Experiencing God once is worth 100 Sunday lessons...
Verse for the week
Exodus 17 8-16
vs. 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went us to the top of the hill. (11) and so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed
Thought for the week
On Sunday our Pastor spoke on Joshua and his preparation for leading the people of Israel. Listening to the sermon I couldn’t help but relate that to the preparation of the future leaders in our children’s ministry programs each and every week.
Moses had given the order (vs 8) for Joshua to select some men to go to battle. God had Joshua exactly where he wanted him, down and dirty on the front lines of the battle field where I’m sure Mel Gibsons movies don’t do the gruesome battle scenes justice. Joshua was part of God little ‘hands on training program’ as he visually saw his comrades dying around him when Moses’ intercessory hands became tired… then as quickly as they seemed to be on the loosing end they were winning. Looking up he saw Moses’ hands raised toward almighty God in prayer… loosing… winning… loosing… winning… I’m sure at times he just wanted to scream up “Aaron, this would be easier if you would just keep his hands up!”
Why the production, it could of worked if they had all gathered before the battle in a prayer circle… couldn’t it? Sure… but God didn’t want to just tell Joshua that power comes from prayer, He wanted to show him that. Joshua was seeing that all the chariots, swords, armor or catapults… none of their equipment could win the battle… nothing else was working without the prayers of Moses.
As Pastors of Children (and yes we are all pastors, from the snack volunteers to the teachers… we all pastor children) let us never rely on our swords, our chariots or the tricks of the trade that we can seemly pull from thin air. Let us never rely on our own strength to win the battle for I fear all we will see around us is fallen soldiers. Remember that the only way to win the battle is through prayer. Prayer that is diligent & sacrificial. Prayer to an awesome God who can do 1000 times more with our 20 minutes than we could ever do. Book in some time this week and get close again to a God who wants to win the battle… using you!
Update on Lisa Bramley’s Condition (Children’s Pastor in Kitchener & Previous District Children’s Pastor)
Lisa has been able to enjoy more than a week at home but it is now time for a change. With her family's help and God's provision she has made the decision to be moved today to the Lisaard House in Cambridge. It is an amazing hospice facility! The care that will be provided for her and her family will be amazing.
I know that Lisa has enjoyed her time at home and the many visitors that she has been able to see and speak with. She knows she is blessed to have had the presence of mind to embrace these past days. Since this past Sunday Lisa's doctors and nurses have made some changes to her medicines and overall treatment and it is taking some adjustment on Lisa's part. The decision she has made is that she will not be having visitors outside of her immediate family for the time being.
The move to Lisaard will be stressful for Lisa and her family for a couple of days until she is more settled. They will re-evaluate Lisa's ability to receive visitors/phone calls at that time. I have been in close contact with her family in the last day and I know they truly appreciate the prayers, support, encouragement and respect that has been and will continue to be offered!
We continue to pray for God's healing because we know that He is able!!!
What’s going on…
Meet me on the Phone – This was a great success. My thanks to the few who joined me last Friday morning on the phone in prayer for our little army of God’s workers. God is using children in mighty ways on their school grounds, continue to pray power into their lives as they put all they’ve learned into action between the hours of 8 and 4!
Contact List Update – Thanks for all the emails back, and the updates to our children’s ministry distribution list. We are almost rounding the 500 mark with the number of pastors, children’s pastors & volunteers that receive these weekly updates. Thanks for helping us build the WOD Children’s Ministry family. We can’t do it without your support!
Volunteer LIFT Conferences – We are gearing up for a great fall of fellowship and training as we come together around the district with our volunteers to learn more about the ministry God has called us to. I have attached the General LIFT Poster in this email with locations and dates for you to reserve on your calendar as well have attached the full conference schedule for our first stop in Manitouwadge. Due to travel distance etc. this conference will not offer workshop choices, however we have attempted to cover all areas of concern for the volunteers in this set of workshops.
Full conference schedules for remaining stops along the ‘tour’ will be out next week as we continue to finalizing lunch and workshop details with speakers.
District Conference 2007 – With such an awesome guest speaker as Rosavelt Hunter and the cost only $35, you really can’t miss it. Plan to hook up with me at the children’s ministry booth or during one of the ministry break-out sessions. It’s going to be a great FAMILY time together. For conference information and to register check out the info on our site www.wod.paoc.org
Time Out January 08 – Wanna get away, get energized for the new year… join us at the Falls for a great weekend of fun, leadership training, and fellowship with fellow children’s, youth, and young adult pastors… Check out the details and advertisement in the package currently making its way to your church from our office (snail mail).
Homegrown Pastor?
A new pastor in town is homegrown, raised in the church he now pastors. His childhood Sunday school teacher told how strange it was to sit under his ministry and remember what he was like as a little boy, and how special she felt because God used her to help train a pastor. “I feel,” she said, “like the Chinese teacher who started every class by bowing to his students. When he was questioned about this ritual, he said, ‘I bow because I never know who the children I am teaching will be in the future. I want them to know how grateful I am to play a humble part in who they will become.’
Have a great week serving Him as you serve them…`
Children’s Ministry Director
Western Ontario District
PAOC
pmcarthur@wodistrict.org
(905) 476-0053 Home Office
‘Don’t make the same mistake twice, make a different on every time’ jim wideman