Category: Attitude like JC

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Each week for my ministry, I write a short devotional thought that hopefully will encourage and inspire those who have made a choice to work with kids. We call the time when we share this VIP (Vision, Information, Prayer).

These devotions are a part of casting vision to our leaders. I want to do everything I can to help them remember that they are making a difference for the kingdom of God and spreading the love of Jesus effectively. All the while challenging them to stretch in their own walk with Christ.

April 5, 2015
Happy Resurrection Morning!
This past weekend I had the privilege to hold one of God’s greatest gifts, a newborn baby. As I looked down on this precious bundle of joy, I became overwhelmed with how much of a huge responsibility I have, no we have, in sharing the gospel message with all that we come into contact with, especially children.
When you think that God has given us the opportunity to share the story of how much He loves each and everyone of His children, it can be an enormous feeling of responsibility.
After thinking about that consider this, we are accountable to God for each child’s safety that we are entrusted with.
That can be scary.
These are just two reasons why we must have training sessions like the ones we offer or require. We are responsible for the well being of these children.
Here is a quick scripture just to show how serious Jesus took teaching children and caring for children.
Luke 17:1-2
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
That’s pretty serious.
In light of what God wants His children to hear and understand, these consequences should be taken seriously. We not only are responsible for their safety and well being, we are also responsible for communicating to them the good news of the resurrection of Jesus. That friends, can make a difference for eternity!
Once you become a follower of Christ it’s our responsibility to do this whether it’s children or adults.  Jesus commanded us to do this Mathew 28:19-20

Thank you for doing all you can, to keep our children safe!
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Just thinking


The other day I was talking to a friend and had realized that it’s been a while that I have sat down and worked on my blog. So today is the day.
I was trying to figure out why it was that I have not written and then it kinda hit me. I’ve been so busy that I have not made it a priority. I have been working day and night. For those of you who know me might say yeah so? But over the last 4 weeks I have been moving our Children’s ministry to a new location, redecorating it, then starting a new lesson series. We then had a chili cook-off and a dedication of our new worship area. Lets see normal family stuff plus some extra stresses of finances. Turning the page in life with another birthday and the list goes on and on.
Looking at this I breath deep and slouch in my chair and say I’m tired! It’s not that sleepy tired either it’s the kind of tired that you say “Lord, Jesus how long will you take?” it’s a tiredness of the spirit. This is beyond physical and way beyond emotional. This is area that I think of that poem footprints was written about. It’s a humbling place to be. I’m glad my God is so big that he can handle anything that comes my way.
You see I’m in a place where God is teaching me what it means to depend on Him to supply all my needs spiritually. You might say duh that’s what He’s good at. Yeah, I know but you see we actually turn to God for our physical needs and emotional needs quicker than spiritual. Think about it when we pray we are so quick to ask for the obvious things money food things then help with those who are hurting but we don’t highlight the need to be crucified with Christ or ask God to help us to understand that or help me die to my selfish ambitions so I can be free to follow you.
It’s not easy to seek God in this way consistently. When I became a Christian I never thought I needed to die to my hopes and dreams to receive the blessings God has for me.  Just didn’t click. I understood the death burial and resurrection in head knowledge but when you get it in your heart and follow that way you’re not the same ever.
I find myself watching God move in people’s lives and the well of the spirit starts to flow down my cheeks. My Honduran friends say this is the Holy Spirit overflowing. I like that it makes me not feel like such a goofball. It’s so cool to watch God move and truly be happy for the person God is blessing. In this I find myself blessed and encouraged.
I’m finding that it can go the other way too. When the poor and underprivileged are abused or taken advantage of or if something is a roadblock to God’s Holy Spirit It kills you. I’m not a radical or even close but if God’s people really stood up for those who need an advocate this world would change.
Arron Chambers said this in his book Eats with Sinners “This world will be changed when Christians resolve to make life, help, hope, peace, joy, truth, and love more accessible.” (pg32)
Basically if we take care of each other instead we look out for number one and choose to ignore the fact that everything we have belongs to God and we are just entrusted to be stewards of it. I’m not saying that we can’t have things but we need to be open to Gods Spirit to use what we have and our resources to help our brothers and sisters.
I was asked how much to give? Till it hurts or till I have nothing left? I say till God says that’s enough. We need to really remember that the more we are given the more responsibility we have to give account for what we did with it. I would want to be on the side of being very generous with the blessings I have been entrusted with. Matthew 25 yikes!!
So… I’m under the broom tree sitting (1 kings 19:1-9 ) and I’m being cared for.  I thank God that He knows what is coming next because if I knew I might not be so willing to make the journey.
So I take a deep breath and slump down and thank Jesus for everything.
Just thinking… 

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You’re Part of the Custodian Team?

