Kidminister

So That's Where All The Dirt Has Gone

2009-07-16T00:59:00.003-04:00

I have been teaching creation from Genesis to my young boys class on Wednesday nights for the last six weeks. Tonight we finished talking about how God rested. As we were going back over the days of creation, I mentioned that God had formed Adam/man out of dust or dirt. One of the boys in my class chimned in, "Yes, God made man and woman and kids from dirt. No wonder we've been loosing dirt in our backyard. My mom has four kids."

Regular Blog Entries

2009-07-09T03:09:00.002-04:00

Okay, after attending a two hour seminar on social media and ministry with the rest of my church staff, I've decided to start making regular blog entries each week here. I know you can probably hardly contain your excitement with the thoughts of what wisdom and nuggets of truth that will come to you each week ....right.

So what will I really be blogging about? I guess you'll just have to come back and check it out. My first official entry will come next week. :)

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T02:36:00.001-05:00

How to Prepare for a Cross-Country Motorcycle Trip #1

2008-07-29T00:44:00.001-04:00

In a matter of weeks my brother and I will be loading up our motorcycles and riding to the Grand Canyon. This trip will bring on many firsts for both of us. One of the wildest is trying to get a weeks worth of stuff and camping gear packed on my bike. Time to get creative. But being out on the road, in the "wild" is going to be a far cry from my King size bed, a/c and ...stuff. So, I've begun preparing for all that I'm going to be encountering. I thought I'd share a couple of my preparation methods with you, incase you one day decide to head out into the wild, wild west...on a motorcycle with your brother...or sister...or whoever. :)

TASK: To keep your senses keen and train yourself in the ways of a survivalist
METHOD: Purposly don't look where you park at Wal-Mart and then buy something frozen. Now find the truck before it melts! Skills!

TASK: Abandon the frills of urban life and learn to rest camping on the land.
METHOD: Downloaded one of those nature soundtracks to your ipod and listen to it as you go to sleep each night. For extreme training...just use one pillow. (I woke up last night and spent twenty minutes trying to kill a cricket then reazlized I'd fallen asleep with ipod ear buds in and sounds from the great outdoors playing)

TASK: Prepare yourself for hundreds of miles sitting on your motorcycle.
METHOD: Play your favorite game system of choice while sitting on a wooden kitchen chair for an hour. Then, down a Big Gulp, hit the bathroom and play for another hour. Buns of Steel!

TASK: Preparing to visit various State Parks and Historical Landmarks
METHOD: Walk through your neighborhood. Knock on someone's front door and when they open up, hand them $5 to $10 and walk around their backyard and then move to the next house. Resist the urge to pick up a stick or a rock!

Well, that's enough preparing for tonight. I've figured out how to work out while I'm on my trip. I bought some cool camping stuff that packs up in these little bags. They pop right out ....but getting 'em back in those tiny little bags...yeah, can you say Glad trash bags? :)

Hope for the Hurting

2008-07-17T01:01:00.004-04:00

This week I have been volunteering with the local Hospice's day camp for kids who have experienced a death in their life. Other than having to get up early, it has been a good experience. I have done a lot of things working with hurting kids (divorce, abuse) but death is one I've had little experience with while working with kids. One thing that I've been reminded of each day this week, as I've sat with these great kids, is that from outward appearances - we can have no idea the hurt or turmoil going on in the lives of children. Children who have lost one or both parents, siblings, or grandparents who have raised them. Yet we get aggravated when kids don't do their homework, or can't sit still while we talk, having no idea the worries and grief they have.

It's great to have people who see these kids and work so that their lives continue to have laughter, smiles and hope as they learn to heal from their hurts. Kudos to Hospice!

Oh, and on a totally random note, I just picked up X-Files: Season One on DVD! I used to be a major fan...after watching some of these first episodes, now I remember what I liked so much. Spooky!

Well, in a matter of hours I'll be getting up for my second kids day this summer. We call it TAG or Thursday Activities with Greg. This is about the 11th year for TAG. I probably would have named it something a bit grander had I know it would still be around this long. Guess I should go to bed.

Summer's flying along

2008-07-11T13:20:00.003-04:00

Wow, it's been forever since I've blogged here. Oops! Actually, with blogs in so many places, I've kind of neglected this one....however this is the one blog that's accessible to everyone, without joining some membership, so I guess I'll try to do better.

The summer is flying along. Preteen camp has come and gone. It was great. I think we had the best group of campers we've ever had and the staff was great. Bonus, I didn't fall off a horse this year!

Yesterday was the first of my summer kids days. We will gather each following Thursday through the first week of August. I'm still amazed, I think this is my 11th summer for TAG or Thursday Activities with Greg (If I had know this was going to last as long as it has, I might have found a more inspiring name...but everyone here loves TAG).

My brother and I had planned to take a motorcycle trip to the Grand Canyon this summer, but early on in the summer we decided it would be better to do in the early Fall. It now looks like we'll be mounting up near the end of August into the first of September. We're both pretty pumped, having never really done a road trip like this, let alone on our bikes. We're expecting it to look something like Wild Hogs 2. :) You will definitely want to keep up with our blog for that trip.

Well, today's my day off so that means getting the yard mowed before it hit 95 degrees and then tonight is a boy's night out with some of my married buds who have swung a kitchen pass for the night. Hope your summer is blessed and you are making memories like crazy!

Greg

What an Experience

2007-12-03T02:23:00.000-05:00

Well, Friday was a day of new experiences for me. First, I headed back to collage and made a presentation for a friend of mine who is a professor. It was for a class called Crimes Against Children and I was to present on the Internet and it's dangers for kids, particularly how sicko's lure and trick kids (yeah, sicko is a professional term, don't ya know). Now I am not an expert in the field by any means, but I have taught a couple of classes on similar subjects and I do spend way to much time online, so it wasn't too hard. Wow, the research is pretty scary about how many kids and teens are still being tricked, lured and enticed into meeting up with adults and getting hurt or worse, killed in the process.

Anyway, after the class I went with the group to tour our maximum security prison. Let's just say, Greg's gonna stay a good boy. It was an eye opener...I had no idea we'd be walking out amongst the general population inmates. I found out you are placed in the prison not by your crime, but how you behave inside. For instance, in one dorm area for the general population, there might be a mass murder sleeping a few bunks away from someone who wrote hot checks. Scary!

As for the really bad ones, we walked past their cells. Yeah, it was pretty creepy. In one area every inmate was standing in front of his door window watching us as we walked through. I guess when you're alone in your cell for 23 hours of the day, anything different is entertaining. The even badder... er, worse...the really bad prisoners in one section started yelling and kicking their doors just like you see on tv. Boy it was loud. It's was a good tour, but I was glad to be out.

So, December has arrived and the madness of celebrations and parties is about to begin. You gotta love it. Well, hope things are happy in your house. Peace.

Greg

Sun tans & Snow falls. What a Week!

2007-11-25T23:26:00.000-05:00

Wow, it's been almost a month since I added anything here. It's been a busy November, but I really can't believe it's about over. Time really is flying these days. I was driving home from a weekend camping trip with my folks and just looking at the incredible colors of the trees canopying some of the roads. Most people think Texas is just flat open spaces, but we do have some incredible landscapes if you know where to look. Hills and valleys, trees and pastures.

The first of last week was literally in the 80's and by Saturday the nights were near freezing. As I sit here tonight, not a week from the 80 degree weather of last Monday, there is a thin blanket of snow everywhere. It rained each night of my camping trip. My poor old pop up trailer was anything but water tight. It's seen better days. I mean we did get the thing when I was in Fifth grade and have pulled it all over Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and once to Florida and back.

We got smart and covered one end with plastic tarps. We didn't have enough to cover both ends, just where I was sleeping. Last night I spent the night emptying the jar that caught the water from the ceiling on the other end. At least I wasn't at home. It was good to get away. I've been wanting some seasonal weather and we got it.

Well, just rambling at this point, so guess I'll add more when something exciting happens.

Greg

Come and Gone

2007-10-31T00:31:00.000-05:00

Well, another year's Fall Festival/Halloween carnival/whatever you call it has come and gone. It's a ridiculous amount of work coming in, an hour and 1/2 of kids, candy and fun and then hour and the next day to clean up and put things back together. What a blast.

I think this is like our 11th Fun Fest. It was one of the first things I did when I came on staff back in the day. It looks a lot different from the first ones. One year I built a four foot tall maze in the middle of the gym. That was crazy, but fun. Back then, almost no one was doing Halloween carnivals. Seems like everyone's doing one these days, but it's all good.

We had a good crowd, lots of kids having fun and enough candy to put Frankenstein in a diabetic coma. :) I guess I'm going to have to retire the pirate costume and go with something different next year. Any suggestion other than Hanna Montana? :)

Greg

Hard Boiled Eggs

2007-10-18T01:32:00.000-04:00

Okay, I was reminded today that I haven't updated my blog in a while. Things are so busy it's crazy...but then that's how I like it. Busy keeps me out of trouble. Busy means I sleep through the night. Busy means I'm not wasting my time on things like cleaning house or taking out the trash. You know, if there's one thing I hate to do, it's take out the trash. Maybe it's because I have to have an armed escourt if I take the trash out after dark around here, I don't know.

