Oh, Yes! V.B.S.

We're having Vacation Bible School at the South Road Church of Christ this week. The first two days in the "Construction Zone," (building character with Jesus!) have exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high. (Photos soon).

I've been a part of Vacation Bible School almost every summer of my life. This is the 20th year that I've been a V.B.S. director. When I was a youth minister, there were some years that I'd direct for three weeks; one V.B.S. at home, then two on-the-road with my high-school juniors and seniors and some of those unsung heroes called youth sponsors. I'll never forget those trips.

I'm aware that some churches have decided that V.B.S. doesn't help them much to advance the mission of the congregation. In some cases, those churches actually have a V.B.S. of sorts. It's just that now, their "V.B.S." is a children's musical or some other sort of programming. In other cases, what Vacation Bible School used to do is no longer being done in any form.

Other churches seem to have maintained a V.B.S. routine, only on a small and often uninspiring scale.

Still other churches seem to have decided that pulling out all the stops and doing the biggest and best traditional all-week Vacation Bible School is a great use of their resources. That's where I am these days.

Either way, what's important is that the church should pay attention to children, not merely because Jesus said we are supposed to be childlike, but also because children are so very receptive and impressionable. I've seen a few senior citizens come to faith. But the overwhelming percentage of people who become Christians do so before they turn eighteen. With hardly an exception, as churches grow larger, they grow younger.

Clearly, children are important to the Lord. So they should be important to non-kids who want to be pleasing the Lord.

Dear God,

Thank you for this week of Vacation Bible School. Please help all of us, in the words of our theme song, to become just like Jesus.

Lord, thank you for the blessing of children and childhood. Please bless the efforts of people who want to see the youngest hearts turned toward you.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane + Prayer to Start the Week

Okay, first off I have to say I'm sorry for having been such a slogger over the last few weeks.

Of course I have oodles of excellent excuses. But I've also begun to realize that the expression, "People don't want to hear your problems," applies even to me and most of my problems. Which is not to say that narcissus is dead; but blight has begun to set in. I'll keep you posted . . . so to speak.

Anyway, tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, the Bellizzis (that's me, 1 wife, and 3 kids) plan to head south. Destination: Altus, Oklahoma.

For what it's worth, the first syllable in "Altus" sounds like the first in "Altoids." The best way to get, "You ain't from around here, are ya'?" is to show up in Altus and call it "All-tus."

That settled, I should say that the reason we're going in July and not January is because next Sunday evening, we'll have the celebration of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.

Naturally, I've been looking forward to this trip for a long time. It will be so good to see my Mom and Dad, my sisters and their families; to spend a few days in the old house that was my home for a long time, and in certain ways still is; to attend worship at the congregation where for countless hours I've sung and prayed and learned and laughed, the place where I was baptized some thirty years ago.

Just thinking about it reminds me that everyday each one of us is writing a book, creating a history that will be remembered for a long time and make an impact for an eternity. So choose what's right and good. Identify the will of God and do it. Oh, and before you begin, be sure to pray. Here's how I'm praying today . . .

Dear God,

Thank you for my family. And thank you for my much bigger family of which you are Father.

Thank you, Father, for taking care of my parents for all of these years. Thank you that when they were young, you drew them to yourself. Thank you for the the dozens of wonderful people, sold on the gospel and filled with your Spirit, who led and cared for and nutured us.

Help me, with those you've entrusted to my own care and keeping, to be a good and faithful steward like they were.

Please bless my family over the next week as we reunite, remember, celebrate, and look towards a future that promises to be even better in ways that we can't even imagine.

For it's in the name of Christ that I pray,

Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

From "Christian Prayers" (1556):

O God, make perfect my love toward Thee
and to my Redeemer and Justifier;
give me a true and unfeigned love of all virtue and godliness;

Increase in me strength and victory against all temptations
and assaults of the flesh, the world, and the devil,
that according to Thy promise I be never further proved or
tempted than thou wilt give me strength to overcome;

Give me grace to keep a good conscience;
give me a pure heart and mind,
and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

The weather in Connecticut has been perfect over the last few days. I've hardly been able to make myself come inside.

Michele and I went for a long bike ride last evening, stopping for supper along the way at Anna's in East Hartford. It's this terrific Greek diner where the staff comes right out of the movie about the big fat wedding. What a treat.

