With autumn fast approaching, many children are headed back to school, where they will start the new academic year and enroll in many extracurricular activities. Homeschoolers are restructuring their studies and beginning other new activities as well. Today, it’s important that you take some time to look at your child’s daily schedule of activities. What do you see? What should you see? Do you see that Christ is at the helm of your child’s daily life, or has He been delegated to a lesser role?
Art projects, music lessons, soccer games, and the myriad of other school related activities all have their place and are an integral part of your child’s educational and social development. However, no activity should ever supplant the need for daily devotions, regular Biblical readings and discussions. Without this Bible based approach to learning, a child may begin to feel that ‘he’ is empowered to make decisions, without checking in with God first. He decides which subjects he will engage in and which he will ignore. His character is gradually being shaped by his will not God's will.
A child, who does not have God at the helm of his life, may begin to feel a false sense of pride when he excels academically. Likewise, the feeling of humiliation may cause his self-esteem to plummet when he fails that dreaded test. Conversely, a child who is Christ centered, will see his successes and failures in a more balanced way. This complete trust in God's plan for his life, allows the child to develop the confidence and willingness to finish that difficult academic assignment as well as tackle other educational and social challenges that need to be faced.
By making certain that your child’s life is fixed in truth, you will be careful not to bring in extracurricular activities that may be so appealing that, in the end, Christ is given a subservient role.
The entries in this blog will help you to plan lessons that are related to different themes, events and pivotal people in the Bible. Use the ‘keyword’ box to type in words for Bible based lessons. You can also peruse through the archives to find topics that God is calling you to explore. You will find many useful resources links to free hands-on lessons, pdfs, and object lessons for each of these topics. May God richly bless you and your family for your faithfulness this school year.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Beyond the Legend of the Sand Dollar
Praise the LORD, my soul.
LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
Psalm 104:1
http://www.biblegateway.com
As I write this, the birds are chirping, and a gentle breeze is blowing. The beauty of spring is a reminder of the new life that we experience through our Savior. As nature begins to awake from its deep sleep, leaves begin to appear on the once barren trees. Flowers grow and bloom, and the lush green grass caresses our feet as we gingerly step through nature trails to bask in the splendor of God’s beauty. In these quiet, contemplative moments, we experience God’s presence.
Yesterday was an incredibly beautiful day as well, but my hectic schedule frequently keeps me confined to the indoors. What an unexpected surprise when, in between quick errands and extended periods of work, God provided an hour for me to venture outside and grab some sunshine. I decided to use my time wisely and visit the California Seashell Company in Seal Beach, CA.
This unique store is frequented primarily by parents, children and teens year round. Because it is housed close to the actual beachfront, many curious tourists stop in and lose track of the time, as they revel in all the California Seashell Company has to offer.
So that children can thoroughly examine the intricacies of what God has created, I love to present specimens of nature for children to explore. Looking around the store, I found myself in awe of the multitudinous array of seashells that God has created.
Later, during a work break, I decided to do some research about some of the types of seashells I had seen at the store. My eyes fell on this little poem I found at Seashsells.org This beautiful, meaningful legend is a good conversation starter and can easily be incorporated into new or existing Biblical science and literature lessons.
The Legend of the Sand Dollar
There’s a lovely little legend
That I would like to tell,
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lowly shell.
If you examine closely
You’ll see that you find here,
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by a Roman’s spear.
On one side the Easter Lily,
Its center is the star,
That appeared unto the shepherds
And led them from afar.
The Christmas Poinsettia
Etched on the other side,
Reminds us of His birthday
Our happy Christmastide.
Now break the center open
And here you will release,
The five white doves awaiting
To spread Good Will and Peace.
This simple little symbol
Christ left for you and me,
To help us spread His Gospel
Through all Eternity
Go beyond the legend this spring, to discuss how God reveals himself to us through nature. The upcoming months offer many opportunities to engage children in activities that can be used to combine science and literature with Bible study.
Spend some time at
Seashells.org Identification to learn the names
of the different types of seashells that your child may see at the beach this summer.
The links below will also assist you with your odyssey.
The Metamorphosis of a Butterfly
AMC Spring Lesson
Planning Newsletter - Part I Bird-watching with Children
God's Presence Revealed through Nature
Experiencing God Moment by Moment
May you and your children experience many unexpected blessings and the presence of God through your studies together. :-)
LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
Psalm 104:1
http://www.biblegateway.com
As I write this, the birds are chirping, and a gentle breeze is blowing. The beauty of spring is a reminder of the new life that we experience through our Savior. As nature begins to awake from its deep sleep, leaves begin to appear on the once barren trees. Flowers grow and bloom, and the lush green grass caresses our feet as we gingerly step through nature trails to bask in the splendor of God’s beauty. In these quiet, contemplative moments, we experience God’s presence.
