In the past, on this blog, we have been privileged to review Yancy’s newest releases, and she has yet to disappoint.  This newest album named “Jesus Music Box” which released earlier this week is no exception.  Make sure to scroll to the end of this post for your change to win the “Ministry combo” which is a CD & DVD set for Churches.

You can purchase the album on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jesus-music-box/id602350089.  I would suggest the deluxe edition from iTunes which includes 3 videos as well.  You can find that at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jesus-music-box-deluxe-edition/id605496395.  To find out more about the album, check out http://yancynotnancy.com/store/cds/new-jesus-music-box.  Enter the shipping code “YancyLovesMe” for free shipping.

All of the songs are scripturally based, and I love how Yancy masterfully weaves bits and pieces of scripture throughout these songs. These songs are captivating. I had planned on sampling the songs in order to write this review and found that I couldn’t force myself to turn them off in order to go to the next song! I was ready to review another of Yancy’s kids’ worship cds which are, without fail, top of the line. This is another worship cd for kids, but it is also one of the best all around albums I have listen to in a long time, and after one listening has become a fixture on my iPod’s worship playlist.

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Every once in a while here on Dad in the Middle, I feature a deal from Only144.com.  These are the people who accumulate great children’s ministry resources and sell them to you at incredible discounted prices.  I believe in what Only 144 is doing, and I am glad to support (plus every once in a while they send me the package for free which doesn’t hurt ). 

Only144.com has a new deal starting this coming Friday, September 25, 2012, last 144 hours, and in my humble opinion, it is the best deal they have offered yet (and that is saying something).  I have chosen to promote this deal not because I believe in Only 144 (which I do) but because I believe everyone who works with kids ought to have these resources at their fingertips.

This coming deal features the products of Jim Wideman.  I am a big fan of Jim Wideman not only as a children’s ministry leader but as a person.  I have had the distinct pleasure of getting to know numerous leaders in the field of children’s ministry over the last several years, but there is not one person who I have learned more from than Jim Wideman, and frankly there is no one that I respect as much as him either.  Jim’s heart is first for God, secondly for his family, third for kids, and fourth for helping to raise up young leaders who in the field of children’s ministry.  I am grateful for all that I have learned from Jim Wideman about children’s ministry, but frankly it is his words on being a parent and raising kids that have impacted me the most. 

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- Leadership is more like an art and less like a science.

- We try to create box of what leadership is.

- You may be a good leader in some areas and a bad leader in others.

- We can gain wisdom by studying patterns.

- We should look at patterns in leadership to learn.

- Shared brain. We share information with the other people in our lives. That is why grief (from death or divorce) leads to loss memory. (more on this at a later date on http://divorceministry4kids.com

3 Leadership Arts

1. Develop (walking in faith, developing self, developing others)

You can’t burn out when you’re connected to God. We don’t burn out – we rust out.

2. Lead (casting vision, creating strategy, navigating change)

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Tomorrow marks the beginning of the brand new CM Leaders Conference in Columbus, Ohio. I am looking forward to the conference for a number of reasons:

1. This is a brand new Conference from the folks at INCM. ‘Nuf said.
2. I have some great friends coming into town for he conference, and I am looking forward to spending time with them.
3. I a looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends.

So, here are our plans for the conference.

Wednesday Night/em>

I have to serve in Awana at my church on Wednesday night, so I am not available until later. I know some people who are coming into town early and are planning on going out to dinner. I’m bummed that I can’t go, but if you’re interested let me know and I’ll get you the information.

Thursday Morning

We’re planning on a meet-up at 10:00 AM tomorrow morning at Grove City Church of the Nazarene whe the conference is being held. We’ll be hanging out until the condense starts in the cafe at the church. Stop by and say “hi.” We’d love to meet you!

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About a month ago, I shared about an exciting new conference put on by the International Network of Children’s Ministers [INCM] that I am blessed to be able to attend.  The CM Leaders Conference is being help September 13-14, 2012 (that’s a Thursday and Friday) at Grove City Church of the Nazarene in Grove City, Ohio (which is a south-western suburb of Columbus).

Now, I am excited to announce that one lucky reader can win a free ticket to the conference.  Just use the form below to enter to win a free ticket and join me a lot of other great people at this brand new conference.  The contest will be open through 12:01 AM EST Saturday, September 1st.   Good luck!

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The great people from Only144.com are at it again.  The group who have been bundling awesome children’s ministry resources and offering them to you for deeply discounted people have put together another top notched offer that you won’t want to miss out on.

This offers, which is available for only 144 hours starting last Friday is tailor made for you if you need brand new curriculum, PowerPoint games, and kids sermon videos.

DO NOT MISS this current deal from ONLY144.com.  It includes $1,979 worth of resources for only $97.  It ends on Thursday, August 9 at 12:00 noon.  Visit http://www.only144.com to check it out all the details. 

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I don’t get to go to a lot of children’s ministries conferences.  Between finances and, oh yea, my other full time job, the opportunity just doesn’t present itself very often.  That’s why I was excited earlier this year when Michael Chanley told me that the International Network of Children’s Ministers [INCM] was planning on bringing a brand new conference to Columbus, Ohio.  Well, finally the time has come, and INCM announced the inaugural:

The CM Leaders Conference is being help September 13-14, 2012 (that’s a Thursday and Friday) at Grove City Church of the Nazarene in Grove City, Ohio (which is a south-western suburb of Columbus).

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