Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
I used to love vocabulary tests when I was in school. I always thought it was cool when the teacher would tell us to exchange papers with someone around us and then we would grade each others' work. Oooooh, I would think to myself, the power that is in my hands!
Did you know the average person has a vocabulary of 20,000 words, but linguists have shown that in that person's lifetime he or she will express four to five million different ideas? The words must be used in many different combinations with many different meanings in order to meet the need.
So, what is your vocabulary like? What ideas do you express with that vocabulary? It's an important question. James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote in his letter:
For every creature—animal or bird, reptile or fish—is tamed and has been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way. Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine [produce] figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
What kind of influences do you allow in your life that shape the way you speak? What kind of influences do you allow in your childrens' lives that affect how they speak?
The best influence on our vocabulary is the Word of God!
Let Psalm 119:9-16 be the declaration of your life and your speech will reflect the calling of God on your life:
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping Your word.
I have sought You with all my heart;
don't let me wander from Your commands.
I have treasured Your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against You.
LORD, may You be praised;
teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I proclaim
all the judgments from Your mouth.
I rejoice in the way [revealed by] Your decrees
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts
and think about Your ways.
I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Two Are Better Than One
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Volunteers and Mentors needed for Christian Women’s Job Corps
Are you looking for a way to use your gifts and skills to glorify God? Are you an encourager? Do you enjoy teaching and guiding others? Christian Women's Job Corps has a place for you! Apex Baptist Church has partnered with CWJC by offering classroom space for our life and job skills classes and bible study. We have many volunteer needs to get this site going at your church.
One of the key elements to the CWJC ministry is the mentor relationship. A mentor helps a woman in need through encouragement, goal setting, listening, modeling Christ like behavior and holding the participant accountable to their goals. A mentor is not a baby-sitter, financial supporter, taxi driver or a genie available to fix problems. This relationship and ministry is designed to help empower and equip a woman in need in her quest for economic self-sufficiency and in developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Get involved and allow God to equip you to serve Him through serving others!
CWJC volunteer needs:
• Mentors to attend class & mentor a woman in the program (training provided)
• Class leaders to teach budgeting, parenting, stress management, etc (materials provided)
• Bible study leader (material provided)
• Leaders willing to serve as teacher and on site mentor in small groups (this model is used when we do not have enough mentors for each woman in the program)
• Get a group of friends together to provide lunch on class day
• Child care workers
If you are interested in volunteering or mentoring or want to know more about what is involved please contact Cynthia Thelen at 231-3995 x 113. Phase I classes begin Thursday, Sept. 30th 9:30-1:30 at Apex Baptist Church. Please call ASAP to learn more and get involved.
You will be amazed at how God can work through and in your life as part of this ministry!
Volunteers and Mentors needed for Christian Women’s Job Corps
Are you looking for a way to use your gifts and skills to glorify God? Are you an encourager? Do you enjoy teaching and guiding others? Christian Women's Job Corps has a place for you! Apex Baptist Church has partnered with CWJC by offering classroom space for our life and job skills classes and bible study. We have many volunteer needs to get this site going at your church.
One of the key elements to the CWJC ministry is the mentor relationship. A mentor helps a woman in need through encouragement, goal setting, listening, modeling Christ like behavior and holding the participant accountable to their goals. A mentor is not a baby-sitter, financial supporter, taxi driver or a genie available to fix problems. This relationship and ministry is designed to help empower and equip a woman in need in her quest for economic self-sufficiency and in developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Get involved and allow God to equip you to serve Him through serving others!
CWJC volunteer needs:
• Mentors to attend class & mentor a woman in the program (training provided)
• Class leaders to teach budgeting, parenting, stress management, etc (materials provided)
• Bible study leader (material provided)
• Leaders willing to serve as teacher and on site mentor in small groups (this model is used when we do not have enough mentors for each woman in the program)
• Get a group of friends together to provide lunch on class day
• Child care workers
If you are interested in volunteering or mentoring or want to know more about what is involved please contact Cynthia Thelen at 231-3995 x 113. Phase I classes begin Thursday, Sept. 30th 9:30-1:30 at Apex Baptist Church. Please call ASAP to learn more and get involved.
