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3 Reasons I Trust the Bible (And Your Kids Can Too)
The Bible is the best-selling book of all time, but can we really trust writings penned thousands of years ago? Here are three reasons I trust the Bible and so can you.
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WHAT GOOD IS THE GOSPEL?
The Gospel is the message we need to hear to be saved. It is also the message we need to hear in order to live out the confession of our faith.
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Inculcate as You Meditate
God commands us to meditate on His Word. In the New King James Version Joshua 1:8 reads, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but ;you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Who among us doesn’t want the children under our care to prosper and have good success? Of course, we all do. Yet God carefully lays out for us in this verse a road map to success and yet few of us make this the…
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No Fear…”Seeking My Favorite Things”
What are your favorite things? According to the familiar song, “My Favorite Things” written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, these are a few of Maria’s favorite things. Julie Andrews, who portrays Maria, in the award-winning musical “The Sound of Music” gives a list of some of her favorite things to help the Von Trapp children from being afraid of the storm. “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, Brown paper packages tied up with string These are a few of my favorite things.” As the song continues, the lyrics are uplifting and fun. In the movie, Maria whisk through the music with delight to…
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The Value of a Soul
As a children’s minister I’m often caught up in the day-to-day oversight of making weekends happen. Are there enough volunteers? Is the curriculum ready? Do we have enough Cheerios? You know, the stuff that makes Sunday great for all children’s ministries everywhere. As the lone paid staff member in the children’s ministry, I rely on the goodness, dedication and hard work of a team of volunteers who make it all happen, each and every week. I would be lost without them to say the least. The preparation for Sunday is essential and has to happen every week, but the challenge I find is that with everything it takes to make Sunday’s happen all of that…
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Prepare for a Purposeful New Year
Rhythms shape us and focus us. Rather than simply stating New Year's resolutions, how can we honor God in the rhythms of our daily lives to live for him—and reach those goals?
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What’s On Your Diet Today?
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…
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Advent and the Nativity
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…
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5 Simple Ways to Observe Advent
Advent practices sometimes get replaced with distracting activities. We hurry to bake the shortbread, build the gingerbread house, drive through the light display. But inwardly our souls are screaming, “Rest! Don’t rush!” But, how can we observe Advent without adding to our hurry?
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Truly Thankful
Thanksgiving is an American Holiday that was set aside to give thanks for all that God has provided. As Christians we are commanded to give thanks. Sincere thanksgiving implies an understanding that God has provided and a heart attitude of being satisfied. . . pleased. . . amazed at His generous provision. Are we? Those pilgrims who gathered to give thanks were NOT thanking God for giving them what they deserved. They had travelled to a foreign country in search of spiritual freedom. They had suffered months of sickness and death on an ocean of uncertainty. Worn and weary they stepped off the boat into a harsh wilderness. In spite…
