Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Vacation Bible School


Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 NIV

 

I love to read the daily passages of Bible Gateway.com

 

How appropriate this passage is today.  Our church began Bible School last night and we had around 65 children attend in spite of the rain.  The church was full of laughter and song the entire night.  Ms. Audra, our children’s minister along with many volunteers transformed the halls and classrooms in to “The greatest show on earth.” 

 
 I can’t help but to think about what it might have been like to be a child when Jesus was the greatest show on earth!  Just imagine running up to Him and having him sweep you up in his arms.  A gentle kiss on the cheek, a soft stroke on the head.  Talk about feeling loved. 

              

How wonderful it is to know that we are all His children!  Of course we cannot physically feel his strong arms around us, but we know he is there calling us, waiting for us to come to Him like “little children” expecting nothing more than to be loved. 

 

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them…”  Thank you Jesus for wanting me!

 

Peace,

Kelly

Friday, July 5, 2013

Give Praise

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4

From time to time I will get on the "Bible Gateway" web site and read the verse for the day.  The verse above was posted for today.  As I read it,  I began to think of how I could apply it to my everyday life.  The first part of the verse would be easy; "Give praise to the Lord".  I do that now.  I try to remember to praise Him in any situation I'm in.  It's really not that hard because it is a personal thing.  Something I can do it by myself with no one watching. Other times I can do it among a group of follow believers. But the next part of the verse, "proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted", is more difficult for me.  I have never been one to really go out and witness to people and "talk about God".  As an adult I have been on mission trips with the youth including my two girls, and I have watched kids witness to strangers with a confidence that I still don't have.  I know that this is an area of my life that I really want to work on.  But I also know that while I may not be bold enough to witness with my words, I can witness with my actions.  I can continue to try and live a Godly life through Christ's grace and I can show others what it means to have a relationship with God by the way I handle myself in certain situations.  It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  I can see the picture of Jesus hanging on the cross everyday, and I am speechless.  He said very little on the day he died, but he showed us through his suffering who he really was.  Jesus "proclaimed His father's name among the nations" when sacrificed himself for us.  Such an unselfish and painful example of being a witness.  With that in mind, I can surely be a witness today with a kind word or a smile.  I can be a witness with patiences and understanding.  And I can proclaim that His name be exalted by giving Him and others the best that I have. 

Peace,
Kelly