So you might have heard this already, but the Super Bowl is coming up this Sunday.  And if you attend the Southwest Campus, you might have heard I root for one of the teams playing.  But for those of you who don’t go to the SW, I’ll just tell you- I’m a pretty big Steelers fan.  In fact, as I write this at 11:30pm, I’m watching a replay of Superbowl 40 in which the Steelers BEAT the Seattle Seahawks.  Yeah, I know.  I’m a little weird.  In my incessant consumption of all things football the past week and a half, I stumbled across an interesting article about the Arizona Cardinals.  Cardinal wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. has become a superstar in these playoffs.  He has played a large role in leading Arizona to the big game.  And like any parent would be, Fitzgerald, Sr. is very proud of his son.  What father wouldn’t be?  And as one might expect, he’ll be at the game in Tampa Sunday night; however, he won’t be cheering.  At least not out loud.  That’s because Fitzgerald, Sr. is a Minnesota based sports reporter.  He has covered the Super Bowl every year since 1981.  This year will be no different.  So why can’t he cheer out loud?  One rule dominates in-game reporting.  No cheering in the press box.

Can you believe that?  His son is in the Super Bowl, and if Jr. scores a touchdown (which he won’t, because he is playing against the Steelers defense.  But that’s irrelevant to my point) Sr. cannot yell out a, “Way to go son!”  No, “Go Larry!”  Not even an attaboy.

I think about this and I can’t imagine my dad not cheering for me at my games.  We had our ups and downs just like any father-son relationship.  But I always knew he was supporting me.  I always knew he was cheering me on.  Fortunately, we don’t live our lives in the “press box.”  There are no rules against rooting for you kids.  So moms and dads, take every opportunity you get to support your kids in what they do.  Cheer and cheer loud. And be grateful you’re not in Larry Fitzgerald Sr.’s shoes this Sunday.

Matt Vairetta

Central Southwest

Do you ever feel like you would be the perfect person for the latest reality TV show? Right now I am the prime target for a “Supernanny” intervention. There are days when I feel like Mrs. Brady off of the Brady Bunch, the perfect mom. There are also days when I feel like I am more like Alicia Silverstone’s character in the movie Clueless. Maybe it’s because my kids are strong-willed and determined. Or maybe it’s because in my love for them, I have spoiled them just a tad bit. Regardless of reasons or circumstances, parenting can be tough. Exhausting. Tear jerking. But even on my worst day, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Being a mother is one of life’s greatest blessings! But the reality is we all need help or advice at some point.

So what is that one nugget of parenting advice that you would pass on to all of us?

Kim Trethewey

Central Kidz Team

For the past 3 weeks in Central Students,we have been taking a look at Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 5.  Jesus tells us that we are to be the salt of the earth and that we should shine our light like like a city on a hill…basically, we should glow.  Maybe people can’t physically see God, but we can help them experience Him by the way we live: sharing love, joy, forgiveness, and hope with the world. 

One simple way i have been trying to live Matthew 5 out is by being intential during my everyday interactions.  At Starbucks, the grocery store, the bank, wherever it is, i try to slow down and share joy through a smile or even kind words.  Now, for me, this isn’t the natural way to operate. To be honest, i usually blow right by these interaction with a simple hello/goodbye.  But lately, i’ve been getting in some really good conversations just by sharing some kinds words and a smile. 

There is definitely an importance to what Jesus calls us to do in Matthew 5.  Maybe its something we all can be more intentional about…not just at the grocery store or starbucks, but maybe with our families.  What if we were to live this way at home, with our spouse, with our kids, with our dogs(well, maybe not our dogs:)? Honestly, i think the hardest place to live out Matthew 5 is in our homes with our families, but what an importance it is.  Every word, every facial expression can express the love and joy Jesus brings into our lives.  My prayer is for this to be the way i live when i enter my house after work, church, wherever i’m coming from…to share this love, joy, forgiveness, and hope with my family…and yes, even my dogs:)

Derek Bareman

Pastor of Central Students-Summerlin

I have often heard that the definition of insanity is to continually do the same things while expecting different results. Yet, as parents, there are times when we should continue certain practices, even when we see no results at all. That’s what it means to walk by faith. God has specifically assigned each of us to be the parents of our particular children and He expects us to do certain things with and for them on a continual basis. Some of these include disciplining them, loving them when they are acting unlovable, teaching them about God using the Bible and the wonders of His creation, and prayer…tons and tons of prayer. As I said, walking by faith means we do what God asks and then trust Him to bring about the results He wants in our kids, even when WE don’t see them.

However, one thing I have learned about God is that, even though we may not see the results we want to see most of the time, He is faithful to give us glimpses of His work in our kids. For example, I pray with my girls the two days of the week I get to drive them to school in the morning. One of the things I always pray with them is that they will show others God’s kindness, even when those others are not being kind to them. I’m sure they get sick of praying that with me, but we always pray for it.

