Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Ps. 32:8, NKJV).

In the midst of preparing for Hurricane IRMA we may be facing fear and failure.  Our Heavenly Father is present and ready to calm us. Remember He is the best preparation we can have amidst a storm.

I to have been anticipating and preparing for the unknown.  Please know that you are not alone.  It is amazing how things have gone this week with panic and short supplies of water, gas, food and other items.  No matter how prepared we are there will be the unknown that will appear.  Prayers are on the way to give you peace and patience. 

***IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• The Advanced Certification Training is September 16 at the Florida Conference Office in the Community Room starting at 10:00AM.  You need to register by sending me an email to the address below.  It’s FREE and lunch is provided.
• Couples Retreat featuring Mike Tucker “Mad about Marriage” is October 20-22 @ Camp Kulaqua.  Register at Camp Kulaqua website under events.  Looking forward to seeing you there.  Mike Tucker is the Director of Faith for Today.

Don’t miss either of these events.  Please let your churches and friends know about both events.  You are the best advertisement for Children and Family ministries.      

In the Midst of Failure

Sep 06, 2017 07:00 am

God not only longs to forgive you and cleanse you if you fail, He also wants to teach you valuable lessons in the midst of your failure. He longs of the same mistakes. In the same scripture song in which David exposes the guilty of self-deception and denial in the midst of failure, he also recognizes God’s desire to teach us valuable lessons for the future. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the psalmist cites the words of the Lord: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Ps. 32:8, NKJV).

Failure is part of the present life, but through the enabling presence of the Holy Spirit such times can become opportunities for grace and growth. We don’t have to pitch our tent in the midst of failure. Instead, we can choose to move onward and upward. 

The Funny Side of Parenting

My preschool son declared, “When I grow up, I’m going to marry you, Mommy.”

“You can’t marry your own mother,” piped in my daughter.

“Then I’ll marry you,” he responded.

“You can’t marry me either.”

He looked confused, so I explained, “You can’t marry someone in your own family.”

“You mean I have to marry a total stranger?!” he cried.

Activities to NOT Fear Failure:

NO FEAR TREE: Have the children can trace their opened hand and part of their arm and make fingerprints in greens, oranges, browns and yellows as the “leaves” of a a tree. Children can write NO FEAR in some of their little fingerprint “leaves”, or other words of our story such as BE NOT AFRAID, JESUS WILL HELP ME, etc. This NO FEAR TREE paper could be glued onto a brown or orange piece of construction to make a pretty Fall poster.

GIVE THANKS POSTER: Give the children pictures or stickers to glue onto an orange piece of construction paper, with the title of GIVE THANKS FOR NO FEAR BECAUSE JESUS IS HERE.

PUMPKIN PATCH MATCH: Option 1: Teacher can have pumpkins cut out for a Match Game. Words to match (2 of each) could be HELP FROM JESUS, NO FEAR, DISCIPLES, TEMPLE, NO HARM, TRUST IN JESUS, etc.

Option 2: Children could take turns going to the PUMPKIN PATCH and taking a pumpkin off and seeing what is written behind the pumpkin on the poster.

FEAR FACES: Provide children with colored ink pads and index cards. Children will make a few finger prints on the card and use a thin ink pen or marker to draw a fearful face on each fingerprint. Children can then use a bright colored marker to write, ” HAVE NO FEAR FOR JESUS IS NEAR at the top of their card.

NO FEAR BUTTONS: Have each child cut out a round circle from card stock paper and color and decorate the edges. Write NO FEAR…JESUS IS NEAR and tape a small safety

Fall is just around the corner so I have included so Fall/No Fear ideas in this letter.  I hope you have fun using these ideas and sharing them with those with whom you work.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Advanced Leadership Training mentioned above. 

Keeping you all in my prayers as we face the rest of the week.  Know that you are loved and God is there for you and your family.

More next week.  Be Safe.