tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89352772384252467392024-03-13T02:09:44.820-06:00DudleyC Devotionals & BlogCallison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-13428873048616760522012-03-19T12:04:00.007-06:002012-03-19T12:16:07.558-06:00Footsteps Of Paul - Turkey Trip 2012Want to go to Turkey? Our church in Littleton, Colorado is sponsoring this tour, which will pass through the city in which we lived! Here are the quick facts:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dates</span>: 5-14 October 2012<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cost</span>: $1,600 plus airfare ($2,700 round trip airfare from Denver)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Deadline</span>: Deposit of $400 due by 15 May 2012<br /><br />For more information, email TurkeyTrip2012@PoBox.com<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThtflP3yiL-OWsut_hQLjf69hjU6oFuSqAjdamluSvehNyYtFzpkHIdX8cDrHqfNBpWWeJMMOASryVH0uJAgDgHWTSTMOFW7cxPkycVSg0EvYVytmiTm0rY7_5V-pE2ukEEnXy7yQlVc/s1600/TurkeyTripFlyer_V2_Page_1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThtflP3yiL-OWsut_hQLjf69hjU6oFuSqAjdamluSvehNyYtFzpkHIdX8cDrHqfNBpWWeJMMOASryVH0uJAgDgHWTSTMOFW7cxPkycVSg0EvYVytmiTm0rY7_5V-pE2ukEEnXy7yQlVc/s400/TurkeyTripFlyer_V2_Page_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721672579237478514" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMDhObqR8RLWrUswHK9z_kF5FqgoaKurwgezf0S6SWHCP5kY1XcTnnOa-ZS7OUzKTi8Q8swW4QSx2WwN0bc1SHDW9jOb12-kf4nNNVT7rOgfCVD5VlqbzHL291HHPR1E48-Ny6gs3xOk/s1600/TurkeyTripFlyer_V2_Page_2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMDhObqR8RLWrUswHK9z_kF5FqgoaKurwgezf0S6SWHCP5kY1XcTnnOa-ZS7OUzKTi8Q8swW4QSx2WwN0bc1SHDW9jOb12-kf4nNNVT7rOgfCVD5VlqbzHL291HHPR1E48-Ny6gs3xOk/s400/TurkeyTripFlyer_V2_Page_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721672770125491666" /></a>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-2018061006948885672012-02-17T10:47:00.002-07:002012-02-17T10:52:37.893-07:00Reflections on the Radical Road - What then shall I do?Based on the sermon series The Radical Road: Abandoning Yourself to Follow Jesus taught by Mike Romberger, Senior Pastor, Mission Hills Church<br /><br /><a href="http://missionhills.org/index.php/ministries/sermons/sermon/28-120212">Sermon Title: A Radical Question – Luke 3:1-14</a><br /><br />When confronted with the reality of God, we all must wrestle with this singular question, found in verse 10:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">“What then shall we do?”</span><br /><br />As Mike pointed out, this question came to John the Baptist from three groups of people: the crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers. All three groups experienced the tension created when their lifestyles collided with God’s plan for living. <br /><br />The key question has tumbled around in my heart all week, and in a very personal way. It echoes back to me in different notes, all of which bounce off of something solid found in God’s character. <br /><br /><blockquote>In light of God’s relentless pursuit of restored relationships, what should I do about that broken friendship?<br /><br />In light of the coming judgment of God, what should I do about my colleagues who don’t know him?<br /><br />Because God expressed his love for me though I was by nature a sinner, how should I express my love – and his love – for my neighbors? <br /><br />When I embrace God’s holiness, what should I do about my sinfulness? <br /><br />In light of the humility I see in Jesus, what then should happen to my pride?<br /><br />Because God has offered grace and mercy beyond all comprehension, how then should I live? <br /></blockquote><br />Now it is your turn. How does this declaration of the Savior alter your living today? In other words…<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What then should you do? </span>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-69587488152562484932012-02-15T08:41:00.002-07:002012-02-15T08:48:22.558-07:00Reflections on the Radical Road - The Cycle of RepentanceBased on the sermon series The Radical Road: Abandoning Yourself to Follow Jesus taught by Mike Romberger, Senior Pastor, Mission Hills Church<br /><br />Sermon Title: A Radical Question – Luke 3:1-14<br /><br />“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Luke 3:8a<br /><br />Repentance, fully experienced, goes much deeper than the outward behavior others can observe. In fact, repentance leads one through a full range of internal emotions – from grief to joy. Let’s consider some of the emotional features present as one repents. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Conviction</span> – When I consider my sinful behavior, I sense the conviction of wrongdoing. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), and is different from the guilt, shame and condemnation that flows from our enemy. Our sensitivity to this prompting of the Spirit opens the door for us to move into the repentance process. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Grief / Sorrow</span> – Our sinful choices do not happen in a vacuum. Something is always lost or damaged; a dear friendship, our integrity of sense or self-respect, our fellowship with the Lord. It is good, even important, for us to embrace the loss caused by our sin, and to experience the sorrow of what has been damaged. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Desire</span> – Because we don’t enjoy sitting in our grief, our heart begins to turn toward the desire to live differently; to make a different choice, to restore a treasured relationship, to draw near to God again. In order for God to bring about lasting change, our desire should lead us into a state of surrender. This is our willingness to walk a different path going forward, and that doesn’t happen without an internal resolve to do so. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Courage</span> – Change doesn’t come easily. It requires courage and always involves risk. To move through transformational change, we must couple our surrender with a deep sense of resolve to live into the Lord’s strength. In this stage we face our previous behavior and declare, "In the strength of Christ, I will choose a different way. He is able to do this in me, and I am willing." <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Joy</span> – Sadly, we often leave the concept of joy out of the repentance process. But if God leads us from grief and through change, then we naturally begin to experience the joy of living differently. When a situation arises in which we would have formerly given in to sin, and yet we respond in a way that demonstrates the transformational power of God at work in our lives, we move into a state of joy. <br /><br />Can you remember a time when someone commented on what they perceive to be an area of strength in your life, but you understand that this was formerly an area of weakness? You used to give in to sin in this area, but now you walk in the strength of Christ. Oh what joy! What peace! What hope that God can continue to move you deeper into the Christ-like life. <br /><br />In what area of your life are you ready to experience the full cycle of repentance? <br /><br />How might these various steps apply to your journey?Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-12683328616216864392012-02-13T09:13:00.003-07:002012-02-13T09:23:40.666-07:00Reflections on the Radical Road - Repentance and Deep ChangeBased on the sermon series The Radical Road: Abandoning Yourself to Follow Jesus taught by Mike Romberger, Senior Pastor, Mission Hills Church<br /><br /><a href="http://missionhills.org/index.php/ministries/sermons/sermon/28-120212">Sermon Title: A Radical Question – Luke 3:1-14</a><br /><br />“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Luke 3:7-8a<br /><br />Mike pointed out that John recognized the intentions within the hearts of those who came to be baptized. He said, “These snakes wanted to avoid the danger of fire, but remain as snakes. John was declaring, ‘You want to avoid hell, but still live like a hellion.’” <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Repentance goes much deeper than external behavior.</span> <br /> <br />Many believers approach repentance as a process of incremental change. What we need is deep change. Robert Quinn, in his book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Change-Discovering-Business-Management/dp/0787902446/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329149797&sr=8-1">Deep Change</a>, describes the difference between incremental and deep change. His insights shed important light on how we should approach repentance from sin. <br /><br />Incremental change – <br /><blockquote>- Is the result of rational analysis and planning<br />- Outlines steps needed to reach a goal<br />- Is limited in scope – confined to one area or issue in life<br />- Is reversible – if change doesn’t work out we can return to the old ways<br />- Is an extension of the past – a slight alteration<br />- Is non-disruptive<br />- Allows me to retain control</blockquote><br />By contrast, deep change – <br /><blockquote>- Requires a new way of thinking and behaving<br />- Is broad and reaching in scope – touching the entire person<br />- Is discontinuous with the past – nothing will be the same<br />- Is irreversible – there is no going back<br />- Requires risk<br />- Alters the trajectory of the future<br />- Demands that I surrender control</blockquote><br />Most Christians, myself included, excel at sin management. I can keep my behavior in check enough to keep from “acting out” in sin. Externally this gives the appearance that I’ve changed. True repentance goes much further than behavior modification. Repentance produces a deep change, a radical transformation of the heart such that my life and behavior are forever different. <br /><br />The truth is that I can alter my behavior without repentance, leading to a significant change in my heart. But I cannot experience repentance that leads to a deep change in my heart without altering my behavior. <br /><br />At what point in my spiritual journey did I experience the transformational power of repentance? <br /> <br />How did that re-order my way of thinking and behaving? <br /><br />What old patterns of living have I not gone back to as a result of this deep change?Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-57680400127934355902012-02-09T16:14:00.002-07:002012-02-09T16:26:30.801-07:00Reflections on the Radical Road - SubmittingBased on the sermon series The Radical Road: Abandoning Yourself to Follow Jesus taught by Mike Romberger, Senior Pastor, Mission Hills Church<br /><br /><a href="http://missionhills.org/index.php/ministries/sermons/sermon/27-120205">Sermon Title: A Child's Radical Impact – Luke 2:22-52</a><br /><br />“Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them (Mary & Joseph) and was obedient to them.” Luke 2:51<br /><br />When Mary and Joseph found the 12 year-old Jesus in the temple, we see the first evidence that Jesus understood his true identity. He states, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Mary remembered the words of Gabriel. Joseph must have known that Jesus was entrusted to him by a higher Father. So, everybody seemed to be aware that Jesus carried the weight of divine authority on his pre-teen shoulders. Which is what makes verse 51 all the more interesting. <br /><br />Jesus – God in human form – went with Joseph and Mary back to Nazareth and was obedient to them. <br /><br />Mike pointed out in the sermon that Jesus grew up under the authority of his parents, and this was true even after he became aware of the authority he rightly held over them. <br /><br />Submission has become a nasty word in our culture. It conjures images of tyrannical parenting, abusive husbands, and perverted sexual bondage. Even those of us who buy into a good definition of submission tend to carefully determine when and where we allow it to be applied to our lives. For me, it sometimes sounds like this:<br /><br />“I’ll obey those over me, if I agree with the person in charge.”<br /><br />“I’ll follow the rules, if I determine that they are fair and work in my best interest.”<br /><br />“I’ll obey someone over me, if they have the power to punish me.” <br /><br />“I’ll submit, if I recognize that someone has a superior position to my own.” <br /><br />Yet Jesus, being in the very nature God, humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross (Phil 2). <span style="font-weight:bold;">Jesus' obedience to God which led to his death on a cross was learned at home with Joseph and Mary. </span> <br /><br />Jesus submitted to them even though he knew he held ultimate authority over them. In doing so, he teaches us to submit to others over us, even when we are convinced that we are superior to those people in some way. <br /><br />Richard Rohr states it like this, “All spiritual learning is a function of surrender.” Could it be that we grow in our faith not only when we learn to submit to God, but also when we learn to submit to others who are over us? <br /><br />Is it possible that we will not learn to submit to a God who we cannot see until we learn to submit to authorities in our lives who we can see? <br /><br />Today, consider the people who live in authority over you. Do you place conditions on your willingness to obey them? How can the example set by Jesus inspire you to grow in your faith by your willingness to submit to others?Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-73124490739769302932012-02-08T09:46:00.004-07:002012-02-08T09:56:04.921-07:00Avoid Spiritual Apathy In Your Home<blockquote>“I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. So I rebuked the officials and asked them, ‘Why is the house of God neglected?’” Nehemiah 13:10-11</blockquote><br />Nehemiah discovered a mess among God’s people, and he decided to clean it up. The “house of God” not only meant the temple, but all of the beliefs and practices that should be found among those who follow God. These beliefs and practices were so neglected that the spiritual leaders had all gone back to their fields. They had abandoned their posts. Apathetic, they walked away from the Lord and His ways. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUGsqvZB9Tu8xWzHvWzKTfPq4l_TZpr3YKRyx884e_U0EEkbNL_z0GmbEEkMvC5LknCyDRtVWQNLR-M0ud78P8HsBLGXNKUsgT1LoQ5Cfzp2gjlbmjr1Bhb0SZs-5WSXqwUQsam_1mZ0/s1600/apathy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 161px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUGsqvZB9Tu8xWzHvWzKTfPq4l_TZpr3YKRyx884e_U0EEkbNL_z0GmbEEkMvC5LknCyDRtVWQNLR-M0ud78P8HsBLGXNKUsgT1LoQ5Cfzp2gjlbmjr1Bhb0SZs-5WSXqwUQsam_1mZ0/s200/apathy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706809290197388898" /></a>What happens when we find apathy toward following Christ in our homes? Well, we’re likely to discover a spiritual mess. <br /><br />Rather than relying on the Lord in times of trial, we slip into self-sufficiency seeking to fix our problems through our own means. <br /><br />Rather than standing on God’s Word as truth, we determine what is right in our own eyes. <br /><br />Rather than serving others with God’s love, we make sure that our own needs are met first. Let’s take these three examples and turn them into a plan for “apathy prevention” at home. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Prayer</span> – Prayer acknowledges that there is a significant Other in our midst. We don’t have to figure it all out on our own. We pray and seek wisdom from the God who supplies it. Practice this at home often. When your child tells you about an issue at school, simply state, “Why don’t we take a minute and pray about it. Let’s ask God to give you wisdom (strength, courage, or whatever is appropriate).” And then pray. God listens and will help. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Scripture</span> – Our world is full of situational ethics; people determining what is right in any given situation based on their own interpretations. Scripture provides guiding, enduring principles that help us interpret our world and shape our responses. When talking about an issue, ask your kids, “Does God’s Word tell us anything that will help us?” Involve them in the discovery of Biblical guidance, and you will benefit them for life. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Service</span> – We all naturally take care of our own needs. It is easy to become apathetic toward the needs of others. By serving as a family, you push against the selfishness that abounds in our world. This month we’re going to try something new. As part of our monthly giving, I’m going to put cash on the table and ask, “How can we use this to serve others this month?” With some very basic ground rules, I believe our kids will be creative in thinking of ways to keep the needs of others in our hearts and minds. <br /><br />Make this resolution: "I will not go back to the fields. I will not abandon my spiritual post. We will press forward in our faith, together, as a family." And apathy will be a stranger in your home.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-18437920830171169812012-02-06T13:42:00.001-07:002012-02-07T09:20:08.225-07:00Reflections on the Radical Road - The True Reward of HeavenBased on the sermon series The Radical Road: Abandoning Yourself to Follow Jesus taught by Mike Romberger, Senior Pastor, Mission Hills Church<br /><br />Sermon Title: <a href="http://www.missionhills.org/index.php/ministries/sermons/sermon/27-120205">A Child's Radical Impact – Luke 2:22-52</a><br /><br />In this passage we looked at the encounter between a very young Jesus and two people who watched for his coming: Simeon and Anna. Read this story here (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:25-38&version=NIV">Luke 2:25-38</a>). Simeon and Anna, independent of each other, were waiting at the temple for the coming Messiah. They are described as righteous, devout, and prayerful. <br /><br />Mike commented, “God rewards the faithful life of an older person. Faithful, older believers look forward to seeing Jesus face to face.” <br /><br />But is this true for most Christians? Do we really imagine our heavenly reward this way? <br /><br />I’m fairly convinced, by listening to people talk about their hope of heaven, that many believers have a self-oriented desire when it comes to heaven. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it this way:<br /><br /><blockquote>People look forward to most in heaven that which they sought or desired most on earth. </blockquote> <br /><br />Some who have been permanently injured or whose bodies have given out over time look forward in heaven to having a new body and restored health. <br /><br />Some who have lost precious loved ones to death look forward in heaven to that time of reunion and renewed relationship. <br /><br />Some who have calibrated their lives toward success and prosperity look forward in heaven to streets of gold and mansions of glory. <br /><br />Some who have sought after positions of power or control on earth look forward in heaven to reigning together with Christ. <br /><br />Some who have lived under the labor of strife, conflict, tensions, or even war look forward in heaven to a place of peace. <br /><br />While it is certainly not wrong to hope for these things, and there are scriptural evidences that all of these will be part of our heavenly experience, what does this say about our desire to encounter the living Jesus? <br /><br />One morning in church, I watched as an elderly woman named Rose sang a hymn. She wasn’t holding a hymnal or watching the projector screens. Her eyes were closed and she had one hand lifted up as if she was reaching out to someone. After the service, I asked Rose about the time of worship, and she said, “Not very long from now, I will get to meet Jesus. I just can’t wait to be with him.” <br /><br />If we are to truly embrace the reward that Simeon and Anna so greatly enjoyed, we will fix our devotion – and our hope – on Christ alone. And Rose, at this very moment is enjoying the fruit of her faithful life. <br /><br />Yes, I believe that God rewards the faithful devotion that we express while here on earth. <span style="font-weight:bold;">And I believe that He, Jesus Christ, is our great reward.</span> Being in his presence will be beyond all other satisfactions. <br /><br />If you have a moment, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII ">watch and listen to this song</a>. It paints a beautiful picture of the moment when we can experience the reward of faithful living.