Inviting

Oak Leaf Church is having a pull-out-all-the-stops kind of weekend. Every environment of the church will have special elements. The message will be gospel-heavy. And church-wide there is a great emphasis for everyone to invite, invite, invite.

Even our youngest kids talked about the importance of inviting people to church so they can learn about God and how much He loves them. Sunday in the Oak Leaf Kids preschool environments, preschoolers each came up with a name of someone they want to come to church, and leaders wrote these names on orange circles.

Oak Leaf staff and leaders are praying over these names this week.

"Charlene the Bubble Queen": Cultivating Imagination

Having a creative imagination is important.

My parents culivated the imagination God gifted me with. My mom constantly filled my mind with stories that were woven with fantasy, love, and adventure. I have one particular story, that my mom and a 3 or 4 year old me, put down on paper, about a girl Charlene, who followed a trail of floating bubbles and tinkling music to discover a land of fairies who made her queen.

With a creative imagination, one is never bored. There's always a mystery to solve, an adventure to be had, or a story to unravel.

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy are all imaginary beings. I believed in them as a child and discovered their true identities at an average age, yet harbor no scars or ill-will having been "duped" by my parents.

As children of God, we are apart of the most wonderful adventure! I think a healthy imagination can aid in one's faith. Faith is descibed in Hebrews 11:1 as: "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." For me, having a strong imagination helped me with my faith, especially when it was new.

I encourage parents, especially in the high-tech, plug your kids in, go-go-go society that we are caught up in, to take the time to let yours and your child's imaginations run. It may seem awkward to let the rules and rigidity of life go. Here's a few suggestions to get you started:

• lay in the grass with your child and find shapes in the clouds
• read "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis
• take walks in the woods and catch falling leaves
• construct a fairy house out of elements of nature 
• play house
• get out a board game and let your child make up the rules
• read the Bible with your child
• fingerpaint
• start telling a story and let your child fill in the details

Let your imagination go!

Something BIG is coming....

...and it's happening November 7th.

The Big Day happens November 7th at Oak Leaf Church and we're pulling out all the stops to plan a special day that no one will want to miss.

So, mark your calendars, change your travel plans, invite your friends and your kids friends.

Be there!

I love fall

Being from Massachusetts, nothing compares to a New England Autumn. Although somewhat different in Georgia, I still am able to experience some of these things. Here's a few reasons why fall is my favorite season:

• The great contrast between the warm sun and the cool air
• Sweaters, jeans, scarves, and corduroy 
• Decorating with pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, mums, and Indian Corn
• The colors of orange, brown, red, and yellow.
• The sound of dry leaves rustling
• The smell of a woodfire
• Apple orchards, apple pie, and apple crisp
• Leaf-peeping in the hill-towns 

I Support The Man Games (and I'm not a man)

I'm not a guy, but if I were (or if I could effectively disguise myself like one) I would not want to miss The Man Games. 

The first-annual Man Games is a competition of manliness put on by Oak Leaf Church to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Bartow County on October 24th. 

With competitions like a Burger Grill-off, Strongest Man, and Texas Hold-em Tournament  - there's sure to be something for everyone. Plus, there's cash prizes! 

This event is planned and executed by men, for men...there's nothing frilly about it. Guys, you don't want to miss it!

Super!

In Oak Leaf Church's preschool program, we use the First Look curriculum from Rethink and absolutely love it!

During the month of October, we've got a super-exciting theme of SUPERHEROES!

Preschoolers will learn that the Bible is full of extraordinary people who, with God's help, did some very heroic things. We'll learn how Elijah, Rahab, Esther and others knew that they could count on our awesome God.

And because our God is so awesome and we can always count on Him, we'll talk about how we can be superheroes too and make a difference in the lives of people around us.

As a super-special element to the month, each preschooler will receive a superhero cape this weekend! They'll take the capes home and with their parents help, look for ways that they can be superheroes. What kid doesn't love a super cape?!

In order to give each preschooler a cape, I had an amazing team of talented people donate their time to create capes for our preschoolers at both campus'. These women sure did deliver! They brought all kinds of tools and machines and banged out 96 capes in just 3 hours! I am so thankful for the talents God disperses throughout His Kingdom.

I can't wait to see dozens of super-kids at Oak Leaf this weekend!

No small jobs...

Recently, as I grumbled silently about having to replace yet another trash bag in one of the preschool rooms, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23, 24b

I wasn't replacing the trash bag just because someone else forgot too. I had the opportunity to glorify God through this task, and I blew it. How often in life do we focus on the things that "someone else" should be doing and completely missing the chance to serve others.

