Kidologist.com: Karl Bastian’s Personal Site and Blog
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Archive for Christmas
December 16, 2008 at 9:40 am · Filed under Christmas, Holidays, Life, Spiritual Growth
(Reprinted from the December ‘08 Kidology.org Newsletter)
Getting Christ Back into Christmas Your Ministry
There is a danger in ministry that is easy to miss. During the Christmas season, we often hear the phrase, “keeping Christ in Christmas,” or reminders that He is the “reason for the season.” But these sentiments have as much to do with our ministry all year long as they do with the celebration of Christmas. While it is certainly disappointing how little of Jesus we see in our culture’s celebration of Christmas, and frustrating to see our Savior being systematically squeezed out more and more every year, there is something far more gradual and eternally dangerous than seeing Christ steadily removed from Christmas. And it is happening every month of the year. It is the slow and unintentional removal of Christ from ministry – or at least the removal of a vibrant relationship with Jesus in the midst of Christ-centered ministry.
I have no doubt that children’s ministry leaders and volunteers will keep “Christ in Christmas” during this season. I am more concerned about whether we will keep a relationship with Jesus at the center of our life and ministry. Christmas serves as a perfect object lesson on this topic because Christ slips away from our ministries the same way He slips out of Christmas. When it comes to the purpose and focus of Christmas, it is true that there are those who are intentionally and strategically trying to remove Christ from Christmas – but they are easy to identify. However, there is a more subtle attack at play. Too often Christ gets lost, not because of overt attacks, but because He just gets drowned out in the midst of many other good things. Shopping for gifts to express love is a good thing. Decorating to make the world a brighter place is a good thing. Cooking up special recipes to make life taste better is a good thing. Playing with children, volunteering to help the poor, giving to the needy, playing music focused on joy, and promoting peace and expressing love are all good things. They aren’t “bad,” and they even please Christ – but at the same time, they can distract us from the very One who inspired them.
The same is true with our lives and ministries. We do have an Enemy who seeks to remove Christ from the center of our lives, and often his distractions or downright seductions work – and we sin. But more often, it is all the GOOD in our lives and ministry that can cause Jesus to be lost in the shuffle. We are about so many good things! Creatively teaching the Bible is good. Getting kids to come to church is good. Making the environment fun and inviting is good. Preparing fun games, engaging crafts and yummy snacks is good. Providing resources is good and staffing our classes and programs is good. Developing safe policies and creating attractive bulletin boards, brochures and websites is all good – and most of it is inspired by our desire to lead children into a saving relationship with Jesus. But just as Christ slips out of Christmas while we are busy sipping the eggnog, so Jesus can slip out of our ministry while we are restocking the resource room with apple juice.
Here a few warning signs that Jesus may have gotten buried in the busyness of ministry:
- You haven’t read the Bible for yourself in awhile. (Lesson prep doesn’t count!)
- If you pray, it’s at meals, or when you need something for the ministry.
- Your spouse or kids are starting to resent the ministry. (Or perhaps you are.)
- What used to bring you great joy now seems like a burden. (If you are honest.)
- You aren’t really as happy as you appear on Sunday. (You thought no one could tell.)
- You can’t remember the last time you got to lead someone to Christ (one on one).
- You are feeling stressed and overwhelmed with the ministry. (His burden is light.)
- You are exhausted most of the time.
- You feel unappreciated, undervalued and overworked.
- You don’t like who you are becoming privately.
- You have sin in your life that if anyone knew…
How does it happen? How can you be doing so much GOOD and seeing LIVES CHANGED and have so many people impressed and pleased with you… but Jesus seems like a stranger to you?
It is because your ministry has become central, when it is only supposed to be an outgrowth of your relationship with Jesus. It’s what you do; it was never intended to become who you are.
