Perfect Packages

I love seeing a bunch of beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree, don't you? I used to love wrapping packages exquisitly. My dad summoned me every year to do his wrapping, left up to him, my mom would take until July to remove the duct tape off her gift. We have a friend who wrapped gifts in a department store. The rules were that they could use as much wraping paper as needed, but one piece of tape. The seams had to line up perfectly so that it appeared seamless. Sometimes I would try to meet that goal, but it was a tall task. I preferred to use ribbons and bows to beautifully adorn the gifts inside.

I probably stopped all of that when Kailie was born. One, who has the time? Two,  I realized the wrapping was going to be in shreds anyway.

This year I was lucky to get them wrapped. I considered just leaving them in the Target/Wal*Mart sack and putting them under the tree. Kids love unwrapping gifts, don't they? After my niece and Kailie finished unwrapping theirs, we joked that we should rewrap them and have them do it all again. They probably could have cared less if we had given them an empty box.

One of Kailie's gifts this year was the Message for Kids. It is a devotional Bible geared for 4-8 year olds. I love how it presents the stories. The pictures are very good and it has simple ideas to help make the stories come alive into real life lessons.

Last night we read about John the Baptizer. If you aren't familiar with who he is, he is a guy that was a distant cousin of Jesus. He was about 6 months older than Jesus. He wore camel's hair for clothing, lived in the desert and ate honey and locusts. Artists love using their imaginations to depict John. He usually looks like a cross between a modern day homeless man and a cave man. Even for 2000 years ago, he didn't exactly look fatherly.

Nevertheless, people were drawn to him because he told them that the Messiah was coming soon and the Kingdom was at hand. The poor people loved this because they thought it meant that their was going to be a new political kingdom and they wouldn't be subjected to Rome any longer. The Pharisees and Sadducees had made things quite well for themselves and really liked the privileges they had with the current rulers. They were not eager for things to change.

The poor people were repenting and being baptized because they wanted to be ready when the King arrived. (Remember, they were assuming it would be a theocracy, not a democracy or even a spiritual kingdom.) The Pharisees and other religious leaders came to check things out. John told them that they were basically nice looking packages, but empty boxes. They didn't so much like that.

Back to the Bible.

In a little bubble at the end of the story, the editors asked, "What would you think about John if you saw him?

I know that my proud little self has always thought I would have repented and changed when approached with such a character. When I put John into 21st Century clothes and cities, I realized I would have ignored/avoided him. 

That made me start thinking...God has used a lot of different...unusual...strange...WEIRD packages to present his message to us. Don't believe me? A talking donkey.  A hand writing on a wall. Elijah played a game of guestures for well over a year. His message came to the Ninevites through a man who had been in a whale's stomach for three days. Then Jesus came as a baby to an unwed teenage girl. I'm sure I missed a few in between.

I began to realize that God doesn't wrap his messages perfectly. In fact, most of the time it's a little scandalous. That really meant a lot to me. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my own packaging, believing that it is not worthy of harboring a gift so great as the good news. There are other times when I am so obsessed with the outside trimmings that I neglect the fact that my box is empty.

Maybe, today, your box is empty. You are really concerned with appearing to have it all together so that everyone will hear what you have to say. But the truth is that on the inside you are dead, like the pharisees. That is why they were called "White washed tombs." Don't be fooled by those who don't look quite right. God has, is and will be using them.

Perhaps your wrapping paper is a little bent up and out of shape. Maybe nothing matches, or you are even fortunate to have wrapping paper at all--you don't feel much better than a Wal*Mart sack. Maybe you are marked by the scars of your past. Inside, you hold a lot of guilt and shame for things you have done or have been done to you. God wants to replace the guilt and shame with a new package. Love. Life. Hope. Don't be surprised when he uses you to tell others about the new package, even if your wrapping isn't so special. He has done it, he is doing it, he will continue to do it.

Let me know if you have any questions about this love, life and hope. I'd love to chat, as long as you don't mind that my wrapping isn't perfect.


Merry Christmas!

Grandma's House

Kailie recently had the pleasure of a mid-week sleep over at Grandma's house. Can you say spoiled? SPOILED! Haha! (Oh, I was talking about ME...not her!)

Kailie LOVES going to Grandma's house. I am seriously counting my blessings that Kailie only has one set of grandparents. I mean, could you IMAGINE? It would be ridiculous to have more than that. My niece has three grandmas. At 18 months, she is starting to rot.

Have you ever noticed the excitement and adventure that occurs ONLY at Grandma's?
I still love going to my Grandma's. Mostly because of the pure relaxation that occurs there. I usually sleep most of the visit.
I remember a lot of very fun adventures that occured while at Grandma's house...cruising with cousins, my first kiss, and playing baseball with cousins. Somehow the tiny pool in that town was WAY better than the bigger pool and bigger slide we had at home. Rollerskating, the track behind her house, the garage that used to be a house were all times and places for grand adventures. I have 17 cousins on that side, most of them are in the area, so there was always someone around to do something with...usually too many people to do something with. I have to say, Grandma's house contains some of my favorite child hood memories.

I still go, for an oasis. I have a lot of tremendous friends who give me spritual wisdom and guidance, but nothing compares to being at Grandma's. I usually go when I have a big decision to make. Sometimes I talk to grandma about it, sometimes I don't. One of my favorite things about her is her constant dedication to our Lord. She can't help but talking about the Love of her life. She is totally authentic. Maybe at "Grandma age" you get to the point that you don't even care what other people think and if they will be offended. I'm not saying she isn't graceful, because she is, but she never stops being a light.

