My To-Do List

If you've been to any of our Ignite Conferences, you've heard me talk about my passion for reading. I often state that every great leader is a great reader. My time constraints might limit me to a page or two at a time, but I do try to read each and every day.

Let me share with you some books that I have read, are reading, or are about to start reading. You might want to put these book titles on your to-do list.

I recently read Revival God's Way by Leonard Ravenhill. This is a must read. In fact, I will be rereading it again in the near future.

I am currently reading Surviving the Anointing by Leonard Ravenhill's son, David Ravenhill. I am having trouble putting the book down. It is subtitled Learning to Effectively Experience and Walk in God's Power.

Books on my soon-to-read list ...

1. Here Comes Heaven! A Kid's Guide to God's Supernatural Power by Bill Johnson & Mike Seth

2. Glory Invasion ... Walking Under an Open Heaven by David Herzog

3. Mysteries of the Glory Unveiled by David Herzog

One more thing ... if you have read or are reading a book that is really impacting you, please pass on the title and author to me. You can contact me billy@billyburnsministries.com.

The Greatest Gift

Ladies, you can be so thankful that you didn't marry me. During this time of the year, the true Billy Burns comes out. I HATE to shop. I don't mind going into the store to get an item if we know exactly what we are going for. I can tolerate a quick in and out. But to look from store to store, floor to floor, department to department, display to display is simply more than I can "enjoy".

It's not just the shopping experience. I also struggle with the shopping expectation. To me, shopping produces a major pressure in requiring us to find THE perfect gift. It's not enough just to go into a Hickory Farms store and buy a box of smoked sausage. It is as though that we have to have the gifts of the Spirit to help us to probe into the recipient's mind to know exactly what they would like, what color and exact size, and what will generate a genuine heart-felt thanks.

Thankfully, after pushing shopping aside, I can enjoy Christmas. I really, really, really do love Christmas, just not the shopping part of it. I learned as a child that my love for Christmas comes in the Gift not the gifts.

Consider this. Heaven's Gift is always the right size. Unlike my clothes, I can't outgrow this Gift. This Gift is always perfect for any and every situation. The Gift isn't seasonal or just for one time in my year or life. The Gift isn't a passing fad. Unlike the Hula Hoop or the Pet Rock, this Gift won't be the most wanted item for a few weeks and then found on the Deeply Reduced sale display table later.

Join with me. Let’s thank God for His great love and His perfect Gift, Jesus Christ.

Que Será, Será

Recently, there was an event in the news that really caught America’s attention. While our national news is daily giving reports of companies downsizing, filing for chapter 11, and even shutting down, the news told of a company in Chicago, Republic Windows and Doors, that literally closed its windows and shut its doors to its 240 employees by filing bankruptcy and closing its plant. The 240 unemployed workers staged a sit-in at their former factory refusing to leave quietly. Daily, America watched these strikers as they adamantly defended their right to due compensation. The end result gave each former Republic employee eight weeks' salary, all accrued vacation pay and two months' paid health care, said U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who helped broker the deal. He said it works out to about $7,000 apiece.

I love this story! These former employees are my heroes. They were unwavering in their pursuit of what was owed to them. They refused to be denied.

How does this apply to ushering in a last day Holy Ghost children's revival? Let me ask you this question. How unrelenting are you for the fulfillment of God's promise given through the prophet Joel for this generation? How desperate are you for God's Spirit to freely flow in your services and children?

Too often, it is so easy to have a que será, será whatever will be, will be attitude. We need to recognize that those with an "if it happens, it happens" mentality will never see revival. Those that allow circumstances to dictate the outcome will constantly be denied a true move of God.

The purpose for Billy Burns Ministries is to connect people who have a kindred heart and passion. I contend that all across the globe there are individuals and groups who are much like the former employees mentioned above. We are like Jacob of old who after wrestling with the messenger of the Lord declared that he would not be denied. We refuse to sit back and watch what is due this generation of children go unfulfilled. We are people who are ademently and vocally contending that this generation will not be denied a genuine move of God.

Remember, if you can be denied, you will be denied. Don't allow pacifism to creep in. Let's stand up and unrelentingly use our voice and actions to remind God, Satan, and anyone else who will listen that THIS generation will know and flow with the Holy Spirit. We will NOT be denied!

Check Your Indicators

I have a confession ... my brain is different than most people in that I can see something funny in almost any situation. This often got me into trouble in school as I would enjoy telling my classmates my funny insight. For the most part, I've since learned how to keep these insights to myself. Occasionally I can still spout out a funny at an inappropiate time before my good sense can kick in and control my words.

As a child, I learned the penalty of the power of words. My parents had the philosophy of reinforcing the teacher’s punishment. If I had a meeting with the board of education (the paddle) in class, I got an additional paddling when I got home. When Dad took care of business, he really, really took care of business.

What an invaluable lesson. Words are powerful. I’ve learned that words are indicators of what is going on in the inside. This is seen when an airplane crashes. The first thing that the FAA does after a crash is to locate the black box which is a recording of the words said before the crash. The words didn't cause the crash. They are merely an indicator of what caused the catastrophe.

If there are problems in your ministry or if you aren't seeing the revival that you so desire, it might a great idea to locate your black box. Check out the indicators that show what is going on in the cockpit of your life, the heart. Remember that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Matthew 12:34) What are you saying? Is your speech magnifying the situation? Are you words focusing on the difficulties?

Instead of magnifying the situation, we should learn from David when he said, “I will say of the Lord …” (Psalm 91:2) Remember that Job 22:28 says, “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” If we will guard our words and begin to decree the promises of God over our children and our children’s ministry, we will see God’s glory begin to manifest. Signs of revival will begin to be seen. The dreams of your heart will break out in your services.

From this day on, let’s begin to use our words to magnify Him rather than our situation. Let God hear from our black box that we declare that today is the day of the Holy Ghost and that the promises found in Joel 2 of a Holy Ghost revival is being fulfilled in our children.

A Special Conference Internet Promotion

I trust that you are making plans to attend the 2009 Ignite the Supernatural Conference in Orlando, Florida on February 5 - 7. I guarantee that there isn't another conference like this in the nation. We are expecting children's ministry leaders and volunteers from around the globe to gather for a time of impartation, revelation, and refreshing. In looking at the listing of speakers and workshop titles/descriptions, you'll want to start packing your bags now. Take a minute and go to www.ignite-conference.com and I believe that you will register today!

Here is a one-time, internet-only special for those registering by midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on Sunday, December 7th ...

20% off of the published registration price

To receive this special price, enter the coupon code: INTERNET

What a deal. You can come to Orlando, squeeze in some time with Mickey and Minnie, enjoy Florida's beautiful warm weather, be radically changed at the conference, your senior pastor and their spouse can attend free, and ... well, you need to hurry. This special ends this Sunday night!

The Doctor's Orders

One of the greatest things to insure the longevity of revival is being able to withdraw for a period of time to refresh and renew our body, mind, and spirit. Believe it or not, there is a limit to what our body, mind, and spirit can endure. Sadly, we fail to remember that. This produces the casualties of the ministry that we read about in the headlines. When we over extend ourselves, we become vulnerable to being blindsided by the enemy.

So, during this Thanksgiving holiday season, come apart. Put down the book. Turn off the CD player. Push aside the curriculum. These will all still be waiting for you next week. Go ahead and watch the Dallas Cowboys football game. Enjoy a fantastic meal with your family. Do a WHOLE LOT of nothing for a few days and enjoy every minute of it. It's just what the Great Physician ordered.

Maximizing Your Ministry

Have you noticed how watching just a few minutes of the local and national news programs can leave a person feeling depressed and fearful? After watching Charlie Gibson on ABC's World News Tonight, I asked Vickie, "Isn't there any good news to report?" The media’s cry of recession and gloom can leave a person feeling so helpless.

What is my answer to their report? I refuse to become fearful. If there is a recession, I have chosen to not participate in it. Instead of being fearful, I have chosen to maximize life. I have chosen to consciously examine how to maximize my money, time, and resources. It's too easy to be wasteful with what we possess. By maximizing, I can get the most for my money, accomplish more in the same amount of time, and do more with the same amount of fuel. By maximizing, recession is a non-issue!

Have you ever stopped to examine whether or not that you are maximizing your ministry? Each week, we have an allotted amount of time to impact children's lives. For many children, the 60 or 90 minutes that we have with them is the only ministry that they receive all week.

How can we maximize our ministry? The answer is found in 1 Corinthians 14:2.

“For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].” (The Amplified Translation)

As we prepare throughout the week looking for new, fresh ways to communicate the Gospel, we can maximize our efforts by praying in our heavenly prayer language. By praying in a language that bypasses your mind, the Holy Spirit is enabling you to pray divine secrets (Moffatt translation) that brings heaven into the preparation process. The Holy Spirit is helping you to pray by giving you utterance in your spirit, utterances that the devil can’t understand or prepare to thwart.

Can you see how this opens up a whole new dimension of preparation? The mysteries (KJV) spoken from your spirit are opening the door for God to prepare you and the children for His Spirit to manifest. Your limitations are pushed aside. Your creativity is heavenly enhanced. Your anointing is increased. The children are prepared for the upcoming ministry. By taking advantage of this maximizer, the fruit of your preparation will grow exponentially.

