Answers You Never Wanted

When I first planned to write this post, it was going to be a long rant about being asked questions by people that didn't really want to hear the truthful answers from you. Instead, they just wanted you to mindlessly comply and agree with the posit they had presented. As I prepared to tell you about the eye rolling and my frustration, LIFE happened and brought a much more important story to tell.


Let me introduce you to my friend, Stacy. Stacy and I attended Pepperdine together and both majored in music. I don't remember how our connection started -- just looking at the two of us, you never would have expected us to be good friends -- but that's what happened. We studied together, hung out in the practice rooms together, and just did life together for many years. As we neared graduation, life took us in different directions, but we remained friends.


After graduation, Stacy and I lost touch. I often wondered how life had treated her after returning to her native Wisconsin. With the birth of Facebook, Stacy and I reconnected and I got my answers. It was always fun to see her posts and feel as though I had some idea what was going on in her life. A few weeks ago, I began to follow her daily posts with much more interest. One of her children, August (who is also called "Auggie") began to have a medical crisis.


Auggie's day began as usual, but in a flash, he was suddenly unable to walk or use muscles on one side of his body. Immediately hospitalized in a Wisconsin children's hospital, the search for the cause of his illness began. I watched in horror from a distance as this child that I have never met became worse daily. He was unable to keep food down and was obviously becoming frustrated with his weakened condition. Stacy and her husband, Grant, were dealing with sleepless nights since one of them had to stay with Auggie around the clock because the hospital couldn't provide staff to help the child clear his throat in the event of another vomiting episode. (Because of Auggie's inability to move, he would choke without assistance.)


Doctors provided lots of hypotheses about Auggie's condition. I cringed as I read of each new test this once-vibrant child was facing. Each new test ruled out a possible condition, but answers seemed to be fleeting. As the search for a cause continued, Auggie began to face hours of therapy in addition to the medical tests. This child needed to learn how to function in a wheelchair as well as how to complete basic tasks to return to some level of normalcy. By this point, I was ready to hop in my car and make a trip to Wisconsin! Even if I didn't know Grant or the kids, there had to be something I could do to help. The fact that I had no car available while recovering from my own accident helped me decide that the best thing I could do right now was to follow the daily updates and vigilantly pray for this precious child.


After several weeks of struggles for the family, the update no one wanted to see appeared. It had become clear that Auggie was a very sick child. On a late May afternoon, Stacy shared a beautiful post that Grant had written announcing the findings. Their son had been diagnosed with juvenile Multiple Sclerosis (MS). My heart broke for Auggie. In a moment, his life -- and the lives of his family and friends -- were forever changed. It was definitely an answer that no one wanted to hear.


So now what? How does this impact me? My prayer has become that I won't forget about Auggie, Stacy, and Grant in the weeks and months ahead and that I will continue to intercede for them. In the meantime, I am educating myself about MS -- its treatment, research, and fund raising efforts. I'm hoping to learn if there are any plans in the works for a benefit concert for Auggie -- Stacy has been actively involved in the thriving theater in her community -- and see if I can join the efforts as a performer. But most of all, I will thank God for the healthy children around me and ask for His mercy and peace to be poured out on those dealing with life-altering illnesses as part of their daily routine.

• P.S. - Livin' Life will not appear on Monday in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. I'll be spending the day with family, but posts will resume on Wednesday with the latest installment of "Hits and Misses."

Withdrawals



It happens every year around this time. I start to experience withdrawals. It is like a drug. My mind races. Everywhere I look, I find that I am tempted to return to my addiction. It's in my blood and it just won't let go! What am I addicted to? Kids....and summer is the absolute worst time for me!


Much of my adult life has been spent working with kids in various ways.....in the church, in theater, in the schools. Summer was always the highlight of the year for me. Once school was out, kids were much more relaxed and ready to have fun. They were a joy to be around and I was always amazed at the things they could accomplish in a short period of time. Summer became a time of getting involved in community theater -- and I always managed to be surrounded by the children in the cast. Quickly, these summer musicals became planning sessions for youth theater productions. (I miss working with you, Daphne. We really did some good shows together, didn't we?)


Shortly after returning to Arkansas from Pepperdine, Jacqs appeared in my life. This 8-year-old girl was smart and active. Summers were full of activity -- whether we were zipping off to the Pink Palace Museum or to the local library -- we were always on the go. (I suppose this began as an effort to keep her mind off of the fact that her Daddy was away on a business trip shortly after moving back to Arkansas. Once we hit the road together, we became fast friends and the running never stopped.) As Jacqs grew into a teen, two other girls entered the scene -- Kristian and Sara -- and kept me just as busy. As I became more involved in the lives of my nieces, I also took on more and more responsibility in children's ministry.


