www.familytiesfridge.info

It is official -- we have a real bonafide website!! You can now use http://www.familytiesfridge.info/ to access our blog. Please feel free to pass this along to all friends and inactive members of our class.

Keep it real and be blessed!!!

10 PARENTING LAWS

(Thanks to Scott Waid for this post)

How many of these do YOU relate to? I'm sure we can all add a few to these as well!

1. The later you stay up, the earlier your child will wake up the next morning.
2. For a child to become clean, something else must become dirty.
3. Toys multiply to fill any space available.
4. The longer it takes you to make a meal, the less your child will like it.
5. Yours is always the only child who doesn't behave.
6. If the shoe fits....it's expensive!
7. The surest way to get something done is to tell a child not to do it.
8. The gooier the food, the more likely it is to end up on the carpet.
9. Backing the car our of the driveway causes your child to hae to go to the bathroom.
10. The more challenging the child, the more rewarding it is to be a parent....sometimes.

We spend the first 12 months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk, and the next 24 years telling them to sit down and shut up!

Fridge-lift

OK peeps...what you're looking at is what happens when:

• Someone gives me admin rights to a blog
• I wake up at 6am on July 4 with no screaming kids
• I say to myself, " Self, do something creative today!!"

Soooo.... I'm charging you, the jury, to give honest feedback on the appearance. If you like it, comment. If you dont like it, PLEASE COMMENT AS WELL!!! It doesn't mean it will get changed immediately, but I'm not one to leave a blog looking the same for a long time. As long as the powers-that-be give me the ability, I'll keep it fresh. I have other templates out there to use from time to time. Keep it real!!

Cars In the Bible?

A long haired teenage boy and his dad were talking one day about the boy getting a car for his 16th birthday.
The dad told his son that if he could pull his "c" grade point average up to a "b" average, start getting serious about his Bible studies and get a hair cut, then they would talk about him getting a car.
The next few months the boy worked hard at school, pulling his grade point average up to "b", and he studied his Bible every night. His dad said, "Son, I'm very proud of your of your grades at school and I have noticed that you have read in your Bible every night, but I must admit that I'm a little disappointed you've made no effort to cut your hair."
The son answered saying, " Dad, in my Bible studies I've learned that Sampson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair and there is strong evidence to believe that even Jesus had long hair."
The dad thought for a moment and replied, " Yes son and did you also read that those men traveled on foot!"


This joke really made laugh! Kevin and I have a 17 (yes 17) year old and Kevin is always on him about cutting his hair! I know most of you have young children, but just wait, your day is coming!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July. Remember to pray for those men and women overseas and here in the states who are away from their families to give our families "Independence " and freedom. God bless you.

TOP 10 SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE A FRUSTRATED MOM

1. Your children know how to read HTML code but can't operate a vacuum cleaner.
2. Your children tell you that you said "yes" and you don't even remember the question.
3. You go to the grocery store and find yourself having a good time.
4. Your husband asks how your day went and you rate it on a scale of 1-10 repeats of "stop that!" or "no!"
5. You can't remember the last time you didn't have to share your drink.
6. You mistakenly tell the kids it's "sanity" time when you meant to say "bed" time.
7. The laundry seems to have taken on an evil nature and you begin to feel that it's out to get you.
8. You dread hearing the phone ring because it's a sure sign there's about to be trouble amongst the children.
9. It's finally your turn on the computer and "Touched By An Angel" is just coming on.
10. You go to sleep with "I'm bored" or "I'm hungry" still ringing in your ears.

THANKS TO SCOTT WAID FOR THIS POST!!!!

My first post, YEAH! Hopefully this will work. Just a little disclaimer, I am not a writer. I always have a story to tell and I love to talk (believe it or not), but a writer I am not. This is just my little part in trying to keep the fridge stocked.


