Children In Need

But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom.” – Mark 10:14 (The Message)
“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” (NRSV)

Is there any child Jesus was not talking about? Where are there children in need right now? What can Jesus do for them? What can you do as a member of the body of Christ? What will you do?

I have no story to share this week. Instead these are statistics about what is happening to children right now.
In Dougherty County in 2010 138 children suffered from neglect, 90 suffered physical abuse, 17 were abused sexually, and that is only what was reported! It is estimated that more than 80% of cases go unreported.
In an average year in Georgia 60 children will die from neglect, that is more than 1 a week.
Every day in Georgia over 40 children are victims of confirmed abuse or neglect.
34,540 children were substantiated victims of child abuse or neglect in Georgia in 2007.
Over 8,500 abused and neglected children are in state custody at any one time because their homes aren't safe.
The most recent research suggests that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
Dougherty CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children) is working to ensure that children who suffer this evil have a voice. The Lily Pad Center is working to ensure that people who care surround these children of the living God.

Right now many dozens of children are under the care of Dougherty CASA. They need school supplies. Children in one family need two size 6 uniforms and one size 8 uniforms for girls. This Sunday at our 11am service and our 5:30pm 5th Sundays Together First Presbyterian Church will be collecting school supplies that go to the children Dougherty CASA is caring for. We do not need bags, but everything else. Please help, it is the work of Jesus, it is the work of the kingdom. In fact these children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. If you do not live close to help, find out who supports children in your hometown. The need is everywhere.

With belief that hope and joy is on the horizon,
Garrett

Like A Child

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."   And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)

 

What does it mean that the kingdom of God belongs to children?  What does it mean that you must receive the kingdom of God like a little child?  Do you believe you receive God’s gifts this way?  How does one live life like this?  Who have you met that lives life like a child in God’s kingdom?

 

The following story found at: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/stories.cgi?record=30

Hot sun.  Salty air.  Rhythmic waves. 

A little boy is on his knees scooping and packing the sand with plastic shovels into a bright blue bucket.  Then he upends the bucket on the surface and lifts it.  And, to the delight of the little architect, a castle tower is created. 


All afternoon he will work.  Spooning out the moat.  Packing the walls.  Bottle tops will be sentries.  Popsicle sticks will be bridges.  A sandcastle will be built. 



Big city.  Busy streets.  Rumbling traffic. 

A man is in his office.  At his desk he shuffles papers into stacks and delegates assignments.  He cradles the phone on his shoulder and punches the keyboard with his fingers.  Numbers are juggled and contracts are signed and much to the delight of the man, a profit is made. 

All his life he will work.  Formulating the plans.  Forecasting the future.  Annuities will be sentries.  Capital gains will be bridges.  An empire will be built. 



Two builders of two castles.  They have much in common.  They shape granules into grandeurs.  They see nothing and make something.  They are diligent and determined.  And for both the tide will rise and the end will come. 
Yet that is where the similarities cease.

For the boy sees the end while the man ignores it.  Watch the boy as the dusk approaches. 

As the waves near, the wise child jumps to his feet and begins to clap. There is no sorrow.  No fear.  No regret.  He knew this would happen.  He is not surprised.  And when the great breaker crashes into his castle and his masterpiece is sucked into the sea, he smiles.  He smiles, picks up his tools, takes his father's hand, and goes home. 



The grownup, however, is not so wise.  As the wave of years collapses on his castle he is terrified.  He hovers over the sandy monument to protect it.  He blocks the waves from the walls he has made.  Salt-water soaked and shivering he snarls at the incoming tide. 

"It's my castle," he defies. 

The ocean need not respond.  Both know to whom the sand belongs... 



I don't know much about sandcastles.  But children do.  Watch them and learn.  Go ahead and build, but build with a child's heart.  When the sun sets and the tides take - applaud.  Salute the process of life and go home.

 

Life will go on no matter what we do, but God wants us to enjoy it will all our hearts!  The kingdom of God is reserved for those who rejoice with a child’s heart.  Adult worries are often meaningless, fruitless, and cause only pain.  Today enter the kingdom of God by becoming like a little child, and see the entire world as glory and surprise!

With hope and joy,

Garrett