The Child Who Had No Manners (And She Was Dirty, Too)

Excerpt from 101 Simple Lessons for Life by Marsh Marks

What if a child came to your church and you knew the child’s mother was a single woman who worked in a bar? What if you knew that mother had been married several times and had not used good judgment on any of the marriages? What if the child was not well dressed or very clean, had no manners, and was loud and disruptive? What if you knew the mother took the child to church only so she could have some time off, and the child seemed to want to cause trouble just to get attention?

How would you act toward that child? Would you be kind? Would you treat the child so special she would beg to be able to come back? Would you make the child feel as important as another kid with nice clothes and a solid home, who was clean, and used manners and smelled wonderful? Would you use the extra patience it would take to get to the heart of the problem with that child? Would you love her so she could understand what the Bible means by “he quiets us with his love”?

I am asking that because, years ago, I was that dirty child from a broken home. I was a child that caused everyone to shake their heads when my mother dropped me off at the local church on Sundays and Wednesdays. I was that child with no manners. I was the child you would have voted most likely to fail.

But in the church where my mom dropped me off, I discovered a nurturing group of people who seemed to think I was worth something. Sunday school teachers who went the second mile for me when I had no way of paying them for the first. And church people who told me about characters in the Bible who seemed to have it worse than I did.

First, there was this guy, Joseph, who was dropped in a well by his brothers. This other guy, David, was hiding from a crazy king who wanted to kill him. And there was this girl, Rahab, who had been known to work in a job that wasn’t respected, yet who ended up being mentioned as one of the most faithful people in the Bible. Another girl, Esther, whose parents were no where around, was selected to accomplish a mission that saved the lives of all God’s people.

In Sunday school lessons, I learned of a God who could use anyone or anything committed to him. A God who could take something awful and completely change it so you would never recognize what it used to be. And I learned from the way my teachers treated me that God’s view of everything was different than the world’s. That God saw everyone as having been at one time on the “wrong side of the track,” and what was important was not where we had been but where we were headed. The little church I went to as a child had people in it who seemed to feel that if they acted out God’s love toward a small, dirty child from a broken home, it would make a difference.

And it has.

“Love one another as I have loved you” – John 13:34

Parenting Tips from Turanski and Miller

February 26, 2010

Bad Attitudes Come In Three Arenas

A bad attitude is a challenge to family life and frustrates many a parent. Furthermore, if children don’t learn how to deal with their attitude, they grow up to be adults with bad attitudes. One way to help children overcome a bad attitude is to take it apart and help them deal with it in smaller pieces. Children are tempted to have a bad attitude in three prominent areas: when given an instruction, when corrected, and when given a “no” answer. One mom put a sign up in her kitchen listing those three areas with the heading, “Three opportunities for a good attitude.” Take time to talk about attitude with your children. Discuss the importance and benefits of a good attitude. Help your children understand these three areas and even warn your child when one of them is coming. Coach your children to have a better response. The next time your child demonstrates a bad attitude, don’t just point out the negative but teach how to respond rightly. When given an instruction, a child might say, “Okay Mom,” in a pleasant tone of voice. When corrected, it would be helpful to say, “I’m sorry.” When receiving a “no” answer, children might say to themselves, “Okay, maybe another time.” A bad attitude is often a sign of an angry spirit and the groaning, rolled eyes, sarcasm, stomping feet, or disgusted look are all attempts to communicate dissatisfaction with the situation. Gently point out these bad habits and help your children to practice better responses. Be careful of your own harshness in the process and look for ways to break the problem down into manageable pieces.

Look what the tide brought in!

Our sails are set in a whole new direction out of Anchor Bay, the new name for children’s ministries here at Shoreline. In addition to the ongoing changes to the physical space (the new kids worship center is getting closer to reality), you’ll see our new logo popping up in all kinds of places. Check it out in the upper right corner of this page.
Changes are happening in the classrooms as well.  We are easing into the 252 Basics curriculum in our K-5th classes. This material is Bible at its core while also dealing with key character traits of Christ-followers. The overarching theme is developed on three points:

1)    I need to make the right choice
2)    I can trust God no matter what
3)    I should treat others the way I want to be treated

The rollout of this material requires a change in classroom procedure, part of which is the timely start of the morning lesson in your child’s classroom. And for that we’re asking for your help

Starting March 7, 2010 our new classroom check-in times will be:

1st  Service (8:30):     Check-in    8:20 –   8:35 am
2nd Service (10:00): Check-in    9:50 – 10:05 am
3rd Service(11:30):    Check-in   11:20 – 11:35 am

On those mornings when the family just can’t get here any sooner, there is now a Family Worship Venue in Room 1108, located off the main lobby. The day’s Fridge Card and God Time card from class will be available at the Anchor Bay station there.

We look forward to navigating the waters of change with you and your family as we set sail on a lifetime adventure with Jesus.

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #19

This week’s question is: How should I serve others?

We learned in class this week how Jesus served his disciples in an incredible way. You can read about it again in John 13: 1-17. Imagine having no paved roads or sidewalks and wearing sandals all the time! In Jesus’ time servants would wash people’s feet. It was a lowly job. But Jesus washed the disciples feet himself! He showed that we should serve others.

Grab an old towel and a permanent marker (get permission from your parents!) and write the name of a few people that you want to serve and why you want to serve them. You can hang the towel in your bathroom to remind you to follow through on your idea.

Then discuss these questions with your family:

Why was Jesus willing to be a servant?

Why does Jesus want us to follow his example of servanthood?

What are ways our family members can serve each other?

How can we encourage each other to remember to be servants?

Pray together to ask God to remind you to be willing and cheerful servants.