My ministry to children became marked by the inclusion of musical and theater arts. Summers and Christmas generally involved the production of a song and dance extravaganza that we pieced together in just a few weeks. Before leaving bi-vocational ministry, I had produced and directed just over 20 of these children's musicals. I loved doing them because I got to combine my personal love of music and theater with my passion for the spiritual development of children. Few noticed that the musicals began when Jacqs got involved in the local church; the last one was completed just as Kristian and Sara were moving into the teen area. I pushed through some difficult circumstances in order to see the completion of the ministry to them.


Things have certainly changed for me. Jacqs has grown up, gotten married, and has a child of her own. Kristian will be graduating in a few days and Sara is not that far behind. I have fond memories of working with the girls and the other children that I was responsible for during those years. I miss the giggles and warm hugs that come from the children. Nothing is better than seeing a child's eyes light up with understanding and faith as they learn important truths and grow in their personal relationship with Jesus. My ministry passion will always be with children. I just struggle with the adults in their lives sometimes that bring words of discouragement and destruction into the life of ministry leaders.


So I continue to watch from a distance. I enjoy teaching piano lessons to a few children -- but it's just not the same. Occasionally, I get the urge to  return to children's ministry and see if things might turn out differently this time around....and then the fear of getting hurt again keeps me from taking the plunge. Now you see my struggle......I want to share fun, laughter, and truth with kids.....but I've got one too many scars to get past.

Making an Impact

As I continue to make preparations to move to Plainview, I'm also finding it necessary to close things here in Memphis. With each announcement of my new adventure, I repeatedly find myself surprised by some of the people with whom I have interacted and hopefully have impacted in a positive way. Last night featured one such encounter I didn't expect to have such a powerful effect on me.

I have been teaching at Bartlett Music Academy for nearly eight months. I have maintained a small studio and enjoyed working with the kids. Last night was the final session of a theory camp including a young man who has struggled in his private lessons, but has made significant strides in his reading and rhythm skills in our brief time together. This boy came to know me because his younger sister is one of my piano students. After our class together, J. informed me that his family had a card for me.

I accompanied J. to his family's van. From the back emerged a teary-eyed girl who stretched out a card and gave me a huge embrace. As her dad looked on, he explained that L. had just learned earlier in the day of my departure. The student could say nothing; I was fighting tears as well. In that moment, nothing else mattered more than the realization that I had significantly influenced this precious child.

Isn't that what we all want -- to know that our efforts have made a difference? I'm not looking forward to Saturday's piano lessons. I expect some more difficult goodbyes. But I also have the confidence that even though the time I spent with these students was short, I am leaving them better than they were first introduced to me. My prayer is that my impact has extended beyond the music and that they are confident that their teacher cared for them deeply.

Prayers for Baby

It seems to be an exciting time in my little corner of the world. Several of my friends have announced that they are expecting babies later this fall. My family is especially excited since we learned on Christmas Day that Jacquelyn and Shane are welcoming their first child this fall!!! Talk about excitement in the Freeman family! We are absolutely giddy! There's something about the expectation of a new baby that brings such a thrill to my heart. There is also a reminder that we have an enormous responsibility to pray for the children in our sphere of influence.

Even though I'm not currently active in Children's ministry, there will always be a special place in my heart for these cherished little ones. Sometimes, we are all guilty of falling into the trap of "out of sight, out of mind." We forget to pray for those things that are not right in front of our eyes on a daily basis. This can be the case with children we don't see regularly as well as the unborn child we've not yet had the privilege of meeting. My challenge for you today is to recognize the importance and power of your prayers for the children in your life. The youngest and most helpless are the ones who most need us to take their needs to the Heavenly Father.

Prayers for baby should be specific and address all areas of their development -- physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. I am finding that prayer prompts can be very helpful to remind me to pray throughout my regular schedule for these developing treasures. Here are some ideas I am currently using.

