The Vision of a Child

Mark 9:35-37 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Luke 18:16-17 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.



Beginning on January 15,1945 and for the next 27 years on both radio and television, Art Linkletter reminded us that kids have a unique perspective on things (One that would be good for us to adopt many times). Kids have a unique ability to cut through the hype and fancy layers and get to the root of the issue.

Yesterday, while playing with my kids (Andrew and Renee) my son presented me with just such a moment. He and Renee were drawing with chalk on the patio and called me to come look at what they had produced. Looking at my son's drawings, I guessed at what they were but got it wrong. My son informed me that it was "sad balloons". Jackie and I asked him why they were sad and he replied that they were sad "because no one had told them about Jesus yet".

Even though the theology might be a little off (balloons being saved), I'm glad the message has resonated in his heart that without Christ there is and can be no joy. We teach them Bible verses and sing Bible songs about joy only coming through a relationship with Christ. How precious and innocent a statement.

I believe that we, too, would benefit from such a viewpoint. Without Christ, there can be no peace or joy. This doesn't only apply to salvation and eternal peace, but also to our daily walk with God. If we, as believers, attempt to live as if God is not Lord in our lives, the best we can hope for is unhappiness.

Thank God for a simple child-like faith and an equally simple point of view.

Doing right brings its own reward

Two months ago, while out doorknocking, we were able to witness to a young mother named Esmeralda. She was wonderfully saved that next week along with her husband. A few weeks ago, she let us know that she is trying to bring her son, Jose Antonio, here from Mexico. He is 12 years old and has early signs of Leukemia.

The family is very poor and didn't have the money needed to bring him here. So, we took an offering to help her in our evening service. To God be the glory, the amount raised was enough to help bring him here. He arrived last week.

Three days ago, Esmeralda noticed that her other son (Christian, pictured at left) was not looking well. She took him to a clinic and they told her that he was having liver problems. He had been the recipient of a liver transplant 3 years ago. It seems that the liver is now trying to reject his body. (Please pray for him and Jose Antonio. Neither of them are saved yet but both are asking a lot of questions.)

While meeting with the family at the hospital this evening, the doctor asked her if she has any family in the area that can be a support system for her and her family during this time. She initially answered "no" but then changed her answer and said this, "My church is my family. They are more like a family to me than my real family is. When I needed help getting my son here, my family didn't do anything to help but my church family did. This IS my family." What a wonderful testimony of God's grace at work in her life.

I'm so glad that the Lord led us to knock on her door and introduce her to the Saviour. I am so glad that she sees our church as her family. I'm so thankful that God has given her a place to belong.

I wonder, what she would be doing right now without God?
How would she be dealing with this situation?

When you do right and show and share the love of God, it truly does bring its own reward.

John 13: 15 "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."