Not Getting What I Deserve

February 23, 2012 in Personal with 0 Comments

It’s honesty time and I’m talking about getting what I deserve.  Every time that I feel like I’ve met one of my own personal goals, I expect everyone to notice and give me what I deserve.  I’m sure I’m the only one that ever feels this way, right?

It works like this: I give something to somebody, and I want people to give me the credit for the gift given.  I want the accolades that come along with it, and I want the invitations that accompany the attention of my recent greatness.  I want my friends to notice, I want my acquantainces to notice, I want my wife to notice!  I want attention and I want the rewards I deserve.  But, I also want what I don’t deserve.  I’m happy to get the invitations that come along from the things people “think” I’ve done, that maybe I haven’t actually done.  I’ve got no problem accepting the reward for the assumed.

It’s a bitter battle I’m fighting.

How to reconcile my emotions and ego with my spirit man?  It’s a daily battle of submission, humility, and perspective.  There are times that I have to look beyond what I believe I deserve, and instead give others what they deserve.  In fact, sometimes I have to give others what they don’t deserve.  I force myself to do it at times, but it’s time well spent.

What’s the difference between walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes with a good attitude or walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes with a bad attitude?  Nothing. Your still on the treadmill for 30 minutes, so just do it.  Same goes for letting others get the attention, rewards, respect, and accolades that I feel should be leaning my own way.

I do it until it hurts, and if it doesn’t hurt…then I keep doing it until it does.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Colossians 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ who is yourt life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

 

D6 Days Online Experience

February 21, 2012 in Links, Ministry with 0 Comments

I’m a big fan of all things NextGen and Family Ministry related.  I love hearing voices that can speak some creative things into my life as a leader, and I love the idea behind the D6 Days experience.

Have you ever wanted to get a taste of the D6 Conference, but haven’t had the chance to actually attend in person? We’re excited to introduce you to D6 Days—a way for you to experience D6 from your computer, iPad, or tablet for FREE at D6Conference.com/D6Days.

They’ve invited Brian Haynes, Michelle Anthony, Kurt Bruner, and a few other family ministry enthusiasts to give live, fresh content just for this event. We’ll also be streaming full length past D6 Conference sessions from Doug Fields, Darren Whitehead, Rob Rienow, Fred Stoeker, Richard Ross, Jay Strother, and others! On top of that, they are also giving away 15 mp3s from some of our most talked about previous conference labs. All free!

There are three different D6 Days in 2012: February 21, April 17, and July 24. D6 Days content will be available for up to two weeks after the listed dates. For a more detailed schedule, visit D6Conference.com/D6Days.

You don’t have to do anything to receive this content. No sign up, no registration fee, nothing. Just go to D6Conference.com/D6Days TODAY and learn from some incredible leaders.

The Toddler’s Bible

February 20, 2012 in Links, Ministry with 1 Comment

“Your toddler is ready to start building a delight in the Word, a hunger to learn it, a passion to read it. This is the age to begin building that delight, or hunger, or passion. Next year may too late.”
–V. Gilbert Beers

I’ve got a chance to share a great new update to a great Toddler’s Bible.  V. Gilbert Beers created “The Toddler’s Bible” years ago, and we now have a brand-new edition to enjoy.  As with all Bibles of this nature, it’s so important that we read them to our toddlers and children.  It’s not meant to be something thrown into the library cabinet, and left to collect dust.  Make it work for your family!

I was able to ask Mr. Beers a question, and I’d love to share his response to that question.

“Mr. Beers. Many of us will read a bible like this out loud to our kids.  What advice would you give those reading to their children?”

Reading together with your children helps us to grow closer and  we see a bonding between us as family; but also a bonding between us and the Word of God.

 

Psalm 78:4-7 (NLT) 

 4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
5 For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
6 so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
      and obeying his commands. 

Illuminate Weekend in Nashville

February 17, 2012 in Links with 0 Comments

This weekend I’ll be in Nashville to help make the Illuminate Volunteer Conference happen!  This is our first time in Nashville, and the numbers of people already registered is off the charts.  Every time I travel to lead a breakout at Illuminate…I leave being encouraged and inspired by the quality of Kidmin leaders in our churches across the country.  There is so much passion and energy in leaders both younger than me and older!

You can be a part of the experience by visiting Illuminate.tv site and registering to be the first to know when all this great volunteer-friendly content become available online!  And if that’s not enough for you, then contact us and maybe we can bring it along to your city!

Growing in Love

February 14, 2012 in Personal with 1 Comment

A few years ago my wife wrote a blog post about how loving me is keen to climbing a treacherous mountain.  No offense was taken, because let’s be honest…I’m not always perfect.  I’m sure there are couples around the world today celebrating their love through various Valentine-type ways; but today I’d like to reflect on both what has been, and what will be.  I’ve been married almost 14 years to the girlfriend I had in High School.  We’ve lived in different states, different town, and many, many different houses.  We’re raising 3 of our children, and often take in additional foster kids just to “spice it up” a little.

When I look at our marriage, I think of it as the marks on the wall that track your kids height.  Years ago we were a mark way down at the floor, but through time and effort; we’ve slowly moved that mark up the wall.  The thing is that the higher we get up the wall, the larger the wall becomes!  But I know I have a lifetime to grow, expand, and learn to serve my wife more.

It’s in the spirit of that growing love that I dedicate one of the most famous poems ever written….

Sonnets from the Portuguese, XLIII || (From Robert Browning to Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right,

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith;

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, – I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! – and if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

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