September 2007
Dear Neighbor,
As school begins again, it’s good to remember what was the very first command that God gave the human race: “Be fruitful and multiply.…” (Genesis 1:28)
Why does God want us to be fruitful and multiply? Because He is love itself, and love seeks others to love. The Lord wants children to be born and grow up so that in freedom, each of them may choose to receive His love and respond to it. Then He can bless them with the joys of heaven.
Because His love is infinite, there can never be too many people for Him to love. “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the balance….” (Isaiah 40:15) All children who die, whether born within the church or out of it, are adopted by the Lord and become angels. The Lord creates the whole natural universe to be a home for human beings to be born and raised for eternal life.
Another reason the Lord wants us to have children is because of their influence on us. Once, when the disciples were asking who would be the greatest, Jesus called a little child to Him. He set the child in the midst of the disciples and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat. 18:1-3)
We have a lot to learn from little children! Little children set an example for us, especially in their innocence. They are eager to trust and follow their parents, who represent the Lord to them. Little children are also a lot humbler than we are, less eager to dominate. Children provide us a special opportunity to cultivate innocence and humility ourselves. For example, we can take the time to read a book with a child, or go for a walk. We can listen carefully to what’s on their minds.
As we send off children to school again, or see them waiting for the bus, let’s be grateful for the children in our homes and community. And let’s find ways to show appreciation for mothers, and for school teachers, who are doing two of the most important jobs in the world.
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Autumn Weekends Stand: The Kempton New Church will be running a stand on Saturdays and Sundays in October, offering homemade soup, sandwiches, pie, apples, cider and other food and drink. It is open from 11:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. It is designed to serve people going up to Hawk Mountain and others out to enjoy the beautiful October weather. Stop by for lunch, or take home enough that you don’t have to cook supper. And you are welcome to try the spiritual food at services on Sunday mornings at 10:00, and on the website at KemptonNewChurch.org.
Sincerely,
Rev. Lawson M. Smith