So I was listening to NPR (I know, I know) at they were doing a book review discussion of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. They discussed many things including the last line of the book, “and it was still hot.” Anyway that day the commercial came on television for the book to become a movie. Something snapped within me and I went out and bought the book. We had checked it out of the library years ago, but I wanted them to love the books and to “rumpus” around before they saw it on a movie screen. I wanted them to love the book first — before it in their brain as a movie. There are just some books that should stay books! Any thoughts?

Tonight at Cub Scouts we had several interesting things happen. First Patti S. ,and her daughter EmmS., came out as a guest to teach the guys some beginners first aid. They learned how to deal with a cut finger, put on a sling for a broken arm, and check their/or another’s pulse. They were unusually “active” but I think they will remember the chocolate band aids for a long time.
We also, began having a “Denner.” The boys were introduced to the democratic system where they had the opportunity to vote for the boy in their den who should hold this leadership position. The Denner leads in the Pledge of Allegiance, is responsible for the den flag, carries himself “like a leader” and gets to wear a sweet looking yellow cord on their shoulder. So, all the boys voted for themselves with two of the five writing “me.” We then had to discuss the importance of writing the name (and not “me”) on the cards. After the revote one of the boys voted for someone other than himself and Caleb won. So Caleb won his first official election by a very narrow margin (1). He was sworn into office, where he pledged to serve with to the best of his ability. Joshua is not taking it very well. He has pointed out several things that Caleb is doing that he feels a “Denner” shouldn’t do, including not stepping down and letting his brother have the cool shoulder cord and carry the den flag.
Caleb has not stopped smiling and I think if I went up there to his room, he would be smiling in his sleep.

Last weekend Daybreak had it’s annual Children’s Retreat. It was roughly 24 hours of getting away from the business of life that are in everyone’s life (including children) and seeking to refocus the children on their relationship with Christ. We couldn’t have even sponsored the retreat if it were not for our parents — so a huge thank you to all of you guys. Also, Lori Ferguson did an exceptional job this year. She put together a medical theme for us, and we learned how Jesus is our great healer. We are all broken on the inside and it is only Christ that can bring about this spiritual healing. We were scheduled to go through a confidence course but due to the rain we went inside a nearby gym and climbed a rock wall. The adults and kids had fun try to ring the bell at the top of the tower. I walked away with an anticipation for next year and wanting to watch the children throughout this year to see how God will work in the children’s lives.

In Acts 6 we see the account of when the early church’s beloved leader had become imprisoned they gathered together to pray. While they are praying for Peter, an angel was setting him free and he ran to their gathering. As he knocks on the door the people who were undoubtedly praying for his release don’t believe that it was him at the door. Do you see the irony? God answered their prayers, but they couldn’t believe he actually would. Why then were they praying? We go to pray corporately because we believe that God hears and answers our prayers.

This Sunday we have pressing things to pray about, but those who will gather — do we really expect for God to answer our prayers? Let’s pray this week in anticipation of a knock at the door.

Acts 12:6-17
“6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.”