Posted in children's ministry, church, family, parenting, random thoughts on April 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Was in a conversation with jabberfrog about parents being a part of their child’s discipleship process and how the church can encourage it. 5and2fish posted this wake you up video. Wow is all I can say. Talk about making you think….
Let me know what you think!
Posted in children's ministry, church, random thoughts, vision on April 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
“Have we become so preoccupied with the wedding trappings that we’ve overlooked the
Groom? The path to reigniting the church’s passion for Jesus isn’t the next program,
the next conference, or the next book. White-hot passion in the church begins when we
rediscover a love relationship with Jesus and allow that relationship to shape everything
we do.”
Read this quote from Pastor Steve Ayers, from his book, Igniting Passion in Your Church. It really challenged me to think about how passionately in love with Jesus I am. When we think of passion we think of exciting, captures us at the very core of our being, can’t sleep, daydream about it, etc. Just thinking back to 7 years ago when I said “I do” and the passionate feelings I was feeling as a young bride. Wow! Have we lost this in our churches? Have we lost this as Christians? Yet Christ says we are His bridegroom. We should wake up each morning looking forward to spending the day with Jesus – our mate. We should find all things in Him. It should stir our very being and motivate us in everything we do.
Working in ministry, this quote makes me think about my purpose in accomplishing things. My relationship with Jesus will show through more than anything I can teach the kids through curriculum, events, or fun games. An authentic relationship with Jesus that I am passionate about will be transparent for others to see. Programs and events are great, but when it is done because of tradition, just because, the need to fill a time slot, or because of fear of criticism – they aren’t be shaped by the love of Jesus. Passion speaks loud. Passion is contagious. I pray that my passion of my Lord and Savior is the source of all I do and that others are able to be ignited through it.
Posted in children's ministry, church, vision on April 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I am so pumped up about our summer event this year. We are doing a 2 day event that will target the community we are located in. It is something I have never seen a church do – especially one our size and one that I know a church hasn’t done in Columbia.
Right now we’re in the planning stages and the PRAYER stage. Big stuff. Huge stuff. An awesome time. (Hopefully it will be successful enough to make everyone forget about traditional vbs.)
2 days — in July — BIG plans. Coming soon.
Posted in children's ministry, church, family, kidmo, random thoughts on April 29, 2007 | 2 Comments »
Had a GREAT Sunday at church. God was moving – you could so feel it. I don’t know whay I am surprised by such things when I earnestly pray for them.
Had great attendance in Children’s Church — still need new name — any suggestions? KIDMO is getting on my nerves a bit, so we’ll see where that goes. I am still thinking of making to move to Elevate in the Fall. We actually could have had record attendance for the kids today if one family had been at church. So that is great.
JD did an awesome job preaching this morning. He got quite a bit of positive feedback. I really think the message God laid on his heart to speak was one that was ordained for our church for the moment in time we’re in. We had a TON of first time visitors. Now the key is to following up with them and getting them back. I just have to say God is SO GOOD.
Well, off to take a nap. Not much exciting today. 
Posted in children's ministry, church, family, parenting, random thoughts on April 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
* Had a great Saturday. The family went strawberry picking with about 6 other families from church then to a friend’s house for a cookout. The weather was gorgeous and the boys had a TON of fun.
* Then we had good friends over for a cookout for dinner and to play in the backyard. (Notice a theme?) Once again, another great time.
*So, it was a good day of connecting with people and relationships.
*Tomorrow JD is preaching. I have been covering him and his message in prayer as I think it is one that Dutch Fork needs to hear. I think some people will not respond positively to it. He wrote it with a boldness even beyond what I know him to have. I am positive the Holy Spirit was involved in the message and am confident God will use it in amazing ways tomorrow.
* Got caught up in the experience of strawberry picking this morning and have 3 baskets to clean and freeze. Wow!
*4 days until vacation! Woo Hoo!!!
Posted in church, vision on April 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Found a new church planting in September 2007 – Pine Ridge Church. A great one to keep an eye on — Tadd remind me of Steven Furtick at Elevation Church and Ben Arment at Reston Community Church in VA. He’s our age too! I will be in prayer for those guys. It’s exciting the movement God is having across our nation with awesome church plants.
Posted in children's ministry, church, family, random thoughts, vision on April 27, 2007 | 3 Comments »
I am feeling unsettled. Antsy. Ready for something. Not sure what. We’ll see…
Found a great verse a few minutes ago – Galatians 1:10. “Obviously I am not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
That one hit me between the eyes. So often it is easy to be in minstry and get bogged down with the criticism and negativity of people. I’m catching quite a bit of it right now for some changes I’m making. But pleasing God is my ultimate goal. If I am doing things that focus on the vision to reach lost people and bring people/kids to a knowing relationship of Jesus Christ – that that is all that matters. I am Christ’s servant. Like a servant listens to his master to heed instruction, I too must do that. I am on my knees seeking vision, direction, knowledge and people who are critics need to trust that. The approval of man is not lasting. But one day I dream to hear said – “well done.”
Posted in church, random thoughts, Uncategorized on April 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
A large, predominate church in our community installed a new sign yesterday for their church. They got rid of the old sign with the marquee where you put letters in and upgraded to a new, shiny sign, looking very similar to their previous one. Except this one you could change the message with a digital display! Wow!!!! Bet that cost about as much as a steeple…It is about as pointless as one too….
Posted in children's ministry, church, random thoughts, small groups, vision on April 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I have the best small group leaders involved in Children’s Ministry EVER! (Okay – everyone involved in small group ministry probably thinks that about their leaders – so I guess I am biased! ) I love seeing workers that serve from the overflow of their lives. I can tell they are in God’s Word, on their knees and before the throne of the Holy One daily in their lives. They are awesome. They care beyond words about the kids they lead. They lead by example. The deal with “active” antsy kids after working a full day at their own job. They are there to listen to kids problems, pray with them, establish relationships with them, teach, lead, and guide them. And week after week they selflessley do this. I am so fortunate to lead a team of awesome volunteers that truly serve out of the overflow of their own lives. If they didn’t serve in this manner – I really don’t think they would be as effective as they are.
Posted in family, parenting, random thoughts on April 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
*Don’t try to rush – they only move slower
Why is this true? Days I am running late to get out the door, the more I rush them, they seem to move like a snail. Or inevitably something will happen — potty break, dropped toy, spilled drink, etc.
Yesterday, I was in a hurry to get somewhere, rushing the kids to the car, “Cade, Ben — come on, we need to go. NOW. Yes, you can bring that. Here let me help you. Etc.” When my 16 mo. old started running to the front yard with a mini-basketball. He threw it, which went under the car, then started crying because of “ball! ball!” [sigh] Quickly put kids in car, start engine, move car back, open door, get ball, hand to crying toddler, get back in car, close door, and finally off to our destination.
Does this happen to anyone else? The faster you get them to move the slower it inevitably is?
