Lessons learned from Princesses and Friends

A few days ago, I participated in our church's Trunk or Treat event. Watching the line of kids and adults go by, I was aware that not one single person looked the same. Everyone had their own identity, even if they were wearing the same costume. They were all unique.

We, too, by God's creation, are all unique. No one refused to come to the event because not everyone was dressed like them. Not a single participant stayed away because we were giving out other candy besides the one they liked best. And best of all....we all had fun. "Dogs" admired the superheroes, the princesses filled up their bag with all different kinds of candy, and the farmer smiled at them all.

Everyone had different roles for that event. We couldn't all be passing out treats, someone had to be in costume and ready to receive. It didn't happen without some work. It would've been a terrible time if everyone had been sullen and unappreciative. There were appropriate times for each ingredient, and it couldn't all happen at once. No one was out to see who had the best costume, who was passing out the best candy, or who delivered it in the best way. There was (and continues to be) appreciation shown to those who gave, those who came, those who prayed, and those who were there that night. I believe the event was a wonderful example of community and life as God would have us live.

At one time, I was that child in costume, and at one time, I was that parent lugging the coats and snapping pictures. That's not my role now, though. But it doesn't mean the role I have now can't be enjoyable and a part of the whole. Through life, through the church, through our jobs.....our roles change. But God doesn't.....and He still has ABUNDANT life for us....if we'll let Him give it, according to what He knows is best. And by the way....don't be afraid to try a piece of candy you've never tried before....you might just like it! : )

Go Outside!

My mom was always trying to get me to go outside. Her reasoning was persuasive: sitting in front of the television all day was bad for my eyes; think of all the fresh air and sunshine; all my friends were outside, so why wasn't I outside. The list could go on and on, so eventually, I went outside. I think that maybe she just wanted a few minutes of peace and quiet in the house, but even if that was true, outside was better. There were adventures, discoveries, and more that I would have missed curled up on the couch. Outside was better.


Often we can find ourselves becoming very comfortable inside the church. Truthfully, it is a great place to be! We find hope, comfort and encouragement there. It is important, however, to understand the purpose of the hope, comfort and encouragement. We don't come to church to stay inside; we come to church to be equipped to go outside. Jesus' Great Commission to his disciples was to "Go."


Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV84)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.


Come to church to get equipped, then go outside. It's really exciting what God is doing out there!

It's Always Today

I love Hebrews 3:13a. It says, "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is called "Today." It makes me smile, because when you think about it, we are being exhorted to encourage one another everyday....since it is actually always today. Tomorrow never comes, because once the clock turns to midnight and one milli-second (or whatever is a smaller unit than that), it isn't tomorrow....it's today. It's another one of those 'keep on keepin' on' passages. Barnabas is one of my favorite Biblical characters...we are told his name means Encourager.


I can remember telling my kids, 'tomorrow, we'll...' do such and such. So then when that day came, they asked, 'is this tomorrow?' That was a hard one to answer...."Well, it's actually today"..."But you said we'd do this tomorrow, and now we're doing it--so isn't this tomorrow?" Try to explain to a four-year old that yesterday today was tomorrow, but now it's today, and tomorrow is tomorrow.... It laughingly makes my brain spin even now!

But this instruction isn't confusing....as a matter of fact, it's very straightforward -

Encourage one another TODAY!

Night Out

Everybody likes a night out. Whether its dinner at your favorite restaurant, or just spending time with family and friends, a night out can be a wonderful break from the routine of the everyday. NHBC is set to begin a new opportunity called National Heights Night Out. Each month, we will choose a restaurant and invite the NHBC family to join together in a time of fellowship and outreach. This month, we will meet at Panera's on Kansas Expressway Monday, September 29th. If you bring a NHBC flyer between 4-8 PM (available at www.nationalheights.org/nightout.html) Panera's will make a donation to our partner school, Fremont Elementary. The evening will also include an informal worship service in the party room at Panera's at 6:30 PM. Invite a friend and join us for a great time of outreach and fellowship in our community.

Just a Little Thing

Three to four inches wide and just an inch long. Just a little bitty thing--but oh, the havoc it can cause. My husband had a gallbladder attack in the middle of the night last week, and that 'little bitty thing' caused him enormous pain. And to top it off, what was REALLY the cause was a stone lodged in the gallbladder's neck - so, even smaller still!


It's amazing what trouble small things can cause....a hangnail, a splinter, even a paper cut. Similarly, it's amazing what trouble small things can cause in relationships. A careless word, a thoughtless look, an ill-timed laugh. How carefully we need to be watchful over small things throughout the day.


It's also amazing what GOOD can come from small things. A kind word, a hand squeeze, a quick word of prayer, or even a short note. May we be faithful to the small things that are good....and watchful over those small 'stones' that can be hurtful to the cause of Christ.

Labor Day

Labor Day is around the corner. That used to mean the end of summer vacation. Now it means that school has been in session for several weeks - we are ready for a break! Use this Labor Day as an opportunity to celebrate the opportunities we have to serve the Lord. It is a privilege and a joy we so often miss because we are not watching for the opportunities we have each day.

Psalm 100:2

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Colossians 3:23–24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Brand New

New crayons, a full bottle of glue, a blank composition notebook, brand new folders, and everything loaded into a new backpack! A new teacher, new classmates, a new grade, and sometimes a new school.  Our backpack giveaway was last night, and it was so much fun to see the excitement of the kids as they picked the new backpack of their choosing, and then looked like Christmas, as they unpacked their bag of supplies custom packed for them, according to their teachers' specific requests.

The Bible has something to say about new beginnings, too:

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Isaiah 43:19 -  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Lamentations 3:22-23 - Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The new school supplies will get used and wear out. However, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He gives life-changing gifts of freedom to anyone who follows him as Lord and Savior. Unlike our worldly gifts, what He offers is the ultimate gift, the greatest gift of all!