Good Stewardship - Sarai Akin

Brent and I were high school sweethearts. Been together for 17 years, married for 12 yrs. Sadie is 10, Ty is 6 and Eli is 3. We are members at Grace Community Church in Lindale where we actively serve in the GRACE K!DS ministry. I fell in love with Sky Ranch when I attended a leadership camp there as a high schooler. Summer 2016 will be our 6th year having own kids as campers there

In years past, we have paid summer camp tuition in full while requiring that Sadie (10) and Ty (6) earn their camp spending money (usually between $50-$75 each).  This year, Brent and I are committed to paying the majority of their tuition but have upped their required contribution beyond just spending money.  

To help them reach their goal through a visual tool, I created a custom 12-piece magnetic puzzle, each piece worth $25.  From now until May, they can save their chore money (after tithe and savings contributions) to purchase a puzzle piece towards their camp tuition.  We will have a designated space on the family fridge so they can see their puzzles slowly build over time.  I also invited grandparents and aunts to participate by giving them the opportunity to buy a puzzle piece as a birthday or Christmas gift in lieu of toys, games, books, etc. 

Our world of excess and entitlement runs counter to biblical principles of God’s sovereign ownership of all things and our responsibility to be stewards.  The Sky Ranch puzzle is one tool we are using in our home to emphasize personal financial responsibility.  We plan to give Sadie and Ty 1 puzzle piece each at Christmas to get the game started.

All In Devotional by Stacy Davis: God is the Provider

Family Fun Icebreaker: As you focus on the good in your life today, what
are you thankful for?

Topic Question: Who is God?

Today’s Big Idea: God is the Provider

God defines Himself as the Provider in the Holy Bible. Jesus, God’s Son,
explains in scripture that God provides for all of your needs. It is easy
to worry about everyday life, focusing on the negative and all the things
missing. If you focus on the good, however, you can see that God truly
provides for you. Scripture says to not worry about everyday life because
God knows your needs; He provides for you all along without you being
aware. He even knows about the needs that you don’t know about yet. Open
your eyes and see His provision for you. Be thankful for the provisions that
you do see! Scripture shares that “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs
17:22 NASB). Allow your heart to be joyful by noticing all that you have
to be thankful for!

Talk with God: Read the scripture aloud.

"Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “"at is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. "They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than birds! (Luke 12:22-24 NLT)

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.

God knows your needs, spiritually and physically. He knows your desires
because He knows the things you don’t tell anyone else. He knows your
real need for Him, too! Thank Him. To live a life full of gratitude, or
thankfulness, helps your heart feel happy! The more you think of things to
be thankful for, and truly thank God for them, the happier you feel.

Discuss with your family: Often the things that you call “needs” are really
just things you want. What is the dfference between needs and wants?
When has God provided you with a need after you asked for His help?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for a thankful heart for God’s provision for you.

Puppet Master Mom - Lisa Clark

Moms who tend to be the puppet master for their kiddos tend to be their husband’s, too.  I’ve watched it and it’s sad.  It’s sad for several reasons.  First, the kids can’t make decisions.  They don’t know which way is up.  Can’t figure things out on their own and tend to be underachievers.  It’s ironic isn’t it? Puppet master moms seem to want the best and so much for their children.  Their intentions seem noble, but the outcome almost always works in the reverse.  

Secondly, their husbands are immobilized from being the head of the home.  Their hands are tied because mom will railroad her way in and through every situation.  And then one day she looks up and has no real relationship with her husband and her kiddos are in a world of hurt. 

Release the strings, mom.  Today.  Release and let go.  It’s not too late.  As a vessel of the Holy Spirit, you are capable of doing GREAT THINGS for your family! But living their lives is NOT what you’ve been called to do.  You are accountable for YOUR life and your children and husband are accountable for theirs.  

Control seems to be in our DNA as moms, but it is single handedly handicapping our children and families.  Let go and let God.  It’s not a cliché.  It’s real.  He can redeem your days and actions and intentions TODAY.  Claim His promises! Jeremiah 33:3

All In Devotional by Stacy Davis: God is the Father of All

Family Fun Icebreaker: How does the person to your right encourage you?

Topic Question: Who is God?

Today’s Big Idea: God is the Father of All

Scripture explains that another name for God is your loving, heavenly
Father. Every family receives their name from God. Whether or not you
have an earthly father active in your life, you possess a heavenly Father who
is active in your life. If you will turn to Him, He is always there to comfort
and encourage you. The Bible refers to God in Aramaic as “Abba,” which
means “Dear Father.” Jesus is God’s Son who was sent to earth to reveal the
Father to you and me. Jesus explains that when you pray, you are to say,
“Our Father who is in heaven” and refer to God as your “Father” (Matthew
6:9 NASB). Jesus also tells of how the Father plans to guide you through
your life, such as leading you in the right direction, giving you wise counsel,
providing for you, strengthening you with His Spirit, listening to you, and
encouraging you.

Talk with God: Read the scripture aloud.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV)

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.

