basic truths

Our children's ministry focuses on three basic truths in conjunction with a monthly virtue. These lessons are designed to teach kids "to grow in wisdom and statue and favor with God and man" Luke 2:52. Each Sunday, our team presents a Bible centered large group environment to support a classroom small group curriculum. My role as host and storyteller humbles me each and every week in preparation to teach the truth of God's Word. Often, especially this week, I need to significantly remind myself of the importance of these life lessons and practice what I teach.

Trust God No Matter What
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

Make The Wise Choice
Proverbs 1:5 "A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel"

Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Luke 6:27-31 "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."

resurrection sunday

“Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.’ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead… And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:1-31

preparation day

“Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” John 19:31-42

good friday

"And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him... Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." John 19:17-30

who?

“Even though you can't see them or hear them at all,

a person's a person, no matter how small!"

A courageous elephant, a tiny speck and Whoville turned upside down... "Horton Hears A Who" delivers an adventure of silly fun with important messages on life, faith and purpose.

Kids of all ages (that's me) learn that if we just listen and follow our heart, good things can happen. Our bumbling, yet lovable, Horton thinks he hears a call for help. His compassion leads to confirmation that the Whos were in trouble and needed his help. For a while he's on his own because no one believes him... "if you can't see, hear or feel something, it doesn't exist!" But Horton knows the speck is special and he holds the fate of Whoville on a clover wrapped in his elephant trunk. Horton's new sense of purpose encourages him through ridicule and danger because "I meant what I said and I said what I meant: An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent!"

The Whos yell out "We're here!!!" so the world can hear and all of Whoville is safe because an elephant in a jungle took the time to listen and answer a cry for help. Now the Mayor's 96 daughters can again share one bathroom, whatever that is?

be still...

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear... even though the earth be removed...
Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalms 46:1, 10

In the midst of the battles, in times of trouble and fear, when the world comes against us, God is sovereign and God is good. A prayer to acknowledge that God is God. He loves us, protects us and fights the battles for us. Though judgment comes, be still and know God is in control.