The Holy Spirit on Assignment - Part 2

Confession time ... one of my greatest frustrations each week is that I want to communicate my passion for the Holy Spirit and help enable children's ministry leaders to know Him and flow together with Him and yet I know that people's reading capacity can't keep up with the level of my passion. I could write pages and pages each week and just scratch the surface of what I want to communicate. I guess that my only recourse is to get to work on the books that I have hidden inside of me. I would LOVE to have one or two published by the 2009 Ignite the Supernatural Conference in February.

I concluded last week's blog promising that I would continue discussing the assignment of the Holy Spirit in the next posting. Before I continue, let me direct you to two previous posts that show other portions of the Holy Spirit's portfolio. They are a part of a teaching that I do in our conferences under the The Holy Spirit on Assignment teaching. Please take a few minutes and read the post on August 10, 2008 Lessons from a Gardener and the August 5, 2008 post The Holy Spirit Will Show You Things to Come.

Here's a way to ease my frustration and still be somewhat brief. I won't share the teaching on each portion of His portfolio. Rather, I will share the list that I use in my teaching and supporting scripture and allow you to complete the teaching yourself. Hopefully, I will have this teaching available by CD (this will include the audio teaching, my teaching notes, and a handout for your students) in a few weeks.

As you and I learn to commune with the Holy Spirit and learn the importance of praying in our heavenly prayer language, the Holy Spirit will be allowed to fulfill His assignment. He will:

1. Prepare you for the ministry. Jude 20 (See last week's blog)
2. Prepare the children for your ministry. Romans 8:26 (See the Aug. 10, 2008 blog)
3. Be your co-teacher. John 14:26
4. Be your guide. John 16:13 (See the Aug. 5, 2008 blog)
5. Be your super-charger, super-energizer. Acts 1:8
6. Be your prayer limit breaker. 1 Corinthians 14:2, 14

The Holy Spirit on Assignment - Part 1

As I travel and teach in our Ignite & Unite Conferences, I LOVE teaching about working together with the Holy Spirit and seeing children's ministry workers begin to understand how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. For far too long, we haven't understood that the Holy Spirit was sent to this earth with an assignment. He isn't just biding time until Jesus returns. This Paraclete (the One who has been assigned to walk alongside us) is looking for opportunities to manifest His presence and power in us and through us. He has been assigned to each and every one of us to enable us to fulfill our God-given assignments.

This week, allow me to briefly share His first assignment in those of us who work in children's ministry ... the Holy Spirit is assigned to prepare us for the ministry that is set before us.

Every great athlete knows the value of preparing their body before they attempt their physical feat. Before competing in a race, you will see the athlete bending, twisting, and loosening up their body. Why? They know the importance of having a body ready for the upcoming race. Every great vocalist knows the value of preparing their voice before they walk onto the platform to sing. Why? They know that the greatest performance will come as their vocal chords are warmed up.

Sadly, many children's workers have failed to learn this lesson. They haven't learned that just being animated and having a war chest of brilliant ideas aren't enough. These alone won't produce lasting fruit. Preparation isn't complete until the Holy Spirit is allowed to prepare us for what God has prepared for that time of ministry.

How is this accomplished? As we pray in our heavenly prayer language throughout the week, we are working together with the Holy Spirit as He builds us up (Jude 20) and edifies us (1 Corinthians 14:4) preparing us for the ministry task that lies ahead of us. Each time of praying in tongues fortifies our inner man. The end result is that we walk into the ministry session fully prepared, Satan is pushing his panic button, and great results are just minutes away!

I'll continue this next week with the next assignment of the Holy Spirit … the Holy Spirit is assigned to prepare the children for the upcoming ministry.

Lord, Send Revival

Let me set the scene ...

> The nation's focus centered on its bleak economy after a stock market crash.
> The failure of several banks and transportation systems pointed towards an economic meltdown.
> Living conditions were deteriorating.
> Unemployment was rampant.
> Poverty was everywhere.
> The political scene was in turmoil.

Does it sound like current headlines from the USA Today newspaper? The list shown above actually reflected America's headlines in the fall of 1857.

What was the answer to virtual collapse of a nation? One man named Jeremiah Lamphier began to pray.

Rather than recount the story, allow me to share the following couple of paragraphs from Wesley Duewal's Revival Fire (Zondervan Publishing House).

"Lamphier felt led by God to start a noon-time weekly prayer meeting in which business people could meet for prayer. Anyone could attend, for a few minutes or for the entire hour. Prayers were to be comparatively brief. Lamphier's group met on the third floor of the old North Dutch Reformed Church on Fulton Street in New York. Lamphier printed some handbills announcing the prayer meetings with the title, "How Often Should I Pray?" He left these in some offices and warehouses. He also put one on the door of the church on the street side.

The first day, September 23, 1857, Lamphier prayed alone for half an hour. But by the end of the hour, six men from at least four denominational backgrounds joined him. The next Wednesday there were twenty. On October 7 there were nearly forty. The meeting was so blessed that they decided to meet daily. One week later there were over one hundred present, including many unsaved who were convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sin."

What was the end result? Revival spread across our nation. What began in New York began to spread across our nation. Soon, noon prayer meetings sprang up all across America. God was on the move once again in America. As many as 50,000 people a week were being converted.

What happened 151 years ago can happen again. It doesn't take a committee. It doesn't take a denomination. It only takes one desperate, passionate person to ignite a fire that will spread across a nation and bring a much needed move of God's Spirit.

Will you be the one?

The Prerequisite of Revival

I stumbled across a quote that is so timely for those pursuing a move of God. It would be good to copy, paste, and send this on to fellow Igniters.

Robert Sample wrote in an article entitled "Effective Preaching" in The Presbyterian and Reformed Review in April 1897:

"The great want of today is a holier ministry. We do not need more stalwart polemics (the art or practice of arguing passionately and strongly for or against something), more mighty apologists, or preachers who compass a wider range of natural knowledge, important as these are; but men of God who bring the atmosphere of heaven with them into the pulpit and speak from the borders of another world."

This doesn't sound like the words from one who picked up a curriculum or lesson plan just before entering into the classroom, does it? This doesn't sound like the words from one who relied just upon giftings, talents, or abilities, does it?

My prayer today is that I bring into each ministry opportunity the atmosphere of heaven. My cry is that each ministry opportunity carries the voice of one speaking from the borders of another world. Selah.

A Suggestion

After reading through my 60+ blog entries you will find that 90% are my insights about revival and flowing in the supernatural, 5% tell of upcoming conferences, and 5% are pictures and updates about the Burns family.

This week, allow me to digress from my usual format and use this entry to make a suggestion. If you have not done so, purchase and read Rick Renner's The Dynamic Duo: The Holy Spirit and You. In reading my blogs or attending our Ignite Conferences, you've heard me say that the Holy Spirit will never be real through you until He is real to you. Renner's Dynamic Duo is one of the greatest resources for assisting the reader to develop an intimate, working relationship with the Holy Spirit. The book is filled with great illustrations and helpful insights from the New Testament's original Greek language. After reading the book, I guarantee that you will write me to thank me for my recommendation. The book is available at many Christian bookstores or through our website www.billyburnsministries.com.

The 2009 Ignite the Supernatural Conference Update

The website for the 2009 national Ignite the Supernatural Conference is up and running. In placing the listing of the speakers and workshop descriptions/schedules on the site, I wanted February 5 - 7, 2009 to be here right now! I am so honored to have Mark Harper, Esther Ilnisky, Pat Holland, and Grant Foster to minister alongside Vickie and me.

This conference is a gathering of dissatisfied, desperate, daring, and determined children's ministry leaders and workers who realize that there must be more to children's ministry than fun games and good stories. From around the globe, Holy Spirit Igniters will gather in Orlando on February 5 - 7 for an impartation and revelation that will forever change them, their ministries and children.

3 days of learning to flow together with the Holy Spirit
24 Workshops * 5 General Sessions
Senior Pastors Come Free!

Take a couple of minutes to visit the website and you will quickly agree with me when I guarantee that there is not another conference like Ignite in the nation! At www.ignite-conference.com you will discover a listing of the speakers, workshop titles and discriptions, costs, etc. You can even download the conference brochure and then distribute it to your children's ministry staff. Even better, print out several copies, those for your staff and one for your senior pastor. Visit our website to see how your pastor and spouse can have free registration.

Hurry. The very best individual and group registration rates are in effect right now!

The Key to Longevity - Connect!

Here is an observation from 29+ years of children's ministry. Many children's workers fail to make it for the long haul. The children's ministry grave yard is filled with the remains of those who passed from the scene with little fanfare. Their departure was as pronounced as their time of ministry. No one knew that they were there or that they left.

Why am I still around? How have I eluded the children's ministry graveyard? Early in my ministry I learned this secret ... I need you. I learned that my survival is contingent upon my reminding myself that I am utterly and helplessly incomplete without you!

Have you ever noticed that we are called the Body of Christ and not the cell of Christ? When I stand and function alone, I am merely a disconnected cell. The disconnected cell has no source of outside strength and nutrients to draw from. By only drawing from the limited resources within itself, the disconnected, isolated cell is doomed to a short lifespan. It is only when the cells (that's you and me) are interwoven and connected that the Body is formed and able to function and survive.

