Heartprints
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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…
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Seeing Isn’t Believing
Sunday School Chronicles Me: Abraham had an interesting life. One day, God came to him and was like, “Take your wife, all your stuff, and head out. I’m not telling you where. Just move you two feet and we’ll link up on the destination later.” Abraham said, “Bet.” Is that crazy? Kids: Yeah! Me: I know! Dude went to his family like, I’m out! ✌🏾” His family was like, “Where?” Abraham said, “No idea!” Fam said, “Who told you to go?” Abraham was like, “This dude named ‘God.” His fam was like, “Which one??? We follow a bunch.” Abraham said, “He’s new-ish. And you can’t see Him and He’s only…
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Did You Ask the Right Questions?
Day after day we have opportunities to ask questions and hear the hearts of our children as they struggle with tough relationships both inside and outside the home. Getting them to share their hearts by asking them specific questions and follow up questions will teach them the importance of debriefing themselves and their feelings.
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Smart, Not Smart
I had to take Geometry twice in high school just to pass with a C. Not only that, but I also had to give up my lunches to be in Mr. Yamaguchi’s room throughout most of the semester for detention for being late and to get extra help. And somehow, I passed Geometry. I didn’t think it was possible. I felt so defeated and a bit stupid. Why didn’t my brain work like other kids? And then there was Biology. Let’s not even talk about it. And Chemistry, never even took that one—I knew better, and luckily I didn’t need it to graduate. What did I excel in? Fantasy. Creating.…
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Christmas in June
Sunday School Chronicles Me: What gifts did the wise men bring Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus?Kid 1: Gold, frankincense and myrrh!Me: Yes! Who’s into essential oils? *hands go up* Y’all are late to the game! The Middle East has been running the game since BC! Kid 2: Really? Me: Absolutely! Yes we know the gifts Baby Jesus was given, but we need to remember the important gifts God gave us through Jesus. Kid 2: Why? Me: Because, God’s gift lasts forever. When we forget about this amazing gift, then we’ll forget how blessed we are to be in His family. Let me tell you what Christmas is actually about. Jesus…
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Parenting is 24/7
Prov 22-24 Children & Training The Proverbs author continues to instruct his children in wisdom and discernment. In the middle of this dialog, he focuses on parents by saying: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when old, he will not depart from it.[Prov 22:6] By that, the Proverbs author reminds parents that they must study their children as to how they learn best and their interests. Through all twenty-one chapters, He has reminded us of the importance of knowing who we are and our destiny, all with the “fear of the Lord” as the primary objective. How does your child learn best? Is he/she one…
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Parenting is 24/7
Prov 22-24 The Proverbs author continues to instruct his children in wisdom and discernment. In the middle of this dialog, he focuses on parents by saying: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when old, he will not depart from it.[Prov 22:6] By that, the Proverbs author reminds parents that they must study their children as to how they learn best and their interests. Through all twenty-one chapters, He has reminded us of the importance of knowing who we are and our destiny, all with the “fear of the Lord” as the primary objective. How does your child learn best? Is he/she one who learns best…