Look What We Will Be Talking About Next Week on About the Children's Department!

Last week I talked about the nursery ministry - how to make sure your room is safe, be sure your polices are in place for a safe ministry and took a look at safe equipment, furnishings and toys. Next week I'll continue the conversation about nursery ministry, but this time focus on how to have a safe and excellent nursery ministry on a shoe string!


In addition, I'll be announcing another "Family Pick"and drawing and will begin my "First Friday Freebies" . . . the first Friday of each month I'll post a "freebie"  . . . could be a family event, lesson or other resource, but whatever it is, it will be free!

I Have A Winner In My Rob Biagi "You're a VIP to God" Give-Away!

I'm happy to announce Annette VandenBerg is the winner in my Rob Biagi, "You're a VIP to God" CD Give-Away! Thank you Annette for following my blog and thank you Rob Biagi for sending your cd for my review and an extra one for give-away!

Put Feet to Their Faith With a Project Through Star Sunday School & Youth Ministry!

Each month I select a ministry to be my "Put Feet to Their Faith" ministry focus and encourage all who read this blog to involve your kids in a project to help that ministry. I'm happy to announce my "Put Feet to their Faith" ministry focus for the month of May - the Star Sunday School & Youth Ministry in Pakistan. If you are anything like me, when you hear of Pakistan you think of war and terrorists, not Sunday school. I'm very happy to share with you the ministry of the Star Sunday School & Youth Ministry - Rev. Daniail Bashir is the Director of the Star Sunday School & Youth Ministry. I was amazed to learn he leads 30 Sunday schools of nearly 1000 children in different villages and urban areas throughout his area of the Punjab, Pakistan! 


The children in the Star Sunday School & Youth Ministry greatly enjoy Bible storybooks and coloring books. Daniail says he has 30 volunteers who work with the children in their ministry. I asked him if they have any special events the children look forward to each year and he said along with their Sunday School ministry, each year they plan an Easter and Christmas gift program for all of the children in their ministry. In addition they also have a VBS each year in August! He said the children in his ministry love to sing action songs, play Bible games and color . . . apparently even though they are in a country where they do not experience freedom of religion, the children in Pakistan show us once again, children are children. They love to sing! They love to play Bible games! They enjoy expressing themselves in creative ways and most importantly, they respond to Jesus' love with joy and enthusiasm!

Put Feet to Their Faith With a Project Through Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus!

For the past month Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus has been my "Put Feet to Their Faith" ministry focus. I've encouraged you to involve the children in your ministry in a project to help raise money for a van for them to use in the ministry in Belize; and while this project ends in a week, the opportunities to help Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus do not end! There are two additional ways you could involve the children in your ministry in helping Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus . . . first, "Kidz Change Can Change Kidz provides a ministry opportunity for children’s small groups to have a consistent focus and impact on missions and other kids.  The first Sunday of each month kids bring their change to small group and drop it into a Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus"change can".  Each church is partnered with a specific Belizean church or school or both.  The change cans permit the allocation of computers, large screens, curriculum, training, and supplies for each ministry and the continued maintenance.  Change cans, envelopes and ALL supplies needed to implement this vital ministry are provided." This is a project you "can" involve the children in your ministry with - a very "hands-on" project the children will understand and be able to participate in! You could even plan special "work" days the children could help with to raise the money to put in their cans, such as car washes, spring clean-up or cookie bake sales.

Secondly, if you have ever wanted to involve the children and families of your church in actually going on and participating on a real mission trip, Family Mission Impact Journeys may be exactly what you have been looking for! "It is the Rhodes' belief that children are called to be on mission.  Belize is an English speaking country which is easily traveled to.  Families are assigned to specific villages where American and Belizean families develop relationships which will encourage and provide opportunities for them to do life together.   Belize has much to offer in the way of relaxation and fun while being affordable.  Families will find an ideal balance of ministering, fun, and relaxation. Family Impact Journey packages are available upon requests."

Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus is making a real difference in the lives of children and families in Belize and you could "Put Feet to Their Faith" and involve the children of your church in living what they believe by helping this ministry!

Resurrection Sunday - One Day He's Coming, O Glorious Day!

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday! It is the most important day in all of history; without this day and what Jesus did on it, we would never be able to be forgiven and know and walk with Him! Enjoy this song from Casting Crowns and remember, "Living He loved me, Dying He saved me, Buried He carried my sins far away! Rising He justified, freely forever. One day He's coming, O glorious day!" It will be a most glorious day . . . and it is the reason we do what we do in children's ministry! I wish you all a most happy Resurrection Sunday - He is alive!

