Guarding Our Hearts & Minds

SERMON TITLE:   “Guarding Our Hearts & Minds”
SERMON TEXT:    Philippians 4:2-14
PREACHER:           Rev. Kim James
OCCASION:           August 18, 2019, at First UMC  (Blessing Backpacks & Children’s Sacred Dance Day)
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                If your school hasn’t started yet, it soon will.  And that means that any of us who are out driving in the mornings and afternoons will see those crosswalk signals flashing and crossing guards with their little stop signs at the ready to help escort kids across the streets to safety on the other side.  With all the school-aged children there are here, the Ogden area does a great job of managing the school traffic flow and keeping everyone physically safe.
                If only it were so easy to keep everyone emotionally and spiritually safe.  If only we could have effective crossing guards that would prevent emotional accidents from happening with bullying on the playground, in the hallways, and through social media.  If only we had better spiritual safeguards against exposure to violence and disrespect in video games, television, and movies.  If only we could keep our kids safe from the pressures of premature sexuality and addictive drugs.
                Of course, we can’t protect our children from everything.  No matter how much we try to envelop them in bubble wrap, something from the outside will find its way through.  Still—whether we’re parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or concerned members of the church family—it does seem like a worthy cause to shield our kids from unnecessary trouble.  So, today, as we’re sending our kids back to school, and we’re praying for their safety and well-being, I want to direct our attention to Philippians 4:7 and the verses around it.  There, not only for our kids, but also for us adults, we can see some important tips about guarding our hearts and minds.

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