Tag Archive - children
VBS Week!
Every year, there is this week that falls right in the middle of summer. I call it “VBS week.” It’s a week when we have VBS, fittingly (Vacation Bible School). Here’s how it goes… wake up late cause you’re exhausted from the night before, spend all day doing work and getting ready for VBS, survive the evening’s whirlwind of activities, go to bed, wake up late and repeat!
This isn’t a complaining post though, it’s actually a praise. I love VBS week! It’s exhausting, but it’s exhilarating! It’s stressful, but it’s such a blessing. Last night, I had to get onto a little girl who was high on sugar and couldn’t sit still. She kept trying to dive into the burning bush during my lesson. The last time I explained that it could burn her (a light bulb in it, not a real fire) she looked up at me and latched on to me – gave me a big hug!
So let me put it plainly – kids are worth it! I wouldn’t trade VBS week for much of anything!… I’d just give the kids less sugar.
Abortion… Because It Saves Money?
I know that there are readers of this blog from every perspective. I’m as pro-life and conservative as they come. If you’re not, I still love you, but I think we can all agree that when rising abortion rates correlate to an economic downturn, it’s tragic! The San Francisco Chronicle reports this story about the rising demand for abortion among those who wanted their pregnancies but have lost jobs or otherwise fallen on hard financial times.
I cannot stress how tragic this is to me. I normally try not to “blog on emotion” but my wife and I dedicated an entire day this week to research, prayer, and discussion about our infertility issue. It’s on our minds all the time. We’d lose everything financially to have another child. Meanwhile, children are being aborted because of economic hard times. In our church family are a half dozen homes (minimum) that wold love and nurture those children, people who have suffered and prayed and wept for a pregnancy and can’t have one.
The society in which we live is becoming more twisted every day. I’ve had my fill of the idea that having kids is somehow financially irresponsible. And like it or not, agree or not, we’ll pay for this. We will pay for our “choices” and the abuses of our “freedoms.” If you’re tempted to throw a life away because of the economy… call me!
By the way, at the end of my righteous indignation always remains a heart of compassion for every woman who has made this tragic choice. Even if you’ve had an abortion, I love you, God loves you, and God offers His forgiveness freely on the basis of His Son’s death on the cross for you. Turn to Him and simply ask.
And if you’re considering an abortion… start here.
Feel free to comment on this post, but please don’t argue with me about politics here – this issue is far more personal to me than political, argue your political point on some related post, but not here please.
Coping With the Stress of Infertility
We have a beautiful six-year-old daughter, for whom we are so incredibly thankful. Our own struggle with infertility is not as harsh as that experienced by many because of her, but it’s a struggle nonetheless. We had some issues leading up to her birth and were so incredibly grateful when we were finally blessed with Ella that we gave her the middle name of Grace (God’s undeserved favor). Since having Ella, we’ve endured an ectopic pregnancy and another miscarriage and have spent nearly six years in the waiting game.
Infertility is hard – no bones about it. I don’t write or talk about it much, perhaps because of my own fear of being vulnerable in such a public way, but I have come into contact with so many people who suffer this plight that I wanted to share in the hopes that my words might educate and encourage someone else.
Start Your Family Well (What To Pray Over Your New Home)
Last night I had a pretty neat experience. A couple who have recently married and begun their new life together asked me to come and bless their home, something I’ve never been asked to do in almost 14 years of ministry. The short version – we talked about Jesus and prayed over their family’s future. The long version…
They showed me around each room and then we talked for a while about some friends of theirs whom they are praying for over various needs. Then we talked about the importance of dedicating our homes to God as houses of worship. As I prayed, I asked God for certain things to happen in this particular home, and it occurred to me that not only is this a great way to begin a family life together, but that it also reveals certain great principles about being a “Christian home.” Here are some prayer considerations…
My Daughter Gave Her Life to Christ!!!
Yesterday, I was too sick to go to church, so Angie and Ella went. We had a Trunk-or-Treat in which David Stewart, our awesome Children’s Ministry Director told a story about a pumpkin. I have no idea what David said, but Angie used it to spark a discussion when we got home. She had enough insight to see the question marks written on Ella’s face.
She’s been asking a lot of questions for a long time. In fact, just a couple of months ago, we had one of those “near misses” in which we really thought she might be ready, but encouraged her to wait a bit longer. We’ve sensed a deep longing in her to have peace about this issue. When some of her friends made a commitment to follow Jesus, she took notice and has remained in deep thought until now.
We talked about the meaning of a relationship with Jesus. We talked about the meaninglessness of terms such as “asking Jesus into your heart.” (Never use it… ever.) She expressed a thorough understanding of sin, guilt, separation from God, hell, the meaning of the cross, forgiveness from God, and the fact that being “saved” really means a lifetime acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. She got it all right. Then, she bowed her head, acknowledged her own sinfulness, expressed her belief that Jesus died to pay the penalty of her sins, and asked Him to save her.
Afterward? My lovely wife led them in the “welcome to the Kingdom dance” (a phrase we picked up from our good friend t-show). Ella was ecstatic! She danced… with Jesus! She smiled… with Jesus. She laughed… because she was relieved of a burden. She’s free forever! She’s truly, in every sense of the word, eternally a child of the King!
Angie and I are relieved, elated, and blessed! God has brought us tremendous joy by watching our daughter take multiple steps toward a personal relationship with God. Now… the huge and heavy responsibility of guiding her faith until we release her into adulthood. God be praised!!
Ella’s First Day of First Grade
Our little baby’s growing up! Few things are more precious, and more heart-breaking, than your six-year-old little girl with a backpack on, marching off to school. We’re happy for her, excited about her future, and prayerful that she’ll be used of God in mighty ways! But we also don’t want her to age another day.
About Brandon Cox
Brandon is first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. He's a husband to Angie and a Dad to Ella Grace and Samuel David. He's a Pastor to Bethel Baptist Church, Editor of Fuel Your Blogging and also a logo and web designer.
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