ROOTS AND WINGS: MALE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

This morning was "Promotion Sunday" during our Bible class hour as the church met together. As I listened and observed, it hit me like a ton of bricks! There are alot of ways that our congregation is so different from so many that I have been a part of over the years. Sooooooo different. Here are a few things that stand out to me:
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1. LOVE - a very refreshing kind of love that's talked about in I John 5:2-3 "This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome...." ....................................loving each other is not a burden...we love being together!!!!
2. FAITH - a very active faith that's talked about in I John 5:4-5 "...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God...................." ....praying often together is common: in small groups, in homes, on the phone!!!!
3. MALE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP - men teaching childrens Bible classes...men over many aspects of the childrens, youth, and young adult ministries...men being role models in almost every area of life and doctrine...men who love being with one another as family not as boards of directors...amazing!!!

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This morning as the fall classes and group meetings were announced I saw men actively loving our children, including those children who have no adult male role model in their home. What a blessing!

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Years ago, we lived in York, Nebraska. When we would look out our front door we saw the side of a big 3 story colonial home that faced one of the main streets in town. We were on a side street. Behind their backyard was their 3 car garage that also faced our home. Many evenings for about an hour, between about 9-10, the "daddy" of that family would sit in one of their cars working diligently on some kind of paperwork. As we got to know this couple with 7 children, one day I asked the mom about her husbands visits to their car. She said, "Oh, that's the only place he can get some peace and quiet to pray and plan for our family's spiritual growth and development."

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Wow! He actually studied out things that needed to be taught to his children! He looked to the future and what he wanted to teach them! He loved the LORD and wanted his family to love Him, too. He knew that His life on earth should be a mirror to his children of the Heavenly Father. After all a "'father" does carry a very sacred name!

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If your children don't have a male spiritual leader in their life...pray about it...watch for the circumstances to present themselves for this to happen...GIVE THEM ROOTS AND GIVE THEM WINGS...

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QUESTION: Other than your husband, who is a Male Spiritual Leader that you know and what stands out to you about his leadership?

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ROOTS AND WINGS: FAITH THAT GIVES COURAGE

I love the book of Hebrews! There's so much to learn from it...especially about FAITH! This morning I woke up, my heart beating fast and feeling anxious. That happens occasionally...I have learned that it is an immediate call to pray. I prayed for my trust, my faith, my husband, my children, our parents...As usual there's alot going on in our little corner of the world....satan wants me to doubt GOD! He wants me to believe that Jessica's chronic pain will not subside. He wants me to believe that Crystal will have trouble while away at college. He wants me to be over the top worried about Caleb's job situation and lack of sleep. He wants me to be worried about the health and wellness of our new grandbaby and my husband. NO! NO! NO!
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I choose to fix my eyes on JESUS! I choose to trust! I choose to model FAITH and COURAGE for my family. May we have the kind of faith described in Hebrews and used in the FAITH acrostic below!

F ixes my eyes on JESUS – Hebrews 12:2-3
2 Let us fix our eyes on JESUS, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. 3 Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
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A ssures me of what I hope for - Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
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I don’t wanna but I’m a gonna’-Hebrews 11:4-40
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at GOD's command…6 And without faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him…by faith they:

• conquered kingdoms
• administered justice
• gained what was promised
• shut the mouths of lions
• quenched the fury of the flames
• escaped the edge of the sword
• weakness was turned to strength
• became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies
• Women received back their dead, raised to life again
• tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection
• faced jeers and flogging
• chained and put in prison
• stoned
• sawed in two
• put to death by the sword
• went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute
• persecuted and mistreated-

38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 GOD had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
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T hrows off hinderances – Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
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H OLY SPIRIT led- Hebrews 8:10 and 10:15-16
10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the LORD. I will put My laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their GOD, and they will be My people. 15 The HOLY SPIRIT also testifies to us about this. First He says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the LORD. I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."
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ROOTS AND WINGS: BOUNDARIES