A few weeks ago Jason's friend from work came to our class and spoke. He really touched me with his story. He urged us all to buy the Casting Crowns CD Lifesong. I have just recently bought the CD and have been blessed every day since I bought it. I work in Gadsden and so I drive a lot everyday and I try to use this time as my alone time with God. All of the songs on this CD have touched my heart and God has used them to speak to me in lots of different ways. One of the song titles is IN ME. What the song reminds us is that God does not NEED us, he WANTS us. He doesn't just want us when everything is going great in our life, he wants us when our hearts and lives are troubled, when we are weak. We are nothing without Christ, with Christ we live. Without Christ we are weak, with Christ we are strong. We will never make it trying to live on our own ability, we must put our faith, trust, and strength in him and praise his name forever, even in the storm.

The 4th of July is rapidly approaching. I hope everyone enjoys a long day with family & you all have a safe 4th. Also, lets not forget on the wonderful 4th to thank God for our freedom & the troops that protect that freedom!

Seeing is not believing

One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children. The teacher asked a little boy:

Tommy do you see the tree outside?

TOMMY: Yes.

TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?

TOMMY: Yes.

TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.

TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.

TEACHER: Did you see God up there?

TOMMY: No.

TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. Possibly he just doesn't exist. A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?

TOMMY: Yes.

LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?

TOMMY: Yessssss!

LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?

TOMMY: Yessssss!

LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?

TOMMY: Yes

LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?

TOMMY: No

LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she possibly may not even have one! (You Go Girl!)



"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT" II CORINTHIANS 5:7

Date Change for Skating!

Please mark your calendars to reflect the change in the date for our skating party at Trussville Playstation. The new date is SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th from 4:00-6:00pm. Cost per family will be $20. We must have at least 11 families to participate. Please reserve your spot with a $5 deposit which can be given to Rhonda Shelton or Jenny Brannan. Total cost will be due no later than Sunday, July 22nd. Please comment here to let everyone know if you are game!

Family Movie Night

"Surf's Up!"
Let's meet at the movies in Trussville on THIS SATURDAY, June 23rd for "Surf's Up" at 4:40pm. Dinner to follow at Moe's.
Please let Rhonda know if she needs to save seats for your family by responding here or emailing her at rshelton0828@aol.com.

HELP!

THE FRIDGE IS EMPTY!

CONTENT NEEDED IMMEDIATLY!
SERIOUSLY, THIS IS A REALLY REALLY SAD AND LONELY BLOG!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING A POST ON THE BLOG, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT HERE, OR EMAIL RHONDA SHELTON, OR JENNY BARRETT SO THAT WE CAN ADD YOU TO THE LIST OF AUTHORS AND YOU CAN BEGIN CONTRIBUTING!
The few of us who have been making all the posts have obviously run out of content to put on it, so we need fresh new fruit to be added!!!!!

Not sure if you have anything to say???? Here are a few ideas for EVERYONE in Family Ties to be involved in the content on the FRIDGE~
TEACHERS: please post summaries of our lessons in class! Especially since we are in a series, it is a great way to keep anyone who missed a Sunday informed!!!
CARE GROUP LEADERS: please post information for your care groups about socials, prayer needs, etc. Even though you are supposed to be sending out emails for these purposes, this is another great way to keep bases covered and make sure everyone is aware of all opportunities before them.
CLASS MEMBERS: What has God been teaching you lately? Have you put into practice a lesson recently learned from our class studies? Your experiences in life, both the success and failures, are great learning tools for everyone! Give your testimony of how you came to know the Lord personally....how you teach your children about Jesus....how you and your spouse make time for each other, and time for your family....How do you teach others around you (in the work place, at the ball field, etc) about Christ????

I have to believe that in a class our size, we all can have something to say to encourage others! Even if you're not a "writer", ask for help in telling your story!
HELP US FILL THE FRIDGE WITH A GREAT FEAST FOR EVERYONE!!!

Sunday Fun Day Questionnaire

This Sunday, June 10th, is another Family Ties "Sunday Fun Day!" We will be using this day to help get us geared up for our next bible study series on the different love languages of children. I have compiled a list of questions that I would like for you all to ask your children. Bring their answers with you to class on Sunday and we will share them with each other. I am sure this will be quite amusing!

