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The best ideas in ministry, parenting, running a household, decorating, or creating are usually borrowed and we make them our own. 

Using technology to grow my knowledge, my creativity, resources, and ministry - you should too!

Check out Pinterest, a social pinboard, where you can pin your interests & share them with others.

My personal favorite boards that I like to add to:

Words that Stir - some Scripture, some that inspire, some that make me laugh until I cry!

Missions & Children's Ministry - ideas & resources

All the World's a classroom - more ideas, links to blogs, fun & creative stuff

Bucket ~ O ~ Ideas - just that - a bucket of random 
ideas that I like!

 

Start pinning and sharing! 
Oh, helpful tip - set your time and limit yourself each day - if all you do is pin and never apply or try these new ideas - well, that's called time wasted!

Faithful

Faithful. Our God is faithful.

Valleys are deep and sometimes wide, taking us longer to reach the foothill of the mountain than we had imagined or ever thought we could bear. Making our way across the valley there are difficult pools that we must or sometimes choose to wade in – the pool of pain and suffering, the pool of pity, the putrid pool of pride. Yes, some of those pools are a must, provided by our God who cares too deeply about our heart’s condition to let it be stagnant. The necessary pool where we learn to swim and realize our utter dependence and need. It is a difficult pool, but at specific times a necessary one. Then the pools we choose for ourselves– self-pity and pride. The self-pity pool is more dangerous than some care to believe. It is here where pain can be exploited and turn our hearts bitter. Then there is the ever, evasive pool of pride, we think it evasive, but one can be neck high in it before realizing it is in pride you are drowning.

Then across the valley we see a river, running peacefully. Go, stay there a while. Step in and allow the living water to refresh you. Make your way to the waterfall, allowing the billowing waters of grace to wash over you. Now and only now are you ready for the climb. As we climb God provides another rock within grasp – another answer to prayers, another provision, another encouraging word.

Our God is faithful. He holds us in His grasp even on the mountaintop. We are never alone.

from a mama's kitchen

Our menu: tamales - lots of them. 

Our desire: feed the hungry - Jesus says to do so. 

Our heart: obey His commands. 

A quest for the best tamales led us to Digna. She is courageous, a fighter, a mom, and a chef with a sweet spirit; she is a mama in the kitchen trying to make a living by serving up the best! Everyone has a story, here's a little of Digna's...

After becoming very ill and spending time in the hospital, then there was much time spent in her bed. It seemed death was a quick corner away. Then God moved, her body healed. After so much time of being bedridden, Digna lost her already meager job. With her health now restored, she is doing what she loves (and what she is fantastic at doing) - cooking. She prays that this will support her and help her care for her family too. 

Buy locally, buy the best - head to Tamales y Comidas for your next event!  There to greet you will be this sweet face, from a mama's kitchen!

Tamales y Comidas

Digna Corres

Tel. 2279 9634

2279 9838

250 mts Sur de la ermita de San Juan de Tres Rios

into these waters

Following their Savior into these waters. Baptism is a beautiful expression of our faith in a blameless Savior and of our desired obedience to follow Him. Nothing sacred about the water itself: from a swimming pool, barrel of rainwater, a lake, to the Indian Ocean…they have stepped

into these waters.

From children, teens, dads and moms to elderly… they have stepped into the waters expressing both their need and love of our Savior, and with courage - some unable to swim, with faith followed their Savior into these waters.

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child, shall not enter it."

Mark 10:15

work hard, play hard

Our family of five (with Mariana) piled into our borrowed Honda and headed to Atenas, famous for having one of the best climates in the world!

It was our day with Cherie...

she is giving her life to loving children, creating a home for siblings without a home - not just a house, but a home filled with love. Cherie has spent the last months preparing her house for the filling of children. One room for boys, bunk beds built, bedding ready, and toys waiting. A room for the girls neatly prepared with each bed made perfectly, clothes hanging...ready. She is waiting for all of the legal paperwork (and there is a lot) to finish processing. THEN this house will be filled with the sounds of laughter, foot steps running, sweet voices, and brothers & sisters teasing one another. Cherie's home will be one where siblings stay together! 

