We don’t know what the littles were doing when the first Christians met to worship. Maybe they played beneath an olive tree or asked for cold well water. Maybe they scooted from widow’s lap to widow’s lap or sat at the feet of the elders. However worship began for the early Church, in the centuries since, corporate worship has generally not become more kid friendly. While worship isn’t meant to cater to an age group, we want to cultivate a corporate culture that welcomes kids and creates a certain level of comfort. Sometimes we’re well meaning in the sanctuary or …
Kids, Costumes and Dressing Up for Sunday School
Are some battles reserved for Sunday mornings? Despite our best intentions and Saturday planning, it may seem the Enemy and all his minions move against us. It’s no wonder we give in on Sunday to what we would refuse on a weekday. While it’s still mid-week, let’s talk about kids, costumes, and sabotaging Sunday School. We don’t leave Sunday morning decisions in the back of the car. We bring them in and send them to Sunday School. Because of that, we can’t afford to hope for the best with costumes and kiddos at church. What healthy, costume-owning child hasn’t imagined …
I’m Taking the 30 Day PTW Challenge! How about you?
Message 10-25 (Donald Shott) from Journey Church on Vimeo This past Sunday, I made my way to church, sat down to listen and was quickly aware of how much my prayer life needed to change. The Lord convicted me, and my hubby inspired me! If you’re like me, sometimes your prayers begin and end with yourself. Your needs, your wants, your desires… even good ones. Even the kind where you are praying for a lost loved one whom you have been praying for for years. And the kind of prayers when you are praying for the healing of a friend, the needs …
Help, my child won’t worship!
Every mom who worships Jesus prays her kids will worship Him too. But sometimes it doesn’t work like that. Sanctuaries are often places where a mom begs God to draw her kids close, while she stands next to one who won’t sing, clap, or engage. What’s a worshipful mom to do? Do what you’re already doing: worship You are worshiping Jesus. Nothing a mom does impacts her child’s heart like her own example. We definitely can’t pass on something to our kids that we do not possess ourselves. During mom-seasons when our kids present their greatest challenges, we desperately need …
A Mother’s Song of Praise
I’ve always loved the prayer Mary prayed after she visited her cousin Elizabeth and revealed the secret that would change the world, she was carrying in her womb the Son of God, the Messiah, the one who would save us from our sins. When I read Luke 1:46-56 I imagine Mary in such a humbled state yet not able to contain her excitement and fear for her future as the mother of the promised one. I can see her dancing as she sings, kneeling as she prays and lifting her hands towards Heaven in worship. I just cannot imagine …