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This Month, The R.O.C.K. Club Wants You to Understand the Difference
It’s March, and as spring approaches, The R.O.C.K. Club wants you to be blessed, not lucky! This month’s holiday is St. Patrick’s Day. Even if you aren’t Irish, you probably understand the day’s celebration. The holiday’s iconography includes shamrocks, leprechauns, and other representations of Irish tradition. Many will wish each other to have the “Luck O’ the Irish.” Luck, however, is not a real concept, though many believe in it. But God’s blessing is real. This month, let’s discuss the difference between luck and blessing, and why we all should want to have God’s blessing.Don’t Search for Luck or Karma
There are many people who worry about their luck. You can hear it every day, as they wish each other “good luck.” Others may say, “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” What is luck? Luck is “good or bad things that happen to a person by chance, not by effort or abilities.” Though there are “accidents,” both good and bad, that happen in life, no corporeal concept of “luck” follows people around. Other people worry about karma. Karma is a Hindu and Buddhist belief that a person’s actions in this life and “past lives” will decide their fate in “future lives.” It states that karma will return to people later for things that they have done. While God teaches us in the Bible to “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23), there really is no tangible representation of karma or luck that haunts people.When You Trust in God, You Can Be Blessed
Being blessed, however, is real. It is tangible. Blessing is simply God’s favor and protection. If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, the Bible states that you are God’s child. You are a part of His family, and as such, you never have to worry about His blessing. Just like a father loves, protects, and provides for his kids, God will always care for His children, too. The Bible tells us that if God cares for the lilies and sparrows, He will care much more for us. He always knows where you are, what you are doing, and how to take care of you. God may have to discipline us, just like a parent disciplines their child, but we will never lose His love. That is God’s blessing; it’s real, and it’s wonderful. And it’s so much better than luck! The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, offers outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would also love to tell you how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. This St. Patrick’s Day, don’t hope for luck; be blessed!
The R.O.C.K. Club Wants You to Understand This Life-Changing Fact
It’s a life-changing experience to realize that God’s love is for everyone. Maybe you have heard this before. Maybe you haven’t. Maybe you’ve wondered if God is even there or if He even cares. The facts are He really is, and He really does. God loves you more than anyone has ever loved you. God’s love is for everyone! In the Bible, John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This Bible verse tells us how amazing God’s love is. But what does it all mean? The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, wants you to understand that God’s love is for everyone, including you. Let us break down John 3:16 to show you.“For God So Loved the World…”
John 3:16 begins with this simple but profound statement: “For God so loved the world.” This phrase tells us that God’s love is for everyone. He loves everybody from all nations, races, and walks of life. But we know that there are degrees to love. This small word “so” means that God is going to demonstrate how much He loves you.“…That He Gave His Only Begotten Son…”
John 3:16 continues by stating, “that He gave His only begotten Son.” What does that mean? He gave His Son away for the world? That’s a whole lot of love. He sent Jesus to shed His blood, and die on a cross for everyone, including you. That’s how much God loves you. He sent His own son to die for you. But why did Jesus have to bleed and die?“…That Whosoever Believeth in Him Should Not Perish…”
You’ll notice that this phrase from our Bible verse ends with the word “perish.” God loves you, and doesn’t want you to die. But everyone physically dies, right? This means eternal death, separation from God forever in a place called Hell. Death is the punishment that we deserve for our sins, the wrong things we do. But God loves you so much that He gave up His own son to take your place. Jesus died and rose again from the dead so you can be justified. All you have to do is believe in Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness and to save you.“…But Have Everlasting Life.”
When you trust in Jesus as your Savior, you don’t have to worry about death and Hell. He paid your debt for your sins! Now, you can have eternal life and a real relationship with God. This is what God wants! You will be truly alive, and then live forever with God in Heaven. In the Bible, Jesus says in John 10:10, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”Remember, God’s Love is For Everyone!
Think about this; God loves you so much that He sent His own son to pay for your sins. In paying that debt, you can now have eternal life and a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. You just have to realize that you are a sinner, and that there is nothing you can do to make it up to God. But you must also realize that Jesus died for your sins, and now, all you have to do is believe in Him, and ask Him to save you. That is love! The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, offers outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would love to tell you how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. Remember, God’s love is for everyone!
