JOHN REDDY OnLine

Paintball & The Heart of Man

This past Friday, my young friend Taylor Arellano invited me (and my sons - Alex & Joe) to go to his birthday party held at Monster Paintball (www.playmonsterpaintball.com)  in Woburn, MA. 

Once I got there and looked at all of the teenagers he had invited, I realized that I was in for a long night of dodging their efforts.  Shrewdly, I turned to my good friend - Elder Henry Scarano - and cut a deal (seeing it was his first time).  We agreed to a non-aggression pact.  If we ended up on different teams, we'd wouldn't shoot each other.  Our thinking was that all the teenagers would naturally come after us "old folks".  Any way we could avoid the inevitable would be helpful.

Well...

Sure enough we got placed on separate teams.  During Game #1, I made a mad dash around some bunkers and placed Henry squarely in my sights, yelled "Gotcha!", and accepted Henry's surrender without firing a single shot.  During Game #2, I made a mad dash up the middle - headed for glory - when I took a "splat" to the only exposed part of my body, my head.  OUCH!  It really stung!  (Three days later, I still have a huge lump coming out of the side of my head that feels like a 1/2 a Texas Longhor).

  According to the rules of engagement, once hit, you are to raise your paintball gun above your head and go to the sidelines.  As I'm leaving the field of play, I look over to see who got me.  Imagine my surprise when I spot Elder Henry Scarano with a BIG GRIN on his face.

Once he got off the field, I reminded him about our non-aggression pact.  Guess what he told me...

Once he realized he wasn't going to get any of the fleet-footed Middle School teenagers, he was only left with shooting slow-footed, big-as-a-house ME... 

And the energy of the moment took over!  POW! POW! POW!

Somehow, images of Hitler assuring Stalin that Germany would be allies of Russia floated through my mind.  Didn't they have a non-aggression pact prior to WWII?

Oh well,

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. 

Who can understand it?  [Jeremiah 17:9]

Reflections - Bitterness, Forgiveness, & God's Timing for Me

I've been really struggling with feeling bitter towards someone.  Yup!  Because someone has not been meeting my expectations about the nature of our relationship, I've been struggling with very intense emotions.  In fact, it has been strong enough that it has at times interfered with my ability to worship God when we gather as a Church family.

I don't like this.  I know in my mind that it's not good.  And yet... the intensity of the emotions have lingered for a while.

Two weeks ago, it was so strong that I felt compeled to seek prayer during our Worship service.  One of our Elders gently listened to my confession and prayed with me.  But...  my mind continued to dwell on this upset throughout the week.  At no time, am I aware that I said or did anything against this person.  In fact, I had very little interaction at all.

Nevertheless, this morning I was sitting in my pew during the 8:45am Worship Service and...  I'm really struggling.  Big-Time!  Cuz' I know that I'm going to be meeting with this person later this week.  And I'm not looking forward to it.  In fact, I was feeling a little anxious and angry about it.  [Note: Please don't look at your schedule and try to figure out if this person is you.  I've got a bazillion meetings this week; I see most of you every week; You'll make yourself crazy trying to decode this situation]

In my spirit, I heard God's Spirit.  He clearly told me to humble myself, confess my sin of unforgiveness, and ask Him to free me from the growing bitterness so it doesn't take root in my heart.  So...  I tapped the shoulder of the man in the pew in front of me - Doug Spaulding - and do as I believe God has instructed.  I think I startled him at first but he was very gracious and kind.  In my prayer with Doug, I asked God to help me to understand better how to release the emotions that were bogging me down.  (And probably affecting others that I come into contact with...)

Then I sat back down...

Shortly, our Worship Team dimmed the lights and introduced a powerful scene (Thanks Cathy Lento and Lorene Lamb).  The scene and accompanying reflective song illustrated that morning's sermon...

The Grace of Forgiveness...

Wow!  I sat up straight and asked God to be specific within my heart.

Pastor Ray proceded to share... and through his faithfulness to God's Word...

I began to get a clearer understanding of what I needed to do:

• Remember how much I've been forgiven.
• Relinguish my right to get even.
• Respond to evil with good (after all, HURT PEOPLE hurt people)
• Repeat the process as long as necessary.