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-82568679722862625732012-01-09T08:57:00.001-07:002012-02-07T09:19:44.285-07:00Reflections on The Radical Road - Being known as Radical<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1LjJG3PAu6H6aIVbZLm5abOZ7LIPLeSABA9feOGQ9See-qEOY7_r5u38x9PXhL_oqx5qfoVYoaabs8JozeW3CD_pEJx3aWM04o1JC6CAjZYt9DID3LMqukCvRDoJM5CmyI16TwtkTl0/s1600/radical_rd20ir.medium.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1LjJG3PAu6H6aIVbZLm5abOZ7LIPLeSABA9feOGQ9See-qEOY7_r5u38x9PXhL_oqx5qfoVYoaabs8JozeW3CD_pEJx3aWM04o1JC6CAjZYt9DID3LMqukCvRDoJM5CmyI16TwtkTl0/s200/radical_rd20ir.medium.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695666393459244098" /></a>Based on the sermon series <span style="font-style:italic;">The Radical Road: Abandoning Yourself to Follow Jesus</span> taught by Mike Romberger, Senior Pastor, <a href="http://missionhills.org/">Mission Hills Church</a><br /><br />Sermon Title: <a href="http://missionhills.org/index.php/ministries/sermons/sermon/23-120108">Get Ready to Meet a Radical – Luke 1:1-25</a><br /><br />Mike began this series by defining the words “radical” and “abandon.” <br />According to dictionary.com, <span style="font-style:italic;">Radical</span> means extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms, or one who follows strong convictions or extreme principles. <span style="font-style:italic;">Abandon</span> means to yield oneself without restraint or moderation. <br /><br />With these definitions in mind, we could state that Jesus was a radical who abandoned himself to the will of God. And even though these two words don’t appear in scripture as descriptors of Jesus, they certainly apply. <br /><br />The critical question is, Do these words apply to me? Or, What would it take for these words to apply to me? <br /> <br />Honestly, what are the words that others use to describe me, as best as I can tell? I don’t mean, what are the words I <span style="font-style:italic;">want</span> people to use to describe me, but what do they really say? I’ll hazard to guess a few: Helpful, competent, confrontational, honest, and willing to take risks. But Radical? Abandoned? Probably not. <br /><br />To be labeled radical today I’d have to go out and try to do something extremely different from what is normal, maybe selling my truck and adopting a walk-only mode of transportation so that I can give more money to those who need bus passes (not practical). To be called abandoned today, I should jump into something without restraint, like exercising till I drop from exhaustion (not likely). But I think that would be altogether missing the point. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Radical and Abandoned are not words we set out to establish as self-describing adjectives. They are the bi-product of life lived a certain way. They describe a pattern of living rooted in deep convictions. </span> Jesus pursued the will of the Father without restraint, and as a result he lived an extraordinary life that was way beyond normal, conventional living. He was radical, not because he set out to be radical, but because he never let up in his pursuit to know and do what was right in the eyes of God. <br /><br />And that should be my focus today. Not to live in such a way that merits a label, but simply to watch and respond to the opportunities that arise today to know and to do what is right in the eyes of God. And if I string together days, weeks and months of this kind of living, maybe these words will apply. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“Lord, I want to live a radical life abandoned for your purposes. But today, Lord, I just want to be aware of that singular moment that naturally arises which will force me to choose between the normal behavior of this world and what you would prefer for me. I believe, Lord, from your perspective that choice won’t be seen as radical, but simply the right thing to do.” </span>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-61601468269579177722011-12-13T14:01:00.000-07:002011-12-13T17:33:49.495-07:00Airlines and Snowballs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r7Ockr5ur_Z93LD_DV_pqkAnnDa9f9ikynw0S9A6Dhg9a6cOdJq6HwTr-mWeS_LbmGpvUMJyZzAYrEOeD1ZfY4ZGFmSIP5rmvUec0p2vvvyK14sW1WPPSei3Z2IlqkLC82jjkQl9H04/s1600/frontierjetwithbirdonback1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r7Ockr5ur_Z93LD_DV_pqkAnnDa9f9ikynw0S9A6Dhg9a6cOdJq6HwTr-mWeS_LbmGpvUMJyZzAYrEOeD1ZfY4ZGFmSIP5rmvUec0p2vvvyK14sW1WPPSei3Z2IlqkLC82jjkQl9H04/s200/frontierjetwithbirdonback1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685723180408650370" /></a><br />I flew to Colorado Springs today. Yes, I live in Denver. Yes, it is a 15-minute flight wheels up to down. But, if your work requires you to travel at all, you know the value of achieving frequent flier status with your airline of choice. A kind lady from Denver-based Frontier Airlines called me last month just to let me know that I was going to be one leg short of reaching their top-tier flier status for 2012. Not one round trip short; just one leg, which she wasn’t pulling. So I came to Colorado Springs to have lunch and to knock out some of the email debris that piles up in my inbox. No meetings; just lunch at the airport before flying right back home.<br /><br />Last night I lay awake thinking about the numerous trips this year that afforded me elite flying status on two airlines: Frontier and American. Madrid, London, Budapest, San Antonio (many times over), Spokane, Los Angeles, Portland, and Dallas, to name a few. I’ve long held a belief that achieving frequent flier status with an airline, in truth, may look like success on the road, but feels like failure at home. It means I’ve been away from my family a lot this year. A sacrifice that I have to question each time I consider another trip. Days away from the normal rhythms of family life - missed events, soccer games, church together. Sacrifice. <br /><br />Then my Colorado Springs airport lunch took an interesting turn. Military veterans began arriving at the gate across from where I sat. Some in uniforms, most sporting veterans patches on their leather coats or hats. All carrying American flags. Since this city is home to the Air Force Academy, I assumed that this was a “welcome home” party for returning soldiers. I had to take a closer look. <br /><br />Next thing I know I was holding one of those flags and my new friend, Jack “St. Thunder” Casey, was standing beside me. Along with many others, we formed a tunnel of flags from the exit of the jet-bridge into the terminal. Ladies held gift bags ready to hand out to those who were about to come up the ramp. Then word began to spread that the Snowball Express had arrived. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuRoUh-HHzt2VpvXNLt1xWQGURCaWzzNZ9vI0ptN9cS8857eeNRQAqA6DrGTS1megqxP-aA2E2h__URfCM6KkrL7PGOKGCAuGTYF1knPuvvRiJGgipUtAIe2DNH2jvVMUDbfevRomHp4/s1600/Snowball.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuRoUh-HHzt2VpvXNLt1xWQGURCaWzzNZ9vI0ptN9cS8857eeNRQAqA6DrGTS1megqxP-aA2E2h__URfCM6KkrL7PGOKGCAuGTYF1knPuvvRiJGgipUtAIe2DNH2jvVMUDbfevRomHp4/s200/Snowball.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685721815641229650" /></a>The Snowball Express? That didn’t sound like a troop transport plane. So I turned to Jack and asked, “Are these soldiers coming home?” He replied, “No, the soldiers died. This chartered American Airlines flight is bringing their families home. We sent them to Dallas for a weekend of recovery. They’ve been to Six Flags, Cowboy Stadium, and lots of other fun things.” As it turns out, every year, Patriot Guard units around the country round up these families and offer them a blessing in light of their sacrifice. <br /><br />Sacrifice. That word surfaced again. On my trips, I’m gone several days, with the occasional two-weeker overseas. For these families, their soldier left knowing they would be gone for over a year. At the end of my trips, I come home to a family that welcomes me back. Their soldier didn’t return to their hugs. <br /><br />I crawl into bed. They attended a funeral. <br /><br />Yes, I travel a lot. Too much. But as I watched those kids and moms coming off the flight to a chorus of flag-holders saying, “Welcome home!” I’m reminded that some families won’t get to offer the homecoming greetings they waited to give. The gifts they received today can’t begin to compare to the loss they’ve experienced. Now that's sacrifice.<br /><br />And the chance to give them a hero’s welcome today was worth that one extra leg on Frontier. <br /><br />Now it’s time to go home. <br /><br />For more information about the Snowball Express, click <a href="http://snowballexpress.org/">here</a>. <br /><br />For more information about the Colorado Patriot Guard, click <a href="http://www.coloradopgr.org/">here</a>. <br /><br />For other Patriot Guard units, click <a href="http://www.patriotguard.org/">here</a>.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-46447786673848517752011-11-23T10:42:00.001-07:002011-11-23T10:42:40.893-07:00Christmas Greetings from our family to you<object id="vp15qlzF" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1322070087&f=5qlzFpln1OX1kadp0xridw&d=194&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp15qlzF" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1322070087&f=5qlzFpln1OX1kadp0xridw&d=194&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-42433484307489431822011-10-03T08:21:00.000-06:002011-10-03T08:52:28.710-06:00Courageous and Fatherhood of God<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_ZbNJ2f_UY3Af8k49SjaZggRBkF91DnZGp4ENL9YFwFIdaaXxXqEa4bTGI7zpv6j5LlnI35AS2LL2NdSEr8dJVNo-V1Mq4dM7CEJjV9yWOaJCg4NqiehwVSHSIyC6Ptubbx4rf86LRw/s1600/DadDaughterDance2011.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_ZbNJ2f_UY3Af8k49SjaZggRBkF91DnZGp4ENL9YFwFIdaaXxXqEa4bTGI7zpv6j5LlnI35AS2LL2NdSEr8dJVNo-V1Mq4dM7CEJjV9yWOaJCg4NqiehwVSHSIyC6Ptubbx4rf86LRw/s200/DadDaughterDance2011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659278849263716498" /></a><br /><blockquote>For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Romans 8:1-16</blockquote><br />I went with 7 other men last night to see the movie, Courageous. It is an excellent representation of the real-life struggles men face, acknowledging that life is hard and that we choose how we will face these challenges. <br /><br />Several themes ran through the film, one being the enduring love that a father has for his children. Coupled with the sermon from our church this morning, based on the Romans verse above, I believe God was revealing something important in the hours of this day. <br /><br />I have learned far less about God's fatherly love from the experience of being a son. Rather, I am learning about His love through the exercise of being a father to two children. <br /><br />And I have come to this conclusion: If God's love toward me is anything like the love I feel toward my children, then I have greatly misunderstood his Fatherly heart. Like most boys who grow toward manhood, I've sought to earn and be deserving of His love - to live in a way that justifies His acceptance. To gain the respect of God the Father.