Loving children like Jesus does

“Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.” 

Henry Ward Beecher 

His nickname was “Sparky.” For Sparky, school was all but impossible. He failed every subject in the eighth grade, every subject!. He flunked physics in high school, getting a grade of zero. Sparky also flunked Latin, Algebra, and English. He didn’t do much better in sports. Although he did manage to make the school’s golf team, he promptly lost the only important match of the season. There was a consolation match…he lost that too. 

  Throughout his youth, Sparky was awkward, socially. He wasn’t actually disliked by the other kids; no one really cared that much. He was astonished if a classmate ever said hello to him outside of school. There’s no way to tell how he might have done at dating. Sparky never asked a girl to go out in high school. He was too afraid of being turned down.

  Sparky was a loser. He, his classmates…everyone knew it. So he rolled with it. Sparky had made up his mind early in life that if things were meant to work out they would. Otherwise, he would content himself with what appeared to be his inevitable mediocrity.

  But there was one thing that was important to Sparky — drawing. He was proud of his artwork. Of course, no one else appreciated it. In his senior year of high school, he submitted some cartoons to the editors of the yearbook. You already know what happened – his cartoons were turned down. Despite this particular rejection, Sparky was so convinced of his ability that he decided to become a professional artist. So, after completing high school, he wrote a letter to Walt Disney Studios. He was told to send some samples of his artwork and the subject for a cartoon was suggested.

  Sparky drew the proposed cartoon. He spent a great deal of time on it and on all of the other drawings he submitted. Finally, the reply came from Disney Studios. He’d been rejected once again. Another loss for the loser.

  So Sparky decided to write his own autobiography…in cartoons. He described his childhood self — a little boy loser and chronic underachiever.

  His cartoon character would soon become famous worldwide. For Sparky, the boy who had such a lack of success in school and whose work was rejected again and again, was none other than the great Charles Schulz. He created the Peanuts comic strip and the little cartoon character whose kite would never fly and who never succeeded in even kicking a football —Charlie Brown.

  Through the years I’ve met a lot of  “Charlie Browns.” It’s heartbreaking. You could be sitting next to an adult version of one at church or perhaps work with one, or live near one.

  Early on I began ministering to children. As a junior higher, I would accompany a godly adult leader, Jim Pendley, along with other boys to assist with a Sunday school in a nearby low-income housing project.

  Both Jane and I cut our teeth together in ministering to children. After college, Jane taught second grade. When we were married, we taught a pre-school Sunday school class together. One of the tykes from that class is now a pastor in Madison.

  My heart is filled with many faces from over the years. Many of them were hurting children from horrible homes, who were true victims. In both LaCrosse and Danville, IL, I ministered in bus ministries where we picked up area children. Often the children had to get themselves up to get ready because Mom or Dad were still sleeping off the previous night’s “activities.” In those two churches, we had nearly a hundred children who rode the bus to church. Forty years later I’m still in contact with some of those trophies of God’s grace!

  Our Vacation Bible School kicks off on August 1^st. Becca Mueller, the director of our VBS is praying for 50. Becca never does anything halfway. The team is trained and prepared and supplies have been ordered. Next Sunday we’ll have a prayer of dedication for them in our worship service. YOU though are a key part of this making an eternal impact. We need you to invite children that God has brought into your circle of influence.

  Yet, there are some big hindrances in us reaching these children – social bigotry and lack of faith. I’ve watched it over the years. In fact, as a troubled teen after my Mom was killed, I became that teen that church parents instructed their kids to stay away from because I was a “bad kid.” Praise the Lord for a godly youth pastor, named Kent Richards, who reached out with Christ’s love to me.

  Christian parents, please read the Bible for yourself. You can’t isolate or protect your children from all of the bad stuff and evil people out there. Instead, trust God and prayerfully use your kids as gospel bridges. If God can’t protect your children, what makes you believe that you’ll be able to?