1.) Where does your daddy work?

2.) What does your mommy do all day?

3.) Who has all the money at your house?

4.) Who cleans your house?

5.) What do you want to be when you grow up?

6.) Do you love school?

7.) Do you love going to church?

8.) Who cuts your grass?

9.) Where does God live?

10.) Who is the prettiest person you know?

11.) Who loves you more than anything?

12.) Do you love your sibling/s?

13.) Do you want your mommy to have another baby?

14.) What makes you happy?

15.) What makes you sad?

Song of Solomon

So.... you know that we were out of town. I have heard that John and I were the subject of much talk on Sunday. I want to know what you guys thought of the Song of Solomon lesson. I hear it was wonderful! Let me know YOUR thoughts. Thanks again, Vaughn!

If you want to check out a book to further "help" with this lesson, check out the book "Intimacy Ignited" or "Sheet Music".

Mercy & Compassion

Hope you guys don't mind a "personal" post from me...but since nothing has been put on the Fridge lately...

During the school year, my kids were learning many of the different stories from the Bible. The story of Moses, Noah and the Ark, Joseph and his "special coat". But of all the stories both of the kids learned about, nothing has taught us as a family more than the story of Jonah and the Whale. Mrs. Lea at HillDale Christian School is obviously a great Bible teacher, because both of the kids would come home talking about what they had learned with great excitement. When I commented to their teacher how much they were enjoying learning from her during their Bible class, she told me that they were going to be watching the Veggie Tales Movie by the same name. Since Ryan had latched onto this story so emphatically, Jonathan and I decided we would buy the movie to add to our family collection at home. The kids have watched it incessantly. It is absolutely one of Ryan's favorite movies ever! The movie chronicles the story of Jonah, and highlights two elements in the story that my daughter has taken to heart very much: Mercy and Compassion.

One day, after watching the movie, we were eating lunch, and Megan proudly informed me that she knew the difference betweenCompassion and Mercy.

"Really?" I asked, "Why don't you tell me?"

"Well, COMPASSION is when you see someone that is hurting, and you feel bad for them and want to help them out" Megan stated. "And MERCY is when you give someone a second chance, even when they don't deserve it".

I was so proud of her! Even though she'd learned it from an animated tomato and cucumber, it had seemed to grasp her heart and she had learned an important lesson in life!

Or so I thought.

Her next statement has had me in stitches laughing every since.

"So, Mom, that means that when you get mad at me, you just need to show me more MERCY and give me a second chance!"

Jonathan and I have heard this statement from her right in the middle of discipline numerous times! It seemed for a while that she was using it as a means of getting out of trouble...or at least trying to. She'd get the "talk" after getting into trouble about doing something wrong, and under her breath she is whispering, "You just need to show me a little mercy and give me another chance".

As of recent days, I think she is finally getting it, but we've had to explain to her that showing mercy to her does not give her a reason to behave badly to begin with...she must still obey the rules, use her manners, and be kind to others. I've even gone as far as telling her that I've shown her enough mercy every time I warned her to stop doing something (a sassy mouth, talking back, etc.), and by the time I have come to the point of punishing her, it's too late! But still, she reminds me, she needs compassion and mercy from me.

How often do I act like this to my Heavenly Father? How often do I disobey him, and go my own way. And when my own way leads to disaster, it's always HIM that I beg to show me mercy and compassion and "get me out of this!" I'm so glad, that I have a God who loves me that much, because it is never a question, he readily gives me mercy. It's the reason I'm HIS CHILD. It's the reason I have an eternal home. It's the reason I am where I am today. So, it's also the gentle, loving, probe of the Lord that turns my thoughts to that fact every time I'm in a position to disciple one of my children. As I hear myself saying "It's because I love you and want the best for you that I have to teach you this lesson", I also hear a whisper in my heart from God saying the same thing to me.

Praise the Lord for COMPASSION AND MERCY!

