Lift the Lid

A few days ago I posted on Facebook and Twitter that I felt like a load of unbalanced towels in the washing machine. Ha! So I turned off everything, the computer, music and cell phone (I just didn't answer it). I was frustrated, tired and a bit torn. I kept chewing on the metaphor that came to me."Unbalanced load of towels in the washer."

I had a friend text me and I explained that only 2 things stop the annoying noise of an unbalanced machine.

1. You have to lift the lid.
2. You have to redistribute the load.

I continued chewing on this in respect to my day and load. Where did the feeling come from? Why was I feeling like the noise had become too much? Just shutting the machine off doesn't make it stop.
Let me explain.
For those of you that do laundry you know that if you let a wet load set for too long it will begin to stink. So just turning it off in the middle of a spin cycle doesn't fix the problem. You have to do something. It takes more effort than simply lifting the lid and stopping the machine.

I looked back at the text I sent several times. I noticed that the word lid for what ever reason was capitalized. Why did I capitalize that word? hahaha Well, immediately the phrase "law of the lid" came to me. I shrugged and realized God was speaking. So I began to think on it and pray.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the phrase "law of the lid" let me explain it. John Maxwell is a leadership mentor to many people. He has written numerous books on leadership. The last one I read was Put Your Dream to the Test.  A good book but one of my favorites is the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The first law is the law of the lid. There is a lid on a person’s leadership ability and this lid determines their level of effectiveness. The lower a person’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his leadership ability, and the lower his effectiveness. On the contrary, the higher the leadership ability, the greater the effectiveness.

I realized that day that as a parent some of my frustration in our home wasn't something that I needed to change in my children. I simply needed to lift my lid.  All that needed to be done in our home I had taken back on and lowered the lid of effectiveness. I was doing things that they could do and my frustration was on me. I did it to myself. They should be given varying levels of responsibility. Accountability was were I was lacking in my "leadership lid". I realized that I not only needed to lift my personal lid but I also needed to redistribute the load.

So point number 2 - Redistribute the load
I had taken on the task that they were given and was left feeling overwhelmed and a bit of a bad parent. That day I realized that I had to redistribute the load. I couldn't keep doing everything and expect my kiddos to grow as leaders. The higher my lid, the higher they could/would grow. I saw an area of weakness in my holding them accountable to chores. I have to lift the lid and expect their best.

I looked at every aspect of my life, from my marriage to my parenting. My personal time with God to serving others. I saw other areas the lid needed to be lifted.

I used to sit in a chair in our living room every night and read my bible or books and study. My kids asked one time why I didn't do that anymore. I realized that they missed seeing me have my personal time. I was still reading and praying but at different times. (i.e. while they were at school) They still need to see me reading my bible.


The greater impact you want to make, the higher your lid needs to be. Fortunately, we can raise the lid by learning. I am still learning and I am thankful for the gentle nudge of the spirit that speaks in our daily lives.

When I turned off the noise of the world and gave my attention to the Lord I realized a few areas I lacked as a leader. I have lifted my personal lid and will continue to strive to keep it lifted higher than the little lids in which I am honored to raise in my home. I want to seize opportunities to assist my kiddos in lifting their lids in leadership.

Philippians 1:3-6 (msg)
Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

It is my prayer that we would continue to seek God for every area of our lives. That we would believe what the verses above say for us and others. That what God began in us, that He will bring it to a flourishing finish. We will grow in Him.

The "F" Word

Cute story from the Waldmann Kiddos-

Chris and I didn't want to buy the kids a game system this year because 1. We had a plan for why we bought gifts. 2. We wanted the things we bought to add value to them and to us as a family. 3. We didn't want it to be the ONLY thing they got. 4. We wanted them to earn and save the money for it. So we opted out of the frenzy. We didn't go broke, we didn't buy on credit and we had a wonderful Christmas sharing its true meaning with our kids.

We didn't realize that they would get the money they got or that if you want something bad enough you will pull your resources to get it. They pulled it together last night and Chris went out with them to get the game system.

