Hey Church family,

In an article I read last summer, there was a poll conducted. What was discovered was that “a majority of Americans say they are not sure about the existence of God.” I know you agree when I say we must do whatever we can to reach the next generation with the good news of Jesus. Pastor Cliff often says, “We are here to create a culture of devoted followers of Christ.” With just a handful of new leaders serving in our weekly ministries, we can reach this next generation and create a culture of devoted disciples.

• Would you consider helping us connect with kids and teach them the Bible chronologically in our Kids Connect Groups? We are looking for teachers and assistants for 2-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and second grade at the 9:30 hour and 1-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and kindergarten at the 11:00 hour.
• Would you consider serving as a huddle leader or master teacher in our 11:00 am elementary large group environment for the Main Stage?
• Would you listen to children memorize verses on Wednesday nights from 6 pm to 7:30 pm in our Awana Program?
• Would you love on families and meeting their needs by serving on our Sunday morning welcome team?

As part of Mission Point Kids, we will equip, support, and minister to you as you impact this next generation for Jesus.  Click here to view opportunities to serve.

I love you all, and thank you for letting me serve you as your Kid and Family Pastor.

Pastor Keith Egner

After almost a year of being displaced, we're finally back at 1 Mission Point. Starting this Sunday, December 3rd, we'll gather for worship in our remodeled [and much drier] worship center, with plenty of room for Connect Groups, and safe spaces for our children and students.

Let's take the time to reflect on how good God has been to us. Despite the obstacles, the past year was full of God's provision. We've welcomed many new faces. We've enjoyed many new opportunities for growth. We've celebrated salvations and baptisms together.

We've also seen the church be the church. God's people has always been a mobile people. Through this season, we've been reminded that the church is not a building, or an event, or an organization -- it's a family -- the people of God living and moving together as His ambassadors.

A special thank you to our friends at Teasley Middle School and Cherokee County Schools. Teasley was more than a neighbor - they were our home for 2023. We are forever thankful to their faculty, staff, and students. We will also forever be grateful to the pro's at Southeast Restoration for making the renovation process smooth.

We can't wait to worship with you this Sunday, December 3rd. We'll also be home for Christmas. Make plans now at CantonFirstBaptist.org/Christmas.

We've got a couple building updates for those in our family following us online. Renovation is progressing smoothly and we are eyeballing a return date before the end of the year. At the same time, this season at Teasley Middle has been sweet and we're thankful for the ways our family has rallied to continue worshiping together. Check out these recent videos below for an inside look at the progress, and continue to pray for how God is moving and preparing our church body throughout this process.

Stay informed - make sure you're receiving our weekly e-blast and following us on Facebook!

Hey CFB Family,

This is not the Christmas message I had planned, but I wanted to update everyone and let you know what I know at this time.

Due to a water line burst, there is significant damage in the worship center and first-floor. Southeast Restoration is onsite and doing their thing with excellence. We are in great hands. For safety the campus and building will be closed for the immediate future. The offices will be closed until January 3rd until we can get the internet service up and running to the office buildings.

We will meet online for the next two Sundays, and we are trying to secure a meeting location for the 15th until we can return to campus. I believe in meeting together as a church body as soon as possible. We will try to keep everyone updated regularly on my Facebook, Canton First Baptist Facebook, and our web page at cantonfirstbaptist.org. What I need from you. Please do not come to the campus at this time. We will have work crews, dumpsters, and repair teams on site for the foreseeable future. They don’t need us looking around or in their way. Treat the campus as an active construction site. Meeting with church leaders, securing a temporary worship location, connect group plans, and MPP returning on schedule are our high priorities. Please continue to pray for the safety of the workers, scheduling, continued regular giving, and available materials when we need them, and ultimately to rebuild stronger and better as we impact Canton for Jesus. This is where being a part of a healthy connect group is vital to maintain community. Let’s use this time to strengthen those relationships.

Finally, do not worry. But let’s walk in faith, expecting God to do even more than we can imagine. God always blesses through great tragedy. Let’s watch Him work!

I’ll see you soon.
Pastor Cliff

Please do not bring your year-end giving to the church office this week. Offices are closed due to the server and internet being down. If you have year-end offering, please give online or place your year-end giving in the mail. If it is postmarked by 12/31/22 it will count as a contribution for 2022.

Should Have, Could Have, Would Have
by Sarah Bohn

James 4:17 NIV
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

James didn’t pull any punches when he wrote the above verse. It’s quite the biblical mic drop. I have read the Bible all the way through before, but as often happens, this verse struck me differently than it ever had before. My husband has been teaching this verse to our daughter and hearing their lesson convicted me.

