My New Club

I am officially starting a club. It’s going to be called, “I’m single, but not dead, and tired of sitting home watching reruns of shows of people with lives while my friends go home early and go to bed or spend time with their spouse.” Okay, I’m not sure that would fit on a t-shirt (club I.S.B.N.D.A.T.O.S.H.W.R.O.S.O.P.W.L.W.M.F.G.H.E…..yeah, okay maybe not).

Where are my peeps?

I want to do something spontaneous, something stupid…something. Go to the park and shoot hoops, go out to eat with people, a movie, coffee, listen to music, make a pointless movie.

So if you’re single, not as old as my mom or still in school, you’re invited to the club. I’ll even teach you the secret handshake!

I feel better now. I’m going to go….watch some TV.

There's got to be an easier way to meet the neighbors

Well, a pretty uneventful day led me to believe I'd have a nice, restful evening at home for once. WRONG! I headed home from the church a little before 7 PM and found a police car blocking the street of my block. I figured I'd make the block, since my house was on the other end of the block. Hey, there was a police car there, too. I then noticed another three cars in the middle of the block, about two houses up from mine. Then I knew, something was going on (yeah, I'm quick!). So, I parked at the corner and walked up in some folks front yard. They had come out to see what was going on, also. A long story short, I spent three hours on their porch (we moved out of the yard when the cops drew their guns and started hiding behind stuff).

It was just like TV. Car after car pulled up, and we watched the SWAT guys get into their gear and head up the street into the dark. Pretty wild. Well, a few gun shots later, and they had the guy. Apparently, there had been a gang shooting during the day, while I was at work, and this was the guy involved. He'd holed up in the house. Not sure if the shooting happened there or up the street, but it was quite a night. So much for a restful evening, but at least I got to meet the neighbors.

Happy Thanksgiving

What a year. It's hard to believe we are entering the holiday season once again. Thursday family will fill my house as we munch on turkey and all the trimmings. It's been a long, quick, easy, hard year so far. Yeah, I know pretty contradictory, but hey it's my blog!

So much to be thankful for. A healthy, happy family. I guess we're a pretty odd family, we actually like each other and have never stopped doing things together. One of our family traditions, since my brother and I moved out of the house, is going camping the day after Thanksgiving with my folks. We all have our own trailers (mine can barely pass as a camper anymore - thank goodness for duct tape!).

I've had the chance to talk and teach at various places this year. This summer alone I taught two magic classes at a Baptist kids camp and was the week long speaker for an Assembly of God kids camp. I still remember the conversation with the AG Pastor..."You do know I'm a Church of Christ minister." His reply, "Yeah." Me, "Cool." It was such a great experience. I spent the week dressed up as a pirate and loved how excited the kids got during my lesson time. I did the a mini version of the camp in full Pirate costume for "my kids." It was funny, I was just Greg in a pirate costume. But you know, being "their Greg" has value too.

The Lord has continued to give me more fun and scary opportunities. We changed our whole Bible class structure this Fall and has really stretched me to teach kids and parents in a different way - still have some work to do, and still getting stretched.

The Lord has also blessed me with great people who surround me and seem to have the good, supporting words I need to battle the "junk" the devil throws at me through other people. I hope those well wishers know how important their words are! Your hugs mean more than any gift you can give.

I pray this holiday season you laugh more than you cry, you love more than you hurt, you sing more than you gripe and you pray without ceasing.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Turkeys!
Greg

Here Come the Holidays

I have to say, I am really ready for the holiday season. Yes, some of that is dreaming of some time off, but I'm really ready for a season of celebration. Friends and family together for meals, games and fun. I'm ready for the coolness of the season, and the warmth of the fire. I'm ready for the heart change that come over so much of the world as they focus on Christ and giving to those in need.

This Saturday will kick off my first seasonal event as I help prepare the His Kids Radio float and the Clown Arounds trailor for the Downtown Lighted Parade. This will be my first lighted parade to clown in, so I'm excited. I'll be dressed as Santa Clown and riding with my fellow Joey's on the clown wagon. Sometimes these events are a little hard when three or four of the organizations I'm a part of, are participating in the same event. So I'll help with prep on one, and ride with another. I do have to work on battery powered lights for my clown costume, though.

Well, however you kick off the holidays season, take the time to enjoy it! Don't be a scrooge! I watched Polar Express tonight. I love the magic of that show. Take it's message ... and BELIEVE.

God bless your holidays season with peace, joy, health, happiness, friends and family!

