Save $100 on What's in the Bible & Why Do We Call it Christmas?

If you have been wanting to pick up the What's in the Bible series to use in your ministry, but have not done so yet, now is the time to do so, because for the month of August, you will be able to save $100 - yes, $100 on the full What's in the Bible series and the DVD on Christmas! Like I said, now is the time to do so!!!

Please follow the link by clicking on the box on the right side of the page - just scroll down a bit - or use this link, and then use the code SAVENOW and you will be able to get the entire Bible DVD set including the Christmas DVD for just $109 - a savings of $100! You'll receive . . . 

Back-to-School Fun with Galaxy Buck!

I am delighted for the opportunity to share with you some fun promotions to help kick off the release of Galaxy Buck . . . you have the opportunity to win a $100 Target Gift Card and may download a free Galaxy Buck Back-to-School Printable Pack! Definitely fun! Be sure to share these with the families in your ministry.

Top Three Reasons to Leave Children's Ministry

If you are serving in a children's ministry where you love what you do, love the people you work with and can not see yourself ever leaving, this post may leave you thinking; "There could never be a reason I'd leave children's ministry!"

If you are serving in a children's ministry where you are not supported and it is a struggle to go to work, but you think it would be wrong to quit; you may look at this post and wonder if there could really be even one reason to leave children's ministry.

Well, I've been in both places and after 44 years in children's ministry, I am here today to tell you there are reasons to leave children's ministry and am sharing with you what I see as the top three reasons to do so.

Who Benefits & What Does This Mean?

Which of the families in your ministry would benefit from having grandparents who are engaged, equipped and encouraged to focus on being intentional in the way they pass on a heritage of faith? While the answer may seem obvious, this is a serious question with a serious answer, because the truth is each and every family in your ministry would benefit from this, including . . . 

Four Days & Two Giveaways - You Have Time to Enter!

Yes, in four days I'm giving away two resources which will help the grandparents and parents in your ministry pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren/children . . . and have fun doing it . . . and be encouraged, too!

Satan's Statue and the Target on Children

I live in Michigan and our news has been covering the presentation of a one-ton statue of Satan at a Satanist temple in Detroit. It may not have made the news where you live, but it has received a fair amount of coverage where I live. This statue is rather large and while, to me, it is disturbing to think anyone would want to make a statue of Satan, the most disturbing feature of this statue is how it has two young children on either side of "Satan" looking at him lovingly. More than disturbing. This is just evil and vile.

Regardless of the message the makers of this statue are trying to communicate (and they actually had long lines of people who traveled specifically to see this statue at its opening), they have sadly identified (perhaps without even realizing it) how children are truly a main "target" of Satan. If he can get children to turn away from God, not even necessarily turn specifically to him, but just away from God, then he has a higher chance of keeping them.

Don't Miss the Mark!

I love children's ministry; I've served happily in it for 44 years! I believe children's ministry is important and it matters; every church should be focused on what they want to accomplish in and with their children's ministry and have a real plan to do so.

But, I am becoming more and more convinced we are missing the mark in our children's ministries. We put all our "eggs in one basket" - and invest all our budget for children in children's ministry. And, while this may seem like it makes sense, when we do this, we are missing the mark.

No matter how effective your children's ministry is; and we certainly want it to be extremely effective, it will never have the lasting impact on children their family can have. It is for this reason I absolutely believe any truly effective and focused children's ministry, absolutely must have a truly effective and focused family ministry AND grandparenting ministry.

Please Follow My Book Blog!

A couple days ago I shared with you how my book, It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren: and Other Important Facts for Grandparents and Parents, Too!, is now available both as an Amazon/Kindle ebook and as a print book from Amazon (It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren: and Other Important Facts for Grandparents and Parents, Too! - Kindle version link. It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren: and Other Important Facts for Grandparents and Parents, too! - Print version on Amazon link.)

I also reminded you about my giveaway on August 1, 2015 - you still have time to enter! Check this link for the details!

Today I want to invite you to follow my blog for my book. At first, I was not sure what I would possibly write about on the book blog, but I think it might be a really fun place where we could all share our, "sweet grandchild/child stories"! I'd really love to have you share your ideas for passing on a heritage of faith as well!

Be the One Who Helps Stop Child Trafficking

Earlier this week CNN showed a special on Child Trafficking in the USA; yes, in the USA. If you are like me, you picture this horrific crime taking place in other places around the world; not here in the USA. But, this evil does take place here; in our own "backyards".