Let me give a little background first. My husband is the director of Feed My Sheep, the food pantry here at CFB. One Saturday, in between helping folks, Mrs. Martha Sims (a regular volunteer) and I were talking about our call to share the gospel with everyone. She put it in such a simple matter of fact way: “If you knew the cure for cancer, you’d share it with people, wouldn’t you?”

That really struck me. I started thinking, “Who do I know who has cancer of their souls?” The Holy Spirit brought my grandmother, Maw-Maw, to my mind. Maw-Maw is my father’s mother, she’s fiercely loyal, has always been an attentive grandmother to me and she sends EVERYONE in her life a card for every occasion. But she’s had a very hard life. Some of the hardships she’s known have been beyond her control, but some were due to her own choices. She does not have Jesus in her heart. She’s sad, sick in her spirit, and I think I’ve just always viewed her as hopeless.

The “cancer” of her soul was inoperable in my mind, but that day at Feed My Sheep, the Holy Spirit said, “Sarah, don’t expect so little of Me. Even she can be saved.”

I was hit with the phrase “Should Have, Could Have, Would Have” and how much I would hate for it to be true in this instance. I knew that I should share the good news of Jesus with Maw-Maw even if she’d heard it before and rejected it. I could share it as I am able to communicate with her easily enough and I have a mature enough faith that I can correctly share the gospel with her. I didn’t want that last phrase to be true: Would have. I would have shared it with her but…I don’t want her or I to enter eternity and I miss the chance to share the love of Jesus with her.

I prayed about it and was convicted to write her a letter. I didn’t think a phone call would be effective because my Maw-Maw enjoys talking… a lot. I printed off a bunch of pictures of my children and our family and wrote little notes on the back to her. Then I wrote her a long letter to go with the pictures. I told her in the letter that Jesus loves her and died for her and if she wants to know more about Him, my dad or I would love to talk to her.

I would love to say that I mailed that letter that day in obedience. Family, I sat on mailing that letter for close to two months. I was chicken. I was scared that I was mistaken by my conviction to write it in the first place. Maybe it was just my emotions in the moment and not an actual call to action. I was scared she’d be angry at my dad, and I’d cause a fight between them.

But then here comes James with his mic drop. God smacked me in the face with James 4:17. I knew what was right and wasn’t doing it. I was sinning. It wasn’t my job to save Maw-Maw. It wasn’t my job to make her receive the good news. But it was my job to share the gospel with her. So I prayed over that letter again. I prayed that her heart would be softened, and I popped it into the mailbox. Temptation to back out presented itself for two more days. That letter sat in our mailbox for two days because our postwoman was on vacation (unbeknownst to me). I didn’t go get it. I waited until finally it went on its way and then I waited some more to hear from my dad.

Finally, I texted daddy and asked if he’d heard from Maw-Maw lately. His response was proof of God’s goodness. Maw-Maw called daddy, but she said that “Sarah sent me the nicest pictures and a letter about Jesus. It was so good.”

I should have, I could have, and I’m so very thankful I did.

God Bless.

--Sarah Bohn

Sarah is a CFB member, Women's Ministry team member, and regular contributor

It’s not too late to press in to the Advent season. Here are 5 daily devotionals I recommend to get you started. Why use a devotional? Advent is a daily journey that reminds us of how God stepped into the darkest darkness of our sinful world to save us, and so our daily quiet time reflects that journey from darkness to light as we trust in Jesus. In defiance of the demands we face this season, a daily devotional can help focus your attention away from the busyness and onto Jesus with the help of short reflections, hymns, and guided prayers. Try one of these, for you or a friend, and feel free to suggest one you’ve read in the comments below.

The First Songs of Christmas: An Advent Devotional
Author: Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Our Women's Ministry team has been impacted by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth's wisdom, and I know the Lord will also use her writing to impact you this Christmas season. Her 31-day devotional focuses on the songs of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon, all found in Luke chapters 1-2.
Purchase from Lifeway

Christmas According to Christ
Author: Alistair Begg
How about a FREE option from the Bible app (Bible.com)? This short 5-day plan featuring excerpts from Pastor Alistair Begg focuses attention on the core of who Jesus is and what He came to do. When you’re done, explore the many other free reading plans offered by the Bible app and take advantage of their mobile app to keep Scripture always close at hand.
Get started with the Bible app

From Heaven
Author: A.W. Tozer
This 28-day devotional features short selections from renowned preacher A.W. Tozer’s sermons. While there are no accompanying prayer guides like most devotionals, you shouldn’t have any problem as each day’s excerpt will lead you directly into worship.
Purchase from Lifeway