The R.O.C.K. Club Cheers You on as You Set Goals for the New Year
The calendar has again flipped over to a new year, and it’s time to be intentional as we enter 2023. What do we mean by “be intentional,” though? The majority of people make New Year’s resolutions when January comes around. However, most of those people never intend to follow through with them. Those resolutions are simply “lip service.” With that in mind, though, the start of a new year really is the perfect time to work toward new goals in your life. The key to achieving these goals, however, is to be intentional about moving forward. Don’t just say you want to do something; do it. Have a purpose and make a plan. And then, discipline yourself to complete it. Commercials market “easy fixes” all of the time. But true achievement only comes through hard work and discipline. The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, cheer for you as you set out to reach your goals. And to help, we offer these following tips.Be Intentional About Setting Attainable Goals
The first tip that we can offer you is to “start small.” Be intentional about setting attainable goals. The path to any goal features peaks, valleys, and plateaus. Sometimes, those valleys and plateaus can frustrate and discourage a person. Many people then use that discouragement to stop their journey. Their perceived “lack of progress” shatters their high hopes. The best weapon against this is to set small, attainable goals. For example, if you want to start running, don’t set an immediate goal of completing a marathon. Start by aiming to run around your block. Then set another goal to run a mile. As you progress, little by little, you will grow and find encouragement in these smaller successes.Make a Plan, and Discipline Yourself to Follow It
Discipline is “following through in duty with what you started in excitement.” New goals can be very exciting. That excitement can carry you through a couple of days or even a couple of weeks. But, be assured, the excitement will end. Another key to achieving your goals is plain, simple discipline. As you set your attainable goals, make a deliberate plan, and stick to it. Do what you need to do to continue to move toward your goal. And find a proper time to work on it. If you’re not a morning person, don’t plan to get up at 5 a.m. every day to work toward your goal. You are a unique person; you need to make a unique plan to fit your lifestyle. And follow through, follow through, follow through!Focus on What Matters
Our last key to achieving your goals this new year is to be intentional about focusing on what matters. It’s not a bad thing to have hobbies and pastimes. But when those hobbies and pastimes eclipse the important matters in your life, that’s a problem. As you put together your goals for 2023, consider the important things in your life. For example, if you are a baseball fan, don’t just set a goal of going to a certain number of games. Tweak it to taking your son to a certain number of games. You can still enjoy your pastime, but you can also build and nurture an even more important relationship. Just ask yourself, “What will be important to me on my deathbed?” That is what should be important to you now. The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, offers outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would also love to tell you how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. We want to stand with you! As you set your goals for the new year, remember to be intentional.
The R.O.C.K. Club Wants You to Experience a Different Kind of Christmas
In 1905, author William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name, O. Henry, wrote the story, “The Gift of the Magi.” In it, a poor couple struggles to find the perfect Christmas gift for each other. In doing so, they each give up what is dearest to themselves. The story shows, however, that what truly was dearest to them was not their treasured material items; it was each other. This lesson, sadly, gets lost many times in our culture as the Christmas season approaches. We collectively long for the gifts, when what is really important is the spirit of giving. People are so focused on buying the latest gadgets they miss the big picture of love and caring. Here at the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we want you to experience a different kind of holiday this year. Don’t miss the blessing from embracing the spirit of giving.Understanding the Gift of the Magi
Henry took the title of his story from the Biblical account of the wise men. These wise men visited Jesus when He was a child. They brought three gifts of great value: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They realized that the value of these material possessions was nothing compared to the value of who received them. Their gifts gave rise to our tradition of giving presents at Christmas. But lately, the value of the gifts has become more important than the relationship of the giver and recipient. Shoppers rudely scramble through stores, trying to beat our neighbor to the “must-have” present of the year. Gift recipients tear at the wrapping on Christmas morning like a hungry bear. We barely mutter a “thank you,” if we say it all. How many blessings and moments of joy do we miss because we have lost the spirit of giving? We’ve forgotten the love and heartfelt care that comes with it.God Gave the Greatest Gift of All
The ultimate example of the spirit of giving comes from God Himself. He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins. Our wrongdoing separates us from God, and there is nothing that we can ever do ourselves to mend that relationship. But God values you so much that He was willing to sacrifice His Son so that you can have eternal life. In the Bible, Romans 8:32 reads, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Later in the Bible, 1 John 4:10 reads, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Through Jesus, God now offers eternal life as a gift. Will you receive it this Christmas?The Gift of the Magi is the Spirit of Giving
This Christmas season, don’t miss it. The value of the gifts, no matter the cost, is far less than the value of the giving. If we would just embrace that truth, our holiday season would be so much sweeter. People hustle, bustle, and stress our way through Christmas. What would happen if, this holiday season, we embrace the spirit of giving instead of embracing the gifts? Not only that, but what would happen if we taught it to the next generation? The gift of the magi is the spirit of giving. What do you value? Here at the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we offer outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would also love to tell you more about how you can have a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. This holiday season, will you learn the spirit of giving from the gift of the magi?
