VBS 2010

Coming Soon to Parrish Church of Christ.

There you have it -- VBS 2010 -- Journey into Egypt. "Alabama Scott" (a cousin of Indiana Jones) was present Thursday night to make the announcement. "Bama," as he is called, promised to send a video as soon as the camera crew, directors, location finders, production team, and editors get busy. For now you will have to wait. But a video COMING SOON to a YouTube outlet near you! (this film has not yet been rated)

Our Fifth Marvelous Hero!

What a great VBS. Attendance was good all week. Thanks to all who had a part in VBS! Without our teachers, cooks, registrars, helpers, decorators, counters, and on and on and on and on, VBS could not happen! THANK YOU!

Our last hero is the apostle Paul. We called Paul a weak hero. Paul writes of some of his weaknesses in 2 Cor 11:23-39, "Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one--I am talking like a madman--with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?" All his suffering plus his physical limitations (2 Cor 12:7?) could have caused him to make excuses, but he knew he was strong because of God in Christ (Phil 4:13).

Paul also calls himself the least of the apostles and the chiefest of sinners. He humbly admits to weakness as a sinner who can only rely on the strength that comes from God.

The story is told of a young boy who lost his left arm in a rural farm accident. His parents enrolled him in a Judo class hoping he could relearn some confidence. The instructor taught him what he could and what a boy with one arm could learn. He taught him one particular throw and had the boy practice it over and over until he perfected it. The story goes on to reveal the boy became champion at the next tournament, defeating opponents who had trained for years. When he asked why with one move he could defeat all the more experienced martial artists his instructor replied -- "your one move can only be defended by grabbing the left arm." The boys weakness became a strength when he listened to and obeyed his master. Hhmmm?

Fourth Marvelous Hero - Esther

166 at VBS last night! We have had four great nights of VBS and I am looking forward to tonight as we wrap up VBS 2009 and announce our theme for VBS 2010. Now on to today's hero . . .

Esther. Esther was a young Hebrew girl raised by her cousin in exile. Eventually, Artaxerxes, King of Persia is in need of a new queen. He decides to launch a year-long competition to select his new queen. Esther is eventually chosen to be that queen.

Yet, this is not the answer to her people's plight. There is an enemy at the gate or to be more specific, the enemy is at the king's side -- Haman by name. Haman despises the Jews, specifically because Mordecai (Esther's cousin) would not bow to him.

Haman, in retribution, convinces Artaxerxes to declare the elimination of the Jews. Mordecai learns of the plan and eventually convinces Esther to go before the king at her own great peril and speak for her people. She does and after a couple of dinner parties, tells the king her life and the life of her people is in danger because of Haman. The king turns on Haman and God through Esther saves his people.

There is a very interesting statement in Esther 4:13-14. Here Mordecai sends word to Esther concerning her hesitation to go before the king. "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (ESV). This is a statement of God's ways and means.

Joey Sparks spoke the adults about Esther and in a very eloquent way discussed our tendency to ascribe things to God and His plan for us that God may not be specifically concerned about. Notice what Mordecai says to Esther " . . . if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place . . ." Mordecai was not 100% sure Esther was the one, but he knew she had to try. Sometimes we say or think, "this is God's plan." You may be right or you may not be. The lesson is this: God's plan is for me to always do what is right and to serve Him in my life, whatever I might do and where ever I might be.

What are your reactions to Esther? Mordecai? Haman?

Third Marvelous Hero - Gideon

163 people attended VBS last night. This is our biggest VBS crowd this year. We are trying to break 175 tonight -- come and join us.

This morning I am thrilled to report that at the battle for the fertile valley, Gideon's army defeated the Midianites saving Israel from 7 years of oppression.

For seven long years the army of Midian and the armies of the east would march through the valley, destroying crops and killing livestock. So devastating were the raids that them people of Ephraim of Israel would take to the hills and hide in caves while the enemy destroyed their livelihood. They felt powerless and cried out to God.

God answered by sending a warrior judge named Gideon. Gideon gathers 32,000 men of war to go against Midian. God is not impressed. God does not what Gideon and Israel to think their show of force has anything to do with victory. Pride had previously and repeatedly led Israel to sin and not trust God. This is why they suffered their current crisis. God tells Gideon to release from duty all who are afraid to go to war. 22,000 desert and go home. 22,000 realize that Midian is a strong foe and do not want to risk their lives for the good of the nation. Gideon and God survey the remaining force of 10,000.

