Category: Children

Family Camp

7/7/2019

I just returned from a 2200 KM trip (that would be over 1350 miles for my friends in the USA). 12 hours one way. 12 hours coming back. And that does not include breaks for lunch, fuel, and gas station bathrooms which are hit-and-miss (no pun intended). Furthermore, there’s an international border to cross (don’t forget your passport). Construction delays. Frost heaves (serious ones that will take you airborne if you don't slow down). Pot holes that threaten to rip out front ends. Even a temporary highway closure due to forest fire. Oh ya, and gasoline isn’t exactly free either.

There and back again (sounds like a good title for a book).

So why bother? Why go through all that trouble to participate in family camp when I could have spent 5 days relaxing, just an hour away, in my own cottage in the woods? Why put up with all the “hassle”? I’ll tell you why.

First of all; I put up with “all that hassle” because I need family camp. I need to get away. I need to get away from my routines. I need to find that quiet place. I need to spend time with my wife and/or kids on the road. I need to be in fellowship with other believers. I need to hear the messages that came from the chapel. I need to participate in the fun and laughter. I need to have those quiet times of conversation with others. I need to make new connections with friends and rekindle friendships from previous visits. I need to recharge. It seems that there are many things that I need… it’s easy to put all those on the back burner at home. But I need this. I need Family Camp for me.

Secondly, I put up with “all that hassle” because I want my kids, my grandkids, and the people from my church to come to family camp. Just as much as “I need” all the things mentioned previously, the people that I care about in my life (and that includes you) also need those things. You need to unwind. You need to hear from God, perhaps in a different setting than usual. My kids need the same thing. My grandkids need all this and more. If I don’t go, how will others know? What incentive will they have? I go because I want to set an example for the people that I care about. If I don't go, they likely won't.

Thirdly, I put up with “all that hassle” because someone else at family camp needs me there. I do not go in a vacuum. I am part of a Christian community. There is bound to be someone there who needs encouragement. There is bound to be someone there who needs to hear the story that I’ve experienced. There is someone who needs a smile on their face. Someone who needs someone perhaps not quite so close to listen to them. I don’t know what impact I’ll have on others. But there’s a reason why the Psalmist prayed, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14). My words… My attitude... My actions… can be a blessing to someone who might have come to family camp broken, confused, hurt. I’d miss out on that if I stayed home. It's not just about me.

The Alaska District is so incredibly blessed to have Camp Maranatha. I know there have been tons of people who have come up over the years to help develop it to what it is today. But it takes the leadership of a district to have brought it all together and to keep it going. It’s a huge camp. Great facilities. Wonderful camp directors; and I’m sure a whole team of people planning and implementing the various camps.

I want to encourage you, go to Family Camp wherever you may find it. Go to the nearest one to you (in my case, that’s 1100 km away). But it’s well worth it for me. And if you let it, it will be well worth it for you. Don’t let it slip by because if enough people “skip it” pretty soon there won’t be this amazing resource that is right beneath our noses (OK, in my case, maybe not right beneath my nose, but you know what I mean)….

Now I'm looking forward to next summer.

What about you? Can you tell us how Family Camp has been meaningful for you? Leave a comment below.

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A Sense of Belonging

11/8/2015

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Four years old and on her own. Abandoned by her mother, rejected by her uncle, she was put on a train with a one-way ticket to a far off part of the country. Left to die of starvation, disease, or worse. Somehow she managed to find a way to survive. In the winter, she lived in a hole in the ground with only a mat protecting her from the snows above.

She learned to steal. Caught, on three occasions, she was beaten and left for dead. After once such occasion, presumed dead, she was left at the garbage dump. There, someone took notice of her took her to an orphanage. Eventually a missionary couple adopted her and give her a name. She never knew her original name. She had no idea of what her actual birth date was or even her place of birth.

The story of Stephanie Fast is a story of God's protection in the midst of incredible hardship. Unfortunately, she is not the only one.

