@Barbaragraves Thanks. That's good. It must be something on my end then. I always worry when I get that msg. in reply to Barbaragraves 22:17:11, 2010-07-24

Enjoy. I am off to read to a 3 year old. 23:07:59, 2010-07-23

RT @jimwideman: The best designed off days also include a to do list // To Do List for an off day? I knew there was a reason I liked you! 15:51:02, 2010-07-23

@samluce I wish. My mind is about as blank as the walls in an insane asylum right now. I was hoping someone else would have an idea. in reply to samluce 11:27:34, 2010-07-23

@johnincolorado I'll trade you for a spleen. in reply to johnincolorado 00:13:43, 2010-07-23

@kidologist @LarryShallenberger Checking my Bible now…let's see rainbow=no flood. Can't find anything about human head sized burritos. in reply to kidologist 22:24:15, 2010-07-22

@jimwideman I think it's because they haven't broken the process down into steps and recorded each step in their calendar. in reply to jimwideman 23:26:46, 2010-07-20

RT @TonyKummer: @stocksohio my new twitter strategy is to just retweet everything you say // Sry. Had to Retweet this. Couldn't help it. 12:01:34, 2010-07-20

@funnymandan Happy Birthweek! Does that mean I've gotten it out of the way now? in reply to funnymandan 22:14:21, 2010-07-19

@michaelchanley Kind of figured…but couldn't resist. in reply to michaelchanley 17:48:03, 2010-07-19

@Danielbwhite And here I expected a sketch of a systematic theology of the whole Bible, but maybe that was on the other side of the table in reply to Danielbwhite 15:14:54, 2010-07-19

@michaelchanley Does that mean you need to go picket something? in reply to michaelchanley 14:21:14, 2010-07-19

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-06-27 to 2010-07-03
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-11 to 2010-07-17
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-04 to 2010-07-10

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kp8yXDpNaQ

Related posts:

1. Ten Little Rules
2. Follow Me
3. Psalm 23

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [Luke 15: 8-10]

I have always enjoyed the images of Angels celebrating every time someone enters the kingdom of heaven. Every time I hear a story of salvation or a baptism testimony, I get a mental picture of angels in heaven celebrating. The verse doesn’t say so, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Father, Son and Holy Spirit right there along with them celebrating right along with them.  This Saturday night, that idea of celebration takes on a whole new meaning for me.  This Saturday, at around 7:00 PM or so, my seven year old daughter will be baptized, and I can’t wait to celebrate along with the angels.  Now, mind you, they’ve already had their big celebration, as did I on a Sunday afternoon in April.  Here’s what I wrote about that day (April 18, 2010) previously:

On the way to church yesterday my 8 year old son (nine today – Happy Birthday Jacob), my seven year old daughter (Lyndsey) and I were talking about the gospel and being saved. My son (who is saved and has been baptized) asked how you know for sure that you’ve been saved (this was after a lesson last week on Thomas and how doubts are normal in the Christian life). So, we talked about the prayer of salvation and then we talked about how being saved is much more than just that prayer. We talked about the outward and inward signs of being saved like changes in attitudes, regretting when you do bad things not just because of the thing itself but because it is something God wouldn’t want you to do, etc., and we talked about how God changes us from the inside out. When we got in the truck to come home from church Lyndsey was kind of quiet then she told me, “I don’t think I’ve ever said that prayer.” I asked her if she wanted to, and she said she did but not until we got home and her brother wasn’t in the truck.

Anyhow, when we got home we talked about how salvation was more than just a prayer, or words that you say, or an easy way to get to heaven, but rather a choice to make Jesus Lord of your life. She said that she understood and she still wanted to say the prayer so we did! Needless to say, it was an awesome moment – another glimpse for me into how God must feel when one of his kids comes home. I stand amazed as the awesomeness and goodness of God. When my kids were born, I never thought anything would top those moments. I was wrong! Yesterday, and the same event with Jacob have exceeded those moments.

