As much as I love to blog, to e-mail, to check on my FB friends, and to read what Shaun Groves, Beth Moore, Travis Cottrell, and Chris Thomason are thinking every day...I realize that I am devoting way too much time to these activities...and because of my lack of self control, my children are missing out on, well, on time with their mama.
Ever since Carol Kelso handed me a cassette copy of his sermon, "A New Attitude" (which eventually formed the framework for his book, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye")--I think Carol thought someone in my pack of friends had a crush on her boy Jared, and she wanted us to know where her family stood...I can so see myself doing that in 10 years!!! --anyway, ever since I've heard that first sermon, I've really enjoyed what God has spoken through Josh Harris....here's one more that God really used to get in my face today. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzxmMvbBilM
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
SHAUN GROVES/ MISS PATTYCAKE LIVE / FAMILY WORSHIP FESTIVAL
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Saturday, June 27th, is a big day for families in our area! We will be hosting a "Family Worship Festival" at Celebration Church in Thomasville that day, which will focus on sharing God's Love and God's Truth with kids...starting in our homes, extending to a church setting, and even reaching out with the Gospel to kids around the world who are living in poverty!
Here's what you need to know about what's going on that day:
1. 10:30 a.m.--Miss Pattycake, Live in concert @ Celebration Church in Thomasville. Doors will open @ 9:30 a.m. Seating is general admission, and tickets are $5 each and are available through the Celebration church office (229-226-8332, or e-mail krisyoursis@gmail.com). They will also be available @ Rayann's Christian Bookstore later next week (wk. of June 15th). When you buy a ticket, you will also have the option of adding $3.50 to the price of your ticket to pre-order a delivered lunch (either a chicken sandwich or an 8-count nugget box from Chick-fil-A, both served with chips). To learn more about Miss Pattycake, see THIS LINK (The event she describes here is similar to the concert event she'll be doing in Thomasville).
2. Immediately after the concert, Chick-fil-A lunches will be delivered for those who pre-ordered. Attendees may take a few minutes to enjoy their lunches (Chick-fil-A delivery or something packed and brought from home), and then they may visit around our front building to enjoy a meet & greet time with Miss Pattycake, and also to enjoy some "meet & greet" activities with LIVE "Bible Story Characters" who will present Bible stories first-hand and do fun activities with attendees. The front building will be open for this "Bible Story Tour" until 2 p.m.
3. At 6:30 p.m., Christian artist Shaun Groves will be leading us in a time of worship in the sanctuary at Celebration Church, and he will be sharing about an amazing ministry opportunity that will allow us as families to impact the lives of children in poverty around the world as we "Go and make disciples of all nations...." While you will have an opportunity to give financially during this concert/worship gathering, ADMISSION for THIS event is FREE! Unchurched friends are welcome to come, but Shaun has a particular message God has laid on his heart to share with the local Body of Christ, so please invite every Believer you know to join us that evening! This gathering should be over by 8 p.m., so you'll have time to rest up for Sunday morning! To learn more about Shaun, see THIS LINK.
********Bonus: at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28th, Children's Ministry Leader Kristie Wooten and Jean Thomason (a.k.a. "Miss Pattycake) will be leading a workshop together for area Believers who minister to children in a group setting (daycare workers, church nursery workers, preschool teachers, etc.) It will be at the Madison Grove Clubhouse (corner of Pavo Road and Madison Grove Boulevard--which is just past Skyline Drive). It is sure to be a fun and very encouraging time for these grown-ups who give so much to "let the little children come"! Admission for this event will be $7 @ the door, but tickets are available beforehand @ $5 each by e-mailing krisyoursis@gmail.com. ...if you have any friends who are involved in children's ministry at area churches, please encourage them to come! They will be BLESSED (and feel like gasoline has been dumped on the fire in their hearts!) :) Churches who help sponsor the Family Worship Festival on Saturday, 6/27, will receive 10 free tickets to Sunday's Children's Ministry Leader Workshop. If your church is interested in sponsoring, please e-mail Kristie Wooten @ krisyoursis@gmail.com ASAP.
