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Children and Youth |
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Walker Dodson
Minister to Children and Youth
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Devotion
There was a
young boy that lied all of the time. It seemed that every word he
spoke was a lie. His dad sat the boy down and asked him why he lied
all of the time, but the boy could not answer his father. His dad made
a suggestion to his young son. "Son, do you see that post in the yard?
Each time you tell a lie, take this hammer and drive a nail into the
post so that each time you walk by the post, you will see how much you
lie." The boy took his father's advice and drove a nail into the post
each time he lied. The little boy began to feel guilty over all of the
nails that were driven into the post because he realized that he had
lied a lot, so he went to his dad and told him that he was tired of
hammering nails into the post. So his father told him, "For every
truth that you tell someone, take a nail out of the post." The boy
went along with his father's suggestion. Each time the boy told the
truth, he removed a nail from the post. One day the father walked by
the boy, who was sitting by the post crying. His father asked him,
"Son, why are you crying? I thought you would be happy that all of the
nails are removed?" His son responded, "Yes Sir, I have told the truth
and removed all of the nails...but how do I remove all of those nail
holes?"
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Just as the lies and nails left nail holes in the
post, sin leaves consequences that have to be dealt with. Some of those
consequences have permanent effects on us. When we ask God for
forgiveness from our sins, he helps us through the hard times, but
sometimes, the effects caused by the sin have to be dealt with
forever. Do not be discouraged. God can still use us. Our route may
have to be changed, but he can still use us. This is why I encourage
those that come to me for advice to consider the consequences of what
they do. Just like the nail holes, some things can't be covered up as
easily as others or covered up at all. Some scars are there in order to
remind us of our mistakes so that we will not make those same mistakes
again.
God is an amazing God. He really is. He helps us
and shows us mercy in times that we do not deserve it. God doesn't
have to help us through the consequences of our actions, but he chooses
to anyway if we go to Him and ask Him to forgive us. He is an awesome
and amazing God. I'm greatly indebted to Him. Each one of you are
awesome people. You are amazing and wonderful. I hope that God
continues to work in your lives. God is working with every one of you,
whether he is making you, breaking you, or shaping you. However, in
the end, you will be a beautiful creation and a better person.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do
not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths." Proverb 3:5-6 (NASB) |
Youth Photos
Edge
Conference 2008
Easter Egg Hunt 2008
Vacation Bible School
2008
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