The special was shocking and heartbreaking, but it taught me something important. The majority of children here in the USA who end up being trafficked start as children who begin relationships with evil traffickers because they listen to them. These people know if they build a relationship with children who are feeling alone, neglected and like they have no one in their lives who will even listen to them, they will be able to get these children to a place where they will do what they are told; even allow their bodies to be used by evil people.

INCM Dispatch Box #2 - MOVE

"What does healthy KidMin look like?" AWANA asked hundreds of pastors this question and the answers led them to create "MOVE" . . . a book which provides nine conversations designed to help you build your children's ministry. With MOVE you will consider, examine and discover where your church stands with in following nine areas . . . 

It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren - The Print Version is Available & I'm Giving One Digital Version Away!

I am very happy to say, It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren: and Other Important Facts for Grandparents and Parents, too! is available on Kindle and as a print version on Amazon! This book is my book - I'm the author, and yes, the three adorable boys on the cover are my three, sweet boys! 

Today I wanted to let you know it is available as a print version on Amazon and remind you of my giveaway of a digital version - and let you know I'll be giving away a print version in September!

Science, the Bible & Fun - Resource for Families & I'm Giving Two Away!

Don't forget, in just ten days I'm giving away two Science, the Bible & Fun! If we are serious about equipping grandparents in our churches to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren, we need to help them find resources they can use. Science, the Bible & Fun! is a resource written especially for this purpose (and it is one parents could use at home with their children, too!)

You will find information along with free sample lessons at this link! You will also be able to see the scope and sequence for the first year and order it - through the end of July you'll save $3 as it is just $13 for 52 weeks of activities to use with your grandchildren/children to pass on a heritage of faith!

And, on August 1, 2015 I am giving away two copies of Science, the Bible & Fun! If you are over the age of 18 and you'd like to be in the drawing for Science, the Bible & Fun!,  please comment below to let me know a Bible character you'd like to learn more about - the first year introduces children to Noah, Jehoshaphat, Josiah, Daniel, Caleb, John, Abraham, Judges, Elisha, Paul and more!

INCM Dispatch Box #2 - HomeFront Magazine

Serving in Children's Ministry is not particularly "boring". Not only do you work with some of the least-boring people on the face of the earth (children), but there is always something to be focused and working on! 

In all our focus on children, it can be easy to lose focus on another important aspect of Children's Ministry . . . ministry to the family. For our children's ministries to be the most effective as possible, we need to be supporting, encouraging and equipping parents to help families be strong places where children grow in their walk with God. Which is why I am so happy to see an issue of HomeFront in Dispatch Box #2 as it is a resource which will help you do exactly this!

Strength to Care - Read it and Give it to Families in Your Ministry

In most instances, when a child is born to a family in our ministries, we all rejoice and celebrate. However; occasionally, when a child is born, a family is thrown into the stress, fear and overwhelming uncertainty which comes when the child has serious medical issues. Yes, these families love their children and yes there is joy, but when their child is in the NICU and being sent to have surgeries the focus is on something very different than joy and celebrating. What do you do when this happens to a family in your ministry?

Clearly, there are many things for you to "do" . . . pray, be there physically for the family, help with child care needs for any other children they may have, provide for meals, house cleaning, help with transportation needs, sit with them, see to other physical needs, pray and the list goes on. 

But, along with these things, there is another thing you can do . . . give them a copy of the new book; Strength to Care: Reflections for Parents of Children with Complex Medical and Special Needs. This book was written by a friend from my church; a husband and dad who, along with his dear wife, have been blessed with five children - three lovely daughters and two sons. This family understands first-hand what it means to be thrown into the chaos which follows the birth of a child with serious physical needs because this has happened to them two times with the births of their sons.

In Strength to Care: Reflections for Parents of Children with Complex Medical and Special Needs, Kevin Troupe shares their experiences and how they grew closer to God and learned what it means to trust Him through the births and day-today living of life with special needs sons. And while this book is sure to encourage and give hope to families who find themselves in similar situations, it will challenge us all to stop living our lives as if we are in charge - because we clearly are not - and to instead make the choice to trust God and rely on His strength for our own lives and to care for others.

INCM Dispatch Box #2 - INCM Dispatch Vol. 2

For the past couple days I have been writing about some of the resources you'll find in the new INCM Dispatch Box #2 - today I want to write about another resource . . . the INCM Dispatch Vol. 2. Along with holding a variety of resources you will actually use, each Dispatch box includes a, "mini-magazine"; the Dispatch Volume - in this case, Volume 2.

