We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Psalm 127:1-5; Psalm 128:1-6; Psalm 71:17-18
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INTRODUCTION
I’m convinced more than ever, by the time we launch a family, the hope is to have… kids that can be sent off to the most hostile universities, toil in the greediest work environments, raise their families in the most hedonistic communities, and yet not be intimidated in the least by these kind of surroundings because they come from a healthy family culture that lived out and explained a Biblical Worldview (some insights from Kimmell, Parenting, 9). To get this done, you need grandparents. Grandparenting - it's what long life is for.
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PROPOSITION
Dr. Arthur Kornhaber, founder of the Foundation for Grandparenting, calls grandparents “living time machines that transport children to the past through firsthand accounts of family history.” Here’s how Tim Kimmel sees it: "Grandparents are a link to the past, the anchor to the present, and the bridge to the future."
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"Link to the past" - useful resource person that knows family history; a grandparent is a "culture-carrier"; a transmitter of values. They can explain the family pictures and tell the love stories and remember the day you were born.
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"The anchor to the present" - a warm, affirming presence. Grandparents are encouragers, listeners and intercessors. They share values and that keeps people anchored.
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"And the bridge to the future" - your posterity will outlive you and extend your influence.
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CONCLUSION
Parents love each other. Each family member is invested in. Siblings look out for one another. And the adults set the behavioral example. Grandparents keep everyone grounded. “We show up in person for the big events of life. We hope to die in one another’s arms (Crouch, Andy).” So, in a healthy family culture, you do life together: play together, travel together, eat together, serve together, laugh together, pray together, exercise together, read together, learn together, and eventually you cry together.