Learn to Listen to the Child.

The key to having a good relationship with anyone is to communicate. While parents are expected to give advice, they are also counted on to listen. When children feel that there is something they need to get out in the open, give them the chance to air it out. Allow them to voice out what is going through their heads. Empathize with them, and put yourself in their shoes. Once you have listened to what they have to say, you can use what you have learned to address the problem.

Build a Relationship.

Children should never feel that they are alone in whatever they are going through. It is important to remind your teenagers that there are people they can come to for advice. Let them know that as their parent, you are there to support them every step of the way. Connect with them by sharing your own triumphs and struggles during your teenage years.

Let them Make their Own Decisions.

With age should come maturity. Your children should understand that as they grow older, they are expected to be more responsible for their actions. Allow them to decide for themselves, but constantly remind them that every decision made has its corresponding consequences. Treat them as adults, and let them learn from their own mistakes.

Do Not Look at All Arguments as Confrontation.

Children often see their parents as the enemy in their arguments. Change this notion by telling your teenager that you are there not to disagree with them, but to address their concerns. Never get physical, and avoid engaging in loud verbal arguments with your children for this may only provoke or frustrate them. If there is no other way but to argue, keep the volume of your voice at a minimum. Maintain control in your conversation.

 Give Respect to Earn Respect.

As young adults, your children feel that they have reached a new level of maturity once they slip into their teenage years. They start to think that they should no longer be treated as kids. At this stage, they will begin to demand the respect they think they deserve. Give it to them. This will ensure that you will get the same respect back.

Not all children go through a difficult phase during their teenage years. When they do, parents should give them the support they need. Here are the hard facts: teenagers only become difficult when, during their transition from being a child to an adult, they do not receive the proper nurturing and care.

Camryen Walker enjoys helping parents and teens work together and is a member of the Help Your Teen Now outreach team.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

“After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great.” Genesis 15:1

“Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said: ^‘The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.”  2 Samuel 2:1-3

Led by Betsy Burke
with Brandon Deitz and Jonathan Bryant

You’ll Come
Words and Music by Brooke Fraser
© 2007 Brooke Fraser/Hillsong Publishing
CCLI# 5012583

Gateway Band in this video:
Brandon Deitz – Acoustic Guitar
Tim Hudgins  – Electric Guitar
Isaac Mensah – Bass Guitar
Ron Sandlin – Drums
Carter Reznik – Keys

Gateway Community Church
760 Clear Lake City Blvd.
Webster, Texas 77598

Visit us at http://www.gateway-community.org
View services at http://vimeo.com/video4gateway

“You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.”  Psalm 18:22

“Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh…” Hebrews 10:19-20

“Then they remembered that God was their rock, that God Most High was their redeemer. Psalm 78:35

“‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.’” Revelation 22:16

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Sung by Steve McPherson
Jesus The Same
Words and Music by Raymond Badham
CCLI# 4222099: © 2003 Raymond Badham | Hillsong Publishing

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought Your heart to me
I have loved you for a Thousand years
I’ll love you for a Thousand more

Sung by Betsy Burke
with Brandon Deitz

A Thousand Years
Words and Music by Christina Perri and David Hodges
© 2011 Miss Perri Lane Publishing

Taken from preservice music. Only part of the song was recorded but it was too good to pass up.Clock on the screen is the approximate countdown to start of service. It’s put on the video screen for some reason.

Gateway Community Church
760 Clear Lake City Blvd.
Webster, Texas 77598

Visit us at http://www.gateway-community.org
View services at http://vimeo.com/video4gateway

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11 How great is our God! Sing with me: HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

Led by Betsy Burke with Brandon Deitz and Jonathan Bryant

How Great Is Our God
Words and Music by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash
CCLI# 763803: © 2004 worshiptogether.com Songs

Gateway Band in this video:

Brandon Deitz – Acoustic Guitar
Tim Hudgins  – Electric Guitar
Isaac Mensah – Bass Guitar
Ron Sandlin – Drums
Carter Reznik – Keys

Gateway Community Church
760 Clear Lake City Blvd.
Webster, Texas 77598

Visit us at http://www.gateway-community.org
View services at http://vimeo.com/video4gateway

“Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, ‘Who sees us? Who will know?’ You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,  ‘You did not make me?’ Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing?’” Isaiah 29:15-16
Upside Down – Words and Music by Brandon Deitz

Sung by Brandon Deitz
Assistant Director of Arts Ministries
Gateway Community Church
Webster, TX
with
Betsy Burke
Director of Arts Ministries
Gateway Community Church
Webster,TX

Gateway Band in this video:

Brandon Deitz – Acoustic Guitar
Tim Hudgins  – Electric Guitar
Isaac Mensah – Bass Guitar
Ron Sandlin – Drums
Carter Reznik – Keys

Gateway Community Church
760 Clear Lake City Blvd.
Webster, Texas 77598

Visit us at http://www.gateway-community.org
View services at http://vimeo.com/video4gateway

“God, come close. Come quickly!
Open your ears—it’s my voice you’re hearing!
Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising;
my raised hands are my evening prayers.”
Psalm 141:1-2 The Message

“And the Lord said to Moses, I will do this
thing also that you have asked, for you have
found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy in
My sight and I know you personally and by name.”
Exodus 33:17 Amplified

“Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.” Psalm119:111 NIV

“[Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest
there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving
heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and
rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert
or stand aloof from the living God.  But instead
warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another
every day, as long as it is called Today, that
none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion]
by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence,
the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive
glamor of his sin may play on him].  For we have
become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share
in all He has for us, if only we hold our first
newborn confidence and original assured expectation
[in virtue of which we are believers] firm and
unshaken to the end.”
Hebrews 3:12-14 Amplified

