VBS (Vacation Bible School) .. 6/10-14.2013

VBS . Vacation Bible School . Psalm/Tehillim . King David . King Saul . II Samuel 22 . Gospel of John . II Chronicles 20 . Praises . Praise . God . Acts 16 . apostle Paul . Silas . Gospel of Mark . I Corinthians 13 . LOVE


Theme: 'Rock It Out!: Praising God without Limits ... yes even through sunshine & rain (good times & bad times) economic trials, sickness, bereavement, & natural storms around the world & at home.


June 14, 2013 ... Thoughts to Myself at Home During the Day ... No Cross, No Crown (song) ... II Corinthians 4:8; John 16:33


Pledges: Christian Pledge, Bible Pledge & American Flag Pledge


VBS Overview for week June 10, - June 14, 2013 (Monday-Friday)

6/10/2013 - Praise! God Is My Rock - Psalm/Tehillim 18; Psalm/Tehillim 18:1-6, 30-3, 46

6/11/2013 - Praise! God Is Present - Psalm/Tehillim 46; John 1:14 (Personal Assignment: Imagine writing an email to a friend, family member, or colleague sharing the importance of this lesson & truth found in Psalm/Tehillim 46)

6/12/2013 - Praise! God Hears - Psalm/Tehillim 18; Acts 16:25-32

6/13/2013 - Praise! God Receives My Love as Praise - Mark 12:28-31; I Corinthians 13 (Personal Assignment: Discover the problems that the Church in Corinth was experiencing (1) I Corinthians 1:10-4:21 (2) I Corinthians 5:1-13 (3) I Corinthians 7:1-40 (4) I Corinthians 11:2-34 (5) I Corinthians 12:1-14:40


6/14/2013 - Praise! God Delights in Celebration - Psalm/Tehillim 145; 150



6/10/2013 - Psalm/Tehillim 18; 18:1-6,30-33,46

Psalm 18 ... Royal Psalm of Thanksgiving. Slightly different version of this psalm is found in II Samuel 22. Source of protection & strength that God has proved Himself. David sought deliverance from extreme peril. Yahweh always deals righteously & faithfully with those who trust & obey Him. David success is only attributable to the activity of his God. David praises God.






6/11/2013 ... Psalm/Tehillim 46; John 1:14

John 1:14 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; He Is Called God. The Word became flesh. The Eternal Word entered into human life. Jesus Christ; Christ's Humanity; Christ's Incarnation.

Psalm/Tehillim 46 ... Great Deliverance such as Judah under Jehoshaphat (II Chronicles 20) or that of Jerusalem under Hezekiah ( II Kings 18:13-19:36). Works of God; God's providence in Moral Discipline; Defence & Protection of the Righteous in This Life. Eschatology/Last Things; Universal Peace. Works of God; Preservation; Perserves & Protects Man. External Nature; Waters; Rivers & Brooks; Metaphorical (symbolism/figurative)


6/12/2013 ... Psalm/Tehillim 18; Acts 16:25-32

Psalm/Tehillim 18 ... Song of The Victorious King. Royal Psalm of Thanksgiving. David's Psalm of Thanksgiving for God's Manifold & Marvellous Blessings. Safety from All Harm & Danger Promised. Victory Over Enemies & Trouble. The Lord's Love & Care for His Children. Joy & Peace & Rest Promised. Whosoever Will May Be Saved. Psalm of Gratitude: For Mercies shown to the psalmist. Psalms of Adoration: Of God's goodness & mercy; of God's power, majesty, & glory.

Acts 16:25-32 ... apostle Paul converted Lydia. Paul & Silas imprisoned, etc. God speaks by the earthquake & by His Word. The Gospel reaches Macedonia. Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey. God's intervention. Believe in the Lord Jesus, & you will be saved. Progress through persecution. (Matthew 18:20 - Reference Scripture in VBS Book)


6/13/2013 ... Mark 12:28-31; I Corinthians 13

I Corinthians 13 ... While Greeks praise wisdom & Romans power, the apostle Paul pens a Psalm in praise of love which stands alone, bypassed or ignored in a world of hate. The supremacy of love/Spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:1-14:40). Make love your aim.

