Archive - May, 2010
Say Hello To My Little Friend
He doesn’t have a name, a voice, or a personality yet — but I love him anyway. The tag that he came with says his name is Sunny but I don’t like that name. I will be using him during the children’s sermon on Sunday morning. I did a little (VERY LITTLE) ventriloquism in high school. My dad had a puppet and I would use the puppet some, but I did not get into it too much. But ventriloquism has intrigued me over the years.
I have talked with my friend and fellow blogger about the use of storytelling in church. She has blogged about her experiences of memorizing the Gospel lesson and telling that rather than reading the Gospel. I love that idea and perhaps that muscle memory will help in memorizing my sermon as well.
But I think using puppets during the children’s sermon will A) Help with children’s sermon preparation B) Engage the children in Biblical Stories C) Engaged the congregation in the Biblical Stories and D) Bring a new dimension to our worship.
I love the fact that we have a number of families in worship on a Sunday morning, it warms my heart every time I am able to look into the eyes of a child at the communion rail and put my hand on their head and give them a blessing. I love hearing the sounds of children in worship. I hope this brings us an opportunity to expand the role of children in worship.
I am giving myself until June 6th to create a character for my little friend. Any help that you can give me would be great!! Like I said, I need a name for him, a personality, a voice. If you have heard a voice of a cartoon character lately that you think would fit please let me know.
The story that I have thought of so far for my little friend is that he is the “forgotten” the disciple, he claims that there were in fact 13 disciples and since 13 is an unlucky number, he was the one that go cut out. He says that it was all political and he is mad about that. His overall personality may be grumpy disciple and he wants to tell “his side” of the story. Grumpy is usually pretty funny….I like funny. But I am open to changing that, I want this to be good stuff. So I have two questions……
1) If you were to bring your child to church (or if you already do) what kind of character would you like to see?
2) What other ways would you like to see children involved in worship on a Sunday morning?
Swagger Wagon
You think that driving a mini van is a drag?!?! You think that you will be so uncool sporting a mini van to pick up your kids from school?!?! We are looking at getting our second mini van sometime this summer. Am I looking forward to it? Not really…..but after watching the video below makes owning a mini van just a little cooler.
Popout
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4
For those who want to sing along here are the words:
This one goes out to all you minivan families out there.
Sienna SE…in the house.
Where my mother/fathers at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
No, seriously honeywhere are the kids?
They’re right there, see?
Oh, cool beans.
[VERSE DAD]
I roll hard through the streets and the cul-de-sacs,
Proud parent of an honor roll student, Jack.
I got a swing in the front, a tree house in the back,
My #1 Dad mug says, Yeah, Im the Mack.
[VERSE MOM]
I’m the world’s best nurse when my kids get sick,
I make a mean gel-mold, I perfected my tricks,
Back when I used to party as a college chick.
Now I’m cruising to their playdates lookin’ all slick…
[CHROUS]
In my Swagger Wagon,
Yeah, the Swagger Wagon,
It’s the Swagger Wagon,
I got the pride in my ride.
In my Swagger Wagon,
Yeah, the Swagger Wagon,
It’s the Swagger Wagon.
[VERSE DAD]
Check it…
I love hangin’ with my daughter sippin’ tea, keep my pinky up,
All the drawings on my fridge sport an A+.
I’m an awesome parent, (Right!) and it’s apparent, (True!)
And in this house there’s no mother/father swearin’.
[VERSE MOM]
Straight owning bake sales with my cupcake skills,
I’m better with the money, so I handle the bills,
And I always buy in bulk, ain’t afraid of no spills.
Every Mother’s Day proves…I’m kind of a big deal.
Daughter: Mommy, I need to go potty.
Bring the beat back, ’cause, yo, I got more to say,
You know I’m always front and center at the school play.
I kiss their boo-boos, clean doggie doo-doos,
Cut the crust off of PB&Js, chill the Yoo-hoos.
[VERSE DAD]
Singin’ “Farmer in the Dell” in perfect harmony,
When I’m rollin’ with my posse in the HOV.
We rock the SE, not an SUV,
And it’s true, if I were you, I’d be jealous of me…
God of Second Chances
I am a big fan of the blog Ragamuffin Soul. It is written by worship leader/songwriter Carlos Whittaker. He has some great stories, he is also a man of faith and a faithful family man. He posted a video on his blog that I would like to share. The story is that he was out filming a video for one of his albums. He was playing his guitar and singing when a homeless man came up to him and started to sing and to worship with him. It just goes to show that you never know when the Holy Spirit will show up. Click here to read more about what Carlos has to say but first Enjoy the video…..
