A while ago I wrote how taking one step at a time led to the transformation of my backyard patio. This summer I have thoroughly enjoyed that patio with its green, growing potted plants and the new rug under my feet. From the patio I can see the water lilies in my little backyard goldfish…
Tag: Devotional
A different kind of weary
After leading a big program or event, there is physical and mental weariness. Ask anyone who works in Children’s Ministry, and they’ll tell you “There’s no tired like VBS (Vacation Bible school) tired.” After extensive preparation, managing volunteers, and maintaining safety and integrity of the ministry, juggling all aspects of a big program is exhausting….
Finding peace
Advent is the four-week season of the church year that precedes Christmas. It is a time when we focus on preparing our hearts and we celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that God has already given us through Christ. How can we find peace in this chaotic season? Here are 3 suggestions:…
Fish stories and a life of discipleship
Waves splashed against the side of an old row boat and rocked us gently from side to side. My eyes were fixed on my red and white bobber as it floated on a shimmering cobalt blue Minnesota lake. I gripped my fishing rod with both hands and tried as hard as a small child was…
I’m lost.
Some words seem to have a different meaning for kids than they do for adults. One of those words is “LOST.” Getting lost means a lot of different things to grown-ups. If grown-ups don’t know where we are, we say we’re lost. If we don’t know where we’re going, we say we’re lost. If we…
The value of a dollar
Look at this crumpled piece of paper. It’s money. Well, actually, it is money, but it isn’t paper. U.S. currency is made of cloth that is 3/4 cotton and 1/4 linen. That’s why it doesn’t fall apart when you accidentally leave it in your pocket and wash it in the washing machine. Do you know…
Let’s think about thinking.
My mind is racing. My brain is full. It’s that time of pre-Vacation Bible School frenzy that Children’s and Family Ministers experience every summer. So this morning I decided to write about something completely unrelated to VBS and hope the fog lifts or at least clears enough so I can see my way to the…
“Flat Jesus” and Look for God
For the past few summers our church has handed out laminated paper cut-outs of “Flat Jesus” and encouraged people to take one wherever they went. It was a simple, tangible way for us to remember that God was with us on vacation, at the beach, on a mission trip, at the zoo, or anywhere! Church…
Are you a rusty old pitcher?
This is a very basic message that could be tweaked for a children’s sermon about how everyone has a purpose. It could be a group devotional, personal reflection, or any time you need a reminder that you are beautiful and valuable. When you are open and available to be filled with God’s love, God can…
“So now you live here.”
“God used to live here and then he died so now you live here,” a preschool child told me matter-of-factly as he walked out the church door after chapel. I told him that God is indeed alive, and he bubbled with excitement. “Do you mean that God is alive RIGHT NOW?!?!” His eyes opened wide…
Ms. Marcia's Mom-ologues 