Mark 12:28-31 ... The Jerusalem Ministry (Mark 11:1-13:37)

I Corinthians 1:10-4:21 ... Divisions In The Church; False Wisdom & the gospel; True Wisdom & the gospel; Misunderstanding concerning God's servants

I Corinthians 5:1-13 ... Case of immorality (Moral Disorders In The Church I Corinthians 5:1-6:20)

I Corinthians 7:1-40 ... Marriage; (Difficulties In Social Life I Corinthians 7:1-11:1)

I Corinthians 11:2-34 ... Veiling of Women; The Lord's Supper; Disorders In Public Worship

I Corinthians 12:!-14:40 ... Spiritual Gifts; Varities of; Unity in diversity; LOVE; Prophesying & tongues



6/14/2013 ... Psalm/Tehillim 145;150

Psalm/Tehillim 145-150 ... Psalms of Supplication; Relative to Public Worship

Psalm/Tehillim 145 ... David praises God for his goodness & for his special favour for the righteousness. Whosoever Will May Be Saved. The Lord's Love & Care For His Children. Pardon for Sins & Iniquities Promised. Food Provided for the Lord's Children. The Upright Are Blessed & Prospered. Safety from All Harm & Danger Promised. Psalms of Supplication; Relative to Public Worship. Psalms of Adoration; of God's goodness & mercy. Of God's power, majesty, & glory. Solo hymn intended to stimulate the congregation to appreciate & praise God's Kingship & the implicit reference to the harvest in verse 15 suggest that it was sung at The autumn festival, the Feast of Tabernacles.

Psalm/Tehillim 150 ... An exhortation to praise God. Probably stands also as a doxology to the 5th book and indeed to the entire Psalter. Doxology ... Public Worship of Praise to God. The 'Where' of praise; The 'Why' of praise; The 'How' of Praise & The 'Who' of Praise.




Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Edition Bible, The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, Zondervan Bible Commentary, & Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder

More than Words ... June 16, 2013 Sunday School Lesson

Genuine Worship . Worship . Cliches . Words . Prayer . Parable . Fasting . Isaiah . Jeremiah . Zechariah . Gospel of Luke . Warnings . Prophecies . Sunday School Lesson


The lesson for June 16, 2013 is shared from Isaiah 29:9-16a (Devotional Reading Luke 8:9-14). Unit I. The Prophet and Praise.

My Sunday School Lesson is coming from the Books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, and Isaiah for the week of June 16, 2013. I am sharing it early this week for I am in Vacation Bible School this week.

Isaiah 28-33 are a group of prophecies against Samaria & Judah, in which the prophet condemns the policy of relying on Egypt for help, and describes the overthrow of Sennacherib and the deliverance of Jerusalem.

The Assyrians and Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1-12)

The certainty of God's plans (Isaiah 29:13-24)


Isaiah 29:9-10

"Genuine Worship" vs "Words/Cliches"

Verses 9,10 ... Works Of God; The Purposes Of God; Reprobation

Reprobation ... a person who is condemned by God, hardened in sin

(Isaiah 29:1-8; Isaiah 51:21 - Reference Scripture in Sunday School Book)





Verses 11-14

Verses 11,12 ... Works Of God; The Purposes Of God; Reprobation

Verses 13,14 ... Duties To God; Prayer; Conditions of Acceptable Prayer, In Sincerity .... Fallen Man; Sins Against Our Neighbor; Hypocrisy

Worship . Integrity . Obey God

"Genuine Worship" vs "Words/Cliches"

Worship to God alone (Exouds 20:1; Deuteronomy 5:7; Luke 4:8; Revelation 19:10)

(John 4:24; Psalm/Tehillim 139:3; Psalm/Tehillim 139:1-4)


Verses 15,16 ... Fallen Man; Sins Against God; Impeaching His Attributes, His Knowledge

(Isaiah 28:15; Isaiah 45:9)


Luke 8:9-14 (The parable of the sower)

Luke's later ministry (Luke 8:1-9:50)

Luke (Lucas/Lucilius/Lucanus) the beloved physician, companion of the apostle Paul. Luke was probably a Syrian and Gentile of Antioch, and may have been converted by the apostle Paul.

