Too Blessed February 15, 2012
Posted by erichaynes in General.add a comment
Though I am the director for all things children’s ministry at our growing church organization, I am occasionally granted the privilege of speaking in front of “adult church.” This is sort of dangerous, since I often try to slip into my skit voice or want to clap three times in rhythm to get everyone’s attention if they start drifting off. Although I am comfortable in front of crowds, as a storyteller, there is always a good risk I may forget whether I’m talking about Goliath or Paul Bunyan, and start preaching on the subject of big, blue oxen.
But what I probably struggle with the most is my blessedness — I am too stinkin’ blessed! I have a relatively easy life. I have not had most of the difficult issues many people sitting in the audience deal with on a regular basis. And while I don’t think one has to experience every tragedy in the world before they can speak to that tragedy (God’s Truth is true regardless), I do think I need to spend more time considering how my words can and will be received. That is why I really appreciated Jim Martin’s post…it is a good reminder for all of us who are asked to guide people to a new perspective, and into God’s wisdom. The list of questions are very helpful, I think, whether you are speaking in front of a crowd, or leading a small group, or speaking to one person who is hurting and has come seeking help.
So, the next time I am asked to speak in “adult church”, I will make sure to spend time thinking through these questions and make sure I’m speaking truth to whomever is sitting in the auditorium. Or course, that doesn’t mean I won’t try pulling out a puppet if it’ll help get the point across…
Storytelling Post at Dragonfly Musings February 4, 2012
Posted by erichaynes in Adventures in Storytelling.add a comment
Had a great time last night telling stories at Lewis & Clark Elementary for their Reading Adventure Night…details HERE.
Living out a dream… February 2, 2012
Posted by erichaynes in Adventures in Storytelling, General, Spiritual Journey, Stories of MyLife.Tags: God, Journey, purpose, Spiritual Journey, Stories of MyLife, Storytelling
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Once upon a time, there was a balding, middle-aged man who was trying to decide how he was going to act out his mid-life crisis…would he get a hot car, a hot babe, or just drink beer all day, every day, until he had a nice big belly to keep him company? After contemplating this for about 2 seconds, he decided NOT to have a mid-life crisis after all.
Instead, he decided to join the staff of a less-than-conventional-organization (sometimes referred to as Shoal Creek Community Church) and direct efforts in serving children and families in the Northland of Kansas City. For the past year, he (that is, I) has been having a blast strategizing, planning and implementing exciting new experiences for families and children to encounter God in their daily lives. This adventure continues with some amazing plans and activities in the coming year.
But another dream has been brewing inside of him (me) that took a big step forward this past month — the dream to become a Storyteller. Why? Well, for several reasons, the least of which is because it is simply amazingly fun to tell stories to kids and adults, whether they are fables, riddles, tall tales, or bible stories. But more importantly, our lives are woven in Story, whether it is the stories with which we entertain ourselves, or with which we frighten ourselves, or the stories that give us Hope. Our very lives are stories in the making and, each of us, in our unique way, are storytellers. And most importantly, we are woven into the Greater Story of our Creator, who is constantly writing His Story of Redemption and Glory through our lives.
I want to live and learn the art of story, and share those stories to this generation and the next. And I want to reach those families who never walk inside a church, or look beyond the television sets, or have simply lost hope that there can be any value in the story being woven within them. And so today I launched Dragonfly Musings, a new website where stories can be discovered, where a storyteller can be commissioned, and where God’s Story can extend beyond the walls of a church building. I hope you’ll drop by and share some stories of your own.
(And if you want to know why “dragonfly”, then click HERE.)
Starting a new Christmas Tradition: Found Gifts December 10, 2011
Posted by erichaynes in Dads, Family Ministry, Family Stories, General, Random Reflections, Readings, and Resources.Tags: Christmas, dad, gifts, traditions
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My friend Richard has a great post about his experience with Found Gifts. I wanted to share his post and a story of my own.
A “found gift” is a gift that has special meaning about or for the recipient. In this age of big ticket items and buying gift cards (not to mention cash), we have lost the fine art of giving gifts that really mean something.
Over Thanksgiving, our family draws names out of a hat for the person that we will give the “found gift” to at Christmas. The rules are simple. Keep the name a secret. Do not just go out and buy a gift (spending no money is preferable, but sometime necessary). The gift has to either be something that is “found” around the house or made. And an optional “rule” that we use is that the giver must include a written description of the gift and why they are giving it, and they are expected to read the letter out loud (scary, huh?)
This little tradition has transformed our family Christmas celebrations. Sure, we still give the standard gifts: toys, clothes, and do-dads. But on Christmas Eve, after we all get into our new pajamas, we share our found gifts with each other as a way to symbolize our relationship with Christ and with each other
.
Last year, my wife drew my name. The gift she gave me was a small key that had been kept in her van glove box. The key was of little importance, but kept there because of the roof rack I installed on that that has a locking mechanism. The key doesn’t even unlock the racks. It is the “core” key — it is a blank key that is used to install (or uninstall) the core of the locking mechanism. When I explained that though the key doesn’t actually unlock the system, it does get to the very core of the system, my wife knew she had found her gift.
On Christmas morning, I opened my gift…that simple little key. Lynne went on to explain that she said my explanation of the key’s purpose was similar to my role in her life and the life of our family…that my leadership gets to the very core of who we are as a familly. She went on to talk about how important I was as a husband and a father. As a guy that often feels like he is failing as a husband or father (what dad/husband doesn’t?), these words of encouragement and appreciation were deeply touching.
Today, I still carry this gift around on my key chain as a constant reminder that I am important and valued as the leader of my family. When all other gifts I received at Christmas were forgotten the next week, this gift stays with me, and continues to transform my relationship with my wife and kids.
I encourage you to consider starting a new tradition in your family this year…I guarantee that it will make a huge difference! Let me know how it went.
Merry Christmas!
Sprunging my Springs October 12, 2011
Posted by erichaynes in General, Random Reflections, Readings, and Resources.Tags: cars, H-Team
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The latest and greatest in the world of H-Team vehicle status was the sudden loss of suspension on the passenger rear tire of the Avalon. I am amazed at what I have learned the last couple of years about vehicles since mine continues to want to do weird things at just the most frustrating moments. Rushing to get the kids to various activities and still manage to feed them (school night at Ci-Ci’s Pizza), there was suddenly a loud rubbing noise from the rear. Needing to get to our destination, we continued our forward progress, right up to the point where the smoke starting pouring out of the wheel well. Funny how a sprung spring pushed up against the rubber tire begins to get hot after a very short amount of time! 
Thankfully, we have a daughter who can now drive and was able to come rescue the family while I waited for the tow truck, which finally did arrive an hour later. I missed out on pizza, but now I know — thanks to my knowledgeable tow truck buddy that I’m getting to know by sight — that Avalons and Dodge Neons apparently share a propensity for becoming unsprung. Who knew?!
This seems to be a week, as we contemplate a couple of expensive improvements to the house, where other things are conspiring against our financial ability to make those improvements. I don’t know if this is God’s way of answering my prayers for wise guidance, or just life, but either way I’m glad that I’ve been currently studying the book of Job, because my little issues are nothing compared to his. Therefore, I will attempt to take less for granted my things of luxury, including a car that is now back on the rode, its springs all springy once again.
