The World's Okayest Pastor

I want to begin this post by saying that I greatly respect both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, their programming, their structures, their leadership, and goals and values. Those things are not up for debate to me, because I and my family have benefited from both systems. I’m a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts with 25 years in the organization,  both as a girl and now as an adult volunteer in multiple capacities across two councils. My twin brother was a Cub Scout and then a Boy Scout, my father helped in all levels from den meetings all the way up to pack meetings and trips, and both of my parents helped lead Explorer Scouts, now Venture Scouts.  Even as girls, my sister and I both participated in several Ventur Scout activities.  I have seen many changes in both organizations over the last 25+ years and believe both programs have a lot to offer.  This past week, the board of Boy Scouts of America voted to allow girls to join their program at all age levels, not...

Below is my contribution to the annual devotional booklet for Light a Candle for Children Prayer Vigil. Clearly I'm way behind in posting this but here it is. Friday, October 10, 2014 Seeing More than Stumbling Blocks Jeremiah 6:21 There are days I struggle to get tasks completed because I don’t understand them. It’s a blessing when one of the church children come up and magically move things or hit a button and things just work. Children see more than stumbling blocks and make a difference because they believe that they can do anything. They haven’t heard society tell them what/who they are or are not yet. Children have a unique way of seeing a different perspective. Jeremiah addressed God’s people, who often refused to change their hearts and see differently. It’s not the most loving thing to put a stumbling block in our way. But sometimes blocks help us to slow down and re-evaluate the situation. The Church has the blessing of children to let us see things in ne...

Ferguson, MO is a hot bed of conversation right now. Last week, a youth was shot by police. The investigation into the situation is currently underway. Society is now polarized as being for the youth or for the police. Here is what I know - an investigation is still underway. Society and the media don't know every thing that happened. Patience and non-violence need to be demonstrated as we look for the truth and try to understand this situation before judgement is waged. My heart breaks for this situation. But I have to believe that we can look at the bigger picture. The fact is that the police in this community have a long history of being excessive in their force in dealing with the community. Many folks in this community have felt that the are lesser than others in the community. The fact is that police are trained to shoot at a critical mass (chest and head) area when forced to shoot at a suspect. Other countries train their police to shot when they feel their lives are endan...

It was thought that the Boy Scouts of America were to vote this past week on the issue of lifting their ban on gay scouts and volunteers. According the Boy Scout officials the decision was pushed to later in the year when they will be meeting at their national convention in Texas to allow all sides more time to, in essence make their case. One side argues that there have always been gay scouts and volunteers within the organization they just haven't professed who they are. They also state that the organization should be open to all to better reflect American society today. Then there's the other side that allowing gays in the Scouts will further erode "American values" and allow pedophiles access to young boys and men. Let me start off by saying that there is no fast answer to this situation and I respect the fact that the Boy Scouts of America are taking their time to make a decision instead of just rushing into something. It's that basic concept of think bef...

Solomon Prays for Wisdom: What do we want? [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Solomon was the son of king David. He took over the thrown once David died. Solomon was a good man. He tried his best to follow the 10 best ways to live. One night, in a dream, God spoke to Solomon. God asked Solomon what he would like because Solomon had been so good and was living the best life he could. Solomon thought about it and said that he wanted God to help him know right from wrong. He wanted God to help him lead God’s people. Solomon could have asked for money, clothes, and many other things. But instead he asked for the right things and God was very pleased. God was so pleased that he not only gave Solomon the ab...

The Beatitudes: Beatitude Kiosk [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] One time, Jesus was teaching. There were so many people that he went up on a mountain. Jesus began to teach them, by saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” “Blessed are those who mourn.” “Blessed are the meek.” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst.” “Blessed are the merciful.” “Blessed are the pure in heart.” “Blessed are the peacemakers.” “Blessed are those who are persecuted.” “Blessed are you when people revile and persecute you.” These teachings are called the Beatitudes. Wondering Questions ·          I wonder what it was like to teach so many people? ·    ...

The Writing on the Wall: God’s Power [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Once there was a king named Belshazzar. He threw a party, at this palace. The people who he ruled over did not follow the 10 Best Ways to Live. Belshazzar’s father had taken items from God’s temple, in Jerusalem . Belshazzar decided that the gold and silver cups should be used, at his party. So all of the people there started to drink from the temple’s cups. All of the sudden a hand appeared and started writing on the wall “Mene, Mene, Tekal, Parsin!” None of the king’s wise men or advisors knew what it meant. The king called in Daniel. He translated the words for the king. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom and finished it. T...

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples: Gone Fishing [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Seven of Jesus’ disciples were gathered by the sea. They decided to go fishing, so that night they went out in their boat and cast their nets. All night the seven cast their nets yet the caught nothing. In the morning, a man was standing on the shoreline. He called to the Disciples, “Do you have any food?” “No,” the seven replied. The man replied “Cast your nets on the other side of your boat.” The seven did so and the net was filled with fish. So many fish filled the net, that they could not bring the net back onto the boat. Then the seven realized who the man was. It was Jesus. Simon Peter jumped into the water and swa...

Hagar and Ishmael: Lost in the Desert [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Once Abraham and his wife Sarah had a woman who worked for them named Hagar. Because Sarah and Abraham could not have a child, Hagar had a child for them. His name was Ishmael. After some time Sarah had her own child. Sarah was jealous of Ishmael and had Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Abraham did not want to do it, but the next day he got up early, gathered some bread and water and woke Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham told them that they had to leave. Hagar and Ishmael started walking in the desert of Beersheba . Soon Hagar and Ishmael’s bread and water was gone. Hagar put Ishmael under a palm tree and turned away from him...

Elisha: A Mantle of Faith [1] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explaining the space ·          Singing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [2] Once there was, a man named Elijah. He was a very old prophet. When it was about his time to go up to heaven, his successor, Elisha, went with him on a journey. Both men knew that soon Elijah would be gone. They walked through Jericho and Jordan . Finally, they crossed over the river Jordan . Elijah asked if there was anything that, he could do for Elisha. He asked for twice as much spirit that Elijah had. Just than an angel of the Lord came on a chariot and took Elijah up to heaven. Elisha was so moved that he tore off his mantle, outer coat. Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle and put it on. When people saw Elisha with Elijah’s mantle,...

Deborah: The Palm Tree [i] Using the Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explaining the space ·          Singing “Father, We Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Once there was a woman named Deborah. She lived out in the desert. She was a very wise woman. She talked with and listened carefully to God. She spent most of her time sitting under a palm tree, in the desert, so she could listen and talk with God. People came to her for advice. They would tell her their problems. Deborah would go and talk and listen to God and then come back and tell people what God had said. She was a very special woman and many people asked her for advice, even kings. Wonder Questions ·          I wonder what it was like to live in the desert? ·     ...

David and Jonathan: Friendship [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] David and Jonathan were two very good friends. They were said to be of the same soul because they were such good friends. David sent Jonathan out to different places. Jonathan went and did what he was told. Both men followed the 10 best ways to live. David even gave Jonathan a special coat to wear so people would know that he was with God. The people knew that Jonathan was a special person who loved God. The people did what Jonathan asked. Wonder Questions: ·          I wonder what it’s like to have a good friend? ·          I wonder what it was like to ...