Some tasks just seem "beneath us." We argue that our talents and skills are designed for something great. We are much more effective as teachers or designers or leaders.

But it's in those humbling tasks like taking out the trash, wiping runny noses, changing diapers, and refilling the goldfish containers that we have to serve Jesus.

Do you see those tasks as opportunities or annoyances?

One Link at a Time

One morning, as I was getting ready, I went to my jewelry drawer and pulled out my silver cross necklace. Unfortunately, the previous night I had taken it off in the dark, and rather than placing it gently in it's place, I just tossed it into the drawer. So as I stood there with it in my hand, a tangled mess of fine, silver chain, I grumbled...the thought of untangling it was overwhelming. I didn't have the time or patience to gently handle each link of the chain, tracing it's path around, over, and under the cross and itself.

Sigh, but I wanted to wear it. So, bit-by-bit, I carefully untangled the chain. It was slow, patient work. I had to focus on each link. Yet as each tangle freed, I felt a bit of relief, joy and pleasure in growing closer to the end. When the last few links of chain unwound and the necklace was clasped around my neck, I was pleased that I had stuck with it and was given these thoughts...

How often do we feel overwhelmed and burdened? Are there things or people that you need to invest in that seem to need more time and patience than you want to give? Does the burden to "go and make disciples of all nations" seem overwhelming and great?

Most things in life, when looked at in whole, are overwhelming. But just like untangling the necklace, we need to take that overwhelming task and deal with it bit-by-bit, one small step at a time.

Investing in someone may seem like an unlikely thing for you when looked at as a big picture. By breaking it down into one conversation, one friendly cup of coffee, one meal at a time, you'll soon find the goal is right around the corner.

Many small acts add up...what are you tackling?

12 Things About Me

Here's a few random things about me...

• Throughout jr high & high school, I was the goalie for the field hockey team. I wore a tartan plaid kilt, massive leather pads, and was constantly covered in bruises.
• I know how to bait a hook and gut a fish.
• I can braid a mean french braid.
• I took my SATs in a hockey rink...and did quite poorly. I'm blaming it on the environment ;)
• My sister and I once gave my parents such a hard time because they dragged us on a family outing, only to discover how interesting and fun Battleship Cove was.
• I gave birth both of my children without pain meds...and am quite proud of it!
• While on a missions trip to Costa Rica, I hid homemade goat cheese in my bag because it tasted awful to me, but I did not want to offend my host family.
• I love a good, cleansing cry...after, it's like a weight has been lifted.
• I had a purple "boom box" with a double cassette player and shoulder strap. My sister had a pink one. Mine was bigger.
• I sprained my ankle running down a mountain at summer camp one year.
• My first real job was working at The Sugarloaf Frostie, serving soft-serve ice cream.
• I once dreamed of being a fighter-jet pilot.

Journey Group

Also known as a Small Group or Cell Group...whatever you may call it, having a core group of people to surround yourself with and "do life" together is essential for spiritual, emotional & personal growth.

My husband & I are part of a Journey Group. Eight couples meet regularly on Thursday nights to discuss a recently preached, sermon related topic. We are on different steps of our walk with Jesus. We talk about faith, marriage, parenting, politics and what God's word has to say about such topics. Sometimes we debate and disagree. We pray for each other. We are challenged and grown in our personal faith. It is a completely safe environment.

But it's also what happens outside of the parameters of the Thursday night "Journey Group" that makes this group so special, so valuable, so crucial to my relationship with God and with others. These people are my family...the body of Christ. We share in the experiences of life together. We barbecue together. We swim together. We celebrate birthdays together. We bring our kids and pass on the importance of being a part of Christ's family to them. We love to laugh.

I know that I can call upon my Journey Group in times of trouble and they will be there. I trust these people and know I can speak openly and honestly to them and will not be judged. My children have a handful of adults who they can go to for any reason.

Our group is not closed. We invite people to join us at any time. We are established and held together by Jesus and by the life that we receive as a blessing from seeking after Him.

I hope that everyone can have this sort of blessing in their lives. I love my family, my Journey Group.

My Dad

I love my dad. In honor of Father's Day, I want to share a bit about him with you.

• Dad is a rock. He is a constant in my life. He has always been there for me.

• I have never doubted his love for me. Not even when I've disappointed him. He is a great example of unconditional love.

• Even now in my 30's, Dad will still bait a hook for me when we fish together. I love these reminders that I am still his little girl.

• Just last week when we traveled to MA, Dad drove to Boston's Logan airport...a 4 hour roundtrip..twice. He's driven to all-sorts of airports all over New England for us.

