Created to Worship: Children

Laughter is something I sometimes forget to do  because I'm seriously caught up in the routine of my day or focused too much on completing the task at hand.  However, working with children, or just observing my own, I thank God that He never fails to allow me to overhear their laughter. And it seemingly happens just the time when I need it most.  Their laughter is contagious! It spreads quickly and without delay among those in close proximity.  It can take you to a place of joy and happiness in an instant even if just for a moment. It's like a welcomed ray of sunshine in a dreary place, or refreshing water in a dry land. There's something about how a child views life that is instructive and life giving.  The Bible compares it to good medicine.  Expert say it contributes to the very  restoration or preservation of our bodily health and rigor. That's why when you hear the sound of children laughing wildly and excitedly turn to give a "look see" because if no

"Never lose a Holy curiosity" ~A.Einstein There's nothing more rewarding than to see a child inquire after God out of genuine curiosity. Those who have been in church perhaps first heard the stories of Daniel in the Lion's Den, Jonah and the big fish, David and Goliath, or Jesus walking on water, healing the sick and the blind in that setting.  But, it's when that curiosity is brought home to that favorite quiet place that spiritual development begins to simmer and take root. It's the wide eyed nature of a child to want to take a second, third or even fourth or more look on their own. I believe these to be divine appointments set by God Himself. It's in these quiet moments that He calls us to himself and woo our hearts. Love, excitement, and the pure joy interacting with Him through His Word that brings us and settles us into this personal relationship and place of worship. If you happen to catch a glimpse of this curiosity why not provide a readi

Look back over the Easter weekend and the days leading up to it and recall whether or not you  entertained questions from the inquisitive child who wanted to know the how and the why of everything pertaining to the celebration.  Whether it was your own child or one you serve in ministry, the Egg, the Bunny and the Cross are points of curiosity.  You like many others may already know the historical origins of each or at least have a general idea.  I believe there are still quite a few of us who perhaps raised a quizzical brow as questions came up.  Here's a brief explanation of each.  So next time before a question is asked, you can be prepared to ask them questions yourself.  It's a great teachable moment.    Why is the EGG? the BUNNY? the CROSS celebrated at Easter? All three are said to represent new life, and all three are celebrated during the arrival of spring or as we call it the Easter season. In truth they are not related at all. The egg and the bunny are known to

I was inspired early on in ministry by a book I read called Inside Out.  It was written by a Youth Leader who worked primarily with teens. In it the author talked about earning the right to dialogue with teens about the things that mattered most to them in that moment. He suggested creating a prayer journal in which leaders could respond with words of encouragement and scripture to the written prayers. I thought it to be an excellent idea. I could readily see an adaptation that would make it relevant for children too. I simply added a box at the top of the page in which children could draw or scribble a word picture to help them express their prayers.  The journal was easy enough to create and it didn't cost a lot of money. Little did I know what a harvest this little document would produce. Our children were dealing with  more than could be imagined. The proof was in the drawings and the descriptions. Only in a few journals were children praying about something positive. T

Back in the day when Easter rolled around on the calendar my sisters and I found ourselves shopping for Easter dresses, patent leather shoes, gloves and those lace top socks we would wear on Easter Sunday morning. It was exciting times. I remember too the chatter in the kitchen mingled with the rattling of pots and pans as we helped Momma prepare the Easter Sunday meal for our family and friends. Sunday was coming and everything had to be ready! The next morning we would wake up very early and make our way to Sunrise Service. We would try to sit still and listen to the sermon without falling asleep in hopes we would get a nap before dinner.  Our day was not complete until we had the after dinner gathering and we children were called upon to share with everyone either what we learned in Sunday School, recite again the speeches we memorized and yes, to even sing one of the old familiar hymns "He Arose", "The Old Rugged Cross", or "Were You There?". Ov

Deuteronomy 6 is the go to scripture when it comes to understanding God's plan for spiritual formation and growth in children. This passage of scripture clearly delegates the primary task to parents. After all, children spend more time with their family on a daily basis than they do with us on Sunday mornings,Wednesday nights or other designated times. Home is where life really happens. According to Barna Research Group (Ventura California) nine out of ten parents accept this responsibility for their child's spiritual growth but struggle with effectiveness. They went on to report that few parents admitted they don't spend any time during the typical week interacting with their child on spiritual matters. Research suggests that it's not so much that parents are unwilling to provide more substantive training to their children as they are ill-equipped to do the work and have no accountability standards. What a window of opportunity!  Consider the many creative way