Disconnect or Die

April 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Okay, maybe that’s a little strong. Let me start over. Hello, my name is Steve Adams and I’m addicted to connection. I didn’t think I was, but apparently I am addicted to connection. Now in all fairness, I’m not as bad as some people I know. I know people who literally can’t be separated from a mobile device…phone, iPad, etc. While I have NO trouble ignoring email, I did notice something about myself this week. You see, I took some vacation time with the intention of simply “doing nothing.” … [Read more...]

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Stay Away From “Those” People

April 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Did your Mom ever say to you “stay away from those kids, they are nothing but trouble?” And your response was something like, “I know Mom, but I’m not going to do the things they do. I just like to hang out with them. Don’t worry, and besides, they are not THAT bad.” The truth is, we tend to take on the characteristics of the people we hang out with. Even as adults, we like to think that the people around us don’t have a strong influence on us…BULL! It’s as simple as this…the people you hang … [Read more...]

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Strategies for Easter—Part 4

March 29, 2012 by 3 Comments

Here we go with more thoughts on Easter. As you read these thoughts, keep in mind these are just my thoughts. They are not based on scripture and they are totally debatable. I just want to share with you some ideas that have been forged in the fire of experience. So here we go with thought number 4.   Your Weekend Service at Easter Should, In Some Way, Reflect a Typical Weekend Service The big idea here is not to make your services or weekend experience SO special and different … [Read more...]

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GUEST POST – A Place Where Runny Noses Are Welcome and Boo Boos Get Band-Aids

March 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

…was a phrase I overheard this week and it has stuck in my mind like sticky fingerprints on a doorknob. While echoing the simplicity of a child’s heart, one parent completely wrapped up what we are all about in the nursery. We love kids where they are at and care what they care about while connecting them to God and others AND, here’s the best part, our families understand that!  But sometimes, in the everyday hustle and bustle of ministry, I can forget it. It’s easy while working with the … [Read more...]

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That One Family

March 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Every church has ”that one family.” You know the ones I’m talking about. They are the first ones to complain about the music being too loud and they are the ones who send your Sr. Pastor those “we don’t want to cause trouble but just thought you should know” letters. They are the ones who CONSISTENTLY show up an hour late to pick up their child after an all night lock in. (Which by the way, tests my Christian faith like nothing else). They are the ones who constantly ask you to make exceptions … [Read more...]

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GUEST POST – Panic or Paddle

March 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking lately about how God has ordered the steps of my life to follow this path of children’s ministry.  I am thankful for what He has called me to do and where He has placed me. I’m so grateful that I get paid to do what I enjoy so much. In the early days of my career, I was thrown into a situation where it was literally sink or swim.  Just prior to graduation from college, God radically called me to children’s ministry.  It was such a shock and surprise to me. I hadn’t put much … [Read more...]

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Darwin Got This One Right

March 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Before you cast judgment or label me a heretic, read the next few lines. Darwin once said this, “Survival goes not necessarily to the most intelligent or the strongest, but to the one that is most adaptable to change.” Even though he missed the big picture and built his life's work on the wrong principles, he did get this statement right. Change is necessary in order to survive. In a previous post I talked about RUTS and how dangerous they can be. You see, God likes variety…just look … [Read more...]

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How to Deal with Encouragement

March 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Sounds strange doesn’t it. We talk about dealing with discouragement but not too often do we talk about dealing with encouragement. I don’t think there has ever been a time when I have thought to myself…"Wow, I hope no one else encourages me today. I don’t think I can take one more kind word." There have been those days when I have thought the opposite...”Wow, I don’t think I can take one more complaint, negative criticism, argument or a well intending soul letting me know what we should … [Read more...]

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I’m a human rubber band

March 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Do you remember a super hero team called “The Fantastic 4”?  These guys gained superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays during scientific mission to outer space (Nerd alert). There was The Invisible Woman, The Human Torch, The Thing and lastly Mr. Fantastic. Mr. Fantastic, the scientific genius and the leader of the group, could stretch his body into incredible lengths and shapes. He was a human rubber band. Sometimes I feel like a human rubber band. No one has ever called me “Mr. Fantastic” … [Read more...]

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“Pointing is not always bad”

March 5, 2012 by 2 Comments

My wife Stephanie volunteers in the 4 year old class at our church. She loves teaching these guys and every week has a funny story to tell. This weekend was no exception. She was teaching her class the story of Jonah. As you are well aware, God gave Jonah a specific command to go to the city of Nineveh. Steph was trying to help her class of 4 year olds understand that Jonah disobeyed God. So she told them this, ”God told Jonah to go to Nineveh (she points to the left), but Jonah disobeyed and … [Read more...]

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