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Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks…or is it? For some people Thanksgiving means nothing more than the kick off for the Christmas holiday season. Decorating, baking, shopping, and standing in long lines at the local retail stores all usher in the beginning of that busy time of year we call Christmas. A few weeks ago I was shopping at a popular craft store in our neighborhood. “Isn’t this a bit early for the lines to be so long,” I thought to myself? The store was extremely busy and the lines were excruciatingly long. After searching for any line that appeared shorter, I finally decided to stay put in my…
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Celebrate the Meaning of Christmas
On the First Day of Christmas the Bible reveals to me…. Jesus born into humanity On the Second Day of Christmas the Bible reveals to me… Two joyful parents and Jesus born into humanity On the Third Day of Christmas the Bible reveals to me… Many shepherds watching Two joyful parents and Jesus born into humanity On the Fourth Day of Christmas the Bible reveals to me… Flocks of sheep grazing Many shepherds watching Two joyful parents and Jesus born into humanity On the Fifth Day of Christmas the Bible reveals to me… Bright…
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Thankful
Several years ago our pastor gave a series of messages on the Names of God. To this day, that particular series has been one of my favorites and has touched my heart and has deepened my relationship and understanding of who God is, His attributes, and His character. As we go into this holiday season, I am reminded and thankful to Almighty God for… He is Jehovah…God is my LORD. To Him I am thankful. (Exodus 3:10-15) He is my Elohim…God is my Creator and ruler over all. To Him I am thankful. (Exodus 3:14-15; 12:12, Psalm 121:1-3) He is my El Shaddai…God is Almighty and the Sufficient One. To Him I am thankful. (Genesis 17:1-8; Psalm…
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Encourage Children To Bloom…”Blooming As An Infant”
Several years ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit Singapore. While there, we were thrilled to get to visit the National Orchid Garden. This garden was not just any orchid garden; rather, it was filled with more orchids than any other garden in the world. Upon entering we saw a large array of orchids, large and small, growing from one single stem. Each one was unique, a one of a kind. There were myriads of varieties sprinkling the sidewalks, paths, and walkways with their vibrant colors and designs. If you have ever tried to grow an orchid then you probably know of their temperamental nature. Unlike most flowers, orchids can be very…
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Reassuring Parents: What You Can Do
“Linda” (not her real name) came to pick up her eighteen month old daughter from the church nursery one Sunday. She saw her daughter sitting in a swing watching Barney. The other children in the room were playing or looking at toys on their own while the workers sat in rocking chairs. Linda felt uncomfortable with the situation. Shouldn’t the workers be engaging the children more often? What were they doing in the toddler room? Were they learning anything? She wondered if she should even expect a church’s nursery to have higher standards. How can you as a children’s minister or nursery director help alleviate Linda’s concerns? Encourage Linda to…
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F-R-E-E-D-O-M!!!
On this Fourth of July, what is on your agenda?
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Overlooked…”But Worthy”
Once upon a time there lived a blended family with a father and his daughter, along with a mother and her two daughters. This family lived happily together under one roof until…the father died.
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How Well Do You Know…HIM?
How well do you know HIM? He is the resurrection and the reason we have hope of everlasting live. Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and He said it is finished, but on the third day He rose again…Great News for all of mankind…Now He lives in heaven sitting at the right hand of God…As we approach Resurrection Sunday, I would like to encourage those of you who work with children to ask them the following questions…
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Wisdom, God’s Instruction For a Successful Life – Ten Life Lessons for Children From The Book of Proverbs
What is wisdom? Where does wisdom come from? Kay Arthur defines wisdom as “knowledge rightly applied.” Billy Graham sums it up this way, “knowledge is horizontal…but, wisdom is vertical – it comes down from above.” According to Dr. Tony Evans, “wisdom is the spiritual insight for earthly application, the ability to know what God wants and the know-how to apply it where you live.”