Dear God,

Thank you for the rolling seasons which, as they move, proclaim to all of us your constant care.

I'm really glad it's summer here. But I know that today's gladness is just a touch of the joy that all of your people will know in that place where your glory is all the light.

Please continue to call and draw me there. And cause me to help others to also hear that call.

For I ask in the name of Jesus, your Son, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Last Friday morning, I presided at Bob's funeral. I first met him a few years ago. It was a Sunday afternoon, and we had both brought our children to start a new week at Tidal River Christian Camp.

Bob and his family had known Michele and her daughters for many years. When Michele and I married a year and a half ago, I became one of Bob's neighbors.

Bob was the kind of guy you'd hear about in a Billy Joel song. Of Italian descent, he grew up on Long Island. His father told me that when Bob was ten and the family had just moved into a new house, he convinced his school mates that his dad was a top man in the mafia. He had a nickname for just about everyone, was a great conversationalist and a lot of fun to be around. In a short time, I became very fond of him. But I suspected that we'd never become close friends.

That's because for all the time I knew him, Bob was not in good health. What I've learned over the last few months is that I didn't know that half of it. From the way he acted and the things he said, you'd never know that much was wrong, until his appearance began to give away his condition.

As I prepared to say some words of comfort not far from his casket, it occurred to me how selfless and courageous this man had been. One of Paul Faulkner's words of advice is, "Act better than you feel." That was a constant thing for the last few years of Bob's life. In several ways, I found myself wanting to be more like him; and soon, before that time when I no longer have the chance to change.

A sage once said that, "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning" (Ecclesiastes 7:4). It's when we recall our common fate that we are best prepared to live. So what is it that you need to change or do differently today? Think about it, and pray.

Dear God,

Thank you for the people you place in our lives. Thank you for the lessons you teach us through them. Help me to follow others to the extent that they are like Christ.

Please bless all of Bob's family, especially his wife and daughters, his parents and closest friends. Give them help and healing. Please allow them to store up and treasure in their hearts all of the good that you gave to them through him.

For as long as I live, God, help me to magnify your name with my life.

In the name of Christ I pray, Amen.

Prayer to the Start the Week

Dear God,

Your glory is exalted far above the earth and sky! How true. And how wonderful it is that you have shown me your power and love, your grace and truth, through Jesus, your Son and my Savior.

Lord, I want to please you in all things. And I'm ashamed of those times when I don't. Trusting you, I ask you to forgive me.

I also want to ask that you help me to be fully in the world, but not of it. Cause me to be wise like a snake, but harmless like a dove. Help me not to judge, nor give something precious to pigs.

As I say that, I realize how far I have to go, and how much I must depend on you. But I believe that nothing's impossible with you. So be with me, Lord. And I'll keep looking forward to how the future's going to unfold in your hands.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

The Bellizzis and the Richardsons had a nice Memorial Day weekend. After several days of cool and rainy weather, by Friday it seemed a lot more like Spring in Connecticut.

Ben had a baseball game Friday evening. Chloe, my oldest, worked two shifts at her part-time job. And Monday morning, three of the six kids marched in two different parades. So it was busy, but good.

We worked in the yard, worshipped the Lord, jumped on the trampoline, had a cookout, remembered fallen heroes, rode bikes, and played in the water. That leads me to pray:

Dear Lord,

What a great God and Father you are.

Thank you for the beautiful world you created. And thank you for those happy, memorable times that I can share with those I love best.

After a long weekend, now refreshed, I ask that you'll help me to do good work and to be responsive to you in all things.

Just after Memorial Day, I'm especially mindful of sacrifices made, sacrifices that were necessary because of a sinful world of which I'm a part.

So as I revel in and give thanks for what is good, I ask you to finish your new creation in Christ and fulfill the hope of all who trust in you.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Today I'm praying with Kierkegaard,

O Lord Jesus Christ,

I long to live in your presence, to see your human form and to watch you walking on earth.

I do not want to see you through the darkened glass of tradition, nor through the eyes of today's values and prejudices. I want to see you as you were, as you are, and as you always will be.

I want to see you as an offense to human pride, as a man of humility, walking amongst the lowliest of men, and yet as the savior and redeemer of the human race.

Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Soren Kierkegaard lived with a deep sense of humanity's sinfulness, our common need for redemption. It's said that his father spent a lot of time brooding about such things. Like most everything else, theology tends to be a family affair, sometimes adopting, sometimes reacting.