• Use a favorite item as a reminder to pray for the child's physical development. When Jacqs showed us the sonogram of the baby, she commented that the image reminded her of a Gummy Bear! That made an obvious connection in my mind between the sweet treat and the growing child. Whenever I see a bag of Gummy Bears, I whisper a prayer for the baby's health and physical development. To make sure that the baby is prayed for consistently, a jar of the goodies prominently sits in the family home as a daily reminder to pray for her and Jacqs. (We don't know the sex of Baby Bauer yet, but I am convinced we're having a baby girl!)
• Create a Bible bookmark with the child's name to accompany your daily devotions. This is the perfect opportunity to begin asking God to bless the child with favor and spiritual blessings. Think about it!  Just in the last few weeks, I've prayed these prayers over our Gummy Bear:
1. Like Enoch, may she walk with God in a close personal relationship.
2. Like David, may she face adversity with confidence in the power of her God to defeat any giant.
3. May she be willing to bring to Jesus whatever she has to offer for His use like the boy with the loaves and fishes.
4. Just like Josiah, may she have a heart for God's Word and a commitment to follow its precepts.
• Shopping and crafting sessions remind us to ask that the child will be surrounded by love! I can't help myself! I'm already looking at little outfits and baby accessories. (My apologies to Shane and Jacqs now.....but this baby is going to be SPOILED!) The coming of Gummy Bear also brings out my crafty side, so there are baby-themed cross-stitch patterns scattered all over the house. As we shop and craft, pray that the baby will be immensely loved. This seems like a given in most families, but I'm talking about extreme love beyond the walls of the home. I'm praying for loving teachers, baby sitters, music teachers, nurses and doctors. I'm praying for a Godly children's pastor to love and nurture the child and parents during the most formative years of her development. I'm praying that any plan of the Enemy to bring harm and destruction to the life of Gummy Bear be stopped by the protective and loving arms of Christ.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of prayer prompts. Think about the children in your life and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ways that you should be praying for them on a regular basis! Scripture tells us that "Children are a heritage from the Lord" (Psalm 127:3) and they are to be valued, adored, and cherished. The best way I know to begin establishing their heritage is by covering them in prayer. Won't you join me in claiming another generation for the Kingdom?

Halloween Candy

Tonight is the night children will don costumes and begin their annual quest for sweet treasure. I'm really not a fan of Halloween, but I do love seeing the creative costumes. The best (or worst?) part is that my family begins preparing weeks in advance by stockpiling candy.

For as long as I can remember, my Dad has been known as the "Candy Man." Whenever he goes to church, kids of all ages find him, knowing that he has a sugary treat for them. As soon as October arrives, Dad begins looking for the most exciting bag of candy to share with the young revelers who will knock on the door on October 31.

Because of Dad's health issues this year, Dad settled for a simple bag of treats. Of course, my family didn't wait until Halloween to start enjoying the confections! For some reason, I opted for a different candy this year. Instead of reaching for a wafer drenched in chocolate, I grabbed a box of Milk Duds from the sack.

And that was the beginning of the end! Those little nuggets of chocolate-covered caramel are addicting! I feel like I need to find a meeting of CEA -- Candy Eaters Anonymous -- in order to deal with my problem. But I think I'll wait until Halloween is over, unless the little yellow boxes of yummy-ness disappear into my tummy first!

Some Passions Never Die

What are you passionate about? What is that one topic that will always result in you finding renewed energy and excitement when you meet a like-minded person? For me, that passion has always been effective ministry to children in our churches.

If you've read much of this blog at all, you know that I spent the past 14 years working for a church. One of my responsibilities was overseeing the church's ministry to kids. I certainly wasn't the best director ever. I made more than my fair share of mistakes in ministry. But I can confidently say that I always wanted to give the children in the local church my very best.

As is often the case, attacks on leadership from various sides are destructive. I left that position thinking that I would never again be able to consider working with kids. The attacks were too vicious; the pain was too great. I couldn't risk opening my heart to kids again only to be trampled by adults once more.

I've been away from ministry for a year now. Hurts are continually being healed and I am continuing on my personal journey back to physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It was thrilling to see a small sign of my passion returning during a recent conversation.

While preparing to leave campus, I noticed that one of my former students (now a member of the college staff) was planning an event. The nosey person that I am asked about it and learned she was working on an event for the kids at her church. I made a comment that I had planned similar events...and that's when ideas began pouring forth.

For the next 30 minutes, we shared ideas about ministry to kids. It was such a sweet moment to experience the joyful anointing of the Spirit as we talked. By no means am I at a place where I'm ready to dive back into ministry of any kind yet, but how thrilling to realize that my days of effectiveness are not passed. New days are ahead for me. I don't know when or where they will happen, but I'm joyfully looking for them with a renewed sense of hope.

Whatcha Doin'?

With that simple question, an adventure began on Monday afternoon. Last Saturday afternoon, I sent a quick email to my nieces, asking when they would like to get together and just have an afternoon of fun. I left the planning to them (with a couple of suggestions) and decided to see where things would go. Late Sunday afternoon, I got the reply; they wanted to go to the Memphis zoo on Monday afternoon. We spent a few hours together and had a wonderful time.

Why do I even bother to mention such a mundane experience? Because I think that the simple question that ignited the conversation needs to be asked by adults more often. My nieces have had a less-than-easy life. They have watched their parents' marriage end and experienced the frustrations and stresses that come with being raised in a single-parent home. Please don't misunderstand. I'm not assigning blame to anyone. That's simply the fact of the situation. The girls live with my sister and have very few positive interactions with men on a regular basis.

When I asked them to spend some time with me, I thought I would simply provide an escape from the four walls of their apartment during the summer break. If that's all I accomplished, that would certainly be worth the effort. As we walked through the zoo, ate lunch together, and headed to the bookstore (youth literacy is a personal passion for me), I learned things about them and their lives that I had no clue about. By simply being with them and listening to their words, I had opportunity to speak positively into their lives while gaining insight into areas that need prayer. And it all started with a simple question.