Look What We Will Be Talking About Next Week on About the Children's Department!

For the past three weeks I've been talking about Sunday School curriculum but next week I'll be taking a look at resources for the church nursery and will focus on nursery safety! It truly matters if our nurseries are safe . . . from the toys and furnishings to the screening and training of the volunteers. If the church nursery isn't clean and safe, parents will not leave their precious child . . . as they well shouldn't. After my daughter was born, my husband and I moved . . . we visited a local church and put her in their nursery. After the service when I arrived to pick her up I saw she was in a crib/cage on one side of the nursery crying by herself, while the teen nursery workers played with the "church babies" on the other side of the nursery. We never went back to that church.


In the coming week I'll post safe nursery policies, information on resources you could use in your nursery and reviews of toys and furnishings. It will be a fun week . . . please be sure to join in the conversations!

Family Pick - "You're a V.I.P. to G-O-D" from Rob Biagi!

I'm happy to announce our new "Family Pick" is another CD from Rob Biagi - "You're a V.I.P. to G-O-D"! As with "Joy'n the Family," which was one of our "Family Picks" last month, you are sure to find songs with both "pep" and an important "message"! In this day and age where kids receive so many messages telling them they don't measure up, Rob's songs will tell them they are a "V.I.P." to God! All 13 original songs on this CD are full of energy and fun - take a look at the play-list -

I Have A Winner In My "Jesus Storybook Bible" Give-Away!

I'm happy to say Cindy Popjoy's name was drawn in my the Jesus Storybook Bible give-away! Thank you Zonderkidz for making this Bible available for my review and for giveaway! Be sure to take a moment to check this storybook Bible out - I love the way the stories are told as if a parent or grandparent were telling the stories to their loved child/grandchild! Each and every story in the Bible points to Jesus and this storybook Bible is focused on showing children - and adult - Jesus! Tremendously well done!

Free Resurrection Sunday Lesson . . Repost!

I originally posted this lesson three months ago . . . if you still haven't decided what you will be doing for Resurrection Sunday . . . maybe this lesson will work for you! This Sunday we will celebrate Resurrection Sunday . . . the most important day in the history of man! If Jesus didn't rise from the dead then our faith would be in vain. But He did rise from the dead! This is one of the things that sets Him apart from all the other religious leaders throughout time! I Corinthians 1512-22 . . . "We have preached that Christ has been raised from the dead. So how can some of you say that no one rises from the dead? If no one rises from the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, what we preach doesn't mean anything. Your faith doesn't mean anything either. More than that, we would be lying about God. We have given witness that God raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if the dead are not raised. If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith doesn't mean anything. Your sins have not been forgiven. Those who have died believing in Christ are also lost. Do we have hope in Christ only for this life? Then people should pity us more than anyone else.But Christ really has been raised from the dead. He is the first of all those who will rise. Death came because of what a man did. Rising from the dead also comes because of what a man did. Because of Adam, all people die. So because of Christ, all will be made alive." (NIrV)

But in fact, Jesus has been raised from the dead and in Him we shall be made alive! This is absolutely something worth celebrating! I'm delighted to give you a free Resurrection Sunday lesson for Preschool/Early Elementary and a free lesson for Elementary age children. You could use them in your Sunday or Mid-Week ministries . . . or anywhere you like!

Resurrection Sunday Lesson for Elementary Age Children 

Resurrection Sunday Lesson for Preschool/Early Elementary Age Children

Resurrection Sunday Fliers for Elementary Age Children

Resurrection Sunday Fliers for Preschool/Early Elementary Age Children

Resurrection Sunday Family Fliers

I'm also including reproducible fliers for use in small group for both the preschool/early elementary and the elementary age levels. Use these to engage the children in thinking through the lesson and how it lives out in their every day lives. Encourage the children to select a "Live-it" activity so they can be focused on taking what they learned, out the doors of the church and living it in their lives all week long! Send the Family Fliers home to get families talking, learning and growing together!

You may have visitors in your church on Resurrection Sunday so be sure you are well staffed and that your volunteers are ready to share with children how they can trust in Jesus for forgiveness and new life!

