Honey,
I shrunk the kids! - CFN Newsletter Week 98
CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK NEWSLETTER 98
> Honey, I shrunk the kids! A word of advice from Dan Seaborn
> News:
> Marriage support: Church must catch up, says Bishop
> Making a big Noise about Christianity
> Youth citizenship: are you an award-winner?
> Sites:
> Behind every successful woman ...
> Faithmaps - charting spiritual discovery
> Next wave - reshaping church for a changing culture
>
Marriage MOT: Love doesn't delight in others' mistakes
> You've got to laugh: Birthday gifts
> Members' Zone latest
OUR
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Dear All
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God bless
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Christian Family Network
info@cfnetwork.co.uk
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PS Christian
Family Network is here to direct you to the best in parenting,
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ADVICE
Build 'em up while you can ...
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
by Dan Seaborn
From the amount of video equipment set up around them, it was obvious
that some member of their family was about to perform the most important
role of a lifetime. The grandmother leaned over me, and, pointing
to her programme, said: "That little boy is my grandson."
I attempted to act surprised and encouraged her to take the lens cap
off her camera.
Their little actor finally entered stage left and shared ten words
while the whole family held their breath. When he finished, they laughed,
hugged and cheered so much that they missed seeing the next speaker.
Then my son was on stage. He didn't have any solo parts, but he sure
did look awesome. I was certain that every parent out there was looking
right at him, wishing he was theirs. As the event continued, I looked
around at other parents, noticing many smiles of encouragement for
their own children.
Suddenly, I began to observe other children on that stage - those
who had no one there to believe in them. While so many others were
growing in confidence, these children were shrinking, losing belief
in themselves.
Genesis 22 records one of the most treasured stories in the Bible.
The picture of Isaac on the altar is worth more than words can say.
Isaac respected his father, understood his own self-worth and knew
that God had a bigger plan. It was obvious that he had known years
of support and encouragement from a loving family.
If your children are still in the home, now is your opportunity to
build self-worth and confidence. You may have established a reputation
that you shrink others with words or tones of discouragement. But
decide to change that - starting now! I do not believe it is ever
too late to start changing your words in building up your family members.
In the rest of this article go to our Advice section at http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/advice.asp
> THIS WEEK'S NEWS
> Making a noise about Christianity
Hundreds of young people took part in The Noise community project this month. The initiative, which sprang from the Message 2000 event in Manchester, aims to make a "noise” in the community by putting faith into action.
Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story
> Youth citizenship: are you an award-winner?
Nominationsare now invited for the 2003 Philip Lawrence Awards, set up in memory of headteacher Philip Lawrence, stabbed to death at the gates of his secondary school in 1995 after going to help a pupil attacked by a gang.
Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/resources.asp for the full story
> Marriage support - Church must 'catch up' says Bishop
In preparing
couples for their wedding, churches provide popular community-based
support for marriage and other relationships – according to independent
research funded by the Lord Chancellor's Department.
Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story
>
MARRIAGE MOT
>
Check out our archived marriage tips in the Members'
Zone, plus stacks more marriage resources at http://www.2-in-2-1.co.uk
Love
... doesn’t delight in others' mistakes or misfortunes
I wonder how much of us take secret pleasure in someone else’s
misfortune. Much of our humour is about laughing at other’s mistakes
or foolishness.
Trouble is this can be hurtful. It may give us secret pleasure and
boost our egos. "At least I wouldn’t do something that stupid!"
"Serves them right ... " How superior we can feel!
There’s no place, in our love for someone, for enjoying their
suffering. The very thought makes me feel sick.
If you find yourself gloating in this way, perhaps you need a reality
check. Just how good is the love you are offering your spouse and
isn’t it time to sort out your attitudes? They’re worth
more than that!
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>
EVENTS
Catch up with the latest in our Events guide at http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/resources.asp
Send
your family/church event to info@cfnetwork.co.uk
for a free listing.
Small groups, growing churches 2004
Almost 1,000 small group leaders enjoyed a day's teaching, inspiration and encouragement as part of the 2003 Small groups, growing churches tour organised in March by Christian Herald, Scripture Union and CPO.
Now plans are underway for more dates in 2004. And the organisers are looking for enthusiastic churches keen to host a training day, and promote it to the surrounding area. You'll need a main meeting place able to hold 2-300, and at least two smaller rooms able to take up to 80 people each.
We're
particularly interested in churches in the following areas:
Exeter, Tonbridge, York, Derby, Leicester, Norwich. If you
think your church could get involved with this exciting initiative
- with some free places for your small group leaders - mail
Lyn Bedford on lynbedford@christianmedia.org.uk or call her
on 01903 602126.
> SITES WORTH SEEING
Behind every successful woman ...
Who's
behind many a successful woman? Ask David Sanford, freelance writer,
editor and author of Behind
Every Successful Woman. This article appeared in Focus
on the Family Magazine, and points husbands at the privilege
of honouring, cherishing and supporting their wives. Sanford says:
"The Good Husband doesn't expect his wife to automatically
duplicate the virtues of the Wonder Woman described so poetically
in Proverbs 31. Instead, he encourages his wife in personal growth
and maturity. And she does the same for him. Imagine what God
could do through a couple like that!"
Tools for the post-modern church
Faithmaps bills itself
as the toolshed for navigating theology, leadership, discipleship,
and church life in post-modernity.
Next-Wave, through its
online magazine and discussion board, invites church leaders and
lay persons to discuss the changes needed in the way church works
to reach a postmodern culture for Christ.
> YOU'VE GOT TO LAUGH ...
Birthday
gifts
On her birthday, a first year school teacher l was receiving gifts
from her pupils. The florist's son handed her a gift. She shook it,
held it over her head, and said: "I bet I know what it is - flowers!"
"That's right!" said the boy, "but how did you know?"
"Just a wild guess," she said.
The next pupil was the newsagent's daughter. The teacher held her
gift overhead, shook it, and said: "I bet I can guess what it
is - a box of chocolates!"
"That's right! But how did you know?" asked the girl.
"Just a lucky guess," said the teacher.
The next gift was from the off-licence owner's son. The teacher held
the bag over her head and noticed that it was leaking. She touched
a drop of the leakage with her finger and tasted it.
"Is it wine?" she asked.
"No," the boy replied.
The teacher repeated the process, touching another drop of the leakage
to her tongue. "Is it champagne?" she asked.
"No," the boy replied.
The teacher then said: "I give up, what is it?"
The boy replied: "A puppy!"
>
CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK THIS WEEK
(MEMBERS' ZONE) - http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/default.asp
>
Advice
> Honey I shrunk the kids! Advice on encouragement and building
up your children, from Dan Seaborn
>
Resources
>
Russ Bravo on Christian creativity online
> Gospel on campus: reports of student mission success
> The unlikely tale of the Baptist dog
>
News
> Marriage support: Church must catch up, says Bishop
> Making a big Noise about Christianity
> Youth citizenship: are you an award-winner?
> News Extra: Life launches texting support service
>
Top sites this week
>
Behind every successful woman ...
> Help in presenting the Gospel to postmodern culture: Faithmaps,
Next-Wave
> Technology help for harrassed pastors: PC Ministries and the
Computer tutor
> Events: More of what's on near you
> Webwatch Index: more than 500 sites at your fingertips
> Site Search Engine: the easy way to trawl our 500-page
plus archives
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