The R.O.C.K. Club Believes that Every Day Should Be Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is an amazing time to develop an attitude of gratitude, but shouldn’t we always be thankful? When the calendar flips its page to November, our attention always turns to Thanksgiving. Our thoughts are about the turkey, the mashed potatoes, and all of those delicious side dishes. Thoughts also turn toward quality time spent with family and friends. And we should begin to contemplate the true meaning of the holiday, which is thankfulness. But is Thanksgiving the only season where we should be thankful? Here at the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we believe that Thanksgiving should last all year long! But how can we foster an “always be thankful” mindset?Always Be Thankful, No Matter What
In the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reads, “In every thing give thanks…” But how is that possible? Can somebody really be thankful when they go through rough times? Yes, it is possible! Developing an “always be thankful” mentality first depends on a shift of perspective. We need to begin to concentrate on the things we have, not the things we don’t have. When our thoughts dwell on what we don’t have, we don’t consider the blessings all around us. Did you wake up this morning? Were you able to breathe? That’s something to be thankful for. If you know what to look for, there are reasons to always be thankful, no matter where you are in life.God Has Done So Much for You
The thought of thanksgiving has become so ubiquitous that we now take the term for granted. But when we think about it, shouldn’t there be a recipient for our gratitude? When we are “thankful,” shouldn’t someone get the thanks? That someone is God. God has done so much for us. He gives us the breath in our lungs. He provides us with the food on our table. It is His creation that we admire every day. We should always be thankful to God for all that He has done for us. The greatest thing that God has ever done for us is to send His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins. It is through Jesus’ sacrifice that we can have eternal life. That’s something to always be thankful for!The R.O.C.K. Club Wants You to Always Be Thankful
The R.O.C.K. Club wants you to always be thankful. There is so much to be thankful for! When you develop an attitude of gratitude, your life will become so much more positive. You will begin to influence everyone around you for the better. The world becomes a much sunnier place when you celebrate Thanksgiving every day! Give it a try right now; we know it will do you good. The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, offers outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would also love to tell you how you can have a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. When you see the blessings that surround you in your life, you can always be thankful!