I think Kailie enjoys being at Grandma's like I did when I was a kid. So I can't get too mad when she cries about coming home, I know that I did. Her Grandma and Grandpa's is a pretty cool place too. There's a big huge oak tree, a tire swing, a trampoline, and horses. She has her own princess bed there, but she decides to sleep in Gramma's water bed anyway. (Who care's if there is room?) I'm sure that when they are making cookies or doing whatever "work" Grandma has them doing, an important spiritual foundation is being laid on top of the one I have already built. Because Grandma adds patience and grace and mercy. Those are some things that moms frequently run short on.

Lessons learned from a broken foot: Part 2--Bubbles.

Bubbles...
I think it is kind of appropriate that a children's ministry blog at least at one point talks about bubbles. They are absolutely necessary to anything having to do with kids. Right?

Definitely...in more ways than one.

Let me back up. While my foot was casted I realized that the cast served as a barrier of protection so that the bone would heal without being bumped. What I didn't realize was that my nerves and skin would also be protected from the elements. After only two weeks in the cast, when it was removed and I was given the coveted boot, my skin was surprisingly smooth and healthy, compared to the calloused flip-flopped right foot. When my foot began to be strong enough to walk on temporarily, I noticed that my nerves were incredibly sensitive. When I walked on the carpet I could feel every fiber with heightened sensitivity on the bottom of my foot. Conversely, my right foot did not pick up the sensations at all. It did not seem to register all of the information it was being given. Walking outside on the cement was almost torturous. While my right foot would tramp easily on the driveway, my left foot seemed to feel every single rock and bumpy surface to the point that it was almost unbearable. Another thing that amazed me was the tile floor. While the right foot would not even notice a temperature difference, my left foot could feel the cold as if I was walking on ice.

You see, my left foot had been in a bubble, protected from the elements, and during that time it was healed and gained a sensitivity to things that would potentially harm it. Sometimes as Christians we do this. While I was at Bible College, we joked about the "Central Bubble." I noticed this my freshman year. After having been on campus for a couple of weeks and being around girls who dressed not conservatively but modestly, I went to Wal Mart and was almost in shock when I saw a woman with cleavage. It was kind of disgusting to me. Sometimes we refrain from watching certain television shows so that our minds are not corrupted. I have had to be really careful because certain shows give me nightmares, while others cause me to struggle with lustful thoughts. I have put my mind in a bubble so that it is not negatively affected by sinful concepts and ideas. Sometimes this is very healthy and necessary.

Sometimes we become so tolerant and unaware of the unholy things that we have permitted into our lives that we are not sensitive to them anymore. Sins are accepted as normal and even permitted as if they did not assault the holiness of God. Sometimes it is necessary to step inside a bubble and protect ourselves from the elements for healing and restoration.

I wonder what would have happened if I would have told my wonderful orthopedic doctor that I just want to keep the cast on forever. First of all, that would have come only out of my own insecurity, and imagining that my doctor would have actually agreed to it, here is what would have happened:

My foot would have begun to smell wretchedly. My entire body would have been disabled because of overcompensating for the work that my foot was supposed to be doing. The muscles in my leg and foot would have weakened tremendously and eventually become nothing because of their nonuse. To say the least,  more pain would have come to me because of this decision than the pricklies I felt because of a heightened sensitivity to my surroundings.

Sometimes as Christians, we like to keep the cast on. I might hurt some feelings here. Sometimes, we like to stay in that bubble. At Central, we weren't really allowed to stay in the bubble. We were encouraged to get jobs and it was mandated that we worked in a ministry a couple of hours a week. Toward the end of my college career there, students were going out and doing very courageous things. They were ministering to the homeless in Columbia, they were seeking out the many hurting people in Moberly and sacrificially giving so that they might know Christ. They were visiting people in nursing homes and sharing the love of Christ with them there. These were students who were leading these ministries. I wouldn't say the bubble at Central was popping, but I would say that the students were choosing to leave the bubble and minister and return to the bubble for more healing, learning, and growing.

Some Christians, however, like to stay in that bubble. Sometimes we like our safe little environment where non-christians (who are most definitely all rapists and child molesters, thieves or alcoholics) can not get in. If they do happen to come into our churches we shun them and make them feel so unwelcome that they wouldn't dare return. We also are leery of going into "their" territory. We build walls around ourselves so that they can not get in and we can not get out. This keeps us safe. At the same time, it makes us unhealthy. We become stinky (like my foot) and our muscles do not work as well. The entire body of Christ is disabled because it has to overcompensate for the parts that are refusing to do their share of the work. Eventually, these parts, or Christians, fail to even operate as Christians because they have become so weak by not operating their muscles.

The problem is kind of difficult. To some degree, Christians need to make a bubble around themselves and protect themselves from sinful ideas. To another degree, Christians cannot stay in that bubble and avoid doing the work of evangelism and discipleship.

In Romans, Paul writes, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.



Evidently, the Romans were struggling with this same type of thing. Paul told them not to be like the world, but  to be renewed in their minds. Unfortunately, as the church and society has evolved, we have adapted this view that the church belongs in a building. It seems that the protective barrier for the Christian has become the walls of the church rather than the guiding and protection of the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Holy Spirit to filter our minds and activities through the Word, we are not led away from those who are without Christ, but we are led to them.

As a mom and a children's minister, I am concerned about how this affects the children of the church. It would be nice if we could bring our children to church and be assured that no matter what, they would be taken care of and safe. We do not need to put up safeguards within the church if we have the walls of the church. Unfortunately, this is not even a realistic idea. So-called Christians are just as capable of hurting the children as outsiders are. Children do need some protective barriers, but the walls of the church are not it. Security measures in the church is for another blog, another time...but please do not allow people to remain without the hope and forgiveness Christ offers in the name of an imperfect bubble that does not really protect our children anyway.

So go on, enjoy popping those bubbles! Pray about the people who are right outside of your bubble that you are not reaching today!

I'm back!

I haven't blogged in forever!

But, I'm back!

I have had a lot on my mind and heart lately, and it is kind of hard to share. To be honest, I want to know that I am not the only one in the world feeling like this.