Here is where it gets real funny. Chris text me and said they are killing me. HAha, I said honey if they can't make up their mind on which system to buy they come home for another day and wait.
Well a short while later hubby and three very happy boys come in with a PS3 and a few games. Here is the story of how this bliss came to be from the words of Chris.

Chris says, "Stacy you had to be there." I asked why. He said I went with the boys to the clerk and asked, "which system do you think is best?" The clerk replied, "if you ask me, PS3 but if you ask my kids Wii." Chris said, "Why is that? This is where the "F" word happens...my boys lean in, every word that drops from the clerks mouth is like life or death to thier hopes of a new PS3. The clerk continues, "well the graphics are fantastic on the PS3, but the Wii is more Family Friendly."  Before Chris could say anything else, Caleb and I both said, "Dude, NOT the F word!" haha I knew as soon as Chris said that the clerk used the words family friendly...the boys thought that was the kiss of death to the PS3. ha! Chris contnued his story and we all laughed. I said, "Caleb, he didn't realize he was talking to the a children's pastor did he?"
We do value family time as ultimate time, worth more than any amount of money, irreplaceable. If not done, lost forever. Our kids value it as well, but they did NOT want a Wii and they knew that the clerk almost had dad when he used the F word.

Above all else, value your family. Spend time with them. Invest in it above anything else you deem worthy of time or money. It reaps rewards beyond our comprehension. We don't just say it, we live it. Enjoy your Family time the rest of this week in December and make more of an effort to pour into your family in 2011.

Much love-
Stacy

Living my story

Anyone who reads my blogs on here or facebook knows that I eat, sleep, drink, say it, spray it and love the "orange" concept. What is orange for those of you who do not know? http://whatisorange.org/ Check it out. For me, orange is more than strategy, it embodies my idea for family and the way we learn and grow together. I share this with anyone who will lend me an ear and I  will pull on it for hours at time. I am passionate about family.

Last night after returning from a great day with my mom and dad, 3 aunts, 1 uncle, 3 siblings, thier spouses and 17 grandchildren, I rested haha. Just kidding, I sat and thought about our story, and how it is quite an amazing one, a story of triumph this year as, my sister was given another chance at life, after suffering from a major stroke. I listened intently to one of my aunts, so thankful she was still here after losing all hope and nearly taking her own life. To now hear her talk of such hope and hear her plans for the future and how she is going to use her gifts and talents for the Lord - a true story of hope.
My other aunt, 6 years with a new liver, thankful for the donor's family and the fact she is still here. My uncle truly triumphant over cancer. My mom fighting hard against a battle that she was told will soon send her home to be with her mother, father,  her aunts and uncles. It was bitter-sweet. To see how God has woven such an awesome tapestry together. How He has taken our lives like filthy rags and made such a beautiful piece of art, displaying His redemptive story. A story of grace, hope, forgiveness and ultimate sacrifice and love. 

Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.


I get caught up in the moments of how much love conquers loneliness and offers true peace. I let it overtake me when I see broken hearts and old wounds totally swollowed up by forgiveness. I am so blessed with familly. Every member playing a fabulous role in my personal story.
Yes, I am truly blessed. Its my prayer that every person, from every background, in every situation could come to a place and realize you were made for so much more and you have a story to tell. Live your story!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God is so good to us. He sent His son, Jesus to be born on this earth. He displayed such a love for us as a dear children. He gave His only son, so that we might live with Him for all eternity. Family is and was His idea. Our family tells a story, all of us tell a story. What's your story? If you don't like the character you are playing, you can change it. Don't like the current setting in which your story is unfolding, opt for a new one. You don't have to play the fool, the loser, the loner, the bad guy, the victim... Let God become chief editor of your story. I promise it will be better than any story you have ever read, heard or lived before now. It will become a living breathing story of redemptive grace, hope and love displayed through you.

Much love-
Stacy

Dreamsicle Orange 2.0

No day like Sunday to talk about our dreams for children’s ministry and life.


I write a blog every December called “Between the Dreaming and Coming True”. It’s kind of nice to read it and reflect and see where I am. I will never forget a sermon I heard from Andy Stanley called Asking Big. I listen to it quite often. Are we honoring the size of our God by asking Big? If you can accomplish your dreams without God or a team chances are you are dreaming too small.