  Who should you look for? What kids should be on your radar? Who should you invite to your dinner table or to come over to play? Who should you invite to VBS or give a ride to church or a kids’ or teen program?

  The quiet kid. This is the child you hardly know is there. They may have learning issues or a disability. Perhaps they’ve learned at home or at school that it’s safer to be quiet.

  The unattractive kid. Maybe they're overweight or skinny. Body shaming happens at church and in church ministries too. It’s usually subtle but it’s there. In a world where attractiveness puts you on the A list, being average or less, or not meeting some societal standard of attractiveness can carry a high price.

  The awkward kid. In a culture that’s sports-driven, heaven help the child with two left hands. They quickly know how few skills they have by the nicknames or that they’re always picked last when teams are chosen.

  The misbehaving kid. Some children misbehave because of a disability. Everyone wants at least some acknowledgment and attention. They want their personhood.

  Or, if you can’t get good attention, you’ll opt for bad attention. Frequently, children act out the drama of their home. Anger, tantrums, sullenness can be a way of coping with a poor home life. Alcohol and drugs can be an attempt at self-medication. Promiscuity is a cry for intimacy, love, and acceptance. Every child wants to be accepted and loved.

  Often Christian parents keep their children away from children who come from troubled homes; divorce, addiction, sexual issues, etc., but those children are not contagious. The Bible speaks often about not judging a child because of the sins of the parents. It’s why it’s so important that we reach out to those who often fall in the cracks. It’s what Jesus did and it’s what He has called us to do. VBS is a great place to start! Will you reach out to the children God has brought across your path?

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

Children are God's Gift

 “Fathers and mothers do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear… Imitation is a far stronger principle with children than memory. What they see has a much stronger effect on their minds than what they are told.”  J.C. Ryle 

  A man shared with his pastor that for years he went to church at Christmas and watched as the advent candle was lit by these beautiful families, so well-dressed, well-mannered, and well-spoken. He thought to himself: “I wish I was living in a family like that. I wish my family was so put together.” What he didn't know is that beneath the surface of so many of those apparently perfect families were real-life problems and challenges. 

  Families aren’t just for perfect Facebook or Instagram posts. It’s not just for cheery-faced families or individuals with Hallmark-card lives. Our Heavenly Father is a God who loves and cares deeply for people with real struggles. There are no perfect families. Read the Bible and you’ll quickly discover some very messed up families. It's why we need the cross! Wonderfully, we have a perfect loving Heavenly Father.

  I laughed when I read one Mommy blogger who posted: “Do you know how many parenting experts there are out there? At least 3 billion. If you include random strangers in grocery stores offering free advice on how you should raise your kids, closer to 5 billion. Parenting gurus with research and thought-provoking philosophies. Books filled with creative ideas for cajoling babies to eat, poop, and sleep on command. For every child behavior issue, there are twenty experts with solutions.” The truth is there are a lot of opinions on parenting but only one true Authority. He created us and knows what’s best for us and our children.

  This morning we are having a child dedication for several Grace Church families. More accurately though it’s a Parent Dedication. These parents are committing to raise their children in a way that pleases the Lord and according to God’s Word. But because there is some confusion on what it means to dedicate a child to the Lord, let me explain what we believe that Scripture teaches about child dedication.

  First, a child dedication service is not biblically required. There are examples in Scripture where a parent dedicated their child to the Lord, but they’re not commanded nor are they the norm. For example, Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel dedicated him to God (1 Samuel 1)) and she left him at the Tabernacle so that his whole life would be dedicated to the Lord. Many others though did not. FYI: We do not want anyone to leave their child at church this morning, though I’m sure some parents wouldn’t mind if we took them for a few hours.

  Second, a child dedication service does not attain salvation for that child. Anything that we say and do this morning will not make this child spiritual, saved or destined for heaven. Salvation is an individual, personal decision and by grace alone (Eph. 2:8-9). A parent can’t trust the Lord for their child. God doesn’t have any grandchildren. What saves us is God’s grace. What saves us is trust and faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. This dedication is a prayer and commitment, asking God to please one day bring our child into a saving knowledge of Christ. It’s a prayer by the parent/s committing to raise that child in obedience to Scripture.

