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.

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?

Book Review: Mondays with My Old Pastor

"Sometimes, all we need is a reminder from someone who has walked before us."

That is what is written on the cover of the book Mondays with My Old Pastor by Jose Luis Navajo.  It also describes the book to a tee. 

This book is about a pastor who experiences burnout.  He has made is agenda book more important than his Bible, and he is ready to give up, believing that God never really called him on this journey. 

After a dream and encouragement from his wife, the pastor visits with his old pastor. During deep discussions, the younger pastor is encouraged to continue the race God has called him too.  Each Monday, the old pastor tells stories and gives advice to his colleague, many times telling him what he needed to hear due to things he was experiencing at that time.  The bond between the two men grows; the younger pastor learns so much, even about the health issues faced by his pastor.

This is a touching true story. I was moved, encouraged, and challenged when I read this book.  For those wanting to fully serve, it is a must read.

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers for the purpose of an honest review.