Yesterday was an incredibly beautiful day as well, but my hectic schedule frequently keeps me confined to the indoors. What an unexpected surprise when, in between quick errands and extended periods of work, God provided an hour for me to venture outside and grab some sunshine. I decided to use my time wisely and visit the California Seashell Company in Seal Beach, CA.
This unique store is frequented primarily by parents, children and teens year round. Because it is housed close to the actual beachfront, many curious tourists stop in and lose track of the time, as they revel in all the California Seashell Company has to offer.
So that children can thoroughly examine the intricacies of what God has created, I love to present specimens of nature for children to explore. Looking around the store, I found myself in awe of the multitudinous array of seashells that God has created.
Later, during a work break, I decided to do some research about some of the types of seashells I had seen at the store. My eyes fell on this little poem I found at Seashsells.org This beautiful, meaningful legend is a good conversation starter and can easily be incorporated into new or existing Biblical science and literature lessons.
The Legend of the Sand Dollar
There’s a lovely little legend
That I would like to tell,
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lowly shell.
If you examine closely
You’ll see that you find here,
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by a Roman’s spear.
On one side the Easter Lily,
Its center is the star,
That appeared unto the shepherds
And led them from afar.
The Christmas Poinsettia
Etched on the other side,
Reminds us of His birthday
Our happy Christmastide.
Now break the center open
And here you will release,
The five white doves awaiting
To spread Good Will and Peace.
This simple little symbol
Christ left for you and me,
To help us spread His Gospel
Through all Eternity
Go beyond the legend this spring, to discuss how God reveals himself to us through nature. The upcoming months offer many opportunities to engage children in activities that can be used to combine science and literature with Bible study.
Spend some time at
Seashells.org Identification to learn the names
of the different types of seashells that your child may see at the beach this summer.
The links below will also assist you with your odyssey.
The Metamorphosis of a Butterfly
AMC Spring Lesson
Planning Newsletter - Part I Bird-watching with Children
God's Presence Revealed through Nature
Experiencing God Moment by Moment
May you and your children experience many unexpected blessings and the presence of God through your studies together. :-)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Bartimaeus - An Epitome of Faith and Service
For the past two years, I have listened to some of the recent sermons available at the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church website and have been blessed with what I had heard. In fact, periodically, I have made reference to these archived sermons, on this blog.
On 10/31/10 when I was unable to attend a church service, I decided to once again listen to an archived sermon. I was unaware that the GSPC website had undergone a dramatic transformation, so it took me a minute or two to become acclimated to where the recently archived sermons were housed. I quickly found the site map and was overjoyed to discover that visitors to the http://www.gspc.org website can now not only listen to but also actually see the sermons as they were originally presented. I scrolled down and tried to decide which one to listen to first. My eyes settled on the A Perceptive Request - Mark 10:46-52 sermon. Please see http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.
The sermon, A Perceptive Request, was delivered by Rev. Dr. James Wilson. This very thoughtful, contemplative, unassuming pastor always delves deep into scripture and uses related subject matter found in the news, literature and other resources to highlight some of the key points of his sermon. Consequently, I was prepared to listen to a message that would be a blessing. However, I believe that this sermon goes far beyond being a blessing to those who are able to listen to it. This pastor effectively shared a personal experience in a manner that can deeply touch your soul and aid you in your Bible lesson plans about Bartimaeus.
I encourage you, now, to take a block of time to hear this sermon. Please see Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church - Sermon A Perceptive Request to access the audio and video links. After you have experienced the message, please return back to this blog to access the lesson plans.
As I was listening to Dr Wilson speak, I found myself wondering about how many listeners could, in some way, identify with Bartimaeus. Many of us may have had something happen throughout the course of our life to make us feel unworthy. Like Dr. Wilson, we may have buried the experience, and it isn't until later in life, we discover how profoundly that past event has impacted us. As Dr. Wilson pointed out, Jesus can both understand and release us from our pain. For example, in Mark 10, we see that Jesus engages both James and John and later Bartimaeus in conversation and poses the same question twice. The responses to Jesus' question are vastly different. In fact, James and John's comments cleary demonstrate that they still didn't understand Christ's purpose for coming to earth.
Please see http://www.biblegateway.com
Mark 10:35 - 37.
