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THEEVERYDAYPARENTslowing down

SPIRITUALGRAND- PARENTINGtoo old forsocial media?

COMFORT ZONE

OUT OF THE

“ God transforms me when I step out in faith.”

OCTOBER 2012

WORSHIPillustratedofferings

Out of the Comfort Zone | HomeFrontMag.com2

INSPIRE

CONTENTS

The Everyday ParentSlowing Down18

WorshipIllustrated Offerings11

10 Environments23

EnvironmentOut of the Comfort Zone3 Family Time Recipe

Chicken Pot Pie12 Tot TimeAlong the Road19

Conversation StartersWhat Would You Do?13

CreateLife on a Mission14

The Everyday ParentSlowing Down18

Game TimeRed Light, Green Light & The Forbidden Letter

9

StorytellingRecognizing God’s Voice10

God’s WordMission: Possible6PrayerNot Enough Comfort ... or Too Much?

7

WorshipIllustrated Offerings11

TraditionsHarvest Offerings8 Spiritual Parenting

Inbox22

Spiritual GrandparentingToo Old for Social Media?

22

MarriageGod Transforms Me When I Step Out in Faith

21

Tough TopicsGod's Word under Attack2o

The MiddleBuilding Faith Muscles2o

Kids in the KitchenBreakfast for Dessert13

GlobalHaiti15

Editor’s Note4

How to Use Family Time & the Family Verse5

Design, Layout, & Photography by Brad Claypool

FAMILY TIME EQUIP

SUPPORT

Spiritual GrandparentingToo Old for Social Media?22

BlessingPure Joy16


This environment recognizes that God transforms us when we step out in faith. Our flesh seeks comfort, but God’s Spirit wants to try our faith in order to grow it.

As children are challenged to step out of their comfort zone from an early age, they learn to experience a dependence on the Holy Spirit, who will equip and strengthen them beyond their natural abilities and desires. We believe this environment will cultivate a generation that, instead of seeking comfort, seeks a radical life of dying to self and following Christ.

James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). Joy in trials may seem like an oxymoron, but when we come to the end of our resources and our strength and depend on the Holy Spirit, then we’re truly in a relationship with the Almighty. That is the place where sanctification happens … and where we find true joy!

Learning Dependence (featuring an excerpt from Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony)

When my daughter was only 18 months old, my husband received a phone call offering him a position teaching at a college in Kenya for three months. My daughter was just a baby, and I wasn’t far from that either. I was a very young mom still trying to figure out this whole thing called parenthood. During those months in a little village called Kijabe, I grew in ways that are hard to define.

I grew as a woman, as a mother, as a wife, and as a child of God. I was desperate most days. I cried out to God to help me, support me, strengthen me, and befriend me. I didn’t have any of the luxuries that I had at home. I didn’t have anything. I didn’t have an oven, washer or dryer, hot water, or electricity half the time. I didn’t have a phone or a computer or even a friend. I was profoundly lonely, and I was raising a child without the community of my friends or my family in a foreign place.

During those months that would ultimately shape my life as an adult and a parent, God taught me an enormous amount about simplicity and what was most important in the grand scheme of life. By the time I left my tour of duty in Kenya, I felt as though I could conquer anything in parenting with God by my side. Looking back, I see that God was setting up the posture of my heart toward this environment of being out of my comfort zone by creating a need in my heart to depend on Him.

In the end, this is what the environment of OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE looks like in our homes too. It’s creating an opportunity where our children come to the end of “self” and learn to depend on God, His comfort, and His strength.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF “OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE”

Michelle AnthonyFamily Ministry Architect

David C. Cook

Follow Michelle: @TruInspiration

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God’s chosen teacher. It is He who causes spiritual growth and formation when and as He chooses. As such, we have articulated 10 distinct environments to create in your home. We desire to create spiritual space, which we refer to as a environment, in which God’s Spirit can move freely.


EDITOR’S NOTEWhen we are at our wit’s end for an answer, then the Holy Spirit can give us an answer. But how can He give us an answer when we are still well-supplied with all sorts of answers of our own? —Karl Barth

Needless to say, it’s uncomfortable to reach our “wit’s end”; however, that’s often when we submit to God, allowing Him to work in us. Scripture is filled with the accounts of great and godly people who reached their wit’s end and found God redeeming and rescuing them in amazing ways.

As parents, it’s our natural instinct to comfort our children. We think we’re being responsible when we care for their every need and rescue them from hard times. It’s a tricky balance to allow our children to experience just enough suffering and difficulty to actually strengthen them. And it’s impossible to reach that balance without the help of the Holy Spirit.