Waiting Here For You: An Advent Journey of Hope
Author: Louie Giglio
Advent is a busy season, and it’s all too easy to forget the reason for our hope and peace. This easy-reading devotional by Atlanta-based pastor Louie Giglio helps put the reader in a posture of anticipation. You'll have guided prayers and accompanying hymns for reflection.
Purchase from Amazon

The Jesus Storybook Bible: A Christmas Collection
Author: Sally Lloyd-Jones
If you have children or grandchildren, this one’s for you. You may have heard Pastor Cliff read last Christmas Eve from the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. We read it with our children and I can tell you from experience that it’s a great tool to have deep conversations about faith in Jesus with your little ones. The Christmas version of this features audio recordings and related activities to help point your little ones to the real reason for Christmas.
Purchase here

BONUS:
Did you know the Lifeway Explore the Bible series we use in Connect Groups has Daily Discipleship guides available for each week’s lesson? While we don’t usually order hard copies, ask your Connect Group leader for how to get a PDF copy. These discipleship guides are great ways to dive deeper with each week’s Connect Group content.

This post compiled by Mike Browning, CFB Connect Group leader and contributor

Disclosure: We do NOT make any money from the links above or when you purchase these books from other vendors. We’re sharing links for your convenience, but feel free to support a bookstore of your choice.

by Sarah Bohn, CFB member and web contributor

Hey church family!

We’re already in October! If you’re like our family then you’re in the thick of school, work, kid stuff, family stuff, church involvement, house care and the list goes on.

We have been in a season of cleaning out and emptying in our home. Not just material things, although my husband has made a significant dent in clearing out a lot of our excess “stuff.” I have felt that I’m in a season of being emptied spiritually. Not in a bad way as it first sounds when you hear “empty.” But rather in the most holy way possible. My husband and I have felt that there has been a call placed upon our family to empty ourselves for the Lord’s service -- and thanks to that emptiness, God had poured into us and our lives richly.

Despite that, it’s not been an easy season. The call to pour out of ourselves in service has been a call with ever-increasing requirements. When I’ve wanted to say, “Lord, I’m tapping out now,” He has faithfully sustained me and said, “I can do more Sarah. Trust Me.”

Usually, were you to ask me, “When did you feel called to serve?” I wouldn’t be able to give you a specific moment or day or time. I’m usually a very gradual person in regards to how the Lord molds me and changes me. Not so this time. It started the day our son was born.

I was almost 42 weeks pregnant and due to have an induction the next day. It was my daughter’s fourth birthday. I desperately didn’t want to have the induction but nor did I want to have my children share a birthday. I was already afraid (as I think many parents often are) that I was ruining my daughter’s life by bringing another baby into our family. Have them share a birthday and it felt like the end of her ever feeling “special” or “loved”. At least that’s what I thought at the time. My daughter went down for a nap, so I went to get some rest as well, but I couldn’t sleep. So I prayed. I wrestled with what I wanted versus what was God’s will. I finally surrendered. I gave my worry over my daughter’s well being, the induction, everything over to the Lord’s care. You know what happened, friends? When I said “Amen” my water broke. No lie. A few, very fast, hours later my son was born. My children share a birthday. They just turned five and one. Guess what? My daughter loves sharing her birthday with her brother.

That moment of surrender, of saying, “Yes, Lord! Your will, not mine, be done,” was the beginning of this season for our family and it’s been one “yes Lord” after the next ever since. I cannot begin to tell you how much love God has shown us during this time. We have been so blessed by all of the doors and opportunities He’s opened up to us.

One opportunity for me has been the privilege of getting to be a part of the Women’s Ministry team. At our most recent meeting our intrepid leader, Andrea Browning, shared a short devotional on 2 Kings chapter 4 and that chapter has stuck with me all during this time. I’ve been saying yes to a lot, and that on top of general life and parenting stuff has had me feeling quite burnt out. I read 2 Kings 4, however, and think there’s so much God is asking us to learn from the widow in that chapter. She is a great example of faithfully surrendering ourselves and our lives to God’s service.


Things that stand out to me when I read this:

1. She has need, but God meets her need by asking her to use up what she has left. There’s nothing new to be bought. She even borrows jars from her neighbors. She is just asked to use what she already possesses. The same goes for us. We don’t have to have a degree, a best-seller level conversion, or the fanciest of study Bibles. We just need a faithful and open heart and God will use us.
2. The doors were shut. No one could see her work. No one could praise her or, conversely, criticize her. It was just her and God. We don’t have to be in the lime light. No one even has to know that we are serving. God will see.
3. She is pouring out of her vessel into someone else’s waiting jar. There is someone waiting to receive the blessings we have to give.

