Colossians 1:23 not only carried us through week seven, but week eight as well.  That's o.k., because this verse is essential to grasp in our walk with the LORD.  When we receive Jesus as our Savior and invite Him into our lives, this is not the end!  This is only the beginning of our journey with the LORD.  Colossians 1:23 says to "continue in the faith". When we continue in something, we do not give up!  We do not stop!  With this verse came the awareness that it will not also be easy to stay the course in our Christian walk.  Just like for the people at the church of Colosse, who Paul is writing to, times will come when we have to make a choice what we believe.  Will we continue believing what GOD says in the Bible or will we fall away and turn to false teachings?  
             We want to continue in the faith, but how? Colossians 1:23 tells us to "continue in the faith being firmly established and steadfast, not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which we have heard".  We must be immoveable, unshakeable in our faith in Jesus Christ. How?  We helped the kids answer this question by giving them the illustration of those who build their house on rock verses those who build their house on sand.  We taped together little cardboard boxes and first placed our houses in a platter of sand.  When Shawn shook the platter the houses also shook.  Then, we firmly taped our houses to a rock.  When they were shaken this time, they stood firm!  Who does the rock represent?  Yes, Jesus Christ!  It was fun teaching our children the song "The Wise Man Built His House" to go along with our lesson.  By trusting in the LORD during hard times and good times, we can stand firm.  It is GOD's strength alone that will pull us through!!!