Oh, to have allergies…
Are you allergic to tree pollen or grass or cats or strawberries? Does your mouth begin to itch and your eyes water? Do you break out in a rash? I know it’s rough, but I wish we all had allergies… allergies to sin of every kind. If we could only break out in a rash when we started to covet or get a stuffy nose to warn us when we’d been too close to evil, then we would know to stay away. We’d go looking for the medication of God’s Spirit to help us overcome temptation and seek God’s grace to free us from sin.

This thought reminds me of the Charles Wesley hymn, “I Want a Principle Within.”
I want a principle within of watchful godly fear, a sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire, to catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.
From Thee that I no more may stray, no more Thy goodness grieve, grant me the filial awe, I pray, the tender conscience give.
Quick as the apple of an eye, O God, my conscience make, awake my soul when sin is nigh, and keep it still awake.

Did you know that these kinds of sin allergies can be developed? Yes, through prayer, Bible study, worship, and deeds of love and kindness we develop allergies to sin. Then, as the symptoms arise we reach for God’s Spirit to treat the problem. May we be so blessed.

God bless you. See you Sunday.

Pastor Carol C. Turner

Bayou Bits Dates
“One Child + One Kitchen = One World Discovered”
For children 4 years of age through completed Kindergarten
All events are $7 per child
Food, Drinks, Crafts, and FUN will be provided!!

July 19, 10 am – 1 pm All American Kickoff
July 26, 10 am – 1 pm Viva Italia!
August 2, 10 am – 1 pm Cabana Rio Fiesta
August 16, 10 am – 1 pm Summer in Paris

Bayou Bunch Dates
Bayou Bunch is for children who have completed first through fifth grade.
July 17 – Pirate’s Bay; $15; parents must attend
July 24 – Children’s Hilltop Theatre Festival; cost is $5; bring a sack lunch
July 31 – “Let’s Get Messy!!” at CBGUMC; cost is $5; a pizza lunch will be provided
August 6 – 9 – AIM; children’s mission group for completed 3rd grade through 5th grade children
August 14 – Bugs: Rainforest Adventure 3D at Moody Gardens in Galveston; $12 per adult/ $10 per child; bring a sack lunch
August 21 – Jumping High for Jesus!! At Sky Zone Houston; advance reservation required; $12 for 90 minutes of jumping. Bring sack lunch

Be sure to sign your child up at least two weeks prior to the event as space is limited. We are unable to guarantee a spot for your child without a prior RSVP or you may be asked to drive as a chaperone to the event. Registration forms are available in the children’s window or below.

Please click here for the Bayou Bunch Registration form.

Please click here for the Bayou Bits registration form

I went to the Easter Egg hunt late. Our daughter was in town and I reluctantly left her to go and “make an appearance” at the egg hunt. I thought I could at least stay late and help clean up. When I got there I was amazed to see so many people. The leaders estimated that 350 or more ate pancakes. Wow!

But I didn’t expect the amazing blessing I received. There was Dale VanderPol shepherding around children from the homeless shelter. There was a shy little 6 year old whose clinging, fearful frown was transformed to a smile by a ride on Mr. R.D.’s train. And there were two amazing stories I heard, testimonies that I call “God stories.”
The first story was from a troubled mom who struggling with a troubled child. She gave me an update on the child and then told what an amazing difference our church had made in her family’s life. She told about the help, guidance and prayer she and her child had received from one of our staff members. She said, “thank you.” It’s good to know we are blessing lives, but we know it’s really God who is at work in us who deserves the praise.

Then I went up to a man that I know had recently been struggling with personal problems. I asked how he was doing. He told me this God story. He was at the church building waiting for his activity to start. He was praying, actually begging God for an answer to his problems. In prayer he gave God what I’ll call an ultimatum. “Give me a sign.” And he picked up a devotional book in the room and randomly read a paragraph that spoke directly in answer to his prayer. He showed it to me. I was stunned. The words in that short paragraph were written in direct answer to the problem he faced.

I wouldn’t have missed going to the egg hunt for anything. Thank you to those who gave of their time and told their stories. You all are a blessing to me.

II Corinthians 4:1 “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 6 For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart.

Pastor Carol Turner

Email Pastor Luis

Please click here for the VBS Registration Form