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In Mark 10:51 http://www.biblegateway.com, we see the same question addressed to Bartimaeus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
Unlike John and James, Bartimaeus, understood who Jesus was and why he was placed on earth.
The magnitude of Bartimaeus' healing is a concept that may be misunderstood by children and teens. It’s important for children to realize that Bartimaeus lived in a society that labeled the blind as being "unworthy" and "useless". Bartimaeus' faith in Christ, his determination to shed this label, and willingness to reach out and allow Jesus to heal him, are pivotal points that need to be underscored.
Bartimaeus saw something others couldn’t comprehend. He saw that Jesus was placed on earth to show what service was about. Because Bartimaeus understood the concept of serving others, he wanted to be healed and was eager to follow Jesus.
Children and teens can greatly benefit from object, hands on and other lessons about this passage in scripture. The lessons and lesson planning ideas below can serve to help children see the relationship of faith and healing to the desire to serve.
Blind Bartimaeus - PreK - Kindergarten
Absolutely awesome set of crafts, object lessons, and more.
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus - Elementary Grades (Integrated Activities and Printables)
Bartimaeus - Act It Out! These lessons are designed for the lower early elementary grades, but they can be adapted to accommodate other grade levels, as well.
Jesus Heals the Blind Man - These PreK/3s lesson plans and activities can be used in either large or small group settings.
Prayer Lessons from Blind Bartimaeus
These lessons can be adapted for grades 5 - adult.
May God richly bless you for your faithfulness. :-)
On 10/31/10 when I was unable to attend a church service, I decided to once again listen to an archived sermon. I was unaware that the GSPC website had undergone a dramatic transformation, so it took me a minute or two to become acclimated to where the recently archived sermons were housed. I quickly found the site map and was overjoyed to discover that visitors to the http://www.gspc.org website can now not only listen to but also actually see the sermons as they were originally presented. I scrolled down and tried to decide which one to listen to first. My eyes settled on the A Perceptive Request - Mark 10:46-52 sermon. Please see http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.
The sermon, A Perceptive Request, was delivered by Rev. Dr. James Wilson. This very thoughtful, contemplative, unassuming pastor always delves deep into scripture and uses related subject matter found in the news, literature and other resources to highlight some of the key points of his sermon. Consequently, I was prepared to listen to a message that would be a blessing. However, I believe that this sermon goes far beyond being a blessing to those who are able to listen to it. This pastor effectively shared a personal experience in a manner that can deeply touch your soul and aid you in your Bible lesson plans about Bartimaeus.
I encourage you, now, to take a block of time to hear this sermon. Please see Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church - Sermon A Perceptive Request to access the audio and video links. After you have experienced the message, please return back to this blog to access the lesson plans.
As I was listening to Dr Wilson speak, I found myself wondering about how many listeners could, in some way, identify with Bartimaeus. Many of us may have had something happen throughout the course of our life to make us feel unworthy. Like Dr. Wilson, we may have buried the experience, and it isn't until later in life, we discover how profoundly that past event has impacted us. As Dr. Wilson pointed out, Jesus can both understand and release us from our pain. For example, in Mark 10, we see that Jesus engages both James and John and later Bartimaeus in conversation and poses the same question twice. The responses to Jesus' question are vastly different. In fact, James and John's comments cleary demonstrate that they still didn't understand Christ's purpose for coming to earth.
Please see http://www.biblegateway.com
Mark 10:35 - 37.
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In Mark 10:51 http://www.biblegateway.com, we see the same question addressed to Bartimaeus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
Unlike John and James, Bartimaeus, understood who Jesus was and why he was placed on earth.
The magnitude of Bartimaeus' healing is a concept that may be misunderstood by children and teens. It’s important for children to realize that Bartimaeus lived in a society that labeled the blind as being "unworthy" and "useless". Bartimaeus' faith in Christ, his determination to shed this label, and willingness to reach out and allow Jesus to heal him, are pivotal points that need to be underscored.
Bartimaeus saw something others couldn’t comprehend. He saw that Jesus was placed on earth to show what service was about. Because Bartimaeus understood the concept of serving others, he wanted to be healed and was eager to follow Jesus.
Children and teens can greatly benefit from object, hands on and other lessons about this passage in scripture. The lessons and lesson planning ideas below can serve to help children see the relationship of faith and healing to the desire to serve.
Blind Bartimaeus - PreK - Kindergarten
Absolutely awesome set of crafts, object lessons, and more.
