Busy week ahead

I'm really looking forward to this week but as I look at my June calendar, I'm starting to break out in hives over all the "summer fun" that's about to take place and the busy-ness that will most likely result from all this fun.

This week is Vacation Bible School at church. The second week of June we'll be at the beach on a famiy retreat, and the third week of June I'll be teaching at our local university's Kids University instructing a sign language class. I'm tellin' you, June filled up FAST!

Anyway back to VBS, I'm particularly excited to participate and go with the kids this year. (I'll be helping with the 1st and 2nd graders). We've recently started attending a new church and their VBS is what I'd refer to as good ol' back-to-basics and much like what I remember from my own VBS days. No fancy materials, no boxed curriculum, no soundtrack, t-shirts, powerpoints or videos- just learning about God, His word and that that is exciting in itself. We'll be memorizing Psalm 100 (one of my favorite Psalms no doubt) and you'd better believe I'll be praying that it seeps into every child's heart to hold forever. We'll also be learning the basics of our faith: Creation, Fall, Covenant, Salvation and Glory.

It's not that I mind the fancy production-type VBS programs that are going around. In fact, at my parent's church they are doing theirs on the theme of Paul and the Underground Church and what it was like to be a first century Christian. It's going to be a blast, no doubt!

Sometimes, though it's good (no, GREAT!) just to get back to the simplicity and awesomeness of God's Word and what it holds for our lives. It was at VBS where I first learned all the books of the Bible, the names of the disciples, and the song "Fried Ham, Fried Ham, Cheese and Bologna" (still wondering how that last one fits into my theology. Oh well...)

I guess what I'm saying is that the older I get, the things that I remember most are the simple things. Things that entertain have been fleeting and the ONLY thing that keeps me grounded in my faith is His word, not hyped-up Christianity. When I falter and fail, there is no question that I have not been in God's Word and asking His guidance.

So, that is why I'm so excited to take part in this week.

Lord, help me never forget how precious and timeless Your Word is. I pray that you will use me to spark a fire in the hearts of the children this week to hunger after You and for what You have done for us and have revealed to us. Amen


Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version)
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1 John 2:4-6 (New International Version)
4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are His; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.