Things I've been thinking lately...

• Our VBS this summer was fun, and went well, but attendance was down from previous years, considerably. And most of the kids there who don’t go to our church DO go to another good church in our small town. So what some of my friends and I have been wondering is, how do we reach the un-churched kids? What should we do different? Is that our goal, or is our goal to further educate the church kids? I talked to a lady this morning at the church where Mike preached, and their church had one-day-a-week, summer-long VBS. She said it was great--but upon further conversation, she said attendance was actually down, and so were professions of faith. One idea popped into my head that would help with another concern of mine: missions education. What if we had a one-day-a-week, summer-long kids’ program called “Summer Missions,” which combined fun activities with missions education and even involvement? It could even culminate in a 5^th/6^th grade mission trip. What do y’all think?

• Have you heard the news stories about the men in the movie theater in Aurora who were killed protecting their girlfriends? Everything about that tragedy is moving, but especially stories like that. What is interesting to me is how it surprises everyone. Isn’t this what people do? We protect those we care about, those weaker than us, or under our care. It’s sad to me that humanity has become so selfish as a whole that the media is shocked by selflessness. It also made me think of how Jesus did the same thing for each one of us--He died so we can live. He loved us when we didn’t care at all about Him. And then He returned to life so we can live forever! If you realize the depth of His love, how can you not love Him back and want to live for Him?
• I love the Olympics! We had the college students over to watch the opening ceremony, and while everyone had a good time (and they probably saw a side of me they’d never seen before!) I don’t know that I’ll do that again. Everyone was talking and laughing so much I couldn’t hear the announcers! Didn't you love the queen jumping out of the helicopter? And Mr. Bean?! Also, even though it was a whirlwind 12-hour-layover tour, it was so fun being able to say, "Oooh, I've been there!" We also cheered for all the countries we've visited or know missionaries in or find remotely interesting. Now I’m sitting here watching synchronized diving and waiting for more gymnastics! Go USA!