“May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
then I will ever sing in praise of your name and
fulfill my vows day after day.” Psalm 61:7-8

“To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands
are boundless. Oh, how I love your law! I meditate
on it all day long.” Psalm 119:95-97 NIV

“When I discovered your words, I devoured
them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s
Armies.” Jeremiah 15:16 NLT

“All night long I search for you;
in the morning I earnestly seek for God.
For only when you come to judge the earth
will people learn what is right.”
Isaiah 26:9 NLT

Led by Betsy Burke
with Brandon Deitz, Keith Higginbotham and Tehren Webb

Like Incense/Sometimes By Step
CCLI# 5637528

Like Incense
Words and Music by Brooke Ligertwood
© 2009 Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia (Aust. & NZ only),
Hillsong Publishing (Rest of world)

Sometimes By Step
Words and Music by David Strasser & Rich Mullins
© 1993 BMG Songs, Inc (Admin by Universal Music Publishing
MGB Australia Pty Limited)

Gateway Band in this video:

Brandon Deitz – Acoustic Guitar
Wes Rutt  – Electric Guitar
David Amelung – Bass Guitar
Mark Garrett – Drums
Tyler Kubena – Keys

Gateway Community Church
760 Clear Lake City Blvd.
Webster, Texas 77598

Visit us at http://www.gateway-community.org
View services at http://vimeo.com/video4gateway

Shrink wrap or shrink film is one of the most common forms of packaging used around the world today. It is popular because it is inexpensive, it protects products, it offers protection against tampering, it can hold multiple products together, and it offers a great way to display products. A large variety of home based businesses choose heat shrink film because the initial set up costs are relatively inexpensive and material costs are extremely low. Common home based businesses that use heat shrink film are candle makers, soap makers, bakers, and a variety of crafts men/women.

Aside from low initial start-up costs, small home based businesses prefer the look they are able to obtain from the proper shrink wrap packaging. Many small businesses can make finished products look like they are direct from a large factory. In addition to a professional look, shrink wrap helps to protect products from exterior elements such as dust and moisture. Customers benefit from shrink wrapped products as well. A sealed shrink wrapped package ensures customers are buying a product that has not been tampered with.

Initial start up costs for low output shrink wrap operations range from $60-$240. Low output operations are considered under 100 products per day. Larger higher output operations can cost much more. In future articles we discuss the proper start-up equipment and materials for a small business to begin shrink wrapping products.

Brent Roake is writer for U.S. Packaging & Wrapping LLC. a full service packaging supply company. U.S. Packaging & Wrapping offers a large selection of industrial packaging supplies and materials to customers across the United States.

First, get the best supplies you can. Choose a basket that has a firm bottom and is in good shape. There’s nothing wrong with reusing baskets you have around the house. In fact, most people do exactly that. Make sure you’ve looked through any filler to make sure there are no gift tags from when you originally got it.

Make sure your basket is clean and free of any dust or lint. Fill with Easter grass, paper shreddings, or store-bought basket fillers. Create a nest with the material of your choice and you’re ready to begin building.
Choose a theme. All good gift baskets center around one idea. Some ideas for great gift baskets include: barbecue, picnic, welcome baby, gourmet treats, sweets, savory snacks, game night, spa supplies, and beauty products.

Once you have your theme, shop for items that directly relate to that theme. For the spa basket, you could include shampoos, nail polish, beauty mask, emery boards, toe nail polish spacers, slippers, a magazine. Get creative. If it relates to the theme, it can go in.

Shop for supplies while you’re out and about. If you see a great deal on shampoo, buy a few extra so you’ll have them on hand to make baskets. If you need to shop now for all your items, go to a discount store that will have everything all in one place. It’s no fun running to three different stores to find what you need. Be sure to pick up a festive bow and even some basket wrap which is usually in the crafts aisle. It’s clear cellophane that is used to finish off a basket.

Lay out your products and get ready to put it all together. Start with the biggest item. Place it in the center of the basket. Prop it up with some filler so that it stands tall and proud. Working around the basket, add the rest of the products. Overlap products to give a nested, cozy look. Place smaller things in the front so they are visible. Try to balance both sides of the basket. One side should not appear overloaded.
Next, gather up a large piece of cellophane around the basket and tie with a ribbon or cord. Add your bow and you’ve got yourself a pretty gift! If you plan not to wrap the gift basket, that’s fine too. Just make sure all items are secure and won’t fall out when you deliver it. You should still add a pretty bow to finish it off!

Author Bio: Sarah is a writer who loves making gifts. She regularly contributes to the All About Gifts & Baskets blog, where they offer countless gourmet gift baskets.

Who is this who comes from Edom,
With dyed garments from Bozrah,
This One who is glorious in His apparel,
Traveling in the greatness of His strength?—
“I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Isaiah 63:1-2

Led by Brandon Deitz with Betsy Burke, Keith Higginbotham and Tehren Webb

Mighty To Save
Words and Music by Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan
CCLI# 4591782 © 2006 Ben Fielding/Reuben Morgan/Hillsong Publishing

Gateway Band in this video:

Brandon Deitz – Acoustic Guitar
Wes Rutt  – Electric Guitar
David Amelung – Bass Guitar
Mark Garrett – Drums
Tyler Kubena – Keys

Gateway Community Church
760 Clear Lake City Blvd.
Webster, Texas 77598

Visit us at http://www.gateway-community.org
View services at http://vimeo.com/video4gateway