Team Tuesday!

ju·bi·la·tion

/ˌdʒubəˈleɪʃən/ Show Spelled [joo-buh-ley-shuhn]   

noun

1. a feeling of or the expression of joy or exultation:

This is my favorite word in the English language. (I don't really have a favorite word in any other language since I can barely speak English properly). Anyway, I love the word Jubilation or Jubilee it just brings a smile to my face. So what does the word Jubilation or Jubilee have to do with Team Tuesday? I'm glad you asked. You see I work with an incredible team of people in the Children's Ministry Department of Seacoast Church. Each one of them is talented and gifted in the area that they lead. We get on each others nerves now and again, and I'm sure I drive them crazy most of the time, but we do consider ourselves family. We work well together, we compliment each other, we rejoice and cry with one another.  All and all they bring me a feeling of JOY!

I get great Joy watching the soar and succeed in their area of ministry and in life. I get great Joy telling others how talented and gifted they are. When I hear parents talk about what their kids learn on the weekend in the classrooms it brings Joy to my heart knowing that the team I get to lead is working in their sweet spot.

I'm so thankful for the Children's Ministry Team and the Joy I get being around them that I'm calling today TEAM TUESDAY! - even that made me smile!

 

First Day of School

So today is the First Day of School for Kinney Kids Academy! Yep you guessed it we home school our children, well actually Meghan home schools our children I just encourage them through it.
As I was getting the kids ready this morning it made me think back (WAY BACK) to when I was in school and the influence the teachers had on my life.  People like Carol Chamberlain, my first grade teacher, or Terri Gross who was my second grade teacher they just made learning so much fun. These two helped me discover my love for teaching kids which eventually transferred into teaching kids about who God is and how much He loves them.

Another teacher that touched my life was Deanne Casteel, she taught me everything I know and love about the theater. That I am to do my best and to never say; That's not my job! She also taught me to find the best in people and help them discover who they are. Then there is that teacher that while you were in their class you didn't like them, but when you got out and older you realized what they taught you. Mr. Beierschmitt was that teacher for me. He challenged me to be better and not just be average. I didn't realize that was what was going on when I was in his class but had the opportunity to talk with him after I graduated and was honored to have such a teacher. There are some teachers out there that really care about their students - the students may not think so but they do and they deserve way more credit than we give them.

Then there are the spiritual teachers in my life. Sonja Turner who gave me my start in Children's Ministry when I was sixteen. Tami, Colleen, Lorrie, Lori, Geoff and Sherry who got me involved in Children's Ministry at Seacoast Church - and helped me get to where I am today.  Jerry and Lana McSwain, Ernest Smith, Danny and Mariann Chritton, Frank and Rose, the Botero's... the list could go on and on.

I could not post this without thanking the biggest teachers of my life, my parents for teaching the value of a hard days work. My wife for teaching me how to live and love life, and my children for teaching me how to be a better father. When I think about my relationship with my children, I can't help but think of my relationship with my Heavenly Father and how much he loves me, even when I mess up.

So thank you to all those teachers to have touched my life! I'm a better person for knowing you! Thank a teacher today!

Encouragement File!

When I decided to blog I had all these ideas in my head of what I wanted to say. Some good, some not so good and others that just not need to be said...anyway, my goal is to post one thought, idea or brain dump a week. I had so many things I was going to write for today's post but tonight I realized what I was supposed to write about - ENCOURAGEMENT! Everyone needs encouragement in some area of their life, especially if you are in ministry. The enemy wants to tear you down, and some days he may come close to succeeding so here is a quick tip. Make yourself and ENCOURAGEMENT FILE!!! I have one and I read through it from time to time. As a matter of fact I have two, and I'm getting ready to start a third one.
You see, one of them is notes, pictures and poems all from the same person. She was a student in the elementary department when I was the director. She used to draw me pictures and write me notes every week. Then one day I started keeping them in a folder and I still have them. She is seventeen now and I don't get as many as I used to, but ever now and again she will bring me something to add to my collection and it brightens my day.
The other file is a combination of thank you notes, birthday cards, emails, photos and drawings from kids, parents and team members. If it lifted my spirits when I read it, it went into the encouragement file. These things bless me! They remind me why it is I do what I do and they help me to keep on doing it. So I encourage you to start an ENCOURAGEMENT FILE of your own for when life gets hard. Just an idea!

Traffic Jams with God!

I'm not going to post and tell you that every morning I wake up at 5 am - turn on my soothing Christian music, open my Bible, my study guide and spend two hours studying the Word of God, Praying, Journaling and Listening.  I would like to say I do all those things, but I would be lying. What my morning normally looks like is; my six year old princess comes into my bedroom anytime between 5am and 6am. She taps me on the face while saying "Daddy, Daddy" in her sweet voice. When I open my eyes I see her beautiful smile and hear "Oh, Hi Daddy!" Next comes "Daddy, Potty?" and I stumble out of bed and head to the bathroom with her. (I guess I should mention that my six year old princess has down syndrome). After the bathroom we both head to the kitchen for our morning routine. I pour the coffee, get her a cup of milk and she puts the dogs outside and feeds them. We both then head for the couch where, she either looks at a book or watches cartoons on the computer and I read emails, check Facebook and read the Press Enterprise (my hometown newspaper). In a little while the rest of the kids start to wake up and join us in the kitchen, which then starts the breakfast making ritual. Around 7:30 I go and lock myself in the bathroom to get ready for work - this is where my quiet time begins. I lock the door because if I don't it becomes Grand Central Station and everyone comes into the bathroom, including the dogs. I crank up the worship music, read a verse or two from the Bible, and/or listen to a sermon online.  When I'm done getting ready - I kiss my family good-bye and head off to work. This is where my quiet time can get really serious. 
You see God has always spoken to me through songs. I love listening to Christian Radio - I usually choose between HisRadio or WayFM. God usually has just the right song playing, or the DJs are talking about just the right topic for the day.  I'm not saying what I do is right or that you should do it, I'm just telling you how I have my quiet time with God.
Here is a little bit of something that God shared with me this morning while getting ready for work and driving into work today.  I really LOVE my time in the car with God, but sometimes while driving to work I run into traffic (usually on a Tuesday). Now I wish that I could say that every time I got stuck in traffic I just look at it as an opportunity to spend more time with God. I'd like to say that but more times than not I end up losing that time with God and get angry that I am stuck in traffic. Today I feel like God revealed something to me. Isn't life like a traffic jam sometimes? God allows traffic jams in our lives. He allows us to go through trails in hopes that we would turn to Him and seek Him during those times.  I just felt like God was saying the next time you are stuck in traffic or in a life situation - take that extra time with God! Seek Him! Listen to Him instead of getting angry and upset that you are stuck!
Just a thought!

It has been a long time since I blogged! I have always felt like I have a lot to say, but nothing worthwhile saying... Just being honest. Others think I have a lot of wisdom to share and great insights on topics - especially Children's Ministry. After serving in Children's Ministry as a volunteer, part-time staff member and a full time staff member for more than 25 years, maybe I do have a few things to say. So I'm going to need help, but I really want post some of these ideas, thoughts, and insights and I'm gonna need some help. My goal will be to post at least once a week, and feel free to give me a gentle reminder if you see me falling behind.  Of course encouragement is always welcome, but constructive criticism is also allowed. So, here we go! I'm gonna do this - with your help. Oh yeah, one more thing, these are my thoughts, ideas, and insights - nothing I write is at all a reflection on Seacoast Church (my employer) - they didn't set me up with this blog, they are not responsible for what I say, etc. It's all me - Thoughts from Scott!