the faith of a child

This past week at our church we had Vacation Bible School. It was a busy week and at times it was hard to focus on work. During the week, the kids learned different verses and Biblical truths that went along with the theme. VBS this year was Outrigger Island. They decorated the church like a Hawaiian island…it was fun to walk around and experience.

I remember the days of VBS when I was a child. Really the only thing I can remember is Kool Aid and cookies! But I know there were a lot of truths that I learned as a child that I cling to now as an adult. As I tried to focus on work this past week, I managed to hear the verses that were being shouted out by the eager children. Here is what they were taught:

Motto:
Know the Truth
Speak the Truth
Live the Truth

Psalm 86:11 Teach me Your way, LORD,and I will live by Your truth.Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.

Truth: God is real
I know God is real. I can believe there is no other God.
Isaiah 44:6b I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but Me.

Truth: Jesus is God’s Son
I know Jesus is God’s Son. I can celebrate who He is.
Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

Truth: Jesus is the only way
I know that Jesus is the only way. I can confess Him as my Savior.
John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Truth: The Bible is God’s word
I know the Bible is God’s word. I can explore its truth.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness.

Truth: My actions show what I believe
I know my actions show what I believe. I can stand for truth.
Luke 10:27 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

These principles may seem simple and basic to a lot of us who have known the Lord for a while but our faith is built on these principles that hold such power and truth! Let us not forget the foundation of our faith.

have you ever cried in an interview?

why, yes i have! i did today. i had an interview at the church we've been attending. i applied for the position of "church secretary". a lot of emotion has been filling my heart & soul for the past 6 or so months and a lot of it came to head today in my interview.

i've had a relationship with Jesus for a long time now but it has been more real to me now than ever. it's been a challenge moving away from home and starting over again in a new town where you don't know anyone. i've been searching for a job for over 6 months and have been frustrated from the lack of response. i finally decided to hand this over to someone who has control...someone who is already in charge and knows my future...Jesus. i know He will make all things work together for good and i know that He only wants the best for me (and for all of us). it's hard to trust when we don't know what's going to happen. i've had people ask me "how do you trust?", "how do you have faith?", "how do you apply those things?" for me, i get up every day and talk to God. i tell Him that my life, my day are in His hands...I give them to Him. it's a daily process of a focus on Christ. not only that but it's the Bible. i read it. i read the truths that He has given us. i believe those truths and i stand on His promises. i've learned so much about myself the last several months. a relationship with God doesn't happen over night. it doesn't happen in a couple of years. it is something that has to be cultivated and practiced every day and takes a lifetime. but it's a relationship. think about the relationships we have in life...friends, family, co-workers, etc. we invest our time by talking to these people, going shopping with a friend, going to concerts, spending time going out to dinner or having them over for a cook out, even going on vacations. God wants the same from us. He wants to spend time with us, getting to know us and sharing His best with us.

so why did i cry in my interview?

one simple question:

"how would you describe your relationship with God?"