Sadly, so many children’s ministry workers feel so disconnected and alone. The size of the church or the children’s ministry has no bearing on this situation. It is possible and probable that an individual can operate in a multi-person children’s ministry staff and feel as though that they are merely someone filling a gap in the organizational chart.

Come on, let’s connect. There are fellow children's ministry workers working alongside of you in your church or in your area that needs more than an occasional passing greeting. They need to draw from the giftings, talents, and anointing that resides within you. And, in turn, you will benefit from the deposit that God has placed within them.

Come on, let’s be purposeful and intentional. Relationships often aren’t convenient. Someone (that’s you) has to take the initiative to pick up the telephone and call. It takes someone to offer to make time to get together for coffee or a meal.

Come on, let’s change the isolationalist mentality of the children’s ministry workers in your church and city. It is a travesty for individuals with the same passion and assignment to only talk while passing in the hallway or at a denominational meeting. We need each other.

Connect and relate. Connect and affirm. Connect and appreciate. Connect and listen. Connect and be the Body of Christ. Selah!

I Don't Plan to Ever Quit the Children's Ministry!

Many things have changed in the 29 years that Vickie and I have been in full-time children's ministry. I just caught myself writing full-time as though there is a part-time alternative. We all know that it is full-time to do all that is required to effectively minister to children. Many leaders put in full-time hours and energy for the children's ministry and receive their finances from an 8 to 5 job.

While many things have changed over the years, there is one thing that hasn't changed. Every children's ministry is always in need of additional staff, right? I haven't heard of anyone with a waiting list of those biding time until an opening pops open.

I am convinced that this could change if you were allowed just a few minutes to share why you are in children's ministry and don't plan to quit. Many people aren't involved because of the fact that they just don't know what is going on in each of your services!

If I were allowed to address your congregation, I could list ten reasons that I am in this ministry and don't plan to quit. This isn't just hype. I have 29 years of being in this ministry and 19 years of being the children's pastor in one church. I live for each and every opportunity to touch the lives of children.

Allow me to list four of these reasons. I apologize for not having the space to elaborate on each reason. However (here comes an unapologetic promotion) I can provide the entire teaching and my notes that I use to teach this lesson by having you visit the Billy Burns Ministries website http://www.billyburnsministries.com/ to purchase either the CD teaching that can be mailed to you or downloadable teaching that you have within in couple of minutes.

Here are the first four reasons. Each when I step into the classroom,

1. I am a supernatural interruption to the plans of the enemy.
2. I am commissioned to eliminate the need for spiritual hospitals (otherwise known as support groups).
3. I get to be a spiritual tour guide to our kids.
4. I set the pattern for the future of the church.

One more thing as I close this week's blog ... the website for the 2009 Ignite the Supernatural Conference is up and running. Take a minute and go to http://www.ignite-conference.com/ to learn about a global gathering of leaders and volunteers longing to see Joel's prophecy fulfilled in their children. The dates are February 5-7, 2009. The price is so affordable! And, you can check on the website to learn how your senior pastor and spouse can have free registration!!!

The Greater the Sensitivity, the Greater the Power

If you have been in children's ministry for any length of time, you will agree that this is an on-the-job training ministry. At the beginning, mistakes are plentiful. As you continue through the School of Hard Knocks, you soon earn your bachelor's degree and the mistakes become fewer and fewer.

One of the dangers of being a graduate of the School of Hard Knocks is that, after a while, it is so easy to begin to operate off of previous experience. There is security in having done things before. In our ministry, we know what works, what to do/what not to do, etc. There can't be many mistakes made if we always follow the lessons learned from experience. The downside of experience is that it can cause us to develop a cruise control mentality. In our ministries, we can begin to work off of an auto-pilot mentality. What is the end result? Instead of being Charismatic, we can become cruise-a-matic.

Thank God for the experience and formulas. But, to accomplish our ultimate call, at times, we must push the safety net aside and, having heard the voice of the Spirit of God, leave the comfort zone behind and walk into uncharted territories.

For those who see true moves of God, vulnerability, or perhaps best said "sensitivity", will cause us to join the ranks of the Abrahams who will leave family behind to go on an uncharted journey of faith, the Moseses' who will dare to lead an at times uncooperative group to a land of promise, the Esther's who will risk it all to stand in the gap for her people.

Today, there is an inward voice calling for us to push the safety net aside and step out of the boat, walk on waters thought impossible by man. There is a voice crying out for us to become dependent upon our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's voice in our services. There are places in the Spirit that our children haven't been. There are things that they haven't seen. There is a freedom that they haven't experienced. There are Gifts of the Spirit that they haven't operated in.

Remember, the greater the sensitivity, the greater the power!

They are Children!

After moving from South Texas to South Florida in 1989, we began to behave like the Israelites after they left Egypt and began to crave the foods that are peculiar to back home. (Forgive me fellow Texans. In no way is Texas like Egypt. It is just a biblical example to make me look studious.) We longed for GOOD Tex-Mex, Dr. Pepper in every restaurant, and real Texas BBQ.

Not long after moving to Florida, we were blessed with a smoker (the kind that is used to smoke meat ... don't go and try to ruin my testimony). Soon, we were smoking brisket and once again enjoying hickory or mesquite smoked meat that was so juicy and tender that you could literally cut it with a fork. For parties, we would smoke 40 to 50 pounds of brisket. For days after the party, we would enjoy the leftovers (the meat that I hid so that there would be leftovers).

One thing that I noticed after a few days of eating the Texas delicacy ... as good as it was, it somehow or another lost its specialness. After the third day, I just didn't enjoy what was once a feast. After several days of consistently eating brisket, I'd gladly take a bowl of soup over a brisket sandwich.

Here's the thought for this week's blog. In ministering to children, I am ministering to a triune being, spirit, soul, and body and variety is the key to being successful in this ministry. If each and every service is a glory hallelujah service, after a while the specialness will dissipate. If however, after several weeks of teaching and touching a child's spirit I change the focus of ministry and touch his soul and body through a memory-making Super Sloppy Double Dare Sunday or a Wild and Wacky, Don't Be Tacky Sunday or a Deal or No Deal Sunday, soon the child will once again appreciate go-after-God ministry.

Let's not over "brisketize" our boys and girls. Sure, we need to put out the meat and potatoes. But occasionally and often, let's give the children some variety. Variety is truly the spice of life. Let's not forsake the movement of the Holy Spirit but from time-to-time let's touch the other two parts of the triune being by bringing out the games and videos, throw a whipped cream pie, make a human pizza by rolling a child around in pizza sauce and sprinkling on the cheese and pepperonis.

Remember, if you fail to impact the whole child (spirit, soul, and body), you will fail to impact the child as a whole and will lose them!

The Greater the Dependence, the Greater the Power

One of the traps of longevity in children's ministry is that we can become so good and self-sufficient that we don’t need His presence and power. In the natural, no challenge is too difficult, no circumstance is insurmountable.

It would be wise for us to learn from the apostle Paul in this matter. We all know that Paul had credentials and qualifications second to none. And yet we read in 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NCV) "We are not saying that we can do this work ourselves. It is God who makes us able to do all that we do."

Here's the reason for this blog. The measure of your dependence will determine the measure of His power. In saying that, please understand that this doesn't give license for you to not prepare and do your part. Paul instructed Timothy to study to show himself approved unto God. We are to walk into ministry knowing that we have done everything that we can do. We have thought of creative ways to communicate the gospel. We have sought after fresh, new ideas to capture the attention of our children. And yet, with all of our training and preparation, we must walk into each occasion of ministry with a cry of desperation for His anointing and presence. We must be helplessly dependent upon Him to do everything that He can do.

This dependency might even require that we cast aside all of our preparation so that we follow Him step by step through the ministry. It might require that the expensive object lesson be shelved for a later date, the much rehearsed skit be placed back into the filing system for a later performance.

As your dependency increases, so will the anointing. Learn to depend upon His leading and prompting. Learn to decrease so that He can increase. One more time ... the greater the dependence, the greater the power.

Priorities in Revival

Here are a couple of thoughts about priorities in revival ...

* Desperation will cause you to let go of the LESSER so that you can grab ahold of the GREATER. Your desperation for a move of God, an outpouring of His precious Holy Spirit will cause you to change your priorities. Finding time to be in His presence will no longer be an issue. The things that are unimportant will yeild to things of eternal significance.

* Withdrawing from the masses must become a priority so that you can become effective to the masses. Your time alone with His Spirit will determine your availability for Him to use you. Your intimate time in private will determine the measure of His ministry in public.

A Family Moment

As I write this week's blog, it is Monday morning August 25. One year ago on this date, God placed the most beautiful baby boy into our lives, William Joseph (Joey) Burns. What a difference a year can make! Allow me to use this week's blog to celebrate this gift and show a few pictures of our favorite grandson.

Batteries Not Included - The Series!