Now, Lyndsey can’t wait to be baptized. That will be another moment to add to my list. Sometimes, in children’s ministry, it is easy to get caught up in other people’s kids. And, so much of what we do is the meticulous investment that yield future (but not immediate results). Yesterday, God graced me with a moment that reminded me what is truly important and put everything back into perspective for me in a moment, and I find myself repeating a refrain that permeates my life and my prayers, “Thanks you God!”

She couldn’t be at the baptism last time our church did them in June, but she (and I) are excited about this coming Saturday.  When I finally submitted to God’s will and got baptized myself, it was a moment I will never forget.  But to see my son, and now my daughter, follow me in that act of obedience has truly been a gift of God.

Related posts:

1. Little Mouth…Deep Truth (Children's Ministry Moment #2)
2. Monday Morning Prophecy #11 – Angels Would Praise Him
3. How Many People Were On That Boat? (Children's Ministry Moment #5)

@Barbaragraves Will do. First I have to get an article ready for the debut of a new writer on Kidmin1124.com tomorrow. in reply to Barbaragraves 23:00:08, 2010-07-14

@TonyKummer Don't forget the laser light show and the indoor fireworks. in reply to TonyKummer 15:01:37, 2010-07-13

@danscott77 Early to bed.. early to paint…no wait a minute, that's not it! in reply to danscott77 23:14:06, 2010-07-11

@SpencerClick I didn't know there was another way to start a day. I'm am "forced" morning person at best and a whiny one at worst. in reply to SpencerClick 09:33:25, 2010-07-11

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-06-27 to 2010-07-03
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-18 to 2010-07-24
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-04 to 2010-07-10

So, what you might ask does talking have to do with horses and dogs?  Well, for roughly seven years now, I have listened to Jacob talk about how much he loves them both.  His obsession with horses was pretty easy to take care of.  Our house has a couple of acres of land, but we don’t have the facilities to have a horse, and Jacob accepted that pretty early in life.   So, every summer, he heads off to horse camp to renew his love for horses and riding and to get his “horse fix.”  Even when all his little friends decided that riding horses was for girls, he still held out and explained to them all about the cowboys and how he plans to move to Texas when he gets older and be a cowboy himself.  Like I said, horses were easy.

But, dogs, those infernal dogs kept coming up.  Every Christmas – every birthday – every time someone walked by outside with a furry canine, I heard about dogs.  I don’t dislike dogs.  I actually quite like them.  I tell people that, “I like dogs – other people’s dogs – a lot!”  But, I also enjoyed the fact that, at the moment, we were blissfully pet free.  No messes to clean up, no food to buy, no odd noises in the middle night – well at least none of the four legged variety.  I have a wife, four kids, a ministry, a job and a pretty busy life.  I struggle to find quiet time as it is, and the last thing I need to throw into that mix is a dog.  I’ve never actually owned a dog either, and I wasn’t entirely sure that I ever wanted to.  We grew up with cats, and I had a number of cats as an adult.  Cats are easy.  Give them a bowl of food, and let them think they own the place, and you’re pretty well set.  Other than changing the litter box once a week and feeding them, cats are pretty much self-sufficient.  Dogs on the other hand, oy-vey!

So, I’m certain you know where this is going!  There is something about looking into your child’s eyes for years and seeing disappointment and hurt that eventually trumps your own desires not to do something.  With some godly prompting from my wife, who is not a dog person herself, I finally realized that it was time to give in and start the process of looking for a dog.  Now, I waxed eloquently about how this was going to be a process, and how we were going to take our time and make sure we found the right dog, and how we were going to have everything prepared for a dog before we ever brought it home.  It was quite a speech if I do say so myself.  That was on Saturday afternoon.  On Sunday, I somewhat reluctantly agreed to go the animal shelter “just to look around.”  By the time we left, we had a 24 hour hold on the dog, and Monday afternoon, my wife went and picked him up.  That’s him in the picture at the beginning of this post.  His shelter name was Elvis, which lasted only long enough for me to announce that we should proclaim that:

Elvis has left the building!

as we picked him up at the shelter.  His name was quickly changed to Chance because, as my son explained, he never thought there was any chance he would actually get a dog.  I think it may have something to do with a movie he saw as well, but that isn’t nearly as interesting as stories go.