Resurrection Sunday . . . the most important day in the history of man! Jesus did rise from the dead and our faith is real and life changing!

Are You Ready For Your Month of Recruiting?

Last month I talked about touching bases on planning a month to recruit volunteers for your children's ministry, so today I want to point out a couple things to keep in mind as you focus on recruiting for your children's ministry.

1. Pray - Luke 10:2 - "He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." No one cares more if you have the volunteers you need than God does, so ask for His leading and help!
2. Never, ever beg!!! It is a joy and privilege to serve as a volunteer in the children's ministry - hold it up as an amazing place to be involved!
3. Along this line, be enthusiastic whenever you talk about the children's ministry - when you clearly enjoy what you are doing, others will notice and at least be curious about why you enjoy it so much!
4. Have fun! Children's ministry is a fun place to be, so be sure your recruiting reflects this!

Family Pick - The Jesus Storybook Bible and an Opportunity to Talk with the Author!

Don't forget . . . today is the day you could join in a conversation about the Jesus Storybook Bible with it's author - Sally Lloyd-Jones! Tune in via Live Stream on April 20 from 2-2:30pm EST. You will be able to join in the discussion and email any questions you may have about the book to Sally. Don’t miss this special opportunity to interact with this renown author and learn more about the inspirational JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE.


I'm delighted for the opportunity to feature the Jesus Storybook Bible as my "Family Pick" and will be holding a special drawing on Friday to give one away!  ZonderKidz is making an additional copy of this book available for me to give away in my next "Family Pick" drawing on April 22, 2011! If you have "liked" and/or "followed" this blog using the tabs in the "Follow us on Facebook" box or the "follow" button to the right, you are entered in my drawing! If you haven't yet done this, take a moment to do so and you will be in the drawing! If you "like" and "follow" you will be entered in the drawing twice! Please tell your friends and family so they can be in the drawing, too!

The FTC requires people, such as myself, who write blogs and review product to disclose where the product came from and if it was given to them for review purposes. All curriculum, resources, items for my "Family Pick" and items I review for specific posts/articles are given to me by their publisher and/or manufacturer for free for review and/or give-away purposes. I do not work for any publishers - or other companies - and will do my best to give an un-biased review of the items I review. After my review, I give most of the curriculum to churches to use in their ministries and have drawings among the people who have "liked" and or "followed" my blog with the facebook and follow buttons on the blog for the "Family Pick" give-away items. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

Countdown to Your Volunteer Appreciation Dinner - Final Details!

I've been talking for the past several months about planning a special dinner to thank your volunteers . . . in December I encouraged you to plan a volunteer appreciation dinner and said to set your date, determine your budget and decide what type of dinner you want to have. In February, I reminded you to think about your decorations and to plan your entertainment for the event. Last month I talked about touching bases with everyone to see where they are, plan your trip to purchase the food, check with whoever is cooking to go over the menu and timeline as well as sending out your invitations and today I'm going to take a moment to think about those final details we need to be sure we have covered if we are giving our volunteers an appreciation dinner this Spring!

• Touch bases with your decoration committee - be sure they know the location of your event, be sure they have everything they need and confirm what time they need to arrive to decorate.
• Touch bases with your  entertainment committee - be sure they also know the location of your event and find out if they arranged for any technical needs, such as sound people, tv/projector and arranged for rehearsal.
• Touch bases with your cooking team . . . be sure they know what time to arrive, what time the dinner begins and go over the menu one last time with them.
• Mail the invitations and plan to follow up with an email reminder.
• Be sure you have a plan for clean-up and contact anyone who will be helping with the clean-up.
• Plan to send thank-you notes to everyone who helped plan, prepare and present your volunteer appreciation dinner.

I'm a strong believer in the value of taking time to thank your volunteers . . . and an appreciation dinner is a wonderful way to do so! Take care of these things and most importantly, enjoy the opportunity to thank those who volunteer their time to build relationships with children and their families and in so doing, make a tremendous difference in so many lives!

"Put Feet to Their Faith" and Help Provide a Van for kidz konnect 4 Jesus through Big Bible Town!

kidz konnect 4 Jesus is my "Put Feet to Their Faith" ministry focus for the month of April. There are several ways you could involve the children in your ministry in helping this ministry - from raising money to even going on a mission trip to Belize! But today I'm going to post about a way your kids could help - while they play video games! Big Bible Town is, as they say, "the first and only online game that immerses K-6 children in scripture-based Bible adventures with gameplay that teaches Christian values and encourages kids to put their faith into practice. Our goal is to help build Christian character by keeping kids connected to God’s Word and instilling Bible knowledge that will serve them for a lifetime and beyond."


