This past weekend in Central Kidz we concluded our series, E.Motions.  We talked about four of the many different emotions we all have to deal with, one of them being “Worry”.  As I was editing the materials for the weekend we would be talking about worry, it reminded me of a precious memory I have of our oldest daughter, Brittany, who is now a married woman.  When Brittany was three, one of her favorite things she would do was spend time in our backyard swinging and singing.  She was not what you would call a “shy” person.  She would sing at the top of her lungs, hopefully to the delight of our neighbors!  She had two or three songs in her repertoire, but it was one song in particular that always made me smile the most.  That song included the following lyrics…

I cast all my cares upon You

I lay all of my burdens (she would sing “birdings”) down at Your feet

And anytime I don’t know what to do

I will cast all my cares upon You

I’m sure she had no clue what the lyrics of that song were talking about, but it spoke (and still speaks) volumes to me.  We are living in a time where as parents, we are getting hit from all sides.  Speaking for myself as a “seasoned” parent, I know there are times that I have no clue what to do.  The words of that song remind me of the importance of laying those worries down at the feet of Jesus.  So the question I am leaving you (and myself) with today is…are you carryng your worries (burdens) alone, or are you laying them down at His feet?

Laura Murphy

Elementary Team

So as I write this blog, I’m taking a brief break from hanging out with my parents.  For many of you, maybe you spend time with your parents on a pretty regular basis.  But for me this is a special occassion.  Almost two years ago I moved across the country to join the team at Central.  Like many of you who are Vegas transplants (and I realize this is MOST of you), I only see my parents on certain occassions.  Christmas.  Family wedding.  Vacation.  So what is the special occassion that has brought my parents to sin city this week?  March Madness?  TWLOHA? Hardly.

I’m getting married in a couple months.  If you ask my fiancee, she could give you the exact countdown.  I think we’re at 63, but I could be off a day or two.  Shhh.  Don’t tell her.  Anyway…my mom gave a different reasons why her and my dad were making the flight from Nashville to spend a few days with me.  None of them made sense.  Then finally she said to me on Tuesday, “This is my last chance to see you before you’re married.”  Huh?

Finally I got it.  My mom just wanted to see me.  She made up some reason.  But really, she just wanted to see me.  For no reason other than she loves me.  Not having kids myself yet, I don’t understand what this love is like.  But I want to understand it more, because I think it will help me better understand God’s love for me.  The Bible often uses the metaphor of a parent to a child as to explain our relationship with God.  Just like my mom, God doesn’t want to spend time with me for any reason, other than He loves me. 

Matt Vairetta

Southwest Students

This spring I am finally tackling the landscaping of our backyard.  I am putting in a patio area, some trees, some shrubs and plants, and a lot of rocks.  It’s a slow process, mostly because I just do a little bit as I have the time to get it done.  It’s also one of those jobs I dread doing and enjoy doing all at the same time.  Before I begin to work I think about how hard it is going to be and dream I would use my time better if I wasn’t out there working.   Although I would probably just find the couch if I wasn’t working in the yard.  I also try to tell myself I don’t really know the right way to do the work.

Conversations about God can have the same kind of feel.  It is cool and fun to talk with your family and friends about God and living life with Him, but it can also be intimidating.  Excuses are easy to come by.  “I am busy with this project.”  “They don’t really want to talk about God.”  “My kids don’t understand and I don’t know how to explain things to them.”  “Do I know enough to tell anyone about God?”  What’s your favorite excuse to tell yourself?

I have been using excuses for a year not to work on our back yard, but eventually it was time to get it started.  I don’t know the right way or best way to do everything I want to do.  But I am taking one project at a time and doing what I can each week.  There may be a better way to spread rocks, but my method will get the job done.  And it will look amazing when I finish.  (At least I better think it does.)

The same thing applies to talking with your friends and families about God.  God chose you to be in those relationships.  He wants you to be the parent to your child.  Have conversations with them about God and living life with Him.  Start where you are and do what you can.  Find resources around you to help you and teach you more.  The right way to parent your children is with you doing it.  God is right there with you ready to give you wisdom in the journey.  Enjoy the work and celebrate the beauty that comes out of it. 

Daniel Carnahan
Central Kidz

I can’t quite remember where my dad and I were heading, but I remember being in the car with him when I was about six.  I recall we were listening to Jim Croce’s song “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown.”  I was singing along with it when it came to the part in the chorus where Jim sings “Baddest cat in the d*** town.”  Since I didn’t really know what he was singing, I sang “downtown” instead.  This is the part I’ll never forget.  My dad turned to me and said, “That was a great way to change the lyrics, good thinking!”  At six, I’m not sure if I knew exactly why I was being praised, I just knew my dad was pleased with me and it felt really good!

