I read yesterday in Psalm 90:12 about how our days are numbered. I have read that verse before but for some reason it has been stuck in my head the past 2 days. I think the reason we (including myself) do not do more for God is because we don't realize how little time we have. It amazed me when I stopped and thought about how much time I wasted each day just doing... literally nothing. I think we all need to learn to seize the day. Make every day count!
"To know the value of a day, ask someone who lost someone on September 11Th.
To know the value of an hour, ask a high school student about to take a major test.
To know the value of a minute, ask a man who just missed his plane.
To know the value of a second, ask an Olympic swimmer who just won the silver medal."
Time is so valuable! Ephesians 5:16- "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
I think of how much time I wasted in high school on so many stupid things. Boys were definitely a problem... goodness! I hate to admit it but guys were even a time waster for me last semester in school. But after reading this verse, I really want to work hard and hopefully (through God's grace) not focus on any guys when I go back to school. I need to trust that if God wants me to be married then he will bring the right person into my life in HIS time. I don't need to go looking for him and try really hard to get him. " A LADY SHOULD BE SO LOST IN GOD THAT A MAN MUST SEEK GOD TO FIND HER." That's an awesome saying! I pray that guys will no longer be a distraction from "redeeming the time." I don't have time to worry about them... MY DAYS ARE NUMBERED!
I also spent so many years afraid of what other people thought. I was so self-conscious and must admit I still struggle with it. I worry all the time about looking stupid! Well, for those of you who also wrestle with this, here is what I've learned: If you spend so much time worrying about looking stupid or sounding stupid, you will never learn to enjoy life! Stop worrying about what others think! I'm telling myself this too. You will enjoy life so much more if you learn to let go of your fear of others and seize the moment. You will miss out on so many memories if you don't! Remember- Your days are numbered! Don't spend them sitting on the sidelines because you are afraid! GO! DO! GET INVOLVED in something! You won't regret it!
Well, that's what I learned today. Hope it is a help to someone! :)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
For the Youth director's kid
Hey there! I know it can be tough sometimes as a YPK (Youth Pastor's Kid). But here is what I learned... Your parents have a lot to deal with! They are just human (like you) and it goes a long long way if you will learn to be understanding of that. Another big thing is- learn to communicate! If you feel like your parents are pushing you aside to focus on the teens then talk to them about it (respectfully). If you have a problem, go to them with it.
If you are a teenager in your parents youth group, here is my advice... Don't expect special treatment. When you are at church, you are one of their teens and you are therefore, not exempt from the rules. Believe me, I know how hard it can be to have your parents as your youth workers. It's like you can never get away from them! And sometimes, it's actually the parents who have a hard time distinguishing between parent and youth worker. Instead of treating you like "one of the teens" they are too busy acting like your mom or dad. They will probably expect a little more out of you too (sometimes forgetting that you are still just a teen). Be patient and talk to them about it. That's the best thing you can do. And my personal opinion is that it's ok if you feel that you need to seek godly counsel from someone besides mom and dad (even though they are the youth workers) Just make sure it's godly counsel. Talk to your pastor or his wife or another trustworthy, godly adult in your church... but make sure you keep your parents informed about things and be willing to talk to them too. I think they need you to bring your problems to them sometimes. It builds a bond of trust.
If you are a teenager in your parents youth group, here is my advice... Don't expect special treatment. When you are at church, you are one of their teens and you are therefore, not exempt from the rules. Believe me, I know how hard it can be to have your parents as your youth workers. It's like you can never get away from them! And sometimes, it's actually the parents who have a hard time distinguishing between parent and youth worker. Instead of treating you like "one of the teens" they are too busy acting like your mom or dad. They will probably expect a little more out of you too (sometimes forgetting that you are still just a teen). Be patient and talk to them about it. That's the best thing you can do. And my personal opinion is that it's ok if you feel that you need to seek godly counsel from someone besides mom and dad (even though they are the youth workers) Just make sure it's godly counsel. Talk to your pastor or his wife or another trustworthy, godly adult in your church... but make sure you keep your parents informed about things and be willing to talk to them too. I think they need you to bring your problems to them sometimes. It builds a bond of trust.