Popout
On a Stick
Food in the U.S. is so abundant, both in quality and variety, and there are many ways that we are able to eat our food. We have the more conventional way in the United States of using a fork, knife or spoon. Then there are the ways we have adopted from other countries like chopsticks. Then of course there is the all famous use ofsporks, wraps, bread, and of course our hands. But the one way that is fun for the whole family, especially kids……is eating food on a stick.
What makes food on a stick so appealing to kids? Well, to be completely honest, appealing to adults as well!!
It seems that whenever we go to Friendly’s for dinner we get food on a stick. Cheesewiz loves his hamburgers on a stick. He has asked for them in other places that we have gone for dinner but he has had little success. Cheddar loves her food on a stick as well, but she is less picky about what it is and where she gets it from. I don’t know why kids love food on a stick but they do. Do you remember when you first ate something on a stick?
I don’t believe that there was food on a stick aailable when I was a kid. I do remember using sticks for food only when I went camping. As a kid and now as an adult I love eating food off a stick when I have a chance to start a fire and we take time to cook hot dogs or marshmallows over a fire.
Recently, I have put beef, chicken, and vegetables on a stick cook them on my grill and it has become an instant classic.
With all of this I have learned that we are not the only family who loves eating food off a stick. I think part of our love comes from our connection with what we eat. Perhaps we love using our hands, so we can get close to our food. Almost every night at dinner I have to remind Cheesewiz and Cheddar to use their forks when they eat because they love using their hands. Perhaps they want to become one with their food. I don’t know.
All I know is that no matter what it is……deep fried pizza, deep fried mac and cheese, or the classic corn dog. We love eating our food…..on a stick.
This post is made possible by the wonderful people over at Dad-Blogs and Fatherhood Friday.
Connect Four Million
Happy Mother’s Day
It’s Mother’s Day! I think that it is great to take some time for those who are mothers and those women who play an important part in children’s lives.
I especially would like to honor my wife……
She is an amazing mother and wife. She keeps our family going. She is understanding about the demands of my job and she keeps our home in order. I don’t know what I would do without her in my life.
There are some people who are born to be mothers and wives, I think my wife is one of those people. She loves children and she is constantly looking to improve herself as a mother and as a person.
With the business of life I sometimes forget to tell her how much I love her and how much I appreciate her…..so I want to say that I love you my wife and my love. I can’t thank you enough for all that you so for me and for our children.
I cannot let Mother’s Day pass without the acknowledgement of my mother. I have wonderful, loving parents who have always been there for me throughout my whole life, especially my mother. She was there for me as a child, she supported me throughout my schooling, and always encouraged me. I have had pretty crazy ideas in my life and my mother was there through it all supporting me, encouraging me and loving me. She always gives her advice but is supportive of me even if we go in a different direction. Thanks Mom! I love you!
Mother’s Day is Not for Everyone
However, as much as I love my wife and my mother, Mother’s Day is not happy and positive for everyone. With the celebration of Mother’s Day there is also those who are unable to celebrate this day. Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) is a day of pain for some people. It is painful for those who have lost mother’s (especially recently), it is painful who have lost important women figures in their life, and it is painful for those who try to have children but are unable too.
There were more than a few tears shed in worship this morning and I can only attribute that too the heartbreak of those who are saddened by this day.
Here are two links that I found today. The first on is about why the author does not like mother’s day. The other link is to an article about why the author loves and mother’s day.
If you love mother’s day or you would rather hide out, I hope you have enjoyed your day and if there is an important mothering figure in your life, you have taken the time to honor them.
May the Fourth Be with You
And then all the Lutherans out there say…….and also with you. (okay I know I am a few days late with this….but I had to write something about Star Wars today).
I love how Cheesewiz (my son) is really into Star Wars. He was not even born when the last Star Wars movie was released. Here is the time line of all the Star Wars releases:
Episode I - June 19, 1999
Episode II- June 16, 2002
Episode III — June 19, 2005
Episode IV- June 25, 1977
Episode V — June 21, 1980
Episode VI- June 25, 1983
I am not really sure where his obsession comes from. I do love the movies but of all the things that I have tried to introduce him too, Star Wars was not part of that. But what little boy doesn’t love Star Wars?? It has all the elements that little boys love….spaceships, light sabers, laster guns, fight scenes, wookies and ewoks just to name a few.
For Christmas we got Cheesewiz Star Wars the Wii game……he loves it, and he knows more about each character than I could ever imagine. I love how my son gets into things like this, and not only does he like it, but he immerses himself in anything that he does. It doesn’t matter if he is playing video games and he wants to be every level, or if he is building with Legos…..he puts everything he has in whatever he is doing. I just hope and pray that he keeps this passion throughout his life.
On this Fatherhood Friday please enjoy the music video “Yoda” by Weird Al.
Popout
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPyxstgk8oM
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