Facing a New Year

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes it seems all hope is lost. It's just too hard to believe things will change or ever be alright again. We're too young or too old. May as well forget it. But is anything too hard for the Lord, our Promise Keeper? 

From the time I was a young teen, I knew all I wanted was to be a wife and mother. I was very good in school. The other kids were surprised I had no interest in college or a career. I had no dates until I was 20. I knew before we dated that this would be the man I would marry. At 23 we married and immediately started our family. In 4 years time, I had 3 children and the doctor told us our children were so large (10+ lbs) I wouldn't be able to carry another child to term. I was heartbroken. What was happening to the dream and what I thought was God's plan for us? 

When God told Abram to leave his homeland and his relatives, He promised to make Abram a great nation (Genesis 12:1,2). Abram was a young man with a young wife. Surely it was hard for them to leave everything and everyone behind and seek a new land, but they were young, adventurous, God-fearing, and God believing.

God believing - that was the key to the promises God made to Abram. Abram was different from other men, even from his family. Abram's nephew traveled with him but soon even he left Abram for the riches of this world. 

God blessed Abram with cattle. He took care of Abram and Sarai no matter what they tried to figure out for themselves because God had made a promise. Abram appreciated all God was doing for them but there was one promise he didn't see how God was going to keep. God had promised Abram a son. God had changed their names to Abraham (father of many nations) and Sarah (princess) but Abraham was 99 years old. He laughed that a child would be born when he was 100 and Sarah was 90. When Sarah found out she laughed too, but God's answer was "Is anything too hard for the Lord"  Certainly the Creator of the Universe is capable of anything except a lie. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). At the appointed time Isaac was born to the couple old enough to be great-great-grandparents. 

Why did God choose Abram and Sarai? Why did He wait so long to give them their promised child? God said:

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 

Genesis 18:19

It was hard for Abraham and Sarah to wait. It was hard to stay faithful but it was all part of God's plan to prosper them and prosper us. We may be waiting for a mate, or a child, or healing. We may question what God is doing, but know that He will never leave us or forsake us. His plan is the best plan. 

When my oldest child was almost four, he started reading environmental print. I decided he needed to learn to read. I bought material and over the course of the next year or so I taught him. I taught his brother and his sister. I went back to school and finished a degree in Early Childhood Education. I got a full-time teaching job when my oldest left for college. So I was a stay at home mom for them.  For over 20 years I have taught 30 to 40 children each year. They don't forget me. They speak to me in the halls. They come back and visit me when they are seniors. They bring their children to me to teach. As I near retirement I see the Lord has filled my home with many more children than I could have ever born. Children I nurture and bring up in the Lord if only for a few hours for a few days. When my husband retired he became a bus driver of all things. God's plan is always the best plan. We just have to be patient. 

What are you waiting for? 

First, know you have turned from your sins and given your life to Christ (Romans 10: 9,13).

Then look at your mentors and the gifts God has given you. Are you musical, artistic, construction minded, or do you love cooking? 

Know God has great plans for you. 

Wait on the Lord. Ask Him to show you how to use the talents He has given you. And yes mothering is a career and a talent that girls should never be ashamed of. 

Blessing while we wait on God, 

Gail

Telling the Story

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 NIV

I'll tell this the way it was told to me, though I am sure there are others who would disagree with the story, surely no one will disagree with the message. So grab a candy cane and enjoy this sweet tale of Christmas with the whole family.

In the middle ages, when kings and queens declared and enforced the laws with the sword, a law was made that Christmas would no longer be celebrated. It broke the heart of an old candy maker who loved to see the smiles of children as they enjoyed his sweet Christmas treats. He also loved Christmas traditions and the telling of the story in the churches and homes.  No one was allowed to own or read a Bible except the priests and now that was questionable under the rule of this queen. He wondered how this generation would grow up without the knowledge of Jesus if the laws forbade the telling of the stories.

As the old candy maker locked his doors for the evening and knelt by his counter for prayer, the Lord gave him an idea. It was not illegal to make new kinds of candy and he knew just what kind of new candy he would make.