So anyway, I got home late after church tonight, but on the way home I kept telling myself, dude go to the gym! It's not 10 yet, you got time. Go to the gym. Well, anyway I didn't. :) Should never have sat on the couch. Of course my satelite's out, grrrr.

There nothing good to eat in the fridge, so I decided to make some hard boiled eggs. I haven't had any in years. My grandmother used to make 'em when I was a kid. I remember stopping at a roadside park on trips and her pulling out her boiled eggs as we ate our sandwiches on those old, painted, concrete picnic tables.

Anyway, I got the water in the pan, dropped some eggs in and cranked up the fire....and went to check my email. Of course, me email isn't working for some reason, and I messed with it for a while. Then I rememered, I've got eggs boiling. I ran back in and sure enough, they're bouncing around the bubbles in the pan. Then I got to thinking, I don't really know how long you're supposed to boil 'em anyway. ???? So I googled it. :)

10 to 15 minutes for hard boiled. Of course you're supposed to reduce the heat once it starts boiling...which I know my mom never did, but I reduced the heat. I don't really know how long they boiled....but it was 10 minutes after I remembered so I figured they'd be good and boiled. And they were. I think they taste so good because you have to work so hard to get all the shell off. So, that got me thinking....can you burn a boiled egg? Maybe I'll see next time I'm bored.

Laugh, you'll live longer!
Greg

Good Things

2007-08-29T23:55:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been a good day. I'm continually amazed at how God is using our new ministry, Divorce Care for Kids, to connect me with great people and help kids heal. I've been invited to doing an on-air interview in the morning with our local Christian radio station - KMOC 89.5 FM! I'm excited....er, except for the fact that I've got to be there at 6:50 am. For those of you that know me well, you know I've usually not been in bed to much before that :) Guess I'll hit the sheets earlier tonight.

Oh, and I came home with the Muppet Show Season 2 box set yesterday. :) I've got season one, but I guess season two was around when I started watching it as a kid. Fun memories, and great ideas for children's church! :)

SMile, God loves you!

Microwave Mishaps

2007-08-26T01:11:00.000-04:00

This week my ADDish self has been reminded I really need to slow down. On two occasions, I've made major microwave mistakes. The other day, I was cooking one of the 90 seconds, Uncle Ben bags of rice in the microwave. Apparently, I was busy trying to do something else, because I stuck it in the micro and hit 90 seconds and went back in the other room. About 85 seconds later I here something explode. Yep, I forgot to tear that little notch to let the steam out and the bag exploded. Luckily, most stayed in the bag.

Tonight, I got the craving for some popcorn while watching a movie. For some reason, instead of hitting the "popcorn" button on my micro, I was going to do what the bag said and just put in the time. Being the brain I am, I didn't look at the bag and for some reason assumed the proper time for a bag of microwave popcorn is 4 minutes. WRONG! It's like 2 minutes. Hearing the microwave stop, I headed back to kitchen to be greated by smoke. Opening the microwave I got almost choked on the putred, black smoke billowing out. What is it that makes burned popcorn so nasty. Oh, and let me tell you it was burned. I stuck it outside to let it cool and air out. It's been like four hours and my house still reaks of burned popcorn.

Okay, that's about as exciting as my weekend has been...I'm blogging about blowing things up in the microwave. Anyway, hope your cooking is less explosive and smells better!

L8r.

What a Month!

2007-07-30T01:45:00.000-04:00

Wow, what a month July was! Boy was it packed, and did it ever fly. I was blessed to return again to speak for Katie's Kids Kamp for one and a half sessions. Following up camp, I led my first two workshops at ACU's Summer Workshop. It was a new experience, to say the least, to be presenting to a room of peers in the ministry to children. Of course, I spoke on multimedia in ministry, so it was pretty easy and quite enjoyable.

For a while, I was afraid no one was going to show up for my first one, but as time approached, in they came. It was cool! They stayed, asked questions and seemed to be pleased at the end. Most stayed for my second workshop while new people came in. Oh, and my computer actually worked the whole time, which is always a plus when speaking on using media like computers.

A great first workshop...I'd doing it again. July has really arrived and gone in a matter of moments, but I am quite ready for August. New challenges and experiences await as we journey into Divorce Care for Kids. Not quite sure where the Lord is leading me, but wow, what a journey!

May your August be blessed from the only source of true blessings...Jesus Christ.

Random thoughts that make you go....hmm.

2007-07-09T01:50:00.001-04:00

1. Why can I spill one drop of red cool-aid on my counter and wipe it up immediately...and it's already left a stain? HMM?

2. Where does the lint come from in the drier? Are my clothes deteriorating? And why hasn't someone created a machine to put it back? HMM?

3. If an elephant laughed while drinking milk, where would the milk come out of? HMM?

4. Who decided grass was grass and weeds were weeds? Maybe we have it backwards. Grass is much easier to kill than weeds...maybe I'm trying to kill the wrong thing. HMM?

5. If a clown staring at himself in the mirror, laughs himself to death, is it suicide? HMM?

Okay, that was a pretty dumb post, but I've nothing enlightened to say, so there you go.

Another Summer Camp for the books

2007-07-02T00:20:00.000-04:00

Well, it sure is nice to be back in my house and sleeping in my own bed. Camp was really good, inspite of the rain (at least the temperature was great!). We had some great teens and adults as staff and a great bunch of kid campers. I rode a horse more than I have in my entire life. I was the one who took the campers over for the trail rides and got to ride along three days. I only fell off once. :)

Wouldn't have been so bad, but I was riding double with a nervous camper. About five minutes in, I felt the saddle start slipping and off we went, down to the ground and then sliding down under the horse. Luckily, the horse was huge and all he wanted to do was stop and eat, so as we slid down under him, he stopped and started eating. WOW, that was an experienece - we were muddy, a little shocked, but okay and we finished the ride (though we stopped twice more to get the saddle retightened). Seemed the rain was soaking everything, and caused our saddle to slide.

We finished camp with big mud puddles, lots of great pictures (over 3000 of 'em) and great memories of another year.

Weird shopping trip or Normal Children's Ministry Supplies

2007-06-23T02:18:00.000-04:00

I always love heading to Wal-Mart about 10:00 PM on a Children's Ministry shopping trip. I can usually guarantee the weirdest buggy full of stuff in my line - if not in the store. Sometimes kids stare and drool over my basket of toys. Other time like tonight, the checker's looks are priceless.

So, what did tonight's pre-camp shopping yield? Water balloons, plug strips, 2 skateboard helmets, 2 small plastic trash cans, four bathroom plungers, a waterballoon slingshot and wiffle balls. Pretty tame, don't you think.

Hope your summer has started out well! I'm prepping for camp and some crazy activities to go along with the Bible study, and worship with a great group of kids - they always are. We're praying the rain stays away for camp! Take it easy, and maybe I'll see you at Wal-Mart some night!

L8ter,
Greg

All Gave Some, Some Gave All

2007-05-29T21:46:00.000-04:00

I heard the Billy Ray Cyrus song, "All Gave Some, Some Gave All" on the radio the other day. I hadn't heard it in a while. What a song.

Because of two meetings that got dismissed or moved, I had the opportunity and honor to ride with the Patriot Guard to Vernon today for the funeral service of one of our soldiers who was killed in Iraq last week. The Patriot Guard are motorcyclists who travel to the funerals of our fallen soldiers and veterans. The riders hold large American flags at the church and/or cemetary.

The reason for the Patriot Guard is to be a line of support for the family of the fallen soldier. Who are they being shielded from? Americans (well that's debatable) that's who. Demonstrators at funerals, in our country…I just can't get my mind around the mentality of a person….I'll stop, because it won't be pretty. Any way, the Guard position themselves between any protestors and the family - (note: there were no protestors to disturb the funeral service)

It was something to see riding from the church to the cemetery and seeing flags everywhere, people lining the streets in support. There were something like 86 ½ bikes (one sidecar) and probably 100 to 150 flag holders. I had never been to a full military funeral before, it was something else. Of course, there were flags everywhere but also military presentation complete with buglar playing Taps, a Highlander playing the bag pipes, and a 21 gun salute.

There was also a guy, I believe from Abilene, Texas with replica of the Liberty Bell that was hung between two large stone tablets with the Ten Commandments on them (it all filled a large flatbed trailor). He rang the bell, both at the church and the cemetary - I partially heard that that all the rings represented things.

I did forget my sunscreen (left in a hurry) and my face is burnt to a crisp, but it was an honor to honor someone who gave his life for my freedom. May God protect our troops and bring them home safe and soon.

What a Rip!

2007-05-02T01:15:00.000-04:00

I have to share this!

Today, after a meeting I returned to my office to find a message on my phone. I punched up and received a message that I, Pastor Stanford (obviously doesn't know me) was being invited to have dinner with a congressman and President Bush. (SHOCK!)

Okay, first I thought it was a joke. After lunch I googled the congressman's name and the "organization" responsible....(More shock) they were all real and acurate.

