Category Archives: Children’s Ministry

Morning Calm Arrives

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Life and Light
Just a few moments to pray and prepare my heart for the busy morning that awaits. Praying that the Lord will speak into the hearts and young minds of children. I want to remind the children that they cannot make themselves love the words in God’s book. They can read and think about the Word of God and the way of wisdom but unless God gives them understanding, they will not see the goodness in the commands of God. They can fill their minds with God’s Word and His commands, but they cannot make their hearts love what is good and right.

Morning calm arrives with delight in God’s Word.

Lord, help me communicate that calmness. 

Psalm 19:7-11 
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes.
The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward.

Mentoring, Friendship, and Little Birds

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Photos taken Spring, 2011

I have the immense pleasure of spending time with a friend, whom I admire and have deep respect for and she is also a resource of strength and knowledge that I’ve only begun to tap into. Nancy (my friend) has graciously taken me in to teach me a few things about water-color painting. I’ve had a longing to learn how to paint with water colors for a very long time and since moving to the lake, this longing has only grown stronger.  I was going to register for a beginners art class and then I thought of my friend, Nancy. Actually, I believe it was God who gave me the thought to think of Nancy! She is a gift from God. Yes, it’s that simple and it’s that big of a gift.

I wonder if Nancy has any idea of how much she has helped me to relax and enjoy the small things…to move slower, to observe the small details and to see Jesus even in the thorns.  

I believe we all need a mentor and friend to model a different way of living, a different way of viewing problems, a different way of pacing and working through a hectic season of life so that we may know Jesus in a deeper and more personal way. My friend guides me back to the gospel…to  loving Jesus anew, just by spending time painting with water colors.

My time with Nancy goes by much too quickly. To make it linger a little longer, I was thrilled that she invited me outside to see something very special. Yes!…I grabbed my camera first and walked outdoors with her. It was wonderful to venture into that lush backyard at Nancy’s home and stand under huge walnut and pecan trees, as she directed my gaze to bird’s nest of little robins–a nest of robins within the thorns.

Ah, the sweet love of a friend. Oh, the joy of finding Jesus again!  

TIME used up

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“Where has the time gone?” A question that can drone on for too long and never receives an answer that satisfies. That’s because it’s a silly question that doesn’t need answering. Time moves at a steady pace. Time will not speed up and it doesn’t slow down. Time is a consistent thing we can depend on every day. If the alarm clock fails to ring at 6:00 in the morning, it doesn’t change the fact that it is 6:00 A.M. and time to get out of bed. What I do after that is up to me…while TIME continues to move at its steady and rhythmic pace.

I am jealous of time. I am envious of time. I want more time.  TIME asked, “To do what?”  “to do whatever i want,” said I.

“What do you want to do?” asked TIME.  “i want to do whatever i want to do whenever i want to do it,” said I.

“Are you not satisfied with the amount of time you are given?” asked TIME. “no, i want more time to do what i want to do,” said I.

With a resounding voice, TIME reminded me that it was created for the glory of God. TIME is arbitrary. What matters most is what I do with the TIME God has given.

I give back my want for more time to God (it was never mine) and remember how TIME is used up for His glory. Used up well!

TIME for them. Love watching them walk down the hall to KidzPraise and Children’s Worship!

No Means Know

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“What is it about the word ‘no’ that you don’t understand?” This is a question I would ask my children after they continually asked the same question and I continually answered, No.  When would they know that the word ‘no’ was spoken for their protection, for their best, for their welfare…to be content with the word, no? Instead of persisting for the thing that is a ‘no’ (a “no-thing”) I prayed that my children would persist to obey, to know wisdom and know they are becoming more like Jesus.


It’s funny how things come back around and bite you. This time, I kept asking God a similar question and God replied in a manner that kicked:  “What is it about the word ‘no’ that you don’t understand?” 

I have come to this simple conclusion: “No Means Know.” Accepting the word ‘no’ with contentment is a result of knowing God. And this is my prayer…

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, For you are the God of my salvation; For you I wait all the day long. Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.             Psalm 25:4-5; 8-9



Garage Sale: A Grocery Cart to the Rescue

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Garage sales are not always fun, unless you can make lots of money. I helped my father with his garage sale last weekend. He had high expectations of selling all of the stuff and making lots of money.

First lesson, don’t have a garage sale and have high expectations of selling all of the stuff and making lots of money. When I opened the garage, I was very impressed with the organization of the vases, baskets and silk flowers. It was obvious that my Dad had spent a great deal of time organizing the items and pricing them slightly below what one could purchase them new at Walmart.

I’m sure it was difficult for my father to bring out the numerous vases, wicker baskets, and a garden of silk flowers. His beloved wife of nearly 60 years created amazing displays of fresh flowers, fruit baskets for gifts and lavish silk flower arrangements for their home. In case it was overlooked, one would always know when the seasons changed by the spring, summer, fall or winter silk flower arrangements Mom had in the house.

With the vase, basket and silk flower inventory, someone could have opened a florist shop and not have overhead expense from purchasing vases, baskets, and artificial flowers. Unfortunately, none of our shoppers wanted to open a florist shop.