Luke 8:9-14

Verses 9,10 ... Works Of God; The Purposes Of God; Individuals Elected

Verses 11,12,13,14 ... Scripture; Duty To Know & Obey Scripture; Hearers Cautioned

Verse 11 ... Scripture; Promulgation of Scripture; Instruction in Scripture

Promulgation ... decree, news, make known to the public


Monday - June 10, 2013 - Fruitless Worship - Isaiah 1:10-17

Jerusalem. present and future (Isaiah 1:!-5:30)

Judah's sickness (Isaiah 1:2-31)


Tuesday - June 11, 2013 - Worshipping Our Own Achievements - Isaiah 2:5-17

The day of judgment (Isaiah 2:1-22)


Wednesday - June 12, 2013 - Lives Untouched by Religious Observances - Isaiah 58:1-7

Judah after the return (Isaiah 56:1-66:24)

The Return of the Exiles (Isaiah 40:1-66:24)


Thursday - June 13, 2013 - Refusing to Listen - Jeremiah 13:1-11

Enacted Warnings (Jeremiah 13:1-27)

Prophecies Concerning God's Actions At Home & Aboard (Jeremiah 1:1-45:5)


Friday - June 14, 2013 - Tuning Out God - Zechariah 7:8-14

Questions about fasting, and answers (Zechariah 7:1-14)


Saturday - June 15, 2013 - Receiving the Word - Luke 8:9-15


Sunday - June 16, 2013 - Hearts Far from God - Isaiah 29:9-16a


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Edition Bible, The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, Zondervan Bible Commentary, & Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder

Sing & Shout ! ... 6/9/13 Sunday School Lesson

Psalm/Tehillim . I Chronicles . I Timothy . Gospel of Luke .Isaiah . God . Preserves & Protects . Thanksgiving . Praise . Sacred Rites & Forms . Worship . Music . Church-Fellowship . Apostasy . Sunday School Lesson

The lesson for June 9,2013 is shared from Isaiah 12 (Devotional Reading Psalm/Tehillim 92:1-8). Unit I. The Prophet & Praise.

Isaiah 12 ... A thanksgiving for the mercies of God.

Isaiah Chapters 7-12, prophecies belonging to the period of the Syro-Ephraimitish war; the prophecy of Immanuel, and the downfall of the Assyrians.

Isaiah 12-14:23, prophecies against Babylon.


Isaiah 12:1-2

Verse 1 ... Duties To God; Thanksgiving; For the Removal of God's Anger

Verse 2 .. Works Of God; Preservation; Preserves & Protects Man

(Exodus 15; Philippians 1:28; I Kings 12:20-21; Isaiah 5:25, 9:12; Genesis 12 - Reference Scriptures in Sunday School Book)


Verses 3-4

Verse 3 ... External Nature; Waters; Figurative

Verse 4 ... Everlasting Life & Heaven Promised

Verse 4 ... Duties To God; Praise; Praise Due to God

(Isaiah 55:1)




Verses 5-6

Verse 5 ... Duties To God; Thanksgiving; Exhortations to Thanksgiving

Verse 6 ... God; Attributes of God As Person; General Ascriptions of Greatness to God

(Psalm/Tehillim 33:1, 97:12; Exodus 15:1-8)


Psalm/Tehillim 92:1-8

Psalm/Tehillim 92... The prophet exhorts to praise God.

Psalms of Supplication: Relative to public worship... Psalms of Adoration: God's power, majesty, & glory... Didatic Psalms: Showing the blessings of God's people and the misery of his enemies.

Didatic ... Instruct; Instructive

Psalm/Tehillim 92:1-8

Verses 1,2 ... Duties To God; Thanksgiving; Exhortations to Thanksgiving

Verse 3 ... Sacred Rites & Forms; Sacraments, Worship, & Church-Fellowship; Music, In the Temple Service

Verses 4,5 ... Works Of God; Creation; The Creator Praised

Verse 6 ... Works Of God; God's Providence In Moral Discipline; The End of the Prosperity of the Wicked

Verse 7 ... God; Attributes Of God As Person; General Ascriptions of Greatness to God

Verse 8 ... Works Of God; God's Providence In Moral Discipline


Monday - June 3, 2013 - Giving Thanks Is Good - Psalm 92:1-8

Psalm 92 - The Relevance of Worship


Tuesday - June 4, 2013 - Coming into God's Presence with Thanksgiving - Psalm 95:1-7

Psalm 95 ... Obeisance & Obedience

Obeisance ... reverence, honor, bow, submission, respect


Wednesday - June 5, 2013 - Remembering God's Wonderful Works - I Chronicles 16:8-13

David & The Ark (I Chronicles 13:1-16:43)

The United Kingdom (I Chronicles 10:1-II Chronicles 9:31)


Thursday - June 6, 2013 - Giving Thanks & Praises to God - I Chronicles 29:10

The End of David's Reign & the Accession of Solomon (I Chronicles 28:1-29:30)