It's a funny thing but I began to see the person that I'm struggling with in a new light.  Now, I like to keep it real so I won't tell you that everything is fine-and-dandy.  I still need to learn how to live in the midst of this struggle.  But, you know what?  The struggle seemed a lot lighter when I began to view from God's point-of-view and not mine.  And isn't that what growing to be more like Jesus is all about? 

Thanks to Pastor Ray, Trish, and the Worship Team for taking the time to faithfully communicate God's heart for us.  I, for one, left today's Worship Service better prepared to face my week.

The General Store - An Incentive Program

 

                      [The General Store - External View]

As a child-centered ministry, Children’s Ministry has developed the use of a General Store available immediately after our various programs meet.  Our General Store Team has enthusiastically developed a plethora of items designed to appeal to children.  We have intentionally designed this program with sound biblical principles in mind.  To date, our leadership, our parents, our staff, and especially our children have found this incentive worthwhile.  We have summarized the basic guidelines so you can feel greater familiarity with our program.

Principles of Usage#1 – Create Goal Incentives: 

We will use this program to provide goal incentives to motivate actions by your child associated with morally-neutral actions or skills.  Points will be awarded as follows:

FaithWeavers Sunday School (Elementary Division only):

• 1 Pt - Attends class on time.  (By 9:00am sharp or by 11:00am sharp)
• 1 Pt - Brings their Bible.  (Any version will do... although our lessons use NIV)
• 3 Pt - Brings the prior week's HomeConnect Take Home Work back to Small Group on the following Sunday.  It should be signed by a parent who attests that the student made an age-appropriate good faith effort with the family to review that week's lesson.  We suggest that a dinner conversation or just before bed is an ideal opportunity.

FW Friends MidWeek Club (4 years – Grade 5):

• 1 Pt - Attends meetings on time.  (By 6:30pm sharp)
• 1 Pt - Wears their Club TShirt (Any year's color is acceptable)
• 1 Pt - Participates in Small Group Discussion time as indicated by a good faith effort to complete their Journal Activities during Circle of Friend time.

First Time Guests:

In addition, we will encourage your child to bring new friends.  When they do, both the child and their friend will have a special award of ten points apiece.  (We’ll also give our new friend a Children’s Ministry Welcome Gift BackPack).  Not only do we hope to encourage your child to be bold with their invitations but we desire to have their friend’s first experience be a child-centered memorable experience.

Principle of Usage#2 – Provide Random Rewards: 

We will also use this program to provide rewards to motivate behavior - but not necessarily to stimulate behavior.  Rewards are random recognitions of morally superior decision-making choices.  There is a difference between this and our outlined goal incentives.  Know that we will not bribe (a reward held out in advance) for morally superior decision-making.  [I’ve posted our rationale – see xxxx].

This year, a child may be given random points on random occasions in order to recognize and support the development of good moral choices.  Each teacher and teacher assistant has been given 50 points per quarter to distribute as rewards.  They will pace their recognition and giving in accordance with their observations and insight.

How does the Program Work?

1. Items within the General Store are given a point value determined by the cost or value of the item by the General Store Team.
2. Each time a Children's Ministry program meets, small group leaders will take attendance and award points on their personal GS CARD as appropriate.
3. On Sunday, the General Store will be open from 10:10am-10:25am and 12:10pm-12:25pm.  On Wednesdays, the hours will run from 8:00pm-8:10pm.  In addition, on special occasions or by special appointments with individual classes, the General Store will be open.
4. In the event that a child earns points but wishes to save them for future use, they may be turned into the General Store Bank and a balance will be maintained for the child.  All accounts will return to zero at the end of the year.  We encourage younger students attending both Sunday and Wednesday to save on Wednesday and spend on Sunday.  This gets them home a little earlier on Wednesday night.
5. No currency is accepted for store items.  Items are "purchased" solely by tickets earned through our Children's Ministry programs.
6. We do not offer "layaway".  We discourage students from "borrowing" points routinely from another student.  Both options reduce the goal of creating incentives for the individual student.  Occasional exceptions at the discretion of the General Store Team may be made.

How Can I Help?

