Monday, November 29, 2010

Family Connection 11.29.2010

Family Connection
11.29.2010
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.”

This was the very first presidential proclamation signed by President George Washington in 1789. Even though, technically, Thanksgiving has passed us by, it is my hope and desire that we live each day in thankfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As we enter the “Christmas season” where the children in our lives (and if we are honest about it, we ourselves) will be tempted to become discontent and un-thankful for the things we currently have as we are pushed to buy more. I would encourage each of us to remember the things we have to be thankful for, to praise God for those things, and remind ourselves and the children in our lives about these things. I would also encourage each of us to find a tangible way to serve others as families during this season. We have a Local Impact coming up on December 11th and this may provide a great way for you to serve alongside your children helping others. Think of it as a way to serve others and fight off the “gimmes” at the same time.

It is my hope that each of us can make an eternal impact on the children in our lives this week.
Walking by your side,
Brett Humphrey
Pastor H

Monday, November 15, 2010

Family Connection 11.15.2010

Family Connection
11.15.2010
“There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given by the same Spirit.”-1 Corinthians 12:4 (NIrV)
In Flight School this month we are using the above verse as our verse for the month. We are focusing on the fact that God has given us gifts but He wants us to use these gifts to help and serve others. This is something that we believe children can learn at an early age and as families this value can be modeled in the home, neighborhood and even around the world.
To help facilitate this, we participate in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse. This Organization collects shoeboxes, filled with Christmas gifts, and distributes these boxes around the world to needy children. Not only do our children get an opportunity to see how the gifts and blessings they have received can bless others, our children also get a lesson in gratitude as they see how these small things that are given can really brighten up another child’s life. I have also issued a challenge to the children. If they bring in 200 shoeboxes into Flight School by this Sunday (November 21) then I will jump out of a plane and video the entire experience. (A generous volunteer in Flight School has paid for the skydiving experience complete with video package; there’s no backing out for me). We will also give each child 50 Bible Bucks for each filled shoebox they bring in. Even though we are giving the children incentives we really want them to learn how to love and serve others by what they receive.
This really is a wonderful opportunity for you to help the children in your lives learn the value of giving to others. For more information, including the way to track your shoebox to see which country it is delivered to, go online to www.samaritanspurse.org/ezgive . It’s that easy.
It is my hope that each of us can make an eternal impact on the children in our lives this week.
Walking by your side,
Brett Humphrey
Pastor H

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Family Connection 11.02.2010

Family Connection
11.02.2010
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”-2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”-Ephesians 6:1
The Word of God is not a club to be used to bash the children in our lives so they submit to God, but it should be used to guide and direct them in the way they should go. When my children were little the first verse Jennifer and I had them memorize was Ephesians 6:1. We would use this verse to help gently correct our children when they disobeyed. Even though at times it is tempting to say, “Because I said so!” when it comes to behavior, it is really better to have a measuring tool to help the children in our lives when we correct them. What better tool than the Word of God?
I am not encouraging treating God as the big, bad ogre in the sky waiting to strike us down when we don’t fall in line but rather to present God as the Bible does as a loving Father who does expect us to obey and follow Him. God’s ways are the best ways and as 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us, Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
So what do we do? In order to utilize Scripture the way Paul exhorts in 2 Timothy, we must be familiar with Scripture for ourselves. If we want to teach the children in our lives how to apply God’s Word for themselves, we must take the time to study for ourselves. We have quite a few resources at our church to help you do that. Each weekend, Pastor Bob (or one of the other pastors) teaches from God’s Word and gives practical suggestions on how to apply that Scripture to our lives. We also have classes offered here at the church and through small groups to help people grow in their faith and biblical knowledge. There are also resources available on our website www.thehangar.org and through the Children’s Ministry office.
It is my hope that each of us can influence the children in our lives with the truth of God’s Word and train them in righteousness.
Walking by your side,
Brett Humphrey
Pastor H