Did I mention the theme for last weeks Vacation Bible School? The five daily Bible points were:
No matter who you are...No matter how you feel...
No matter what people do...
No matter what happens...
No matter where you are...
TRUST GOD!
On sunday, before heading to the conference we went to church. Any other Sunday we might have skipped for the conference, but not this week. It was Family Day, and a VBS recap.
Pastor Bob shared the gospel in such a simple way, with a girl standing on one stool (reperesenting us) and a stool some 5 feet away representing God.
The chasm in between us and God is caused by our sin - our wanting to have things our way, and to live independently from Gods control.
One of the guys came up and strapped a huge piece of wood across his shoulders, like the horizontal part of the crucifix. He carefully laid the piece of wood from one stool to the other, supporting it from underneath. This represented how Christ's death (punishment for our sin as he had none), once again offered connection to God.
Then PB asked the kids and adults that if they trust Jesus and want to follow him, they can take this symbolic walk. (Although the "Jesus" stand in moved out of the way!) Emma went forward.
Jesus said "I am the ressurection and the life." The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. He who lives by believing in me will live and never die. Do you believe this?
John 11: 25-26
Choosing to follow Jesus is freeing because it means you are no longer bound up in trying to be good enough to get to heaven (and if you weren't trying, it means you don't need to worry about going to hell.). After making that intellectual decision, and living in a way to honor God, learned by reading the Bible and listening to the voice in your heart that convicts you, God will refine you into the person he created you to be. It's not about having willpower or the right words to say - it's about following.
And that brings me back to the conference. We have taught Emma that she is who God created her to be and as she follows Him, trusting that He will be all she needs, she can face the challenges that others may seek to create for her.
We arrived at noon on sunday, shortly before the final sessions, but mainly to allow the kids time to play with the others.
We then had lunch and the results of the raffle. Emma had eyed this crystal necklace and we put our ticket in for it. It was so exciting when she actually won it!!
Emma and Toby were both sad to say good bye to Addison from California. Toby again with his older woman interests!!
After a long weekend of late nights, early mornings and naps on the go, it was all too much for the kids...
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