At home that night, I watched the series premiere of The Fosters on ABC family. (I'll write more about my feelings of that television program in a later post.) The Fosters traces the lives of a non-traditional family who has been actively involved in the child foster care system. As the show's opening episode depicted the challenges faced by children and teens in our nation, I noticed a recurring theme. We all have something that we can give to these precious treasures of our society. If I don't pour into the children and teens in my sphere of influence, someone else will. The problem is that what's being poured into the children may not necessarily be positive. When children are desperate for love and attention, they will take it however (and from whomever) they can get it!

So I ask you the same question I asked the girls: Whatcha doin'? There is a generation of kids growing up all around us that need to know that they are important. Are you willing to be part of the solution or are you just going to sit by and watch as their generation is caught up in political correctness, questionable moral choices, and indifference? Certainly you should invest in the children in your family. But what about the kid around the corner that your child hangs out with? Who's influencing them? The good news is that it can be you, if you're willing to make a little effort.

Here's my challenge to you today. Take a look around you and see a child in your sphere of influence that needs encouragement, mentoring, or simply a little human love. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you direction. Take 15-minutes out of your day and listen to what they have to say. How do you get a child to talk? It normally works best over a scoop of ice cream, a glass of lemonade, or while tossing a ball around in the park. Don't say the challenge is too tough; make the effort, watch the joy that you can bring to the life of a child or teen, and get ready for a flood of love from Heaven above! I promise that you'll be glad you made the effort.

Father Figures

I've been thinking about the concept of fathers this week. No need to worry....I don't have an announcement to make! As I have looked at our society, I see how important the role is. Is it feasible that some of the problems people face today is because they lacked a strong father figure in their own life? As I thought about the spiritual implications, it seems that our relationship with the Heavenly Father often reflects our interaction with our natural father. That puts a lot of responsibility on any man who plans to be called "father."

What are the responsibilities of a father? I'm not a father, so obviously I'm coming at this from the perspective of a child only. Here are some of the things that have been in my thoughts this week.

• Example and Teacher. A father models many roles that will play out in their children's future life. Want to have a good guess about the type of man a girl will be drawn to and consider marrying? Look at her father.  How will a boy treat his future wife? He'll tend to follow the example of his father's interaction with his mother. Fathers also teach children the value of hard work and strength tempered with gentleness.
• Protector. A child's sense of safety is often linked to the presence of Dad. A father is to protect his children from all threats -- whether they are real or imagined. A father who fails to protect his children through neglect or abuse is setting them up for difficulties in trusting others and believing that they are worthy of being safe. (As a side note, I personally feel that there are few crimes that are more heinous than abuse against a child in any form --- physical, emotional, or verbal. I believe these men are among the vilest creatures who deserve the maximum punishment allowed by our courts!)
• Affirming. Sadly, it seems that this responsibility is often left solely to the mother. Moms naturally provide encouragement to their children as they rejoice over their successes and help them get up after failures. Children desperately want to hear from their father that he's proud of them. This means that the father must be attentive to the child's interest and be informed about how things work.  In other words, if your daughter is taking ballet lessons, it will go a long way if Dad knows the difference between a pirouette and a tutu!  
• Involved. "Actions speak louder than words." While your child longs to hear that you are proud of them, she also wants to spend time with you. This can be intimidating for a father who doesn't share common interest with the child.....and as the years go on, the chasm becomes wider. From a child's perspective, it's actually pretty simple. Take your elementary student outside on a Saturday morning and build something together or wash the car. Unexpectedly have a special treat for your pre-teen when dropping them off for school. Plop down on the couch with your teen and challenge them to a video game. Your involvement opens lines of communication that will be a blessing to the child in years to come.

What happens if a child misses out on these aspects of their father? There are no absolute guarantees, but I do see some potential problems spiritually. Children with absent dads (either physically or emotionally) can experience difficulty relating to God the Father. Those who have received little affirmation from Dad sometimes find themselves working so hard to gain God's approval. When the natural father didn't care enough to be involved in the child's life, it can be hard to believe that God would ever be interested in what's going on with me. 

What do you think are some of the most important characteristics of a father? If they are absent in a child's life, what might be some of the future implications emotionally or spiritually? Men, is there a child in your sphere of influence who needs a father figure in their life?  If so, consider stepping up and being a positive influence in their life!

Influences from the Past

Last week, Mom and I went to dinner at a local restaurant. As we were being led to our table, I noticed a gentleman who I recognized but couldn't immediately place. As we ordered and talked, I continued to notice the man and racked my brain to place him. When I finally figure out who he was, Mr. Runions had already gotten up and begun to make his way to my table. Richard Runions was the principal of West Memphis Christian School when I finally had the opportunity to transfer. Although the interaction in Cracker Barrel was very brief, it was nice to hear from a man who I have admired since first meeting him and who made such a powerful impact on my life as a teen.