By all accounts, both men lived out their lives under a cloud. What seems clear is that this tendency often got the best of them. In his dispair, Soren sometimes turned to the bottle and then to the brothel.

But then, it's his dour seriousness that gives his writings their weight. It's also the source of his sarcasm and pointed humor. I wonder, how many real prophets would be considered well-adjusted? Aren't they almost always pretty weird?

Anyway, today I'm praying with Soren,

Lord Jesus,

Your love covers the multitude of my sins. So when I am fully aware of my sin, when before the justice of heaven only wrath is pronounced upon me, then you are the only person to whom I can escape.

If I try to cover myself against the guilt of sin and the wrath of heaven, I will be driven to madness. But if I rely on you to cover my sins, I shall find peace and joy.

You suffered and died on the cross to shelter us from our guilt, and take upon yourself the wrath that we deserve. Let me rest under you, and may you transform me into your likeness.

Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Few have shaped contemporary Christian attitudes as much as Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855).

Like Augustine, most of Kierkegaard's prayers are found here and there in his writings. They weren't written to be prayed by others. They were written when the author was finally compelled to speak to no one else but the Lord. Those are some of the best prayers, like this one that I'm praying today . . .

There is much to drag us back, O Lord: empty pursuits, trivial pleasures, unworthy cares.

There is much to frighten us away: pride that makes us reluctant to accept help; cowardice that recoils from sharing your suffering; anguish at the prospect of confessing our sins to you.

But you are stronger than all these forces. We call you our redeemer and savior because you redeem us from our empty, trivial existence. You save us from our foolish fears.

So we thank you, Lord. Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Okay, about last week . . . My kids being out of school for Spring vacation, and beautiful weather in Connecticut, plus anything else that can make this excuse sound legitimate, conspired to keep me from blogging. (Thanks, Steve and Dee, for checking in and asking around).

Some weeks the only thing I post is Monday's prayer. But last week, I didn't do even that. And get this: the Sunday before, I preached a sermon about . . . prayer.

Anyway, now ready to get with it, I'm praying with Augustine,

Dear God,

"Let my soul praise you that it may love you.
Your whole creation sings your praise.
Humanity sings your praise with hymns and psalms.
Animals and plants praise you with their beauty.
Your whole creation lifts up our hearts,
so that we may glimpse the glory of heaven."

We thank you, Lord, in the name of Christ your Son, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Today I'm praying with Augustine:

Dear God,

In you we live and move and have our being. You have made us for yourself, so our souls are restless until they rest in you.

Grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, and no weakness from doing it.

Through Christ the Lord, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrews 4:14-16

Holy Father,

You are a such a great and incredible God. My mind could never have come close to even conceiving of you. Yet, you have chosen to reveal yourself to me. What little I've been willing and able to take in thrills and delights, convicts and humbles me. I want and need all of that, and you deserve the devotion of my heart. So grant that I will see and know more of you.

God, please forgive me, because I know that so much of me is not consistent with these best desires of my heart. So make me pure and sincere and true. Help me to be a living sacrifice, something that you will find holy and acceptable.

I ask this knowing that you love me and that you will, because of Christ, change me and give to me what I need today. And so I ask you to receive my thanks and to grant me many blessings through his name, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." --1 Timothy 2:1-4

Before coming to the South Road congregation, I was the preacher for the Ward Street Church of Christ in Wallingford, CT. During our Wednesday-evening prayer time there, the wife of one of our elders would consistently point us to this passage and ask that we pray "for our leaders." It was a healthy reminder, and it moves me to pray:

Dear God, Holy Father.

Thank you for the nation where I live and for its government.

Today I hold up before you the men and women who are in positions of authority all over the world. I pray for presidents and prime ministers and kings, for senators and judges, governors, police officers, representatives and mayors. I ask you to bless and to help them, Lord.

Help them to be at their best and to do what it right. Cause them to know that just as they have authority over others, there is an authority over them. Lead them to those decisions and words that will make our world a more peaceful place.

In all of this, I pray for the progress of the gospel, the growth of the Word; that the good news about your Son would travel unimpeded to every place.

Most of all, Mighty God, I look forward to that time when you cause all of the authority in this world to become your kingdom, and that of your Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.