He’s a cute little guy.  He’s not mine!  Technically he belongs to Jacob which means Jacob gets to walk him, and clean up various messes, and shovel doggie by-products out of the back yard.  I just get to feed him and pay for a whole bunch of stuff.  Already, though, in the short time that he’s been home, he has brought me tremendous joy – not because I wanted a dog, but because I get to see the unmitigated joy and love in my son’s eyes when he runs and plays with that mutt.  And, I get to watch as Jacob (and his siblings) grow attached to Chance.  As I sat there watching tonight (last night as you read this), I began to think that this must be something like how God must feel when we finally get what we need most.  We don’t beg for it like Jacob did for this dog.  In fact, we tend to resist it as much as possible.  But, when we finally get what we need most – a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – and our eyes are opened to true love, I think God must experience a joy far greater than the one I did last night just sitting back and watching my kids play with their new dog.

Related posts:

1. What Do You Want to Be Known For? (Another Jacob Moment)
2. From the mouth of babes…

@kidologist You let me know when you're coming & I'll clean out the various toys & wrappers my kids have accumulated under the cushions. in reply to kidologist 15:21:25, 2010-07-10

Is @kidologist going to come sleep on each of our couches and teach us in our living rooms? I wish! #kidmin #kidology #cmconnect 19:09:28, 2010-07-09

Just sent my wife a long e-mail about my plans for the CM Expo. Glad she's coming along, and no all of our comm. is not by email. #kidmin 00:53:47, 2010-07-09

@jimwideman Seems like the last thing on that list has to be, "turn off computer." in reply to jimwideman 00:27:11, 2010-07-09

@jcisonline Congrats on the new position. Of course, by 5th and 6th grade, they're almost your age, but I'm sure you'll make do. in reply to jcisonline 16:31:42, 2010-07-08

Just realized a comment I left on @Kidmin1124 is actually longer than the article. oops. – http://bit.ly/aKtGFv #kidmin #kidmin1124 12:27:43, 2010-07-07

@gina_mcclain I guess I can throw away this credit card app then. in reply to gina_mcclain 09:44:59, 2010-07-07

Good stuff guys. I did note the utter lack of silly string though. #backstagefun 22:48:11, 2010-07-06

@gina_mcclain It's always special when a family experiences a new arrival. We'll expect pictures. in reply to gina_mcclain 21:27:03, 2010-07-06

@toddmckee Here I was afraid it was going to be something like this: http://yfrog.com/5zjziuj http://yfrog.com/mcv0bj in reply to toddmckee 20:05:51, 2010-07-05

@Barbaragraves OK. I admit it. It got me 2. The 1 thing that gets me in movies is when they get me thinking about my own kids growing up. in reply to Barbaragraves 23:41:20, 2010-07-04

@kidologist Ouch! Hope you feel better soon. Not the kind of fireworks you want on the 4th, is it? in reply to kidologist 18:29:09, 2010-07-04

@adolan I still owe you an e-mail. I haven't forgotten. Just procrastinated. in reply to adolan 00:34:37, 2010-07-04

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-11 to 2010-07-17
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-06-27 to 2010-07-03
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-18 to 2010-07-24

@adolan It was several years ago, but I will e-mail you what I remember tomorrow – time permitting. in reply to adolan 23:59:46, 2010-07-01

RT @r_frank: Welcome to the 2nd half of 2010. Do you need to make any mid-year corrections? #kidmin // Daily, but that's another story. 13:50:27, 2010-07-01

@SavedSister7 Thanks. I need something for the CMExpo. Most people there won't care about my Accounting & Consulting firm. #kidmin in reply to SavedSister7 20:43:59, 2010-06-28

Making another plea (overly strong but effective word) 4 writers for Kidmin1124.com. If you're interested, tweet me. #kidmin #cmconnect 17:42:37, 2010-06-28

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-11 to 2010-07-17
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-18 to 2010-07-24
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-04 to 2010-07-10

12:00 A.M. Saturday, August 14, 2010 through 11:59 P.M. the following Friday, August 20, 2010.

