Butterflies

Colorado was rather dry that year.  We made the trip up from New Mexico and there were few bright flowers along the way.  Near a bridge over the San Juan, two bits of color caught my eye.  I love watching butterflies.

Pastor reminded me of this shot with the example he gave Sunday of someone helping the struggling butterfly out of its cocoon, only to see it die because it could not fly.  We’ve all heard this example at one time or another, but few apply it to our own lives.

We are the butterfly – not those around us.  We are the ones who need to accomplish the struggle.  We aren’t the kind person who, as an outstanding co-dependent, erroneously help the one struggling.

This shouldn’t be an example of our backing off from helping, it should be the best example to encourage us to continue struggling to achieve the future God has in store for us.  No one has been promised life without struggles.  The opposite, from Eden’s exit.

… cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, (Genesis 3:17b-19a KJV)

“But, but…” people say, “I’ve had it so rough!  No one has faced what I have.”  We cry out as Elijah:

… and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. (1 Kings 19:10 KJV)

“So there are good reasons why I am (insert feeling that keeps us from doing what God has in mind for us).”

Hey, I know about that!  I use(d) such excuses  myself. Yep, have one or two sitting nearby to use in case of emergencies.  Don’t you?  Early Christians did, too.  Except, maybe, for Paul:

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1 KJV)

We do, however, have an even better example:

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15 KJV)

That’s not John speaking, that’s Jesus.  And He knows how we’ll feel when we follow His example:

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:17 KJV)

Be the butterfly you are born to be. Struggle and grow strong, and be happy!

Baptism

This past summer, three of my great-grandsons accepted Jesus as their Lord.  The oldest, now in the 7th grade, was at our Youth summer camp.  His two younger brothers went to the Children’s camp. First GGS made his profession of faith at camp.  Since this is a big step, not to be taken lightly nor as peer pressure, he has spent time since talking with his parents as well as his Sunday School teacher and our pastor to be certain he understands this decision before being baptized.

Second GGS made his profession of faith Tuesday during Vacation Bible School.  Once again, due to his youth, adults counsel with him to be certain he’s not simply following his brother instead of making a personal decision. Then, on Thursday, Third GGS made his profession of faith, too.

Sunday, they and their father were baptized by our Pastor.  Baptism is a big step – or, better put, it SHOULD be a big step.  Following His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus came to be baptized by John.

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (Matthew 3:13 KJV)

There is so much more in this chapter about baptism.  John’s was to be different from Christ’s:

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11 KJV)

Jesus did not baptize while here on earth, but His disciples did:

(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) (John 4:2 KJV)

But He did promise the baptism John preached, and more:

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4-5 KJV)

What if a person was baptized, then discovered there was something different?  It has happened:

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:1-5 KJV)

Were baptized, though they had been previously.  They were following the example of their Lord and Savior.  Because of the difference in doctrine between denominations, some have membership requirements that call for rebaptism.  Just as John’s disciples were baptized again, as an indication of their understanding of those very differences. It was this symbolic step taken Sunday by my First Grandson, father to the three GGS’s, leading the way for his sons.

For us it is not a physical washing away of sin. But it is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, Christ, who does remove sins in our life.  For that, I am eternally grateful.

Time To Work

(The above graphic came with others in an e-mail and I have not been able to make out the name of the artist.  It is used in good faith and will be removed if necessary.)

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14 KJV)

Can’t stand to work in Vacation Bible School?  Can’t find time to work with children in Sunday School?  Feel that the church is there for adults to come and worship?  Think children should sit quietly at parent’s side and receive the meat of the service along with them?

Revisit Matthew 19:14 above or Mark 10:14 or Luke 18:16.

There are times for milk, before taking in meat, even in Christian services. 

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2 KJV)

While adults are expected to grow quickly in Christian life, children need that milk.  They need to sit and learn at Jesus’ feet.  Through the loving examples of their parents is the very best way.  Next best, from loving Christian workers seeing to their growth in church activities.