Too many for God. He has Gideon take them to the brook to drink. Those that put their faces in the water like an animal are sent home. Those that apparently cup their hands and pull a drink to their mouth are told to stay. 9,700 go home, leaving Gideon and army of 300. (I heard one preacher suggest that these were 300 hundred who had something to prove, they did not leave when they had the chance, and they were not very bright -- they thought they could hold water in their hands.) I am not sure why God chose this particular 300, but He did.

The battle plan is simple. Three groups of 100 divide and take sides around the enemy camp. Each carries a horn, an empty pitcher, and a torch. At Gideon's command each is to break the pitcher, blow the horn, shout "The sword of the Lord and Gideon!" while revealing their torches.

This maneuver confuses the enemy who must think they are surrounded. When they flee the scene the men of Ephraim come down from their hiding in the hills and help in the battle. Israel is again victorious.

What are the lessons:
1. When I am on God's side I am not alone, because God is with me.
2. When a few stand up for God, others will follow their example to fight the foe.

What are some other lessons from Gideon?

VBS Marvelous Hero 2

Night two of VBS is behind us, and what a great night it was. 153 children, teens, and adults attended last night's classes. Thanks again to all who help make this week great.

Today's featured story is about a young boy who acted heroically. His name is David and he brought down a literal giant of an enemy. The battle proven Israelites along with their taller than average king let fear stop them from fighting Goliath and the Philistines. Fear caused them to run away and hide. Fear caused them to accost one who stood alone saying they could defeat Goliath. Fear led Israel to approach the battle without God.

David however was different. David had FAITH. This faith in God gave him courage to go to battle with Goliath. This faith led him to run to meet the enemy. This faith led to victory because he wen to battle with God.

Lesson 1: Approach the giants in your life not fearfully, but with Faith that the battle is the Lord's.

Scott

* The statues of David and Goliath are the creation of teacher's Rick & Gina Wade.

VBS Is Off to a Great Start.

150 children and adults attended VBS last night. Last night the Adult class, teen class, along with Cradle Role, the 2-3 year old class, and one other class studied about the Hero Joshua and the challenge he faced at Jericho Wall. In the picture, the 5th and 6th grade students stay in the "safety" of the walls of Jericho as their teacher, Phyllis Vickery, tells them about the nomadic Israelites who were victorious over Sihon and Og, and now made their way to Jericho. Could Jericho's walls once again provide protection in a military onslaught? This time Jericho was not ready to defend against such an "attack." What could those tent dwellers be thinking, coming once each day and marching around their city wall in silence before returning to camp? By day seven, I am certain Jericho was on the verge of laughter as the Israelites marched around the seventh time that day. But things changed when Israel shouted and the Levites sounded the trumpets! Without the aid of battering rams, catapults, or any other common elements of war, the wall of Jericho came apart. God had promised Joshua and Israel if they followed His way, Jericho would be theirs. Israel obeyed and God came through.

What are lessons we can learn from this Marvelous Hero named Joshua? I'll start with one, you add more:
1) Follow God's way, even if His way does not seem the way people would normally do things.

Vacation Bible School

Consider this your invitation to Vacation Bible School at Parrish Church of Christ. Our VBS begins Sunday, June 21 and runs through Thursday, June 25 from 6:30 - 8:00 each evening. This year our over-all theme is MARVELous Heroes. Using this theme we will study events from the lives of five Biblical Heroes. Here is our list: 1) Joshua the Conqueror, 2) David the Giant Slayer, 3) Gideon and a Small Army, 4) Esther Queen of Heroes, and 5) Paul the Weak Hero. John writes, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith." (1 Jn 5:4 - ESV).

Along with classes for our children from Cradle Roll through Teens, we also have adult classes with visiting teachers each night. In order from Sunday through Thursday we have the following visiting teachers: Rob Gurganus from Dovertown, Russ Crosswhite from Fulton, MS, Kerry Richardson from Northport, Joey Sparks from Midway, and Mel Futrell from Shades Mountain. I am looking forward to the messages they bring.

Each evening will begin with a period of singing -- the children and adults love this part of VBS, then we dismiss to our classes where the students will step back into time as they "experience" these stories coming to life. Rumor has it that each student will get a opportunity to test their aim with a sling to bring down a NINE FOOT giant! After classes we reassemble for more singing and a review of the evenings lessons.

This year there is a special treat. We are teaching a new song. A song NO ONE else has ever used at their VBS. A song that Rob Gurganus and I wrote together (Rob did most of it). You will have to be here to learn it.

Come learn to be a Hero with us!