Part of me feels like an incredible failure. At everything. Sometimes it seems like I have fallen and can not seem to dig myself out of the hole, but end up digging an even bigger hole. Part of me knows that this is a fairly common problem for 20 and 30s...and part of it is just dealing with the consequences of my previous actions...

Last week I started reading "Three Cups of Tea." I really thought it was about something completely different than it is, but strangely it was the book I needed to read. It is a strange combination of my twin brother and I, which is what I think keeps me reading it beyond the difficult parts.  Today I read this quote in it from Sir Ed Hillary, one of the first men to summit Mt. Everest. He went on to build schools and hospitals in the area and is well known around the world for his humanitarian work. This is what he said:

"I was just an enthusiastic mountaineer of modest abilities who was willing to work quite hard and had the necessary imagination and determination."

Hillary did not think he was the greatest climber, but he was willing to work hard and had imagination and determination. To me, reading this was a glimpse of hope. I KNOW I am enthusiastic, work hard, and have imagination and determination. It was so encouraging to realize that I can totally reach my dreams, eventually...
Similarly, the bigger picture of the story is of Mortenson, a character who is determined to build a school in Pakistan but is facing all sorts of difficulties. In one swift evening, he is given $20,000 (not for the school, for HIM) and he meets his wife. They marry six days later. I am a hopeless romantic and I just loved this story.

The other problem I have been having is harder to explain, and I guess I am relying on my fellow ministry-led friends to identify with me. I struggle, because sometimes I feel like it is an issue with pride. I wonder if my intentions to be in ministry is simply an issue of personal pride rather than a true desire to serve. I wonder if my goals are MY goals, or if they are GOD's goals and in tune with where he is working in the world.

Meanwhile, I sit with this enormous pain in my chest. It kind of feels like my lungs are full, but I can't exhale. I know, with every fiber in my being, that I am supposed to be doing something. Obviously I want to do children's ministry, but I am learning how vital it is that I broaden my dreams. Still, I need to find a way to exhale, to let out what God has gifted me to do.

This week someone suggested that I am still young and fully capable of switching career paths, it is not too late...I understand the sentiment, but I don't. It was almost like getting splashed with cold water because it was so shocking to me. I KNOW that I am CALLED to be a minister. Not just because I feel like it, but also because I have been told by some of the most godly people I know that this is what I am supposed to do. I can't imagine doing anything else, and I am discontent in my job because I am not doing it. Today I realized that it has been NINE years since my "calling."

Truly, I knew my life's goals when I was five. However, that was really secured on a trip to Kenya. While I was there I knew that I couldn't devote my life to anything other than telling other people about the love of Jesus. That trip was nine years ago. Even though I have wavered now and then with short lived dreams to pursue other careers, I never pulled through on any of them because in my heart I was never as determined to fulfill them because they were not "me."

I am also really struggling with the fact that people are dying without knowing Jesus. That is final...and it is my job to tell people so they don't miss out on eternity with Love.

I realize that I probably have not even communicated the depth of my pain. I am thankful for this because I know that if it didn't exist I wouldn't pursue ministry. I'm mostly curious, if you are in ministry or want to be in ministry, do you have this burning desire for it, or am I mostly crazy??

Edutainment

Last night I went to the movie Inception. It was a very interesting movie that left me thinking to say the least. There are definitely a few thoughts I would like to incept into some people's brains. Unfortunately, invading dreams is not possible. But people have been planting ideas and persuading other people's opinions for ever. How?

Take a look at the homosexual agenda in the United States. When Ellen came out 15-20 years ago, it was horrifying. Shortly after that, sitcoms began placing the "token homosexual" and pokes of fun were made at being gay. Not so long ago, homosexuality was introduced as "normal" on network television and now we have states that are upholding rights for homosexuals to be married. Where did the tide turn? While everyone was laughing about it.

Research shows that laughter opens a person to ideas and acceptance. It is kind of interesting then, that comedy is not used in church...in fact....

There is a serious conversation going on in churches today about the quality of Christian education that children are receiving. Many are saying that it is too fun. It is too entertaining. I've heard the words, "Children need to sit and be quiet in church." I recently read:
Children learn to worship God primarily through participating in rightly ordered worship.
Children learn to love God by first learning how to love.
Children learn to reverence God by first learning how to reverence.
Children learn to fear God by first learning how to fear."

 There is a proper need for reverence. I am not going to disagree with that at all. I believe that it is important that a child learns to worship God, love God, revere God and fear God.

The problem is that they don't.

Besides the 18+ group, the group that churches are missing are the 2nd through 5th graders. We are losing them when it is the most vital time for them to develop their worldviews. When they are most likely to become followers of Christ.

Probably because it is too boring. Probably because they are expected to act like adults. Probably because these children don't understand that God loves children as children.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of heaven." It's not that we are literally keeping kids away from Jesus, it is that we are telling them that they have to act like adults in order to come to Jesus. Worst of all, we have intercepted the idea of an "adult heaven."

Praise God...last I checked he loved me the way I was...not after I started acting like someone I was not. God loves kids just like how they are as kids.

Worship...God is definitely a God of order. But "rightly ordered worship" doesn't mean sitting or standing still. And the definition changes depending on what culture you are in. I have seen children worship with every ounce of their soul, mind, body and strength by dancing and doing actions in a very rightly ordered way. The point is...is the focus on God? Are people getting hurt or injured? I think that when we are just sitting or standing, we are probably more focused on ourselves and how we appear than on truly worshiping God.

Love...It may be true that children first need to learn how to love other people like their family and friends before they can love God. But before children can learn how to love other people, they need to learn that other people love them, and most importantly God loves them. Just like how they are. Energy, creativity and all. God created them and loves them exactly like they are.

Reverence....means respect. Respect does not mean "not fun."

