PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - OCTOBER 3, 2012
CHURCH NEWS
Eternal
perspectives Sally Bair
Some coverings are good, others are not When it rains, if we’re smart we use an umbrella, hat or rain gear. When it snows, we get out the parka. In the fall we cover our flower beds and vegetable gardens with mulch or plastic. There are many ways to protect ourselves and the things that are dear to us. Sometimes, however, we put a blanket on our raw emotions in an effort to avoid or hide them. How many times have you answered someone’s “How are you?”
with a smile and a “Fine,” when you didn’t feel fine at all? You may have been crying on the inside because someone criticized you. You may have felt selfpity or loneliness when a friend or spouse neglected you. Perhaps you were sad because a loved one was ill or had died, or felt anxious and fearful about an encounter with someone who had threatened you. Covering our bad feelings is common to most of us. We don’t like to expose our hurts and failures to others. Not that we should spew out our feelings of self-pity and anger to everyone. It’s always good to address our feelings, problems or faults with those we love or with people of trustworthy counsel. But the problem with cover-ups is—they leave no chance for the problem to be solved. They also give others the wrong impression about us and, if we continue in the lie, we even-
Parents try to minimize girl’s dejection over dance Q: My teenage daughter was not asked to the homecoming dance, and she’s heartbroken. How can I convince her that it’s not the end of the world? Jim: For better or worse, many teens infuse high school dances with a sense of importance rivaling that of a state dinner (albeit a state dinner characterized by loud music and a lack of decorum!). Those of us on the other side of adolescence look back on the homecoming dance as a fun but essentially inconsequential diversion. But for your daughter and her peers, this is a monumental event. We’d encourage you to avoid making a fuss over your daughter’s disappointment either way. Trying to convince her that this isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things is a fool’s errand. At the same time, don’t empathize with her too much or do anything else that might prolong her sense of melancholy. The bigger issue here is your daughter’s sense of self-worth. The emotions she’s experiencing are real. She wants to feel accepted by her peers, not like an
Jim Daly
Focus on the Family
Juli Slattery
outcast. Give her time to be sad and withdrawn, and if she wants to talk about it, listen with an open heart. Reaffirm her as a person and reinforce the importance of character as opposed to mere popularity. When the night of the dance arrives, help her avoid wallowing in her misery. If she has any other dateless friends, perhaps you could host a slumber party for them. Or make it a “family date night” at a destination of her choosing. With some patience and sensitivity, you can help your daughter weather this storm. Once the dance is over and the homecoming hype dies down, she’ll feel like her old self again. ••• Q: I grew up with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and Halloween. We went trick-or-treating every year. But my husband was raised in a family where none of this was approved of. In fact, he and his parents aren’t really comfortable
tually tend to believe the lie ourselves. God cannot work in our lives until we’re willing to remove our emotional blankets and expose our true selves to him. Like a shepherd who covers the raw wounds of his sheep with oil, Jesus the Good Shepherd will bring healing to our body, soul and spirit through his powerful anointing. When we finally remove our coverings and replace them with his, then joy, peace and freedom will be ours forever. “But you have an anointing from the Holy One…” 1 John 2:20 Lord, forgive us when we’ve covered our bad feelings and our sins, thus hindering you from giving us your perfect covering. Give us the will and strength to remove the coverings we’ve held onto for so long. We want your joy, your peace and your freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
with imaginary characters like fairies, dragons, magic, etc. I would like our young children, ages 3 and 1, to be able to enjoy these things in a healthy way, but my husband and I are having trouble finding common ground on this issue. Do you have any recommendations for us? Juli: Although it is normal for us to parent based on traditions and biases that we were raised with, I would encourage you and your husband to move beyond family traditions and start talking about family convictions. The real issue is what do you and your husband believe and value as a new family unit? Why is it important for you that your kids enjoy these holidays, and what are your husband’s reservations? Once you get beyond talking about what you did growing up and start talking about values and convictions, you are much more likely to find common ground. For example, you may value the fun and excitement of children dressing up for Halloween. Your husband may object to the satanic overtones often involved with dressing like a witch, ghost or magical creature. Perhaps you decide to honor both convictions by going to a harvest party or church celebration during
Ecumenical Choir practice begins Sunday, Oct. 7 CENTURIA – The Ecumenical Choir will begin rehearsals for this year’s “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” on Sunday, Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m., at Fristad Lutheran Church in Centuria. Not only are former choir members invited but anyone with a good singing voice, men especially. What better way could there be to prepare for the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons. If you are unable to attend the first practice, contact Brenda Mayer at twinmound@lakeland.ws or Jim Beistle at 715-646-2408 or jbeistle@lakeland.ws. This Advent/Christmas service will be held at Fristad Lutheran Church, Centuria, in early December. - submitted the Halloween season, where kids dress up and get candy, but without the baggage that comes with traditional trick-ortreating. While you each may have to compromise on family traditions from the past, be intentional about honoring each other’s convictions. ••• Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family, host of the “Focus on the Family” radio program, and a husband and father of two. Dr. Juli Slattery is a licensed psychologist, cohost of “Focus on the Family,” author of several books, and a wife and mother of three. Submit your questions to: FocusOnTheFamily.com. Copyright 2012 Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995. International copyright secured. All rights reserved. Distributed by Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St. Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise, without written permission of Focus on the Family.