To recognize God as a Father is comforting to most people. Sometimes,
if there a negative experience of a father in your life, it may be more of a
challenge for you to think of God in this way. Try to think of God as the
good Father that you always wished for; encourage yourself to see Him as a
trusted friend who is there to help build you up.

Discuss with your family: A father is the spiritual leader of his family. He
provides financially, protects, mentors, and loves unconditionally. Do you
see the parallel of the heavenly Father to an earthly father? How does it help
you to think of having a heavenly Father who assists you with those same
responsibilities, except this Father knows all, controls all, and has power
over all?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God, the Father, to encourage you to learn
more about Him.

All In Devotional by Stacy Davis: God is the Creator

Family Fun Icebreaker: What do you like to create?

Topic Question: Who is God?

Today’s Big Idea: God is the Creator

In scripture, God defines Himself as “the Creator.” The Bible shares there is
nothing that God did not create. God did not have to create everything, but
He did. He chooses to create YOU! In the beginning, according to God’s
Word, everything that He creates is “very good.” Problems arise shortly
after creation and mankind enters into sin, behavior that turns against God.
After mankind’s rebellion, God chooses to care and provide for us; He did
not abandon mankind to struggle through life alone. God designs a plan
and a purpose for His creation. He makes a way to restore your relationship
with Him. He wants an interactive relationship with you!

Talk with God: Read the scriptures aloud.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 ESV)

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! (Psalm 95:5-7 ESV)

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.

You are God’s creation. He is a powerful Creator with a speci!c interest in
YOU! It is amazing to think that a God who creates planets, solar systems,
and billions of people wants to personally know you and for you to know
Him. He has many other things to think about, but He still remembers to
think and care about you. The more that you get to know God, the more
you see evidence of His compassion for you.

Discuss with your family: When you create something, do you usually
take care of it? Since you are His creation, God feels the same way about
you. Can you share ways that God takes care of you?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help you see Him in His creation.

Thankful(ness) - Lisa Clark

Each fall I get the “thankful(ness)” bug! You know, “let’s all start getting thankful ‘round here, okay?” Fall means pumpkins, good food, family, celebrations and thankfulness.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!!

When the girls were little, we’d have Thankfulness Jars and they would contribute their posts to the jar everyday. It was a tradition to read what each family member was thankful for the evening before Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving Eve, I guess.  Everyone would pull a slip of paper from the jar and read it and then the writer would proclaim, “That’s mine!” It kept us focused on the season and what was really important.

Having a thankful heart changes everything.  It takes the focus off self and puts the focus on ALL we have to be thankful for.  If you have a child that seems to see the glass half empty, this exercise in thankfulness will really help them refocus and be aware of their less than thankful attitude. 

There are many things families can do during this time of year to stay thankful and “others” focused.  Here are some ideas:

            Organize a canned food drive in the neighborhood

            Volunteer at a food bank or kitchen for the homeless

            Clean out closets and take excess to a shelter or a family in need

            Memorize scripture using thankful, thanksgiving, thanks, etc.

            Write letters to family members blessing them and thanking them

            Random acts of kindness in your neighborhood or school

            Serve at church, school or home

           

Start a new tradition this year and have a “30 Days of Thanksgiving!”  Be intentional and stick with it! Getting all family members involved in projects like this encourage unity and harmony within the family unit.  Also, allow each family member to contribute a dish during the Thanksgiving meal.  Ask them their favorite, then let them prepare that particular dish.  Happy Thankful(ness) Month!!! 

All In Devotional by Stacy Davis: God is the One True God

Family Fun Icebreaker: What makes you unique?

Topic Question: Who is God?

Today’s Big Idea: God is the One True God

In this section, as you focus on who God says that He is in scripture, you

find there are several ways that God defines Himself. When you begin

a relationship with a friend, you get to know your friend by listening to

the things that they choose to say. How do they reveal themselves to you?

Starting a relationship with God is the same way; to know God, you have

to get to know God for who He is and how He reveals Himself. What

does He choose to tell you about Himself? In scripture, the Holy Bible,

God shares that He wants you to know Him personally. He uses creation

to reveal Himself to you (Romans 1:18-21), and He gives you His Words

through scripture. God inspires normal men to write His Word to tell other

people about Him through the Holy Bible. He gives His Words to men to

write down so that you can know Him (2 Timothy 3:16). One thing that

God consistently shares in scripture is that He is unique; there is no one like

Him! No one can take His place. He is the One True God.

Talk with God: Read the scriptures aloud.

For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me. (Isaiah 46:9 NISB)

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. (Jeremiah 24:7 NIV)

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.

God creates everyone and everything by speaking it into existence. You are

not like God. You cannot create by speaking things into existence. You do

not have the same abilities that He does. His power and ability are beyond

anything we understand. God is one of a kind. God is so special, it can be

intimidating. "e good news is that, if you ask Him, His Word tells us He

gives you a heart to know Him. He really does want you to get to know who

He truly is, and He will help you understand Him.

Discuss with your family: To understand God, you need to start with the

things that make God unique. How is He different from anyone else that

you know? What are some things that make God unique?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to give you a heart to know Him.