Their Energy is Amazing!

Day 2 of Weird Animals VBS

Where Jesus' Love is One-of-a-Kind

Our VBS kids have the greatest energy! All of that energy combined and focused is something you really have to experience. The only way to describe being all together praising God while we sing songs and learn about Jesus' love is JOYOUS! These kids are the best!





Meet Fern, today's Bible Memory Buddy. 

Fern is a character who is a Leafy Sea Dragon


These creatures really exist!



Today we learned that even though we're different, Jesus Loves Us. No matter what.

Today at Weird Animals VBS, we learned a new song that the kids really liked. 

Here's a video of Rise and Sing from Group

Subscribers click on Hope to find to view this video on my blog site. 

Mobile viewers may view this video on Youtube by clicking here.

Let the Crazy Fun Begin!

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

 And the start of VBS!
  
"I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:20

Axl the Axolotl

It's here! Let the crazy fun begin!

Dozens of kids will be in the pews ready for some fun and excitement. Vacation Bible School starts tonight at our church, and I have the awesome pleasure of leading the children in singing and learning about Jesus' love. 

For those who are unfamiliar with Vacation Bible School, VBS is the place where kids come for summer fun to learn about Jesus' love through songs, skits, crafts, games, experiments and even snacks!

This year, we'll explore the world of "Weird Animals". I thought these extraordinary creatures were imaginary, but I found out that they actually do exist! Unfortunately, some are threatened  in their existence. 

We'll share lots of songs and have lots of fun learning and sharing together this week. God always works in my heart, through the children; and by sharing His love to all of them through sharing my love and my gifts, I receive more love and joy. What a wonderful cycle! 

Yep, it's going to be a busy fun week. Come "Sing and Play" with us as we discover Weird Animals and how they connect us to God's love. 

For more info, visit our church's website, First United Methodist Church, Waukesha, WI (http://www.fumcwaukesha.org/)  

Here's a Youtube video of our theme song, All Around the World. The kids and I are going to have a lot of fun with this one!

 Subscribers click on Hope to find to view this video on my site. 
Mobile viewers can click HERE to view this video on Youtube.

The Joy of Singing Praises

 

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."

Psalm 69:30

"I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever."

Psalm 86:12

Friends who know me well, know that singing praises to the Lord is my one of my greatest joys. People comment that I smile so much when I sing, and I tell them I can't help it! My joy is evident and there for all to see.

 

It was my honor and great delight to sing Laudamus te from Vivaldi's Gloria for our congregation today as special music. My friend Wendy sang this beautiful duet with me, sharing our joy and love of the Lord. 

Before I sing, I pray that God will empty me of me, of my own selfish pride, of any vanity I might feel, and pray that He will fill me with His Holy Spirit. Then, as I sing, God's love -- through His Spirit, pours out from me. This in turn blesses those who are willing to receive, and I am blessed in the process, too!  

It is a wonderful cycle, and to be a part of sharing God's love in this way blesses me beyond description. If I could, I would sing for Him every day of my life!

Laudamus te

 Benedicimus te

 Adoramus te 

 Glorificamus te 

We praise thee
 We bless thee
We worship thee

We glorify thee

Through the process of rehearsing this song, I've enjoyed this recording of the duet. 

I thought I'd share this with you today. Enjoy!

 Subscribers please click on Hope to find to view this video on my blog site. 
Mobile users, please click here to view this video on Youtube.

When God Slows Us Down

Have you ever had a season when you felt like you were waiting?

A feeling of anticipation, but laced with an underlying feeling of patience?

God slowed me down. Caused me to pause; take time for reflection. Find my way.

I knew this time was for a reason. I was patient in its nondescript emotion and the vague awareness that there was more than just waiting and healing going on.

Now I see.

God uses the time I slow down to allow my heart to hear its inner self, and His whispered direction.

I needed this time.

And from it is birthed new direction, new growth. New life.

Did I not just write about springtime and new life in my last post?

And now it is happening to me.

My heart has been opened. My eyes have been made to see clearly. That is, through my heart and not through my mind.

And I have hope, won from wandering through the valleys, lost, but still with faith.

As the sun still rises, I have a chance at being made new. We all do.

Every day.

To me, that is a great miracle. A great gift. And the bearer of hope.  To know that we are free to choose, to open our hearts, to live again.

Forgiveness is freedom.  And we have the choice to choose that, too.

Just as with an ascent at 10,000 ft., I slow my pace to catch my breath.

Take it easy, one day at a time. 

Change takes time, like getting acclimated to high elevations.

Just breathe.

All is well.

 

Burgeoning New Life, In More Ways than One

A verdant green graces the hillsides, and yellow-headed dandelions spread their color over the gentle slopes.

Budding trees share the most welcome green as their tiny leaves unfurl into the sunshine.

Blessed spring rains bring this beauty to life, and we bask in the glory of springtime in Wisconsin.

It is a celebration to feel life again in our natural world. Our never-ending winter has finally yielded to a new season.

Spring has taken her sweet time to get here. Below normal temperatures delayed blossoms from showing their faces.

Stormy winds shed magnolia petals all too soon. And dark, dreary days perpetuated the despair many of us felt through this season of cold and dark days.

But have you noticed the length of our days recently? As we near the summer solstice, the daylight stretches into the nighttime hours. Before I know it, it's 9 p.m. and the daylight has only recently faded from the sky.

Today dawns warm and humid after yesterday's rain. Soon we no longer will feel surprised as we step outside into the morning air and realize that it's actually warm outside.

Spring is exploding around us! We need to enjoy every second of this brilliant green, expansion of life. Soon we will fall face first into the vibrant energy of summertime, and then there's no slowing down until the dog days arrive and force us to move more slowly.

For now, I treasure the springtime. The celebration of new life, the discovery of new plant growth and baby bunnies, and all the joys of the season.

If nature gets a chance at renewal, shouldn't we take one, too?

 "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." 

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

I feel it, deep within a hidden place, a quiet space, reserved for contemplation.

A pause. A deep reflection. On ongoing attempt at finding my way. 

I pray God will guide me. I know that it is His hand that has stilled me, has slowed me; and that His love will show me the way, guiding me on this path of self discovery.

"Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me,  for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you."   Psalm 25:4-5

 
This, my life verse, guides me through all the changes in my life. I need to remember to pray this Psalm and remember its truth, and trust in the One who will lead me.

We need to be open to the changes that are happening all around us, and feel the hope that new life brings.

The promise is there for all of us, just as it is in all living things.

As the natural world sings into new life, let your heart find it's own song.

It's there, waiting to be born with the new life inside you. Nurture it, and let it grow.