This past week was filled with such workers looking after the spiritual well being of children from pre-K through the 6th grade.  The opportunity to serve them was an opportunity to serve Him. Remember Christ’s parable of all nations gathered before the throne? Those sent to the right heard:

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40 KJV)

Others stood there, too, heard words of condemnation and were sent to everlasting punishment with these words ringing in their ears:

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matthew 25:45 KJV)

James would not only understand where I’m going with this, he wrote to us to tell us of it:

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:18 KJV)

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:35 KJV)

Go to work!

It’s Over

The shuttle came down, the black skies of space were ripped off, the planets and stars stored away. Instead of the shuttle door, the sanctuary will be wide open to crowds on Sunday.  Moon rocks and landers have been removed and the choir loft again holds chairs, ready for hymns.  The Big Jumpy Things that covered the yard returned to folded pieces that fit into the backs of pickups and went home.

Unless you were at Vacation Bible School, it is as though it never happened, but it did.

Decisions were made this week that will affect individuals and families for years to come.  Children were introduced to each other and made friendships that will last.  Teachers gave and received hugs, praying they would see these children in their Sunday School classes.  Many wouldn’t be coming back on a regular basis.

There was a young brother and sister we invited that won’t.  They spend their summer days helping their Mom at a local restaurant. We were in there for lunch on Monday.  Second Daughter, her niece and nephew were with us.  The children fell into the same age groups and we had fun chatting with them.  She asked, they were interested and the next day one of our vans brought them in.

First Gil (granddaughter-in-law) took photographs all week and one of them is of this young gentleman in group, bright and shiny-eyed, excited and having a great time.  I took a copy to him Friday morning and his Mom looked just as happy about as he was.  Those are the moments!  But, they have a church home of their own and are happy there.  We’ll see them on special occasions, but not on a regular basis.

The workers – and there were many!! – put in hours before hand in preparation, and hours afterward returning the church to pre-VBS cleanliness.  Each day Fellowship hall held five tables full of children every half hour until all were refreshed.  Each day Youth, too old for the classes yet too young to teach, saw to children’s safety as they enjoyed the Big Jumpy Things to their fullest.  Each day there was check-in for attendance, penny counters for offerings, song leaders, skit performers, people in all areas working with and praying for the children.

Why?

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: (Psalms 78:5-7 KJV)

These workers who display God’s love for man (1 John 4:19) also have beautiful feet, as Paul expounded upon Isaiah 52:7:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:13-15 KJV)

Talk About Children

Monday we started with 96 children, by Wednesday we had 115 and I didn't see yesterday's total.  They are divided into four groups for their class/activities, the largest groups are over 40.  They have 30 minutes for games and refreshments.  This year we have big Jumpy Things for them to play in, so they want their treats quickly!  It's worked well this week with three of us setting up refreshments, and cleaning between groups.  My experiences gave me some insight when reading this article.

A restaurant recently changed it’s policy to not serve children. To put it kindly, the owner said:  'Parents have gradually diminished their cooperation.'

Another site (I neglected to save it’s location) polled it’s readers as to whether the restaurant should deny children.  A great many of the readers chose to take the change personally, fitting it into their view regarding the decline of families in America.

Not me.  I see it as a laxness on the part of parents who did not respect the restaurant, nor their children.  Instead of denigrating the owners for making a call based on their business needs, we need to be setting examples.

I remember a restaurant birthday party.  We had close to a dozen, and so did the group next to us.  There were four children six or under in that group. A couple were a bit wiggly, but the parents paid attention and corrected their table manners.  It was a pleasure to watch them, and I stopped to compliment the family as we were leaving.