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus - Elementary Grades (Integrated Activities and Printables)
Bartimaeus - Act It Out! These lessons are designed for the lower early elementary grades, but they can be adapted to accommodate other grade levels, as well.
Jesus Heals the Blind Man - These PreK/3s lesson plans and activities can be used in either large or small group settings.
Prayer Lessons from Blind Bartimaeus
These lessons can be adapted for grades 5 - adult.
May God richly bless you for your faithfulness. :-)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Serving God throughout the Hoilday Season
Serving God throughout the Holiday Season
Perhaps, like me, you are in a season, where more doors for service seem to be closed, rather than open. Currently, I am helping to care for two people who have serious chronic health problems. Jesus wants us to serve our family members, especially our parents. Yet, God uses the Holy Spirit to show us additional opportunities for service, as well. God knows our strengths and weaknesses, and He uses service opportunities to help us to grow and become mature Christians.
For some us, the areas of “boundaries” is a stumbling block, creating an inner conflict as to how much or too little serve. Some, reading this message, may be too rigid in setting boundaries. When faced with a chance to serve the overwhelming fear may be that the task will be draining and too much energy will be expended in an attempt to try to serve others.
For others the need to serve tends to be never ending. These servers are overly generous with their time and talents. This can result in a feeling of exhaustion, at times. These servers brush off any signs of fatigue or self-neglect. Their innate need to try to “give” as much as possible can cause an emotional and/or physical imbalance that can lead to poor health.
All of us, from one time or another, may have been undecided as to what service roles we should accept. As Christians, we desire to be good role models for the children and teens in our lives; therefore, it is important for us to set aside our wants and needs and prayerfully ask God how we are to serve.
It is certainly difficult to leave a service situation when we have felt that the Holy Spirit has called us to serve. This is especially true when we know that God used us in a larger way to bear fruit for the kingdom. Yet, we need to be obedient to God's plan. If we are spiritually aware and know that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit, we can see the signs of a door that is about to shut. We must allow the door to close, be patient and willing to walk through new doors of service that will be open to us in the future.
Today, as I listened to a sermon Walking in the Spirit, delivered by Dr. Charles Stanley, I was reminded of how powerful the Holy Spirit is in our walk with God. The Spirit will lead us to the areas where our spiritual gifts can most effectively be used. If we are walking with God and are spiritually aware, the Spirit alerts us to these opportunities. We, in turn, are given the free will to be obey or to disobey. Naturally, it’s much easier to desire to be obedient when we are leading a God's centered life. If we find ourselves in a place where we are being led astray, the Holy Spirit will step right in, and help us to get back on the right track.
Take some time each day to pray to God about how He wants to use you. Perhaps, this holiday season there is something special that God has planned for you and the children in your life. Your service opportunities may lead you to projects that will bless many people. Or, perhaps, God will be selecting you to participate in smaller, behind the scenes types of service opportunities. These types of service opportunities are just as important and should never be discounted. There isn't one single service opportunity that is more important than another. In Romans 12, Paul talks about spiritual gifts and the importance each of us equally can play for the benefit of God's kingdom.
To help you to discover how God can use you to serve others, please read an earlier message that I wrote this year.
Please see Having a Heart for Jesus
You can help your children lean about service throughout the upcoming holiday season by becoming involved in community service projects. The following is from the amonco.org website. Copyright 2007-2010.
“Become involved in a project and possibly enlist the help of other families and friends. First, call your local nursing home or children's hospital and explain that you would like to bring handmade gifts to the patients. Find out the do's and don'ts of acceptable gift giving. Now, get busy and go to work.
Visit the FamilyCares website. Scroll down until you see Project Ideas. Decide whether you want to make a cooking, sewing or other type of craft project. One word of caution here. The first time we became involved in a community project, we got a little carried away by our enthusiasm and spent more than we wanted. Don't make the same mistake. Meet with your other community project partners and agree that you will set a spending limit. To make the project enjoyable for everyone, be sure to also consider the age, ability, interest, and attention span of the children/teens involved in making the gifts.
Visit some craft, yardage and stationery stores in your area, and ask to speak with the manager. Explain what your group is doing and ask to see the remnant racks and bins. Inquire about possible discounts. You can also cut costs by purchasing baking items at many discount grocery chains. Peruse through your favorite Sunday newspaper for sales and coupons. Although many stores have greatly limited their inventory, with a little perseverance and a positive attitude, you will find what you need.
Below, are some additional sites and recipes to consider for your cooking projects."
Sara Ambarian provides ideas and resources to help us minimize the cost and maximize the enjoyment of this season. Numerous helpful links will help you to get started on your family gift giving and Christian community service projects, as well. Please read Re-thinking Holiday Priorities During Tough Times to access this article.
