Pastor Brad's

Parenting Insight

Parenting Insight You Can Use Now

As children grow and mature, parents must make adjustments in the way they parent. Some of those changes are minor or subtle; others are more significant. In the same way that children go through developmental stages, parents must learn to adapt by shifting the way they interact, care for, and discipline their children. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, your child changes and you feel like you're starting all over again.

For instance, when that tiny infant comes home from the hospital, the baby quickly becomes the focus of attention. The infant sets the schedule for feedings and for sleeping. Often both parents have to adapt their lives around one small child. However, as your baby begins to grow and develop, you change too. You no longer jump for every cry. You begin to set limits on a mobile child and determine a meal schedule for a toddler. One major parenting shift takes place when infants become toddlers.

A common parenting mistake happens when parents don't make the teenage parenting shift. They continue to treat their teens as if they were nine or ten years old. Parents who don't make the necessary adjustments, experience increased friction and frustration in family dynamics. As children mature, parents can now communicate with them in a more adult manner by listening and explaining. Change comes through compromise and mutual agreement rather than always strictly complying with the parents' instructions.

Teens need more discussion about issues and concerns. Discipline involves more explaining and talking rather than just requiring compliance. A parent may say, "I'm not going to make you give your little brother one of the cookies you made for school, but I'd like to talk about it. I'd like to hear what you're thinking because it seems selfish to me."

As your children grow, be ready to grow with them and make the necessary changes to influence them effectively.

This parenting tip is taken from the chapter on teens in the book Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes in You and Your Kids, by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

Spies in the Land

Numbers 13- 14 and Joshua 2.

We are in our third week of "I Witness News: Live from Jericho." Tonight's bible study centers around Joshua's leadership as he sent the spies into Jericho.

We see two times that spies entered into the promised land. The first time in Numbers the outcome didn't work out too well. The people convinced Moses that it would be impossible to overcome the giants. Joshua and Caleb were the only two who had the faith in God that the land could be taken. Moses made a bad choice and God judged the people. One year for every day the spies were in the land which worked out to be 40 years of wondering around in the desert.

In Joshua 2 we see the new leader Joshua sending in two spies into the promised land. The outcome was a lot different the second time around. God used a very unlikely woman named Rahab to protect the spies and as a result the spies promised her that she would be protected when they invaded Jericho.

There is no doubt that Moses was chosen by God, but Scripture reveals many difficiencies with Moses. I personally am thankful that Moses was not perfect and made some bad choices. This encourages me when I make "bonehead" mistakes in my leadership. Joshua, a man of courage and faith, had no problem marching in and taking what God had promised Abraham many years prior (Gen. 12:1-7). How about you? Are you willing to tap into the power of God and step out in faith. It is really the only way you'll ever experience His true power in your life.

Our "I Witness News of the week" I know God will protect me when things get tough. My life might not always be perfect, but I know God is with me.

Pastor Brad

2012 Word of LIfe: Friday Blog

This blog inlcudes: the morning recap, the evening recap and the instructions for tomorrow. If you watched on ustream you might want to scroll down to the section labeled "Instructions for tomorrow."

Morning Service - "Egypt No More" Ex. 11:10, 12, 13

1. Pharaoh's Hardened Heart v. 10

2. The Lord's Strict Intructions c. 12:1

a. Lamb for all 12:3

b. A perfect Lamg 12:5

c. A slain Lamb 12:6

3. Moses leads the people 12:31

4. The Lord leads the way c. 13:21

Application:

1. Have you accepted the Lamb - Jesus?

2. Am I willing to follow God's leading?

3. What will I do to be different after camp is over to continue growing in my walk with Jesus?

Verse of the day: Josh 1:8 The book of the law shall not depart from your mouth...properours and good success."

After our morning rally I had a chance to lead "talk back time" with the all of our campers. We spent time discussing the cardboard testimonies and the question what will I do differently when I get home? I heard go to church more, read my Bible, have a quiet time, pray, obey my parents and stand up for Jesus (just to name a few). I encouraged the campers to pray more and when we pray we "ask" God for things, we "thank" Him for things and then we "listen." The bible says to be still and know that I am God.

For our Evening service our speaker was in Josh 1:1-9.
Become the Revolution - Final Charge. Four steps to start a Revolution:

1. Stand up 1:1

2. Stand out 1: 4,5

3. Stand strong 1: 6,7

4 Stand Frim 1: 8

Stay in the word and meditate on it daily the bible says. That's how you keep the Revolution going. This week, hopefully, is a start not the end to the Revolution God wants to do in our lives.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TOMORROW:

We hope to leave the camp around 9:00 a.m., we will stop for lunch at exit 161 and then call you about an hour or so out with an estimated time of arrival. I'm thinking we will roll in around 2:00 p.m. But we'll have a better estimate once we hit the "Alley." Please be available by phone and prompt to pick up. Let me again say what a joy it is for Stacey (Michelle) and I to be here with your children. This has to be one of the best times we've had. Our campers were great and our cabin leaders were some of the best we have experienced. I know you are ready for your camper to be home and I'm already looking foward to next summer. Thanks for your faith and trust in us! We will see you tomorrow.

Brad, Stacey and Michelle.

2012 Word of Life: Camp Fire

We just got back from the camp fire. It is always so amazing to see all the campers throwing sticks into the fire as they commit to obey God and to be used by God. We are coming to the end of the week and I need to know if there are any parents planning to pick up their campers early. Please call Stacey at 954-592-7792 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to let me know if you are still coming. There is a process for picking up children early as this campus is a secured campus. When you contact us we will give you the process. Please contact us even tonight if you read this before 11:00 p.m. or as early as you can tomorrow. This way we can let the camp know who is coming early and be prepared with luggage.

I will only be posting one more blog tomorrow evening with an update on the services and final plans regarding the bus ride home. Tomorrow let me encourage you to tune in to ustream.tv at 9:30 a.m. All the youth sponsors will take part in the drama. I don't want to be a spoiler, but we'll show up at the end of the skit. Also, tomorrow night is cardboard testimony night. So be sure to tune in again and see if you can spot your campers. The cardboard testimony is a time for the camper to stand up and write something on one side of the cardboard that they "were" when they got here and on the other side they write what God has been doing this week in their lives.

I've put some pictures of the camp fire on my facebook page. Take a look - talk to you tomorrow,

Brad and the camp crew!

2012 Word of Life: Thursday Morning

"Day Three - plagues they be."

The Power of God on Display was the title of our message this morning. Rich took us throught the creation story (tune in to ustream.tv for the full version). Our verse of the day: John 1:3 All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made.

God created you and you are unique. No mistakes were made and He has a plan for you. He loves you. Question: How is God's power being displayed in your life? Pharaoh saw the power of God - have you?

We have had pretty much a perfect week so far. The whether is the best I think I've ever seen here. The sermons and dramas have been over the top good. I hope you've had a chance to see some of them on ustream.tv.

Camp fire is tonight. This is where the campers gather around the fire and make commitments by throwing a stick in the fire. This is symbolic of something that God might want us to give up or to focus on more. Be in prayer for us tonight. I'll post another blog tonight before we go to sleep.

Thanks to all for your support,

Brad, Stacey and Michelle

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