General Session Standout from CPC19

I was privileged to attend CPC a few days ago in Orlando. As always, it was a GREAT time of refreshment and renewal.  Everything was so good, but this general session was a standout for me. The Speaker was Robert Madu from right down the road from me in Texas. I was so excited he was going to be there: my hubs and I heard him speak at his church in Cedar Hill, Tx and were so impressed. (you can see him for yourself on youtube.). So here are my notes from the session.

Text:  Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Samuel 18:5-9
By Faith We are Strong was the theme of the night, I think his title was "On Your Mark."

He took these two scriptures and compared them; that in Hebrews it is telling the reader to stay focused and then in 1 Samuel, Saul focused on David instead of his own purpose.  Good stuff right there out of the gate!

Who are you racing?  Who are you chasing after instead of running the race God has set for you?

Comparing yourself to others is dangerous because in doing so, you are trying to achieve something you weren't created for.

• Comparison is the enemy of destiny. 2 Corinthians 10:12
• Comparison will consistently cloud the clarity of God's call on your life. (wow!)
• God has already given you everything you need to accomplish his call.
• Stop complaining to the master about the pieces you didn't get and realize you are a masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10
• Stay in your lane and keep your eyes on Jesus.

Every believer has 2 destinies.

1. Universal: to be more like Jesus.
2. Unique: to be different from anyone else.

You are God's representative so the world can see what Jesus looks like doing _____. (insert your job here...children's pastor, teacher, chef, etc.)

Saul is a case study of the downward spiral, and what comparison can do to your life.

• The focus of your life is never supposed to be on you.
• Comparison always starts with "...but me."

How to know if you are a "but me" person

1. If you can't celebrate the successes of other people.
2. If you are stingy with your compliments.
3. If there is anyone in your life that you would be happy to see fail.

He also talked about social media and what a dangerous tool of comparison it has become. He asked, have our screens become mirrors of our lives?

My takeaway:

This was really good food for thought. Our enemy sets up traps for comparison for us all the time, and I will admit that I've fallen hard into them at times.  But God called me for a specific purpose, and I don't want to miss out on what he has for me by getting sidetracked in comparison.

Don't Give Up. Stick it Out. Persevere.

We started a new series today in Children's Worship called "At the Zoo." via CMD We remembered the story of the Tortoise and the Hare.  You know...the Hare thought he had the race won with no problem, and then-boy was he surprised when he woke up from his nap to find that he'd lost the race!

The lesson we learn here is really about perseverance.  And my favorite story of perseverance is about Joseph.  He lived out perseverance for much of his adult life as we have it recorded in the scripture.

So what about you? When have you had to practice perseverance? Maybe that's right where you're living today.  One thing that I can promise you is that God is with you today. He knows. He hears your prayers. And-he has a plan bigger than we can imagine.

If you want to spend some time as a family this week talking about perseverance, here's a little help with that conversation:

1. Have each family member tell about a time in their life when they felt like giving up.
2. Parents-if you can, relate a story in your own faith walk-or that of another believer where someone didn't give up-the persevered-and saw God work out a difficult situation.
3. Pray together than when the tough times come, you will be able to persevere.  If you're living a tough time right now-pray that God will strengthen you as a family to stick it out!

Catching Quality Time. Together.

For quite awhile now, the youth group in our church has taken on the responsibility of cleaning. Our custodian retired, and our youth pastor had this great idea, so cleaning the church has really been a blessing for youth families because the money earned goes to help pay for summer camp, extended trips, or little things like Thursday lunches.  New kids to the youth group and their families are getting a chance to get in on this fundraiser now.

I'm sitting in my office with the doors open and I can hear the sounds of a new 7th grader and his dad working in the church.  I love listening, because it's father and son interacting. I'm sure there are tons of other things both of these guys would enjoy more on a beautiful first day of summer, but they are spending it here at the church.

Together.
Uh huh, they are together.
Or to put it another way, they aren't apart, they're together.
Catching quality time. Together.

Dad is coaching son on his cleaning skills. Son is explaining the why's of his particular method. Dad is asking his son's opinion. Son is listening to his dad's direction. Voices aren't raised. Tempers aren't flaring. They are just enjoying being together.

