More Easter...

A cast of mainly teens presented a play of the events of Passion Week for 70+ children yesterday evening.

The play was followed by an egg hunt.

Interestingly, upon returning to the church after taking children home in the van, I discovered that Disciple #3 and Angel-at-the-Tomb had been fighting. From eyewitness reports of other children around, we're talking cussing, yelling, hitting, name-calling, on-the-ground fighting. Angel-at-the-Tomb had already left the scene, while Disciple #3 was still there, looking rather shaken and guilty.

Angel-at-the-Tomb and Disciple #3 are fourth graders. I know them both fairly well, and on a typical day, they're very sweet girls. They're outgoing, and they love helping with activities, so that's why I asked them to be in the Easter drama.

Less than an hour after their time in the spotlight helping to tell the wonderful story of Jesus, they're hating and hitting and hurling insults. How could these "good" girls stoop to such behavior?

They remind me of someone else whose behavior was appalling, despite his emphatic statements:

"Though they all fall away because of You, I will never fall away."

"Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You!"

"Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death."

"I will lay down my life for You."

Just a short while later, Holier Than Thou had become Big Fat Liar. A cursing, swearing, angry liar denying his Lord and shaming His name. I have to wonder, as Peter went out weeping bitterly, if he recalled these words of consolation and hope that Jesus had gifted him with earlier:

"Simon, Simon...Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Peter had been lovingly prayed for, yet the test had come. Peter had failed--miserably failed! But that was not the end of Peter's faith nor the end of his ministry. Just as Jesus had said, Peter "turned again" and found in his Savior forgiveness and Spirit power to lead the early church.

Jesus knew we could never be good enough or holy enough or clean enough to make it on our own. We need Him to save us from ourselves and from our sin, from our past mistakes and failures, from our arrogant statements and appalling behavior.

He died for Peter, for Disciple #3, for Angel-at-the-Tomb, for you, and for me. And He's already prayed for us, because He knows our weaknesses and our tendency to be dumb sheep.

That's the kind of Savior it's good to know.

Celebrating Easter

Someone recently asked me if I celebrate Easter. I said "Yes," but before I could expand on that statement, there was an interruption, and the conversation never resumed. That question has been swirling around in my head, though, and as I've thought about celebrating Easter, I'm reminded that we as a culture (and perhaps as a faith community) rarely direct the same amount of energy into the celebration of the risen Christ as we do the newborn Christ.

I suppose those ponderings have been behind a determination this year to celebrate Easter especially as it relates to our children's programs. Yesterday evening at tutoring, students learned about the tradition of Easter eggs -- a symbol of new life and Jesus breaking through the empty tomb. Then, we dyed and decorated eggs.

Mr. Miller brought eggs with goodies inside.

Tonight is another celebration of Easter....off I go to gather some children!

Amazing Jake's

Wally, the interns, and this group of Team FUN'ers enjoyed a weekend outing to Amazing Jake's in Mesa. Because of the generous budget of the First Things First Foundation, the participants traveled in style -- Hummer limousine style! I think they found it just a tad more appealing than our 2001 Ford van. Here is the group, ready to climb aboard:

More pics to follow when I get them uploaded....Happy Monday!

We are healed!

He is the Healer.
We are the healed.

Hallejuah, what a Savior!

Click below to view a creative, powerful presentation of
Isaiah 53 by Buckhead Church.

Kids Klub 3.17.10

Emily and Hilda led the kids in some energetic singing.

Then, it was off to classes to learn about Jonah & the big fish!

I think nearly every class had some type of craft project.

There were some intense fish decorators.

Caleb has tricks up his sleeve....

Whan a youth leader says, "Well, we're going to do a little activity, and I need two volunteers," that's a time to be afraid.

Especially since the contents of that mysterious blue bowl on the table are covered with a towel.

Especially since that bowl most likely contains something fairly high on the grossness scale.

Especially since that bowl might contain something dead -- or alive. The possibilities are endless!

Nevertheless, when Caleb uttered those words (or something similar), he managed to recruit two victims...err....volunteers. While the participants' eyes were closed, Caleb unveiled the tiniest of jars. Note that mischievous smile -- another reason why you don't agree to do these kind of things.

You'd think that gently warmed, pureed turkey would go down smooth as Jello. However, I think these good sports would slightly disagree!

As the evening progressed, Caleb had a few more tricks up his sleeve. This time, he didn't ask for volunteers. Instead, he selected the victims.

Jacob, visiting from Indiana, received an unexpected lip makeover, while Brittany and Sheila, former interns visiting from Ohio and Iowa respectively, were called upon to join the fun, too.

The makeovers were of the outlandish variety, but Caleb's lesson Friday evening was not. He asked those in attendance, "Are you happy with who you are?" He then shared from Genesis how God called His creation "very good." Very good even without three coats of mascara or Van's shoes or expensive jeans from the mall. It was a timely message, especially since the culture screams at youth (and at any age, really) that you must measure up to an often impossible standard of beauty to be accepted and desired.

Fortunately, this little one isn't too concerned with her looks yet.....just that Daddy let some perfectly good baby food go to waste on those ungrateful big people!

Dare 2 Share 2010

This past weekend, our interns and a group of teens attended Dare 2 Share's Blaze conference in Phoenix. Joining our group were leaders and youth from Paradise Valley Mennonite Church. The conference is based on Isaiah 6:1-8 and is designed to help youth understand The Fire That Burns (God's Glory), The Fire That Destroys (God's Justice), The Fire That Purifies (God's Mercy), and The Fire That Rages (God's Love).

Special thanks to Andrea for taking the photos below!

An aspect of Dare 2 Share conferences that perhaps sets it apart from other similar types of conferences is that there is always a practical, hands-on component. On Saturday afternoon, groups at the conference were instructed to go to local schools and pick up trash surrounding the properties. As they tackled that task, they were to think about all of the garbage -- sin-- that clings to their friends and fellow classmates and pray for the cleansing and healing of those students. Teens also were challenged to take some time to make phone calls to friends who don't know Jesus.

Here is the Aim Right / P.V. group (and believe it or not -- this is the best photo out of several!).


A big thank you goes to Paradise Valley Mennonite Church for their sponsorship of our group! They made it possible for our group to attend.