These are just some of my thoughts from time with the Lord. I pray that whatever season you find yourself in that you would allow yourself to be emptied, making all the room possible to allow our most loving and gracious Lord to fill you to overflowing.

Blessings,

Sarah Bohn
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We’re all getting back in the busy rhythm of school, work, after school activities, housekeeping, chores, volunteering, and the list goes on. If we aren’t careful, we’ll blink and it will be Christmas. We’re only one month in and you may already be asking yourself: “How can we etch out some good family time? How can we be intentional about teaching our children about the gospel? How can we equip them for day to day life in this ever changing and increasingly crazy world?

Whether your children or grandchildren attend public school or are homeschooled, there comes a point where it is our job and calling as their caregivers to teach them more.

I recently heard it put beautifully by a mom of three: “When you imagine your children leaving your home when they are grown, what sort of disciple will they be? What skills for being a steward of their life will you have equipped them with? Have you prepared them to share the gospel? Imagine what sort of disciple you want to send out into the world and that’s where you should begin with your children’s education.”

Wowza. I don’t know why I had never thought of it that way. I am raising disciples to continue the work of Christ. What do I want them to know? What skills do I want them to have to help them on this holy endeavor? My full list is lengthy but I thought it would be fun to share an easy one with you. I love to cook and I think it is one of the most critical skills a human being can have. I love to eat as well so there’s that. I also feel it is one of the easiest ways to share God’s love with others. God gave us flavor out of love. I want my children to have not only the skill of cooking but the delight and worship that it brings as well.

I know what you’re already thinking: the mess, the helter-skelter attention of a kid, the chaos of an ingredient strewn kitchen! Yes, Jesus is going to have to take the wheel for this to work. I had to remember back to when I was a kid. How did my mom teach me? With patience and not exploding any and every time I spilled, didn’t listen, or added the wrong thing. Her patience enabled me to learn and love it. My mama teaching me to cook has allowed me to show selfless love to my family and friends enumerable times. Whether it is a cake for someone who is grieving, taking a meal to a new mom, cookies for Celebrate Recovery, or any food that I will never taste but my soul will be nourished by. This is what I want to send my children out into the world with.

A few Fridays ago, I gave this fun idea a whirl. Every Friday we have Family Movie Friday®️. Last Friday we watched the 1960 Disney version of “The Swiss Family Robinson”. In it, the youngest brother Frances, ever the trouble maker, gets ahold of “coconut bombs.” In the movie, these are an actual explosive weapons, but my four year old heard “coconut bombs” and thought it sounded like a magical patisserie. She said “Mama! What if we made those out of chocolate!?” I had been waiting for the right time to try my “get her to love cooking” scheme. This was my chance. I said, “OK.” And I have to tell you it was one of the most fun activities I’ve ever done with her. This is how the activity went:

1. Have the child participant imagine something they’d like to make (in our case coconut bombs)
2. Have them describe it. How does it taste, smell. Is it hot or cold? Crunchy or soft? Etc etc.
3. Once they’ve described their imagined confection to you, portion out some ingredients both wet and dry into bowls. I didn’t want to just put bags of ingredients in front of her because it would be hard to measure and there could be too much waste. This way, if their dessert is a flop in flavor, you’re not left with a ton of it.
4. Have different size bowls, measuring spoons and cups etc.
5. Explain the rules. These were ours: “Esther, you get to be the chef. You are going to measure how much of everything you think your recipe needs. I’m only here if you ask for my help and to put this in the oven (if you’re baking). Otherwise, it’s all you but you will have to help wash whatever dishes you dirty up.”
6. Let the kid decide on the amount of everything, measure it out and mix it all themselves. Even if it’s going to be a mistake. Let it happen. This is a time to learn. I know it’s hard to not take over but their delight is so worth it. Plus they’ll learn the important difference between one teaspoon of salt and one tablespoon ;)

Can I just tell you that Esther LOVED this and I did too. To my great relief and delight, her coconut bombs were delicious!

I hope this inspires you to have fun and try out being a “Freebird” in the kitchen with your kids too. If nothing else I hope this gets you thinking about the disciples you are sending out into the world and how you want to equip and grow them.