All night the candy maker tweaked his candy recipes to fit the story of Jesus. As the new day dawned he set out for his shop anxious to get a start on his new candy. He would start with a pure white candy and spice it with peppermint. Then he would layer it with red candy, making a pattern of a wide red stripe and three thin red stripes. As he rolled and twisted the hardening candy, he sliced off lengths of candy and bent them into a crook at the top. The next day would be Christmas and he would be ready to share his Christmas story. 

As families entered his shop the next day with faces long and sad because of the canceled holiday, he offered them a new candy and an old story. "See this crook?" he said. "On a night long ago, shepherds stood on a hillside watching their flock by night. Angels announced the birth of a baby born to a virgin. The baby would be pure and sinless like the white of the candy cane. His father would be God the Father. The baby would be the Son of God and He would give us the Holy Spirit." The old candy maker pointed to the three thin stripes going around the candy cane. "The baby's name was to be called Jesus." The candy maker turned the cane upside down, making the J. "The big red stripe," he said. "is the blood Jesus would shed on Calvary for our sins. Taste the candy now children. The peppermint reminds us of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus and the spices used to prepare His body for burial when He died upon the cross. His blood covers our sins and offers forgiveness. This, children, is the real story of Christmas, not the toys and candy, but the coming of the Savior of the world as a baby in a manger, not just visited by shepherds but to be our Shepherd, guiding us to eternal life in Christ."

The parents were grateful their children were able to hear the Christmas story that morning and take home a reminder of the true meaning of the season. 

Now as you have received a candy cane, examine it for the three thin stripes, the large stripe, the taste of peppermint and the pure white candy that makes the body of the cane. Turn it to make the J and the shepherd's crook. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Merry Christmas, 

Gail

Touch the Magi

 they departed into their own country another way. Matthew 2:12b

There's nothing as precious as a child's view of Christmas. Tired from the play and the excitement of opening gifts my granddaughter came to her dad's call to get ready to go home. She gazed at the tree one more time. Spotting a candy cane she asked, "May I have a can can?" to which her mom replied that she had already had her sweet for the day. 

Without argument, she began exploring the tree, gently touching the candy canes, the gold balls, a Santa, and a red clay stocking her sister had made years ago. 

"Touch the nutcracker," her uncle encouraged. She squatted looking intently at the strange soldier. "You put the nut here and it cracks the nut." She gave him the look of "are you kidding me."

"Touch the magi," her dad said. There just above her head was a blue ball with a shadow of magi and a twinkling star. I didn't even remember putting magi on the tree. "They're the wisemen." He encouraged her to touch. Though she was too young to understand all the implications of wisemen, she brought wonder to our Christmas celebration. I wonder if she will remember touching the magi. I know I will remember how her dad began teaching his daughter the importance of our Savior's birth. We felt the touch of Jesus last evening through the touch of a child. 

How has your family experienced the touch of Jesus this Christmas?

Once in a Lifetime

 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:6

Earlier this week I had a birthday that made me a member of the Medicare Club, but more importantly, the first few verses of Luke were my part of my devotions that day. Like me, Zacharias and Elisabeth were older folks. They went about their daily routines not thinking much about how many things happen in the course of the day that are once in a lifetime events.

Zacharias was taking his turn serving in the temple. It's my understanding most men didn't get to do that but once in a lifetime because of the number of men available. While he was serving an angel appeared to him. Now that seems like it should stand out as a once in a lifetime event. The angel came with a message from God but Zacharias doubted the message. His doubt caused God to shut his mouth for a time but it didn't stop God from fulfilling His purpose. 

Then there was Elisabeth who was never able to have a child but found herself pregnant after her husband returned home. Remember she was old too. She hid herself until she was showing, maybe because the other women would accuse her of being crazy. 

I just got to thinking a birthday is a once in a lifetime event. I'll never be this age again. Then I thought the things that happen this day will never happen again. Am I missing something that God wants to use to fulfill His purpose? Does God try to tell me the special plan He has for me?  Am I doubting His purpose in my life? Do I expect God to use me? 

