Nurturing A Critical Thinker

I recently read an article that caught my attention and felt it was worth passing on. So I share with you today the article in part by Michael Ross along with some of my own discoveries with “nurturing a critical thinker.

Good Kid’s, Bad Choices? Every day your children are forced to make hundreds of split second choices and decisions that can blow up in their faces and change their lives forever, or even end them.

The sad thing is that many Christian Parents have not armed their kids with critical thinking skills. Unfortunately for many of our children, when the pressure’s on, values and common sense often fly out the window.

As Christian parents it is our responsibility to not only teach our children what we believe, but also why we believe it. Allow your child to respectfully ask why when it comes to biblical truths. Your goal is to engage their minds and to connect them to the whys behind truth.

Remember, critical thinkers are taught, not born. As you foster a critical thinker communicate these key messages:

• Don’t buy a lie; Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
• Pray often and Pray Hard; Encourage your children to pray about everything.
• Measure everything against the Bible; God’s word is timeless and absolutely, positively accurate about everything essential for our well being.

Pastor Ray

Sweet Sixteen

August 21, 1991 what an incredible day. Sixteen years ago our youngest daughter Heidi was born. What a bundle of joy, full of energy, ready to take on the world. A bit different from the meek personality of our oldest daughter Savannah. Regardless of personality differences both are beautiful red heads with a passion to love and serve Christ.

I took Heidi out on her first date as I did with Savannah on her sixteenth. Complete with roses, special gifts, fine dining and a covenant between us sealed with a diamond ring. Not only do I count it a privilege for my girls to experience their first real date with dad, but I also view it as my responsibility to show them how they should expect to be treated on every date. (Not being lavished with gifts but given respect and honor.)

It has been a lifetime of learning as my girls have watched my every move. How I live my life, how I treat my wife, how I pray, praise and preach my Lord. I believe their reflection of who Christ is becomes a direct reflection of my relation with them, their mom, and more importantly Jesus Christ. I am certain there are many times I have fallen short of their expectations, yet I can say with confidence I have given my very best.

“When daughters receive the esteem-building attention and intimacy with dad, they learn to feel comfortable with masculinity and will relate to their male peers, pick a good husband and be a good mother to a son” Dave Simmons

The greatest way I can improve the spiritual life of my child is to improve my own...

Pastor Ray

"No Greater Love"

John 15:9-13
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

There is nothing that will ever compare to the love of Jesus. His greatest expression of love towards us, is that He gave His life to cover our sin. The question I am often asked, is how can I express my love for Christ?

1) First is to surrender your life completely over to Him.

2) Communication is key to any successful, healthy relationship. Therefore, learn to communicate with Him through prayer and allow Him to speak into your life through His Word (The Bible). You can express your love for Him not only through prayer but also through the power of praise and worship. The verbal expression of love will have a tremendous impact on your relationship with Christ.

3) Live a committed life to Him and share your faith with others.

I challenge you today to express your love for Christ through surrender, communication and a committed life to Him.

Pastor Ray

Eternal Investments

Connie, Heidi and I just spent a wonderful week with Kellen, Savannah and Titan at their home in Kansas. It was our first opportunity to be in a Sunday morning service where Kellen and Savannah serve as Youth Pastors. It was refreshing to be able to sit in a service and enjoy great ministry from the worship to the preaching of the Word.

Simple thoughts…

• There is no greater feeling than to enjoy the success of your children.
• If I had known grandchildren were so much fun I would have done that first.
• Don’t miss a single opportunity to love on your kids, it’s a lifetime investment that will produce a great harvest.

“The greatest love we can lavish upon our children is to train them in the fear of God, equip them for life and then release them” - Floyd McClung

Pastor Ray

You Can Overcome!

Life is full of obstacles that often become road blocks if we take a wrong approach. So the question is not if I will face obstacles, but when and what will be my approach to overcome them. At every obstacle I make a decision..."I Will Overcome".

1) Matthew 17:20 faith the size of a mustard seed can move the mountain...I conclude it is not the size of the mountain, or the size of the faith, but where your faith is directed that make the difference.

2) Keep a right spirit and attitude regardless the size of the obstacle...

3) Assess the mountain (obstacle, situation, circumstance)... you can go over it, you can go around it, or you can go through it. Every approach will produce the same result if you stay with it. "You Will Overcome"

Pastor Ray

Every Day Is A Great Day!

I have discovered that every day is what you make of it. You can choose to see the sunrise and enjoy the blessings that each new day brings or regret the difficult task that awaits you. However, regret will not change the task nor will it help to accomplish it. What will help is to know "this is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice in it".

Three simple thoughts...

1) Start your day with good morning Lord (He is the giver of life)

2) Enjoy your family (life is too short to allow conflict to destroy your family)

3) Encourage a friend (relationships are the only thing that last forever)

I have been blessed with a great family, wonderful friends a loving God that will see me through each day!

Pastor Ray