Pastor’s Blog 

    In Matthew 24, the Word tells us that in the latter days there will be wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes in various places.  We certainly see that today; the earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, and now in Turkey are only examples of the signs that Jesus said would point to His return and the end of the age.  Scientists inform us that there have been more earthquakes in recent history than all of the previous centuries combined. 

These earthquakes are like birth pains that are announcing the arrival of a new age.  The day of grace is coming to an end and a final judgment is soon approaching.  What time is it?  Is it time to panic, be fearful, or have anxiety?  Not if you are a child of God.  The redeemed of the Lord are to be looking up expecting His soon return and reaching out to those around who are without hope.  Jesus even promised that the Holy Spirit would give us words to say in these last days to reach their hearts.

There is only one kingdom that cannot be shaken and all of those who are a part of that Kingdom have a huge opportunity for outreach.  It’s time for every Christian to be encouraged, full of the Holy Spirit and faith!

God bless you this week!                                                       Pastor Chris

 Midweek Ministry Musings with Leah 

Why do nice kids do stupid things? This isn’t a rhetorical question. Adults want answers. I recently heard a responsible adult from our congregation talk about how he used to sneak into CCC with other kids from youth group when they were kids.  Another group of kids found a lighter at church and decided to burn a piece of paper, just because. In both cases nothing bad resulted but it’s these kinds of things that can enrage adults.

The kids in these situations aren’t bad.  I’m talking about wonderful kids who have or are currently growing up in our community of faith. So, why do they do it? Why do they speed through the parking lot, stop up toilets, run through the halls, and kick the walls?

Scientists have a reason for this: teenage brains are wired to be drawn to foolhardy acts. This is true. Novelty, especially when attached to the thrill of danger, is very attractive to adolescents because it produces intense feelings of pleasure (dopamine). The same neurons effected by danger and novelty are the ones

affected by drugs like cocaine. Until emotional regulation in their frontal cortex is fully developed, teens primarily use their amygdala, the seat of emotions which overrides their ability to think through potential consequences of impulsive

behavior. In essence, the front brain tames the beast but in adolescents this area hasn’t finished developing!

Most of us wouldn’t expect a toddler to be able to read, or a wheelchair bound person to climb a set of stairs and yet, it’s hard to reconcile that teenage brains are not wired for responsibility in the same way as adults. In fact, that son or daughter still living at home at 21 years of age is very likely still under the influence of a brain not fully developed.

Great love, wisdom and patience are required to work with kids and youth.  If we continue to communicate the message of grace and acceptance while kindly enforcing boundaries, we’ll likely be pleasantly surprised when the boy who broke into the church as a teen becomes a pastor or teacher one day.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,  for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

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