For the youth worker
Hello again! Today I wanted to talk a little about what I learned as a youth director's daughter. My dad became the youth pastor of our small church when I was 10 or 11 years old. I wasn't technically old enough to be part of the youth group but since my parents were so involved with them, I got to attend a lot of the youth activities and I was constantly around teenagers because mom and dad would always have them over to the house. That is one bit of advice I would give to youth workers. Let the kids in! I really believe my parent's willingness to just "hang out" with the teens made a big difference. We always had teens at our house between Sunday morning and Sunday evening services. They would just have lunch with us and play games or watch movies. This formed a deeper bond between many of the kids and their youth workers. Now, I will say that there should be a definite separation of "youth worker" and "friend". There has to be some level of respect there. You cannot always just be their best bud. They need to know that you not only have authority over them but also that they can trust you to be mature enough to handle their problems. But be willing to laugh and have fun with them. Teens love to see an adult that's not too good to be silly every once in a while. Anyways... I saw a lot during my couple of years as the youth director's daughter. I saw teens who use to be uninterested in church and the Bible come to love it! I saw friendships form and relationships form. And, on the flip side, I saw, first hand, the back stabbing and the lies and gossip and the rebellion that, many times, comes with worldly teens. (I emphasise "worldly". This should not be happening with the Christian teens. Sadly, it sometimes does.) I saw my parents pour so much into a group of teenagers who later turned on them or fell away and messed up their lives. The one thing that I would say frustrates me the most looking back on all the teens who came through our department is that many of them wouldn't listen. I'm sure I was the same way when I got into the youth group but it still amazes me how many teens hear good preaching week after week and refuse to heed the warnings given. Here is my opinion on that: Don't give up!
" The seed you've planted deep, is yet to grow. You wonder when you'll reap the things you sew. And how long has it been since rain last touched your brow. You search the skies but the rain just can't be found. But it will rain again! The fruit will fill the vine. The stalk will bend with wheat, the grapes burst forth with wine. So go into your field. Your work is not in vain. God promised harvest. And I know it will rain. So lift your head today and see the task. The rain will come your way, if you will ask. Go build your barns my friend. Prepare to store the grain. The clouds are coming, and I know it will rain." (The McRaes-"It will rain again")
Don't ever give up on those people you're trying to reach. Just keep working and keep praying! You never know if you are making a great difference in a person's life.
Now, from the daughter's point of view... My parents were pretty good about balancing family time and church time. Parents, don't let your children take a back seat to your ministry. Family comes first. Your kids need you and you don't want to be so caught up in someone else's that your own feel like you are too busy to deal with their problems. If you are breaking your back to make it to one of your teen's sports activities then make sure you are at your own child's school function. Also try not to share too much of the dirty details of the ministry with them. There are some things that they just don't need to know yet. My parents were quite cautious of complaining about teens in front of my brother and I. If all your children ever hear about and see is the rebellion and lies and such that are a part of most ministries, it could drive them away from ever wanting to serve in the ministry later. Make sure they see the good stuff too. Make sure they understand the importance of a life changed and a soul saved. Make sure they understand what a great thing it is to have a teen make a decision to serve God. More likely than not, your child probably looks up to at least one of those teens.
If you have teenage children then make sure they are part of the youth group. Don't always expect them to be super Christian just because they are your child. Remember, they are just a teen too. Make sure there is a little bit of separation between parent and youth worker. When you are at church or on a youth activity, treat them like "one of the teens". Try not to constantly be getting on to them. Don't forget, other teens go to camp and get a break from their parents for a week, your kids don't get that. I'm not saying you can't ever treat them like your child but just give them a little room to just be a teen. They will probably appreciate it.
Finally- let your teens see that it's real in you! Don't be a fake. Be genuine! They can tell!
" The seed you've planted deep, is yet to grow. You wonder when you'll reap the things you sew. And how long has it been since rain last touched your brow. You search the skies but the rain just can't be found. But it will rain again! The fruit will fill the vine. The stalk will bend with wheat, the grapes burst forth with wine. So go into your field. Your work is not in vain. God promised harvest. And I know it will rain. So lift your head today and see the task. The rain will come your way, if you will ask. Go build your barns my friend. Prepare to store the grain. The clouds are coming, and I know it will rain." (The McRaes-"It will rain again")
Don't ever give up on those people you're trying to reach. Just keep working and keep praying! You never know if you are making a great difference in a person's life.
Now, from the daughter's point of view... My parents were pretty good about balancing family time and church time. Parents, don't let your children take a back seat to your ministry. Family comes first. Your kids need you and you don't want to be so caught up in someone else's that your own feel like you are too busy to deal with their problems. If you are breaking your back to make it to one of your teen's sports activities then make sure you are at your own child's school function. Also try not to share too much of the dirty details of the ministry with them. There are some things that they just don't need to know yet. My parents were quite cautious of complaining about teens in front of my brother and I. If all your children ever hear about and see is the rebellion and lies and such that are a part of most ministries, it could drive them away from ever wanting to serve in the ministry later. Make sure they see the good stuff too. Make sure they understand the importance of a life changed and a soul saved. Make sure they understand what a great thing it is to have a teen make a decision to serve God. More likely than not, your child probably looks up to at least one of those teens.
