Lesson Loop 12.31.09

This past Tuesday at Third Place we watched the movie "Expelled", which was an excellent documentary done by Ben Stein. This movie highlights how in both the academic and scientific realms, those who believe in "Intelligent Design" as the theory for how our universe originated are being silenced and penalized.

It was very thought-provoking, and I encourage you as parents to check out the website and ask your children about the movie. If you click the picture, it will take you to the website.

"Expelled" doesn't come from a distinctively Christian perspective (Ben Stein is Jewish), but it does a great job at showing that Evolution is nothing more than a theory (and a very implausible one at that), and in actuality the more we learn about science the more and more the Biblical creation gains credibility. I also believe the best thing the movie does is show the hopelessness of those who adopt an atheistic/Darwinian perspective.

We are planning on following up this next Tuesday and discussing this movie from a Biblical perspective. I am looking forward to it!

CPYU One-Day Seminar

I mentioned this seminar at the parent's meeting, and so I wanted to give you that information once again. If you click on the picture, it will take you to the webpage for more info on the times, place and what to expect. I believe if you have the opportunity to go, you will be blessed.

As I mentioned before, I will be gone with the students for Planet Wisdom during this time, and so I cannot attend unfortunately. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Thanks again for partnering with us!

Taking it Home

Just wanted to remind parents that there are take home papers in the student ministries shelves at church each week.
These papers coordinate with the Sunday School lesson and offer some ideas to dialogue with your children about the lesson and apply what they have learned.
Check them out!

Leaping for Joy

As I am studying Luke 1 right now, I am struck with verse 44 which talks about Elizabeth and her unborn baby John the Baptist - "For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy."
I have always read this and realized how this evidences God's call on John the Baptist's life. But I don't know if I ever considered how this proves that unborn babies are distinct persons who are capable of emotions such as joy. But it does.
And this isn't the only Scripture that teaches us to protect unborn life. But it sure is a good one.

Real World Parents 12.16.09

Parent Newsletter

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens


2. Learn Their Lingo


3. Links to Learn From


4. A Little Encouragement...And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Faith Like Mary

Our hope this week is to prod our kids to be inspired by—and to aspire after—Mary’s faith. We hold her up as a role model not because she was extraordinary (which she was) but because she was also a normal…

Read More:

http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/faith_like_mary/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Elf-Esteem = The feeling of being overworked, underappreciated and like you don't exist to others during the holidays while in actuality the season's success depends on you.

Wiper Beat = When the windshield wipers on your car sync up with the music on your car radio.

3. Links to Learn From

Survey: 15 percent of teens get sexual text messages
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/15/pew.sexting.survey/

Plasticizer may be tied to boys’ breast enlargement
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BD39920091214

Boy Sent Home For Drawing Of Crucifixion
http://wbztv.com/local/taunton.cross.drawing.2.1370369.html

4. A Little Encouragement...And Humor

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

- Burton Hillis

Real World Parents

Parent Newsletter

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens


2. Learn Their Lingo


3. Links to Learn From


4. A Little Encouragement...And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Big Grace

One of the challenges of parenting for Christians is that we want our kids to be as excited about God’s unbelievable grace and forgiveness as we are—but we still want them to perform. We pray they’ll be absolutely convinced that…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/big_grace/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Brodie = A combination of the two words "brother" and "buddy"

I.M.Y = I miss you

3. Links to Learn From

Parents’ Sex Talk with Kids: Too Little, Too Late
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1945759,00.html

NATION: Obesity in some children tied to DNA, study finds
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-tc-nw-briefs-1206-12070dec07,0,673593.story

Character says new tests show Go Go Pets are safe
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSGEE5B61Q720091207?type=marketsNews&utm

4. A Little Encouragement...And Humor

It’s not what you leave to your children, it’s what you leave in your children

- Author Unknown

A Bible Adventure

Looking for an interesting way to get into the Word of God? Check out  www.dailyaudiobible.com

I began listening through the Word of God earlier this year, and it has been a really edifying experience. While I have always found it difficult to read through the Bible in a year, as I have been listening through it, I have found it more engaging, and I am discovering passages I haven't read in years.

I encourage you to check it out and see if it's for you - especially if you are struggling to have a consistent, fruitful time in God's Word.

You can listen on your computer or subscribe to the podcast and have it loaded on your ipod or smartphone each day.

Regardless of how you get into God's Word, get into it. It is the adventure of a lifetime.

The Scoop :]

We have a lot of great activities going on this Winter. If you are finding it challenging to keep tabs on everything, here are the many ways to find out what is going on:

1. There is a rack in the hallway with the block glass windows, at the end that is closest to the youth room. It has flyers and permission slips for all of our trips plus take-home calendar cards of upcoming events. You'll also find magazines and other great resources for parents and teens. Help yourself!

2. You can look at the calendar on the church website. Student Ministries items are in green.

3. Parents of high school students can also use the calendar on the ThirdPlace website. We're just getting into the habit of using that, but it will soon be a great one one-stop shopping place for everything going on @ ThirdPlace.

4. If your son or daughter is in a growth group, get to know their growth group leader. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have, and we'd love to talk to you about how your teen can make the most of their years at Lucid or ThirdPlace.