Dear Parents,
​In healthy levels, competition can be a good source of motivation.  But when competition gets out of hand, it can become dangerous.  We begin to compare ourselves to others and beat ourselves up if we don't get the highest grade on a science test, or score the most points in a basketball game.  At times we get into "competitive mode" and cannot stop ourselves from pushing for first place.  All we want to do is to win and we will do whatever it takes to cross the finish line first, to be better than our opponents.  We push others out of the way with our competitive nature; we're full of pride and can mess up our relationships with our "whatever it takes" attitude.

​We have to stop and remind ourselves that God made each one of us as a unique individual with special skills and talents.  We don't have to be the best at everything, but we can try our best to be the person God created us to be.  

​If we can learn that healthy competition involves striving to be the best at whatever we do so that we lift up God's name, not ours.  Psalm 115:1 says "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness."  ​All the awards we win won't matter in the long run, but what we do to glorify God can make an eternal difference.  When we compete with the attitude that we will do our best because we are children of God, we honor god.  And when we realize that God has given us all of our talents, we can share our gifts with others and give God all the praise!

​Ask your teen...
In what areas of your life do you feel competitive?
What abilities do you have in these areas?
​
Challenge your teen...
​Next time you feel competitive, pause for a moment to consider how you can lift up God's name and share God's love rather than competing only for personal glory.

Prayer...
Lord, help us keep a humble spirit as we work and compete.  Amen.​

Hi Parents!
Some mornings we wake up feeling completely and utterly stupid!  We have acted unwisely or made stupid mistakes, and the memories haunt us.  In these moments, we feel sick and want to isolate ourselves.  Looking at the world today, we see a lot of terrible things.  Many people want to dwell on the tragedies in life and may even begin to crumble under the weight of all the sadness and regret.   Regret for dumb mistakes, misspoken words, unkind behaviors.  But we need to consider a deeper question: What comes after regret?  God reminds us in I John 1:9 that "If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  God doesn't want us to sit in the sin and regret and shame.  Our God is loving and full of forgiveness and grace.  

​Life should be lived.  It is meant to be experienced in all its many forms, to be embraced as a gift.  When we dwell on the negative, we can forget that life is worth celebrating.  We may forget that life itself is a miracle.  It is a gift from God to the world.  Don't get trapped in negativity.  Learn to laugh and love and share because the positive things in life far outweigh the negatives.  Try new things, meet new people, accomplish your dreams, bring others joy.  How will you make the most of God's gift to you in the new year?

Ask your child...
What are some of the regrets you have?
​What comes after regret or how do you move past regret?
​How do you live when you think no one is watching?

Challenge your child...
Choose to live a life with no regrets - a life that makes God smile!  

Prayer...
​God of life, help me in this New Year to live each moment to the fullest, to make the most of every opportunity, to live each day without regrets and to give all the glory to you.  Amen.

Hi Parents!
Reflect for a moment on John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (NRSV) Think about this verse in terms of Christmas with God as the gift giver and each of us - God's children - as the recipients.  What wonderful gifts you and I have received through the birth, life, and resurrection of Jesus! 

​Christmas is not about how many gifts we give one another or how much money we spend on gifts.  Christmas is a time to reflect on the love God has for each person in our family, for the world, and for me.  It is a time to remember that God has already given us the greatest gift of all - Jesus!  By bringing our family together at Christmas, God fills our life with light.


​Ask your teen...
When the holidays are over, how can we remember God's gifts? 
What can we do to cultivate an attitude of love and kindness all year long?
What does Christmas mean to you?

​Challenge your teen...
How can you spread Jesus' love to those you know and those you don't know?
​Gather a group of family or friends and go caroling!  Sing at the local care center or for members of our church who are homebound.

Prayer...
Father, thank you for the gift of your Son!  Amen.

Hi Parents!
The holidays can bring both happiness and sorrow.  Some of us gather with family as hot chocolate is brewing and cookies come out of the oven.  Others remember lost loved ones or feel jealousy.  Even the cold weather can send us into a funk.

​Whichever scenario describes you, consider Mary.  When Gabriel told her that she would give birth to Jesus, she knew exactly what other people would think.  She realized that her family might shun her and that her husband-to-be might leave her.  Yet she immediately began singing a song of thanksgiving: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46b-47, NRSV).

​Mary recognized the trials that lay ahead, and yet she believed God's plan for her life was much greater than any pain or sorrow the world might bring.  She basked in God's greatness, worshipping and singing a song of thanksgiving in the midst of uncertainty.

​We can follow Mary's lead.  Whether we are facing a time of plenty or hardship, we have an opportunity to sing a song of joy.  Because of God's gift - Jesus, the son of Mary - we have the assurance that God will bring us into the kingdom where sadness is no more and joy lasts forever.

Ask your teen...
Reflect on a difficult time in your past.  What did you learn about your need for God?  About the peace that comes only through struggle?

Challenge your teen...
​Each morning this week, spend time praying about the day ahead, inviting and expecting God to be part of it.  Notice the peace and joy you feel each time God shows up.
​
​5-Second Prayer...
​God, fill us with Mary's joy! Amen.​​

Dear Parents:
​Each year I look forward to Christmas!  Although it can be a hectic time of year, I look forward to time spent with loved ones, baking cookies, sharing memories, and exchanging gifts.  I love seeing the look on my loved ones' faces as they open something special we have selected for them.  The other side of the coin can be that shopping for others can be frustrating and I am left wondering if all the expense and indecision of picking out the "perfect" gift is really worth it.  I mean, do the "littles" really need another toy and do I need another sweater? 

The simple answer is "no."  So why do we buy all of it?  Tradition? The excitement of giving? The desire for more?  Whatever the reason, I am left with the feeling that as a Christian, I should do something different.  Jesus was quite pointed when he talked about money, the poor, and generosity.  He praised the widow for giving her two coins because it was all she had as opposed to the wealthy who gave thousands but still had thousands left over.  John is even harsher in I John 3:17 (NRSV): "How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help?"  James digs even deeper when he says, "If you know someone who doesn't have any clothes or food, you shouldn't just say, 'I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.' What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help?  Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!" (James 2:15-17, CEV). 

Realizing that we have more than we could ever need while others are struggling simply to survive, pushes us out of our comfort zone to think of gift giving in a different way.  Maybe you are being called to clean out your closet, give away a possession, offer free babysitting services to a family in need, or purchase gifts for a family. Remembering the words Jesus himself said from Acts 20:35, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" serves to remind us that generosity to others should be evidence of our faith and love for Jesus.

Ask your child...
​Who are the "unimportant" people in your school? church? family?
​How will you follow Jesus' call to care for these people?

​Challenge your child...
Buy gifts for people who really need them. 
​Look for ways to address poverty in your community, even if you don't have much money.
​
​Prayer...
God, I want to honor and serve you.  Help me to see the ways you call me to share my wealth with others.  Amen.