So, I called the number and someone from the named organization answered. At this point, I was like, dude, I might be having dinner with the President (no way). So she tells me who they are, what it is and then has me listen to this recording from the congressman...okay, a little weird, but I'll bite. They want info from ordinary citizens on taxes and small businesses (I pay lots of taxes, and my business is pretty small). Then, I'm back to the lady on the other end. Now, here's the kicker. She then informs me of their plan to have all "new members" (I was to join this new council, of course) have their name listed on a major national newspaper page, and of course all members were being asked to contribute................ $500.00. Of course I could make two payments of $250.00 over two months (just nice and matter of fact).

Then comes my nice, polite, dignified answer...."What? I don't have that kind of money to donate." She then understandingly comforts me and says, well yes they understand it is a lot with such short notice and that a donation of one or two hundreds dollars.....[chuckle] .... Okay, then I was less dignified... I mean come on, they're wanting true, small businessmen to discuss the struggles of high taxes and such. So I said, "I'm a children's minister in a small Texas church. I pretty well live paycheck to paycheck." I mean, they did call me at my church office, it's not like they hadn't done some checking. And then she was....

"Oh, I'm sorry...CLICK."

What?....???? Yeah, that was it. No donation, then don't even think about this dinner. Oh, and it was in Washington - so I'm sure I'd be flying myself there, taking care of all my lodging. But yeah, any ordinary citizen, who is involved in any kind of small business is going to drop $500.00 for a newpaper add (or to line someone's pocket) then fly off to Washington to eat probably a $100.00 plate meal in maybe the same building as the President.

So as I hung the phone up, I was like what a rip! This is yet another reason I have nothing to do with politics.These people don't live in the real world, and apparently have no clue how real people live, but of course they're going to start some organization to hear what we think, if we can afford to pay them to listen.

You know, I have no favorites in government...none, but I sure hope these folks have little to do with our President, though they are some how connected to some Republican thing. Okay, I guess I feel a little better.

Last note: If you leave me a comment that's great, but if it's some political statement....I'll delete it. You see, that's my freedom. If you want to know who these folks are, just email me. Figured if I posted it, my dog would end up dead or something (wait, I don't have a dog). Maybe my taxes would go up, wait they already have.

Totally Random Coffee Blog

2007-04-27T03:28:00.000-04:00

Okay, my head is about to explode from sinus pressure, so along with every home-remedy, I've been stewing over hot cups of coffee. So, rather then dwell on the pain, here's what you get (remember, I'm hopped up on every sinus, allergy and pain medicine I've got, plus lots of coffee!)

1) My favorite coffee: Cafe Mocho from the coffee shop in Union Station, Kansas City, MO.

2) I've been given a coffee maker on two different Christmases (is there a plural for Christmas?)

3) I grind my own coffee beans.

4) I love the smell of French Roast Vanilla Coffee Beans.

5) I once got carded at WalMart for buying a large bottle of vanilla coffee syrup (had to explain it wasn't alcohol). Oh yeah, and I was like 30. :)

6) Fill it to the rim, with Brim!

7) I've never been to a Starbucks (GASP!)

8) I own a regular coffe maker, a one cup instant maker, a capachino/expresso machine and a small travel maker (I know, I have a problem).

9) Unless I'm somewhere special, I only drink coffee at night.

10) I can drink a entire pot of regular coffee right before bed and sleep like a baby (I cry a lot and wet the bed - JK!).

11) Good coffee means lots of sugar, some cream and vanilla syrup.

12) Okay, if you're still reading this... you're as bored as I was when I wrote it. Why not have a cup of coffee?

The Five Factor Personality Test

2007-04-13T23:06:00.000-04:00

Okay, these things always weird me out, because after just a few choices, it has nailed me down pretty well. What do you think (if ya know me)?

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion:

You have low extroversion.
You are quiet and reserved in most social situations.
A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you.
You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people.

Conscientiousness:

You have medium conscientiousness.
You're generally good at balancing work and play.
When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.
But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it.

Agreeableness:

You have high agreeableness.
You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.
Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.
You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.

Neuroticism:

You have low neuroticism.
You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.
Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.
Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.

Openness to experience:

Your openness to new experiences is medium.
You are generally broad minded when it come to new things.
But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it.
You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

A Peak Inside My Twisted Mind

2007-04-09T19:45:00.000-04:00

The other night, I tripped on something in the park and fell full out on the asphalt. Here is my thought process while tripping and falling in the parking lot.

Tripping: Something’s not right here.

Still tripping: Hey, I’ll just step faster and catch up with myself.

Falling: Apparently I’m not that fast anymore.

Mid-Fall: This is going to hurt.

Seconds after hitting the concrete: I was right. It hurt.

Laying on the ground: Hope no one saw me. Nope they didn’t. Good.

Still laying on the ground: No one saw me, but what if I can’t get up? I better get up.

Mid-Stand: Yep, still hurts.

Standing in the parking lot: I better not have torn these good jeans.

Checking out my knees: Nope, no holes. You know, I could be bleeding. That’ll stain!

My first steps: Yep, definitely hurts.

More steps: I don’t remember falling hurting like this.

Few more steps: What if I did some real damage? I’ll walk it off.

Walking to my truck: Who ever thought up this “walk it off” idea was an idiot!

Clowns in Heaven

2007-04-05T23:24:00.000-04:00

Today I attended the funeral of a sweet friend and fellow clown. BJ or Lollipop, as she was also know, was the perfect example of a Christian lady. I knew her very little, but she was such a wonderful person. Lollipop and I belonged to the same Clown Alley (club) and had worked together making balloons and entertaining kids.

It was one of those funerals where you were sad because she was gone, but happy because she was a lady of such faith, everyone knew she was truly "home." She longed for heaven, and at the young age of 78, she is twisting balloons and greeting the new comers at heaven's gate.

You will be missed, Lollipop, but we will see you again someday.

Greg "Zoots"

God's Still Working on Me

2007-03-28T01:46:00.000-04:00

It's amazing. If you read my previous post, you know God is putting things into place for me to begin a Divorce Care for Kids program at my church (the adult program will also begin). One thing I mentioned was the need for God to clear room in my schedule - He did that tonight.

The more people I talk to about DC4K, the more they are excited about how many kids can be helped. I've talked with some adults who were kids when their parents divorced and they've said how much the program would have helped them and/or siblings.

So, what' s next? Prayer. Order the material. Prayer. Other leaders to be recruited. Prayer. Go through the training material and probably more prayer. So, add me to your prayer list and let's see how God impacts the lives of hurting children here in WF, TX with DC4K (did you get all that?).

God hit me with a hammer today!

2007-03-26T03:36:00.000-04:00

Wow. I don't think I've experienced anything like what happened to me this morning (Sunday). I don't mind saying that from time to time I stress (or panic) over whether I'm truly doing what God has gifted and desired for me to do. I know it's good and an important job being a Children's Minister, but for so long before, I was working and helping kids who were hurt and abandoned by this world. I've held hurting kids who have been abused, and molested by parents, family members and friends. From time to time, I fear that I am not using those talents to help the one's that most need that help. Saturday was just such a day. An entire day of dread and sick feelings. What am I supposed to be doing? Is this it?

I had just recently met a lady with a program for kids hurt by divorce. The thought of leading such a group made my soul jump. I talked with others that I work with, they thought it was a good idea, a much need program. But do I need another addition to an already full week? Was this something I needed to do, that I was supposed to do? How do you know? I know pray. I did. I'm not always a great waiter. Oh, and it was going to cost money for the material. Money I didn't have now, money that wasn't in my Children's Ministry budget.

You know before, I've prayed and I guess many times did my own thing - praying God would bless it (that's the prayer I've heard modeled), and he did most of the time. But to be led by God. How does that work. I'm not sure how often I've really waited for God. How do you know?

Well, after a long, lonely Saturday....Sunday arrived. After a Family Bible Class, I just wanted to get up to Children's Church and head home. But God yelled, "WAIT!"

Before I made it to my office, someone handed me a check and said "This is for your ministry." I said thanks, put the folded check and my pocket and walked into my office. Out of sight, I opened the check. It was $5.00 more than the total cost of all the start up material for the Divorce program for kids - I'm talking all the material, even the shipping. I was a bit shocked and putting the check up, stepped out of my office. But God wasn't through with me. I guess, just in case I thought it was a coincident.

Waiting outside my office was a teacher and two preschool girls. In their hands was a poster that said, "Greg, thank you for what you do for us." It was covered in tiny hand prints.

Have you ever been kicked in the stomach? That was kind of the feeling. Not pain, but like an intense feeling washing over you. I thanked the teacher and retreated back into my office. I think this was the first time I've ever cried at church. Wow. I have never... never experienced God like that. The reassurance again, that "yes, you're doing what I need you to do," and that "yes, there is room for my passion to help kids in and outside of the church." My burden for helping hurting kids is God's burden!

So what's next? I don't know. I guess since he sent the money, I'll order the material for the divorce care for kids and then see how God clears or arranges my schedule in my totally full week for this chance to do what I'm supposed to do. I am also now praying that God leads the people he has picked out to help me with this program - there are so many kids hurting from divorce in and outside of the church walls. I value your prayers.

