VBS 2010 Preamble Report

Vacation Bible School is around the corner and I am the Camp Master once more. It is a joy to be able to serve the Lord in such a small way - I pray that this joy will remain over the years to come. :)

Here is the article I wrote for the church bulletin:

Vacation Bible School 2010 Preamble Report

“BE OUTSTANDING - Standing up for what is Right!”

The theme of our VBS, “BE OUTSTANDING”, is a call for the children to stand up for what is right; that is, what is right in the eyes of God. Often times, we find ourselves caught in situations where choosing what is good to God seems foolish because so many of the people around us choose otherwise.

What do we do with peer pressure? How should we respond to the truth claims of the Bible?

Lessons include a thrilling learning journey through the events of world history, past and present, and the biblical account of the life and death of Jesus Christ. We will explore how Man, in his limited and sin-flawed capacity, has lacked the knowledge and moral compass to reliably determine what is right, resulting in the false truth claims of Evolution, the Nazi regime, the disbelief at the idea of manned flight, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Just as the crowd today was wrong in so many things, the crowd in Jesus’ day was wrong about Him.

This year, the VBS has been specially tailored for both Christian and non-Christian children. The Christian child will be challenged to live a life pleasing to Christ, to love God rather than the praise of their peers, while the non-Christian child will be shown the reality of the Saviour and their overwhelming need for Him.

VBS 2010 will also attempt to integrate the theme into all activities, reinforcing the lessons and hopefully making them more memorable. This is something new and we hope to be able to achieve this in a meaningful and fun way through songs, games, art & craft and the finale night presentation.

Pray for the children to come, so the lost can be saved and the Christians can be edified.

Pray for the volunteers as they labour in the harvest and pray for more to step forward!

Pray for the committee members, that we will not just plan well but also pray well.

VBS 2010 Camp Master

Daniel

Watch Your Bearing

As I sat in the worship service last Sunday, I was momentarily distracted by some thoughts on post-Service-activities and, thank the Lord, I was able to pull out of that distraction. A verse came to mind: Deut 6:5 - and I reflected upon it. Doesn't it mean that my whole being is involved in loving God and consequently (and especially so), in worshipping Him?

Worship is hard work and straying thoughts are a real problem.

But I was thinking - while I ought to keep my mind focused upon the sermon (and in prayer, in self-reflection, etc), what about the rest of my being?

The whole being.

That's when I realised that there is more to look out for:

1. If before people in authority (e.g. my boss) I take pains to watch my posture, I can sit (and stand) respectfully before the Lord.
2. Since I can read music notation then I can put in effort to make sure I sing correctly before the Lord.
3. As I am pretty adept at reading and speaking, I must actively participate in Responsive Reading before the Lord. 

And there's probably more...

Now a little word of caution - I must be wary of passing careless, unfounded judgement on others who do not follow my standards. This is something I'm prone to fall into.

Continuing in the Apostles' Doctrine...

After service today, I found out that there was no bible class because the teacher was unable to teach as he had to be at a funeral wake. I gathered my belongings and trooped downstairs. The rooms in church were filled with people starting their bible class. Outside in the refreshment area, it was deserted - people had gone to their classes. Down the driveway, Gracians were driving off to classes held in homes.

It reminded me of Acts 2:42 - where the early church was devoted to the apostles' teaching - and I was glad.  Extremely glad.

There are many other things that I can be thankful to the Lord but this was one thing that stood out... I am blessed to be in a church that is devoted to the study of Scripture.   

Auto-Tune the Pews?

In the service today... there was a lady behind me who sang loudly and well, rather out of tune. Really badly out of tune. I was taken aback for a while as my ears immediately latched onto the out-of-tune-ness. Hastily guarding myself against all that judgemental stuff a musician can throw at someone, I just carried on listening to her singing.

She sang earnestly and honestly with gusto.

That struck me because outside of the service, I've spoken to her before and she is a quiet person. In fact, she doesn't have a good command of English and she has a mild speech impediment. Now right there behind me, that lady was singing to the Lord with her pipes and giving her lungs a workout! 

And I was... "taken aback"?

There are (too many) times when pride rears it's ugly head.

Help Needed In The Pews... Just Beside You.

During service today, I noticed a lady struggling to find the page during Scripture reading. She didn't have good eyesight and used a magnifying glass.

I could have walked over with my Bible to help her but I didn't because I thought the walk (to the other pew) too far. Upon deeper thought, I was actually afraid of disrupting the peace, of stepping out of line, straying from the norm.
What harm would have befallen me if I had walked over? Distract somebody for a moment? Ruffle my pride?
Afraid to break man-made conventions, afraid to gain a disapproving eye, afraid to go forth and help.

Midway through the reading, the lady eventually found the page.

The opportunity to show love to another had closed.

My pride, my pride! Bah.

The next time, I will walk over. I will help. Dear Lord help me...