A Word from Cindy...
Welcome! I hope to use this blog to share insight and ideas I have with you. Please check back often for updates.Connecting the Dots…
5/27/08
Bill and I went to see Prince Caspian this weekend and it was very entertaining. This is not intended to be a movie review, but instead I wanted to bring together three thoughts from Blakaby’s devotionals this week and one quote from the movie in an effort to share with you how much I have been challenged by this recurring pattern of thought in my life this week.
Here are Blakaby’s lines:
May 18 – Obedience to the Lord’s commands will affect others. Don’t ever try to protect those you love by disobeying God. The cost of disobedience is far greater.
May 19 – Satan will try to convince you that obedience carries much too high a price, but he will never tell you the cost of not obeying God. If you are to be used in God’s service you must expect to make adjustments in your life.
May 20 – But as you learn to trust more deeply, He will develop your character to match bigger tests. And with the greater test will come a greater love for God and knowledge of His ways.
And now from Prince Caspian…in the movie Lucy, the youngest of the siblings, is the only one that can see Aslan for quite sometime. In one instance, she sees him and knows that he is beckoning for her to follow, but the others do not see him and they go another way. Later when Lucy talks with Aslan, she tells him what a shame it was that the others did not see him and he responds, “Why did their not seeing me keep you from coming to me?”
In each instance, I was drawn to think again about the cost of disobedience and the faithfulness of God in obedience. I long to be unwavering in my obedience; standing firm in my faith; persevering to speak the truth in love and walk the faith with bold clarity. God’s truth demands obedience and the cost of disobedience is far greater that what we fear in obedience. Apart from our own individual lives, I encourage you to challenge your children to obey by having conversations where you contrast obedience outcomes with disobedience outcomes with the intent of helping them feel safely confident in the sustaining truth of God’s commands.
Cindy Starr
LHBC Children's Ministries Minister
cstarr@lhbg.org
Find Jesus
3/22/08
I attended a conference for a few days last week and one of speakers said this,
“Bible stories drive to a propositional truth – a doctrine.” As I thought about this statement over and over again, I was struck with the stark clarity of this thought. Bible stories drive to a propositional truth – the unfolding truth of the redemptive plan of God in Christ. It is this story that unfolds over and over again and it is this story that we must intentionally teach our children.
Find God in the stories; find Jesus in the stories…don’t leave them until you have helped your child frame each story in the character and love and power of God.
It is not enough to teach our children the laws of God or the difference between right and wrong, if within these teachings, we do not pray for passion – that our children will be ignited by the love of Christ and that they will grow in the grace and knowledge of God.
As your precious ones sit close on your lap or pause briefly for conversation; turn their eyes to Jesus; massage their hearts with the truth of God’s Word and pray diligently; pray unceasingly; that they will love God with all their heart and soul and mind; that the power of the cross will leave an unwavering mark on their life.
Cindy Starr
LHBC Children's Ministries Minister
cstarr@lhbg.org
Why Camp Centri-kid
3/27/08
Last year we had great fun at Camp Joy – and historically we have enjoyed planning and implementing our own camps at Camp Joy. We have hired interns, bought supplies, planned for weeks camp activities and worked alongside of Stan at Camp Joy in an effort to give our children a great first camp experience.
However, this year we felt it was time for a new adventure! At some point, Camp is about meeting new people, interacting with new adults, making and experiencing teams with new friends, and realizing firsthand that God is indeed everywhere and that people all over the world love and serve Him with passion!
I do believe that Centri-Kid is set up to provide our children with a very positive, safe, Biblically founded, fun camp experience! I will be attending with our children along with an additional 11adult chaperones, both male and female. At present we are not able to offer chaperone scholarships, but if you would like to attend with us, please let us know!
Apart from simply getting away and experiencing a life of faith apart from family, camp affords our children opportunities to grow in self-confidence, in independent problem solving skills, and cooperative team building. Facing new and sometimes difficult challenges allows our children to apply their faith and to learn and experience firsthand the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God. In addition, hearing the Word of God from new voices and watching others from all over Kentucky and beyond apply that Word gives our children a greater and more meaningful sense of the body of Christ.
I want to encourage you to pray about Camp Centri-Kid; I will call the Camp and get any additional information that you may need; I will continue to pray that God will prepare the hearts of our children; that God will provide the right counselors; that God’s Word will go forth and return bearing fruit; that Camp will be a life-changing experience for each and every one of us.
Registration is on-line...Together we are building a legacy, Cindy
The Jesus Storybook Bible “Every Story Whispers His Name”
3/7/08
The Jesus Storybook Bible whispers the name of Jesus through each and every Bible story told and it will inspire you to see and glory in Christ. Here is a taste of the book...and if you hurry, you can get it before Easter because the Easter story is wonderful...