This issue of HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource is filled with stories about the environment of OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE and creative ways to live in it. God wants us to learn to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit—which can come in a quiet whisper or the loving voice of a concerned friend.

Debbie GuinnHomeFront Managing EditorDavid C. Cook

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Memorizing Scripture can be an incredible practice to engage in as a family. But words in and of themselves will not necessarily transform us; it is God’s Spirit in these words who transforms. We come to know God more when we’re willing to open our hearts and receive His Holy Spirit through the words we memorize. Have fun with this verse, and think of creative ways to invite your family to open up to God as they commit this verse to memory.

We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope. And hope will never let us down. God has poured his love into our hearts. He did it through the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.

Romans 5:3b–5 (NIrV)

FAMILY VERSE

Remember to HAVE FUN! Strive to make each gathering unique to your

own family as you enjoy spending time with God and each other.

3

Look through HomeFront and see what stands out. Choose two or

three experiences you would like to incorporate into your family times each week. Don’t feel burdened to complete all the activities at once, but carefully select which ones will fit your family best. This resource provides your family with more

than enough experiences to create transforming environments in your

home throughout the month.

2

1Start by deciding on a day and time that works well for your entire family.

It can be an evening, afternoon, or morning. Just commit to building

this time into your family’s natural rhythm. It’s usually best to build this

time around a meal.

ONETWO

THREE

HOW TO USE FAMILY TIME ...

It's as easy as

FAMILY TIME

Family Time ideas!


In Luke, we read what many call Jesus’ mission statement for His public ministry.

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18–19)

In preparation for His ministry, Jesus was “led by the Spirit” into the desert for a time of solitude. Here the Enemy tempted Jesus for 40 days. He came out of this time fully empowered to bring about the ministry that lay before Him.

Jesus knew the importance of solitude better than anyone. That’s why we see Him repeatedly going off to a secluded place to be alone with His Father.

We have at our disposal the same spiritual resources Jesus used when He faced and defeated Satan:

Prayer • The Father’s love The power of the Holy Spirit • The Word of God

In addition, we have in heaven the interceding Savior who has already completely defeated the Enemy. Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us, but God uses these difficult experiences to put the best into us. Temptation is Satan’s weapon to defeat us, but it becomes God’s tool to build us up and set

us on the path of the mission He has for each of our lives.

HEAR IT Read Luke 4:1–21 together. Afterward, ask your children how Jesus responded to being taken out of His comfort zone. Read verse 1 again: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit …”

Remind your children that this experience helped prepare our Lord for His present ministry as our sympathetic High Priest, so that we can come to Him for the help we need to overcome the trials that come our way.

DO IT Create a space for solitude in your home—a place to hear from the Holy Spirit. After designating a spot, gather the following items:

• Bible or Bible storybook • Journal • Markers • Worship music

Allow your family to visit this place of solitude throughout the month. Encourage them to write or draw in the journal anything they hear from God. At the end of the month, gather as a family and go through the journal. Celebrate together, knowing that God has prepared a mission for each of us. He will lead us exactly where we’re supposed to be, even if it feels uncomfortable at times. by Debbie Guinn

family time

god's word

MISSION:

POSSIBLE


Assess where your family is right now. What is the climate of comfort in your home? What has led you to your comfort or discomfort? If your home has become excessively comfortable because of overprotection and hovering parents, you will recognize the symptoms.

Signs of a home where children live in excessive comfort include laziness, ingratitude, selfishness, lack of motivation, entitlement, a critical spirit, and gluttony—among others. When you see the buds of these characteristics beginning to blossom, you will know it’s time for the environment of OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE. You will want to act without delay.

After assessing your situation, pray together and ask God to reveal to you—all of you, parents included—any places of abnormal comfort in your lives. Then make a list of these places and pray over them, asking God to give you the strength to correct them. It may hurt at first, much like an unused muscle hurts on the first day of a workout, but in time, being taken out of those places of comfort will begin to produce qualities that had previously been lacking.

Remember, the best gift we can give our children is the confidence that everything (even the bad stuff) is filtered through God’s hands. Be sure you model this dependence for your kids as you choose to step out of your own comfort zone.

by Michelle Anthony

NOT ENOUGH COMFORT … OR TOO MUCH?

family time

prayer


A tradition is the handing down of statements, beliefs, or customs from generation to generation.

The beginning of fall is an exciting time for our family. We are big on creating traditions, especially when it involves blessing others. Yes, it’s easy to rally family time and do fun activities that benefit us. And while that’s great, the challenge lies in taking us out of our comfort zone and doing something as a family for another family.

Thus the idea for the Harvest Offering was born. As a family, we started a fall tradition in which we create money-earning ideas to save money for another family, store the earnings in a jar, and then gift it to the family at Christmastime.

