15 comments (Add your own)

1. Buddy Nuanez wrote:

I spoke with a few who were discouraged about the way the message hit home ....... inclusive. One of our kids is gone and married and the other is getting to the leaving home age (he's been in Australia for the last 6 months). I am SO glad that God is redemptive! However lame we (I) have been God is redemptive if we let Him work in us (me). It's a comfort to me ........ I need plenty of His work by the way.

July 9, 2008 @ 4:04 PM

2. Amber Roberts wrote:

I thought the sermon was great, if only for the effect that I saw it have on our high school kids. I know some of the issues that they are facing, and I also know that in the past the church - and sometimes the home - has not always been a safe place for them. I think it's important to remember that as jaded or scarred as a kid may seem, it's never too late for them. I think our kids really want to be hopeful, want to believe the best about their both their home and church families. No matter how bad the situation gets, sometimes it only takes a little bit of the right kind of love to get things moving back in the right direction. I know that I saw hope return to some of our high schoolers after the sermon on Sunday. I don't think they walked away feeling angry with parents or anything like that- I think they walked away with a profound sense that things can be better, and that even when there are trials at home, there is something bigger that will always be safe and comforting.

July 9, 2008 @ 5:48 PM

3. Regina DiLullo wrote:

I know how hard it is in this world to keep our children safe from all the impressive immages the media is pushing on our families. We have 4 kids ages 14, 6, 3, and 16 months old. We have made a huge break through in defeating the enemy by not having any television in our home. We have a t.v. to watch movies we feel are acceptable for our family, but no channels to be forced to watch sex, violence, foul language, and so on. Even a decent show will bring you commercials showing skinny girls wearing immodest clothing, scary movie previews, candy and toy adds, female and male enhancement adds. Ahhh!! So we just refuse to let it into our home. It helps a lot. What the kids don't see can't hurt them. Then they aren't whinning for all the adds they see for toys, junk food, new inappropriate movies, and so on. What a blessing it's been. Instead of the t.v. being on we actually talk together, do our chores, and play or read. Our kids go outside to ride their bikes - it's amazing!
As for having a teenager in public school, that's a huge battle. Everyone knows about the peer pressure to do what everyone else is doing to fit in. Well, as a parent I have to stand firm and not be her "cool" mom or try to be her friend. I need to be her mom and make decisions in her best interest of keeping her safe. It's hard to stand firm, but it's worth it to protect her from putting her in a situation where she could be persuaded to party, have sex, or who knows what. Of course right now she hates the limits I put on her, but I know when she's in her 20's and sees her friends as young mothers or with addict problems and she's on the road to success she'll be happy she didn't make any horrible mistakes when she was at an age where she wasn't thinking things through properly. Anyway, God give all us parents strength, courage, and confidence in bringing up our kids His way. God Bless and keep up the good fight, it's worth it.
P.S. Remember we will make mistakes as parents (I sure do) and it's best not to beat ourselves up over it. Just remember we can always learn and do better. Plus and apology to your child works miracles in their lives. What better way to teach humility than to express it.

July 10, 2008 @ 9:05 AM

4. JuliAnn Stitick wrote:

It has been great to have a few days to process the message I heard in last week's sermon. I wanted to speak to those who either don't have children and/or their children are grown. We are all valuable in our unique ways. First off, I consider my friends as partners in co-parenting my children. Many times someone who does not have children can provide fresh perspective and those who have grown children can offer that well earned wisdom. I also found myself "writing a new story" for my marriage and relationships with family and friends. I am so very grateful to be raising our child and young adult with the help of my church family. I also find it an honor to help "parent" my friends' children as well. It is comforting to know there is a safe place for them. My son said, "I would rather be going to church than to school. Everyone loves me at church." No matter our life circumstances, there is much for us to learn in understanding how we can be of service to those in our lives.

July 10, 2008 @ 4:58 PM

5. Dave Roberts wrote:

Thanks to all of you for continuing the conversation. This parenting process is an intricate dance of protection and preparation. One of the things that stuck with me from our Wednesday night discussion was the heartbreak and the fear that comes from the risk of raising kids. I know some parents do everything they know to do and still can not control their children's choices. Others of us are frozen from the fear of how things might turn out. It is so important that we focus on what God is calling us to do as parents and as a community and trust God for the outcomes. In 25 years of parenting four great girls I have learned that I cannot control how things turn out. I can only control doing my best to be obedient to God today. Keep the faith and don't stop loving kids...yours, mine and all the others!

July 10, 2008 @ 5:46 PM

6. Debbie Unruh wrote:

First of all, I wanted to say thanks to the comments above who started us off with such encouraging and hopeful words! Buddy, I know I was one of those people you were referring to, and I so appreciate your words of hope that, YES, God IS a redemptive God. Dave's words were also what I needed to hear - "God wants to do more in our lives than sow regret...He wants us to join hands and help each other to be better parents, coaches, etc.." I can start being better TODAY, and not worry about yesterday or tomorrow.

