The Orchard Blog

Wow…what a tremendous week!

We’ve had an INCREDIBLE Vacation Bible School! It’s been awesome to watch kids connect with God and with each other. When I asked a few of the kids what their favorite part of the week was, they say, “EVERYTHING!” …and I’ve gotta agree.

If you’d like to get a glimpse of what’s been happening here all week, check out the pictures at http://www.orchardvalleyonline.com/2005VBS.htm.

You are also invited to our Family Night on Friday, July 29th from 7-8pm. The kids will be presenting a little of what they’ve learned this week.

Thanks to SOOO many of you who helped make this week happen!!!

These are crazy days at The Orchard! And who said crazy is bad!? This past weekend we had our parent/child dedication and I had the privilege of dedicating a HUGE group of children as their parents made public commitments to raising their children according to the Bible. It was really, really awesome…

Today we began our annual Vacation Bible School. I drove Elise to VBS this morning and when I arrived at the church I was amazed at the energy and excitement I felt the moment I drove onto the Orchard’s campus. I have a feeling that this is going to be a life-changing week in our kid’s lives!

I hope your week is a great one! Next Sunday we’ll be continuing our Blockbuster Summer series with a talk based on the movie, The Aviator.

By the way – if you missed this past Sunday’s talk, you can download it on our “listen to” page or by clicking here.

My blogging hasn’t been too great lately. These past two weeks have been busier than I don’t know what, but at the same time they’ve been super productive and I’ve made some great headway on some “future” Orchard stuff. It feels great!

I’m really excited about this upcoming weekend when I will have the awesome privilege of leading our Parent/Child Dedication service. We have 20 + children getting dedicated.

This is always a very special time as parents from The Orchard community publically commit to raising their children according to the scriptures. I always, too, take a moment to say a prayer and a blessing over each child. Hope you can make it out to show your support @ our 10:45am service!

Hope your week is going great. I’m off to bed…… G’night.

Kids ages 4 – 6th grade are invited to join us for a week of fun and excitement as we take a “trip across the country.” We’ll cruise into Bible Stories, play games, and have cool road trip snacks. We’ll create special crafts, learn great songs, and much more. We are eagerly waiting to welcome road trip ramblers for this unforgettable week!

Browse this website for more information!

“I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters. This is my highest and best use as a human.” Ben Stein

Are you interested in those around you?

Alfred Adler, the famous Viennese psychologist, wrote a book years ago entitled What Life Should Mean to You. Adler says: “It is the individual who is not interested in his fellow men who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others. It is from among such individuals that all human failures spring.”

Are you intersted in the people around you? Your neighbor. Your friends. The people who bag your groceries at the grocery store.

If you want to make friends or be friendly, let’s greet people with animation and enthusiasm. Put yourself out there to doing things for others — things that require time (ouch!), energy (double ouch!), unselfishness, and thoughtfulness.

What are some things you could do to help people see that you are GENUINELY interested in them?

I woke up this morning hearing reports about the terrorist attacks in London.

I immediately turned on Foxnews and watched the reports and video clips. I also emailed a friend in London to see how he was doing and to let him know that his city and country are in our prayers.

Within just a few minutes he replied letting me know that he is doing ok and was actually out of town when the attacks occured. I’ve assured him that his friends at The Orchard are praying for him and his nation.

Please join me in remembering and praying for all of the familes of those who have been killed as well as the city of London and the entire nation of England.

God, may your peace and well being be felt among the people of England. Surround the families who have lost loved ones with your grace and love. Keep England safe; as well as the other nations of the world. Above all, let your name be glorified, even in the midst of tragedy. Amen.

Here are some links to view more information on the attacks as you pray:

Wikipedia
Johnny Baker – Christian blogger in London.
BBC Reports
Gaurdian News Blog

(photo courtesy of cnn.com)

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat.
Teddy Roosevelt