Shark Week

This very small video above just captures a little of the stage magic we have going on at KidPak this series.  The bubble machines, the music, the 'swimming' fish - the only thing missing is the video we usually play as filler in the background.  But all eyes are usually on the fish and the shark (I know that both are technically fish).  The set is quite peaceful, at least to those who are coming in.  Today the air currents were a bit stronger to battle.  We've got our own Eastern Australia Current in the middle of the stage - a hazer that launches out a jet of air upward and outward.  The poor fish flap their propulsion tails forward and downward in a valiant struggle to get back to the stage - it's a battle if you're caught in the EAC.

Madison was at church this morning, but it was a different sort of service for the kids.  This is the annual prayer service, where we take all the children up to the main sanctuary, and Pastor Franklin and the Free Chapel staff pray for all the kids that come.  In Madison's case, twice.  She was at two services today.  Because we have so many children here, there's not much time for anything else - we have worship, and a few words and a video or two.  But that's about it.  Still, it's an important day.  Also, it's the first time Madison got to stay in the second grade classroom.

This past Wednesday was 'promotion' day, so all the kids went to the next grade up with their classrooms.  Madison said goodbye to KPJR, which was a somewhat bittersweet moment.  We think Ms. Halston may have been more upset about saying goodbye than Madison actually was!  Ms. Halston left a note on the wall for all of her students to see, thanking them for the past two years.  Fortunately, Madison will see Ms. Halston all the time in the office, helping out wherever she can.  That's one of the blessings of being Madison.  We had that talk today about the special privileges of being a daughter of a staff member.  It comes with a price, which involves not getting picked for races or things like that - giving other kids a chance to win.  But Madison understands very well.

Today, inspired by the baseball game last Friday, Madison wanted to play catch a whole lot.  And so we did.  Daddy and Madison went out to the front yard to toss a baseball back and forth, and lo!  Madison was amazingly good at it.  She really has her eye on the ball!  We threw the ball back and forth without any problem whatsoever.  Sure, there were misses, and sure, we weren't throwing a zillion miles an hour.  These were just gentle underhand tosses, but Madison was able to catch most of them this time.  This makes for a vast improvement.  Madison was inspired by the game recently, and even wanted to do a bit of back-and-forth where she was catcher and Daddy was pitcher.  She crouched down low and got ready to make the catch.  Would it be a ball, or a strike?  Madison was also the umpire.  Then she was the pitcher, making Daddy crouch down low to get on the receiving end.  She was getting better and better and better - and she wants to do it again tomorrow.  We just might do that.

Tonight before bed, it was time to watch the ultimate underwater movie, "Finding Nemo."  Madison hadn't seen this in a while, and just loved it.  Who doesn't love Dory?  Daddy loves Crush, of course.  We got a big thing of popcorn and went somewhere beyond the sea, joining in on the adventure beneath the big ol' blue.

Bedtime, Madison wanted lotion on her feet again.  This is the Princess Amidala lotion, which is perfect for a galactic princess such as herself.  After a hard day fighting the evil Trade Federation Army, this Star Wars Galactic Body Lotion can help soothe the roughest of skin.  After reading a bit of the Bible to her, we talked about serving each other, all while Daddy was giving a soothing foot rub.  Afterwards, we didn't have much time for a larger book, so we read one that we recently found at Goodwill:  it was a Shamu book, which was more cute than anything else.  It featured pictures of all the creatures there, involved in somewhat of a hide-and-seek search for missing seal pup.  Fortunately they don't have great white sharks at SeaWorld.

SPEAKING OF WHICH, today begins Shark Week.  Can you believe this has been going on since 1988?  This may have had some influence on our choice of movie before bed, probably the safest shark-themed movie for Madison to watch.  Bruce has got potential, but fortunately he's trying to break the habit of eating fish.  Fish are friends, not food!

Daddy wrote a shark message to celebrate the week, which couldn't take place today because of the prayer.  So it will take place next Sunday, to conclude Shark Week.  Here's what we're speaking about next week, a little message called "Shark Tank."

     Every year, Shark Week sneaks up on us.  There they are on our televisions, these simply stunning creatures lurking in the ocean’s depths.  No matter if it is a hammerhead, a bull shark, a tiger shark or a goblin shark, one thing is clear:  this is a sea creature that commands respect.  Seriously, would you want to be swimming nearby a shark?  No, thank you!

     There’s something more we can learn about sharks as we study them this week.  For example, sharks are the top of the food chain, and swim around with absolute authority.  Think of the speed, the strength – and those teeth!

     But consider a moment where you stand:  On this earth, we are children of the living God, and have been given authority to be all things through Christ who strengthens us.  The Bible is filled with scriptures that have some teeth!

     Like a shark, you just have to keep moving forward.  The great white shark has to keep moving forward in the water – or it will die.  That’s how it breathes, believe it or not, pushing water through its gills.  And similarly, if we don’t keep moving forward, we too can die.  We must keep pressing on, not stopping or giving up.  We must keep pushing forward!
     One final thing about the shark:  have you ever noticed all those brave fish that like to hang around the shark?  These are pilot fish, which follow the lead shark wherever it goes.  They serve and help, as the shark breaks through the water and leads the way.

     That’s just how it is – we need to take the lead!  Like those pilot fish that seem to follow sharks around, you’ve got people in your wake.  So lead a path and set the example to follow.
     If the ocean is one big aquarium, you can be king of the Shark Tank!

“Do not be afraid.  I will set you free.  I will send for you by name.  You belong to me.  You will pass through deep waters.  But I will be with you. You will pass through the rivers.  But their waters will not sweep over you. You will walk through fire.  But you will not be burned.  The flames will not harm you.  I am the Lord your God.  I am the Holy One of Israel.  I am the one who saves you.”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIrV

1. You’re not whale _______.  Sharks are the top of the food chain, and swim around with authority.  No one messes with a shark!  On this earth, we are children of the living God, and have been given authority to be all things through Christ who strengthens us."I can do everything by the power of Christ.  He gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13 NIrV
   a.  tails           b. poo              c. sharks
2. Keep moving __________.  The great white shark has to keep moving forward in the water – or it will die.  That’s how it breathes, believe it or not, pushing water through its gills.  And similarly, if we don’t keep moving forward, we too can die. We must keep pressing on, not stopping or giving up.  We must keep pushing forward!
   “I move on toward the goal to win the prize.  God has appointed me to win it.  The heavenly prize is Chris Jesus himself.” Philippians 3:14  NIrV
   a.  around       b. back                        c. forward
3. Take the _________.   Like those pilot fish that seem to follow sharks around, you’ve got people in your wake.  So lead a path and set the example to follow!
   “Do what is good. Set an example for them in everything.  When you teach, be honest and serious.”  Titus 2:7 NIrV
   a.  lead                        b.  fin              c.  bait

This will be a fun message, and you can just imagine the videos we'll be doing.  One of my favorite ideas so far is a hammerhead shark jumping into a screen and yelling out, "Stop!  Hammer time!"  And of course, a whole bunch of hammerhead sharks start doing 'the hammer' out there in the water.

Today we gave the kids a challenge, a handout for the rest of the year.  I'll scan that in a bit to share it, but it mixes our nautical theme with a personal challenge to the kids for the year.  It's going to be a great year, isn't it?