ALL Forward Motion!

I will be 53 on March 4th. That is not the reason for this post! I am thankful for another day and another year. The significant part of this date is what it speaks to ALL people!

MARCH...Get moving...FORTH...all forward motion!

On my 13th birthday my dad pulled me aside for a minute from all the birthday party festivities to tell me something very important about the date that God ordained to be my birthday.

He said to me, "you know Robbie your birth date means something. Always listen to what it is saying to you."

What was my dad teaching me on my 13th birthday?

Always move forward, do not go backwards in life.

My dad was a wise man. He taught me many lessons about life, respect, love, fun, money, honesty, hard work, responsibility, and God. He taught me that God is the One who gives freely all good gifts.

Photo of my dad and me having fun in 1985.

Kids Pray. Just Ask!

In 2018 a new Good News Club had just started meeting after school at a local Grade School. 60 kids signed up! The GNC Team broke club into two groups of 30 meeting in rooms across the hall.

I was blessed to be visiting club that day in the room with thirty 3rd-5th graders. The GNC volunteer (main teacher) ask the kids, "who would like to open club today by saying the prayer?" A boy in the front raised his hand.

All eyes closed and heads bowed we waited but,...not a sound.

The loving teacher encouraged the boy... "you know, praying is talking to God and you can do that now...you can ask God to bless our time at club today and thank Him for the beautiful day."

The boy was clutching a blue paperback Bible in his hand. He had been given the Bible at club a few weeks earlier. I'm so blessed to be an eye witness to what this shy 4th grader boy did next.

He stood up, opened his Bible and said; "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, and who ever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Amen!

What an awesome and powerful Word declaration over club that day! The Word of God is ALL POWER!

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

I was humbled by the boys action to pray God's Word. I received the lesson that the child taught me that day.

When we are at a loss for words. Speak the Word! Pray God's Word! Give everyone the Powerful Word of Hope laid out in God's Word!

After club the GNC team volunteers said that the 4th grade boy loved his Bible and carried it with him in his backpack daily. The GNC team had tabbed each Bible with colorful tabs, marking key verses for the the kids at club. John 3:16 was just one of the verses tab in his Bible.

I received a phone call from the team leader about 2 months later... "the precious 4th grader that prayed that day had made a first time profession of faith in Christ and was bringing his mom and dad to church to be encouraged by God's Powerful Word too.

GIVE THEM THE WORD!

LET THE KIDS PRAY!

To learn more about how your church or small group can start a Good News Club for kids visit: cefsi.com.

No Glitter. No Glue.

I remember going to Vacation Bible School (VBS) as a kid. I went to every VBS that was happening where I lived in a little village of 1600 people in Southern Illinois. We had 4 churches in my village and I made my rounds to all of them all summer long.

Some taught ya more than others but, none shared the Gospel with me.

I have often wondered why.

Why did the leaders of the VBS spend SO much time and money on crafts, puppets, games, scavenger hunts, and programing... when they were sitting on the BEST news ever! And had a captive audience to share with a kid like me who longed to know GOD.

I believe that every person (every kid) longs to know who GOD is.

What is HE really like?

Can HE really be trusted?

Is HE a good Father?

Did HE really die for MY sins?

Does HE really love me even though I do not measure up?

Is the Bible true?

Well, the Good News is YES to all of the above!

Good News Club is a great place for children to be introduced to the loving Savior, grow in their faith, express their fears and joys, make lasting friendships, and be encouraged that God loves them and has a great plan for their life.

CEF materials are high quality, biblically sound and Christ centered. Designed with interactive elements to keep a kids attention while truth of God's Word impacts their hearts. Unsaved children hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are invited to receive Him as Savior. Saved children are challenged to grow in their faith in specific ways in each lesson.

https://www.cefonline.com/get-involved/forthechurch/curriculum/