Popcorn and Parables (Disney Villain edition) - Week 1

Frozen: A Bad Parenting Story

So often I have heard myself say, “that will leave a mark” or, “they will be in therapy for that someday”.  To all my fellow parents out there we have to face it, we are not perfect, far from it at times. None of us set out to mess up or be “bad parents”.  On the contrary, we are trying hard to be great parents, sadly so much so that sometimes we get it all wrong.  

As we look at our first week in the new series “Popcorn and Parables” we take a look at villains and compare them to biblical failures.  Week one is Hans from Disney's “Frozen”, he is compared to Adonijah (1 Kings 1), both of whom try to usurp thrones from the rightful heirs.  The primary cause is the bad parenting of the villains which results in the actions they take. The blame falls largely on the parents for not speaking into the lives of their children and leaving them to sink or swim.  Yes, this is a bad parenting technique.

Before I delve further into Hans and Adonijah, I want to get back to my original statement.  None of us set out to be bad parents. Nonetheless, we, like Anna and Elsa’s parents, act in a way we think is helping, but in the end can be just as damaging as ignoring our children completely.  Anna’s parents thought the trolls advice to take away her memories was good, they agreed it was best for Elsa to hide the gift she had been given rather than embrace it, and they even felt leaving their children to live isolated lives from the world and one another was good for them.  King David, was also an absent parent for his children, he seldom gave them time, avoided conflicts among them, and even sent them away from his presence (2 Samuel). Both the Disney Parents and King David made poor parenting choices, but they were not evil or villainous.  

It is easy to sit back in a chair and judge the bad choices of others, but not so easy to look at our own failures.  How many of us get sucked into a TV program or our phones and ignore the child climbing the walls? How many times have we said “no” 10 times only to cave in on the 11th request?  How many of us still run lunches or homework to the school to save our child from the pain of failure?  The very person who claims to have coined the phrase “Helicopter Parent” (John Rosemond) now cringes because our society has made it out to not necessarily be a bad thing.  He goes on to now call parents “Blender or Cuisinart Parents” whose lives are so enmeshed in their children’s lives you cannot tell where one begins and the other ends (Rosemond “Parenting by the Book”).  Prior to looking at others, we must first acknowledge the query: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers’ eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3).

Now, back to Hans and Adonijah.  Both were lost in the shuffle of where they fit in amongst their siblings.  Both seem to have had absentee parents. And both seem to have developed a ‘make my own way’ philosophy.  Hans was the 13th son of a Lord of a distant land who comes to find his purpose in marrying and then attempts to usurp the throne from Queen Elsa.  Adonijah doesn’t wait for his father, King David, to be dead before claiming the throne from David’s declared heir Solomon (1 Kings 1).  Hans and Adonijah likely had never heard their father say they “matter” let alone show them they were loved. They may have had some relationship with their mothers, but the fact is neither mother nor father had instilled in them a sense there was a right and wrong path. 

No matter if you are the good parent just making mistakes like so many of us, or if you are the parent who have lost your way and need to make things right; none of us are alone.  The Lord can show you the way to be an attentive parent and guide your parenting choices if you read His Word and listen with a soft heart.  There are resources, friends, mentors, small groups, and classes all of which are available to get better on this whole parenting thing.  We are not perfect, nor will our children be, but we are all forgiven and made righteous by His blood. Let us all do our best to leave our children a little better than ourselves and the world a better place than we have now. 

“May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children.  May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalms 115: 14 – 15).

Written by Christian Love

Orange Tour Take Aways - Make It Personal

I attended Orange tour this year with several others from the AC3 youth leader team, the Kreek Kids team, and Hillside Church leader team.

Orange believes that two combined influences make a greater impact than just two individual influences.

The Church + Home = greater impact 
Light (yellow) represents the Church + Love (red)represents the Home 
And the two of them together = Orange

Each year we go to Orange we get resourced and empowered to connect the church with the family to bring Jesus into the hearts of each kid that comes through our doors. I am so grateful our team has able to go the last couple years. 

This year's theme was "It's Personal" 

The speakers and teachers called for all of us to connect more deeply and individually with the kids and teens in our lives—to really get personal. 


How? 
Reggie Joiner and his team presented 5 Questions that you should answer to give every kid HOPE. 








Here they are (from the perspective of the child you lead):

1.) Do you know my name?
Such a small, simple piece of knowledge yet it speaks wonders to a child when you know it. Their name. When we can look a kid in the eye that came to your class for the first time last week and say "Hey Brian how are you doing this week?" Their eyes light up, just because we took the time to notice them, and remember who they are. 

