Saturday, October 6^th – SAVE THE DATE

We often receive “SAVE THE DATE” announcements for important events such as weddings, birthday parties, or anniversaries.  Well, here is an important “Save the Date” announcement for Saturday, October 6, 2018—Biblical Grandparenting Conference from 9 am to 4 pm at First Baptist Church Wentzville.

Biblical Grandparenting……What does that mean?  What does that look like?   How can we do it?  Where can I go for assistance?

There are many verses in the Bible that instruct us what we should do as Grandparents.  Not a single verse tells us to spoil them, fill them full of sugar and send them home.  I admit that is sometimes tempting since it is so easy to do and besides maybe have a little fun (or pay back) with their parents!

Deuteronomy 4:9 in the NIV reads; “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them”. 

We are to tell always and show when possible what God has done in our lives as long as He allows us to live in this world……no retirement from teaching our Grandkids and Great Grandkids about God, if He allows us to live that long.

I had an elderly Grandmother that I only got to see a couple of times a year since we lived on a dairy farm and she lived in another state—no cell phones, no Skype, no Facetime back then. She seemed to be a nice lady, but I did not have the Grandparent/Grandchild relationship with her.  I had no idea what I was missing until I met my girlfriend’s (now my wife) Grandparents.  They were always kind to me but more importantly, they were such a godly influence on my wife their entire life.  They shared not only the fun times with her but always, always shared not only what God was doing in their lives but also what God could do in hers.  I WANT TO BE THAT TYPE OF GRANDPARENT!  What about you?  We retired a few years ago, and I hate the HOT summers in Missouri, and I hate the COLD winters as well.  So, I thought about moving to the mountains for 6 months then moving to the south for the other 6 months.  Guess what?  We moved to Wentzville so we could be an active part of our Grandchildren’s lives.

The Grandparent Ministry at FBC Wentzville is less than 24 months old but many individuals and couples have had the opportunity to learn how and what we can do to be Biblical Grandparents and to be intentional about sharing Christ with our Grandkids no matter their ages.

This year on Saturday, October 6 from 9:00 – 4:00, we will have a one-day conference with guest speaker Josh Mulvihill, Ph.D.  Josh is a pastor and author of numerous books including: “Biblical Grandparenting.” Josh is a short and to the point type of speaker.  His teaching is very easy to follow and understand.  He will cause you to think, as well as give you practical lessons on how to apply the various topics to your life situations.  Not all have Grandparents like my wife did, sometimes life throws us a curve.  Josh calls that “Messy Grandparenting.”

Some of the topics Josh will cover are:

Understanding the Biblical Role of Grandparents. Every grandparent is given a God-ordained role that is not interchangeable with any other member of the family. Come to this seminar to gain a laser-like focus on what a grandparent’s role is as well as learn the responsibilities grandparents are given by God from the Bible.

Discipling Grandchildren: 8 Spiritual Practices Every Grandparent Can Do. Do you want to help your grandchildren grow in their walk with the Lord? The eight practices presented in this seminar are a synthesis of Josh’s Ph.D. research regarding the best practices that grandparents from across the country utilize to help grandchildren grow in spiritual maturity. You will walk away with practical tools and specific ways that you can invest in the spiritual growth of grandchildren.

Gospel Shaped Grandparenting: 5 Statements that Can Transform Your Family. What difference does the gospel make to grandparenting? For many people, an understanding of the gospel is muddy and it does not translate into everyday living. In this seminar, you will learn how to apply the gospel to the everyday problems you face as grandparents. The gospel provides relational guidance, answers to difficult family situations, and priorities with grandchildren. If you find yourself wondering how you should navigate a family situation, then this seminar may prove helpful. 

Those who attended last year’s conference with Larry Fowler walked away with several tools on becoming an intentional Biblical Grandparent.  This year will be another great opportunity to learn how we can teach our Grandchildren what God has done in our lives as the Bible instructs us to do.

Come and meet Josh on Saturday, October 6.  The $10 conference fee even includes lunch and snacks.  Join us at 9:00 am.  You can go to our website www.fbcwentzville.com to purchase tickets or stop by the Ministry Table in the foyer on Sunday mornings to learn more and get your tickets.

By Chuck Mason

Never Forget: words that are uttered on this day as we remember the events of 9/11.  It was one of those days, even for those of us not directly impacted, that is etched into our minds.  Each of us that are old enough to remember has a memory of that day. What happened that morning as many of us were going about our day, just like any day, only to find ourselves shocked by what had taken place with a permanent reminder etched into our minds.

For me, that memory takes me back to my college campus.  I had an early class that morning.  After the class wrapped up and I was walking across the campus I recall kind of an eerie calmness about the campus.  During a time when I was accustomed to seeing more people moving about the campus I saw very few.  I made my way to the Student Activity Center where my first memory is of a lounge area where hundreds of people where gathered around some large screen televisions.  While it was normal to see some people sitting, studying, watching TV, working on a laptop in that area…it was very odd to see hundreds in almost total unity focused on what was taking place on the TV screens.  It was in the moments that followed that I was swallowed up by the moment as I too realized what was transpiring at the World Trade Center buildings.  While my cell phone didn’t work and I was shocked by the events as they unfolded before my eyes, I cannot say I felt the emotion of the day as those who had loved ones in those Towers, be it people working there or first responders trying to save lives.   Yet, even for someone who was really just a distant observer to such an infamous event in our nation’s history, I felt a heaviness and still do for the loss of life that we remember to this day.

There are so many stories to be told, so many lives sacrificed that day and so many lives changed that day. In the weeks that followed, churches were packed with people looking for answers, trying to make sense of the incredible devastation and trying to come to grips with the realization that the United States is not invincible.  Of all the stories I’ve heard, the stories of extreme courage and bravery exhibited by the first responders on that day seem to stick out above the rest.  While thousands of people were rushing down stairs in fear of their lives, almost every account speaks of first responders running against the crowd up those same steps.  Each of them rushing towards the risk instead of away from it.  Many of which we honor today because they died that day in the collapse of the buildings.  Even beyond that, years later some of the men and women that were on site that day, covered in dust and debris, trying to save lives, are developing breathing related illnesses and cancers that are leading to their premature death.  

Their example on that day in particular and honestly every other day they rush to help people in dangerous situations is something that challenges me.  I think about what God has called us to do as Christians...to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  Every day thousands…millions…billions of people are in dire need of saving.  Their life is at risk, the fires of sin burn around them and at any moment the building of their life could collapse. Am I willing to be the first responder in their life that rushes in and brings to them lifesaving help?    

For many of the firefighters, police officers, paramedics that responded that day, they mustered a courage and bravery that pales in comparison to what we as Christians have access to.  I can’t help but think about Acts 1:8 where it references “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses”.  Countless times throughout the Bible God tells us to be courageous, not to fear…

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. – 1 Corinthians 16:13

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. – Ephesians 6:10

The list goes on and on. We have the ability as Christians to go courageously into the world with the strength of the Lord to be His witnesses. The incredible acts of courage on display on 9/11 are worth remembering.  The lives saved that day as a result of their sacrifice are worth honoring. Let us not forget that the courage they boldly lived out that day going into buildings on fire and on the verge of collapse is but a sliver of the power and courage God can provide each one of us willing to obey Him and be His witnesses.  Honor those who lost their lives that day, remember the lives that were lost…but NEVER FORGET to take inspiration in their courage knowing that you…through the power of the Holy Spirit…can do far greater things for Christ!