Amber, what an awesome perspective! As one who is in the adult world yet you know and have heard the stories of our kids, thank you for that insightful and supportive take on the sermon. I so agree... no matter how jaded or scarred a kid seems to be, it is never too late for them. To think that WE ALL can make a difference in kids lives through our love and gestures of care, DOES speak hope to them! Thanks for sharing that perspective with us.

Regina, I so appreciate the hard work you have done in your family to create limits and boundaries for your children. A few years ago, we did the "no TV" thing in our home for a summer, and it WAS amazing how creative our kids were! I agree that being the "grown up" in the setting of boundaries will not always win us the 'most popular' award among our kids, but it does establish firmly, what Pastor Dave said in his sermon... "Children, obey your parents...so that it will go well with you..." Thank you, Regina, for your words of encouragement to all of us parents.

Lastly, I wanted to say a heart-felt thanks to Bill Ayers for sharing his "story" with all of us last night. For those of you who were able to attend the Panel Discussion, you heard the painful and honest reflection of Bill and Carol's journey of some difficult years as parents. That took a lot of courage, Bill, and I so appreciate you being willing to share with us. We hold you and so many other families in prayer and support as the on-going battle to fight for our kids continues. My prayer is that YOU as parents of struggling kids feel cared for and loved and supported in this church community. We DO need each other!

July 10, 2008 @ 5:50 PM

7. Ron Archer wrote:

Great sermon last Sunday. Raising a “G” Rated kid certainly has
been a tremendous challenge for our family. Through the grace of God,
persistence, a whole bunch of money and some great people on Oklahoma
my children have come out the other side of alcohol and drug abuse….

For now.

One very strong lesson we have learned throughout our “Adventure” is that there is strength in numbers. It is that reason that my son Mike Archer and myself are starting up a weekly group meeting known as The Accountability Group.

The Accountability Group Meeting is a time for men (16 years and over) get together for 1 hour a week and fellowship, socialize and discuss relevant topics to each persons journey. We check in with each other to see how everyone is doing and how the group can help. This is a Faith Based Group and open to all men, churches and faiths. If you are interested in learning more or would like to attend we will be having our first meeting at:

Archer Travel
4148 Ocean View
Montrose, CA 91020
818 236-4250
rarcher@archertravel.com

Date: Tuesday July 22, 2008 at 6:30PM – 7:30PM
Meetings are 1 hour only

If you are looking for a safe and supportive group of Men we invite you to join us. It is our goal to take our experiences and educate and help others in good times and bad because it really does take a village...

Hope to see you.

July 10, 2008 @ 7:11 PM

8. Lou wrote:

I guess I'm a little "out there" in the way I respond to the things that I hear. I was greatful for the sermon on Sunday. I listened to many share on Wednesday night and could feel the hurts, the victories, and the defeats. After being in nursing and law enforcement throughout my adult years, I can say that I have seen more misery, victimization, family disputes, poor choices by on the parts of parents and children... the davastating effects that sin has on families and individuals. As parents, we did the very best we could to raise our daughter in the ways of God, and made many mistakes along the way. Many of those mistakes brought us closer to her and closer to the Lord. We spent a great deal of time with her throughout her growing years and made many memories with her. She had her problems growing up as every kid does. If we have learned one thing, the discipline of the Lord will bring our kids through. Never let a day go by without praying for your kids and telling them that you love them before they walk out the door. Don't only look at the negatives, see the gift that God has given to you. God allows trials, as James tells us, to build us up and to cause us to rely on Him. Be strong, teach your kids the word of God, and pray for them. Ask God to give you strength and wisdom. Discussion and suport are very good, but the word of God is the roadmap to raising us all in the way we should go.

July 10, 2008 @ 8:25 PM

9. Sharie Robbins wrote:

I was so impacted by the openness and sharing at the Wednesday night discussion. I think it is so important that people like Bill Ayers come forward and share their stories. It frees so many other people up to do the same and to know that they are not alone. I believe that God is honored when we use our life experiences to help others who are going through similar situations.

As Dave has said many times in the course of this week, sometimes despite our best efforts as parents bad things still happen to our kids and our hearts are broken. As a parent of a child who suffered abuse at the hands of someone we thought to be a trusted family member I understand this fully. Yet God has used this experience to spiritually grow our family and our daughter has shared her testimony with many in the past few years. When we are willing to be vulnerable with each other God will use us in mighty ways.

As a parent of 3 children who are now all in college. I think the most valuable thing we did as parents was to plug them into great kids and youth programs, and to share those experiences with them. My husband and I supported the leaders of our youth program here at Montrose for the length of time that our kids were attending their youth group. Coming alongside those who are leading our kids, supporting them in prayer and in tangible ways is extremely important. We built many great memories with our kids and made lifelong friendships with the other leaders.

My suggestion for every parent would be to not just drop your kids off at church and walk away. Find out how you can support the leaders who are caring for your kids and leading them to Christ. It is probably the most valuable investment you will ever make.

