Precious SeedPreaching the word, in season and out of season; reproving, rebuking, and exhorting, with complete patience and teaching.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Mark 10:14-16

This week I began looking over the curriculum for this coming school year. I have a hard time getting my mind around to it. With each and every year, new challenges arise spiritually and academically. We want to be like Jesus in the verse above. Each child needs the love that we can give. They need the hugs, the positive feedback, the ear for listening.

I always look forward to a new year. What will the Lord have for me this year in the class? I know this group of kids well. I have had them the last couple of years in first and second grades, so I know a little of what to expect. Even given that new adventures will certainly arise. The seeds were planted last year. This year we have a chance to work the soil a little more, water those seeds a little more, and cultivate the ground again.

It is neat to see growth in these students from year to year. It is a great responsibility for us to help these students grow in the Lord. We also want to be excellent in teaching the students academically as well. John 6:51 says “I am the living bread which comes down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” Jesus says in John 8, “I am the light of the world.” We won’t walk in darkness, but have the light of life. This my hope for each and every student we have the privilege to disciple; that they would come to a saving faith in Christ and that they would be bold and share His love with others.

Please pray for our school, staff, and students during this upcoming school year.

Jim Hunt

For You have been a shelter for me; a strong tower from the enemy.

Psalm 61:3

As I was looking over this Psalm, it reminded me of a song I heard many years ago. I was probably 12 or 13 when I was listening to an 8 track tape in my future brother-in-law’s car. I had never heard this kind of Christian music before. The singing was incredible; two sisters and a brother singing three part harmony. The guitar player was fantastic! I had never heard sounds like that before. At first I was just listening to the music. Later I went back and concentrated on the lyrics. The tape was, “How the West was One” with the 2nd Chapter of Acts and Phil Keaggy.

Hearing Phil play made me want to learn to play guitar. I also wanted to sound like Matthew Ward singing. (Dream On!) Matthew sang a beautiful worship song called Psalm 61. Verse three stuck out for me. “Hear my cry O God, and heed to my prayer from the end of the earth I will cry to thee.” How God is our shelter from the enemy. He is our shelter through life’s road.

I’m a very anxious person. I worry about things that I can’t control. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you and not as the world gives.” Jesus give us His peace, not as Oprah or Dr. Phil give, or as the world gives. I constantly go back and reread this verse many times. I need assurance of God’s peace and protection. We all struggle with various areas of our lives. But it is great to know that we can take shelter under the wings of our Lord. Don’t we have an awesome God? Find peace and enter his shelter today.

Jim Hunt

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

James 1:2-4

I’m sure we’ve all read this verse many times. How many of us really consider it “joy” when we face a trial? I realize we are all going to face them but I don’t enjoy them. My wife reminded me of this verse Monday morning. I got up to go golfing with a friend at 6:00 a.m. Thunder was rumbling so we decided we would not be golfing. The rains kept coming. The stream behind our house was already high from the day before. In the back of my mind I thought, “Just don’t let the power go out.”

The water was rising quickly and the garden was soon under water. It didn’t take long for the whole house to be surrounded by water. My two youngest were very frightened (especially when the swing set started to float away!). We eventually had to move the car to higher ground and also needed to move things off the shed floor because water was up to the door of the shed. My wife said, “consider it joy” reminding me of James, chapter one. “Yes, dear, I’m so happy we got flooded and lost the garden, your flowers. The basement was flooded because the sump pump got plugged and we lost our hot water tank. The smell also leaves a bit to be desired.”

The whole time (and even today) in my mind I was thinking, “Lord what am I learning from this? Why did you allow this to happen?” I know there are always lessons to learn. It reminded me of the disciples in the boat when the storm came. They became frightened like my kids. They awoke Jesus and he calmed the storm. I know I’m like the disciples a lot when things like this happen.

Tuesday morning, my wife shared with me Psalm 29:3, “The Lord is over many waters.” The Lord is in control of everything. We spend so much time in our lifestyles, cutting the lawn, working in the garden, keeping things nice and in a second or a minute it’s gone. Maybe my time should be spent in other things that glorify Him. These possessions that we spend so much time on are all going to burn in the end (Rev 21:1).

Jim Hunt

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Our family has taken several trips to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania over the last several years. As my oldest son has grown, he has taken many hikes with me along the battlefields. There were regiments that would sustain 80% casualties. Men would walk a mile over open fields to a point in the middle of the Union line. Men would climb a rocky slope to try to take the high ground. My son’s question would always be, “Why would men do that?”

My dad has shared with me his experience on June 6, 1944. As a 16 or 17 year old boy driving an LCD transporting infantry on the beaches of Normandy. I asked if he was afraid. His response was, “You didn’t have time to think about it.” These men paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for each and every one of us. John 10:11 says, “I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” Mark 15:17 & 19 says He had a crown of thorns on His head; they beat Him and spit on Him; they mocked Him; they would take Him to the cross and crucify Him. Jesus would take on the sins of the world and take our punishment for us. Why? as my son would ask. Because He loves each and every one of us. He wants us to spend eternity with Him.

Jim Hunt