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Meet our new CFB Student Pastor, Tyler Thomas, in this Q&A:

Tell us about your family.
Hello Canton FB, my name is Tyler and my wife’s name is Candler. We will be married for five years this coming September 2022. I grew up in Mississippi where I attended Mississippi College. Candler grew up in the McDonough area. Candler had the opportunity to play collegiate basketball at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS. While we were both in college, we both attended and were involved at FBC Jackson. Candler and I met at our college pastor’s home. We dated throughout college and I proposed in January of 2017. Later that year we were married. I (Tyler) have a big family, I am number 5 of 6 children, with a lot of nieces and nephews. Candler’s parents live in west Georgia and she has two sisters.

Tell us about your education.
I graduated with a degree in Exercise Science from Mississippi College (MC). MC is a smaller DII Christian University that is supported through the MS Baptist Foundation. Since graduating from college, I have served as a student pastor!

What is one of your favorite things to do outside of work/church?
Currently, our favorite thing to do is ride road bikes. This past year we randomly purchased road bikes to participate in a cycling ride across the state of Iowa. We trained for months and rode our bikes well over 1000 miles in order to be ready for the ride. Candler and I rode with my brother Scott and his wife Carley, and we had a blast. We were only 4 of 20k+ people riding their bikes. We enjoy riding together to be able to exercise and see areas that we often miss because we drive past too quickly.

What are you currently reading?
I am currently finishing my Mdiv through NOBTS, so the course work and required reading consumes my time. If anyone is interested in studying Hebrew or Lifespan discipleship with me, let’s talk!

What is something God is currently teaching you?
God is constantly revealing his kindness to me everyday. The people and students of Canton FBC have been used by God whether they realize it or not. Full-time ministry can be an overwhelming responsibility at time, and having people come alongside to encourage and support are vital for pastors.

Tell us about your call to full-time ministry.
My dream since middle school was to be an athletic trainer. I loved sports but also enjoyed helping athletes recover from injuries. Throughout high school and college I worked and studied to make my dream a reality. As I was in college some of the doors that needed to be open for me to pursue athletic training began to close. I sought the Lord’s guidance and wandered what was opening. One semester at MC, I randomly took a Bible class to fill an elective slot for my degree. Through that class and semester, the Lord began opening my eyes to full time ministry. I had never been opposed to ministry, but it was never I was thought I wanted to do. The Lord opened doors and allowed me to begin serving in ministerial roles. God has affirmed this calling through leading us to Canton First Baptist.

What are you looking forward to most about being student pastor?
Youth ministry gets to do a lot of things! Summer camps, mission trips, crazy themed nights, lock-ins, which I look forward to all of those things (except maybe the lock-ins, I need sleep). But the things I look forward to the most are the relationships that I will get to make and build with students, parents, and other adults. God allows us to be in relationships with others for a reason, to encourage and equip one another. I look forward to the relationships that we will build and those whom will be and are apart of our lives.

What is something positive that struck you when first coming to CFB?
Canton First Baptist is in a prime location to continue to make a massive impact in the community. Knowing that one of the middle schools is around the corner and that the future home of Cherokee HS is coming soon around the corner, makes me excited to see the continued partnership between CFB and the Cherokee County schools.

What do you like about the Canton area?
My early childhood days were in Knoxville, TN. Everywhere we went we could see the Smokey Mountains. With Canton at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it feels like a part of my childhood that I get to relive. There is a peace that we have when we are in Canton!

What is the future of student ministry in Canton? This is the million dollar question! My answer will be that we are going to expect God to do something that we never could have imagined happening. Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”. My prayer is that we as a church and student ministry are obedient to His calling and that we ask and expect God to work in ways we could never have thought possible.

Why should our congregation care about student ministry, and what are some ways people can be involved?
Canton First Baptist should care about students! God created them, died for them, and called them, so the least we can do is love on students! Many people say a healthy student ministry is a sign of a healthy church. I hope that Canton First Baptist will continue to support the student ministry by loving on students when they see them at church and in the community. I hope that members will continue to support through faithful giving so that students can attend camps, retreats, and discipleship programs. Lastly, I hope that members will be involved when we make strides towards loving on students in the schools, in whatever capacity that looks like.

What are some ways the congregation can pray for you, your family, and your ministry?
First, Candler and I are so thrilled to be in Canton and working alongside of those already hard at work. We want to give a big word of love and appreciation towards Dave and Lonnie. I can tell when a youth group has been loved and ministered to well, and there is no doubt that the Hall’s did just that. The people of Canton First Baptist can pray for our transition. We are in the process of selling our home, so pray that that goes smoothly. Candler is in the process of searching for a new place to work. Candler currently works as a Physician Assistant at a family practice in Henry County. We are praying the Lord will open up opportunities for her to fit in and be comfortable. Lastly, pray that the Lord would continue to open opportunities for us to be a light in the Canton community.