You will be amazed at how God can work through and in your life as part of this ministry!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Stationary Activity Center
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
Ahhhh...the Exersaucer. Six years ago I would have had no conception of such a thing. But now do I ever. It is one of the greatest inventions of all time. It's close on the heels of the boppy pillow, wheel and the iPod. I'm not sure of the etymology of the term, but it does resemble a saucer and I guess it does provide the baby with some sort of "exercise". Or maybe it's meant more in the lines of, "You can get some exercise while your baby plays happily in the little saucer contraption." I've also heard of it described as the "Stationary Activity Center". Well, that might be the technical description, but to Tobin, our seven month old, it is known as Freedom in all of its new-found glory.
Tobin is our third child and we're used to the pattern and progression by now. This is a time in the life of our baby that we cherish. These are the "stationary" days. He is going through a period where he's content in the Exersaucer (for hours, even!) but pretty soon that's going to change. Very soon. Tobin is going to get bored with being "stationary" and he's going to need to be down on the floor where he can crawl and get into trouble. That means no more reading for Daddy on the couch watching the little fellow out of the corner of my eye to see if he threw up on himself. No more running into the next room to grab something that I forgot or to look something up on the computer. Those days will be gone. They better be, or the next thing I know he'll be trying to crawl up the chimney.
As I was thinking about the term, "Stationary Activity Center," it made me think about the local church. Is that an accurate description of what we're all about? Is the church just a building where folks can come and play with different toys and be entertained? That kind of stings a little bit just to think it might be the case, doesn't it? Are we just a big, grown-up exersaucer with a few bells and whistles? Some mirrors and soft chewable objects. Completely harmless and safe?
Or...are we the People of God, the Temple of God, the Body of Christ? As a church are we actively engaged in loving our community and those around us with the Gospel? It might be a little bit more dangerous. We might get into a little bit of trouble. We might crawl to where (according to some) we're not supposed to go. We might occasionally get hurt. But that's part of growing up and it sure sounds to me a lot more like what we're called to do as followers of Christ!
In a few weeks it's going to be time to take the exersaucer back up into the attic. Tobin is going to start roaming the floors and we're going to have to blockade the kitchen and the stairs. I'm going to have to start paying better attention. It won't be long after that when he'll take his first steps. And the next thing I know he'll be wanting to wrestle. Then he'll be wanting the keys to the 2000 Camry. It's all a part of growing up and as much as I'll miss the exersaucer days I can't wait to see what kind of man he grows up to be. So, as much as I'll miss you, goodbye, Stationary Activity Center. Better things are yet to come!
Children/Communications Pastor
Ahhhh...the Exersaucer. Six years ago I would have had no conception of such a thing. But now do I ever. It is one of the greatest inventions of all time. It's close on the heels of the boppy pillow, wheel and the iPod. I'm not sure of the etymology of the term, but it does resemble a saucer and I guess it does provide the baby with some sort of "exercise". Or maybe it's meant more in the lines of, "You can get some exercise while your baby plays happily in the little saucer contraption." I've also heard of it described as the "Stationary Activity Center". Well, that might be the technical description, but to Tobin, our seven month old, it is known as Freedom in all of its new-found glory.
Tobin is our third child and we're used to the pattern and progression by now. This is a time in the life of our baby that we cherish. These are the "stationary" days. He is going through a period where he's content in the Exersaucer (for hours, even!) but pretty soon that's going to change. Very soon. Tobin is going to get bored with being "stationary" and he's going to need to be down on the floor where he can crawl and get into trouble. That means no more reading for Daddy on the couch watching the little fellow out of the corner of my eye to see if he threw up on himself. No more running into the next room to grab something that I forgot or to look something up on the computer. Those days will be gone. They better be, or the next thing I know he'll be trying to crawl up the chimney.
As I was thinking about the term, "Stationary Activity Center," it made me think about the local church. Is that an accurate description of what we're all about? Is the church just a building where folks can come and play with different toys and be entertained? That kind of stings a little bit just to think it might be the case, doesn't it? Are we just a big, grown-up exersaucer with a few bells and whistles? Some mirrors and soft chewable objects. Completely harmless and safe?
