Sunday, November 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
the rooms are safe, but what about the people?
So, i've taken a position with this amazing church that is on the launching pad ready to take off. We currently reside in an old facility that needs alot of work and was just sold.
As I look at the children's area, I know that there are amazing things that could be, but did I mention we just sold it? The past few weeks have been filled with cleaning carpets, wiping down walls and removing bowed tables and broken chairs. The rooms look better and smell better, but honestly it's not as much about what the rooms look like as who serves in each room.
It's the people who matter the most. I am so thankful the children's area is now pleasing to the eye and the nose but my main focus is the people. I don't know if you have ever struggled with task vs. people, but I will tell you the truth, you will never win if you pick the task.
I am a firm believer in making sure the children's area of any church is clean, safe and secure but I am not just talking about the building. Each team member should be too. Background checks are a must in children's ministry. An application to work with children is also a must. Reference need to be called and every new volunteer team member needs to be interviewed. Each children's ministry volunteer is a safe person in a child's eyes. We as a church must remain proactive and protect the little ones God sends our way.
As I look at the children's area, I know that there are amazing things that could be, but did I mention we just sold it? The past few weeks have been filled with cleaning carpets, wiping down walls and removing bowed tables and broken chairs. The rooms look better and smell better, but honestly it's not as much about what the rooms look like as who serves in each room.
It's the people who matter the most. I am so thankful the children's area is now pleasing to the eye and the nose but my main focus is the people. I don't know if you have ever struggled with task vs. people, but I will tell you the truth, you will never win if you pick the task.
I am a firm believer in making sure the children's area of any church is clean, safe and secure but I am not just talking about the building. Each team member should be too. Background checks are a must in children's ministry. An application to work with children is also a must. Reference need to be called and every new volunteer team member needs to be interviewed. Each children's ministry volunteer is a safe person in a child's eyes. We as a church must remain proactive and protect the little ones God sends our way.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
day before you
Rascal Flatts wrote a song called "The Day Before You." I have no idea if this song was meant for listeners to think of God, but He's exactly who I think about everytime I hear it! The song starts off with "I had all but given up on finding the one that I could fall into, on the day before you..." I am currently in the middle of an amazing mind boggling adventure. Some days I am so tired I don't know if I will make to my bed before I fall asleep. And then I remember who is carrying me through this adventure, the one true God! I know I can fall into His arms and He will refresh me for the next days itineray. I am so thankful I never have to go back to the day before I knew such amazing love!
That must be why I am so passionate about children knowing Jesus as their Savior! So their relationship with God can be restored and they can know what it means to fall into the arms a God who created them and knows them better than they know themselves. A God who thinks of them all the time and loves them so much He never leaves them. The chorus of the song says "Now you're here, everythings changing, suddenly life means so much..." Life is totally amazing when you yeild to His plans. Each Texas morning I marvel at the beautiful sunrise and I know that He has called me here. Each new face I meet gets etched into my heart. His plans are at work and He will be made famous through the lives of those who choose to follow Him. Lifechange, it's a good thing.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
That must be why I am so passionate about children knowing Jesus as their Savior! So their relationship with God can be restored and they can know what it means to fall into the arms a God who created them and knows them better than they know themselves. A God who thinks of them all the time and loves them so much He never leaves them. The chorus of the song says "Now you're here, everythings changing, suddenly life means so much..." Life is totally amazing when you yeild to His plans. Each Texas morning I marvel at the beautiful sunrise and I know that He has called me here. Each new face I meet gets etched into my heart. His plans are at work and He will be made famous through the lives of those who choose to follow Him. Lifechange, it's a good thing.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
the famous one..
It has been almost a month since my last post....hmmmm I wonder why?!? Could it be the fact moved accross country, started a new job, enrolled my incredible children in a new school and taxied them around to their sports. Wow, just typing that made me tired, but it's too early to nap!
God is so amazing! I have seen His hand at work every where I turn! My new church family is absolutely wonderful! Filled with people ready to serve God's littlest creations! They want to be trained! They want to make sure they are serving in a positive atmosphere with a team approach! I wake up each morning ready to lead. God has given me experiences for just such a time. He is so awe inspiring. A familiar verse has kept me focused this week; "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a. Only God could do what has been done in the past 30 days! Only He can get the credit for His kingdom work.