Inside each Dispatch Volume, you'll find information about the other resources in the box along with ideas for getting the most out of these resources. In Dispatch Volume 2 you'll find . . . 

INCM Dispatch Box #2 - I Can Learn the Bible - a Truly Excellent Resource!

I've been writing a lot lately about engaging grandparents, so they pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren, because this is something which is very important to me. Yesterday I received a book in the INCM Dispatch box #2 which can help us do exactly this . . . help grandparents - and parents - help their grandchildren/children understand how very much God loves them and how they can love Him back! I'm very happy to review it for you today.

INCM's Dispatch Box #2 is Here!

I just received my Dispatch Box #2 from INCM and will be writing about the wonderful surprises found inside the box for several days. Let me say, I thought the first box was a great resource - and it was, but box #2 is amazing! INCM certainly did not disappoint with box #2!

Inside Box #2 you will find . . . 

INCM Dispatch Box #2 - spiritual parenting - "It's Not About Perfect Behavior. It's About Passionate Hearts."

I have three, sweet grandsons and while to me they are "perfect", I know they truly are not. They are three, sweet, active, normal boys and are as imperfect as the rest of us. There are times when they obey, are kind, tell the truth, share and show respect, and there are times when they do not. They are three, sweet, active boys and they are as much in need of learning how to have hearts and souls which love God with their all, as I am.

I do not know of a single parent or grandparent who has not struggled with how to help the children they love grow up to be people who make wise choices and who love God with their all. We all want this, but there is no shortage of opinions about how to get there with the children we love. There also is no shortage of books on parenting. I tend to be skeptical of parenting books, but spiritual parenting: an awakening for today's families is a book I can enthusiastically recommend to every parent and grandparent as it will not only help you learn how to truly help your grandchild/child, but will open your own eyes to how real faith transforms lives; including your own!

It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren: and Other Important Facts for Grandparents and Parents, Too! - I'm Giving One Digital Copy Away!

I am very happy to say, It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren: and Other Important Facts for Grandparents and Parents, Too! is available on Kindle! This book is my book - I'm the author, and yes, the three adorable boys on the cover are my three, sweet boys! Today I'm going to share with you what my book is about and announce a giveaway . . . of course!

Grandparents, Resources & Joy!

If you could see me today, you'd see a big smile on my face! Why, you ask? Allow me to share the reasons why with you . . . 

Science, the Bible & Fun - It is Here & I'm Having a Giveaway!

If we are serious about equipping grandparents in our churches to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren, we need to help them find resources they can use. Science, the Bible & Fun! is a resource written especially for this purpose (and it is one parents could use at home with their children, too!)

Yes, I've been talking about Science, the Bible & Fun! for some time now and it is finally ready! You will find information along with free sample lessons at this link! You will also be able to see the scope and sequence for the first year and order it - through the end of July it is just $13 for 52 weeks of activities to use with your grandchildren/children to pass on a heritage of faith!

And, on August 1, 2015 I am giving away two copies of Science, the Bible & Fun! If you are over the age of 18 and you'd like to be in the drawing for Science, the Bible & Fun!,  please comment below to let me know a Bible character you'd like to learn more about - the first year introduces children to Noah, Jehoshaphat, Josiah, Daniel, Caleb, John, Abraham, Judges, Elisha, Paul and more!

Grandparenting Ministry - Engage, Equip & Encourage!

Does your church have a grandparenting ministry? I'm not talking about ministry to grandparents - often known as a senior saint's ministry (although many of us grandparents would say we are not old enough for this group, yet!) - but rather a ministry which engages, equips and encourages grandparents to be focused and active in passing on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren.

FREE Resources for You from VOM/Kids of Courage

If you are looking for free resources you can use to supplement your curriculum, send home with children, use for special events - or anytime, check the wealth of resources you will find from Voice of the Martyrs/Kids of Courage!

Follow this link and you'll find activities, crafts, coloring pages and more - all free - which you can use in your ministry to help children not only learn God's Word, but to develop hearts which care for fellow believers around the world who face persecution for believing in Jesus.

Take some time today to browse through this site - you are sure to find resources you will be able to use in your ministry!

Help the Children Go Deeper into God's Word!

Today as you serve in your children's ministry, ask yourself these questions . . . 

