I Think we can all agree that in every ministry we go through trials...this is where we grow. As I calmed my one year old in one arm,my one month old in the other,and listened to the complaints of my husband. I realized through the piercing screams that even in the classroom of "home"  I am in need of his presence. It really is a class room because mom and dad also instruct and teach. It was in a moment like that that I sang out to the Lord and pulled out the bible. Quietly declaring scripture in order to gain peace. And yes, it is with faith that it is done. James 1:2 ( trials bring faith) If I did not have faith that I could walk on water through the storm, I would have crumbled in front of my children.
Know who you are in the Lord, know that the battle is not yours but his...and he is victorious!!!

Getting children to participate in praise and worship can seem like a challenge break the ice with a good song of praise. Try to choose a song ahead of time, learn it and use it during your time of praise and worship at home. Today church children are into modern style music. Praise the Lord for those modern style music christian bands. "Mercy Me" is a popular one. I love their song " Here with me" I can cry out to the Lord with that song. "I will declare your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! (Psalm 22:22,23)

Today as I looked for a place to praise and worship I found the perfect spot right outside the side entrance. Alone and surrounded with trees I sang out load until the heaviness lifted and then joy, that wonderful joy that comes only from our Eternal God. 1peter 1:8 talks about that inexpressible joy that comes from believing in Christ Jesus and our faith in him even though we do not physically see him. So I encourage all children's ministers to be joyful in Jesus. Before entering in the classroom, before teaching fill yourself and that room with that precious presents of God that brings joy, for this should lift all heaviness that may be lurking around your classroom. It is so important so that the children and yourself can hear the voice of God through the message he is sending through you.

     Most children are into cartoons and children shows. Placing a child in front of the TV is one very popular way to keep our children occupied while we get things done, technically there is nothing wrong with doing just that,  but there is a big "BUT" in there. A lot of these cartoons and TV shows that are directed to children can actually be very harmful to them. I have come to find out that most of the most popular ones have hidden messages, which have negative results on children. These include fear factor which promotes nightmares and just fear in general to all kinds of things, rebellion, violence and even sexual content. But the people behind the making of these cartoons and shows carefully hide these messages so that it goes right under a parents nose. So as a parent is busy cooking dinner, there their child is consuming harmful messages. Just as the saying goes "we are what we eat" so we can easily become influenced by what we watch.
    My suggestion always research the programs that you choose to allow them to watch. And , here is a tip "you can almost never go wrong with educational programs.