Outside the Box

Tonight, this mama's heart is full.

Our church has an amazing children's ministry called Camp Creative.  During this two day camp, children learn Bible stories and take part in creative ways to praise and worship God.  Activities this year included storytelling, art, hands and feet (blacklight mime/signing and interpretive dance), woodworking, puppetry, Legos, and cake decorating.

As a mom of three very different boys, I am so appreciative of this ministry.  I have two sons that are eager to take part in most activities our children do at church.  My middle child is sometimes a little reluctant and has been known to stand on stage during performances....just standing there.

But this ministry.....it excites him.  Sunday night he was ready for bed because he knew Camp Creative would come bright and early Monday morning. When we got home from day 1, he talked about his favorite activities of the day. And I'll be honest, I cried when I saw him participate in the blacklight mime/signing practice session.  Today, he has talked nonstop.  He's repeatedly told me his favorite parts of his classes and the four parts he has in the blacklight show.

Ya'll, this is it.

The Bible says Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

This camp shows kids there isn't a single right way to praise and worship God. We teach them about the One True God, about Jesus Christ our Savior.  But we show them ways to serve, honor, and glorify Him that don't fit in a box. These children are learning and worshipping and praising and serving in so many ways.  And they are excited.  They are excited about Jesus.

And this mama's heart is happy, it's full. I'm an emotional wreck because my quiet kid, my kid that is rarely excited about anything is excited.

I am thankful for our church that supports ministries like this.  I'm thankful for those that organize and teach and herd children around. I'm thankful. Tomorrow night as the children take part in their "Praisentation," I'll be praising God for this amazing ministry and how it affects my children.

The Church

And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message. Acts 15:31

There is this church, this building with many walls and many rooms.

There are the Sunday School rooms where relationships are built and strengthened, where God's Word is studied and life is connected to it and discussed.  There are the two nursery rooms where people volunteer to sacrifice a Sunday service to play with and love children, so their parents can listen to the preaching of the Word, sing songs of praise, and pray.  There are these rooms where children and adults gather to sing songs and hymns, praise to Jesus Christ our Lord.  There is the fellowship hall where meals are eaten, and people talk, laugh, visit, and catch up. There is the sanctuary where we listen to God's Word being preached, sing to Him songs of praise and worship, a place where we kneel to pray, where we laugh, cry, and say "Amen."

Then, there is this church.

There are people who spend time preparing lessons.  They study God's Word.  They pray. They visit those who are sick.  They visit those who have lost loved ones.  They prepare a meal. They make a phone call, send an email, or send a text message to let someone know, "Hey, you are on my mind today."

They become friends, actually they become more like a family.

They laugh together, cry together, come together.

They take in those that have nothing, those who are lost, dirty, and broken.

The love them. They pray for them.  

But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. Acts 12:5

They show them God.

They leave this impression on others, making people seek that which makes them so special. 

Recently, I have seen this church, these people, come together.  Several years ago, their hearts were touched by sisters who came to visit our church.  These precious girls bore themselves a permanent spot in hearts throughout the church.  These same hearts recently ached and cried for these girls. These hearts came together to help these sisters. 

Mommies, daddies, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends.....one heart, the heart of Jesus.

These people have the heart of Jesus, and they are the church. 

These people sacrifice themselves out of love,the love of Jesus.  I have seen them do it for these girls, for others, for me. They ask for nothing in return.  They don't brag about what they do.  They honestly, truly, love. 

When I am with the church, I am moved. I see that there is good in people. There is hope.

The church is more than just a building, it is group of believers, brothers and sisters in Christ. These people share the goal of showing the love of Jesus to others.  

The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers. Acts 9:31

I Love Sunday School

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 11:18-20

When Jeff and I first joined our church, our pastor's wife began a new Sunday school class. It was specifically for those like us: young couples/parents/singles with children.  We were all in our early to mid twenties. There were a few already in their 30's, but for the most part, we were all in the same boat.

Being involved in that Sunday school class was is such a blessing to us.  We were able to build some amazing friendships.  We were able to gain confidence in our knowledge of God's Word. We were able to begin our journey of getting deeply involved in our church and reaching others for Christ.

VBS leaders and teachers

Sunday School assistant director

Sunday school teachers

Missions

Children's ministries

Nursery cooridinators and volunteers

Choir members

Bible studies

Youth minister

Music

Community outreach

Deacons

Associate pastor

Committee members

Those are just some of the many activities that our group is involved in.  I don't think we would be as involved as we are if Glenda had not started that class.  She took us in as her children. She taught us. Loved us. She laughed with us and cried with us.  We cried with her too.  For so many of us, we were new Christians. We could have easily came for the morning service each week and eventually quit like so many do.  But God provided for us through this class.