<br /><br />But I also know this: I love my children with unrelenting passion, unchangeable devotion and a sacrificial willingness strong enough to overcome most of the selfishness in my heart. To enjoy relating to them as their Daddy (Abba) is my delight.<br /><br />If I, in my human frailty, can love my girls like this, then how vast is the love of God the Father for us? How strong is His love for me? <br /><br />Today, if you know the love in your heart for a child, think on the magnitude of the Father's love toward you. His love is not a different kind of love. It is more and more of the same.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-25306140952745080862011-06-05T20:15:00.000-06:002011-06-05T20:29:42.813-06:00Allowing for Allowances<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO8fWkwjLtJuJW4OzcZTgOs-pMnlkfrvg1xoOI7svMQTD4Cv9jRsy41Ga-7wTCETFsCtncbGAOPjhXpdD70xfOWVE3hiumhf1HAiAeeutrp8tpVvNkBkcAQRZx3OdZDxRAGCjs-PZddc/s1600/money_24077_md.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO8fWkwjLtJuJW4OzcZTgOs-pMnlkfrvg1xoOI7svMQTD4Cv9jRsy41Ga-7wTCETFsCtncbGAOPjhXpdD70xfOWVE3hiumhf1HAiAeeutrp8tpVvNkBkcAQRZx3OdZDxRAGCjs-PZddc/s200/money_24077_md.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614927324325350322" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A Progressive Allowance Plan for Raising Children Who<br />Give Generously, Save Frugally, and Spend Wisely<br /></span><br /><br /><blockquote>"Dad, can I have an allowance?" <br />"Sure, son, I'll allow you to go get a paper route."</blockquote><br />Times have changed. But the basic dilemma over whether to offer kids a monthly cash allowance has not. Let me start this discussion by saying that Laura and I have a stated goal of helping our kids grow into responsible, faithful maturity in all areas of life. We want them to head off to college with practical experience managing money so they can be financially wise and responsible, not held hostage by long-term financial damage or consumer debt. <br /><br />Our hope is that, by the time they leave our home, our daughters will have learned basic money skills in three areas: Generous giving, frugal saving, and wise spending. How do we accomplish this?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Money Pits – The Problem with Allowances</span><br /><br />Most parents view chores as an integral part of being in a family - everyone pitches in toward the healthy maintenance and overall well-being of the home. While this is a foundational approach, we should be careful with any system that ties allowances to specific chores. Doing so can shape kids who, when asked to wash the car, reply, "Well, for how much?" Monetizing basic responsibilities around the house is a sure-fire way to churn out kids who expect to get paid to be helpful. <br /><br />Likewise, the historical data around unconditional allowances is no more encouraging. Regarding homes in which children receive an allowance without any expectations of responsibility, the data reveals that these kids…<br /><blockquote>Were no more likely to save money than those who received no allowance<br />Viewed the idea of working for money less favorably <br />Scored worse on a national financial literacy test<br />Show a lower participation in the labor force and an increased sense of entitlement.</blockquote><br />So, if tying allowances to specific chores is as problematic as offering unconditional allowances, what else can a parent do? <br /><br />Consider what we call a progressive allowance plan. The underlying principle is that a child’s allowance grows with the years in proportion to his or her ability to handle more responsibility. <br /><br />Rather than tying allowances to chores, we frame it in the larger perspective of being part of our family system. To be in our family means that you share in the responsibilities of our home. Everyone pitches in. And everyone, in a basic sense, goes to work each day. Dad goes to the office, Mom handles home and local responsibilities, and the kids go off to school. And, as a result of everyone sharing the load, so too everyone gets to share in the blessings that God provides for our family. Everyone eats, sleeps with a roof overhead, wears comfortable clothes, and everyone gets a bit of the financial bounty that comes into our home from the Lord. <br /><br />In order to keep the ideas of responsibility and blessing tethered, we withhold our daughters’ allowances if we felt that they were not contributing appropriately to the family. By doing so, we avoid the situation whereby our kids shirk their responsibilities at school and home, but they get the same allowance regardless. We also resist an allowance plan that would lead us to say, “You washed the car but you didn’t clean your room, therefore you only get 80% of your allowance.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Progressing Allowance Plan in Action</span><br /><br />How does a progressive allowance plan work? With each year, starting in 1st grade, our kids had some basic responsibilities around the house in addition to their schoolwork. Making beds and feeding the dog are simple tasks within the scope of a 6-year-old. In return, our kids got an allowance of $10 per month that year. <br /><br />While that may seem like a lot to give a 6-year-old, we required them to give at least one dollar at church, and to put at least one dollar in a savings account. (Remember that teaching generous giving and frugal saving are two of our stated parenting goals.) We found it interesting that they consistently donated more than one dollar - and we didn't complain a bit! We want our kids to grow up with generosity in their hearts. For special offerings - like a donation drive at church for missions - we encouraged giving by matching whatever they chose to give, thus doubling their donation. On one occasion, both girls wanted to give to a China Missions offering. We laid out the fund-matching scheme, thinking they would give about five dollars each, and we would pitch in an extra $10 to match. We heard them upstairs counting money, giggling and talking about it with each other. How surprised do you think we were when they came down and announced that they wanted to give FIFTY dollars to China missions?! Well, we weren't nearly as surprised as the Children's Minister at the church when Molly & Claire showed up with $100 in cash! I pray to God that they will always be so generous. <br /><br />Regarding the money that they save, we opened a savings account at our bank for each child and seeded it with a minimum balance. Each month they decide how much they want to deposit into long-term savings. Often this turns out to be two or three dollars, which is 100 - 200% more than we require of them. Some parents go further to encourage savings by offering a “fund matching” incentive for every dollar socked away. As their math skills have grown, we have been able to teach our kids about the cumulative benefits of saving. Of course, "compounding interest" is lost on them, especially with current bank interest rates! But they are experiencing the monthly discipline of saving which will benefit them for a lifetime. <br /><br />Now, back to the $10 per month in 1st grade. If they give away $2 and save $2, then they really only have $6 to go out and spend. We have tried to give them full permission to spend those dollars anyway they desire. Why? Because they began the month by giving and saving. The rest is theirs to spend, earned, in a sense, by their responsible contribution to our family system. Of course this led to frequent trips to the Dollar Store where they bought countless “treasures” that broke in the car on the ride home. Did they learn anything from that? Probably not at the time, though we have heard them say, “What a piece of junk! I shouldn’t have wasted my money on that!” By giving them permission to spend the rest of their allowance as they desire, both girls have shown an increasing amount of discretion. This has opened the door for many conversations about wise spending. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Mechanics of the Progressive Plan<br /></span><br />Here is the "progressive" part of this allowance plan. When they started 2nd grade, we gave them each a $5 raise. Now, before you freak out over a 50% increase, remember that our goal is for them to learn financial responsibility AND to take on more financial responsibility over time. We’ve added chores to their list, and we’ve expected them to pay for more of the things that they want. Even in 2nd grade, if they really wanted a book from Barnes & Nobles, we would ask, "Do you have any of your allowance left to spend?" By giving them more spending potential, we gave them more responsibility for the cost of items they wanted. I don't think either girl ever questioned that we would take care of providing what they need, but they quickly learned that they would be asked to spend their allowance on items that they wanted. <br /><br />Play this out over the course of a child's educational career - a $5 increase per grade - and what’s the commitment? By the time our daughters are high school seniors, they will each get a $65 monthly allowance. While this may seem like a lot, our girls will also shoulder much more of a load at home. Eventually they will be responsible for helping take care of the car, tend to their laundry, and participate in meal preparation for the family, among other things yet to be determined. <br /><br />Regarding financial responsibility, their increased allowance will force them to make critical choices about discretionary spending. We will provide some basic money for reasonable clothes. If they want to upgrade to designer labels it will be on their dime. We will provide them with a basic line on our family cell phone plan, and they will pay for the texting or data plan on the phone. This notion of increased responsibility also means that they have to solve any problem that carries a financial burden. For example, our teens will have a modest car to drive, but if they wreck the car and the insurance premium goes up, they will pay the difference. If they get a speeding ticket (following in dear old Dad's lead-foot-steps) they will have to pay for it (even though dear old Dad did not :-).