I have been blessed to have many men and women speak powerfully into my life over the years. While some of them were teachers and pastors, others were simply friends of the family who saw potential in me and decided to pour deeply into my young life. I am convinced that the presence of these leaders in my life during my formative teen years is a major factor in the person that I have become.

Because I have reaped the benefits of their passion for young people, I have tried to consistently invest in the lives of young people throughout my adult life. My involvement in children and youth ministry over the years has been a major outlet. My chosen profession also has everything to do with the impact so many of my teachers and professors made on me. My hope is that I can provide a new generation of students with the confidence that they can succeed in life and that they can find new depths of spiritual maturity as they pursue Christ with humble devotion and sincere worship.

Who were major influences in your life as a young person? Have you told them the impact they have made? This might be the perfect time to make a phone call or to send an email. I'm certain it would be a bright spot in their day! The more important question, I believe, is who are you INTENTIONALLY POURING INTO today? Regardless of your position, there is a child or teen looking to you for encouragement and affirmation. Don't let another day pass without speaking life into the heart of the next generation!

The Marathon is Almost Over!

For the past two weeks, my life has been consumed with Music Camp 2012 at Abundant Grace Ministries in Collierville.  The first show was successfully performed last night, so it's no wonder that on this Saturday morning the entire process is on my mind.

This year's show is "The Amazing Grace Race" by Celeste Clydesdale.  The imagery of the race parallels that of the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy and is also a good description of the production process itself.  Unless you have been involved in directing some type of theatrical production or other large-scale event, you may not truly understand what is involved.

What the public sees is the sprinting aspect of the Camp: two weeks devoted to teaching kids choreography, staging, and fixing musical problems in order to put the show on stage.  I have encountered many people who think this is when all of the real work is done.  It's true that this is the most physically demanding time in the production, but by no means the hardest work.  Creative and administrative preparation has been going on for months in advance of the first session of Camp.

Music Camp (and all theatrical productions) are marathons.  Planning begins months in advance and the director lives with the material, mentally envisioning the staging and attempting to recognize potential pitfalls before they occur in rehearsals with actors.  (The LAST thing you want to do in any production -- especially one with such a short rehearsal time -- is make numerous changes with your actors.  The result is always confusion and frustration for those attempting to bring the script to life!)  What no one sees are the numerous paper sketches in folders at home of stage movement, sets, and props.  They miss the readings (which would be quite funny to observe) in my office, deciding which lines need the greatest emphasis.  Absolutely no one is around when I begin to walk through each character's staging, deciding which actions are essential to my interpretation of the story, which would be nice to include if possible, and which are more trouble than they are worth!  Why is no one around?  They would send for the men in white coats!  I look incredibly unstable while walking through these scenes.  This year, these processes started back in February after finally settling on the musical we would present.  The selection process began back in December, 2011.

Now that I'm into the performance dates, Camp is simply a jog to the finish.  I've done the prep work, the children have been thoroughly equipped, and the volunteer staff have been lead as best I could.  Now it's time to simply reach the finish line.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning's final performance with both anticipation and a touch of sadness.  I really do enjoy working with these kids and we have had a lot of fun together -- MOSTLY-- but I'm ready to get some rest physically and mentally!

What happens after the show closes?  There will be a bit of work to return the stage to a church sanctuary and follow-up notes to send to staff and students.  Then I'm off for a much-needed vacation before diving in again and beginning to plan for the crew's next production.  It's sad to admit, but before this show even ends, there are already ideas buzzing around in my head regarding what we can do next.  Some would say I need professional help!  I just say that I'm addicted to the joy of watching kids develop their skills and using their talents in the ministry of their local church.

Trees, Trees, and More Trees

Everywhere I look, it seems I find a tree today.  Perhaps this will help you understand a bit more:

I have spent much of my day today cutting, buying materials, and taping these trees to the walls in preparation for Sunday's children's classes at my local church.  The children are in the early stages of a series on the Fruit of the Spirit and they are getting ready to become trees bearing God's fruit!  It has actually been a lot of fun transforming their classroom for this unit.  

So no one thinks that I imagine these are masterpieces, let me share how the trees took shape.  Last week, students lay on craft paper and had their outlines drawn.  These outlines (complete with outstretched arms) became the trunks of their tree.  Tomorrow, I'll add letters to identify each child's tree.  

Over the coming weeks, students will add pieces of fruit to their tree representing the focus of that week's lesson.  This will double as an attendance chart as well.  Along the way, we'll have a few surprises as well.  I'm planning on adding birdhouses, butterflys, and other ornaments to keep the kids intrigued and coming back.

