Meet The RIZERS

If you think about the human brain and its capacity to gain new information every day....it blow your mind. Not literally. The human brain has such a large capacity to obtain and retain information that scientist say we only use less than 20% of its capacity. We could be doing so much more!

As I ponder this, I think of all the things I already know. I know a lot of songs but not a whole lot of scripture. I want my kids to memorize scripture too so they can "hide God's word in their hearts". As we all know, putting scripture to music or learning it in a fun way, increases the longevity of memorization. This is where the RIZERS come in. I found this fun, rockin' group that puts scripture to upbeat music. I ordered their cd and my kids love it - and I do too! Check out their website and order their cd. Their cd comes in a 5 pack...so use you have one for each vehicle and to give as gifts. It will be the best purchase you make for 2011.

Let's help our children, and ourselves, RIZE UP and become RIZERS by memorizing more scripture.

Tobacco Candy

"A new group of nicotine products is coming under fire for packaging that is similar to candy. Camel Orbs (packaged as Tic Tac look-alikes), Camel Sticks (dissolvable toothpick-sized sticks), and Camel Strips (similar to dissolvable breath-freshening strips), are a few of the smokeless and spitless tobacco items that pose serious health concerns. Research from The Harvard School of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows 1,768 cases of poisoning in children between 2006 and 2008 involved smokeless tobacco products. It's not just accidental ingestion, but also purposeful ingestion of these products that is a concern. A survey by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth showed that 39% of those under age 18 thought Camel Orbs were candy or gum and 28% of those youths said they would try a smokeless tobacco product based on its packaging." Quote from K Magazine, Nov./Dec., 2010

How About You?

How About You?

Are you drifting along with the crowd? Have you thought that if everybody else is doing something, it must be okay? Do things you know are wrong sometimes seem not so bad now? If they do, ask Jesus to forgive you for going the easy way and drifting away from Him. Be faithful in studying His Word and obeying it. Each day, ask God to help you, protect you, and keep you close to Him.

Memorize:

Do not be conformed to this world. Romans 12:2

What is Your Favorite Verse?

There are many verses in the Bible that have strengthened and encouraged me. My all-time favorite verse is Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." This has been an encouragement to me through high school, college and the first years of marriage. I know that through some pretty rough times, it was God's strength that carried me.

What is your favorite verse and why?

To Die or Not to Die...That is the Question

I heard this quote recently, "Is this the hill I want to die on?" Now I ask myself that a lot. Especially when dealing with confrontation and even simply, when dealing with my children. I also ask myself, "I know how they are acting is wrong, but is it my job to settle their differences?" Sometimes it is and other times it is not. Sometimes my children need to resolve it themselves. And sometimes, if I ignore the situation, they work it out on their own. I can usually do laundry in a corner and tune out the voices. Can you? To Die or Not to Die...That is the Questions!

Prayer Time with My Kids

In our home, we have prayer time before meals, before bed, before traveling on long trips, and other random times throughout the week. I often pray with my girls when we've had to discipline them, when they're scared, or when a friend or family member is sick or hurt. I love these inspirational moments. They are inspirational because I am often the one who is blessed. We pray with our children to teach them how to pray and to raise them to be spiritual champions, but sometimes I am the one receiving the blessing. I love to hear them talk to God at the end of the day and it gives me a window into their heart.

I often hear mom's say that they wish their husbands would pray with their kids at bedtime, etc. I also hear mom's say that they wish they weren't the only ones leading their children on their spiritual journey. Maybe some dads do need to take a more active role, but I can't stop doing what I'm already doing. I thoroughly enjoy praying with my kids and am amazed at the influence it has on their lives. I don't want to miss out on the joy it brings me...nor the one-on-one time it gives us each day.

Recommended reading on this topic: Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. This book has been my resource for years. It provides verses and prayers on so many topics!

Stay Blessed!

Attention all 56ers!!

I am so excited to tell you about the upcoming 56er events!! This is going to be a great year for you!

First, the new 56er room is being painted this week and then carpet and lighting are soon to follow. We also want to purchase a basketball hoop for the room. To do this, we are asking each 56er family to donate $10.00. If you can help us out, bring your money to Lynette by August 29^th.

Secondly, this Friday, August 20^th, is our social at Don & Sandy Helmuth’s. It’s from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Some of you have been given assigned food to bring. We are also hoping to hand out 56er t-shirts to those of you who ordered them. Reply to this email if you need more information. We hope to see you there! FYI- don’t wear your best clothes! And parents - carpool with other parents and you don't have to stay...drop off your kiddos and be back by 9 p.m.

Finally, mark your calendars for November 5-7, 2010. We are planning a 56ers Fall Retreat at Spring Hill. The plans are very tentative, so mark your calendars in pencil. We leave Friday night and will return home Sunday after lunch. We will need some parents to go along as well. The cost is $109/student and $99/adult. Start saving because this is a weekend you don’t want to miss. This is an event we plan to schedule every other year – it is a rites of passage you will never forget! Check out their website: springhillcamps.com.