I pray God's blessing is on your burden, your passion and works in equally amazing ways in your life.

May God bless,
Greg

Bye-bye California

2007-02-28T00:36:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm about to start packing up my suitcase to catch my flights home, in the morning. It's been fun. Today a friend and I took to the streets of San Diego to take in a few sites.

We spent a couple of hours on board the USS Midway. This was really cool. It's a retired aircraft carrier - like my dad was on (the USS RANGER). It was pretty wild - and really big. The flight deck was pretty incredible. It was pretty big, but I'd hate to try to land a plane on it - and if my try at the flight simulator today was any indication of my flying skill, there's no chance of me ever getting the chance!

Next we headed to our 2nd place to visit - the San Diego Zoo. Guess what, they were closing in 5 minutes! It was like 4:00 PM. RATS!!!! So, since I'd never been to the beach, we decided to try to navigate our way to one. After playing with the GPS, we found our way to one! Soon, we found our way to the longest pier on the West Coat - seriously! I took some pictures and video and as we were about to head back, so guy said, "Hey, those guys are fighting with a shark!" We turned and watched as some guys with a big, deep sea fishing pole fought to get control of what turned out to be a shark, about 5 or 6 feet long. They dropped a rope with hooks on it, and after it had hooked, the shark spun and wrapped the rope around it. After another rope and hook, they slowly pulled the big ol' thing up the to the top of the pier! I think they were about as suprised as everyone!

So, now as my internet is about to expire, I will try to load all the junk I've bought at my conference into my suitcases and get some rest. So far, all my flights are a go. After the struggle my friends had to get out here because of wind storms in Dallas, I'm just praying for another easy flight. It's been raining off and on today, and a quite cloudy. Other than, that it's been a fantastic day! Well, gonna run - got some packing today. It's been fun, but I'm ready to be home. The Lord's been working on me this week, and I've got stuff to do.

CPC Coming to an End, a Little Cali Fun

2007-02-27T04:13:00.000-05:00

Last full day of CPC, now for some Cali fun!

Well, tomorrow morning wraps up yet another Children's Pastor's Conference. There have been some really great speakers that really have made me think both personally and professionally/ministerially (not sure that's a word). I've taken in some good workshops that have made me rethink my teaching and why things work and what thinks I've done poorly on. Other workshops left me thinking, wow, I'm okay.

Tomorrow I'll hit San Diego for some sight seeing with a friend. I can't say I'm looking forwad to packing up all the extra stuff I've bought here when I fly out. Hopefully all will go smoothly and my flights when work the way their supposed to and all. I'm sure they will.

Another good day here in California. Hope everyone else is just as blessed. Just about time for bed 'cause I've got to be up at 8:00 for the last session. Later.

First Full Day of CPC 2007

2007-02-26T02:32:00.000-05:00

Well, today was the first full day of the 2007 Children's Pastor's Conference in San Diego (yep, I'm in California if you didn't know!). Luckily, I came out a bit early - while my friends who planned to come up on Sunday found themselves stuck in DFW airport waiting on a wind storm that closed down DFW and then racing across country to get here! (Yea! Kendra & Alison - ya beat Casey, who did finally show up).

Well, it's been a full day. Things kick off with classes at 8:30 AM and wrap up around 10:30 PM after some magic, music and the incredible ventriloquism of Dennis Lee (Yeah, it's probably not spelled right, be I never said I could spell). One of the great speakers challenged us to teach kids the truth and to insulate them from the world, not isolate them. Otherwise, when they do meet reality, they are prepared and grounded in their faith. And finally, God is so great and Jesus loves you. So tell someone!

That's about it. Oh, I hate having to pay for internet - so crazy when cheap hotels have it free and an expensive one like this charge! But I'm okay.

Yeah, okay so I've got some cool stuff - just wait til I get back! Mostly some really great ideas and a recharge for me and my ministry. Well, hope all is well and Texas has recovered from the wind!

A Day of Firsts

2007-02-24T01:38:00.000-05:00

Well, what a day of firsts! Today I flew in my first plane (actually two planes), road around San Diego on a trolley (quiet the experience!) and oh, came to San Diego, California. It's been a good day.

Okay, the hotel room's a little goofy, and it seems like my favorite conference is getting shorter and shorter but it's good to be here. This has always been such a great recharge for me personally and for my ministry and I'd say right now both need some recharging. My prayer is that I come out of this a stronger Christian, a better person and more experienced Children's Minister. Oh, and I really want to have a good time!

Well, can't wait for some of my Wichita/Dallas friends to fly in tomorrow. Things are so much better with friends around. I'm kickin' back in my hotel room tonight. I tried my hand at the San Diego trolley system and well....it was a bit confusing, but kind of got the hang of it, even though I was to late to see the USS Midway like I had planned. I got within three blocks of it, but only had like 30 minutes til it closed, so hopefully I will get down there for a couple of hours on Tuesday and then take in the Zoo. Those are my two goals outside of the conference.

Yeah, my first plane rides went well. No fears, no throwing up at 30,000 feet. BONUS! Actually, it was quite cool! I liked it - except for the turbulence coming in for a landing. Dallas was bad, but California was nuts. The whole plane like dropped a foot or so more than once. It was crazy!

Yeah, and I come to California...and it's warmer in Texas. I'm wearing a coat here...and Texas was nice when I left - though according to Justin, it's starting to storm tonight.

Well, gonna sign off. Couldn't get my video to upload to my laptop tonight - though it was just my room -woo hoo! :) Hope you have a good one!

California or Bust!

2007-02-23T02:27:00.000-05:00

Well, in a few short hours I'll board my first plane and head across the country to California for this year's Children's Pastor's Conference. It's one of the biggest highlights and recharges of my year. Yeah, so this is my first flight. I think I'm less nervous of the actual flying and more of all the junk that goes into it. You know boarding passes, security checks, how many ounces of fluids are in the stuff you got packed. All those fun post-911 things.

But with all that aside, I'm pumped! And dead tired. Why in the world am I blogging at this hour! Gotta go. Check back for my Cali-blogs!

A Crazy Few Weeks

2007-02-15T23:34:00.000-05:00

Wow, so much has been going on since my last blog, not that it was that long ago. Most of it has nothing to do with each other.

I lost my grandmother this month. She passed away after living 77 years on this earth. Boy did she live! She is sorely missed, but I know she's with loved ones and will never, ever hurt. We love you Nannie!

On another totally random note, I finally got an IPOD yesterday. Yeah, it's cool! I'm totally a gadget guy (but wow are they expensive). I did go for the video pod and am working hard to get all my music on it. I'm a bit frustrated with the whole itunes thing - still got to figure a few more things out! But it's cool!

Apparently I got a virus on an old computer I had networked on to my main home computer and it was sending spam emails out like crazy 'cause now my kidminister addresses are all blocked! FRUSTRATION!!!! I've been working to get my IP off all these spam databases FRUSTRATION!!!

I got two really fun emails connected to my Kidminister website. This is my personal site which is all about Children's ministries. It's goal is to be a resource to other kid ministers. I got an email from someone in Holland and another from Utah. What a joy to know the site is helping others - plus it's really cool to hear from people across the country and around the world. Which means I really need to get that page updated.

Well, guess that's about it. I'm getting primed to take my first flight to California (first time to fly and go to CA). I'm totally ready (okay, not really, but I like to think I am). I guess that's it for this go round! God Bless.

Met some more of my neighbors....

2007-01-20T03:59:00.000-05:00

For most people the sight of red and blue lights flashing through the living room window means trouble....for me it just means I'm going to be meeting some more neighbors.

Yes, once again I found my self side by side strangers who live around me as police and this time fire trucks close off my block. About 2:00 AM this morning I noticed the lights and then the smoke. One of the houses at the other end of the block had caught on fire. I can't say I've ever seen smoke cover a block like that. We were hoping everyone was okay, and we didn't see any ambulances out.

I only stayed out in the cold and the rain about twenty minutes, we didn't want to get to close or in their way. Back inside where it's warm, I had to double check all my heaters. Still no snow here, just cold and rain.

You'd think the rain would help put out the fire, but I guess it just makes it more of a mess, seeing that they're all still out there.

California Here I Come

2007-01-10T01:48:00.000-05:00

Well, today I finally made my arrangements for my upcoming trip to San Diego. Who knew Children's Ministry would be taking me to so many cool, new places. I'm heading to this year's Children's Pastor's Conference and flying for the first time to get there.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous making the arrangements for the flight, but more excited. I do wish I was flying out with some other people, but I've got pretty used to doing things alone. At least I'll have some good friends to meet up with when I get there.

It will be nice to hang out in some nice weather, as I leave Texas in February. Of course, it could be 70 degrees and sunny here, or icy and freezing. Who knows. Anyway, you'll have to check my blog near the end of February for some Cali-blogs. Maybe I'll get inspired to write something ... inspiring.