So the other day I was at a conference that was held at one of Disney’s resorts. I was waiting in line for something when I overheard a conversation between a Disney cast member and a trainee. They were having conversation about a test that would be given to the trainee.
The cast member said, “one question that is usually on the test is how often will you be working as a custodian?” The trainee looked at the cast member as if he was crazy and said, “what?” obviously confused she than continued; “I’m not a custodian” as if it were a slam to be a custodian. The employee laughed with a bit of a sneer and said “Oh but you are”. “You see were all part of the custodian cast member team” he continued, “we take pride in our parks and resorts and are passionate about it being clean and looking the best it possibly can, and it takes concerted effort form all of us.” She nodded with understanding.
I was thinking that if we all could take pride in what were doing like that.  People would want to be apart of our cause or organization. If you watch the cast members you may notice also that they have an attitude of wanting to make things the best they possibly can be for their guests. It’s almost like you’re in their own home. I had many conversations with cast members and even on their bad day their attitude is one that is very hospitable. Most of them said that they enjoy working there the management is great. It was a bit of a different story about the co-workers though but that’s another story for another day. 
I can’t help but think it has to do with the training and being made to feel appreciated. It could also be the sense of being part of something bigger than them, and is moving in a direction that is exciting. It seems that this is an attitude that is expected from the start. If you add all this up it eventually will lead to people being passionate about something. It could be implementing and idea or just wanting to make a difference or helping someone to have a great experience.
Another example was just today in our church the amount of people who showed their support to our NFL team who was in the play offs again. You can see this any time a local favorite team is up to play in a big game. The clothing is on the talk is of support and high expectations of how great the team will play. Don’t even think about talking badly about the team with out getting some sort of guff about it. You can just feel the excitement in the air when a big win is possible. This is passion for something that really has no personal impact on any of us because were just fans. We will only have bragging rights and what is that worth in the over all scheme of things? Not much.
We can learn this though is that people want to have something so desperately in their lives to believe in, that they can hope for, that will give them satisfaction of saying that’s my team with pride.
So I was thinking how can we use this in our churches or ministries to help people be passionate about things that are going on? Which led me to more questions.
One being, why can’t we have a passion or a feeling like were part of something much bigger than us?
Why can’t we be excited about being part of the custodial team?
What stopping us from celebrating big wins in our ministry?
Well I have to go back to the observation of the cast member it comes from those who have been there before and the management. It really needs to be from those who can identify the wins and be excited about it. Because if there showing passion about the wins it will catch on to those who are new or don’t know what is a win for your organization. This will generate excitement and passion for the positive things you value.
Just for example when we have a baptism in our church it’s a big deal at least it should be. In my opinion when a kid is baptized it should be a huge deal. We should draw attention to it because this is a win! We should be celebrating in every way possible letting everyone know how excited we are because of what God is doing in lives at our church.
 Not only that but if it’s a kid how much of a great thing it is because this is securing who we are for generations to come. Our beliefs our values and how many lives this child can impact because they have their whole life ahead of them. In order for all that to happen though they have to have a good management or support system (leadership) in place to guide them, train them, and help them know what and when to celebrate.
This is actually is the responsibility of the parents/guardians of the child. We see this in my favorite passage Deuteronomy 6:4-9. If they have no other support system that is when the church needs to step up and provide as much as they can. Again this is a blog for another time.
So guess to make this all help our churches and ministries it needs to start with those in leadership and those who are mature enough to influence others. This all reminds me of the book of Nehemiah.
 He had a passion to make a difference and change the course of a nation.  He did this by sharing the passion and vision God gave him. Nehemiah showed others what the issue was. (Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.) Then he encourages those in his sphere of influence. Showing them what a win looked like.
Check it out: Nehemiah 2:17-18 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.
We can even see Jesus giving encouragement to John in prison. He wanted John to be able to celebrate the wins that were going on even in his depressing situation. You can find it in Matthew 11:4-6. (verse 5: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.)
I also think that Jesus said this so His disciples would understand some of the things that could be considered as wins in ministry. Jesus had a passion for those who were not committed to God and those that wanted to be in relationship with the Lord. I believe Jesus knew that His passion was contagious and exciting. He gave people hope and those around his knew they were apart of something way bigger then themselves.
So if you’re in leadership try and figure out what wins are for you and become so passionate that it’s contagious. Celebrate at every opportunity. Continually share the vision and excitement you see to everyone who will listen. We need to be like the sports fans I talked about and defend your team at all times. Don’t forget to wear you sprit gear for all to see what team you support and are a fan of. Be proud of what God is doing in your house and play on any team that brings passion and excitement to your Game! Go, go, go team!!