Do you have a favorite Vacation Bible School memory? This week we are having Vacation Bible School in our church. Vacation Bible School holds special memories for me. Several things from my past experiences stand out in my mind.
One of my favorite memories is Grandma Noakes’ cookies and Kool-Aid. When I first started going to VBS Grandma Noakes was a special person to our church. She would come to classes and tell us about coming to America on a ship when she was a little girl. Everyone was fascinated by her stories. She also served refreshments at VBS handing out sandwich cookies and cups of Kool-Aid. I remember it was then that I first started dunking my cookies in the Kool-Aid. It is such a special memory that I still like dunking cookies in my Kool-Aid.
There are memories of the friends made along with the crafts, songs we sang, and our pastor leading us in the opening assemblies. I think those are some of the reasons that I still enjoy Vacation Bible School.
Another experience that has stayed with me from VBS was the challenge to memorize verses of scripture. Many of the verses that encourage me today I memorized as a child in Vacation Bible School. I have forgotten the crafts I made and the games we played. But the verses I memorized from the Bible are still with me.
“Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)
Every year I get to see the same look in the children’s faces that I remember having as a child. I see the touch of God through the hands of volunteers and the difference that touch makes in the lives of children. The touch of God through your hands will change lives too.
Bro. Robin
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 09, 2010
Simple Ingredients
The fourth of July weekend started for us the day before we all got together to celebrate. Joyce and I enjoy having the family over for celebrations. We not only enjoy the family together we also enjoy working together to get everything ready. One of my favorite things is to make ice cream and it starts the day before.
For me, ice cream begins with making custard. I separate the egg yolks, heat the milk and sugar, and combine them to make sweet custard that will be made into ice cream the next day. It is just cream, sugar, and eggs but combining them takes practice and timing. If you go too fast you end up with scrambled eggs. Done right you can make great ice cream to top one of Joyce’s delicious pies, or eat all by itself.
A few simple ingredients put together in the right way make a sweet treat. That is true about a lot of things. Many of the best things in life are simple. Put them together in the right way and you have something enjoyable. Put a mix of people in the right place and time and you have good fellowship. With practice and timing you can take God’s word to a quiet place and discover His will.
Knowing God is not complicated. We make it seem difficult when we want to take shortcuts to obedience and let God know we prefer to do it our way. He gave us His Son Jesus to save us, His Word, the Bible, He taught us to pray, He gave us an example of fellowship with His disciples, and sent them out to witness showing us what to do. He wants us to take the few simple ingredients He gives us and combine them with time and practice.
He reminds us in His word: “…I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1) With a few simple ingredients our life can become pleasing to God and be spiritual worship.
Bro. Robin
For me, ice cream begins with making custard. I separate the egg yolks, heat the milk and sugar, and combine them to make sweet custard that will be made into ice cream the next day. It is just cream, sugar, and eggs but combining them takes practice and timing. If you go too fast you end up with scrambled eggs. Done right you can make great ice cream to top one of Joyce’s delicious pies, or eat all by itself.
A few simple ingredients put together in the right way make a sweet treat. That is true about a lot of things. Many of the best things in life are simple. Put them together in the right way and you have something enjoyable. Put a mix of people in the right place and time and you have good fellowship. With practice and timing you can take God’s word to a quiet place and discover His will.
Knowing God is not complicated. We make it seem difficult when we want to take shortcuts to obedience and let God know we prefer to do it our way. He gave us His Son Jesus to save us, His Word, the Bible, He taught us to pray, He gave us an example of fellowship with His disciples, and sent them out to witness showing us what to do. He wants us to take the few simple ingredients He gives us and combine them with time and practice.
He reminds us in His word: “…I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1) With a few simple ingredients our life can become pleasing to God and be spiritual worship.
Bro. Robin
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