opposite spectrum and rarely read?  Take heart!  An engaging list is here.

The following links contain great books with which you just may fall in love.

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2014/03/04/a-complete-classical-christian-school-reading-list-grades-1-8/

http://www.sonlight.com/search.html?search=summer%20reading

Register for VBS!

How to Register For VBS at Christ Community Church 
& What is Required for Serving in VBS:

1) Registration:  http://goo.gl/forms/M8JFkPtDsm

(Necessary for every child entering 5th grade or younger, even those needing childcare.)

2) Medical Release:    http://goo.gl/forms/qijFRXChkn

(Necessary for every child and teen at VBS.)

              All Youth Who Desire to Serve in VBS:

                   *Mandatory VBS Training Time 

           on Saturday, June 6th - 10 am til noon

                           Snacks Provided!

                   Meet your leader and team

This meeting is also for adults who will serve as area leaders,                 Art Track and Sports Track, and as small group leaders.

                

*If you are unable to attend, you must come to the make-up 

meeting on Sunday, June 14th at 9 am  til 10:15am.
**Failure to attend one of these meetings (for youth) will result in not serving in VBS.  

 Led by Sara Nist and Mike Veitz.

Here's My Heart

Here's My Heart - Is it safe with you?

I think this is a fundamental question consciously or subconsciously asked by every person who walks this planet:  "Is my heart safe with you?"  The need to feel safe is so deeply embedded in our souls; it is an underpinning of everything we are and do.

I see it in my relationships with my kids.  They desire to share their hearts with me, but am I safe?  Am I trustworthy?  Sometimes I feign attention and miss the important. Just as bad is when I hijack their vulnerability and try to teach instead.  

I see it in my relationship with my husband.  He needs to feel confident that he can risk failing and yet still have a wife that cheers and supports.  Can he share big dreams and know that they will be valued and not undermined?  

I see it in my relationship with my God-  me seeking safety in Him. I repeatedly ask an unspoken question of Jesus: "Here's my heart, Lord.  You see it to the depths.  Yet, can I open up my heart to You?  What do I get in return?  What do I risk?"  

I have a two choices!  (You do, too.)  I could open my heart to Jesus.  Opening my heart means a step of faith. Though my head tells me He is good and loving and able, my heart can lie viciously and trust feebly.   Keeping my heart closed seems simpler and the more in-control choice. But keeping my heart closed means I try harder; manage better, or blame more. For me, this manifests itself in stress, anger, or isolation. The closed-heart is not pretty.

When I recognize that I need to open my heart to Jesus, I can be assured that a work of grace has already begun!  God by His Spirit draws me once for salvation but never stops drawing near!  Grace upon grace upon grace.  I need to consciously (sometimes out loud) name what is happening in my heart as I risk coming into Jesus' presence in search of safety.  Do you know what I find?  Rest, not increased pressure.  Comfort, not condemnation.  The closed-heart leads to condemnation; closing myself off from my Author is to open myself to my accuser.  The heart open to God is lovely- able to give and receive love. 

So right now, I am needing to do hard things.  (Maybe you do, too.) This is provoking, because I dislike hard things.  Last week, we talked as a family about what animal we each would be if we could not be human!  Dolphins, lions, bears were chosen, but I decided I would be a deer. Ironic, because deer run at the slightest provocation!  Fitting, because I can run to Jesus.

Below is a link to one of my favorite songs.  It's like an open-hearted prayer.  For me, after I have wrestled with God over the hard stuff - perhaps thrown a tantrum or two - I am worn out, ready to submit, seeking rest, and ready for God to "speak what is true." And He does.

Here's My Heart - I Am They

St. Patrick's Day - A Tale of Redemption

   

What do Veggie Tales, Kings Kaleidescope and Keith and Kristyn Getty have in common?  If you guessed "Links on this St. Patrick's Day Blog Post" you would be correct!

I love St. Patrick's Day!  Not for the green beer or green rivers.  Possibly a little for the fun Irish  sayings:  "Top o' the mornin' to ya!"  When you step aside the silly legends, Paddy Parades, and fun frolicking, you are left with a missionary tale that points to the providence of God.  (Incidentally, this story resembles a treasured Biblical account of the story of Joseph being sold into slavery- look it up - Genesis 39.)

So in our household, each March 17th, we get our green on and grab some great resources to help separate fact from fiction.  In some small way, this is how we redeem the culture instead of running from it.  

Check out these fun resources: 

• One for the kids - Veggie Tales Classic  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg5ejLGEnZk&list=PLB5567E17B236276A
• One for the adults   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOqWT2tk9Js
• One with Kings Kaleidoscope, because they are just so cool, and because Be Thou My Vision has Irish roots, like a potato.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxP45fCBdtw
• One with the Gettys - does it get more Irish than Keith and Kristyn?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6h7nSDtW-E

Christ in the Passover

Christ in The Passover

This Easter season we have a great opportunity to taste, smell, see and feel the Exodus deliverance of the ancient Israelites.  On Thursday evening of Holy Week, Jesus gathered His disciples together for a Passover meal.  This meal commemorates the night long ago when the Lord judged the Egyptians and emancipated His people.    Pastor Tim Kirk

We would love for your family to come experience Christ in the Passover  with us.  This will be a Seder Supper led by Jeremiah (and Hannah) Zaretsky, Chicago director of Jews for Jesus.  [See photo below.]  