I feel so blessed to be able to see God in action! Praise the Lord
God is so amazing! I have seen His hand at work every where I turn! My new church family is absolutely wonderful! Filled with people ready to serve God's littlest creations! They want to be trained! They want to make sure they are serving in a positive atmosphere with a team approach! I wake up each morning ready to lead. God has given me experiences for just such a time. He is so awe inspiring. A familiar verse has kept me focused this week; "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a. Only God could do what has been done in the past 30 days! Only He can get the credit for His kingdom work.
I feel so blessed to be able to see God in action! Praise the Lord
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
salsa and chips
I love Jesus,
I love my family,
I love salsa and chips!!!
Recently, someone asked me; "What are your favorite things?" The first 3 things were easy, after that it was kind of hard to come up with things! Why is it when someone asks a question like that we can't come up with an answer? I have a lot of favorite things, but those were the first 3??
Craig Jutila said; "It's the little things that make a little difference that make a big difference." The fact that someone took the time to ask me "what do you like?" is a little thing that made a big difference. It shows they care, and as the saying goes, "People don't care what you know, until they know you care." Children are the same way! If you take the time to show children you care about them, they will want to know what you care about, and if you are serving in children's ministry I would think you care about children knowing Jesus as their Savior! Let me tell you about Madelyn.
Madelyn did not want to leave her mom when she was 3 years old. She was nervous, there was a room full of kids and she is an only child. Each week I would greet her by name at the door and ask her a question or two. "What's your favorite cereal?, What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?, Do you like Dora?" etc. I asked because I wanted her to know I cared about her! She told me she loved oreo cereal, chocolate ice cream and no Dora. The next Sunday I see her beautiful little face and I ask; "Did you have oreo cereal for breakfast this morning?" Her eyes lit up, she ran and gave me a hug. Yes, you read that right a hug! She waved at mom and has been my friend ever since. She is now almost 11 years old. She told me a couple of weeks ago she doesn't eat oreo cereal anymore, but chocolate ice cream is still number one!
It was a little question that made a big difference in a child's life. She knows I care and because of our relationship she was willing to explore a relationship with this Jesus she was learning about. She was baptized this past January, she knows HIM. What a privilege it is to serve His little ones!
I love my family,
I love salsa and chips!!!
Recently, someone asked me; "What are your favorite things?" The first 3 things were easy, after that it was kind of hard to come up with things! Why is it when someone asks a question like that we can't come up with an answer? I have a lot of favorite things, but those were the first 3??
Craig Jutila said; "It's the little things that make a little difference that make a big difference." The fact that someone took the time to ask me "what do you like?" is a little thing that made a big difference. It shows they care, and as the saying goes, "People don't care what you know, until they know you care." Children are the same way! If you take the time to show children you care about them, they will want to know what you care about, and if you are serving in children's ministry I would think you care about children knowing Jesus as their Savior! Let me tell you about Madelyn.
Madelyn did not want to leave her mom when she was 3 years old. She was nervous, there was a room full of kids and she is an only child. Each week I would greet her by name at the door and ask her a question or two. "What's your favorite cereal?, What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?, Do you like Dora?" etc. I asked because I wanted her to know I cared about her! She told me she loved oreo cereal, chocolate ice cream and no Dora. The next Sunday I see her beautiful little face and I ask; "Did you have oreo cereal for breakfast this morning?" Her eyes lit up, she ran and gave me a hug. Yes, you read that right a hug! She waved at mom and has been my friend ever since. She is now almost 11 years old. She told me a couple of weeks ago she doesn't eat oreo cereal anymore, but chocolate ice cream is still number one!
It was a little question that made a big difference in a child's life. She knows I care and because of our relationship she was willing to explore a relationship with this Jesus she was learning about. She was baptized this past January, she knows HIM. What a privilege it is to serve His little ones!