<br /><br />The net result? Every month our kids will have to make spending choices, "Do I want to pay for that movie now, or would I rather save up for that new snowboard I want?" "Would I rather commit to a monthly texting plan for my phone, or have more flexibility in my clothes budget?" That is exactly the kind of choices we want them to learn how to navigate. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The First Bank of Mom & Dad</span><br /><br />Structuring a progressive allowance system like this also opens the door to introduce our kids to basic concepts of banking. Eventually, I expect that each child will open a checking account and learn how to use a debit card. When that happens, we will teach them about online banking and checkbook balancing. We have started to offer higher-interest savings incentives and lower-interest loans. <br /><br />Here’s how it works. If you child wants a new iPod, try giving them an incentive to save toward buying it. If it costs $100 and your child gets $25 a month of allowance, factoring in for giving and long-term savings with $20 of extra to spend, it will take your child 5 months to save enough. You can help them learn the value of delayed gratification by offering them a one-month interest incentive for saving toward that purchase. In other words, write out an agreement that if they choose to save toward the new iPod for four straight months, you will give them the extra $20 to make the purchase. We actually did this with Molly, our daughter who chronically blew all of her extra money at the Dollar Store. You can't imagine the celebration in our home when Molly got to buy her first expensive electronic toy. It is all hers, and she felt so proud over exercising spending discipline for so long! <br /><br />On the other side of the banking equation, you can also encourage financial responsibility by offering low-interest loans. Let's say your son wants that “totally awesome” new bike. It costs $144, and he gets $30 per month allowance. Again, factoring for basic giving and long-term savings with $24 extra to spend, it would take him 6 months to save that much. Or you could structure a simple loan that allows him to save for two months ($48) as a down payment, and then pay out the rest over the next 4 months while he enjoys his new ride. Feel free to tack on any "bank interest" fee for him to pay during month 5 before closing out the loan! The best part about this situation is that if your son "defaults" on the loan, you can sell his bike on Craigslist and recoup your cash pretty easily. <br /><br />What does a loan like this do? It opens the door for your child to learn basic banking concepts like down payments, loan payments, collateral, and that all-so important word - REPOSSESSION! By the way, be sure to put all of this in writing and have your child sign it so that when the Grim RE-PO man shows up and swipes their gear, you can lovingly remind them of the arrangement. Their future bank will certainly not be so kind. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Allowing for a Final Thought</span><br /><br />In conclusion, let me simply say that we didn't come up with some magic formula that led us to start with a $10 per month allowance with a $5 per year increase. You can start out at a different amount and offer different adjustments. In the end, the basic premise stands; choose an allowance system that teaches your kids that with increased benefits comes extra responsibilities. And that, with each passing year, they can learn how to give generously from their own wallets, they can save frugally toward a future goal or dream, and they can spend wisely. <br /><br />That's the kind of child we want to see going off to college.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-80935862337879733152011-05-30T10:56:00.001-06:002011-05-30T19:37:08.995-06:00Building your Bible StudyYou are preparing to teach a Bible Study. If you are like many people, the anxiety that comes with public speaking can be downright debilitating. Far too many lose their essential message - and their audience - in the maze of poor presentation. But you don't need to take a preaching class to build a dynamic, memorable Bible study. Let's walk through some important "design" assumptions, and then a practical blueprint that will set your study on a solid foundation. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Assumption 1 - Attention Span</span><br />Consider the age of your audience from the outset. You approach Bible study with adult men differently than with a youth group. How long should your Bible study last? According to a variety of research, attention span can be linked to chronological age. So, if you're speaking to a Middle School audience, you can plan to teach for around 15 minutes. Go beyond that and you will begin to see the donut-glazed looks staring back at you. If your study has to be longer than your audience's age, then use the "Look" section to recapture some interest. More on that later...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Assumption 2 - Retention Span</span><br />Consider the learning style of your audience. Lectures still hold value for college educated adults, but fall on the media-addicted, youthful deaf ears. Be prepared to incorporate visual elements, audience participation, or video clips into your study. Learning experts agree that you increase retention by incorporating various stimuli. On this note, also remember the Primacy / Recency Effect (or <a href="http://csusap.csu.edu.au/~aleona04/psy101_research_report.htm">Serial Position Curve</a>), which states that people most often remember the first and last things that they hear. In other words, if you want your main point to "stick," state it clearly at the beginning and end of your study. <br /><br />This is a good place to encourage you to keep your primary point simple and sharp. It is better for a crowd to hear one main point - thoroughly explored, illustrated and applied - than to hear 3 points that they completely forget. From the outset, ask yourself this question, "What main scriptural point do I want these folks to remember tomorrow?" Build the rest of the study around this thought or statement. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Assumption 3 - Divine Presence</span><br />A seminary preaching professor gave 4 anonymous sermons to his students to review and to rank in order of preaching mechanics and potential audience impact. One sermon landed at the bottom of every students' list, while the other three were debatable among the class. After a lively discussion, the professor revealed that the three sermons most preferred were delivered by ministers who were known to be morally corrupt, or cult-like leaders. The sermon which was unanimously ranked lowest was deliver by Dr. Billy Graham in a stadium address which saw thousands of listeners come to faith in Christ. The professor emphasized that divine unction, or the presence of God's Spirit in the life of the teacher trumps sermon mechanics or delivery style every time. Better that you would prayerfully walk with Jesus and have a technically poor presentation than for you to "wow" a crowd with your words without the Spirit flowing through your life. <br /><br />Now, given these three baseline assumptions, how should you go about putting your Bible study message together? Let's use Lawrence Richard's helpful HBLT tool as the framework for our study. And we'll use the theme of "forgiveness" as an example of a Bible study message as we walk through each step. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Hook -</span> <br />A good "hook" captures the attention of your audience, activates their prior learning, and heightens their anticipation for hearing what you have to say. Your hook should easily allow you step into your message by leading into your seminal statement. Tell a story or show a video clip and follow it with the very point you want them to remember. For example, if you're teaching on forgiveness, show a clip like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv50xrsFNdU">this</a>, and then make the statement, "Forgiveness is powerful. When withheld, it destroys; when given, it heals." Or use a discussion question that gets the audience involved in your subject. On the theme of forgiveness, ask, "Which is better, forgiveness or revenge? Why?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Book - </span><br />After you state your main point, move straight into the scripture verse or passage that you want to study. It's okay to keep your scripture confined to a single verse as long as your point is in line with the larger context of the passage. Don't cite a verse just to make your point. The verse should make the point for you. For instance, Ephesians 4:32 is a simple verse on forgiveness. This is the time in your study when you define any important words that could be misunderstood, or you explain a bit about the context in which the verse was written. This Ephesians verse begs the question, "How can you describe the kind of forgiveness God offers to us in Christ?" <br /><br />Opening scripture with your audience also ensures that if they forget every word you say, at least they have access to God's Word for a lifetime. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Look -</span> <br />Now you will want to build a bridge between a scriptural truth and your audience's context. How does your theme translate into their experience? How has this message been misinterpreted by their culture? When, where and how do they relate to this concept? If you're teaching about forgiveness, you can offer an example to illustrate how forgiveness has healed and restored a relationship. <br /><br />Remember the assumption about audience attention span. If your teaching time has reached the age of your audience, use an open discussion question, a video clip, a live testimonial from the crowd, or some other device to shake them out of listener-fatigue. This will buy you a bit more attention as you move toward the end of your study. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. Took -</span> <br />If you are teaching scripture with the goal of life-transformation, then you must include this component of application. The "took" is the take-away, or chance for your audience to consider what difference this truth will make in their lives. I will often end a Bible study by putting two questions to the audience (and often on the screen in front of them): What is God saying to you right now?, and What should you do about it? Allow your listeners time to listen to God before they transition to whatever is next. <br /><br />Some people find closing their message to be the hardest part of teaching. Can you remember hearing someone teach who didn't know how to end? They go on and on and on, and you want to help them stop, but you can't! Know how you will end your message, and when you get to that moment, make your concluding statement with clarity and conviction. Remembering the Primacy/Recency Effect, it will help your audience to hear your seminal point one last time. And then say, "Let's pray." <br /><br />Or if you are teaching on John 19:30, you could say, "It is finished." :-)Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-83833335336943096582011-01-17T12:15:00.000-07:002011-01-17T12:22:53.991-07:00On leadership<blockquote>The US President who solves our current debt crisis will be remembered fondly only by generations yet to come.</blockquote> - D Callison, American CitizenCallison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-15805622567617702992010-12-13T09:13:00.000-07:002010-12-13T09:18:20.153-07:00Eating Disorders: Two suggestions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jhj_TYIGQM0sSYgl24K-vuaumXE5_W5wIWRfujhfjoiVYBH3oTgmlGVfHVG5t0u2C8GEL0gChCOuJ_Dgp3dUq1_APsK9qKxseCk5Zy-6HfIJT_Zn4ftc3tGHZaFtvKPpF_Ko3EUSnyw/s1600/EatDis.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jhj_TYIGQM0sSYgl24K-vuaumXE5_W5wIWRfujhfjoiVYBH3oTgmlGVfHVG5t0u2C8GEL0gChCOuJ_Dgp3dUq1_APsK9qKxseCk5Zy-6HfIJT_Zn4ftc3tGHZaFtvKPpF_Ko3EUSnyw/s200/EatDis.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550201145034226498" /></a><br />“Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.’” Mark 7:14-15<br /> <br />This is a difficult topic, but a reality in our world today that requires some biblical interpretation. Some estimate that 1 or 2% of teens will struggle with an eating disorder. So what constitutes an eating disorder?<br /> <br />This is more than your average “picky” eater, or food preferences that go beyond your limits of tolerance. An eating disorder is an extreme eating pattern that begins to negatively impact other bodily functions or normal living. <br /> <br />The two most common are anorexia and bulimia. People with anorexia have an extreme fear of weight gain and a distorted view of their body size or shape. As a result, they can’t maintain a normal body weight. A person with bulimia will binge eat (excessive food intake) and then seek to compensate in extreme ways, such as forced vomiting, use of laxatives, or rigorous exercise in order to prevent weight gain. Both of these disorders cause a person to feel out of control, and represent unhealthy eating habits. Without treatment, both of these disorders can lead toward death. <br /> <br />What do you need to watch for, or understand as a parent?<br /><br />1. The problem starts within – Just as Jesus pointed out that what goes into a person’s body doesn’t defile him, so too eating disorders are ultimately not about food, but the emotional disposition of the person who struggles with food. Yes, there is a very physical dimension to eating disorders, but as a parent, you’re primary concern should be to watch for your kids to develop a healthy perspective on their bodies. When you hear things like, “I’ll never be thin enough” or “Why can’t I look like other kids” keep your eyes open for signs that your son or daughter is trying to achieve a body image that doesn’t fit. Most of all, help your child differentiate between God-given body type and the body-image promoted by the world. One leads to health; the other, despair. <br /><br />2. Do not live in denial – If you perceive that your child is experimenting with extreme diets, either with intake of calories or ways of burning them off, get involved. Way too many kids end up hospitalized before their parents were willing to acknowledge an eating problem. So, be observant. Is your child eating large quantities of junk food in private? Does she leave the table immediately after each meal in order to purge? Can you see your child becoming thinner while she or he continues to talk about being fat? If so, take steps to address these observations with your child openly, and get a doctor’s opinion if your child doesn’t seem to agree. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Track back to the original posting at T Bar M Camps - Family Matters Devotionals by clicking <a href="http://www.dontwastefun.com/familymatters/608/eating-disorders-part-1">here</a>. You can also find a list of other devotional topics which may be helpful on your parenting journey. </span>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-22216905370113796202010-11-08T09:16:00.000-07:002010-11-08T14:28:12.255-07:00The Pressure to Succeed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQfH8IqD26LC7gkWgOoMG_teCUUUk_p12O5YxbEo3Elqki6Uqe4aOFj7sT447JXqENgc_ZU9-tVvrRVjRDhawDkYaBohaHMwpAtQ9aRdLSp9X13YqFHao3ohYL3t6N74y66mPzEKJTxI/s1600/Swimrace.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQfH8IqD26LC7gkWgOoMG_teCUUUk_p12O5YxbEo3Elqki6Uqe4aOFj7sT447JXqENgc_ZU9-tVvrRVjRDhawDkYaBohaHMwpAtQ9aRdLSp9X13YqFHao3ohYL3t6N74y66mPzEKJTxI/s200/Swimrace.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537213839541859586" /></a> So He went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people. Luke 2:52 (The Message)<br /> <br />After Joseph and Mary found the 12 year old Jesus in the temple, Luke records what has become a key verse for us in the Family Matters Devotional series. In fact, this is the only impression we get of Jesus at an age when He could have gone to summer camp. <br /> <br />Theologians have wondered for centuries about Jesus’ awareness of his destiny. At what age did He understand that He was going to become the sin offering for all humankind? Did He know this when He was 12? If so, can you imagine the pressure He felt to succeed? The salvation of the entire human race rested on His shoulders and His willingness to say, “no” to sin every time. Now that is pressure to succeed!<br /> <br />Our children are growing up in a “success” oriented culture today. Pressure to perform in school, athletics and in social circles leads many kids toward frustration and even despair – the feeling that they just can’t measure up no matter how hard they try. <br /> <br />Let’s focus on two words that Eugene Peterson puts into the text in our key verse.<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Growing </span>up in both body and spirit– Jesus didn’t start His earthly ministry until He was 30 years old. Our kids feel the pressure to perform like seasoned adults by the time they hit Junior High! Even though Jesus would be declared a legal adult male soon after the temple story, He still had plenty of growing up to do. <br /><br />This past weekend Claire played a difficult soccer game. Her team, the Awesome Blossoms, had to play the dreaded Bumblebees again – the most fearsome, competitive, and successful team in her league. The Bumblebees play so well that it makes other girls wonder why they are playing at all. Why not just quit? For Claire, it was key to redefine success, not as winning, but as growth. Did they pass the ball better than before? Did they play more aggressive defense to defend their goal? At the end of the game, the Blossoms realized they had grown as a team. And that is Awesome. <br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Blessed</span> by both God and people – Where does the strength come from for a child to keep growing toward maturity? Many believe it comes from a child’s understanding that he or she is blessed. This doesn’t mean blessed with stuff (toys, PlayStation games, etc.). In scripture, blessed means loved, accepted, approved and valuable. Every time you affirm these things to your child, he or she is empowered with confidence to keep growing and trying. Success, then, becomes the quality of a person who is not afraid to press on into whatever destiny God has in mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Track back to the original post from T Bar M Camps <a href="http://www.dontwastefun.com/familymatters/598/pressure-succeed-part-1">here</a>. </span>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-43491472053484861652010-10-26T14:21:00.000-06:002010-10-26T14:24:10.962-06:00Gender Equality in ParentingThe kids on the street assembled for a pick-up game. “Captains” were chosen and the team selection began. Of course the most athletic and coordinated from the crowd went first. Then came an interesting statement, “Don’t pick her. She’s just a girl.” <br /> <br />How very interesting. Why not say, “She’s not good at this game.” Or, “She’s not very coordinated?” While the opportunities for skill development for girls have increased, boys can easily equate gender with competence.<br /> <br />Having two daughters, I appreciate the effort made at T Bar M Camps for all kids to grow in coordination, self-confidence, and courage. What can we do, as parents, to help our children grow up with respect toward the opposite gender? Take a moment to read <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%203:26-29&version=NIV">Galatians 3:26-29.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Emphasize gender equality regarding salvation</span> –Paul seeks to clarify that we all stand before the cross on equal footing, and in equal need of a savior. Both genders are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. When you pray as a family, ask your kids to name both girls and boys who you can pray for together. This is a simple way of teaching your children that all of their peers are on a spiritual journey toward Jesus. