September 22nd, 2026
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Loving our Kids!
On the last day of school, children were bringing gifts to their teacher. The florist’s son brought the teacher a bouquet. The candy storeowner’s son brought the teacher a pretty box of candy. Then the liquor storeowner’s son brought a big, heavy box. The teacher lifted it up and noticed that it was leaking a bit. She touched a drop of liquid with her finger and tasted it. “Is it wine?’ she guessed. “No” said the boy. She tasted another drop, “Champagne?” “No,” said the little boy. “It’s a puppy!”
I love kids! You never know what to expect from them. They will tell you things that their parents would never imagine them sharing. I grew up as a preacher’s kid. When I was about 5, I was visiting some people who were all sitting around smoking cigarettes. I am told that I looked at them and said, “My daddy does that when nobody’s looking.” They thought that was funny and told me many years later that I had said that to them. I laughed because I never saw any kind of tobacco in my dad’s possession in my life. But this shows the unpredictable nature of children.
As fun as kids can be they are still one of the greatest responsibilities we will ever have. The Psalmist explained in the 78th Psalm the value and necessity of teaching and modeling the commands of God through Scripture to the next generation. It is because of previous generations that we learned and it is because of the generation we teach that generations will know in the future. And so on and so on and so on...
My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
Psalm 78:1-7
A number of statistical studies from around forty years ago seemed to suggest that if neither parent was involved in worship then there was a 5% likelihood that their children would do so. Where the mother alone was involved in worship there was a 30% likelihood that her children would be involved. Where the father alone was involved in worship there was a 50% likelihood that her children would be involved. Where both father and mother were involved in worship there was a 85% likelihood that their children would be involved. (Lutherans for Mission)
What are you doing to make sure that the next generation will be prepared to teach the one to follow?
One of the tremendous ministries First Christian Church is privileged to support monthly with finances as well as on special projects in the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home in Portales. This Sunday, Brother Thom Moore, a representative of that ministry, will be with us to share in our morning services.
Our Sunday School Classes will combine for a report and update from Thom on the ministry we support. Then at our morning Worship Service, Thom will present the morning message titled What Difference Do You Make? based on Matthew 18:1-6 & 10. A box will be provided for a special love offering to the children’s home. Plan participate in this very special day.
Loving our kids,
Jon
Loving our Kids!
On the last day of school, children were bringing gifts to their teacher. The florist’s son brought the teacher a bouquet. The candy storeowner’s son brought the teacher a pretty box of candy. Then the liquor storeowner’s son brought a big, heavy box. The teacher lifted it up and noticed that it was leaking a bit. She touched a drop of liquid with her finger and tasted it. “Is it wine?’ she guessed. “No” said the boy. She tasted another drop, “Champagne?” “No,” said the little boy. “It’s a puppy!”
I love kids! You never know what to expect from them. They will tell you things that their parents would never imagine them sharing. I grew up as a preacher’s kid. When I was about 5, I was visiting some people who were all sitting around smoking cigarettes. I am told that I looked at them and said, “My daddy does that when nobody’s looking.” They thought that was funny and told me many years later that I had said that to them. I laughed because I never saw any kind of tobacco in my dad’s possession in my life. But this shows the unpredictable nature of children.
As fun as kids can be they are still one of the greatest responsibilities we will ever have. The Psalmist explained in the 78th Psalm the value and necessity of teaching and modeling the commands of God through Scripture to the next generation. It is because of previous generations that we learned and it is because of the generation we teach that generations will know in the future. And so on and so on and so on...
My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
Psalm 78:1-7
A number of statistical studies from around forty years ago seemed to suggest that if neither parent was involved in worship then there was a 5% likelihood that their children would do so. Where the mother alone was involved in worship there was a 30% likelihood that her children would be involved. Where the father alone was involved in worship there was a 50% likelihood that her children would be involved. Where both father and mother were involved in worship there was a 85% likelihood that their children would be involved. (Lutherans for Mission)
What are you doing to make sure that the next generation will be prepared to teach the one to follow?
One of the tremendous ministries First Christian Church is privileged to support monthly with finances as well as on special projects in the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home in Portales. This Sunday, Brother Thom Moore, a representative of that ministry, will be with us to share in our morning services.
Our Sunday School Classes will combine for a report and update from Thom on the ministry we support. Then at our morning Worship Service, Thom will present the morning message titled What Difference Do You Make? based on Matthew 18:1-6 & 10. A box will be provided for a special love offering to the children’s home. Plan participate in this very special day.
Loving our kids,
Jon
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