Friday - June 7, 2013 - Receiving God's Goodness with Thanksgiving - I Timothy 4:1-5

The apostasy described (I Timothy 4:1-5)

Dangers To The Church (I Timothy 4:1-16)

Apostasy ... renunciation of faith; abandonment of principles


Saturday - June 8, 2013 - Where Are The Nine? - Luke 17:11-19

The last journey to Jerusalem (Luke 17:11-19:27)

The Later Judaean Ministry (Luke 9:51-19:27)


Sunday - June 9, 2013 - Giving Thanks to the Lord - Isaiah 12

A thanksgiving hymn (Isaiah 12:1-6)

Oracles For Judah & Jerusalem (Isaiah 1:1-12:6)
le
Oracles ... divine inspiration, revelation


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Edition; The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible; Zondervan Bible Commentary & Reader's Digest Oxford Completer WordFinder

2 of 2 ... Ready & Waiting ... 5/26/2013

Repentance . Salvation . Day of the Lord . Christ's Second Coming . Holiness & Godliness . Last Judgment . False Teachers . Miracles . Eschatology/Last Things . Jesus/Yeshua . God . Heaven . Sunday School Lesson

Sunday School Lesson for 5/26/2013. Unit III. A Call to Holy Living. II Peter 3:1-15a (Devotional Reading John 14:1-7).

II Peter 3:9 ... Whosoever Will May Be Saved

John 14:3 ... Everlasting Life & Heaven Promised


II Peter 3:1-7

Verses 1,2 ... Scripture; Duty To Know & Obey Scripture; The Law Remembered

Verses 3,4 ... Fallen Man; Sins Against God; Impeaching His Attributes, His Veracity

Veracity ... truthfulness, honesty, accuracy

Verse 3 ... scoffers are those who speak derisively of serious issue, mock, ridicule

Verse 5 ... Works of God; Creation, God Created the Universe

Verse 6 ... Miracles; Miracles In Water; References to the Deluge

Deluge ... the Biblical flood (Genesis 6-8)

Verse 7 ... Eschatology/Last Things; The Last Judgment; The World to Be Destroyed

Verse 7 ... the heavens and earth ... reserved unto fire against the day of judgment





Verses 8-12

Verse 8 ... God; Attributes of God As Being; Eternity

Verse 8 ... one day with the Lord is as a thousand years ... God's time-table is different than man's

Verse 9 ... Works of God; The Purposes of God; Has No Pleasure in Their Death

Verse 9 ...not willing that any should perish

Verses 10,11,12 ... Eschatology/Last Things; The Last Judgment; The World to Be Destroyed

Verse 10 ... day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night ... elements shall melt with fervent heat ... earth also and the works shall be burned up

Verse 11 ... all these things shall be dissolved ... holy conversation & godliness

Verse 12 ... heavens being on fire shall be dissolved .. elements shall melt with fervent heat?

(I Thessalonians 5:2 - Reference Scripture in Sunday School Book)


Verses 13-15

Verses 13,14 ... Eschatology/Last Things; The Last Judgment; The New Heavens & the New Earth

Verse 14 ... dwelleth righteousness

Verse 15 ... Scripture; Characteristics of Scripture; Hard to Understand ... God; Attributes of God As Person; Longsuffering


John 14:1-7

Verse 1 ... Man Redeemed; Faith; Immunities & Rewards of Faith, Security

Verses 2,3 ... Eschatology/Last Things; Heaven; Description of Heaven, A House of Many Mansions

Verses 4,5 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Ministry; Christ's Reception by Men, Misunderstood by the People

Verse 6 ... Jesus Christ; Offices Of Christ; Our Mediator

Verse 7 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Is Made Equal with God


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Edition Bible, The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible & Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder

1 of 2 ... Ready & Waiting ... 5/26/2013

Distressing . Stressful . Warnings . False Prophets . Prophecies . Judgment . Rich Oppressors . Repentance . God . Hope . Christ's Second Coming . Day of the Lord

My Sunday School Lesson for the week of May 26, 2013 is coming from Jeremiah, James, Hosea, Micah, John and II Peter.