First we pray that the Holy Spirit will bring a family to mind, a family that would benefit from some extra money. We place a large mason jar at a focal point in our home where the money will be collected. Then we set to work brainstorming ideas on how to raise money for the family—a bake sale, searching pockets for loose change, selling toys that aren’t being used, and doing “extras” around the house.

family time

traditions

HarvestOffering by Rebekah Pogue

Our boys are always excited about the opportunity to watch the Harvest Offering jar slowly fill with coins and dollar bills. We periodically count what we have collected and discuss the possibilities of how the family might use our Harvest Offering. Most importantly, we talk about the hard work it takes to earn money, and while giving it away feels out of our comfort zone, it makes God’s heart happy. God doesn’t want us to only use money for our own memories, but He wants to stretch us and use our money to bless others.

There is no greater gift as a parent than to watch our children find joy in giving, even if

it’s uncomfortable for them. Finding a penny on the ground is a missed fountain wish, but it’s one more penny to throw in the Harvest Offering jar! Choosing to sell the robot ignored in the toy basket for months causes a smile to stretch across their little faces when they know another family will benefit from the money earned by it. Suddenly everyday tasks become conversation pieces surrounding the family that will be blessed at Christmas by the Harvest Offering. And in the midst of being a little out of our own comfort zones, we’re transformed too!


This game is great for kids ages two and up. You can play with as few as three players. It’s most fun to play in an open field, but it can be played in a long hallway too.

Choose one player to be a “red light.” He should stand about 25 yards in front of the other players, with his back turned to them.

The other players should line up shoulder-to-shoulder. Their goal is to get close enough to tap the “red light” on the shoulder, but they can only move only when he says, “Green light.”

To begin play, “red light” should close his eyes and yell, “Green light!” The other players should run at top speed toward him until he yells, “Red light!” and turns around as fast as he can. The instant the other players hear “Red light!” they must stop. Anyone “red light” sees moving when he turns around must return to the starting line.

This sequence is repeated until a player gets close enough to tap “red light” on the shoulder when his back is turned. This player wins and becomes the next “red light.”

In this game, see how many sentences you can say without using a certain letter (which you've agreed upon).

For example, if you designate “L” as the forbidden letter, the first player might ask, “Is this a new game to you?”

The second player might answer, “Oh, no! Someone taught it to me years ago.”

He might turn to a third player and ask, “You remember it, don’t you?”

The third player might answer, “Yes, but we used to play it a different way.”

The third player, having spoken a word with the letter “L” in it, is out of the game.

The answers should be given quickly, without hesitation, and the player who avoids using a word containing the forbidden letter for the greatest length of time wins the game. You can then change the forbidden letter and play again.

RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT

THE FORBIDDEN LETTER

Learning to listen to the Holy Spirit is an important part of living in the environment of OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE. Use the following games to encourage your children to be good listeners. Remind them that God wants us to turn to Him and listen for what He’s trying to teach us in every circumstance we experience.

family time

game time

OLDER

YOUNGER

STEP1

STEP2

STEP3

STEP4


My mom is an amazing mother to three daughters. Even though she didn’t have parents who taught her about Jesus, she committed her life to Him and has a deep, loving relationship with Him. My mom has done an incredible job of passing down her faith to each of us. She modeled for us what it looks like to have a disciplined prayer life, how to see and meet the needs of others, and how to truly love our husbands and children.by Traci Carpenter

When I turned 20, I was trying to figure out what to do with my life. I remember seeking my mom’s advice, as I always had, and asking, “Mom, what should I do?” However, instead of answering, “Well, you should …” (and then telling me her idea of a great plan), she said, “Pray about it, and ask God.”

Whoa! Wait a second. Pray about it, and ask God? What does that mean? And how am I even supposed to know what God’s voice sounds like? To be honest, I

family time

storytelling

felt angry. I wanted a clear answer from my mom. I wanted to hear her thoughts and opinions. Why all of sudden was I supposed to figure all this out on my own?

From that point I began a journey of seeking God’s voice. At times it came in the whisper of the Holy Spirit. Other times it came straight from the Bible, and sometimes it even came from the wise words of a friend. It took me quite a while to actually learn to recognize God’s voice. It wasn’t until recently that I could

confidently say I know what the Holy Spirit feels and sounds like.

Something that really excites me is the opportunity to teach my own daughter how to recognize God’s voice from an early age. I treasure the thought that she won’t ever know a life without His gentle whisper. She will never be shocked when my husband and I encourage her to “pray about it, and ask God,” because she’ll already be used to flexing those faith muscles.

