You may have noticed I often mention the Barna studies about how so many of our children and grandchildren are turning away from their faith and to atheism. This is not something we have to just sit back and accept. We are able to do something about it. We are able to hand down confident faith and doing this involves teaching the children we love both the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe - and teaching them the "whys" - why we are able to believe what we believe.
Monday, December 6, 2021
Anchored - Teaming Up Church & Parents/Grandparents to Teach the "Whys"
Monday, November 29, 2021
Let's Teach the "Whys"!
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Teach the "Whys" as You Teach the "Whats"
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Recommend a Book which will Uniquely Equip Children to Know God
Do you make it a regular practice to recommend resources to parents and grandparents which will help them hand down confident faith? This is a simple way for you to equip and encourage them to take an active role in leading their children to Jesus and to showing them how to walk with Him.
Today I am so very happy to let you know about a unique resource; Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children. This book is unique in two ways; first, it is specifically written and developed for children ages four through 14 to help them learn to pray by praying the Psalms back to God and secondly, my grandsons collaborated with me on developing, writing this book, and by providing most of the illustrations!
Monday, November 8, 2021
Christmas Gifts Which Make a Difference - Generations Quest (Get it Free November 8-12, 2021)
Here on About the Children's Department I write about how important it is for those in Children's Ministry to equip the parents and grandparents in their ministries so they are able to hand down confident faith - for an excellent reason as it is what God has called grandparents and parents to do for Him. I often hear from grandparents and parents about how they want to hand down confident faith, but just do not know how to do it. (This is why I post every day - at least twice - to my other blog - Grandmas with Heart - to provide free, ideas, information, and resources which will equip, encourage and empower grandparents/parents to hand down confident faith.)
Monday, November 1, 2021
Get Your Free Kindle Copy of The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith
I am so happy to you are able to download the Kindle copy giveaway of my book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith absolutely for free today! In this book I look at how our physical DNA is a truly amazing and essential part of who we are, as it holds the "code" or instructions for the things which make us unique as well as for the things we share. It connects us with the generations who came before us; as well as with those who come behind. It is the core of who we are physically.
Friday, October 29, 2021
Thank You - and Get Your Free Kindle Copy of The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith
As we come up to the time of year where we typically think more often about the things for which we are thankful, I want to say I am thankful for you. Thank you for taking time to read About the Children's Department and share it with the parents and grandparents in your church.
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Curriculum to Teach the "Whys"
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Help the Parents & Grandparents Leave a Legacy Which Will Endure Forever
Handing down confident faith is one of the most joy-giving things the parents and grandparents of the children in your ministry will ever do. But, there are certainly going to be times when they are tired. Times when they wonder how to hand down confident faith. Times when they wonder if what they are doing is making a difference.
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Curriculum Review - brite* kids
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
We Must Teach the "Whys"
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Re-evaluate & Make Your Ministry More Effective
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Learn, Be Prepared, Hand Down Confident Faith with the little answer book - And Get the Kindle Copy for Free
Today and tomorrow, September 29, 2021, you are able to download your free Kindle copy of my book - the little answer book.
Why might you want this book? consider the following . . .
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Get Your Free Kindle Copy of the little answer book
Over the month I have made three books available for free in their Kindle version - today I am happy to announce one more Kindle book giveaway - the little answer book.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Get Your Free Kindle Copy of the little answer book for children
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Please Take This Short Survey from Cokesbury
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Curriculum Review - The New City Catechism - a "Must-Have" for Every Children's Ministry
I was not familiar with this resource, so I contacted them and they were so kind to send me the curriculum kit for me to review - today I am very happy to let you know about The New City Catechism for Children.
Monday, September 20, 2021
Get Your Free Kindle Copy of the little answer book for children
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Get Your Free Kindle Copy of the little answer book for children
Today is the first day of the Child Discipleship Forum and as one of the Founding Partners, I made the kindle version of one of my books - the little answer book for children - available to download for free. It is free for you to download today through the 20th as well!
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
These Things Matter as Well
Monday, September 13, 2021
Trail's End Links - Because I am a Grandma
This post today is because I am a grandma - a grandma with two grandsons who are Cub Scouts. My grandsons are selling delicious Trail's End Popcorn (and other tasty snacks), so, because I am their grandma, I am sharing the links with you. If you would like to buy some Trail's End treats from them, you will find them at the following links - Caleb's link, Shane's link.
FREE Kindle Book & It is Not Too Late to Be Part of the Child Discipleship Forum
Why are children leaving the church after high school? What if the strategy to change this started in Children’s Ministry? If you have been reading my blog for long, you know these are questions which greatly concern me and questions I have been addressing for some time.
Sunday, September 12, 2021
A Grandparents Day Gift for Grandparents in Your Church
Today is Grandparents Day! To help the grandparents in your church celebrate, today through this Thursday, September 16, 2021, they are able to download the kindle copy of Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren for FREE!
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Make a Difference - Teach the "Whys"
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Book Review & Giveaway - Clever Cub
Yesterday I posted a book review and information about a special giveaway on my other blog, grandma's cookie jar. So today I thought I'd share it with you.
Saturday, September 4, 2021
What Matters the Most in Children's Ministry?
Friday, September 3, 2021
Two Days Left to Get Your Free Kindle Copy of Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith!
Today, September 3, 2021 and tomorrow, September 4, 2021 are the last two days in my special giveaway for Grandparents Day . . . I'm giving away the Kindle version of my book - Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith!