Sometimes in Children's Ministry, we fall into the trap of thinking that we have to have flashy techno gadgets to bring the message home. Allow me to use this week's blog to share a powerful teaching that would be great for a Sunday school class, a mid-week Bible club, or a children's church service only using a simple household item, a flashlight. In fact, you could teach the four part series that we completed yesterday Batteries Not Included with just this one prop. Remember that this could all be taught in just one lesson or broken down into a series using each of the following four points as individual lessons.

1. We are fearfully and wonderfully created by God (Psalm 139:14) and placed on this earth with an assignment (Jeremiah 1:5). The manufacturer took great care in creating a flashlight. Every contour of its design, every item of its electrical system was carefully planned (Psalm 139:14) so that the flashlight could perform its desired function (Jeremiah 1:5).

2. The power has been provided (Acts 1:8). In shopping for a flashlight, you will never find a flashlight sold by itself. The manufacturer always provides the required batteries in the product's packaging. Why? Without the batteries, the flashlight will still be a flashlight but will never be able to perform its job. Knowing that His children would never be able to perform their individual assignments, the manufacturer (God) provided and made available heaven's power (the Holy Spirit) for insertion!

3. Heaven's power is rechargeable (Jude 20, 1 Corinthians 14:4,18). While some batteries are disposable, the best batteries are created to be rechargeable. Our manufacturer made it possible to optimize our power by creating a way for a constant recharging!

4. Do your job (John 14:12). The flashlight has been carefully designed. The batteries have been inserted and are fully charged. Now, it is time to fulfill the assignment. Flip the switch. Allow the power to flow through you and make a difference in a dark world. With the power of heaven's battery (the Holy Spirit), we can maximize the creativity of our designer (God) to fulfill and even outperform (John 14:12) what people think that we are able to do!

Please do me two favors. Pass this week's blog on to other children’s ministry leaders and workers. It is too good to keep to yourself. Secondly, write me at billy@billyburnsministries.com to let me know about the fruit of this lesson(s). I know that for our ministry, we had powerful altar times in our 3 services this past weekend with many children being baptized in the Holy Spirit!

Lessons from a Gardener

Though I was raised in a small city, we still had enough country in us that our family always planted a garden each Spring. From those days, I learned that long before the seed is planted into the soil, the size of the crop is being established. How? The smart gardener knows not to throw the seed upon a dry, crusty ground. He knows the value of tilling the soil, removing the weeds, fertilizing, etc.

Sadly, many children's ministry leaders and workers haven't learned this valuable principle. They haven't learned that the success of their ministry time is determined long before they walk into the classroom. They haven’t learned the importance of preparing the ground in which the seed will be planted. Consequently, teachers are facing what appears to be cold, indifferent settings where those in the class seem unresponsive to the message. The hearts are hard thus making it difficult for the Word to penetrate and take root.

How do we till the soil? How do we prepare our students for the ministry of the Word? By praying in the Spirit. The receptivity of our class will change as we begin to pray in the Holy Spirit BEFORE teaching the class. By praying in our heavenly language, we are asking the Holy Spirit to pray through us for our students so that hearts will be tilled, hard and apathetic hearts will be broken up and prepared for the planting of the seed of God's Word. By praying and interceding in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit intervenes through us touching on issues within children's lives, coming against principalities and powers that would hinder the proclamation and reception of God's Word.

Why should we pray in other tongues? We really don't have a clue about how to pray for our children and upcoming ministry. We don’t see the complete picture of what is needed. Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 tells us that He partners together with us as we pray and helps us surpass our restrictions as He makes intercession through us. "The Spirit also helps us in our present limitations. For example, we do not know how to pray worthily, but his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing longings which cannot find words." (The New Testament in Modern English, J.B. Phillips)

The Holy Spirit Will Show You Things to Come

The Bible is an amazing book. No matter how many times that I read it, I constantly discover "nuggets" that I have never seen before.

A couple of weeks ago, I was reading John 16:13 and a phrase jumped off the page that I've really never overly paid attention to. I have always emphasized the "guide you into all truth" and the "whatever He hears, He speaks" portion of the verse. On that Sunday morning, the Holy Spirit emphasized the phrase "and He will show you things to come."

When I read those words, there came an excitement and new-found passion for the Holy Spirit. In studying this phrase, I discovered that the word "show" in the original Greek comes from a word that means a guide who shows a traveler the safest course through an unknown country.

As a person who is called to minister to children, I discovered an extra benefit of having an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. When I walk into a ministry opportunity, I am walking into uncharted territories. It may be the same children each week. The natural mind would tell me that it is the same kids/different week. The reality is that it has possibly been 168 hours since I've last seen these children. Some children may have walked through a literal hell during those last 7 days. Others have faced battles and obstacles that are a part of being a child. According to this verse, the Holy Spirit knows what is ahead and can prepare/warn/instruct me on how to effectively navigate through this uncharted terrain. In military terms, the Holy Spirit is to run a reconnaissance mission for me before I ever walk into my ministry assignment. He knows who will be in the class. He knows the exact need of each and every child. He knows what word/tool is needed to bring about His desired goals for that ministry opportunity.

Thank God for the Holy Spirit! Let's allow and welcome Him to prepare us for what is ahead of us.

The Move of God is Waiting on a Move of Man

Some blogs take 200 to 300 words to bring clarity to a thought. This week's blog really is self-explanatory. This is one of those marinating type of thoughts that needs to allow the juices to slowly sink into the meat. Ponder this ...

So many are waiting for a move of God. Have you considered the truth that God is waiting for a move of man?

Make a move towards Him. Passionately seek His face. Take bold steps of faith in leading your children's ministry. Get out of the boat of comfort. Dare to believe that God meant what He promised in Joel 2 about your children. If you'll make a move THEN He will make His move!

Batteries Not Included

Rather than give a leadership/motivation/teaching thought this week, allow me to jump start your creativity with an idea for your children's ministry.

This past weekend, we began a four-part series with our children entitled Batteries Not Included. We taught our first lesson yesterday showing that while each and every child is fearfully and wonderfully (amazingly and miraculously God's Word for Today) made (Psalms 139:14) and are placed on this earth with an assignment (Jeremiah 1:5), each child is placed on this earth with batteries not included.

To illustrate this, we used a television remote control and a garage door opener. Both are specifically created and crafted to perform a task. And while both are similar in that they both have circuitry on the inside and buttons on the outside, each was formed by its maker to do a task that only they can do. The television remote cannot open/close a garage door and the garage door opener cannot turn off/on the television or raise/lower the television's volume. With our children, God has created them for a task that will greatly impact the world. While each child may have similar features as other children (2 hands, 2 feet, a mouth, 2 eyes, etc.) they are so unique. Their circuitry (personality, passions, physical features) were formed making them a wonderfully complex individual. (Psalms 139:14, The Living Bible). God designed this individuality or uniqueness for a task explicitly for that specific child.

As great and needful as the television remote control is, this device will never fulfill its assignment without the required batteries. The same can be said about the garage door opener. Jesus made the same claim. No individual will fulfill their God-given assignment without the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) for we too come with batteries not included.

Hopefully these thoughts will jump start your creativity and help you provide the opportunity for children to receive heaven’s gift of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

I'm Only Human

Please forgive me. I'm only human. I know that pride comes before a fall. So, hopefully, you'll push aside the possibility that I've fallen into the entrapment of pride and consider this to be a mild case of being a grandparent.

I know that many of you receive the monthly Billy Burns Ministries Ignite Connection and see pictures of Joey. I just couldn't wait for the next email newsletter to be sent to you. If you don't get the newsletter, send me an email at billy@billyburnsministries.com.

If deliverance prayers are in order for me, go for it. If congrats on having one gorgeous grandson are in order, go for it!

The Questions of Revival

For the past four weeks, I've been teaching our boys and girls about revival. Feel relieved, I'm not using today's blog to reteach all four lessons. It has been an awesome four weeks. I love seeing the children go after the Reviver. Another benefit of the series is it has prepared our children for the next four lessons that I'll teach as we look at the subject "Batteries Not Included." Hopefully in the near future I'll have both of these teaching series available for download at the www.billyburnsministries.com website.

In today's blog, I want to ask two questions that have been a big part of the revival teaching. These are two questions that I have repeatedly, tenaciously asked myself. During the last four weeks, I've used these questions to challenge our children to passionately pursue the Reviver.

Here are the questions:
1. If not now, then when?
2. If not here, then where?

I'll let the questions speak for themselves. Ask yourself the questions over and over again. I pray that they will produce a resolve within you and your children for the Reviver to manifest His presence in YOUR ministry EVERY time that you meet.

Two suggestions to keep this before your eyes …
1. It might be good to create these questions to be screen savers for your computer.
2. Place the questions on index cards and post the cards on places that you'll be visiting throughout the day (i.e., on mirrors or on your refrigerator door).

Seek the Reviver

A man came to Socrates and asked him for wisdom. Socrates quickly dismissed him, telling him to come back when he really wanted wisdom. This experience repeated itself several times, with the man coming back and asking for wisdom, until Socrates took the man down to a body of water and stuck his head under the water.

After holding him under for about 10 seconds Socrates pulls the man back up and asks, "What do you want?" to which the man replied, "I want wisdom great teacher." Socrates put the man’s head under the water again, this time holding him under for 30 seconds. Pulling the man up he asks again, "What is it that you want?" The man once again replies, "I want wisdom great teacher." Socrates holds him under the water again this time for much longer.