1. Know the goal incentives and help your child to successfully achieve them.  After all, we believe that the goals identified for this year are goals that you share for your child with us.  Resist doing their tasks for them but you can certainly encourage them to bring home their Sunday HomeConnect Take Home Work and review it with you over dinner or before bed some evening.  Your signature is required for the child to receive credit.  Please, please, please don’t cheapen the experience for your child by signing their work if a good faith effort at considering that week’s Main Point hasn’t occurred.  We want to incentivize carrying Sunday through the week; we do not want to incentivize dishonesty.
2. Talk with your child about their Children’s Ministry experiences.  If you discover that they’ve been randomly rewarded, discuss why and praise their experience.  We are in this together.
3. Serve as a General Store Clerk.  While we have a dedicated core of volunteers routinely covering, we do have opportunities for parents to volunteer on occasion.  Frankly, as this program has grown, we could use the help.  Speak with our General Store Coordinator, Teresa Reddy (BlessTess@aol.com).  You will receive a simple orientation and be conveniently scheduled as needed.
4. Donate items for our General Store.  We do set aside a budget to acquire interesting items for the children.  However, we are always looking for interesting stuff – new or recycled.  For instance, you may find that during housecleaning you’ve built up a supply of interesting trinkets, toys, literature, or other item no longer used by your child but that may be appealing to another child in our program.  If so, bring them to our General Store Coordinator.  We’ll make certain that they are suitable, assign a ticket value, and recycle your item.  If you wish to donate something, simply bring it in at any time, mark your donation “General Store”, and leave it on the counter in the General Store.

Again, we encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have.  Our desire is to create a great learning experience for you child.

Spotlight on Family - Joe Reddy

Yesterday, my son, Joe, played the first football game of his life.  I was really proud of him.  You see... 

This summer he made the decision to try something new.  He was starting at a new school (Northeast Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield, MA) this fall and had heard about the freshman football team.  He took the initiative to find out about the details.  He joined the afternoon workouts even though he didn't know anyone.  He enlisted in his first summer football camp where he got to bang heads with upper classmen.  He did all of this while acknowledging feeling a little anxious about the unfamiliarity of it all.

Friday morning, on his way out the door to school, I checked in with him on the day of the Big Game.  I admired his honesty when he shared feeling a little nervous about the coming game.  I reminded him about God's promises to be with us always... and that includes in a classroom or on a football field.  (In the back of my head, I kept hearing Joshua's words to the people - Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified.  For the LORD, your God, is with you; wherever you may go [Joshua 1:9])

Friday afternoon, I had the privilege to see my son, Joe, start for the Northeast Golden Knights as a Running Back.  He completed his blocking assignments.  He ran his pass patterns.  He even carried the ball three times.  Even though he had a net gain for the day of Zero Rushing Yards.  In my heart and mind, the gains made yesterday afternoon are immeasurable. 

Joe decided, that despite his natural anxiety and nervousness, that he would get in the game.  He committed himself all summer to that end.  He put on the uniform.  He got dirty and tired and a little banged up.  But he got in the game.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of us, as Christians, did so too?

Joe, I'm proud of you.

Sundays at TEC - Children & Families

I want mornings at TEC to be a special experience for children and families that will draw them closer to God.  The following information is shared with families hoping that this experience is easier and more enjoyable.

1)       First Time Guests

a)       All first time guests should anticipate completing Registration Information for each child prior to joining our programs.  Appropriate forms and instructions can be obtained at the child’s destination.

b)       All first time guests should anticipate receiving a Welcome Gift at the conclusion of their first experience with us as a token of our pleasure in meeting you.

c)       While we do assign children to small groups by age and grade, we do recognize that first time guests often feel more comfortable accompanying a friend who brought them.  Temporary assignments are an acceptable way of easing a child through a first time experience.  Parents are welcome to join their child in transition as well.

2)       If your child is Birth through 36 months, you should bring them to PromiseLand 1.

a)       PromiseLand 1 can be located through the Main Foyer, past the Office/Library, and on your left.

b)       PromiseLand 1 is open for dropoff 15 minutes before the main Worship Service begins each Sunday.  We respectfully request a timely pickup once the service is over.

c)       Because of the special needs of our youngest children, a detailed Information Sheet should be completed and submitted prior to receiving your child into our care.

d)       We do have OnCall beepers available for families to use each Sunday.

e)       PromiseLand 1 does have a special Nursing Mothers Room with video hookup to the main Worship Service.

f)        We do request that your child’s belongings – diaper bag, drink cups – be clearly labeled.