In the last report card my oldest daughter received, her teacher wrote something like this, “Mackenzie participates in positive ways in class and is always kind to everyone.” Yeah, I admit it…I cried when I read that. I knew right away God was allowing me to see a glimpse of the work He is doing in my daughter for my encouragement. Do what you know you’re called to do as a parent, no matter how tedious it may seem at times, and God WILL honor it. “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Kurt Pflegl

Gear Zone

Happy January everyone,

The second half of the ministry season has unfolded and we are already half way through January. Over the break, and as the New Year has unraveled, one word seems to absorb my thoughts….INVEST. We invest hours in our jobs, school and other tasks that need to be completed, but tend to forget the most essential element in our lives. God is calling us to invest more of our lives in him so that we may see how great and wonderful he really is. Each day is a new day and we can’t forget to give thanks for another opportunity to share our lives with one another.

As we invest more of ourselves in God, we are able to invest more in the lives of the people we love and care for…especially our students. At times we may not have it all together but that’s okay…it’s a reality. However, I believe have the greatest impact on our students when we chose to invest all we have in Jesus. We are our students’ example! Our lives may become a bit hectic, but at the end of the day we must be able to look in the mirror and know we have invested ourselves wholeheartedly in the Kingdom of God. We can make a huge difference in the lives of our students and those around us. The New Year is under way, and I encourage all of you to begin by investing more of yourselves in Christ and allow God to make a difference through you.

Jeff Kiwanuka

Element

I have always loved stories. I love to read them, I love when people tell me about theirs, and I love to tell them. As a kid we love to tell and hear people’s stories. As time goes on we somehow lose that desire. If you spend anytime with kids you know that if there is one thing most of them can do, it is talk. Kids love to tell you about their lives. They love to talk to you, because they want you to be a part of it. The desire to be known as somebody by somebody. Sometimes they will tell you a funny story, sometimes they pour their hearts out to you, and sometimes they just want someone to know that they can beat a video game, but the point is they want you to hear it. Every week I have kids come up to me to tell me stories from their life. I have come to love it. Its their way of opening up their world and letting me in.

In our lives we get so caught up in what needs to get done, that we forget about what should get done. We are tired and we have laundry, and work, and cleaning, and cooking to get done. And the last thing we need to know about is the entire plot line, scene by scene from a video game we will never play and have probably never heard of, twice, but to them they are sharing their best kept secret with you. As time goes on and kids grow up the stories change, but the desire to share doesn’t. Take some time and ask your kids something. Ask them what their dreams for the week are, or just to share something that’s on their heart, or even just why they like what they do. I bet you will be surprised at the response you get and the stories you might hear.

Rebekah Zaborek

Fun Factory

Around this time of year is what I like to call half time. It’s half way through the school year, football season is almost over (even though it was over for my Lions a LONG time ago), and something happens to junior high kids that makes this time of year my favorite time to be in junior high ministry. There is a change in all of the students, and in the entire ministry…

For whatever reason it’s this time of year that the 6th graders are finally comfortable enough to open up and have fun! We see a new side of them that isn’t quiet or shy.

The 7th graders have realized it won’t be long now before they are the top dogs in their middle schools. There is a new level a maturity in them. All of the sudden conversations with them are much more deep and meaningful, than before when all they would talk about is Jonas Brothers or Hannah Montana.

My favorite age group of all to watch is the 8th graders. This is the time of year where these guys and girls really start to own their ministry! They step up as role models to the younger kids, and really start to get into and apply what were talking about on the weekends and in small groups! We just started opening up spots on our student leadership team for 8th graders, and the response has been huge!

These changes are things that have been seeing ever since we came back from Christmas break! It’s already apparent that these junior high kids are on fire, and are ready to have a great run the rest of this ministry season!

Guy Johnson

Junior High Worship Leader

     Well we made it through the Holiday season and hopefully we all made it through in one piece. Thinking back on Christmas and the time spent with family, I am filled with many memories.  One that everyone can relate to is Christmas morning and the along awaited opening of the presents. Everyone is gathered around the tree. Children’s faces lighting up with excitement and joy as they open their presents. Their excitement increases with every new “just what I wanted” gift.  Not only are the children filled with joy, but so are the parents. They delight in watching their children enjoying the gifts they gave them. As much as the children love receiving the gifts so do the parents who give them.
     Thinking about that picture makes me think about our Heavenly Father and the gifts we receive from him.  Just like our earthly parents our Heavenly Father delights when we, His children, are filled with excitement and joy from the blessings and gifts we receive from Him.  What I love about the Lord is that He doesn’t need a reason like a holiday or a birthday to give. Once again just like our earthly parents, He gives because He loves us. So as we receive these gifts and blessings from our Lord in the upcoming year, I challenge everyone to look past whatever it is they are receiving and allow yourself to see His everlasting love through it all.  

Jessica Dillon
Central Kidz-Preschool Team