Glenda gave Jeff and I the opportunity to be her substitutes.  Eventually, the class became our responsibility. We have met in the library, a downstairs class, the fellowship hall, and an upstairs class. We have had full classes, and we have had classes where Jeff and I were the only ones to show.  Regardless, we have had this connection with an amazing group of people. I am grateful for them. I love them all.

This morning it was so nice to be gathered around the table with our regulars and some "old" regulars.  I love how I can plan a lesson and feel that I don't get it, only to actually be taught by my classmates during Sunday school.  I love how when we read God's Word and share our experiences that God reaches out to us on a personal level.  I love how God can give me the words that someone in the group needs to hear.  We can hear and read the same words, but God tells us something different through them.  It may be the nudge we need. It may be the answer to the question we had. It may be the "ah ha" moment we were looking for to pull things together.

I guess you can say....

I love Sunday school.

If you are not involved in a Sunday school class, I really encourage you to find one that you can grow in.  If your church does not offer one for those in your peer group, pray about starting your own.  Studying God's Word is never a mistake.  You will grow so much. Don't worry if you don't know the answers, there are teacher's guides to guide you, curricula to use.  Don't worry if you don't know how to pronounce every name and place.  I'll give you a hint, the others in your group won't know the difference.  And there is a little thing on dictionary.com that pronounces the word for you.  There is the Bible on CD. How do I know these tricks? Experience!

Will you be there next Sunday?

We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. Hebrews 10:25

What has been your experience with Sunday school? I'd love to hear about it.

Before we get too busy....

Just a little update on what we've been up to....

Colin decided he wanted to eat out at Casa Grande for his 10th birthday.  The next night he celebrated with his best buddies by going to the movies and having a sleep over.  Because we were at a loss as to what to get him for a birthday present, we allowed him to pick out his own gift.  After narrowing it down between Legos or a new bike, guess what he picked....A NOOK! 

None of my kiddos are playing soccer this year. Carson was totally not interested. We did sign Colin up, but when he found out the age group was changed to include 13 and 14 year olds, he asked not to play.  I don't encourage my kids to be quitters, but I had to agree with him.  I was not comfortable with that decision to change the age group. Colin loves to play, but he felt like it was not a good thing to do at this point.  Needless to say when Hilarie took her kiddos to practice, I was very thankful we didn't have to go.

I think having a break from sports will be a good thing.  School is starting back shortly and Jeff has some upcoming trips.  All in all I think we will be very thankful not to have anything extra for a while.  I do hope that Colin will want to do Super Saturdays at WKU this fall. That is always fun.  He is already asking about playing Upward basketball again.

A couple of weeks ago we held a competition called Are You Smarter than a Preacher? at our church.  On Wednesday evenings, the older elementary kids attend Bible Skills, Drills, and Thrills.  To test their knowledge, they came up with this "game show." Our 3 pastors (Dr. Copass, Jeff, and Steve Newman) were used as cheats.  However, they had to know the same material the kids had been working on.  I have to say, I was impressed by these boys and girls.  Josiah was the overall winner and received a trophy.  All the participants received medals for their hard work.  It was a super fun night, and I am so appreciate of Leslie for doing this program with our kids.  I am going to make more of an effort to study with Colin this sesson so I can learn the skills as well.

Last night we went to Carson's Open House for first grade!  YES, FIRST GRADE.  He has a wonderful teacher whom I've actually had the pleasure in working with when she taught 5th grade.  Tonight, Colin and I have our Open House.  Jeff will take him to meet his teacher (whom he is looping with, she's pretty awesome too - Love ya Baxter aka Aunt Kelly) and I get to meet my students.  Then, summer vacation will come to an end as we head back to school on Wednesday. Plans for tomorrow, our last day together for summer vacation....NOTHING!

Read-A-Thon

Since July 1, children at our church have been participating in a Read-A-Thon to raise money for our local adult literacy center. 

From the 1st to the 15th, they read books and kept a reading log while asking for donations.  Then on Monday, the 12 participants spent 3 1/2 hours at church for what we called a Read In.  They created Use Me books, book marks, learned about church ettiquette, and had time for some more reading. 

Then on Tuesday, we took a field trip to the literacy center.  The children enjoyed a tour of the center and created learner toolkits for the centers "students."  They presented a check to the director and explained what all they have worked on in the process. 

