Clueless about the Christmas Story: Christmas accross America

This is from my blog, but redone for Child Evangelism Fellowship.  Very cool!

Dottie was planning a Christmas Party for a group of middle school students.  She had carefully packed her family’s nativity set with the other party supplies. She unwrapped the figures and began putting them out. The students were all eyes, but very quiet. She asked if they knew why we started with a barn. All eyes, but no answers. She explained that this nativity set and others like it were to tell the story of Jesus' Birth. “If they were tell the story of my birth, they would start with a hospital,” she said. “But Jesus, was born in barn - so they start with a barn.”

They knew who Mary was and they identified Baby Jesus, but they didn't seem to know who Joseph was or the shepherds or the wisemen.

So she told them how the shepherds were watching their sheep to make sure they didn't get eaten by wolves or bears and how an Angel appeared and then there was a whole host of Angels - a host with means Army. “How many Angels in an Army?” She asked.

Then she talked about the Wisemen. She let them know that the wisemen and the shepherds were not there at the same time. She told them that there were three gifts, but we don't know how many wisemen.

She reminded them that this was just a picture of events surrounding Jesus' birth.

Dottie recounts, “One girl - so precious and cute - on my right in a pink jacket - answered all my questions when I reviewed the story with them, by holding up each piece of the set and asking the group - who is this? But she answered the questions all using my words and thoughts. No regurgitated church or Sunday school information, leaving me with the impression that this time, she had listened well, but this was the first time she had heard the story.”  This entire group of middle school students was simply clueless about the Christmas Story

Dottie is a real person, and this is a real story.  In this secularized culture, children are growing up without knowing the true meaning of Christmas. In 2015 Child Evangelism Fellowship^® is launching a nationwide initiative called Christmas Across America^SM.  The goal is to conduct 5,000 Christmas parties in homes, day cares, housing projects—anywhere children gather. Through the party theme—“The Ultimate Christmas”—children will learn the real meaning of this special holiday. If the parties average 20 children in each club, that will be 100,000 children who hear the real message of Christmas.

Can you imagine 100,000 children in the USA hearing for the first time the true message of Christmas? They are going to find out that Christmas is more than a chubby guy in a red suit, more than a pretty Christmas tree, more than beautifully wrapped gifts, more than cookies and milk, more than Christmas vacation from school, more than traveling to go see grandma. They are going to hear that Christmas is first and foremost about a loving God who sent His only Son to be their Savior. They can place their faith in Christ and be born again. They will hear that Jesus is God's perfect gift to mankind, that Jesus is God in the flesh. Can you imagine how that message is going to impact 100,000 children who have never heard it?

Child Evangelism Fellowship is the world’s largest ministry dedicated to evangelizing and discipling boys and girls, and helping to establish them in the local church where they can grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.  With offices in 192 countries, in 2013 CEF taught the Bible to over 15 million children worldwide.  With 400 offices in the U.S., CEF estimates that they present the Gospel to over 800, 000 children in the United States every year.

Christmas Across America is a special nationwide outreach for the 2015 Christmas season.  Additional churches and individuals are needed who will agree to be trained and screened in compliance with the CEF Child Protection Policy, and host at least one Ultimate Christmas Party.  Training will be offered in local communities and online.  Teachers will receive a FREE Christmas Party kit which includes the Christmas story with pictures, songs, games, ideas for how to make the club fun for the children, and handouts for the children to take home. Children will also receive information which introduces the Truth Chasers Club^®, a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship. The first lesson offers them the opportunity to enroll to receive free age-appropriate Bible lessons by mail so they can continue to learn about God. 

If you are interested in learning more about Christmas Across America, or volunteering to host or teach an Ultimate Christmas Party in your church or neighborhood, go to www.christmasacrossamerica.com.

