Last Friday Brayden and I went to the park with some friends. Brayden got to play with some friends while I got to chat and catch up with a friend. Win-win for us both :) While sitting at the park talking I asked this friend about their views on discipline and how they disciplined at certain ages. The toddler age is such a hard one when it comes to discipline. Brayden understands simple commands really well and I really think he knows a lot more than sometimes we give him credit for, but because we aren't exactly sure what he does and doesn't understand - this makes discipline hard. He definitely has reached the "toddler tantrum" age and we see those from time to time. He's really strong-willed too which we have to be sure we don't let get out of hand :) I've tried a handful of things myself and sometimes have wondered if any of them really work...then my mind goes back to, "does he even understand why he's being disciplined?" Mine and Josh's goal as parents is to discipline Brayden in a way that he would see God's love through his parents (so that we can teach him God's love) and not an angry parent coming at him because we're mad at him because he's doing wrong. I have seen so many children of all different ages out in public with their parents acting up and the parent immediately jerks the child up and is screaming in their faces and yelling at them....in public. It always makes me feel so sad for the child because not only is that humiliating but what is it teaching the child?
My friend mentioned this scripture that really stuck out to her and I came home and re-read it myself because it really sheds a whole new light on discipline. It's James 1:20 and it says, "Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." So true!! If we discipline our children when we're angry or show them anger when we're upset with them...we AREN'T helping to produce the righteousness of God in them! It is hard sometimes when a child deliberately does something they know they shouldn't do, or throw themselves on the floor having a "toddler tantrum" because they didn't get something they wanted to calmly but firmly take care of the situation. Of course different things work for different kids, but I think it can all be done without showing the child anger :) I have at times been guilty of letting my anger show towards Brayden when disciplining and I am DEFINITELY still learning myself, but this has really a whole new light to parenting and discipline for us :)
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Turning the page to a new chaper...
I've been a little out of action with the blogging world lately...our world has been spinning a little faster than normal here lately, and I feel like it's slowed down a tad for me to try to get back into the routine!
We officially launched our church, Vertical Church, this past Sunday, May 6th! The months, weeks, days, and hours leading up to this point in time felt like they'd never get here, but we are finally here and I am so amazed at God's faithfulness in every aspect - from putting together a team of volunteers (we had a goal of 30 and we were able to meet that goal a few weeks before launch!), finances, getting a worship team together, etc. It has been awesome to look back and see how He was piecing this puzzle together.
My husband, Josh, and I have for a while now felt a call to ministry but for a while we were a little unsure exactly what area in ministry. We thought for a while it was youth ministry but after submitting our resume to several different churches and even getting some calls back for interviews, it just didn't feel "right." During a fast in January my husband felt a deep call that he undeniably knew was the Lord, to plant a church. I seriously was like "whoa, hold on, there's no way He wants US to do THAT." :) We both definitely took several steps back and really thought the Lord was talking to the wrong two people :) But, sure enough, after much more prayer...and questions - He was speaking loud and clear to us that we were to plant a church.
Months and months of planning and praying have gone into this church and I am so amazed at how God has had His hand on this thing from that very day we said yes to the Lord's call to plant a church back in January (not that I am surprised, because I firmly believe when you are in the smack dab center of God's will for your life, it's undeniably evident!) We have been so blessed with an amazing team of people that we know have been put into our lives for this very reason. It's awesome to see how God has put this core team together and each person on our core team has a burden for a different area of ministry which really strengthens our church as a whole! Not to mention our volunteer team - the Vert Crew as we call them ;) They are the wheels that help to keep this church moving forward!
Our first Sunday was awesome! (Of course I am a little biased :) From the worship, to our Straight Up Kidz ministry, to the message - God's presence was felt and lives were changed! We had four people give their heart to Christ for the very first time!! Just that alone makes it all SO worth it! We've had so many tell us they'll most definitely be back this week and they're bringing friends, family, and coworkers with them - that's what it's ALL about!
I am so excited to see what God has in store for Vertical Church and there is so much anticipation even already for this next week! There is no doubt in my mind that this is RIGHT where we are supposed to be RIGHT now :)
Pictures of our grand opening Sunday this past Sunday are coming very soon! :)
We officially launched our church, Vertical Church, this past Sunday, May 6th! The months, weeks, days, and hours leading up to this point in time felt like they'd never get here, but we are finally here and I am so amazed at God's faithfulness in every aspect - from putting together a team of volunteers (we had a goal of 30 and we were able to meet that goal a few weeks before launch!), finances, getting a worship team together, etc. It has been awesome to look back and see how He was piecing this puzzle together.
My husband, Josh, and I have for a while now felt a call to ministry but for a while we were a little unsure exactly what area in ministry. We thought for a while it was youth ministry but after submitting our resume to several different churches and even getting some calls back for interviews, it just didn't feel "right." During a fast in January my husband felt a deep call that he undeniably knew was the Lord, to plant a church. I seriously was like "whoa, hold on, there's no way He wants US to do THAT." :) We both definitely took several steps back and really thought the Lord was talking to the wrong two people :) But, sure enough, after much more prayer...and questions - He was speaking loud and clear to us that we were to plant a church.
Months and months of planning and praying have gone into this church and I am so amazed at how God has had His hand on this thing from that very day we said yes to the Lord's call to plant a church back in January (not that I am surprised, because I firmly believe when you are in the smack dab center of God's will for your life, it's undeniably evident!) We have been so blessed with an amazing team of people that we know have been put into our lives for this very reason. It's awesome to see how God has put this core team together and each person on our core team has a burden for a different area of ministry which really strengthens our church as a whole! Not to mention our volunteer team - the Vert Crew as we call them ;) They are the wheels that help to keep this church moving forward!
Our first Sunday was awesome! (Of course I am a little biased :) From the worship, to our Straight Up Kidz ministry, to the message - God's presence was felt and lives were changed! We had four people give their heart to Christ for the very first time!! Just that alone makes it all SO worth it! We've had so many tell us they'll most definitely be back this week and they're bringing friends, family, and coworkers with them - that's what it's ALL about!
I am so excited to see what God has in store for Vertical Church and there is so much anticipation even already for this next week! There is no doubt in my mind that this is RIGHT where we are supposed to be RIGHT now :)
Pictures of our grand opening Sunday this past Sunday are coming very soon! :)
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