Or...are we the People of God, the Temple of God, the Body of Christ? As a church are we actively engaged in loving our community and those around us with the Gospel? It might be a little bit more dangerous. We might get into a little bit of trouble. We might crawl to where (according to some) we're not supposed to go. We might occasionally get hurt. But that's part of growing up and it sure sounds to me a lot more like what we're called to do as followers of Christ!
In a few weeks it's going to be time to take the exersaucer back up into the attic. Tobin is going to start roaming the floors and we're going to have to blockade the kitchen and the stairs. I'm going to have to start paying better attention. It won't be long after that when he'll take his first steps. And the next thing I know he'll be wanting to wrestle. Then he'll be wanting the keys to the 2000 Camry. It's all a part of growing up and as much as I'll miss the exersaucer days I can't wait to see what kind of man he grows up to be. So, as much as I'll miss you, goodbye, Stationary Activity Center. Better things are yet to come!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Nursing Home Ministry Begins Tomorrow!
Tomorrow night (September 16) is our first opportunity to go love on residents for Jesus at area Retirement/Nursing Homes. We'll be meeting from 6:30-8:00 PM at Brookridge (Atwater) in Apex (312 Lynch St. Apex, NC 27502) and we'd love for you to come and join us! This is a GO project you can be involved in with your whole family!
Here are a few suggested donations that you might like to bring along:
Children can make cards, or any kind of artwork for residents at Atwater. We also need donations of magazines, sample or full-sized shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, etc., toothbrushes, combs, slippers that are appropriate for those who are not so sure-footed, new or gently-used clothing (including pajamas or nightgowns) for folks who like to relax, new socks, individual snack-sized boxes of raisins, Goldfish crackers, individually-wrapped bite-sized candy bars, Go-Gurt tubes, items that are easy process without many, or any, teeth. We need any and every one who would like to see how bringing the Body of Christ to people who don’t have many, if any, visitors can be a blessing! Youth can pray, hand out magazines, candy/treats, lovingly offered clothing or necessities such as soap, sing, paint fingernails (we need to bring our own supplies).
If you have questions please contact Margaret Lawrence! Also, if you'd like to go ahead and put it on your calendar we'll be heading to Rex Rehab in Apex on Thursday, October 21.
We'd love to see you there!
Here are a few suggested donations that you might like to bring along:
Children can make cards, or any kind of artwork for residents at Atwater. We also need donations of magazines, sample or full-sized shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, etc., toothbrushes, combs, slippers that are appropriate for those who are not so sure-footed, new or gently-used clothing (including pajamas or nightgowns) for folks who like to relax, new socks, individual snack-sized boxes of raisins, Goldfish crackers, individually-wrapped bite-sized candy bars, Go-Gurt tubes, items that are easy process without many, or any, teeth. We need any and every one who would like to see how bringing the Body of Christ to people who don’t have many, if any, visitors can be a blessing! Youth can pray, hand out magazines, candy/treats, lovingly offered clothing or necessities such as soap, sing, paint fingernails (we need to bring our own supplies).
If you have questions please contact Margaret Lawrence! Also, if you'd like to go ahead and put it on your calendar we'll be heading to Rex Rehab in Apex on Thursday, October 21.
We'd love to see you there!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Songs From Locked Up
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
This past weekend we had our Fall Retreat for the youth: Locked Up (you can see some of the photos by clicking here). Some of you asked about the music so I've listed below the songs we did and where you can find them on iTunes:
Children/Communications Pastor
This past weekend we had our Fall Retreat for the youth: Locked Up (you can see some of the photos by clicking here). Some of you asked about the music so I've listed below the songs we did and where you can find them on iTunes:
- Stay Beside Me by Future of Forestry (they also have 3 new EPs called Travel that are pretty good)
- How Great Is Your Faithfulness by Matt Redman
- Came to the Rescue by Hillsong United
- Death in His Grave by John Mark McMillan
- Carbon Ribs by John Mark McMillan
- All That Really Matters by Matt Redman
Friday, September 10, 2010
Forward Motion vs. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
There he is, standing beside me. I'm sitting in the sand, watching quietly. His body is tensed and his little forehead is crinkled in concentration and determination. Directly in front of him lies the ocean. Millions of square miles of waves and rip tides and hurricanes and fish that just might find him delicious. Does he think about those things? Nope. He crouches down and points his body like a torpedo at the breakers. At this point, my little three year old is a perfect example of potential energy. He's like a rubber band that has been stretched out to the max.
