Heartprints
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Tween Jesus
Sunday School Chronicles Me: Have y’all ever seen those westerns where there’s a bunch of people in wagons traveling together? Students: Yeah! Me: So Mary, Joseph, Jesus and the whole fam which includes cousins, friends and everyone in between travel to Jerusalem for the Passover. The holiday is over and the crew heads back to Nazareth. But guess what? Class: What? Me: Mary and Joseph accidentally left Jesus back in Jerusalem! They thought He was with family. Oh and Jesus is 12! Student 1: Oh my gosh! Me: They make it a whole day’s journey before they realize they lost Jesus. So they’re freaking out! It’s one thing to lose…
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Are You Battle Ready?
We have Jesus, we have the Word of God, we have everything we need to stand firm in the faith. We have the Spirit of the living God living in us, to guide us, to protect us, to remind us of the truths of His precious Word. Let’s pray for one another that each day we will put on the full of armor of God and stand firm. Let’s be battle ready.
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A Storm is Raging
A tornado watch was issued for the day. The sun was shining as it heated up a new morning, just like any other summer day in June, or so we thought. The weather that day seemed to be a bit more humid and somewhat unstable. Living in Kansas, however, the humidity was always a factor with winds and warm temperatures, so nothing really was expected. As the day progressed, the air became very different and unsettling. As a child growing up in Kansas, storms were always expected, especially in the month of June. When the clouds started forming and moving into our area, changing to a very dark and a…
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The Naughty Child King
2 Chron 36 When read this chapter, immediately I was transported back to my 3rd grader, Keith or also known as Keebo. He was much like Jehoiachin in our reading; rebellious and evil to the core. I can remember Keith starting a fight, and I was the target of his punches. One black eye later, he was removed but only for a day. Children like these two 8 yr. olds are out of control. Keith, the child of the projects, had as his role model a father who was a pimp. Who was the role model for Jehoiachin but his evil father, much like my boy Keith. The author of…
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We love because…
When Your Ugly Side Comes Out in Your Marriage It could have gone really, really sour. It could have completely ruined my birthday. It could have put a wedge in my marriage. But I did it anyway. I’m at that age where I tell myself, “This is what old looks like.” Old, it’s such a relative term, don’t you think? But as each birthday passes, old is inevitable. Well, this one felt old. I’m going to tell the following story at the risk of you thinking that I’m a horrible person—I think it myself already, based on the story I’m about to tell you. Actually, I could produce a list,…
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Humans being and Humans doing
Sunday School Chronicles Me: I’m doing Galentine’s Day with my apartment mates this Friday! Who knows what Galentine’s Day is? Student 1: Is that when you’re single and eat a bunch of pringles? Me: Haha! No. Student 2: Is it when you eat a bunch of ice cream because you’re single? Me: No. Student 3: Do you drink a gallon of water? Me: Not even close! Galentine’s Day is when you celebrate your girl friendships. You can be single, married, dating or it’s complicated! Let’s switch gears to two really cool ladies in the bible. Mary and Martha! Student 4: Who are they? Me: I’m so glad you asked! Martha…
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Helpful Hand Motions
To grow they have to eat and drink and move around and play so that their muscles grow strong. There are some things we need to do as God’s children if we want to grow big and strong in the Lord.
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Cloudy With a Chance of Disciples
Sunday School Chronicles Me: Do y’all have a friend group? Kids: Yes! Me: Ok! And out of that friend group do you have a couple you’re really close to? Kid 1: Like family? Me: Yes. You’re so close you’re like family. Kids: Yeah. I have 2. I have 3! Me: So Jesus has 3 besties. Peter, James, and John have been His A-1s since Day 1. He takes them to the top of a mountain to chill. Peter, James, and John fall asleep cause feeding 5,000+ people will wear you out. You ever have it when you’re napping and you wake up earlier than you want? Kids: Yeah. Me: You’re…
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The Church and Mental Health
Every weekend at my church, I’m responsible for being available to pray with and minister to people as they come to the church seeking help with their current life challenge or problems. It’s an interesting position to be in because some weeks, I literally just talk to people and help greet. Other weekends, I definitely earn my pay, especially when we have someone come in that is mentally unstable or perhaps even chemically impaired. That’s when it gets interesting! Some seek money and some seek prayer. Sometimes, they just need to verbally throw up and need a shoulder to cry on. At the end of the day, they want something…
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Legacy & Family
Author: Lucille Williams My father-in-law passed away this past year. Having served in World War II and following the times of his generation, “Dad,” Wally Williams wasn’t one for emotions or feelings. Men were taught to be men: one must never cry, don’t show weakness, suck it up, man up, and never put your guard down, were the theme of his generation. Some perpetuated that theme to the next generation. Growing up, my husband never heard, “I love you” or “I’m proud of you.” Even as an adult, hearing “I’m proud of you” from his dad didn’t happen. Until… Just before Wally passed, we traveled to see him knowing our…