• What are the children learning - really? 
• Are they actually learning anything?
• Are they just hearing the same Bible events and tuning out?
• Do they understand, truly understand God's Word is for them?
• Do children even need to open their Bibles in their classes?
• Do they know how to talk to God?
• Do the children know how to take what they learned out the doors of the church, so they are able to think about, talk about and live what they learned?
• Do they understand the Bible is for them to read and enjoy all week long - not just on Sundays?

These may not be the questions you think about on a weekly - or even monthly basis, but they are questions we have to ask, and answer. If you are not able to answer these questions, then you may need to evaluate the "whys?". 

There Are No Grills or Microwaves in Heaven!

Not only am I a grandma, but I love being the grandma of Josiah, Caleb and Shane! When you think about children's ministry you may think about parents, but don't forget the grandparents. 

Grandparents are in a unique position to have many important conversations with grandchildren. There is something "special" about grandparents, because most grandchildren do not see them everyday; which makes the times they do see them, very special . . . for grandparents as well!

Where Are the Pieces and Do They Fit Together???

Have you ever felt like the pieces of your life just don't "fit" together? Have you ever felt like there was a "piece" missing? Have you ever wanted God to "put the pieces of your life back together"? 

Well, if you have - or even if you haven't, this passage from Psalm 86:10b-17 (The Message) is sure to brighten your day!

Free For You . . . One Illustrate My Own Bible Heroes Book!

I LOVE books for children! I really LOVE Bible adventure books which introduce children to people from the Bible and when those people are some of the "unknown" heroes . . . well, I especially LOVE those adventures! 

So, a few years ago I sat down and wrote several Unknown Bible Hero books, but since I'm not really an illustrator, I thought it would be fun to write the books so children could be their own illustrator and illustrate their own book!

Science, the Bible & Fun - A Giveaway and it Releases Next Week!

I finished writing the first year of, Science, the Bible & Fun! . . . a curriculum to help grandparents (parents) pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren (children). With Science, the Bible & Fun!, you will find science projects, crafts, cooking projects, games and most importantly, will be able to help your grandchildren (children) learn how to pray the Psalms and learn about Bible people who made the choice to know, love and walk with God!

This curriculum is easy to use and you will receive the entire 52 weeks in a digital format for just $16. While I wrote Science, the Bible & Fun! with grandparents in mind, it absolutely is a resource parents could use with their children as well. It is flexible - you could use everything in each week's lesson, spread it out over several days or just use parts - whatever works the best for you. It will be fun, it will be engaging and it will help you - whether you are a grandparent or parent - as you focus on passing on a heritage of faith!

Summer - Kick it Into High Gear!

Yesterday I asked; "What is the difference between churches where they kick into high gear in the summer and churches where they 'roll up the sidewalks' which allows one to see the summer as a time of opportunity and the other to see it as a time to, 'take off'?"  I said, "I believe both churches care very much about children and families, but I do believe it is possible the second church has become burdened and overwhelmed by the work involved in getting and keeping volunteers, so adding to the things they already do throughout the year is just too overwhelming."

Today I want to look at a couple possible reasons for this difference. I think it has something to do with the level of "burden" a church sees or feels in regards to their children's ministry. If we believe it is too "burdensome" to plan a summer of ministry opportunities and staff those opportunities, we will not try to, "kick into high gear" in the Summer. 

The truth is, providing a Summer of ministry opportunities does take work; a lot of work. It also takes volunteers; a lot of volunteers and this in and of itself can be overwhelming for churches where they struggle just to have volunteers on Sundays in the Summer. 

So, if you want to provide a summer of ministry opportunities and are willing to put in the work to do so, what do you do to get everyone on-board so you have the volunteers you need to pull it off? Consider the following -

Engage Children & Save with Deeper in 4 Children!

If you are looking for curriculum which will get the children in your ministry to open, read, research, talk about and discover God's Word, one which will engage children actively in learning and one which will help them learn how to really talk with God, take a look at Deeper in 4 Children! With Deeper in 4 Children you will find children focus on God's Word and learn it is for them - not just for adults.

Plus, for anyone who orders by September 5, 2015, you will receive one free quarter for each two quarters you purchase. Deeper in 4 Children is $75 per quarter per age level - there are two age levels - Preschool/Early Elementary and Elementary.

You'll find more information and a sample lesson at this link!

Summer - Kick it Into High Gear or Roll Up the Sidewalks?

For most churches the summer is either a very busy time where ministry kicks into high gear and opportunities for children are focused and frequent. Or, it is a time when churches practically, "roll up their sidewalks" and offer little, if any, ministry opportunities. Why is there such a difference? Consider the following . . .