Friday, August 6, 2010
Long time, no post!
Sorry it's been a long time since I've posted anything at all! Life has been so busy, and I've hardly had time to sleep! Misty and I decided that it's time to for me to start blogging again. We want to discuss children's ministry, parenting, and any other topics pertinent to the spiritual growth and well-being of children. So, I need your help! Jump start your brain and shoot me some topics you feel need to be addressed. With 15 years experience in full-time children's ministry, my desire is to provide wisdom, training, and resources so that you can be better equipped so that together we will reach this generation for Jesus. It will be a good learning process and experience for all of us.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Parenting kids God's way---part 2
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Last week we discussed verse 5 how to LOVE YOUR CHILDREN THE WAY WE SHOULD LOVE GOD. Today, I want to talk about verse 6 how to LEAD WITH YOUR HEART. , “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” This is a direct address to the people, many of whom were parents. We can’t possibly hope to instill right beliefs, values, and morals into the hearts of our children if they are not in our hearts. Life can only produce life, so when we value the life, power, and Spirit of God in our own hearts and lives; it will spill over into the hearts and lives of our children.
Last week we discussed verse 5 how to LOVE YOUR CHILDREN THE WAY WE SHOULD LOVE GOD. Today, I want to talk about verse 6 how to LEAD WITH YOUR HEART. , “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” This is a direct address to the people, many of whom were parents. We can’t possibly hope to instill right beliefs, values, and morals into the hearts of our children if they are not in our hearts. Life can only produce life, so when we value the life, power, and Spirit of God in our own hearts and lives; it will spill over into the hearts and lives of our children.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Parenting Kids God’s Way
Parenting in today’s culture is one of the most difficult challenges families face. Because there are so many views concerning raising children and discipline, parents often find themselves at a crossroads when deciding how to handle these issues. The question we find ourselves asking is, “What is the best way to parent my children?”
As I have researched, studied, and read materials and books concerning parenting, I always return to the one place I know that offers sound wisdom and proven principles concerning parenting – God’s Word. God’s Word is very clear on issues concerning parenting, so I would like to focus on one such passage to help us better understand how to “Parent Kids God’s Way.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a very important passage in Jewish culture and tradition. This passage is often referred to as the “Shema” and is one of the centerpieces of Jewish faith and prayer. It also gives strong instruction concerning parenting and family life. When I look at this passage, I see four key principles for parents and their relationship with their children: This is the first one I want to discuss. Please comment, I would love to hear your insight!
1) LOVE YOUR CHILDREN THE WAY WE SHOULD LOVE GOD. Verse 5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your HEART and with all your SOUL and with all your STRENGTH.” When we love our children with all of our HEART, we need to love them emotionally. Children deal with all kinds of positive and negative feelings, so emotions are an important part of their lives. We must help them work through their emotions while letting them see ours at the same time. When we love our children with all of our SOUL, we need to love them spiritually. As parents, one of our primary responsibilities is the spiritual formation of our children. When we teach them concerning the things of God and live our lives as an example for them, they will learn true devotion. When we love our children with all of our STRENGTH, we need to love them physically. Do you hug your children every day? Do you embrace them? Do you hold their hand when you’re walking somewhere? One thing our children should never lack is our deep affection
As I have researched, studied, and read materials and books concerning parenting, I always return to the one place I know that offers sound wisdom and proven principles concerning parenting – God’s Word. God’s Word is very clear on issues concerning parenting, so I would like to focus on one such passage to help us better understand how to “Parent Kids God’s Way.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a very important passage in Jewish culture and tradition. This passage is often referred to as the “Shema” and is one of the centerpieces of Jewish faith and prayer. It also gives strong instruction concerning parenting and family life. When I look at this passage, I see four key principles for parents and their relationship with their children: This is the first one I want to discuss. Please comment, I would love to hear your insight!
1) LOVE YOUR CHILDREN THE WAY WE SHOULD LOVE GOD. Verse 5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your HEART and with all your SOUL and with all your STRENGTH.” When we love our children with all of our HEART, we need to love them emotionally. Children deal with all kinds of positive and negative feelings, so emotions are an important part of their lives. We must help them work through their emotions while letting them see ours at the same time. When we love our children with all of our SOUL, we need to love them spiritually. As parents, one of our primary responsibilities is the spiritual formation of our children. When we teach them concerning the things of God and live our lives as an example for them, they will learn true devotion. When we love our children with all of our STRENGTH, we need to love them physically. Do you hug your children every day? Do you embrace them? Do you hold their hand when you’re walking somewhere? One thing our children should never lack is our deep affection
Saturday, January 24, 2009
People Matter!
Most of us have heard the old saying that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. One thing I have learned in life and in ministry is that people must be a priority. Today we were looking for a set of mattresses for my son. Like most people, we shopped around a bit before we made a purchase. We went to three different stores - a notable retail store and two locally owned stores. In the notable retail store, no one ever asked us if we needed help or had any questions. In one of the local stores, one of the employees offered help if we needed it, but he seemed very preoccupied with something else he was doing. When we did have questions, he kept looking back at his project and was very short with his answers. In the third store, we were met warmly by a gentleman who looked us in the eyes, shook our hands, and introduced himself. Not only did we find what we needed (even though we could have spent less money elsewhere), he even offered free delivery. He showed us the product for which we were looking, but he showed us something else as well...he cared! One thing at which I work hard is remembering people's names. Here are a just few other things I've learned about taking care of people: 1) Listen with your heart not just your ears, 2) Do not be fake, 3) "Kindness costs you nothing" - Dr. Randy Valimont, 4) Everyone deserves to be valued, and 5) God cares about people and so should we! The best wisdom I can give is this - When it comes to people, do the simple things that make them feel important and loved. People matter!