Fear...Fear also means respect. It doesn't mean being afraid of the punishment for breaking rules...it means respecting the boundaries, and that God is holy and set apart and we are sinners and not possibly worthy of the salvation we have received, if it were not for his grace in sending Jesus to us.

I think it is a lot more important that children learn to love Jesus with their whole bodies than that they sit and be quiet in church. Jesus created kiddos to be how they are. Have you ever noticed a child's creativity? Do you not realize it is only a reflection of the Creator's creativity? Their artwork is most certainly an act of worship.

I also read this recently, "I believe that the Word of God is mostly serious and somber. No one in Hell is laughing at the moment." Nope...no one is laughing in hell. But I guarantee that there is laughter in heaven. And singing. Lots of loud, joyful singing. I can also almost guarantee that there is dancing.

And the Word of God is not mostly serious and somber. Jesus was raging mad when he cleansed the temple. Have you not read the Old Testament? Like the story of the left handed warrior who killed the king on his toilet and he was so fat that the sword was completely enveloped inside of him? Funny! How about when some kids were making fun of Elijah, calling him "Bald head" and two female bears ran after them? That will teach some respect! David dances before the Lord and accidently reveals some underwear to maidservants. His wife gets mad at him, and guess what? She receives the ultimate disgrace...she died with out children. Jesus got mad and cursed a fig tree because it didn't have any fruit (and it wasn't even fig season!) A donkey that talks? How about when the young man who is trying to follow Jesus on the night He was arrested, escapes from the guards, but without clothes?

The Bible is funny. Enjoy it. Use your creativity to share it with kids. Whether that means creating  a tomato and cucumber to tell stories...or roaches singing rap music. Get kids laughing so that they can learn to accept how much Jesus loves them because that probably won't happen while they are sitting still, being quiet in church...

Lessons learned from a broken foot part 1

I usually try to avoid Wal-greens. I just haven't had too many great experiences. I turned in though, because I was in the left lane heading home and realized that I really needed to get a few things, and it was like "last stop for 30 miles." You know those signs in Kansas that say "last rest stop for 123 miles" and all of a sudden you realize you really have to pee. It's that rest stop with the broken toilet seat, the sink barely hanging on to the wall, and writing all over the walls, with the floor covered in toilet paper. It looks like a scene out of Rest Stop. That was the feeling that I had as I turned left, suddenly remembering that I needed more pm meds and the essential bread and milk.

We travelled through the store collecting the items that we needed. I rushed Kailie through the toy aisle, trying to convince her that we didn't need the scuba gear and bribing her with a soda on the way out. We hustled to the check lane with the fewest people possible and saw the doors of our refuge nearing closer. All of a sudden I realize why there was only one person in front of us.

The coupon lady.

She had three coupons for every item she was trying to purchase and her Wal-greens weekly advertisement in hand. Her money was no where in sight. In the mean time I am trying to stand on one leg. Because remember that my foot is broken, right? My hip begins throbbing. That is what happens when you stand on one leg too long. Your hip throbs. These thoughts are racing through my head...Be patient, be patient...find a place to sit...be strong....find a place to sit...hurry up..."Kailie we don't need that, put it down." That is when I hear, "Manager to check out three please." The computer won't accept one of the coupon lady's coupons. Imagine that.

At this point, I throw my three items into the cart, and hobble over to another check out where there are two people in front of me. Everyone in the store is like staring at me. In about 5 seconds flat the cashier checks us out. At this point, however, my hip is really hurting. And the debit card machine isn't accepting any of my requests. I have to hit "yes" or "no" or "ok" about a gazillion times and it asks me about a gazillion questions. Seriously? The cashier looks at me like I am the most impatient person on earth (apparently not noticing my crutches.) After the receipt prints out he shuts off his light and I think for a second, maybe he will help us out to the car, but he heads toward the back of the store. Some lady comes and steals our cart, and I think, ok, we can do this, we can get out the door. Kailie carries the bag of bread and our sodas, and I somehow manage to get the gallon of milk in my grasp along with my crutch. We get to the curb, and as we wait for traffic to pass, Kailie says, I can't carry this, it is too heavy. Ok, she is four. But I know I can't carry it. So I'm thinking...what the heck am I supposed to do? All the while, wondering, "won't someone help me?" and imagining myself carrying all of these things, tripping down the curb (which seemed more like a mountain at the time) and landing face first on the hot cement.  But I am too darn proud to ask for help...

All of a sudden a hear a voice from behind, "Can I help you with that?" I figured it was the coupon lady, serves me right....but it was a lady that I played softball with, someone from my church. I swear there was a halo and "Hallelujah" music playing.

I almost cried.

She carried our two bags to our car and made sure we were ok.  I was so so thankful.

Unfortunately, I'm one of those people that has to learn by experience. This whole breaking my foot thing has really taught me that I need to see people and be aware of their needs.

I realize that I am really selfish. I hate that about myself. I actually lose sleep over it. I agonize about the times that I didn't ask how this person was doing, or help so and so, or made a plain selfish decision that hurt other people.

I guess I don't really get how to change that until I have a need that is so painfully obvious but yet ignored by so many. Then I finally get it. Other people's needs and hurts are right in front of me, but I choose to ignore them because I am too busy with my own agenda, like saving 75 cents on pencils or finishing my list of tasks, or getting my candy bar to the car before it melts.

There are only two things in this world that will last...the Word of God and people. If we aren't focused on living out the Word of God and helping and ministering to people, then our whole entire life will be wasted.

Lord, please make me an instrument of your mercy to those who are hurting and in need around me today.

Hypocrites...

Facebook is an interesting creature. It really depends on how much you want to put into it. If you ignore it, it will pretty much ignore you. If you are psycho obsessed with it (writer inadvertently raises hand) it will become psycho obsessed with you. The more you are on it, the more places it will take you.