So, how can playing games on Big Bible town help buy a van for kidz konnect 4 Jesus? It really is quite simple. They say it this way - "Check out this super easy way to help make Michael Chanley’s vision for the Belize Van Project  a reality  AND  let your ministry capture a portion of home video game playtime to keep kids connected to Christ throughout the week. It's super easy, free to your church, free for families to try out and discounted 15% if they want to subscribe. And for every family which does subscribe, we'll make a donation to the Belize Van Project. Finally, on May 2nd and 3rd we'll hold a Belize Mission Event inside the game, complete with virtual prizes and thank you cards for the kids to emphasize they are helping with a real wolrd mission project - buying a van for kidz konnect 4 Jesus! Here's how it works. Simply join the Big Bible Town group on CM Connect and we'll send you a customized informational flyer to hand out or email to your families. it includes your ministry's 15% discount coupon code, and that's it! We do the rest."

Special Family Pick - the Jesus Storybook Bible by Zonderkidz!

I'm happy to announce a Special Family Pick and give-away . . . the Jesus Storybook Bible written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by award-winning artist, Jago. This Bible storybook, "invites children to discover for themselves how Jesus is at the center of God’s great story of salvation—and at the center of their story, too."


I love how each Bible story is tied in to Jesus and shares the most important story in the Bible with children! The first "story" explains this book the best. It says, "God wrote, 'I love you' - he wrote it in the sky, and on the earth, and under the sea. He wrote his message everywhere! Because God created everything in his world to reflect him like a mirror - to show us what he is like, to help us know him, to make our hearts sing." It goes on to say while some people think the Bible is all about rules telling you what you should or shouldn't do, it really is here to show us, "how life works best"! I love how it says, "But the Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what he has done."

I Have A Winner In My See the Light Art Class DVD Give-Away!

I'm happy to announce Wendy Doll Bundrum is the winner of See the Light's Art Class Volume 1 in my Family Pick Give-Away! Thank you Wendy for following my blog! Thank you See the Light for sending me your dvd for review and for making another available for a give-away!

Family Pick - Art Class DVD from See the Light . . . I'm Giving One Away in Three Days!

Don't forget, in three days I'm giving away the first in a series of art class DVDs from See the Light which includes four complete lessons covering the basics in drawing and one step-by-step "Chalk-It-Easy" chalk art lesson. Check this link to see my full review and be sure to get your name in the drawing! If you have "liked" this blog using the tab in the "follow us on facebook" box on the right side of this page, then you are entered in the drawing for this DVD! If you haven't "liked" us yet, take a moment to do so and you will be entered in the drawing! It is this simple! In addition, you may have a second entry in the drawing by "following" us with the tab to the right which says, "follow with Google friend connect". Thank you See the Light for sending me Art Class Volume 1 for review purposes and an additional dvd for my give-away!

This is National Volunteer Appreciation Week - Take Time to Thank Your Volunteers!

If you haven't had the opportunity to check VolunteerSpot, take a moment to do so! You will find a wealth of resources to help you recruit, schedule, support your volunteers and so much more! I love their e-Books! Today I'm re-posting their "Volunteer Recognition from A-Z" e-Book . . . enjoy!

Volunteer Recognition from A To Z

View more presentations from VolunteerSpot

Put Feet to Their Faith With a Project Through Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus - Guest Post From Jenny Funderburke !

My "Put Feet to Their Faith" ministry focus for the month of April is Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus in Belize. I recently read a post from Jenny Funderburke who is a Kidmin from Alabaster, Alabama. She has a blog - Kidmin Thoughts - where she posted about her experiences on a recent mission trip to Belize for Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus and has graciously allowed me to repost one of her blogs about her trip. Thank you Jenny!

"Family Pick" . . . See the Light - Art Class Volume 1!

