Time to Just Breathe

My main purpose for writing in my blog tonight is because I haven't written anything in a long while! It's a reminder that I'm a good starter, and sometimes not a good finisher...in other words, I love to start a new idea, but get tired of it after a while. The fact I'm aware of this, helps me try and become more disciplined, and it works as a good excuse for all the unfinished books I have sitting on book shelves or in boxes.

Here's a freebee...latest half-read book that I'm loving (and may actually finish)is Donald Miller's book: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. I may need to blog on that one when I'm finished, because it's so good.

Back to blogging. My other reason for blogging is because I have this enormous amount of free time on my hands this week. It's Christmas break. The office is closed, and my daughter is staying at my mom's for a couple of days. So I'm realizing that I have a lot of time to 'just breathe'.

Taking time to relax and reflect is both a privilege and an art in itself. Afterall, there are always a multitude of other things that we can fill up free time with, that don't involve the need to listen to our own thoughts and feelings, let alone God's voice in it all. The older I get, the more I cherish those moments of 'down time'. When I start looking through old photo albums, or chatting with distant friends, I'm reminded that life just...goes on. That whether we are dragging our heels, or reaching too far ahead, there is a present time we are living in that is demanding our attention. Over the noise of washing machines, the glare of computer screens, and the busy scurrying of little feet, and beeping of blackberries...the Creator of Life is calling me to 'just breathe' for a moment. He may not be saying anything profound, though just his sigh could move a mountain. But as I've had several moments today alone to say "What should I do next?", I find my spirit within me grateful. And the phrase "God is so good" has been spoken from my lips without effort or intention. God is good. He's in control. Although it's not perfect because of our humanity, He's still holding this planet in His strong hands, and somehow weaving His purposes in lives like yours and mine.

Just breathe.

It feels good, and I am blessed.

Would I Really Cut a Hole Through the Church Ceiling?

This past Sunday was exhilirating! We had a great Sunday in Children's Ministries. From listening to the preschoolers practice singing "Away in a Manger", to greeting a little girl we haven't seen in a long while, and having all the children greet her just as enthusiastically. It was a real "body of Christ" kind of day. We were all functioning in giftings and having each other's best interests at heart. Loved it!

The story that was being taught Sunday, is still stirring in my heart. It was about the paralytic man who was brought to Jesus on his mat, through the roof of the building Jesus was preaching in. The leader who was telling the story asked the children to imagine our pastor preaching upstairs in the sanctary, when suddenly a group of people start peeling back layers of the roof, cut through the ceiling and lower their sick friend on a stretcher with ropes. I found myself drifting into imagination land, as I pictured Pastor Matt suddenly being distracted by the sound of drills and skill saws above him, and sawdust annoying people as it falls in their hair as pieces of ceiling are torn open. I wondered if Jesus just kept on preaching. Or perhaps there was an awkward pause in the service, as two board members ( I mean disciples) were sent outside to see what was going on. I quickly concluded it would take a lot of determination to resort to cutting a hole through the ceiling just to get to Jesus.

As I sat there lost in the story, I asked myself "Would you do it?", "Would you cut a hole through the church ceiling to bring someone to Jesus?" As I looked at the little faces sitting around me, I quickly concluded. If it meant bringing one of these children needing Jesus, close to His presence...Yes, I would do it.

This blog is for all those who minister to children (children's pastors, volunteers, parents, teachers). No more apologizing for children's worship music blaring from the basement during the sermon. No more feeling sheepish about asking people to minister to children instead of ushering on Sunday morning. No more saying " I can't pray for that prayer request, in case it doesn't actually happen". No more needing to finish that days activity, instead of listening to a child explaining what Jesus has been telling them. No more holding a baby while on nursery duty, and missing the opportunity to pray over that baby the words of Christ. No more excuses about the number of carseats in your car versus the number of your children's friends you could bring on a Sunday morning.

What hole are you cutting in the ceiling in order to connect children with the life-changing presence of Jesus? What extend will you go to in order for that child, or your child to hear Jesus personally saying "Your sins are forgiven" and "Take up your mat and walk"? It's time to get determined about bringing others to Jesus. Life is overcrowded. Sometimes it takes more than just conventional methods. The fact is, the power of the Lord is present...sometimes, we just need to cut a hole through the ceiling.

