Orange Main Session - Perry Noble

Here are my notes from Perry Noble's session. 

I loved hearing his heart.

If we really want to reach the next generation, we need to understand that they aren’t interested in our ability. They’re interested in our availability. They don’t care how much theology we know or how well a program is executed. They care that there is a worker in that room that is going to love them.

Perry then took us to 1 Samuel 3 and the story of Eli and Samuel.

Eli was jacked up. He had not done what God has called him to do. 
I am so glad today that God uses jacked up people.

I have heard people say…

I don’t feel qualified to do what I do.

- God only uses jacked up people.

I am just a volunteer.

- You are not just a volunteer. You are a person with a calling and the anointing of God on your life to change the life of a child.

Some say that children’s ministry and student ministry is dead in the church today. They couldn’t be more wrong. If someone believes that, they’re obviously not serving there.

Investing in our children means no more fundraising; 
no more car washes so kids can go on a mission trip.

For where your treasure is, 

there will your heart be also. 

Luke 12:34

“Then the Lord called Samuel…”

God really does speak to children. He wants to speak to them in a clean, safe, fun environment where they can learn about Jesus on their level.

If we tell them when they are little that Jesus loves them, 
they will believe it when they are older.

You can entertain kids or you can bore them.

We are going to teach them that Jesus is boring and Disney is going to teach them that Mickey is fun. Then we wonder why kids leave the church.

“Samuel went to Eli”

The voice of God must have sounded a lot like Eli.

Isn’t it funny that God spoke to a child through a voice he was already familiar with?

What if this weekend God wants to talk to a kid in your church through a voice that they already know.

Kids just need someone to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them. 
That has nothing to do with our ability and everything to do with our availability.

Samuel always went to Eli because he was available.

Eli didn't try to be the voice of God for Samuel, but he helped Samuel 
get to a place where he could hear the voice of God.

Let’s be available for these kids.

We get to do what we do today because our Savior was available.

If you’re available, God will use you to make a bigger difference than you can imagine.

Standing On The Edge

Today I am joining Lisa-Jo and friends for Five Minute Friday.

This is where we come together writing for 5 minutes without editing or overthinking.

I love this community.

Check out what everyone's is sharing on the word DIVE here.




So tonight at Bible study it started out just like every other time we gather. We were talking about familial sin. Not the easiest topic to discuss. The sins of parents handed down from generation to generation. We talked about the positive and negative traits of our parents and those that we have taken on as our own. We read the stories of Abram and Issac and Jacob and Esau. How history repeated itself and those it effected. We talked about how Jesus took on those sins and gave us freedom. That we are made new in Him.

Then it happened. I went a bit off track and followed His lead. I have to tell you that it felt a bit like standing on the edge of the diving board. Not the little one, but the high one. My heart beat a little faster and my hands started talking with me as I shared something a bit more.

I shared that though we are made new, we have a hard time seeing the new garments we wear...the righteousness. We see the dirty rags where He sees a brand new dress. That it is due to the old tape playing in our heads. The one that says that we aren't worthy. That it couldn't be possible that the old is gone. And we have to replace those thoughts. We have a choice to make...to believe what He says or what the enemy says. It all comes down to shutting that tape off in our heads and replacing it with what is good. His Word.


And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8

Blessings,

My God Sized Dream

I have sat down at the computer about a thousand times in the last week to write this post about my dream. I wouldn't have guessed how hard it would be to actually put it into words, but I have to admit that it has been a struggle.

I have been serving in Children's Ministry for some years now and I absolutely LOVE it. I have the privilege of loving on and sharing Jesus with an amazing group of kids each week. There is nothing like it. Or so I thought.

A few months ago God opened a door for me to lead a Bible study for moms. To say that I was scared is definitely putting it lightly. I am more than comfortable leading a small group of 4th and 5th grade girls, but to lead a group of women was totally out of my comfort zone. 
So I did it scared.

Something happened those first couple of weeks that I just can't find the words to explain. Sitting around this table with these moms...God broke my heart. Not just for them, but for the moms of our church and the moms of our community.
The moms who hide behind the busy and get lost in the laundry.
The moms who feel discouraged and alone.
The moms who are seeking God and long for community.

My God sized dream is to be part of making that happen. 
A community of moms doing life together.

I don't know what that looks like or how it will happen, but I know that He does.
I am trusting Him to lead the way.

What I do know is: 

I believe God has created and called me to love and encourage 
children and moms through shepherding, teaching, and writing.

My friend Holley Gerth invited me to join a group of dreamers that she affectionately calls her God Sized Dream Team. What a blessing to be part of this group. 

We will be gathering each week on Tuesdays at Holley's to encourage each other and you to dream those God sized dreams.

Won't you join us?
What is your God sized dream?

Blessings,