Christian Youth Film Festival

"Seeds!" A short movie with a big meaning. One thing that can really make a mother proud is seeing her son live on the big movie screen! That's what we enjoyed earlier this month when Andrew's movie named "Seeds" won big at the Christian Youth Film Festival at the Fox Theater. Seven movies where shown depicting a Christian message and "Seeds" came out number one. If you ever lived in the 60s and 70s during the hippie generation, you'd really love this one. Andrew played a college student hoping to spend his summer vacation spreading the gospel. After having his car stolen he ended up with a bunch of hippies and sharing the Gospel message with an unresponsive group. Although disappointed at their lack of interest in something so important to him, he realizes that it is his job to plant the seeds and let God do the rest. It was a great comedy with a real Biblical message filmed in the Mojave desert in the heat of summer. A movie I was really proud to see win the "People's Choice" award. Way to go guys!

Raising Kids

I always thought being a mother would be easy. Boy was I mistaken! I think the hardest part is the struggle with the will and holding fast to the example I am to be to my children. I recently read a quote by John Barnett, "God has assigned us parents the role of standing in His place to show our children what He is like." That's a pretty big assignment! We are to imitate Christ to our children. I fail often.

I love the analogy of a tree. A tree is no stronger than its roots--neither are we. We must have a healthy root system to stand firm when we are tested. A defective root system leads to the death of a tree, and we too will fail and die if we are not grounded in God's Word. We must be reading God's Word and in constant fellowship with Him. When those temptations come into our day, we must choose to do what Christ would have us do, rather than responding by our present "feelings". Every day each of us repeatedly faces this choice; serve self, or God--follow Satan's way, or the Lord's. "There are only two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self."

My goal this month is to be a "Christ-like" example to my children. I want my kids to see the true Savior, Jesus Christ, in me, not only in my words but in my actions and in all aspects of my life.