Pioneer Clubs impacts the lives of kids by building a foundation for their faith and nurturing their relationship with Jesus Christ. But even at very young ages, these kids are impacting the lives of others—their families, their friends, and even people they may never meet. They are finding joy in serving others. Kayla Smith understands how her part in simple service is impacting the lives of other people. She has a great story!

Silence: Lenten Reflection

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence.”

- Mother Teresa

A Wave to Friends Down Under!

Imagine our surprise to find this lovely post about Mix It Up! online today. On his blog, Dave Wakerley, who with his wife Beci is a children's pastor in Syndey, Australia, gave us a (virtual) wave.

(It's nice to meet you too - Dave and Beci!)

His site offers links to other high quality blogs and to information on a wide array of topics including parenting, curriculum, music, and communication. What a great resource!

Thanks, too, Dave for the kind words about our "Window of Opportunity" training video. We still find the stats on kids' spiritual development inspiring - and energizing.

All best to you - and to all our readers - who as parents, children's and youth ministers, and volunteers work to introduce young hearts to the love of Christ.

Happy Spring - or, actually, it must be Autumn there now!

Lenten Reflection: Living as a Forgiven Person

A local Catholic theater troupe is performing "The Seven Last Words of Christ" by Theodore Dubois. It's a classical choral piece that explores the passion of Christ.

What are the last seven things Christ said?

On Got Questions, a website that offers answers to spiritual and Biblical inquiries, the question is answered like this:

The seven statements that Jesus Christ made on the cross were (not in any particular order):

(1) Matthew 27:46 tells us that about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Here, Jesus was expressing His feelings of abandonment as God placed the sins of the world on Him – and because of that, God had to “turn away” from Jesus. As Jesus was feeling that weight of sin, He was experiencing a separation from God for the only time in all of eternity. This was also a fulfillment of the prophetic statement in Psalm 22:1.

(2) “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Those who crucified Jesus were not aware of the full scope of what they were doing because they did not recognize Him as the Messiah. While their ignorance of divine truth did not mean they deserved forgiveness, Christ’s prayer in the midst of their mocking Him is an expression of the limitless compassion of divine grace.

(3) “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). In this passage, Jesus is assuring one of the criminals on the cross that when he died, he would be with Jesus in heaven. This was granted because even at the hour of his death, the criminal had expressed his faith in Jesus, recognizing Him for who He was (Luke 23:42).

(4) “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Here, Jesus is willingly giving up His soul into the Father’s hands, indicating that He was about to die – and that God had accepted His sacrifice. He “offered up Himself unblemished to God” (Hebrews 9:14).

(5) “Dear Woman, here is your son!” and “Here is your mother!” When Jesus saw His mother standing near the cross with the Apostle John, whom He loved, He committed His mother’s care into John’s hands. And from that hour John took her unto his own home (John 19:26-27). In this verse Jesus, ever the compassionate Son, is making sure His earthly mother is cared for after His death.

(6) “I am thirsty” (John 19:28). Jesus was here fulfilling the Messianic prophecy from Psalm 69:21: “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” By saying He was thirsty, He prompted the Roman guards to give Him vinegar, which was customary at a crucifixion, thereby fulfilling the prophecy.

(7) “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Jesus’ last words meant that His suffering was over and the whole work His Father had given Him to do, which was to preach the Gospel, work miracles, and obtain eternal salvation for His people, was done, accomplished, fulfilled. The debt of sin was paid.

On his blog Mark Roberts also explores the seven last "words" of Christ and offers a Lenten devotion for each, including a reflection, questions to consider, and a prayer.

Here's the prayer suggested by Mark Roberts for the "first word" ("Forgive them for they know not what they do") reflection:

Gracious Lord Jesus, it's easy for me to speak of your forgiveness, even to ask for it and to thank you for it. But do I really believe I'm forgiven? Do I experience the freedom that comes from the assurance that you have cleansed me from my sins? Or do I live as if I'm "semi-forgiven"? Even though I've put my faith in you and confessed my sins, do I live as sin still has power over me? Do I try to prove myself to you, as if I might be able to earn more forgiveness?Dear Lord, though I believe at one level that you have forgiven me, this amazing truth needs to penetrate my heart in new ways. Help me to know with fresh conviction that I am fully and finally forgiven, not because of anything I have done, but because of what you have done for me. May I live today as a forgiven person, opening my heart to you, choosing not to sin because the power of sin has been broken by your salvation. All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for your matchless forgiveness! Amen.

Preparing for Easter

What are your plans for your kids for Easter?

Pioneer Clubs offers a complete package of resources in its "Celebrate God's Gift of New Life in Christ" materials. You can look at them here. I like the cross craft. It seems a beautiful representation of the resurrection. (And I always used to love those "scratch art" projects when I was a child.)

Here are some other Bible-based Easter activities and crafts. I like this Easter carol by 19th century author Ellen Robena Field. Teachers could read it to young children while they color an Easter lily picture.

Older kids (perhaps grades 4-8) might enjoy this more intricate coloring page. If some of the children in the class have not memorized John 3:16, this would be a great instrument to encourage that. Older boys might connect with this one, too.

