T-Rex and Jesus

Yesterday was our first day of this year’s Vacation BibleSchool program, “The Great Bibleland Dig”, recycled.  The kids had a great time digging in our archaeological dig site outside the city of “Bethlehem” to find clues to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”

So what did they find?

They found a small bottle, like for perfumes.  They found an “ancient” king’s scepter with an “H” inscribed in it.  They found a scroll with what appeared to be a star chart. 

What Bible story do you think we were exploring today?

Right, the story of the Wise Men, or Magi, following a star and bringing gifts to the newborn king that prophecies and studies of ancient texts has foretold.  They learned that Jesus was a GIFT from God, to us.  They learned that Jesus was not the kind of king people expected.  They expected a political royal to usurp the Roman Empire.  They got a servant king.

They made a camel picture and Star of Bethlehem during craft time and ate rice krispy treats wrapped with licorice bows resembling gifts.

They dug for treasure in our archaeological dig site and found nuggets of gold that they could take home. 

They ground up spices and herbs to make a sachet while learning about how these things were used in Jesus’ time.

They colored fuzzy felt dinosaur pictures and learned about another kind of king.  They learned about T-Rex…tyrannosaurus rex.  This dinosaur was so named after the word ‘tyrant.’  He ruled the dinosaur kingdom with fear.  He was a tyrant dinosaur… a ferocious meat eater indiscriminately slaying any dinosaur to cross his path.

Tyrannosaurus rex and Jesus were completely opposite kinds of kings.

T-rex promoted a reign of terror.  Jesus promoted a reign of love.

T-rex was a tyrant king.  Jesus was a servant king.

And in a little church in Parsippany, a bunch of kids had a ton of fun playing amateur archaeologists while learning about Jesus, with a little dinosaur fun on the side. 

They learned that Jesus is God’s GIFT to us.

Amen.

7 Ways Your Dog Displays the Thumbprint of God

When God gave humans “dominion over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:27-28) he gave us the responsibility of their care as well.   In domesticating dogs, humans have taken that responsibility one step further; we have made them our companions and workmates.  While animals are not created in the image of God, as were human beings, every creation bears the thumbprints of its creator.   So here are some thumbprint images of God exhibited by your dog:

1.       Dogs miss us when we’re gone.  Almost every dog comes running when its people come home.
2.       Dogs will do just about anything to show us they love us.
3.       Dogs will still love us, no matter how many times we screw up.
4.       Dogs don’t care what anyone thinks about you.
5.       Dogs will protect you and sound the alarm when danger approaches.
6.       A dog’s favorite place to be is curled up near you, watching and listening to your every move, even when asleep.
7.       Dogs never give up hope.

God’s thumbprint on your dog should help you to see:

1.       God misses us when we’re gone too, and welcomes us back with open arms every time we return to Him.
2.       God will do anything to show us how much He loves us, including sending His only Son to pay the price for our salvation.
3.       God loves us no matter what, no matter how many times or how badly we screw up.  If we ask for forgiveness, it is given.
4.       God doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of you.  He passes His own judgment based on what He knows lies in your heart and mind.
5.       God will always be by your side, even if we can’t see or feel Him.  We are never alone for He has given us His Holy Spirit which lives within us.
6.       God is omniscient – He sees everything, in all places, at all times.  He is a 24/7/365/lifetime lifeguard.
7.       God wants to be in relationship with us.  It is why we were created.  God never abandons us, even though we might abandon Him. 

Now everyone read this next part tongue-in-cheek. J
You did know dogs are dyslexic, right?  Dogs think their name is spelled G-O-D, but of course this is the image of the Servant King that they see and fulfill (with the rights of one included…like sleeping on the couch or your bed, because it’s closer to you and he can better protect you…riiiight! Wink, wink).

I have never had a cat, but from what I know of the cats who belong to people I know, cats seem to have a God-complex too, but the Servant King isn’t how they see themselves. 

So hey, all you cat owners…how does your cat display the thumbprint of God?  Click on the "comments" below to tell us.

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Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 16, 10:00 am, Don't be late.  Rain or shine.  For children up to age 10.  Refreshments served.  FREE!