 As parents, I think we each have some kind of vision laid out as to what we want our kids to be like.  Unfortunately, sometimes we only use a few of the tools God has put at our disposal in shaping our kids along the lines of that vision.  I know I use negative reinforcement through disciplinary action way more than any other method.  Yes, it is important for me to give my kids the understanding that there are negative consequences for their bad actions, but it is just as important for me to provide them with the vision of what having a good character looks like.

 Positive reinforcement is a great way to do that.  Also, by catching your kids in the act of doing something good and praising them for it, you build up their self esteem.  In time, this makes them hungry to get more praise, which ultimately leads to them to practice better habits and grow a godly character.  So, if you want the best chance at seeing your kids become all that God wants them to be (Proverbs 22:6), make the effort to catch them in the act of doing at least one good thing each day and then praise them for it.  Believe me, they’ll never forget those moments!

 Kurt Pflegl

Central Kidz

Not sure if you’ve noticed this, but it’s difficult to watch the news anymore. There is so much bad news about the economy, people, and the world. I try to make it to the “positive” story at the end, but it’s hard. I literally have to press “off” on my remote for the sake of my own sanity sometimes.

I’ve realized that, in the middle of the challenges of life (money, family, expectations), it is so easy to lose perspective. My view can become so small, so quickly. I know God is not surprised by the economy. I know He sees what’s going on in my family…the good…the difficult. Sometimes, it’s easy to call myself a “Christ-Follower,” but live as an atheist. In other words, I can believe God is big and powerful, but forget that He’s here, right now.

What would it look like to actually expect God to BE in our lives? How would that affect our prayers, our schedules, our peace? These days, with fear swirling all around us, and so many things out of our control, I’m reminded how small I am.

What are things that you can’t control today? What are the things keeping you up at night? Maybe God wants us to give Him THOSE things. Will we let Him take control or will we continue to hold on? Maybe…just maybe, if we let go, it could be God’s finest hour.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Robert Poliszuk

High School Pastor | Henderson Campus

Insomnia by definition according to Wikipedia is defined as, “difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or both”.  Student Ministry’s definition according to last Saturday night is defined as, “Rotunda shaking, 6 buses rolling, 6pm-7:30am, 300 amped junior high students and 46 brave amazing leaders hoping to sneak a peek of what God does when we’re not looking (and suppose to be sleeping)”.  AKA ”Insomnia 2009″!   Okay stick with me, I know that definition may be a frightening thought for some parents, but think about those last 7 words…”what God does when we’re not looking”.  As a parent we eventually realize that we can’t be with our kids all the time.  There are times when we aren’t looking but that’s when our faith kicks in.  Faith in the confidence and trustworthiness of a God and His plan for our children.  Many junior high parents did just that, had faith in God’s plan when they sent their junior higher to Insomnia 2009 and God’s plan was amazing to watch play out.  While you weren’t looking, God orchestrated amazing conversations between leaders of wisdom and your child.  While you weren’t looking, God showed students how pure being up all night in Las Vegas can be inspite of our “Sin City” image.  While you weren’t looking, God connected your child to another to begin and in some cases continue to do life together in a world that constantly challenges their identity in Christ.  I am so grateful for a God that partners with me and my husband as Jordan’s parents.  So the next time I send Jordan off to school or to a friends house without me, I’m going to remember Insomnia 2009 and all the amazing things He did, “While you weren’t looking”.  And so can you!

Marlene Hughett

Element Team Mom

My wife, Laura, and I are the parents of three amazing kids…all three of them have experienced life change as a result of their involvement in Central’s Family Ministries.  We moved to Las Vegas in 2000 to join the staff at Central. It was an exciting, but challenging transition for our family.

Our oldest daughter, Brittany, was a Senior in high school and was nervously optimistic about the new adventure of living in Las Vegas and helping advance the cause of Christ at Central. She had left a life, friends and a strong student ministry, so the transition for her was definitely bittersweet. The Student Ministry Team at Central embraced Brittany, welcomed her into the family and allowed her to begin to serve using her passion – leading worship and leading a group of younger girls. Her spiritual journey was enhanced by her experiences and the relationships developed…God used the Student Ministry Team to mark her spritual life in a powerful way. She went on to graduate from UNLV with a degree in Communications, married Central’s Director of Content Production, Chris Sattel, and now serves the Central family as a Communications specialist.

Our son, Calvin, is 12 years old and heavily involved in Family Ministries. He volunteers  in Adventure Island as a Small Group Leader, in Fun Factory and Gear Zone on the Tech Team, and is connected in a Junior High Small Group, which is making a huge difference in his spritual life as well as building relationships with other junior highers. The Junior High leadership is marking his life in a powerful way…ways that we see evidenced in his attitudes, spirit and heart for God.

