Back to Basics

When we look at the life and teaching of Jesus, we’re reminded how important it is to go back to the basics. Luke gives us some insight into how Jesus grew up. Luke 2:52 notes that Jesus grew in wisdom and in favor with God and others. Throughout our lives, we should also circle back to these ideas as we seek to live like Jesus.

These are the basics: Wisdom—I need to make the wise choice; Faith—I can trust God no matter what; Friendship—I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

When we return to these ideas, we can begin to discover what God is doing in us to change the world around us. This summer we’re heading back to Base Camp where we’ll learn from the life of Jesus, His teachings, and His example.

The monthly memory verse is: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men,” Luke 2:52, NIrV. When we respond to God and follow where He leads, we will see ourselves develop in wisdom, faith, and friendship. Then we will be able to set the example for other people.

In Week One’s biblical principle, Luke tells us how Jesus grew up (Luke 2:52). Jesus grew closer to God by growing in wisdom, faith, and friendship. Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in you to change the world around you. We can’t change the world until we allow God to change us on the inside and make us more like Jesus.

By Jessica McKee ©2013 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. http://www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.

Kids Kids Kids

Let’s get real

Let’s get real… Who wants to be out there, in Chicago weather, going from door to door asking for cheap candy??? Don’t let this Halloween be another miserable night for your kids. If you are looking for excitement, then take them to a haunted house. If you are looking for tons of sugar for multiple visits to the dentist, then take them trick or treating. But… If you are looking for excitement, laughs, interaction, contests, giveaways, Taffy apples, slime-ade, glow in the dark cupcakes, candy, and bragging rights at school, then bring them to SLIMED 2012. Slimed’s focus this year will be FEAR NOT! We’ve realize that there are many things in life that we can do, but because of fear, we are hesitant to move forward. Don’t let your kid be a normal kid, bring him/her and see how their lives will change. Plus it’s too cold in Chicago to walk around with just a costume- and we all know that trick or treating with a coat on over your costume is lame.
See you there.

Maranatha house of God
4301 W Diversey
Chicago, IL
Pre-Slimed party begins at 6:30pm
Show starts at 7:15pm
October 31st 2012
Cost: free
Ages 3-12, family welcomed.

Moody Radio

Thanks to Moody Radio in Chicago, for putting up SLIMED2012 on their website, and on the radio.
If Moody is talking about it… You won’t want to miss it.

SLIMED 2011

Just a recap from last years “SLIMED”
This was one of the best parts last year.
This year we have so much more in store.
Come out on October 31, 2012 at
4301 W Diversey, Chicago IL. Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:15 sharp. If you are going to miss any part of the show, don’t miss the beginning.
Admission is free.

SLIMED 2012 presents- FEAR NOT

SLIMED is an awesome event where hundreds of kids come together on Halloween, get to dress up, have taffy apples, drink slime-ade, have a glow in the dark concert, sit back and laugh as they watch kids getting slimed, crazy awesome skits, and walk away with candy, all in a safe environment. This year we are bringing many new things to the table, and hope that your kids, and the rest of the family don’t miss a second of it.

October 31st 2012
@ 4301 W Diversey, Chicago IL
Pre-Slimed party 6:30-7:10pm
Show starts 7:15pm
Show ends 8:30pm
For ages 3-12, but family is welcomed

See you there,

Carlos.

www.chicagokids.com

Thanks to one of the coolest websites for Chicago parents for promoting SLIMED 2012. Check out their site, it’s full of fun events for families. They know everything about the coolest happenings in Chicago.

Carlos.

Fear Not!

In 2010, we did an event for our kids ministry, to keep the kids off the streets on Halloween. It was something we never did before, and we had a pretty good turnout. Even though it was a success, within the last couple of years we’ve decided to change the program.
I’ve realized this year that if my focus is only on Halloween, then they walk away with nothing of substance for the rest of the year. For this reason, we are putting all our focus on fear. Fear is not just something they deal with in the month of October, but something that tries to over power them, and stops many from having a vision and living a dream. Fear is not an emotion, it is a spirit, so it is not something we should take lightly. We have spent many hours planning and praying that this event, will be something that these kids will never forget. Help me spread the word, and bring as many kids as you possibly can, to see something change in their lives.

