RISING ABOVE Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D
Feb 22, 2016
RISING ABOVEBecca C. Johnson, Ph.D
What would you rather be? A chicken or an eagle?
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
First plane ride on a stormy day…
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
All too often I live below the clouds. I get caught up in the storms of life and lose perspective.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
I get anxious, fearful and negative. I lose my God’s-in-control eternal perspective.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
When we live below, we get caught up in the immediate & forget the important. We have limited vision, we lose sight of possibilities, potential and God’s perspective.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
We need to rise above storms & stress, details & To Dos, circumstances & concerns, problems & preoccupations, pressure & paperwork, discouragement & disappointment
And get a God-view of life.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
If we don’t keep a God-given perspective, then we run the risk of:
*burning out *limiting God &/or *becoming discouraged.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
It is important that we keep aGod-given perspective,
for ourselves,but more importantly,
FOR THE CHILDREN
We must maintain perspective so that the children can gain perspective.
If we’re living below the clouds, how can we encouraged the kids
to live above the clouds?
Keypoint:
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
“You can’t see it from there.”
So he lifted his son up and gave him – a FATHER’s view
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Abused children have a limited view. They don’t
always see the possibilities and the promise – just the
pain and the past.
They need the FATHER’s view… and God uses us to help them!
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
The SAD Boy
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
“I thought I was being moved again, to another group home.”
In RFKC we help the children to rise above their negative circumstances and see the Father’s perspective…
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
To see themselves as GOD sees them.
To see themselves as precious and beloved children of God
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
At RFKC we help the children to dream, imagine, create, play, pretend,… to see the possibilities and their potential,…to have fun amidst their storm-filled lives.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
We must maintain a God-perspective so
that we can help the children gain a God-
perspective.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
The children are often stuck below in the storm of life and we’re the ones who get to help lift them up to see God’s perspective on their lives.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
The children need to:See possibilities and not just problemsSee hope and healing, and not just hurtSee a future, not just failuresSee potential, not just a painful pastSee restoration and redemption, not ruin
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Our job is to keep perspective…To remember WHY WE ARE HERE,
To deal with BURNOUT,So that we can RISE ABOVE the
mundane and maintain God’s view – not just for ourselves, but for the
children.
Mephibosheth
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
2 Samuel 4:4“Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came that (his grandfather, King) Saul and (his father) Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.”
Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-11)
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
“There is still a son of Jonathan, he is crippled in both feet”
So King David had him brought (to him).
King David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness
for Jonathan’s sake?”
Mephibosheth
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
“Who am I that you should notice a dead
dog like me?”
King David said, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show
you kindness… I will restore to you all… and you will always eat at my
table.”Two responses
Many of the RFKC children think and feel the same:broken, abandoned, orphaned, displaced, suffering, overcome with low self-esteem.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Mephibosheth
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
God uses us to be messengers to the children
telling them that they can dine with the King of Kings.
“So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.”
2 Samuel 9:11
What would you rather be? A chicken or an eagle?
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
What are we more like?
Click icon to add picture
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Table Discussion
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
1. How can we maintain the Father’s above-
the-clouds perspective?
2. What specific activities can we do to help the children
gain the Father’s perspective?
RISING ABOVEBecca C. Johnson, Ph.D
RFKC Examples
Bucket Ride; Mountain top view; Boat Ride;…
Princess Salon; Fantasy Corner (Dress-up);…
RISING ABOVEBecca C. Johnson, Ph.D