  Third, a child dedication service is not related to baptism or circumcision. Jewish people to this day have a male child circumcised on the 8^th day. It’s a ceremony that indicates trust that this physical action identifies them with the physical nation of Israel that was given physical promises through their patriarch Abraham. Christians do not believe circumcision is necessary as any marker of true religious faith.

  A baby dedication also has nothing to do with baptism. Baptism is the outward symbol of saving faith in Jesus Christ. It’s the public act of being immersed in water to symbolize that we have immersed our lives into Christ. It’s much like a wedding ring. A wedding ring doesn’t make you married but symbolizes that you are married. Baptism is a symbol one has personally trusted in Jesus Christ. A child doesn’t have the intellectual capacity to make that commitment. Search the Bible for yourself and you will not find one case of a baby being baptized.

  Child Dedication is an acknowledgment that your child is a gift from God. “Children are a gift from God; they are His reward” (Psalms 127:3, Living Bible). Like everything else that we have, children a gift from a generous God (James 1:17). It’s because children are a special gift that we find instructions in Scripture about how parents are to raise their children. It’s because children are a special gift that those who cannot physically have children adopt or search for medical solutions. Because children are a special gift our hearts bleed when we see children mistreated or harmed.

  God expects parents to train their children in righteousness. Though Ephesians 6:4 says fathers, primarily because Dads are to be the spiritual leaders in the home, it’s for both Dads and Moms. “…Do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Too many parents put all of their focus on the temporal and external. Your child’s education, appearance and abilities whether they are academic or athletic are minor compared to their inner spiritual life. Yet, it is very difficult to model what you are not. One of the greatest gifts that you can give your child is to love and obey the Lord yourself.

  God is using your child to make you more Christlike. All of us have spiritual character deficiencies. A child has a way of highlighting those chinks in our armor. God uses children to drive us to dependence on Him. If you think that you have all of the answers to parenting, you’re foolish (idiot seemed a little strong). Too many of us fail at parenting because we parent the way that we were parented and assume it’s good enough. God wants us to parent as He parents us. That means care, compassion and correction. It means dependence on His power and His truth.

  Children are a wonderful gift from God and He uses them to make us, to show us how much He loves us, to draw us closer, and to be more dependent on Him. They are His wonderful gift to us! And may we as the Grace Church family pray, encourage, and support these young families as they seek to raise their children to glorify the Lord!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Jesus loves children...and so do we!

“If I could relive my life, 

I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!”  D. L. Moody

    When I was in middle school. I came to Christ. While there were some dark valleys during my teen years, that anchor of coming to Christ as a teen held firm and changed the trajectory of my life. My wife, Jane, came to Christ, when she was in 2^nd grade. Coming to Christ at early ages gave us a tenderness to the Lord, steering us  in a direction upward with a biblical worldview and eternity in our hearts.

  It’s been called the 4-14 window. Many of our biblical and Christian history heroes and heroines had a heart for the Lord at early ages: Joseph, Samuel, David, Esther, Timothy, Amy Carmichael, Corrie ten Boom, Charles Spurgeon – to name a few. Researcher, George Barna, stresses the importance of children’s ministry and reaching children between the ages of 4 and 14. He writes, “What you believe at age 13 is pretty much what you're going to die believing.” Research compiled by his Barna Group shows that children between the ages of 5 and 13 have a 32% probability of accepting Christ as their Savior. But that likelihood drops to 4% for teens between the ages of 14 and 18, and rises to just 6% for adults older than 18.

  As Child Evangelism Fellowship’s (CEF) President, Reese Kauffman, who himself trusted Christ as his Savior at age eight insightfully stated, “Even if we get the church to pay proper attention to children, there are still 80% who don't walk into a church every week. We need to be concerned about the children outside the church, [too].”