Monday, August 30, 2021
Get Your Free Kindle Copy of Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith
Share this with the parents and grandparents in your church - September 12th, is National Grandparents Day - and to celebrate I am making a book available for you to receive the Kindle copy for free. With our grandchildren heading back to school, they are likely to be busy and may not be spending as much time with us as they may have over the summer. So, the time we do spend with them needs to be especially purposeful. If you are looking for a resource to help you with this, take a look at Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith! which you are able to get the kindle copy for free!
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Hand Down Confident Faith - Remember & Be Thankful
Please share this with the parents and grandparents in your church.
I enjoy it very much when my grandsons go on vacation with their parents - the photos from their week exploring new places bring such happiness to my heart! I love being able to see their faces reflect their joy at accomplishing a physical feat (such as climbing to the top of an almost-mountain in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and being able to see all the way to Lake Superior), or exploring in amazing caves in Ohio, or kayaking, or whatever it is they did wherever it is they went. I know the memories they have of these trips will bring them joy as well.
Monday, August 23, 2021
It Is The Right Time to Share Those Kind, Affirming, Encouraging Words
Please share this post with the parents and grandparents in your church.
Today is a big day for my family - after a year and a half of at home school for my youngest grandson, and a mix of at home and in class school for my two older grandsons, today they all return to in class school. Certainly, along with being a big day, it is also a day with some about of "concern" attached to it as well. Covid is still a concern, and Delta makes it more of a concern for the boys, and for those of us who love them. But, school is starting, everyone will be wearing masks, and along with the concern, there is also an excitement for life to move along so they are able to experience the new school year.Thursday, August 19, 2021
If You are Going to Err, Err on the Side of Safety
Monday, August 16, 2021
We Must Act Now
The past year and a half has had its challenges, but these challenges have given us the opportunity to open our eyes and see the truth which has been before us - more and more families are experiencing significant change as their grown children and grandchildren are walking away from faith.
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
What Is the "State" of Your Grandparenting Ministry? Rebuild & Strengthen!
A few years ago, in a town not far from where I live, a tornado hit; three churches in this small community were seriously damaged. One was a church which was 160 years old. The members of this church were understandably quite dismayed and disheartened to see the significant damage to their church. However; their sadness turned to rejoicing when the builders who began the work to rebuild brought them shocking news. As these builders surveyed the damage and began the work, they discovered nothing was holding up the floor of this old church building. The years had taken their toll and unbeknownst to the church members, their church floor was unsupported and about to collapse. The tornado actually saved them.
Hand Down Confident Faith with Polar Bears, Jaguars, Aardvarks, Grasshopper Mice & More!
A few days ago I posted about the completion of my twelve-book Life on the Goldilocks Planet series of books. Today I am happy to let you know the final four-book combo book is now available - Polar Bears, Jaguars, Aardvarks, Grasshopper Mice & More!
Monday, August 9, 2021
Protect the Children - Require Masks
Saturday, August 7, 2021
Hand Down Confident Faith with Grasshopper Mice, Laughing Kookaburras, Jawfish & More!
When we look at the world around us and see studies like the one from Barna which said Gen Z is turning away from faith at double the rate of any previous generation, it may be easy to feel discouraged and to think there is nothing more we are able to do. But, we must not think this way. We must take action. We do not have to sit by and wait and see if anything we have done to hand down faith "takes hold". We are able to use the truth - God is real and science shows us this - and hand down a confident faith to the ones we love!
This is why for the past year I have been working on the Life on the Goldilocks Planet book series with my grandsons. I am very happy to say today, the series is complete with book 12 - Grasshopper Mice, Laughing Kookaburras, Jawfish & More! now being available! This series was written to provide the tools grandparents and parents need to hand down confident faith to the children they love.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries will Help Your Church's Children's Ministry Be as Effective as Possible
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Does Your Church Really Care?
Friday, July 23, 2021
Children's Ministry Matters & So Does Getting It "Right"
So, how do we know if we are, "getting it right"? Consider the following questions . . .
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Hand Down Confident Faith with Aardvarks, Coelacanths, Colugos & More!
I am happy today to let you know about the new release of book eleven in the Life on the Goldilocks Planet series - Aardvarks, Coelacanths, Colugos & More! - it is now available and is an excellent tool for you to make available to the families in your church!
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Please Step Up
Monday, July 5, 2021
More of My Resources to Help & Equip
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Jaguars, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, Nautiluses & More! is Now Available!
I am very happy today to let you know I have another new book in my Life on the Goldilocks Planet series which is now available - book ten - Jaguars, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, Nautiluses & More!
In this book children (and parents/grandparents) will learn about Jaguars, Satanic Leaf-Tailed Geckos, Fairy Penguins, Bison, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, Bilbies, Asian Tapirs, Sea Pens, Coatimundis, Jabirus, Sloth Bears, and Nautiluses as they learn fun facts, are able to see full-color photos of these animals, participate in fun activities, and learn what science has to tell us about God's amazing creation.
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Now Available - Polar Bears, Purple Gallinules, Numbats & More!
I have some good news today! First, I have a new book in my Life on the Goldilocks Planet book/curriculum series - Polar Bears, Purple Gallinules, Numbats & More! and I have been able to work with my books and take almost $3 off the price of each one!
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries is Available Today!
Saturday, June 19, 2021
We are Number Two in FeedSpot's Top 40 Children's Ministry Blogs for 2021!
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
More Time to Win Tickets!
Six days ago I wrote about the upcoming Chris Tomlin concert and the opportunity you have to win two tickets to the concert - you will find what I wrote at this link.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Keep the Masks in the Children's Ministry
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Chris Tomlin Concert - Win Two Tickets!
I am very happy today to let you know about a Chris Tomlin concert opportunity for you and the ones you love - and an opportunity for you to win two tickets to the concert as well!