Praise

Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 113)

I finished dinner Sunday evening and trudged to the closet to get my walking shoes. I still needed to put in about 3000 steps to reach my goal for the day. I did not want to walk; it had been raining on and off all day and curling up in the chair watching television was so much easier. However, I put on the shoes and hit the pavement. As I came out of the breezeway of my apartment building and made a left, I had no words but stood in awe. After the day's dreariness, the clouds parted, and the sky was purple, orange, and pink. It was the most amazing sunset I had seen in a while. The dread I had felt a few minutes earlier melted away.

I am reminded of a camp song that uses the words found in Psalm 113, the one listed above. “From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised. Praise ye the Lord, praise ye the Lord. From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised.”

I get caught up at times in all that is going on around me, responsibilities, commitments and more. I find that I forget to praise God for all that I have. This song and Psalm remind me that from the time the sun comes up until it goes down, I need to be praising God. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, a simple thank you for this day is good and or whatever you are thankful for. Praising God needs to be number one for us. So, remember, “from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised. So, praise ye the Lord, praise ye the Lord. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised”.

Post-Its Have Nothing On You

When you attend one of our traditional services, you’ll likely see Jamel standing there, holding an old red hymnal with dozens of colorful pieces of paper sticking out of the top. These are the Post-it notes he uses to mark the hymns the choir is singing that week, along with some of the other classics we sing often.

Interestingly, Post-it notes were designed for this very purpose. Art Fry, who worked at 3M, also sang in his church choir. Between Wednesday night rehearsals and Sunday morning services, his bookmarks would fall out of his hymnal. One of his coworkers had developed microspheres—a slightly sticky material that easily detached from surfaces. The idea had seemed so impractical that it went nowhere for years until Fry realized this slightly sticky substance was perfect for marking hymns in his hymnal. Now, we see Post-it notes everywhere, including in Jamel’s hymnal.

What stands out to me most about this origin story is that this sticky substance existed for so long and could have easily stayed unutilized. Our lives would be far worse off without Post-it notes (okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration). However, I am convinced that each and every one of you reading this blog is far more useful than slightly sticky microspheres. Your skill set, your personality, even just your physical presence in the room makes an impact on the kingdom of God. The big question is whether you are willing to use your gifts in an intentional way. There is a place for you, and even if you don’t see where or how yet, we can help. We’d love to talk to you about putting your gifts and graces to work in the best possible way. Feel free to find one of the staff members, mark your connect card, or even email us.

Stay Connected With Your Kids

Staying Connected with Your Kids During Busy Schedules

As we wrap up the second week of school, families are starting to settle back into their new “normal.” The initial rush of school supplies, new routines, and early mornings is beginning to stabilize. But now, another challenge emerges: staying connected with our children as our schedules rapidly fill up again. With kids spending six or more hours at school daily, not to mention extracurricular activities, how do we maintain that crucial connection with them? How do we ensure that the busyness of life doesn’t overshadow our relationships?

One of the best places to connect with our kids is in the car. Whether on the way to school, running errands, or heading to sports or dance activities, the car provides a unique environment for meaningful conversations. Unlike the hustle and bustle of home, where distractions are everywhere, the car is a contained space with fewer interruptions. It’s a low-pressure setting where kids often feel more comfortable opening up, making it easier to get more than just a “fine” answer when you ask about their day.

Car Conversations: A Simple Yet Powerful Tool

Our friends and partners at Parent Cue have offered some fantastic suggestions to help you get started with these car conversations. These questions are designed to be simple yet effective in drawing out more than just one-word answers from your kids. Let’s dive into them and explore how to use these questions to foster deeper connections.

1. What made you laugh today?

Laughter is a beautiful gift from God, and asking this question can bring joyful moments to your child’s day. Maybe it was a funny story from a classmate, a joke from a teacher, or something silly that happened at recess. Sharing these moments of joy lightens the mood and gives you a glimpse into the lighter side of their daily experiences. It’s a reminder that God’s joy is present even during routine school days.

2. Who was kind to you today?

Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, and recognizing acts of kindness helps our children appreciate the goodness in others. By asking this question, you encourage your child to reflect on positive interactions, whether it was a friend sharing their lunch, a teacher offering encouragement, or a classmate helping with a difficult task. It also opens the door for discussions about showing kindness to others and following Jesus’ example.

3. How did you help someone today?

We are called to serve one another in love, and this question encourages our kids to think about how they can be a blessing to others. Whether it was helping a friend with their homework, comforting someone who was feeling down, or even just holding the door open for someone, these acts of service, no matter how small, reflect the heart of Christ. Discussing these moments can help reinforce the importance of serving others daily.

4. What was your favorite part of the day?

This question allows your child to share what brought them the most happiness or satisfaction throughout their day. It might be a subject they enjoy, a game they played, or an accomplishment they’re proud of. By focusing on the positives, you help your child cultivate a grateful heart, recognizing the blessings that God has woven into their day.