Ten meetings, no less: Networking. Taco Thursdays

  There is a local network in my area.  They meet every Thursdays for Breakfast Tacos.  Hence, the name:  Taco Thursdays. 
  Because of my shunning (see previous blogs), I have not know about this network meeting until November 2014.  I was told they would take a break and resume in February 2015. 
  The first Thursday in February, I was there.  And I was there every Thursday since then. 
  While I am into all things youth ministry and networking, Everyone else is 20 to 30 years my junior.  In short, I am old enough to be their mother.
  I love network and the whole thing God does when we work together and how He shapes things, focus us and moves us as a group different than He seems to when we work alone.  I love how sharing information helps us and helps us be part of the same team. 
  So, since I am in love with Networking, I show up.  I attempt to participate in conversations regarding vomiting and gourmet spam recipes, however, neither of those subjects is my passion. 
  Some Taco Thursdays, I leave and feel positive because someone sat beside me.  Some Taco Thursday, I feel left out because the guys spend the mornings showing each other things on their phone.  No one offered to show me.  One morning, I even think the only other guy there sent text messages:  "Please Call me and tell me I have an emergency.  I have to get out of here."  He was not the only one relieved when his phone finally rang. 
 After 10 meetings, it finally happened.  I was included in a conversation of worth regarding clubs and on campus ministry. 
  There are two messages here.  If you are "odd" - like me - 50ish and female, it may take a bit more time to connect.  Don't give up.  If you are connected, try to include the newbies.  Less experienced networkers probably wouldn't have given it 10 weekly meetings to wait for a connection.

God's Step-Children

  I have been thinking about this post for a while.  I have always worked with people who were out of the bounds of  churches.  Not out of bounds of the love of God, but out of the scope of churches. 
  I spent 20 years working with juvenile delinquents.  They usually aren't your first choice - church folks and churches aren't making people who break the law the target group of their next outreach campaign.  Or planning a VBS to reach all the gang members in their neighborhoods. 
  I spent 20+ years working with schools and students.  
While the Harris County juvenile delinquents would never go to Pearland churches, the students would go to a church in their Pearland neighborhood.   
  It seems, that it is easier to get a student to Christ than to get a church to a student.  
  When I review a church budget - which is one of my favorite things to do - I am always amazed at what a church will spend for outreach to a group - that is often within the reach of its members.  And what they won't spend to reach a group who has little or no access to the gospel.
  Think for a minute:  When did your church last address the needs of the poor, the widows, the orphans, the prisoners, the homeless, the oppressed, the lost, the fatherless?  Did they educate you on those people groups that are dear to the heart of God?  What do you know about the needs of those people groups that God loves so dearly?
  Students, either in school or in jail, have always been what I have been passionate about.  And this is what we know:  they are interested in the issues of purpose and the meaning of life and figuring out those issues at this stage of life.  We know that less than 20% of them will have contact with a church or ministry.  We know that businesses spends Billions of advertising dollars to convince this people group to be customers, because they know the value of reaching them when they are young: they will be customers for life!  
  We also know:  God only has children.  No step children.  All children deserve to hear the message of love from their father.
  
 

        

My Story: Meeting Jesus!