• He's a giver of sound advice. Dad's experience and knowledge are jewels to me.

• Since Dad was laid off in January, we've had more opportunities for phone conversations. I'm enjoying connecting with him more.

• Dad is a wealth of knowledge...in a no-so-scholarly way. He's a big reader, but never makes you feel like he knows more than you.

• He's pretty handy too. Dad can handle quiet a bit, and he knows when to ask for help.

• Dad's very patient. He rarely shows it if he does become impatient.

• He's extremely helpful. His needs are second when someone has a need. Dad would go to the end of the earth...

Dad is a great example of our heavenly Father's love for us. I love my Dad and especially honor him on this Father's Day.

In my head...

I've got a ton going on in my life and bouncing around in my head these days...so, I'm going to share a bit:

• Action Week, Oak Leaf Church's version of VBS, is NEXT WEEK!!! With two sessions to choose from and rotations called Connect, Create, Challenge, & Chow, kids are going to have a blast making connections to adults who genuinely care about them and desire to see kids meet Jesus on their level.
• On Friday, my family & I fly home to Massachusetts. We'll be burying Mike's grandparents who passed in January, visiting my grandpa's grave, hanging with family and catching a Red Sox game.
• You know that magical feeling you get when you walk down Main Street, USA at Disney World and see Cinderella's Castle? Well, I get that feeling when we walk out into the stands at Fenway Park (and I'm not even a die-hard baseball fan), but something about the Red Sox, Fenway Park and the history of it all catches my breath.
• I've run into waaaaaaay too many people who can't pronounce Massachusetts, even educators....so I'm going to break it down for you: Mass-uh-chew-sets. Really, it's not that difficult. Please practice this a few times.
• We have ants in our house. Ew, I know. It frustrates me to no end.
• I'm an introvert. Meaning that people wear me out physically. Just being around people in group settings for periods of time drains me. (Don't get me wrong, I love people). I am learning to identify these situations and find alone time that will fill me up again.
• The Georgia Barbecue Classic starts today! My husband, brother-n-law and a team of friends are entering for the first time. Their team is Backside Barbeque and they are really clever, talented, funny, guys who sure can smoke a butt (pork, I mean).

Lots going on, lots to pray about. I love how different the seasons of life can be!

Not right now God

I was reading in James this morning and came across 4:17. It says: "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

When we hold back from doing things the Spirit puts upon us- for His glory, not ours - it is sin.

I have identified times like these in my life where an almost audible voice inside of me prompts me to pick up the phone and call someone or go and open up the Bible. For whatever earthly, selfish reasons, I have ignored the Holy Spirit. My excuses my have sounded like this: "that phone call has the potential to be way too long, and I just don't have time for that right now," or, "my bed feels so good, I can read the Bible later."

This is sin. It is ignoring God. Yikes! Of course it's a sin to ignore the creator, our savior, the alpha & omega -beginning and end. How selfish and disgusting of us to think our personal agendas can even begin to measure up in importance to His plan!

Oh, and the missed opportunities to bless others and be blessed! When I live in obedience, according to His will, not mine, I may make that phone call just as a friend is feeling stressed beyond relief, and may be the blessing God intended for me to be. In obedience, I have been blessed with joy in times of sadness, with peace in times of stress, and with love in times of anger.

Do you hear that still, small voice calling? Take heed, and listen. But, "do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourself, do what it says." James 1:22

Jeremiah 29:11

"' I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'."

What an awesome promise from the Lord!

I have seen this promise play out. My heart has been stirred for Oak Leaf Church and Kids Ministry for quite some time. After much prayer and patience, I have been blessed with the awesome opportunity to serve on staff at Oak Leaf Church as a volunteer coordinator with Oak Leaf Kids.

I have great respect for Michael, the staff, and the mission of Oak Leaf Church: "Lead people from where they are to where God wants them to be." God meets people where they are in life and people are drawn to Him. Lives are changed at Oak Leaf. I have heard countless stories and seen great change.

I truly believe that if a child has experiences at church where they have fun, feel welcome & loved, and hear Truth about Jesus - they will beg their parents to go back. This past weekend I heard a story from a volunteer about just this: two kids begged their parents to attend Oak Leaf!

I am blessed to be a part of this mission. I trust in God's plan for my life. I cradle it in the palm of my hand, strap on my tool-belt, lace up my running shoes and jump aboard, keeping my eyes on Jesus.