Monday, July 9, 2007
a time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to move to Texas
After serving 17 years at Westgate Chapel, the time has come to move on. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Never in my wildest dreams did I think the Lord would lead us elsewhere, but in three weeks we will be packing up the SUV with 3 teenagers, 2 golden retrievers, a cat (maybe) and a frog (again maybe) and heading south. 23 hours to be exact to serve the Lord in Corpus Christi Texas. I am so thankful I am not privey to the plans the Lord has made for me. I know He is in control and He has called me to this new location to serve Him, but I would be lying if I said it was easy. I love God, I love my family and I love adventure.......I guess a 23 hour drive to a new town to serve God is right up my alley!
The stars at night are big and bright....
The stars at night are big and bright....
Monday, July 2, 2007
My Story Continues....
I confess, leadership stuff always fuels me. I mean really fuels me! I try to see if I am growing as a leader and where I fall in the different categories. I never seem to fit any particular mold or chart which can be frustrating, but then I remember, Psalm 139:14a "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." That's just so cool! I don't have to fit into anything other than God's plan, and that is comforting! I read an article this morning by Todd Rhoades titled "Four Qualities of Innovative Leaders." (Yes, I was trying to see if that described me, but that's not the point.) Craig Groeschel, the pastor of LifeChurch.tv shared at the Buzz Conference what he thinks are four great qualities of innovative leaders. I think they are pretty interesting, so here is a little of what Todd wrote;
"First, innovative leaders heal the sick. Jesus sought out those in need and met their needs. Unfortunately today, too many churches are inwardly focused and not meeting the needs of non-Christians. Craig said that in order to reach those who aren’t yet being reached, we have to do things that no one else is doing. Our goal is to reach people for Jesus however we can, and in order to do that, we need to teach our people to love people who don’t know Christ. His question to us was, “Who is God calling you to reach that no one around you is reaching?”
Second, innovative leaders break the rules. Jesus broke the Sabbath rules. Craig used the analogy of Nascar: “Go straight, turn left. Go straight, turn left.” Innovative leaders don’t take the common path. They turn right! Every great movement of God was started by a leader making a right turn. Question: What is God calling you to do that’s never been done before?
Third, innovative leaders offend the “Pharisees.” When you do something new to reach people for Jesus, modern Pharisees will attack with a vengeance. But Craig said that we shouldn’t worry when the Pharisees are shooting at us. We should worry when they aren’t. He asked, “What new thing will God call you to create that will be hated today and embraced tomorrow?”
Fourth, innovative leaders redefine success. Instead of talking about how many people they’re reaching and bragging about numbers, innovative leaders are constantly thinking about how many people still need to be reached. We can’t be impressed with ourselves. We need to stop building attendance and start building the kingdom."
Don't you totally want to heal the sick, break the rules, offed the "Pharisees," and redefine success?? I do, as long as it makes Him famous!
Do I hear an AMEN???
"First, innovative leaders heal the sick. Jesus sought out those in need and met their needs. Unfortunately today, too many churches are inwardly focused and not meeting the needs of non-Christians. Craig said that in order to reach those who aren’t yet being reached, we have to do things that no one else is doing. Our goal is to reach people for Jesus however we can, and in order to do that, we need to teach our people to love people who don’t know Christ. His question to us was, “Who is God calling you to reach that no one around you is reaching?”
Second, innovative leaders break the rules. Jesus broke the Sabbath rules. Craig used the analogy of Nascar: “Go straight, turn left. Go straight, turn left.” Innovative leaders don’t take the common path. They turn right! Every great movement of God was started by a leader making a right turn. Question: What is God calling you to do that’s never been done before?
Third, innovative leaders offend the “Pharisees.” When you do something new to reach people for Jesus, modern Pharisees will attack with a vengeance. But Craig said that we shouldn’t worry when the Pharisees are shooting at us. We should worry when they aren’t. He asked, “What new thing will God call you to create that will be hated today and embraced tomorrow?”
Fourth, innovative leaders redefine success. Instead of talking about how many people they’re reaching and bragging about numbers, innovative leaders are constantly thinking about how many people still need to be reached. We can’t be impressed with ourselves. We need to stop building attendance and start building the kingdom."
Don't you totally want to heal the sick, break the rules, offed the "Pharisees," and redefine success?? I do, as long as it makes Him famous!
Do I hear an AMEN???
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