daddy4ms

This summer (May-July), I have the opportunity to preach every week at Hesston MB Church.  I am excited about it and look forward to the challenge.  I plan to post on Wednesday of each week a little teaser for the sermon which could include verses to read, quotes to ponder, or a picture.  So, check back on May 2nd for the first sermon teaser. Here is a tentative preaching schedule: May 6- 5 Solas-Scripture Alone May 13- 5 Solas-Grace Alone May 20- 5 Solas-Christ Alone May 27- 5 Solas-Faith Alone June 3-Community VBS Service at Hesston High School-No Go Deeper Hour or worship at HMBC June 10- 5 Solas-Glory of God Alone June 17- God is....Creator, Triune June 24- God is....Good, Great July 1- God is....Holy, Loving July 8-Pastor Jared Menard Preaching July 15- God is....Provider, Merciful July 22- God is....Substitute, Sacrifice, Savior July 29-Guest Preacher

One of the highlights of my summer is Park and Pool Day.  Below you will see pictures from previous years.  This year's Park and Pool Day is a big group activity and all of the big groups have been invited.  We will meet at King Park. Here is the schedule for the night: 6:00 p.m.-Picnic at King Park-Bring food for your own family 6:45 p.m.-Family Kickball 7:30 p.m.-Pool Party. Hope to see you there!

Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 parenting.  My post today focuses on fun and enjoying your kids during the summer break.  You can read the post here

Summer went by too fast this year.  Since school has been in session for two weeks now, I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures of the summer.

Despite the clouds, we had a good time at our church family pool party tonight. Thanks to all who came!

Check out this great resource for families for the summer.  It was written by staff at The Village Church in Texas.  Check it out here .

A few years ago, a family at my church asked about family camps in the area.  I started looking for good resources to share with them.  I found several around the United States, but the closest ones to us were in Colorado & Missouri.  Some were connected with specific denominations and others were more generic.  I had heard several recommended, but to me the biggest obstacle was cost.  Here are a few possibilities for you: Kanakuk Horn Creek St. Louis Family Camp New Life Ranch As I think about the possibility of Family Camp, I wonder if people would be interested.  So here are a few questions for you to help me answer. What is a reasonable cost for a camp where you as a family can have fun and learn together? If Family Camp were offered, would you attend?  Why or why not? What would you like to see included at a Family Camp (schedule, activities, speaker, music)? What would be the barriers for you attending a Family Camp?  Grandp...

This post is not intended as complaining, but instead a simple observation. Where has the summer gone? For some reason, this summer has flown by for us. It seems like just the other day that I was picking up kids from the last day of school. My explanation: trips every 2 weeks packed into about a month and a half. I went to AMFM conference June 20-23, ICRS on July 10-15, & MB Convention and Vacation Aug. 3-9. So as soon as I got caught up from being gone for a week, I had to get ready to go again. This is not complaining because I have loved every minute of each of these trips. I would not change a thing. All of this is a reminder that time is flying by. I have to ask myself: Am I using my time wisely? Am I making memories with my wife, children, family, friends, & others? Am I passing on faith to my kids intentionally? Am I sharing the hope I have in Christ? Am I using my gifts for God's glory? So, did your summer fly by? I encourage you to ask y...

While Bethany and I were in Atlanta, the kids spent the week in Yates Center. They have been looking forward to this time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins for weeks. Molly has been asking since the middle of June when she gets to go to grandma's house. The middle girls love seeing their cousins and spending time with them. They had a great time in Yates Center. They went to five different pools while they were there. Also, enjoyed some shopping and basketball practice. They enjoyed eating at Aunt Kay Jean's and attending a baby shower for Allison ( Matile ) Garst . We were told that grandma makes the best macaroni and cheese. I think the kids were ready to be home, but they were glad to have had so much fun and spend "a lot of days" with Mason, Maddie, & Morgan.

Tonight, marks the beginning of summer for me. It has been the "tradition" for the last several years to kick off summer ministry activities by heading to McPherson Water Park. They have a great deal on Friday nights from 5-8 p.m. where you can get your entire family into the water park for $7. Several families from Hesston MB attended tonight and it was a lot of fun. The water was freezing, but it was not too bad because it was so warm outside. Thanks to all who came out tonight! Another sure sign of summer the busyness of the month of June. Most evenings are busy with going to kids' ballgames. Starting next week, the oldest three begin tennis camp & basketball camp plus games in the evening. The following week is our community Vacation Bible School. The week after I am excited about attending the Association of Marriage & Family Ministry Conference in Dallas, Texas. I have a feeling I will look back at the month of June and realize it has flown by. I ...

Tomorrow is the last day of school for Hesston kids. Many of you from the area are already done. I wanted to remind us as parents to enjoy our summer with the kids. Many times we can get overwhelmed and stressed by having the kids around all day long again. But we need to remember that our time with our kids is limited. We need to cherish these extra hours with our kids this summer. Here are a few things to consider: Make some memories together. Play a game. Be silly! Have a picnic. Go to the park. Play kick ball. Sit down and pray together. Talk about how awesome God is as you go on a walk. Go to the Arboretum and show how God created everything and how unique each and every flower and tree is. Memorize Scripture together. Spend some time in family worship. Play some water games or go to the pool. Visit extended family. Take a road trip. Ask your kids what they would like to do and go and do it. Treasure these moments as our kids will be grown before we know it. Thank you God ...

I cannot believe that summer is almost over. We leave on Sunday for our vacation. We will be staying in Paris, TN for a few days and then end the vacation in Branson . The kids are very excited! Bethany and Shirley are working on things for the kids to do in the car. Once we get back to Hesston , the kids will start school is a little over a week. They are ready! So is mom. What else does the end of summer bring? Fall-which means activities get started again. Hide N Seek (our children's program) will begin with a cookout and parent meeting on Aug. 26 th at 6:45 p.m. I am working on implementing a new ministry to our 5 th /6 th graders that will also kickoff that evening. I am very excited about this new ministry and think the 5 th /6 th graders and their parents will be too. New Sunday School teachers begin on Aug. 16. It makes your head start to spin a little. But I am ready. Starting in November, I missed out on all of this last year. I have enjoyed evaluating ...

Well, last week was the kids' first week out of school. It included ball practices and trips to the pool and lots of outside time. As I think about summer, I usually associate it with more time. The kids are home more often during the day. However, this summer I am realizing that activities can quickly fill our schedules. Our evenings are packed-between now and July 9 th , we have 3 open evenings. This is not me complaining; it's just the facts. It reminds me of the importance of balance. Even though we are so busy, it does not mean that I should spend less time with the kids. I just have to become more creative. As a dad, I need to remember the following important times: meal times (include more than eating such as "highs of the day", prayer, worship, Scripture memory) bed times (pray for your kids, read Bible stories together, sing together) driving (talk about the day, ask questions as you drive) church (activities should not replace Sunday worship-not leg...