Brought to you by:
Zion Lutheran Church Bone Lake
Church listings sponsored by the following area businesses: BREMER BANK, N.A. Full-Service Banking Member FDIC Frederic - Danbury - Siren
DAEFFLER’S QUALITY MEATS, INC. Wholesale & Retail Meats Custom Butchering & Processing Phone 715-327-4456
INTER-COUNTY COOPERATIVE PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION Printers & Publishers Office Supplies
Frederic, Wis. - 715-327-4236 Shell Lake, Wis. - 715-468-2314 Siren, Wis. - 715-349-2560 St. Croix Falls, Wis. - 715-483-9008
STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES
Corey T. Arnold, Agent Frederic, Wis. Phone 715-327-8076
BEAN’S COUNTRY GRIDDLE
Hwys. 35 & 48, Downtown Frederic Phone 715-327-5513
NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN ELECTRIC CO.
“Your Electric Servant” Serving Polk & Burnett Counties “Use Energy Wisely”
CARLSON-ROWE FUNERAL HOME
Frederic, Wis. - 715-327-4475
ALPHA BASS LAKE LUMBER • Complete Line of Building Supplies & Lumber • Cabot’s Stains Grantsburg, Wis. 715-488-2471 or 715-327-8766
BURNETT DAIRY CO-OP
1988 World Champion Cheesemaker Earl Wilson, Cheese Plant Mgr. Dan Dowling, Ag. Supply Mgr. for Feed, Propane & Fertilizer Alpha, Wis. 715-689-2468 715-689-2467
WEBSTER
LUCK
CUSHING
CASHCO BUILDING SUPPLIES
VAN METER’S MEATS
CUSHING COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
Complete Lumber & Building Supplies
Phone 715-866-4238 Hwy. 35 N. Webster, Wis. Tom & Becky O’Brien, Owners
HOPKINS SAND & GRAVEL, INC.
Sand, Gravel, Ready-Mix, Concrete, Black Dirt, Dozer Work, Landscaping & Septic Tanks Installed Hwy. 35 North Webster, Wis. Phone 715-866-4157 M.P.R.S. #03059
SWEDBERG-TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME Webster, Wis. Phone 715-866-7131
Government Inspected Slaughtering and Processing, Sausage making • Ham & Bacon Cured & Smoked Sides and Quarters of Beef and Pork Available Old-fashioned Fresh Meat Counter Tim Van Meter and Ross Anderson, Owners Luck, WI 54853 Plant 715-472-2141
SIREN
Feed Mill - Grain Dept. Cushing, Wis. 715-648-5215
WILD RIVER FLAGS Jerry & Pat Willits 2815 285th Ave. Sterling Township St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 715-488-2729
OLSEN & SON
Your Full-Service Drugstore Siren, Wis. Phone 715-349-2221
D & L FINANCIAL SERVICES 10022 Elbow Lake Road Siren, Wis. 54872 715-689-2539
Any area business wishing to help sponsor the church listings should contact the Leader at 715-327-4236.
Churches 9/12
FREDERIC