I’ve written over 250 posts on this blog since June 2010. And, as I’ve discovered, blogging consistently takes time, effort and energy. So why do I do it? Why do I blog? Well, what I have discovered in teaching youth and children every week in various venues is that using media is important. There is […]
I was at Starbucks the other day and I saw this “instructional” sign in the bathroom and it made me think of something. Now, this might be a little gross, but stay with me for a second. When I am in the men’s room, whether it is at church, the airport, restaurant, wherever, I can’t […]
Yes. It is. I like Jimmy Johns and all (that’s where this photo was taken), but it’s not worthy of worship!
One of Heath Davis‘ passions is helping reorient the church to the overarching implications of the Gospel. Here is a recent post from Heath: What is the gospel? Social justice, community reform, personal morality should never be mistaken as the gospel itself. They are actually the IMPLICATIONS of the gospel fleshed out into our life […]
Don’t we all long for a perfect world? It’s not that I get frustrated with things not being perfect because I know they aren’t. But that doesn’t prevent us from longing for perfection, does it? “In a perfect world …” HT ChurchMag
Jesus calls disciples to keep entering into this shared life of peace and joy as it transforms our hearts, until it’s the most natural way to live that we can imagine. Until it’s second nature. Until we naturally embody and practice the kind of attitudes and actions that will go on in the age to […]
This past Sunday was kind of interesting in regard to staffing our Main Street program for children in grades 1-6 during the 9:40am service @ Hayward Wesleyan Church. This was the last day for “regular” teaching through our school year curriculum. Next week is our annual OREO Bible Quiz (a review of sorts for the […]
I didn’t want to share this publicly until it was officially announced, but as of today, it is. Along with my current job assignment (children’s pastor @ Hayward Wesleyan), I will be joining the Spiritual Formation Department of The Wesleyan Church on their Children’s Ministry Leadership Team. Rev. Colleen Derr (former Children’s Ministry Director @ […]
This past Wednesday, May 25, 2011, I spoke at Hayward High School’s Baccalaureate Service. The theme was “Wisdom?” and it was on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. During the talk, I used an object lesson with a rope, which just happened to be the school colors! (actually it was an extra yellow rope from our playground system […]
Mercy Ships is a missions organization that we support @ Hayward Wesleyan. In particular, the children support Mercy Ships through our boy vs. girl change offering @ VBS. Over the years the kids have raised thousands of dollars that go directly to surgeries and care for people, like those illustrated in the video above. Incredible! […]
I am really passionate about “discipline” in ministry. To me (and I think to God), discipline (especially to children and youth) is essential to their spiritual formation. When a student is in trouble, I think their heart is ripe and fertile soil for a “teachable moment.” In other words, discipline equals discipleship. In a ministry […]
This past Sunday, May 22, 2011, I was given the opportunity to preach @ Hayward Wesleyan. Our small group had been studying Philippians this past year and we ended our year with reviewing what we learned and wanted to consolidate our thoughts into a letter. I was tasked to write the letter and I ended […]
God’s people the Israelites are allowed, by decree of King Cyrus of Persia, to return to their homeland. Upon arrival they realize the extent of the devastation the exile had on the city of Jerusalem. They begin work on the Temple, slowly rebuilding it. Video link (vimeo.com) Audio file (3.76mb, mp3) Story lesson (396.85kb, pdf)
source YouTube
After a series of “evil” kings, the LORD God sends King Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon into the land of Judah and exiles its king and people. Later, King Neb destroys the city of Jerusalem and the Temple of the LORD. For a period of 70 years, the people of Judah are in semi-permanent time-out. Video link […]
Wayne Stocks wrote a great article entitled: Five Ways to Get Kids to Shut Up! Humorous and intriguing title, right? Read below: 1. Keep them Engaged When kids are engaged they are much less likely to talk and cause problems. This isn’t always true, but it holds up as a general rule. So, make sure […]
I’ve almost had this blog for one year. It’s been fun. As a matter of form, I usually don’t like to talk about the function of blogging (self-promotion) in that I think that content speaks for itself whether it is useful for readers or the internet community at-large. However, I do like to look at […]
I’m currently 33 years-old. I’m not that old, yet, But in a teenager’s world, I am OLD! And I feel it… not in a diminishing physical way, but in an ever-widening gap between me and the middle school students way. I was in middle school (grades 6-8) from 1988-1991. There was no internet (as we […]
Almost 2 years ago, we relocated our church’s nursery to another part of our facility. In conjunction with this move came a refocusing of our programming and curricular intent. We thought it was important to use the hour the infants and toddlers are in the Nursery for intentional spiritual instruction rather than just mere childcare. […]