I think as parents we sometimes think together means running the roads; overpriced summer attractions; bigger, better, brighter. And those things are wonderful, I love them every one!  But they aren't the only way to find quality time with your kids.

As I've learned about my own college-aged son, the memories that stick in his head aren't always the ones with the most $$ signs.  Sticky memories are rooted in together.

Side by side.
Give and take.
Patience and time.
Juuust together.

So maybe for you, together needs to be cleaning out a flower bed, or organizing the toy room. Whatever it like at your house, cherish it!  You've got lot of summertime, together-hungry hours ready for you to fill!

Thank you Lord for together!

...by our love

I love my church, and today was reminded how special it is.  I went into the Christian bookstore to pick up a book, and when checking out the clerk asked me what church I worked at.

I quickly told her the name and location.  Her eyes got really big, and she said, "Oh praise the Lord.!" I can't believe this! I've been wanting to come to your church.  She said that she passes by the church every day, and something seems to be pulling her to visit. She explained a little about being on the search for a new place to worship, where she can really fit in. 

She went on to tell me about some of the times she's been to our church for our Live Nativity at Christmas, and how the people are always so welcoming and and friendly, and work together so well.   She mentioned the spirit she always feels and how she loves reading our sign when she's driving by, and on and on she had only good things to say.

I invited her, made sure that she knew about the activities for kids (she has grandchildren), and as I got ready to leave she asked me if she could come around and hug my neck. She said, "I feel like I've met a long lost member of my family!" 

She's right. She will be welcomed just like family and will feel right at home.

So thanks DFC family for the way that you show God's love.
Thanks for welcoming new people with smiling eyes and warm handshakes.
Thanks for making sure their children feel comfortable enough to make the treck down to the children's department.
Thanks for notes and phone calls and meals and rides and including everyone and prayers.

That's the kind of church I get to be a part of!
The kind of church where we are known-by our love.

I can't wait to see Mischelle when she comes to visit! 

Once a Seeker, Always a Seeker

It was Sunday afternoon, and a group was at the church to unpack all the boxes, and fluff all the wreaths, and test all the lights to make sure the beautiful decorations that adorn our sanctuary were ready for Hanging of the Greens.

I was there too, and while working alone, I asked the Father very simply, “will you show me something new this season? I want to experience Christmas in a whole new way.”  I went on to complete my assignment, but no inspiration hit me that day.

A few days later preparations began for the season at my house. My son was coming home from completing his first semester of college, and I wanted a festive, welcome  home for him.  While working alone, I asked the Father my simple request. “Will you show me something new this season? I want to experience Christmas in a whole new way.”  But no inspiration came to me that day.

For several days, as it came to mind, I asked the question, but still-no answer. Then, while listening in on the children’s Christmas program rehearsal, finally, my answer came. As I watched those wiggly little people trying to get all their lines in and stand in the right place on the stage, I realized that each character in the nativity story shared one common thread.

They were all Seekers. Wise men giving years of their lives to seek and following a star. Shepherds walking off the job and chasing after angels.  Young parents, so good at seeking God that they were chosen to bring up his Son while He lived on earth!

God was saying to me, “Seek me, Mary”.  You see, though sincere in wanting to learn something new, my simple request wasn’t born in action. Honestly, it was a come-and-serve-me kind of request.  That’s not what the Father had in mind for me.

My “something new” was not what God could show me, but in my moving to action.

Seeking him.
For joy, for peace, for promise.

Like the magi. 
Like the shepherds. 
Like the two young parents.
They all longed to be in His presence.

Ah, that’s when the magic happens.
That’s when you hear His voice.
That’s when you are filled to overflowing; when you seek the Lord with all your heart.

Alongside the dirty shepherds and road weary wise men, I found my own place in the Christmas story this year, as a seeker.

be with Me.

I know you’re walking through fire.

I see your head held high even though…
I hear your heart cry when your knees bow in prayer.
I feel the sting of tears in your eyes.

 I want to say, dear one, that it’s quite ok for you to be with me.

If you are lonely, be lonely.
If you are angry, be angry.
If you are frightened, be frightened.
If you are empty, be empty.
 
Just be withme.
 
Be lonely, and I will comfort.
Be angry, I will calm you.
Be frightened, I will hold you close.
Be empty, I will fill you.
 