I pray in his name, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

"This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him" --1 John 5:14-15

Dear God, Holy Father.

For this day, for life itself, and for the good you've seen fit to pour into my life, I thank you.

Lord, help me today and all through this new week to be the person you've called me in Christ to be.

For those times when I've not been what I should have, I ask you to forgive me, again. Thank you that because of Christ I can make this request. Help me to be as patient with other people as you are with me.

God, please continue your work of transforming me into the likeness of Christ, so that I will reflect your glory, give you honor, and be a blessing to others.

I ask this in the great name of Jesus, your son and my savior, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Steve Duer suggested that the prayer posted last Monday should be set to music. I had to agree, and thought the same thing about this one. Today I'm praying with Augustine:

You, Lord,
are the light of minds that know you,
the joy of hearts that love you,
and the strength of wills that serve you.

Grant to us that, in knowing you, we may truly love you,
that, in loving you, we may fully serve you.

For to serve you is perfect freedom.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Today I'm praying with Augustine:

Our hearts are cold; warm them with your selfless love.
Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood.
Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit.
Our hearts are empty; fill them with your holy presence.
Our hearts belong to you, Lord Jesus; possess them always and only for yourself.

Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

In his book, The Meaning of Prayer, Harry Emerson Fosdick writes:

"One day in Paris, a religious procession carrying a crucifix passed Voltaire and a friend. Voltaire, who was generally regarded as an infidel, lifted his hat. 'What!' the friend exclaimed, 'are you reconciled with God?' And Voltaire with fine irony replied: 'We salute, but we do not speak'."

I hate to admit it, but there have been times when that picture described my relationship with God. I've never ceased to believe that God exists; I've consistently seen so much that points to his reality. Yet I've not always maintained a real relationship with God. There's never been a time that I didn't salute; but I've not always spoken to Him.

I need to "salute." I also need to speak to God. You too:

Lord, our Father and friend. At the beginning of a week filled with reponsibilities and busy-ness, we stop to confess afresh that you are God, the maker of heaven and earth, the creator of all that exists, our savior, redeemer, and friend. We could never have concieved of a God like you; we thank you that you have chosen to come and reveal yourself to us in the person of your Son, Jesus!

Lord, for those times when we have failed to reflect your holiness and goodness, we're sorry. We ask you to forgive us, and thank you for continuing to be patient with us.

Help us, Lord, to be more responsive to your direction. Help us to be more obedient to you. And help us to love, receive, and be patient with the people around us. We know that they need your grace too. Guide our words and actions, so that they'll know that grace is here.

For people who are near us and who need your special care--and for those millions we don't know--we ask your special blessings. Please grant that all of us will seek and find and know you. We want to love you and rejoice in you. Lead us into that life, dear God.

We give you all praise and we ask for these blessings in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior. Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

Today, I'm praying with Augustine:

"O Lord, you were rich, yet for our sakes you became poor;
and you have promised that whatever we do for the least of your brothers is done for you.
Give us grace to be always willing to serve the needs of others, and so extend the blessings of your kingdom throughout the world."

We pray through Christ the Lord, Amen.

Prayer to Start the Week

What makes a classic a classic? Pondering that question, I turned to a good friends, my New Oxford American Dictionary (presented to me by Michele on Valentine's Day 2004; true love in action). A classic is "a work of art of recognized and established value."

Okay, but what causes us to recognize the classic's value? I think it's about an ability to speak, make sense, and to stir us, even though many years may have gone by. That is, the classic never fails to make its impact. At least that's why I consider Augustine such classic stuff. Sometimes, if I didn't know better, I'd guess I was reading someone's really great blog.

Take, for example, this one from among his letters:

"Why does the Lord urge us to pray, when he knows what we need before we ask him? This can seem puzzling and can make prayer seem like wasted effort. But prayer is not merely expressing our present desires. Its purpose is to exercise and train our desires, so that we want what he is prepared to give us. His gift is very great, and we are small vessels for receiving it. So prayer involves widening our hearts to God.

"We pray at fixed times of the day in order to remember our desire for God. And we pray in words--which in themselves are mere symbols--in order to focus our hearts on the inner truths behind the words."

"O God, you are close to all those who call on you in truth. You are truth itself, the source of eternal life. Instruct us with your wisdom, and teach us your love, so that we may know the truth that works through your love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, in whom truth was made manifest."

Amen.