Many of you probably already know that Manute Bol passed away recently. How many of you knew that he was a devout Christian. I didn’t. The Wall Street Journal has a great article about Bol and how he gave his all for Christ. You should read it here: Manute Bol’s Radical Christianity
As part of a biography project with the third and fourth graders, I asked them to tell me one thing they know is true about God. Here are some of their answers:
Amen.
This post at Ragamuffin Soul is worth a few minutes of your time.
Facebook is a funny thing. It’s been such a blessing to me since being overseas because it’s a great way to keep up with the people I love. It’s one way that I can still feel connected while being so far away. It has also allowed me to let friends and family in on our lives over here. However, there are a few downsides to being connected. Lately, I’ve been saddened almost every time I log in. The main reason for this sadness is that I see my Christian friends joining groups, making statements, or supporting causes that are hate driven. This is not what Christ calls us to. Opinions are good. Thinking is good. Approaching your faith from the heart and the mind is good. Being politically active is good. Expressing opinions about others with undertones of hate or disdain is not good. Today I logged on to find that several people had joined the group:
DEAR LORD, THIS YEAR YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTOR, PATRICK SWAYZIE. YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTRESS, FARAH FAWCETT. YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE SINGER, MICHAEL JACKSON. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT IS BARACK OBAMA. AMEN.
First off, Patrick Swayze and Farah Fawcett? Really? But that is not what grieves me. What grieves me is how ugly this statement is. It grieves me even more to note that with one exception every friend who joined this group is a Christian. Somehow we’ve come to a point where we believe that if we taint something with humor, it’s OK to be ugly. I think God has a different view.
Psalm 19:14 ~ “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 141:3-4 ~ “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.”
Proverbs 4:23-25 ~ “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.”
Proverbs 10:10-12 ~ “He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Ephesians 4:29-32 ~ “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
The words we type are still our words. They are generally longer lasting than the words we speak. If we want to proclaim Christ, we need to guard our tongues – and our keyboards. Maybe tomorrow I’ll log in and see that people have joined a group called “I Pray for the President.” Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
Do you ever have one of those days where your soul desperately needs a word from the Lord and He sends it to you and you’re kind of blown away? Well I’m having one of those days today and this is the song I’ve been listening to over and over and over.
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You can download it for free here:
If you like it, I’m sure they’d appreciate a tip. 
Today was the last day of Spiritual Emphasis Week. Jerry shared the story of the prodigal son. He shared about how when we make mistakes, Jesus is always waiting with open arms for us to repent. He also shared about how the Lord delights in us because we are his children. We are sad to see the Jacobys leave us, but we are so glad they were here.
Update from yesterday: Of the 19 students who stayed to talk with Jerry, 15 of them made decisions for Christ!
Please pray for the Jacobys to have safe travels back to Michigan. Please pray for the 15 students who made decisions for Christ yesterday. Please continue to pray for the staff as we follow up with these students.
More pictures here: SEW
Today was an amazing day here at VCS. Jerry talked with the students about what it means to have faith. He shared about how we can believe in Christ and his promises. He shared about how we don’t have to DO anything for salvation, it’s a gift. At the end of chapel, Jerry invited those students who wanted to hear more about Christ to stay and talk with him. 19 students stayed to talk and pray with Jerry.
Please pray for these 19 students. Please pray for our chaplain, Melissa, and the elementary teachers as they follow up with these students in the coming weeks and months.
See more pictures here: SEW
Today’s chapel was about God’s never-ending love for us. By acting out the parable of the lost sheep, Jerry shared with the students about how the Lord pursues us. He pursues us with love and determination. He pursues us without ceasing. How incredible is that? The creator of the universe loves us so much that he’ll continue to seek us even when we are unfaithful. Even when we turn our back on him. Why does he do this? Because he loves us – wholly, completely, and forever.
Please pray with us that the students and parents who were in chapel today would grow in their understanding of God’s amazing love. That they would feel what it means to be pursued and loved so greatly.
More pictures here: SEW
Today was the first day of Elementary Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW). Each year we set aside one week to invite a guest speaker who will boldly share the gospel with the students. For the past six years, Jerry and Michaela Jacoby have been the elementary guest speakers. We love them! We love them because not only do they tell the students about Jesus, but they live out the love Jesus – the SHOW the kids Jesus. That is their gift to us each and every year.
Today Jerry shared with the students about how sin entered the world and about how God started a plan to rescue mankind from their sin. He talked about how God pursues us because he loves us. He loves us not because of who we are or what we’ve done, but simply because he loves us.
Will you join us in praying for Jerry, Michaela, and the students of VCS? Pray for wisdom for the Jacobys and the staff as we share the gospel and answer questions. Pray for the students and parents as they hear the gospel that their hearts and minds would be open.
See more pictures here: SEW
Yesterday was Christ the King Sunday. Our friend Jady shared this video. I think it’s beautiful.
