I lurk around the “kidmin” (children’s ministry) world. I follow several on Twitter and read several blogs, which I reference in my newsletter when I send that out. Consequently I am usually aware of conferences and books that are released.  I may communicate with some of these “kidmin” people, though I may have never met them face to face.

Roger Fields is one of these people. I knew that he was working on a book and that I wanted to read it when completed. I have never met Roger personally, though I have been in the same building with him. I attended the first Children’s Ministry Expo that he organized in Lexington, KY a couple of years ago and it was a first-class operation.

I received my signed copy a few weeks ago. Okay, don’t go all “ooo and aahhh” over the signed copy. I got that because I was one of the first ones to order it, not because Roger and I are tight. I actually ordered it before I knew he was signing the first “x” number of copies.

Anyway, back to the book. It is a kind of an autobiography, Roger shares how God led him on the path he has taken in serving the Lord. I appreciate his openness in the book and acknowledgement that the path he took, jumping tracks, may not be for everyone. I must admit that I am always leery of “ministries” that seem to focus on all fun and wonder how much they really share the Gospel and make disciples of children. I thought that of KidBlitz Live. Of course all of that was based on never having seen a KidzBlitz Live event and knowing very little about it.

In the book, you see Roger’s heart for serving God and his desire to reach kids for Jesus. He doesn’t take it lightly. As I read the book, I could connect on many levels with Roger and the path he has taken. No, I have not jumped tracks as drastically as he has, but there have been some jumps and experiences that I can personally relate to and in his story, I know that if you serve in children’s ministry, you will as well.

This is a great book and one that will get you thinking about “jumping tracks”. I would recommend it to anyone who asked.

I hope to meet Roger one day soon and also to experience a KidzBlitz event.

You can order Jumping the Track from Amazon.com or visit the Jumping the Track website, buy the book and share your story.

Yesterday it seemed like everyone was in awe of Tim Tebow having passed for 316 yards. Even the secular media connected that to Tim Tebow’s favorite verse, John 3:16. So, was it a coincidence? Several people would say no, that it was designed by God for Tebow to throw for 316 yards. If that is true, and I am not saying that it is not, then God had that designed from before the game began. I don’t think it would have gotten near the end of the fourth quarter and God said, “you know,  if Pittsburgh doesn’t get the field goal and win, and it goes into overtime, then maybe he can get 316 yards. After all he’s only 80 yards away.”

I believe it would have been designed from before the game, just like before the world was made, there was a plan of salvation in place and everything pointed to it.

Does God care about which team wins the Super Bowl? Maybe, maybe not, but I do know that by Denver winning in a spectacular fashion in overtime, and Tebow throwing for exactly 316 yards, that God was magnified, even by the secular media and isn’t that what we want, for God to be glorified.

God cares about little things and He has a plan. I posted this on my personal Facebook page yesterday…. “Pittsburgh Steelers fans should be rejoicing in their loss, because in that loss, they were used by God to spread His message. Being in God’s will does not always turn out the way we plan, but always brings glory to God.”

Let God be glorified in all we do and remember that if we are following the will of God, then we will not always win, things may not always go good (in our eyes), but in all we need to know that God has a plan and will be glorified.

Just look at the life of Joseph, thrown in a well, sold into slavery, accused of rape, forgotten in prison, but in all of it, he knew God had a plan and God was glorified.

May we keep things in perspective.

With yesterday’s overtime victory of the Denver Broncos over the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is renewed talk of “Tebow-Time”, “Tebowing”, and the like. After a Facebook post I read, I began to wonder if Christians are idolizing Tim Tebow because of his public stance regarding his faith. Is it because the “average” Christian is ashamed to show their faith in such a way and they admire someone who does? I tend to think so. But have people begun to worship the man and not the one he is drawing attention to?

Many people are now “Tebowing” and I wonder if the world sees that as the new “planking”. Just another trend that is popular among youth (and others).

Let us not lose focus of what is important. I think if you talk to Tim Tebow, that he would echo the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1,

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (KJV)

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (NIV)

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (ESV)

What example are you setting today for others to follow?

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Here is another good article about Tim Tebow  and why the writer is on Team Tebow…

Have you ever heard those words, or said them to someone else? I would guess that you have.

If you’ve said those words to someone else, or thought them, then you realize that the other person has done something well and raised the bar where you may have fallen short.

If someone has said it to you, take it is a compliment as they see where you excelled where they maybe should have put more effort.

So this year, resolve to make others “look bad”, not in a prideful way, but by doing your best, doing all you do as unto the Lord. Even the so called “menial” tasks. Raise the bar and encourage others to join you there.

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV)

Tuesday night, I had the privilege of going to a piano recital. I went to listen to one the children in my ministry, I was surprised to find out that it was two of them. One had just begun to take lessons. I was truly impressed by what I heard. Did I not know this child was taking piano lessons, or did I forget? Either way, I didn’t realize the gift, the talent this child had. I know that when the membership of our church hears them play this Sunday, that they will be “wowed”.

Remember that the children in your ministry have a life outside of your ministry. Your ministry is just one portion of the myriad of things they do in a week. Get to know the children in your ministry and their activities outside of the church. You will be truly blessed, and you will bless them and their family by showing you care.