And then, from deep within his throat, comes some sort of hybrid ancient barbarian roar mixed with a grizzly bear growl. He hurtles himself towards the surf. Now he is pure kinetic energy. I watch (and laugh) as he makes it a few glorious yards into the water and then is completely overcome and tossed aside like a little rag doll by a one-foot wave. He emerges, goggles askew, waterlogged, caked in wet sand and seaweed, bathing suit half off, choking on all the salt water he ingested, but still triumphant and cackling like a rejoicing warrior. He comes back to the sand to do it all over again. And again. And again.
In 1887 a song was written that I know you've heard. The chorus goes like this:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms.
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
In one sense I think this song is spot on: Spiritually speaking, we are safe and secure in the arms of Christ. That's true. But in another sense I think the imagery of this song can be misleading. It makes us think of leaning backwards into God's arms where nothing can hurt us.
First, the perspective given in Scripture is that we're to be a people who are leaning forward. A people who are filled with a spiritual kinetic energy, if you will. We're not to be on the sidelines, uninvolved in the Kingdom. Second, if we are Christ followers, we are not going to be safe and secure from all alarms. We will be persecuted. We will suffer. It's a guarantee.
In my walk with Christ am I comfortably sitting up on the dunes watching the waves and currents from a safe place, leaning back and relaxing in the status quo? Or, am I leaning forward, racing towards the great big unknown, but confident in my Maker and Savior, that He will be glorified by my life?
Let's run to the waves. Let's give it everything we've got. Let's embrace the kinetic energy of forward motion.
Children/Communications Pastor
There he is, standing beside me. I'm sitting in the sand, watching quietly. His body is tensed and his little forehead is crinkled in concentration and determination. Directly in front of him lies the ocean. Millions of square miles of waves and rip tides and hurricanes and fish that just might find him delicious. Does he think about those things? Nope. He crouches down and points his body like a torpedo at the breakers. At this point, my little three year old is a perfect example of potential energy. He's like a rubber band that has been stretched out to the max.
And then, from deep within his throat, comes some sort of hybrid ancient barbarian roar mixed with a grizzly bear growl. He hurtles himself towards the surf. Now he is pure kinetic energy. I watch (and laugh) as he makes it a few glorious yards into the water and then is completely overcome and tossed aside like a little rag doll by a one-foot wave. He emerges, goggles askew, waterlogged, caked in wet sand and seaweed, bathing suit half off, choking on all the salt water he ingested, but still triumphant and cackling like a rejoicing warrior. He comes back to the sand to do it all over again. And again. And again.
In 1887 a song was written that I know you've heard. The chorus goes like this:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms.
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
In one sense I think this song is spot on: Spiritually speaking, we are safe and secure in the arms of Christ. That's true. But in another sense I think the imagery of this song can be misleading. It makes us think of leaning backwards into God's arms where nothing can hurt us.
First, the perspective given in Scripture is that we're to be a people who are leaning forward. A people who are filled with a spiritual kinetic energy, if you will. We're not to be on the sidelines, uninvolved in the Kingdom. Second, if we are Christ followers, we are not going to be safe and secure from all alarms. We will be persecuted. We will suffer. It's a guarantee.
In my walk with Christ am I comfortably sitting up on the dunes watching the waves and currents from a safe place, leaning back and relaxing in the status quo? Or, am I leaning forward, racing towards the great big unknown, but confident in my Maker and Savior, that He will be glorified by my life?
Let's run to the waves. Let's give it everything we've got. Let's embrace the kinetic energy of forward motion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)