Way back in January of 2003, I began my job as the “Minister to Children.” I had never heard of such a thing before and didn’t know anyone who was doing that job to give me some tips, (I looked, believe me, but it was not as easy in the pre-social media days). Looking back,… Read More Five Things I wish I’d Known as a Rookie Children’s Minister
The Very High Calling of Children’s Ministry Huh? You may be wondering if you read that right? Yup, you did. How can week after week of service to people who come up no higher than your shoulder (unless you’re short, like me, then they get taller than you at some point) be a high calling?… Read More The Very High Calling of Children’s Ministry
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 A few weeks ago, my computer stopped working. It was in the “shop” for a total of 10 days. In the grand scheme of things, I realize… Read More Where does our Worth come from?
“The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD So the LORD handed them over to Midian seven years, and they oppressed Israel. Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Qedemites came and attacked them…They left nothing for Israel to eat, as well as no sheep, ox or donkey.”… Read More God Calls it as He sees it–for Gideon and for us!
“Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you.” Psalm 55:22 “Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (BBE) The day of my daughter’s last t-ball game was hot. I watched her walk across the field from me to… Read More Let God Carry Your Burdens
“Israel said to Joseph, ‘Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I’m sending you them.” Genesis 37:13 “[His brothers] saw [Joseph] in the distance, and before he had reached them, they plotted to kill him. They said to one another, ‘Here comes that dreamer! Come on, let’s kill him and… Read More A Purpose for the Pain–Seeing the Big Picture within the Mess
“I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 There was a time, not so very long ago, when I did not believe Christians should feel stress. I didn’t believe it was possible. Ha! If my life were a movie and that was a scene in it, that line would definitely… Read More We can do all things through Christ Who gives us Strength!
“Yet LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hands.” Isaiah 64:8 Hiding is safe. I like hiding. Maybe because no one can criticize you when they can’t see you, right? I mean, if I hide who I really am and they… Read More Coming out of Hiding…Maybe
One thing I have learned very well over my time in ministry is that things don’t always go as planned. I am going to teach you a trick I learned a long time ago in one of my favorite jobs of all time. When I was in college I had a summer job at a… Read More The Best Plan When Things Go Wrong–Roll with It!
Anyone else out there suffer from “Sunday Night Slump? I don’t know about you, but Sunday mornings are amazing. I’m smiling, I’m greeting, I’m teaching, I’m crackin’ corny jokes with the kids, things are good. I’m high on Ministry Mountain, I suppose. But, by Sunday night? After teaching two sessions in the morning and helping… Read More Anyone else out there suffer from “Sunday Night Slump?”