God Bless The Lutherans

    Friday, July 23rd, 2010

    I have a confession to make.  I have been a VBS-hopper this summer.  Two churches near our new house hosted free camps for kids and I took them both up on their offer to send my kids for two weeks of fun and frivolity.  This week – we spent time with the Lutherans.

    As a sales rep for Gospel Light’s VBS programs and having worked as either a VBS director or VBS classroom leader for 7 years running, I am well aware of the enormous amount of energy preparing for church camp requires.  Not only that, but the actual camp week itself will render even those of us with Energizer Bunny stamina pooped out by the time Friday rolls around.

    The reason I point this out is because I was blown away this week by the commitment of the small church that cared for not only mine – but nearly 50 kids this week.  Why was it amazing?  Because every single one of the volunteers at this camp was near retirement age or older.  As us “young” moms dropped off our kids last Monday morning, I couldn’t help but notice that each kindly woman and man reminded me of my grandparents.  And they were decked out in sequined hats and colorful bandanas.  They hugged, clapped, sang, told stories, played games, led crafts and taught Biblical truth to the little ones who came.  Here is a picture of Cooper’s group acting out the story of Peter’s miraculous rescue from prison:

    Picture 1

    They are living out their belief that sharing the good news of Jesus’ love is a call on our entire lives.  There is no retirement from discipleship.  I learned today that they have a mere 6 children who attend their little church.  Just 6.  And yet…  for the third year in a row, this church of mature believers spent a chunk of their summer loving anyone who came.

    They even took it one step further…  they not only offered a week long camp; they closed off camp week with a celebration tonight.  A swimming party and barbeque at a local retreat center, complete with games and even a pinata!

    Picture 2

    The lesson I have learned is that you are never too old to speak into the life of another.  I pray that when I am double the age I am right now, I will take my example from Ruby, Beth, Fred and the other great people I met this week and will remember this lesson well.  Thank you Westbank Redeemer Lutheran Church!

    Peace.

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    In The Belly…

    Sunday, July 18th, 2010

    Picture 25

    I love the simplicity of children’s Bible stories.  Especially when they are really well done.  Often, while reading one to my own kids or to the Sunday School class I teach, a new truth will strike me (even when I’ve heard the story umpteen times).

    Many children’s stories are written about Jonah.  Whether it is the sheer wonder of a fish swallowing a man -or- the hilarity of the man being puked up onto the shore -or- the terrific illustrations of a sad-faced Jonah hiding from God… kids love the story.

    Here is my new truth today from this age-old tale…  This is not a story about a group of people (the Ninevites) changing their sinful behavior and turning to God.  It is a story about one of God’s followers (Jonah) dealing with his own disobedience and judgmental attitude.

    It is not about God’s people going to the sinners and telling them about their sin.  It is about God’s people dealing with their own reactions to the sin in this world.

    Jonah knew God’s rules.  He prayed to God.  He even heard God’s messages.  But there was something about the Ninevite people that caused Jonah to put his foot down and say, “No God.  What they’ve done is too wicked.”  It’s caused me to stop and wonder: Who are my Ninevites?  Is there someone you classify as a Ninevite?  It could be someone close to you who has hurt you -or- a group of people who live a lifestyle you don’t agree with.  The problem?  The problem isn’t their sin.  It is your (and my) lack of love.

    God’s answer isn’t to wage war against them or run from them.  It isn’t to preach a message of doom and then wait for it to come true.  Jonah said, “I knew that you were a gracious and compassionate God…”  Jonah knew that God desired reconciliation from the Ninevites, not their destruction.  Jonah knew there was a chance that they would repent and be restored.  In his opinion – they didn’t deserve the chance.  That’s pretty harsh, isn’t it?

    God does not want us to have Ninevites in our lives.  Not in our families, not in our towns, not in this world.  He is the one to pass judgment – not you or I.  Our job – love them.  Our job – obey Him.  Through our obedience there is the great chance that we get to be a part of someone else’s reconciliation.

    God didn’t need Jonah to restore the Ninevites.  God would have used someone else if necessary.  The book of Jonah is about Jonah dealing with Jonah’s sin.  Whoever causes you or I to want to turn and run the other way is in our lives because we have something we need to deal with too.  Our pride, our disobedience, and our demand for justice done on our terms keeps us in the belly of the fish.  Not a place I want to hang out.  How ’bout you?

    ~ Peace.

    (I got this image from South African Illustrator’s website – they own the copyright)

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    The Human League

    Thursday, July 15th, 2010

    101_2080

    “Am I even human?”  My four year old asked yesterday, with one hand on her hip and the other out in front of her, palm up, as if she really expected an answer.

    “If you weren’t human, what would you be?”

    She thought for a moment and then answered, “A bunny rabbit.  Or maybe a blanket.”  And she stomped off.   I wonder sometimes if children have a heightened awareness that we really weren’t created to be permanent fixtures in this world.  However, there are some really funny things that we humans do and think.  My friend Clint posted a list titled, “Truths For All Humans”  Many of these made me laugh out loud ~ so I am sharing an edited version of the top 21 that made me laugh. Thanks Clint!

    1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

    2. Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

    3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

    4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

    5.  Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

    6. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

    7. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.

    8. Bad decisions make good stories.

    9. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

    10. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

    11. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

    12. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this – ever.

    13. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dang it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?

    14. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

    15. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

    16. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

    17. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

    18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

    19. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

    20. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

    21. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey- but I’d bet my savings that everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

    Peace!

    Categories : Life Lessons
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    Kim’s Book

    Radical Love...Forever Changed is a new book that Kimberly co-authored with Donna Lowe. It will be released in paperback in summer 2010 by Revival Nation Publishing. You can pre-order your signed copy at www.RadicalLoveBook.com. Pre-order cost is only $15.

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