This Is the Way; Walk In It.

The Vacation Bible School theme for next year was announced with the memory verse and although the HCSB will be used and almost the same, I decided I like the NIV a little better and may be using it as a personal motto for awhile as I go through a potentially life-changing decision to move to Costa Rica or not: 

Isaiah 30:21

New International Version (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

I wrote it down at the end of this year's VBS but didn't look at it until just now, the afternoon after a worship service at First Baptist Nashville that also spoke to me about my decision-making process. Pastor Frank looked at how God cared for Elijah in his depression in I Kings 19:1-10. God told him to rest and eat and He would lead Elijah in what to do next. That is what I am trying to do with an idea that will seem crazy or impractical to some, but is following my heart. So,

God, I'm resting and eating and waiting for some indication about what you want me to do with such a life-altering decision. So tell me God if "This is the way; walk in it." 

Follow my decision-making process on another blog Costa Rica Decision Process 

Now the surprise for me in worship this morning was the congregational singing of a hymn I had never heard before (Thanks to Mark Edwards!) titled "Sometimes A Light Surprises" by William Cowper in the 1700's and it too spoke to me in my new time of big decision-making. The lyrics: 

Sometimes a light surprises, The Christian while he sings 

It is the Lord who rises, with healing in His wings

When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again

A season of clear shining, to cheer is after rain

In holy contemplation, we sweetly then pursue

The theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new

Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say

Let the unknown tomorrow, Bring with it what it may

Tomorrow can bring us nothing, But He will bear us through

Who gives the lilies clothing, Will clothe His people too

Beneath the spreading heavens, No creature but is fed

And He who feeds the ravens, Will give His children bread

Though vine nor fig-tree neither,

Their wonted fruit should bear

Though all the fields should wither,

Nor flocks or herds be there

Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice

For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice!

For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice!

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/caedmon-s-call/sometimes-a-light-surprises-lyrics/#kWZO0XkztRrpxjSQ.99

VBS Was Great!

We had a terrific group of 3rd Graders last week and I enjoyed working with them very much!

Vacation Bible School Preparation

Our Third Grade Department teachers met last night for the second time and I'm taking on the arrival and departing activities, letting the women do the teaching this year. I have mixed feelings about the themes LifeWay comes up with each year and do again this year. It is "Agency D3" or a detective/spy theme which they have adapted pretty well to detective work of proving who Jesus is. (See video at the above link.) I'll report during or after our First Baptist Nashville week, June 9-13, with my opinion of how it goes. As always, it will be fun to work with third graders.

Two Recent Views of Heaven

Yesterday I saw the movie Heaven is for Real even though I had earlier said I would not see it because I don't believe people with near-death experiences actually see Heaven. But because of the Christianity Today review and another more in depth discussion for subscribers of the online magazine, I began to realize that anyone's "experience" with God (even visions) is worth listening to and helps me better understand both God and people. Who am I to judge? See a quote from the article in my comment to this post.

This movie is very well done and enjoyable to watch with lots of truths shared, but mostly a movie about love and relationships which after all is mostly what God is about. Since I have not read the book, I cannot compare the two, but it is supposedly based on a true story about 4 year old Colton who nearly dies and tells about heaven afterwards. Not good theology, but an enjoyable movie to watch with some fresh takes on Heaven, even though I still doubt that it actually happened as presented.


It is not exactly a contrast to the Broadway Play The Great Divorce I saw a couple of weeks ago, but it is certainly a different view of Heaven! I liked them both, but having already read the book The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, I still see it as more like my vision of Heaven than little Colton's. But they are both worthy of seeing and discussing from two totally different perspectives.

Either way, I still look forward to being there!

Living Healthy Like Daniel

Pastor Frank started a 3-sermon series on living healthy today with a message about Daniel whom The Daniel Plan is named after. I completed that study in March and it is a great way to focus on a healthy lifestyle. I lost 15 pounds, eating better and I'm more active with daily exercise routines. New classes are starting next Sunday.

You can see the video of the sermon online at http://firstbaptistnashville.org/media/streaming-services-and-events and while there check out our wonderful Easter Service with the best music of just about any church anywhere!

But mostly I'm glad this is "The Year of Health" at our church and believe that we as followers of Christ should be leading the way on healthy living in the most unhealthy and obese country in the world. Healthy living is definitely one of my focuses this year!

Noah

This new epic movie about Noah and the flood is great in my opinion! Yes, it is not the typical Bible movie and that makes it an even more powerful witness to God. It is true to the Bible. He just fills in between the lines in ways that are not traditional and that makes it a fresh story. And no, the stone angels don't bother me. What makes us think all angels have to wear white and have cute little wings? It is probably the most realistic presentation of the story of Noah's Ark ever made, especially the Ark itself and how the people of the world behaved at that time. I do recommend seeing it!

Son of God

Well, forgot to post anything about the latest movie about Jesus which I saw earlier this week. I like any telling of the story of Jesus and that is what Son of God is, though not necessarily the best. It was a good movie but not a great movie. The simpler Jesus Film is as good or better and I've shown in on a bed sheet hanging from a tree in West Africa. And you can watch it online at Jesus Film Media in most languages.

But Son of God is worth seeing and targeted more to Americans.