I will trace the thought of the Christ as the Lamb of God by referencing the story and then sharing a quote from the retelling in the book.
The present (the story of Abraham and Isaac) Genesis 22:
“And as they sat there on the mountaintop, watching the embers of the fire die in the cool night air, the stars sparkling in the velvet sky, God helped Abraham and Isaac understand something. ... “One day Someone will be born into your family, God promised them. And he will bring happiness to the whole world.” And then later in this story...
Many years later, another Son would climb that hill, carrying wood on his back. Like Isaac, he would trust his faith and do what his father asked. He wouldn’t struggle or run away. Who was he? God’s Son, his Only Son – the Son he loved. The Lamb of God.
A Dark Night in the Garden (The Garden of Gethsemane)
Luke 22, Mark, 14, John 18
He knew it was time to die. They had planned it long ago, he and his Father. “Papa! Father!” Jesus cried. And he fell to the ground. “Is there any other way to get your children back? To heal their hearts? To get rid of the poison?” But Jesus knew – there was no other way. All of the poison of sin was going to have to go into his own heart.
And then later in this story...Then Jesus was quiet. Like a lamb. “I trust you Papa,” he said. “Whatever you say, I will do.”
Make a choice to buy this book – it is powerful!!
I watched a rainbow this morning
I watched a rainbow this morning
its colors spilling so gracefully...
The artistry of God’s promise filling my heart
as I paused to consider this concrete,
this clearly seen, hand of God...
as though He poises Himself and paints a reminder of His faithfulness
right in front of me!
I wanted to tell someone...I wanted to roll down my window and ask,
“Do you see the rainbow? Isn’t God so wonderful?” But I didn’t...I was in the middle of traffic...driving to work...alone in my car.
It is at times like these that I most miss the carseats and the chatter and laughter and the clutter and the crumbs of my kids.
It is at these times when the empty nest really feels empty.
Enjoy your children today; take time for conversation and quiet. Be gently reminded that this is a precious time, so savor it well! Make the most of the moments to call your children to the hand of God – finding God in everyday experiences is a powerful tool of faith and takes practice to develop it as a habit of thought!
“The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1)
Cindy Starr
Clarity of Service & Devotion
I often enjoy reading Oswald Chamber’s devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. This past week, I was very encouraged by the writing on Thursday (1/17) and Friday (1/18). Here are quotes from the 2 reflections, followed by my thoughts.
“Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God.”
“The greatest competitor to true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him.”
What a challenging thought process for each of us...that our lives would reflect a sincere devotion to God; that we would express that devotion through service; but that we would not let that service become more important or more affirming that our love for God Himself.
As we balance the many demands on our lives; our spouse; the children; the deadlines; the house; ourselves...may God give us clarity of both thought and devotion. May our love for God grow each day and may our serving be simply an expression of that love...a natural result our devotion.
Cindy Starr
"Big Truths for Little Kids"
I wanted to enthusiastically recommend a book to use during your family devotional time, "Big Truths for Little Kids" by Susan Hunt and Ritchie Hunt. This book is designed in story format to teach the basic tenets of the Christian faith using the catechism method. Let me share a quote from the book: “ A catechism is simply a series of questions and answers that systematically teach a body of information. Catechizing children is an effective way to teach them a framework of biblical knowledge that helps them develop a Christian worldview.” Each chapter begins with a story, includes an illustration and ends with questions that prompt thought and application of God’s truth. The stories are easy to listen to and are followed by a “Let’s Talk” and “Let’s Pray” section. Catechism questions at the end of each story allow for Biblical reinforcement.
There is no richer foundation than the Word of God...I trust that this resource will bless your family!
Cindy Starr
January Beginnings
New beginnings...new ideas...new starts...this is the mark of January in our lives.
I would like to encourage you to use the Next Generation Prayer Journal this year. I really am excited about this simple tool. The journal aligns with the Blackaby devotional book and has been designed to be used once a week. It is an ideal tool for training your children in praying through the Word of God. Using the ACTS acronym as the frame, as a family you can... talk about how the verse causes us to ADORE God; discuss what must be CONFESSED, make a list for what we can say THANKS, and record prayer needs(SUPPLICATION). What a powerful and exciting adventure for each of our families as we watch the hand of God mightily move; as we delight in His glory!
Training takes practice. Isn’t it an incredible picture to imagine all of our next generation families training in prayer!!
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry...”
Psalm 34:15
Cindy Starr