Giving away "Presence"

This past weekend while at a leadership retreat, I was reminded about how essential it is to function out of the Lord's presence. We watched a great teaching video by Bill Johnson on the topic. Essentially what was being said is that the church was never intended to be known by its disciplines but rather its passion. That passion comes out of relationship with Christ. In the area of children's ministries, I likened it to not being known by our techniques and programs, but by the life-changing presence of Jesus shared with children. One of the statements that stood out to me was that "Presence is what we actually give away". Immediately I was reminded of a Sunday during my first year in children's ministry. I was walking up and down the hallways of the church basement in Barrie, kind of doing "my rounds", when a grandparent and their grandchild were having an interesting struggle. The grandparent kept saying, "that's Pastor Michelle, honey", and the little girl (who was maybe four), kept pulling away from her grandma and trying to run over to me. "I want Jesus!" she kept shouting. "There...Jesus!". I was a little stunned. I thought to myself...what I have I done to mess up this child to thinking that I am Jesus? Afterall, I hadn't been at the church that long. The grandmother slightly embarassed, said to me "She has been talking about seeing Jesus, since we left home this morning. When we got here and she saw you, she said you were Jesus!" I feel like I will never forget that moment. I remember feeling something stir in my spirit, as I thought to myself "I think she's really seeing Jesus". While giving the little girl the biggest hug possible, I'm sure I tried to clarify to her that my name is Pastor Michelle. Then she happily went into her classroom, while still staring a hole right through me, as if she was right afterall.
And here's the point...

I'm reminded again today that what's most critical to everything I do in ministry, in the name of Jesus...must be that people actually see Jesus in me. Not only do I want them to see Jesus, I want to actually share His presence simply because it's overflowing from who I am in Him.

I haven't been called "Jesus" since that moment in ministry. I also know that there has been no greater compliment since that experience. Remember the disciples, holding back children who were brought by their parents to Jesus? Jesus said "Let the little children come...for the kingdom of heaven belongs to these" (Matthew 19:14). The Bible then says Jesus placed His hands on them, before going on from that place. Each week we as children's ministry volunteers, staff, and parents, cross paths with a child who simply wants to be near Jesus. We are pretty good at letting the little children come...now let's allow the Saviour to touch them, as we give His presence away.

Christmas in October

Why is it as a children's pastor you feel a lot of the Christmas pressure so much earlier than everyone else? With the first signs of Christmas decorations at the dollar store, or the release of the latest Christmas Veggie Tales movie, come familiar carols ringing in your head. Next comes the memories of children throwing hay during manger scenes and crooked halos on cute little heads. It brings you warm fuzzies and a little bit of terror as you remember the long hours, the hair turning grey on your head, and the late nights programming lights to music. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Christmas productions. Love them! They bring back fond memories of being a part of productions as a child. They help focus us on the meaning of the season. It's how we handle the process that can so easily take us far, far away from the true meaning of 'ministry' and 'Christmas' itself.

I was gearing myself up to the prospect of doing a 'Family production' this Christmas at our church. Then several events made me aware of the internal pressure we put on ourselves in children's ministries to live up to expectations at Christmas time. Sometimes it's expectations we put on ourselves. And sometimes it expectations from past traditions, or our own past accomplishments (trying to outdo the performance before). I don't actually need to 'prove' anything to myself any more. And it's changing the way I do everything in ministry. I still believe in excellence. I believe that the arts are an amazing opportunity to show Jesus to the world and that they help make Christmas...FEEL like Christmas. But in the bigger picture of things this year...I'm scaling it back. Not because we couldn't have snow falling on the stage (I might still do that actually), and not because having confetti canons wasn't a GREAT idea when we used them....but, because for this year, for our church, and for me as the person who is running 'the show', "less is more". What we will do will be intentional, held in the community, for the kids...but I won't be allowing it compete for a space on my trophy shelf of accomplishments for the kingdom. Afterall, the kingdom came in a dirty, unpolished stable, and the tune of angels rang clearer than any song choir mics can obtain.

Wow....I feel a burden released. I hear "Silent Night"being sung in my head right this minute.

All is calm.

All is bright.

Peace.

Weak in the knees

It never fails that it takes a crisis to suddenly step up your prayer life. I'm a person who believes whole hearted in the power of prayer. I have huge faith in God doing the impossible. I've seen too many miracles, and felt His presence too close to deny His sovereignty and love. I serve such an awesome God.

This past week I have cried more intercessory tears than I thought imaginable. I have sensed His peace and His holiness each time I've devoted any amount of time to speaking with Him. Why I don't spend this much time in prayer on a regular basis is beyond reasoning or excuse. This busy-ness of life thing, is selling us all short.

His Word says to draw near to God and he will draw near to you. The thing is...His nearness is making me weak in the knees. Literally when I go to stand up, I am worried my legs will give out underneath me! My knees are weak because I'm so dependent on Him for strength. Weak because He is so worthy and I am so not. Weak because I'm in love with, the One who first loved me. Weak because when I am weakest...He is strong.

When a child is sick

When a child is sick in your kids ministries, it feels like you are helpless. You bring presents to the hospital, check your email about thirty times a day, and do your best to offer help where you can.

Then you pray.

You pray that God will make everything better.