2.) Do you know what matters to me?
We need to see each kid as an individual, and as an individual they have different likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies etc. "When you know what matters to kids, kids feel like they matter." 
3 tips for how to do this one:

• See kids as individuals. This is particularly applicable for those of us that work in ministry and education. We often see the group of kids but sometimes forget to see each kid individually. 
• Ask clarifying questions. Simple questions like "What do you mean by that?" or "Tell me more about that." or "Oh?" can help a kid feel like what they are saying matters and therefore they matter.
• Do things that interest them. When you know a kids interests you know what matters to them.

3.) Do you know where I live? (Understanding their story and context)
"Nobody needs to be seen by everybody. But everybody needs somebody who sees them." If you know a kid's circumstance, where they come from, what their family is like, then they will feel like someone actually sees them. This can help make a child feel loved, accepted and safe.

4.) Do you know what I've done?
So many kids can be consumed by shame over what they've done. Shame is associated with depression, grief, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction and violence. According to Brene Brown–“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing we are flawed and therefore unworthy of acceptance and belonging." 
When we begin to know kids personally, we can break down the lie that what you do defines who you are. 

More from Bréne Brown on shame here:  Bréne Brown Ted Talk 

5.) Do you know what I can do?
This one speaks to a kids potential. God has created each child with amazing gifts, talents, and their own personality. He has breathed creativity and passion into each one of them. "We often speak to what we think students need instead of what they actually need." Perhaps if we take the time to make it personal, to get to know what they can do, we can help them grow into their fullest potential, embracing the person God has created them to be. 

That's it! Simple huh? It may be simple but its not always easy. 

However if we can begin to answer these 5 questions we can begin to make it personal. 
Do you know....

And when we Make It Personal with the kids in our lives, we are really loving them the way Jesus does. 

Open Prayer Nights at AC3

Praying out loud in a group can be daunting, but like most things, with a little practice you can overcome your fear. Let me begin with a funny story about my first experience praying in a group, I think it’s humorously called “baptism by fire.”

Several years ago, when I stepped into the lead role at Seeds of Grace, I was asked to attend the weekly staff meetings. Upon attending my first meeting I discovered staff has what is referred to as the “prayer pot.” Inside the prayer pot are little pieces of paper with names of people, groups, events, etc. Each person draws a piece of paper from the pot and that is what or who you are to pray for…..at the meeting……OUTLOUD! I had very limited experience praying out loud and here I sit with what I considered the “elite” prayer people at AC3. Sweat was starting to form on my forehead.  When the pot finally makes its way to me, I draw none other than Rick Thiessen. 

I was terrified. What on earth was I going to say about the Senior Pastor, out loud, in front of him without sounding like a fool?  I sat there in fear listening to each staff member pray their beautiful, articulate words for who/what they had drawn and then…. its my turn. To be honest, I really have no idea what I said but I think it was along the lines of “Lord, thank you for Rick.” And that was it. I was sure at that point everyone knew what a failure I was at prayer, at least that is what Satan was telling me in my thoughts. 

As the weeks passed praying in a group setting became easier. I always had to keep in mind that I was talking to God, not the other people around the table so it didn’t matter if my words were beautiful and articulate to their ears, it just matters that God knows what is in my heart. 

Don’t let the fear of what you think you sound like keep you from praying with others. Satan knows that prayer (especially in groups) are a Christians strongest weapon so of course he wants us to fear it. Focus instead on the fact that you are just having a conversation with God, not the other people in the room. That said, did you know there is an Open Prayer night twice a month (1st and 3rd Thursdays) at AC3 in the wedge from 6:30-8pm. Come join myself and few others – I promise, it won’t be that scary. We don’t have a prayer pot but if you want to pray for Rick, I am sure he won’t mind 😊

~Written by Michelle Daniels

More details may be found HERE

Knock it Off--Week 4

When you hear these 2 words "attractive people" what comes to mind? If you're like me right away their beautiful physical looks comes to mind. When I was asked to write a blog about attractive people I thought what!? But then I read a little more into the concept of what they were talking about. The word attractive means to
(of a thing) pleasing or appealing to the senses.

"an attractive home"

(of a person) appealing to look at; sexually alluring.
"an attractive, charismatic man"

Similar:, good-looking, nice-looking, beautiful, pretty, as pretty as a picture, handsome, lovely, gorgeous, captivating, irresistible, sexy, sexually attractive, alluring, desirable, sensual.

My avenue of thought is geared towards being attractive for Jesus' sake. People whose efforts present Jesus to the world through their lives.


Attract to make others want to be near you or around you because of your life. God designed in the animal Kingdom pheromones that attract the opposite sex. We mimic those with perfumes and body washes and fragrance and things that attract by smell. Hollywood attracts its audience with movie trailers and advertisements for what they created, teasers to make us want to see the movie. In health, does the person that is physically fit, seemingly happy, and tan, attract you to the gym or the diet table to become fit? Or is it the one who holds up the pants that used to be 10 sizes bigger than they are now, and they stand victorious over what once held them captive?

