Since God made everything, He knows how to use everything - naturally or supernaturally!

This week in the C.W. Playhouse, New Frontiers presents the THE PLAGUES on Egypt as we look at how God not only answers prayer super-naturally, but naturally, using the things of creation to accomplish his good purposes and rescue his people. Join Cookie, the wagon-train chef and the rest of our western round-up as we explore the next exciting chapter of Moses' life.

THIS WEEK IS ALSO BGMC SUNDAY!! There will be donuts for everyone if we bring in $50 or more in BGMC offering so bring those Buddy Barrels and Boxes this Sunday!

VBS Lesson #3 Week 2: God Made You

Tomorrow night is week two of our 3rd lesson in our VBS: CAMP! Campers will be learning that God Made Us while playing games and eating tasty snacks. Then we'll close out the lesson with campfire songs, Kodiak bear, another lesson-illustrating skit from the Muskrat Cabin Comedy Team, and finally Bryan, the camp groundskeeper will bring a lesson illustration that the kids won't soon forget! The fun ramps up starting at 6:15pm! Don't let your kids miss out!

And remember, the cabin that brings the most offering for BGMC wins candy bars at the end of the night!

SPECIAL NOTICE! Starting next week, VBS time will cut back to normal mid-week service times: 6:30pm to 8pm! Please make a note of it.

5 Ways to be a Good Listener to your Kids

According to research on listening skills, being a good listener means focusing attention on the message and reviewing the important information. Parents can model good listening behavior for their children and advise them on ways to listen as an active learner, pick out highlights of a conversation, and ask relevant questions. Sometimes it helps to "show" children that an active listener is one who looks the speaker in the eye and is willing to turn the television off to make sure that the listener is not distracted by outside interference.

1. Be interested and attentive. Children can tell whether they have a parent's interest and attention by the way the parent replies or does not reply. Forget about the telephone and other distractions. Maintain eye contact to show that you really are with the child.

2. Encourage talking. Some children need an invitation to start talking. Children are more likely to share their ideas and feelings when others think them important.

3. Listen patiently. People think faster than they speak. Children often take longer than adults to find the right word. Listen as though you have plenty of time.

4. Hear children out. Avoid cutting children off before they have finished speaking. It is easy to form an opinion or reject children's views before they finish what they have to say. It may be difficult to listen respectfully and not correct misconceptions, but respect their right to have and express their opinions.

5. Listen to nonverbal messages. Many messages children send are communicated nonverbally by their tone of voice, their facial expressions, their energy level, their posture, or changes in their behavior patterns. You can often tell more from the way a child says something than from what is said. When a child comes in obviously upset, be sure to find a quiet time then or sometime later.

Even when my eyes can't see, I know God wants what's best for me.

Bricks without straw is the focus of this week's lesson in the C.W. Playhouse: New Frontiers. We'll be looking at the disappointment the Israelites faced when Pharoah made things harder on them after God's deliverer showed up to help them. How often do we face similar disappointment, wondering why things get worse before they get better when we pray or obey God on something? That is the tough subject we'll be addressing this Sunday with the kids as we continue in the life of Moses. Don't let your kids miss out! 10:30am at Prayer House!

When Your Toddler Hits

Toddlers hit out of frustration, anger, or for mere entertainment. What should a parent do? Sometimes the solution is simply to distract your child with a different activity. But if the problem persists and you feel like discipline is necessary, we recommend that you take consistent, firm action. Keep in mind that a firm approach doesn't require harshness.

Immediately set your child down on the floor, with a firm statement like, "Be gentle" and step back to avoid getting hit again. Don't display anger but be deliberate and firm. Your child needs to learn that hitting doesn't work. She can't stay in your arms or on your lap. If she hits you will remove her from that place immediately.

But that's not the end. The next thing your child does is come to you for a hug. This is the precursor to the Positive Conclusion you will use later. "Are you ready to get up. Come over and give me a hug. Show me what gentle is." Allow the child to give a hug or stroke your arm with her hand in a gentle way. Praise her for her gentleness.

When you set your son down after hitting, he may have a temper tantrum. If you're in a situation that allows, the best thing is to ignore him until he's calmed down and then encourage him to come back for a reuniting time.

Immediate, consistent, temporary separation like this followed by a Positive Conclusion will discourage the hitting and replace it with something else. A careful balance is needed here between a firm approach and a loving relationship.

Children who can't yet talk or communicate well, often get frustrated and act out with violence. Don't just ignore it. While you're teaching communication skills, also teach limits on hitting, biting, pushing, and other forms of physical meanness.

This parenting tip comes from the audio series, Parenting Toddlers. You can listen to Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller teach that series on CD or MP3. Make this summer a growing experience for Mom and Dad.

God Gives Us Purpose. That's Why He Equips Us.

Cookie, the wacky Wagon Train Cook is back this Sunday at the C.W. Playhouse with the next exciting lesson from the life of Moses, BRUSH FIRE! This week's lesson focuses on the Burning Bush experience and kids will learn that God calls us and equips us. See you Sunday morning at 10:30am for all the fun and more importantly, for an encounter with God!