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If you would like to say welcome or send a note of encouragement to Tyler, e-mail him at tylerthomas@cantonfb.org

The new school year has officially kicked off here in Cherokee County. The roads are busier, the mornings are a little more hectic, and the drive-thru line for the sacred chicken biscuit is a little longer (but somehow still moving faster than I-575).

Whether or not you’re a parent, it can be easy to get lost in the hustle. That’s why it’s all the more important to pause and pray for our students and teachers — today and throughout the year.

Wherever you’re reading this, join me in praying for the school year ahead in these 5 ways:

Start by thanking God for the children in your life, even if they’re not your own kids. Ask God for His provision and protection over their lives - not just to survive school assignments and growing pains, but to be scooped up by their Heavenly Father, held close, and then sent out to bring the good news of Jesus to the darkness in their school.

Next, pray for the children you don’t know - the ones down your street, or on that bus that you got stuck behind this morning. Ask God to reveal Himself to them today in a special way. Who knows — maybe He’ll use that child you prayed for a moment ago.

Reflection passages: Philippians 2:13-16, Luke 18:15-17

Let’s also start by thanking God for all the hard-working teachers and staff in our area. Pray that professing Christian educators would keep their eyes fixed on Jesus this year and boldly represent Christ as his ambassadors. Pray for them to stand firm despite all the current pressures on educators. Include our own children and students leaders. And for the teachers who don’t know Him, pray that they would have a personal encounter with Jesus - even today.

Reflection passages: 2 Corinthians 5:14-22, 1 Peter 2:13-17

First, if you are a parent - just know we are praying for you. Now is a great time to reflect on the goodness of our Heavenly Father, who delights in the child-like faith of His sons and daughters. He sees you - you are not forgotten. Pray that you would be made into His image more and more, to be equipped to raise your children on the firm foundation of Jesus.

Now, pray for the parents you know. That the Lord would help them stand firm and diligently steward their children’s lives. That the Lord would equip them as chief disciple-makers in their household. That our church would surround them and walk alongside them so they’re not alone.

Reflection passages: Psalm 127, Ephesians 6:4, Matthew 6:25-34

There are a few ways we ask God for protection:

First, pray for protection from physical harm — against violence, bullying, shootings, sexual abuse, substance abuse, disease, traffic accidents, and other dangers students and teachers will face.

Next, pray for protection from emotional and mental harm — against the doubts, lies, confusion, insecurity, abuses, and other unseen assaults the enemy uses to unravel our children's minds.

Now, pray for protection from spiritual harm — against the devil who prowls around looking to devour — against the lies and false teachings that are around every corner — and against apathy and temptation.

Reflection passages: John 17:11-19, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Peter 5:6-11

Finally, pray that God opens the door to opportunities to share the gospel — that He would stir up revival and mobilize His church — that He would send faithful young believers as lights in the darkness so that our schools would be illuminated by the saving grace of Jesus. He promises where two or three are gathered in His name, there He is among them. God will use the small, feeble prayer of a couple faithful followers. Will you continue to boldly pray for the school year ahead?

Reflection passages: Colossians 4:2-6, Ephesians 6:18-20, Matthew 28:18-20

By Sarah Bohn
CFB member and content contributor

The Summer of Matlock. That’s what my middle sister and I called the first summer our family had satellite TV. We went from 3 channels to hundreds in an afternoon and to us it was magical. We loved Ben Matlock. During this particular summer, whatever channel we discovered that aired our newfound favorite show had “Matlock Marathons” every week. We’d park ourselves in front of the TV and even make hotdogs to eat while we watched it. If you know Matlock, then you know why this was particularly on point. We spent hours watching that show until my Mama finally had to put limits on our TV and processed meat consumption.

I think about that summer often and realized recently that my mom had it right. There’s a time and a place for TV shows and movies and games. They can be a memorable part of childhood too, but that shouldn’t be our knee jerk response to entertain our children.

Psalm 127:3 says that “Children are a gift from the Lord, a reward from Him.” Let’s not waste that gift. They’re only little once.

We are stewards of their lives and their innocence until they are grown -- and part of that stewardship is helping them delight in childhood. I’m so thankful my Mama sent me to have adventures outside, or with my siblings/cousins or in a book. I looked for fairies. I bird watched. I even had a pet dandelion. That’s right. Her name was Dandy.  I’m not ashamed of it.

