Children's Moment: Christian Like a Gardener

^{Proverbs 3:5-6} Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

As I was working in the garden yesterday pulling weeds, watering plants, planting new seeds, and harvesting vegetables, I started to think about how my garden is very similar to my Christian walk.  I always thought I knew how to garden because I had heard about gardening, helped others in their gardens and even had my own small little garden plots growing-up.  After Ladd and I got married in Washington we decided to plant our own garden.  We did alright our first year, having enough to eat on and my neighbors enjoyed the fact that I had planted three rows of lettuce to feed our small family of three because they got to eat tons of salad that year.  After our first year, we did lots of reading on how to mend the soil, nourish the plants and when to plant seeds.  Our 2^nd year turned out even better, with the exception of raccoons eating down every stock of corn we planted and squirrels burying acorns under every squash plant.  After our 3^rd year we moved to Arkansas and it was like discovering gardens all over again.  We had never dealt with bugs, extreme heat and soil which could be mistaken as rock.  I think our first year here we harvested half-eaten squash, baked potatoes and sun-dried tomatoes right out of the garden!  We went back to the drawing board and did more research and reading and talking with others in the area.  Our garden is thriving now, but every year we are surprised by something.  Even with all the planning, something always turns out differently than anticipated.

Just like Christians.  When we accept Christ into our hearts we often think we know what life will be like and how things will turn-out because we have watched other Christians.  Guess what happens next?  Life happens, things are always changing.  Someone disappoints us, we fall and hurt ourselves, a friend moves away or someone we know passes away.  Each time, we have to go back to the sources which teach us.  We read the Bible which provides us instruction, we talk to the Lord which gives us guidance and we surround ourselves with other Christians which provides us encouragement.  Just like our scripture reads today

^{Proverbs 3:5-6} Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Children's Moment: What Does God Say About School?

Well, tomorrow starts another school year!  Is anyone excited?  I know I am excited for my children.  School is such a great opportunity to gain more knowledge, learn new ways of doing things and to make new friendships. 

I started wondering what God had to say about school or becoming educated.  I wondered if God even cared whether you get smarter or not?  Did you know he has a lot to say about learning?

Ecclesiastes 7:12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

Proverbs 4:13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 18:15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

You see, God not only tells us that wisdom is better than gold or money . . . it is your life!  If God thinks gaining knowledge is important, we should too.  Take school seriously, learn all you can, gain all the information you can gain.  In Colossians 3:23 it says Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.  Just remember, God has given you the opportunity to be in school and gain an education.  Work hard in school.  Learn.  Become a smarter you. 

Also know, you have this whole church praying for you as you start back to school tomorrow.  We are praying that you get along with your new teacher and classmates, that you gain the knowledge you need, that you are able to focus on school and work hard and that God protects you along your journey.  We wish you the best school year yet!