  I don't remember a time when my family did not go to church every week, every time the door was open.  I figured I was born there.  My paternal grandfather was a bi-vocational pastor, my paternal great grandmother was a seeker of God.  My maternal grandmother reminded me often how lucky I was to learn about Jesus early.  My maternal grandfather was a deacon.  My dad has been an adult Sunday school teacher and my mom taught children's Sunday School.  I have a rich legacy of family that was/are serious about seeking and serving God.
  As a 2 year old, I pulled the hair off my baby doll - to make her a boy.  Sex surgeries are simple at 2!  The doll became baby Jesus and I would play endless games of rescue baby Jesus from the bad King Herod.
  I was familiar with the gospel and the plan of salvation from very young.  During elementary school, the guilt and the need to respond was seriously on me.  I was taught that I did not need to "walk the aisle", but that I could ask "Jesus into my heart" any where.  So one day, when I was about 8, when my mom went in to get fried chicken for dinner, I bowed my head and prayed.  It was a childish decision with sincere intent to follow thru.  I didn't really talk about my prayer and I didn't really let any one know.
  When I was about 16, the pressures of life were becoming more real.  I was keenly aware that I was transitioning from childhood to adulthood and I wasn't sure I had what it took to make that transition.  
  At that point, I had taken to walking my neighborhood in the evening.  I had a long dark navy wool coat with a hood.  I would wear it and walk.  It was January and cold!  My mom always said if I had a sickle, I would look like death!
  I probably was seriously praying while walking at this time, but I wouldn't have called it that.  I would have said I was thinking.  
  I had asked a boy to a turn about dance and he had turned me down.  While that is always traumatic to adolescents, I took this as the ultimate sign that I was not in control and that would not be able to get the things I wanted in life:  Love, Success, Family, Purpose.  I was scared.  
  One January night, while I walked and considered my possible failure at life, I looked at the stars.  The thought popped in my head: The creator of the moon and stars is reaching out to help you.  He wants to be your friend.  
  It was my unique encounter with the Living Christ.  He sought me out and reached out to me in LOVE.  I have never been the same.  It has been 40 years since that time, but I fell madly in love with Him and my whole life has been an attempt to know Him and Love Him more and follow Him as closely as possible.  (At this point, the song Day by Day from Godspell should be playing in the background: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWQEUzOACm4)
  Because I responded to Jesus at 16, I was gratefully - spared much in the areas of sin and disobedience and the heart break that leaves people.  
  Because of His great love for me, I responded like a hungry baby, reading my bible continuously.  I wanted to please Him in all my ways.  
  While I have lived through many traumas and Life is much harder than I could have ever imagine at 16.  I am not the raging success I had hoped to be, God is much more loving and kind than I could have ever known him to be at 16.  
  I still weep when I recount the grand moment when He reached out to me in love.
  
     

Worthless! NOT!

  I have been through several traumas with the "church" and from the last one, I am still finding shrapnel.  I am often surprised how deep the wound is and then I am surprised I am surprised!
  My last wounding: I was called to a meeting with some pastors and I was told that they were speaking on behalf of the churches of Pearland.  I was told that they would be taking over everything I was doing in Pearland:  Baccalaureate, See you at the Pole, the Pearland Youth Ministry Alliance, On campus Christian Clubs Support.  (Most of what I worked on has been abandoned.  Also, to be fair, I have been told by many pastors:  Those guys didn't speak for me.)  
  Fast forward.  I have a teacher/Club sponsor texting me.  I am begging her to let me drive an hour to meet with her.  I am dying to help her with her club!  It will be so exciting to brainstorm with her!  I love helping Club Sponsors! 
  She is hesitant.  I want to beg, but I don't.  And then I realize I have a wound.  This past year has left me feeling worthless.  Like I have nothing to contribute to ministry and I want to contribute, but I'm not welcome.  This year has been hard, but I realize it goes deeper.  I realize, when I was told, on behalf of the churches of Pearland to give my work BACK to the church, I was sent a dark message:  You aren't part of the church and we don't want your work.
  So begins my next chapter of affirming self talk:  Dottie, you are a vital part of the Church.  God gave you the gifts you have and He is never finished with you!     

Why me, Lord? Or Cookie Bakers of the World Unite!

  I often ask this ridiculous question.  Today, I'm asking it again.  Let me explain.
  Dean and I are considering joining a church.  As always, my husband, Dean, fits in beautifully.  As always has been, I, of course, do not fit.   Somehow, as a woman, I was suppose to get spiritual gifts in the cooking and entertaining venue.  Secretarial gifts would have been acceptable.  If I were picking spiritual gifts, I would have pick these appropriate womanly gifts.
  I get pastoral, administrative, shepherding, leadership gifts.  The gifts no church ever wants in a woman, unless she wants to do women's or children's ministry.  And of course, I have no interest in those areas.  I feel like I don't quite fit.
  Remember the joke:  The gift no one wants:  Celibacy?  I've found another gift no woman wants.  
  So, I have spent years trying to bake cookies.  I hate baking cookies.  I want:

• to direct the cookie bakers to work together.  
  