I have to admit, with this broken foot I am on Facebook much more than I need to be. I kind of have this feeling that since I can't do anything (oh, like walk across the room, at least, easily) I just don't want to do anything at all. Certainly I am capable of doing many things, even with a broken foot, I am just allowing laziness to take over my life.

So Facebook...I found a link from Mornings with Brant to a blog about something the writer had heard on the show. Since I have *nothing* else to do, I follow along and read. I didn't actually hear the show, but since I frequently listen to it online I am aware of the typical Brant rhetoric. The topic was moral hypocrisy. This author talked about the sort of double life that we lead. We are major advocates of the awareness of some particular injustice, and yet we find our own selves practicing that injustice in some form or another.

I found myself sort of slapped in the face that morning. I have been realizing that as I write on this blog about how to effectively disciple children and be super spiritual parents, to a degree I am avoiding those duties myself. We go time and time without actually picking up her Bible and reading it. I get really frustrated and tired and don't discipline the right, godly way. In fact I end up yelling. GASP.

We have this book, by Mem Fox (my favorite), Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild. My daughter thinks it is fun to replace her name with Harriet's. I don't.  Harriet's mom ends up yelling at her, and really it is the dog's fault. I really don't like it because I really yell at my daughter when it is probably the dog's fault. Harriet's mom doesn't like to yell, but she did, and it probably happens more often than she likes too.

Lately, I've been reading about David. I think he is probably one of my favorite Bible characters. Maybe because I identify with him a little bit. I mean, no one thinks about David and doesn't think about Bathsheba. But they also remember that David was a man after God's own heart. And God favored David. So ya, I'm ok with being identified with David. Anyway, twice in only a few chapters of 2 Samuel, David is confronted with his hypocrisy. The first is of course the issue with Bathsheba. Nathan confronts him with his sin by telling a story of a poor man, a rich man, and an ewe. David is outraged and shouts a punishment for this rich man, in which Nathan turns and uncovers David's sin.

The second account is lesser known.

One of David's sons lusts after his daughter, Tamar. He concocts a plan to sleep with her, and then hates her after she has been defiled. Absalom, the brother of Tamar takes vengeance on this rapist, and kills him. Absalom then runs off to another country for safety. For years Absalom is banished. Joab, David's general and advisor convinces David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, but David still refuses to see him. They hire a woman to make up a story of an injustice in her family in which she will be left childless. When David gives her his judgment, she questions his own actions with his son Absalom.

You see, even the best of men, even those who truly desire to follow God in their hearts have issues with hypocrisy. I'm not saying it is ok. But isn't it better to be aware of the truths of rights and wrongs and trying to discern wisdom from them, than to be totally ignorant of the truth?

I think that it is a constant struggle everyone will face. The trials of overcoming our iniquities are what make us stronger and more resilient to them.

The key of being a David rather than a Pharisee is repentance. Repentance means stopping what you are doing and turning from it. David confessed his sin and repented from it and God favored him.

My mom questions whether people actually read my blog. Whether they do or not, I have realized, the point of blogging is mostly personal development. For me, it is putting what I have learned, or aspire to do, in print. Printing it online gives me somewhat of an accountability, more so than in a private journal.

You see, I feel like I need to print my inadequacies so that 1. my readers understand that I am not perfect and am still struggling to find the right answers and 2. I have accountability for my own personal growth.

I guess that means a little less Facebook and a little more family books. ;)

Make up Evangelism by Make Up Snipers

Perhaps you have been in this scenario before because it happens to me ALL the time...I was at Wal Mart (or Target or the library or the pool) and this nice lady approaches me and starts talking to me about something somewhat relevant to me. Then after about three minutes she says, "Hey, can I ask you a question?" or "You have been so nice to talk to, I'd love to get together and tell you about (named cosmetic company.)"  I always know what is coming...always. And it makes me cringe. I'm really sorry if you are one of those cosmetic ladies, but I am just too nice to say no. So I usually get wrangled into some conversation about this make up and the woman is so passionate about how this product can revolutionize your life either by becoming a consultant or by using the product. But I'm not in this conversation because I'm even remotely interested in the product. I'm in the conversation because she approached me and started talking about something that was going on with me right then. She had me at hello.

This kind of had me feeling guilty. I realized that I have something even better than make up, something eternal that I need to be "selling," but often I am too busy doing my shopping or playing that I don't realize who is around me. I don't see the lost people who really do need my Product. I still couldn't figure out the problem with this "Mary Kay Evangelism" as I like to call it. Then it hit me, as I was being attacked by yet another, more clever Make Up Sniper.

They were ungenuine.

They pretended to be my friend, to be interested in me, to find out my needs so that they could sell this product. That was where Christians needed to, and should be, different.

As we live our lives and go about our business, Christ always needs to be on our minds. We need to be understanding that the world around us is lost. He is the product that everyone needs. The thing is, though, we need to be genuine. To really care about those who are around us and realize that we are not benefitting from sharing our faith, in fact it often costs us our time and sometimes resources. These are nothing, however, to the price that Christ has given so that ALL can spend forever with him.

It doesn't have to be difficult, ya know? It should be completely natural. As you meet people and see their needs, go and tell what Jesus has done for you. How has he revolutionized your life? When you have that passion for how he has changed you and loved you, you will find that it is easy to do.

Bullfrogs and Butterflies

Do you remember that silly song we sometimes sang when we were growing up? "Bullfrogs and butterflies, they've both been born again. Bullfrogs and butterflies, they've both been born again!"

Actually, it was from the '70s so it was a ridiculous song...but that's ok. I was reminded of that song today, but first I have to tell you a story from awhile ago.

Last summer a friend of mine challenged me to chose a symbol that would continue to remind me of God's love. I was very skeptical. In fact, I was having a really rough summer and I was pretty confused about how God was loving me. I did, however, chose a symbol. That symbol was a butterfly. Soon I began to be amazed at how often butterflies came into view. It was very often, at least once a day. Well, it was summer time, and again towards winter I began to be skeptical again. However, God did not cease to show me his love through my chosen symbol. The butterfly continues to be a cherished thing to me for this reason.

