Tuesday, August 25, 2009

All Access Pass

We (the youth group and I) recently went on a mission trip. We helped a family and visited veterans in St. James, we worked on a house of a family who was unchurched but because of our labor went to a local church that week in Moberly MO, we then helped clean up a church and a community center in Pittsburg Mo. The last day of the trip we went to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City where they were hosting a Christian music festival with a variety of great preaching and musical acts including Third Day.

I got to thinking about how great it would be if I were able to acquire all access passes for our youth group so we could go back stage and talk with those in the bands and the preachers. These are famous people and our students would enjoy the opportunity to meet with them and get to know them.

We all have an all access pass to go back stage in the greatest story ever. You see, your Bible allows you a great deal of access into the thoughts and motives of God. Want to get to know the Creator of the Universe? Want to gain wisdom? Want to become the person God created you to be? It all starts with reading your Bible.

How do you study your Bible?
When do you study your Bible?
Any insights that may help others dig into the Word?

Monday, August 17, 2009

Kids On a Mission

We are having a great time with our Kids On a Mission group this summer. We have been meeting every other Sunday evening from 6-7pm with the 1st-5th graders and have been doing various mission activities.

Most recently, we weeded a garden for an elderly lady. All the kids jumped right in and pulled weeds, raked, and then bagged the weeds. The kids really surprised me at how hard they worked. We only had about 40 minutes to work on our task but they attacked those weeds with a vengeance and we were pleased with the finished product.

Normally I despise pulling weeds as my own flower beds are testimony to, but the time flew by and the task which I often avoided was completed. It was actually quite enjoyable and we found ourselves visiting, joking and encouraging each other during the process. When our time was up, we all were dirty, bug bit and sweaty but each of us had a smile on our faces.

I'm so glad for those of you that have been joining us and for those of you that haven't yet, there is plenty more activities to come!

Monday, August 10, 2009

School Days

I remember Mrs. Edler. She was my first grade teacher, for my first experience in public school. I was a kindergarten dropout - but that’s a completely different story. I remember the fear and anxiety of that first day of school. Actually, as I recall, my mother literally dragged me screaming down the sidewalk to the classroom. The screaming worked for kindergarten, but apparently wasn’t going to work in the first grade. My mother was going to make sure I attended school even if she had to attend it with me.

My anxiety was totally unfounded. Mrs. Edler opened my eyes to a whole new world of words and arithmetic. Who knew Jane and Dick could run so gracefully across the page, or that one plus one always equals two - every time. That first grade experience opened the doors of learning and opportunity - and we had recess!

Join me in praying for our teachers and administrators in school systems across America. They deserve our thanks and need our prayer support in this important endeavor. Remember, that screaming kid in the third row may be your pastor twenty years from now.