I hope you will join me in what has now become an annual event.  So, what is the Go Dark challenge you ask?  I’m glad you asked.   I started the Go Dark challenge last year as a kind of fast/break from the electronics which pervade our daily lives.  As I wrote last year,

I started to reflect on all the electronic gadgets that we fill our time up with every day.  We have TVs in every room, DVD players, IPods, Computers, the Internet, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Newsreaders, Radios.  The list goes on and on.

Now, I am not opposed to technology.  I rather enjoy it!  Sometime though, I wonder if I am letting it consume me to the detriment of other more important things in my life.  To me, those things that may be suffering are my relationship and quiet time with God including time in his word, my relationship with my wife, my relationship with my kids, and my other reading.

So, for one week last year, I turned it all off.  I unplugged just to remember what it was like and see what I could learn.  I learned quite a bit from the experience last year and decided to make it an annual event.  I have already had some people express some interest in joining with me for the Go Dark week this year, and I hope you will consider doing the same.  Let’s all grow together.  As with last year, I have a list of rule for myself for this week.  These rules reflect my own personal situation (for example, my job does not allow me to not use the computer there for the week, etc.)  If you decide to join us, you may have other “rules and exceptions” which will be necessary for your life.  The goal though should be to use technology as little as possible.  I also encourage you to post your rules somewhere (in the comments here, in your own blog, etc.) because I think if you write them down, you are more likely to follow them.  Here are my rules which are the same as last year with some minor exceptions:

1. My black out will commence precisely at 12:00 AM, Saturday, August 14, 2010 and run through 11:59 P.M., Friday, August 20, 2010.
2. I will turn off the following while I am at home: TVs, DVD Players, Game Systems, Computers, Radios, Cell Phones, Ipods, etc.
3. No Radio or Ipod in the Van or Truck when I am alone.  Last year, I said none at all, but I decided in hindsight that that was unfair to my family.  My kids love music, and we generally listen to worship music in the car anyhow.  If they are in the vehicle and want to listen to music, I am willing to allow that.
4. I will not access the internet for any reason for the entire week unless absolutely necessary for work.  Should I need to access it for work, I will limit my access to the immediate need only and finish as quickly as possible. (This means no blogging, twittering or facebook for the entire week).  My plan is to schedule a post to this blog for Monday morning of my Go Dark week announcing what I am doing.  If you follow me on twitter or facebook, you will likely see that post as it is set up to be automatically.  Any other article from me that you might see at Kidmin1124.com or Ministry-to-Children.com will have been scheduled in advance.
5. I will access e-mails at work for my work e-mail address only during working hours.
6. My work computer also checks my personal e-mail addresses.  I will turn off the automatic checking of this e-mail address.  I will check e-mails to my personal account once each day at work around 12:00-1:00.  I will only open e-mails from people which appear as though they may require some timely response.  I will not read automatically generated e-mails from the various groups which I participate in (facebook, my blog, etc.) during that time.  The purpose of these exceptions related to my personal e-mail is to allow me to avoid being rude by not responding to personal e-mails which are an integral part of the way people communicate today.  I will not be checking e-mail at all during the opening weekend of Go Dark week.
7. I also need access to my cell phone for work purposes (it is the number that shows up on my business card).  So, I will turn my cell phone on when I walk out the door in the morning to go to work and turn it off when I walk in the door in the evening.  I will only use my cell phone as a phone (novel idea) and not access the other features.
8. Computer use will also be restricted to work hours and for work purposes only.

I think that covers it.  I hope you will consider joining me in this chance to take a break from technology.  If you do, please let me know about it.  The more the merrier!  I promise you won’t regret it once you’ve done it.

