I will admit though, that after check in, I am very disappointed so far.  There is one thing I always look forward to after check-in and that is the conference bag and notebook.  The bag this year is from Plywood People (www.plywoodpeople.com).  The idea is pretty cool and I like the concept.  Don’t know if I will carry around the bag this week though because it really looks more like a purse than anything.

But what I was disappointed about the most was the notebook.  In the past years the notebook has been a really well put together resource that is suitable to take notes in and to put one my bookshelf at the office.  This year, I feel they tried to cut corners financially (which is odd because the cost of the conference was still expensive) by putting together a “newspaper” look.  No room for taking notes and completely pointless to carry around because it is so big and awkward.

I so hope that the conference from here on out doesn’t have a cheap feel.  Praying that even if it does, God will still give me the fuel to take EPIC to the next great thing He has for us.

ORANGE.  Where Faith and Family intersect.

Activity:  Haiti Relief

Perhaps you are tired of all the news coverage about the earthquake in Haiti but the truth is there are people whose lives have been turned upside down.  Take some time to sit down as a family and discuss the situation and ultimately how you, as a family, can help.

Here are some suggestions for discussion:

• Where do you think God is in this disaster?
• Read Psalm 60, a psalm of lament. What do you make of this passage? Does it truly  reflect God’s character or does it reflect the feelings of the psalmist? Or both?
• Read Psalm 143, a cry for help. When we ask God for help, how do you think the prayer is answered? In what ways do you think prayers for help are being answered in Haiti right now?

After you are finished discussing, pray for the people of Haiti and the rescue/relief workers.

Finish up by jumping on the computer and looking for agencies that have a presence in Haiti that have ways you can help.  One suggested organization is Lifeline out of Westerville, OH.  Check them out here:  www.lifeline.org.

Okay, I am aware that it is not Monday but since I missed a couple of weeks due to Christmas, I thought it would be best to post one now at the beginning of the New Year.

ORANGE.  Where Faith and Family intersect.

Activity:  New Year’s Covenants

I am sure each and everyone of us has sat down, at the end of the year, to evaluate the past year and to vision about the coming year.  I know I have.  As long as I can remember I have sat down to write out New Year’s resolutions.  From losing weight, to becoming better organized, to connect more with God.  And yet, at the end of the year, I seem to have failed WAY MORE than I was successful.  The problem with resolutions are just that, they are a resolve to change.  I think it best to make a covenant to change, a contract with God and with others, to live differently.

Application:

With that in mind, sit down as a family.  Talk about what the year looked like as a family and individually. (Parents, don’t be afraid to be honest about your shortcomings as well.  Your student already knows them.)  After you have listed areas you can improve, write out a covenant to God as a family as to how you are going to improve in the New Year.  Sign it as a family and post it up in a prominent place (such as, refrigerator, front door, etc.).  Then hold each other accountable to keeping the family covenant.

ORANGE.  Where Faith and Family intersect.

Activity:  Letter to God

I am not sure what it was like at your house when you children were younger and it was Christmas time but at the Smith house, our kids are excited about gifts.  In fact, they are so excited that they write Santa letters so he knows what they want from him.  Anna is keeping these letters so we can look back on them years down the road and just remember these days.

These letters got us thinking at EPIC.  How often do we write a letter to God with the same passion, desire, love and anticipation that our kids do to Santa?  Probably not that often, if ever.  So we recently did a new worship experience where we encouraged our students to write letters to God.  What an amazing experience.  The heart that these students poured out broke my heart.

Application:

Scour the attic, basement, boxes, etc and see if you can find old letters your kids wrote to Santa, or better yet, to God.  If you don’t have any, look up “letters to Santa” on the internet and read some of those.

Then, as a family, sit down and write a letter to God.  Share your hurts, desires, passions and anticipations.  Store the letter in a safe place.  A year from now, pull the letter out and read it.

ORANGE.  Where Faith and Family intersect.

Activity:  Nature Watch

The other day my son and I were out sitting in the woods.  I know it is cold out side, but with the leaves off the trees, you can see so much more of nature. 

As we entered the woods everything got quiet as the animals scurried toward safety.  It only took 15-20 after we found our spot and sat still before the animals soon reappeared from their safety.  It was amazing to sit there and watch my son’s eyes and see the expression on his face as squirrels and birds came within feet of him.

After we got back into the car, my son was full of questions about God, creation, and nature.  For the entire ride home we talked about how amazing God is to have created all the different things He did.

Application:  Take your student away for 1-2 hours to just sit in nature.  Alum Creek, Delaware State Park or Highbanks are great areas.  Just be still and watch as God’s creation comes alive around you.

Afterwards, find a place to talk.  I prefer on the ride home or better yet in a coffee shop.  Ask the following questions:

1.  What was your favorite thing about sitting in nature?

2.  What surprised you the most?

3.  What does nature say about who God is?  (i.e. creative, powerful, detailed, etc).

4.  What stood out the most from this experience?

Don’t let God moments pass by with out point them out and talking about them with your student.

These ideas are meant to bring the family and faith together.

Check back this Monday for our first installment.

Two COMBINED influences make a great impact than just two influences.