The Family Worship Festival is sponsored by the Everett-Milton YMCA Child Watch Center, Celebration Church of Thomasville, Trinity Anglican Church of Thomasville, and ReMax Realtor Dot Titus! Special thanks to our sponsors!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
It May Not Come Out Exactly the Same Way It Went In
I am STILL cracking up over the results of years of quoting from Ginger Plowman's "Wise Words for Moms" (a WONDERFUL tool for assisting parents in giving their children "wisdom" via "a Biblical reproof") to my kids....
(In DQ drive thru, Noah shouts something unkind at me because he doesn't like my singing)
Me: "Noah, excuse me, son?!?!!?"
MB: "Yeah, Noah--you're inspising destruction!!!!"
(despising instruction...which we've taught them, according to Scripture, is foolish...and they know that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, "but the rod of correction will drive it far from him," so when they despise instruction, they can expect a spanking.)
Noah: "NO!" (sings his best Judy Rogers impression) "I'm the one who causes trouble with his brothers!"
(In DQ drive thru, Noah shouts something unkind at me because he doesn't like my singing)
Me: "Noah, excuse me, son?!?!!?"
MB: "Yeah, Noah--you're inspising destruction!!!!"
(despising instruction...which we've taught them, according to Scripture, is foolish...and they know that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, "but the rod of correction will drive it far from him," so when they despise instruction, they can expect a spanking.)
Noah: "NO!" (sings his best Judy Rogers impression) "I'm the one who causes trouble with his brothers!"
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Real Children's Ministry via Compassion International
I have heard Shaun Groves speak online a number of times, and I had the privilege of listening to him speak at Travis Cottrell's live recording at First Baptist, Woodstock, GA, earlier this year! Amazing man of God with a heart to serve and to minister...in ways that are far from "status quo" or "comfortable."
Shaun is passionate about bringing forth God's Kingdom through REAL children's ministry...reaching children and their families (and many of them are children WITHOUT earthly families) who are living in total poverty in some of the dirtiest, scariest places in the world! Shaun is a spokesperson for an organization called Compassion International, which is funded via child sponsorships that help to provide food, clothing, medical care, education, and most importantly, the Truth of Christ, to these desperate, hurting children.
Shaun has teamed up with some other well-known bloggers for a trip to India, where they will be ministering and blogging to raise awareness of God's work in India through Compassion International. Be sure to check out the blog on a regular basis: http://compassionbloggers.com/trips/2009-india
Shaun is passionate about bringing forth God's Kingdom through REAL children's ministry...reaching children and their families (and many of them are children WITHOUT earthly families) who are living in total poverty in some of the dirtiest, scariest places in the world! Shaun is a spokesperson for an organization called Compassion International, which is funded via child sponsorships that help to provide food, clothing, medical care, education, and most importantly, the Truth of Christ, to these desperate, hurting children.
Shaun has teamed up with some other well-known bloggers for a trip to India, where they will be ministering and blogging to raise awareness of God's work in India through Compassion International. Be sure to check out the blog on a regular basis: http://compassionbloggers.com/trips/2009-india
Friday, February 6, 2009
Loving the Sinner...Hating the Sin
This past Wednesday night, we did our 3rd video in the series, Parenting is a Ministry--with Pastor Craig Caster.
The second video was basically about how, apart from an intimate relationship with Christ, we will be INEFFECTIVE as ministers to our children. We cannot run on "empty" and expect to fill anyone's cup.
The third video was the first session on Loving Communication. As Pastor Craig shared on the video, I was reminded of some teaching I'd heard a few years back from Ginger Plowman....