Monday - May 20.2013 - Distressing Times Will Come - II Timothy 3:1-9

The Last Day (II Timothy 3:1-9)

Their Characteristics (II Timothy 3:1-9)


Tuesday - May 21, 2013 - Warnings for False Prophets - Jeremiah 23:23-32

Prophecies relating to kings and false prophets (Jeremiah 21:1-25:38)

Prophecies Concerning God's Action at Home & Abroad (Jeremiah 1:1-45:5)


Wednesday - May 22, 2013 - Warning for Rich Oppressors - James 5:1-6

Sins, Social & Spiritual (James 2:1-5:6)







Thursday - May 23, 2013 - Return to the Lord - Hosea 14:1-7

Final Appeal (Hosea 14:1-9)

Rabbinic expositors use the passage as the basis for teaching on repentance (Hosea 14:1-9)


Friday - May 24, 2013 - Teaching the Ways of God - Micah 4:1-5

The Lord's future reign (Micah 4:1-5)

Hope For The Future (Micah 4:1-5:15)


Saturday - May 25, 2013 - I Will Come Again - John 14:1-7

Comfort for the disciples in distress (John 13:36-14:31)

The Upper Room Ministry (John 13:1-21:25)


Sunday - May 26, 2013 - The Promise of the Lord's Coming - II Peter 3:3-15a

God's Future Plans (II Peter 3:1-10)

Practical Lessons and Conclusions (II Peter 3:11-18)

God is graciously giving rebellious men (human kind) time for repentance .... The day of the Lord will come; suddenly and unexpected arrival.


Scripture reference used/taken from: Zondervan Commentary

Our Troops .. Encourage Them & Their Families .. Book Review (2007)

Troops . Flag Day . Military Families . Active Duty . Reserve . Matthew 25 . Care Packages

As we know Flag Day is June 14, 2013.

Sharing suggestions from a book I reviewed over five years ago ...
Be a source of strength and encouragement for military families as these committed soliders, both active duty and reserve, protect our freedoms and defend.

Several ways churches can help military families feel appreciated:

Post prayer reminders in church bulletins listing parishioners or their family members still in action, and hold a special service to honor them.

Ask families and Sunday School class to adopt military members. Check on their loved ones. Pray for and write them.

Take donations for care packages (The Department of Defense recommends using Operation USA Care Package, http://www.usocares.org) Include items such as church bulletins, prepaid long-distance cards (available at http://www.operationuplink.org). (Camouflage pocket-sized New Testaments and devotionals are available from Campus Crusade for Christ's Military Ministry, http://www.milmin.org)

Start support groups for spouses of deployed members.




Ellie Kay -- If Bob knows that when he returns from his mission he will have a loving family waiting for him, he is better equipped to perform at the height of his capabilities.

Matthew 25:34-36,40

Jesus also explained that good works alone will not ensure someone a place in heaven. We can't board a chartered "Works Plane" to get us to heaven.

A reserved solider is part of the country's armed forces, subject to call in an emergency.

Our nation called upon its army of volunteers when in 2005 Hurrican Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.

Rick Warren -- Great opportunities to serve never last long. They pass quickly, sometimes never to return again. You may only get one chance to serve that person, so take advantage of the moment.

Tips shared from "What's in the Bible for Women" by Georgia Curtis Ling & Larry Richards, Ph D.

(Georgia is an author & well-liked speaker. She has been teaching & helping women find answers through the Bible. She graduated from Kentucky Christian University with a major in Bible in 1979).

(Dr. Larry Richards -- General Editor, was converted while in the Navy in the 1950's. He has written several Sunday School curriculum for every age group. He has published more than 200 books & his books have been translated into 26 languages).

Confident Parenting ... Book Review

Book Review . Parenting . Children . Child . God . Galatians 6:2 . Shema . Deuteronomy 6 . Mentor . Faith . Grandchildren . Proverbs 18:21 . Matthew 16:26 . Father's Day

I thought that this would be a great book to share for 2013 Father's Day, which will be June 16, 2013.

Sharing tips from a book I reviewed over five years ago.

When a child comes into your home, he or she doesn't come with an owner's manual, warranty, or guarantee. Nobody sent us to parent - training school.

This book won't give you easy answers, but it does offer a road map, one drawn by God himself, who made caring for your family your highest calling on earth.

Is your parenting working? It will never be perfect, but it is supposed to be working.

For now, be aware that you may need to use the word "no" more than you would like in order to raise your kids to be responsible adults.

Frankly, you can't do much about the decisions of your spouse, or even your kids when they reach a certain age. Make decisions about your own life.

God's promise to you is found in an old proverb: "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

You can choose to recover from your family's past or repeat it.

The author admits that there is alcoholism on both sides of his family. His choice is either to recover or repeat, so he choose not to drink.