Steve is a western man through and through. Yet, it's hard to know that unless you KNOW him. He grew up in New Mexico and southwest Oklahoma. He rode horses, herded cattle, had a show calf in 4-H, and spent alot of time outdoors hoeing and picking cotton.
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In Oklahoma, his family's farm was 160 acres in three different counties and two states. How can that happen? Well, the state line between the Texas panhandle and the southwest corner of Oklahoma went through their farm. Their front yard, porch, living room, and dining room were in Oklahoma. Their mailing address was Oklahoma. Jobs and school were in Oklahoma. Most of the farm was in Texas. They ate in Oklahoma and used the bathroom in Texas. Paying taxes took a little more effort and thought had to be taken as to what was built where.
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Boundaries are important to nations and landowners. They allow for national security, law, order, and predictable behavior. We hear talk daily of those who try to sneak across the boundary between Mexico and the USA. Africa and the Middle East seem to always war over their boundaries. Boundaries are important to their livelihood. At our house, we've seen most of the Western movies. Usually, there is some kind of boundary feud between the ranchers and the cattle men. The boundaries were important to their livelihood.
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Boundaries are important to people...relationships. They allow for security, law, order, and predictable behavior. Some peoples boundaries are too tight. Some people need to have more boundaries. It is important for us to develop a healthy sense of boundary. It takes consideration, prayer, and wisdom.
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As you raise your children, consider the following thoughts about boundaries, pray over them, and then pray for wisdom in how to consistently implement them:
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• We do a great injustice to children when we don't set boundaries. If children don't know what is expected of them, problems will follow them wherever they go...they will eventually sense that people prefer not to be around them. How sad!
• Unless you give consistent boundaries, there are no boundaries.
• Boundaries mean little without knowing the consequence up front.
• Boundaries and consequences = the law and the punishment.
• Boundaries need to be discussed and agreed upon in advance with all adults involved.
• Boundaries must be reasonable, age appropriate, and always always consistent.
• Consistent boundaries give children security!
• Consistent boundaries allow for order!
• Consistent boundaries allow for predictable behaviors from both parents and children.
• Boundaries give a better perspective.

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I have a better perspective of where I have lived and where I now live by the state boundaries shown on a USA map...Indiana, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Jersey. The boundaries show me where I've been and where I am going.

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It's a big confusing world. It's great for us to have perspective...to know where we've been and to know where we are going...our children need this, too.

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ROOTS AND WINGS: WHISPERING IN GOD'S EAR!

Today was a first for me. Today was my first day to teach at Rowan University. I’ll be teaching 3 sections of the same class this fall. It’s entitled: Differentiated Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom. For me, that translates to: “Patti, you’ll have 3 classes of teachers-in-training to be elementary teachers…make sure that they know how to identify, honor, and teach to the differences of ALL their learners so that everyone will have success.

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Whoa! Tall order! Yet, isn’t that what we pray to the Maker of the Universe everyday as moms of our growing and developing learners? One of the hardest things to teach or learn about is life and death…living and dying. Each of us have experienced this in some form or another. As in the commercial, “Sometimes life comes at you fast…” When life comes at me fast, I often experience a flood of emotions. As the mother of 4 children and wife to a very busy husband, I found my emotions being the barometer to how our days went. So, what if life comes at a whole family fast? A family can quickly be drowning in multiple floods of emotions unless they have an Anchor, a Life Preserver, a Rock on which to stand…

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Today, I read a life and death post that Andrea wrote yesterday. It took me from tears to laughter back to tears and then joyful laughter. When you're finished here, take the time to link to this story that models what I’m talking about: http://mom4boys.blogspot.com
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We will never know what the next day will bring…so that's why as I continue to grow and be transformed by GOD's Spirit within me, I'm making an attempt each morning to roll out of bed onto my knees. Softly whispering in GOD's ear, "LORD, I'm Yours today, I'm so sorry for my sins and how they disappoint you...forgive me...take control and lead me...fill me up with You..."

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Many days life comes at us fast! Sisters, join me in rolling out of bed onto our knees each morning. Continue to pray all throughout our days-whispering our praise and petitions to our Heavenly Father…model it for our children, so that they in turn will whisper to GOD all throughout their days. Let’s learn to whisper in GOD's ear! You’ve heard the old saying, “A family that prays together, stays together…” Thank you, Andrea and Chuck for modeling that for us this week! You're giving your boys ROOTS AND WINGS!
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Let these pictures help you capture that idea:

One day your family may have a roller coaster of emotions that looks similar to this...GOD is just a whisper away...

• JOY
• ANTICIPATION
• DISAPPOINTMENT
• SHOCK
• LOVE
• RELIEF
• HOPE
• GRIEF
• ANGER…
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How do you or will you handle it?

How will your children handle it?

ROOTS AND WINGS: TELL THEM WHY!

If you would ask me who I have or have had close relationships with over my life...what characteristics that person has that kept or keep me going to that person...without a doubt, one of the top traits of that person would be:

• "She's a great listener...and even though we may disagree, she validates and affirms my thought processes on any particular topic of discussion...questioning, answering, stating opinions...
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Isn't it nice to feel like you've been heard? Doesn't it soften the blow when someone says, "I hear what you're saying, I'm not sure I can totally wrap my arms around it, but I can tell you really feel strongly about this."