I promise.
I love you that much.

It’s ok for you to just be with me.

 
My ways are not your ways.
My thoughts are not your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9

reCHARGE!

I asked some friends today how they recharge; what they do when they need a rest stop; where they find an oasis.

Here's what I got: 

my bed with cool crisp sheets, Colorado, a massage and starbucks, music, a pedicure, a nap, time spent laughing with family/friends, a bowl of cereal and the tv remote, a big bubble bath with lavender chamomile candles and a good movie, a pot of coffee, sitting on the bank of a creek with my feet in the water.

Love those responses...don't I have great friends? 

I don't know about you, but right about now, in the "dog days of summer", recharging sounds pretty good!  That's why I'm looking forward to the Kidmin Conference.

I went to Kidmin last year, and was so pleased to find that this conference was designed to feed my soul, tickle my funny bone and...recharge my batteries.  Kidmin is more than just a few days to stuff your head with ideas and gizmos and plans and dreams.  Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of time for the head-stuffing, etc. but it's way more...it's a time to slow down, to listen to God's voice, and to experience the strength in standing together as God's family.

If you're a part of Children's Ministry in any capacity at your church, I hope you can join us there!  reCHARGE guaranteed!

That Whoosh You Heard was My Whirlwind of a Life!

Been just a bit busy lately around the Sims home.  Here's why:

this guy

was at the end of this year:

so there was lots to do.

like finalizing plans for next year

and a big milestone

and celebrating with these people

and these people

at this very cool place.

then...with everything turned in,

all the checks marked off the list

and a big sigh of relief

the big day arrived

and the next day we had a party

and were blessed by lots of friends 

 and family

(and i loved this super cool cake!)

happy.

congratulations sweet boy.

Because of You. A Note to the Kids Staff of DFC

Because of you our children bound into the building each week, eager to see what you have in store for them.

Because of you our children are a great support system for each other. They are in a safe place where they know others love them.

Because of you on my walks down the hall to peek in the classrooms I never see bored kids with their heads layed out on the tables. You keep them engaged and learning.

Because of you our parents invite their friends with children to our church. They believe that much in the spiritual instruction you are giving their kids.

Because of you our children ask tough questions, trusting you as a spiritual leader.

Because of you our children have learned the importance of prayer and are learning more about it all the time. (it's not all me. seriously.)

Because of you I am blessed beyond what I could imagine!
Thank you.

I'm praying for you as you prepare your hearts and minds to minister to our kids tomorrow!

Getting ready for the BIG DAY

I'm working at the church this morning getting ready for the BIG DAY! Easter Sunday!  The cleaning crew is here and making everything sparkle, readying the building for the saints and the seekers who will be with us on Resurrection morning.

I realized it's been awhile since I've been here.

So in an effort to remedy that, here's a photo essay in short form of what my day has consisted of so far.

First stop: picking up lilies to grace the sanctuary on Sunday. My car smelled so good, it was kind of tempting just to keep riding around for awhile and breathing in the sweet, lily smell.

Next on to the church and I spent a few minutes pulling the little yellow things out of the lilies.  They are a mess, but my mom has always told me the lilies last longer without the yellow thing.

They look great all lined up in the sanctuary.  I know it will drive the perfectionists in the crowd crazy because there is one more on the left side of the podium than the right side. 

Bless them. 

I'm just mean.  (haha)

I think all this hard work deserves a snack. So I raided the refrigerator in the kitchen.

Next down to the office to make the memorial worship folder.  Children's Ministries receives the proceeds from the lily sale each year, and the worship folder lists those in whose name the lilies are placed.  It's a special way to honor or remember someone.  And it's an easy fundraiser!

And that's it...all before noon!  Now it's time for lunch!

I'm a Homebody

My ideal day is spent at home. That's funny for me to say, because I've never thought about this before.  I've felt this way for several years, but putting thought to what that means to me is another thing. 

You see, I'm an on-the-go girl.  And in the "before":  home did not hold adventure or excitement. 

Home meant familiar, predictable, routine.

After all...there was a big world out there waiting for me to embrace all it could throw in my path.  Home just shut that all out!

Now I know this one thing...there is enough adventure in my life.  Really.  It's thrust upon me on a daily basis.