Links to additional Christian based holiday projects are listed below:
Teaching Bible Verses Using Crafts
Thanksgiving Bible Crafts from Christian Preschool Printables
Kids' Christian Thanksgiving Crafts
Christian Christmas Crafts for Kids - Religious Christmas Craft Ideas
May you and those around you who participate in these Christian outreach projects also be blessed in numerous ways throughout this special holiday season.
Perhaps, like me, you are in a season, where more doors for service seem to be closed, rather than open. Currently, I am helping to care for two people who have serious chronic health problems. Jesus wants us to serve our family members, especially our parents. Yet, God uses the Holy Spirit to show us additional opportunities for service, as well. God knows our strengths and weaknesses, and He uses service opportunities to help us to grow and become mature Christians.
For some us, the areas of “boundaries” is a stumbling block, creating an inner conflict as to how much or too little serve. Some, reading this message, may be too rigid in setting boundaries. When faced with a chance to serve the overwhelming fear may be that the task will be draining and too much energy will be expended in an attempt to try to serve others.
For others the need to serve tends to be never ending. These servers are overly generous with their time and talents. This can result in a feeling of exhaustion, at times. These servers brush off any signs of fatigue or self-neglect. Their innate need to try to “give” as much as possible can cause an emotional and/or physical imbalance that can lead to poor health.
All of us, from one time or another, may have been undecided as to what service roles we should accept. As Christians, we desire to be good role models for the children and teens in our lives; therefore, it is important for us to set aside our wants and needs and prayerfully ask God how we are to serve.
It is certainly difficult to leave a service situation when we have felt that the Holy Spirit has called us to serve. This is especially true when we know that God used us in a larger way to bear fruit for the kingdom. Yet, we need to be obedient to God's plan. If we are spiritually aware and know that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit, we can see the signs of a door that is about to shut. We must allow the door to close, be patient and willing to walk through new doors of service that will be open to us in the future.
Today, as I listened to a sermon Walking in the Spirit, delivered by Dr. Charles Stanley, I was reminded of how powerful the Holy Spirit is in our walk with God. The Spirit will lead us to the areas where our spiritual gifts can most effectively be used. If we are walking with God and are spiritually aware, the Spirit alerts us to these opportunities. We, in turn, are given the free will to be obey or to disobey. Naturally, it’s much easier to desire to be obedient when we are leading a God's centered life. If we find ourselves in a place where we are being led astray, the Holy Spirit will step right in, and help us to get back on the right track.
Take some time each day to pray to God about how He wants to use you. Perhaps, this holiday season there is something special that God has planned for you and the children in your life. Your service opportunities may lead you to projects that will bless many people. Or, perhaps, God will be selecting you to participate in smaller, behind the scenes types of service opportunities. These types of service opportunities are just as important and should never be discounted. There isn't one single service opportunity that is more important than another. In Romans 12, Paul talks about spiritual gifts and the importance each of us equally can play for the benefit of God's kingdom.
To help you to discover how God can use you to serve others, please read an earlier message that I wrote this year.
Please see Having a Heart for Jesus
You can help your children lean about service throughout the upcoming holiday season by becoming involved in community service projects. The following is from the amonco.org website. Copyright 2007-2010.
“Become involved in a project and possibly enlist the help of other families and friends. First, call your local nursing home or children's hospital and explain that you would like to bring handmade gifts to the patients. Find out the do's and don'ts of acceptable gift giving. Now, get busy and go to work.
Visit the FamilyCares website. Scroll down until you see Project Ideas. Decide whether you want to make a cooking, sewing or other type of craft project. One word of caution here. The first time we became involved in a community project, we got a little carried away by our enthusiasm and spent more than we wanted. Don't make the same mistake. Meet with your other community project partners and agree that you will set a spending limit. To make the project enjoyable for everyone, be sure to also consider the age, ability, interest, and attention span of the children/teens involved in making the gifts.
Visit some craft, yardage and stationery stores in your area, and ask to speak with the manager. Explain what your group is doing and ask to see the remnant racks and bins. Inquire about possible discounts. You can also cut costs by purchasing baking items at many discount grocery chains. Peruse through your favorite Sunday newspaper for sales and coupons. Although many stores have greatly limited their inventory, with a little perseverance and a positive attitude, you will find what you need.
Below, are some additional sites and recipes to consider for your cooking projects."