Gg

My New Ride

If you live around here, you might just hear me riding down your street. I got me a new motorcycle Friday. After three years, I've traded my beginner bike for a man's bike. It's big, loud and powerful. The first time they fired it up a smiled, real big! I'm now riding a silver 2005 Yamaha Road Star. The guy that owned it first poured a ton of $$ into adding extras. Too bad you can't really up the price for all those extras when you resell it. So, got me a big bike with lots of shiny chrome, bars and leather.

Hopefully the weather will be nice Friday and we can go for a ride. Got a bike? Come on!

As always,, "God. Keep me safe, aware ....and upright!" (least now they can hear me coming!)

(and yes! I wear a helmet- just not in pictures.)

Mix Master Greg ...okay, maybe not.

Well, for the last few weeks I have been playing recording engineer for the band Comet. Comet is made up of three of my kids from T&B and I have to say, they sound pretty good. They are in the 6th & 8th Grades and are writing most of their own songs and music. They are pretty serious about it all and having a good time. Though, recording is definitely harder than it looks on TV. Especially with limited amount of time each week (between their school and my work) and constantly trying to get each track just right.

It's kinda sad, as a Children's Minister I spend very little time with kids. I have had such a recharge for my ministry by sharing this experience with the boys. Some times I get caught up in my job that I miss my ministry and don't always realize it until I can step back and catch a breath.

With some additions to my weekly schedule, it seem like life's a bit crazy. I'm writing more than ever and trying to stay caught up and hopefully one day, get ahead a bit. But for now, I'm content to sit behind my mixer and share in Comet's dream of the big time!

Go after your dream and remember, "If you aim for the stars and hit the moon, you're still out of this world!" May God bless your dreams.

Seems like only yesterday....

Well, October 4 came and went once again and here I sit another year older. It seems like only yesterday I was in Jr High sitting in Mrs. Hudson's class or driving around Iowa Park with Coach Kirk preparing for my driver's liscense. Only just yesterday I was graduating from collage and wondering if I would ever find a job. Just yesterday I was beginning my ministry to the kids of T&B and Wichita Falls, praying that no one knew I had no idea what I was doing. :) Only yesterday some of the first boys I ever worked with were marrying their sweethearts (while I was still looking for mine). Only yesterday I was buying my house, my motorcycle. Only yesterday I took my first road trip. Wow, some incredible memories.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Lessons From a Deck

When I bought my house a few years back, one of the selling points was the cool redwood deck out back. I have enjoyed hanging out on cool Fall evenings on it. Well, a few months ago I stepped on a board and went right through. I began to notice more and more boards getting "soft" on me.

Last weekend I began the process of tearing the deck down. I had decided to do something else later, so I would just take it all out. As I began to pull the top boards off, I realized that all the supporting boards underneath were very rotted. It was a wonder they could support what was on top.

As I look now on the rotted skeleton of my once good looking deck, it made me stop and think and about some kids I know...friends of mine. They are fun, active, engaging kids...on the outside. But I know they are struggling with some major things in their life. Yet, on the outisde they still look "good." By all appreances, everything is smooth sailing. But it's not.

And my heart aches. So many hurting in private...I only hope they have people they trust to talk to. To share. To heal. I think that's why Jesus told us to give him all your worries and anxieties (but it's hard).

So, pray for the kids you know. Pray for families and be available the next time someone just needs to talk. If you're looking for someone to listen while you talk...come see me!

And parents....remember the Godly things you do matter and the stupid things you do....hurt...your kids. Be Godly, not stupid.

Greg

You Choose Your Attitude

Someone once said about the only thing you have control of in certain situations is your attitude. You decide how you react to things. I've been running around with a not so great attitude for a while and it seemed like things just kept hitting me, and my attitude got worse and worse. Oh, probably not to the causual passer-by, but I sure knew it.

With some pretty big opportunity beginning, I know that Satan has been throwing lots of obstacles and doubt my way, and I realized the other day how so much of how I was feeling was the attitude that I met these obstacles with. Have I lost you yet? Hang on, it might make since in a minute.

Once I decided to have a better attitude, I started feeling better. Physically, mentally and spiritually. With the better attitude came a better prayer life - and I'm really seeing so much of the positive that I've been missing. The excitment is there, the hope, too. Oh, the negative still show's it's face but I'm much better prepared to meet it, deal with it and move on.

God is faithful, supernatural and all loving. Tap into Him.