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Allow equal opportunity</span> – Our culture continues to assume that girls and boys will play with different toys, and there is nothing wrong with that. Boys and girls are – by God’s design – different from each other. However, boys should have equal opportunity to develop skills including creativity, art, language, or music, as they express interest in doing so. Likewise, girls should be encouraged to develop physical coordination and leadership skills, as they have interest in doing so. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Encourage respect</span> – “Don’t pick her. She’s just a girl.” The simple message here is that a particular child shouldn’t be on a team, not because of ability but because her gender makes her less valuable. As Christ’s followers, this allows us an excellent parenting opportunity to go beyond encouraging our kids to be inclusive. We can help our kids understand that healthy competitors think less about the score, and more about how the game fosters sportsmanship and fun. <br /><br />Did you see the recent <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_qPe98QbzI">video clip</a> of the high school football team that allowed a boy to score a touchdown in his wheelchair? This was a beautiful example of sportsmanship, and the opposing team gave this boy what he could never earn otherwise – a newfound self-respect, something that both girls and boys should have the chance to enjoy.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-25330699062961203222010-10-04T14:56:00.000-06:002010-10-04T14:57:38.763-06:00Keeping it all in BalanceHave you felt the tension of your family schedule pulling you in too many directions? Many families today run at a pace that makes life spin and blur. Add to this the normal rigor of school academics, and you find parents and kids who fall into bed exhausted only to wake up early the next day to start again. <br /> <br />Did God intend for us to live at this pace, or is this a product of a culture in which we desire to make all things possible? <br /> <br />Deut 30:16 states, “For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” <br /> <br />I have been meditating on what it means to “walk in His ways.” Here are a few ideas to consider as you manage the schedule of normal life:<br /> <br /><blockquote>1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Walking is different from running</span> – I find it significant that the imagery is around a pace which allows you to stop, to pause, to rest, to engage, to observe, to chat. Take a minute to consider the pace of your family’s life. Do you all have time to chat over dinner, or even to share a meal during the week? Try slowing down enough to create margins for God to reveal an agenda that might not be on your calendar.<br /> <br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Walking like Him means living like Him </span>- The notion of “walking” in scripture is tied to the idea of living. To walk in His ways is to live like Christ. As you seek to balance the various commitments in your home, consider the opportunities you have to express His love, to share a word of encouragement, and to serve others along the way. If your pace doesn’t allow for these moments of practical, every day ministry, it might be time to slow down a bit. <br /> <br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Walking affords time to reflect</span> – When we find a good rhythm in life, our kids know that they have time to review and reflect. What did I learn from that Saturday morning soccer game? Can I take time to review that math concept before rushing off to ballet? Seek to find a balance at home that allows you to process the events of the day, to reflect on what can be learned from the experiences, and to pause long enough for insights to surface. </blockquote>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-66232216639804938262010-10-04T14:53:00.000-06:002010-10-04T14:55:30.662-06:00Navigating the turbulence of Cliques“Didn’t Jesus start cliques?” You can imagine my surprise at this question, which came from a mom who had the unfortunate fate of sitting next to me on a flight. She went on to explain. “Jesus spoke to the masses, but he also chose 12 to be his friends, and then three of them to be part of his inner circle. Doesn’t that sound like a clique to you?” <br /> <br />Out of context, maybe so. But let’s take a look at the true nature of a clique, and what you can do as a parent to manage the social tension around this issue.<br /> <br />The word “clique” comes from an old French word meaning “to latch”. Exclusivity, locking others out, is central to the formation of a clique – some are allowed in, and others can only observe from the outside. <br /> <br />Jesus had many followers, a crowd he called disciples. When the time was right, Jesus chose 12 of them to groom and prepare for leadership. Jesus was well aware that within a short amount of time, he would no longer be physically present on Earth, and the responsibility for this Divine movement would fall on the shoulders of very ordinary humans. The leadership role they would bear would lead each one of them to a martyr’s death. Imagine advertising your clique based on certainty of death! <br /> <br />The key to understanding healthy friendship, close-knit community, and leadership formation as distinctly different from cliques, gangs and closed-door clubs revolves around this concept of inclusion. Jesus, maybe above all other qualities, was openly loving and accepting. Even the Pharisee who approached Jesus with an honest question found him open to friendship. Take a moment to read Jesus’ statement to his followers in John 13:34-35.<br /> <br /> Now let’s apply this idea in real-time. <br /><br /><blockquote>1. Encourage your child as he or she makes new friends. Just as Jesus met new people along the road, affirm your kids as they tell you about new students they have met. <br /><br />2. Applaud your child’s attempts to notice and to include those sitting on the outside. Most of us know what it is like to be “outside looking in.” Help your child notice the kids who are not engaging in whatever the activity might be, and then discuss the joy he or she witnessed when that child was invited to join in the fun. <br /><br />3. Model openness in your adult friendships, and a posture of acceptance toward others. Yes, believe it or not, our children notice the way we relate socially to other adults. They hear our comments about neighbors or who should be invited to the dinner party. By practicing openness and acceptance you set an example worthy of imitation. </blockquote><br />And, as I told the lady on the plane, Jesus came up with this idea.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-65276059916688181432010-09-20T09:36:00.000-06:002010-09-20T09:43:17.306-06:00The Price Tag of Self-Worth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37TrrYfW42PJCeSFf14Uiig0-B0kXGW578KRPYIG9bgmB413n2VwriWW5P63I7M_ogGbcmZlTl5flfGFc2UrqeQymT4cQM5dbC9xSB7R54Xa9qAcLpytvpSng4LeCvQicI_NvOXtAO38/s1600/Fun.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37TrrYfW42PJCeSFf14Uiig0-B0kXGW578KRPYIG9bgmB413n2VwriWW5P63I7M_ogGbcmZlTl5flfGFc2UrqeQymT4cQM5dbC9xSB7R54Xa9qAcLpytvpSng4LeCvQicI_NvOXtAO38/s200/Fun.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519020389285441042" /></a>According to the most basic definition, “worth” is the importance or value of something in the world. Worth also applies to people. How your children determine self-worth may prove to be the filter through which they interpret all social interaction. Simply put, kids who “esteem” themselves interact with others very differently from kids who feel they have no value. <br /> <br />To engage your kids in a dialogue about self-worth, let me draw from a powerful word picture I learned from my friend, Louie Giglio, during our time of ministry together at Baylor. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cut out a coupon </span>from your local newspaper for a grocery item. Just a 50 cent coupon for a can of soup will work fine. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Explain how a coupon works</span> to your son or daughter. You buy the can of soup at the store, and they immediately give you a discounted price. But the grocery store doesn’t lose any money on the sale. They send the coupon to the soup factory, which then “buys” the coupon back from the grocery store for 50 cents. They “redeem” the coupon. To redeem is to buy back. <br /> <br />What is the value, or worth, of that coupon? The coupon is worth whatever the factory will pay to get it back. Worth is set by what someone is willing to pay to get something. In this case, the coupon is worth 50 cents. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Next read</span> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:18&version=NIV">1 Peter 1:18</a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">together</span>. Then ask, “So, according to this verse, how much are you worth to God?” <br /> <br />Finally, <span style="font-weight:bold;">state the basic truth</span>. “God paid Jesus for you. Therefore, you are worth Jesus to God. How much are you worth? What is your value on this earth? More than silver or gold. You are so valuable that God redeemed you. He bought you back, and it cost him Jesus to do it. You are worth so very much to God, and to us.” <br /> <br />This is more than just a lesson in good theology. It helps to establish a foundation of self-worth that you can build on daily with your children. Statements like, “You are special, you are loved, you are valuable, you are important to me” serve as building blocks of worth on which a healthy self-esteem can be constructed. <br /> <br />Then, when people in this world cruelly question the value of your child, he or she can stand firm, unshaken with a confidence that comes from knowing a love that establishes value. Imagine him or her being able to think, “I am important to my parents. I am valuable to God. It’s okay for someone to not like me. I am loved already.” <br /> <br />Mission accomplished.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-48113783438291403092010-09-13T08:53:00.000-06:002010-09-13T09:05:23.311-06:00Keeping Up Appearances<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw7XEYD4FDO9ZuFCfshdbPx73XOWwT1-boDCmjHYuC6K3jGWybSscCxrak_dDIQ-8-cDlWHFPNwKC_c4dJPBPxdU_Mc2HTD3wP5H_1D2B5feiNZ3Nxwl2Rr-ezSRRG952LP4SLK05JIo/s1600/appearances.