Snakes In a Gutter

I've been looking for more challenging games that we can play in Fusion (KidzChurch) because the Christmas Lights are going up in the gym this weeks and that means no more basketballs or dodge balls. So I went searching for some group games online and I found this game called "Snakes In a Gutter".

Two or three kids are chosen to stand on the half court line (as snakes) and they cannot move from it. Everyone else stands against the wall furthest from the half court line. Then all the kids yell "Snakes in the gutter!" and they run to the opposite side of the gym. If one gets tagged by a snake then they're a snake too and stand on the half court line.

So when I asked the kids if they wanted to play a new game this week, they all shouted, "NOOOOOO!!!" It was overwhelmingly negative. One kid even said, "I HATE games!" However, in my authority I made them play (I've never had to make kids play a game before!). After the first round the kids realized how much fun it was and wanted to try again. As the rounds progressed they were finding new ways to get around (under or over) the snakes without getting tagged. When time finally came to do somthing else, i could only pull them away by promising time to play again later.

Isn't it interesting how we think we hate somthing until we try it? Wouldn't it be just aweful of me to relate this to the election right now? Seriously though, the day after the election I thought my head was going to expload. There were so many people (instructors, students and all) with everything to say about Obama and what a shame it is that he will be our president. Personally, I don't really think that much on it. I know that God (the supreme authority) is in control and what ever happens happpens and He knows that it will happen. Romans 13:1-2 says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authoritiey is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves..." So, just like those kids screaming "Nooo!" and "I hate, I hate!" after trying it they liked it. I'm not saying that it will turn out that way for us, but maybe God will bring somthing together. Maybe people will recognize their need for Jesus? Maybe God is preparing us for somthing yet to come? We don't know what God is doing here, and it would (and is) unfair for us to judge the man God is placing in authority.

Anyway, Back to the kids, I think we might have a new favorite game (instead of dodge ball). If anyone else has some fun games kids can play (about 20-25 children) the suggestion would be very appreciated.

Here Goes

So I was thinking about all these kids that come to kids church and just realizing what amazing things they say sometimes without even knowing it! (Esspecially preschoolers)!

I have to say, I was not terribly excited about starting to teach pre-schoolers on a weekly basis, but I've grown to like them. I know that God hasn't just called me to minister to kids between ages 6-11. I am excited to be learning so much about different age groups. I didn't realize how important this was until my cousin, Ashley, asked me for some advice about kids. Then after I answered I realized how much I've learned in such a short amount of time.

Anyway, Andrea started a blog that kind of shows her developement as a careerwomen and I thought maybe it would be fun for me to do the same (I hope she doesn't feel like this is a total violation of her idea). I have so much to say, maybe I just need an outlet.

Approaching a Perfect God

Why does God allow us to approch Him the way that we do? we just walk right up to Him and start telling Him what we'd like Him to do for us. What a way to apprroach a king! In Esther's day, you couldn't even come to the king unsummond, and if you did, you were killed. So why then do we approach our perfect king this way? God is so merciful and Just. He smiles and loves us and listens but He is in no way obligated to do what we ask yet we treat Him as if He is.

If I was going to approach a worldly king unsummoned I would prostrate myself and before him and beg him not to give me the death I so greatly deserve. "Have mercy! Please! Don't kill me!" I'd cry. The king may say (and would have the right to say) "why shouldn't I kill you!? You're slime and you dishonor(ed) me!" ~Oh yes. I have dishonored the king and deserve death. ~ A worldly king would have killed me before I even finished that thought.

If that is the way one would approach and imperfect man of this world then why would we approach a perfect, holy God in the way that we do? shouldn't we run before our king and fall on our face and pray, " God have mercy on me!" We are all unworthy of God's presence because we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God - We deserve death.

When we come to God, we should (and must) humble ourselves before Him, recognizing that He is holy, and perfect. Then, and only when, He acknowledges us do we know that we are allowed to speak and plead our case before the king.