This past week our church hosted a wonderful speaker Gary
Almon to come in and speak the youth and
children leaders and also with the parents and families. Gary was actually our speaker on our last year retreat for the leaders and let me tell ya you want go to sleep listening to him. He is very passionate about his calling and about telling others about Christ. He has 5 daughters that all their names begin with a M and I am not even going to go there and even try to remember them and his wife is just as sweet. You can tell they are a unite family and you can see the love and
respect they have for each other. To hear him tell the stories of his family and of youth he has work we it really interesting.
Friday Night the youth leaders meet at Ryan's and this is what I learn there....
Faithfulness---
Commitment, Consistency and art of showing up to Grow.
We have to show up cause our work is essential but also at the same time we need to "smell" of Christ. We are to be so saturated in Christ that when people are around us they should smell us 2 Cor 2:14-16
For us to be able to "smell" like Jesus we need to show up in 4 places
1. Our daily quite times- we need to get to know who God is and to spend time with him just like he is our best friend.
2. Telling others about Christ- it our job as Christians to tell other about Him. If we truly believe that He died for us and saved us from Hell then why would not tell others about Him?
3. Praise- As it is said in Esp 5:15-21esp v 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and
spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.. I am not a singer but I love to sing praise to Him, I truly can worship through songs...
4. Worship- Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--- this is your spiritual act
of worship. Romans 12:1
If we are showing up in these 4 places then we are going to have that sweet aroma of Jesus Christ all over us...
On Saturday night we went and heard him speak to the families at our
CLC and this is what I learn...
Do you know that there was a survey done and most families say they are wish they could spend more time with each other but also at the same time that if a more
lucrative or
prestige job came up they would take it... can you believe that....
We are to find our children gift and we are to push them to what God is calling them to do, not what we want them to do but what God wants them to do...
Here are the gifts he gave out..
Perceiver- can literally walk into a
situation and tell right from wrong, they want to do the right thing
Server- these are people who really like to serve. Don't like to be a leader or step up to talk in front of people but are more willing to help to do anything.
Teacher- people who like to teach communicate
God's truth.
Encourager- a motivator, one who instills
confidence, hope and peace to accomplish the
diff cultGiver- loves to give of finances, time any resource
Leader- someone who can lead to manage others, gives vision and direction.. Good organizer
Mercy- cute,
lovable, accepting of everything and willing to forgive anybody, tries to understand the pain.
Which one is your child?
Then on Sunday in service this is what he taught on..
7 things we need to do as
parents1. Our walk with the Lord... if can't take someone where you have not been,
2. Love your spouse and respect them just as Christ loves the church. Esp 5:22
3. Blessing them- lay hands on our
children and bless them each day. This is something that Gary said he and his wife learn at a Gary
Smally Love Is A Decision retreat and they do it
every night to their 5 girls
4. Discuss their gift and
encourage them to follow even if it means instead of pro football player they are in the mission field.
5. Teach the Bible doctrine to them- mothers are to teach the Bible and dad is to teach the
application6. Eat and fellowship with them- when you eat together you stay connect
7. Teach through challenges- learn the
Scripture so you know what to use when needed.
Pick one of these and commit to pray about it and focus on your teaching Christ to our
children and becoming a unite family that smells of Christ...
Have a wonderful and bless day!!!!!!!!