Monday, January 19, 2009
“Hungry For The Supernatural”
Our society is intrigued and obsessed with the supernatural. Hollywood, mainstream television, media groups, and writers have produced films, shows, documentaries, segments, books, and literature depicting what they believe to be the essence of the supernatural. I remember on one occasion, while in a major retail store, how amazed I was at the number of people purchasing a new book release from a popular series of books made for children. The woman in front of me had 3 copies. In that moment, God reminded me that people want the supernatural; they’re simply looking for it in the wrong places.
As a children’s pastor, I understand the importance of creating an environment and an atmosphere where boys and girls can experience the supernatural - the supernatural presence of the God. Our services are packed with music, games, crazy characters, science and object lessons, video, and more, but these are only tools to help us teach boys and girls about the power of God they need every day. Our pastor, Randy Valimont reminds us all the time, “You can build a great church on the power and presence of the Lord.” We have made this a priority in our children’s ministry as well as our church. In over 14 years of full-time ministry, I have never seen boys and girls as hungry for God and the power of the Holy Spirit as they are today. Since January 2005, over 200 boys and girls have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I’ll never forget praying with one young man who rides one of our buses. He was at the altar, singing, worshipping, and praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit. As I approached him, he looked at me with a big smile. I noticed that he didn’t have his eyes closed nor was he crying. He just stood there looking at me but prayed with an intensity I had seen only a few times before. All of a sudden, eyes wide open, he began speaking in tongues, making that smile of his even bigger. He and many others have discovered that there is no greater power than the power the Holy Spirit gives. It’s not natural - it’s supernatural!
Here are some things I’ve learned over the years about teaching on the baptism in the Holy Spirit: 1) Expect boys and girls to be filled! If we’re not praying and believing God to fill our children with the Holy Spirit, it won’t happen. 2) The Holy Spirit is a gift. If someone offered you $100 and told you all you had to do was take it, what would you do? I would do the same thing - take the money. I teach boys and girls there are only two things you have to do in order to be baptized in the Holy Spirit - be saved and ask God to fill you. God wants all of His children to have this gift; we simply need to take hold of it. 3) The Holy Spirit gives us power, but great responsibility comes with the power. Why do we need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? Acts 1:8 teaches us the reason - “You will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my WITNESSES in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and every part of the world.” We need the power of the Holy Spirit so we can stand boldly for Jesus and share the Gospel message. That’s our responsibility. Boys and girls need the power of the Holy Spirit to live a dynamic life for Jesus. When you have boys and girls filled with God’s Spirit, you’ll have the most explosive children’s service/class of which you have ever dreamed!
As a children’s pastor, I understand the importance of creating an environment and an atmosphere where boys and girls can experience the supernatural - the supernatural presence of the God. Our services are packed with music, games, crazy characters, science and object lessons, video, and more, but these are only tools to help us teach boys and girls about the power of God they need every day. Our pastor, Randy Valimont reminds us all the time, “You can build a great church on the power and presence of the Lord.” We have made this a priority in our children’s ministry as well as our church. In over 14 years of full-time ministry, I have never seen boys and girls as hungry for God and the power of the Holy Spirit as they are today. Since January 2005, over 200 boys and girls have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I’ll never forget praying with one young man who rides one of our buses. He was at the altar, singing, worshipping, and praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit. As I approached him, he looked at me with a big smile. I noticed that he didn’t have his eyes closed nor was he crying. He just stood there looking at me but prayed with an intensity I had seen only a few times before. All of a sudden, eyes wide open, he began speaking in tongues, making that smile of his even bigger. He and many others have discovered that there is no greater power than the power the Holy Spirit gives. It’s not natural - it’s supernatural!
Here are some things I’ve learned over the years about teaching on the baptism in the Holy Spirit: 1) Expect boys and girls to be filled! If we’re not praying and believing God to fill our children with the Holy Spirit, it won’t happen. 2) The Holy Spirit is a gift. If someone offered you $100 and told you all you had to do was take it, what would you do? I would do the same thing - take the money. I teach boys and girls there are only two things you have to do in order to be baptized in the Holy Spirit - be saved and ask God to fill you. God wants all of His children to have this gift; we simply need to take hold of it. 3) The Holy Spirit gives us power, but great responsibility comes with the power. Why do we need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? Acts 1:8 teaches us the reason - “You will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my WITNESSES in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and every part of the world.” We need the power of the Holy Spirit so we can stand boldly for Jesus and share the Gospel message. That’s our responsibility. Boys and girls need the power of the Holy Spirit to live a dynamic life for Jesus. When you have boys and girls filled with God’s Spirit, you’ll have the most explosive children’s service/class of which you have ever dreamed!
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