wp-1753043391164 I love that movie from the nineties called, “Newsies.” Homeless, streetsmart boys find employment selling newspapers, and they often do it by embellishing the headlines. Their theme is that they are “carrying the banner.” I thought of the movie, and its catchy song, this week at backyard Bible club. The kids in my neighborhoodContinue reading “Carrying the Banner”
Tag Archives: Children’s Ministry
Survey Says…
I only see that old game show “Family Feud” now in doctors offices, but I watched a lot of it as a child. I remember the host saying in his dramatic voice, “Survey says…” while all eyes turned to the results on the screen. Every summer, I get a general survey of what is troublingContinue reading “Survey Says…”
Big Sins, Little Sins
I cradled the little rubbery model of a 12 week old fetus in my hand. “You were only this big when your mother was three months pregnant,” I said to the little girl I was talking to. Her eyes grew wide. “I was so little!” she said. We talked about how God made her, plannedContinue reading “Big Sins, Little Sins”
Acquainted with Grief
A married couple came to me after Sunday school. They had eaten supper with one of our students, and they were troubled. “This little girl shouldn’t even know about the things she was telling us,” the wife said. The husband agreed and asked the girl’s name again so that they could pray for her. BothContinue reading “Acquainted with Grief”
Easter Everyday
In Paul’s last letter, he wrote to Timothy, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.” Tradition has it that Paul was beheaded by Nero because of his faith in Jesus. And it does seem kind of ludicrous, doesn’t it? Is being beheaded coming safely anywhere?Continue reading “Easter Everyday”
The Battle of Advent
Listen HERE I live on a reservation where I see many battles. Even while I watch my little boy fight imaginary foes with a wooden sword, I am praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are fighting the battles of addiction, grief, loneliness, rejection, generational trauma, and hopelessness. Those foes rise up withContinue reading “The Battle of Advent”
Horrible Made Good
I don’t go to Sunday School intending to break up fist fights, but it’s happened a time or two. After the most recent altercation, one of the offending parties flung himself down on his face in the grass and sobbed, “My life is so horrible!” He detailed the reasons why, and I couldn’t disagree. ThisContinue reading “Horrible Made Good”
The Value of One
Listen HERE I have spent most of the summers of my adult life teaching the good news of Jesus to hundreds of children. I usually take huge crates of snacks, chalk, bubbles, and crafts to neighborhoods nearby, and the children gather when they see me coming. This summer was different. This summer, I focused onContinue reading “The Value of One”
Grass and Flowers
The wildflowers have overtaken both shoulders of the dirt road where I live. When I walk there, I watch bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds thriving on the pollen. It is a blessing to step out the front door into so much fragrant beauty. Whether the sun is shining on them or hail and wind batter them,Continue reading “Grass and Flowers”
Golden Shields
Like every other angsty Christian teenager in the 90’s, I wanted faith strong enough to stand undaunted before a firing squad. We were listening to “Jesus Freak” and “Consuming Fire,” inviting our friends to “see you at the pole,” and our budding faith was ready to stand, to go, and to fight- for Jesus. MyContinue reading “Golden Shields”
Sarah Dixon Young 