Worthy of Imitation

'Hands together, eyes closed.' All the children who had been listening to the pastor's message dutifully bowed their heads, brought their hands together, closed their eyes, and in unison began to echo the pastor's prayer. All except one. Last Sunday morning was only the second time that five year old Lucita had been in our church. She did not know what 'hands together, eyes closed' meant. She did not know how to pray or even what it was. So Lucita looked at the child on her right. She looked at the child on her left. She looked at the pastor. Then she put her hands together, bowed her head and followed along in unison. Lucita is learning to pray.
Who is looking at you this week? All around us, there are children who are looking, listening, and learning. Let's be ready to be worthy of imitation.
Be imitators of God. Ephesians 5:1
Listen to this 2 year old sing The Lord's Prayer

On My Team

A young mom told me a wonderful story about her three year old son who was singing the hymn 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty'. His version though was slightly different to the one that most of us know. As that little boy played with his toys, he opened his mouth and sang at the top of his lungs, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God on my team'. I think I prefer his version!
Imagine how these words are going to impact his young life! When the day comes for this little guy to join a baseball, soccer, or football team, he will be able to march out onto that field, knowing that God is on his side. Imagine the confidence that this knowledge will bring to his game!
Friends- you and I can march out onto that field of children's ministry with confidence, knowing without a doubt, that God is on our side. And if God is on my team, I know I will be a winner.
Chris Tomlin: Our God

The Amazing Journey of the Plastic Ducks....

On 10th January 1992, somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 29,000 plastic ducks, turtles, and frogs destined for children's bath tubs in the USA were spilled overboard from their cargo ship and began an amazing journey. So far, they have travelled over 17,000 miles; found their very own North-West Passage to the Atlantic; have been sighted bobbing in the waters of Alaska, Japan, Maine, the Arctic and Hawaii and are now on course to invade the British beaches of Southern England later this summer, where they will undoubtedly bring joy to the children who discover them. How incredible is that!!
As we journey in our ministry, we never quite know where that adventure may take us. We never quite know how our course may be altered. But one thing we do know, like those little plastic ducks, we are destined to bring joy into the lives of children. How incredible is that?
Read The Amazing Story

Planted with Pride

The daffodils & tulips that we
planted with pride

It seems ridiculous that despite having been married for almost 30 years, and having tended 6 different gardens, my husband and I have never planted bulbs before. So it was with great anticipation that we watched our front border, waiting patiently for the first signs of the daffodils that we planted just a few months ago. One week ago our patience was rewarded! Now, every time I look out of my front window, or pull on to my driveway, I smile with pride at my dancing daffodils. They bring me joy.
You and I are planted by God, with pride, and with a purpose. As we grow, He watches us with patience and with great anticipation. And as we bloom, He rejoices. Just like my daffodils, we are bringing Him joy.
Chris Tomlin: Take My Life & Let It Be