Once a King or Queen in Narnia...

Next week begins our Narnia VBS, based on the first book of the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. I see that a lot of people are sharing my excitement for this VBS - Lewis wrote such a compelling story that opens up great opportunities to share the story of Jesus and what the Cross means. The greatest combo - a fun story that teaches the Gospel.

The whole church building will be transformed into Narnia, with the professor's study, a wardrobe, winter in Narnia, Tumnus' house, the Beaver's house, Aslan's Camp, and so on. The kids will be inside the story, and Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy will tell the story throughout the week. There will even be an appearance by a very special lion (but not in a way that would frighten the youngest ones).

Every craft, every snack, every skit, every memory verse, and every game will reinforce the lesson for each night. Your kids will hear the night's lesson in 6 or 7 different ways, including food! We want to keep VBS focused to teach 5 lessons really well, rather than a whole bunch of ideas with mediocrity.

This approach to VBS is a bit different. Rather than buying a curriculum that lays everything out, we created a framework of what we wanted each night to be about, tracking along with the story from Narnia. Then each team of workers has the flexibility (and responsibility) to make their portion of the night teach that lesson. For example, the team in charge of snacks is responsible to come up with a different snack that somehow relates to the story and the lesson for each night. It takes more labor this way, but the workers get to put their personality into their part of the whole.

Loopy is our VBS Coordinator this year, and she has surrounded herself with a great crew. But she has done the lion's share of the work (OK, so not Aslan the Lion's share of the work, but ... well ... you know what I mean). Please show her your appreciate and support. If there is any possible way you can use your abilities to help her out, please offer to help her.

Wise Investments

Thanks to all who helped with the Carnival last weekend! We had well over 500 guests, more than double last year - which is why we ran out of prizes, frisbees, pucker powder, sno-cones, and so on. Because of you investing your time, we all had a blast. The weather was as good as we could expect for mid-August, and a lots of kids (and parents) had a great time.

And a super "thank you" to Susan and Susan! They did the lion's share of the work - it was far easier for us because of them. Thank you, ladies.

My friend Jim took pictures, which you can view here.

Please pray that the informational packets we sent out would intrigue those who don't already attend church to consider attending a good church, whether it's ours our not.

Take a breath. A quick one.

AWANA starts this Monday! Jim has an impressive crew of volunteers, and already I'm extending my thanks to all of you (including those who have committed to pray consistently for AWANA throughout the year). AWANA boils down to a great excuse for adults to talk to kids about Jesus, and to model His character before them. All the games, lessons, Scripture memory - the most important feature of AWANA is adults investing into kids.

The AWANA leadership material is clear as it coaches each volunteer how to execute their part of the big picture. Jim still needs a handful of volunteers to round out the teams. We've adults for every group, but a few need one more person. Would you please pray a simple prayer: "Lord, do you want me to help AWANA this year?" That's it. Pray that prayer sincerely, listen, and if the answer is "Yes," please contact Jim.

Investing in kids has a much better ROI than investing in the stock market or 401k's - I give it a maximum "5-star" rating. There are other things you could do on a Monday night. There are few things you could do that are better investments.

The Clown Days have Changed

Please remember to pray for our kids who are at Camp Quaker Haven. Pray for them to learn, to grow, and to be safe.

This week, I had an opportunity to drive by the house in Independence where I grew up. It's amazing to me how much smaller the house looks, and how that great hill we used to sled down looks rather flat and short - somehow I don't think the hill is what has changed over time. Perspectives have changed.

I also went through the drive-through of the McDonald's that we used to go to when I was a kid. There was only one in town at the time, and it was a bit of a drive, but what a great treat it was for us kids. This week, however, while waiting in line I watched a drug deal go down - as brazen as could be. Like I said, perspectives have changed.

Seeing how the innocence of my own childhood has been erased by age and crime, let me urge you again to pray for our children at Camp Quaker Haven. This world conspires against their innocence. The constant forces of gravity never pull them up. They are pulled up only by God, by His Truth, by the example of disciples, and by our prayers. Everything else is a constant pull downward. Just as my childhood home decays over time, so do our souls, without an intentional effort on our part to foster God's work within us.

Pray for our kids. Pray for our children's Sunday School. Pray for AWANA. Pray for Children's Church and Junior Church. Pray for our Youth Group. And pray for all those who volunteer their time and talents to invest their lives into our young people.

Pray for our kids constantly as if the rest of their lives depended on it.