BBQ for a Great Cause

My husband, brother-in-law, and several of our friends have formed a team and are taking on the Georgia Barbecue Classic, a major fundraiser of the Good Neighbor Homeless Shelter in Cartersville, Georgia June 4 &5, 2010.

Come out and support these guys as they smoke it up all night long in hopes of claiming a victory in categories such as "sauce", "ribs", and "pork".

Backsidebarbeque Team Page - http://www.backsidebarbeque.com

http://www.georgiabarbecueclassic.com

http://goodneighborshelter.org

It's Ok to Have Questions

I lead a "Connection Group"(aka small group) during the City, Oak Leaf church's K-5th experience. About a month ago, we were talking about how it's ok to have questions and doubts.

God wants us to bring those questions to Him. I handed each kid a small piece of paper and a pen and instructed them to think of a question, maybe something they've wrestled with, and anonymously write it down.

I told them that I would collect the papers, pray over them, then take the questions home and continue to pray. What amazed me is how excited the kids were that I was going to be praying for their concerns throughout the week.

As I later read through and prayed over their questions I was struck by some of the things written:

• "I don't get why Jesus came back from the dead."
• "Why can't we be perfect?"
• "Which religion to follow?"
• "Why doesn't He answer my prayers?"
• "Why is it so easy to be pulled away from God? But so hard to give up sinful things and follow him?
• "Why did God put the tree in the Garden of Eden when He knew Eve would eat the apple?"
• "Why do we never see God?"
• "Why did my two sisters get split up?"
• "Who am I really inside of my heart?"

This reminded me that the hearts of children are deep. They wrestle with many of the same things we wrestle with. Even more we need to be connecting with and building up relationships with kids so that they can be told and know without a doubt that God loves them.

Favorite things, part 2

A while back I posted "These are a Few of My Favorite Things." Here's part 2:

• cinnamon toast, yum! The smell and taste. Growing up it was white bread and lots of butter...now it's whole wheat and "spread", but it's oh so close!


• Freshly painted toes...red and purple toes are the best! I think pink and french tips are over-done :)


• swimming. i love the weightless feeling. (as a kid, i would become a mermaid by putting a scrunchie around my ankles and practice swimming with my "fin"...that's another story)


• laughing. not polite chuckles, but shake-your-whole-body, pee-in-your-pants, ow-my-stomach-hurts laughing.

• A good friend. There's nothing like having someone who knows you and can tell your mood just by how you answer the phone.

• A clean kitchen. My entire house can be a mess and it won't bother me. Life goes on. But a clean kitchen makes me feel good.

• Visiting my parents house. It's a safe, comfortable place and I feel like a kid again.

• Coloring. Yes, give me crayons and a coloring book and I surely can entertain myself. I always could stay in the lines.

• Post-it notes. Multi-colored and in varying sizes, these sticky-backed squares of paper could be used for a multitude of things if you let me.

Mom

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I love my mom so much...here are just a few of the many reasons why:

• she loves me...no matter what. i have never doubted her love.
• mom has a great sense of humor. and a really funny laugh. when mom, my sister Naomi & I get together...watch out! there will be hysterical laughing.
• mom is smart. really smart. she reads a ton. i always thought she'd make a great contestant on Jeopardy.
• she is wise. i know that mom will give me sound Godly advice when i need it.
• she loves Jesus with all her heart and seeks after Him
• Mom loves my husband and my kids :) she is an awesome Haha (grandma) and she has a real relationship with Mike
• her tender heart.
• mom is still in awe of God's creation...and its contagious. She has a way of causing you to stop and really admire & appreciate the world around us.

Happy Mother's Day Mom. Thank you. I love you.

Her children rise up, and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:28

Riding along in your automobile...

...with your kids beside you at the wheel...What do you do?

Most parents with school-aged kids spend significant amounts of time driving...to school, to practice, to friends' houses...What happens in your car during these times? Do you pop in a DVD? Talk on your cell phone? Tune out? Listen half-heartedly to complaints & bickering?

Or do you value this time as precious?

Here's what I've found:

• You have a captive audience when you are in the car together. Don't take this time to "lecture", but converse. My daughter always opens up about what's going on in school. See this time as a chance to find out what's going on in their lives. I find out more about Amber's life during car rides than I do at any other time.
• Listening to the music your kids listen to connects you. Let them select the station/song. You may not particularly enjoy the music, but this is about connecting. Don't cut yourself off from your kids' world...share it. I will listen (and sing along) to many of the finds on my 13 year old son's ipod.
• (side note: do not attempt to be "cool"...you will never succeed in your middle-schoolers eye!)
• Allow for a quiet ride. No music...just quiet.