I'm happy to announce our new "Family Pick" from See the Light - Art Class Volume 1! This DVD includes four complete lessons covering the basics in drawing and one step-by-step "Chalk-It-Easy" chalk art lesson. As See the Light says, "Each lesson provides kids with progressive, hands-on tools to learn everything from basic art skills like perspective and shape before tackling tougher challenges and more advance topics and techniques." This Cd is divided into four lessons -

• Lesson 1 - Tools of the Trade with the basics of drawing presented by Master artist Pat Knepley.
• Lesson 2 - Pat continues the teaching with It All Starts With a Line - explaining the essential skill of drawing - contour drawing.
• Lesson 3 - Covers Contours & Composition as Pat explains how to train your eyes and hands to work together!
• Lesson 4 - Pat explains why you need to learn to Draw What You See, not what you know!
• Bonus Lesson - Chalk-It-Easy Chalk Art Lesson with artist Gloria Kohlmann

Favorite Features -

• Each lesson takes time to connect what the child is learning to God's Word and shows how He is the Great Creator!
• Each lesson clearly explains and demonstrates how to master the technique being taught.
• Excellent resource for homeschoolers or for anyone who wants to learn to draw!
• Affordable option for anyone who wants to learn to draw.
• Each lesson builds on the skills taught in previous lessons.
• Bonus Chalk Art lessons are enjoyable!

I love this DVD! If you or your child would like to learn to draw you'll find See the Light's Art Class series will help you learn the skills you need! I'm very thankful for the opportunity to review this DVD and am happy to announce See the Light is making an extra copy of Art Class Volume 1 for me to give away in a drawing on April 15th! If you have "liked" this blog using the tab in the "follow us on facebook" box on the right side of this page, then you are entered in the drawing for this DVD! If you haven't "liked" us yet, take a moment to do so and you will be entered in the drawing! It is this simple! In addition, you may have a second entry in the drawing by "following" us with the tab to the right which says, "follow with Google friend connect". Thank you See the Light for sending me Art Class Volume 1 for review purposes and an additional dvd for my give-away!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products of services mentioned above for free in the hopes I would mention them on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.'".

Free Family Resource From D6 - Splink!

Are you looking for a simple way to link your family together spiritually? Do you long for some way to help the families in your church link their families together as well? Well . . . I'm thrilled to share with you a new resource . . . one which is free . . . which will do exactly this! The folks at D6 have developed Splink and it is an amazing tool for families! They describe it best as, "A Splink is a SIMPLE way to LINK your family together spiritually. It's a FREE weekly email packed with ideas to help connect your family. Splinks are creative ways of interacting with your children with family devotional starters and ideas for family time. Splinks can also help you use teachable moments to pass along spiritual truths and life lessons while making memories or just having fun together. No matter where you are, it can always be time for a Splink!"


I think Splink is a tremendous tool for families and am beyond impressed with the people from D6 for making this resource free for anyone anywhere! All you do is go to the Splink site and sign up so they can email your weekly Splink each Tuesday to your inbox - use the link in this article or the one in the "Splink box" on my blog. Each Splink has three creative and fun ideas designed for fun and to get families talking! So, as D6 says, "What are you waiting for? Get Splinking!"

We Have a New Winner in My Rebecca St. James "I Will Praise You" CD Give-away!

We have a new winner in my Rebecca St. James Cd give-away as the person whose name I drew had also received one for review. She asked me to draw another name so someone who didn't have one could receive the one from my give-away . . . so I drew names again and Michelle Sikora is my new winner! Thank you Wendy and thank you Michelle for following my blog!

Special Review and Give-Away - Magdalena - Through Her Eyes!

I'm very happy to have had the opportunity to review "Magdalena - Through Her Eyes". This DVD and the corresponding follow-up Bible study has been developed by Campus Crusade for Christ with the goal of impacting women for Christ in our churches and homes. The movie is a powerful presentation of God's plan to show His amazing love for all people, and it focuses on how Jesus showed His love for women in particular . . . women who were cast aside and devalued in their culture. I found the movie to be powerful and compelling with strong dual messages - first of all, God loves you and you can be forgiven by Him and know Him! Secondly, Jesus gives our lives purpose and meaning! This DVD and the study which comes with it would be powerful tools to use to train the women volunteers in your children's ministry. 


Campus Crusades encourages women to plan to host a "movie night with a purpose" and share the film's message with their family, friends and neighbors by inviting them to view the video and then join in a small group discussion and follow-up Bible study. Everything you need for hosting an event has been designed and is available at www.MagdalenaToday.com. 