As parents, we have the opportunity to encourage the next generation to begin the journey of seeking the Holy Spirit in their earliest of years. Take some time this month to share a story with your children about a time when you recognized God’s leading in your life. Share how you knew it was God’s voice.

RECOGNIZING

VOICEGOD’S


family time

worship

IllustratedOFFERINGSOn January 12, 2010, at 4:53 p.m. local time, a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti. It was the most severe earthquake to hit the country in more than 200 years.

The epicenter of the quake was just outside the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The quake caused widespread damage and devastated the capital city. A month later, the Haitian government announced a death toll of 230,000. As many as one million Haitians were homeless and hundreds of thousands injured.

Many people from around the world rushed to the aid of the injured, including Sandy Oak Lee, a pediatrician from California. After Sandy returned home, she wanted to somehow share her experience with her seven-year-old daughter, Sayana. After some discussion, they decided to write a children’s book about the earthquake, the response of the international community, and a mommy’s experience assisting in Haiti. They agreed to use the book as a way to raise awareness and money for Haiti relief.

Sayana wanted to draw the pictures, and soon she and her mom found an illustrator, Kenny Yamada, to help with the process by generously donating his time and energy. Together the three created Mommy Goes to Haiti, (mommygoestohaiti.org), written by Sayana and Sandy and illustrated by Sayana and Kenny Yamada. All proceeds from the sales of the book go to two projects: Mosaic Beyond Us, which builds homes in Haiti, and Project Medishare, which builds hospitals in Haiti.

Sandy, Sayana, and Kenny hope the book can help families talk with their children about international events, how we can respond to extreme needs and disasters, and how individuals—even young children—can positively impact the world.

God uses specific and unique circumstances to refine His children. How do we respond when we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations? Do we run and hide and make ourselves comfortable? Or do we embrace the situation and worship God even in the midst of hardship?

Gather paper and markers and find a quiet spot. You may choose to have instrumental music playing in the background. Remind your children that art can be a gift of worship to the Lord. As an act of worship, encourage your children to illustrate a time when they were taken out of their comfort zones. Talk together about how God used that time in their lives to help them grow.

Illustrations from Mommy Goes to Haiti

WE OFTEN THINK OF WORSHIP AS SINGING, BUT WE CAN WORSHIP GOD IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.


PIE CRUST INGREDIENTS:

(makes one crust)

DIRECTIONS:

º CRUST º

1. Blend butter, flour, and salt together in a food processor until very

crumbly. Add as much water as needed until dough holds together.

2. Roll dough gently on a floured surface to about an inch larger than a

deep-dish pie plate. Fold carefully in half, lift to pie plate, and unfold.

Press into pan. Bake in oven for 10 minutes, then remove.

Prep Time: 40 min. Cook Time: 55 min. (Serves 8)

INGREDIENTS:

º FILLING º

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (cubed)

1 c. sliced carrots

1 c. frozen green peas

1/2 c. sliced celery

º PIE CRUST º

2 (9") unbaked pie crusts

º SAUCE º

1/3 c. butter

2/3 c. chopped onion

2/3 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. celery seed

3 1/2 c. chicken broth

1 1/3 c. milk

CHICKEN POT PIEThere are some foods that have become a tradition in our family. The smells and memories of these foods bring a sense of comfort to us. One of those meals is homemade chicken pot pie. by Stephanie Barber

family time recipefamily time

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to

cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.

3. In another saucepan, over medium heat, cook onions in butter until

soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly

stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until

thick. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. Pour chicken mixture into pie crust. Pour sauce over mixture. Cover

with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several

small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until pastry is

golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

º Time-Saving Tips º• Use a ready-made pie crust

• Replace sauce with two cans of cream of chicken condensed soup

1/2 c. butter or vegetable shortening

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. cold water


We often face situations that demand a right choice. During these times we need to listen to the Holy Spirit as He directs us to do what is right.

Get Your Children Talking …Pose these questions to your family, let everyone offer an answer, and then discuss the answers together. Feel free to personalize the situation challenges to fit the age and interests of your family.

Try to offer new situation challenges each week this month while you live in the environment of OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE.

kids in the kitchenfamily time

CONVERSATION STARTERS

Kids in the Kitchen features simple, kid-friendly recipes that encourage families to spend time together while creating yummy treats.

What Would You Do?"You find a black wallet lying on the ground. No one is around.

Inside the wallet you find several things, including $50, a SpongeBob

sticker, a coffee house gift card, and spare change."

"You’re having fun playing with your friends at the playground. You

see a boy or girl your age who isn't playing and doesn't seem to have

any friends nearby."

1 pkg. (12 oz.) white chocolate chips

48 yellow chocolate candies

1 pkg. (15 oz.) pretzel sticks

INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:

Breakfast for Dessert ·Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave at 50 percent power. Stir until smooth.

· Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Using a tablespoon, drop melted white chocolate onto the wax paper (so each drop is about an inch wide on the paper).

·Place two yellow chocolate candies on one side of the white chocolate drop.

· Break the pretzel sticks into pieces and put two small sticks, or "bacon strips," alongside the yellow candy "egg yolks."

·Repeat until you've used all ingredients.

·Transfer to refrigerator to chill until the chocolate sets—about 20 to 30 minutes.

Take your kids out of their comfort zone this month by serving them breakfast for dessert. Even very young children can help with this easy recipe, especially if you melt the chocolate ahead of time.

by Debbie Guinn

Fried Eggs & Bacon Candy Time: 15 min. (Yields 2 dozen)


Sometimes we get comfortable in our everyday routines and surroundings and forget that God calls us to live our lives on a mission. Sharing Jesus is something we're all called to do.

Jesus told His disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching

CREATE IS A TIME TO ENGAGE YOUR FAMILY IN A COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO HEARING GOD’S WORD.

createfamily time

LIFE ON A MISSIONthem to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" Matthew 28:19–20.

Use beads in the following colors to create a craft that reminds you of your mission to share the good news (even when it feels out of your comfort zone). Remember: God is always right there with you. by Debbie Guinn

GOLD

Represents who God is and that He loves us and

has a home for us in heaven. John 3:16

NAVY BLUE

Represents darkness, sin, and separation

from God. Romans 3:23

RED

Represents Jesus’ shed blood, His death,

and His resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

WHITE

Represents our invitation to turn from sin, trusting

Christ alone. John 1:12

GREEN

Represents spiritual growth, including

confession of sin, prayer, and reading God’s Word.

1 John 1:9

PURPLE

Represents the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.

John 14:26

INSTRUCTIONS:

• String the beads on a cord or piece of yarn or string.

• Knot one end and attach a clip to the other end.

• Attach the beads to key chains, backpacks, or any place

where you'll see them every day.


DID YOU KNOW?

• Spaghetti is most often served for breakfast in Haiti. It's cooked with a hot dog and served with ketchup. Chili is made with goat meat.

• Haiti's royal palm trees can grow up to 60 feet tall—the height of a five-story building.

N

SEW

Where in the World Is ...HAITI

TO GREET SOMEONE, YOU WOULD SAY:

“Bonjour”pronounced (bohn-JOOR)

When you talk with friends in Haiti, you would speak French or Haitian Creole.

Awakening a compassionate heart and a global mindset in children for people beyond the boundaries of their own neighborhoods.

POPULATION 9,719,932 Million

LANGUAGEFrench/Haitian

RELIGION80% Roman Catholic

16% Protestant3% Voodoo traditions

globalfamily time

Haiti encompasses 10,714 square miles, making it slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maryland. Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola (between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea), which it shares with the Dominican Republic.

Almost ten million people call Haiti their home. Forty percent of people in Haiti are younger than 14.

If you lived in Haiti, you would eat a lot of beans and rice. When eaten together, rice and beans provide all essential amino acids and deliver complete protein to sustain an active life. You might also eat something called banan peze, which is a plantain that's been sliced and fried.

If you went to church in Haiti, you would most likely go to a Roman Catholic church.

NOW THAT WE KNOW WHERE HAITI IS, LET'S MEET AND GREET ITS PEOPLE.


The best gift we can give our children is the confidence to see that everything (even the bad stuff) is filtered through God’s hands.

We need to release our control of their circumstances. We need to start looking at the hard things that happen in our kids’ lives as things that God wants to use to refine them. Then we need to walk with them, prayerfully, and model for them how they should respond, in grace, to these trials.

by Michelle Anthony

blessingfamily time

A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a Bible passage, or words of encouragement. Blessings can be spoken over a child for the purpose of

declaring God’s protection, joy, and wisdom over him.

PURE JOY

Consider it pure joy, [my children], whenever you face trials of many

kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking

anything. (James 1:2–4)

This month, read the following Scripture over your children as a reminder that all families will most likely go through seasons of difficulty as well as seasons of prosperity and comfort.


INSPIRE

EQUIP

SUPPORT

Parenting stories and devotions to spur you on and motivate you as you spiritually parent your children.

Resources to prepare you as you navigate through tough ages and tough topics.

Walking alongside you to promote healthy marriages and answer your spiritual parenting and spiritual grandparenting questions.


the everyday parentinspire

A s a parent, the schedule of our son or daughter’s day solely depends on us. In the hustle bustle of getting kids off to school, cleaning soccer jerseys, and attending dance recitals, it's easy to let busyness direct the focus of our day. Suddenly we're taking control of every

moment, resting in our own power instead of leaning on the Holy Spirit’s.

