"I Wasn't Scared Anymore!"

Tre'Von, 8 years old, came to me with his mom yesterday - both of them were so excited. His mom looked at me - "Ms. Jackie, he has a Godspot!" I love hearing his Godspots because his relationship with God is very deep and genuine for a boy his age. Eyes bright and shining, he said, "I was in a very dark room and I got scared. But then I remembered, 'even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not afraid, for He is with me." The words just rolled off his tongue. "And, then I felt God and wasn't scared anymore!"

"I Can't Hula Hoop"

During gym time, the 4th-6th grade kids were playing happily with football, basketball or hula hooping. I picked up a hula hoop to try it. After several failed attempts, in an exasperated tone, I said, "I can't hula hoop." One of the 4th grade boys overheard me and briefly pausing his football game, he said, "Ms. Jackie, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength!" :)

"My Dad's in the Celestial City!"

Recently, two of our kids in C4S (a 7th grader & 4th grader) lost their father unexpectedly. When I talked to their mom a few days after the funeral, she said (with tears in her eyes), "I am so thankful for C4S. I'm surprised that the kids are doing so well. I know that it's because they know their dad is in the Celestial City. Thanks for teaching them the truth." Wow! Praise God for using the simple story of "Little Pilgrim's Progress" to touch this family in a powerful comforting way.

"Thanks, God! I Can Read!"

As a result of participating in a phonics program as part of C4S, one of our 3rd grade girls (Tatiana) had dramatic improvement in reading going from a kindergarten reading level to a 1.3 (1st grade 3rd month) reading level in only 4 months! Her teachers were amazed at her growth in reading and she now has renewed confidence. Instead of saying "I can't read", Tatiana now says, "Thanks, God! I can read!" as she settles down to the next chapter of her Junie B. Jones chapter book.

I'm a Dumb Wimp - and Proud of It!!

In our GodTime this week, I asked the kids if they are a wimp. Puzzled expressions covered their faces and each of them shook their head no. No one likes to be called a wimp. However, since our theme this week is "Watch Out For Shortcuts", I wanted to blend the idea of God doing a good work in us over time coupled the reality of us taking negative words and making them positive in our minds.
I told the kids that when I grew up, I was called alot of bad names and although each time, it hurt deeply, I was determined to turn it around for the good and make positive acronyms of the hurtful words. So for me, wimp turned into Work In Major Progress. This new mindset helped me, because when I was called a wimp, it didn't hurt as bad, because I am a work in progress. The kids seemed to resonate with the new idea, although for many, it was a strange idea indeed. One 1st grade boy said, "I'm called dumb." So, we, as a family, turned dumb into Da bomb, Unbelievable, Marvelous, Brave. The boy's face lit up at those words. Pray that this new idea will take root and that minds can be freed from hurtful negativity and be filled with God's love and truth! I'm proud to be a dumb wimp - and you?

Building a Culture...One Heart at a Time

In the gym, the well-known safety expectation is that all bookbags and coats need to be put on the side of the gym before playing is allowed. Yesterday, however, I noticed that the 2nd& 3rd grade class of 12 students were playing in the gym while their bookbags and coats were strewn across the gym floor right where they were taken off. I also noticed that one boy in the class (I'll call him Devon) was trying to push the bookbags and coats off to the side all by himself. The conversation that followed sounded like this:
Me: Hands Up! (to get everyone's attention). Family, we have to all stop and think. We have a problem that needs solving. Can anyone look around and tell me what the problem is?
Kids: (all hands went up) We played with our bags and coats in the middle of the floor.
Me: That's right. So, how should we fix it?
Kids: (again, all hands went up and no joke - in unison said) We need to put our bags and coats to the side and fix it.
Me: Good job! So do it and make the King smile!
(I was only expecting them to put their bags and coats to the side of the gym and then play. But, without any prompting from me, after they did push their things to the side, they lined up next to Devon and each individually apologized for not being more mindful of their things so he had to do the work. After apologizing and being forgiven, they played. There were smiles all around).
Wow! Thanks, God, that their hearts are being changed into the image of You.

Abba

Occasionally in God Time, I would introduce a Hebrew name of God so that our kids would become familiar with different attributes of their King. The kids use the names (EL Shaddai, Jireh, Rapha) to address God when they thank Him for their Godspots. When I introduced Abba, the kids had a very puzzled expression on their faces. It's a tricky word to pronounce and when we had practiced the pronounciation, I told them what it meant. I wish I could accurately describe the sense of excitement, disbelief, awe, surprise, relief and amazement I saw on their faces and heard in their expressions when I said that their King is also their Daddy. Praise God that these kids are hearing the Truth that can heal any hurts and yearnings for a godly, loving Daddy.