Related posts:

1. I’m Going Dark! (Join the Challenge!)
2. Going Dark – The Recap!
3. Wordle Challenge – May 2010

@DonnaMaeHarris That was my fav part as well. We took what was in decent shape to Goodwill and the rest to a dumpster. Very cleansing. in reply to DonnaMaeHarris 13:57:37, 2010-06-26

@JohnFoleyIII Thanks. It's like Christmas in June. in reply to JohnFoleyIII 13:43:14, 2010-06-26

@thurios Glad to hear it. You're not supposed to be the one with an attitude when you cause the accident are you? in reply to thurios 23:44:08, 2010-06-25

@Barbaragraves If you tie them all to each other, that only leaves six loose ends. Have fun. in reply to Barbaragraves 22:33:48, 2010-06-25

Excited to check my TiVo tonight and find an extra episode of Wipeout! It's the little things that make me happy. 21:15:15, 2010-06-24

@NathMcLean Me too, and it's 10:00 AM here. That's probably not a good thing. in reply to NathMcLean 10:13:33, 2010-06-24

@samluce So, should we expect an article on the parallels between Dear John and #kidmin? in reply to samluce 00:17:22, 2010-06-24

@Barbaragraves Just drop a couple of jars of tomato sauce, and everything will be great! Now I've made myself hungry. in reply to Barbaragraves 23:34:31, 2010-06-23

@pastorjustyn Praying for you and Bri. They say #5 is the easiest…wait a minute. Come to think of it, I've never actually heard that. in reply to pastorjustyn 00:17:20, 2010-06-23

RT @adolan: loving the #cmtelesummit w/ @kidinspiration! great ideas about leading core volunteer #kidmin team.//Amen – love the accent 2 14:44:41, 2010-06-22

Move over Ron Popeil, @kidologist has got you beat! #kidmin #cmtelesummit // I should say, I did buy it, and it is well worth it! 11:05:58, 2010-06-22

Move over Ron Popeil, @kidologist has got you beat! #kidmin #cmtelesummit 11:04:38, 2010-06-22

@cmtelesummit Only a "tech nerd" does a top ten list with only nine items on it. Just kidding – the #cmtelesummit is great! 10:07:36, 2010-06-22

Checking out for the night! Sweet dreams! Oh, and check out Kidmin1124.com & @Kidmin1124 – Just thought I would throw that in there. 22:10:18, 2010-06-21

@adolan is making me feel old. 17:06:43, 2010-06-21

I think @adolan must be a fan of texting while driving. @cmtelesummit 11:49:23, 2010-06-21

@thejaymart Good, I was worried it was only me. I definitely don't want to miss out on @adolan's presentation. in reply to thejaymart 11:18:14, 2010-06-21

Get in on the ground floor & follow @Kidmin1124 tonight! Oops, I think I made a positive thing sound like an MLM scheme. #kidmin – Pls RT 22:15:31, 2010-06-20

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-11 to 2010-07-17
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-06-27 to 2010-07-03
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-18 to 2010-07-24

@Anna_Light We’re never ALL alone. That’s one of the perks of being part of God’s family. in reply to Anna_Light #

RT @prodigaljohn: What’s the best Peter Bradley Adams album? // Sunshine Day! Oh sorry, thought you said Peter Brady. #

@CommanderBill I tried to DM you, but you aren’t following me. Hint. Hint. #

RT @drmoore: ..got 2 do something about these oppressive & unjust “Must B this Tall 2 Ride” signs.// Didn’t know @DrMoore was that short. #

I’m about 110 blog posts behind for next month’s #kidmin Blog Patrol. That is going to make for a long weekend. #

@pastorjaredm Here I thought there was some intentionality to your being intentional about choosing the word intentional. in reply to pastorjaredm #

@pastorjaredm That’s funny. I knew there was a reason I liked you. in reply to pastorjaredm #

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-11 to 2010-07-17
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-07-04 to 2010-07-10
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-06-20 to 2010-06-26

1. June 13 is promotion weekend. This weekend at New Life Church Gahanna, I get a whole new set of Kindergartners in my K-1 room, and I can’t wait.  We celebrated our new 2nd graders moving up last weekend, and we get a whole new crop to sow this weekend.  It’s always a fun time of the year!