My heart aches when I see the same mom, day after day, in the car-rider lane at school, on her cell phone, with the dual DVD players on in the back...

Parents, you have the most influence on your child...every moment counts!!!

Preparing for Orange

With a small team of people from Oak Leaf church, next week I am heading to the Orange Conference, a kid-ministry extravaganza (www.theorangeconference.com). In addition to an amazing list of speakers and musicians, I'll be attending four breakout groups that will give me specialized information on areas of kids ministry. I am really looking forward to next week.

Before I leave, I'll be sitting down with my husband to create a list to all the comings-and-goings that he'll have to oversee while I am gone. I know he can handle it. He's my Superman. :)

The other thing I am doing before heading to Orange is try to think through what some things I'd like to walk away from it with are. I've picked up a new journal. (I love new journals!) I've begun recording a jumble of thoughts. I am a note-taker, a quote-jotter, and a doodler-while-I listener. I think that half of what I learn from Orange will be later on as I as review and mull through my writings.

Here's a few things I am looking forward to:

• meeting others like me! Admit it, kids ministry volunteers are a little goofy, and I can't wait to bask in the fun.
• the ideas! People from churches of all sizes, budgets, & needs will be there. I hope to hear how they may be adapting 252basics (our curriculum) to their own situations.
• bonding with the others going. Even just the road trip will be an experience! (did I mention I get carsick?)
• making connections with people that I can share ideas with in the future.
• getting away :) Yes, I am excited to sleep in a hotel.
• worship. there is nothing like thousands of voices raised to the heavens in praise! gives me goosebumps just thinking of it.
• growing closer to God. it's so true that we can be inspired and drawn closer to Him through experiences like this.
• sharing stories. we all have them. the kid who got stuck in the movie-theater chair. the child who asked, "who am i really, inside of my heart?". The time i sat in a puddle of who-knows-what and had wet jeans for the rest of the service. The day you watch one of your students get baptized. It's these touching, quirky, spirit-filled moments, that create great stories, and I can't wait to hear them.

I am so blessed to have this opportunity...Yes, I am looking forward to growing at Orange 2010!

Winter comes before Spring

I love the rebirth of the earth during spring, when all becomes new again. It definitely gives way to thoughts about rebirth into something new and how we are made new in Christ.

I've also reflected on the dormant state that much of nature goes into during winter. After the leaves fall and die, the beauty of flowers and trees fades, we are left looking at brown and grayish bare branches, dried grass, and withered flowers.

But what is really going on? On the outside these things look dead and lifeless, but inside where no one can see, they are being renewed and prepared for the next season where their beauty will soon emerge. There are times of life when it feels like nothing beautiful or meaningful is being produced, or when your potential isn't fully used.

But take heart! It is at these times, that God is preparing and renewing you for something great. During this time or dormancy, we must train ourselves in obedience and truth and be still. Patience.

Take joy in the winter, for spring will follow.

Pre-Egg Drop Thoughts

The 3rd Annual Cartersville Egg Drop is tomorrow, March 27th. (See www.TheEggDrop.com)

The planning is done, 50,000 Easter Eggs are assembled, tons of candy has been donated and sorted, hundreds of volunteers have signed up and are prepared, doorhangers and invite cards have been passed out, the trailer is loaded and ready to go. Prayers have been said for weeks and months leading up to this one event. Volunteers will show up as early as 7am for an event that doesn't start until 10am.

Why? Why does a church put such a huge effort into an event not about Jesus but about candy and eggs? Simple. Jesus called his followers to be light in the darkness, so that those in the dark would be drawn to Him. If through The Egg Drop, one person accepts an invitation to Oak Leaf Church where they can come and hear about Jesus, then we have succeeded. We desire to see people drawn to God. There are so many people just in Cartersville who are far from God. We are not going to reach them by quoting scripture or pointing fingers at them. Jesus went out to the people. The Egg Drop is one way that Oak Leaf Church gets into the community to have fun and build connections with people.

Hope you can come!

An email from my 8-year-old

The following is an email my 8-year-old daughter sent me today.

Hi,MOM

i jest wanted to tell you that i love you and that i am so glad that God put us together.If we were not together then i would be so sad and my hart would jest break.When ever you were gone i would always look at a picture and cry because i always had fun with you and you were jest gone and i still do that and i will always do that even when i am in colege.When ever you come home and i hug you and you hug me my hart would be pounding with joy because you came home to see your family.I jest wanted to tell you that so you could keep us together,but i know we would always be together.I love you so much.

LOVE, your best girl Amber