• to help the cookie bakers find better ingredients and cookie baking methods.  
• to help the cookie bakers find a ministry that gives them an opportunity to help reach students for Christ.  
• to encourage the cookie bakers to explore their gifts to the fullest and rejoice in the Giver of the gifts  
•  
• to start a cookie bakers support group and fellowship. 
• to eat cookies and encourage the gift of cookie baking! 
• to help compile recipes and resource the cookie bakers.

  I have spent years pretending I love to bake cookies.  I have spent years pretending I don't have leadership or pastoral gifts.  I grew up in a church that believed women never got the gift of pastor/teacher, so I thought I must not have those gifts.  
  A couple things recently made the light come on.  It's funny how God opens our eyes, isn't it?  When I was searching for a job last August, the jobs I kept getting directed to were Executive Director type jobs.  Huh?  What was with that?   
  Then, the next thing, was the latest spiritual gift test I took.  Administration - the gift of connecting people was  at the top, but leadership, pastor, shepherding: all close behind.  At this point, I wasn't surprised. 
  Then, the realizing that Spiritual gifts are to help the Church.  The Body accomplish God's work on earth.  
  Then, I started asking myself the hard questions:  Why was I denying my gifts?  Why had I spent years trying to bake cookies?  Why, when I tried to use my gifts, I got my hands slapped?   
  The sad thing is that I responded to what the church applauded.  I watch as little boys were applauded when they quoted a verse and were told they were going to be a preacher some day.  
  When I quoted Psalm 119, I was told nice job - how are those cookies coming?  I got more accolades for serving burnt cookies . . . 
  At this point in my life, I know whose applause I treasure.  I know whose applause I seek.  I know my creator and He is good.  Somehow, in all the confusion, I floundered thru and I managed to use the gifts God gave me for the good of the Church.  But, unfortunately for the Church, my gifts are seriously underdeveloped because my gifts have been unappreciated and denied for so long.
  But my next issues is this:  What about the next girl who gets the gifts of leadership and pastor?  Will she be told to bake cookies?            

Cousin Connections!

This is one of those Great Stories - a God thing!  
  One of the guys from our church, Dave Ainsworth, went with his family to start a church in San Francisco - where there are more bars than churches.  
I have a 2nd cousin that lives in San Francisco.  He is a musician, a composer, an arranger.  He posts youtube videos of himself playing with Dizzy Gillespie.  His name is Rick Walsh and officially, I have never met him - except on Facebook and thru my extended family email circuit.
  I've spoken to Dave all of probably three times, during one time, I acknowledged I had a cousin in SF.  I volunteered to introduce him to Dave thru Facebook.  At this point, I am not even friends with Dave on Facebook . . . 
  Something came up and I asked Rick to show Dave around.  It was a bit out there for me, but Rick was immediately responsive.  I friended Dave on FB and let the connections begin.  
  Rick let me know he hadn't met with Dave yet, but he would and he hadn't forgotten.  Several times.  I was very impressed with his follow thru.
  Today, I got an email from Rick - I didn't even know he had my email . . .

Hi Dottie

We had a nice lunch (I treated) at an oceanside restaurant, then I took him over to my house to show him around. 

A very nice young man with a beautiful family. He is about to attempt the impossible; finding housing in the city of San Francisco. 

Rentals are dear here. 

Anyway, I thought you should know.

I will assist any way I am able, but the facts are daunting. 

yours

Rick Walsh

 

A very nice email and an impressive follow thru!  I thanked him and agreed that Dave was nice and that it was a daunting task.

 

Rick responded with Dave had asked how we were related and we worked on unscrambling that.  He sent me a link to a nice video that sorts this out.  Rick and I are 2nd cousins.  We share great great grandparents - I think.

 

Then I got the most amazing email:

If you love Jesus, then I love you. 

End of story. :)

RW

 

Oh, so we are brother and sister, as well as cousins! I had no idea!