There's enough busy in my life.  I may be guilty on occasion of  meeting myself coming and going.

And change?  Fuh-get-about-it!

I really treasure my time at home.

Routine?  I adore you. You haven't changed a bit!

Familiar?  You get yourself right in here! Let me hug your neck!

Predictability?  There's a seat for you at my kitchen table.  Let me introduce you to "same ole, same ole" and "been there, done that!"

Home is my safe haven.  It's a wonderful memory-laced caccoon of happy, growing up and lessons proudly lining it's walls.

Home is there when I fail.

Home is there when I fall.

Home is there when I'm at my best and welcomes me when I'm at my worst.

So I lift my glass to the homebody I've become. 

Bluebonnets

If I had the day off tomorrow I would go bluebonnet hunting.  They are coming in so nicely on all the highways that I'm passing by.

On my way to work is an incredible display of these beauties, but since the time change, it's a little too dark to see the depth of color.

I love Texas in the springtime when the fields are full of blue, orange and reds.  How blessed we are that the father put these flowers in our way to tease our senses and fill our pupils with color so vivid that you can almost swim in it. 

He sure has my attention!

Repurposing (that's a word) the Pond at Church

If you read the earlier post about the pond at our church having to be drained because it was leaking into the elevator, you are no doubt waiting to find out what will happen next.  The boys working the garage sale had a great idea for me!

Garage sales are fun for Children's Pastor's, there's always treasures, and I get to fill up my nose with all the little toys I find. 

So the boys took the balls that I snagged and repurposed them!  I love it! Never mind that it's a safety hazard...a little bump or bruise from a rock wouldn't hurt anyone! 

Now if I can just find a few hundred more, I'm good to go!!

It's a Green, Green Day

I forgot to wear green today.  Ok, really...I have no green to wear.  So when I came to the youth garage sale, I got the ole pinch-er-roo!

I went down to my office to find some green.  Here's what I found.

Then I saw this!

Score! But alas...as the saying goes, I'll be wearing them on my hips if they pass my lips!  Even if they're green!

When Trash Becomes Art

Evidently, the ordinary job of taking out the trash in my house has risen to a new level of creativity and brings me to this thought-provoking question...does trash...at this point become art?

Must be...because you see, otherwise, the boy in my house named Landry Sims would KNOW that the trash was to be emptied.  Sure...wouldn't any reasonable high school senior think the same thing?  Silly boy.

But it did give me a chuckle, and I almost aplauded at his use of physics and balance!

and by the way...he took out the trash.

This is Why I Love Being a Children's Pastor #7: Kids Can Find the Good in Just About Anything

Today is MOPS (Mother's of PreSchooler's) day at DFC.  Since the director is out, I said I would get here early and open up the building for the set up team.  I got to spend a few seconds (yea seconds-they are busy guys...) with the kids who got here early.  They were busy greeting each other, running in and out of every room and finding objects to make light sabers and swords out of (did I say they were boys?).

In not very long, their attention drifted to the empty waterfall thing that used to be a fountain with goldfish in it.  We're not quite sure what to do with it just yet, but it had to be emptied because the water was leaking into the elevator shaft and the tree was so big that it was about to break the windows.  (I'm holding out for an indoor playground myself.)

Right now, it's just empty.  After lots of questions about where the fish are; where did the water go and many more..it became a jungle gym, a mountain of rocks, and a hideout all within the span of about 5 minutes.

And that's what I love about kids.  They are able to bounce on to the next thing.  Yea, they're kinda sad that the goldfish are gone (they went home with Macy). They noticed that the money in the bottom is gone (we gathered it all up and used it for our Sponsor Child).  But now they get to go in the big middle of the "pond" and climb and play and laugh and imagine. 

There's a lesson there for me.  When things change-and they always do-I can refocus my energy, readjust my plan and realign my steps so that I won't miss the next thing. Because the next thing always follows change.  And like my friends, the light-saber wielding explorers, taught me...it's not such a bad thing!

The Sweetest Sound-My Mary Moment

I remember when my son was a tiny guy and at night we would listen to him singing in the next room. That was the most beautiful sound. It was literally a sweet sound like a sweet taste is in your mouth. I'm not sure I can even describe it in words.