You pray that every ounce of fear in that little child's heart will disappear. You pray that somehow the hospital bed will be more comfortable. That the child in the bed next to her will sleep through the night so she can rest. You pray that her mom and dad will be strengthened. That each breath they breathe (or hold in) will find strength in Christ.

You pray that doctors will find all the answers, but openly pray the answers they find are only good. You pray that the nurses and staff will sense God's presence, and feel the healing touch of God in the room.

When a child is sick in your kids ministries, you're reminded. Reminded that a child who asked to switch their prize for something better last week....may have more to worry about in the week to follow. And the pretty smiles that greet you on Sunday morning, are a treasure and blessing you can't take for granted.

When a child in your kids ministries is sick, you pray down healing from heaven. You pray that what was intended for evil, will turn out for good. That amazing testimony will come, and some day that child will stand to say "I remember when Jesus healed me".

You pray that the protection and bloodline of the Saviour will be all around the rest of the kids in your ministry. That every sibling, every friend, and each new visitor will be healthy and whole in Jesus' name.

When a child is sick....

You pray.

Dream Team Retreat

Just got back from an awesome weekend retreat with the "Dream Team". The D.T. is a group of people from our church who I have invited to dream and plan with each year for our Family Ministries Department. They are the masterminds behind our family fun events, and the detailers of our parenting seminars, and sometimes even conferences. I love this group of women because they are honest, upfront, ambitious, discerning, and love Jesus!

Our retreat took place at a cottage in the Haliburton area, where we enjoyed the beauty of God's nature, and the ability to step away and just plan all of 2010. It was a great reminder of how wonderful it is to 'do ministry' alongside of others. Forget this 'Lone Ranger' mentality, that so many of us get trapped into. It's wonderful to see how much can get accomplished, but more importantly how much we can pour into each other, as we just experience life together.

Keep your eye on the blog for some soon to come video testimonies from the team, about what God showed them through this retreat.

Trapped in Chapters....in the Kids Section Again!

Okay, so this has to be a quick one.
I just spent what was suppose to be 10 minutes in Chapters, and it turned into at least 40! I started leafing through a few children's books in the kids section , and then I had to open another. And another. Then another. I LOVE CHILDREN'S BOOKS!
What is it about a story that you can read in six minutes, that's beautifully illustrated, and often rhymes? I can't get enough of them. If there was any store I would love to be trapped in, it would have to be Chapters, and it better be in the kids section. That's all I'm saying.

Now that I'm back at my computer, I couldn't help but think about why we are drawn to short stories. It's not that surprising that Jesus spent most of His public speaking time, telling short stories, a.k.a Parables. I think if Jesus were here today (you know what I'm saying), and He was asked to publish His stories...He would probably choose to write some children's stories. A few great paragraphs that paint a dynamic picture and then leave you with a thought that's life changing. After all, He also said we are to be like little children...so kids books would be great!

He would probably have the best pictures too.

That's all:)

Fall Vision Casting Afterthoughts

So it was the morning after the big fall kick off training for our children's ministries. A total of 15 people out of about eighty had shown up despite promoting the date prior to summer starting. Being the pragmatic and dramatic that I am, I went to a few hasty yet untrue conclusions, including: 'maybe people aren't on board' and 'it's geographics.. people just won't come out to mid-week meeting when they live 20 minutes from the church'. None of that pity-partying or reasoning really matters now. I'm reminded in my heart that Jesus only shared His vision with twelve people, and look where it went-everywhere!

My heart is so full of rich thoughts of all God wants to share about why and how we do children's ministry. I am by no means an expert. In no way do I have it all figured out. That's what makes it all so real, because I too am being shaped by the impressions of God's heart and the importance of doing what we do 'beyond expectation'. He has kept my dreams, and nursed my disappointments, and yet He so lovingly still dares to entrust me every once in a while with His plans and purposes. All I can do at this point is simply obey.

Welcome to my blog.

From the time I was a little girl, I knew God had a good plan for my life. I gave my heart to Jesus when I was seven, learned to serve in the church as a teenager, and went off to bible college as a young adult ready to do or be whatever God wanted me to be. Not too surprisingly, I was placed in a role in children's ministry. An area I knew well, and a place I know holds a special priority in the heart of Christ. It has been almost ten years now since I started 'professional' ministry. There have already been some major highs, and a few lows along the way. I realize now more than ever that there is a heart song that rings through my soul and it was written by a Saviour. It's to Him I owe everything I am, and will ever do or be.

When I was a teenager, a friend signed a letter she wrote me, and quoted Jeremiah 29:11 at the bottom. It read: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." That has become my life theme verse, and the anchor I go back to time and time again. He has never failed me. I have always held His hope in my heart, and the future....it can't look any brighter.

Thanks for checking out my blog. I have no idea why I'm writing a blog, except it just feels right at this stage of my life...so I'm going to try it.

Enjoy.