5. What do you look forward to most about coming home?

Home is where the heart is, and this question helps your child express what they cherish about being with family. Whether it’s a favorite meal, playing with a sibling, or simply relaxing after a long day, discussing what they look forward to can reinforce the importance of family time. It’s also an opportunity to remind them that home is where they are loved unconditionally, just as our Heavenly Father loves us.

Creating Meaningful Connections

These questions are a great way to open the conversation with your kids. They’re simple yet intentional, providing a platform for deeper dialogue. But more importantly, they show your children that you care about their day-to-day experiences, joys, challenges, and everything in between.

In a world that often pulls us in many different directions, let’s prioritize staying connected with our kids. Let’s use our time—whether in the car or around the dinner table—to build strong, Christ-centered relationships with them. After all, as Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Staying connected through meaningful conversations is one of the ways we can guide our children on the path that leads to life.

May God bless your efforts to connect with your children, and may your conversations be filled with His love and wisdom.

If these questions are helpful, I’d encourage you to download the Parent Cue app for free weekly resources to help engage with your kiddo:

Parentcue.org/app

You Must

I like to carve out a few free nights a month to play Trivia in pubs and restaurants. Granted I’m not some general information savant, nope I’m very selective. Movies, music, tv, and all things 1990’s are where I shine the brightest. I’ve played in dark low ceiling pubs with twenty people all the way to a large ballroom in a Las Vegas casino against hundreds of living breathing Google Search Bars disguised as humans. I’ve played on a team of twelve strangers squeezed around a table for six and I’ve been a member to one of the most dominant quartets to ever answer questions on the Gulf Coast.  At the end of the night there’s a certificate to cover half of our tab and hours of conversations that have added up to years of relationships as long as a decade or as temporary as a 2-hour game and I cherish each of them. 

When I think about the 12 disciples, I like to think about what each of them brought to their team. Peter, brought a bold and sometimes overconfident self-assurance that led the others forward. Philip was wise in some areas but knew to defer to the stronger members when he was out of his element. And of course there’s Thomas, probably shooting down a good guess because he’s “not so sure.” Regardless of their strengths and weaknesses, Jesus brought all of them to the table and loved each one. I’ve always held his last command to them at The Last Supper as the beacon to guide me in my life, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34” My favorite part is the “must.” Nonnegotiable, don’t care what you think about them, doesn’t matter what they do or look like, doesn’t matter if they know how many instruments Prince could play: You MUST love one another. When we love each other, we are closer to what He wants from us. 

Your challenge this week is to see the “others” you keep at an arms or football fields length away in your life and find a way to love them as Christ loves them: greet them, open your heart, and serve them. You can use your faith in action to bring glory to the kingdom of God and a blessing to you both. Love one another. You MUST!

P.S. - It’s 27

Cuyler Jones works at the Good Neighbor Thrift Store where he is affectionately referred to as Clark because he is Superman.

Back to School: Embracing the 24/25 School Year

As the summer sun begins to set and the “excitement” (based on who’s reading) of a new school year rises, a time of both anticipation and reflection for families in our community comes into focus. Whether you're in Navarre, Gulf Breeze, or somewhere in between, this time of year marks a significant chapter for our middle and high school students. It also signals a time for parents to be relieved from the “I’m bored” and “Do we have anything to eat?” questions and comments.

Middle School and High School today is more than just a rite of passage. It’s a pivotal period where our young people develop skills and character that will shape their futures. The opportunities they encounter in our local schools are designed to equip them for the complexities of the modern world. With the integration of technology in the classroom, students are not only learning traditional subjects but also becoming proficient in digital literacy, a skill essential for future success.

In Santa Rosa County, we are blessed with schools that prioritize not just education, but also the overall well-being of our students. From supportive teachers to engaging programs, our schools are committed to fostering environments where students can thrive both academically and personally.

However, the significance of youth extends beyond the classroom. Our middle and high school students represent the future of our society. They are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and stewards. It’s essential that we, as a community, nurture and guide them; instilling values that will serve them and others well.

As we send our students back to school, let’s remember the importance of supporting them not just in their academic endeavors, but in their growth as individuals. Let’s encourage them to explore their passions, stand up for what they believe in, and contribute positively to our community…and maybe put their phones down a little more often! Most of all, encourage them to adopt a daily prayer habit. Encourage them to be able to put on the “Armor of God” from Ephesians 6:11-18 each and every day. School is tough enough without “armor”.

This school year, let’s be intentional about the role we play in the lives of our youth. Whether it’s through a kind word, a helping hand, or simply showing up, every effort makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that our students not only succeed in school but also develop into the confident, compassionate leaders that our world desperately needs.

Here’s to a new school year filled with growth, learning, and endless possibilities!