This burnt match stick cross could be a great craft to do with partners or for older kids. Perhaps a more reflective time could be built around this craft. After the matches are ready to glue and construct, the teachers/leaders could play Christian music and allow the kids/tweens to work quietly as they build it. This beautiful stained glass lily picture could be customized as a craft for most ages.

What are some of your best ideas for celebrating the resurrection with the children and youth in your life?

Have You Heard of the Jonas Brothers?

I was just kidding - of course you have.

Who hasn't?

The Jonas Brothers are three real-life brothers who have made three CDs - the most recent of which was nominated for, but didn't win, a "Best New Artist" Grammy. They aren't marketed as a Christian band, but are open about their faith in Christ.

One recent quote from 19 year-old (middle) brother Joe (and quoted in USA Today):

"Even songs we write today, if you really listen to the lyrics, it can be about love songs, but it's also about our relationship with God. It's simple. We're Christian guys in a rock 'n' roll band."

Kevin Jonas, the eldest of the three, said:

"With our music we're trying to be successful. It's definitely a pop record. It's a pop/rock record for the mainstream. But our whole thing is to play mainstream music but to be a light in a dark world and to tell people that we are Christians when they ask, 'What's so different about you?' We're like, 'Well, we're Christians and we love the Lord.' That's our opportunity to witness to people. We just feel like this is where we belong - 'This is who we are and let's just go for it!'"

Here's one of their music videos, if you've not seen them perform before.

I like that they are sharing their faith with their actions as well as their words - and being as excellent musically as they can be. Theirs is a consistent witness to the love they know in Christ.
So...if your tweens ask to see their new movie, Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, this weekend...you might want to consider making it a date.

The Least of These?

This morning I read a story on a friend's blog of his interaction with a family on a subway train in New York and, almost like background music, I kept hearing the words - from Matthew 25 - in my head:

34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

In my friend's blog, in a post called "Hands," he writes:

One stop before the E pulls into Jamaica Center, a young couple enters my car pushing a stroller with wrapped child, swaddling clothes. and the man begins his speech. Spend enough time in New York and you will hear them all—this time it’s an ex-con, recently released, trying to get back on his feet, find a job, pay the rent, support his wife and child, anything will help, any amount will be appreciated, God bless.

My head is full of anger this morning-- the reason is unimportant now just as it will be on my deathbed-- but it is the kind that today will blur my vision, sap my strength, make my thoughts skip in their groove as I fold in upon myself like a paper doll. But somehow I reach for my wallet and open it to three singles and a twenty. My hand crumples the bill into a ball. not out of humility, but humiliation because the thought that always comes to mind first in these situations is “This guy is taking me for a ride,” and if I am willingly going for that ride at least those around me don’t have to see how far I’m being taken.

I fit the bill into the man’s hand.“Thank you. God bless,” says he. And I nod, the anger still sapping away any real care, any humanity. When he reaches the other side of the car and his wife and babe, he says something to her and looks back to me and nods. It was the twenty I had crumpled, and the hand that crumpled it had been moved only by something deeper (hopefully) than the anger, something I pray will always be.

The train hisses, we are in the station now and I climb out, bags in tow. As I struggle to heft my hiking pack the family approaches and the man speaks,

“My wife and I wanted to thank you.”

“Oh, yeah. Sure.” The anger keeps me even from looking at them. “You just lost your job?”

“No, I was incarcerated. Just got out. I’ve been looking for work but it’s hard to take care of my family and do everything so sometimes we come out asking for help. It costs a lot with the food and diapers and all. Especially, you know, these days.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“But thank you, brother.”

“No thank you." JUST SPEAK says something/But you don't even feel it says another. "Truth is, I’ve been in a pretty dark place this morning and it’s good to get out of myself, you know, so thank you for that.” It’s true-- I know it, though I do not feel it. “I’m John.”

His hand extends. “Angel. This is my wife, Nikki. And that’s Nathaniel.”

I wave to Nathaniel-- this sweet little unknowing thing being rolled about in the subway, and then for some reason my hand pauses in the air and I make the sign of the cross over him. Unknowing myself, as if the hand were moved by another, and something breaks a little inside me. I'm angry for myself that something has to break, that my heart is so wrapped up in itself, still angry for my own unimportant reason, still angry to have to talk to another human being and not be able to retract into self again.
“Well, God bless, take care.”

“Yeah, you, too. Bless you.”

I’m moving away now, still aware that my own heart is a mess, praying that I wake soon, that a joy and a love return with abiding heat to move my hands, my feet, rather than this that moves them now, but I know that this, too, is enough, that Angel and Nikki and most importantly little Nathaniel need most my crumpled bill and not my best mood. I know my heart will return, I pray that all our hearts will return.

I like that John realized, in talking with this needy couple, that it was he (John) who was the least of these. It was his heart that was "a mess."

Where will I see Christ today?

Lenten Prayer

How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death? Yes, Lord, I have to die—with you, through you, and in you—and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection. There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess.... I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen. (Henri Nouwen)