While it's a lot of fun, it's also a lot of work to put together these decorations.  I'm just thankful that I only have to do this every 3 months or so.  Needless to say, this guy can't do this as easily as he used to......so I'm dragging tonight.  Someone told me tonight that this will probably prove to be more trouble that it is worth.  I had to disagree;  the effort will be worth it all as we watch these children grow into "trees of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:3) and begin bearing the Fruit of the Spirit.

Lazy Days of Summer

It's the beginning of June and I'm looking forward to having some relaxing times this summer.  I'm just wondering when it will actually begin?  Most mornings are spent in the Learning Success Center tutoring students, although there seems to be very few students enrolled this semester.  Since I'm not doing a lot of editing of papers at this point, I have the luxury of writing a short blog entry!  Immediately after my tutoring hours, I will head to the classroom to teach 8 students the joy of classical music. 

I guess I'm just wondering where the lazy days of summer went and hoping I can get them back.  Remember sitting around the house as a child, planning your activities for the day?  When the decision was between a long nap, a quiet bike ride, or a good book under a favorite shade tree, life seemed much simpler and relaxing.  I suppose that is part of childhood that is lost as we mature and begin to take on increased responsibilities.  I don't want to return to childhood entirely, but a day or two here and there without the commitments would be a welcome change.

I'm planning to incorporate a few lazy days into my life in the upcoming summer months.  A day trip to an area park and a visit to the zoo are on my agenda for sure.  What activities do you recommend when you have a free day and are looking for some relaxing fun?

Worth All the Effort

This summer, the church that I work for has decided to conduct multi-generational Bible studies for our mid-week time together.  Initially, it doesn't sound like too big of a deal.  When you begin to look at the students though, the difficulty of trying to speak into the lives of children, teens, and senior adults at the same time can be a bit overwhelming.  Sadly I have found no effective curriculum that addresses this perplexing problem.  Our solution for the summer is to take a solid curriculum for children and figure out ways to involve the older groups.  So far, I think the effort has been fairly successful and a lot of fun for kids, teens, and adults alike.  (Now I'll put in a short commercial.....if you attend AGM and haven't checked out this summer's WOW series, I think you'll find that it's not Bible study as usual and definitely enjoyable.  You'll even learn something you didn't know before!)

Despite the success, it is easy to become tired and weary when preparing the lessons from scratch.  I missed last week's WOW session due to family vacation and had gotten out of the routine of gearing up for the session.  With trips to Texas and Oklahoma in the past 1 1/2 weeks, I had not found adequate time to prepare as thoroughly as I would have liked for last night's lesson.  Add in the fact that I was already nervous about the potential for severe weather in the area and you can imagine that my mind was torn in a million different directions.  I was ready to throw in the towel and simply go home.

Before last night's session, I was greeted at the door by one of my students -- who just happens to be my youngest niece -- with a huge hug and a broad smile.  I was expecting to be buttered up for some favor honestly.  The reality was much different;  she told me how happy she was that I was back to lead the WOW session and that she was ready to learn!  Did she proclaim that I was the most incredible teacher in the world?  Not at all!  Was she suggesting that I was the only one who could do this?  Nope....she has sat under several gifted teachers in our congregation.  What she was saying loud and clear was that our efforts and labor were making a difference in her life.  Talk about an encouragement!  I found a new energy and excitement for the evening.  I quickly found a quiet place to thank God for the renewal that was delivered from the mouth of a child and asked for His anointing and guidance in the study.  In the end, I was thrilled with the way the lesson turned out and believe that people heard the Word of God in a clear way that can be applied to their lives.

I am blessed to be in a church that constantly provides affirmation to me in all areas of ministry.  For that I am thankful.  Now I'm looking around me to see who I can affirm in the days ahead so they will know as well that their hard work is making a difference in my life.  It is my prayer that it will come just at the right time to give them a needed boost of encouragement.

My Heart for Children's Ministry

Today has been a full day of meetings as things are slowly gearing up for a new semester of classes to begin in a few weeks.  While sitting in faculty orientation (again!) this afternoon, I began to think about my oldest niece, Jacquelyn.  I am certain that she will be sitting in a similar seminar in the near future as she receives final preparation to begin her student teaching in fulfillment of the requirements for her Bachelor's degree.

While pondering Jacquelyn's successes, my mind wandered back to the summer in the late 1990s when an 8-year-old girl and her daddy returned to Arkansas and moved back into our lives.  I had known Jacqs and seen her several times, but it was because of this relocation that she and I developed a very close personal relationship. If only I had known then that there would be three little girls who would capture my heart and teach me so much about joy, family, and love.

As I look forward to Jacqs' future in the classroom and her upcoming nuptials this summer, I am filled with pride.  I am proud of her academic achievements, obviously, but I am also proud to see the Godly young woman that she has become.  I have the privilege of saying that I was a part of her spiritual development because of our family connection and because she was a student in the children's ministry that I continue to serve.

