Greater Things Shall You Do

I walked in the door of the Wuerch's home and there came my youngest grandson to me -- not running -- but riding (standing up) on his hoverboard -- with perfect balance and agility. I remembered the one he had a couple of years ago -- more of a starter version. This one has lights, off road wheels, bluetooth that provides music, is weatherproof and there is no weight restriction.

Older brother, Brennan, was sporting his high tech camera that gets crystal clear, high definition shots with a flip video screen. Larry gave Staci a sweet gift of taking all her music from her five CDs and getting them all listed on iTunes and Spotify. (Check it out if you get a chance.)

And my oldest grandson received a "vlogging" camera, stablizer and headset with retractable earbuds. All the kids received iPhone cords in their stockings. Bear got an Apple watch. Ryan got an Echo-Plus and Dots which all synchronize in room to room or different, which also serves as an intercom system.

All this technology -- wonder if that was what Jesus had in mind when He said, "And greater things than what I do, you will do." John 14:12. Goodness gracious -- Jesus walked everywhere, he was so in touch with others that He knew what they were thinking, his eyes were looking to see what He could do or help someone in need. He was multi-tasking all the time. Yes, we are in the age of the greatest advancements in technology and it is moving at warp speed. What a day it is to be alive to experience so much innovation, witness brilliant minds coming up with such creativity (I love "Shark Tank" where week after week people are coming up with innovative ways ways to do things.)

We heard the song, "Mary, Did You Know?" so many times, by so many different artists, over the Christmas season, and I think about all the Mamas out there who could have been asked similar questions "Mrs. Ford, DID YOU KNOW that your son would invent the car?" "Mrs Wright, DID YOU KNOW your boys would invent the first airplane?" "Mrs. Gates, DID YOU KNOW your son, Bill, would be a world leader and innovator in computer technology?" Mrs. Zuckerberg, DID YOU KNOW your son, Mark, would create Facebook?"

Sincerely, we are the only one who can put limits to what we can achieve. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He said "I am telling you the truth: It's good for you that I'm going away. If I don't go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) won't come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you." John 16:7. How awesome is that? He is in us, and greater things and greater results and greater accomplishments we can achieve because our CREATOR, came to us as the Baby in the Manger. Oh, but He grew up and opened the door for our creativity and our freedom of being and doing anything we set our minds to do. After all, He Who knows everything about everything lives BIG in us! EMMANUEL -- God with us!

"THOSE" Kids Today??? Let Hope Arise!

Back in "my day", I was one of "those" kids who was fixated on my TV. I just had to tune into American Bandstand when I'd get home from school. I loved Gilligan's Island, I Dream of Jeannie, The Andy Griffith Show, Hogan's Heroes, Leave it to Beaver. The TV and the telephone were technology's latest!! Remember those phones with cords on them? We had the long cords and if we wanted privacy, we'd use that cord's length to talk from another room. We talked a lot on the telephone -- my boy friend and I spent hours there!

Rather than being thankful for the technology breakthroughs of this century -- cell phones with cameras, texting, social media -- you'll hear folks talk about the horrific things that kids are getting themselves into because of technology. Some folks say "If only we had the good old days when the worst temptation was chewing gum in school." But, I want to tell you.....there are kids today who are breaking the mold of "those" troubled kids. These kids have true hearts for God, for serving, for giving and for making a difference in this world. A couple of weeks ago, I told you about a young woman in my church who is passionate about teaching girls the importance of loving the "beautiful" that God made them to be, so she created a pageant for beauty that comes from within.

Over the last couple of days, I hung out with a group of young people who have hearts for worshipping God, serving in their church, going to the mission field, and STILL they are normal, fun-loving kids who love to be silly, play pranks on each other, and enjoy life. I witnessed it at my granddaughter's birthday party where they were in hyper mode, and then yesterday, Larry and Staci rented a theater where 30+ friends of Alexia were there to surprise her and then watch the newly released move "Hillsong: Let Hope Arise". Hillsong is a phenonomen -- a church that has become world renown because of their Christian contemporary music that has become known and sung worldwide. The movie is a theatrical production of worship and praise.

So this post is to give you good news. Many kids of this day, though they still all love their cell phones and connecting to their friends and the world with their messaging, are kids that are loving God and connecting with Him. Just keep your eyes wide open. There's so much good in this world. Romans 5:20 says, "Where sin abounds; grace much more abounds." I witnessed it first hand over the last couple of days. Rather than looking for the bad and evil, maybe it's time to watch for the grace that is abounding. And, we'll witness it more and more as we pray for this generation and for their hearts to turn to God and His love for them. So, let's Let Hope Arise!