Greg

The Top 10 Things I Hate About Coming Back From Vacation

10. Unpacking the Car after driving 2+ hours
9. Laundry
8. Finding the week old garbage in a hot house (Yuck!).
7. Dead pets (oops)!
6. No food in the house.
5. Laundry (yeah, I know. I hate it twice.)
4. 600 spam emails in my inbox.
3. Catching up on all the work that didn't get done while I was gone.
2. Finding all my bills in one, big pile.
1. Waiting another year to take a vacation!

Thankfully, I didn't have all of these on this year's return home. I had a nice relaxing - a little boring - vacation. It's still weird taking a whole week off. Maybe someday I'll do something more exciting (and maybe have a bit more money!). All in all it was fun and I got some writing done. I'm ready for the Fall now! Hope you got to get away sometime this summer!

How Do You Gauge Success?

So how do you gauge success? We had our first Singles Ministry gathering tonight and if it was based only on numbers you might say....well, it was a weak start. But if you only ponder what God can do with a handle full of single Christians looking to be used to reach out to others....well, I'd say that makes for a pretty full house!

I'm excited to see what God has planned for us in this new ministry. [Open lid, let God out of the box we keep him in] The impact is limitless. Thankfully, his success is not dependent on what I do...only if I'm willing to be used, and then I get to be a part. So, keep us in your prayers as we impact a city of singles for the Lord!

I hope single Christians have a place in your church, because so often it feels like church is a couples only kind of place. If not...come on over! If so, then maybe we can all hook up and have party!

Remember, just 'cause your single doesn't mean your life is on pause! Live it up!
Greg

Bye-bye Summer

Well, I guess summer is really over. School's back in session for most, summer programs are done and it's almost time to swing back into the fall routines! Only thing left for me is some vacation. I'm still not used to working through the summer and vacationing when it's over. But I'm ready.

Yep, I'm leaving for a week. What will I ever do for an entire week? With my party animal life-style ..... I'll probably end up walking through Walmart late one night in another town. No I'll probably be driving around trying to find a WIFI for my laptop!

Seriously, I'm ready for a new school year. I've got some exciting new things coming up at church and more opportunities to meet new folks. Also going to some more magic classes and in January I may take my first airplane ride! Yeah, I know...I'm like the only person who hasn't flown!

Well, I guess I've rambled enough to count for a blog entry....check back later and when things are a little more exciting! Hope your Fall is a great one (and maybe a cooler one if you live in Texas!).

We Survived!

My heart pounded as I crouched behind cover with my partner as our opponents patroled past us. Sweat dripped down my face as we waited for our chance to make our break. As their backs turned we we're off! Our weapons firing as we ran. ....yeah, right. Okay, so lazer tag is probably as close to battle as I'll get and I'm okay with that. All I know is I've survived another preteen boy's lock-in - that's a worthy victory for me! :)

There's just something about being locked in a church building all night long with a bunch of guys. After 12 straight hours of basketball, catpure the flag, lazer tag, hide & seek/sardines, coke and cold pizza what could be better? Okay, maybe I could do without the smell in the room at the end of the night, but nothing's perfect.

I've been doing lock-ins for over 12 years and everyone is different. Every group of boys brings a different personality and a different challenge to the night. Each lock-in usually rally's around one particular activity that emerges as the most popular activity like lazer tag, basketball or once or twice video games. One of our oldest lock-in's produced the greatest lock-in urban legend - Hobo Joe. A few years later, the creators of this tale spent a lock-in creating the greatest Lock-in movie ever made, "The Hobo Joe Project" (www.geocities.com/kidminister).

Today, as I rise late in the day after a night of no sleep, I wonder. Is it because I'm getting older or just out of shape that I feel like a whooped dog? Wait, maybe I'm old and out of shape? I guess next time I'll have to hit the tread mill a little more ...and then down a cold pizza followed by a 2 liter of soda one early morning to prepare myself. Well, I've got a few months. Hope your day is a blessed one...even if your back's soar and you can't feel your legs..except of course for the carpet burns. :)

If you're not involved with a ministry to preteens at your church, start this week. It's one of the most rewarding things you can do. The preteen age is such an important time of life to know there are people who love the Lord and can have fun and really live life as a Christian. And the kids are so much fun to get to know.