Let me tell you a true story about a member of Kidology.org. Jean was an extremely active and talented volunteer in her church, leading many aspects of the ministry. So when the church decided to hire a children’s pastor, she asked me to pray as she eagerly applied for the paid position. At the culmination of the search process, the church leadership decided to evaluate the final outside candidate and Jean at the same time. As she describes it, they flew in a “superstar” applicant who they would interview and evaluate along with Jean. “I was scared big time” Jean says, “and failed the interview miserably. I was so frozen with panic that my husband started answering the questions for me!” Jean was sure she wouldn’t get the job. She lacked the education, the experience, and frankly she knew she didn’t answer all their questions very well. Jean was accepting with grace the fact she probably wouldn’t be chosen but was happy to continue serving as a volunteer under whomever the church leadership eventually hired. That was why she was so surprised when the church leadership called her in and offered her the position as the new children’s pastor. Surprised, she asked, “But I thought I gave all the wrong answers?” They replied, “You did. But you also talked about Jesus in all your answers and how you and He would figure it all out. We’d rather have a leader who is in touch with Jesus and working with Him, than a leader who is depending on their education, experience and expertise to lead.”
I applaud Jean’s church leadership for recognizing what truly matters most in a children’s ministry leader – an active trusting relationship with Jesus. She is now getting the experience and education that will only make her a better leader. No school or conference or church can offer her the most important thing for the job: a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
Where does Jesus fit into your life and ministry? Do you have all the right answers? Or do you have Jesus? Are you relying on all your expertise and experience or are you leaning on Jesus and allowing Him to lead you as you lead the ministry?
Friend, Jesus is not only the “Reason for the Season,” he is the Reason for your Ministry, too. “Keeping Christ in Christmas” is not the main challenge – keeping your relationship with Him central in your life and ministry is! Perhaps you need to take some time away from ministry and spend it with Jesus. Show him He is still #1 in your life and that ministry comes only after the relationship. Thatwill give Jesus a Very Merry Christmas indeed!
Discuss this article
(Kidology Network Forums)
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER:
If you could benefit from some time away from ministry to focus on your relationship with Jesus, please take a look at Yosemite Summit or Unbridled. Yosemite Summit is a four-day retreat for men in Yosemite National Park, while Unbridled is a three-day women’s retreat in Ohio. Information on both can be found at YosemiteSummit.org
January 25, 2008 at 7:41 pm · Filed under Christmas, Holidays, Humor, Star Wars
OK, I somehow missed this at Christmas, but it is SO GOOD it is worth posting in January… have your Kleenex ready, its a tear jerker…
There are so many subtle jokes that only true fans will catch, but even a casual Star Wars fan will still get a laugh out of it! ENJOY!
December 27, 2007 at 12:17 pm · Filed under Christmas, Family, Luke
Christmas is a time of traditions and memories. Some are too special to allow to fade…
Every Christmas Eve I would climb on my dads lap along with my siblings and our dad would read us the The Night Before Christmas. It was a wonderful tradition that we continued even until grown adults were crowding onto his lap. When I finally became a father myself one of the things I was eager to do was start my own family traditions.
Last Christmas my dad surprised me by giving me the very book he read the story from during my childhood!
We both took turns reading to my son, but not until after my dad read us a poem he wrote as he passed this tradition down to his oldest son:
‘Twas Our Night Before Christmas
Every night before Christmas
In th’ young Bastian hom
Eager children were restless:
“Dad Santa” would roam.
It was mostly our secret
To play Santa’s game;
But we knew it was Jesus
Who down to earth came.
For the kids, it’s a mixture
Of shepherds and elves,
Of both chimney and manger,
And toys for their shelves.
So now I, without nightcap,
Would sit in my chair
‘Till our four grown children
Would smother me there.
Gath’ring kids had a purpose,
For Dad would then read
“‘Twas The Night Before Christmas”,
Warm mem’ry indeed!
This old book I now give you,
First son of my four,
Just to read to your children
Yet Christmases more.
Oh, I wonder, in Heaven,
When Jesus sits down,
If we’ll all pile on top of Him
And smother the Throne.
Written for my son Karl
by Dad Bastian
December 2006
Now I get to carry on this tradition in my home, with the very same book! So I was very eager this Christmas Eve to have my first fatherly reading of the story to my little boy.
Luke was delighted to sit on my lap as I proudly read to him the story my own father had read to me on so many Christmas Eves past when I was the one on the lap listening. But the bliss was not to last…
The story proved to be too long for Luke who soon considered Dad’s lap more a prison than a privilege. And eventually I had to surrender to the boy and let him down. (You can’t force a child into a loving tender momment!)
