A few years ago I traveled to Lima, Peru on a mission trip. I met a wonderful Christian lady there who was ministering to the children in her neighborhood. She would pay their bus fare so they could attend church when she could. Other times she would teach them in her tiny home on a dirt hillside. That is where I met her, with her house full of kids and tracing color sheets with a pencil and carbon tracing paper one at a time. Her only other equipment was her Bible.
That was where I learned what was really important. It wasn't the huge children's ministry building with fantastic themed rooms and hallways. It wasn't the huge resource closet or the technology. It wasn't even the large numbers of kids who attend some churches who have those things. It was, however, the willingness to love those kids and see their lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus Christ. It was the willingness to be used by God and to use what He had already blessed our ministry with to the fullest extent of our abilities.
God has blessed us with some resources that I never thought we would have in our ministry. We still have no building or themed rooms. We use what space we can. We do our best with what we have. I believe because we do, that God will bless us beyond our wildest dreams. We are keeping our focus on what is most important--that kids know Jesus as their Savior and they follow Him.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
What's God Up To Now?
A few years ago at a Ladies Retreat, I was challenged to "step out into deeper water with God". The speaker meaning to challenge us to surrender to whatever God may want to do in our lives if we would only allow Him. I responded to that challenge and, as they say, life has never been the same. I have been to places and done things that I could never even imagined. God is constantly pushing me beyond my comfort zone.
Last night our Student Minister challenged our congregation to "not be scared" to do what God wants us to do. I had to confess that I am scared to do some things that God wants me to do. Funny, it's the little things that scare me--not the big things like traveling to a foreign country or speaking in front of a large group of people. Confessing this to God in my prayer I also told God that I didn't want to be scared to obey him and miss out on opportunities that He has for me.
I know that feeling. That feeling that I get when I can tell that God is up to something. I know it's coming. I don't know what or when, but it is coming. I will be scared. I will also seize the opportunity because I know that afterwards I will love the adventure. The thrill will be just like a rollercoaster! That's my Heavenly Father--never a dull moment.
Last night our Student Minister challenged our congregation to "not be scared" to do what God wants us to do. I had to confess that I am scared to do some things that God wants me to do. Funny, it's the little things that scare me--not the big things like traveling to a foreign country or speaking in front of a large group of people. Confessing this to God in my prayer I also told God that I didn't want to be scared to obey him and miss out on opportunities that He has for me.
I know that feeling. That feeling that I get when I can tell that God is up to something. I know it's coming. I don't know what or when, but it is coming. I will be scared. I will also seize the opportunity because I know that afterwards I will love the adventure. The thrill will be just like a rollercoaster! That's my Heavenly Father--never a dull moment.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Good News and Bad News
I have just returned from a week of Youth Camp. Our group went to a children's home where we did several landscaping projects. We also spent time with the young people living there. Our youth worked really hard and I am very proud of them. It really was a great week! That's the good news.
As I was catching up on emails and blogs that I read regularly, I came across a post that really bothered me. One of the really good blogs that I have recently come across is ending, perhaps. That's the bad news. She wrote that she was no longer going to post because she proclaimed her self a failure at children's ministry. Her church and in particular her department has sharply declined over time. She just feels that she has nothing further to offer. Such a shame because I have gotten several good ideas from this site. I hope she will reconsider and continue encouraging and equipping others in children's ministry.
We all get discouraged sometimes. I know I do. But we must stay the course and be faithful to the call God has placed on our lives. Sometimes these times come to us in order to force us to re-evaluate our priorities. Sometimes these times come to make us check up to see if we are still depending on our own selves instead of God. Sometimes they come to make us stronger. Regardless of the reason, stand firm in faith and keep on moving down the path God has placed before you. Remember, "He that hath begun a good work in you shall complete it...."
As I was catching up on emails and blogs that I read regularly, I came across a post that really bothered me. One of the really good blogs that I have recently come across is ending, perhaps. That's the bad news. She wrote that she was no longer going to post because she proclaimed her self a failure at children's ministry. Her church and in particular her department has sharply declined over time. She just feels that she has nothing further to offer. Such a shame because I have gotten several good ideas from this site. I hope she will reconsider and continue encouraging and equipping others in children's ministry.
We all get discouraged sometimes. I know I do. But we must stay the course and be faithful to the call God has placed on our lives. Sometimes these times come to us in order to force us to re-evaluate our priorities. Sometimes these times come to make us check up to see if we are still depending on our own selves instead of God. Sometimes they come to make us stronger. Regardless of the reason, stand firm in faith and keep on moving down the path God has placed before you. Remember, "He that hath begun a good work in you shall complete it...."
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