My New Club

2006-12-28T00:41:00.000-05:00

I am officially starting a club. It’s going to be called, “I’m single, but not dead, and tired of sitting home watching reruns of shows of people with lives while my friends go home early and go to bed or spend time with their spouse.” Okay, I’m not sure that would fit on a t-shirt (club I.S.B.N.D.A.T.O.S.H.W.R.O.S.O.P.W.L.W.M.F.G.H.E…..yeah, okay maybe not).

Where are my peeps?

I want to do something spontaneous, something stupid…something. Go to the park and shoot hoops, go out to eat with people, a movie, coffee, listen to music, make a pointless movie.

So if you’re single, not as old as my mom or still in school, you’re invited to the club. I’ll even teach you the secret handshake!

I feel better now. I’m going to go….watch some TV.

There's got to be an easier way to meet the neighbors

2006-11-29T00:41:00.000-05:00

Well, a pretty uneventful day led me to believe I'd have a nice, restful evening at home for once. WRONG! I headed home from the church a little before 7 PM and found a police car blocking the street of my block. I figured I'd make the block, since my house was on the other end of the block. Hey, there was a police car there, too. I then noticed another three cars in the middle of the block, about two houses up from mine. Then I knew, something was going on (yeah, I'm quick!). So, I parked at the corner and walked up in some folks front yard. They had come out to see what was going on, also. A long story short, I spent three hours on their porch (we moved out of the yard when the cops drew their guns and started hiding behind stuff).

It was just like TV. Car after car pulled up, and we watched the SWAT guys get into their gear and head up the street into the dark. Pretty wild. Well, a few gun shots later, and they had the guy. Apparently, there had been a gang shooting during the day, while I was at work, and this was the guy involved. He'd holed up in the house. Not sure if the shooting happened there or up the street, but it was quite a night. So much for a restful evening, but at least I got to meet the neighbors.

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-21T02:03:00.000-05:00

What a year. It's hard to believe we are entering the holiday season once again. Thursday family will fill my house as we munch on turkey and all the trimmings. It's been a long, quick, easy, hard year so far. Yeah, I know pretty contradictory, but hey it's my blog!

So much to be thankful for. A healthy, happy family. I guess we're a pretty odd family, we actually like each other and have never stopped doing things together. One of our family traditions, since my brother and I moved out of the house, is going camping the day after Thanksgiving with my folks. We all have our own trailers (mine can barely pass as a camper anymore - thank goodness for duct tape!).

I've had the chance to talk and teach at various places this year. This summer alone I taught two magic classes at a Baptist kids camp and was the week long speaker for an Assembly of God kids camp. I still remember the conversation with the AG Pastor..."You do know I'm a Church of Christ minister." His reply, "Yeah." Me, "Cool." It was such a great experience. I spent the week dressed up as a pirate and loved how excited the kids got during my lesson time. I did the a mini version of the camp in full Pirate costume for "my kids." It was funny, I was just Greg in a pirate costume. But you know, being "their Greg" has value too.

The Lord has continued to give me more fun and scary opportunities. We changed our whole Bible class structure this Fall and has really stretched me to teach kids and parents in a different way - still have some work to do, and still getting stretched.

The Lord has also blessed me with great people who surround me and seem to have the good, supporting words I need to battle the "junk" the devil throws at me through other people. I hope those well wishers know how important their words are! Your hugs mean more than any gift you can give.

I pray this holiday season you laugh more than you cry, you love more than you hurt, you sing more than you gripe and you pray without ceasing.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Turkeys!
Greg

Here Come the Holidays

2006-11-13T00:08:00.000-05:00

I have to say, I am really ready for the holiday season. Yes, some of that is dreaming of some time off, but I'm really ready for a season of celebration. Friends and family together for meals, games and fun. I'm ready for the coolness of the season, and the warmth of the fire. I'm ready for the heart change that come over so much of the world as they focus on Christ and giving to those in need.

This Saturday will kick off my first seasonal event as I help prepare the His Kids Radio float and the Clown Arounds trailor for the Downtown Lighted Parade. This will be my first lighted parade to clown in, so I'm excited. I'll be dressed as Santa Clown and riding with my fellow Joey's on the clown wagon. Sometimes these events are a little hard when three or four of the organizations I'm a part of, are participating in the same event. So I'll help with prep on one, and ride with another. I do have to work on battery powered lights for my clown costume, though.

Well, however you kick off the holidays season, take the time to enjoy it! Don't be a scrooge! I watched Polar Express tonight. I love the magic of that show. Take it's message ... and BELIEVE.

God bless your holidays season with peace, joy, health, happiness, friends and family!

Gg

My New Ride

2006-10-24T00:17:00.000-04:00

If you live around here, you might just hear me riding down your street. I got me a new motorcycle Friday. After three years, I've traded my beginner bike for a man's bike. It's big, loud and powerful. The first time they fired it up a smiled, real big! I'm now riding a silver 2005 Yamaha Road Star. The guy that owned it first poured a ton of $$ into adding extras. Too bad you can't really up the price for all those extras when you resell it. So, got me a big bike with lots of shiny chrome, bars and leather.

Hopefully the weather will be nice Friday and we can go for a ride. Got a bike? Come on!

As always,, "God. Keep me safe, aware ....and upright!" (least now they can hear me coming!)

(and yes! I wear a helmet- just not in pictures.)

Mix Master Greg ...okay, maybe not.

2006-10-16T01:24:00.000-04:00

Well, for the last few weeks I have been playing recording engineer for the band Comet. Comet is made up of three of my kids from T&B and I have to say, they sound pretty good. They are in the 6th & 8th Grades and are writing most of their own songs and music. They are pretty serious about it all and having a good time. Though, recording is definitely harder than it looks on TV. Especially with limited amount of time each week (between their school and my work) and constantly trying to get each track just right.

It's kinda sad, as a Children's Minister I spend very little time with kids. I have had such a recharge for my ministry by sharing this experience with the boys. Some times I get caught up in my job that I miss my ministry and don't always realize it until I can step back and catch a breath.

With some additions to my weekly schedule, it seem like life's a bit crazy. I'm writing more than ever and trying to stay caught up and hopefully one day, get ahead a bit. But for now, I'm content to sit behind my mixer and share in Comet's dream of the big time!

Go after your dream and remember, "If you aim for the stars and hit the moon, you're still out of this world!" May God bless your dreams.

Seems like only yesterday....

2006-10-09T02:42:00.000-04:00

Well, October 4 came and went once again and here I sit another year older. It seems like only yesterday I was in Jr High sitting in Mrs. Hudson's class or driving around Iowa Park with Coach Kirk preparing for my driver's liscense. Only just yesterday I was graduating from collage and wondering if I would ever find a job. Just yesterday I was beginning my ministry to the kids of T&B and Wichita Falls, praying that no one knew I had no idea what I was doing. :) Only yesterday some of the first boys I ever worked with were marrying their sweethearts (while I was still looking for mine). Only yesterday I was buying my house, my motorcycle. Only yesterday I took my first road trip. Wow, some incredible memories.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Lessons From a Deck

2006-09-29T04:22:00.000-04:00

When I bought my house a few years back, one of the selling points was the cool redwood deck out back. I have enjoyed hanging out on cool Fall evenings on it. Well, a few months ago I stepped on a board and went right through. I began to notice more and more boards getting "soft" on me.

Last weekend I began the process of tearing the deck down. I had decided to do something else later, so I would just take it all out. As I began to pull the top boards off, I realized that all the supporting boards underneath were very rotted. It was a wonder they could support what was on top.

As I look now on the rotted skeleton of my once good looking deck, it made me stop and think and about some kids I know...friends of mine. They are fun, active, engaging kids...on the outside. But I know they are struggling with some major things in their life. Yet, on the outisde they still look "good." By all appreances, everything is smooth sailing. But it's not.

And my heart aches. So many hurting in private...I only hope they have people they trust to talk to. To share. To heal. I think that's why Jesus told us to give him all your worries and anxieties (but it's hard).

So, pray for the kids you know. Pray for families and be available the next time someone just needs to talk. If you're looking for someone to listen while you talk...come see me!

And parents....remember the Godly things you do matter and the stupid things you do....hurt...your kids. Be Godly, not stupid.

Greg

You Choose Your Attitude

2006-09-15T23:51:00.000-04:00

Someone once said about the only thing you have control of in certain situations is your attitude. You decide how you react to things. I've been running around with a not so great attitude for a while and it seemed like things just kept hitting me, and my attitude got worse and worse. Oh, probably not to the causual passer-by, but I sure knew it.

With some pretty big opportunity beginning, I know that Satan has been throwing lots of obstacles and doubt my way, and I realized the other day how so much of how I was feeling was the attitude that I met these obstacles with. Have I lost you yet? Hang on, it might make since in a minute.

Once I decided to have a better attitude, I started feeling better. Physically, mentally and spiritually. With the better attitude came a better prayer life - and I'm really seeing so much of the positive that I've been missing. The excitment is there, the hope, too. Oh, the negative still show's it's face but I'm much better prepared to meet it, deal with it and move on.

God is faithful, supernatural and all loving. Tap into Him.