I spent that day celebrating that my birthday was a once in a lifetime event that God would use for His glory and my good if I paid attention. I entered that day looking for what God was doing. Can I put my finger on something special that occurred? No, but that doesn't mean I won't see it in the future. Maybe the something special was that I was recognizing that every day is a once in a lifetime event that I shouldn't waste. 

I came across a quote that sums it all up very well. 

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. - John Wesley

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be participate in Your great plan every day. 

Blessing in this Christmas Season,

Gail

The Trappings of Christmas

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isaiah 11:1

This weekend is the kick-off of the Christmas season here in the States. There's a frenzy of shopping and decorating. 

Putting up the tree is often a family time filled with traditions - Baby's First Ornament, hand-made ornaments, and great grandma's Victorian ornaments. 

Nostalgia fills the air as we settle down in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and gaze at the sparkling tree. But WAIT! Did we miss the point? What have we instilled in our traditions that show our families the true meaning of Christmas? 

Instilling the true meaning shouldn't sound like some sort of lesson. It needs to be a natural mention of how the items and colors remind you of Jesus and His love for us. 

  There are various meanings associated with Christmas. What meanings?
The Decorations

•  Red - The color of blood. 
• Gold - The Wisemen brought Jesus gold and frankincense and myrrh. 
• Blue - The color of royalty. Jesus is King of Kings. 
• White - The color of purity. Jesus was without sin. 
• Wisemen followed a star. 
• Angels announced His birth. 
• Ribbons held the breastplate to the ephod on the robe of the high priest. 
• Bells were sown around the hem of the priest's robe so all could hear him as he performed his priestly duties. Jesus is our High Priest.

The Tree

• The tree is made of wood. Christ shed His blood on a cross made of wood. 
• The evergreen needles tell us that Jesus gives us eternal life. 
• The trunk and the branches lead us back to our scripture: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 
• We display our Christmas trees where all can see their beauty. So shouldn't Jesus be displayed in our lives that all can see His beauty? 
• We want to receive gifts. May all the world come to Jesus this Christmas and receive His gift of salvation. 

May there be Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. 

 What else?

What intentional things are you doing to put Christ in your Christmas? 

You don't have to do anything more, only think about the reason you are 

• making cookies
• the places you are decorating
• the reasons for the decorations you are using

Is there anything that surprises you? 

Please share your Christmas blessings with us.

Blessings,

Gail

It's Not Christmas Yet!

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7

Is your tree up? As I left school on Monday, I saw someone had pulled out the decorations. A huge tree with a few sparse balls was already going up in the lobby. Ughhh, yes, I knew there were only a few weeks left until Christmas break and we had Art Night this week, but really? Did we really have to skip Thanksgiving? 

As we entered the building on Tuesday morning, a spectacular tree greeted us with fall leaves, pumpkins, and scarecrows. A Tree of Thanksgiving, what a wonderful idea! We delighted in the tree all week as it reminded us to be thankful for all God has given us. It's given us time to teach the children about the Pilgrim's desire to freely worship, their struggles coming to and living in a new land. It reminded us to teach about Squanto, a man God prepared to help the Pilgrims survive. It reminded us of the freedom we have to live and worship because of the sacrifices of others.

I am thankful for so many things this year and I'm thankful for an assistant principal who created our Thanksgiving tree!

Blessings,

Gail

Hey Kids:

Did you know Squanto spoke English? How did that happen?

Did you know the support of the main mast of the Mayflower broke in a storm? How did they repair it? 

Let's not rush Christmas. How can you show reminders of your gratitude?

You can make a simple tree of thanksgiving with a few green sticky notes and colored pens.

At each meal, you and your family can write one thing on a sticky note for which you are thankful. 

Place the notes in the shape of a tree on a prominent wall or window. 

Watch the tree grow and take shape this week as you and your family express your gratitude for all God has given you.

 

Squanto, Part of God's Good Plan

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. 
Psalms 105:1

You know that picture in our minds we all get of the Indian brave who walks into the Pilgrim village in the spring of 1621 to show the Pilgrims how to plant corn, and beans and pumpkin? Wasn’t his name Squanto? Or didn’t anyone ever tell you about Squanto?