Meet the Transformers!

Meet Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream & Bumblebee - four of the popular Transformers! If you are wondering what Transformers have to do with C4S wonder no more. These Transformers are being used to teach the concept that the King uses Truth, Trouble, Temptation and Protection (respectively) to transform us to be more like Him! I was so delighted when a little 5-year-old came up to me excitedly, pulled on my pants leg and looking up at me said, "Ms. Jackie, I saw Optimus Prime!" "Really?" I replied, "And what did he make you think of?" With just as much excitement, he replied, "The King's Truth!" and skipped away. I'm praying that God uses these popular figurines to remind His King's Kids of the powerful ways that God is at work in their lives - making them to more and more like Him!

"Even my 2 year-old brother is doing WWJD!!!"

While painting the mural, "Trina", a 2nd grade girl, and I were talking about the latest WWJD challenge. I asked her, "Has your life changed as a result of doing WWJD?" Without hesitation, she replied, "Oh yes! Just the other day, a song came on the radio that I know the King would not like. I asked my mom to change the station and she did! After that, when the song came on again, my little brother asked my mom to turn it down. And, he's only 2 years old! He's even doing WWJD!" Trina beamed as she told me this and as I hugged her, I encouraged her, "You sure made the King smile!"

The WWJD? Challenge

Several C4S kids (and parents)have taken on the WWJD? Challenge. Each person who was serious in participating in the challenge received a WWJD bracelet and signed the WWJD? Pledge stating that "I pledge to ask myself "What Would Jesus Do?" in my actions and words. I will do my best to imitate Jesus in all I do and say, in what I watch and listen to, and who I hang out with. I also pledge to gently remind other bracelet wearers to remember WWJD." Keep checking back to see how God will work through our kids and their parents and staff keeping each other accountable for the glory of our King and His kingdom!

A Black Jesus?!!

This week, our theme for GodTime is "Gotta Wanna Be Like J.C." (Jesus Christ). We are talking about imitating Him, so when others see us, they see Jesus. To teach this, I put a picture of a black Jesus in a mirror (as a reflection) up on the powerpoint slide. I heard the following comments being spoken quietly, circulating around the room: "Who is that?" "Jesus." "That can't be Jesus. He's not black." "Yeah uh. That is Jesus. Gotta be. Look at the crown of thorns." "But He's white. That Jesus is black." After openly talking about the picture and deciding that, although the image was very different from what we are used to seeing, it was still okay. Later, I overheard a conversation between 2 third-grade girls: "What do you think of Jesus being black?" "Well, his skin looks like mine." "I think he could be black." "He looks like me!" What a joy that these 2 girls are beginning to see Jesus as He truly is - someone that we can identify with!

A Tear-Stained Face

Tristan, a 3rd grade boy, came to me sobbing. I could barely make out his words: "Ms. Jackie, I can't find it. My mom's goin' to kill me, no really kill me." I squatted down to his level, hugged him, and gently asked him what was missing - his backpack. I quietly asked, "Tristan, what do we do when we need help?" In between his tears, he sobbed, "pray". So we prayed to our King who knew where that backpack was - me hugging him, his head resting on my shoulders wetting my shirt. A few short minutes later, the backpack was found - in a place where Tristan had sworn he had looked in before. His tear-stained face was illluminated by a radiant big smile, "Thanks, God!" What a great "Godspot" experience for Tristan to know that he can go to God whenever and trust God to show up!

Prayer and Drumsticks

Our kids were scheduled to briefly perform for parents and friends for a preview of the upcoming LIFT performance. There was a problem amidst our percussionists, though. Drumsticks were not to be found - anywhere. The adult leader was out of town performing at a gig and forgot to leave the drumsticks for the performance. Since he put a youth leader in charge, the youth leader came to me, anxious about what to do. (I have to admit that, for a brief moment, I didn't know even how to improvise or what to tell the youth leader). Meanwhile, the other percussionists (2nd-4th graders) decided (on their own) to pray to their King and ask Him for help. Through a series of events guided by the King, the Director of Building and Grounds just so happened to find spare drumsticks (just enough!) in the basement for the kids to use for their performance. The kids were SO excited and were so thankful to the King for hearing and answering their prayers!!! Thanks, Jehovah Jireh!