Arrr Matey! It's Forever Treasure I Be After

Each night this week I pulled on my knee high boots, pulled on my coat with the biggest cuffs you've ever seen and piloted my ship the "Ford 150," to Byers, Texas for a night of fun at Katie's Kids Camp. Their theme for the week was Treasure Island. What a blast as my trusty eagle, Patches, and I spent the week talking with the campers about how the riches on earth will all ruin and go away, but the treasure of Heaven will last forever. I had a blast this week. I've never done a series in character like this, so it was a new challenge but the kids really got into it and they loved Patches. As I came to the kids no longer a pirate, but an adventurer who had stopped his pirating ways, my partner Patches refused to give up his old ways. He was always trying to take gold or jewels from the treasure chest on stage. Finally, we realized we had been taking these "fake" riches from his heart, but never put anything back. On the 2nd to the last night, we put a verse in his heart from Psalms 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart, so I might not sin against you." The last night, Patches no longer had earthly treasure in his heart, but his own little Bible. Like I said, I had a blast. Along with the nightly message in a bottle, and things from the treasure chest, we really learned alot.

Blogging About my Newspaper Interview About Blogging

Do you ever wonder how people find out things about you? I do. I had a local newspaper reporter call me last week and wanted to talk to me about an article she was writing about Pastor's who Blog. Well, I'm only a lowly Children's Ministers but I agreed to talk with her for her article . She asked me why I blogged, how I got started where my blogs were and the typical stuff. Dumb me, I never asked how she knew I had a blog.

Well, some were a little uneasy the way the article came out, mainly with some pastors from other churches who didn't blog and thought their associate ministers could find better things to do with their ministry time. I guess the idea that we blog after hours was never a consideration, though, I think blogging is definitely a tool that can be used for the Glory of God. It's all up to the blogger. Think about this - most of us don't have books published or articles written in magazines. But anyone with a blog can possible have a global audience complete with subscriptions and feedback. Sounds like a pretty useful tool to me. :) My only complaint was she called me a youth minister! Don't demote me, I'm a Children's Minister. :)

Hope your day has been blessed and something your read on the blog of this crazy children's minister from Texas brought a smile to your face.

Oh yeah, on another note - I got to play a pirate ....wait no, I mean an adventurer... at a kids camp tonight just outside of the town I live in. I had a blast and can't wait to return tomorrow with my partner, Patches. Patches is an eagle- complete with gold earring and eye patch. I know, he's not a parrot - but my last parrot talked in his sleep and I like to never got any rest. :) We'll be speaking all week on our Treasures in Heaven and why that's better than anything we can ever have here on earth. - So, have you read your treasure map lately?

Another Summer Camp Session Under My Belt

Well, it's Tuesday and I've almost got all the stuff we took to camp last week put up...almost. I've been directing camps almost since I started children's ministry nine years ago. I've been counseling since I graduated from High School. There is so much that makes a session great to me, but when it comes down to one thing, it's memories. What does your mind remember when you look at the pictures of directors covered in whip cream, campers in crazy costumes or a solitary figure in the distance kneeling in prayer? It's camp. And as much as of a headache as it can sometimes be, there's nothing like it.

Camp is what God used to lead me to where and what I'm doing and I will never forget that. I will never forget the little boy who changed my life. His life was so different than mine and all his struggles and frustrations left me dumb-struck. I know the words that came out of my mouth that one day where not mine, but those of the Holy Spirt. I have to admit, I was ready to run off and go home half way through that session, but I didn't and my life has never been the same - thank you Robert. When I finally got home, my mind was a mess. All my plans of a fancy job and wealth from my first year of collage were gone, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do. There was a package waiting for me when I got home. My first Contemporary Christian CDs. I had order them weeks before camp, and really didn't know any of the artists. One of the disk I put in my player that first day back was by Wayne Watson, and one of the songs that started broke my heart and put the Lord's calling in me that has never left. That song, my song, was called "Friend of a Wounded Heart." It still, to this day, gives me goosebumps when I hear it and challenges me to think if I'm really where I need to be and doing what I need to be doing.

It's amazing now to be working with adult counselors who were my campers just a few years ago. I wonder how many lives have been touched by the Lord to work with kids by a grueling week at summer camp? I know one.

