I reread some of my 2019 posts. Here are a few things I want to carry to 2020: Practice hospitality – be intentional by scheduling people for dinner. This includes my own siblings whom I don’t make intentional efforts to see. Arrow prayers – when something happens at church ie a disruptive child, pray immediately […]
Me in Children Worship: Tax collectors cheat people to get rich. 1st grader: What does rich mean? With children you can’t assume anything. Two boys fighting to sit on the same chair: I was here first! Me: You work it out yourselves. Do what is nice, not what you want. Both boys immediately got off […]
I was attracted to this used book at Goodwill because our church has been focusing on disciple-making. The style of this book is from my generation, printed in 1988. It looks like a book I might’ve read a long time ago, but I don’t think I did. No matter when the book is written, the […]
Me in Children Worship on Christmas Sunday: What would we NOT have if Jesus wasn’t born? Funny answer, 1st grader: Food? Thoughtful answer, 5th grader: Easter Can be the right answer, 4th grader: Life Unexpected answer, 5th grader: Holy Spirit Expected answer, 4th grader: Heaven It was a fun Christmas Sunday. Lesson learned: Do not […]
We sold my Prius today. It was only 6 years old. That may seem like an old car to some people. But we generally drive our car to well over 100,000 miles, and then give the car away. It was a bit sad to see my car go, but at least it’s going to a […]
I read a post where the author threw away all her journals. A reader commented that doing that would make her feel like a part of herself is gone. There’d be nothing to show that she was alive. Without memorabilia from elementary school, it would seem like that part of her life never existed. As […]
I like preaching to the children. Preparing and preaching the message is probably my main source of feeding from God’s Word. The process of delivering the message and seeing the children’s reaction builds my love for them. It gives me hope of what God’s Word can do. I understand why pastors like to preach. It’s […]
I’ve been holed up at home for the last 3 days in an effort to recover from my cough. Indeed I’ve gotten better, no longer feeling the tickle, the breathlessness, or the coughing fits. Voice is still hoarse. I’ve enjoyed being at home without having to be totally in bed. It was nice taking it […]
Even if I only have sniffles or a slight cough, I cannot go see my granddaughters. So today I’m staying home from work to get well. Praying that I get completely well quickly. Coughs tend to linger. I basically rested from talking. I was able to clean up my bedroom shelf a bit, which caused […]
Children worship volunteer 1: It went well today. CW Volunteer 2: There were fewer children, many were absent. CW Volunteer 1: One particular child was absent made the difference! 😛 I caught something over Thanksgiving, and sort of lost my voice. I was thinking of not going to church but I woke up feeling ok. I’m […]
Teacher: How many people do you think live in Los Angeles? 3rd grader: zero? I think she thought it was a trick question. Teacher: What percentage of people do you think are Buddhist in Myanmar? 2nd grader: 5? Teacher: much more than that. Another second grader: 7? Children’s perspective of size is always interesting. They […]
Some people can journal all their thoughts. I am not one of those people. I like to reflect, but I don’t write it all down. It’s too much to write and it’ll take too long. During STM I do write my thoughts. And it is great to read them, to remember what God taught me. […]
The thing about working in Christian ministry is that you can’t call in sick when you’re not really sick. I felt tired tonight and wanted to skip prayer meeting. But I can’t justify calling in sick. So I went to prayer meeting and I’m glad I did. It’s good to pray with the church. Honestly […]
Staff lunch today. I always get to pick the place because they know I have a sensitive stomach. Today I chose California Fish Grill. It’s so good, but most of us were not full even though it was a good portion. Appreciate the guys for their wisdom and dedication. What I learned today: I heard […]
From Sunday Children’s Worship: 1st grade girl: Does God need food? Me: Why do you ask? Girl: I mean, does he die? She asked this question after I gave a message about the sin of Adam and Eve. The idea of eating a fruit that leads to death must have prompted that question. I thought […]
God gives us word pictures in the physical world to show us spiritual realities. My granddaughter gained almost 6 pounds in 2.5 months just from drinking milk. She’s grown not only in size but in relational interactions and self expressions. Our spiritual life should be like that, drinking the pure milk of the Word, and […]
“Nobody wants to do your job!” A friend at church said that to me yesterday. My response: I do! I have fun with it! Her response: Well, that’s your personality. I thank God that He gave me a personality that loves this type of ministry. I know there are others who would love to do […]
I got this free book by Bill Gaultiere when I went to his free seminar. I like free. I wasn’t sure if I’d want to read this since I have a stack of books I’m working through (wish I could read faster!) But I’m glad I did. There are better books out there on this […]
Seven years ago when I came to this church, I felt like a stranger, a visitor, in what is suppose to be my church home. I came from a small church where I was for over 20 years. I knew everyone, everyone knew me. I go to church and see all my friends. We’ve had […]
I did not technically read this book. I read the beginning third of the book, and skipped to the last 2 pages to find the murderer. I didn’t want to waste time with the details in the middle. I read slow so unless the writing style is one I can follow easily, I read even […]