  In a culture that placed little value on children, Jesus went against the current of His day: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14). Jesus wasn’t commenting on what adults need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven or giving insight into what the Kingdom of Heaven is all about. No, He was telling us something fundamental about childhood. Yet, what is happening in many churches, what is happening in children’s outreach for those between ages 4 and 14 is often terribly under supported and invisible to the rest of the church family in the typical evangelical church.

  At Grace, we’re committed to reaching the next generation with the gospel. We have three important ministries where we seek to reach children and where YOU can get involved and touch lives for eternity. 

  This fall we’re launching Amped.  Amped is a 1 day a week, 2 hour after school program meeting on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.

  If we want to make a difference in our community for the gospel, it begins with the youngest members. Many children are “latch key,” in that they come home and spend an hour or more alone after school. In 46% of homes both parents work full time. Grandparents, relatives, or even a neighbor will sometimes watch those children. Women tend to have primary custody and head up single parent homes with 53% of them working full time.

  There is a gap in child care and parents are looking for help. Juggling work, home and parenting is a major hurdle and yet an opportunity for our church to minister, be a blessing and share the gospel.

  At Grace, we’re committed to small yet solid successes. We like to try something, see if it works, then as we have resources – grow the ministry forward from that point. That’s how we’re starting Amped.  

  God has blessed us with the facilities! There is a great need though and no lack of area children. We’re just missing one part. We need committed workers. We need those who will give a few hours a week to partner with us to make a difference in the lives of area children – those who are good at crafts, games, snacks or can teach children. Most of all, they must love Jesus and love children. It’s a two hour commitment just one day a week that’s an eternal investment. If this is something you’re interested in, please sign up on your Connection Card so we can get you more information.  

  We believe that each child is a door to a family and every family is a gateway to a community. By reaching a child, we can make a difference in his or her family. Every family is a gateway to other relatives, friends and neighbors. It’s the ripple effect. And parents appreciate those who care about their children. When you reach children, you reach parents. This isn’t babysitting or childcare. It’s a ministry at a vital time in a young person’s life. Those early years are crucial. Will you help?

  Grace Groups for children and adults start September 9^th! 1000 hours! The average child spends between 900 to 1000 hours in school, usually a public one, each year. While school helps a child make a living, it won’t teach them how to live. Sunday Grace Groups are designed to help both children and adults grow spiritually. Other than your home, they’re one of the few places your child is taught a biblical worldview. We only have a mere 40 hours in an entire year to support what you’re teaching in your home about God and the Bible. Please make it a priority! Sunday Grace Groups meet every Sunday during the school year from 10:45 to 11:30 am.

  Grace Kids isn’t school. Every Sunday we dismiss children 3 years-old to 3^rd Grade prior to the sermon. We want them to sit with their families and experience worship together, yet know biblical teaching that’s appropriate for adults and older children is difficult for younger children. It’s why we have Grace Kids. We seek to be biblical, purposeful and fun at Grace.

  Be sure and read the insert in today’s bulletin explaining why we do what we do in Grace Kids. This is another place where you can get involved and make a difference in a child’s life. If you’d like more information, please sign up on your Connection Card this Sunday.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Who is praying for the children?

“Prayer is the way we take our hands off

and place our children in the hands of God.”  Mark Batterson

  Aaron’s wedding in Taiwan was the answer to generations of prayer. Since each of our three children were born, Jane and I have prayed for two critical concerns; First, that they’d know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Second, that if it was God’s will for them to marry, that each one would marry someone who loved Jesus. To me, those are the most important decisions anyone will ever make. Whether my children are rich, successful, college graduates, healthy or even happy are all minor matters. It’s also not enough to marry a Christian but it needs to be a committed Christian. Sadly, Christian often means very little. All of us have met someone who is a “Christian,” but acts like anything but a Christian.