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #18

This week’s question is: What do I do when I have a disagreement with someone in my church?

Great question because just like in any family, there are going to be times when you disagree with someone at church. Read Matthew 18: 15-20.

This outlines how to handle disagreements.

Step 1. Go talk to that person one on one. The temptation is to talk bad about someone when we argue with them but that’s not what God wants. He wants us to love each other. Most of the time this solves the problem since most arguments are because of misunderstandings.

Step 2.  If the person doesn’t want to listen to you or if step one doesn’t solve the problem then you can get someone else (someone who is a mature Christian is best) to talk to that person with you. Having another person there can help both of you see the other person’s point of view.

Step 3. If there is still a problem then you can take it to a pastor.

Step 4. Still  not working? Verse 17 says to treat the person like a pagan or a tax collector. What does that mean? Basically, it means not to hang out with that person any more.

But that’s not the end of the story. Read Matthew 18: 21- 35. Its all about how to forgive your brothers or sisters.

Hang Ten

If you are an Anchor Bay Crew member (Shoreline’s Children’s Ministry Team) you are invited to join an online group following after Pastor Kevin’s charge for 2010 to study the Word, be steady in Prayer and seek out Spiritual Disciplines to deepen our walk with God. We’re calling it HANG TEN, as in ‘ Hang together in 2010, experiencing discipleship together’. Isn’t HANG TEN a little easier on the tongue, not to mention the fingertips when typing?

So, how do you join? Send an email to rpina@shorelinechurch.org and I’ll send you back an invite to the group. If you don’t already have a user id and password to CCB, the Shoreline online community, I’ll have you set up with that as well. Once you’re aboard it’s as simple as reading the daily Bible passage(s) outlined in the weekly bulletin or on the Shorelline website, relating daily in prayer in the method or manner discussed in Pastor Kevin’s letter (this month it’s the A.C.T.S. model, addressing God in Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication), and finding restoration in the spiritual discipline emphasis for the quarter (Jan-Mar emphasis is Fasting). And as often as you like, log in to the HANG TEN CCB community and post an observation or experience, or just graze on the insights and observations of others.

If you didn’t get a copy of the January letter you can read it here. If you have any complications in linking in or accessing the Shoreline web community on CCB, email me at rpina@shorelinechurch.org.

Thanks for all you do to impact families by partnering with parents to grow kids who know, love and serve God through their commitment to Jesus Christ.

Hangin’ Together in 2010

Pastor Roy

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #17

This week’s questions is: How can I be happy when I’m worried about something?

If you are alive then you’ve got worries. Go to Philippians 4: 6-7 and read about how to get rid of your worries!

Finished reading? Ok, good! When you pray instead of worrying, your worries will start to melt away. It’s kind of like this project.

You’ll need: cornstarch, water, bowl, spoon, measuring spoons. Look out this is going to be messy!

1. Mix one heaping tablespoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of water. (you may want to do this in the sink or over a piece of newspaper so you don’t get in trouble!)

2. Pick up the goo and move it around your finger quickly.

3. Set the goo ball in the center of your hand.

Imagine that this goo is something you’re worried about. The more you keep trying to handle your fears on your own, the more anxious you will become. Now STOP! See how quickly your “worries” melt when you stop trying to handle your problems on your own?  Cool huh? Think of one thing you’re worried about today. Now pray and quit worrying!

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #16

This week’s question is: once I become a part of God’s family what do I do next?

Becoming a Christian is the most important decision in your life, but it’s only the first step in your relationship with God. Being a Christian means growing in Christ, following God in everything you do, and living for Jesus here on earth. If you’ve just begun your adventure with God, way to go! But get ready because God has so much more for you on your way to eternal life with him!

The book of Ephesians is a great book in the Bible that talks about what it means to be a Christian. It tells about a new family, new gifts, new life, and new responsibilities!

Have you ever gone to a game or a concert and gotten really horrible seats? Well, good seats aren’t a problem for God. He has the best seats in the house reserved for you! Check out Ephesians 2:4-10 to found out about the seats in heaven!

Its not a super-vitamin or a sports drink or a diet but it IS a proven formula to help you enjoy life! Read Ephesians 6: 1-3 for the secret!

Before you go boarding or biking you get geared up right? I mean, you wouldn’t ride without protection! Well, God wants you to gear up and protect yourself too. Go to Ephesians 6: 10-17 to read about God’s gear.

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #15

This week’s question is: What if I don’t understand God?

Have you ever felt your life is unfair? Have you ever questioned God? Well, guess what, you’re not the only one! After all the terrible things that happened to Job he questioned God too. And guess what! God answered him with a few questions of his own! Read them in Job 38-41. GO AHEAD I DARE YOU!

Finished reading? Tough questions huh? Choose your favorite verse out of this passage, and draw a picture of what you read. Hang your picture in your room to remind you that God knows everything and can do everything.

No matter what happens, we don’t need to question God- whatever he has planned for his people is best!

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #14

What are some verses about being born again?

We looked at John 3: 3 already, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Here are some other verses to look up:

John 3:7, “you must be born again…”

1 Peter 1:3, “we have been born again…”

1 Peter 1:23, “you have been born again…”

Colossians 3:10, “be renewed as you learn to know…”

If you want to look up even more verses about this or another topic you can always look in the back of your Bible to see if it has a concordance.

A concor-what? A concordance is actually a lot like a dictionary. It’s an alphabetical listing of important words that you can find in your Bible. Just use it like you would use a dictionary at school. It will tell you scriptures you can look up that uses that word. If your Bible doesn’t have a concordance you can look up verses using key words on different websites like www.biblegateway.com or www.biblestudytools.com.

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