We arrived with a bag of goodies (supplies donated) and a much needed microwave (gift given by a friend here) to Cherie's big smile!

There were little odds and ends that needed to be done, so we got to work right away. The boys unloaded & assembled the new, large microwave. There was some painting on the outside, painting trim on the inside, scraping the front porch clean, hanging laundry, and shelling the dried beans...lots and lots of beans!

After a full morning and into the early afternoon of working hard around the house, we headed out to a mountaintop 

cafe for lunch. 

It was deliciouso!

With our "work hard" behind us and our bodies refueled, it was time to "play hard." We rode with Cherie to pick up four children who, God willing, will be in her home very soon. The children climbed into the van and warmed up to us quickly. As soon as we were back to Cherie's house the play hard was on. From chase, to vrooming little plastic cars and mooing farm animals, playing dress up, to jumping on the trampoline - "otra vez, otra vez" was heard many times! 

Tired and worn out, but with our cups overflowing this family of five climbed back into the much appreciated little Honda, waving good-bye to these sweet faces, 

another family of five...

steeped in tradition

Traditions run deep in every family, every culture, every nation.       It was a pleasant surprise as we rode through the downtown area of San Jose to see Nativity scenes displayed with colored lights flashing Feliz Navidad. Small homes behind their barred gates had their nativity scenes out (some nearly life-size). At the center of the big mall, inside there was another giant nativity scene. Santa Claus wasn’t the focus, hardly there at all. A Costa Rican friend said that Santa arrived about a decade ago via a Coca~Cola billboard!

     Christmas day was one of worship from beginning to end. From baptisms, purchasing a large food order, delivering needed gifts to families in the barrios, a Christmas service to serving a dinner to each of those who showed up at the worship service.

     After incredible worship led by the band, poetry being read, and mime acting to a song, Pastor Alejandro shared insight (for me) and a challenge to each of us. “Christmas is not about setting out a nativity in your home, it is not about baby Jesus in a manger, it is not about baby Jesus bringing you gifts, it IS about the Gospel, Jesus coming, dying and being resurrected – bringing salvation.” As Mariana whispered his message in my ear (interpreting it for us) my back stiffened a bit; thinking how hard the pastor was being on baby Jesus and the nativity scenes…

then I got it.

The United States has their Santa Claus, and Costa Rica has el niño Jesus bringing gifts. Catholicism is the primary religion, with extra traditions added on of course -like Christmas Eve, if you have been good el niño Jesus will bring you gifts.

     As we made our way through the barrios on Christmas day, my heart ached a little more. It’s ok if Santa’s sleigh never makes it here, but what if they have been pretty good kids all year and they desperately want baby Jesus to bring them a gift on Christmas Eve and he never shows up? A hard reminder of how some tradition and religion can kill faith. Will it make it more difficult for them to believe that Jesus came as a baby, not bringing our wants on Christmas Eve, but bringing salvation to all who will trust him?

Vivid in my mind are the faces that we saw, spoke with, touched on Christmas day, may the Gospel that they heard change everything for them!

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh, giving gifts with meaning

When our children were still very young, with a desire to keep us focused more on Jesus and less on  the consumerism of wants, we began the three gifts...like the wise men brought to Jesus. Each year we retell their meaning and celebrate together God becoming man, taking on flesh as a baby lying in manger who would one day grow to be a man and take on our sins for our salvation!

The 'gold' gift is symbolic to show Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. As the magi gave this to Mary and Joseph it may have been God's provision to allow them to flee from King Herod and escape from Bethlehem and travel to Egypt. This gift was significant to Mary and Joseph, so choose a gift to give your children that is significant and of great importance to them. It can be a trip (just include a map with the destination marked). The 'gold' gifts often end up being the most expensive presents. However, not each year! This year our son really wanted a specific Nerf football, so yes, it is his gold! He will find two wrapped, one for him and one to take to Costa Rica to share and play with the boys there in the barrios.

The 'gold' gift is wrapped in gold shiny paper and ribbons or bows.