Sara Ambarian provides ideas and resources to help us minimize the cost and maximize the enjoyment of this season. Numerous helpful links will help you to get started on your family gift giving and Christian community service projects, as well. Please read Re-thinking Holiday Priorities During Tough Times to access this article.
Links to additional Christian based holiday projects are listed below:
Teaching Bible Verses Using Crafts
Thanksgiving Bible Crafts from Christian Preschool Printables
Kids' Christian Thanksgiving Crafts
Christian Christmas Crafts for Kids - Religious Christmas Craft Ideas
May you and those around you who participate in these Christian outreach projects also be blessed in numerous ways throughout this special holiday season.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Preparing Ourselves and Others for the Harvest Season
Fall is almost upon us. The slight chill in the air and falling leaves remind us that harvest time, is only weeks rather than months away. This morning I perused through the Biblical topic guide, Where to Find It in the Bible, by Ken Anderson, as I wanted to research the references for the word harvest in the Bible. My eyes fell upon the Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:3-23.
Take a moment to visit http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.
As I read through the passage, I found myself becoming very introspective. I knew as I read, that I wanted to be among the seeds that fell on good soil. I found myself questioning if I was sufficiently growing as a Christian. Only God knows the answer to this question, however, I have a responsibility to repeatedly check to make certain that I am walking closely with God.
Matthew 13:8-9
“8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." See http://www.biblegateway.com
.
I know that my desire, as a Christian is to continue to grow and spread the good news to others. However, sometimes we experience prolonged seasons of difficulties. Financial concerns, health issues and/or other major problems can interfere with our passion to serve our Lord. These matters tend to draw us away from centering our lives around Jesus.
I have been on a ten year journey with a loved one whose health has steadily declined. Watching my mother struggle with pain and seeing her enter hospice twice in the past five years has taught me much about myself and my relationship with Jesus. On several occasions, I have also been allowed to see her trust in action, as she has turned to our Savior for comfort. In fact, right now, she is again, out of hospice. Sometimes, though, fatigue sets in, and I find myself struggling to do everything that needs to be done. It’s at these times that I realize that I must stop, take a step back, and refocus on my Savior.
Think back to when you first became a Christian. Do you remember the enthusiasm you felt that day? Unfortunately, some Christians turn away, when faced with personal disappointment and heartache. Because their faith and trust in God never really took root, they gradually stopped going to church and reading the Word. They soon forget about serving Jesus. Please see the quote below.
“Matthew 13:5 -6 "It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” http://www.biblegateway.com
It’s a struggle to keep Jesus first and foremost in our lives. Yet, we know that we need to do this. We can share the joy that we have found in Jesus with the children we encounter at home, school and/or church.
Below, are some harvest based creative lessons, designed for PreK - Grade 8.
May these lessons be a blessing to those you teach. In turn, may God bless you richly for your faithfulness.
Awesome Collection of Harvest Time Lessons
Annie’s Thanksgiving Page
Holiday and Special Day Links - Resources for Christian Teachers
Reaping and Sowing - The Law of Harvest - Elementary and Middle School Level
Take a moment to visit http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.
As I read through the passage, I found myself becoming very introspective. I knew as I read, that I wanted to be among the seeds that fell on good soil. I found myself questioning if I was sufficiently growing as a Christian. Only God knows the answer to this question, however, I have a responsibility to repeatedly check to make certain that I am walking closely with God.
Matthew 13:8-9
“8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." See http://www.biblegateway.com
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I know that my desire, as a Christian is to continue to grow and spread the good news to others. However, sometimes we experience prolonged seasons of difficulties. Financial concerns, health issues and/or other major problems can interfere with our passion to serve our Lord. These matters tend to draw us away from centering our lives around Jesus.
I have been on a ten year journey with a loved one whose health has steadily declined. Watching my mother struggle with pain and seeing her enter hospice twice in the past five years has taught me much about myself and my relationship with Jesus. On several occasions, I have also been allowed to see her trust in action, as she has turned to our Savior for comfort. In fact, right now, she is again, out of hospice. Sometimes, though, fatigue sets in, and I find myself struggling to do everything that needs to be done. It’s at these times that I realize that I must stop, take a step back, and refocus on my Savior.
Think back to when you first became a Christian. Do you remember the enthusiasm you felt that day? Unfortunately, some Christians turn away, when faced with personal disappointment and heartache. Because their faith and trust in God never really took root, they gradually stopped going to church and reading the Word. They soon forget about serving Jesus. Please see the quote below.
