[Kid Inspiration]

I am a lensmaster!!

A lens is one person’s (lensmaster’s) view on a topic he cares about. More specifically, a lens is a single web page filled with information and links that point to other web pages, to continually updated RSS feeds, or to relevant advertising. It’s a place to start, not finish.

http://www.squidoo.com/childrensministry/

So have a look at Squidoo – a site which you will be hearing a lot more from in the future – it is still in beta form, but is one of those ‘new media’ type companies… started by author Seth Godin. I will be expanding the lens bit by bit, but my goal is to make it THE place to get an overview of Children’s Ministry on the net.

Does your ministry have a vision statement?

http://www.coldwatercafe.com/vision-statements.htm

Here’s a list of a bunch of them.

Teachers come in all personality types, from diverse backgrounds, and with very different styles. I’ve seen a quiet, middle-aged, balding man in polyester pants, who at first glance appeared to be a boring instructor, come to life with such animation and excitement about his subject that children were spellbound. buspar 10 mg I once heard a sweet little grandmother tell beautiful Bible stories to preschoolers as though she’d been doing it all her life. Later, I discovered she’d spent 15 years in jail for embezzlement before she met Jesus at age 55.

Read on at cmmag.com

Are you having church on Christmas day?

Here We Go Again–CONTROVERSY!

This potentially church splitting issue is even on CNN — how will the church recover from this negative publicity!! What will we do — can we go on, will the church survive…

Some megachurches closing on Christmas

Now, you may not know this… but I have a Diploma in Jazz (Performance).

Yes, I hear you pontificate… I can see how that comes in handy in Children’s Ministry.

Well, ‘music soothes the savage beast’ they say — Need I say more.

So I found this article fascinating to say the least, finally I can justify my qualification spiritually.

What Faith should look like

Jazz is one often overlooked type of music from which Christians can benefit. Jazz can make us especially the us of white, middle- and upper-class, relatively comfortable American believers ”better Christians, writes Rodney Clapp in a provocative essay from his book Border Crossings. Put more pointedly and specifically, jazz can correct what James Cone has called . . . the heresy of white Christianity.

Check it out!

(via philbaker.net)

What happens to infants when they die?

I was very interested to read this page as John Piper and the Desiring God website give their take on the question.

Great brain fodder!

Thoughts? Comment below.

‘Tis the Season to Eat – so here is the story of creation slightly altered:

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God’s great gifts, Satan created Cookies and Cream Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, “You want chocolate with that?”

And Man said, “Yes!” and Woman said, “and as long as you’re at it, add some sprinkles.” And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, “Try my fresh green salad.” And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, “I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them.” And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it “Angel Food Cake,” and said, “It is good.” Satan then created chocolate cake and named it “Devil’s Food.”

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained ten pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald’s and it’s cheeseburger. Then said, “You want fries with that?” And Man replied, “Yes! and super size them!” And Satan said, “It is good.” And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery. Then Satan created Health Insurance.

Perry Noble is the Senior Pastor of New Spring Church in Anderson, South Carolina.

His blog (at perrynoble.com) gives a GREAT perspective from a senior pastors point of view. It is refreshing to see church leaders blogging and letting it all hang out!

I had been reading for a couple of months when he posted entry about children at his church!

Fantastic… read it right through!

Key Quote:
“Kid’s ARE worth our attention–our time–our money–our effort. They are NOT the church of tomorrow–they are the church of TODAY! To all who volunteer in our children’s ministry–THANK YOU…you are making a difference…and because of what you are allowing Jesus to do through you I feel that many children will not stray down the path that I took–God is using you to reach them…and this community is a better place for it!”

Spectacular shot of an All Nippon Airline being struck by lightning in Osaka .
Amazing that the aircraft itself and the people and equipment inside can survive such a hit.

This is in normal time

This is in slow motion

This is a still photo just on initiation of the bolt..
Notice the ground and air bolt feeder strike at the same time.

Well like anyone who has been a part of church for a long time I have come to the realisation that Pastor’s jokes are generally really bad!

Well, now that I’m a Children’s Pastor I thought it was about time for me to give making bad jokes a go so here are a few…

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married.
The ceremony wasn’t much, but the reception was excellent.

2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says,
“I’ll serve you, but don’t start anything.”

5. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but
I couldn’t find any.

And finally my recent favourite…

6. A man from New Zealand was recently interviewed after breaking his back from jumping off a cliff holding a chicken by the legs. When asked why he was doing such an outrageous thing he replied “Well i’ve always wanted to go HENGLIDING!”

Well there you have it. My jokes are just as bad as the next Pastor but I know that many of you will cut and paste these on emails to your friends.

Every now and then you read something that brings back the reality of the times we live in.

Fifty babies a year are alive after abortion

Abortion on demand is allowed in Britain up to 24 weeks more than halfway through a normal pregnancy and the highest legal limit for such terminations in Europe. France and Germany permit ‘social’ abortions only up to the 10th and 12th weeks respectively.

The number of terminations carried out in the 18th week of pregnancy or later has risen from 5,166 in 1994 to 7,432 last year. Prenatal diagnosis for conditions such as Down syndrome is increasing and foetuses with the condition are routinely aborted, even though many might be capable of leading fulfilling lives. In the past decade, doctors skill in saving the lives of premature babies has improved radically: at least 70%-80% of babies in their 23rd or 24th week of gestation now survive long-term.

Key Quote:
“They can be born breathing and crying at 19 weeks gestation, he said. I am not anti-abortion, but as far as I am concerned this is sub-standard medicine.”

I really struggle when reading a story like this. It seems you can only be considered a human when someone ‘wants you’. If no one wants you, you are just a foetus – non human.

I guess this really hits home when I look at my wife who is 29 weeks pregnant, knowing that the life inside her is loved and wanted.

God Bless.

We run a 5 Star Leadership Program for kids in years 4 and 5. And last Saturday night they took over… running the whole shebang. MCing, Preaching, Running Games, Doing sound etc, etc.

 

A Giant Connect 4 Competition.

 

Kirra Preaching up a Storm

 

Tayla Speaking the Word!

 

Caleb MC’ing!

 

Me and Caleb talking about stuff!

It was a huge success and the kids loved running everything – get a group of your kids to try this… very rewarding (You will also be surprised with what the kids preach about!).

http://puppetproductions.com/

Check out this sale before it ends!

Puppet Productions:
We’ve never offered discounts this huge at any time in our 35 years in business! Every puppet on this page is on sale at an unbelievable savings of 67% off! Call us crazy but now is your chance to save big!

Check out this movie, it’s not what you think:

From the Logosdor Website:
In response to the recent findings from the Lausanne Forum on World Evangelism, Logosdor has employed a new strategy for the vast unreached populations of the world aim lower, think smaller, give up, & go have a cup of coffee.

It is a reality that, “Children remain a neglected mission field. Their numbers are increasing globally, and resources are not meeting the challenge.” We need to take children seriously.

View Movie

Click here to view the vid and find out:

… and more!

View the video:
http://www.kidinspiration.com/video/episode2.htm

Now– post your comments below–tell me what you found helpful, and what you REALLY liked!

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Blog!

Wow, it just passed me by. The blog turned ONE on the 13th of November. I made the first post exactly a year ago. In fact I made only two posts for the whole of the month… things have picked up a bit.

Not bad…

Ah well, so much for the party, I think I will save myself the washing up and head to bed.

Good Night.