Why Do They Hurt the Children?

The look on his young face spoke clearly. I'd seen that troubled look only a few times and immediately knew - He was trying to fight back tears. "Dad can we leave now? he asked. I assured him we could as soon as we rounded up his younger brothers. As we headed back to his Mother's house I asked him what was troubling him so. "They won't let me go to the Church Youth group with my friends." "Did you ask The Pastor or any of the Church leaders?" I asked him. "I asked Ms Rhonda and the Pastor - They said they didn't know yet" was his tear-choked reply. Well, no problem son - we'll just find another Church then. You don't need all this grief. "No, Dad that would hurt my friends feelings." I had asked the Pastor and his Wife - even apologized if i was out of line for seeking his admittance. They assured me they'd look into it. Church leaders have a host of more pressing issues to attend to. So i wasn't too worried that my request was overlooked or set aside. A Week or so later i ran into a couple of the Youth leaders while going on a morning walk. Having still not heard anything from the Pastor or other Church leaders i asked this young couple how they felt about letting my son join the Youth group on Wednesday nights. When she looked down - i knew the answer. She didn't want to be the one to deliver the news i wasn't prepared to hear. Instead her husband paused for a second and finally blurted out - "Well, we prefer the children be in the 6th grade before they join our Wednesday night Youth Group." "I understand" I politely lied to him and wishing them a nice morning - headed out to finish my walk. Maybe they have too many kids i thought to myself and they don't have room for one more. ( Their Youth Group is all of 10 or 12 ) Maybe they just don't like us and this is just their subtle way of trying to convince us that their Church is not the place for us. Who knows? Maybe their guidelines - obviously cast in stone - are never to be questioned. "Maybe they just don't want us at their little Church" I thought. We'll never know why they chose to keep my little guy out of their ultra-exclusive group of twelve. His fondness for Church has never been the same. He resists going to Church now - even on Sundays. Wednesday night is pretty much over in his mind. Why go back to AWANA and only to get bullied and ordered around like inmates? Maybe God is using these discouraging obstacles to show him another lesson? I must continue to encourage him to grow spiritually - in spite of the narrow minded few who broke his little heart that Summer. I must teach him that God isn't about those few Church leaders - that God is greater than us and more loving. That God loves us all and we must learn to accept life's obstacles and setbacks and keep moving. I hope i can teach him that there is usually always another wave - so get back on the board and catch your next ride!

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Your Best Summer Ever

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Luke 18: 17

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Catch a Wave and Have Your Best Summer Ever!

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Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12: 9 - 21

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Treating Children Well

From the Book of Mark, Chapter 9: 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. 38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. 42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Groovin

Be Good to Others

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An Attitude of Gratitude

The 23rd Psalm - a classic reminder of how much we have to be grateful for!

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.