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One of my teaching assignments in Texas was to go into Kindergarten classrooms to help identify gifted students. I was looking for the highly curious...those who really wanted to know the answers...little ones who might not be getting all their questions answered in a pre-1st setting...inquisitive minds who might be putting their teachers on overload...they just didn't want to know the "Who, what, where, when, how, and which?"....they wanted to know "WHY?"...then, there was usually one who already seemed to know all the answers...

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I decided to go into each classroom as THE QUESTION LADY. I took two large hot pink poster boards, put a giant black question mark on each one, tied them together with string at two corners at one end, stuck my head through and...voila!...I was wearing a "question mark sandwich board"...now I was ready to march into those classrooms as THE QUESTION LADY..

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When I entered the room, the teacher would not need to announce me because I was obvious. They loved this time when they had the undivided attention of an adult who was ready to listen to their questions. Oh, there were alot of questions each week for 30 straight minutes:

• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?
• Why?
• How?
• Which?
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IT DID NOT START OUT THAT WAY! Are you hearing what I just said? THE FIRST FEW SESSIONS I HAD WITH EACH CLASS...THE CHILDREN HAD A TERRIBLE TIME ASKING QUESTIONS. It was that way in each class that I went to.
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I listened. I asked questions. I listened some more. Here is what I learned. Mommy's and Daddy's had already given their children the idea that it was wrong to ask questions. These are some of the things that children told me...same in each classroom:

1. "Mommy says, 'not now...I'm too busy!'"


2. "Daddy says that he's too tired...that I should just go play."
   
3. "When I ask questions, they say, "If you can't stop this then go to your room."


4. "They say, 'we'll talk about this later', but later never comes..."
   
5. "Most of the time, they just say, 'I don't know...', so I get tired of asking."

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Well, the kids finally warmed up to me. I convinced them that it was okay to ask questions and that I was there to listen to their questions. I might not have all the answers but I wanted them to be heard. We might even have to come back to that question at a later date, but we would write it down so that we would remember. Here's what I learned:

• Everyone eventually had questions and felt validated when I answered them kindly, with honor and respect.


• Some kids abused this new found "power" and just asked silly questions so that they could be heard and validated.


• A few in each class had complicated, over the top questions that they had thought through, thought deeper, and truly were curious about...they wanted to know "Why?"


• I became a very popular person in our community: kindergartners would run up to me in the stores, at ballgames, at church...they'd jump up and down, hug me, and squeal, "It's THE QUESTION LADY!"
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HOW ABOUT IT FRIEND? ARE WE LISTENING? ARE WE ANSWERING? GOD never tires of listening to us, answering our questions, giving us what we NEED.

• Our children need to be heard!
• Our children need to be validated!
• Our children need to ask questions!
• Our children need us to tell them "WHY"...or say "I don't know 'why' but maybe we can research / study this together...or "maybe we can ask someone who would know..."

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Helping them find answers to their questions will GIVE THEM ROOTS and HELP THEM FIND THEIR WINGS!

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When our children were little, we samg a song with them that talked about having BIG EARS...BIG EARS that would listen to GOD...

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Today, let's have:

• BIG EARS for listening to GOD.
• BIG EARS for listening for our children's questions.
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The last time you had BIG EARS for one of your children, what are some questions that they asked? How did you respond?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgnjB830dqc

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ROOTS AND WINGS: GRATITUDE

I believe that complaining and arguing are the opposite of thanksgiving. There's a pretty amazing scripture that we talked alot about with our kids as they were growing up:

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Philippians 2:14-15
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe...

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What a way to let my light shine! Shine like a star in the universe! How? Quit complaining and arguing!

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What I have also found to be true is putting a little twist on these verses. If children are feeling guilty about something or struggling with their purity they will probably be the ones complaining and arguing the loudest.
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How do we instill the GRATITUDE ATTITUDE?
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1. Model thankful speech!
2. Set the timer to go off during your meal...everyone knows that's when you say one thing that you are thankful for.
3. Each family member has a "I'M THANKFUL FOR..." journal that has one thing added per day.
4. Stop an argument between siblings by having them tell one thing that they are thankful about the other...
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Today is GRATITUESDAY and it was started by the woman who I am thankful for today:

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This person has been a role model for me even before she was born. Paul tells Timothy to "set an example for the believers in his youth" and this young woman has done that. She means many things to me. Here are a few of GOD'S GOLDS:

