The Chronicles of Biscuit: "Goin' Through the Motions"

Today I had to go to Oklahoma City, so didn't pick Biscuit up after school. On my way home, I called him. He was at the office with his dad.  It was an interesting conversation:

Me:  Hi, Biscuit! How was your day?

Biscuit:  Oh, good....you know....just goin' through the motions.

Me: Oh, really?  How do you just 'go through the motions' at school?

Biscuit: Well, you just go through the day, but you don't really know what's going on. You're just kind of 'there'.  

Well, that's interesting, isn't it???  Wonder if Biscuit just 'goes through the motions' often at school?  I'm guessing 'not' since we haven't gotten a call or text from the teachers or the PRINCIPAL!  Ha ha!!  (And Biscuit will be in BIG trouble if we DO get a call about it!!)

But Biscuit got me to thinking.....

How often do we just "go through the motions" as a Christian?  How many times do we worship Him, without really, really worshipping Him?  How many times do we sing praises to Him, yet not focus on the words? How many times do we partake of the Lord's Supper....a time of communion with Him, yet fail to focus on what He did for us.  Dying on a cross is pretty significant.  It was a huge gift that He willingly gave His life for ME and for YOU.

Maybe Biscuit's thoughts made me think just a little bit more about my worship.....and my praise.....and my communion with my Lord and Savior.  And just maybe it will make you think about yours, as well.

Teen Valentine Banquet & Scavenger Hunt 2013

(SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  THE PLAYLIST is working again!  Turn your sound up and listen to Hallal and The Zoe Group!)

Sunday night was our annual "Teen Valentine Banquet & Scavenger Hunt".  

We had a huge turnout, having to add more tables and chairs as the others filled up.

Thankfully, I had made plenty of food, but it's the first time that ALL of the lasagna and ALL of the dessert was totally eaten!  Many got seconds, but we were glad there weren't many leftovers.  We tire of lasagna in a hurry if there is ever any left!

As in the past, I made chicken and beef lasagna.  You can find the recipes to serve large groups on my "Life's a Bowl of Cherries" blog.

This time I made the most breadsticks ever - 180!  There were 20 left.  This recipe can also be found on the "Cherries' blog.  They are a favorite of the youth and the adults.  

The scavenger hunt was different this time.  My big desktop computer is having major problems, so I couldn't print out the hunt list from the past.  Quickly one of the adults helped me put one together while the teens ate their meal.  He helped come up with some fun ideas since he is also a member of our small town police department!  One was to go get a "ticket" from the officer on duty.  It wasn't a real ticket or a real offense - just something made up with his signature.

The first group to arrive decided to trick the other two groups.  They moved their van to the back of our fence - in the field.  When the second group arrived, they thought they were first!  As they busted through the door, they were surprised to see another group sitting in the living room, calmly waiting on the others!

You many remember that part of the hunt list says to bring back two people that weren't previously at our house.  That is a neat part because many in town "want" to be picked up!  They are hoping to be part of the hunt.  Most likely many are NOT wanting to be a part!  That's the funny part :).

When all of the groups got back, my husband did a devotional.  It was a great illustration using silly putty.  I'll share it soon....or have him share it :). 

The singing was BEAUTIFUL with all of us gathered in our living room/dining room/kitchen.  I would have liked to sing like that for hours.  (Tonight is our monthly singing night - yay!)

There are many fun events and opportunities for spiritual growth for the youth throughout the year, but I would like to think that this annual event is one of those special times that they look forward to each year.  I know I do.

What a blessing to have so many in our youth group in this small town of less than 900 people!  We are very thankful for each and every one of them and pray that we are teaching them and sharing Christ with them in all that we do.

"Sing and Make Melody in Your Heart"

My daughter has been in the church youth group for a few years now, so most of the time she doesn't sit with the rest of us during worship, but sits with the group. However, she has sat with us during the summer some because many of the youth have been gone for camps and vacations. It's been nice to have her sitting by us to hear her sing. Before she would sing always sing soprano, but now she has also learned to sing the alto part. It's neat hearing her sing the different part and learning how to do so! I sing alto, so maybe she did learn some of that from me...not that she would admit it :).

Today during worship, our oldest son Zachary was singing and I could hear him trying to sing tenor. His dad sings tenor, but was not with us today. (Note #1: My husband works for Tipton Home and part of his job includes speaking about the Home to churches who send money to support the Tipton Home. He also is asked to preach in those congregations many times and also preaches when needed at nearby congregations.) Anyway, Zachary was singing tenor without his dad being there for him to follow! It was so neat hearing his voice and realizing that he had learned that part and was learning to read the music. (Note #2: Our small school has not had much of a music department in many years, except for a small amount in elementary school. This coming year, they've hired someone that is helping in that area for the middle school/high school - yippee!)

Zachary will be a seventh grader and be in the youth group this coming school year. I will miss having him sitting by us all of the time (of course, maybe he still will!). Of course, the youth group sits just across the aisle from us, so I could request that our two oldest sit on the end closest, so we can hear them! (Note #3: Of course, then they might be getting someone else's "place" on the "pew"....and you know what kind of trouble that can cause!! (just kidding!) Do you have "assigned" pews????? We ALWAYS sit in the same place, do you?????)

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord...

Ephesians 5:19

I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Psalm 146:2