What if we stepped out of our comfort zone in a small, quiet way by simply resting? I know, it’s a strange concept in this parenting adventure, but think about it. Before we let our schedule dictate our day, what if we start each new day by praying, “God, what do You want my day to look like? As I go about each hour, how can I rest in You?” It may be as simple as turning off the car radio and listening to God’s voice as He directs your next steps.

Resting feels uncomfortable and is often portrayed as being lazy, but it may be the most beneficial way you can step out of your comfort zone and allow God’s Spirit to recharge your batteries.

I woke up feeling defeated. I had spent the previous evening agonizing over our family calendar, trying desperately to figure out how we were going to fit everything in. Every minute of our week was accounted for. My stress level was at an all-time high, and I had just started my day.

I ran into my daughter’s room to wake her up for school and began shouting orders at her like a drill sergeant. “Hop out of bed! Get dressed! Let’s go, let’s go!” Her little blue eyes opened and looked at the clock. “Mommy,” she said sweetly, “can we walk to school today? Please?”

Walk? I knew her request would set me back at least half an hour. “We would need to leave in five minutes,” I

SLOWING DOWNby Alyson Crockett

said, confident that there was no way she would be able to meet this demand. But she surprised me. Five minutes later, she was dressed, had eaten her oatmeal, and had her backpack on. She smiled. “I’m ready!”

Her promptness only added to my frustration. I didn’t have time for this. I had planned so carefully to get everything done today. But I knew I couldn’t say no, so I grabbed my things and we walked out the door. She grabbed my hand and we walked, slowly, the entire way to her school.

As we walked, she talked about all kinds of things. It was a sweet moment, and my heart melted. To think that I had almost turned down her simple request. In my haste to control every detail of my week, I had forgotten that I wasn’t the one in control at all. God is in control of every detail in my busy life. He transformed me as I stepped out in faith that morning. I'm so thankful He made this appointment for me.

by

Rebe

kah

Pogu

e Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)


tot timeequip

(ages 3 & under)

Repetition is fundamental to almost any learning style, so when you’re attempting to teach your children, use repetition! by Justin Fox

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

(Deuteronomy 6:6–7)

lie down

sit at home

along the road

get up

While driving this month, use this rhyme to remind your little ones that we can depend on God. Sing it to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." along the roadalong the road


GOD’S WORD UNDER ATTACKThose of us in relationship with Jesus know the Bible is true in part because our souls respond to it. The Holy Spirit in us affirms that He authored those words. But for friends and family on the other side of belief, accepting the Bible as truth is more often a cerebral matter. That’s okay! The Bible can stand up to academia.

• Historical accuracy: The Bible accurately documents ancient wars, geographic locations, and cultural practices, many consistent with secular texts.

• Fulfilled prophecy: About two thousand prophecies from the Old Testament have come true. Of the 333 prophecies predicting the Messiah, the only ones that remain unfulfilled relate to His second coming.

• Consistency: While the Bible, in its original writings, is perfectly consistent, some of the translations that have been made over the years contain slight inconsistencies that actually validate Scripture all the more! Variations attest to the authors’ multiple points of view and remind us that scribes didn’t change the text to hide them. Their copies are honest and true!

To learn more about Scripture’s legitimacy, explore The Case for Christ for Kids by Lee Strobel and Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door by Josh McDowell.

As human beings, we desire to live in predictable environments. When left to our own ways, we seek comfort above all. Your middle school child is no different and, most likely, dislikes being placed out of her comfort zone more than anyone. At this stage of life your child is prone to be self-centered and inwardly focused, only caring about himself. This is because he's discovering and shaping his own identity. He's engulfed by and focused on forming his own personal framework of values and beliefs, and he's figuring out how to fit in with the social system around him. This often enables middle school kids to only look within themselves.

Yet we see in Scripture again and again that when God calls His people to go out of their comfort zones, their faith develops into a deeper dependence and stronger reliance

BUILDING FAITH MUSCLES

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the middleequip

(6th to 8th GRADE)

upon God than ever before. Take Moses, for example. God called him to free His people from a life of slavery and lead His people out of Egypt. But Moses disagreed with God’s call. However, God’s response to Moses persuaded him to answer the call. God continually told Moses that as he stepped out of his comfort zone, God would be the one working in and through him. The God of the universe would be with him the entire way.

The promise God gave Moses is the same promise we have today. As we step out of our comfort zones, God promises to be with us. To help your child not only understand but also experience this dependence, we encourage you to place them in environments where they’re out of their comfort zones. Here are some examples of how to do this as a family:

Eat a meal at a culturally different eatery.