It's very important that we never discipline or correct our children in anger. We should use love, rather than ungodly fear, to motivate our kids to do the right thing. Our children should be able to understand, from our verbal communication and body language, that we are loving them and wanting God's best for them...that we don't want them bound by sin, because that will separate them from God...our correction should point them to their need for Christ's forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit's power to live victoriously.
We should never communicate to our children that we are irritated with them because of something they have done (love is not easily angered)...but rather, that we want to teach them to put off a sinful behavior because the sin displeases God.
So--when we speak with our children to give correction, it needs to involve Biblical reproof. Example:
(when getting into the car because we have to leave the Chick-fil-A playground early since "daughter" told her younger brother to kick a girl in the shin, and he followed orders)...
INSTEAD OF: "You guys cannot do this! It is ugly, and I am so embarassed! I can't believe you would do this to me in public!"
SAY: "Buddy, God tells us that we are to be kind to one another. Was it kind when you kicked that little girl?....Also, sissy told you to kick that little girl, and I know you were trying to follow her directions, but the Bible tells us we must obey God rather than men. If you know that sissy's telling you to do something that doesn't please God, then you should do the thing that DOES please God anyway."....................AND "Sissy, the Bible tells us to spur one another on to love and good deeds. (Explain how a spur is what a cowboy has on his heels when he kicks a horse to make it gallop faster...how we need to be like spurs that cause our friends and family to really want to be loving and do good deeds)...when you told Brother to kick that little girl, were you spurring him on to love and good deeds?"
Obvioulsy, it takes more time and more thought (and wisdom that comes from spending time in God's word)--and MUCH emotional self-control (but if we walk by the Spirit we won't satisfy our flesh) to correct children the right way...I'm not always perfect with it, but I am asking the Lord to help me give a Biblical reproof when my kids need correction...and by His grace, we are beginning to see a wee bit of fruit starting to come forth from this effort at our house!
I'll leave you with this last thing I learned from Ginger...Scripture teaches that we are all born sinners. We aren't sinners because we sin, so much as we sin because we are Sinners. So, until your child comes to know Christ, don't be shocked when the child sins. Just be prepared to point the child to his need for Christ through proper Biblical reproof.
The rod AND REPROOF give wisdom...don't leave out the reproof part. If you do, you'll just be exasperating your children (and shooting yourself in the foot).
The second video was basically about how, apart from an intimate relationship with Christ, we will be INEFFECTIVE as ministers to our children. We cannot run on "empty" and expect to fill anyone's cup.
The third video was the first session on Loving Communication. As Pastor Craig shared on the video, I was reminded of some teaching I'd heard a few years back from Ginger Plowman....
It's very important that we never discipline or correct our children in anger. We should use love, rather than ungodly fear, to motivate our kids to do the right thing. Our children should be able to understand, from our verbal communication and body language, that we are loving them and wanting God's best for them...that we don't want them bound by sin, because that will separate them from God...our correction should point them to their need for Christ's forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit's power to live victoriously.
We should never communicate to our children that we are irritated with them because of something they have done (love is not easily angered)...but rather, that we want to teach them to put off a sinful behavior because the sin displeases God.
So--when we speak with our children to give correction, it needs to involve Biblical reproof. Example:
(when getting into the car because we have to leave the Chick-fil-A playground early since "daughter" told her younger brother to kick a girl in the shin, and he followed orders)...
INSTEAD OF: "You guys cannot do this! It is ugly, and I am so embarassed! I can't believe you would do this to me in public!"
SAY: "Buddy, God tells us that we are to be kind to one another. Was it kind when you kicked that little girl?....Also, sissy told you to kick that little girl, and I know you were trying to follow her directions, but the Bible tells us we must obey God rather than men. If you know that sissy's telling you to do something that doesn't please God, then you should do the thing that DOES please God anyway."....................AND "Sissy, the Bible tells us to spur one another on to love and good deeds. (Explain how a spur is what a cowboy has on his heels when he kicks a horse to make it gallop faster...how we need to be like spurs that cause our friends and family to really want to be loving and do good deeds)...when you told Brother to kick that little girl, were you spurring him on to love and good deeds?"