One of the dreams for my life was to take a missionary trip out of the country. This August that dream came true when I went to Haiti. We did 10 services in 3 cities and served 1000+ kiddos. I wrote a letter to my family and friends and God met me at the corner of faith and trust. I am dreaming of the day I take my 17 year old daughter there for her first trip next May as she ends her senior year of high school. She has a dream of being a missionary to Ecuador. I have a dream that Orange will be international. That God will lead orange leaders around the world to change the way families see Him and serve.

Another dream is to take children on missionary adventures. That dream came true August 2009. We took 10 kiddos to an Indian reservation in Kayenta, Arizona. In 2011, we will be taking more children on their first adventure to Montana. It is my hope that through missions their faith would be ignited. That they would serve without fear or reservation.

I dream of a day when parents lead their children to the Lord. Two Sunday’s ago a gentleman that started attending our church about 2 months ago, was in the main service and our Lead Pastor asked him who led him to the Lord? They sent someone to our preschool room and asked his 5 year old daughter to join her daddy on stage. It was then he introduced his hero to the congregation– his 5 year old daughter led him to the Lord.

I dream of a day when everyone in our congregations would realize their gifts and talents and they would no longer hide them. That they would serve with passion and many would come to know the savior.

I pray and hope that my 5 children would find their purpose and realize their God given talents early in life that they would be life long followers of Christ. I have the privilege of leading children to the Lord every week. If my own children were to never find the Lord and their purpose that would be an Epic fail.

I pray and dream of all the children’s ministers in my community working together. So that we could sharpen each other and encourage one another in the work that we are called to and it is happening one connection at a time. I love serving a Big God. He answers and longs for us to dream bigger. To dream of things that only He can do.

Orange is His idea!

I am still between the dreaming and coming true!

Resources at Orange Conferences #thinkorange

The resources at Orange conferences are unbelievable. I bought a lot of books but one book that I didn’t buy was Collaborate by Michael Chanley (and many others) . I didn’t buy it because I waited too long and they sold out. So, how did I get the book? I won it! Twitter became a very valuable tool during and since Orange10. Kenny Conley had one copy left that I won by heading up to the Orange Leaders Lounge and finding him. My husband also won a comic book and Lads CD. All he had to do was tell Kenny that he too didn’t like Avatar. LOL


One of the many books I did buy and read was A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller. It was a fantastic book. I plan to reread it again this week. The Goff family was one of my favorite families in this book. The story about Iron Mike was very moving also.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is –

“A good storyteller doesn’t just tell a better story, though. He invites other people into the story with him, giving them a better story too. “


The book truly is a must read. I read it aloud to my whole family on a three hour car ride. I choked back tears, I stopped to explain and I listened while my kiddos asked me questions and answered mine. That day was one of my favorite family days sharing together as we read about how to live a better story.

Donald Miller was a great speaker at Orange10. He has a project going right now to save Blue Like Jazz the movie. You can check it out here – http://savebluelikejazz.com/

As #kidmin we have the high honor of sharing an Epic story every Sunday. God has invited us to be storytellers but not only storytellers, characters in the story. Are you inviting families and children to become part of the story? When we do invite them to be part of the story it will change them forever!

The resources were great tools I still use since Orange. I love getting the packages from Orangeleaders. They are always awesome surprises.

Michael Chanley, founder of cmconnect.org has also just launched a new resource for all of us #kidmin called imakidmin.com it is a great tool to find other #Kidmin that are close to you. I look forward to networking with other #kidmin by using this tool.