Frankincense is a white resin/sap from trees in East Africa and Southern Arabia. Even today it is known for its antiseptic, anti- fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. In ancient times it was probably looked at as the first "cure-all" medicine. What a great gift for Mary to have with a young one around. In Exodus 30:34-37, God instructs that frankincense be used as sacred incense in His Temple. It was to be placed "in front of the testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you.” says the LORD to Moses; the very place where God promised to meet with them. Jesus is our Emmanuel: God with us. The frankincense gift is to be something that helps our children meet with God. This can be a new study Bible, especially as they advance in reading and comprehension. This gift can be a new Itunes gift card for worship music, book, magazine, devotional or DVD.

With frankincense being white, the 'frankincense' gift is wrapped in white paper and ribbon.

Myrrh is also a resin from trees. It is dark and earthy in color and has a rich aroma. It was used to scent oils, perfumes and embalming liquids. Today it is still added to some soaps, oils and lotions. Jesus was born to eventually die to save us from the penalty of our sins. John 19:39-40 confirms that Nicodemus anointed Jesus as part of His burial preparation. The myrrh gift for our children is something to anoint their bodies (or wear). This can be something as simple as lotions or bubble bath or a desired clothing item.
Wrap this gift in brown paper packaging and tie it up with string or raffia.

May your family celebrate with the wonder the gift of our Savior this Christmas!

  

Shepherds on the hillside, family advent devotion

“And all the ends of the earth shall see the Salvation of our God.”

 Isaiah 52:10

C

an you think of the least favorite chore around your house that no one wants to do?  How about the most boring job ever; the dirtiest job?  From ancient times to present day(not so much in our western world) one of those jobs was being a Shepherd. Many of those who were shepherds were uneducated formally (but very smart), and were often dirty from having slept out all night with the sheep.
It really was one of those jobs that most people would not have wanted!

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.”

Then the angel said to them’ “Do not be afraid...” Luke 2:8-10

These men were tough, staying out in the dark night and protecting the sheep from wild animals, but this had them trembling. The shepherds had never seen anything so bright and beautiful – the glory of the Lord! It was so bright that the angel had to tell them not to be afraid. 

“...for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you.  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12

The Shepherds must have been amazed not only to be surrounded by the glory of the Lord, but to hear the words of the angel! The angel brought them news of great joy which was for all people – even Shepherds.  All people – even the poor. All people – even the uneducated.  All people – even the lonely. 

What was the good news? A Savior - “born to you.”  How special the shepherds must have felt, to know that God had sent a Savior, a savior who was born for them too!

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” vs.13,14

Oh, how this must have taken the shepherds to their knees! If one angel frightened them, can you imagine a whole host of angels praising God together? What an incredible time of praising God for this Savior who was born! 

“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” vs.15

Perhaps they slowly got up from their knees, still stunned by all that had just seen, but at once they were heading for that little known town, Bethlehem! It is no accident that what the shepherds said to one another is recorded in the Bible. They were heading to Bethlehem to see that “which the Lord has made known to us.” To us – lowly shepherds.  To us – the poor. To us – the uneducated. Yes, the Lord chose to reveal this good news to shepherds! Why? Isaiah 52:10 tells us that all the ends of the earth shall see the Salvation of our God!

God loves each of us.  It doesn’t matter what kind of job we have. It doesn’t matter if we are the smartest in our class.  It doesn’t matter the kind of clothes we wear.  God chose to send His Son for our salvation!  For your salvation! This is what Christmas is all about!

God goes to great lengths to show His incredible love for us.  That includes sending an angel to shepherds on a hillside to be the first to hear of His son’s birth!  God gives us His word, the Bible, so that you will know of and hear of His son’s birth too.  

Advent season, preparing the hearts of our children

Christmas is a beautiful time for Christians.

A celebration of the birth of our Savior!

Advent is the season.

Advent means the "arrival."

The entire month of December is beautiful in that we celebrate advent ~

the long awaited, arrival of a Savior.

Our family made a wooden manger to keep central in our Advent season. 

There are many ways to make this time special for your family and turn their eyes; hearts to Jesus during an also very busy, commercialized holiday. I hope that your family has traditions that make this season especially worshipful.

Below are a few ideas.

