|
Every Prayer
Counts
You have
probably heard and may already believe that there is nothing better you
can do for your child than to pray for him or her. Interceding on another's
behalf is not only something God calls us to do as his "royal
priesthood," his "chosen people," it is something he
promises to hear and answer! In this issue of The Source, we share
some very practical ideas for how to pray for your child each day he or
she is at SpringHill as well as link to an excellent article with ideas
on how to pray for your child on a daily basis. We also help you navigate
the summer movie season with a couple recommendations and get ready for
the fall with some suggestions for when and how to get
back to SpringHill!
|
|
|
What's Happening
at SpringHill
Michigan
Summer is in full swing at SpringHill but there are still a few camper
spots available. If you have not registered your child, it's not too
late! Visit our
website to register now. Or, if your child has experienced a week at
SpringHill and wants to return, you have a few weeks left to take
advantage of our second week discount. Register for a second week at SpringHill
this summer and receive $100 off! Visit our registration
page to check availability and to register. To take advantage
of this opportunity, please enter promotional code SS06
to receive your discount. For more information, call 231-734-2616.
Experience loads of wild-and-crazy
SpringHill fun. Yes, you! Join your child in a ride down the zipline or a
plunge from the blob at Family Camp this Labor Day. Finish
off the summer with a weekend of out-of-this-world fun and the
opportunity to experience God in a real way with your whole
family. It all happens here September 1-4, 2006! Check out all the
details on our
website, then register. This is just too great to miss!
Calling all women...SpringHill's 2006
Fall Women's Retreat is coming soon. September 29-October 1 you can be
fed at SpringHill Michigan
through encouraging messages, inspiring music, thrilling activities and
meaningful connection with other Christian women. Get all the details on
the SpringHill
website.
|
|
|
Praying for a Week Away
If your child is a camper at SpringHill this summer, you can be an important
part of the experience by praying for your child while he or she is at
camp. Following is a big-picture overview of what your child will be
learning and challenged with each day and a brief synopsis of how you
might focus your prayers.
Sunday - The 5 Finger Covenant
The first night of camp, we use a hand
illustration to talk about our expectations (or rules) for the week:
» Thumb = encouragement; find ways to
offer it and embrace it
» Index finger = direction; be willing to
give and receive it
» Middle finger (held down) = no
slashing; keep from saying or doing anything that devalues another person
or yourself
» Ring finger = commitment; look out for
and stick with your cabin group (don't just be here for yourself)
» Pinkie = safety; create a safe place
for yourself and others to be physically, spiritually and emotionally
Pray for your child's openness to accept and
embody these principles.
Monday - The Attributes of God
Pray for
God to reveal himself to your child.
Tuesday - Our Sin Nature
Pray for
your child to understand his or her condition.
Wednesday - Salvation Message
Pray that
your child recognizes his or her need for Christ and has a desire to
start or recommit to a faith journey.
Thursday - Living for God
Pray that
your child adopts God's perspective on life and understands what God has
done for him or her.
Friday - Building a Relationship and 5 Finger Covenant
Review
Pray that
your child will come home inspired and committed to living the truth that
was discovered and lived at SpringHill.
When your child's week at SpringHill is
over, talk to him or her about what happened each day at camp. Consider
specific ways that God answered your prayers during the week and thank
him for his faithfulness. Also, consider continuing the 5 Finger Covenant
in your home.
If you have a story about your child's
week at SpringHill or your experience praying for your child that you'd
like to share, please email
us. We'd love to encourage other SpringHill parents with your words!
|
|
|
|
|
Seen
and Heard
Superman Returns (rated PG-13) - This summer blockbuster
not only brings the Man of Steel back to the big screen but with it all
the nostalgia and good feeling that accompanies a big budget,
effect-filled film about America's favorite superhero. What may surprise
viewers, though, is that this version of Superman not only delivers the
typical good trumping evil story, it does it in a seemingly Christian
way. For instance, the film's opening lines sound like a bad translation
of the Gospel of John, with Superman's father delivering a message to his
son from beyond the grave: "Even though you've been raised as a
human being, you're not one of them. They can be a great people, Kal-El.
They wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason
above all - their capacity for good - I have sent them you, my only
son." Although scriptural echoes continue throughout the movie,
including a scene where Superman "dies," falling from the sky
with arms outstretched in the unmistakable shape of the cross, the Man of
Steel is no Man of Sorrows. Nevertheless, it is intriguing to see a Hollywood movie addressing Messianic themes,
however imperfectly. Most interesting, though, is what the movie says
about us. Superman Returns has a powerful and distinctly Christian
message about our need for a savior, a message rarely heard or well
received on the silver screen. For this reason in particular, it is a
movie worth taking your older children to see. It's also just a lot of
fun. (Note: Some violent and even cruel scenes, including the kidnapping
of a young child, could be disturbing to children.)
Over the Hedge (rated PG) - With the dearth
of celebrity-voiced, computer animated films of recent years you may
wonder whether there's any value to these movies beyond the 90 minutes of
quiet they provide while your children are glued to the tube. On the
surface Over the Hedge delivers some important, if not politically
correct, views on pollution, consumerism, food wastage and,
appropriately, animal protection. But it's the message on friendship,
trust, family and the strength of caring communities that piqued our
interest and won our approval. We suggest sitting down with your kids for
this movie. Then talk to them about the questions it raises: Is it better
to "go it alone" or to have the support of others? What does it
mean to be a Christian family or community? How can we embrace people who
are out for themselves or feel like loners? You might also want to pick
up on some of the green issues the film addresses and ask how Christians
can get involved in caring for the environment. Over the Hedge will give
your family a lot of food for thought about the human condition and make
you wonder a little about what your neighborhood animals are really
thinking!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You,
Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
-Psalm 86:5
|
|
|
|
|
Family Matters
Praying for a special event in your child's life,
such as a week at camp or a test in school, can be a lot easier than
praying for his or her character or growth on a daily basis. We found a practical
and inspiring article - " 40
Ways to Pray for Your Children" - in the
archives of Christianity
Today that offers over a month's worth of short,
thoughtful prayers that you can recite or embellish as you pray for your
child every day.
If you have other ideas for ways to pray
for a child, please email us. We'd
love to share your prayers with other SpringHill parents!
|
|
|
|
|
What You Said
In the last issue of The Source,
49% of you surveyed said that you
think your child is very relationally healthy;
44% said somewhat relationally healthy.
When asked in what area your child is
most relationally healthy, 67% said family,
12% said faith
and 12% said friends.
42% of you think
your child needs relational growth in foresight
(being in right relationship to him or
herself); 21% say friends.
Half of your children struggle with
boredom during the summer and 86% are
planning to spend a week at SpringHill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