July 11, 2008 @ 1:33 PM

10. Beth Ahlers wrote:

We've been at the church only a few months. We have six children (14,10, 9,6,4,23mo.). When we witnessed the baby dedication a while back where Pastor Dave expressed his and the church's position on loving children, tears just streamed down my face. I knew we had found a safe place for we and our little tender young "saplings" to take root and grow strong. We cannot do it alone. We need help, and we need to receive love from others so that we have enough love in us to keep giving love to our children. (Like the Bible story of the widow who had only a small jar of oil, I am the little jar of oil and my children are the jars I keep pouring into. I need God to keep miraculously filling me up or I have nothing left for them! Unlike the jars in the story, these jars keep growing and needing more every day!) Pastor Dave and Darrin from the pulpit, and Debbie and Gabby from personal contact have touched my mother-heart so deeply only God knows my inexprssible gratitude. The sunday school volunteers make my children feel loved. That warms my heart like nothing else because they are my greatest treasures and if they didn't feel at home, we couln't stay. But they do, and we are so glad to have found safe "community" here in our own community! We've never lived before in the same community as our home church. We've been in Montrose now for 3 1/2 years, but didn't know about Montrose church - God's timing! God's blessing! Here we are, and I pray our presence with you, Montrose Church, will bring blessing to you as well. We return the love you have shown us. God bless His church!

July 13, 2008 @ 6:49 PM

11. Debbie Unruh wrote:

When I read comments like the one above (Beth), it makes me realize how privileged and blessed I am to be a part of such a welcoming and loving church. I know that it is the desire and prayer of staff and ministry teams alike to see families, parents AND children feel cared for and connected into the life of the community of Montrose Church. Beth, we welcome YOU and your precious family!

The sermon this weekend was once again, a wonderful reminder to all of us, of the incredible gift our children are, and I know if challenged ME to see my children as well as those outside my family as MY responsibility - to influence and love and inspire and reach out to. I have found myself looking at other people's children or teens a little differently - like I feel a little more connected on a deeper level. I am looking into other kids eyes more, and saying "hey," to them with more care in my voice. I guess because I want so desperately for MY kids to feel that from other people. I want my own kids to see that they are connected to the Christian community in a much bigger way than they realize... that there are other people out there who are a small yet significant part of contributing to THEIR story.

July 15, 2008 @ 1:17 AM

12. Kimberlie Zakarian wrote:

The sermon Sunday, July 13th, brought confirmation that God has heard my prayers the past few weeks. After a difficult and busy year personally, academically, and professionally, I have been praying that God would assist me in my journey of being a "present" parent and the best parent that I can be (because no one is a perfect parent). That I would maintain eye contact, listen, and spend quality and quantity time with my children. Darrin's comments on face time, focus, and feedback are the desires of my heart as a parent. I was also encouraged, as a former youth pastor, that it is time to pour into other people's children again as the opportunity presents itself. I was amazed on Tuesday when a couple from my old church came to dinner and the wife was pouring into my eldest child after vbs - and how my daughter responded! We have tremendous power as adults to make a difference in the lives of children. I appreciate our new church family so very much.

July 16, 2008 @ 9:59 AM

13. Eric McClenahan wrote:

Kimberlie, thanks so much for sharing that and for being a part of our church family!

I just wanted to share a quick story with you...Last weekend I took 10 high school kids to King's Canyon for a weekend camping retreat. It was exhausting!! No sleep, 10 mile hikes, and a lot of other fun stuff, but definitely exhausting! On Saturday night we were sitting around the campfire and I was explaining to the kids how we had to wake up at 7 the next morning so that we could make it back church for the 1pm VBS meeting. Immediately they asked me what time we'd have to wake up to make it back for the 11:30 service. I said 5:30, thinking there was no way they would wake up that early, break down camp, and then drive 5 hours back home just to go to service...but thats exactly what they did!! Our kids are amazing. I want to thank everyone who makes Montrose Church a fun and safe place for high school kids to come to. You are impacting these kids lives in a deep and meaningful way!!

July 16, 2008 @ 1:55 PM

14. wrote:

In one of the messages Pastor Dave taked about helping single parents to feel more included in the church even though they are single. I got excited. Then I hear about the party for 20 years for pastor Dave. I thought that would be fun but then I see it's $20 each. That's hard. Then I look at the sign up. The RSVP choices are individual, couple or family. Where does a mom and her child fit in, couple??? This doesn't make the single parent feel included.

August 21, 2008 @ 9:59 AM

15. Sharie Robbins wrote:

I am so sorry that you feel that way. The RSVP type that you are referring to (Ind, Couple, family) is based on the way the paypal online system was set up to track payments. I am not sure that we had any choice to how that was set up by the web. I could be wrong about that though so I will be sure to pass your message on to our Communications team so they can fix that problem in the future. We never want anyone to feel excluded and we are sorry if that made that impression with you. As for the cost of $20 this was to help offset the rental expenses and food for the party. We always offer scholarships for our events for people in need so if that is an issue for you please contact me so I can arrange that for you. You can reach the office at 818-249-8309 x 101. Thanks for your input.

August 25, 2008 @ 12:54 PM

Add a New Comment

Your Name:

Your Email/URL (Optional):

Your Comment:

Enter the code you see below:

 

Comment Guidelines: No HTML is allowed. Off-topic or inappropriate comments will be edited or deleted. Thanks.