Jesus, Our Forever Friend

Vacation Bible School's 2008 Theme is "Jesus, Our Forever Friend."  The Theme and theme verse, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.." from John 15:13-14a, shows that Jesus gives that great love to His friends.  The LCMS' publishing house, CPH, picked the theme and put together all the lesson materials for it.  They ought to be commended for another great job in relating the wonderful Lutheran doctrine to the young kids and teenagers who help, as well as adults, at VBS.  

It is in this context where we Lutherans can get our doctrine out there and have open and healthy discussions with those of the community.  The wonderful thing about VBS is that the community actually comes to us!  All 300+ kids, then some 40 volunteers are there deep in the fellowship and Word and being enriched by it every second.  For instance, today in my lesson hour (I teach sixth grade) I was able to enjoy a deep discussion concerning the differences between the Lutheran and Roman Catholic faiths.  There are a lot of kids who attend our VBS from Roman Catholic Churches.  It was neat to see 12 year olds civilly discuss and begin to understand the differences.  Wouldn't it be so nice if adults could behave similarly?  

This week is tiring, frustrating, and relentless.  But at the same time it is beautiful, exciting, and fulfilling.  There are not many things that get me more ready to rock for the kingdom than hearing 300+ kids shouting at the top of their lungs "I am a C, I am a C-H, I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, AMEN! And I have C-H-R-I-S-T in my H-E-A-R-T, and I will L-I-V-E  E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y!"

I give up a week of work for this.  And no dollar amount I could make in one week would be worth missing this.  Taste and See!