The man began struggling, and choking, and gasping for air. At the point that he was about to fall unconscious, Socrates pulled him out of the water and asks one final time, "What is it that you want?" This time all the man can scream is, "I want air, I want air!"

Socrates leaves the man saying, "When you want wisdom as much as you wanted air, you will find it."

How does this apply to revival in our children's ministry? A lot of people give lip service about revival. It's the "thing" right now, the buzz word of the Church.

A mistake that many are making today with this religious trend is that many are going after revival rather than the Reviver. Here's the key … when we become consumed with desperation for seeking the Reviver more than the revival, the revival will always be there. When we seek His face, His hands will always be seen.

The man with his head held below the water couldn't hide his desperation. Are you passionately going after the Reviver? Is your desperation showing in your private time and your public time of ministry? Again, when we desperately seek Him, His presence (revival) will always manifest.

Bring Back the Testimonies!

When I grew up in a small South Texas Assemblies of God church, the testimony service was an important part of each gathering. Sister Evans might stand up and tell of the miracle that God had performed during the past week. Sydney Smith might stand up and dance a Holy Ghost dance as he told about how God had saved a family member. Almost weekly, there would be someone who would testify of a healing that had taken place.

I miss that portion of the church service. Sadly, our time together each week has become so regulated and/or the crowds have become so large that our people are sporadically hearing testimonies given only as a faith-builder before the offering is to be received or as an occasional illustration in the preacher's message.

In our children's classes, testimony services are almost nonexistent. Like the adult services, its absence could be due to having too much to do in such a limited, regulated time structure. Or, even worse, it could be due to the fact that there's nothing to tell about. The few testimonies given are often about what God did years ago in other moves of God or about what God is doing elsewhere in other revivals.

Where are our testimonies? Are we giving our boys and girls an opportunity to answer God's challenge of "prove me now"? Are we daring to actually pray for the sick in our services and expecting a miracle as we pray? Are giving our children the opportunity to call out to God the names of their unsaved family members or the ungodly kid down the street and expecting salvation testimonies in the days to come?

I'm thankful for what God did in kids in the Welch Revival and the Azuza Street Revival. I'm thrilled at what I see happening with boys and girls in the Lakeland Healing Outpouring. But each of these moves are either from a different date in history or a different zip code.

Let's bring back the testimony service. Let's make room for God to move supernaturally at 33463 or whatever your zip code might be. If you make room for Him, He will always show up!

The Power of Solitude

Sadly, in our pursuit of God's power and glory, we often have mistaken activity for hunger. We feel as though that we need to go to one more meeting or read one more book or listen to one more CD teaching. The glory doesn't come through activity. It comes through solitude.

God's instructions in Psalm 46:10 still rings true in 2008. "Be still, and know that I am God."

Meditate on these words ...

"We live in a noisy, busy world. Silence and solitude are not 20th Century words. They fit the era of Victorian lace and high-buttoned shoes and kerosene lamps better than the age of television, video arcades, internet, and jogger's wired earphones. We have become a people with an aversion to quite and an uneasiness with being alone." Gene Fleming Finding Focus in a Whirlwind World

“I think the devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, and crowd. Satan is quite aware of the power of solitude.” Jim Elliot (recorded in his personal journal)

Calling All Revivalists

I know that this may seem strange. Many of you read the blog each week looking for thoughts about revival or flowing in the supernatural. But one more time, I really feel an urgency to communicate my desire to connect with other children's ministry revivalists. You can search the backlog of previous blogs and see that I have only voiced this urgency in two blogs, last week's and this week's blogs. This urgency isn't for the sake of gaining additional meetings or selling more product. I just know that iron sharpens iron, passion fans the flames of passion. Together, we can do much for seeing Joel's prophecy fulfilled in this generation of boys and girls. You can connect with me by emailing me at billy@billyburnsministries.com.

10/10 in 2008

Rather than share a thought about flowing with the Holy Spirit this week, let me share with you what I consider to be a directive for my life. If you have been to any of our national or regional Ignite the Supernatural Conferences, you have heard me share about the assignment that I received from God while flying home from Fiji in 2001 about raising up a generation of Children's Ministry leaders who will lead their children and ministry into a Holy Ghost revival.

A couple of weeks ago, I received what I consider to be an important directive to facilitate this assignment. I felt an urgency to go to 10 cities this year and invite 10 Children's Ministry leaders in that city and surrounding area to spend 2 hours with me on a Friday evening. The purpose is to impart the vision that God has given me and ignite and fan the flames of revival in that geographical area. I am convinced that the 2 hours will make a monumental impact in that area. There is absolutely no cost for this. I will cover every expense.

If you are interested in more details, please contact me at billy@billyburnsministries.com.

The Missing Ingredient

One of the only things that I learned in 9th grade history was found in the preface of the textbook. There was a quote that said in essence that the only thing that we learn from history is that we don't learn from history. In other words, we fail to learn from our mistakes and blindly keep repeating them and reap the same results.

Evidently, the apostle Paul was familiar with this thought. First Corinthians 2:1-4 is his answer to learning from his mistake and his resolve to never repeat it again. This letter to the Corinthian church was written after his disappointing time of ministry in Athens. (Acts 17). In Athens, Paul preached one of his finest sermons. Everything was perfect from a cultural standpoint. (Acts 17:23, 28). His sermon was one that every Bible school homiletics and hermeneutics professor would use as the perfect example of how a sermon should be researched, composed, and delivered. And yet, after the masterpiece was delivered, Paul anguished over its dismal results. (Acts 17:32, 34).

What was Paul's resolve? While he didn't discount his preparation and excellent delivery, he came to the conclusion that these alone won’t bring about the desired results. Enticing (Greek peitho …craftily chosen, persuasive) words of man's wisdom (Greek sophos … wisdom that is naturally obtained) didn't bring salvation to those in Athens. His resolve was that from this time forward he would validate his message with the display or evidence of supernatural ministry.

Together, let's learn from history. Let's not make the same mistake. From this day forward, together let us resolve that in every ministry opportunity, we will share the good news in an intellectual format that everyone can understand (just as Paul did in Athens) and confirm the message with demonstrations of the Spirit and of power. We aren't abandoning preparation and connecting with people through culture. We aren't leaving our brains at the front door. But, we are resolving that preparation and delivery alone aren't sufficient. From this day forward, we are resolving to demonstrate that God is behind our message!!!!

The Intimacy of the Spirit

There is a common denominator among those who read the weekly blog, purchase my teaching CDs, and attend our Ignite Conferences. They all want to be mightily used by the Holy Spirit. They all want to flow in His gifts and power, right?

If we all want to flow with the Holy Spirit and we know that the Holy Spirit wants to flow through us, then why aren't we seeing this in a greater degree? To quote one of my friends, "What's the deal?"

I am convinced that the public demonstration of the Holy Spirit has a precursor ... the intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit in private. Quite simply, public demonstrations and manifestations are a direct result of and proportionally seen due to our private intimacy with the Holy Spirit. It could be summarized in this Selah thoughts ... the kind that you need to allow to permeate your mind and spirit ... the more intimate the relationship, the softer the voice.

For some reading this blog, the Holy Spirit would have to literally yell to get their attention. His voice is mixed in among a multitude of voices. For others, the Holy Spirit is just a whisper away. Others have gotten to the place where a voice isn't needed at all. They know that they know His leadings and promptings.

What is the difference? Let me give that Selah thought one more time ... the more intimate the relationship, the softer the voice. Here's the secret ... as you and the one of your passion birth and nurture an intimate relationship, you can become so attuned to each other that a mere look can convey the secrets of each other's heart. While others will be oblivious, you will be able to know what the other is thinking.

Here is the reason for this blog entry. The Holy Spirit longs to move publicly in your classes and services. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it! Here is where we often miss it ... intimacy is never developed in the crowds. Intimacy is birthed and nurtured in the secret places, the place where only you and the one of your passion can go. Matthew 6:6 shows that as we discover that secret place, the bed chamber (Greek tameion), the place reserved for only you and the one who alone can share your deepest longings and intimacies, you will learn to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit. In this secret place, there is no need for loud booming voices. A whisper can convey the yearnings and passion of the soul.

Pull away from the crowd. Retreat to that place of intimacy that only you and the Holy Spirit can know. Fall in love with the Holy Spirit and you will find that His voice will become softer and more intimate. Then and only then will the secrets of heaven (that's the simplest definition of what the Gifts of the Spirit are) be shared with you and through you. Selah!

The Holy Spirit On Assignment

Several years ago, Vickie and I had the privilege of ministering in Fiji for 7 days. During our stay, we ministered some 30 times. It was an awesome experience. Lives were changed, we had added to the Kingdom. I felt fulfilled in knowing that we had accomplished our assignment. We went back the next year and instead of ministering 30 times, we ministered I believe 5 times. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't a happy camper. We had traveled an enormous distance only to minister a few times. I felt as though my time was being wasted. I so wanted to get back on the plane and head home.

