I was born and raised in a Christian home. My parents were involved in our church and they made certain that my sister and I were there, too. My fondest memories as a child are from those days in which I was in church. Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, revivals, Labor Day picnics at the lake.

Now I played Little League and I was an All-star. I played sports in junior high (now its middle school) and high school. I was in the clubs and I went to college but I remember vividly those days and times in church. Most were good but there were several that were bad. Those were the times when people expressed their opinions or demanded what they wanted.

We seem to have lost the importance of church today. I may not be here to ask the kids today what their fondest memories are of their childhood. Watching how families are structured and how priorities are established I am thinking that church will not be an important for many of these kids.

Church is the thing that can be “cut” out of the schedule. Games, practices, rehearsals, recitals are “firm” but church can be “cut”. How unfortunate that God and His Word take a back seat to anything else in life.

What is it that the children are learning? The Bible tells of numerous times when God’s people Israel got their priorities wrong and when they did they moved away from God. Eventually they would realize their mistake and call out to God. He would remind them of their need to repent and turn back to Him. They would and God would bless them.

What an unfortunate cycle? It is unfortunate because instead of living in a right relationship with God and not wavering, they would do it again. Is there a better way?