Children in Church – Reblog Morning Story and Dilbert

Children in Church

Morning Story and Dilbert

Dilbert 2300-stripVintage Dilbert / October 8, 2001

A little boy was in a relative’s wedding. As he was coming down the aisle, he would take two steps, stop, and turn to the crowd. While facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and roar. So it went, step, step, ROAR, step, step, ROAR, all the way down the aisle. As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from laughing so hard by the time he reached the pulpit.

When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said, “I was being the Ring Bear.”

One Sunday in a Midwest City , a young child was “acting up” during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, “Pray for me! Pray for me!”

One particular four-year old prayed, “And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”

A little boy was overheard praying: “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it. I’m having a real good time like I am.”

A Sunday School teacher asked her little children, as they were on the way to church service, “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?” One bright little girl replied, “Because people are sleeping.”

A little boy opened the big and old family Bible with fascination, looking at the old pages as he turned them. Then something fell out of the Bible. He picked it up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree that has been pressed in between the pages. ”Mama, look what I found,” the boy called out. ”What have you got there, dear?” his mother asked. With astonishment in the young boy’s voice he answered, ”It’s Adam ‘s suit”.

The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mike, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again. After several circles and jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, ”If he gets loose, will he hurt us?”

Six-year old Angie, and her four-year old brother, Joel, were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. ”You’re not supposed to talk out loud in church.” ”Why? Who’s going to stop me?” Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, ”See those two men standing by the door? They’re Hushers.”

A ten-year old, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible. Then, one day, she floored her grandmother by asking, ”Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? The virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?”

A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments. They were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was. Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted, ”Thou shall not take the covers off the neighbor’s wife…

Morning Reading: Acts 20:13-38 NLT – guard yourselves and God’s people

Reading: Acts 20:13-38 NLT

Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship. He joined us there, and we sailed together to Mitylene. The next day we sailed past the island of Kios. The following day we crossed to the island of Samos, and a day later we arrived at Miletus.

Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn’t want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost. But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.

Paul's Farewell Ephesus
Apostle Paul’s Farewell
with the Elders of Ephesus

When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike — the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock — his church, purchased with his own blood — over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you — my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Help us all to finish well… no regrets. Give us the courage to examine our hearts… to review our ministries… and to put right any wrongs we may have done. Give us a spirit of humility, Lord, it’s never been about us… it’s always been about you. And help us to make clear the message of help and hope you offer to all… friend and foe alike. May we not shrink back from the essential message of repentance and the forgiveness of sin made possible through your death on the cross. And may we also speak boldly of our blessed hope of eternal life and your immanent return. Raise up capable leaders who will shepherd and protect your flock when we are gone. And may you be honored in all things. Amen.

Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation”S. J. Stone (1866)

Morning Reading: Acts 14: 26-28 NLT – open door

Reading: Acts 14:26-28 NLT

image

Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed.

Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – May I be found faithful by the grace of God to complete the work you have entrusted to me. And may I be willing to walk through the doors you open for me. Amen.

Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation”S. J. Stone (1866)

Morning Reading: Acts 8.1-3 NLT – persecution

Reading: Acts 8.1-3 NLT

persecuted christiansSaul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)

But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Protect your church throughout the world… every size, shape, language and custom. Hold your people close to your heart. Holy Spirit – Come alongside of every Christian imprisoned, or persecuted, for their faith in Jesus Christ… comfort them, defend them, strengthen them, release them. Lord Jesus – Be their Shepherd, their Savior, their Rock… and send your guardian angels to fight in their defense. And may you be glorified in the suffering of all those who have placed their trust in you. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “O Lord Hear My Prayer”Jacques Berthier

Morning Reading: Luke 20:41-47 NLT – beware of phonies

Reading: Luke 20:41-47 NLT

Then Jesus presented them with a question.

“Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David? For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms:

‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’

Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

The Archangel Michael defeating Satan Guido Reni (1635)
The Archangel Michael defeating Satan
Guido Reni (1635)

Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – I pray today for your Church (your Bride)… in all its shapes and forms throughout the world… protect her from the schemes and ploys of Satan. Cleanse her leadership and purify the hearts and minds of all whom you call to serve your people. Guard your flock from the wolves that prowl among your sheep seeking to devour them. And send your guardian angels to defend them in every race, tribe and nation. I ask it for your names’ sake. Amen.

Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”Martin Luther (Glad Band)