It is estimated that 153 million children worldwide, ranging from infants to teenagers, have lost one or both parents. In the United States of America, there are 400,000 children live without permanent families. In Canada, there are some 45,000 orphaned children in Canada, 22,000 of which are currently, right now, waiting for adoption.

While we don't talk about it much, the Bible has much to say about orphans and the fatherless.

The Old Testament description of God is very clear. "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing." (Deut. 10:18).

God expects us to do the same. In Isaiah 1:17 we are instructed to, "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

Why does God care so much? Psalm 68:5 describes God as "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows." Isn't that something? God considers himself a father to the fatherless. That’s why he cares.

There are many other references in both the Old and New Testament which very directly state God's concern for the widows and orphans and the fatherless. Likewise, God is equally concerned about the foreigner in your land - that he/she not be taken advantage of. Wherever you look, God is on the lookout for the weak or the hurting or the vulnerable. And I don't know very many people more vulnerable than children.

The care of children is very much God's concern. And, according to God's Word, it's something that we should be concerned about as well.

Matthew 18:5-6, Jesus said, "And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." Isn't that awesome? You want to do something for God? You want to impress God? (not that he can be impressed), do something for a child. You will touch the heart of God. That's it! Pretty straight forward.

The reverse is also true. Jesus goes on to say, "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Remember, He is a father to these children. In other words; if you’re messing with them, you’re messing with Him!

This is so important to God that it states in James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

More than any ritual, more than any prayer, any sermon, any whatever else - that which God looks at as a response to our faith - is how we look after the vulnerable. Just as we were (and are) vulnerable and God poured out so much for us; he expects us to do the same.

We've seen it before. As we have been loved (by God), we are commanded to love one another (see John 15:12 and 1 John 4:19). As we have been forgiven (by God) we are commanded to forgive one another (many examples of this). What God does for us, he expects us to do to one another.

1 Peter 2:9-10 reminds us; "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

There was a time when we didn't belong. There was a time when we were outsiders. There was a time when we were not the people of God. But God has loved us; sought us; forgiven us; adopted us - and now we are his chosen people. We have a sense of spiritual belonging. We are part of a family.

I firmly believe that God would have us offer a similar sense of belonging to those around us - and, according to so many scriptures in both the Old and New Testament, He has his eye particularly on the vulnerable children.

How do we respond? Just like anything else, we need to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and then do whatever we can. Not one of us can do everything; but all of us can do something.

We can start by getting to know the children in vulnerable situations - instead of thinking that somebody else will look after them. According to God's word - we, the Christians, have this responsibility. If God puts it on your heart to consider adopting a child - or teenager - by all means - consider it. If God puts it on your heart to visit an orphanage and offer support - by all means - do it. They need prayer support. They need financial support. They may need an extra pair of hands. Maybe you can offer some support to a local family who has taken in some vulnerable children.

Stephanie Fast was saved because somebody listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. That's all God wants you to do. Listen and obey.

I want to encourage you to look for ways to care for the children. Find an organization that you can support. Consider adoption. Consider foster care. Consider sponsoring a child through one of many organizations (Nazarene Child Sponsorship is one of them). Maybe make it a goal to visit an orphanage somewhere in the world. Give financial support to those who are on the front lines of care.

While we can't do everything; we can do something. Ask the Lord what that something is for you.

Psalm 100 reminds us, "we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture" (Psalm 100:3). We have a sense of belonging. Not everyone does. Perhaps through you, you can bring that sense of belonging to someone else.

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Wanted: Fathers

8/16/2009

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When I think of my father I think of the long hours he worked at two and sometimes three jobs. Being an immigrant in Canada and taking care of his family were very demanding. But I also think of the times we spent picnicking as a family, trips to the zoo, the Quebec City winter carnival, road trips, and camping in New York state.