The responsibility for the spiritual formation of a child rests firmly with the parent according to Deuteronomy 6.  The church, however, plays an important role and is to serve as an aid to the parent.  Since I don't have children of my own, I feel especially blessed to have the opportunity to assist families in training their children in the ways of the Lord.  For me, there is no higher calling.  Why?  I was hoping you would ask that very question.

The Psalmist proclaimed that "children are a heritage from the Lord." (Psalm 127:3)  Many times, I think we fail to understand the full implications of this verse.  The World English Dictionary states that the word "heritage" suggests "something that is reserved for a particular person or group;  anything that has been transmitted from the past or handed down by tradition."  (http://www.dictionary.com/ c.v. heritage)  Two points leap out at me in this definition.  Firstly, children were reserved for their parents -- they were paired up by God Himself with a specific purpose in mind.  That's simply amazing!  Secondly, children have been transmitted and handed down.  In other words, when children were given to parents, God was entrusting the physical, emotional, and spiritual care of these defenseless little ones to other created beings.  What incredible trust the Father shows parents!  What an overwhelming (and terrifying) responsibility!!!  What an amazing opportunity!!!!

I believe that children are also a heritage to the local church.  When you see a church that is blessed with children, you find a body of believers that is bubbling with energy, joy, laughter, and hope.  The walls may be scuffed up, ceiling tiles may often be out of place due to an errant kickball, and sermons may be punctuated by shouts and cries from children.  But there is also excitement.....there is authentic wonder at the God of Creation.....there is faith that God can do ANYTHING......and there is assurance that God has been faithful and will continue to be faithful in all situations and circumstances.  I am honored to be a part of a local body of believers that values children and I am so thankful that the children in my life have reaped (and continue to reap) the benefits of that commitment. 

Are my three beloved nieces perfect?  Certainly not.....not by a long shot!  (Sorry to break the news to you guys, but it had to be done!)  Do they make mistakes and fail?  Of course, they do.  Do they disappoint me from time to time?  I have high expectations for all three of the girls, but from time to time they have let me down.  But here's the most important question:  Do I have confidence that they are pursuing a relationship with a loving Heavenly Father?  Yes, most definitely!!!  Despite the occasional doubts and questions they face, I know that they have a sure foundation that is built upon the Truth of God's Word.  Much of the training they have received has come from the teaching of God-fearing children's ministries they have been involved with.  Now, as my nieces near the end of their time in children's ministry, I'm ready to begin giving that same foundation to a new generation of kids by continuing to be actively involved in ministry to children. 

Who wants to join me?  I can assure you that there will be moments when you feel you have nothing to offer.  Time ministering to children promises to be filled with lots of love, adventure, and skinned knees.......and the joy that comes from watching these young disciples develop into the mature, world-changing Christians that they were designed to be!

For the love of Kids!
Kennith

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Yesterday, I finally took the time to see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and must admit that I was thoroughly impressed.  The acting was quite good, the effects were amazing (as usual in this series), and the plot was very true to C.S. Lewis' beloved book.  As you might expect, my mind immediately went to the implications for any parents and children who might see the film.  Here are a few of my thoughts and suggestions for taking the learning further.

Voyage of the Dawn Treader follows Lucy and Edmund as they return to Narnia again to meet up with Prince Caspian.  Sailing in pursuit of seven missing lords, the children face temptations of greed, rebellion to authority, and jealousy.  When reading Lewis' book, it was difficult to clearly see the connection between these temptations and children;  in the movie, the reality of these temptations in the lives of children is crystal clear.  A young child will understand and relate to Edmund's desire to be in charge and Lucy's wish to be as pretty as her big sister.

A few of the underlying themes are not quite as clear, but open some valuable doors for parents to enter into dialogue with their children.  First (and possibly most importantly) is the concept of spiritual warfare.  In the film, a green mist reeks havoc on the people of Narnia and appears each time an evil force is at work.  As our heroes delve deeper into realms of darkness, the mist carries with it their greatest fears and reminders of past failures.  The children attempt to combat the mist within their own logic and positive thoughts;  unfortunately they are powerless against the mist.  It is only when Edmund uses the Sword of Aslan that the children are released from the power of the mist and the darkness is driven away.  As I left the theater, I was impressed by the powerful visual image presented of the truth contained in Ephesians 6:12  -- "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  Our children need to be aware of the presence of evil forces that come against them and that their only defense is with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  (Ephesians 6:16-17)

A second important story line surrounds Eustace, the cousin of Lucy and Edmund.  Eustace stumbles upon a treasure and places a golden band upon his arm.  Without knowing it, Eustace has found a dragon's treasure;  the consequence of taking the riches is turning into a dragon.  While in the form of a dragon, Eustace is helpful but continually desires to return to his former state.  It is not until Eustace realizes his own frailty and has a personal encounter with Aslan that he is released from the form of a dragon.  This subplot can be used with younger children to introduce the idea of salvation changing us from the inside out.  Eustace's attitude and heart change on the inside long before he is changed on the outside.  For older children, consider discussing the concepts of spiritual bondage and deliverance, regeneration, or the importance of solitude (devotion). 