The lights are on but nobody is home. #kidmin

Long before Orange Conferences and before the book Think Orange there was Reggie Joiner. I will never forget going to a #kidmin conference in Tulsa, Ok. called Dream. My mentor in books and tapes, Jim Wideman was the children’s pastor at COTM. The general session speaker that night was Reggie Joiner. It was the first time I had ever heard about yellow and red in the context of #thinkorange. I totally knew that when you mix the two colors you get Orange. *Smile* I listened intently as Reggie used the lamp, the orange cones and the gumballs (3000/40). He talked about the lamp stand’s purpose in the temple. The purpose of the lamp stand in the temple was to illuminate the table of shew bread. It was the job of the priest to make sure the lamp never burned out. It was their job to make sure the lamp never moved. The lamp or the color yellow symbolizes the church. It reminds me of how Reggie explained our purpose as the church. We are to illuminate the word of God. If we move the lamp to illuminate our programs we lose purpose and we lose effectiveness. As the church we have one goal and that is to illuminate the word of God. By illuminating the word, God will draw all people unto Himself.


Have you ever heard the phrase – “The lights are on but nobody is home?“ I have but it was used in a bad ”blonde joke” kind of way. This idiom reminds me of the stance most children’s pastors take and families for that matter. The lights are on. As #kidmin we are doing our job. We are shining. We are pouring into the life of a child BUT nobody’s home is our thought. What happens when the child gets home? Is there anyone there speaking into their lives? Some families believed that we (#kidmin) were the only ones equipped for the job of spiritual leadership in the life of their child. I believe that parents love their children and want only the best. That is where red comes in to play. Red symbolizes the heart of the home. It’s not that nobody is home it’s that most parents don’t feel qualified to lead their child spiritually. I believe it was out of that need that Orange was birthed. It was to shed light (pun intended) on the fact that we are to partner with families. We are to so mix yellow with red that all anyone sees is Orange. It is not yellow against red or red is better than yellow or vice versa. We are to unite with one end in mind and that is to reach generations and help them become the spiritual champions that God intended. We are to be mentors in the lives of the families we serve.

I want to say thank you to Reggie Joiner and the whole #thinkorange team for continually stretching me as a #kidmin. Thank you for continuing the conversation.

Thank you also to Bro. Jim Wideman for being one of the leading influences and mentors in my life.

oRANGE

I keep seeing words within words and it’s speaking to me. Ha! Ok stay with me for a few short moments.


Thinking orange encompasses a few different areas but I want to talk about the one that has been on my heart the most and that is – Integrate Strategy. What is strategy? a plan of action with the end in mind. An integrated strategy is aligning leaders and parents to lead with the same end in mind.

Maybe that is why the word RANGE popped off the page today when I was thinking about the Orange marathon among Orange leading #kidmin.

Check out the definitions of range –

1. Range

a. Extent of perception, knowledge, experience, or ability.

b. The area or sphere in which an activity takes place.

c. The full extent covered: within the range of possibilities.

d. A place equipped for practice in shooting at targets.



When I spend time thinking about Orange and how to make it more than a catch phrase at vision team meetings or the color of our ministry shirts; I think about letter (a) of the definition - Extent of perception, knowledge, experience or ability

Am I conveying the message clearly? Do parents grasp the importance? How can I better convey the impact that they possess in the lives of their children? Do they truly understand that there are 8760 hours a year in which the average parents get 3000 to influence the life of their child and I get 40? Do I equip parents and other leaders in kid’s ministry with the knowledge and tools to work together?

I know lots of questions.

How is my training time going with the team that works with me every Sunday? Have we made it the best hour of every kid’s week?


That leads me to letter (b) the area the activity takes place. We get one hour a week and out of 52 weeks a year we may get 40. I would dare say I only get about 25 hours a year. The area or sphere is which the influencing happens is at home. I believe deep in my heart that two combined influences have the greatest impact. In saying that strategy is where it’s at.


Which leads me to letter (c) the full extent covered; a range of possibilities! I know that the end in mind for my own children is that they become fully devoted followers of Christ and that they love and serve with reckless abandon. I believe that the parents that bring their children into Kid’s ministry at CLC want the same.


The home and the church make me think about letter (d) a place equipped where our “arrows” can shoot at the target. The target or end in mind being fully devoted followers of Christ. I need to better equip my parents and my team with the end in mind.

I love my team, my parents and their children (or little arrows). St. Louis Blues fan's say they bleed blue. #kidmin should bleed orange!