 We would love to hear from you, simply post how your family celebrates the birth of our Savior to share with others!

•               Display a manger scene - talking through the birth story of Jesus as you put it out.

•               Create a Jesse Tree

•               Light an Advent wreath, Advent Devotions

•               The Three Gifts 

•              Choose wisely & purposefully the gifts you give your children              

Tis the season to celebrate a Savior's birth, a Savior born to die for our sins!

the Light of the world, an advent devotion

Gather your family (or class), a dark room & a candle!

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2

This was written nearly 800 years before the birth of Jesus!  God planned for Jesus to be born in this little town of Bethlehem. That star above a little known town was just a small glimpse of an everlasting light, Jesus, who was bringing with Him salvation.

The darkness that surrounded us before we lit the candle is what life is like without Jesus. Darkness often represents evil, or sin.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He is not one of many lights; he is the only “light” that can take away our darkness of sin.

The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Each of us is born a sinner.  That means that no one had to teach us to do wrong things like lie, cheat, or think of ourselves before others.  We were certainly born able to do that!  It is for that darkness – our sin – that Jesus was born, died, and rose again to bring salvation.

Jesus tells us himself in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  When we trust Jesus as our Savior, and follow him, the darkness fades away; He forgives our sins. Jesus points us always to his (and our) heavenly Father. 

We are to be a light too!

In Matthew 5:14 -16 Jesus says that if we follow him, THE light of the world, that we are also to be a light shining before others! Imagine Jesus as the sun and we are the moon.  The moon doesn’t shine on its own.  The moon reflects the light of the sun. 

This Christmas, and always, we should be reflecting Jesus, pointing others to our heavenly Father too!

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas let's focus on the one true light of the world. That star that was shining bright in Bethlehem for all of the world to see - it was shining on the Savior of the world, the light of the world. 

Give me the "easy button"

The "easy" button seems to have taken over our way of doing life in our culture of ease, even in the life of believers.
Let's take the easy road.
If it's hard, don't do it.
If it makes me uncomfortable, I won't.
It's too risky, no thanks.
I may loose friends.
If I admit wrong, others will see my weakness.
I will look the other way, it's easier.
The cost is too much.
The sacrifice is too high, we just can't.


What do we forfeit by taking the easy way?
What would happen if we chose to not be so quick to hit the easy button?
The building of character.
Teaching our children by example.
Growing in endurance, a proven faith.
An opportunity for the gospel to be on display in our lives.
Transformation, sanctification.
The process of being refined, the ridding of idols, sins, etc. that keep us from being useful.
Fruit that seems to flourish after having gone through difficulties (because we abide in the Spirit) - love,  joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In light of Scripture:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 ESV
it seems that pressing the "easy" button, or taking what seems to be the easy route will in the end be the greatest loss.

After Sunday morning...

After your time serving on Sunday morning, whether holding babies, building blocks, or teaching Biblical truths...PRAY!

I have found that Sunday afternoons were always the best time for me to pray for the children and families that I had just been with. Their needs, sweet faces are still fresh. Be the teacher who prays. You could be the only one who is praying for a particular child.

Take a prayer journal with you each week, record their needs, requests, praises...and follow up. You may be able to point out where God has answered a prayer too!

You are praying to the God who loves you enough and powerful enough to do more than we could ever ask or imagine! Pray.

Making a list and checking it twice!

This Christmas our family will be celebrating the birth of our Savior with our good friend Mariana, in some of the poorest barrios of Costa Rica.  We will work alongside Mariana to share the love of Jesus with teen moms and their babies, encourage those that mentor the teens, celebrate Christmas with the boys of Glorious Day Orphanage, and provide a Christmas morning meal while sharing the truth of hope born on Christmas morning with those in the barrio pictured above.
If you would like to help out, here's a list that we would love to provide for those we get to share the joy of Christmas with...