Welcome, Hannah Joy McLendon!

Welcome to the world, little Hannah Joy McLendon!

Congratulations to Chase, Amy and Big Sister Bailey on the arrival of their newest addition on May 15th at 7:15am. Hannah weighed in at 7lbs 14oz and 20 inches long. She was born so quickly! Her mommy's water was broken at 6:00 this morning.

Leave the proud family a congratulatory comment here on this post.

Hello, World

Hi, guys! Just a quick post to remind us of the lesson we covered on Sunday.

I was thinking about it and started digging through my house. The few of you who have been here will understand the level of effort that takes. After crossing the stream of clean laundry that needs to be folded, and lake of dishes both to be washed and put away, and the ocean of dirty laundry, and I went through my movies... oh what an eye opener. I'm literally frightened to go through my books. I always wondered where all the time to do laundry, and do the dishes, and read the Bible goes to... Ryan said it on Sunday... the problem for me may not be that I need a filter on my tv or computer--- maybe I don't need a TV... or a bookshelf! So have you looked at what's on the shelf, what you tune into...

The other thing that I discovered going through all of that junk, was that it reveals a lot about my attitude. If I allow the stuff that distracts me from the best thing be my favorite things, then that tells me that my attitude toward the best thing, toward the ONE THING that really matters is lacking. So the rest of this week, I'm trying to focusing my prayers on my desire for God and His will, and to truly take over in my life.

Hope you've had a great 1st half of the week, and see you on Sunday!

Skating, Anyone?

Would your family be up for roller skating?

We have reserved Trussville PlayStation for Sunday, July 29th from 4:00 until 6:00.

Before paying a non-refundable deposit, we want to make sure that we have enough interest. Please reply here letting us know if you are 1) interested and 2) available for the July 29th date.

Cost should be between $15-20 per family.

I know this is far in advance, but I know you have vacations scheduled!

Are YOU A Johnny???

A friend sent me a link to an amazing and inspiring video about service, and it really made me stop and think about how effective I am at my place of service at church. Many of us are actively serving in one or more areas at CrossPoint, but I ask you, how are you making an IMPACT in your service? Please, click on the link below and watch the short video. Are you putting your "fingerprint" on those you serve? How have you been affected by others who have served God by serving others? How has your service affected you? I encourage you to share your thoughts after watching this video by leaving a comment on this post.

http://www.simpletruths.com/simpletruths/a.aspx?af=219&mo=stsr


"It's not how much you do, but how much love you put into what you are doing"
Mother Theresa

Notes From LC....THANKS HEATHER!!!!

Pictorial Directory:

Sign up on the church main site (CLICK HERE) for pictures in the new directory. We are about 400 families larger than when we last did a driectory, so EVERYONE needs to participate!

VBS:

Beth and Cathy need workers for some specific groups grades, 1, 5, and 3 ( I think) email one of these ladies to volunteer (June 4-8 9 AM- NOON)
Beth Email: bhowe@crosspointchurch.info
Cathy Email: cowen@crosspointchurch.info
The first Saturday in June (06/02/07), will be a work day to decorate for VBS

Next LC, June 3rd will end with a prayer walk for VBS.

FAMILY NIGHT,
Wednesday June 6, will be a "tailgate fundraiser" hot dogs, chips and such, and this will raise funds for the Student Ministry's Mission Trip this summer.

Care Group Functions

Care Group #1 - Lunch after the 10:45 worship on May 6th at O'Charley's.

Care Group #2 - Family Shrimp Boil (prepared by Vaughn Harris) at the Sheltons on Friday, May 11th at 6:00. Bring $10 per family to cover the cost of the food. RSVP using your Evite.

Care Group #3 - Bring your own lunch and Family Play Date at Trussville Civitan Park on Sunday, May 20th after the 10:45 worship.

Care Group #4 - Bring your own picnic on Sunday, May 20th after the 3rd worship. Meet at the covered bridge off of Hwy 11 in Trussville.