Drive through a culturally different part of your city/town.

Invite new church families over for a meal.

Encourage kids to use their own money to give to your home church and beyond.

Help feed the homeless.

Go on a mission trip.

After you’ve experienced being out of your comfort zones, talk about opportunities for your kids to step out in faith in their everyday lives, and empower them to take action.

by Bryan Pogue


I can’t think of an area in our lives where living out of the comfort zone is more applicable than in marriage. In fact, here's one promise the Bible gives about marriage: “Those who marry will face many troubles” (1 Corinthians 7:28). Some people are so afraid of leaving their comfort zone that they never marry.

Let me give you a word of comfort: Marriage takes every spouse out of his or her comfort zone! No marriage succeeds without great sacrifice, without dying to one’s self. Men and women are very different, and marriage often magnifies those differences. In order to have an effective marriage, we need to do things that often feel uncomfortable or unnatural to us.

For example, we have to learn to love our partner the way he or she wants to be loved. My wife, Becky, feels loved when I make her breakfast, help with the dishes, or go on walks with her. I don’t really like making breakfast, doing the dishes, or

walking as a form of exercise. But in order to have a great marriage, I must leave my comfort zone and do things that show her my love. You are transformed when you step out of your comfort zone. And when you become more sacrificial and more loving, you become more like Jesus.

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GOD TRANSFORMS ME WHEN I STEP OUT IN FAITHby Roger Tirabassi

STEPPING OUT

What specific things can you do to improve your relationship with your spouse?

• Make a list of 10 things each of you could do to help the other person feel more loved.

Keep the list in your Bible and try to do at least one thing every day this month—without fail. Though you may be out of your comfort zone, your marriage will start to look and feel radically different—transformed by love!


Too Old for Social Media?written by Debbie Guinn

Nothing propels a grandparent out of her comfort zone faster than the ever-changing technology of social media. In fact, I believe my one-year-old grandson actually understands it better than I do. He's actually too young to pronounce the word phone, yet he can turn it on, unlock it, and find his favorite apps.

Our fear of technology can actually create a divide between generations. With a little effort we can easily bridge the gap. Here are three simple entry points into social media:

TEXTING: The exchange of brief written text messages between two mobile phones.

A friend recently told me that her 89-year-old mother-in-law began texting when she realized it was a great way to communicate with her teenage grandchildren. In fact, she purchased a book on texting acronyms and abbreviations. She now sents text message that send the family into laughter. The kids have to look up the meanings of the messages because even they aren't familiar with the acronyms.

Another grandmother I know uses texting as a method to watch college football with her grandsons. She sends short messages during the game about plays or players. Her grandsons think she's absolutely the coolest and respect her stepping for out of her comfort zone to connect with them in this way.

FACEBOOK: A free website that lets users share photos and comments on day-to-day activities. Users can set their preferred level of privacy so that only approved people—Facebook "friends"—see the material that a user posts.

Some people use Facebook to meet new friends and connect with old ones, but many use it to strengthen relationships they already have. I recently attended a wedding where the grandmother of the groom was too frail to attend. He later told me that his grandmother felt like she was able to be a part of the celebration through the photos he posted on Facebook. Her messages and comments blessed and encouraged him both before and after his wedding.

INSTAGRAM: A free photo-sharing program and social network that allows users to take a photo, apply a digital filter, and share it with other Instagram users.

This app is available for your smartphone. Part of the fun is getting to see photos of all that's going on in your children and grandchildren’s day. I “follow” my granddaughter on Instagram, and I get to see what's important to her in the moment. Even if it’s just a picture of the bagel she had for breakfast with the caption “YUM," I am part of her day without being there.

Social media should never replace person-to-person contact, but it does help you keep in touch with busy adult children and grandchildren. Technology can be daunting when we don’t understand how to use it. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and sign up for classes or just ask your grandchildren, I’m sure they would be happy to teach you.

Inbox w/ Michelle AnthonyEach month we choose questions for the Inbox from the HomeFrontSP Facebook page. If you have spiritual parenting questions, go to Facebook.com/HomeFrontSP and join the conversation. Remember to us too!

Q: I believe that taking my children on a mission trip would be a great way to get my them out of their comfort zone. What age would you recommend beginning this?