I am so proud of these kids. They worked so hard.  These 12 amazing children read 151 books and a combined 44 books of the Bible.  They also raised $403.29. I appreciate Cindy allowing me to be a part of this. I also appreciate Cindy, Holly, Hilarie, and Leslie for helping out. 

On Wednesday, we presented the final project to the church and handed out awards to the top point earners. They earned points based on their reading, donations, and attendance of the other activities.  All of the children recieved a goody bag for participating.

Did you know

Across the street from your church there is a lost mother.

She is spiritually lost.

She has been beaten.

She has been addicted.

She has been raped.

She has been left for dead by those she trusted.

She has never known another life.

Pregnant at seventeen.

High school drop out.

No job.

No car.

She sits at home everyday and takes whatever is dished out by her family and "friends."

She needs love.

She needs acceptance.

She needs hope.

She needs Jesus Christ.

Who will show her?

Who will teach her?

Who will let her know that there is hope, and that hope is found in Jesus Christ?


Did you know that there is a man across the street from your church?

He is a product of his environment.

His dad beat his mom. So he beat his wife.

He works to pay the necessary bills and have a little food for his kids. 

His friends are bad influences.  He's pretty much a follower.

He came to church once. 

He didn't feel welcome so he never came back.

He is lost.  Spiritually lost.

His wife, his children...they need a man of God leading them.

Who will lead him?

Will you wave at him and smile at him when you drive your nice car into the church parking lot as he is working on his broken down junker?

Will you walk over there in your Khakis and button down shirt and talk with a greasy, dirty young man in ripped clothes?

Will you invite him to come to church?

If he shows, will you greet him?

Will you introduce him to your friends?

Will you make a point to find him after the service and invite him back?

When you arrive at church each week, will you look for him in his yard or will you look away?


Did you know there are little children across the street from your church?

They are precious.

They have little to nothing.

They watch your kids get out of your nice car wearing their Sunday best. They look at their dirty, illfitting hand me downs.

They watch you and your husband holding hands across the parking lot.

They probably never saw their parents hold hands.

They wonder what goes on behind that door, in that building.

They ask their parents to go.

Parents say no.  Those people are hypocrites.

They watch each week. They ask each week.

Finally, they are allowed to go to your church.

Without their parents.

They see love. They hear love. They get love.

They ask their parents to go.

They say no.

The children continue to go.  They love this place called church.

Their hungry little bellies are fed.

Their hungry little souls are fed.

No doubt they are different than most of the children their, but they are just as loved.

These children come every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, and every Wednesday night.

Without their parents.


Did you know there is a family across the street from your church?

They are lost.

They are dying.

They need Jesus.

Will you introduce them to Him?

I have a question for you

What kind of Christian are you?

Would you welcome a lost soul covered in piercings and tattoos into your church?

Would you hug and shake that person's hand during meet and greet?

In your "all white" church, would you welcome the guests whose skin is a different color?

Would you stare a lost soul down because she didn't dress the way you thought she should on Sunday morning? Instead of a dress and heels, she wears all she has, flip flops, capris, and a plain shirt.

Would you stand in the parking lot and hug her and love her and pray over her and listen to her cry for help, for hope, for change for an hour after church while everyone else has run off for Sunday lunch?

Would you love her children even though they are sometimes dirty and hungry, and they are different than your own?

Would you welcome them in and honestly pray for them even when you told them you would?

Would you be glad that your church is next to a trailer park with families who don't know any other way but the way of "the streets?"

What kind of Christian are you?

Do you warm the pew each Sunday?

Do you go to church only on holidays?

Do you attend a Sunday School class?

Do you fellowship with your church family after church?

Do you act one way on Sunday and a different way the rest of the week?

Do you do God's work or do you let someone else?

Do you think Sunday and Wednesday night church service is just for the old people and kids?

Do you spread the Good News or keep it to yourself?

Do you read your Bible?

Do you pray without ceasing and with thanksgiving?

What kind of Christian are you?

Are you a cheerful giver?

Are you an excuse maker?

Are you honest with God?

Are you holding back?

Are you a lover of all people?

Are you a fisher of men?

What kind of Christian are you?

To Haiti, With Love

We have a team from our church preparing for a mission trip to Haiti. I am so excited for them and what they are going to be able to do.  Tonight before church, we were able to make Salvation Necklaces for their trip. What a blessing it was to be part of that.

Calvary Block Party

Sunday was our annual block party. God blessed us with beautiful weather, great attendance, delicious food, Christian fellowship, and loads of fun.  The children performed during the service. After our meal, we had live music from our praise band and The Newman Family.  There were games, a cake walk, inflatable slide, facing painting, a craft, a hayride, and prizes.  We had a fantabulous day!