I am interested to see where the Narnia series goes next.  At the end of the film, Reepicheep passes into the Land of Aslan (Heaven) and both Lucy and Edmund are told that they will not be able to return to Narnia.  It will be interesting to see if the films maintain their commercial success without the presence of the four Pevensie children.  It is my hope that Caspian and Eustace will be able to entice audiences to return to the land of Narnia for future installments.  The teaching opportunities and the quality entertainment are something I hope to see continue through the entire seven books of the series.

What's in a Name?

One of the first decisions parents make in the life of a child is what name the child will carry for the rest of his life.  Many times parents select a name that has special significance in their family, carrying the parents' hopes and dreams for this newborn's future.

The name given to me by my parents is Kennith Terrell.  For many years I despised my name.  The unusual spelling of my first name created difficult circumstances on a regular basis.  My middle name, however, was always the major culprit of my misgivings about my name.  I did not (and continue to not) like it;  I do not find it unique and enchanting.  To my ear, it sounds as though I should be sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch of a shanty nursing a piece of hay in my teeth while holding a nondescript brown jug of liquid courage in my hand.

My perception of my name is not the same as that of my parents.  I was named after two Godly men that were important in the early years of my family:  Kennith Staggs and Terrell Bishop.  If I recall the stories accurately, both of these men were pastors at the church my family attended before relocating to the Memphis area shortly after my birth.  Over the years, I have been introduced to my namesakes but have never had the good fortune to develop a legitimate relationship with either of them.  By naming me after them, my parents forever linked me to these men and established their deep respect for both Kennith and Terrell.

By naming me Kennith Terrell, my parents were also giving voice to their hopes for my future.  In choosing my name, my parents were expressing their hope that I would live my life in such a way to bring honor to God and point a dying world to the Savior.  I don't know that their hopes included me being actively involved in ministry, but I find it interesting that I am following in the footsteps of the men from whom I take my name.

In ancient societies, children's names held specific meanings.  While the names continue to retain meaning, it is less often a major consideration today.  My first name means "Handsome One."  Even though that wasn't why the name was selected for me, it is good to know that my parents got that aspect of my name right, too!

In our society, our name continues to have a specific meaning, but its meaning is associated with our personal reputation.  Depending upon when you met me in life and how we first interacted, the name Kennith Freeman may mean "loyal friend"; "trusted confidant"; "scholar"; "teacher"; "pianist"; or "hard worker."  The truth of the situation is that our actions daily redefine our name's meaning.  I have to constantly guard my actions to make sure my name is meaning what I want it to in my corner of the world.

What meaning does your name have in your family and among your colleagues?  Reflect on the reasons your parents chose your name and how it has impacted your life.  Regardless of what your name means to those who know you now, find comfort in the fact that you can begin to redefine the meaning of your name by your actions today.  That's good news in my book!

Bribery or Incentives?

On Sunday afternoon, my family enjoyed lunch together. It was at this point that I learned that my two youngest nieces would be coming to spend the weekend with my parents. Sitting next to me, the older of the two girls was reading one of my favorite books -- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. The other child had begun reading C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe but had hit a snag and needed some motivation.

There are a few things you must understand about me. I highly value education and firmly believe that it is the secret to success. A reflective, educated person discovers that a greater number of opportunities are available to them throughout their life. The key to education - regardless of the field of study - is literacy. In order to improve one's literacy and critical thinking skills, one must regularly read items of various styles and voices.

Because I hold literacy in such high regard, I am willing to do anything necessary to get the children in my life to read. By creating a book-friendly environment from a young age and helping them to find works that they personally enjoy, we set them up for becoming lifelong learners through reading. I have already traveled this path once with my oldest niece who is nearing the end of her undergraduate education. What is her major? English literature with an emphasis in secondary education! This uncle is so proud!

That brings me back to my current plans. Sitting at the table with my nieces, I made a deal with them. If they complete their books by Friday of this week, they will receive a trip to Incredible Pizza this weekend. The incentive has been set; now I'm in the process of encouraging them to reach their goal to collect their reward. By using the social networking site FaceBook, I am able to offer encouragement to them in a fun way while also providing additional enticements.

I'll let you decide: am I bribing the girls or providing them with an incentive? It's going to cost me a trip to Incredible Pizza, but the price is a worthy investment in their educational development. Additionally, I'm forming memories with the girls and spending quality time with them in their environment. What better way to re-enforce my unconditional love for them while boosting their budding self-esteem?