Trinity Bible Church Ottawa

My Dear Friends:

Did you hear about the Little League coach who suddenly stopped the game. He walked over to one of his players who had just made an out. He looked down at the young player and asked, “Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?” The little boy nodded his head. “Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?” The little boy nodded yes. “So,” the coach continued, “when a strike is called or you’re out at first, you don’t argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you understand all that?” Again, the little boy nodded. “Good,” said the coach. “Now go over there and explain it to your mother.” (The Executive Speaker, quoted in Bits & Pieces, November 10, 1994, pp. 20-21).

In Palm 78:4 you will find a rather curious expression teaching, “We will not hide them [God’s words and his works] from their children.” Who would hide the things of God from the next generation? Who would hide the words and works from God from their own children? Unfortunately, I suspect we all do it, unknowingly, from time to time but it can be different.

As parents and grandparents, we have a responsibility to teach God’s Word to our children. When we fail to positively, purposefully and systematically teach the Word of God to our children we are hiding His Word from them. Sunday school, youth activities, children’s church, and all of the other kid’s ministries around TBCO are extremely important, but not nearly as important as mom and dad or gramps and grams teaching the Word to the children. We have a tremendous crew of teachers and workers who pour God’s word into kids’ lives week in and week out. They deserve our appreciation and encouragement but they will never impact your children’s lives the way you can.

We can also hide the works of God as well as the Word of God by not being transparent with our children and sharing with them how God has rescued us form temptation. Yes, as parents, our children need to know our challenges and, hear how God has delivered us. We must not hide his answer to prayer. We must tell them about his guidance and faithfulness to us in the defining moments of our lives. To hide the works of God from the next generation is to deprive them of something vital.

There are many ways we unknowingly hide the things of God but, it can be different. This Sunday we will share in a study of Psalm 78:1-7 and together discover what it looks like to have a home where faith is exploding with life changing impact.

Do you, or somebody you know suffer from depression and anxiety. What you like to join me and some other folks in a small confidential discussion group that will focus on this theme. Here are the details. Depression and Anxiety Discussion and Support Group: Starting Thursday, June 17th at 7 to 9 pm at TBCO. Summer, for many is prime vacation time. However, ongoing struggles with depression and anxiety ignore seasonal boundaries. In recognizing a need to address the issue of depression and anxiety many members of our community face, Trinity Bible Church in responding to the needs of the community will be running a discussion and support group. Come forward and express your interest and work toward change in a safe supportive environment. Space is limited so please express your interest to the church office at .

They’re coming and they will be arriving here at TBCO on July 11th for seven days. Who are they? They, are a group of missionaries (24) coming up from the States to spend the week at our church and partner with us in our first ever soccer camp. These folks have been involved in over 350 such endeavours and are looking forward to partnering with us. Please pause and take the time to send them a greeting at their church website at http://www.circlevillechurch.org/

See ya Sunday

Shawn