Obvioulsy, it takes more time and more thought (and wisdom that comes from spending time in God's word)--and MUCH emotional self-control (but if we walk by the Spirit we won't satisfy our flesh) to correct children the right way...I'm not always perfect with it, but I am asking the Lord to help me give a Biblical reproof when my kids need correction...and by His grace, we are beginning to see a wee bit of fruit starting to come forth from this effort at our house!
I'll leave you with this last thing I learned from Ginger...Scripture teaches that we are all born sinners. We aren't sinners because we sin, so much as we sin because we are Sinners. So, until your child comes to know Christ, don't be shocked when the child sins. Just be prepared to point the child to his need for Christ through proper Biblical reproof.
The rod AND REPROOF give wisdom...don't leave out the reproof part. If you do, you'll just be exasperating your children (and shooting yourself in the foot).
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
No, I Can't...But YES, HE Can!
A friend sent me an e-mail today with this devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries...what a great encouragement!
I love Beth Moore's comment at the most recent "Living Proof Live" event I attended in Jacksonville:
"How can I tell somebody there's victory in Jesus when I can't seem to get victory over a sink of dirty dishes?"
If that's where you are today--feeling swallowed up by your "to-do list," then take a minute to check out the devotional from Renee Swope. It's good stuff.
Thank You, Lord, for Your encouragment, and for Your promise that we can obtain mercy and grace when we boldy approach Your throne in our time of need!
I love Beth Moore's comment at the most recent "Living Proof Live" event I attended in Jacksonville:
"How can I tell somebody there's victory in Jesus when I can't seem to get victory over a sink of dirty dishes?"
If that's where you are today--feeling swallowed up by your "to-do list," then take a minute to check out the devotional from Renee Swope. It's good stuff.
Thank You, Lord, for Your encouragment, and for Your promise that we can obtain mercy and grace when we boldy approach Your throne in our time of need!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
From the President
As we step into a new season in America, as President Obama begins his service as President, I just thought I'd share a quote I heard today from a former U.S. Presidet, Theodore Roosevelt:
"The woman’s task is not easy—no task worth doing is easy—but in doing it, and when she has done it, there shall come to her the highest and holiest joy known to mankind; and having done it, she shall have the reward prophesied in Scripture; for her husband and her children, yes, and all people who realize that her work lies at the foundation of all national happiness and greatness, shall rise up and call her blessed."
Encouraging words to those of us who are "in the trenches" of parenting!
"The woman’s task is not easy—no task worth doing is easy—but in doing it, and when she has done it, there shall come to her the highest and holiest joy known to mankind; and having done it, she shall have the reward prophesied in Scripture; for her husband and her children, yes, and all people who realize that her work lies at the foundation of all national happiness and greatness, shall rise up and call her blessed."
Encouraging words to those of us who are "in the trenches" of parenting!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Let's Check the Mirror
II Corinthians 3 is a good reminder to us that as we live out the ministry of parenting (or any ministry God has placed us in, for that matter), we are to be "mirrors"...reflectors of God's character....to the world around us, or, as parents--to the children in our homes.
Verse 18 (NLT) tells us:
"And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. "
So, how's my mirror?
Does my overly-annoyed tone-of-voice about accidentally spilled milk tell my children that they are a burden to me...and to God? That I am...that God is...easily angered?
Does my inconsistency...with loving discipline, with my Bible reading, with physical exercise, with keeping the house clean...tell my children that I am...that God is...not consistent, not dependable, and ever-changing?
Does the fact that I'm "too busy" to stop and give the homeless woman across the street some food...tell my children that I am...that God is...not concerned with the poor?
Does the fact that we consistently run late getting to church on Sundays...tell my children that I...that God...does not truly value the assembly of the Saints?