The R.O.C.K. Club Cares About Your Children’s Safety and Innocence
Every parent, at one time or another, has heard this tearful question, “Are there monsters under my bed?” And every parent has consoled their fearful child with the confident reassurance that monsters aren’t real. Unfortunately, we live in a world where monsters are real. They are not the hairy, fanged beasts from our nightmares; these monsters exist as dangerous human predators, looking to steal a child’s innocence. Even the culture itself can prey on a child, entering the sanctuary of the home through a television, laptop, or smartphone. At the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we care about your children. And we want to help you keep them safe, physically, mentally, and emotionally. To that end, we’re blogging this month about a few things to consider.Protect Them from Physical and Internet Predators
It’s practically inconceivable that someone would want to hurt a child, physically, emotionally, or mentally. It is a sad, infuriating reality, however. And a child’s innocence can suddenly shatter by just overhearing one of these horror stories. “Why would someone do that?” is a heartbreaking question for a parent to answer. But honestly, we have to prepare our children for the unthinkable. Warn them about the dangers of strangers. Children can be very trusting. Let them know that even if someone says that they know you, that doesn’t mean that it’s true.Children Should Run to Safety from Those Who Accost Them
Only send people that they know well to get them, and make sure that they fully understand this. If someone they don’t know accosts them, they should make a scene. They should run for someone they can trust, such as a police officer or a teacher. Teach them the boundaries of acceptable behavior, even with people that they know. Teach them, as well, that an offer of candy and other things is no reason to go with someone.Parents Must Emphasize Avoiding Internet Predators
However, in our culture, internet predators have replaced the “creepy man in the windowless van” many times. These marauding monsters use the open avenue of computers, laptops, and smartphones to trick and trap young children and teens. Parents and guardians must use the same mindset and tactics to warn our children about the dangers of internet predators. Whether on gaming consoles or social media, they should not talk to anyone that they do not know. And even with people that they know, they should again understand the boundaries of acceptable behavior.No ‘Monsters Under My Bed,’ But the Culture Will Prey on Them
Even if you guard your children and teens from human predators, “monsters” can still infiltrate your home. You may not even know it. They come as shows or movies on streaming services, videos on YouTube, or even live streams on gaming channels. The culture is ready to teach your child or teen all of the things that they don’t need to know. You can’t guard their eyes, ears, and minds 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But what you can do is teach them the right things. When banks train their tellers to recognize counterfeit currency, they don’t train them with fake bills. They use real money. These tellers will fully understand the look and feel. Then when a fake bill comes across their counter, they know it is a fake. Use the same approach with your kids. Teach them what is right and good. That way, when something wrong crosses their path, they know it’s wrong. Someone somewhere is going to teach your child. Make sure that someone is you.The R.O.C.K. Club Wants to Help You
Here at the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we care about the families of the New River Valley. Our club wants to help you raise children that stand for the right things as good citizens. With this in mind, we offer a variety of Christian-based educational programs for children from preschool through age 12. We work hard to meet the academic and spiritual needs of families all across our area. Our team would love to help you, too. Contact us today. We care about the safety and mental and spiritual well-being of your children and teens! The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, offers outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would also love to tell you how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. Prepare your children for the dangers out there, even if there are no real “monsters under my bed.”
The R.O.C.K. Club Cares About Your Physical and Mental Health
If there is one thing that people need to do, it is to take some time to slow down and relax. We live in a busy, “in-your-face” world. The kids have school, practice, and activities. Our jobs ask more and more from us. And even our supposed relaxation times are nothing close to relaxing. Social media, 24-hour news cycles, streaming services, e-mails, and text messages all compete for our attention. We understand the demands that today’s culture places on people. But we all need that time to unwind, unplug, relax, and allow ourselves some physical, mental, and spiritual recovery. We here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, care about our neighbors throughout the New River Valley. With that in mind, we want to use our blog to encourage you to slow down and relax. We also want to give you some tips on how to unplug and enjoy life.Read a Book. Take a Walk. Just Unplug!
Many, many people have said that this is the best time to be alive. And in a variety of ways, they are right. We can see news from the other side of the world as it happens. We can be in constant connection with anyone, anywhere, at any time. But there is also much to be said about the way our forefathers lived, too. We were not created to stare at screens, social media, and smartphones all day and night. We need to find time to unplug, slow down, and relax. What can you do, though, to unplug in a plugged-in world? There are many things to do if you just look around. Find a quiet room and read a book. Take a walk in the woods and enjoy nature. Just sit in a relaxing chair and listen to music. Visit an art museum and take your time. Find an unplugged hobby. Constant stimulation from screens is not healthy in the long run. Go and enjoy life.Make Sure to Spend Some Unplugged Time with God
Here at The R.O.C.K. Club, we care about your physical and mental well-being. That is why we want to encourage you to slow down and relax. But we also care about your spiritual well-being. This is actually the most important part of your life. With that in mind, we want to encourage you to take some time, unplug, and get alone with God. You never waste time when you give it to God. But to enjoy time with God, you first have to have a relationship with God. That only comes by knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you want to know more about trusting Jesus to save you, please contact our office today. We would love to talk to you about having a real relationship with God. For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us today at (540) 267-3000. Let us help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. We also want you to find time in your day to slow down and relax!