This Thanksgiving tale of the Indian who greeted the Pilgrims with an English “Welcome” and then taught them to plant corn and fish, always seemed to me to be just that – a tale, until I learned how God brought it all about - A slave ship sailing along a shore, kidnapping young boys and taking them back to Spain; an entire tribe wiped out by disease; a lone man given his freedom returning from Europe to find no one left. There’s far more to the truth than meets the eye here. God is always taking the evil man devises and turning it into good for those that love him. The slave traders of Europe had meant it for evil against the Indians. They cared only for their pocketbooks but God used it for good. The people who came seeking to worship Him in a new land were starving and fearful of the Indians surrounding them. They needed someone who could help and someone they could understand. God placed Squanto, the  Indian once captured and sold for a slave there to willingly help the starving Pilgrims. 

In the Bible Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. They thought he probably died in Egypt until they went there to buy food. Who should they find to provide for them, but their own brother, in control of all the food of Egypt? Joseph’s brothers meant it for evil against Joseph, but God had used it for good.

Tragedy seems to surround us on every hand, but God has not left us alone. He is working all things for our good. Pray for those involved in all the tragedies. Help wherever you can. Do not be afraid, because God is with us through every circumstance working all things for our good.

Blessings,

Gail

Fishing

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 

Genesis 1:1

I watch my son tie flies. He is patient, thoughtful, exact in what he is creating. His flies need to be the correct color, size, shape, and texture as the real bug he is portraying. He's not a "fly by the seat of your pants" fisherman. He's a top fishing guide because he researchers every bug, every season, and every weather condition. Those fish aren't going to jump into his creel because he wets a line. He has to be a master creator who knows the needs and likes of the trout in his rivers and streams. Every day he works in harmony with the Master Creator and His natural order.

the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 

How is it that humans struggle to understand there is a Creator, the Creator who knew from the foundation of the world how ecosystems would work in harmony, who knew blood would be the life of the creatures and the blood of His only Son would be the answer to man's sinful choices? Before the foundation of the world, there was a master plan for every color, every size, shape, and texture. There was a master plan to bring mankind back into the grace of God. That plan was to show love. That plan included the sacrifice of God's only Son. God didn't come up with that idea on the spur of the moment because Adam and Eve at the forbidden fruit. 

My son did not learn to flyfish on his own. He had teachers who took the time to train him. Because of them, he fell in love with fishing. When he learned to study the river ecosystem then he became a master fisherman. 

 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19 

We need training. We need encouragement. We need to fall in love with the Master fisherman and learn the details of fishing - fishing for men. These are a few things I am learning.

• Be a part of a Bible Study
• Take notes/journal 
• Talk to the Master Fisherman 
• Have a time set aside each day for personal Bible study
• Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to "fish". 

Share your "fishing" stories here. We'd love to learn along with you.

Blessings,

Gail

Rainbow Theology

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:13

What do you do when you see a rainbow? Do you show it to others? Do you take a picture? Do you ask if anyone else saw the rainbow? Sounds like rainbows can be pretty exciting. They also create a sense of peace and calm. Why?

Once when I was up on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was above a storm cloud. I could look down through the cloud and see a complete rainbow, a circle. That's a once-in-a-lifetime event for me, but God says He looks on the bow and remembers the covenant between Him and every living creature.

So what is that covenant? It's a promise not to destroy the earth again by water but I think there's more to it than that. I did some research and found some interesting thoughts,

Grace - The rainbow is seen again in the book of Ezekiel chapter 1:26-28. Jesus is at the center or clothed in the rainbow. He is our sacrifice so we can be given grace.

Mercy - There is a covenant of mercy that we will not be destroyed. Think of how the rainbow is formed. The seven colors are always topped by the red bow. It is pointed upward so if an arrow were shot by this bow it would go upward showing us mercy and covering us by the sacrificial blood of Christ.

Mediator - We need Jesus to be our mediator between us and the Father. He is between us and the Father and we can only come to the Father through Him. In Revelation 4: 3 there is a rainbow around the throne. We can't get to God except by the One (Jesus Christ) who sits on the throne. 