• Her grandfather was the reason that I went to York College as a freshman...not going to York College would have meant that I probably would not have met and married Steve.
• Her mother was a role model for me in many ways as I looked up to her from the time that I was a teenager.
• I went to school with her aunt and uncle.
• This young woman was a role model for my daughter-in-law even before Jordan had even met Jacqueline.
• I heard about this woman, her love for God, her talents, her exceptional commitment, and perseverance long before I met her.
• I have lived in the same town as her and worshipped at the same place together.
• I now hear of her good works "from afar" and see them online
• I am very thankful for the life and family of: LAURA COPPINGER
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I would like to nominate Laura as my second nominee for SHARING THE LOVE blog award AND invite you to join me each Tuesday as I join Laura in encouraging all of us to develop a GRATITUDE ATTITUDE so that we might - SHINE FOR JESUS LIKE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE.

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I think you will be amazed at Laura's web blog. It is a reflection of who she is. For those of you who need ideas, more ideas, a multitude of ideas...this is a great place to start...THANK YOU LAURA!!! Go to Laura's website and click on Laura's blog first and after getting the idea of GRATITUESDAY, then have fun browsing...
http://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/

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Also, one more thankful! I love the post that Laura made yesterday 9-1-08. I love it for two reasons:

1. Laura and Matt are giving their 4 boys ROOTS AND WINGS as they make the journey to see the KC Royals play the Oakland A's.
2. I am thankful for Brad Ziegler's parents: Greg and Laura Ziegler. They were students at York College the first time Steve taught there. This couple stood out to me in many ways but the most important was for how they let their lights shine for Jesus: extremely encouraging and thankful people. We've seen them on and off over the years and have periodically connected by email. Greg is a minister in Odessa, Missouri. We were so excited when we learned that their son Brad had not only been called up to the Oakland A's, but that he was breaking major league records already.

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Lisa emailed me in August, from the heart of a "transformed mom": It has been quite exciting with Brad....God has truly kept his promise of “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” It has been a difficult road for him, but we give God all the glory in getting him there. Thanks for the support. Love to all of your bunch. I hope you don’t mind me forwarding your email on to my brother and sisters..."

LINK TO MORE ABOUT BRAD: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29147

LINK TO VIDEO WITH THIS WEEK'S SONG - FIND YOUR WINGS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4NS7gChzvk&feature=related

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ROOTS AND WINGS: FUN TRADITIONS!

As Steve and I raised our children, we carried on some traditions from our own upbringings and then started some of our own. Traditions are very good for a family if there is a balance of bringing in new things on a consistent basis, too. One of our traditions was the LABOR DAY OLYMPICS! Our kids always started back to school in August. Then, they looked forward to their first 3 day break from school. With much anticipation we'd plan for a Monday full of fun. Some activities were tradition, some were new each year:

• egg races
• egg tosses
• ball tosses
• ball games
• card games
• board games
• nintendo games
• gymnastics
• trampoline

When I mentioned LABOR DAY OLYMPICS to Steve and Jessica today it brought a smile to their faces. I'm sure if you got us all in a room talking about the memories, we'd have conflicting accounts of who won what and what was the most fun. One thing for sure - LABOR DAY OLYMPICS was full of great memories that will continue to make us smile.

As you grow deep roots in your "family tree" I hope that you will provide for focused fun like a LABOR DAY OLYMPICS. A few of our other fun traditions included:

• half birthdays
• zerberts
• family meetings
• The Cosby show

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Children need healthy growth in many areas. As you "give them roots and wings", make sure that they are developing and maturing:

• Spiritually
• Physically
• Intellectually
• Relationally
• Emotionally

Activities like the LABOR DAY OLYMPICS can help in all of those areas.

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This month we're going to have a theme of the week and song of the week.

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THEME: ROOTS AND WINGS

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SONG: FIND YOUR WINGS by Mark Harris

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It's only for a moment you are mine to hold

The plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold

So many different prayers I'll pray For all that you might do

But most of all I'll want to know You're walking in the truth

And If I never told you I want you to know

As I watch you grow

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Chorus:

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I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams

And that faith gives you the courage

To dare to do great things

I'm here for you whatever this life brings

So let my love give you roots

And help you find your wings

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May passion be the wind that leads you through your days

And may conviction keep you strong

Guide you on your way

May there be many moments that make your life so sweet

Oh, but more than memories

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Chorus...

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It's not living if you don't reach for the sky

I'll have tears as you take off

But I'll cheer as you fly

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Chorus...

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FIND YOUR WINGS link:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knm492yxMfo