COMMON GROUND COFFEE HOUSE #53

Goodbye Mr. President and thank you...




First President I was old enough to vote for . . .

 

Sue just knew that there are some of us who would have taken advantage of her - and run #52 way past page 20!

 

See you later, Mr. Reagan. Canada appreciated you too.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Dan, this would be a good day to come to Canada. It is over 30 to-day, and I am splitting firewood. A good opportunity to work up a sweat.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Doc - I've noticed that age has mellowed me considerably! I haven't strayed from my core beliefs - but I've learned to express them with a little bit less of a "smash them in the mouth" attitude!

[ June 08, 2004, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: Dan Todd ]

 

There is always somebody else willing to smash their views back at me as well. I am learning that quiet expression works better.

 

Speaking of smashing..... I sent one child home at the end of the day telling his mother not to bring him back! Seems his psychiatrist thinks we should allow him to punch us in the face and defy all adults because his parents are going through a divorce. Uh... not in MY class!

I have NEVER been this exhausted from VBS! I had 18 today with just the one helper. The other 4 year old classes had stepped out on their own and enlisted the help of other moms and they have smaller classes. We've asked a man who helps with snacks to drop in the next few days as some extra help.

Not at all pleased with the Lifeway stories for the 4 year olds. The mission videos are more of a 'game show' type thing and way over the heads of our little ones!

Diane

Diane

 

Isn't there something in scripture about a quiet answer....?

A bull in a china just smashes everything. It never builds.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Diane, Diane! 18!!!!
May the Lord grant His mercy and give you a good night's rest. And more help tomorrow.

Believe me I know how taxing VBS is. Ours is not until July 12, and as director I get to deal with the issues you had today. I've sent home kids for being too young and crying, and for starting fights with each other, but I've never had to deal with what you describe! I've never been physically assaulted by a kid. But you're not going to get through to a kid in that situation in just two days when he's been allowed to do such stuff for a long time. Better the others have a chance to hear and learn.

Now Sunday I had 12 mixed-age kids with no help during story time, and I had two that the kids and I all just simply ignored because they would not participate, but at least the others got into the story. It was Gideon and the 300. You'd think the boys would be interested. The two finally came around and were our dead Midianites as we stood in a circle around them blowing our pretend trumpets! What a sight.

Anyway, do what you can to bring the material down to your little guys. How about have them play the "game" instead of watching the video? We'll pray for you as you minister.

 

Debby, our Missions is done by another lady and we spoke with her this afternoon. She agrees that this is not for little ones and to have all 3 classes of 4 year olds in the room at a time is overwhelming. We've decided to take advantage of the big playground right outside her 'room' and split up our time with her into 10 mins.

As for the lessons.... I've changed my last 2 from what Lifeway gave us but chose stories with the same meaning. Thursday was to be Jesus teaching his disciples to pray, how to get to heaven and encouragment and I've changed it to an object lesson on the 'Eye of the Needle'. Friday was to be Lydia accepting Christ and then telling others and I've changed it to Jonah and the Great Fish (with a CD Rom fish suncatcher craft. Gummi Fish should get their attention!) I love http://childrensermons.com/

Wednesday night, I'm doing 'The secret of a shout' with Joshua and the wall falling. I bought a half dozen recorders at Wal-Mart for 48 cents each (full sized!) and we're going to act out the priest blowing their horns and then all the people shouting. I know a neat song about Joshua and the wall. You march as you sing and at the end, all fall down.

Tomorrow is Mary and Martha. I'm using the one off Childrensermons also.

Diane

 

Isaiah 65:8 "Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all."

Isaiah 65:8 "But I will not destroy them all," says the LORD. "For just as good grapes are found among a cluster of bad ones (and someone will say, 'Don't throw them all away – there are some good grapes there!'), so I will not destroy all Israel. For I still have true servants there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Someone sent me this today concerning our situation with this included message... God's blessing will be found in this cluster. It has been sent to refresh and revive you. Stop holding back. Thrust yourself into the middle of it. Remember the kingdom is best entered like a child. Stretch your faith and do it. There is new life in the cluster you are considering.

Thoughts?????????? I see NO positive or good grapes in what we're going through. In fact, I feel sort of down today.


Acts 27:20 The terrible storm raged unabated for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.

Matt. 7:7 "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.
Diane

[ June 08, 2004, 09:23 PM: Message edited by: dianetavegia ]

 

Diane,

Dr. Bob Ketchum used to have a saying that went something like this:

"Our God is too good to be unkind, and too wise to make mistakes!"

No matter what you are going through - God has a plan to give Him glory through it all. It may seem tough - but God will be praised through all you are going through!

Dan

 

Praying Diane. We sometimes have to cling to what a preacher friend once called "raw faith."

Our children don't always understand when we withhold things from them, but we know what is best. Sometimes God does the same for us.

I am glad that you feel the freedom to express your thoughts, knowing that you will not be condemned by anyone here for having them.

You are loved and prayed for.

Roger

 

And have a nice cuppa. It always helps