Which Child Were You?

After Prayer Meeting tonight, a feisty gentleman in his 70's couldn't resist teasing me before heading out. As a former first grade teacher, I wondered what that gentleman was like when he was 7; this man who now serves God so wholeheartedly, joyfully and selflessly. It gave me the idea to interview adults who love and strive to serve God, to see what God used to help develop them into the men and women that they are today.

We'll start with me. Who was I?

I was the little girl who was invited to church by a friend because I either spent Saturday night at her house, or was invited to be her 'visitor' so my friend could win a prize for inviting someone to Sunday School.

I was the quiet little girl who sat completely still, hanging on the teacher's every word. I was fascinated and absorbed everything that was said. I was shocked that the other children knew the answers to things I was hearing about for the very first time.

I was the attentive little girl who never took my eyes off the teacher. I couldn't understand why he would be so kind to me, or why she took such an interest in me. My world was brighter because they smiled at me when they were teaching or leading. Their smile spoke volumes to me. I felt noticed. I felt significant. I felt loved.

I was the disappointed little girl who cried on the inside when it was time to go home. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay there where I felt loved and significant and cared about. I wanted to know more about this God. I wasn't done. I didn't understand it was all repeated the next week and that I was welcome to return, even though they said they hoped to see me again.

I was the little girl who was here today and gone tomorrow. My family moved a lot. We lived in 8 different neighborhoods in 5 different states by the time I was 12. With each move came new friends, and new opportunities to be invited to someone's church. Very few invited me; this quiet, scraggly, insecure little girl. But there were a few precious times when people did invite me to a Sunday School class here, or to an outreach event there. I never declined if my parents let me go. And I treasured each experience. I still remember them to this day.

Going to church as a child was a treat for me. It was a place where I got to experience people who loved children in a way that was different for me. They took time to invest in us. They were excited about God and about making sure we knew all about Him. And they noticed us. They noticed me! They looked me in the eye, smiled at me, and said they were glad I was there. And I believed them. They were believable. They showed they cared.

Those Christian teachers, leaders and helpers were Jesus to me. I knew God loved me because those people loved me. I don't know that I ever knew their names, and I can't picture a specific face when I think about those experiences, but I clearly remember their smiles, and I remember the way they made me feel. It is exactly the same way Jesus still makes me feel today.

Hebrews 13:1-2 says, "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." I'm certainly no angel, but when we show love and hospitality to others, we never know how God is going to use it. I am so thankful and grateful to each of God's servants who reached out and ministered to me when I came to their church.

Today I serve as the Director of Children's Ministries at our church. I pray God will give me many opportunities to reach out to others for Him in return, so they too can experience this loving God, no matter where they come from. What an honor to carry on this legacy of love, one small person at a time.


May I introduce you to our readers? May I tell your childhood story? Please let me know. You are a work of God. Your childhood experiences contributed to who you are now. Please let me share what He did in you. I'd love to hear your story. I know others would as well!

When It's All Said and Done

Today is the last day of our final camp of this summer. Summer Science Spectacular is quickly drawing to a close. Many parents will be attending our finale tonight with their children to enjoy a sample of what we experienced all week. They will also get to hear about this Jesus their children learned about. Our prayer is that they will be in awe of God's Son, and tonight choose to have a personal relationship with Him. At least 32 of their children did. Please pray their parents will as well.

Last night I glanced at the Children's Ministry page on our web site. I saw the list of events and activities that we've held since January. Besides jokingly thinking, "No wonder we're tired!" I sat there wondering if God was truly glorified. Did we do what God called us to do, and only what He called us to do? Did we take advantage of every opportunity to share Him thoroughly and completely? Did we follow up well enough so that if there were any lingering questions or confusions we could clarify and guide? Is our plan to disciple them in the coming months adequate and God led?

I know God cares more about our personal relationship with Him than He does about what we do for Him, and for that, I am grateful and relieved. It is during those cherished personal quiet times with Him that He has the chance to instruct and guide us. I also know that He has called us to go forth and make disciples. I sat there last night wondering, are we being faithful? Lord, please guide our every decision and ministry move. Please help us to reach each person you bring our way for You! And may You be highly lifted up in all ways so our little piece of Your world will know that Jesus is the Son of God, their Redeemer!

"Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent."
John 17:3

Praising God!

Our group of 22 adults and teens returned yesterday afternoon from our first Family Mission Trip. We went to the Gospel Rescue Mission's Women's and Children's Center here in Tucson. Although probably less than 20 miles from home, God used this trip in each of our lives in so many ways.

This morning I want to praise You Lord for:
*Choosing the location and the time for us to go.
*For knowing each one of us so intimately that you knew exactly what each one of us needed to experience this weekend in order to grow closer to You.
*For using us with our unique gifts and talents so that moms and children would be able to experience Your love.
*For exposing us to what a slippery slope just one poor choice can be. (Exodus 23:2)
*For the team You chose to go; for the friendships started, renewed and strengthened.
*For continuing to work on areas of our lives we haven't wanted to look at.
*For the potential of future ministry with these families.

Psalm 52:8-9 NIV

But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
For what You have done I will always praise You
in the presence of Your faithful people.
And I will hope in Your name,
for Your name is good.

Hosea 6:1-3

Every year, each member of the El Camino staff picks a verse for the upcoming year...one to live out, one to remind them of something through the year, etc. Usually, I start looking around September or October for something that might interest me but I have a feeling my verses for 2012 will be Hosea 6:1-3:

Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.

He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him.

So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.

What great promises about God's faithfulness to us in time of need. It is as certain as the dawn so let's presson to know Him.

Hoss

Partnership

Fine Arts Camp was last week. God sent 100 campers, many who were unchurched or from various denominations, and about 55 volunteers. A couple weeks ago Camp E.D.G.E. ended, in which 25 volunteers were privileged to share Christ with 72 campers. Our Children's and Family Mission Trip is this Friday in which 23 volunteers will minister to 50ish moms and children. We will end our VBS summer camps with Summer Science Spectacular in which we are anticipating about 350 campers and are praying for at least 50 volunteers.

The apostle Paul was a strong man, yet he never worked alone. He partnered with fellow Christians. He counted on them for their prayers, financial, physical and emotional support. His goal was to glorify God...to know Christ and make Him known. He rejoiced in their love and thoughtfulness, and he loved them greatly in return.

In my quiet time with God this morning I read Philippians. Chapter 1 verses 3-11 describes the way I feel about our amazing volunteers who work selflessly so that children and their families can know Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him. Like Paul, I am so thankful for each one, and love each one dearly. From the most grateful part of my heart I echo Paul's words:

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."

Many blessings Precious Partners!! You are the best!!!!

Defining Moments

I continue to read in Henry Blackaby's book "Created to be God's Friend" Today it talked about defining moments. Mr. Blackaby states that "one" of the most important defining moments between God and Abraham was when he told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. It took 40 years for God to shape Abraham to the point that Abraham would exercise complete faith in God. Leading up to this moment were many defining and shaping moments in Abraham's life all leading up to this most important moment of all. I'm sure all of us who seek to follow God could look back and see moments where God has tested us and called us to defining moments that would continue to shape us in His image. I encourage each of us to occasionally look back and see the wonder of God's work in us as we look and move forward for Him

Blessings
Dick Dillender

Where are my arrows?

Joel Hibbs is the son in law of Verna Tharp. Joel was El Camino's first paid custodial person. Since then he has served in ministry and until recently was a pastor at a CBA church in Page. Recently he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is likely the result of receiving radiation treat for Hodgkin's disease about 20 years ago. His prognosis is terminal.

Just last week Bert Downs, Regional Executive Director of the Southwest CBA, met with Joel whom he has know since their seminary days in the 80's. Bert writes as follows:

In the course of conversation, I asked Joel, "What's your best memory from your years of ministry." Without hesitation he said, "The first person I led to faith in Christ." My "why" question was followed with this answer: "Because he was an arrow that traveled far."

What great imagery! Here was a person Joel took from no knowledge of Jesus to maturity in Him and His ministry, to a life well lived for Jesus and to leadership in the church. An arrow that traveled far, indeed. My guess is that Joel has many arrows like that out there . . . and he left me wondering, who are my arrows? And who are yours?

Joel continues to stimulate each of us to consider our ways. Where are my arrows? How has God used me in the life of others and how far have they gone as a result? Each of us should be continually mentoring and discipling others. This is my heart and passion. I trust it is yours as well.