How a Children's Minister Prepares to Preach a Sermon

Well, today is over and after nine years as a children's minister, I have officially preached my first sermon. Actually I did it twice...one for each service. The actual delivery of the sermon wasn't what killed me, it was the trying to figure out what to talk about and then how to take what was in my head and put it in an arrangement that would make sense to the kids, teens, parents, young marrieds, seniors, regular attenders and visitors. I knew I didn't want to do some fluffy lesson that would be light and not impact people. I had on my heart a message, but wasn't really sure if I wanted to do it. I tried and tried to find something else to do. Friday and Saturday I really tried to nail down what I was going to do. What was my lesson writing strategy? Friday night I was still struggling, so I hopped on my motorcycle and rode down to United for coffee. Then, when my coffe was gone, around 9:30 pm I headed home to put somethings down on paper. But on the way home I decided, I really didn't want to go home, so a quick right turn and I was on my way to Hastings to look for a biography of Abe Lincoln. Why? I don't know. I watched a show about him while I was home sick last week and wanted to see what was really true, besides, I didn't want to go home. Well, I found my book and looked around a while and headed home. I made it this time some time after 11 pm. Not much got written down that night. Saturday, I decided I needed to get out of the house, so I grabbed my Bible, a notebook and mounting my trusty V-Star, I headed to the park. Two hours later I had several pages of notes, and nothing to work with. So, off to the church I went. Maybe some time in my office would get my juices going. Nope. I went and stood on the stage and looked at the empty auditorium....and nothing. Back in my office, I was looking at the Goliath action figure I had just bought. He was ugly and mean looking. Unlike the flannel graph Goliath I had grown up with. That's kind of why I bought him. Finally, I had an idea. David lived out what I wanted people to think about. "How does your life reflect what you believe?" Or simply how are you living? Like the world or like a Christian? Now, throw in a sword, some toys, a magic trick, power point slides and the lesson was done...about 1:30am. I hope my lesson made people think, that was it's purpose. I'm glad I decided to preach, and I kind of enjoyed it....but don't tell anyone. But for now, I think I'll stick with the kid audiences. I love working with an audience I can interact with (I think it was a bit of a stretch for some when I asked them to talk with the person beside them for a moment this morning). My lessons are much more alive and it keeps me on my toes when I can stop and ask a question- you gotta know what you're talking about because you never know what they're going to say or ask. It was definetly a learning experience and people seemed to enjoy it. Maybe I'll do it again in another nine years. :)

Top 10 Reason the Da Vinci Code was based on Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail

The Da Vinci Code vs. Monty Pyton and the Search for the Holy Grail. Okay, how do these two works match up? Let's see.

The Da Vinci Code vs. Monty Python
Da Vinci: 10. A rose was left.
Monty Python: 10. A Shurbbery was required

DV: 9. A secret group met one Night Around a Table
MP: 9. Involves the Knights of the Round Table.

DV: 8. To solve the clue you must know your art history.
MP: 8. To cross the bridge you must know your favorite color.

DV: 7. Women were burned as witches.
MP: 7. "If she weights as much as a duck, she's a witch. Burn her!"

DV: 6. English grail expert living in France.
MP: 6. French soldiers living in a castle in England.

DV: 5. Priest whipping himself in his room.
MP: 5. Monks whipping themselves as they walk in the streets.

DV: 4. The Catholic church repressed the role of women.
MP: 4. "Help! Help! I'm being repressed! Come see the violence inherent in the system!"

DV: 3. We are the Knights Templar
MP: 3. We are the Knights who say Ni!

DV: 2. The main characters were attacked by a white (albino) priest.
MP: 2. The main characters were attacked by a white rabbit.

DV: 1. A fictional movie that's has no standing in history or reality.
MP: 1. A fictional movie that has no standing in history or reality.

KidsFest, little sleep & loving it!

This weekend was our 2nd chance to be a major sponsor for KidsFest. This is a big kids day at our local activity center put on my our News Channel 3. Businesses and such that work with kids are invited to put up booths to show, sample or sell their wares. We had a large booth decorated with the overall Western theme. We built a mini wild west town out of foam board, complete with fence and entrance. We had two practice ropin' cows set up where kids could try to get hula hoops over their heads. We figured this would be safer then letting them swing the ropes around in the crowd. It rained all day Friday and Most of Saturday, so this helped bring more people to the event on Saturday, because soccer and baseball were cancelled.

There were literally thousands of people there. We had a blast hanging out with all the kids. We had volunteers ranging from 13 to 76 years old helpin with our booths. Due to a last minute video I decided to put together, I only got four hours of sleep Friday night. That made for a tired Children's minister to finish up the Saturday with supper with a potential new staff minister and then my long, Sunday schedule.

Some days, it would be nice to just sit around and relax - okay, I'd probably just get bored!

Who'd Have Thought.....

Who'd have ever thought a shy kid like me would be....

Doing a live interview on the Noon News

Speaking before hundreds of people

Teaching and speaking to kids around the country.

Doing school programs.