Today I was driving home from the library on a road that came between a field and a landscaping business. The fields around me were literally covered in butterflies, similar to what you see above. This thought hit me: God's love for me is abundant! Sometimes I think that it is unfortunate how we take his great love forgranted.  The song we sing as children, "Jesus loves me," seems so cliche that we don't realize how it is applied in our lives. The ultimate sign of his love is his forgiveness and his saving work on the cross. Besides that, God loves us so much that he hurts with us when the pains of this life are weighing us down. It might seem that God is distant or doesn't care, but he does and he has the ultimate empathy for us. In addition, one of the greatest ways that Christ shows his love to us is by the changing work that he does inside of us. I think that is why I like the butterfly so much. It has been transformed into something new and beautiful.  Without Christ we are ugly creatures! When Christ enters our life and takes control we begin to tranformed. Sometimes that change hurts, but in the end we are even more beautiful than we could have imagined. I want to encourage you to persevere through seemingly difficult times! God's love for you is absolutely abundant!

Check out this video

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a 2 minute video is worth a thousand blogs. Please check out this link, titled "Gumballs."

Dt. 6


http://www.worshiphousekids.com/mini-movies/16482/Gumballs

Zumba Discipleship

As a mentioned in a previous post, everything we do is spiritual. As parents we are responsible for raising our children to be spiritually well rounded people.

One of my favoritest (ya, I just said favoritest) things to do is worship God with kids. Specifically, I mean worshiping with music. Honestly, I would rather worship God with them than adults. Often I find that in adult worship we sing about dancing or clapping our hands, or bending our knees in worship but we are standing (or sitting) stiff as boards. Seriously? Ugh...with the kids there is no holding back. We worship God with our entire bodies (and often get a work out in the process.)

One time David danced so crazy (with all his might) that his underwear was showing and his wife got pretty mad. David responded, "I will become even more undignified than this." (Check it in 2 Samuel 6) The Israelites were bringing the Ark of the Lord back and this caused David to celebrate. Um, excuse me...but I think we have something bigger to celebrate! Jesus is alive! We are forgiven! Our sin has been wiped away! Don't just stand there! Dance and celebrate with all of your might!

By the way...Michal (David's wife) didn't have any children after that little escapade and that's the biggest disgrace a woman could have at that time.


I was recently introduced to Zumba. Holy moley! That is fun AND a great workout. It might be kind of disgraceful when you are swinging your fanny in the air, but I think God will make an exception for this like he did for David. The great thing is that Zumba can totally be kid friendly. I learned like 4 moves and realized that it fits in really well with some of the new worship songs for kids...like "Oh Happy Day." This is so much fun to do with your kids.

In lieu of a video, here are a few of the Zumba moves I know:

Beto: This is kind of like the "Egyptian" move. One hand is up, palm facing in, other hand is hand is down, palm facing out. You step and move your hips, "pushing" your hands out while alternating them. She does it in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbDcnhb3DwQ

Sleepy lay: This one has both hands up, each arm in a "v" shape (like saying "I don't know?"), and palms toward the ceiling.  While you are moving your hands up and down, you swing your hip way up. Take a few steps and then change hips and directions.

I don't know what this one is called, maybe Morraccas: Pretend like you have morraccas in your fists. Shake your fists above your head as you jump forward. Then jump back and shake your fists down low. Repeat. (It's a fun one)

Of course there is always "shaking" (shaking your hips back and forth) and free style.

This might not make sense, you might just go to a Zumba class.

Anyway, here is a link to some videos you can watch on your computer with some great kids songs. My four year old loves them.

http://www.worshiphousekids.com/song-tracks/18623/Happy-Day


Regardless of how silly or "disgraceful" you look (or feel)...you are teaching your kids two things. 1- It is important to take care of your body. 2- You can use your body to glorify and praise Jesus too.

HAVE FUN! :)

How do you know when your child is ready to be baptized?

In the church in which I was raised, the big salvation message was to repeat a prayer and you would be saved. I remember being pretty confused when I was little...like that if I wasn't saved I would die on the cross like Jesus did. I also remember praying that prayer maybe a couple of dozen times at different points, just to be sure. I'm pretty sure that I said it when I was old enough to say a complete sentence. Now that I have a child at this age, I completely understand that she would have no idea what she was doing, and I definitely didn't either.

She is however, asking good questions. She watches me take communion and wants to be a part of that tradition. She knows she can't until she is baptized, so about every week she asks to be baptized. When I ask her why, she responds that she wants to eat too.

Obviously...she isn't ready. I'm happy she's communicating with me about it though. That brings up the question...how do you know when your child is ready?

A good indicator that they are ready to begin thinking about salvation is when they stop believing in Santa. At this point they can begin to differentiate between real and fantasy and they will begin to understand the difference between faith in something you can't see and a fairy tale. This is typically around age 8, sometimes earlier and sometimes later.

If your child is in a situation where they have the opportunity to take communion in a children's setting, and an adult doesn't regulate who does/does not take communion--one way to tell is that they will stop taking communion, if they have been. The child begins to recognize the significance of it and will skip it, realizing they are not in a proper place to take it.

Your child will also recognize specific sins they have committed (beyond "I disobey my parents" and other generalities) and be remorseful about their sin, not just the consequences.

Finally, your child will be urgent about being baptized and will routinely bring it up on his own. Often by asking the child to wait, and watching to see how they respond and how frequently they ask, you can decipher their urgency.

Of course you know your child the best and will know when they are spiritually ready. It's important not to delay too long when they are ready, but you need to be sure that they understand that this is a commitment of giving up their rights as boss of their life. Jesus becomes boss, not me! Talk with the leader of the children's ministry if you think your child might be ready. They might have some indicators to consider as well.

