Yes it really is almost 1 am and yes I’m up still. Ever since reading the new research on the lostness of America and the precious few years children have to make their decision – I haven’t been sleeping well.

Ed Young’s words from the C3 conference DVD on reaching the generations resonate in my dreams and in my day-dreams.

My own words and some of the bold comments I made last Sunday resonate within me but then I recall the words of Christ.

“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

-Matthew 19:13-14 NIV

Jesus had to speak some harsh words to the men following Him: let them come – do not hinder them – they have the kingdom of heaven. In fact if you have any hope of heaven – you better become like them.

It is an ever constant reminder that Jesus wanted the children to be in His presence and anything we can do to arrange that today… well those are holy moments.

Join me in my mad dash across the internet tonight – take a look at a few of the hundred windows I have open on my desktop – (along with my trusty notepad as I type my brainstorm):

Wacky World Productions

KidzMatter

Worlds of Wow

Elevate for Kids

This week I’m attaining a life-goal that I’d set back a few years ago. It’s very fulfilling to achieve something that’s taken at least a decade to get in motion and see the benefits it is producing.

When I first felt-called to the ministry in 1996, I had a friend ask if I’d been called to missions. I said, “No way!” – I’m called to be a local church pastor, but I definitely want to be a mission-sending pastor.

I never thought I’d be interested much in the “go-ing” part of missions – but I knew that my heart for the unreached here in the US and abroad would cause me to teach, lead, and provide the means for others to work and GO!

As I then studied Acts 1:8 and let Christ’s words sink into my heart and mind – I realized that my missions-sending might be more personal than I’d ever thought.

God opened my eyes to the joy of serving Him not only here but also in areas that I’ve never really wanted to go before. A variety of people approached me in the past few months seeking funding for missions projects.

The total figure was to me…impossible. I’ve never raised that much money through the church in my life – much less sought private individuals and groups to raise money for something they would not personally benefit from.

This week the final funding came through and our church is able to support with prayer and finances eleven summer missionaries on four continents this summer.

One could argue that I’ve always been a mission-sending and mission-minded pastor because of my unwavering support and increase of Cooperative Program giving in each church I’ve served.

However, when you know the folks and the projects individually – it really brings into crystal clear focus what that goal I wrote down meant: a missions-sending pastor. The fact that I know the folks I’ve been working to raise funding for and that I’m absolutely crazy about them all and know they are passionate about God’s work …. that’s just the icing on the cake.

I have a sense that my life-goal is really only half-way achieved – that God is going to continue to use me to call forth volunteers for work at home and abroad – serving His kingdom goals.

I feel like I need to breathe for a little bit before I start working on the next projects. Maybe not…are you going to India with me in 2009? Is God calling you to another project? God needs witnesses here, there, and everywhere.

Let’s talk.