I dutifully finished the poem as Luke played with his new garbage truck.
Thanks, Dad, for being such a thoughtful Dad when I was a boy, and for still honoring me with your love and unshakable faith in me. I hope I can be half the dad you are to me still!Â
My Christmas Family 2007!
More pictures soon!
December 25, 2007 at 11:48 pm · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas
Well, the depression is setting in… Christmas is nearly over. But at least ONE VISITOR to my blog will still be getting another Christmas Present! THAT’S RIGHT! I still have to give away the GRAND PRIZE for the 12 Days of Christmas ToyBox Tales!
In fact, your 12th Christmas ToyBox Tale is one I JUST MADE TEN MINUTES AGO and is converting to flash as I type this! In this final Christmas ToyBox Tale the WINNER WILL BE REVEALED! So to win, you have to watch the video! There were 41 entries into the contest, and have no fear, the winner was chosen by Random, as you will see “LIVE” in the video. (Well, live during filming anyway!)
So… WHO WON?? Watch and Find Out!
CONGRATS TO THE WINNER! And what is the prize? It is the set used in Swine Control, but brand new in the box and includes three action figures! WOW, what a prize!
I hope everyone who watched had a Wonderful and Merry Christmas this year! There are some new things planned for ToyBoxTales.com in 2008… so stay tuned!
December 24, 2007 at 9:42 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
WHAT IS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOYBOX TALES? Read the Introduction!
Well, we are coming to the end of our 12 Days of Christmas! TOMORROW THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED RIGHT HERE ON THE SITE… someone will have a Very Merry Christmas with a special gift from me and toyboxtales.com! WHO WILL IT BE? TODAY is your LAST CHANCE to post a comment or post to be entered! So, what are you waiting for??
HERE IS YOUR ELEVENTH CHRISTMAS TALE: A ToyBox Tale Christmas
This was a fun tale to make. My entire K.C. Krew helped write it and did the acting, er, voicing of the characters. The angel, which caused the most controversy (not too bad) was done by the senior pastor’s son, so that helped. But overall the kids did a great job! And since this was made in my pre-Mac days, I need to give credit to Jim Crouter, the youth pastor at my previous church who did all the editing, music and title screens for me. It turned out fantastic! ENJOY!
From The ToyBox Tales Christmas DVD.
TOMORROW: The 12 Days of Christmas Toybox Tales… WINNER!
LAST CHANCE TO BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
December 23, 2007 at 6:22 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
WHAT IS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOYBOX TALES? Read the Introduction!
HERE IS YOUR TENTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
A Galactic Christmas Carol - Episode Three
From A Galactic Christmas Carol Series on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW: A Toybox Tale Christmas
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
December 22, 2007 at 11:32 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
WHAT IS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOYBOX TALES? Read the Introduction!
HERE IS YOUR NINTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
A Galactic Christmas Carol - Episode Two
From A Galactic Christmas Tale Series on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW: Galactic Christmas Carol - Part 3
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
Seems the field of competition is pretty small! But all it takes is ONE comment or post to have a chance at winning a Muppets Pigs in Space set - BRAND NEW IN THE BOX - with three action figures, yes, Miss Piggy in her space outsite and her two co-pilots!! SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Register to win by commenting!
December 21, 2007 at 10:43 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas
WHAT IS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOYBOX TALES? Read the Introduction!
HERE IS YOUR EIGHTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
A Galactic Christmas Carol - Episode One
From A Galactic Christmas Tale Series on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW: Galactic Christmas Carol - Part 2
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
So far Henry Zonio and Tom Bump are in the lead for the most chances to win, but each post is one entry, so even one post could bring you home a TBT set worth over $50. (Did I mention it includes action figures?!)
December 21, 2007 at 12:21 am · Filed under Christmas, Humor, KarlTube, Mac
Thot you’d enjoy this, that is, if you love Macs!
December 19, 2007 at 11:07 pm · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
HERE IS YOUR SEVENTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
Rudy, the Red Nosed Reindeer!
From www.toyboxtales.com on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW:
Galactic Christmas Carol - Part 1
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
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