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Archive - May, 2010

Church at home

May 11, 2010 in Books with 0 Comments

Who’s responsibility is it to teach children about God and the Bible? Is it the church? Is it the family? Maybe it’s both. Maybe the church and the family need to work together to teach today’s children how to move towards a personal relationship with God.

Teamwork is the main idea of Our Home is like a Little Church by Lindsey Blair and Bobby Gilles and illustrated by Tessa Janes of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

The book is written for preschool children to follow up at home with what they learn at church. Each page alternates with an aspect at church then a similar aspect at home. Whatever young children do and learn at church with their teachers, they do the same thing at home with their parents where daddy is the “pastor.”

The book is easy to understand for preschoolers with simple and colorful illustrations. Pick up a copy of the book here.

A complimentary copy of this book was received from Sojourn Community Church as part of the blog review tour. The official page for this book can be found by clicking here and here.

Woman’s day

May 10, 2010 in Ministry with 2 Comments

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and mothers all over the US were honored on a special day just for them. Churches recognized mothers of all ages, mothers with the most children, mothers with the youngest child, mothers with the oldest child, etc. etc. etc.

But where did the celebration of Mother’s Day really come from? Is it one of those US holidays created by florists and greeting card stores?

Let’s think about it in Biblical terms as we did in our Bible study last night.

On one of Paul’s missionary journeys (Acts 16), he wanted to go east to Asia to share with others about Jesus. But he couldn’t go east. He had to go west. On his journey west, he met a woman named Lydia. She was a wealthy individual in town, very influential, probably the family leader and money-maker. Her husband’s name is not mentioned in the text.

Paul shared about Jesus with her and she believed then invited him to HER house. It was probably her house since she was the leader and money-maker of the family.

These thoughts about Lydia’s important stand in society makes us think about interactions with other women in the Bible. Think about Mary. Why did the angel appear to Mary first and not Joseph? After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared first to the woman. Why not John or Peter?

Although Biblical society didn’t elevate women so much in the Bible readings, women are of high importance in the life of Jesus and his followers.

Yes, we must honor our mothers for all they do for us and the love they have for us. But let’s honor women as Paul honored Lydia and Jesus honored Mary. Happy Woman’s Day.

Bible stories in books

May 9, 2010 in Books, Ministry with 0 Comments

I’ve had the book No Problem! for years, although it is currently out of print. The book tells the Bible story (Mark 2) about the man who couldn’t walk but wanted to see Jesus. His four friends said, “No problem!” It was no problem that he couldn’t walk on his own to see Jesus. It was no problem that the house was too crowded. It was no problem for his friends to carry the man up to the roof of the house. It was no problem for them to lower the man down through a hole in the roof. It was no problem for Jesus to heal the man and tell him to get up and walk.

This book is excellent for young readers. It is a simple account of a true Biblical story with colorful illustrations to aid in understanding Jesus’ miracle.

Because this book was published years ago and is currently out of print, it made me think: How many more Bible stories are written in children’s storybook form? How many of those stories are current and up-to-date for today’s children?

That idea sparks my creative mind. I began working on a children’s storybook about Noah and the flood, based on our recent small group study. From there, I began thinking about a children’s storybook on Jesus feeding the 5,000. What do you think?

I also have an illustrated children’s book coming soon to help young children transition from preschool classes at church to children’s worship. Watch this blog for more information on the release of this book.

Mother’s day

May 9, 2010 in Ministry, Personal with 0 Comments

I recently posted this story about my mom, but it is worth re-posting a portion of it as a tribute to her on Mother’s Day 2010.

Mom spent a few months in a rehab and therapy center that specializes in orthopedic therapy. She became friends with many of the rehab staff.

One young lady on staff was from Haiti, single, and pregnant. Even though mom was going through physical therapy and occupational therapy everyday and experiencing a lot of pain in her hip and leg, she wasn’t thinking about herself. She was thinking about this young lady and how she could help her begin her life as a mom.

My mom had a baby gift at home that she had purchased for the wife of a staff member at church but they never had a church-wide shower for her. Mom told dad to bring that gift to the center because she wanted to give it to this young Haitian mom. She needed baby things more than the staff wife.

In December mom was released to go home and continue home-health therapy there. She was soon released from home-health therapy sessions and was doing ok, although, the pain continued because of the infection that just wouldn’t clear up.

Mom’s leg continued to hurt too much so she went back to the hospital where they did another surgery to clean out the infection in her leg. In addition, the doctor removed her prosthetic hip and replaced it with a spacer for a few months.

Mom was moved back to the rehab center after that surgery. She likes it much better there than in the hospital. The entire staff knows mom and dad. They are friendlier and easier to get along with. After all, rehab is their specialty.

The center staff was surprised to see mom back but they greeted her with kindness. The young Haitian lady heard mom was back and she rushed to see her to tell about her little girl and how much she appreciated the baby gift: a dress for her to wear. She told mom her little girl has already worn the dress and she is going to bring a picture to show mom.

Now that’s ministry! Mom has many people caring for her and ministering to her. But at the same time she is ministering to the staff and sharing Jesus with others. No selfish bones there — pun intended — get it? bones!

I love you, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!

Too many job-hunters

May 8, 2010 in Personal with 1 Comment

I found this article here…

“As graduation nears, college career centers are under pressure to help not only the Class of 2010 navigate the tight job market, but also graduates of 2009—and even the year before—who are still unemployed.

Many alumni are either unemployed, underemployed, or in positions that do not match their qualifications or professional interests. The job market began constricting for the Class of 2008 and may not loosen until after members of the Class of 2011 begin job-hunting.”

Many students are graduating and hoping and praying for jobs in which to use their new college degrees. It is sad that much study time is spent on ‘what you want to be when you grow up.’ Then the growing-up happens. What next? Where can you use that degree?

I know how it is. We’re in the job-hunting mode as well. We’re having to be very creative with jobs and pinching every penny coming in. We can’t squeeze the pennies any harder though; nothing else comes out of them.

We must remember Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) — “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

God does know the future. God has a plan. There is a future and a hope. God, give us the peace and comfort to see Your plan for our future.

Minister at all times

May 2, 2010 in Ministry with 1 Comment

As many of you know my mom has been dealing with hip surgery since August. About 10 years ago she fell and broke her hip. At that time she had surgery to put pins and screws in her hip.

Over the years she has battled with rheumatoid arthritis. This past August the doctors suggested it would be ok to have the pins and screws removed, so she did that. A month later she had too much pain in her hip and leg and the doctors discovered that her hip was broken again. I guess the arthritis had just taken over. So mom had hip replacement surgery then the hip dislocated. She went for surgery number 3 in October.

She spent her rehab and therapy time at a center that specializes in orthopedic therapy. After spending several weeks in one location, she and dad got to know the center staff very well and they all knew them.

One young lady on staff was from Haiti, single, and pregnant. Mom wasn’t thinking about herself. She was thinking about this young lady and how she could help her begin her life as a mom.

Then last week her leg was hurting too much so she went back to the hospital where they did another surgery to clean out the infection in her leg. In addition, the doctor removed her prosthetic hip and replaced it with a spacer for a few months.

Mom was moved back to the rehab center yesterday. She likes it much better there than in the hospital. The entire staff knows mom and dad. They are friendlier and easier to get along with. After all, rehab is their specialty.

I love you, Mom and Dad. Never stop seeing how you can minister and share with others. I learned how to do it from you.