If you feel comfortable, you might also consider asking your children's ministry leader at your church if you can baptize your own child. What an excellent opportunity to bond and to begin the discipleship process with your child!

It's getting a little bit personal

As you know, or should know...I am a single mom. Sometimes I feel like being a single mom makes me a constant sinner. I actually get that perception most often from Christians. The fact is, I have been forgiven. The choices I made in the past are not the choices I am making today. They are not the choices I want to make in the future. It is not fair that because I have a visual reminder of my sin, that I have to constantly live in the guilt of that sin.

The only reason I am bringing this up is because I am looking for ministry opportunities and this seems to be the "make it or break it" question--both for me and the church.  I will be the first one to say that I believe that ministers really need to be held to a higher standard. We want them to lead their lives by example, and to be pure and full of integrity. Honestly, that is what I want for my life too, and those are the people that I want my daughter to look up to as well.

At the same time, I know a lot of people who have committed the same sin, but they didn't get pregnant, or caught, and have gone on to ministries with out having to spill their guts about a difficult time in their life. Even the people who have kept themselves pure, they are not without sin. No one is perfect, and God tells us that not one sin is worse than another. Definitely different sins have different consequences, some bigger than others, but all are worthy of sending you to hell, to be blunt about it.

What makes me worse than you? What makes me a worse candidate than someone else? I have a most wonderful child, who is a blessing and certainly is a joy to everyone she is around. She does not have a father who is present in her life and that is not my fault. I am not continuing to sin by his absence or by my choice to raise this child in a godly way.

In 1 Samuel 12, the Israelites had begged for a king. This was essentially idolatry because God told them, I am your leader and your King. They did not need one if they would only follow him wholeheartedly. However, they asked Samuel for a king, and God appointed Saul. During wheat harvest, Samuel called on God to send a magnificent storm. He did, and the people were terrified and realized how great their sin was. They begged Samuel, what can we do about this, we have sinned!

"Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart...For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own...But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you."


Do you see that? Samuel commanded them to turn back to God and serve him with all of their heart. God had not rejected them. 


I have done evil, but I have repented and turned back to God. I have been called to children's ministry. Anyone who has seen me "in action" will certainly say it is so. God has not rejected me, and he is commanding me to serve faithfully with all of my heart. I have been faithful by volunteering in my local church. I am not sure how the parents in the churches I have volunteered with have approached the subject with the children, but I have been dearly loved and accepted in each church by the children and the families. What an excellent opportunity for the children to learn about forgiveness and grace first hand! 




This story in 1 Samuel is a great example of God's grace, which we usually see displayed more prominently in the New Testament. Isn't grace what this is all about? Before committing my sin, I honestly had difficulty understanding and distributing grace to others. I was very much a rule-oriented person. Today, I believe that God has given me so much grace so that I can really give grace to others. I have a very unique perspective on forgiveness that affords me empathy for others who are struggling. I can really say, "Yeah, I know, I've been there." I can also identify others who are starting to slip, and have the mercy and compassion to talk with them and bring them back to Christ in love which was not done for me. 


Now it is my responsibility to stand in the gap for others and say, "Please don't go there" to some and "It is safe, you can come here because you are most certainly loved" to others.


To be a full time minister is the profession that I have chosen and is also the place where I will most successfully be able to provide for my family and I would like the opportunity to do that.

Can ministry be an idol?

Note: This was a note I posted on Facebook in March 2009. As I am sending out applications for children's ministry positions, I wanted to repost it as a reminder to myself, and my friends of what ministry is really all about.


So I am sitting here in chapel, led by my good friend Stephen Walton, who always leads thought provoking worship. I am confronted with the idea that ministry is so glamorous, and I just want that office, that little cubicle with my desk and the walls that I can decorate, and the people that can come in and be impressed by my creativity and my skill and my knowledge and my love for the children, and to impress the classmates, and all the people who see how much I have overcome for this "great thing." Who or what am I worshiping? Am I worshiping God or am I worshiping myself, or dare I say, am I worshiping the title or office? How many ministers are like that? So I am wondering…what if there were no people? What if no one was here to serve but God himself? I have been a people servant my entire life. God knows that and created me that way, but He wants so much more for me. So what if there were no people to serve? Who would I be serving?

I lay my face before the King. I weep at his feet and wash his feet with my hair. I bless HIM. I serve HIM. It’s just My King and me, and there is no one to serve but Him. 

So who am I really serving? Am I really serving my daughter? Am I really serving these people of the church that I love? Am I really serving the children? Or am I serving myself? Am I feeding my desires to have this “glamorous” position of authority and decision making?

Somehow we have made this position of lowly servant hood into a thing of pride. Where was Jesus’ office? Where did he stack his books and hang his diploma? What office did he decorate and whom was he fighting to impress? His office was the cross. He decorated the hearts of those who were broken, and He was only here to impress and glorify His Father, God.

So God, I lay all of me at your feet. My office is my cross. I will glorify you by blessing and making beautiful those who are broken and unloved, and I am only here to impress and to glorify You. 




If you are aware of a need for a children's or family minister within the Restoration Movement churches, please contact me for my resume.

The 24/7 Disciple

Lately I've been noticing this little person following me around every where I go. Typically, when she is following me, so is this little puppy. Sometimes they like to fight, and generally, it has to be right on top of me, or right under my feet, or right next to me. I'm sure that you have had this experience. It might not be a puppy for you...it might be another child...but what difference does it really make? Puppies and children, they follow us around.

The Bible tells parents to speak about the Lord's commandments ALL THE TIME! (Check it in Dt. 6) It is not saying..."Hey, make this elaborate plan for devotional material and be sure to set aside 30 minutes to an hour every day that you talk about Jesus to your kids. When that is done, you may return to your normal life and go about your business...Oh yes, and do not forget to pray at meals and before bed. If you do this, your children will turn out perfect."