I’m proud to say that my grandson and his wife have done a very good job setting examples for their children.  We were a group of twelve at a restaurant recently.  Their four children did ask a good many questions about the menu, but once the selections were determined, they were good dinner companions, too.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 KJV)

I think that includes respect for others.  In this case, an awareness that dining away from home includes those surrounding you.  There are attitudes and actions appropriate in one arena that are not in another.  Teaching children the difference remains the job of parents.

The easiest way to do so is to invite friends and relatives over for dinner – and I don’t mean backyard barbeques.  Have a sit down dinner focusing on including the children.  Check out table manners, correcting if needed, commending where appropriate.  Accomplish this before taking them to restaurants, teaching them that there’s a big difference between fast foods with a play area and restaurants with wait staff who see to their requests.

Teaching that respect for others falls under one of my favorite verses – the one that follows the first and great commandment:

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22:39 KJV)

Taking Care

This week is Vacation Bible School, from 9:30 in the morning until noon.  There’s a lot of excitement. There’s a lot of Bible reading.  There are a lot of questions.  The gospel is given, Jesus is taught and salvation is a topic of conversation.

There is the temptation on the part of some Christians to rely on a form of “The Sinner’s Prayer” and call them saved when a child repeats it. We don’t.  Care must be taken that this isn’t a moment of excitement, of peer pressure or teacher’s great desire.  It is a moment of understanding if a child says they’ve been saved.

Two of my great-grandsons will be baptized this coming Sunday.  Church is not new to them.  They attended long before they moved closer to us.  They’ve attended Sunday School for years.  The older made his profession of faith this summer at Youth Camp.  The younger made his this week in Bible School.

Care was taken with First GGS and he was counseled by several adults to be certain he understood the reason for and the meaning of salvation. Second GGS needed that same attention, from the same people, to be certain he was not following an example nor desiring the same attention, but understood what he was doing.  Guess it also comes down to the adults understanding that, too!

We are aware of Matthew’s example of the sower in Chapter 13.  The word is given to all, but some of it never takes root nor grows into fruitfulness.  Christ explained this parable to His disciples:

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. [Matthew 13:18 KJV]

It is our responsibility to see that the ground is prepared:

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. [Matthew 13:23 KJV]

That’s what I want for my loved ones.  Not:

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [Matthew 13:22 KJV]

Nor:

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. [Matthew 13:20-21 KJV]

So, time is taken with each child, not just my great-grands.  Questions asked, explanations given, discussions with parents included – all this long before baptisms are scheduled.

It sounds simple when we read:

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [Acts 16:30-31 KJV]

Never forget the following verse:

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. [Acts 16:32 KJV]

Vacation Bible School

Take a look at this classroom in our church.  Monday it was all laid out for the children who would be coming to Vacation Bible School. Each student’s workbook, along with a Bible for reference, laid before each chair, and crayons for making their stories personal.  Don’t you appreciate teachers that prepares for their students?

Teachers gave attention to details when decorating, adding these tiny stickers to the door.  We know they catch the children’s attention and they’ll show them to each other:  “See the rocket!”  “Look, there’s a star!” A lot of time and effort goes into preparing for and presenting summer’s Bible School.

The theme, planning and largest decorations came from our Youth Director.  The children get to walk through the door of a space shuttle to enter the auditorium.  The skits include astronauts, robots and aliens!  Talk about excitement!

Many arrive in our church vans, thanks to the dedication of drivers who make visits weeks in advance.  And, let me digress a bit – see that covered walkway between the buildings?  My Beloved Husband designed and built that with our children’s help. The congregation works hard making the church attractive and welcoming. Recent remodeling was completed just the week before VBS started.  We love making our church home comfortable for visitors.

But we never lose sight of the main purpose – introducing children to Bible study and the gospel of Jesus Christ, who lived, died and rose again to show God’s love for His creation.

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7 KJV)

Jesus reaffirmed this commandment.  In temptation, He provided our reason for worship:

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:35-40 KJV)

The Bible tells us these teachers are doing great work:

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19 KJV)

May you do great work also!!