2. June 14 is a significant day in the kidmin world.  That the day the free e-book What Matters Now in Children’s Ministry? is available in hard copy form.

3. June 16 is my son Joshua’s 17th birthday.  So it ain’t so Joe!  Can I really be the father of a 17 year old?  If nothing else, it has taught me a lot about prayer, and that is all I have to say about that!

4. June 18 is a big day.  That’s the Day Toy Story 3 comes out in theaters.  My kids will be out of town, so I may just have to go see it by myself!  You might be in children’s ministry if…

5. Week of June 21.  This is the week I am expecting to receive some materials from God’s Kids Worship.  I have researched this resource before, and I was ecstatic to be asked to review some of their materials and write about it on the blog.4. June 20 is Father’s Day.  My family will actually be out of town this weekend, but my wife reminds me that quiet time for an entire weekend is the best Father’s Day they could give me.  I’m not so sure about that.   We did get to celebrate Father day on June 6th instead though, and that was fun.

6. June 21 & 22 is the CM Tele Summit. I wrote about it here.  They have a top-notched lineup of speakers, and the conference is available for free.  I’m excited about listening to a number of the presentations without even having to leave the house!

7. July 2nd is my youngest son Nathan’s 3rd birthday.  My youngest is already three, and he is a riot!  That said, we are experiencing some of the “lasts.”  Some are great – like the “last” of diapers.  Some are a little bit sad – like the “last” of the crib.

8. July 4th is one of my favorite holidays.  Every year, we celebrate with my best friends at their annual Fourth of July BBQ and at Church with Food, Fun and Fireworks.  I am looking forward to both.

9. July 15 and 16 is the CM Expo in Lexington, NC.  I’ve written about that here on the blog as well.  I can’t wait to see some of the exhibitors and participate in the Scoops and Sit-In’s.  That said, I am most excited about meeting people who will be there like Jim Wideman, Tony Kummer, Yancy, Michael Chanley, Roger Fields, Amy Fenton Lee, Tamera Kraft, Bob Singleton and Wendy Douglas amongst others.  I am also excited because my wife and I are turning this into a four day weekend away from the house and should have some good quality time by ourselves.

10. Week of July 19.  I don’t know for certain, but based on past experiences, this is the week I will be receiving the July/August Issue K! Magazine.  That is a always a highlight, and I’m sure this one will be no exception.

11. July 25 is the weekend my seven year old daughter Lyndsey is getting baptized. Very little in life surpasses the feeling of watching our children walk in the path God has laid out for them.  Words can not adequately describe the feeling.

12. August 2 through 6 is VBS week at our church. I can’t wait!  Whether I run games again this year or serve in some other capacity, I can’t wait to spend five straight nights with the kids.

13. An as yet undisclosed (and undetermined) week in August. I haven’t decided which week for sure yet, but sometime during August I will do the 2nd annual “Go Dark” week in which I give up everything electronic for one week.  I learned a lot last year, and I hope to repeat that again this year.

14. August 26 is my 38th birthday.  It seems like I feel a year older each time it roles around, oh well!

Related posts:

1. Happy Birthday to Me!
2. When the Angels Rejoice
3. It’s Time Again – Announcing The 2nd Annual “Go Dark” Challenge

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfg1ksc3HhI

Related posts:

1. What If Cartoons Could Worship?
2. Psalm 23
3. Our God Is An Awesome God

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkc9-SvqfDM

Related posts:

1. December 19 – Mary’s Song (Breath of Heaven) (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. My Two Year Old's Favorite Song – Hallelujah by Jason Castro
3. Family Man

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow-9l67taQE

Related posts:

1. What If Cartoons Could Worship?
2. The Ten Commandment Boogie
3. 1 Timothy 4:12 (Seeds Family Worship)

As frequently happens with my kids, I was floored by his response.  After some reflection, I walked away with a couple of important reminders:

1. Kids are more perceptive than we give them credit for.  Nathan will be three in November.  I don’t often discuss my medical problems with him, but he understood that his Dad’s back hurt.  I had my final of three shots of steroids the Monday before, and he was legitimately concerned with how I was.  Now, I’m a bit partial and a bit biased when I say that Nathan is a smart kids, but I think we need to remember that kids of all ages are capable of much more than we give them credit for.  If a three year old is capable of comprehending a situation like this and wondering whether or not things were all better, imagine what even older kids are capable of.  We should never, ever, underestimate a child’s capacity for understanding or compassion.