Our youngest daughter, Brooke, is 11 years old and is also heavily involved in Family Ministries. She serves as a Small Group Leader, worship leader and actor in Adventure Island. She loves being a part of all that happens in Gear Zone each weekend….including the experience and her own Small Group. Brooke is passionate about serving other kids and is product of all that Central’s Family Ministry offers and pours into kids.

Well, as you can see, we’re committed to Central’s vision, strategy and mission…so much so that both Laura and I have given our lives to it…our kids are committed to it and are products of its impact and effectiveness! I encourage you to get your kids involved….let them participate and serve. I know you’ll experience what we’ve experienced…life change in the lives of our kids and seeing them develop authentic hearts for God and a love for people.

Michael James Murphy,
Executive Pastor of Worship & Creative Ministries

What in the world did we do before we had the DVR? I am unsure if I am even capable of watching commercials anymore. I love that it is on my time, that I can sit down when I want and watch the show when I want. I mean, what would we do with out them, we would have to choose between which show to watch. We would have to choose which one was more important and which show we actually wanted to spend our precious time with. It would be such a hard decisions I think, I mean is it House or 24, do we save lives or America, how do we even make those decisions? Good thing we have our DVR’s I guess. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a DVR for life. It’s okay you can watch that meeting at work and still go to your kid’s sporting event. The thing is, there is no DVR for life. Our time is precious and everyday we make choices on what we want to spend our time on. But remember there is no DVR for an instant play whenever we want it, we only have now, today. I hope that I am making the right decisions. Although it would be important to decide between my two shows that I record, it is more important for me to choose my family over my work, or my relationship with God over my hobbies. Everyday you have the opportunity to make the right choice with what we do with our time. Don’t forget that we only have now, today, to make that right choice. Tomorrow your kids could be gone, college and life comes faster then you think.

So until we invent the DVR for life (the LVR if you will) remember to live today and choose wisely what you are watching. I promise the right choice will pay off in the end.

Rebekah Zaborek

Fun Factory Director 

With everything that’s going on in the world right now it has elevated the concerns of being proactive, finding jobs, holding on to money, and mainly evaluating the future etc….. 
One of the ways that I’ve been pushing myself to grow and look at the future is by using 6 by 6.  Six by six is a planning method I read about in Axiom by Bill Hybles. Hybles suggests planning out 6 goals for yourself that you want and need to be completed in six weeks.  Obliviously these need be reachable goals such as grow your skills to increase your abilities. Here are some examples below.

6 by 6

1. Read six books that increase your abilities.

Ever watch a child who is learning how to swim? You see them standing on the edge of the pool contemplating on jumping in. While they are on the edge you can see their parent already in the pool arms stretched out waiting and watching. As the child nervously stands you can hear “Move closer…closer…closer… wait…STOP… Right there!!!!” As the parent gets into position you can see the child’s confidence increase. It increases to such a level that they take a deep breath close their eyes and jump in. They swim to their best ability reaching out with their arms swimming until they reach the comfort of their parent’s arms. They swim and swim reaching but unbeknownst to them their parent is secretly taking steps back. Taking a few more steps back getting farther and farther from the edge forcing the child to swim farther than they had intended. Are they going to lose their confidence panic and stop swimming or are they going to keep going arms out reaching for their parent.

As we make this journey through our lives we can probably all relate to that little child learning how to swim. From preschool all the way throughout our adult lives, we have all been the one standing on the edge getting ready to jump into unknown waters. Are we going to let our confidence be our faith, the Lord our parent standing arms reached out waiting and watching?  Will we try to swim to our best ability reaching with our arms out waiting to feel that comfort of the Lord? I feel as though He is standing waiting and watching over us while we swim. Waiting to see if we are going to have faith in him and keep on doing our best to swim to Him. Even if there are times where we may not see hear or feel Him. Are we going to trust in him and his plan for our lives? Are we going to stay confident in Him and allow Him to guide our path even if that means we have no control on where we go? Are we going to give him our lives the whole thing dirty laundry and all. He is asking us to swim. Now are we going to listen to Him do our part and swim or are we going to panic? Will we panic lose confidence throw up my arms stop swimming and eventually drown? Will we think it’s too hard? Will we fear the unknown? Or worse…Will we lose Faith?

The comfort I have in all this is that whichever way we go the outcome is always the same. Just like any parent would our Lord will scoop us up out of the water into his loving arms make sure we are alright and tell us he loves us. So now as I sit here pondering life I can only think of one thing….. Does anyone want to go swimming?

Jessica Dillon

Central Kidz-Preschool Team