CCC Gainesville | Blog
Carry The Torch! VBS 2012 is just around the corner. Many volunteers from CCC have been preparing and helping get ready for our big week of Olympic fun. One of the aspects that makes VBS so fun is not just the games, not just the snacks, not just the friends your kids will make, but learning about God’s truths in an engaging, non-threatening, developmentally appropriate and fun way. Each year at VBS we work really hard to give kids the gospel in ways that pop out of the pages of the bible and right into their imagination and life experience.
While children will be learning about Paul’s race in the book of Acts during the week of VBS we know that each lesson is much deeper than what we can talk about during each day. To get the most out of VBS we want to encourage parents to check out the blog posts in the weeks leading up to VBS for devotionals on each lesson. This will give you the materials on what your kids were taught each day, memory verses, and questions for continuing the conversation beyond VBS.
See you at Opening Ceremonies on July 16th!
A few weeks ago in a sermon I mentioned a story of a Texas QB whose worst day was his best day. The point was that God can be mightily at work during times when we feel the most “down”. Stephen Addcox told me the principle of God working in our darkness reminded him of a poem by Milton. Then he (Stephen, not Milton) sent me this:
From a very young age John Milton was convinced that he would one day write a
great epic poem. He was mostly involved in politics until he went
blind, and as you can imagine, it’s not easy to write in 17th c.
England when you’re completely blind. Ultimately he composed the
entirety of Paradise Lost in sections that he would memorize and then
recite to a transcriptionist. But before that he despaired that God
had robbed him of the opportunity for greatness; this poem is an
expression of his doubt and struggle with his blindness.
Patience here is personified as a voice speaking to Milton’s
distress.
“On his blindness”
When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide,
‘Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?’
I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, ‘God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.’
Spurgeon on Hebrews 12:2
It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.” All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee–it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee–it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument–it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.
Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.
Renew them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.
(Habakkuk 3:2 NIV84)
Looks splendid