2. For me, Nathan’s inquiry was a physical example of the spiritual role kids play in our lives.  I know in my own life that my kids, and the kids in our children’s ministry, serve as a spiritual barometers for us as “adults.” I can’t count the number of times when something my kids said or did led me to reevaluate my current relationship with God. Based on my experience with kids, I am firmly convinced that God not only teaches us about him by placing kids in our lives, but also speaks directly to us through the words and actions of kids.

So, next time you’re hanging out talking to your kid or one of the kids in your ministry, remember that God put you in their life to teach them about him, but more importantly, he put that child in your life to teach you!

Related posts:

1. The Scary Prospect of Working with Children
2. What Are Kids Praying About?

This is not a post about the pain or the missed time, this is a post about going back.  You see, Sunday was my first real day back at church teaching God’s kids.  Of all the things I missed while I was laid up, teaching children’s ministry and running games in AWANA were at the top of my list, and I couldn’t wait to get back to doing both.  More than even that though, I was looking forward just to getting back into active community with those I minister alongside and those who are part of my local church.

But, something happened this weekend that really struck me.  I attend a fairly large church (around 2,000 people), and I was absolutely taken aback by the number of people who approached me to ask how I was doing and see if I was feeling better.  What astounded me even more than that was the number of them that I didn’t even really know personally.  Even more astounding yet were the number of kids (from Kindergarten through Fifth grade) who came up to me to tell me that they had missed me and that they were glad I was back.  Many even asked how my back was doing.  It really was heart warming for me to see and feel how God’s community works and cares for one another.

As I got past the initial shock and began to reflect on it more and more on Sunday afternoon, I realized that there were two possible reactions to the reception I had gotten at church the morning.  The first represents more of my natural bent, and that would be to react with a certain amount of pride.  Let’s face it – it is nice to be missed.  These people missed me, which means I must be important.  The teaching must not have been quite as good while I was gone.  Something must have just seemed like it was missing.  Obviously, these people recognized how important I was and how empty church was without me here!  Yes, one possible reaction to such a warm welcome is one of pride.  What a horrible affront to God such pride is.  Of course, I’ve overstated the prideful reaction a little bit, we might not think quite these thoughts, but when we start to think things like “its nice to be missed,” we open ourselves up to pride.

The second possible reaction is one of humility, and this is the one I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with yesterday as people continued to express their concern and well-wishes.  Who am I that God would surround me with people who show a genuine interest in me?  Who am I that God would allow me to teach and impact his kids on a weekly basis?  Who am I that people would use there personal time with God to pray for me?  Through every trial, and every blessing, and every day, I stand amazed and humbled at the work on God.  I am glad to be back.  I am glad that my back is getting better day by day.  Most of all thought, I am glad to be part of God’s family, and there is nothing I have done to deserve that honor.

To all those who have prayed for me, and those who have wished me well, and those who have filled in and taken up the slack while I have been out of commission, I thank you, and I am glad to call you brother and sister!

Related posts:

1. Announcement: Plans for the future of “Wayne’s Random Thoughts” Blog
2. Blog Patrol (May 26, 2009)
3. Does God Call People to Children’s Ministry? (Children’s Ministry Think Tank)

Related posts:

1. December 7 – Manger Throne (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. Jesus Loves Me – Behind the Music
3. What If Cartoons Could Worship?

1. It will help me to organize my thoughts and have a plan for what I intend to read; and
2. I hope it will help to ease my wife’s concern that I continue to buy tons and tons of books and never read them.  See, honey, I have a plan!