The Basics:

• Thursday, April 2nd 2015 
• Christ Community Church, in the Commons - 6:30-8pm
• $8 for an individual; $20 for a family
• Experience a symbolic and interactive Jewish Seder, appropriate for all ages.
• Enjoy a catered meal together.
• Register online at www.christcommunitycarmel.org

Helpful Info to Prepare:  At Christ in the Passover, we will take part in a traditional, Jewish Passover Seder. (Seder means "order.")  The Passover points us back to the book of Exodus when God through Moses led His people out of slavery.  

Recall the events of The Exodus:  God instructing Moses to tell Pharoah, "Let my people go!"  Read through the ten plagues, and pay special attention to the final, tenth plague:  The angel of death passing over every household in which the doorpost was covered with the blood of a lamb. This points us forward to Christ, who became our Passover Lamb.

Recall the events of the night that Jesus was betrayed:  Washing the disciples' feet; sharing a Passover Meal together; praying in the garden; Roman soldiers coming to arrest Jesus.

A Hebrew blessing spoken corporately in the Seder:

Baruch atah adonai, elohay numelech hadlam boray pree hagafen.

Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the universe, who makes the fruit of the vine.

Why is this night different from all other nights?

This is a question asked by a child during a Seder.  

Won't you come and find out?

  

Missions Conference: Ready, Set, Go! What You Need to Know

To See the Nations Worship Christ Community Church ~  Missions Conference 2015 Getting... To Know our Guests and  A Cultural Snapshot

Mamadou Diop

- From Senegal

- Muslim born and raised

- Came to Christ through the missionary work of Frank Sindler

- Pastor and National Leader of the Presbyterian Church of West Africal  

(In French:  l’Eglise Presbytérienne de l’Afrique de l’Ouest-EPAO)

Abou Camara

-From Gambia

-Pastor and Church Planter

- Muslim born and raised

- Reached out to Mission to the World for church-planting assistance, and Frank Sindler was sent to help.

-Abou has planted six churches among the tribal peoples of his predominantly Muslim country.

Frank Sindler

- From the US

- Jewish born and raised

- became a Christian in college.

- With wife Cindy, after several years of ministering among people of Muslim background in the US,  became a missionary to Muslims in Senegal.

- Works with Mission to the World - MTW

Donnie Williams

- From the US

- Ordained pastor

-Donnie was an associate pastor of a PCA church in NC and felt a call to missions in West Africa.

-Donnie and Kara, his wife and children work with the partnership - West African Reformed Mission (WARM).

Jim Weaver

-From the US

-2015 CCC Missions Conference Speaker

-Senior Pastor of Crossroads Presbyterian Church in  Middletown DE.

-Has served on the board of the West African Partnership, the New Harvest Missions International and currently serves on the board of the recently established West African Reformed Mission (WARM).

-Serves as coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic Orphan Care Coalition, laboring to connect the church with children in need.

-Jim and his wife Karen live in Townsend DE with their six children.

-In 2012, co-authored a book entitled Philippians: Pursuing Joy.

A website for fun and helpful facts about Senegal http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/senegal.html

Useful French Phrases

-Hello

Bonjour

-How are you?

Comment allez-vous ?

-Thank you

Merci

-No, thank you.

Non, merci.

-Please.

Si vous plait.

Below are a few common phrases used in Gambia:

English	Mandika	Wolof
Thank you	Abaraka	Jerejef
Hello	Asalamu Alikum	A Salamu Alikum
How are you?	Heraba / I be di?	Na Nga Def?
Good Morning	Hera Laata	Jamangen Fanaan
Good Evening	I Wuraara	Jamangen Enddu
Goodbye	Fo Waati Koteng	Ci Jamma

Greetings

Greetings are the foundation of West African society. Even when asking for directions, one must greet someone first and inquire about their health. In some countries it is also customary to ask about one's family. If one does not greet someone before talking to them, it is considered quite rude.

Clothing

Another important thing is to dress appropriately for the conservative culture, because the nationals place a lot of importance on dress. One should also ask permission before taking most photos.

People

The people of West Africa are very courteous and open to foreigners. Many West Africans speak French along with a tribal language.

Kid-Speak - Can I Enter My Kid's World?

Do you find yourself resorting to the same old, tired queries into your child's daily experience?

"How are you today?"
"How was school today?"
"What did you learn today?'

Blah, blah, blah...at least, this MAY be what our kids perceive us to be saying!  Well, we can trust God to come to our aid when we ask, so perhaps it's time to ask for help in connecting easier, more deeply.  And if He should choose to bless a strategy, here's one to try:

Check out the following blog post for several questions to experiment with in getting to the hearts of your children.

May God bless the afternoon snack time....and our efforts at loving our children!


25 Ways to Ask Your Kids....