APRIL 2010

 

 

 

 

Very few things come to mind when thinking of situations in which young people are given permission to talk at length for long periods of time. But that’s just what we – and God – encourage in the “Read to Succeed” program.

In fact, in Mark 10:13-16, Jesus makes it clear that we should do more than just tolerate our “Chatty McChattersons.”

 

 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

 

God wants, and we need, to make sure that young people are given access to Jesus. “Read to Succeed” is but one way this can happen. What a concept it is! Children given an opportunity to talk freely about what’s on their mind and in their hearts. How Jesus is working there. And adults actually listening, helping facilitate His work in these young minds. There’s a time and place for everything – under Heaven -- and on Wednesday’s, it time for young people to talk. Praise God for their words and for those who lend a helping hand.

 

G Adams
S Stevens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARCH 2010

 

 

A thought process the Cool Cats are looking at during this third month of 2010 is finding a way to praise God when the verbal expression is not available. I would suppose that many occasions are encountered that cause us to loose the ability to speak. I suspect the Cool Cats hear words like “be quiet” more often than not. I certainly take my turn telling them so.

 

A simple salute as a means to praise God during quiet times seems to work just fine. When only sight and movement are available to us, a simple salute can say a lot. The majority of the school day finds us in the salute-only method of praising God. In a library, for example, there are simply no godly sound-making opportunities available. But given light and a chance to move, a salute works just fine. 

            

God wants praise, and within us is a need to give that praise. We just have to find a proper way to express that praise. In the last few verses of Luke 18, we are told the story of Jesus healing the blind beggar. The last words tell us “he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.” Seeing things can cause change within people, and when only sight is available, a salute works just fine.

 

Today, we need to salute God by expressing gratitude to teachers, friends, van drivers, helpers and all the church family. But most of all to Him. A simple salute may just inspire change within us – and perhaps others. After all, seeing is believing. May God bless.

 

 

Gary Adams