Advent #14 Hebrews 5 to 7, “OR: Are you dieting?” Are you a cookie-holic? We love December for its many cooky recipes! But, alas December is followed by January, and then we find ourselves groaning as we step on the scales! We know that the last cooky or last piece of candy should be put out of sight and out of mind. And children need this reminder as well! But, alas, we fall precipitously careless when so much is offered as a gift! And so comes January and our resolution to begin the rounds of dieting by sacrificing certain those foods, like cookies, so we can bring those scales back…

Advent: The The Gospel Message & the Nativity One of the things we can be certain of; Christmas will come and Christmas will go. A child anticipates the coming of Santa but is that what we want our children to remember? Or is that Christmas is the birthday of our Savior? It is all about Him, not Santa. Perhaps that is why the Apostle John spent so much time writing about Jesus, and why he chose to author five books in the NT.  Perhaps it is why he left the family business to follow Christ. Perhaps that is why when Christ said, “follow me,” he left it all behind. He…

Children’s faith is proven by their simple understanding of how they relate to others and their actions; which is how we as adults do it as well. What is faith? How do we know if a child has it, or how do we know it is real? These are questions that we are called to help them in their walk with Jesus. Faith is an intangible gift from God. You can’t see it or feel or smell it or touch it, but it is real. Faith is proven not by our feelings but by our way of walking, trusting God for each new step along a path He has ordered…

Distinguish or Discernment School is reopening, and instead of children walking to and enjoying classrooms filled with excited children, our nation is struggling to discern if it is safe for them to attend. Due to the pandemic, what was unthinkable even a few months ago has now become more and more a reality. Homeschooling has awakened, and parents have become the teachers—some of it is good and some questionable. Parents are on a quest to discern what textbooks are the “best” to use. Websites for homeschooling has skyrocketed!  Also, children, today face more screen time and virtual classrooms due to the pandemic. Some think it is beautiful, but others see…

 Prov 6 “Wise Counsel Protects Now and Later” We all have experienced broken hearts over a child that has gone astray in some way, either through poor decision choices or rebellious spirits. As a parent, we are especially vulnerable to the “broken heart syndrome” and often we hear: if only, if only. How then can we raise up children who will walk the talk and not stray from God’s way? The first piece of advice; start early implanting God’s Word. Secondly, mirror to your children the right path following Deut 6 “teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along…

As teachers and wise parents we are called to teach the message of the Word to all ages of God’s children. Christina Wilson calls us to read and share the Word. She has titled her blog: Paul’s Letter to the Colossians: Welcome to Christ’s Kingdom—Come, I’ll Show You Around By Christina Wilson. Published July 1, 2020, @ https://onesmallvoice.net/2020/07/01/pauls-letter-to-thecolossians-welcome-to-christs-kingdom-come-ill-show-you-around/OverviewThe crux of Paul’s appeal to the Colossians is the cross of Jesus Christ: his death, resurrection, and sovereigntyover all things created, by the design and will of God the Father. God transferred the Colossians from death tolife, from the dominion of darkness to the Kingdom of the Son of his love. In…

This is my week to blog and I have been thinking a lot about hymns. My godson, Jordan Edwards, a recent journalism graduate, wrote his latest post about the hymn “Wonderful Words of Life.” I hope you enjoy his writing and teach this hymn to your children. Jordan Examines: Wonderful Words of Life I mentioned before that my newfound purpose in life is to show everyone through my own experiences that life may be hard, but it is worth living, something that so many people struggle with every day. And what better way to continue on that path by analyzing a song that proclaims life’s beauty through the words of…

Here is a new website geared to grandparents and how to keep a close relationship with grandchildren who live far away https://tinyurl.com/u7cnql7 0

I would like to introduce you to Kurt Jarvis, one of our Bible.org authors. He recently returned from South Africa where he taught and modeled children’s stories. This is one he used. Kurt and Judy provided training to the school teachers and orphanage house mothers and others who work with the children and youth at this place [The Fold ] and training workshops in other locations in that region as a missions training tour. Attached is his lesson for you if you would like to use it: “Adam and Eve Script” Audience interactive story Directions: Make up audience flash signs in advance on chart paper with the words: Hooray for…