Does the fact that I watch television shows with foul language and inappropriate content "after the children are alseep" (but they are really wide-awake in the next room!!!) ...tell my children that God has a different set of standards for adults than He does for children?
Does the fact that my house is a mess right this minute, when all three of us know nothing shows Daddy more honor (according to him) than when he comes home to a clean house...tell my children that I don't...that God doesn't...value my spouse or marriage?
*****
WOW! That's an overwhelming list of things I need to work on! Praise God for His Word, where He tells us, in II Corinthians 3, verses 5-6, and 16-17:
"It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant....
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. "
So--Lord Jesus, today I turn to You...please empower me by Your Spirit...remove the veil, and help me to live a blameless life, before You and before my children, that they may truly see Your glory!
Verse 18 (NLT) tells us:
"And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. "
So, how's my mirror?
Does my overly-annoyed tone-of-voice about accidentally spilled milk tell my children that they are a burden to me...and to God? That I am...that God is...easily angered?
Does my inconsistency...with loving discipline, with my Bible reading, with physical exercise, with keeping the house clean...tell my children that I am...that God is...not consistent, not dependable, and ever-changing?
Does the fact that I'm "too busy" to stop and give the homeless woman across the street some food...tell my children that I am...that God is...not concerned with the poor?
Does the fact that we consistently run late getting to church on Sundays...tell my children that I...that God...does not truly value the assembly of the Saints?
Does the fact that I watch television shows with foul language and inappropriate content "after the children are alseep" (but they are really wide-awake in the next room!!!) ...tell my children that God has a different set of standards for adults than He does for children?
Does the fact that my house is a mess right this minute, when all three of us know nothing shows Daddy more honor (according to him) than when he comes home to a clean house...tell my children that I don't...that God doesn't...value my spouse or marriage?
*****
WOW! That's an overwhelming list of things I need to work on! Praise God for His Word, where He tells us, in II Corinthians 3, verses 5-6, and 16-17:
"It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant....
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. "
So--Lord Jesus, today I turn to You...please empower me by Your Spirit...remove the veil, and help me to live a blameless life, before You and before my children, that they may truly see Your glory!
Friday, January 9, 2009
G.T. Jackson
"Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles....." (from James 1:27, NLT)
THIS is REAL "children's ministry" -- adoption...a beautiful picture of what God has done for us through Christ, a living illustration of God's grace!
Blessings to my friends Brian and Melanie, & their son Walker, upon the adoption of their newest little blessing: Graham Thomas.
Graham, may you grow to know and love and serve Jesus as your forever family diligently SHOWS and TELLS you of His goodness and love!
THIS is REAL "children's ministry" -- adoption...a beautiful picture of what God has done for us through Christ, a living illustration of God's grace!
Blessings to my friends Brian and Melanie, & their son Walker, upon the adoption of their newest little blessing: Graham Thomas.
Graham, may you grow to know and love and serve Jesus as your forever family diligently SHOWS and TELLS you of His goodness and love!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Parenting is a Ministry, Session 1
Last night, we started a new parenting video study series at church. We are using a curriculum called, "Parenting is a Ministry," with Pastor Craig Caster. We will be meeting on the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you'd like to do the video series with us, you can actually see the videos and get the study guide online at:
http://www.parentingministry.org/parenting-class/session-1-mainmenu-67
As I watched, I was reminded of the brutal truth: when we "get crazy" on our kids (responding in ungodly anger towards their negative behaviors), it isn't because they "make us act that way." It's that God is using them to bring out what is already on the inside of us so that we can face it and ask Him to deal with it. Like Emerson Eggerichs put it in "Love & Respect,"....if you crush rose petals, you get a wonderful fragrance....if you step on a skunk, it'll stink every time! :)
I also loved the fresh insight gained from his explaination of Moses striking the rock rather than speaking to it...good stuff!