If you have teenage children then make sure they are part of the youth group. Don't always expect them to be super Christian just because they are your child. Remember, they are just a teen too. Make sure there is a little bit of separation between parent and youth worker. When you are at church or on a youth activity, treat them like "one of the teens". Try not to constantly be getting on to them. Don't forget, other teens go to camp and get a break from their parents for a week, your kids don't get that. I'm not saying you can't ever treat them like your child but just give them a little room to just be a teen. They will probably appreciate it.
Finally- let your teens see that it's real in you! Don't be a fake. Be genuine! They can tell!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A little about me
Hi! I thought I would start out by explaining a little bit about myself. I am a pastor's daughter, but I haven't always been. I actually grew up Catholic until I was 9 and my parent's friends invited them to a Baptist church near where I grew up in Missouri. Throughout my childhood, I struggled with a fear of death (an unusual thing for a 9 year old to think about, I know). I would constantly have nightmares about dying and not being good enough to make it to heaven. I was scared to death of the thought of hell and the devil. I sat in children's church at a little independent Baptist church and listened as the lady explained the gospel for 4 sundays in a row but I was too scared to raise my hand at the end of class. Finally, on the 4th sunday, I raised my hand and she took me to a back room and led me to the Lord. And I have never had another nightmare about hell since that day! (August 4th, 1997) (Thank God for faithful lay people in the church who taught children's church week after week) I later found that my dad had been saved in "big church" that same day! That's something special that my dad and I share.
We immediately became involved in church. My dad wanted to learn all he could about the Bible and soaked everything up like a sponge. He was amazed that someone could go 31 years through his life and never hear the Gospel. After only about a year he became the youth director and the teen class grew from 3 to 30 in a few months. God blessed tremendously!
There was a church split after about 4 years there and our family ended up leaving and attending another Baptist church in a nearby town. It was while we were attending there that my dad surrendered to the call to preach. We moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma (a small town about 45 minutes from Tulsa) and my dad took a small church there. That was where I officially became a "Preacher's kid". I was 14. My dad pastored there for 3 years and God grew the church in a major way. Then my dad felt the need to move to Heber Springs, Arkansas to get some more training under another pastor. We moved there when i was 17 and the plan was to eventually be sent out of this church to start one. Well, I went off to Heartland Baptist Bible college in the fall of 2006, and in May of 2007, my family was moving again... this time, back to our hometown area. Dad felt called to start a church in a little town right near where I grew up. My first summer home from college was also my first summer being not only a pastor's daughter but a church planter's kid. I have learned a lot from my experience as a youth director's daughter, a pastor's daughter, a church planter's daughter, and leaving home to go to Bible college. I continue to learn to trust God each day and I have learned so much about his control of my life. I hope to share some of it with anyone willing to read and I pray it will be a help. :) That's all for today. Come back again later! Thanks for reading!
We immediately became involved in church. My dad wanted to learn all he could about the Bible and soaked everything up like a sponge. He was amazed that someone could go 31 years through his life and never hear the Gospel. After only about a year he became the youth director and the teen class grew from 3 to 30 in a few months. God blessed tremendously!
There was a church split after about 4 years there and our family ended up leaving and attending another Baptist church in a nearby town. It was while we were attending there that my dad surrendered to the call to preach. We moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma (a small town about 45 minutes from Tulsa) and my dad took a small church there. That was where I officially became a "Preacher's kid". I was 14. My dad pastored there for 3 years and God grew the church in a major way. Then my dad felt the need to move to Heber Springs, Arkansas to get some more training under another pastor. We moved there when i was 17 and the plan was to eventually be sent out of this church to start one. Well, I went off to Heartland Baptist Bible college in the fall of 2006, and in May of 2007, my family was moving again... this time, back to our hometown area. Dad felt called to start a church in a little town right near where I grew up. My first summer home from college was also my first summer being not only a pastor's daughter but a church planter's kid. I have learned a lot from my experience as a youth director's daughter, a pastor's daughter, a church planter's daughter, and leaving home to go to Bible college. I continue to learn to trust God each day and I have learned so much about his control of my life. I hope to share some of it with anyone willing to read and I pray it will be a help. :) That's all for today. Come back again later! Thanks for reading!
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