I am here in my office this morning following Vacation Bible School and there is one word which is a Bible word rushing through my mind—GRATITUDE.  The Bible says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).  What other response could there be that would be more appropriate than “…giving thanks through Him to God the Father” for the outstanding week we had in Vacation Bible School.

I am thankful for our Vacation Bible School Director, Carol Childers and the tireless efforts she gave to make this year’s VBS week second to none.  When she takes a responsibility for the Lord, the sun does not set on her tenacity and will to bring glory to God.  Every mile, every late night, every phone call, every personal invitation was done for God’s glory.  Thank you Carol for everything you did this year to provide a life-changing memory for us all.

I am thankful for every worker whether teacher, teacher’s helper, those who maned the refreshment area, recreation workers, craft leaders, floaters, everyone and anyone who spent time and energy praying and providing help along the way.  I understand that we had almost 40 volunteers who gave their best efforts to be a blessing to the children and a servant of the Lord.  It is impossible to miss when there are so many dedicated to the task.  I am grateful to God for the work of all our leaders—you know who you are.

Our youth were incredible this year.  We had 10 to 15 youth on stage every night leading our worship through music.  Several had work responsibilities that prevented their being present some nights, but all were here when they could be.  I love our young people.  They are dedicated and committed followers of Jesus who will someday take on leadership responsibilities in this church and other churches.

One of the great things that were accomplished this year through VBS was the beginning of our Middle School Ministry.  The Middle School class during Vacation Bible School enrolled 5 preteens and averaged 4 each night.  There were that many 5th graders that will be advancing to Middle School in the fall.  This means that we now have a possibility of reaching at least 10 young people in Middle School by September which will virtually double the size of our overall Youth Ministry.

I am grateful that Robin Jordan has felt led of the Lord to teach our new Middle School class in Sunday School.  You will need to pray for her and for her new class as it gets underway the first Sunday in July.  We will be contacting all those who were enrolled in Bible School to be a part of this new effort for the Lord.  If you have a child or know of a child who is in the 6th through the 8th grade, make a contact and bring them along with you to Sunday School.  I am praying that God will make this new class fill up the space we have and overflow so that the room will not be big enough to house all the preteens that come.  THANK YOU ROBIN AND GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU LAUNCH YOUR NEW CLASS.

There is much more that I could thank God about today, but space will not permit it.  I want you to know that I am thankful for Grace Baptist Church and the way God is working in and through us.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

I hope you had or have a great Dad like my dad.  When I think of my father I think of words like faithful, dependable, sober, hardworking, fun, caring, strong, courageous, happy, worthy and many more encouraging word.  John F. Williams exemplified just about everything I have aspired to be.  When I think of a good dad, I immediately think of mine.  I pray that today on this Father’s Day, you have the same image in your life placed there by a loving and honorable dad.

If you do not have that kind of image in your life, I want to point you to God your heavenly Father who never disappoints and is always available.  Aren’t you thankful this morning that you have a Father in heaven who knows your name.  He listens to you whenever you need to talk with Him.  He holds your hand and He fights for you.  Your enemy is His enemy and He is with you in every tough situation.  He loves you and provides for you.  The Psalmist describes our heavenly Father as merciful and forgiving, “He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  Like as a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for them that fear Him.  For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:10-14).

My dad spanked me only once.  That’s all it took.  I had misbehaved at the barber shop in front of our neighbors.  My actions embarrassed my dad.  When we got home, dad took me into the living room of our home and did what he had to do.  The spanking hurt my feelings far more than by behind.   As I sobbed on the couch and recovered from the fact that I had disappointed the most important man in my life, I heard crying in another part of our house.  I tiptoed down the hallway toward the sounds I was hearing until I found my dad in my parent’s bedroom wiping away tears from his eyes.  He never had to do it again, because I never wanted to hear him cry again.  May dad is with Jesus now and I pray that he is proud of his son, but more importantly, I pray that my heavenly Father receives glory from my life and my love for Him.  You have a Father in heaven who receives glory when you call upon His name.  Determine to never disappoint Him and He will never ever disappoint you.