As I reflect on my own kids growing up I feel a tremendous satisfaction in being a father to them. I haven’t been perfect by any means, particularly when it comes to doing things that I don’t especially enjoy, but we have had many great times together. What an incredible experience to have little children look up to you, trust you, and learn much of life from your own life experiences. What a blessing it is when I see other fathers taking time to interact with their children, playing with them at a picnic, rolling around “wrestling” in the living room (often at the chagrin of their mother), or enjoying the outdoors together. I have learned that children are quick to overlook your faults when they know you love them, which, in the mind of a child, is equated with spending time with them and doing things together. Long gone are the days when fathers were expected to be the “bread winner” while the mother was the only one who developed a relationship with the kids.

Unfortunately there has been a movement that promoted the idea that children don’t need fathers. From the entertainment industry that portrays fathers as buffoons to feminists who flat out reject the necessity of fathers, fatherhood has taken a beating.

The truth is that there are fathers who have really blown it. Let’s face it, some fathers have not been much of a father, (maybe because they didn’t have a father themselves?) and in some homes have made life worse by their presence. But to reject the importance of fathers because a small minority of people managed without a father in the house is like finding a 80 year old smoker and saying that smoking is fine because smoking doesn’t seem to have hurt the 80 year old. We know that smoking kills. Maybe not always, but almost always. And certainly, there will be a few homes in which a father is more harm than good, but by and large children do much better with fathers than without. Statistics confirm it again and again. The percentage of children who are content, productive, and responsible citizens is much higher in two parent families than in homes without a father. When it comes to raising children, there is no substitute for a mother and a father (which is all the more reason we need to stand by and support the single parents in our community).

If you are a father, take pride in raising the next generation of godly men and women. God has given you an incredible and awesome responsibility. Don’t listen to the voices that say you have no part in the lives of children. Enjoy your children. Be involved. Do things together. Teach them the things of God. Set boundaries. Lead by example. Treat their mother with love and respect. And you will be blessed.

God’s Word is true. Psalm 127:3,5 says it well: “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him… Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

For additional resources on fatherhood, check out the Focus on the Family web site at Fatherhood Resources or for general family information, go to the Focus on the Family Main Web Page. They will provide you with much encouragement, resources, articles, research and support.

Pastor Norman

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Ducks, Dogs, Bears, Children

8/9/2009

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Dogs are great. I loved my dog. He came to us as a little puppy when my youngest was just 3 years old. There was much excitement in our house the day Frisky came home. She became a great part of our family. Most of our kids lives have been lived sharing the living room with our dog. We had her for almost 15 years. She was a great dog.

On the news recently I heard no less than three different reports about animals; a dog, some ducks, and a koala bear. The one closest to home was Trevor the dog. Trevor had a rough background, was given a new home, but things didn’t work out and was taken back to the shelter and slated to be euthanized.

The “news” part of the story was the fact that people were upset that this dog was going to be put down and that efforts were under way to save the dog. It seems the city was taken to court and the dog has been given a reprieve until an expert can come up and assess whether the dog is really dangerous or not. Then the dogs fate will be determined.

Then there was the story about the fellows shooting ducks (not in the Yukon). Someone posted a YouTube video showing these poor ducks being shot while the shooter celebrates. The “news” didn’t appear to be the illegal hunting; the news was that the otherwise happy ducks were being killed. How can people kill ducks? It was inhuman.

Finally, there was the story about the koala bears. I can’t remember what happened with these bears but apparently we needed to be informed about their plight.

Now, let me be clear, I love dogs, I enjoy seeing ducks (and I don’t mean on my dinner plate), and while I’ve never been up close to a koala bear, I have nothing against them either. They are all part of God’s creation. But it seemed strange to me that so much “news” was centered around these helpless little creatures when so many more helpless little children are not even given a chance to live.

I don’t have all the answers to what to do with so many unwanted pregnancies. I can not imagine the challenges of a single mother raising one preschooler, never mind two or three. But I do know that the answer is not to simply do away with them as if they were no more than an overgrown wart. It seems to me that dogs are given much more protection than unborn children. Something isn’t right.