Clowning around in parades, malls and parties.

Sometimes I think back to Jr. High or High School and I would have never imaged God would be leading me down the path I'm on and giving me some of the most incredible opportunities and filling my life with such blessings. Who'd have thought?

Life is an Emotional Rollar Coaster, but It's Worth the Ride!

Well, it's been another one of those up and down kind of weeks. Not up and down as in bad and good, but rather the emotions that situations bring about. I spent the day at the hospital on Wednesday for the annual SIDS seminar. SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Basically, babies just die and no one really knows why. Reasearch has showed, these babies' hearts just slow down and stop. It's quite terrifying if you think about it. Can you imagine coming to wake up your perfectly healthy baby and find it dead. Research has shown some small things that make huge differences in SIDS. By placing babies on their back to sleep it reduces SIDS risk by like 50-70 percent. The other huge factor is a smoking mother before birth and then smoking around the child (even 2nd hand smoke) after the birth. The seminar always reminds me there are hurting people all over the place, we just have to pay attention and care.

Today, Thursday, I spent two hours as my alter ego, Zoots the Clown, twisting balloon animals with another fellow clown at one of the local Head Starts. It was a blast! Lots of kids and their families lined up for a balloon. I made more than one balloon flower for a mom after her kids got one. Simple things bring a smile and open the lines of conversation.


To round out my week, I'm planning on a motorcylce trip on Saturday with my brother and an old friend up to the Wichita Moutains (okay, they're really hills - but I live in Texas!) Hope your week's been a great one!

One Busy Weekend!

I don't think I've ever looked more forward to a Monday than I am tonight. It has been one busy week/weekend. As always, big things take big prep and as usually I had multiple big things happening on the same days.

I started prepping for our LTC fundraiser called the "Concert of Stars" on Thursday night. It was an all day Friday set up and rehearsals as lip sync acts practiced their dance moves as we set up the lights and sound for Saturday night. It was one fun night, I must tell you - even though they had me on stage "Hangin' Tough" as one of the New Kids On The Block! I then retreated back to the sound/light booth.

Of course my Saturday started out much earlier as I took a group of K-3rd Graders up for a Day Camp I was leading at a Christian camp some two hours away. It was a beautiful day to be out in the mountains (okay, hills). The weather was great, the kids were excited and we only came across one rattle snake! After the four hour session, we hopped back into the vans and finished the last leg of our Saturday road trip back to the church building about two hours before the Concert of Stars kicked off! I'd have never made it without the two dads & two Jr High boys who came along for the trip! Thanks guys!

My night wrapped up around 12:30 am after putting all the sound gear back together in my children's church, finishing up some last minute sets and shooting a couple of quick videos for the children's church puppet skits - (don't ever put off today what you can do tomorrow - unless you really do have time to do it tomorrow!)


Of course, there's no better feeling than to be completely exhausted and content with all the great things God is letting you be a part of! Now I'm going to bed. :)

Think Outside the Flannelgraph

I recently surveyed 14 preteens involved in my preteen ministry on the media they have access too. Some of the results were that more than half used instant messaging to communicate with others, fewer had their own email address. All but one had internet access in the home. A majority had CD players and televisions in their rooms while a smaller number had VCRs or DVD players. Some had computers and most had some kind of game system in their room.

This really got me thinking about all the ways preteens gather information, and the ways they process that information. Whether it's checking baseball scores each morning online or listening to music from CDs or the radio, preteens are bombarded with information.

I guess my thoughts are slowly focusing on the one thought, "How do we communicate God's Word in a way that fits the way they process information, using the means they are being trained to gather information, which they have in their own rooms?"

It makes me take a longer look at video games like GraceWorks' The Interactive Parables, and other quality made Christian videos, music, and websites. Not necessarily for the times when they are at church (though we need to be using media in our teaching) but as resources for families to use in the home. If parents are the primary spiritual leaders in a child's life (at least that's what God said) then the more resources we have for them and their families the better.

So, how about a children's ministry Podcast? Why not video your children's church message and get it on your website for kids to watch again, or show others? How about online devotionals for families to download that correspond with that week's lesson? I know there are companies like 3rd Day Games which produces Bible based video games that correspond with certain curriculums in which kids play through the stories they learned about on Sunday. Why not let your kids act out Bible stories and create your own DVDs for kids to watch at home and show friends? The possibilities are limitless.

I can think of no better reason to be media-savvy than to be able to find better ways to share with kids the greatest information they'll ever need to know. So, get on your knees and ask God for creative ideas, wisdom and a couple of techno-geek volunteers hiding out in the sound booth.