But let’s be honest with ourselves. Screens are easy, and some days in parenting, you just need something to be easy. But hear me, friends: easy is not best. Easy is not necessarily holy. God demands more. Our kids deserve more. You don’t have to break the bank to make childhood bliss and whimsy blossom in your home.

Try this list of 5 fun free or inexpensive activities to help your kid delight in being a kid. Use the time together as opportunities to speak to your child about God and creation.

1. Catch fireflies
It requires nothing but your hands and is such a beautiful and enchanting experience for you and them. I just did this for the first time with my four year old and it was truly amazing.

2. Play in puddles on a rainy day.
I put my daughter in her swimsuit on a rainy day. We go to Heritage Park and splash in the epic puddles there. It’s easy when she’s in her swimsuit, she gets good play time out and cleanup is easy

3. Birdwatching is not just for retirees.
I spent hours sitting at my Grannie’s kitchen window watching her bird feeders. She kept a bird book at the window for us to spy all the different kinds plus it was a fun science lesson

4. Pinecone Bird Feeder
It’s so easy! Find a good pinecone. Coat in peanut butter, roll in birdseed, then hang from a tree with some string. Easy.

5. Ultimate Hopscotch
Get some chalk and break the mundane mold of plain hopscotch (which is a blast just as it is). Draw a normal hopscotch board but then add fun things after it like “dance like a chicken” or “spin like a helicopter “ you and your child can get creative with it.


Be sure to share with us some other easy ways to spend time outside with your kids.

By Zach Lawson  |  CFB member and social media contributor

Summer is always a busy time of year. There are camps for the kids, celebrations with the family, days at the pool, vacations, and a whole host of other things that draw our attention. It is a break from the routine that we feel from August to May. But this break can mean missing out on crucial fellowship time.

Acts 2:42 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer." This verse is a summary statement that describes the early church's life after the day of Pentecost. It describes their daily activities. It is important to remember that He created us for fellowship with one another.

I want to encourage you to seek those relationships with your church family. Think of creative ways to spend time with your Connect Group outside of Sunday morning. For example, our Connect Group at CFB is staying connected with what we call Sunday Summer Suppers. The idea is to meet at either a park or in a group member's backyard. Typically, each family provides their own dinner (to make set-up time easy), but sometimes we'll do potluck-style. We use the opportunity to connect with our fellow group members, allow the kids to play together, and overall enjoy each other's company. It is just a simple way to stay connected over the summer.

Of course, if you're not in a Connect Group, now is a great time to join one before the school year begins again. Connect Groups are the backbone of our church family; they're how we form relationships with fellow believers who will challenge and encourage us as we mature in the Lord together.

1 John 1:7 says, "If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." We have fellowship with one another because we have fellowship with the Father. Paul uses the same word (koinonia) to describe our relationship with God (1 Corinthians 1:9) and our relationship with other believers (see 1 John 1:7 above). When we devote ourselves to the apostles' teaching, to breaking bread, or to praying together, we participate in the covenantal relationship God established from eternity past with His children.

As you think about these verses, what are some ways that you can connect with people this summer? What are some things your connect group can do to stay plugged in to each other over what will be a busy season? It does not have to be extravagant. It could be something as simple as a Sunday Summer Supper. Love you, church family!

-- Zach Lawson

Friends, I’m on a path in life right now where parenting takes up 99.9% of my time. I read parenting articles and studies, listen to Christian parenting podcasts as well as actually raise my two small children. That’s just where I’m at right now. Don’t misunderstand me, I genuinely love the privilege of being a mama.

But oh the struggles that come with it. The holy burdens. Because, you see, I’m not called to simply keep my children alive. That would be simple. I’m called to teach them to dwell and thrive on the goodness of God.

But what about when my fournado tells me I’m “the worst mama that ever was!?” What then? I’m not supposed to just lackadaisically say “Jesus loves you, sweetest child” and motor on with my day. I’m supposed to teach her that God wants more of her and for her and then point her to that truth in the Bible. Can I be honest though? Pointing my children to the Word is not my knee jerk reaction when I’m being faced with downright snotty behavior. My immediate reaction is anger, vehemently scolding and punishment. I can tell you that none of those have helped my daughter be more holy. None of those have helped me be more holy. I have been SO convicted of this of late. How do I extend God’s grace to my children with discipline that isn’t fueled by rage? How do I direct them to the Bible and help them keep its truth in their hearts?

I have found two resources recently that I want to share that have been helping our family do just that.

