Who am I?

Through gritted teeth and furrowed brow I examined today the thoughts, attitudes and positions of others.  How can they say things like they do?!  How can they be so legalistic, so blind, so amoral, so lost? So insignificant and yet so arrogant? 

 Why so critical and cynical?  Perhaps my brow is so tightly furrowed that my eyes are forced inward. Oh loathable self.

Who am I truly then? The more I come to the end of myself, the more I see that the answer lies in knowing my Well Beloved. These problems that seem so absorbing are erased when I see myself as a reflection in God's loving eyes.  Eyes that see, eyes that reflect with true love, true judgment. This view is startling and comforting; directing and at the same time distracting to the point that I am lost in His life - Jehovah Tsdkanu, my Well Beloved.

Vision

To bring hope to hopeless children

The need

As a counselor at kids camp in 1999 I was brought to my knees with a buren for the hopeless. I had two in my group, Charlie and Chris who have had a tough life, because of it they acted out. They were picked on, different and volatile. In a world that creates hopeless situations, Christ brings hope. I also brought to the camp T----. Similarly she was socially affected by hard times. Can she function normally? Christ brings healing. With Joan's connections at county corrections, we have seen many kids who have been failed in so many ways. They are hurt, broken, scared and can't see any hope. Christ is all about healing hurt, broken, scared people. These hurts come out in unloveable and unacceptable ways, and we are called to love them, called to accept them.

The challenge

These kids have had so little exposure to God and the things of God that they have difficulties learning with those who have been exposed. The difficulties include lack of understanding of church-speak, not knowing how to act and most importantly they have needs so important and so large in their eyes that they can't see the very real need of God and salvation.

The Solution

Because disinterest causes behavior problems we need to be simple in speech, prepared and patient. Most importantly, we need to find ways to meet those felt needs so they can come to see their need for God and allow him to change them - to bring hope.

This has everything to do with evangelism. There is only one way to reach the unchurched and that is by meeting them where they are. The prayer, care, share model fits this perfectly. Prayer allows God to speak truth and knowlege of their situation as well as change our hearts to love. Care is a matter of meeting those needs that are paramount in their eyes. When met they are alowed to explore greater depths.

Who is equipped to meet these needs? Those who need to know the dpths themselves.

Leading Children into Discipleship

The Need

I have found discipleship to be the great joy of the Christian life. The joy of relationship and the romance of redemption aren't just frills, they are the whole point. Like Jeremiah, there is no greater testimony to God's desire to fellowship than a child who knows the Voice of God. It is the firm belief that children can develop wells of relationship with God that has driven me to minister with children. Over the last year as I have grown, the Disciplines have become more and more important to me. I have become a prospector, and knowing God my gold. Knowing God isn't a key part of ministry, it is all of it. As a heart grows to beat in rhythm with the divine heart, it changes all around it and lets the Spirit move it to the right actions. These hearts only beat as one as the grace of God enables. The Disciplines put is in a position where God works his grace in us.

The Challenge

The Disciplines are expressions of love and as with any love we must decide to love God in this way. Such a decision takes commitment. Children are capable of such commitment, but they don't usually understand the gravity of such a decision. They also need great support to stay focused with so many things calling for their time and attention.

The Solution

All the elements of Christian life must be continually offered to these young Christians that they may grow. Things such as worship, prayer, the word, baptism, communion and ministry are food for growing kids. For them to catch it however it must be done in context.

Ministry Within Context

The Need

To be effective in sharing Christ with children we need to be aware of the influences they face. To hold attention in an environment where everything demands attention, we must be aware of the culture they are immersed in and use it's keys and methods. In order to disciple and keep them we must nurture and and understand the context of the natural support system - the family.

Christ is Lord of culture who can reign as effectively over the Sawi tribesmen of Papua New Guinea as he can over the techno generation of suburban America. He can use the customs, music, art, and worldview to bring his Kingdom. Christ is not afraid of culture, but rather reigns. Kids have their own distinctives and sub-culture. Their cartoons, games, hobbies, interests, school life, books and families create a unique people to minister to. This context must be considered.

The family is the child's source of support and development. It is the place where values are formed and attitudes set. Effective ministry must recognize the place the famiy as the spiritual leadership for the children. Effective ministry nurtures and strengthens this unit, giving it them the resources to succeed.

The Challenge

Parents and children learn in different ways. They understand things at different levels. This poses two challenges. First, parents at times miss the importance of the spiritual needs of their children, placing their needs below their own. Second it is difficult to connect between generations. The culture is changing continually and as the distinctives of kid culture become more pronounced the adults have more difficult communicating. The American child is given many opportunities. Often these things play a tug of war with the child. Time is demanded at sports practices, school, homework, friends, TV, etc..., and family time is small. With so much vying for attention, it can be difficult to get their attention. We must be able to use things they already focus on to share Christ and in such a way that it doesn't further stress the family.

The Solution

The solution begins in study. I purpose to learn both kid culture and the family dynamics of the culture where I am. Armed with this knowledge, we must minister accordingly. Imitating God by taking what is meant for entertainment or even evil, and using it for God's Kingdom is a starting place into kid culture. Kids will like what they like. Our job is to teach Christ and him crucified through it. Ultimately this will mean riding the wave of technology and trend while balancing the delicate and taut line of The Spirit. That line points continually to Christ and never looses its focus.