Mariana's Pura Vida Costa Rica Christmas Shopping List

These items will be for gift bags for the teen moms and for the boys at the Glorious Day Orphanage:

48 Christmas 12” x 8” Gift bags with handles -  

big bag full of candy 

big bag of chocolates 

17 scripture bookmarks

12 scripture bookmarks

12 scripture bookmarks

17 - 3 oz lotion     

12 - 3 oz lotion     

12 - 3 oz lotion 

17 pack of footie socks – grey or black

12 pack of footie socks – grey or black

12 pack of footie socks – grey or black ~ thank you!

17 - 4”x 6” sized journals for boys ~ thank you!

12 - 4”x 6” sized journals for girls ~ thank you!

12 - 4”x 6” sized journals for girls ~ thank you!

17 packs of colored pencils ~ thank you!

12 packs of colored pencils ~ thank you!

12 packs of colored pencils ~ thank you!

17 large sized toothpaste       17 toothbrushes ~ thank you!

12 large-sized toothpaste      12 toothbrushes ~ thank you!

12 large-sized toothpaste  ~ thank you!

17 bars of soap ~ thank you!

12 bars of soap ~ thank you!

12 bars of soap ~ thank you!

17 - chapstick ~ thank you!

12 toothbrushes ~ thank you!

12  chapstick ~ thank you!

12  chapstick ~ thank you!

Pura Vida Costa Rica Sponsor List

These items will be purchased locally:

Sponsor a Christmas meal & party for 17 boys $200.00

Sponsor a Christmas meal & party for 12 girls $120.00

Sponsor a Christmas meal &  party for 12 girls $120.00

Sponsor a Christmas morning breakfast for children in the barrio

$50.00 ~ thank you!

$50.00 ~ thank you!

$50.00

$50.00

Sponsor a buggy full of diapers $150.00

Sponsor a buggy full of diapers $150.00

Sponsor a bag full of baby formula $100.00 ~ thank you!

Sponsor a bag full of baby formula $100.00

Sponsor a $30 pair of shoes for the Glorious Day boys

                    X  X  X X  o  o  o  o  o  o  o  o  

Sponsor checks can be made out and mailed to:

CMC                                   or        HopePoint Church

P.O. Box 219228                          P.O. Box 170151

Houston, TX 219228                   Spartanburg, SC 29301

(memo: Mariana Melo)              (memo: Mariana Christmas)

Thanks for checking the list, and helping others hear the truth of a Savior born on Christmas Day and experience the joy of receiving a gift this Christmas!

You can email me or message me on facebook if you would like to give!

Merissa

A Sunday morning thought, singing bad theology

If you are happy and you know it clap your hands!! 

And you know I will - nothing wrong with this song. 

We go for fun, we go for upbeat, we sometimes teach bad theology through the songs we sing.
Yes, even a few of those age old songs we loved to sing as a child... because certainly as Christians we will be inright outright upright downright happy all the time! Really?
For Sunday mornings worship leaders are intentional in choosing songs that are truth about Jesus, and sincere words for believers to sing to an incredible God...should we offer anything less to our children in their worship/music time?!
My desire is to not make a list of songs with bad/wrong theology...but to have us think of the songs that we sing! Especially on Sunday mornings, let's not overlook the importance of being intentional with the songs we lead our children in each week.

Speak the truth

With heart racing there are words on the tip of your tongue, they must be spoken.
Like a meteor shower "what if's" begin to light up in your mind leaving you a bit lightheaded:
"they will think i am crazy"   "my motives will be judged"   "it is truth, but what if it is not received well"   "will they be angry?"   "but it is truth"     "it goes against the status quo"    "it's the right thing to do"     "this is like swimming upstream"


With a quiver the words come, spoken in love, but mighty in truth. The time is now, 

"speak the truth, even if your voice shakes."

Speak the truth...in your home, in the classroom, in the conference room, in the courtroom, on the field, on the court...

Speak the truth...to your family, with your friends, to your professor, with your boss, to your enemy... 

"speak the truth, even if your voice shakes."

"You shall speak all that I command you" Exodus 7:2

"My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely." Job 33:3

"He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend." Psalm 15:1-3

"My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding." 
Psalm 49:3

"I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame." 
Psalm 119:46

"My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever." Psalm 145:21

"Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit." Proverbs 12:17

"And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear or refuse to hear." Ezekiel 3:11

When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19&20