stay-cation

We talked about beer last time, so these buds are for you (snicker). This is the Rose of Sharon I shot through to catch the Monarch that was perched atop a nearby Zinnia.

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Hooray!!! My parents are coming in to visit (from Florida), and I will be spending a lot of time with the family. Sorry, that means less time on the computer, but maybe I can get some good photos out of it. I hope we can make this visit an enjoyable time for Mom & Dad. They're top quality people, and deserve the very best!

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As a bonus, I'll be spending those days together with my wife. I'm smiling so much, my cheeks are sore.

little buddies

I teach Sunday School to a group of 3rd and 4th graders. They're my buds!

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We explained to the young class how "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." We talked about how Jesus had harsh things to say to the proud pharisees, but was accused of keeping company with people who were lowly regarded by others, like tax collectors and prostitutes. We are all sinners, but those who wish to be healed, take a humble position before God, eager to receive His grace... which we do not deserve. That's an important piece of background today; got it?

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After the lesson, I had announcements about how the next series in our whole-Bible survey takes us on a journey from Abraham to Joseph (Genesis 12 to 50). We will make a couple of pit stops along the way. For example, one week, in keeping with a whole-church theme, we will have a special lesson about the persecuted church.

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A little hand went up, but I already answered a lot of questions, and the parents were standing outside the classroom, waiting to pick up their kids. Instead of acknowledging the raised hand, we closed in prayer. But the hand stayed up.

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Okay Kiddo, I have to dismiss the class right now, but I'll take that question afterward. She had an expression of sincerity and complete puzzlement on her face. "Mr. Craver, why is there a prostituted church? I know that ours isn't... but why would people go to a church that is prostituted?"

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Admittedly, this question stunned me for a moment. I don't want to tell these children things that should properly be explained by their parents... when the parents feel the time is right. And as I tried to understand where this was coming from, it suddenly hit me. I said persecuted church? She said "yeah." (And gave me a look that suggested, "well duh... what did you think?!")

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So I briefly described the Great Commission and told her that it would be explained more fully on the day we talk about "persecution."

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Later, I told her grandma, and we had a good laugh out of it.