This Weekend in XT

"God Is With Us and Protects Us."  That's the XT theme for this weekend.  I LOVE being a part of a team of great children's teachers and this theme is a powerful one for kids to grasp.  I think about my own children.  When we go to the mall together, I am with them because they've asked me to go.  They invite me to go and they choose to go to places that won't make me too uncomfortable.  The question I have to ask myself is that do I invite God to go with me everywhere I go and do I go places He would feel comfortable being with me?

The second part of the them is that God protects us.  Again, back to the mall with my kids...  Of course, if I am with them, I WILL protect them.  I will give my life for theirs in an effort to protect them, if necessary.  Oh, wait a minute, God already gave His life for mine and I have his commitment that He "will never leave or forsake" me.  That means God is with me and my kids, you and your kids, all the time.  The Bible says that He is our "ever-present help in our time of need."  He will protect us.

Help us train up your children in the ways of the Lord by helping them remember that God is with us and protects us."

Be Blessed!

On your mark, get set, go.....

As a former track athlete, yes I know it's hard to believe looking at my full-figured physique of 40, I remember those words..."Runners to your mark, get set," "BANG" the starter's pistol fires.  They were words of anticipation.  Words that encapsulate a moment.  I remember hearing my breathing...oxygen flowing in and out, butterflies flittering throughout my stomach, sweat rolling down my face as I prepared to give my maximum effort.  All of my preparation and training was about to be put to the test and there was no where to hide, no one else to carry the load, nothing to do but perform at my best.

I pray that as we prepare to minister to kids we catch those moments where time is encapsulated.  We will study the lessons we'll present, we will pray for the grace of God to touch the lives of the children and when the class begins all we have to do is perform at our maximum.  Our preparation and training will show itself and we will do our best.  However, instead of being alone, God will be with us to carry us to the victory.

Be Blessed!

An interesting question to share

I was asked today by someone I greatly respect, a very interesting question.  "Who would you most like to sit and talk with and what would be your best question?"  What an incredible thought!  Of everyone who's lived, who would I pick?  Who would you pick?  What about your children, who would they pick?

I believe questions like this give insight into your own heart.  What truly matters to you?  What do you value?  

After answering the question for yourself, I challenge you to ask your kids.  Their answers may surprise, encourage or perplex you...that's what kids do.

Be Blessed!

Great services in the XT today.  The teams did a fantastic job of sharing how God provides through the story of Elijah and the widow.  It's a pretty simple concept to understand but often isn't easy for us to put into action as adults.  I marvel at the sweet, simple understanding children have of the gospel.  For them, the notion that God provides is easier to accept because they've not encumbered their life with all the things that we as adults deal with like careers, financial worries, relationship management, etc...  They can look to the hand of God for their provision through their parents and prayers.  Kids don't always feel the compulsion to explain away the blessings of their saviour.  What a great opportunity for us "grown ups" to learn from our children to accept the gifts from God for what they are...His provision.  

On to other exciting news...I spoke with Vicki this evening from India.  She's doing great and is now in the Kashmir Valley doing some great things.  What a blessing it is to have such an amazing young lady representing her faith and church, on the other side of the world.  She's establishing and building great children's ministry programs there and I truly believe the reach of the Kingdom is being extended.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Kudos to my lovely bride, Brenda.  Since Vicki's been in India, Brenda has been working beyond the borders of Pre-K and has lent some of her children's ministry expertise and leadership to the Elementary team.  Thanks for the emails and follow up, you're a blessing.

Great testimony for Helping Hands today.  A child in Pre-K was very difficult to manage.  After paging his parents we discovered he has some developmental issues and is in special classes in school.  The family was not aware of Helping Hands.  After Brenda escorted the child and father to the classroom, Mrs. Robin did an amazing job explaining the program and what the class is about.  The father was moved to tears and was blessed by Grace.  Great job Pre-K for recognizing the need and great job Helping Hands for being the right place at the right time.

I pray that all of you who read this are BLESSED!

Discovery Camp

Columbus, Tx doesn't have much.  There's a Walmart, Denny's and an H.E.B. grocery store with a couple of gas stations sprinkled about.  Oh yeah...there's this camp that's there also.  This weekend our 80 or so kids have joined around 900 other elementary aged students for Discovery Camp 2009 "Red Alert."  The theme reminds us to read and understand the things that Christ himself spoke (red letters in the Bible="Red Alert").  With 3 services per day, go carts, water slides, swimming pools, horse back riding, basketball, volleyball, bookstore, break out sessions, 2 cafe's, etc...there's plenty for the kids to see and experience.  Tonight we had a very powerful service and many kids met God in a whole new way, life changing stuff.  Thank God for places like this, where kids can experience God in ways that are on their level.  We leave Sunday, I'm certain that by then we're going to have some truly powerful young christian leaders budding.

Woooohoooo!  What a great time in the Xtreme Team.  VBS was incredible.  Nearly a 1,000 children and 200 volunteers converged on the Humble campus for a week of great fun and great ministry.  Characters like Eddie Etouffe, Lulu LaFontaine, Elvis Lagasse, Buffy Boufonte and many more taught the kids about how God helps us overcome fear in our lives...oh yeah and our 25 ft. alligator, Clyde, was a "big" hit too.

On July 6th the Xtreme Team sent one of our very best leaders to India.  Miss Vicki left Sunday night and has arrived safely and been received by Pastor Santosh and Shimona.  While in India for the next 10 weeks Vicki will be training, teaching and establishing children's ministry throughout India.  What an amazing opportunity and we're blessed to expand what God is doing in the Xtreme Team in Humble and Garden Oaks to the outer reaches of the world.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Next week, the 3rd-5th grade kids of the Xtreme Team will head to Discovery Camp in Columbus, TX for a weekend of incredible ministry and fun.  Each year the kids return refreshed and excited about the power of God in their lives.

We'll wrap up the summer in August with the promotion banquet for the outgoing 5th graders and Pre-K children.  This "formal" dinner demonstrates the significance of the milestone in the lives of the children of Grace.  This years theme will be a Secret Agent Masquerade.  It's sure to be a wonderful evening.

There's a lot happening, so keep lifting the kids up in your prayers.

Be Blessed!