A: Going on mission is absolutely a great way to expose your children to this environment. Your children will experience cultural differences that will allow them to flex their faith muscles. There are a few things to consider when evaluating the proper age to go abroad. The first issue has to do with your parenting climate. Are you able to be flexible, discipline appropriately and consistently, and can you manage stressful circumstances while still caring for your child? If you can say yes to all of these questions, then bringing your child on a mission trip will lessen the strain on the team as a whole. The second issue is one of support. Do you have a spouse (or friend or family member) who is willing to sacrifice in this manner to give your child this experience? This may mean one of you staying behind on a certain task or adventure for a sick or napping child. And, finally, is the leader of the group willing to allow children on the trip? If so, has she (as well as you) investigated local medical care facilities and emergency procedures? This short checklist doesn't include such issues as developmental issues, pre-existing health conditions, and legal issues of custody that might also influence this decision. Reflecting back, I'm grateful for the abundant experiences that my children were able to have cross-culturally from the time they were under two years until their college and young adult years. Watching how God used those times and the relationships they made to shape their hearts for dependence inspires me to encourage others to bring their children into similar experiences.

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K. Carpenter, Irvine, California


IT IS OUR PRAYER THAT HOMES AND CHURCHES WOULD CREATE THESE ENVIRONMENTS FOR KIDS TO LIVE IN SO THEIR FAITH WILL GROW IN A COMMUNITY OF CONSISTENCY, COMMON LANGUAGE, AND PRACTICE. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THESE ENVIRONMENTS CAN IGNITE A TRANSFORMING FAITH IN YOUR FAMILY, WE SUGGEST YOU READ:

SPIRITUAL PARENTING: An Awakening for Today’s Families BY MICHELLE ANTHONY

Below you'll find a brief explanation of each environment:

1. Storytelling—The power of The Big God Story impacts our lives by giving us an accurate and awe-inspiring perspective of how God has been moving throughout history. It is the story of redemption, salvation, and hope and tells how I have been grafted into it by grace. It further compels us to see how God is using every person’s life and is creating a unique story that deserves to be told for God’s glory.

“God has a big story, and I can be a part of it!”

2. Identity—This environment highlights who we are in Christ. According to Ephesians 1, we have been chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed, and given an inheritance in Christ … all of which we did nothing to earn. This conviction allows children to stand firm against the destructive counter identities the world will offer.

“I belong to God, and He loves me!”

3. Faith Community—God designed us to live in community and to experience Him in ways that can only happen in proximity to one another. The faith community serves to create an environment to equip and disciple parents, to celebrate God’s faithfulness, and to bring a richness of worship through tradition and rituals, which offer children an identity. Our love for each other reflects the love we have received from God.

“God’s family cares for each other and worships God together.”

4. Serving—This posture of the heart asks the question, “What needs to be done?” It allows the Holy Spirit to cultivate a sensitivity to others and focuses on a cause bigger than one individual life. It helps fulfill the mandate that as Christ followers we are to view our lives as living sacrifices that we generously give away!

“Asks the question, ‘What needs to be done?’”

6. Responsibility—This environment captures the ability to take ownership for one’s life, gifts, and resources before God. A child must be challenged to take responsibility for his or her brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as for those who are spiritually lost. Our hope is that the Holy Spirit will use this environment to allow each child to understand that God has entrusted His world to us.

“God has entrusted me with the things and people He created around me.”

7. Course Correction—This environment flows out of Hebrews 12:11–13 and is the direct opposite of punishment. Instead, biblical discipline for a child encompasses a season of pain, the building up in love, and a vision of a corrected path for the individual with the purpose of healing at its core.

“When I get off track, God offers me a path of healing.”

8. Love/Respect—Without love, our faith becomes futile. This environment recognizes that children need an environment of love and respect in order to be free to both receive and give God’s grace. Innate in this environment is the value that children are respected because they embody the image of God. We must speak to them, not at them, and we must commit to an environment where love and acceptance are never withheld due to one’s behavior.

“God fills me with His love so I can give it away.”

9. Knowing—Nothing could be more important than knowing and being known by God. We live in a world that denies absolute truth, and yet God’s Word offers just that. As we create an environment that upholds and displays God’s truth, we give children a foundation based on knowing God, His Word, and a relationship with Him through Christ. God is holy, mighty, and awesome, yet He has chosen to make Himself known to us!

“God knows me, and I can know Him.”

10. Modeling—Biblical content needs a practical living expression in order for it to be spiritually impacting. This environment serves as a hands-on example of what it means for children to put their faith into action. Modeling puts flesh on faith and reminds us that others are watching to see if we live what we believe.

“I see Christ in others, and they can see Him in me.”

10 ENVIRONMENTS

5. Out Of The Comfort Zone—As children are challenged to step out of their comfort zones from an early age, they learn to experience a dependence on the Holy Spirit to equip and strengthen them beyond their natural abilities and desires. We believe this environment will cultivate a generation that, instead of seeking comfort, seeks a radical life of faith in Christ. “God transforms me when I step out in faith.”

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