Matthew 19:13-15

It always surprises me that some of the most evangelically-minded people show little interested in children. Historically the vast majority of baptisms in the church come from our kids. It's the culmination of faithful parents, strong Sunday school, youth, and children's ministries working together to build a foundation for our kids. These programs are important to us because our children are important to Jesus.

Matthew 7:7-11

Most kids have parents who love them unconditionally. Parents don't need to be reminded to care, protect, and provide for their kids. Mommy guilt is a real thing. Most mothers feel like they don't do enough. Kids do need time and attention, but the most overlooked gift we can give our kids is not more time, more programs, or more things. It's you. A parent who is a great person. More often than not, kids take on your values, priorities, politics, and faith.

Luke 2:41-46; 51-52

Becoming a mom or a dad is easy. Being a father or a mother is a lot harder, for many reasons. One of the greatest challenges for parents today is the outsourcing of parenthood. Schools. Sports. Church programs. It happens so frequently that we rarely acknowledge how much of a responsibility our children are; and not just "providing food and shelter." Kids develop their intellect, faith, character, vocation, relationships. Luke says of Jesus that he "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor of God and man." (Lk 2:52). Through all that, parents guard, guide, and direct. It's a big job.

Hosea 1-3

Sometimes God’s people get overwhelmed by life and distractions and can find themselves accepting lifestyles and actions that were once defined as sin. The transgressions become the normal way of life. When this happens, God, in His grace, sends a message of hope surrounded by chaos. In it we find our way home.

Lamentations 1:1-14

Identity theft is big business. 16 Billion was transferred into the hands of thieves last year and it seems that it’s going to continue to be a growth industry as our personal information is as attainable as a google search. This is not a new tactic for the enemy. He has been trying to get us to forget who we are for generations.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

This is a strange and controversial passage. It seems awkward and out of place, yet it also seems hopeful and empowering. Too often we feel we are stuck in our present circumstance. In this passage we learn that God can turn around any painful circumstance we may face.

Luke 15:3-17

God loves us. He always wants the best for us, and make no mistake, He is active in His efforts to redeem and rescue us. Even from ourselves and our own mistakes. The Bible makes it clear that often, we can be the stumbling block that keeps people from turning to Christ. This morning we will explore some of the ways the church can help each other turn to, and be restored to Christ.

Ephesians 5:22-33

The union of a man and a woman is the crown of Creation. It is no wonder that Satan’s first salvo in the attack on God’s realm was an attack on the man and the woman. Divide them and chaos will ensue. It is for this reason that the Church of Christ must be a place where the chaos of the fall is corrected by straight talk as a way to restore harmony.