Thank you Campus Crusades for sending this DVD for my review and for making another available for me to give-away! I'm giving it away in a special drawing on Monday, April 11, 2011! If you have "liked" this blog using the tab in the "follow us on facebook" box on the right side of this page, then you are entered in the drawing for this DVD! If you haven't "liked" us yet, take a moment to do so and you will be entered in the drawing! It is this simple! In addition, you may have a second entry in the drawing by "following" us with the tab to the right which says, "follow with Google friend connect".


"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products or services mentioned above for free in the hopes I would mention them on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of 'Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my "Family Pick" - it Releases to DVD and Blu-ray on Friday!

Don't forget . . . the Voyage of the Dawn Treader DVD releases to DVD and Blu-ray on April 8, 2011 and it is rated PG for "some frightening images and sequences of fantasy action". As I wrote last week, I especially appreciate the many opportunities this movie provides for parents to talk with their children about the important messages throughout the move, but today I'd like to focus on two of these messages.

• Lucy finds an "incantation" which allows her to "be the one who is more beautiful than she" and she uses this spell to become "beautiful" like her sister, Susan. Lucy doesn't realize this spell allows her to become Susan and thereby "removing" Lucy from ever existing. Aslan tells Lucy not to doubt her value and reminds her since she was the first one to discover Narnia, her siblings would not have been able to go to Narnia without her. This moment in the movie provides parents an incredible opportunity to talk with their children about not comparing themselves to anyone else and to reaffirm how they have an important role to fill in their own lives. There are things only they will be able to do and they truly matter!
• At the end of the movie Lucy asks Aslan if she will ever see Him again. He tells her He is known by a different Name in her world and she must learn to know Him by that Name. Once again, this provides parents with a wonderful opportunity to talk with their children about Jesus and how what they can do to know Him more and more each and every day!

Families are sure to enjoy this latest addition to the Chronicle of Narnia movies . . . I am a fan of the Narnia movies and enjoyed the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I truly hope Fox and Walden Media will make, "The Silver Chair" . . . my personal favorite of all the Narnia books! Thank you Fox/Walden Media for sending me the Voyage of the Dawn Treader for review purposes!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products of services mentioned above for free in the hopes I would mention them on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.'"

I Have A Winner in My Rebecca St. James "I Will Praise You" CD Give-Away!

Wendy Douglas is the winner in my Rebecca St. James "I Will Praise You" CD give-away! Congratulations Wendy and thank you for following my blog! This amazing CD releases today and is one you are sure to love! Thank you to Rebecca and her marketing company for sending this CD for my review and another for give-away!

Don't Forget! I'm Giving Away One Rebecca St.James "I Will Praise You" CD Tomorrow!

Rebecca St.Jame's new CD, "I Will Praise You" releases tomorrow, Tuesday, April 5, 2011 and I can not recommend it highly enough! You will find ten songs on this CD, but all of them speak to God's amazing love for us and how we absolutely can trust and praise Him! Check this video for a "taste" of each of these ten songs - 

1. I Will Praise You
2. You Never Let Go
3. Shine Your Glory Down
4. You Still Amaze Me
5. In A Moment
6. The Kindness Of Our God
7. When The Stars Burn Down
8. (Blessing And Honor)
9. Almighty God
10. You Hold Me Now
11. You Make Everything Beautiful

As I mentioned above, I'm very happy to say I will be giving one Rebecca St.James I Will Praise You CD away in a special drawing tomorrow, Tuesday February 5, 2011! If you have "liked" this blog using the tab in the "follow us on facebook" box on the right side of this page, then you are entered in the drawing for this CD! If you haven't "liked" us yet, take a moment to do so and you will be entered in the drawing! It is this simple! In addition, you may have a second entry in the drawing by "following" us with the tab to the right which says, "follow with Google friend connect".

Take a moment to check this CD out - you are sure to love it! Thank you to Rebecca's marketing company for sending me one CD to review and for making one available for my give-away!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products or services mentioned above for free in the hopes I would mention them on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of 'Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Put Feet to Their Faith With a Project Through Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus!