Greg

The Top 10 Things I Hate About Coming Back From Vacation

2006-08-28T21:17:00.000-04:00

10. Unpacking the Car after driving 2+ hours
9. Laundry
8. Finding the week old garbage in a hot house (Yuck!).
7. Dead pets (oops)!
6. No food in the house.
5. Laundry (yeah, I know. I hate it twice.)
4. 600 spam emails in my inbox.
3. Catching up on all the work that didn't get done while I was gone.
2. Finding all my bills in one, big pile.
1. Waiting another year to take a vacation!

Thankfully, I didn't have all of these on this year's return home. I had a nice relaxing - a little boring - vacation. It's still weird taking a whole week off. Maybe someday I'll do something more exciting (and maybe have a bit more money!). All in all it was fun and I got some writing done. I'm ready for the Fall now! Hope you got to get away sometime this summer!

How Do You Gauge Success?

2006-08-19T03:50:00.000-04:00

So how do you gauge success? We had our first Singles Ministry gathering tonight and if it was based only on numbers you might say....well, it was a weak start. But if you only ponder what God can do with a handle full of single Christians looking to be used to reach out to others....well, I'd say that makes for a pretty full house!

I'm excited to see what God has planned for us in this new ministry. [Open lid, let God out of the box we keep him in] The impact is limitless. Thankfully, his success is not dependent on what I do...only if I'm willing to be used, and then I get to be a part. So, keep us in your prayers as we impact a city of singles for the Lord!

I hope single Christians have a place in your church, because so often it feels like church is a couples only kind of place. If not...come on over! If so, then maybe we can all hook up and have party!

Remember, just 'cause your single doesn't mean your life is on pause! Live it up!
Greg

Bye-bye Summer

2006-08-17T22:37:00.000-04:00

Well, I guess summer is really over. School's back in session for most, summer programs are done and it's almost time to swing back into the fall routines! Only thing left for me is some vacation. I'm still not used to working through the summer and vacationing when it's over. But I'm ready.

Yep, I'm leaving for a week. What will I ever do for an entire week? With my party animal life-style ..... I'll probably end up walking through Walmart late one night in another town. No I'll probably be driving around trying to find a WIFI for my laptop!

Seriously, I'm ready for a new school year. I've got some exciting new things coming up at church and more opportunities to meet new folks. Also going to some more magic classes and in January I may take my first airplane ride! Yeah, I know...I'm like the only person who hasn't flown!

Well, I guess I've rambled enough to count for a blog entry....check back later and when things are a little more exciting! Hope your Fall is a great one (and maybe a cooler one if you live in Texas!).

We Survived!

2006-07-29T18:36:00.000-04:00

My heart pounded as I crouched behind cover with my partner as our opponents patroled past us. Sweat dripped down my face as we waited for our chance to make our break. As their backs turned we we're off! Our weapons firing as we ran. ....yeah, right. Okay, so lazer tag is probably as close to battle as I'll get and I'm okay with that. All I know is I've survived another preteen boy's lock-in - that's a worthy victory for me! :)

There's just something about being locked in a church building all night long with a bunch of guys. After 12 straight hours of basketball, catpure the flag, lazer tag, hide & seek/sardines, coke and cold pizza what could be better? Okay, maybe I could do without the smell in the room at the end of the night, but nothing's perfect.

I've been doing lock-ins for over 12 years and everyone is different. Every group of boys brings a different personality and a different challenge to the night. Each lock-in usually rally's around one particular activity that emerges as the most popular activity like lazer tag, basketball or once or twice video games. One of our oldest lock-in's produced the greatest lock-in urban legend - Hobo Joe. A few years later, the creators of this tale spent a lock-in creating the greatest Lock-in movie ever made, "The Hobo Joe Project" (www.geocities.com/kidminister).

Today, as I rise late in the day after a night of no sleep, I wonder. Is it because I'm getting older or just out of shape that I feel like a whooped dog? Wait, maybe I'm old and out of shape? I guess next time I'll have to hit the tread mill a little more ...and then down a cold pizza followed by a 2 liter of soda one early morning to prepare myself. Well, I've got a few months. Hope your day is a blessed one...even if your back's soar and you can't feel your legs..except of course for the carpet burns. :)

If you're not involved with a ministry to preteens at your church, start this week. It's one of the most rewarding things you can do. The preteen age is such an important time of life to know there are people who love the Lord and can have fun and really live life as a Christian. And the kids are so much fun to get to know.

Arrr Matey! It's Forever Treasure I Be After

2006-07-21T18:51:00.000-04:00

Each night this week I pulled on my knee high boots, pulled on my coat with the biggest cuffs you've ever seen and piloted my ship the "Ford 150," to Byers, Texas for a night of fun at Katie's Kids Camp. Their theme for the week was Treasure Island. What a blast as my trusty eagle, Patches, and I spent the week talking with the campers about how the riches on earth will all ruin and go away, but the treasure of Heaven will last forever. I had a blast this week. I've never done a series in character like this, so it was a new challenge but the kids really got into it and they loved Patches. As I came to the kids no longer a pirate, but an adventurer who had stopped his pirating ways, my partner Patches refused to give up his old ways. He was always trying to take gold or jewels from the treasure chest on stage. Finally, we realized we had been taking these "fake" riches from his heart, but never put anything back. On the 2nd to the last night, we put a verse in his heart from Psalms 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart, so I might not sin against you." The last night, Patches no longer had earthly treasure in his heart, but his own little Bible. Like I said, I had a blast. Along with the nightly message in a bottle, and things from the treasure chest, we really learned alot.

Blogging About my Newspaper Interview About Blogging

2006-07-18T00:16:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wonder how people find out things about you? I do. I had a local newspaper reporter call me last week and wanted to talk to me about an article she was writing about Pastor's who Blog. Well, I'm only a lowly Children's Ministers but I agreed to talk with her for her article . She asked me why I blogged, how I got started where my blogs were and the typical stuff. Dumb me, I never asked how she knew I had a blog.

Well, some were a little uneasy the way the article came out, mainly with some pastors from other churches who didn't blog and thought their associate ministers could find better things to do with their ministry time. I guess the idea that we blog after hours was never a consideration, though, I think blogging is definitely a tool that can be used for the Glory of God. It's all up to the blogger. Think about this - most of us don't have books published or articles written in magazines. But anyone with a blog can possible have a global audience complete with subscriptions and feedback. Sounds like a pretty useful tool to me. :) My only complaint was she called me a youth minister! Don't demote me, I'm a Children's Minister. :)

Hope your day has been blessed and something your read on the blog of this crazy children's minister from Texas brought a smile to your face.

Oh yeah, on another note - I got to play a pirate ....wait no, I mean an adventurer... at a kids camp tonight just outside of the town I live in. I had a blast and can't wait to return tomorrow with my partner, Patches. Patches is an eagle- complete with gold earring and eye patch. I know, he's not a parrot - but my last parrot talked in his sleep and I like to never got any rest. :) We'll be speaking all week on our Treasures in Heaven and why that's better than anything we can ever have here on earth. - So, have you read your treasure map lately?

Another Summer Camp Session Under My Belt

2006-06-28T00:24:00.000-04:00

Well, it's Tuesday and I've almost got all the stuff we took to camp last week put up...almost. I've been directing camps almost since I started children's ministry nine years ago. I've been counseling since I graduated from High School. There is so much that makes a session great to me, but when it comes down to one thing, it's memories. What does your mind remember when you look at the pictures of directors covered in whip cream, campers in crazy costumes or a solitary figure in the distance kneeling in prayer? It's camp. And as much as of a headache as it can sometimes be, there's nothing like it.

Camp is what God used to lead me to where and what I'm doing and I will never forget that. I will never forget the little boy who changed my life. His life was so different than mine and all his struggles and frustrations left me dumb-struck. I know the words that came out of my mouth that one day where not mine, but those of the Holy Spirt. I have to admit, I was ready to run off and go home half way through that session, but I didn't and my life has never been the same - thank you Robert. When I finally got home, my mind was a mess. All my plans of a fancy job and wealth from my first year of collage were gone, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do. There was a package waiting for me when I got home. My first Contemporary Christian CDs. I had order them weeks before camp, and really didn't know any of the artists. One of the disk I put in my player that first day back was by Wayne Watson, and one of the songs that started broke my heart and put the Lord's calling in me that has never left. That song, my song, was called "Friend of a Wounded Heart." It still, to this day, gives me goosebumps when I hear it and challenges me to think if I'm really where I need to be and doing what I need to be doing.

It's amazing now to be working with adult counselors who were my campers just a few years ago. I wonder how many lives have been touched by the Lord to work with kids by a grueling week at summer camp? I know one.