Let your Faith be more than a Profile choice.

My heart hurts reading the blogs of kids I’ve spent years of my life with. Though they usually quit hanging with me when they move up into the youth group, they have left a permanent mark on the time line of my life.

I fear that many are moving into adulthood and when trials come the depth of their faith shows up only as a selection on a profile list along with their astrological sign or whether they like bacon on their cheeseburger.

What do I wish I could tell them? Deep in my soul I hunger for them to know that they are loved. Not a human love that is ripped away with an email or phone call that says “we’re finished,” but a love we can’t even understand. A love that doesn’t make sense. A no matter what you say or do or think, I’m gonna love you kind of love. A love that heals that sick-at-your-stomach, my heart has been ripped out and stepped on hurt.

Yes, they are loved by an all-knowing, all-present God who sent his son to earth for them. He lived and experienced every hurt, temptation and pain they are going through, and then he died. He died for them. He died for me. He died for us.

He’s not distant. He’s not imaginary. He’s real and He’s there, wherever they are. Wherever I am. Wherever we are.

If you haven’t met him yet, come see me. I’ll introduce you, because he spends a lot of time helping me. Forgiving me of my stupid sins and loving me no matter what dumb thing I’ve done….again.

Coming to an End

Well, tonight wraps up my Kansas City Experience. I will be heading out in the morning on my way back to Texas. It’s been fun. I loved walking through Union Station. One of the stats said that half of the soldiers in WWII (I think) came through this station. There is a ton of history in it. Like standing under the big clock.



Or gazing up at the incredible ceiling.

Today, I also hiked up to the War Memorial that is across from Union Station and my hotel.

I’ve enjoyed seeing the sights – though I never ventured far from the hotel this year. I enjoyed the evening challenge of trying to find something to eat. Most things close at like 5:00 PM. Thursday and Friday they’re open til like 8PM. For a night owl, that was tough. Like tonight, I’ve spent most nights around 10:30 down in a public area of the entertainment are connected to my hotel using their free WIFI.

I am ready to be home. They say the weather’s been incredible while I was gone. It was 98 F on Monday. Who ever heard of 90 degree weather in February? Of course, it’s perfect motorcycle riding weather! Up here in KC, MO its been about 42 F the last three days and a bit rainy today. Well, guess I shall head up to the 14th floor and start packing up. One good thing about this trip, it’s really got me into the blogging mood!

Here's a shot of me up on the war memorial with Union Station in the background.

What Kind of Impact are You Making?

This is my second year to come to this conference in Kansas City. It was in Dallas for three years. There are two hotels connected together with an inclosed walk way. In the hotel I'm in, there is also a three level center full of stores, restaurants, two theaters, etc. In the other hotel there is a nice cafe that looks up about four levels with walkways all around it. In the stores in this entertainment center, workers were buttons welcoming all the children's ministers to the center and their stores. I know it might not sound like much, but there are workers through out this center recognizing those who lift up Christ in the lives of Children. Someone made an Impact.

In the other hotel, in this large open air lobby, stands a nude, female statue. However, just like last year - someone has created a table cloth dress for our nude beauty. I guess they figured a thousand children's ministers would frown on their "artwork." Someone has made an impact on this hotel. (Of course, to my frustration, I've over heard children's workers complaining - "I don't know why they have to do that. It's art!" I pray they kept their mouth shut and let this hotel honor the Godly vertue of modesty.)

Tonight we heard a speaker who has lived his 52 years with cerebal palsy. He lost both of his parents at an early age. He spoke of how he had lost all hope and often prayed to just die. His sister, who didn't go to church, kept telling him he needed to go to church. He finally did, and though he'd been in church through out his earlier childhood, finally learned that God loved him and had great plans for his life. His entire attitude changed. It changed so much, that the teachers at his school noticed. He was happy. He was walking tall. Everyone wanted to know what had happened. So, at this large public school, they called an assemble and invited him to tell the entire student body what had made this change in him. He walked up on the stage and told of how he had gone to church and learned God loved him and had a plan for him. Did I mention this was a public school? And though he walks with a limp and has difficulty speaking he graduated collage, and is a preacher. He has a beautiful wife and four children. His message, if God can use me - just think what he can do with you! God takes our weaknesses and makes us strong. He truely was an inspiration. He kept the entire audience glued to his every word.