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw7XEYD4FDO9ZuFCfshdbPx73XOWwT1-boDCmjHYuC6K3jGWybSscCxrak_dDIQ-8-cDlWHFPNwKC_c4dJPBPxdU_Mc2HTD3wP5H_1D2B5feiNZ3Nxwl2Rr-ezSRRG952LP4SLK05JIo/s200/appearances.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516411938526451570" /></a>The topic of “personal appearance” may seem more relevant for parents of girls, but I’m certain that those of you with boys deal with this issue in similar ways. Today I’m going to write to you based on my experience raising two daughters, and trust that the Lord will help those of you with boys find some common ground. <br /><br />My wife, Laura, introduced me to an excellent parenting book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Five-Conversations-Must-Have-Daughter/dp/0805446664/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284389835&sr=1-1">5 Conversations you must have with your Daughter</a>, by <a href="http://vickicourtney.com/">Vicki Courtney</a>. Regarding this issue of clothing, Vicki writes, “As parents we must help our daughters realize that their clothing is like a label.” In other words, clothing is a statement about character. What kind of message should the clothing our kids wear send about their faith in Christ? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fashionable doesn’t equal immodest</span> – In 1 Timothy 2:9, Paul encourages women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety. As Laura says, “You can look cute. Just be cute and covered up!” But biblical parenting extends beyond the rules about skin exposure. It is our responsibility to discuss the “sexualization” that happens when someone dresses with the intent of attracting attention. Vicki cites a study done on boys reactions to the way girls dress. She writes, “The study found that when girls dress in such a way as to call attention to their bodies, 85% of guys said that they would have a temptation to picture her naked.” As for the girls, less than 4% of them dress in a way to get guys to fantasize about them. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Clothing implies character </span>– Galatians 1:10 asks, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? “ Both genders desire to dress in a way that fits in with their peer culture. However, even secular parenting articles encourage parents to have this discussion before heading out to Target. An article titled, <a href="http://tweenparenting.about.com/od/tweenculture/qt/PreteenClothing.htm">Tips on Buying Preteen Clothing</a>, states, “Discuss your family policies on clothing before you go shopping, and be prepared to stand your ground.” When looking at clothing, our kids will think about the reaction of their peers. We can help them consider the larger message about godly character. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Control comes with maturity </span>– Maybe the hardest part of parenting is giving up control. However, it is our mandate to raise children who are wise, discerning, and responsible followers of Christ. This means that eventually we must trust that the voice of God’s Spirit in our son or daughter’s mind must become more clearly heard than just the voice of Mom or Dad. Picture a day in the future when your adult “child” will stand in front of his or her closet, trying to decide what to wear. That is the moment when biblical parenting comes to fruition. When you are not in charge, the Lord is able to guide them – all on His own. Allow this control to shift as your son or daughter moves toward graduation. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">For the original post of this article, please visit</span> <a href="http://dontwastefun.com/familymatters/532/what-wearwhat-wear-part-1">T Bar M Camps site</a>. <span style="font-style:italic;">You can also subscribe to these Family Matters devotionals from that page. </span>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-15505014942905004502010-09-09T19:56:00.001-06:002010-09-09T20:03:40.287-06:00Craig on Wheels!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbIvSpiz_iC3WFHyOGi925lEHQoChefnxANvb1Kgw1viNW-5UwlrAGmnKKWJ2azQnPYYjFNxa8JxffFc1uVwwQKnhtWla8pNLhdTxuWPiBhuHNl9v8NV_K5-CaIh8F0Hf-YdzFfgUaD0/s1600/HondaCraig.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbIvSpiz_iC3WFHyOGi925lEHQoChefnxANvb1Kgw1viNW-5UwlrAGmnKKWJ2azQnPYYjFNxa8JxffFc1uVwwQKnhtWla8pNLhdTxuWPiBhuHNl9v8NV_K5-CaIh8F0Hf-YdzFfgUaD0/s200/HondaCraig.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515098072932678274" /></a><br />Meet my friend Craig. After 17 years away from driving while serving a prison term, Craig reports it was just like riding a bike - only bigger. In fact, the only part of his driving test that didn't go well was the "new" rule that your hands on the wheel are supposed to be at "9 and 3" rather than at "10 and 2". Why? So that if the airbag blows, you won't be eating your forearms. <br /><br />Craig is now set up with the Honda for the next couple of months. We're praying this will only serve to accelerate (pun intended) his ministry with ex-cons coming out of prison. I've been so inspired by his story and his commitment to help these men translate their faith to life outside of prison walls. <br /><br />Will you pray for Craig? Not about driving the Honda - it's just a thing. But pray for Craig's critical role in this life-transformational ministry. Most of these men went to jail a prisoner, became free in Christ behind bars, and now they are trying to learn how to live as free in the world.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-48878439812399297922010-09-07T20:57:00.000-06:002010-09-07T21:02:45.792-06:00Road Test for CraigCraig Redd last drove a car in 1997. That's when he entered prison for robbery. Tomorrow, Wednesday, Craig takes his driving test to get a license again. What changed? By the power of God, Craig did. Here is a brief version of his story:<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://s0.videopress.com/player.swf?v=1.02" width="400" height="300" wmode="transparent" seamlesstabbing="true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" overstretch="true" flashvars="guid=Z2O7SJ8E"></embed><br /><br />Once he has a new license in hand, I'm excited for Craig to drive around in my old Honda Accord. My neighbor, Lenny, and I fixed it up this past weekend. Yes, I got my hands dirty, but it was fun to learn how to replace axle assemblies and CV boots. And all for a good cause - a free man named Craig...Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-922748272496681892010-09-07T09:46:00.000-06:002010-09-07T09:53:26.200-06:00Parenting Through School Year Insecurities“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut 31:8<br /> <br />The start of a new school year brings all the excitement of a fresh start. The “boredom” of summer is over – in contrast to the boredom of school just a few months ago – and a new adventure has begun. New classes, new routines, and even new school supplies. Don’t you just love the smell of a new eraser? <br /> <br />However, not every kid finds the change to be exciting. Some tremble, literally, with fear over walking into a new classroom. I remember the red-faced embarrassment I felt one year when I couldn’t find my new locker, and when a friend came along to help me locate the elusive closet, I couldn’t remember the combination! What a mess. <br /> <br />If your child frets over the natural insecurities that arise from the start of a new school year, try helping in these practical ways:<br /><br /><blockquote>1. Talk about the fears out loud – Our worst anxieties thrive “in the dark.” In fact, counseling theories abound with encouragements to bring our worries into the light of truth and reason. When your child talks about his or her fears, some of the power of that anxiety is released. <br /><br />2. Speak encouragement – You know your child’s “love language” enough to know if encouragement sounds like affirming words, or a lingering hug. Speak encouragement into your child’s life in some dialect they understand. Let them know what fears you faced at their age, and how you found the courage to overcome those insecurities. <br /><br />3. Help your child remember the Lord – When your son or daughter walks into the school building, you are not welcome. You cannot be by his or her side when that fear creeps in. However, the Lord is there. By His Spirit, He can bring peace, confidence, and courage into that painfully awkward moment. Before the kids leave home, take a moment to pray for them, and ask the Lord to be near to them during the coming day. </blockquote>Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935277238425246739.post-54856243474277936122010-09-03T14:35:00.000-06:002010-09-03T14:43:40.925-06:00Life Beyond Prison<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkmamOPjhmwo2VR2t0wfVsUHDFkP7Jk1i4gbu_WtnIqETTB4RRlgPi9wYFCcirauZKS1ZHYiuptokPCFCm9YtItLg8KuEjSfmySyD2B89q8ikUJEDtVvj_-E6B-XAxMkCtYRIA8s-BQ0/s1600/PrisonSutras.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkmamOPjhmwo2VR2t0wfVsUHDFkP7Jk1i4gbu_WtnIqETTB4RRlgPi9wYFCcirauZKS1ZHYiuptokPCFCm9YtItLg8KuEjSfmySyD2B89q8ikUJEDtVvj_-E6B-XAxMkCtYRIA8s-BQ0/s200/PrisonSutras.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512789296757601682" /></a>A most interesting lunch today with Craig. He robbed 14 banks in 3 days before he was arrested, then spent the next decade in a Colorado state penitentiary. Craig's life was forever altered when he came to faith in Jesus Christ, and then spent the balance of his prison term being discipled by the faith community "behind the walls." He got out about a year ago and has launched an amazing ministry to help felons transition back into the free world. <br /><br />My friend Jeff and I had lunch with Craig today to talk about Rod Workman, who was released on parol this past week. We met Rod behind bars, and were stunned by his mature faith and humility. Jeff and I will join a mentoring team to help Rod transition back into life outside of prison over the next few months. <br /><br />Jeff, Craig and I will be standing at the Greyhound bus station this coming week when Rod steps off the bus in downtown Denver. Can't wait to hug his neck and welcome him to the next chapter in his faith journey.Callison Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186139234398693970noreply@blogger.com0