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.”

Tonight was the first night of Cub Scouts. Our theme for this month is “Cub Scout Pockets” and the boys brought some items that they collected. Joshua showed his rock collection, Caleb his sea shells, and the other boys brought items like comic books, bakugan balls (bakugan.com). We also began to make leather marble bags. After trying to stamp the leather with leather stamps/punches we found out that the older distressed leather would not take the stamping (it simply rubbed away). So we went on the lacing. We got one stitch and had to stop. We had a great evening, and it was fun to be around the boys again.

Last night we invited George and Lori Fergeson over for a meet and greet with Daybreak Community Church. Over light refreshments we talked about Lori’s joining our church staff as a part time Interim Children’s Ministry Director. Church members had several opportunities to ask her questions, and talk with her about her experience and beliefs. Topics of discussion were implementing change, getting parents on board, curriculum, and sustainability just to mention a few. The evening was pleasant and filled with excitement about the future of the children at Daybreak and our reaching Frederick County for Christ.

prayerfully Lori will begin the first of November.

Like thousands of other children across Maryland, today was the first day of school. We got up in plenty of time, and our goal was to begin a routine that we will do everyday (or at least try our best). it consists of getting dressed, making their beds, and brushing their teeth before they come down stairs. The we eat breakfast, have a family devotion, pray, and they played twister hopscotch, and operation games until the bus came. We took pictures, kissed and hugged, and off they went.

Duet. 6 discusses the importance of creating a family rhythm, Reggie Joiner said in Think Orange, “Moses clearly highlighted certain patterns or times throughout the day that were opportune for teaching. Look closer at what he said, ‘talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.’ It is important for parents and leaders to cooperate with the way life naturally happens.'” So the Boswell family is seeking to take advantage of a natural pattern for life in order to further teach our children the things of God.

Also, if we are not careful God becomes what we do on Sunday or at night before we go to bed, and not instill within our children that He is with us all day, everyday. He is there when we are scared on the bus, and he is there when we see a kid who does not have a friend, and he is there when we are around kids who don’t believe the same things about God that we do. So we have to be careful not to compartmentalize Jesus into a day, or event — he must be pushed into every moment of the day, “talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”