Heroes Taking Action

During the second night of Vacation Bible School, the children were encouraged to “Take Action” in life to make a difference. The children were told the story of the birth of Jesus Christ with the emphasis being on the shepherds’ reaction to the news that Jesus had been born. These shepherds, who were viewed by many of their generation as the outcast of the society, were entrusted with the angelic message that the Messiah had been born.

The shepherds immediately took action by running to Bethlehem to investigate the angels’ claim. After seeing for themselves the baby lying in the manger, “the shepherds told everyone what had happened” (Luke 2:17 NLT). Throughout the night the children were encouraged to take action and tell others about Jesus, our ultimate hero!

Unexpected Heroes

This week at the Southwest Church Vacation Bible School entitled, Hero Headquarters, the 125 children participating in the evening activities are learning the importance of making a positive difference in the world. During the first night, the children learned the inspiring story (recorded in 2 Kings 5) of God healing Naaman from leprosy. Naaman, who was the army commander for the nation of Aram, was told by a young Jewish servant girl that the God of Israel could provide healing in his life. As Naaman pursued God’s direction in his life, he eventually experienced complete healing from his leprosy.

Throughout the evening the children were reminded through games, crafts, and even snack time, that they can make a difference in this world by trusting God and pointing others to Him! The memory verse for the evening was 1 Timothy 4:12, which emphatically states: Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Personally, I was greatly encouraged by the humble and eager hearts of the children. They have already set an example for me!

Great Opportunity for Children

Satisfy Us in the Morning!

Sunday Outdoor Worship
“Seeking God”
This Sunday, July 11th (10:35 am)
Under the “Big Tent” next to the Coffman YMCA (88 Remick Blvd; Springboro)
(This Week Only … One Combined Sunday Morning Worship Service)

On Saturday Night we had a wonderful time singing songs of praise under the big tent! The Southwest Church Praise Band led by Larry Adams did a great job of leading the crowd gathered in a time of worshipping God. We anticipate a great time together with even more people on Sunday morning, July 11th as we sing praises to God.

The Psalmist wrote, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14). Come join us at 88 Remick Boulevard on Sunday, July 11th at 10:35 am. You will be encouraged as we sing of God’s unfailing love!

Special Weekend Outdoor Celebration

Special Outdoor Saturday Celebration
THIS Saturday, July 10th (7:00 – 9:00 pm)
Under the “Big Tent” next to the Coffman YMCA (88 Remick Blvd; Springboro)

Come Join in the Fun!
Outdoor Worship Music ...
Fun Inflatable for Children ...
Free Ice Cream!

Sunday Outdoor Worship
“Seeking God”
This Sunday, July 11th (10:35 am)
Under the “Big Tent” next to the Coffman YMCA (88 Remick Blvd; Springboro)
(This Week Only … One Combined Sunday Morning Worship Service)

Tons of Praise

One of the highlights of our recent mission trip to Mexico was the night that we had an authentic Mexican Praise Band which included 10 guitars leading us in a time of worship. Our hosts described the night as a Fiesta and we clapped and danced as we praised God in song. My favorite song of the evening was entitled, “Tons of Praise.” During this particular uplifting song, the leader of the band invited the crowd to not only sing, but to dance before the LORD. Some of the people from our mission team started a dance line with the Mexican children and it was one of the most enjoyable moments of worship that I have ever experienced in my life. At the end of the song, my face “hurt” from smiling so much!

It seems very appropriate to call a time of collective worship as a Fiesta! Our times together should be a celebration, when we gather with other believers to praise the One who created us and the One who has washed away all of our past mistakes through a personal relationship with Jesus. The Bible describes the Good News that is available for the follower of Christ in Hebrews.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he says “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Hebrews 10:15-17

Now that news of forgiveness is so good that it is only appropriate for us to offer a “Ton of Praise!” This Saturday, July 10 at 7:00 pm we will offer a special Saturday night of praise music outdoors next to the YMCA in Springboro on Remick Boulevard. We will not only have a lot of encouraging praise music with a live band, but we will also have a fun inflatable for children and free ice cream for everyone! Make plans to attend, invite others, and join in a “ton of praise” as we seek God together!

Experiencing the Gospel in Mexico

Throughout this week, I am writing a journal of reflection on our recent mission trip to Piedras Negras, Mexico. You can read these journal entries on the first 8 July postings of this web log.

During our week in Mexico, our mission team of 13 individuals representing the Southwest Church wrestled with the question: What is the Gospel? We challenged ourselves to dig deeper in our daily Bible readings to discover afresh the meaning of the Good News of Jesus and what that Gospel message meant personally to our lives and how to effectively share the Good News to others.

After three full days of labor working on one of the building projects that were available for our team (painting a Christian school, stuccoing a community building, building a block house, etc.), we were given Thursday afternoon off to rest and to have some additional time to reflect on the purpose of our trip to share the Gospel (Good News) with the Mexican people.

The timing of our afternoon of rest was perfect as we experienced an afternoon of heavy rain as result of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Alex that hit Mexico last week. The daily rain which brought unexpected relief from the summer desert heat was a blessing to the people of Piedras and to those of who weren’t use to daily manual labor in almost 100 degree temperature.

The Bible reading for Thursday was found in 1 Peter 2. This particular chapter of the Bible means a great deal to me and my initial understanding of this passage a number of years ago was instrumental in me falling in love with Jesus and to begin seeking a personal relationship with God.

Listen to these powerful words recorded in the Bible: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 NLT

The Apostle Peter goes on to write that God’s mercy is available because of what Jesus did for each and every one of us. Peter wrote, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25 NLT

Now that is Good News!!