Um...If you looked it up you will see that God said to talk about it when you sit at home, walk across the road, lie down and get up. Those are pretty mundane things that we do every day, and it encompasses the entire day. You really don't need to be a Bible scholar to impress biblical truths in your child's head. Just talk about God whenever you get the chance. 

When you are hanging out in the yard, tell the kids you are thankful that God made such a beautiful earth for us to enjoy. Sing praise songs while you are doing chores. Explain to them that God wants us to love and forgive, just as he has loved and forgiven us when they are extremely upset with a brother or a friend. What God wants is for us to see him in our daily lives and tell our kids about it too. 

You see, everything is spiritual. From what we eat to what we wear, where we go...how we spend our money...everything has a spiritual implication. 

I think all Christian parents desire that their children grow into maturity in Christ. What most don't realize is that their children are following in their foot steps. I've noticed that if I am trying to untangle my dog when his leash is tangled up in trees and other obstacles, I have to physically lead the way for him to get out. No matter how much I yell and point and jump up and down, he doesn't do what he needs to unless I physically walk him through it. 

Kids are the same way. They are going to follow our example and mimick our actions. If they see us incorporating spirituality into our everyday life, they will not be long to follow. 

Fortunately, at young ages they love to be with us too. Today I took my daughter to the pool. After awhile, I asked her why she wasn't playing with any of the other little girls. She responded..."I just want to play with you." By taking the time to spend with our children, we can really impress upon them the values that are so important and necessary to be in place.  

Partnering with Parents

This may surprise you: The prevailing attitude that I've seen at schools among teachers is that parents are more of a hinderance to a students' progress than a help. 

Does it surprise you? In that case, I will probably be a teacher's worst nightmare...not because I am necessarily "Supermom" but because I am a psycho when it comes to my daughter and her education. 

When it comes to Christian education, I wonder how much we push out parents in the process of discipling children. I also wonder why parents aren't as ready to be involved in the process of disciple-making as they are in formal education. I understand the importance of being involved in the educational process. These 12 years set them up for life. We have to be sure that in Kindergarten they are at the top of their class and maintaining for scholarships to Harvard, right?  What about Christian education? 

Experts say that at age three children begin to collect data to help form their worldview. By the time they are 13 they have formed a solid worldview that they are not likely to change for the rest of their lives. In fact, if children have not made a decision to be a follower of Christ by 13, they are not likely to do so. (Sorry for the cold facts my dear youth minister friends.)

To avoid rewriting a well written book (Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions by George Barna) I will get right to the point:

Ministries have kids for about 3 hours a week (if they are lucky). If a worldview is developed in ten years, ministries have about 1500 hours (comparably schools have over 10,000 hours in only eight years) to effectively develop a Biblical worldview. Subtract the impact that evolutionary and atheistic propaganda is sold at school, and ministries have a difficult time making a good impact. How do we combat that?

Partner with Parents

Here are some practical ways (and please feel free to comment with ways that you have seen productive in the past) that parents and ministries can partner together:

1. Churches can streamline their curriculum so that every ministry is focusing on the same topic. Send home discussion starters for families to talk about together.

2. Many new curriculums are offering dvds/cd roms or links to a website so that families can interact about Sunday school lessons during the week.

3. We can communicate about the progress students are making by setting "benchmarks" students should be achieving and hold a parent/teacher conference to keep parents informed on how they are doing.

4. Invite parents to sit in on classes and volunteer in their students' classes.

5. Offer resources to parents. Feature a "resource of the week" in the children's library.

6. Send home handouts about creative ways for parents to influence their child's worldview during the week.

7. Host a parenting seminar or class at your church.

8. Partner with parents in praying for the kids. Communicate with parents several times to a month to find out what is going in the children's lives outside of church.

9. Offer parents' nights out to strengthen their relationship while providing a program for the kids.

10. Host programs such as family nights--mother/daughter or father/son retreats, etc.

11. Have a family VBS.

12. Inform parents about the music and curriculum used in the ministry so parents can purchase it or supplement at home. 

13. Find ways for parents to grow spiritually themselves.

14. Host "Bring your parent to church night" in which the kids do church their way and bring their parents along. 

Keeping parents involved is tough work, but a ministry that includes parents is going to thrive and be much more successful than a ministry that is seen as glorified babysitting. 

Please comment with more ideas! 

Wishing cakes

We love to read books, a lot. Sometimes we find really good books that have great spiritual implications. I'll probably refer a lot to the books we read in this blog. I found the design on this page and think it's perfect because it reminds me of a great book....

Last summer we found a fun book, "Zuzu's Wishing Cake." This little girl makes a "cake" out of layers of bread and jam and then puts a dandelion on top for a candle and shares it with her new neighbor, a little boy that she is desperately trying to be friends with. She overcomes a lot of obstacles to being his friend, and she certainly is creative! At the end both of the kids are smiling, even if it is the only way they can communicate because of their language barrier.

My little girl loves to blow out "candles" when we are on walks. I always ask her what she is wishing for, but she never tells. I am fond of making wishes on these dandelions.

I have a wish for this blog, and for my life. I want to be a champion for children. I am championing for the unborn who are unwanted by their mommies and daddies, but certainly wanted by someone and most definitely loved and created by the Father. I am championing the little tikes just beginning their walk of life and reaching out for experiences helping them to ascertain their values and worldview. I champion the big kids who are at their fullest potential to learn and have sponges for brains, but they also have willing hands and hearts for service. Finally, I am a champion for the biggest kids of all--their parents who have forgotten the art of being a kid, and their inner cry for spiritual discipling--and are trying their best to raise their own children to maintain the child like faith of youth. So that is my wish... that my whole life would be used to honor God, by championing the creatures dearest to his heart... the children.

What's your wish?