With the knowledge of the family, every effort should be made to tap into its power as a support structure and value disseminator. Hope must be offered to the whole family. The elements of Christian growth, the Disciplines, are best experienced in this context and the sharing of the life of Christ corporately and individually at the level of kid culture can and should be enjoyed as a family.

Vision

My vision consists of the following elements, and herein lies my passion:

1. Bringing hope to hopeless children
2. Leading Children into deep relationship and discipleship
3. (Minister to the whole family) Minister within the family context and the cultural context

(SKIDS Church logo)

Steps and Leaps

His new home was fantastic. Ernie could spend hours exploring the vast green expanse behind the immense white house. On this particular day, he found himself at water's edge. It was as calm as a mirror. He found a tatter of a leaf and maneuvered it on to the water, breaking the mirror with gentle ripples. He lay on his stomach, head down on the leaf as he clutched the top of the leaf with his tiny hands. Then with all his might he kicked his powerful frog legs to propel his boat to adventure.

Swish. The front of the leaf ran aground and for the first time since cast off, Ernie lifted his eyes from his leafy boat. Slowly at first, then with wonder and delight Ernie surveyed his island. His island, his paradise. Never had he seen anything quite so beautiful, and it was all his. Such a sparkle the white stone of his island had. He quickly found the middle of the oasis and sprawled his gangly members as he lay on his back. There in the warm glow of the sun overhead, he thanked his Maker for his island and fell asleep.

Ernie woke with a start. The island shook just for a moment, but it surely shook. Then, still on his back ,limbs in the air, Ernie slowly looked up. There towering above him was one of the children. Looking down at Ernie, she began to laugh.

"You look so happy here on this stepping stone," she said, "but there are much more beautiful things in the garden on the other side of the pond."

With that she picked him up and carried him across the rest of the stepping stones. Ernie couldn't believe his eyes!

Grace in the Journey

Ernie dodged another falling coconut, hopping this time high into the air. He hoped to catch a hold of a large banana tree leaf that was hanging limp on a fallen tree. The wind was intense and carried coconuts, sand, razor sharp banana stalks and great peril for any small tree frog who found himself out on this stormy day. Moments earlier the skies were blue but suddenly a tropical storm bellowed. Now crimson dusk was as black as night.

Ernie raced as fast as he could to the top of the fallen tree. Jumping as far as his little legs would throw him, he was caught by the wind and carried several hundred feet. With a hollow thud, his body hit a tree trunk. His wet, bruised body clung to the sickly tree. It was thin and shook easily. Only ten small leaves hung limply at the top. Such a pitiful tree offered Ernie little protection, but his small green body hurt to much to try to jump again. He clung to the tree with his last ounces of courage and looking to the starless sky cried out to his creator.

"Why!?"

The one word was all he could say for the tree was violently tossed. Back and back still until he was sure the leaves could touch the mud. Then in another gust the wind would send the tree headlong so far that Ernie almost couldn't hold onto the tree. Then... Snap.

Warmth covered Ernie's sore body. His eyes opened to a stream of light filtering through tattered leaves. When he looked at his surroundings, he saw a mountainous wall and on his other side a tremendous white house. Then coming toward him were some small children with laughing faces. Looking back at the tree he clung to, he saw why.

Psalm 119 Yodh

A Meditation on Psalm 119:73-80

With wonderful power, your words created me. Speak again the power to obey your commands. Fierce and wonderful and awful are you! May people see the power of your word spilling from my eyes. My eyes that see the melody of your voice and melt in peace and comfort. Oh fearful God, let your mercy come to me before the weight of your whisper crushes me. What an awesome weight - those who refuse you can never stand. The song of your words rings in my head continually. May the singers of your song and the hummers of your tune look and me with a smile. Let the power of your word create again a clean relentless heart, and I will growl after you.

Y/J

Your words created me with wonderful power
speak again giving power to obey your commands

Your words are awesome and wonderful
you are fierce and powerful

Your words are filled with power
may people see them spilling from my eyes

Your words melt my heart
in peace and comfort I gaze

Jewels of mercy give me
so that I can stand under the weight of your whisper

Jumbo weight so great
anyone who resists that whisper is crushed

Jingling songs fill my ears and clean my heart
relentless growling heart

Just people sing your songs
may they look to me and hum along

Psalm 119 Teth

A Meditation on Psalm 119:65-72

What you do is Good. You are the author of Good. "Teach me!" I cried. To be taught, I had to die. It hurt but even your pain is good. Let me suffer - teach me your ways. Let me experience your heart. Let me love you through your afflictions. Hopelessness and pain are all around me. By your power let me be your beating heart to them. Let me learn your word through hard experiences. I love your word more than feeling good, and more than life.

T

Tell me of your goodness
all you do is Good

Teach me your ways with your sorrow
make me feel pain like your children feel

Teach me I cry!
your word brings hope

To be taught I must die
all your ways are good

To many walk around with no hope
they neglect your word

Tell me how to reach them
to touch their death

Truth is found in your words
is learned by hard experiences

Tell me of your goodness again
the words are better to me than feeling good
better to me than life