John 14 - 16 tells of another Children's Ministry Specialist, who has traveled a long distance to fulfill His assignment. His teaching credentials are undisputed. (John 14:26). He has an uncanny ability to know what is coming next in your class and what should be done. (John 16:13) In fact, Jesus said that it to our advantage to have this Specialist's presence in your classroom. (John 16:7).

Sadly, this Specialist, the Holy Spirit, often experiences the same restraint in our ministries that Vickie and I felt in our second trip to Fiji. There is much that He is assigned to accomplish. There are lives that He wants to impact. And yet, He is constrained and restricted to itsy, bitsy portions of our program and schedule.

Let's allow this Specialist to fulfill His assignment. Let's allow Him to speak and work through us. Let's be attentive to His voice and direction. Then, the supernatural Spirit of God will begin to do supernatural things in and through our ministry. The results will be out of this world!

The Holy Spirit in Jamaica!

What a weekend. It all began early Thursday afternoon with a flight to Jamaica. I had the privilege of conducting my first international Ignite & Unite conference Thursday night in Mandeville. For three hours, I taught some 40+ children's ministry workers how to flow with the Holy Spirit. Friday and Saturday, I participated in a Children's Convention at Fellowship Tabernacle teaching boys and girls about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. On Sunday morning, I had the privilege of preaching in the adult service. It was awesome to see God baptize children's ministry workers, children, and then adults in His precious Holy Spirit during the four days of ministry. Sunday morning was especially exciting. Of the 19 who came forward to be filled with the Spirit, I know of 18 that had a genuine encounter. It was everything that Jesus promised when He said that out of their bellies would flow rivers of living water. I believe that the service ended at 1:40 PM. We raced to the place where I was staying, I changed out of my soaking wet clothes, packed the final items in my luggage, and then drove two hours to the airport in Kingston. I had strict instructions from Vickie to not miss the airplane.

What a privilege it is to be assigned the responsibility to travel and announce that today is the day of the Holy Ghost. When the announcement is made, He always makes a grand entrance and begins to fulfill His assignment. Today truly is His day!

On another note ... I've entered into a whole new arena of life. I'm now hip, groovie, far-out, and rad and all of that other kind of jive talk! I've signed up for Facebook!

The Power of the Holy Spirit through You!

This will be my shortest blog ever. How can I amplify what the Amplified Bible says? Allow this verse from Ephesians 3:20 to challenge you to walk into your ministry with full confidence that the Holy Spirit will manifest His presence in you and through you ...

"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]."

Sticks and Stones

As children, we all blurted out "Sticks and stones may break my bones, and words will never hurt me." I trust that as adults that we have all learned that nothing could be further from the truth. Words are powerful. Jesus emphasized this when He said, "These words that I speak are spirit and life." Words can create life-long prison sentences, entrapping people with fear, insecurities, and unwarranted shame. Or, words can liberate people from the chains of bondage, setting the captive free.

In my 28+ years of children's ministry, I have witnessed the power of my words over and over again. I wish that space would allow the stories of what happened as I purposefully used words to unlock chains. I wish that you could have witnessed the changed countenances.

Children’s worker, your greatest pulpit isn't found on the platform. Your greatest sermon isn't preached with props or visuals. Unbeknownst to you, your greatest anointed ministry could be found before you open with prayer.

Set the captive free. Demonstrate the love of God that is placed in your heart by the Holy Ghost. Preach your three-point sermon in three words "I love you". This sermon is preached through the investment of your time and the focus of your attention.

Let this be your number one priority each ministry opportunity. Tell and show each child that you love them. Individually tell and show each child that each week that you stand by the door waiting for them to come to your class. Take a couple of minutes to listen to what is going on in their world. Compliment them on their dress or smile or beauty. Speak words reminding them of their importance to you and to God and His Kingdom. Your words and time will be an investment with an eternal return.

God's Faithfulness

If you have ever attended any of our Ignite Conferences, you have heard me talk about how I love to circle important events and days on my calendar. This week one of those red letter days is occurring. On Saturday, Vickie and I will be attending our son Michael's graduation from Southeastern University. Michael is graduating with a degree in pastoral ministry and a minor in music. I will be doing my very best to hold back the tears of pride and try to refrain from shouting at the top of my lungs as he walks across the platform to receive his diploma.

I am proud of Michael in so many ways. Michael is a worshipper. He has a sensitive heart to the presence of God. You can see Michael leading worship at Southeastern by going to youtube.com and typing "thembx964" in the search engine. He has worked hard to pursue and prepare for the call of God upon his life. In fact, going to Southeastern has been a challenge in that he has had to pay his entire school bill. With some scholarships and a lot of hard work, Michael will be walking across the platform Saturday with his entire school bill paid. There aren't too many college graduates that can make that claim.

The reason for this blog (in addition to bragging on Michael) is to testify of God's faithfulness. In my 10 Reasons Why I am in Children's Ministry & Don't Plan to Quit teaching, I share in Point #10 that because of the Law of Sowing and Reaping, God is honor bound to take care of my children. For over 28 years, Vickie and I have loved on and ministered to tens of thousands of children. We have sowed into so many children's lives. Now, we can expect God to sow into and provide for our children. Michael is living proof of God's faithfulness!

Want to hear more about this? The 10 Reasons teaching is available on CD at http://www.billyburnsministries.com/.

Wisdom from the FAA

Leave it to the Federal Aviation Agency to reinforce a foundational principal for flowing in the supernatural. If you have ever flown in an airplane, you know that before the plane taxis down the runway for lift-off, a voice comes across the public address system with flight safety instructions. During these instructions, you will learn about the importance of wearing the seat belt, where the exit doors are, how to find the doors in the event that the airplane loses its lighting, how the seats can be used as flotation devices, how to obtain oxygen in the event of an emergency, etc.

When talking about the flow of oxygen, the flight attendant always emphasizes the importance of placing the oxygen mask upon yourself as soon as it falls from the overhead bin. The instructions given are, "Before you assist a child or another passenger, place the oxygen mask upon yourself first." Did you get that? Before you can attempt to help anyone else, you have to take care of yourself first.

The Book of Acts New Testament Church must have known and followed these instructions. This is shown in Acts 3 when Peter and John are confronted by the beggar. Upon hearing the beggar ask for money, Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee …" The answer to the beggar's problem was already abiding within Peter and John. In other words, they didn't have to pull aside and work up something before addressing the need. The anointing was waiting to be released!

Listen, before we walk into a ministry situation, we need to heed the FAA's instructions. We need to take care of ourselves first by filling ourselves to overflowing with God's precious anointing and Spirit. Yesterday's anointing won't take care of today's needs! The fresh infilling of God's Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and a fresh anointing (Psalm 92:10) will enable the "such as I have" to be exactly what is needed.

The Book of Acts is waiting to add another chapter telling about the Holy Spirit's works in and through you. As you are filled to overflowing, know that spiritual chains will fall off, spiritual eyes will open, destinies will be charted when you walk into your classroom. To quote T.D. Jakes, "Get ready, get ready, get ready." It will come to pass!

The Power of Agreement

We all have children in our ministries that are "blessings in disguise." There is always going to be that one child who has you questioning God's promise that He would not give you more than you can bear, the child who challenges your theology and convinces you to believe that demons can be children possessed.

What do we do with this type of child? There are church policies and governmental laws that prevent you from doing what you'd really like to do, things that their parents aren't and should be doing on a regular basis. Each service, you do all that you can do within your power. You speak to the child, move the child to the other side of room, put the child in time out, offer positive rewards for good behavior, talk to the parents, maintain consistency in your rules and disciplines ... with no change. The class is continually disrupted. You find yourself continually wanting to have Communion Sunday so that you can add a little Tylenol PM to that child's juice.

Here's a radical idea ... take Jesus at His Word. Find someone who will agree with you about this situation and come against this attack of the enemy. Take Matthew 18:18,19 literally and defy the enemy to set foot in your classroom again. Whatever we allow on earth will be allowed in Heaven. Whatever we bind on earth will be bound in Heaven. Throughout the course of the week, know that with two of you in agreement, strongholds are being broken, a young life is being conformed into the image that pleases God, and peace will come to your classroom.

Stand. Stand firm. Stand consistent and unwavering. If winds and waves can be calmed by the Master, your storm can be stilled. The touch of the Master can cause your 21st century demoniac of Gadara to act in his/her right mind.

Making Room for the Holy Spirit

It is amazing. During the last few years, the American clothing industry has secretly created a way to make billions of dollars by altering the way that they measure our clothes. Let it be known throughout the land, they are making their clothes smaller and smaller. The medium isn't as medium as it used to be, the large isn't as large as it used to be, and so on. And, to make things worse, according to reputable supermarket tabloids, the global warming issue that is troubling everyone is not only affecting the polar ice caps, it is having a drastic effect upon the clothes hanging in our closets. This problem that Al Gore so eloquently addressed has invaded my clothes closet and is warping the fibers in the shirts and slacks making the clothes shrink. Combine the clothing industry conspiracy and the global warming fabric debacle and you will understand why I now have a closet full of clothes that no longer fit! It is getting more and more difficult to crowd all of me into such a limited area.