Which makes them more attractive? 

So let's turn this thought process towards christians. What do christians do to make themselves attractive to draw people to what they believe? It's odd that this subject came up for me at the time that it did, my friend and I were talking about who the most attractive people were in our lives and the lives of our friends when we were not Christ followers by action. We believed but were not living the life. I was really surprised to hear both of us answer the same thing. Ready, drumroll... 

It was the mormon church and its members who seemingly came to the rescue and were there to be the shoulder to cry on. It was them that paid the bills and put our friends up in a house, and then came to check on us or our friends. Or came to visit and nurture a battered wife whom they didn't know. It was them that offered to go buy my groceries when my back was out or when I was down. The Mormon visitors offered to do my laundry or mow the grass, and they were complete strangers off the street-very beautiful, very attractive I must say. They were amazing until it turned to conversations about faith and our differing views of who Jesus is. I must say though they changed my view of how to treat Mankind.


Clearly now in my life, the Christians I know do these things for people, they just never did them for me when I was unsettled about my faith. I've known a lot of people who went the opposite direction when I was in need, they didn't want to get involved in the things that were messy or painful, or unpleasant, or that would cost them something and that sent me a terrible message. I learned through applying the directions in the Word of God to my life that I loved mankind better and better. And it gained me an audience with them because of it.

Lets look at what Jesus did when he saw the unpleasant messy painful circumstances of peoples lives. Well He fed them, He presented to them hope, He told them the truth, he comforted them with words and with touch, He didn't turn the children away even when the disciples said to send them away. He didn't turn away the people that were crying out even when the disciple said tell them to be quiet.

He spent time with them like the woman at the well, you know the one that was there at noon so she didn't have to see the other women who were there early in the morning?He stayed three days in her city with her and her family as a guest. What do you suppose he did and said for those three days? We're not told. He took his entourage of men some 30 miles away from home, further than most of them had ever been, to visit a woman who was not a Jew (the dog) and listened to her cries and then healed her daughter from the demon that possessed her. What he also did  was acknowledge and upheld her faith by his listening to her outcry.

He called out to Zacheus an undesirable Jewish man who was a tax collector and was disliked by the populous, that he wanted to come spend time in his house with him despite the popular vote. And when he could not do it himself, he sent others in his name to accomplish the tasks and support the people.

Jesus was devoted to the temple. He went there to worship God and to teach and when he went to other cities he visited their synagogues while he was there. He devoted 3 years to 12 men and he was noted for having the practice of getting away to be with God and spend time alone with him. He gave instruction how to live life and not sin, how to please God and rely on him. He would tell them things like:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:7‭-‬12 NIV

So what do you consider to be attractive beautiful people? 

Are you yourself part of that group?

Or are you left wanting to be the receiver of beautiful attractive people who will come love on you?

So many questions, right? 

I guess the bottom line is ...If we live by example as we are called to do, then I must say who we are using as our example matters greatly. We don't want to be fake but authentic in our outward appearance because of the work done on the inward parts of our lives.

The Saints of the Bible and those who used them as examples to test and approve their lives is a great place to start looking on how to become more attractive people for Jesus.

-Written by Wayne Clinton 

Leading Small to Yield God-Sized Results

"If we want to influence what kids believe about God, themselves, and the rest of the world, we need to give them somewhere to belong." Reggie Joiner

Mavis' Art Class

Kreek Kids has recently made a decision to 'Lead Small' while looking for God-sized results! What does this mean in actual practice?

1. In order to impact the next generation, we are creating intentional small group experiences where kids can have fun learning and where relationships can grow.
   
   
2. For us, this means Sunday morning breakout groups have started for our 4th & 5th graders where kids may explore the arts, learn something new or review what they've learned in their large group time for the day in a creative way. 
     
3. Starting in October, we are opening a weekly small group, for 1st & 2nd-grade girls, during Sunday morning 10:30am services with Miss Dea! Dea currently teaches our preschool class once-a-month on our Saturday team and wants to do more to impact the next generation of heroes at AC3. This group of girls will meet in our Orange Room which we love! Why? We believe the Orange strategy of partnering with parents and caring adults is a winner and we have attended the Orange Tour the last three years! What a great room to start this weekly group!
   

Below is an email from Miss Dea to our parents. Feeling the nudge?  This can be your invitation to 'Lead Small' with us. Enjoy!

Choosing to Lead Small

Dear Parents, 

For those of you who don't know me my name is Deanna Braaten. Many of you may know me as Miss Dea.

My husband and I have been long-time supporters of Kreek Kids and our adult children have all been part of children's ministry in one way or another. Our youngest daughter is currently a Kreek Kid.

I have been praying about where God is leading me in Kreek Kids. Over the last few years, several key things have taken place in my life. 

