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For Those With Ears - Entries tagged "Higher Ground"

ThuThursdayNovNovember10th2011

The B-I-B-L-E!

Posted Thursday, November 10 2011 @ 1 PM byJeannie Coros Tagged Higher Ground 0 comments Add comment

Oh the B-I-B-L-E,

Yes, that’s the book for me,

I stand alone on the Word of God,

The B-I-B-L-E

BIBLE!

Remember it? We loved it when Pastor Mike led our Awana kids in this timeless classic during Party with the Pastors. What a great reminder for our children that the Bible is the most important book ever written.

As Pastor Todd swung his sword last Sunday, and taught us from Hebrews 4, that “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword”, I was reminded that I should never treat his Word lightly, but with reverence and awe.

I was blessed to be in with the older Awana clubbers during their teaching time last week, when their director Mrs. Hicks shouted out, "Swords up" and one excited child exclaimed, "I love sword drills", as she thrust her Bible up in the air, awaiting the Scripture verse to search for.

Is that how we feel every time we open the Word of God? “I can’t WAIT to hear from the Lord." "I just can’t get enough of it!"

When did that start for you? Were you taught as a child to love opening your Bible, that it was truly the living Word, that the words were actually God-breathed?

I was teaching in Higher Ground one morning, had just opened in prayer and was ready to get into the Word. I asked the kids to get their Bibles out so we could search for the passage together. There was one child with their Bible out of about 30 kids.

We all know that children are sponges; they are just waiting to soak up information daily. In children’s ministry at Harvest, we can’t wait to open our Bibles and hear from our great God. We spend time memorizing Scripture. We talk A LOT about "storing God’s Word in our heart" (Psalm 119:11) and how we can use Scripture to protect us, to help us when we’re struggling. We’ve demonstrated that learning the Word of God is truly like putting on armor, complete with a sword and shield! They get it! Doesn’t it amaze you how quickly kids memorize? Let’s not hold back. Let’s make sure our kids truly understand the gift we’ve been given - the Bible.

I am thankful to be surrounded by strong families, who love God, love their kids and love others. It’s so evident that you are hungry to hear a word from God after you drop your kids off and head to service, with your Bible tucked under your arm.

Let’s make sure we’re equipping our kids to do the same – if they don’t have a Bible, visit our bookstore, they can hook you up. Christmas is coming……what a perfect gift!

(Check out this link to an amazing ESV Children’s Bible – great for kids grades 1-5)

TueTuesdayAugAugust23rd2011

Which way to the Beach?

Posted Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 11 AM byJeannie Coros Tagged Higher Ground 0 comments Add comment

Well….this Sunday, August 28, you’ll find the beach in the field at Timothy Christian School from 2-4 p.m. All Higher Ground families are invited to join the SonSurf Beach Team for a time of fun, games, fellowship and ICE CREAM!

We are excited to share what your kids have been learning all summer. We were blessed with an incredible team of volunteer youth who worked tirelessly each week in many capacities. Some led a great time of worship as we jumped and shouted for Jesus. Our drama team provided entertainment and presented important lessons on who Jesus is and why we should ‘join up’ with him. Others led exciting games, fun crafts and teams.

Can I just tell you what a joy and pleasure it is to work alongside these kids? I regularly witness them pouring into God’s Word, sharing their gifts with others, joyfully worshipping, praying together and serving with gladness. I think about them often, as I read through a book entitled What about me? - The spiritual crisis that threatens to overwhelm Canada’s children by Rob Lukings. The author talks about the fact that this current generation of kids is unlike any we have seen before. They are far more consumer oriented; they live in a world of incredible technological advances and are accustomed to a variety of family arrangements. The author feels that, more than ever, Satan has launched an all out war on children and I completely agree with him. As it says in 1 Peter 5:8, “your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour’”. With this in mind, I feel blessed to be a part of a church that preaches the Word of God boldly and unapologetically. Strong family values are upheld because they are important to God and we are all about bringing glory to him alone. This is what our children are experiencing; in Higher Ground, Awana, Youth and in each other’s homes. We are rising up against the attacks and equipping our children. I see the fruit of that each Sunday morning.

Our children are so vulnerable and impressionable and we need to be more than intentional about parenting them, especially this generation. So thank you, parents, for partnering with us, as we seek to lead and guide them each Sunday. Thank you to parents of our youth, for supporting them, and allowing the Lord to use them so effectively for his service.

We look forward to hanging out with you this Sunday afternoon and celebrating the God-given blessing of family and fellowship.

See you at the beach!!