So, here is what I plan to be reading in 2010:

Books Written to or for Children

• Letters to Children…by C.S. Lewis
• To the Rising Generation: Addresses Given to Children and Young Adults…By Jonathan Edwards
• A Good Start: A Book for Young Men and Women…by C.H. Spurgeon
• Jesus Is Alive! Evidence for the Resurrection, Children’s Edition…by Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell
• The Case for Faith for Kids…by Lee Strobel
• The Case for a Creator for Kids…by Lee Strobel
• 99 Questions God’s Answers For Kids

Books Related to Children’s and Family Ministry

• Shift: What it takes to finally reach families today…by Brian Haynes
• Formational Children’s Ministry: Shaping Children Using Story, Ritual, and Relationship…by Ivy Beckwith
• Comforting Children in Crisis…Group Publishing
• The Ultimate Survival Guide For Children’s Ministry Workers…by Ivy Beckwith
• What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know…by Elmer Towns

Books About Teaching

• Rock Solid Teacher: Discover the Joy of Teaching Like Jesus…by Gregory C. Carlson
• Created to Learn…by William R. Yount
• Teaching Kids About God…by John Trent

Parenting

• Parenting With Love And Logic…by Foster Cline and Jim Fay
• Parenting Teens With Love And Logic…by Foster Cline and Jim Fay

Theology

• Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine…by Wayne Grudem
• The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith…by Timothy Keller
• Your Own Jesus: A God Insistent on Making It Personal…by Mark Hall

Devotional

• Morning and Evening…by Charles H. Spurgeon
• Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God…by Susan Hunt

Biography

• Me, Myself & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables…by Phil Vischer

Fiction

I don’t read a lot of fiction as a general rule, but this year I’ve already started reading the Chronicles of Narnia series to my kids.

• The Magician’s Nephew…by C.S. Lewis
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe…by C.S. Lewis
• The Horse and His Boy…by C.S. Lewis
• Prince Caspian…by C.S. Lewis
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader…by C.S. Lewis
• The Silver Chair…by C.S. Lewis
• The Last Battle…by C.S. Lewis

So, there we have it – my planned reading list for 2010, and its only 30 books.  We’ll see how it goes!  For the record, and for my wife’s peace of mind, I only need to buy one of the books on this list.  That book is Me, Myself & Bob which I haven’t gotten around to buying yet.  If you have one laying around, feel free to mail it to me!  I already have all the others.  What are you reading this year?

Related posts:

1. #17 – Read About Teaching (Tips For Large Group Teaching)
2. #44 – Read To Them (Tips For Large Group Teaching)
3. #9 – Big Truths for Young Hearts (Top Ten Christian Books for Kids)

Related posts:

1. December 8 – We Three Kings (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. December 7 – Manger Throne (A Christmas Carol Advent)
3. December 13 – God is With Us (A Christmas Carol Advent)

Dear God, please help me…

• …to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer.
• …to shine your light to a darkened world.
• …to remember in all situations that I am your child.
• …to serve you as an ambassador in this world.
• …to recognize that I am chosen by you.
• …to teach my children your word and about you that they may know all that you have done for me.
• …to live every day to bring glory to your name.
• …to model you to the kids you have entrusted to me both in my home and at church.
• …to never lose sight of my spiritual journey with you.
• …to make the time to spend with you each day in your Word and in prayer.
• …to turn to you in times of trouble.
• …to praise you in times of excess.
• …to be the husband that you intended me to be to my wife.
• …to teach your word in such a way that little ears would hear and little hearts would understand.
• …to be bold in proclaiming you to others.
• …to love you with all my heart, all my mind, all my strength and all my soul!

Thank you Lord for one more year hear on this Earth.  May your will be done! Amen.

Related posts:

1. #21 – Don’t Lose Sight of Your Own Spiritual Journey (Tips For Large Group Teaching)
2. Dad in the Middle – The Year in Review
3. I’m Going Dark! (Join the Challenge!)