  Yet, we are merely another step in a much larger circle. Jane’s grandmother, Bertha, though married to an unbeliever and who had a very difficult life prayed for Jane when she was a little girl. Jane’s parents, Ed and Mary Quick prayed for Jane, for me and for each of our children along with their other children and grandchildren. My grandmother, Cora Carson, when I knew her, could hardly walk. As a child, I remember her shuffling from room to room in her little house. Years earlier she’d broken her back. My grandparents were some of the poorest people I’ve ever known. I still remember what a huge deal it was when they finally got a phone...in the other room and it was a party line. But “Ma Ma” could pray and she faithfully prayed for me.

  Then, my own Mom (Dorothy Carson) lived with a wealthy, yet abusive husband. When my Mom was killed in a tragic car accident when I was 10, I immediately lost virtually every memory of her including the sound of her voice. But there’s one memory that’s indelibly tattooed on my soul. Every morning when I got up, I’d find my Mom drinking coffee out of her lime green cup and her open Bible. There is no question in my mind that I am where I am today in answer to her prayers.

  Our hearts break at the violence in our schools. But it’s not just the tragic shootings, many children go to school terrified. No one seems to talk about those who are frightened to walk home or to be in their own home, often government housing where they must literally fortify themselves.

  No one seems to ever ask: Who is praying for the children? While we often feel helpless, there’s something we can all do — we can pray! It shows the ignorance of our secularized world of the omnipotency of God and prayer, that when prayer is mentioned to face current cultural crises, it’s often scoffed at. It’s become trendy to do “prayer shaming.” While there is a time for action, all actions are impotent apart from God’s hand. For the Christian, prayer must be our first response and action.

  One fact sticks out to me. It’s a sad yet common thread even in the Church — those who are known as being faithful “pray-ers” today are typically women. That’s not the picture that we find in Scripture. Great men of the Bible were often great men of prayer; Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Paul…to name a few. The Lord Jesus was so habitual in prayer that His disciples noticed and asked Him to teach them to pray. Men, the greatest thing we can do for our families generally and our children and grandchildren specifically is to pray for them. My mentor, Dad Cummins, was a man of prayer. Even today I can hear his deep voice interceding for me and so many others. As a Dad, I feel both humbled and privileged when my now adult children ask me to pray for them.

  What should we pray? A child’s greatest need is obvious. It’s salvation. Why would we pray for physical safety or health without spiritual safety? We’re talking about this vaporous life compared to eternity. Do you love your children? Grandchildren? The place to start is to pray for their regeneration. Too often we’re presumptuous about the spiritual condition of our children. If there’s no evidence of new life with an adult child, there should be no confidence based on a childhood prayer and decision. James 2 is clear that if there’s new life, there’s an accompanying lifestyle.

  Then, pray for that which ultimately matters. Our most common prayer is for the safety of our children. Yet, in the eternal scheme of things, it’s such a minimal need. In our own lives, it was “danger” that often drove us to the Lord. It’s danger and difficult times that often bring about spiritual growth. King David would never have been a “man after God’s own heart,” if he’d not faced great danger and trials. So, pray for their spiritual growth. Pray for them to resist temptation. Pray that they have a life of Christlikeness.

  As a church, we’re a family. Do you pray for the children of our church? Are their parents your friends? Then, pray for them specifically by name. Pray for their parents. Pray for spiritual blind spots you may see. Frequently, we are quick to share unsolicited advice. Let’s start by praying for them. It’s been so fulfilling many times over the years to pray for a spiritual blind spot in a friend’s life. Then, struggling, wondering if I should say something but then wonderfully see God’s divine hand resolve it. Yet, all I did was pray!

  Finally, what about our extended families? Cousins, nieces and nephews? And don’t forget the neighborhood children. Often, we may see needs their parents fail to see. Do we shake our heads or worse, gossip? I wonder what would happen in our world if at least the Christians were praying for the children? Then, I must wonder what would happen if I were praying? Who’s praying for the children? Will it be YOU?

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.