This Week: Plastic People (Barbie and Ken)

Scripture: I Peter 3:3-4

Do you remember some of these toys?  Nell Nash went into her attic and brought in her Ken and Barbie dolls.   I love new cans of play doh and we have plenty of small containers in the office to share.  I found a Mr. Potatoe Head in storage at our home, but he is missing pieces.  In the mean time Mary Anne Balmer found a giant Mr. Potatoe Head to the likes I have never seen.  All these toys are creating quite a bit of conversation among those who come in and out of the offices this summer.  For the next couple of weeks we are going to reflect on some of the messages that some of our favorite toys have and then look at the message God has for us.

This week we are looking at Barbie and Ken.  Did you know that it is impossible to look like Barbie in real life?  Magazines and television seem to support these unrealistic ideas about what we can look like and how we can live.  In fact, struggles with eating disorders, self-esteem and acceptance of one's self have increased among teens in our country.  Many of these messages given to us early in life continue throughout our life.

In the midst of these messages God tells us something different.  In the Psalms we are told that we are wonderfully made.  In I Peter, he writes that we don't have to adorn ourselves.  In Genesis, it is recorded that when God created us, He looked back and didn't simply say "It is good."  He said, "It is very good."

As we come together in worship this weekend, scriptures remind us that God accepts us and loves us.  In God we find our true selves and worth.

August is a time when people are receptive to an invitation to worship and church events.  Take a moment and invite someone to come to worship with you this weekend and in the coming weeks.

See you this weekend!

Pastor Susan