I'm quite sure that Jesus loved a good joke. Just look at the penquin. I'm also sure He laughed alot. He had to have some of those great qualities if children loved to be around Him. I just can't picture Jesus with a long face and serious and kids pressing in wanting to hear Him, be close to Him, touch Him, or wanting to sit on His lap. Who wants to be around a sour puss?
The Jesus I know exudes love and an essence that draws me closer each time I wait on His presence. Just the expectation of being with Him brings such joyful anticipation that it makes it worth the wait! Hearing His voice is like cool mountain spring water on the hottest day - what an awesome God we serve!
Like Him, I absolutely LOVE kids! I've worked in several different capacities with children over a period of 35 years or so, and have had an incredible time doing so. I've learned so much from them, like how to have fun in doing most anything. There is a joy and freedom in a child that we adults somehow have dropped along the way. We may see it as "childishness", but God speaks of it as "childlikeness" and actually commands it! "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Mark 10:15 (ESV)
I've been known to do some crazy, unconventional, "in your face" type things with kids over the years, but then again, wasn't Jesus also known for that? We have to be willing to try new things, get "out of the box" and sometimes just plain throw the box away to reach children today with the message of Christ.
You’re going to see and hear stories of how Jesus moves on and interacts with kids of all ages with a flowing simplicity that will touch your heart. You’ll find that His plan for them includes intimacy to the “depth” degree, and that He can use them in powerful, miraculous ways, if we just step out of the way and give them the chance. You WILL view kids in a new way…you will see them with HIS eyes and be challenged by their faith, words and ministry!
Life with Jesus is an adventure! There's something new everyday, just like His mercies, and we can experience it fresh, if you dare to! Come walk with me over the next weeks and months as we talk more about children, uncover some hidden treasures, release fresh revelation about what God says regarding their lives, and gain new insight into their potential.
I look forward to hearing from you, too, as God gives you new ideas, reveals awesome truths and explodes onto your scene with creativity you never thought possible! There's a whole new facet of Jesus that we're going to see and experience together......as His KIDS.....
Let's have some fun!
Karen’s calling is to bring children into the manifest presence and glory of Jesus, lead them in experiencing His deep abiding love, clear unmistakable voice, wise Godly direction for their lives, and to ignite a spirit-led passion for serving Him in many ways at any age.
She is available for children’s and adult conferences, retreats, church dates, camps, leadership training and regional equipping sessions. Fire For the Nations hosts a summer camp for kids and periodic kids mission trips during the year. Her first book, Kids Can! will be released soon. For more information, contact her at Karen@fire4thenations.com or go to www.fire4thenations.com
Comments
help from a grandmother!
by Anonymous
Karen,
I just went thru Mark Vikler',s e-mail and found you. About 2 years ago God put on my heart about meandering girls. I didn't know why because I didn't have kids at home. Then we moved to Ohio and I am in a church that God put 8-12 years girls on my heart here. So I went to Pastor and talked to him about it.It is diffidently something I couldn't sake off. I wanted to do something with modesty and purity but I feel that these girls are younger in mentality and their not ready for it. I meet once a month right now for my job is working nights and days it is hard to plan more. I am praying for one shift because I am semi retired or have enough income that I can be free from working at all.Also my husband has a little bit of dementia and it is a whole new world that I don't know how to handle. But as of now I feel the Lord putting on my heart about teaching on getting in the word and the Holy Spirit and getting the inside beautiful and then the out side. I said to pastor that I keep having these dreams about revival and it is going to start with our youth! I don't know where I am going with this But I want to be obedient to Him! I need help do you have any tools or suggestions to get this all started? I feel soo inadequate! I don't do computers very well or type so forgive me I am just a grandmother who God is calling and I don't know why. but I know He called me to Bible school when I was a teenager and I went in obeisance and knew I was to be there but never knew why so this could be the why.
My address is
Diana Henderson
1285 Collar- Price Road
Hubbard,Ohio 44425
Fun
by Anonymous
Karen,
So thrilled that God brought me to your blog this morning! The Lord has been impressing on my heart His heart for children. We have a five year old little guy in our lives that is like a sponge. God has shown me His heart to have His children near to Him. Having been read the bible since infancy, we share at every teachable moment, and just recently have had the opportunity to teach this little man about Jesus in action through a five year old. Imagine a generation of mighty children growing into mighty men and women for the Lord. With anticipation I look forward to following your blog..
Suzie from PA
MORE Fun!
by Anonymous
Awesome, Suzie!
So glad God is sharing His heart with you about kids - He's doing that more and more with His "big kids"!
Five year olds are cool - their eyes get sooo big when they discover the treasures of Jesus. It's fun to watch them during prayer when Jesus gets hold of them and speaks secrets to their hearts or gives them pictures. I've been so amazed at what depths the Lord takes them to, even during their beginning stages of prayer and "crayo-journaling"!
Hope you share with us the things he gets from Jesus when they come, 'cause they WILL!
Blessings! - Karen
Karen, I am so excited for
by Anonymous
Karen, I am so excited for you. You have so much to share. I am tickled to know one of those people that the New Testaments talks about that is turning the world up side down. Keep up your work and your work with children.
John Ira Nye aka Brother John
Kids Can
by Anonymous
Great blog. Kids should not have to wait till their adults to experience God in worship, hearing His voice, or any of the other manifestations of His presence or gifts. It is high time to get the kids in the flow of the Spirit and do more than save a generation but give Holy Spirit power to a generation. Keep up the good work with the kids.
Pastor Marc Huddleston
Hunters Point Celebration Center
You Bet They Can!
by Karen Barnes
Thanks, Marc, for the comment! I've seen so many kids get absolutely blown away by the
presence of the Holy Spirit. I can attest to the life changing power of God in a child's life,
and how they become "life-changers" themselves in ministry afterwards! Can't wait to
share more stories of how God has moved on children around the world!
So exciting!!
by Anonymous
I've been looking for more resources to introduce my 6, 4, and 1 yr olds to the supernatural! They are natural receivers of Holy Spirit. If I can suggest one thing...can u please use a font that is easier to read? It was difficult on a computer and REALLY hard on a smart phone. ;0)
So exciting .... part deux...
by Karen Barnes
Thanks for the suggestion! This is my first attempt at blogging, so I'm learning, just like we ALL are at SOMETHING in our lives every day.
You're also right - kids ARE natural receivers. They're pretty fresh, coming straight from Jesus' realm into the natural realm with little baggage. They still have their "receptors" open, and they don't have the worries and cares that we have put on ourselves over the years. Between that and the innocence and purity they carry (Jesus is drawn to that!) they are magnets for Holy Spirit activity!
Keep reading - more excitement to come! - Karen
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