Tonight I am lying in bed and can hear him singing in the next room. And the sound is just as sweet. He's sung classic rock songs, his own silly-made up songs, and praise songs. To hear you're 17 year old singing, "I will adore you" in praise is about the best thing a Mom could ask for!

I am so blessed, so thankful and am having a "Mary moment", the other Mary, not me. I'm having one of those, "and she stored up these things and treasured them in her heart" moments. I think Mary had more moments like that with her son than just at his birth. I believe she felt just like I do tonight...

Thankful.
Blessed.

My Favorite Word

I just read something with the question:  What is your favorite word?  It took about 2 seconds for this word to pop into my mind.

STILL.

I think I love the word still.

I love my favorite word -still- at night when I lie in bed, everyone is all settled down for their sleep, and I can hear the silence.
No sounds, no hum of computers, no music, no distractions. Just the sound of still.

I love it because of Psalm 23 and the reminder that "he leads us beside still waters."  Man...I'm so thankful for the still-water-times in my walk with the Lord. 
The times when we can just -be- with the Father. 
The crisis-free, frantic-free, times we enjoy. 

Insert tiny laugh here because, we all know trouble free times are rare, and boy, aren't we thankful that the still waters are also found in the midst of crisis and frantic living.  Responsibility and deadlines and people issues OH MY!  They swirl around...and ahhh...even then, you can turn to the master and retreat to the still waters of fellowship with him.  He even reminds us of this with the "Be still and know that I am God" verse.  Sometimes in the midst of our frenzy, the best thing we can do is be still and listen for God's voice guiding us to the solution we need.

I love my favorite word -still- when I think of grace.  I must confess that I'm a sinner in need of grace.  I make mistakes, the worst of me comes out sometimes, and I do not always make my Savior proud. 

But still He loves me.
Still He wants me to come near to him and pour out my heart.
Still He wants me to lay my burdens down,
He wants to see the broken pieces of my situation,
He wants to be my Savior.
Still.
He doesn't want to put distance between us.
He doesn't want to scold and fume at me.
He just loves me
Still.

Isn't that a great word?

My Fave New App

I'm so excited about a new app I got.  It's called Pocket Prayer Pro. It's so cool because you can keep track of prayer requests, schedule your prayers, and there is scripture included divided into different topics that you might be praying for. 

I love praying scripture, I believe there is such strength in praying back God's words to him.

I've used it for a couple of weeks now, and I'm hooked!

I'm So Glad...I'm a Part...of the Family of God!

I'm so proud of my church family today.  It's been a great day! Busy. Activity packed. But the kind of day that leaves you with a satisfied feeling when you lay your head on your pillow. 

After the worship service, some of the ladies in our Womens Ministries met to have a new event for us,

We brought 2 dozen cookies and met at the church to put plates of cookies together, to take to three sweet ladies who have been sick or just don't get to get out much.  Someone brought poinsettias, someone brought cute napkins, we made punch and got cups and away we went with our "Christmas Party to Go."

We sang carols, shared special memories , listened to stories and prayed together.  It was just a special time!  (Here's just a few of us having fun with Santa at one of the stops.)

Then when we got back to the church there was another group gathering to go to my friend Missy's house (remember, she had a liver transplant a few weeks ago).  This was the "Happy Hour" Sunday School Class, and they were equipped to decorate Missy and John's house inside and out.

Pastor Justin started out our Advent focus by asking us to look for God this season.  He reminded us that it's so easy to let the busy days all run together until all of a sudden...we realize Christmas has come and gone, and we've had our focus on the wrong thing!

I'm proud of my church family because everywhere you turn, it seems like they are thinking of others this year more than ever! 

I'm proud of the 5th/6th Grade Sunday School class as they have lead a service project for the whole church to participate in! 

I'm proud of the Youth Department who have spent several hours at the church to ready the set for the Live Nativity.  This is their gift to the community each year.

I'm proud of Womens Ministries and this new, fun way to have a party and be Jesus to our friends!

I'm proud of the Happy Hour Sunday School class.  They gave up their traditional Christmas party to help out Missy who isn't quite strong enough to decorate like she usually does.

I'm glad to be part of this family! I'm glad to be part of God's family!