How a Children's Minister Prepares to Preach a Sermon

2006-06-12T00:41:00.000-04:00

Well, today is over and after nine years as a children's minister, I have officially preached my first sermon. Actually I did it twice...one for each service. The actual delivery of the sermon wasn't what killed me, it was the trying to figure out what to talk about and then how to take what was in my head and put it in an arrangement that would make sense to the kids, teens, parents, young marrieds, seniors, regular attenders and visitors. I knew I didn't want to do some fluffy lesson that would be light and not impact people. I had on my heart a message, but wasn't really sure if I wanted to do it. I tried and tried to find something else to do. Friday and Saturday I really tried to nail down what I was going to do. What was my lesson writing strategy? Friday night I was still struggling, so I hopped on my motorcycle and rode down to United for coffee. Then, when my coffe was gone, around 9:30 pm I headed home to put somethings down on paper. But on the way home I decided, I really didn't want to go home, so a quick right turn and I was on my way to Hastings to look for a biography of Abe Lincoln. Why? I don't know. I watched a show about him while I was home sick last week and wanted to see what was really true, besides, I didn't want to go home. Well, I found my book and looked around a while and headed home. I made it this time some time after 11 pm. Not much got written down that night. Saturday, I decided I needed to get out of the house, so I grabbed my Bible, a notebook and mounting my trusty V-Star, I headed to the park. Two hours later I had several pages of notes, and nothing to work with. So, off to the church I went. Maybe some time in my office would get my juices going. Nope. I went and stood on the stage and looked at the empty auditorium....and nothing. Back in my office, I was looking at the Goliath action figure I had just bought. He was ugly and mean looking. Unlike the flannel graph Goliath I had grown up with. That's kind of why I bought him. Finally, I had an idea. David lived out what I wanted people to think about. "How does your life reflect what you believe?" Or simply how are you living? Like the world or like a Christian? Now, throw in a sword, some toys, a magic trick, power point slides and the lesson was done...about 1:30am. I hope my lesson made people think, that was it's purpose. I'm glad I decided to preach, and I kind of enjoyed it....but don't tell anyone. But for now, I think I'll stick with the kid audiences. I love working with an audience I can interact with (I think it was a bit of a stretch for some when I asked them to talk with the person beside them for a moment this morning). My lessons are much more alive and it keeps me on my toes when I can stop and ask a question- you gotta know what you're talking about because you never know what they're going to say or ask. It was definetly a learning experience and people seemed to enjoy it. Maybe I'll do it again in another nine years. :)

Top 10 Reason the Da Vinci Code was based on Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail

2006-05-24T04:39:00.000-04:00

The Da Vinci Code vs. Monty Pyton and the Search for the Holy Grail. Okay, how do these two works match up? Let's see.

The Da Vinci Code vs. Monty Python
Da Vinci: 10. A rose was left.
Monty Python: 10. A Shurbbery was required

DV: 9. A secret group met one Night Around a Table
MP: 9. Involves the Knights of the Round Table.

DV: 8. To solve the clue you must know your art history.
MP: 8. To cross the bridge you must know your favorite color.

DV: 7. Women were burned as witches.
MP: 7. "If she weights as much as a duck, she's a witch. Burn her!"

DV: 6. English grail expert living in France.
MP: 6. French soldiers living in a castle in England.

DV: 5. Priest whipping himself in his room.
MP: 5. Monks whipping themselves as they walk in the streets.

DV: 4. The Catholic church repressed the role of women.
MP: 4. "Help! Help! I'm being repressed! Come see the violence inherent in the system!"

DV: 3. We are the Knights Templar
MP: 3. We are the Knights who say Ni!

DV: 2. The main characters were attacked by a white (albino) priest.
MP: 2. The main characters were attacked by a white rabbit.

DV: 1. A fictional movie that's has no standing in history or reality.
MP: 1. A fictional movie that has no standing in history or reality.

KidsFest, little sleep & loving it!

2006-05-01T01:54:00.000-04:00

This weekend was our 2nd chance to be a major sponsor for KidsFest. This is a big kids day at our local activity center put on my our News Channel 3. Businesses and such that work with kids are invited to put up booths to show, sample or sell their wares. We had a large booth decorated with the overall Western theme. We built a mini wild west town out of foam board, complete with fence and entrance. We had two practice ropin' cows set up where kids could try to get hula hoops over their heads. We figured this would be safer then letting them swing the ropes around in the crowd. It rained all day Friday and Most of Saturday, so this helped bring more people to the event on Saturday, because soccer and baseball were cancelled.

There were literally thousands of people there. We had a blast hanging out with all the kids. We had volunteers ranging from 13 to 76 years old helpin with our booths. Due to a last minute video I decided to put together, I only got four hours of sleep Friday night. That made for a tired Children's minister to finish up the Saturday with supper with a potential new staff minister and then my long, Sunday schedule.

Some days, it would be nice to just sit around and relax - okay, I'd probably just get bored!

Who'd Have Thought.....

2006-04-27T03:51:00.000-04:00

Who'd have ever thought a shy kid like me would be....

Doing a live interview on the Noon News

Speaking before hundreds of people

Teaching and speaking to kids around the country.

Doing school programs.

Clowning around in parades, malls and parties.

Sometimes I think back to Jr. High or High School and I would have never imaged God would be leading me down the path I'm on and giving me some of the most incredible opportunities and filling my life with such blessings. Who'd have thought?

Life is an Emotional Rollar Coaster, but It's Worth the Ride!

2006-04-07T02:19:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been another one of those up and down kind of weeks. Not up and down as in bad and good, but rather the emotions that situations bring about. I spent the day at the hospital on Wednesday for the annual SIDS seminar. SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Basically, babies just die and no one really knows why. Reasearch has showed, these babies' hearts just slow down and stop. It's quite terrifying if you think about it. Can you imagine coming to wake up your perfectly healthy baby and find it dead. Research has shown some small things that make huge differences in SIDS. By placing babies on their back to sleep it reduces SIDS risk by like 50-70 percent. The other huge factor is a smoking mother before birth and then smoking around the child (even 2nd hand smoke) after the birth. The seminar always reminds me there are hurting people all over the place, we just have to pay attention and care.

Today, Thursday, I spent two hours as my alter ego, Zoots the Clown, twisting balloon animals with another fellow clown at one of the local Head Starts. It was a blast! Lots of kids and their families lined up for a balloon. I made more than one balloon flower for a mom after her kids got one. Simple things bring a smile and open the lines of conversation.

To round out my week, I'm planning on a motorcylce trip on Saturday with my brother and an old friend up to the Wichita Moutains (okay, they're really hills - but I live in Texas!) Hope your week's been a great one!

One Busy Weekend!

2006-03-27T01:08:00.000-04:00

I don't think I've ever looked more forward to a Monday than I am tonight. It has been one busy week/weekend. As always, big things take big prep and as usually I had multiple big things happening on the same days.

I started prepping for our LTC fundraiser called the "Concert of Stars" on Thursday night. It was an all day Friday set up and rehearsals as lip sync acts practiced their dance moves as we set up the lights and sound for Saturday night. It was one fun night, I must tell you - even though they had me on stage "Hangin' Tough" as one of the New Kids On The Block! I then retreated back to the sound/light booth.

Of course my Saturday started out much earlier as I took a group of K-3rd Graders up for a Day Camp I was leading at a Christian camp some two hours away. It was a beautiful day to be out in the mountains (okay, hills). The weather was great, the kids were excited and we only came across one rattle snake! After the four hour session, we hopped back into the vans and finished the last leg of our Saturday road trip back to the church building about two hours before the Concert of Stars kicked off! I'd have never made it without the two dads & two Jr High boys who came along for the trip! Thanks guys!

My night wrapped up around 12:30 am after putting all the sound gear back together in my children's church, finishing up some last minute sets and shooting a couple of quick videos for the children's church puppet skits - (don't ever put off today what you can do tomorrow - unless you really do have time to do it tomorrow!)

Of course, there's no better feeling than to be completely exhausted and content with all the great things God is letting you be a part of! Now I'm going to bed. :)

Think Outside the Flannelgraph

2006-03-22T00:52:00.000-04:00

I recently surveyed 14 preteens involved in my preteen ministry on the media they have access too. Some of the results were that more than half used instant messaging to communicate with others, fewer had their own email address. All but one had internet access in the home. A majority had CD players and televisions in their rooms while a smaller number had VCRs or DVD players. Some had computers and most had some kind of game system in their room.

This really got me thinking about all the ways preteens gather information, and the ways they process that information. Whether it's checking baseball scores each morning online or listening to music from CDs or the radio, preteens are bombarded with information.

I guess my thoughts are slowly focusing on the one thought, "How do we communicate God's Word in a way that fits the way they process information, using the means they are being trained to gather information, which they have in their own rooms?"

It makes me take a longer look at video games like GraceWorks' The Interactive Parables, and other quality made Christian videos, music, and websites. Not necessarily for the times when they are at church (though we need to be using media in our teaching) but as resources for families to use in the home. If parents are the primary spiritual leaders in a child's life (at least that's what God said) then the more resources we have for them and their families the better.

So, how about a children's ministry Podcast? Why not video your children's church message and get it on your website for kids to watch again, or show others? How about online devotionals for families to download that correspond with that week's lesson? I know there are companies like 3rd Day Games which produces Bible based video games that correspond with certain curriculums in which kids play through the stories they learned about on Sunday. Why not let your kids act out Bible stories and create your own DVDs for kids to watch at home and show friends? The possibilities are limitless.

I can think of no better reason to be media-savvy than to be able to find better ways to share with kids the greatest information they'll ever need to know. So, get on your knees and ask God for creative ideas, wisdom and a couple of techno-geek volunteers hiding out in the sound booth.