Trinity - Think of how the rainbow is formed. It's after a storm. The light of the sun shines through the water and creates the separation of colors, a glimpse of heaven. The Father (sun), Jesus the Light of the world (sunshine), and the Holy Spirit (water) work together to show us the plan of salvation.

Rainbows are used in lots of ways in our culture. Wherever we see them they are a great opportunity to open up a conversation about God's love, grace, and mercy. It is God's love, God's grace, and God's mercy, God's goodness that leads us to repentance. May we always remember to temper our conversations with love and kindness even when we may disagree with the use of the rainbows we find.

Blessings,

Gail

Water in the Beginning

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. Genesis1:7

Eight times in the first nine verses of Genesis the word water or waters appears. One of my Bible Study students mentioned that her "aha" moment this week was the often mention of water in the creation since The Holy Spirit is often symbolized by water. 

I'd never really thought of water in the creation like that! All three of the Trinity were present at the time of creation. God said "Let us make man in our image." But here was the water covering everything as the Spirit covers our lives and controls our thoughts and actions if we know the Lord and allow Him control as we should. Here the water was above and below saturating the universe with life. Yes, life because without water we cannot live and without the Holy Spirit we have no eternal life. 

The image above helps me think of the beginning of the world. The clouds above and the water beneath, both in motion yet controlled and purposeful. The tides to cleanse the ocean and more. The clouds moved by the winds to move great ships, bring more water in rains, and more. All working in tandem for God's purposes. 

There is so much the Creation can teach us about God and His eternal purpose if we only stop and take the time to notice if we study and share if we listen to God's creation speak to our hearts and in our lives. 

Our Bible Study uses the S.O.A.P. method. 

• Scripture
• Observation
• Application
• Prayer

Read a chapter and write down the verse that seems to jump out.

Write down what you observe about the passage

Write how it applies to you.

Pray and ask God to help you apply this truth to your life.

Who will you study and share with this week? We will continue our study of Genesis in our Bible Study Class. We invite you to share your thoughts with us.

Blessings,

Gail

Apples Make a Church

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41 KJV

 Here in the Carolinas, the apples are in, so apple butter is in the making. It's really quite simple when you have the right tools. I use a crank apple peeler. I can crank out a 1/2 bushel of apples in about an hour. Try hand peeling that many and see how long it takes. And I have a large turkey roaster that holds my apples. It will cook a 1/2 bushel of apples into apple butter while I sleep. The next day, all I need to do is put it in the jars. The apple peeler will take out the core, peel the apple and slice it into rings all at the same time. I use a large variety of apples so the mixture brings out the best apple flavors. Winesaps and Cameos are my favorites. I also added Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Fuji, and maybe a Gala or two. Add a little apple pie spice and sugar, a few splashes of apple cider and the apples have a new purpose, the makings of great homemade apple butter.

I was thinking about how we tell the kids about the salvation transformation with pumpkins, taking out the yucky stuff and putting the light inside to shine through the smiling face. That put me to thinking about apple butter and the church. Apples have a core with the seeds. The seeds contain a cyanide compound. It won't hurt us to eat the seeds. A person would have to eat a tremendous amount to cause harm but our mothers told us apple seeds were poison. We take out the core before we make apple butter.

We have a core that has to be removed before we can become a Christian. That core will kill us if left inside. You know I'm talking about our sinful heart. We have to allow Jesus to cleanse us of our sins if we want to be saved. That's the first step in becoming part of a church. Just as a rotten apple would spoil the whole batch so an unsaved person will spoil the witness of the whole church.

The appearance of an apple has to change before it becomes apple butter. The peel has to be removed. To leave it on would add a tough consistency to the butter.  It has to become soft, sweetened and spiced to have the right smell and taste. It needs to be cooked on low for several hours to get the tenderness and consistency needed to create great butter.

