Pam's Ponderings

I write this as almost 100 children and adults swarm every nook of our building during Vacation Bible School. I couldn’t help but think of the scriptures from my sermon last Sunday, Matt 16:13-20.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, “some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

We’re learning true stories this week about that living God. At FUMC we believe God gives parents the charge and responsibility to instruct their children in righteousness; we consider it a treat to come alongside in that effort each summer via Vacation Bible School and all year long in Sunday School.

During the 5 days of VBS we teach 5 verses that hopefully instill a thirst for God’s word into the hearts of children who attend. Let me encourage parents and grandparents to use the slower pace of summer to further that instruction. The Bible is God’s voice. It is literally how He speaks to us. Your child’s best teacher is your example. Let them see you reading God’s word; then they’ll know it’s valuable.

On Sunday my message was about Holy Spirit as the Great Comforter. God is truly real and will be with us until the end. Vacation Bible School and Sunday’s message go hand in hand as we recognize God’s plan for our lives is to get to know Him well. Only then can we be His hands to make a difference

Recently a pastor fresh home to Arkansas from serving 15 years as a missionary in Slovakia said "believers in the U. S. church seem to think of their personal time in Bible study as they do their vitamins, important but no big deal to miss. They should be thinking of it as they would a kidney dialysis treatment."