Let your Faith be more than a Profile choice.

2006-03-17T03:14:00.000-04:00

My heart hurts reading the blogs of kids I’ve spent years of my life with. Though they usually quit hanging with me when they move up into the youth group, they have left a permanent mark on the time line of my life.

I fear that many are moving into adulthood and when trials come the depth of their faith shows up only as a selection on a profile list along with their astrological sign or whether they like bacon on their cheeseburger.

What do I wish I could tell them? Deep in my soul I hunger for them to know that they are loved. Not a human love that is ripped away with an email or phone call that says “we’re finished,” but a love we can’t even understand. A love that doesn’t make sense. A no matter what you say or do or think, I’m gonna love you kind of love. A love that heals that sick-at-your-stomach, my heart has been ripped out and stepped on hurt.

Yes, they are loved by an all-knowing, all-present God who sent his son to earth for them. He lived and experienced every hurt, temptation and pain they are going through, and then he died. He died for them. He died for me. He died for us.

He’s not distant. He’s not imaginary. He’s real and He’s there, wherever they are. Wherever I am. Wherever we are.

If you haven’t met him yet, come see me. I’ll introduce you, because he spends a lot of time helping me. Forgiving me of my stupid sins and loving me no matter what dumb thing I’ve done….again.

Coming to an End

2006-03-04T23:53:00.000-04:00

Well, tonight wraps up my Kansas City Experience. I will be heading out in the morning on my way back to Texas. It’s been fun. I loved walking through Union Station. One of the stats said that half of the soldiers in WWII (I think) came through this station. There is a ton of history in it. Like standing under the big clock.

Or gazing up at the incredible ceiling.

Today, I also hiked up to the War Memorial that is across from Union Station and my hotel.

I’ve enjoyed seeing the sights – though I never ventured far from the hotel this year. I enjoyed the evening challenge of trying to find something to eat. Most things close at like 5:00 PM. Thursday and Friday they’re open til like 8PM. For a night owl, that was tough. Like tonight, I’ve spent most nights around 10:30 down in a public area of the entertainment are connected to my hotel using their free WIFI.

I am ready to be home. They say the weather’s been incredible while I was gone. It was 98 F on Monday. Who ever heard of 90 degree weather in February? Of course, it’s perfect motorcycle riding weather! Up here in KC, MO its been about 42 F the last three days and a bit rainy today. Well, guess I shall head up to the 14th floor and start packing up. One good thing about this trip, it’s really got me into the blogging mood!

Here's a shot of me up on the war memorial with Union Station in the background.

What Kind of Impact are You Making?

2006-03-02T01:44:00.000-04:00

This is my second year to come to this conference in Kansas City. It was in Dallas for three years. There are two hotels connected together with an inclosed walk way. In the hotel I'm in, there is also a three level center full of stores, restaurants, two theaters, etc. In the other hotel there is a nice cafe that looks up about four levels with walkways all around it. In the stores in this entertainment center, workers were buttons welcoming all the children's ministers to the center and their stores. I know it might not sound like much, but there are workers through out this center recognizing those who lift up Christ in the lives of Children. Someone made an Impact.

In the other hotel, in this large open air lobby, stands a nude, female statue. However, just like last year - someone has created a table cloth dress for our nude beauty. I guess they figured a thousand children's ministers would frown on their "artwork." Someone has made an impact on this hotel. (Of course, to my frustration, I've over heard children's workers complaining - "I don't know why they have to do that. It's art!" I pray they kept their mouth shut and let this hotel honor the Godly vertue of modesty.)

Tonight we heard a speaker who has lived his 52 years with cerebal palsy. He lost both of his parents at an early age. He spoke of how he had lost all hope and often prayed to just die. His sister, who didn't go to church, kept telling him he needed to go to church. He finally did, and though he'd been in church through out his earlier childhood, finally learned that God loved him and had great plans for his life. His entire attitude changed. It changed so much, that the teachers at his school noticed. He was happy. He was walking tall. Everyone wanted to know what had happened. So, at this large public school, they called an assemble and invited him to tell the entire student body what had made this change in him. He walked up on the stage and told of how he had gone to church and learned God loved him and had a plan for him. Did I mention this was a public school? And though he walks with a limp and has difficulty speaking he graduated collage, and is a preacher. He has a beautiful wife and four children. His message, if God can use me - just think what he can do with you! God takes our weaknesses and makes us strong. He truely was an inspiration. He kept the entire audience glued to his every word.

I pray you let the Lord use you to make an Impact in the lives of others. Even if it's just making a table cloth dress for a nude statue in the middle of a hotel full of Christians.

Sometimes Ignorance is Bliss

2006-03-01T01:28:00.000-04:00

I was sitting in my hotel room about 30 minutes ago when a friend who's at the same conference as I am called. His hotel is actually connected to mine by an enclosed walkway. Our conference workshops are scattered between the two. He called to say he was watching a special on the National Geographic Channel about design disasters. They were talking about a tragedy at a hotel where some of the skywalks - or hallways had previously been built wrong and collapsed killing some people. In the midst of the show, he realized that he was actually staying in this same hotel. We had walked under these new walkways to get to our general sessions several times this week. What an erie thought!

I told him if they said anything about my hotel...don't call me. Sometimes ignorance is bliss! I hope the Lord has blessed you today!

Stirring My Passion

2006-02-28T01:15:00.000-04:00

From the title you may be thinking - okay, Greg finally met someone? Sorry no. The passion that was stirred in me today is my passion to impact kids for Christ. Through great seminars by such Children's Ministry giants as Jim Wideman, I'm reminded why I do what I do. Why I put up with frustrations, over work and little social life. I'm a Children's Minister and I'm impacting the lives of kids for Christ.

Jim reminded me how important my attitude is in my ministry and sharing my pasison and mentoring others to do the same. I control my attitude. I decide how I'm going to react when things happen - and things happen. That's life.

I also sat through a great seminar today on using media to impact kids today - they call them the mosaics. If we ignore how kids (and adults) learn and sort through information which impacts what they believe and how they behave 6 days a week and do our own thing on Sundays, our important message may just get cast aside. The message is the same, but the means in which we share that message is always changing. We can ignore this fact and say to kids, because you can't learn and process they way I do (or the way my grandmother did!) then you don't get God's Good News. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to say that! Good luck and may God continue to bless us as we find new and meaningful ways to share the powerful, life saving message of Christ.

Greg

Sipping a Mocha in Union Station

2006-02-27T00:07:00.000-04:00

Today I ventured through Union Station in Kansas City, MO. Wow it was cool. It's massive! It was fun just to sit in a corner with my Cafe Mocha (it was mmm good) and just watch people come and go. Did I mention the place was massive? It has an incredible ceiling in the main lobby with three massive chandeliers (sp?) hanging. There are shops and restaurants all through the main floor. There's a Science Center and IMAX theater on the lower level.

I saw the flic "Extreme" this afternoon. It had guys surfing 40 foot waves, free climbing frozen waterfalls and skiing down mountains! These folks were nuts!

It's so nice to get away and just hang out. Internet's free down here in this public area ($10 in the hotel room). Tomorrow my conference begins and I'm ready. Cool stuff ahead I hope. Well, I think I'm gonna head up to my room on the 14th floor -what a view. There's this incredible war memorial with this tall, tall tower you can go up in. It's pretty impressive! Guess that's it for now. Later

Why does it take so much work, just to take time off?

2006-02-24T05:27:00.000-04:00

This weekend I'm heading off for the Children's Pastor's Conference in Kansas City. Why do I schedule everything in the world, the week before I leave? You'd think I'd learn. Why is everything right in the middle of starting a new quarter with new teachers? Maybe it's to remind me that things will continue with out me. Of course, I didn't leave the church until 12:30 this morning trying to get children's churches done, curriculum printed and things in the mail.

I guess I wouldn't enjoy the time away as much if life wasn't so crazy - not that I don't like it crazy. But I am looking forward to a recharge from the classes and speakers and hanging out with new and old friends. So, I guess in the end, all the work is worth the chance to get away for a while. Hope you can get away too.

The Narnia Experience

2006-02-21T03:42:00.000-04:00

This last Saturday we held one of the coolest events I've ever done. We called it the Narnia Experience. It was an intergeneration event based on the book/movie The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Groups of 15 traveled through a 9 foot wardrobe that opened up to a forest of artificial Christmas trees and with fake snow falling. The group met the Professor at the Lamp Post and then journedy to five areas where they met characters from the story. They met Mr. Tumnus in his home/cave; Mr. & Mrs. Beaver in their home; the White Witch in her ice castle, Aslan at the Stone Table and finally the four kings and queens on their thrones. I may have writtent he scripts but the actors/actresses really brought the parts to life. Our rooms were decorated incredible by some of our very talented church members.

Groups heard fun dialogues from the characters, participated in an activity and heard a piece of the Gospel story in each area. A pre-recorded narrator guided the groups through, providing the Narnia story with the true story of Jesus Christ.

The event registration filled up quickly. We had everyone from babies to 90+ year olds coming from our church and the community. What a day!

"Here's the Cast from the Narnia Experience"