If you're interested, check out the video, and comment to let us know what you gleaned from watching.
Jesus, please help me today as I seek to reflect Your glory into the lives of my kids.
http://www.parentingministry.org/parenting-class/session-1-mainmenu-67
As I watched, I was reminded of the brutal truth: when we "get crazy" on our kids (responding in ungodly anger towards their negative behaviors), it isn't because they "make us act that way." It's that God is using them to bring out what is already on the inside of us so that we can face it and ask Him to deal with it. Like Emerson Eggerichs put it in "Love & Respect,"....if you crush rose petals, you get a wonderful fragrance....if you step on a skunk, it'll stink every time! :)
I also loved the fresh insight gained from his explaination of Moses striking the rock rather than speaking to it...good stuff!
If you're interested, check out the video, and comment to let us know what you gleaned from watching.
Jesus, please help me today as I seek to reflect Your glory into the lives of my kids.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
First Post--What am I Doing Here?
I grew up, the attentive firstborn of four children, in a home with two parents who, while certainly imperfect as all human parents are, fell completely in love with Jesus during the course of my childhood. We went from being a "good all-American family," to a family firmly established on the solid foundation of Christ Jesus. For that, I give God all the praise!
I grew up in typical American church culture, and while I wouldn't trade that Bible teaching for anything, I have come to recognize the importance of THE HOME, even more than the Church, in reaching children for Christ.
I have come to realize that more than just pouring Biblical Truth into children during Sunday and Wednesday meetings and Vacation Bible School, the Church's real responsibility goes deeper. Scripture tells us that a primary function of church leaders is to EQUIP the Saints for the work of the ministry--and what greater ministry do we have than our ministry to the little people we tuck into bed at night?
In order to successfully reach children for God's Kingdom, the Church must equip parents to minister effectively in their own homes. Concerning truly Godly parenting, in most cases, the ball was dropped so long ago, that today most folks don't even know what "the ball" looks like!We must go through much training and long hours in Driver's Ed before we are able to actually get a driver's license and drive a vehicle alone in the United States. Yet, before we are able to have children, most of us go through no formal training whatsoever. I have found some links online that contain very helpful resources for parents who are looking to sharpen their parenting skills to the glory of God. I hope you find my posted links as helpful as I have!
I do not claim to have arrived in my parenting. I am still learning and being equipped myself, but this blog is simply a bunch of postings of things I've learned along the way as I've enjoyed a BRIEF stint as a school teacher and served in church children's ministry for a decade...and as I am now, by God's grace, mothering the children God has entrusted to me.
I grew up in typical American church culture, and while I wouldn't trade that Bible teaching for anything, I have come to recognize the importance of THE HOME, even more than the Church, in reaching children for Christ.
I have come to realize that more than just pouring Biblical Truth into children during Sunday and Wednesday meetings and Vacation Bible School, the Church's real responsibility goes deeper. Scripture tells us that a primary function of church leaders is to EQUIP the Saints for the work of the ministry--and what greater ministry do we have than our ministry to the little people we tuck into bed at night?
In order to successfully reach children for God's Kingdom, the Church must equip parents to minister effectively in their own homes. Concerning truly Godly parenting, in most cases, the ball was dropped so long ago, that today most folks don't even know what "the ball" looks like!We must go through much training and long hours in Driver's Ed before we are able to actually get a driver's license and drive a vehicle alone in the United States. Yet, before we are able to have children, most of us go through no formal training whatsoever. I have found some links online that contain very helpful resources for parents who are looking to sharpen their parenting skills to the glory of God. I hope you find my posted links as helpful as I have!
I do not claim to have arrived in my parenting. I am still learning and being equipped myself, but this blog is simply a bunch of postings of things I've learned along the way as I've enjoyed a BRIEF stint as a school teacher and served in church children's ministry for a decade...and as I am now, by God's grace, mothering the children God has entrusted to me.
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