The reason for this blog isn't to promote the Jenny Craig weight loss program. I've just described the Holy Spirit's feelings. In our lives and ministries, His allocated space is becoming smaller and more restricted. We are too busy in our personal lives for His interaction. The ministry formulas are creating less and less room for Him. The One whom Jesus told of in John 14, the Comforter or Parakletos, is looking for the opportunity to fulfill His assignment. He longs to walk alongside us 24/7, talking, counseling, guiding, helping, comforting, teaching, ... need I say more? He wants to be a part of every area of our lives. And yet, if the truth be known, He is squeezed into such a tiny portion of our lives.

Let's call the alterations store and let out the seams. Let's make room for the Holy Spirit. Let's begin to recognize that He is literally walking alongside of us. Let's recognize that He is the invited guest in our ministry. If necessary, pull out the scissors and cut away the threads that have restricted the "fullness" of the Spirit from being seen.

This isn't difficult or painful. I know from experience. When the seams are removed or let out, you will breathe a whole lot easier. Come on, let's breathe again. Let's make room for the Holy Spirit!

Batteries Not Included

Let me describe what possibly could be every parent's worst nightmare. For months, your child has been hinting, begging, earnestly interceding for the latest electronic "necessity" of life. Although its price tag will take a large portion of your retirement savings, the anticipation of the look on your angel's face will make it worth the extreme sacrifice. On Christmas morning, the moment arrives. Excitement fills the air as your darling pushes aside package after package looking for the gift of all gifts. Upon finding what should be the package, wrapping paper flies through the air, then a shrill of excitement as the gift is ripped out of its package ... and then ... the moment of horror. You discover those words that are printed in microscopic print "Batteries Not Included." To your dismay, you can't find 16 AAA batteries and it's a 45-minute trip into town to look for a store that would be open on Christmas. Without the batteries, the gift can't do what it is designed to do. And now, you'll have to deal with the "ho,ho,ho" of Christmas turning into a big "no,no,no" ... no peace, no happiness, no quiet until the batteries can be found.

Here's the reason for this blog. Admittedly, there are millions of Christians who love Jesus and yet are not filled with the Spirit. Little do they realize that we entered into this world with the words "Batteries Not Included" stamped upon our spirits. Just like the gift on Christmas morning, we too can't do what we are designed to do without spiritual batteries. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our God-given assignment. (Acts 1:8).

One more thought ... we need to daily charge our spiritual batteries. Whether you know it or not, we leak or drain. The pressures of this life, the size of our mission can drain us. We must constantly recharge our batteries by daily praying in our heavenly prayer language. (Jude 20, 1 Corinthians 14:4). The apostle Paul instructed the Ephesian church to renew itself by being filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18). The literal Greek translation tells us to continually be filled with the Spirit. The promise and gift from the Father (Acts 1:5) isn't a one time experience, it was only the beginning, the insertion of the spiritual battery. Now, we must daily recharge our batteries by our time of intimacy and fellowship with the Holy Spirit, praying in the Spirit!

God Wants to Invade the Nursery/Toddler/Preschool Ministries

One battle that most children's ministry leaders and workers face is the constant feeling of being overlooked and misunderstood. We hate that there are those who look at our ministries as being childcare. We long for people to recognize that God is moving in our classrooms and auditoriums.

Here's a problem that is rarely addressed ... do we have this same childcare concept for our nurseries and preschool ministries? Our first reaction might be that we aren't guilty. We love our babies, toddlers, and 3- and 4-year-olds. We have great teachers with them each week.

After listening to a CD of Vickie's teaching from our national Ignite conference, I was challenged to ask you to reexamine these ministries and ask some pertinent questions. Are you making room for the Holy Spirit to move in these ministries? If John recognized the presence of God in Mary while he was still in his mother's womb (Luke 1:41), can't our babies be impacted by God's Spirit today? If praise and worship is truly in a child's DNA (Psalm 8:2), can't our toddlers and preschoolers dance before the Lord and lift their voices and hands as they worship God? If God told the young Jeremiah that He would put words into his mouth (Jeremiah 1:6-7), can't our young boys and girls speak God's Word?

Consider these ideas: (Remember, don't be lengthy. You are dealing with short attention spans.)
PRAY. Lay hands on and pray over every child in your nursery/classroom each week. You have no idea what is going on in that child's home. You have no idea about "baggage" that has been passed down from generation to generation. Pray blessings with your understanding. Pray blessings in the Spirit.
WORSHIP. Praise and worship must be included in each service. Sing the same songs each week. At this age, repetition is important. Make it fun with the dancing unto the Lord and clapping. Make it worshipful with hands raised, eyes closed.
SPEAK. Have the children say God's Word. Often the verse is the same week after week. Don't just say the verse. Allow the children to speak God's Word. You are creating what hopefully will become a lifelong discipline!

Let's create radical, Jesus-loving, Holy Ghost-moving children's ministries and allow it to begin in your nurseries!

(Do yourself a favor and pass this blog entry on to your nursery/toddler/preschooler leaders. You'll be glad you did!!!)

The "Realness" of the Holy Spirit

Each week, I wrestle with trying to contain the blog to approximately 350 words. I know that people will only read so many words and then want to move on to the next site. Admittedly, I fail 90% of the time. There is just so much that I want to share and too little space to convey my heart and passion.

This week, it will be easy to work within these self-imposed restraints. Though the words this week are few, the message is enormous. Here's the message:

If the Holy Spirit isn't real to you, how is He going to be real through you?

Those who move mightily with the Holy Spirit have this "realness" revelation. This revelation changes an "it" or a mystical force into Someone who longs to be real in your life and then your ministry. It was because of this revelation that Kathryn Kuhlman could say, "The Holy Spirit is more real to me than you are." His realness produces His manifest presence.

How real is He to you? Do you talk to Him? Do you allow time for Him to talk back to you? Do you know His personality, likes, and dislikes?

Turn off the teaching CD or the Christian television program. Close that book for a while. Get to know the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to walk off the pages of the Bible and become real to you. Then and only then will He become real through you.

Flowing with the Spirit

Here's a no-brainer ... the person who chooses to drive while constantly looking in the automobile's rear view mirror is destined to become a casualty! Focusing entirely upon what is behind you will prevent you from seeing what lies ahead of you. Continuing this practice will cause you to become a listing in your newspaper's obituary column.

Many Spirit-filled children's ministry leaders make this horrible mistake in their services. When the Holy Spirit moves in a service during a particular song or event, they make a note of the methodology and begin to do the same thing in each and every service expecting to have the same results. All of a sudden, they have discovered "the" formula for a move of God.

A biblical example of this is found in John 5 where the sick man is laying beside the pool of Bethesda. In this story, Jesus comes and asks if he wants to be healed. The man almost missed his miracle because he was totally focusing upon a set formula. His attention focused upon how God had moved in the past. The sick man knew what was needed to replicate that miracle. And yet, God wanted to demonstrate His presence and power in a new way at that exact moment.

Here's my reason for this week's blog. Do we in children's ministry have our set of formulas of how God has to move? After all, the Spirit of God walked into our room three months ago when we sang a particular song, right? Didn't He move mightily when we brought the kids forward after the second worship song?

Remember, constantly looking in the rear view mirror might not produce what we want! Let's be thankful for the past moves of God and looking forward to what He wants to do today. Let's go with His flow and see Isaiah 43:19 happen in our services. "For I'm going to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun! Don't you see it?" (The Living Bible).

Show and Tell

Here's a powerful verse from a book of the Bible that is rarely preached from. Grab your highlighters and mark this verse. "I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes." (Job 42:5, New Living Translation).

Let's face the facts. Many of our children are experts on Biblical knowledge. They could possibly outdo us in Bible trivia games. After all, they have been a part of our Sunday schools, children's churches, and mid-week Bible clubs for years. Yet sadly, many of these children are like the first portion of Job's statement. They have only heard about Him, they have never seen Him. To most of our children, Jesus is a great historical figure that they hear about week after week.

So, how do we transform Jesus from a character that our children hear about week after week into Someone who walks off the pages of the Bible or Sunday school quarterly? How does Jesus differentiate Himself from other historical religious leaders?

Here's the answer. As children's ministry leaders and workers, the answer is already an obvious answer. We all know that value of seeing and hearing, right? Each week, you don't just tell a lesson. You and I are always looking for some visual to reinforce what we are teaching. In Acts 1:3 we see that Jesus knew the value of seeing and hearing. "He appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive." (New Living Translation). He showed Himself and demonstrated His power. Through DEMONSTRATION, Jesus walked from the past tense (Someone who is heard or read about) to the present tense (Someone who is seen).

Here is where you and I come into this equasion. Jesus continues to show Himself and demonstrate His power today by the working of the Holy Spirit through YOU! As we allow the Holy Spirit to demonstrate through us, you and I turn what would possibly have been just a historical figure or religious myth into an "I have seen and now believe" (John 6:30).

Many years ago, I heard the great T.L. Osborn state, "If you can't demonstrate the Gospel, you aren't fit to preach it." I double dawg dare you to show and demonstrate the Gospel. Demonstrate that Jesus is alive and well and still full of power. Make room for the Holy Spirit to manifest His presence and touch lives. Lay hands upon the sick and know that they will be healed. Preach with the anointing and expect yokes to be broken.

The Holy Spirit is waiting on you. Now go and do it!

