samson the savage

this weekend, I spoke on the story of samson to my friends in the middle school ministry. it seems like every time I go through this material, it seems to bother and frustrate the students, and there is lots of discussion, interruptions and questions as I'm reading the text. and this time I felt like the grandpa from princess bride-

it went kind of like this:
ME: "So Delilah said to Samson, "Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued."

STUDENTS: "but wait...Rob...why is he talking to her? doesn't he know that she wants to kill him? doesn't he see? why doesn't he see?"

ME: "you seem to be getting a little nervous... maybe we should stop reading for awhile...how about I just close the book..."

STUDENTS: "I wasn't nervous. Well, maybe I was a little bit concerned, but that's not the same thing..."

ME: "because we can stop now if you want..."

STUDENTS: "no you can read a bit more if you want..."

ME: "alright then- no more interruptions. where were we? "With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. So he told her everything."

STUDENTS: "everything?! no- that can't be right Rob! I mean...he's a judge and a hero! the story can't end like this! you're messing up the story!"

ME: "I'm reading the story right from the book- are you sure you're ok with this?"

STUDENTS: "yeah- go ahead and keep reading..."

ME: "ok- 'Then the Philistines seized Samson, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison."

STUDENTS: "what?! what happened to his eyes? does he get his eyes back?! why didn't delilah save him? are you sure this is how the story goes?"

ME: "do you want me to read this or not? you're very upset, maybe we should just close the book now..."

STUDENTS: "no- its ok- keep reading..."

ME: "But the hair on Samson's head began to grow again after it had been shaved..."

next week is the big ending of the story- and I hope it will be both closure and a warning for all of us-

God is love.
-rev-rob

children's discovery museum

thursday was the end of an era- our membership to the children's discovery museum expired, and for the first time in six years, jane felt that she was too old to renew it. she often tells me "I'm not a child- I'm a YOUTH!"

to be honest, it was a little emotional for me to say goodbye to the museum. it has been such a special place for us, and we have made so many memories and friends there. I said thank you to some of the workers who have given jane some extra special attention and friendship over the years.

we had a good time chatting about some of our favorite memories there. here is my original post from our first visit- and here are some of my favorite photos from the last 6 years:

this photo is from the wonder cabinet- a place for kids 4 and under- jane has always found this little light and shadow room to be beautiful-

this is a mirror room in the wonder cabinet-

this is from our first trip- talk about a discovery! jane was blown away by this fan that could keep a plastic ball afloat-



















you have to visit the bubble room!

 





 



these are from the east wing that has travelling exibits-



pizza room



stage coach

fire truck



wooly mamoth room

one of our favorite spots: the art room-

 

and one last pose! there are so many other special spots in the museum, like the garden, the water room, the circle room, the ambulance, the food area and more-

we'll miss this spot a lot- but we'll look forward to more adventures that are made for YOUTHS. if you've got a young kid, and you live in san jose, I can't recommend this place enough-

 

being a dad is fun-

-rob