3)       If your child is 3 years old through Kindergarten, you should bring them to PromiseLand 2.

a)       PromiseLand 2 is located through the Main Foyer, past the Office/Library to the end of the hall, take a left, go down the stairs, and the special child-friendly entrance is at the bottom of the stairs.

b)       PromiseLand 2 is open for dropff 15 minutes before the main Worship Service begins each Sunday.  We respectfully request a timely pickup once the service is over.

c)       As a child approaches 36 months, our team will assess the timing of your child’s transfer to PromiseLand 2.

4)       If your child is Grade 1 through Grade 5, they will participate in our Elementary Division.

a)       Children’s Hall is located from the Main Foyer, down the stairs, take your left, and enter the Children’s Hall where our staff will assist your child’s placement.

b)       Students, Grades 1-5 should attend the opening segment of the main Worship Service with their family each Sunday.  Approximately 15 minutes after this shared worship experience begins, students will be dismissed as alerted by a scrolling announcement on the video screen.  They will be directed to their assigned classrooms.

c)       Students should be picked up from the Children’s Hall at the conclusion of the main Worship Service.  As an indication of their growing maturity, students in Grades 4 & 5 can be dismissed from our programs to seek their parents elsewhere in the building.  If you prefer otherwise, simply communicate to our staff.

5)       Special Note – Dismissal & PickUp:

a)       As a safety precaution, children will only be dismissed to individuals clearly identified on the Registration Form.  We will not dismiss children to their siblings unless clearly discussed with the Leadership Team, in advance.

We look forward to serving you and your family.  We eagerly welcome your questions and comments.  More information can be obtained from our WebSite at www.trinityevangelical.org/children.  Check it out or feel free to drop me a line and introduce yourself.

Why Blog?

Some people are probably wondering, including myself, "Why bother to commit myself to designing, writing, and maintaining a Blog?"  I thought I'd offer some quick thoughts.

Because of my role and responsibility for leading the Children's Ministry Team at Trinity Evangelical Church, I have come to realize how critically important it is to communicate, communicate, and communicate with those I serve with.  Dependence on getting together with volunteers who already have busy lives can be difficult.  Without frequent communication - Vision leaks...  Details evolve...  Misunderstanding occurs...  On a more positive note, in our ministry there are so many wonderful stories, people, and thoughts that I'm dying to share with others but never get to because of infrequent get-togethers or other details squeezing them out of our conversations.  So... I've been anxious to find someway to overcome this frustration.

Last February, my wife Teresa and I had a chance to return to St. Martin (yes, I said return...  We've been really blessed to go several times and unwind...  On another post, I'll explain to you why we go, when we go, and how we go....) 

While away, I had a chance to take The Blogging Church off my shelf and give it a read.  [That's me poolside.]  Great Book!  In a simple, easy-to-follow format, the author Brian Bailey (www.leaveitbehind.com) outlined not only the technical aspects of setting up a simple blog but argued for the reasons why someone should.  As I read his arguments, I felt like I was having a personal coffee chat who understood my heart to communicate completely.    [In fact:  Brian, if you ever get this post, you have an open invitation to coffee on me - Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, or whatever is popular in your neck of the woods.]

He noted:

Blogs are tools, not toys.

• Lord, keep me from worshipping the medium.  It is so easy to get sidetracked into all the wonderment of the technology available today.  Nevertheless, the evolution of Blogging is a gift to the church, like the printing press, and should be used accordingly.

Blogs help solve real problems. 

• What ministry to others doesn't encounter those?  I love children.  I love the families that they live in.  I love those individuals who love children and families.  I love those individuals who, motivated by that love, choose to sacrificially serve them.  Children have real problems as they grow up.  The families that love them are often struggling with the real-life pressures in today's culture.  Those who love children and families, and serve them, have limited time, sometimes limited insight, and many times lots of frustration.  I want to help overcome those realities.  Maybe... just maybe... commiting myself to working together we can do just that...

Blogs deliver a true return on ministry.

• Budgets are limited.  Money is sacred.  Lives are on the line.  Evaluating the effectiveness of the money I spend - in direct dollars or indirect dollars tied to my tie is a good act of stewardship.  I am responsible and accountable to Jesus in my choices.  Little money + my commitment + my passion = success in communication.  Blogging seems to be a wise investment.

The greatest power in Blogs is that they have the potential to open up the channels of communication amongst a group of people all interested in the same direction.  I'm envisioning that you share something in common with me.  I'd like to "think out loud" wiht you.  Well, those are my thoughts for today... How about you?

Many Blessings,
Pastor John