I pray you let the Lord use you to make an Impact in the lives of others. Even if it's just making a table cloth dress for a nude statue in the middle of a hotel full of Christians.

Sometimes Ignorance is Bliss

I was sitting in my hotel room about 30 minutes ago when a friend who's at the same conference as I am called. His hotel is actually connected to mine by an enclosed walkway. Our conference workshops are scattered between the two. He called to say he was watching a special on the National Geographic Channel about design disasters. They were talking about a tragedy at a hotel where some of the skywalks - or hallways had previously been built wrong and collapsed killing some people. In the midst of the show, he realized that he was actually staying in this same hotel. We had walked under these new walkways to get to our general sessions several times this week. What an erie thought!

I told him if they said anything about my hotel...don't call me. Sometimes ignorance is bliss! I hope the Lord has blessed you today!

Stirring My Passion

From the title you may be thinking - okay, Greg finally met someone? Sorry no. The passion that was stirred in me today is my passion to impact kids for Christ. Through great seminars by such Children's Ministry giants as Jim Wideman, I'm reminded why I do what I do. Why I put up with frustrations, over work and little social life. I'm a Children's Minister and I'm impacting the lives of kids for Christ.

Jim reminded me how important my attitude is in my ministry and sharing my pasison and mentoring others to do the same. I control my attitude. I decide how I'm going to react when things happen - and things happen. That's life.

I also sat through a great seminar today on using media to impact kids today - they call them the mosaics. If we ignore how kids (and adults) learn and sort through information which impacts what they believe and how they behave 6 days a week and do our own thing on Sundays, our important message may just get cast aside. The message is the same, but the means in which we share that message is always changing. We can ignore this fact and say to kids, because you can't learn and process they way I do (or the way my grandmother did!) then you don't get God's Good News. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to say that! Good luck and may God continue to bless us as we find new and meaningful ways to share the powerful, life saving message of Christ.

Greg

Sipping a Mocha in Union Station

Today I ventured through Union Station in Kansas City, MO. Wow it was cool. It's massive! It was fun just to sit in a corner with my Cafe Mocha (it was mmm good) and just watch people come and go. Did I mention the place was massive? It has an incredible ceiling in the main lobby with three massive chandeliers (sp?) hanging. There are shops and restaurants all through the main floor. There's a Science Center and IMAX theater on the lower level.

I saw the flic "Extreme" this afternoon. It had guys surfing 40 foot waves, free climbing frozen waterfalls and skiing down mountains! These folks were nuts!

It's so nice to get away and just hang out. Internet's free down here in this public area ($10 in the hotel room). Tomorrow my conference begins and I'm ready. Cool stuff ahead I hope. Well, I think I'm gonna head up to my room on the 14th floor -what a view. There's this incredible war memorial with this tall, tall tower you can go up in. It's pretty impressive! Guess that's it for now. Later

Why does it take so much work, just to take time off?

This weekend I'm heading off for the Children's Pastor's Conference in Kansas City. Why do I schedule everything in the world, the week before I leave? You'd think I'd learn. Why is everything right in the middle of starting a new quarter with new teachers? Maybe it's to remind me that things will continue with out me. Of course, I didn't leave the church until 12:30 this morning trying to get children's churches done, curriculum printed and things in the mail.

I guess I wouldn't enjoy the time away as much if life wasn't so crazy - not that I don't like it crazy. But I am looking forward to a recharge from the classes and speakers and hanging out with new and old friends. So, I guess in the end, all the work is worth the chance to get away for a while. Hope you can get away too.

The Narnia Experience

This last Saturday we held one of the coolest events I've ever done. We called it the Narnia Experience. It was an intergeneration event based on the book/movie The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Groups of 15 traveled through a 9 foot wardrobe that opened up to a forest of artificial Christmas trees and with fake snow falling. The group met the Professor at the Lamp Post and then journedy to five areas where they met characters from the story. They met Mr. Tumnus in his home/cave; Mr. & Mrs. Beaver in their home; the White Witch in her ice castle, Aslan at the Stone Table and finally the four kings and queens on their thrones. I may have writtent he scripts but the actors/actresses really brought the parts to life. Our rooms were decorated incredible by some of our very talented church members.

Groups heard fun dialogues from the characters, participated in an activity and heard a piece of the Gospel story in each area. A pre-recorded narrator guided the groups through, providing the Narnia story with the true story of Jesus Christ.

The event registration filled up quickly. We had everyone from babies to 90+ year olds coming from our church and the community. What a day!

"Here's the Cast from the Narnia Experience"