Put Feet to Their Faith and involve the children in your ministry with a project to help Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus. Michael Chanley is the founder of CM Connect and he has put together an opportunity to raise money with the purpose of purchasing a van for the Rhodes to use in their ministry in Belize. CM Connect will award on Grand Prize valued at $7,200 to the person raising the most support. You can find out all the details by following this link. The prize package consists of some pretty amazing items - I'll just highlight a few -

• $800 cash for travel or other ministry related expenses
• 2 tickets to the D6 Conference with an exclusive backstage tour from Michael Chanley - $860 - travel not included
• a Kidmin 360 Children's Ministry Check Up
• Volunteer and ministry training/evaluation with Michael Chanley - $2000
• On-site training for your leaders and/or volunteer team
• 4-lesson series from the What's in the Bible? Church Edition elementary program
• and much more! 

In addition, Bobby Wells from Big Bible Town has developed a fun way for children and families to help raise money for the van. "Big Bible Town's main objective is to provide parents and Christian educators an effective way to capture a portion of children's video game playtime and focus it on building Bible knowledge and Christian behavior." Bobby also wanted to, "build an online community which would enable the translation of kids' video game playtime into real world mission outcomes" and saw CM Connect's van project as the ideal opportunity to do exactly this! You can get all the details by following this link! 

The Rhodes want to show Jesus and His amazing love to the children and families of Belize. This project will give you the opportunity to involve the children and families of your church in "Putting Feet to Their Faith" by raising money for the van so the Rhodes will be better able to do exactly that!

Special Family Pick - Rebecca St.James - I Will Praise You!

I'm delighted to have the opportunity to share with you Rebecca St.James' new CD - I Will Praise You! This CD releases on April 5, 2011, and features a new collection of ten worship songs Rebecca terms "her most personal worship recording to date." She says, "In this season of new music, God has been reminding me… ‘It’s not about you! Don’t get caught up in the details and start thinking… ‘this is my new album with my face on it…it’s a representation of who I am and where I am creatively.’  God encouraged me to forget that and remember: ‘This is about Jesus!  This is about praising Him and inviting other people into that journey with you.” My mission statement and focus is, ‘Get out of the way, Rebecca, and just let people see Jesus.  It’s all about God.”


I found the songs to have powerful messages with themes we can all identify with. The lyrics are sure to touch all who listen to them and the music will have you singing along. I especially enjoyed the song, "Shine Your Glory Down" - the lyrics are tremendously powerful - "When I run, lead me. When I sleep, keep me. When I wake, Father, speak with me. Oh Majesty Light of the world. Light up this day. God, I long to see Your face. Oh, shine Your glory down. Light of the world beyond display. And every heart will sing Your praise. Oh, shine Your glory down. With each breath, fill me. With each step, free me. When I love, Father, love through me. Oh Majesty. Light up this day. God, I long to see Your face. Oh, shine Your glory down. Light of the world beyond display. And every heart will sing Your praise. Oh, shine Your glory down. I do not walk in darkness. I will not live in fear. I walk in Your light. Light of the world. Light up this day. God, I long to see Your face. Oh, shine Your glory down. Light of the world beyond display. And every heart will sing Your praise. Oh, shine Your glory down." This song - and all the others - absolutely give parents some very powerful messages to talk about with their children.


There is good reason Rebecca has been a favorite since the mid-90's. This CD will remind those of us who have enjoyed her music for years, why we love her music while at the same time it will capture a new generation of fans! Song List -

1. I Will Praise You
2. You Never Let Go
3. Shine Your Glory Down
4. You Still Amaze Me
5. In A Moment
6. The Kindness Of Our God
7. When The Stars Burn Down
8. (Blessing And Honor)
9. Almighty God
10. You Hold Me Now
11. You Make Everything Beautiful

I'm very happy to say I will be giving one Rebecca St.James I Will Praise You CD away in a special drawing on Tuesday February 5, 2011! If you have "liked" this blog using the tab in the "follow us on facebook" box on the right side of this page, then you are entered in the drawing for this CD! If you haven't "liked" us yet, take a moment to do so and you will be entered in the drawing! It is this simple! In addition, you may have a second entry in the drawing by "following" us with the tab to the right which says, "follow with Google friend connect".

Take a moment to check this CD out - you are sure to love it! Thank you to Rebecca's marketing company for sending me one CD to review and for making one available for my give-away!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products or services mentioned above for free in the hopes I would mention them on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.'"

We Have a Winner in Our Voyage of the Dawn Treader Give-Away!

I'm happy to announce Karol Snook's name was drawn in our Chronicles of Narnia The Voyage of the Dawn Treader DVD give-away! Thank you Karol for following my blog and thank you Fox/Walden Media for sending this movie for my review and another for this give-away!