First, with my own daughter beginning elementary school, I see the need for strong faith conversations in this developmental age range. Secondly, attending the annual Orange conference reinforces my belief in partnering with families to build a strong faith foundation. And finally, I have a deep desire to serve in ministries that promote legacy.

With all that said, I'm joining Twila in the development of Kreek Kids breakouts and small group leader implemented lessons.

Your child is invited to join me and Michelle Daniels on Sundays in the orange room for small group lessons and activities. Your child will begin in 'big' church as usual and be dismissed during the service. They will meet in the blue room for the big idea and the large group time. We then will bring our small group to the orange room (Prepare the Way Classroom) for our lesson. You are able to pick up your child from us there at 11:45. This small group time is set aside specifically for 1st and 2nd-grade girls.

We are very excited to see how this small group builds strong faith foundations and positive and encouraging relationships. The idea that each child grows and develops a sense of identity, belonging and purpose in Christ is at the forefront of our approach to children's ministry.

Our initial plan is to implement our breakouts and small groups each Sunday from October to May.

Please let me or Twila know if you have any questions. You may also be thinking this sounds like something you may be interested in joining too! Come talk with us. We'd love to chat over coffee or tea.

Thank you,
Most Sincerely
Miss Dea

AC3 VB208 What's Coming Up?

Morph/RELIC Parent Preview (9/24 & 9/25)

Hey Parents! 

It’s the last week to do the Vital Church input form! If you haven’t heard, we are trying to evaluate here at AC3. We want to ALWAYS being evaluating, growing and doing things the best that we can. 

The goal is to have EVERY AC3 attender, high school and above, fill out a survey. 

 It takes about 30 minutes to fill out, so I know its a big ask. BUT, we NEED your help. 

Would you PLEASE help us by filling out this input form? 

Find it here :https://ac3.us16.list-manage.com/track/click…

And if you have a high school student, please have your them fill it out! It needs to be filled out THIS WEEK.

Also, their team will be paying a visit to AC3 later this fall to interview staff, key leaders, and a representative cross section of AC3’s congregation as well as observe our ministries in action, tour our facility, and the community. We’ll do our best to keep you informed!

Here is the parent preview for this week:

(6th - 8th grade)
RELIC stands for RELATIONALLY EMPOWERING LIVES IN CHRIST. 

At youth group each week, we play games, we eat food, we hang out. These students have a true community here. And we teach about Jesus. RELIC is here so that your student has a safe and fun place to investigate this whole Christianity/Church thing and so that they have a community to call their own. 

 

(9th - 12th grade)
Morph meets every Tuesday from 6pm-8pm. Morph is short for Metamorphosis. By Definition, Metamorphosis is: "a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.” 

When someone so amazing, so powerful, and so incredible as the person of Jesus Christ comes into our lives, we are transformed into NEW creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). At youth group each week, we play games, we eat food, we hang out. These students have a true community here. And we teach about Jesus. We talk about how he has transformed our lives and ask the question, how then should we be different? 

Creek Espresso is OPEN this week from 5-6:15. 

Send your students early to hang out, do homework or play foursquare in the parking lot! If you can, give your kiddo a few $$$ to pick up an Italian soda, a tea, or a cup of hot chocolate and this week they’ll have SNACKS! The Espresso stand will be open every other week for the Fall. 

Snacks - Just a reminder, we are on a bit of a spending freeze at church so our snacks for the month of September will be limited and mostly sugary… We’ve always encouraged students to not use our snack as their substitute for dinner, so please feed them before they come. 

Mixing up Small Groups - We will meet in small groups at the beginning of group. Mixing it up again this week. We will do this a couple times over the next few weeks and then solidify those groups starting in October.

Hang time and Game Time - Brandon’s back this week and fired up to do some fun new games!

We are continuing our teaching series called “What do you think?”

During the pause, our leader team took some time to learn about this next Generation, Gen-Z. We learned lots of amazing things about these students and their peers, but we want to know more! We want to know OUR students, the students of RELIC and Morph. This week we will be looking at the issue of loneliness. This is an issue Gen Z specifically struggles with, more so than other generations. So we want to ask the question, "why?" and help students discover how they can combat loneliness in their own lives.

Announcements! Announcements! Announcements!

• Sunday Morning Class starting up! We are FINALLY adding a sunday morning class for Jr. High and High School during our 10:30 service starting the 1st weekend in October. It’ll be in the conference room. Bring your bible! 

• Contact Cards! Last week of our contact cards, trying to get each student to fill one out. 

• Social Media! Have you liked us, friended us, followed us, tweeted us, hashtagged us, snapped us, insta-ed us? We are ALL over social media, we have all the things! SO, find us and follow us, like us or whatever else you need to do. Search RELIC, Morph, or RELIC.ac3, Morph.ac3. 

That’s it for this week! Hope to see you there and don't forget to invite a friend!

-B