Fasting is a spiritual discipline that has, certainly in the USA, fallen by the wayside. Richard Foster, in his Celebration of Discipline, makes a humorous but very sad comment regarding the American attitude toward fasting. He said something like this – In our culture (American) if we don’t eat three full meals a day with several snacks in between we believe… Continue reading
The Invitation
When our children were little we didn’t make it to church very often, Christmas, Easter, when my mother was in town. We always made up excuses not to go, looking back it was so selfish….
On occasional Saturday nights our kids slept over our Nanny’s house, she had become part of our family and the kids loved to spend time with her and her husband. In the morning they would get up and go to church with them. They would always come home saying how awesome church had been; the singing, the Bible stories, the arts and crafts, and all the new friends they had made.
One Sunday morning the boys woke us up and said, “Can we go to Kim’s church today?” So off we went to see what all the excitement was about. We watched as our children were greeted with smiles and high fives. We saw that our kids had formed a relationship with people who loved and lived their faith. I remember feeling so happy to see my kids finding their way to God.
I think back to that simple invitation by Kim, and how it changed our family’s life. That simple invitation began our family’s spiritual journey, my husband and I made our way back to our faith, renewing our relationship with God, bringing Him into our home. We began to pray with our children, our family dinners were full of talks on the Bible, world views and what went on in our daily lives. Our children got involved in youth groups and mission trips. Today, I know my children as well as my husband and myself have a deseeded relationship with God, which has transformed our lives and given us more than we could ever have imagined.
And all because of a simple invitation.
This week’s sermon by Pastor Jeff, was on discipleship and how we need to move out of the safety of the walls of our church and create relationships that let us invite people in. The invitation is yours to give, are you up for the challenge?
Powerhouse Christian Church is a Non-Denominational church, serving Bergen County, Allendale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Ho-ho-kus, Ramsey, Mahwah, Waldwick, Wyckoff, Ridgewood, Saddle Brook, Paramus, River Edge, Oradell, Westwood, Rivervale, Old Tappan, Pascack Valley, Hackensack, Teaneck, Bergenfield, Franklin Lakes, Oakland, Passaic County, Wayne, Totowa, Paterson, West Paterson, Little Falls, Rockland County, Suffern, Warwick.
When my son Ryan was around 4 years old, he came to me one morning. With a face full of worry and fear he said to me, “Mommy we can never go to Disney World!” I looked at him with confusion and said, “Why is that Ryan?”
He then proceeded to tell me how he had a dream the night before in which I died.
I held him close and reassured him that I was not going to die and that I would never leave him. But more importantly I said to him, “What could this possibly have to do with Disney World?” He responded to me with a very serious tone, “ Because that’s where dreams come true.” With every bit of self control I had, I held my laughter and told him that was only a commercial and that Disney World can’t make your dreams come true, only you and God can do that.
We have so many hopes and dreams for our children. We want them to be happy and healthy to live wonderful lives free of pain and sorrow. If only it was as simple as and carefree as Disney World. But as Christians we need to teach our children to put their hopes and dreams in God’s hands in good times and in bad. As the Bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I don’t think you will find that in Disney World’s handbook!
Powerhouse Christian Church is a contemporary church that serves all those in our community weekly on Sunday mornings at 9am & 10:45am. Our community includes, Ramsey, Wyckoff, Ridgewood, Midland Park, Oakland, Hawthorne, Fairlawn, Paterson, Prospect Park, Mahwah, Waldwick, Paramus, Saddle Brook, and many more…
Written by Kate Morgan
Do you remember a few years ago there was a popular poster, that read something like…
In a thousand years from now, no one will remember the car I drove or the house I owned, but rather that I influenced the life of a child.
I know this seems pretty cheesy, but it has stuck with me for all these years.
Now let’s take that saying and apply it to today’s children.
Our Powerhouse Kids had a fun God-filled Easter weekend. 
Over 40 children and their families came together to pray and to find all of the Easter Eggs hidden by Pastor Jeff’s men’s small group. We shared the story of the Jellybean Prayer, and thanked the Lord for such a beautiful day.
On Easter Sunday we brought the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection to life. 
We watched as our Sunday school children sat riveted by scenes of the last supper, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The children had so many questions, I’m sure the ride home with the family was a great teaching moment.
Thank you to all our volunteers, the spirit of God was truly present with our Powerhouse Kids !
Powerhouse Christian Church is a growing non-denominational contemporary Bible teaching church. Our vision is to reach families through their children.
All nearby towns can enjoy our Children’s Ministry EVERY Sunday at 9am & 10:45am: Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, Oakland, Wayne, Prospect Park, Haledon, North Haledon, Paterson, Midland Park, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, Saddle Brook, Paramus, Ho-ho-kus, River Edge, New Milford, Bergenfield, Oradell, Westwood, Cliffwood Lake, Closter, Ridgewood, Washington, Allendale, Upper Saddle River, Saddle River, Ramsey, Mahwah, Pompton Lakes, Pompton Plains and more.