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Painting Rocks for Pennies
When I was eight-ish years old, a neighbor friend and I gathered a bunch of rocks, painted them, and sold them door to door for a quarter. We did surprisingly well…well enough to buy some candy from Pauley’s Grocery Store. I don’t know why I love rocks. I don’t know their appeal. I just know that when I see one with unique characteristics and hidden qualities, I have to pick it up. I feel like that’s how Jesus felt picking his disciples. Seeing someone that others have overlooked. Appreciating a deeper quality only He could see. Overlooking rough edges knowing He could redeem it and redirect it for a…
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How the “Everyone Gets a Trophy” Culture Conditions People to Reject the Gospel
I want everyone to feel valued, especially kids, and nothing makes a kid feel more valued that receiving a nice shiny trophy. Win or lose…show up or just signed up… everyone gets a trophy no matter how they played or whether they even tried; but, everyone is happy so that’s good, right? Looking from the perspective of the kid, there doesn’t seem to be any harm. But, what if we are wrong. What if we are sending the message that it’s ok to not do well thus creating the mindset that EVERYTHING is acceptable and praiseworthy and good. And what if by having that mindset we are unknowingly conditioning people…
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How Would You Draw God?
One of my favorite Bible lessons I did with our church teens a few years ago involved Pictionary. I gave them random Biblical stories to draw, which became quite comical. Most of them were pretty easy; but, it was all part of getting them to the final image. For the finale’ we had a draw-off and told them to draw, “God.” As I suspected, the two draw-ers stood with marker in hand but no action. The audience began shouting out Bible words hoping for a lucky guess. They eventually abandoned even trying to draw and turned instead to waiting and encouraging better guesses. So, how would you draw God?…
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The Danger of Growing Up in Church
As a mom and former children’s ministry director, I know the joy of seeing kids excited about Jesus. I’ve also been at it long enough to know the heartbreak of seeing former students walk away entirely as they got older. Mark Batterson, a mega church pastor in DC, said this in his book, All In, “My greatest concern as a pastor is that people can go to church every week of their lives and never go all in with Jesus Christ. They can follow the rules but never follow Christ. I’m afraid we’ve cheapened the gospel by allowing people to buy in without selling out.” (p. 20) I think this…
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4 Ways to Encourage Strong Faith
Colossians 2:4 “…I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments that sound reasonable.” It used to be that we could feel pretty safe about the influences in our children’s lives until they hit college age and were exposed to a more diverse culture. It seems, however, that radical views are coming into play as early as 3rd grade. And, by middle school, many church going children have decided they do not believe in God. Some religions are more obvious in how they contradict Scripture; but, many religions have an element of truth which make them seem feasible which makes them dangerous. In fact,…
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The Beginner’s Bible Review and GIVEAWAY!!
The question I got asked most as a Children’s Ministry Director was, “What Bible do you recommend for beginners?” The Beginner’s Bible by Zonderkidz is my top choice! With more than 90 Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments, this story Bible is perfect to introduce children to the love and purpose of God; and, help them gain knowledge to build a strong foundation for their faith. The vibrant illustrations enhance the story beautifully and captivate their attention whether you are reading to them or they are reading on their own. It’s a perfect resource for bed time stories at home or stories time…
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The Importance of Thanksgiving
I love Thanksgiving. Actually, I don’t just love it, I need it. I need a day that forces me to focus on being thankful—taking pause to remember the good things, the blessings God has provided—the happy and the not so happy. It’s easy in this Holiday season, with Christmas fast approaching and Black Friday shopping impending, to skip over Thanksgiving all together. We’ve already started making our lists and maybe even decorated (not that there is anything wrong with that). And, if you’re like me, the hustle and bustle of the season makes me start dreading Christmas all-together and I too soon start…
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The Process is the Point
I am a “cut to the chase” kind of girl. I like to take the shortest route and find the end as quickly and efficiently as possible. If I can skip a step or two and come to a viable conclusion—perfect! Done. But, last year, at a writer’s conference, I was challenged with these words by Lysa TerKeurst, “The process is the point.” These are the kind of words that keep popping back into frame as I rush through life and bemoan my circumstances. They echo in my mind as though God Himself fashioned those words just for me. The process is the point. The trials are relevant. Our…
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Extending Grace: The Journey from Forgive to Forgiven
When my kids were little, they were forever doing something to get under their brother’s skin; snatching toys, sitting in the seat first when boy 3 was getting ready to sit there and boy 1 “knew it” but sat there anyway, or eating the last cookie even though boy 1 called dibs yesterday and only had 5 but boy 2 had 6 and now there’s this cosmic imbalance in the universe which sets the whole world off kilter… Yes, these were the semi-daily squabbles I had the pleasure to referee. We use to make the offender say, “I’m sorry” and the offended say, “I forgive you.” But what we realize fairly…
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Wanted: Nobodies and Nevergonnabe’s
Truth: God delights in using the weak, insignificant, least of these people to fulfill His kingdom’s purpose. While the world looks for the strongest and the bravest and the biggest and the best and the most accomplished; our God, seeks the weak, and the weary, and the poor, and the “insignificant,”and the lowly, and the unseen and the least of these. He empowers them to accomplish things beyond human comprehension. This is one of the many things I love about God. King David started out as a lowly shepherd boy, the least in size of all his brothers. So insignificant that his own father didn’t even beacon him from tending…
