Diving Back In

Tonight we were back at the pool - the weather was overcast, and in fact sprinkling a bit at first.  But lo, we were going in that pool!  Unless there was thunder or something.  But there wasn't - there was only a good time at the pool this afternoon.  One reason was that Ye-Ye, Nana, Aunt Shain and Hannah were on hand to jump in as well.  The water was warm, despite the cloudy skies, so it was actually warmer in the pool than out.  But Madison loves to swim, no matter who it is, and had to be convinced it was time to come out of the pool - fortunately the lifeguard was needing to take a break at that moment.  This made for a convenient escape.

Madison is learning to swim still, and Ye-Ye was giving her challenges, and training her in a way.  Her learning in the water continues - I don't think it will be long before she's learned to swim.  Until then, she's staying close to all of us, and for today, safe with a life vest on.

Earlier in the day was art camp, continued - but can you believe it is almost over with?  Tomorrow, we'll visit the art gallery to see our children's material on display.  Madison worked with water coloring again today, and tissue paper, and her t-shirt too - plus the time she spent free drawing.  She enjoys art - it's a shame the camp is over with by tomorrow.  But art never ends, and she can keep drawing all she wants when she gets home.

Tonight, there was more reading to be done.  Madison knocked off a few more books for her reading program, as Daddy finished off the last of the Kingdom Keepers books.  One of the other things that Daddy has been doing today is working on messages for KidPak's upcoming animal-themed series.  We've been trying to coordinate with a certain animal handler in the area, and just as we remember from 2009, the communication is horrible.  But at the last minute, I think something will work out where we'll have animals on stage in July.

One animal that we'll have for a weekday will be a chihuahua.  Daddy knows someone at church with a chihuahua named Scrappy.  The dog's name is Scrappy.  Not the person with a chihuahua.

Anyway, Scrappy was last seen on this blog about two years ago, believe it or not.  He was in a shopping cart joust, which you can safely say is something you don't see every day.  But now, he'll be on stage - Daddy is wanting a different animal on stage every service, so this will be perfect for an upcoming Wednesday.  But what sort of message would go with a chihuahua?  What kind of Biblical message could you present?

Glad you asked!

Here is a message I just dreamed up that involves chihuahuas, and bits and quotes from the movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua."  It's simple, but it's also kind of fun...

“I, Chihuahua!”

     Hold on to your tacos, because you’re about to come face to face with the mightiest of animals.  Well… okay, so it’s just a chihuahua.  But what a mighty creature, a scrappy warrior ready for anything! There’s a lot of confidence in a Chihuahua – they’re Mexi-can, not Mexi-can’t!

      But there’s more we can learn from the chihuahua.  Do you remember those words a chihuahua once spoke, “Yo quiero?”  In Spanish, that means, “I want.”  So what do you want?  We all want stuff.  But the Bible is pretty clear about the thing we should want the most: “But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.” Don’t focus on getting all those toys that everyone else is wanting.  All that can be just a distraction, to keep God from your corazón.  That’s your heart.

     In the movie “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” these mighty dogs call out with passion, “No mas!”  Simply put, that means ”no more!”  Life is not about living a pampered lifestyle – it’s about finding God’s calling, and following His will to your destiny!  We must put those things behind us – don’t you know who you are?  God has made us all new creations!  When anyone reminds you of your past, you remind them of your future: “I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.”

     One thing about these chihuahuas:  they’re tiny, but mighty!  And you?  Your heritage is a brave and valiant.  As Christians, we are not timid – we are fearless!  Remember, you may be small in stature, but you serve a great big God.

     “Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on His mighty power.”  Chase after God and fulfill your destiny.  Look back at your past and shout out, “No mas!” 
     I, Chihuahua!

“I have not yet received all of those things. I have not yet been made perfect. But I move on to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of me for. Brothers and sisters, I don’t consider that I have taken hold of it yet. But here is the one thing I do. I forget what is behind me. I push hard toward what is ahead of me.  I move on toward the goal to win the prize. God has appointed me to win it. The heavenly prize is Christ Jesus himself.”

Philippians 3:12-14 NIrV

1.     Yo quiero ______________.  “Yo quiero” means “I want.”  So what do you want?  We all want stuff.  But the Bible is pretty clear about the thing we should want the most:
“But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.” Matthew 6:33 NIrV
a.  God’s Kingdom             b. Taco Bell             c. Taco Tuesday

2.     No ________!  We must put those things behind us – don’t you know who you are?  God has made us all new creations!  “No mas” means “no more!”  When anyone reminds you of your past, you remind them of your future:
“I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIrV
a.  habla             b. mas             c. cantar

3.     Tiny, but ____________!  Your heritage is a brave and valiant.  As Christians, we are not timid – we are fearless!  Remember, you may be small in stature, but you serve a great big God.
“Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 NIrV
a.  divided             b. delicious             c. mighty