The first is a resource by Ginger Hubbard who has authored many biblically-based parenting books and resources. I recently discovered her podcast Parenting with Ginger Hubbard and it directed me to a chart she has made that helps parents correct bad behavior and encourage the good in a biblical way. It’s called Wise Words for Moms and it has been an amazing asset for us. It works by listing a behavior - let’s say lying. It then gives you a heart-probing to ask your child, a reproof (how to “put off” this behavior), and then an encouragement (how to “put on” holy behavior) as well as additional scripture to reference. It has been a wonderful tool to encourage not only our daughter to keep scripture in her heart, but us as well.

Which leads me to the second resource.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (CSB) says:
“Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates, so that as long as the heavens are above the earth, your days and those of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors."

But how do we teach our children scripture so that they really understand and know how to arm themselves with it? The answer for us has been music. My daughter LOVES to sing and dance. She never stops singing. I actually asked my high school choir director for suggestions for Bible memory verse songs and she led me to Steve Green’s Hide Them in Your Heart album. It is the campiest 90s sounding kids music I’ve ever encountered, but it has inspired so many questions about God’s word and has helped my daughter not only remember scripture but apply it as well.

My hope for my life as a mother is to “speak wisdom and faithful instructions” (Proverbs 31:26) to my children. There is so much more I can do and should do to achieve that, but I’m so thankful for these two tools to help get me on the right track. I hope they bless you too.

We've had a lot to celebrate lately.

This month, we celebrated our graduating seniors. We would like to say congratulations again to Ana Gailey, Cristina Scoretz, Layne Johnson, Molly Parker, and Sarah Mosley, along with all the students and teachers at our very own Mission Point Preschool.

On Graduation Sunday, we spent time reflecting on Ecclesiastes 12:8. Everything without Him is futile, and we become more and more aware of this the older we get. We only have a limited amount of days to fulfill His purpose for us. Whether you're a graduating senior or a senior citizen, let us make the most of our time by living for His purposes.

Catch up on Pastor Cliff's Graduation Sunday message here.

And this past Sunday, we celebrated our moms! Motherhood is one of God's many amazing gifts, and we give thanks to the mothers in our lives who have sacrificed so much for us. Fittingly, we celebrated Parent-Child Dedication too. As a congregation, we committed to raise several babies and young children in the Lord's instruction. We want these moms and dads to know they're not alone - they have the family of God at their backs.

Catch up on Pastor Cliff's Mother's Day message here.

It's so important for us to take times like these to celebrate. It's also important we take time to champion the things that God is for -- to be about the things God is about, rather than only what He's against.

This past Sunday, Pastor Cliff reminded us that it's too easy to be against something. As Christians, we also need to make sure the world knows we are for something.

God is for us. He is for the single person, for those who are mothers, the widow and orphan and those who are in need, the unborn, the brokenhearted, and the sinner. We are to be for what He is for!

"But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath." --Romans 5:8-9 (CSB)

Put this into practice today. What steps can you take this week to show someone that you are for them?

-- Zach Lawson
CFB member, teacher, and social media contributor

Being a parent is hard. Especially now in the limbo that is the world in 2022. As parents, we struggle with feelings of guilt overwhelming us. We feel like if we had more time and more money, we could really influence our children’s lives for the better.

However, it turns out that one of the most meaningful things we can do to be “better” parents is not only free, but it’s as easy as setting the table: eating dinner together as a family.

Eating together has become a lost art in our modern society where busy schedules, phones, and television interrupt the family dynamic.

For years, significance has been placed on the power a dinner shared together has on the family unit, to say nothing of children themselves. Sources such as Harvard Education and Stanford Children’s Health have revealed that children who regularly sit down to family dinner are more able to cope with stress, are more adaptable to change, and have lower rates of anxiety, depression, and childhood obesity. Why? Because family dinner time allows for families to build trust amongst their members. The dinner table becomes a safe space for sharing nothing and everything. Dinner time conversation becomes a time for sharing and instilling family values, answering questions, and just having fun together.

Easy family conversation starters can be as simple as:

1. What was your favorite part of the day?
2. What was something new you learned today?
3. What was something you struggled with today?
4. What’s something you hope for tomorrow?

You can lead it anywhere you want!

Proverbs 22:6 has really been on my heart as a parent this week. It says to “ Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” That training can begin as we pass the potatoes. Showing them the way they should go begins with us not being on our phones or rushing out the door to the next appointment, practice or thing that would “require” our time.

May we be inspired and convicted to make the time to just be together, undivided, as we break bread together as a family as Christ taught us to.

__________
- Sarah Bohn, CFB member & social media contributor