All Your Creatures
I took my oldest granddaughter on a short road trip to a butterfly habitat. We marveled at the colors, the shapes, the variety and how each one was unique. As we walked under the trees, watched the various insects dart and float among the foliage we became aware of how beautiful and fragile this life is that God has given to us.
Many of my Blog readers have experienced a really tough summer. There have been visits to doctors, hospitals and emergency rooms. There have been funerals, loss and great joy throughout these last few months. All of which has driven the church family and individuals to respect the moments we have with each other.
Charles de Foucald prayed this prayer, “Father, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I will thank you. I am ready for all; I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, as in all your creatures. And I’ll ask nothing else, my Lord.”
Point? God has a plan, he is in control and you best be serving, growing and sharing. Why? because dear friends life is brief and in a moment gone. Bring a word of hope, share resources, lift another today. “Let only your will be done in me.”
Dear God, I thank you for the wonder of this world. Grant me the faith of a child, even in the face of trials, pain and loss, to believe you are in the process. To take a moment and marvel at what we have been given. Amen.
See you on the path……
Is it Worth the Expense?
We just finished a week of Vacation Bible School here at First Chinese Baptist Church. Every year I struggle with the expense in money, volunteers, and energy needed to provide a week of singing, cooking, sets, and story time. I ask myself: is it really good stewardship? Now before you shoot back any emails here is my reasoning.
Most of the children already go to another church. So if one goal is to bring more believers into church, its not working. Honestly, around Fresno there are some tremendous VBS ministries provided by huge churches. They have multi-staff, beautiful playgrounds, huge budgets and we just can’t compete. We do add a cross-cultural aspect to the curriculum so that helps bring people that would not ordinarily come.
Some of you might be thinking, “But pastor it brings the community together, provides a safe place for the children, forces us all to think about our walk with the Savior.” Yes you are right. But is it worth it?
I was leading the Bible Experience one evening. I was retelling the story of Peter and how he ran away from the Savior. The point was to discuss forgiveness. During the time together the children were invited to dip their fingers into some red water color and place a fingerprint on the cross and make a comment about their personal walk with Christ. Struggling with the question, “Had they ever ran away from the Savior?”
All of the older children did the task. But, for most of them was just one more activity until the bell rang and thy could be released. Until the 4 and five year olds came into the classroom. They listened, I mean really listened, to how the rooster crowed. They saw a volunteer come in dressed as the Apostle Peter and he looked exhausted, stressed, and shed tears over the fact that he did not stand with Jesus. No, he ran away and knew in his heart there would never be forgiveness for him. They heard me read from the New Testament about an angel that told visitors to the tomb to run and tell the good news, also to Peter the runner, about the risen Savior!
Then all the little ones dipped their fingers in the paint. Placed their print on the cross and stood there looking, looking all the way to the top. Now get this! They bowed their heads and said, “Jesus, I’m sorry. Forgive me.”
So, to answer my own question. Yes, it was worth the time, the trouble, the anxiety, the tears and the dollars. To have the opportunity to stand together and look at the cross. To say together, little ones and adults, “I am sorry Jesus.” Then to know yes to know we are forgiven!
Dear Savior, creator of it all. Help us to shine, to radiate your love and forgiveness so others might not see us but see a little child resting in the shadow of the cross.
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Pray for Our Church Day 30
June 30
Read Jn. 17:15; Matt. 6:13; Matt. 10:14; 1 Jn.. 4:1; 2 Cor. 11:14; 2:11
Lord, today we lift up our need for protection. Protect and deliver us from the evil one. Help us be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves as we deal with the wolves around us. Show us how to test every spirit to see if they are from You. Help us recognize the enemy’s disguises and schemes so that he won’t outwit us.
Benediction
“Only praying hands can build for God. They are his mighty ones, his master builders.” E.M. Bounds
Pray for Our Church Day 29
June 29
Read Jn. 17:11-23
Lord, I lift up the Church universal. Father, we claim the power of Your name over us so that we will be one, as You and Your Son are one. We want Your joy in full measure just as Your Son, Jesus, prayed for us. Help us live as though we are not of this world; sanctify us by Your word. May we be brought to complete unity so that the world will know the truth of the gospel.
Pray for Our Church Day 28
June 28
Read 2 Chron. 7:14; Rev. 3:17
“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the over-whelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” Abraham Lincoln
Pray for Our Church Day 27
June 27
Read 1 Cor. 12:12-26
Lord, I lift up FCBC as we seek to serve here in Fresno. Recognizing that we are part of the greater Church. Help us understand the value of serving with other bodies of believers. Forgive us if we forget to share, to reach out to other fellowship communities. For we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body. Help us to work at being one: concerned about one another—suffering with and rejoicing with other congregations as appropriate.
Pray for Our Church Day 26
June 26
Read Gal. 5:14; Prov. 3:28; Isa. 61:4; Jer. 29:7; Lk 10:5-6; Ps. 127:1
“Prayer penetrates doors we will never enter. Prayer breaks hearts that have been hardened by the most ruthless pursuit of position. Prayer bridges the gap between the modest den of the meek and the highest places of government, where laws are made and bills are signed and officials wrestle against impossible odds.”
Beth Moore
Pray for Our Church Day 25
June 25
Read Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Pet. 3:1-2; Col. 1:13; 2 Cor 5:20
Lord, I give thanks for the wonderful church growth we have experienced for the last 19 years. So…today I again lift up our church growth to You. Add to our number daily through new converts. We long to be worthy ambassadors in this ministry You have entrusted to us: that of proclaiming Your message of reconciliation to a lost world.
Pray for Our Church Day 24
June 24
Read Rev. 3: 22; 2 Kings 6:17; Matt. 6:25, 33, 10
Pray for Our Church Day 23
June 23
Read Rom. 8:1; 2 Tim. 2:25, 26; Ro. 6:6; Heb. 12:1
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.” Luke 10:25
