2-4-22 This Week in Faith
/The Grove in February
In Sunday school, we’re finishing up talking about Joseph and the book of Genesis, and starting on the story of Moses in Exodus.
Scripture Memory: Matthew 17:20
Student Ministry in February
The Mix is Feb. 25-27: There is still time to sign up and invite a friend to join us. It will be a great weekend for middle and high school students. CLICK HERE to sign up.
Super Bowl Party is Feb. 13 @6PM: For middle and high school students. We’ll watch the game, eat, and hang out. CLICK HERE if you’d like to sign up to bring something.
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Parental Comfort v. God’s Comfort
It can be so hard to help our kids with their fears, or most anything else, especially when we are weary and worn out. And so many times, at least in my parenting, it leads me to compromise what I think is best for the long term, for a little bit of peace in the present. Now, don’ get me wrong. There are times when I am desperate enough for those quiet moments that I’m willing to sacrifice my kids’ long term gain. But what I forget in so many of those moments is that there is something better for me to give my kids than my tired self: I can give them the God who never tires. Sometimes it can feel like more work to point our kids to Jesus in the middle of difficult moments but he is what will truly bring comfort in the midst of their fears. This article is a good reminder of all of this. And she gives us a practical list of Scripture we can use to bring comfort and peace to our kids [and to us].
Click here to read the article by Julie Lowe.
Why Did God Make Her Like This?
“So the next time our children ask, ‘Why is she like that?’ We can answer genuinely, ‘I don’t know why God chose this but I trust God with it. God is good to us and it’s part of his purpose for our family. ‘”
This article is a look inside one mom’s conversations with her kids about their sister with special needs. Helping kids understand why some kids are born with special needs can be challenging. But it’s important to help them develop a compassion and love for every kid around them, no matter what differences may exist. I’m grateful for the things God has taught our family through the kids with special needs we have had in our house over the years. Our kids are definitely better for it. But that doesn’t discount the hardships that come with it. And some of you can testify to both these joys and difficulties much more than we can. I hope this article is an encouragement to those of you who have kids with special needs in your homes. And I hope it is helpful for all of you as you help your kids understand this reality.
Click here to read the article by Laura Wifler.
A Parent’s Story: Living at the Pace of Grace
Pursuing a prodigal child is a painful journey. This is one parent’s story of watching their child walk away from their faith and their family to pursue a relationship with someone of the same sex. She is honest about how difficult this has been. And she shares how prayer and the “art of loving” are powerful tools for staying connected to kids who are running from Jesus. If you are living a similar story in your family, I hope you will find encouragement in the ways God is sustaining these parents through a difficult valley.
Click here to read the article from Harvest USA.
VIDEOS: Sanctity of Human Life
It was great to have Miriam Nelson, Executive Director of Athens Pregnancy Center, here at our missions conference last Sunday. I hope you were able to hear what God is doing through their ministry in our community- how you can pray, how you can celebrate, and how you can be involved. Below are 2 videos that they have been using over the last month. One is about choosing life in general and the other is about the pregnancy center more specifically. Both videos are beautifully done and good reminders for us.
Click here to watch Worth It from Alliance Defending Freedom.
Click here to watch Sanctity of Life 2022 from Athens Pregnancy Center.
