5/31 Last Devo for 2017-18

This is the last online devotional for the 2017-18 school year! Thank you for taking advantage of these devotionals for your personal spiritual encouragement. I hope you have enjoyed the variety and have gleaned some relevant application in your walk of faith. This last video is my song Worthy and So Wonderful, which is a personal testimony of God's faithfulness in my life. I originally wrote a trilogy on worship and this is the third song extolling God's worth. What do you think?

Click the video above or this link:  https://youtu.be/BH0s2fbdSzE

I will be counting all the comments you've left over the year and turning in the results to Shirley for you to receive credit.

In His Joy,

Reggie

5/14-5/18 Devo Two

This is the second devotional for the week of May 14-18. This is a funny cartoon about staying positive. The video may be trying to say don't judge the worst or suddenly feel as if you have to be competitive with someone just because they have the same goal as you. What do you think?

Click the video above or this link:  https://youtu.be/An2OaIbPSII
Leave a comment below.

5/14-5/18 Devo One

This is the first devotional for the week of May 14-18. The VCHS Worship Team has been going through a book called Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin, which has been very helpful. In this video, Bob Kauflin shares a spontaneous song for those in situations they feel are hopeless. It was recorded at the Sovereign Grace Ministries Pastors Conference in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I hope it encourages you. What do you think?

Click the video above or this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bb4GGi6gGU
Leave a comment below.

5/7-5/11 Devo One

This is the only devotional for the week of May 7-May 11. This devotional is from Vicki Wagner with reflections on her recent trip to Italy. What do you think?

"After spending a couple of weeks in Italy, touring cathedrals, art museums, and little churches, and after becoming immersed in the culture and history, I figured I should share a little bit about it. 

Italy used to be 99% Roman Catholic, and Google says the number is now 87%.

Catholic icons are everywhere. Sculpture in gardens and parks, in front of villas, artwork and shrines in restaurants...the most frequently seen is the likeness of Madonna and child. The Catholic church’s history is gruesome, and there is still criticism toward it today. But you can't ignore the great art that was produced over the centuries.

At first, you are in awe, staring at the greatness of scale and opulent design of St. Peter's Basilica. The Sistine Chapel is majestic. After awhile, you become numb to all of the great artwork when you're touring. It's just another church, just another ancient sculpture or mosaic or painting or DaVinci.

Tour guides explain the history, the culture of the great artists. Artists were not considered elite professionals. They were considered laborers who could be commissioned to produce works for churches, villas, estates, and government buildings. Books I've read in preparation for my trip (Biographies of Michaelangelo & DaVinci) give perspective of the politics of the times and the power struggles of the rulers and popes. The Venice Secrets Museum, showcasing the torture devices and methods of capital punishment used by both church and state in collaboration, caused us to wonder how people could be so cruel to other people, in the name of God and justice. It was fascinating, but horrifying.

Now, from the comfort of home, reviewing photos, I had a thought.

How patient God has been over the centuries with His creation of humankind.

Patient through all the upheavals, corruption in church and state, and wars.

How patient He continues to be with people. With us.

Our trials, tribulations, mess-ups, wandering, ignorance, and our capacity for cruelty to others still continues, even as we now consider ourselves "civilized." We are still asking, as we watch the news, "how can people do that to each other? What drives them?"

It is so comforting to know that God was always there, in the ancient times. And today, God is still there. He is still guiding us. He is patient. He is kind. He wants us to turn to him, to rely on him, to follow Jesus's example toward others. He is with us in our struggle. He does not control mankind’s free will. But He is there if we only turn to him.

Many of the artworks and artifacts of the early believers, while beautiful, hide the reality of what people lived. The artists captured the beauty, developed new styles and talent, and spent literally lifetimes on their masterpieces. It made me think about what I've been spending my lifetime on. I have been involved in raising and guiding children and students ever since I became a parent. It has been and continues to be very fulfilling. I can't paint or sculpt, or play music, but I can have an impact on the lives of young people with teaching, patience, humor, encouragement, and protection. That is a legacy that hopefully will be enjoyed and noticed by people in the future as our students become good Christians, human beings, workers, parents, and friends."  ~ Vicki

4/30-5/4 Devo Two

This is the second devotional for the week of April 30-May 4. This devotional takes a look at some Michigan State University students asking them, "Do you read the Bible?" I'm pretty sure if you're watching this you read the Bible. What do you think about these responses and perhaps answer how often you read the Bible. What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Click on the video above or this link:  https://youtu.be/TM6ES7Q3AqQ

4/30-5/4 Devo One

This is the first devotional for the week of April 30-May 4. This devotional takes a look at why Bible reading is important. We've seen Francis Chan in past videos and he shares what inspired him to read the Bible for himself. What do you think?

Click on the video above or this link:  https://youtu.be/ubeBQ-d2Tf0