Connections

I love to read. Recently I read "Visioneering" by Andy Stanley and "A Journey to Victorious Praying" by Bill Thrasher. That may seem a strange pair without any connection. I would agree--until. Until I had finished both the books and saw how the book on prayer would actually help me with the visoneering.
In the book "Visioneering" I was lead to develop a vision for every area in life--not just ministry. A vision is just how you want your family, your job, your life, your whatever to be. Then you take steps to realize that vision. In the book "A Journey to Victorious Praying" I learned how to take trials, temptations, and struggles and turn them into opportunities to pray. Like when I am tempted to eat even when I am not really hungry (emotional eating), then I stop and pray for people all over the world who are hungry even starving and people who don't have enough to eat. My temptation then becomes an opportunity to pray.
So, here's the trick. Whenever I begin to worry about people or situations that I cannot change, I turn to the Lord in prayer and pray for that person and situation. When I am discouraged about minsitry, I pray for the children and parents to which I minister. I pray for the ministry volunteers. I add in a little prayer for myself too! :) These prayers will help me realize my visions.
Try this, it really works!

What's Really Important

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.

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.

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...."

Black Friday Shopping

I got up at 4:30 a.m. after going to bed at 1:00 a.m. I couldn't believe that I was actually going to do this. I got ready with my eyes still practically closed. Tommy was shopping for a new huge television that he wanted. I went along to pick up just a few things. I stood in line for an hour at our first stop. After the next couple of stops I stood in line again for an hour, but now I was getting excited. I was beginning to find more and more things for my family. Maybe shopping is some fun after all. I guess it is the thrill of bargain hunting or the thought of getting some one special that special gift that they will love. Any way, I guess losing sleep was worth it after all.

Could God get any better?

I have set a goal. My goal is to make my theology and my reality match.I have seen God really work in my life (and those around me) so much lately. I want to believe what I say that I believe and live like I believe it. You know (to take a line from Beth Moore) to believe God is who He says He is and to believe God can do what He says He can do. He is working big things in my life just to show me that I can believe Him. He is working tons of little things that would mean nothing to anyone but me. Please know that I am not talking about believing there is a God or believing for salvation. I mean a faith or trust that He knows what is best for me and that is what He wants for me and for me to trust Him for these things(circumstances, relationships, etc.) to come into my life.
He has reminded me that life must be intentional. I cannot wait around for the things that I want in my life or my mininstry to come about--hoping they will happen. I must pray and plan for them to happen. My new mantra: pray for it, plan for it, watch for it to happen! All things to be in His will of course and in His time. For example if I want to take a trip then I must pray and the plan for the trip, then save up the money and make the arrangements for the trip. I can't just wish I could take the trip and hope that someday it will happen as if by accident or something.
Any way, I am just thanking Him for His goodness and all the answered prayers, big ones and little ones!