In love,

Carlos.

Pumpkin latte is a drink in heaven

It’s October in Chicago, the leafs are turning colors, the temperature outside is 78 one day, 47 the next day, and back to 78 the day after, the sky is gloomy, and mummies wrapped in double ply toilet paper are walking the streets. Ok, maybe that last line is not true, but I’m sure glad fall is here. One reason why I love it so much, is because of the pumpkin latte. I’m not big on flavored coffee, I actually like it black, with a couple shots of espresso, and a pinch of excitement powder. But the pumpkin latte brings back memories of the first SLIMED event we did in 2010.
It was the usual, me running frantically, everything that could’ve gone wrong- did, people missing, kids arriving, and parents talking. Out of the sky, on a fluffy cloud, my wife shows up with a pumpkin latte for me (she was actually standing in front of the fog machine). The feeling of the warm Liquid pumpkin cheesecake like taste was so relaxing, that the rest of the day was beyond what I imagined. Disclosure: by any means I am not saying that all the prayer, practice, and preparation was replaced by everyone holding a cup of coffee.
Since then, I’ve made it a tradition to always pick up a cup, right before the event. It’s a reminder, that I can’t get so caught up in trying to make this event perfect, but focus more on the hundreds of kids that will see God in a different perspective.
I am beyond ecstatic for “Slimed” this year, and know that many kids will be glad they came, instead of knocking on doors begging for candy.

So here’s the endorsement-
If you want to relax, get yourself a cup. If you want peace of mind, learn from my mistake, find rest in God, knowing that he will never give you more then you can handle.

See you at “Slimed” this year.

Carlos Lopez

Snow Cone Sunday

“God blesses hard workers” was not just the slogan used by Genesis Kids volunteers while packing hundreds of half spheres of snow into a cone, but the main point of the day. Today we spoke about snow cones. Not just snow cones, but the snow cone guy at the park. You see, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” proverbs 14:23. God can use regular people, as in the story in John 2:1, where Jesus’ first miracle was to turn water into wine. What if, when Jesus asked the guys at the wedding to bring him 6 jars, they rejected him, Would they look back and realize that they could have been part of his first miracle? The good thing is that they didn’t, but instead they ran and found the 6 jars, only to find out that God blesses hard workers. Because of their obedience, the wedding celebration was able to go on. What strikes me, is that Jesus’ disciples were not the first ones to assist Jesus with his first miracle, but the servants of the party that did. God blesses hard workers, not because of the title before their name, or their achievements, but because of their hearts. The same story we spoke about to the kids, I saw it come to life. As I was walking into the church lobby, I didn’t just see kids with snow cones, but I saw people of all ages eating and sipping snow cones. I thank God that the same way He turned water into wine, Genesis Kids was able to be a blessing to many.

8 Things we love about summer

Cooler full of ice and ice cream? Check.
Friends? Check.
Snacks? Check.
Swimming trunks? Check.
Radio? Check.
No, we are not going to the beach, we are on our way to Genesis kids!
Because the sky looks like an ocean full of coconut cotton candy, trees and flowers are brighter than a unicorn in any cartoon, and sand is stuck between every kids toes, we are going to celebrate summer. Well, maybe not summer as much as the goodness of God. We all have great memories of summer. For me, it was- not going to school. The point is, we want your kids to not just have a memory of God’s goodness, but to have a daily experience of it. In this new series, we will be talking about the good things of summer, such as ice cream, friends, raiding the pantry when mom and dad are at work, and so forth. We are comparing each thing, with how much better it is to have a relationship with God.
If you would like to know more about our new series, stop by the Genesis Kids wing, and I’ll be more then happy to share the excitement with you. We will also post our service notes every Sunday, for you to recap with your kids midweek.
We look forward to serving you and your kids this summer, with our 8 part series.

In Love,

Carlos.