Loving God, Loving People, VBS

Jesus said "Suffer the little children to come to me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven . . ."  It may take much less suffering that we might sometimes think.  This past week at Calimesa has been a week for children to come.  Many came from our own homes, many from homes of those who live in the community around us, but they all came.  They came because we had something they could learn from us, and perhaps also, because we had something we could learn from them.  In lots of ways we need each other.

Deuteronomy 6 (TNIV)

1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

    4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

    10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Pastor Isaac reflected on what happened this week during VBS, and what happens as we have the opportunity to be along side of children as they come, and as we encourage rather than hinder that process.   To listen once again to what Pastor Isaac had to share, click here.We would also like to invite you to take a few moments this week to live with, reflect on, be shaped by the passage of scripture to the right.  Think about the kind of life it is describing, and those places in our own life where you may sense these words tugging at you and encouraging you to grow.