Second Lesson: save the time and effort…take all vases, baskets and silk flowers to a thrift store. I think the garage sale venture was finally redeemed when I asked Dad about the grocery cart he had for sale, while hoping Mom did not “borrow” the cart and forget to return it.

He said to me, “Your mother wanted one, so we bought it.”

Whew! I was relieved to know that Mom was not a thief!

I told Dad that I could find a new home for that cart. I’ll use it Sunday morning for children’s ministry!

Up and down the halls we travel with crafts, snacks, water pitchers, curriculum, toy bins…making numerous trips because our arms can not manage to carry everything from room to room. (We are a “portable church” that meets in a high school.)

“How much do you want for the cart?” I asked.

Dad said, “If you can use it for children’s ministry, it’s my gift to the church!”

The grocery cart now has a new home and my father is content that the garage sale was not a total loss. And I’m proud to show off this cart and use it every week…especially since my Mom wrote her last name on the handle.  (She didn’t want anyone to think it was stolen!)

With fond memories of Barbara Ann Newman Goodroe

The Grocery Cart

Jesus Loves Me More-ther

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I like it when my husband says to me, “I love you.” Frequently I will ask him, “How much do you love me?” and he will reply with,  I love you elventy-times-seven. Then I will ask, “How much is eleventy-times-seven?” And his answer to this question has always been the word, MORE. I get it! I am loved.

How much does Jesus love us? How much does Jesus love me? That is a finite question with an infinite answer because the love of Jesus will never stop and His love for me is infinitely more. 

It was almost three o’clock and the sky was black,–as black as the gloom that hovered over the little group clustered around the cross–when Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” What was finished?

Only Jesus knew the full weight of the words He spoke. Jesus, our great High Priest, had become “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”–and in so doing He had finished paying the ultimate sacrifice for His people’s sins.   Pursuit of Joy by Dr. Paul Kooistra 

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:8

One of my favorite blogs to read is written by my friend, Amy. The blog is called, Frankly Journaling, and you can find it here.Amy asked her children, “How much does Jesus love us?” and the answer her young son, Colsen, gave is profound…”More-ther than the house is big; more-ther than the city is wide.” He gets it! He is loved.

I remember hearing my mom play this timeless hymn, “The Love of God” (by Frederick M.Lehman)  on the piano when I was a child. The following lyrics resonate…


Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.


Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure–
The saints’ and angels’ song.

I’ve been overwhelmed by the love of God. I am continually overwhelmed by the love of Jesus. This photo communicates another answer Colsen gave when his mother asked him, “Are you doing alright?” He responded, “I’m doing VERY alright!  I’m more alright-er than the sky is blue!” 

Thanks to Bethany and Taryn for this photo
Jesus loves me more-ther and I’m more alright-er than the sky is blue! 

Praying for You, Children’s Ministry

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“Tosha walking down a winding path full of uncertainties and high Austrian Mountains ahead, but one he knows will lead him home, for it’s daddy’s path and Tosha knows & trusts me completely.”
~photo credits and used by permission: David Beatty
One photograph that is filled with thousands of words. This is the first of many notes to come using some of those words; the first of many thoughts that come to mind when I look at this photo. 
A little boy walking blissfully on a path that twists and turns. The towering mountain in the distance looks ominous, yet there he goes, holding his sticks, walking confidently. The path twists and turns and he cannot see what lies ahead around the bend, but he is unfettered by fear and anxiety. He knows that his father is with him. He knows that his father chose this path for him to explore. This is an adventure!


 This is my adventure, too. I’m like that little boy who is walking on a path of twists and turns…named Children’s Ministry. I see the mountain ahead and wonder if there is anyway to go around it or if necessary, will I have the wits and strength to climb up it. Sometimes there is confidence and unfettered resolve to charge ahead around that bend of unknown but often that confidence and resolve is stumbling along that path, tripping on the stones and ruts along the way. There is a bit of fear and anxiety when I face the mountain of details…the mountain of staffing needs…the mountain of time needed to give…

I know my Father is with me. I know my Father chose this path for me to explore. I am confident that I am on the right path. I begin to pray with confidence. I am praying for myself, though. It’s all about me again. Here I go again, needing everything and everyone to orbit around my needs…including God. Children’s Ministry is not about me. Children’s Ministry is all about children, ministering to children for the glory of God. Children’s Ministry is about serving families and becoming a servant leader with many volunteers. Children’s Ministry does not belong to me. 

My prayers shift to praying for you, Children’s Ministry. There are other people on that path in the photo. I imagine them in front of me around the corner leading the way.  I imagine them trusting God to lead them down this same adventurous path that I walk on.  I imagine them following me; looking up at that same mountain and praying for Children’s Ministry too. 

 …while we might commend this duty by quoting innumerable examples from the lives of eminent saints, it is enough for the disciple of Christ if we say that Christ in His holy gospel has made it your duty and your privilege to intercede for others. When he taught us to pray, he said, “Our Father,” and the expressions which follow are not in the singular but in the plural–“Give us this day our daily bread.” “Forgive us out debts”; “Lead us not into temptation;” evidently intending to set forth that none of us are to pray for ourselves alone…”
~from the sermon “Intercessory Prayer” delivered on August 11, 1861, by Charles H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London
Praying for YOU, Children’s Ministry!