A Confession from a Holy Ghost Arsonist

It is unbelievable how this blog is spreading around the globe. Since its inception, this blog has been read in 23 states in the United States and in 16 nations with many of the readers reading the blog every week. I am literally touching lives around the world while sitting in my office in Lake Worth, Florida. That's the upside of the blog.

There is a downside to writing this blog, two areas that I struggle with each week. The first is that I would love to literally be with you and share this passion face-to-face. What I write each week isn't an afterthought. I am consumed with the desire to help ignite a fire of the Holy Spirit in children's ministries, to fan the flames of revival, to enable you to fulfill your God-given passions, and finally see children fulfill Joel's prophesy and become a Holy Spirit-empowered mighty army. Looking into a computer screen is a far cry from being able to look into your eyes and see the flames of the fire rise higher and higher in you.

The second struggle is that there is so much to share. Trying to keep the blog to 350 words is so difficult. I constantly wrestle with not turning a powerful point into a full-length article. I battle with wanting to write three and four blogs at one time. In writing this blog, I wrestled with the thoughts of whether to share a strong verse from Job or a reminder from Zechariah or God’s prompting for 2008 being the "year of the radical." At times, containing this overflow is almost more than I can handle!

I know that this week's blog isn't typical. I haven't shared a teaching thought. Today I've shared my innermost passion, what makes me tick. I am consumed with seeing this fire burn within you and your children because TODAY is the day of the Holy Spirit!

I’ve failed again. The count is way above the desired 350 words. I need a support group. I am consumed with this assignment. There might be someone reading this blog that can help with this “problem.” Allow me to come to your church and area, pour out my heart, look fellow igniters in the eyes and fan their flames. Allow me to help ignite this fire with your team and other churches in your area. Contact me for more information.

Do me two favors. First, connect me with others who are consumed with seeing a Holy Ghost revival in children’s ministry. Help me spread this fire as you tell others about the blog. Secondly, connect with me by sending a note telling me that you are with me and what this blog is doing for you. I want to help you. I’m only an email away - billy@billyburnsministries.com.

Preparing for the "Suddenlies" of the Holy Spirit

We all want the "suddenlies" mentioned in the Book of Acts to happen in our children's ministry, don't we? We desire for the Holy Spirit to come and demonstrate His presence and power just as He did in Acts 2, 10, and 16 causing children to be empowered to fulfill their God-given assignments (Acts 2), bringing Holy Ghost interruptions to our ministries (Acts 10), and setting children free from chains and shackles (Acts 16).

Have you ever stopped to consider that the "suddenlies" were only a time issue and not an if issue? Take a few minutes and reread these accounts. It wasn't a question of if the Holy Spirit would show up. In each of these stories, those involved had opened the door for His manifestation. In Acts 1:14, the disciples in the upper room "all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication ..." In the account of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon Cornelius' house, notice that "Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour." Note that in Acts 16, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."

Do you see the common thread among these "suddenlies"? They prayed. The private time of desperation and intimacy opened the door for the public appearance. The time of communion in the secret place opened the door for Him to show up in the public ministry.

Children's ministry leader, once again pardon my Texanese. I double dawg dare you to learn the secret to the Holy Spirit walking into your classroom. David had the answer. "I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry." (Psalm 40:1, Amp.) Those who learn the imporance of "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High ..." (Psalm 91:1, Amp.) can expect Him to make an unannounced appearance in their service.

Get ready. The Holy Spirit is waiting to make an unannounced visit to your ministry.

How to Initiate a Revival

The great revivalist Gypsy Smith was once asked about how to see moves of God or how to have a Spirit-filled ministry. He answered, “Go home, lock yourself in your room, and kneel down in the middle of the floor. Draw a circle all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival will be on.”

Where's the Beef?

In the 1980s, the Wendy's hamburger chain used a commercial shown across North America and Canada featuring an elderly actress named Clara Peller who receives a competitor's burger with a massive bun (the competitor's slogan was "Home of the Big Bun"). The small patty prompts the gruff Peller to angrily exclaim, "Where's the beef?"

In evaluating children's ministry, we must ask Clara's question, "Where's the beef?" Have we become the "Home of the Big Bun"? Have we forgotten what it is like to have a "real" hamburger? What I am seeing is that we have all of the "fixin's" associated with the hamburger and settling for a tiny portion of the hot and juicy meat patty.

We can't settle for the status quo. The bun and "fixin's" aren't enough. Let's follow Paul's admonition to Timothy. Let's "preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4:2). Let's expect the Spirit of God to manifest His presence with children being born again, baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed, and set free from strongholds that have been passed down from generation to generation. Let's expect the Holy Spirit to make His presence known by His visible demonstrations of power.

What will happen as we cry out "Where's the beef?" and begin to expectantly long for the Spirit of God to move among us? We will see the same results as the psalmist David when he said, "I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry." (Psalm 40:1, The Amplified Bible). Jesus will once again walk among us by His Spirit. We will see Acts 1:3 begin to happen in our services. "To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God." (The Amplified Bible).

True Revival

Any student of revival has studied the great Azusa Street Revival that was led by William J. ("Daddy") Seymour, a black one-eyed preacher. Seymour "had the funniest vocabulary," records John G. Lake, "but there were doctors, lawyers, and professors listening to the marvelous things coming from his lips. It was not what he said in words; it was what he said from his spirit to my heart that showed me he more of God in his life than any man I had ever met up with up to that time. It was God in him who was attracting people." (John G. Lake, Adventures in God, pp. 18-19).

Thank God for our teaching techniques, props, and training. But, it might be wise to see if we are missing the most important ministry ingredient, the God in us. May our prayer be that He will overshadow our strengths and weaknesses, our tools and props, our dynamic personality and charisma. May only His voice be heard, His presence felt. That my friend is true revival.

It's Not Too Late to Register

Are you longing for a children's service that allows the Holy Spirit to move mightily among your children? Are you ready to see your children fulfill Joel's prophesy (Joel 2:28) and begin to flow with the Holy Spirit?

Let me encourage you to join people from all over the United States and other countries coming together for the 2008 Ignite the Supernatural Conference on January 31 - February 2, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. While many children's ministry conferences teach a wide selection of workshops covering puppetry, object lessons, discipline techniques, etc., this conference focuses every workshop and general session on preparing you and your team to lead your children into a relationship with the Holy Spirit that will cause them to turn their worlds upside down. (Acts 17:6).

The Ignite the Supernatural Conference includes 16 workshops, 5 general sessions, a keynote evening with one of America's most dynamic teachers John Bevere (www.messengerintl.org), 3 meals (dinner Thursday and Friday evening, lunch Friday), and the conference notebook, all of this at a registration price way below most national conferences.

For information, visit www.ignite-conference.com today. Check out the workshops and teachers. I know that you will want to join us. I guarantee that your ministry will never ever be the same again!

Eliminating the Roadblocks of Revival

Let me set the scene of how many children's workers abandon their pursuit of revival. You've heard the word of the Lord and are convinced that God wants to pour out His Spirit upon your children's ministry. You've prayed and even fasted for this move of the Spirit. Time goes by and you are seeing little change. To make matters worse, some of the parents or even your staff are misinterpreting your pursuit. After a while, a new attitude sets in. Why fight the indifference. You begin to take the easy road of just picking a curriculum and providing a spiritual nugget each week and then send the children back home to their parents. Sound familiar?

Let me share a principle from Paul's life that will help us to get past these roadblocks in our pursuit for an outpouring of God's Spirit. In Acts 23:11, Paul hears Jesus tell him, "Be brave! You have told people in Jerusalem about me. You must do the same in Rome." In the next few chapters, roadblock after roadblock presents itself to keep Paul from fulfilling his assignment. First, forty men plot to kill Paul. Next, church leaders bring false accusations against him. Paul endures a long imprisonment in Jerusalem. Upon leaving Jerusalem on his route to Rome, Paul is shipwrecked off the island of Malta. After making it safely to land, Paul is bitten by a poisonous snake. As you can see, Paul experienced setback after setback that could have easily pushed him off his God-assigned mission.

Here's what enabled Paul to keep on keeping on. It is found in his encounter with the poisonous snake in Acts 28:5. "But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt." Did you see the answer? Paul shook off his adversity. He didn't allow his adversity (the snake) to cling onto him. He was able to keep on keeping on because he knew what he had heard from God and knew that adversity couldn't prevent him from fulfilling his assignment unless he allowed it to.

Why do many children's workers give up on their pursuit of a Holy Ghost revival? They allow the adversity to cling on them. If allowed to stay, adversity will drain any dream that you have. When adversity comes (and it will), we must shake it off. We must follow Paul's example and continue because we heard the word of the Lord.

What is our word from the Lord? God gave us a promise in Joel 2:28 that our sons and daughters would prophesy. We know that this promise is to us and to our children. We know that TODAY is the day of the Holy Ghost.

Shake off the adversity of discouragement, loneliness, and weariness. Stand strong. Guard your heart and your mouth. Continue to use your voice to proclaim that TODAY is the day of the Holy Ghost. (See last week's blog Revival is Waiting for the Sound of Your Voice.) Like Paul, you will fulfill your God-given assignment!