“Matthew 13:5 -6 "It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” http://www.biblegateway.com
It’s a struggle to keep Jesus first and foremost in our lives. Yet, we know that we need to do this. We can share the joy that we have found in Jesus with the children we encounter at home, school and/or church.
Below, are some harvest based creative lessons, designed for PreK - Grade 8.
May these lessons be a blessing to those you teach. In turn, may God bless you richly for your faithfulness.
Awesome Collection of Harvest Time Lessons
Annie’s Thanksgiving Page
Holiday and Special Day Links - Resources for Christian Teachers
Reaping and Sowing - The Law of Harvest - Elementary and Middle School Level
Friday, July 23, 2010
Taking That Leap of Faith in Uncertain Times
This morning, I checked my inbox and was treated to a guest devotional by Jon Walker, Please see Daily Hope and then click back to this blog.
Like millions of Christians, I subscribe to Rick Warren’s Daily Hope blog. As usual, today’s message was inspirational and caused me to take a step back and focus on my faith in God's divine power.
In today's devotional, the author uses Peter's lack of trust as an example. I, too, found myself thinking of Peter's dilemma when Jesus beckoned him to walk on the water. As you will recall, Peter was cautious about leaving the safety of the boat. The challenge to leave a safe situation and leap into something unknown gave Peter great cause for concern. I sometimes struggle with making faith based decisions as well. Do you?
The following, from Jon Walker’s inspirational message, really pinpoints the predicament that many of us may experience when faced with a crisis or near crisis.
“It's a paradox of faith: Our first step of faith places us in a position where faith becomes possible. By our obedience, we learn to be faithful. If we refuse to follow, we never learn how to believe. We stay stuck in the shallow end of faith, trusting in ourselves, living by sight and not by faith.”
Today, while reading the news about Rick Warren, I felt inspired to write a blog entry about the struggle of trust that we all, from time to time, experience. As you may know, Rick Warren was recently temporarily blinded due to an unfortunate gardening accident. Please see OC Register for details. How did Rick react to being temporarily blinded by a toxic milky poisonous sap? He became humble and prayed, and he asked others to pray for him as well. Rick placed his trust in God; he knew that God would not forsake him. He was modeling how a Christian should react in a time crisis. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (New International Version)
7We live by faith, not by sight. See Biblegatewaycom
It’s sometimes difficult in the unchartered waters of our life to step out and make a faith based decision to trust God. However, when we do take that leap of faith and trust Him, we feel truly blessed when He, in turn, reaches out and steers us to safety.
Stop and reflect about events in the past when you did reach out and felt that God was walking right there beside you. Surely, as a Christian, you can think of more than one time when you made that leap of faith and could feel His blessings.
Last Sunday, Charles Stanley presented a sermon about the 23rd Psalm and reminded the congregation of God's faithfulness to David and to us. David experienced many blessings and challenges throughout his life, as he walked with God. During many pivotal moments, David called out to God for help, and God responded and blessed him. David wrote the 23rd Psalm to affirm his awareness of God's love and protection. Likewise, when we have asked God for help, He has reached out to us. When we were weary, we could feel that he was carrying the burden for us. We could feel His love and help. With that knowledge in mind, why would we ever doubt that He will be with us now and in the future?
To help the teens and children in your life learn more about the power of faith, please type in Some Biblical Expressions of Faith, Fall Forward in Faith, Object Lessons in Faith, and Holding on with Faith When You are Approaching the Edge in the search box of this bog. You will receive commentary and links to free faith based lesson plans.
May God bless richly bless you.
Like millions of Christians, I subscribe to Rick Warren’s Daily Hope blog. As usual, today’s message was inspirational and caused me to take a step back and focus on my faith in God's divine power.
In today's devotional, the author uses Peter's lack of trust as an example. I, too, found myself thinking of Peter's dilemma when Jesus beckoned him to walk on the water. As you will recall, Peter was cautious about leaving the safety of the boat. The challenge to leave a safe situation and leap into something unknown gave Peter great cause for concern. I sometimes struggle with making faith based decisions as well. Do you?
The following, from Jon Walker’s inspirational message, really pinpoints the predicament that many of us may experience when faced with a crisis or near crisis.
“It's a paradox of faith: Our first step of faith places us in a position where faith becomes possible. By our obedience, we learn to be faithful. If we refuse to follow, we never learn how to believe. We stay stuck in the shallow end of faith, trusting in ourselves, living by sight and not by faith.”
