The VBS 2012 theme verse was Psalm 147:5 which reads "Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite." The Lord has shown His greatness this week at Walnut Street Baptist Church. Thanks to all the workers who volunteered their time, hearts and lives for this week. During VBS this week kids heard the gospel, some for the first time. There was one preschool child who asked in preschool music who God was. The Lord gave us the opportunity to step into the lives of kids who now know a little more about Jesus. Praise the Lord for the opportunity of sharing the gospel with kids!

I am so proud of the kids who came to VBS this week, not only did they come to VBS but they worked hard to memorize Bible verses and bring mission offering. In the childrenʼs building you can see evidence of Bible memorization. There are clouds all over the wall of the entrance of the childrenʼs building that represent a child who memorized a Bible verse. Please go read all the names. As part of the missions effort of VBS we collected money to purchase Bibles for people in China. The children bought 105 Bibles to give as a gift to the people of China through the organization Go with God Global.

Thank you again to all the Bible study teachers, special classroom teachers, helpers, and snack makers. We could not have done it without you.

As we live our lives abiding in Christ we are to share our faith. I know that this is a challenge for everyone, to figure out the words to say to the cashier, or man who helps you at the store. But everyday we are exposed to people who need to hear the truth about Christ. That Jesus loves them and has desire to see them turn from a life of sin and death to a life of being alive and living in truth. Matthew 28:19-20 tells me that this is my job, that is every believers job to share the gospel (good news).

I know how hard it is to tell to a stranger, about the truth of the gospel. How do you begin? What do you say to the boy/girl who is bagging my groceries? How do I start a conversation with the person who is bringing me my food at the restaurant I am going to after church on Sunday? Do I ask questions? Which approach should I use? The other day I was reminded that in reality I am making it so much more complicated than it needs to be, the gospel is a simple love story. The reminder happened when a kid who had been to Sunday School went out and shared Jesus with someone. Did I mention that this kid was two years old?

We have a new Sunday School curriculum in the Childrenʼs ministry, it is called FaithWeaver. A couple of weeks ago, we were learning about Jesus healing a man who was possessed by evil spirits. He was healed by Jesus, and then followed Him. The two year old Sunday School teachers told the story by telling the children how when we have boo booʼs Jesus will take them away. The kids then took stickers (of Jesus) and placed them on a picture of the sick man. They talked about how the man, when he was sick had a sad face, but when Jesus healed him the man was then happy. The day went on, and the kids went home, ate lunch, took naps as most two year olds do. Days went by, and nothing out of the ordinary happened.

Then one day one of the two year olds went to a local fast food restaurant with his babysitter; he and his babysitter ate and played in the toy land. As they were getting ready to leave, the two year old went up to a complete stranger and said “boo-booʼs away, boo-booʼs away.” The man looked at the babysitter in a quizzical manner, and the babysitter (who is also his Sunday School teacher) was able to tell the man the truth of the gospel! She was able to share with this man that Jesus loves us and wants to take our “boo booʼs” away and heal us.

What a healthy reminder for all of us to take the time to speak small truths into the lives of everyone around us, taking what we learn on Sunday then sharing it with those we meet in our lives everyday.