Memories of VBS

When I was a child I had no opportunity to attend VBS, read books with stories about Jesus growing up in Nazareth, or sing Jesus Loves Me. My family attended church weekly, every Sat. night. We were Catholic and although I do not remember a time when God was not present in my life I was not afforded these age appropriate experiences.

My first encounter with VBS was with my own children. I loved it! What an incredible experience. I remember when I taught 1st grade and did not think the kids got anything I was saying, especially this one very busy boy. But, when question time came he knew every answer. It was a wonderful, yet exhausting week when nap time was needed and new babies wondered where their mommies went. We always looked back and had fond memories and junky crafts.

This year I have had the privilege of being Mary during VBS. I have been given far too much honor and too many accolades. If they knew what I was really like. I mean last night I made a boy cry! I love hearing all of their comments as I share the stories of Jesus. One night I asked if they were going to come back and Will Nelson said, “After my nap and swimming I will.” Grace Hendry gave me a look, “I don’t know about that…” But after everyone else said they were she decided maybe it was a good idea.

What I really love is how Jesus touches their little hearts. The kids have been so concerned about Eunice who does not believe that Jesus is God’s son. They have had lots of comments about Jesus, his boyhood, and him being the son of God as well as Mary’s son. The one that really tripped me up was Jaedon Roberts who asked, “Is Jesus his own son?” If you answer that one right you get to be the storyteller for VBS next year!

Patty Thompson

Joy, Joy, Joy

Joy, Joy, Joy

The lyrics of this song from my VBS days of old remind me of an eternal truth that God has shared with us.  That is that He is the creator of JOY and the sustainer of it even today.

I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart,
Where?
Down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart.
I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart to stay.
And I'm so happy, so very happy, I have the love of Jesus in my heart.

Even though the words of the songs have changed, VBS is the same. This week VBS at The Journey has shown kids that joy comes from a relationship with the very Jesus that grew up in Hometown Nazareth.

The words to the song that they will remember will be something like:

Great things happen when we come together, great things happen when we praise our Savior. 

I think that the message is the same: Great things happen when we are in relationship with Jesus, the source of Joy.


Contributed by Kim Snare

Teach Me

"Teach me, O Spirit,

   to love Thee

     as whole-heartedly as the miser loves his money.

Make me

   as attached to Thee

     as the drunkard is addicted to wine.

Teach me

   to cling to Thee

     as erring ones do to their bad habits.

Teach me

   to be as attentive to Thee

     as a mother is to her child.

Teach me

   to perform my duties diligently,

     with my attention fully riveted on Thee.

Teach me

   to love Thee

     as the worldly man loves his possession.

With the first love of true lovers,

   teach me to love Thee."

Yogananda (Whispers of Eternity, pp 82-83.)-- 

True Freedom - Through Christ

The great hymn writer Charles Wesley recognized the eternal value of true freedom he wrote the stanzas to the hymn below.

May this be the declaration of independence for those who call him Lord.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.


No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.