Today, while reading the news about Rick Warren, I felt inspired to write a blog entry about the struggle of trust that we all, from time to time, experience. As you may know, Rick Warren was recently temporarily blinded due to an unfortunate gardening accident. Please see OC Register for details. How did Rick react to being temporarily blinded by a toxic milky poisonous sap? He became humble and prayed, and he asked others to pray for him as well. Rick placed his trust in God; he knew that God would not forsake him. He was modeling how a Christian should react in a time crisis. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (New International Version)
7We live by faith, not by sight. See Biblegatewaycom
It’s sometimes difficult in the unchartered waters of our life to step out and make a faith based decision to trust God. However, when we do take that leap of faith and trust Him, we feel truly blessed when He, in turn, reaches out and steers us to safety.
Stop and reflect about events in the past when you did reach out and felt that God was walking right there beside you. Surely, as a Christian, you can think of more than one time when you made that leap of faith and could feel His blessings.
Last Sunday, Charles Stanley presented a sermon about the 23rd Psalm and reminded the congregation of God's faithfulness to David and to us. David experienced many blessings and challenges throughout his life, as he walked with God. During many pivotal moments, David called out to God for help, and God responded and blessed him. David wrote the 23rd Psalm to affirm his awareness of God's love and protection. Likewise, when we have asked God for help, He has reached out to us. When we were weary, we could feel that he was carrying the burden for us. We could feel His love and help. With that knowledge in mind, why would we ever doubt that He will be with us now and in the future?
To help the teens and children in your life learn more about the power of faith, please type in Some Biblical Expressions of Faith, Fall Forward in Faith, Object Lessons in Faith, and Holding on with Faith When You are Approaching the Edge in the search box of this bog. You will receive commentary and links to free faith based lesson plans.
May God bless richly bless you.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Summertime - Sowing Seeds for Christ
Today, like many families, we celebrated the 4th of July. Having the 4th fall on a Sunday, this year, was such a blessing. In many worship services, pastors reminded us of how fortunate we are to live in a country that allows us to pray to God without fear of retribution. Like many others, I believe, I found myself thinking about how God entrusts us to sow seeds of faith in the lives of others. Throughout the day, I found myself taking stock of how I could best use the spiritual gifts that God has entrusted me with to reach others.
The summer months seem to fly by, as we are sometimes pulled in many directions and wear many hats. Even though work, vacations, entertaining house guests and other distractions can easily us pull us away from our time with God, we know that it's essential to always include Bible study and devotional time in our daily lives.
Continue to be observant and obedient to service assignments that Christ provides for you. Don't overlook opportunities to help other children learn more about Christ. Perhaps, you will be tutoring or involved in VBS. Sometimes, unexpectedly, God may place a child or children in your path, and you see the possibilities for sowing seeds. Use the free resources in this blog, to plan lessons which may serve to foster an interest in Jesus.
See First Things First
Summer Solstice - A Time for Pruning
The Metamorphosis of the Butterfly
Object Lessons in Faith
The Prodigal Son - Lessons Learned
Fall Forward in Faith
Some Biblical Expressions of Faith
Recently, I spoke with a parent about using a collection of Bible stories, written for second through fourth grade students, as part of the reading comprehension curriculum. This parent was delighted that her daughter would be learning more about Jesus, David and other principal figures and stories found within the Bible.
Encourage all children to memorize scripture, as well. Please see Teachers' Tips, Tools, & Topics for some excellent Bible scripture memorization tips.
Have a blessed summer!!
The summer months seem to fly by, as we are sometimes pulled in many directions and wear many hats. Even though work, vacations, entertaining house guests and other distractions can easily us pull us away from our time with God, we know that it's essential to always include Bible study and devotional time in our daily lives.
Continue to be observant and obedient to service assignments that Christ provides for you. Don't overlook opportunities to help other children learn more about Christ. Perhaps, you will be tutoring or involved in VBS. Sometimes, unexpectedly, God may place a child or children in your path, and you see the possibilities for sowing seeds. Use the free resources in this blog, to plan lessons which may serve to foster an interest in Jesus.
See First Things First
Summer Solstice - A Time for Pruning
The Metamorphosis of the Butterfly
Object Lessons in Faith
The Prodigal Son - Lessons Learned
Fall Forward in Faith
Some Biblical Expressions of Faith
Recently, I spoke with a parent about using a collection of Bible stories, written for second through fourth grade students, as part of the reading comprehension curriculum. This parent was delighted that her daughter would be learning more about Jesus, David and other principal figures and stories found within the Bible.
Encourage all children to memorize scripture, as well. Please see Teachers' Tips, Tools, & Topics for some excellent Bible scripture memorization tips.
Have a blessed summer!!
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