A Book?

My husband said something to me the other day that I can't seem to get out of my head. He said I should write a book. When I began to laugh, he said he was serious. I then began to offer all of the excuses I could think of...who would read it, I'm not educated enough to know how to properly write, I have so many random thoughts and topics I'm not sure how it would come together and make sense, etc. Every excuse was met with an answer debunking my reasoning!

So, I'm praying about the possibility. I guess I won't know if it's in me until I try. I have, for many years, ranted to my family all my thoughts, opinions and philosophies about children's ministry that maybe, just maybe some of those rants could be put into practical advise for those getting started in ministry. Maybe some of my frustrations over "the church" could help bring us together in a way that would make a bigger impact on the Kingdom of God.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Candlelight Communion

I was blessed to experience communion in a whole new way! Pastor Michael has a tradition here at Whitehouse First Assembly that makes communion a beautiful family experience. Our service started with some acoustic worship. Pastor Michael had all of the kids come onto the platform for him to read them the Christmas story from the Bible. After candy canes were shared, pastor shared a short message and then it was time for communion. All the staff couples had a station at the altar with communion emblems and we invited families to come. We served each family individually; sharing the scripture, a word of encouragement, prayed over them and then asked the spiritual leader of each home to pray a blessing over their family. It was so powerful! There were lots of hugs and tears of thankfulness. We each served communion about 10 times. In all my years of pastoring, I have never had the opportunity to serve communion in "Big Church" and I loved being able to be a part of it! What an awesome tradition and something I will look forward to every year!

Something to Really Think About

http://www.barna.org/culture-articles/462-six-megathemes-emerge-from-2010

Can I Just Brag?

Since moving to Texas, I have had the opportunity to be a part of the Whitehouse Ministerial Alliance. We are a group of pastors from all different denominations that come together once a month with the common goal of winning our city to Jesus. I love how this group plans services, fellowships and ministry projects together with no other agenda but encouraging each other and loving the people of Whitehouse. We had a joint Thanksgiving service and now are finishing the final deliveries for an awesome outreach called Project Joy.

Project Joy not only involves the churches of Whitehouse, but the whole school district as well. We team together and it starts with the schools. Teachers and administrators nominate families that they know are in need. The elementary schools collect non parishable food items, the middle school and high school collect money for gifts. Each church collects a household need such as laundry detergent or tooth paste for all of the families nominated, which this year was over 250 families. Then all food items are brought to one church where it is sorted before making boxes for each family. The money is collected and then the shopping begins. We try to have $20 per child to spend and had over 300 children to buy for! This is a huge project but is so fun to be involved in and team up with so many great people who just want to be a blessing to families.

If more communities worked together like Whitehouse, can you imagine how much more could be accomplished for the Kingdom of God? It's not about this church or that church...it's about showing the love of Christ. It's about pooling resources and being Kingdom minded and taking care of your own community. Love this!

My New City

I was doing some errands for church today and decided to drive through the housing development that is mostly government housing and where I have been told are many kids. As I slowly went over the speed bumps and looked over the layout, God began to stir my heart with ideas to reach out to the people who live there. Like the speed bumps in the road, many of them have had some speed bumps in their lives. We must be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who maybe some don't want to deal with but Jesus died for them just as much as He died for you and me.

I found a small play area where we could easily set up a sort of Sidewalk Sunday School and do some fun events for all the kids. If they won't come to the church, take the church to them! We can help them to overcome some of the generational cycles that keep them dependant on everything in this world and show them how to depend on Jesus...the true cycle breaker!

I love how no matter where we are or where we live, God can give us a passion for those around us if we are open to His leading. If we will have His eyes, He will show us the ways He can use us. I'm thankful to be used by God. Wherever, whenever however He chooses...let me always be obedient.