You Can Go to Heaven: a testimony

Last night was a great time at Friday Church!

We had some wonderful testimonies about how God extravagantly provides. He is so wonderful.

But I have to tell you about Ashley.

Ashley is six and she comes (without her mom) because her mom “thinks it’s good for me.“

She generally has something cute to say and at times you just think, “Flesh and blood has not revealed that to you but the Father in Heaven.” Matthew 16:17

Last night, as usual, we gather together for worship and also have a time of sharing and testimonies as well as go over the memory verse for this week and the previous week. Then the children and adults go their separate ways for the teaching: adults with Wyatt, children with me and Mercier.

After some amazing testimonies, Ashley raised her hand and Wyatt called on her:

“If you believe in God,” she began to evangelize, “and, well, you’re going to die anyway, so when you do die, if you believe in God, you will go to a better, peaceful place. There is no more arguing, or worring, or fighting. It’s Heaven.”

WOW! I wanted to jump and shout. What insight! What truth. As it says:

Psalm 8:2 (New Living Translation)

You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,^[a]

silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

But wait there’s more.

Memory Verse for the Kids: 3/28/08

We are starting a new series on the Romans’ Road:

Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23 and 10:9

This week is:

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned,

and fall short of the glory of God. 

Preparing a place: a testimony

Last Friday (3/14) I taught the kids John 14:2:  “In my Father’s house are many mansions.  If it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.”

We learned the verse, I expoused, etc. on it and then Ashley piped up.

“Miss Bridget,” she said.

“My mom prepared a place for me, too.”

As soon as she said that I had envisioned her telling the story of her mom decorating her nursery while she was in the womb, etc.  And I thought, oh how cute.

But she continued.  And you have to imagine her chirpy, optimistic voice and expressive storytelling.

“My step-dad took me out and while I was gone my mom got me some sheets and a pillow and a blanket and a bed… well, it’s really more of a cushion because before I slept of the floor.  Now I have a place.”

At that moment I was both filled with joy and sadness as she gave this perfect, yet bittersweet, illustration to our memory verse.

Of course, I thanked her for sharing.  Wow.  We’ve really impacted these kids.

bridge

Memory Verse for the Kids: 3/14/08

Week 9 in the Promises of God
John 14:2

In My Father’s house are many mansions;

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

Testimony from Wyatt…. 2/29/08 Meeting

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

Isa 65:24 

Praise to the Lord for the way he brought four young helpers to set up the room last Friday.  Greg was not there, and by the time I get there he usually has everything set up.  When I arrived last week, it was just me; Julie and Camille were not there so they could help Julie’s friends daughter make her connecting flight to China.  I thought, “Where are the tables?  I usually see them when I walk up…and the room is dark.  Where’s Greg?  Oh, man, I’d better hurry!”

Well, as soon as I walked up to the front door of the community room, there was young Sean and his sister, Mara, Friday night regulars.  They immediately asked, “Can we help?”  I hadn’t even formed a prayer to the Lord, but He knew what was needed.  I put them in charge of setting up the chairs and organizing the room while I brought clothes and coffee in from my car.

After one trip back and forth, two girls, Keira and Erica, showed up for the first time with their mom.  They asked what we were doing, we said, “Setting up for church!  You’re invited!”  The girls said to their mom, “Can we go?”  She said yes, and then they turned to me and asked, “Can we help?”

Wow!  I put them to work with Mara setting up both the adults and kids rooms and I took Sean to help me bring the rest of the clothes in.  Those four did a wonderful job.

Wyatt Brigham, Pastor

Memory Verse for the Kids 3/7/08

Matthew 28:6 - 

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.