Dan Chun is a good friend of the author and a pastor in Honolulu. Several years ago, he was looking to hire a youth worker for his church and called the author for some suggestions. The author gave him two names: an all-star youth worker and the other was yet unproven. Dan decided not to take the all-star. He told the author he only hire broken people to minister in his congregation.



Bill Hubels has written about coming to a place in his life where he needed to make some changes if his ministry relationship to his wife, and his role as a father were going to be successful.

He wrote, "there was no way he could continue to lead, teach, feed and grow his church with so many broken pieces rattling inside him.

Paul's advice to the church of Galatia is good for everybody (Galatians 6:2).

VDPs' -- Very Draining Persons

VIP's -- Very Inspiring Persons

We can - and should - make parenting decisions based on the eternal perspective.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 "Shema" in the Bible. It is the Hebrew word from the Old Testament. It means to listen or to hear.

The word "Shema" (pronounced she-MA) - to listen, to hear, morning blessings, bedtime prayer, special dedication, such as "home blessings."

No one is perfect. The cry of the Hebrew people was that there was one God, Yahweh, or Adonai.

Yes, the church community has a role, but parents must take ownership of transmitting faith to the next generation.

Each child is unique.

Every six months the author and his wife spend a half day talking about their kids. What areas need work?

A few years ago the author and his family visited Israel during the Jewish Passover. It was a most incredible time to visit the Holy Land, because of the preparation, Worship, and family traditions that happen at this very sacred time of year. They were doing what the Bible told them to do (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

At mealtime, read a Scripture, say a prayer, share a prayer concern, and light a candle to remember a loved one.

Storybooks are good for younger kids; hang-out time is better for older ones.

Focus on traditions that are meaningful to your family.

Ten Commandments: Lesson for finding peace in an over-crowded life. Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it Holy. Sabbath - Rest.

The pace of life is destroying families. It makes good people act crazy and makes otherwise healthy people become vulnerable to sickness, broken relationships and to sin.

The reason the author know and write about the effects of busyness is because it has so often been the story of his own life.

"What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26 NKJV)

The author and his wife spend a great deal of time helping people in pastoral ministry with their marriages and families. In this last year, they have heard from people struggling with pain and problems, from affairs and addictions to abuse and wayward children.

So what's the answer yo these pace-of-life issues? The author believes it is found in the lesson of the Sabbath.

A half day of Sabbath rest is better than no time at all.

4 Elements of A Healthy Sabbath for the Burns Family:

Rest - Refresh - Restore - Recreation

Lesson of A.W.E. - Affection, Warmth, Encouragement

Request a prescription of A.W.E.

There is no such thing as a house without conflict, but by working relentlessly to reduce stress in your family, you promote a warm environment.

No one can live successfully until he or she masters self-control.

Your words have power. They can either provide life and build up or they can destroy. Even when correcting your children, it is important to choose your words wisely.

Children need to learn that life is not fair and that there are consequences to wrong choices.

Your words have great power with your children. (Proverbs 18:21).

Your words have power to destroy or to heal. Use your words with your kids to bring out the best in them.

You are a role model to your children.

You are a mentor to your kids.

"Build a legacy of faith for your children and your grandchildren. Continue doing the best you can, and with God's help you will see wonderful results."

There is much to be done and much to be taught. You have learned the lessons of parenting.

The great philosopher Soren Kierkiegaard told a story about ducks that came from an imaginary country where only ducks live. One Sunday morning, all the mother and father ducks headed to church with their children waddling behind them.

They entered the doors and sat in their duck pews, sang songs from their duck hymnals, and gave to under privileged ducks at the offering time. When the duck preacher got up to proclaim the message, he was very dynamic. He opened his duck Bible and screamed, "Ducks, you can fly!" You have wings and you can fly like eagles."

The ducks all chanted. We can fly, we can fly!" He asked, "Do you believe you can fly?" He screamed again, "We can soar through the skies!" They all shouted, "Amen." With that the pastor closed his duck Bible and dismissed his congregation of ducks. Then they all waddled back home.

Your words are important, but they can only go so far. The message to our children will be very similar to that of the duck pastor. After he told them they could fly, he needed to show them by spreading his own wings and soaring above the clouds.

The author, Jim Burns, Ph.D. is heard daily in over 800 communities. He speaks to 1,000's around the world each year through marriage & family seminars & conferences. He earned his M.A. in Christian Education from Princeton Theological Seminary & his Ph.D. in Religious Education from Greenwich School of Theology.