Monday's Reflections on Sunday...

• Thanks to the Praise Team (live background) - great job! We were reminded of the care of our Great God!
• Looked at "Facing Discouragement" -- what causes it and the means God uses to bring encouragement.
• Great time with other men & boys at Father/Son Picnic at Devil's Backbone. Gorgeous weather (thank you Lord) good food and fellowship! Thank you ladies for arranging this!
• Good start to VBS on Sunday evening - Crocodile Dock - invite a boy or girl to come! Thanks to all who have helped to prepare and who are involved. Your prayers appreciated for this ministry.
  

Jess Semler has launched on Missions Trip

Jess Semler left this week on her mission trip to Uganda. Please keep her in your prayers for safety and for an effective ministry. Thanks for your prayer and financial support for Jess. She will be returning June 24. She will be involved in outreach, through drama, VBS, sports, construction, etc. If you want to read more about what she will be doing, you can go here.

We're Ready to Rock @ Crocodile Dock!

Thanks to those who helped with set up for our VBS which starts this Sunday evening from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Here is what we still need to do to make Vacation Bible School successful:

1. Please Pray! Pray for teachers, leaders, helpers, participants and families who attend. Pray that hearts might be open and that we might reach some boys and girls, Moms and Dads for Christ. We need God's blessing on this endeavor.

2. Invite! Please invite children to come and participate in VBS. We have a great staff and theme, but the goal is to reach children. So, if you know of anyone who does not have a home church, invite them to attend -- in fact, bring them along.

3. Stop by some evening to see what is taking place.

Thanks again, for your participation through providing needed items, serving, praying, and inviting. It is a team effort for Christ!

Monday Thoughts ... Reflecting on Sunday

Reflecting on Sunday's events at Valley Grace

• Services seemed to go well
  
• Live praise band introduced a new song "I Will Rise." We will sing this song this coming week. Great words. I had never heard it before
  
• Great fellowship time for the mid-40s to 50ish in the afternoon. Approximately 30 people in attendance. Gorgeous weather and great fellowship.
  
• Sobering, just heard of a younger pastor who has had to leave ministry because of self-inflicted lethal wound. Please pray for him, his wife and family and also the church he served.

Thanks to all who helped to exalt Christ. We trust it was a profitable time for you.

Mother-Daughter Luncheon Follow-up

The Mother-Daughter Luncheon was excellent. Thanks to those who planned it and made it possible. Thanks also to the men who served, we learned some things which must remain classified to protect the guilty (it was the missionary's fault)!

The Marks of Becoming a Man

"When does a boy become a man?" That is an excellent question. The answer is much more than biological or chronological, writes Albert Mohler. How does the Bible define manhood? Mohler lists thirteen markers of becoming a Biblical man. This list is valuable for personal evaluation, as well as considering the process to develop a boy into a godly man. Mohler's post provides a good road map for fathers who desire to lead their sons into manhood. It is also a good measuring stick for fathers when asked by a young man for permission to marry their daughters. (And no, I don't think seeking a father's blessing on marriage is an antiquated custom!)

1. Spiritual maturity sufficient to lead a wife and children.
2. Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband and father.
3. Economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.
4. Physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family.
5. Sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God's purposes.
6. Moral maturity sufficient to lead as (an) example of righteousness.
7. Ethical maturity sufficient to make responsible decisions.
8. Worldview maturity sufficient to understand what is really important.
9. Relational maturity sufficient to understand and respect others.
10. Social maturity sufficient to make a contribution to society.
11. Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.
12. Character maturity sufficient to demonstrate courage under fire.
13. Biblical maturity sufficient to lead at some level in the church.

Mohler fleshes this out here. A highly recommended read for all those of the male gender!

Floy Polasky at home with her Savior

Shirely Imes's mother, Floy Polasky was released from her body of suffering and is with her Savior. The Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday afternoon, at Valley Grace. Refreshments to follow.