VBS 2014? Yes, you read that right. This week is a big week for the VBS team here at LifeWay. It is time for us to start planning for VBS 2014. The VBS team along with guests from outside of LifeWay will start the process to determine the 2014 VBS theme. While we can’t tell you much at this point, we do ask for your prayers. We know that putting God first is the only way to begin this process. We ask for His guidance in every decision we make. We thank you for your prayers as the planning begins and we can’t wait until we get to share it all with you!

Some days, the most profound speech (or blog post) is found in the fewest number of words. Today is such a day –

“It isn’t a calamity to die with your dreams unfulfilled. It’s a calamity to die with no dreams.” – Harry M. Piland

Harry Piland, respectfully known as Mr. Sunday School, spoke these words to LifeWay employees during a 1991 chapel service. He directed LifeWay’s Sunday School Division from 1978 to 1994.

On June 4 I announced that we are looking for a person to teach music motions and lead in the worship rally for our VBS 2013 Previews. The deadline for submitting videos was yesterday, but it appears several people just read the post in the last couple of days and have asked for an extension. Since I will be out of the office for a few days and will be unable to view videos until July 16, we have decided to extend the deadline until then – Monday, July 16.

You can read the original post for all the details. Remember, we are looking for HIGH ENERGY!!!

What is not to love about Independence Day? Parades! Hot dogs! A day at the lake with family and friends! Fireworks! Oh, the fireworks! The older I get the better the fireworks get! Thankfully the joy of some things never tire or grow old. And all of this wrapped in awe-inspiring red, white, and blue.

As a Believer blessed to live in the United States of America, I have the privilege and honor of commemorating and celebrating two unmerited days of FREEDOM each year.

Both days are undeserved and unearned. Both days were purchased at a price I could never earn enough to repay. Both resulted in the shedding of human blood. Both were made possible because someone loved me so much he willingly gave his life that I might live mine.

One day I celebrate with John Philip Sousa’s great march, “Stars and Stripes Forever”. The other I celebrate with Keith Getty’s moving hymn, “The Power of the Cross”

Oh, to see my name

Written in the wounds,

For through Your suffering I am free.

Death is crushed to death;

Life is mine to live,

Won through Your selfless love.

My adult son recently visited an indoor amusement park somewhere in the United States.

Some might even say that it is the world’s largest indoor theme park. He said that the entire time he was there, he was wishing he had visited this park as a child, even though I don’t think it was even there then.

I can’t imagine an indoor theme park, but he said it was great! Have any of you ever been to an indoor theme park?

Check out these pictures. (Sorry they’re so tiny!  Maybe that’ll add to the mystery!)

The coaster

The carousel

The Ferris wheel

Can you figure out where he went? See if you can guess.

A few years ago, we brought you a great list of ways to include others in praying for your church’s VBS. Check it out here.