Children are being aborted by the hundreds every day, approximately 100,000 annually in Canada alone. But the headlines don’t speak about it. Instead the headlines speak about dogs, ducks, and bears (and yesterdays news that a mouse was found chewing $20 bills inside an ATM machine in Oregon).

This is what our society has turned into; a society that is fragmented (little or no family support) and highly self-centered (I do what feels good for me). In that setting, it’s no wonder we see the lives of unborn children taken. What can we do? We can “do” three things.

First, we can pray. Pray for the generation that feels they can do whatever they want without worrying about consequences (including premarital sex). Pray for the moms and moms-to-be that are considering abortion. Pray for the fathers to take responsibility.

Second, we can support pregnant women. Help them so they don’t feel they need to go through this alone, or point them to agencies/people that are eager to adopt a child.

Third, we can educate. Many people don’t realize just how well formed an unborn child is extremely early in the pregnancy. The pregnancy is not just a “blob” of tissue. There are tiny feet and tiny hands that will one day clasp a finger.

Go ahead and love your dog. But let’s not forget the most vulnerable and pinnacle of God’s creation - the children of God.

Pastor Norman

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Children: Blessing or Burden?

6/14/2009

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A Yukon News article printed on May 22nd reported the decline in the number of children who attend the local elementary school in Porter Creek. From a peak of 510 children, in the past decade the school has seen its enrollment cut nearly in half. I’m sure there are a number of factors responsible for this decline, including the fact that the community itself is slowly aging, but one of the factors must also be the changing attitudes society has towards children. When I was young, I used to hear a phrase often: “Children are a blessing from God”. I don’t hear that often any more. Today, many people think of children as a burden rather than a blessing.

It is a fact. Children can get in the way of careers. They can get in the way of financial aspirations. They can get in the way of freedom to do what people want to do. And now, on top of all the other pressures against having children, we keep hearing about the environmental impact children have upon our world. I can’t remember what magazine I’d seen it in, but I remember seeing one ad that displayed exactly what kind of environmental impact each child would have in his or her lifetime. The message was clear: having children was bad for the environment. And the message is getting through. If you have more than 1 or 2 children, there are members of society who will frown upon you.

Of course, this goes contrary to God’s plan. In Genesis 1:28 God said, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth…” This command was repeated to both Noah (Genesis 9:1) and to Jacob (Genesis 35:11). Psalms 127 speaks of the man who has many children as the man who is blessed. And indeed, God does view children as a blessing. Often times when God blessed people, He almost always included in that blessing the promise of many children. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and many more were promised the blessing of many children!

Heather and I have been enjoying the blessing of four children. As with many other parents, we could not imagine our home with any one of them not here. Some of you have heard me say before that if I knew how much blessing our four children would be I would have wanted another four. They have filled (and continue to fill) our lives with love and excitement. Sure there are challenges, and there are sacrifices to be made, but right from the start our attitude needs to be that these little bundles wrapped up in tiny blankets are a blessing, and we need to believe and expect that they will continue to be a blessing even as they grow up. They are a gift from God that we need to treasure every day because [WARNING: cliché coming up]… “they grow up so fast”.

Today, as we celebrate Children’s Day, we hold a Children’s Service planned entirely with children in mind. We want to not only show the children that they are a blessing by having a church service focused on their needs, but we also want to remind every parent, every adult, every person who will one day be a parent, that children are a gift from God.

Proverbs 17:6 says “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Psalm 127:3,5 says, “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him… Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

Instead of being a burden, children are in fact a blessing. Certainly we need to take care of them, we feed them, we look after them, we make sacrifices for them, we teach them the ways of God, but ultimately, like everything else that is in our care, they come from God and they belong to God. They are not ours. They belong to Him. And somehow, in God’s wisdom, He entrusts us with the littlest members of His family and calls them a blessing.

What God considers a blessing, may we never turn into a burden.

Pastor Norman

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Family Camp

A Sense of Belonging

Wanted: Fathers

Ducks, Dogs, Bears, Children

Children: Blessing or Burden?

Pastor's Perspective

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