What do you think we might need to be a great church? With salvation, our tough exterior will come off. We become the tender-hearted, loving person that desires to be like Jesus. We become part of a church where we can become that sweet odor of God to the world. Our lives are spiced with the truth of God's word. We are warmed to the things of God. We mix with others who may be of other races and cultures to create a wonderful mix that is able to reach out to a lost world, telling them, once, we too were lost but now we're saved. Once, we too were tough guys who didn't need help. Once, our attitudes stunk, but with Jesus, we have a new life and a new attitude and a new purpose.

Apple butter is the best a mix of apples can be. Just put it on a little homemade bread and see how delectable it is. Apple butter on a foundation of homemade bread, that's another analogy in the making. Got it? The church on our foundation, Jesus Christ the Bread of Life.

Be the church sitting strong on our Foundation, Jesus Christ, to a lost world who is searching for truth and purpose.

Blessings.

Gail

Hey Kids

Apple butter can be as easy as pie. If mom has an apple peeler ask if you can help crank. 

Wash and peel about 12 apples.

If you don't have an apple peeler, have an adult peel the apples. 

Slice the apples into small pieces with a plastic picnic knife. 

Place the apples in a crockpot.

Add about 1 cup of apple cider, juice or water.

Add 2 cups of sugar (optional)

Stir in 2 1/2 tsp of apple pie spice.

Place the lid on the crockpot and turn on low overnight. Stir once in a while, especially in the morning until the apples have cooked down to the consistency you desire.

Sterilize 4-6 jelly glasses (1/2 pint jars)

Spoon apple butter into glasses.

Bring to a boil in a water bath and boil 5 minutes.

If you don't have a water bath, place several table knives in the bottom of a large pot. Place the jars on top of the knives so they don't touch the bottom of the pot. Cover with water and boil the same way as with a water bath.

Let's Talk About It Outside

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6,7 (NIV)

Ahh - Fall, my favorite time of the year. Breakfast picnics along rushing streams and waterfalls.  Hikes through a rainbow of colored leaves. Jackets and sweaters that become too hot by afternoon. Nuts stashed in our pockets.  Wood smoke from fireplaces. Snuggles with blankets around campfires and tales of long ago. 

Studies from Harvard and MIT reveal the importance of time spent talking to children from birth to three. Those babies love the woods, actually any part of the outdoors. They are full of questions and listening ears. Yes listening ears. They are more calm outside than indoors. But back to the research. Research with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who have conversations with adults shows that in ten years their IQ and literacy skills are ahead of others who lacked those conversations. These skills are necessary for success with all other areas of learning. Poverty seems not to be the biggest player in learning gaps.

So how do you have a conversation with an infant? a toddler? a pre-schooler? A conversation is when an adult or child initiates a conversation and the other replies. An infant my only coo or babble but there is eye contact and facial expressions that convey a message. An infant may cry and the adult responds with "What's wrong? Are you wet? Do you need a diaper change? Are you hungry? And the child will either continue to cry or will calm and listen to the adult speech. Either way, it's a conversation. The same with toddlers and pre-schoolers. The child says, "Look tower." The adult responds, "You want me to look at your tower?"

The conversation about life should be going on all day long as Deuteronomy instructs us, when we wake, when we walk or sit and when we lie down, we must be talking to our children. God knew what it takes to help our children grow. He told us long before Harvard and MIT figured it out. Let's put down the iPhone, iPad, Tablet and yes turn off the TV. Let's get outside and talk to our children. Let's make connections to God's creation and His word. Let's go hiking.

Hey Kids:

Have you had a conversation with someone today? Was it a little kid or a parent or maybe a grandparent?
What did you find interesting about that conversation? 
Was it funny or silly?
Did you speak a different language or pretend to use different dialects and dance to silly tunes? 
Was it a serious conversation about times long ago and the difficulties faced?
Did you ask for help with lessons or join mom for a cooking adventure?
Did you take a hike with dad through the woods?
Did you learn the names of trees and nuts?
Did you turn your conversations into a journal entry?
Conversations are the first part of great learning. Writing is the second part because you are using more movement. 
So dance like no one is looking and who cares if they are.
Sing and talk like you're on a great stage because you are on life's great stage.
Write like it will be read by scholars 100 years from now because it may and the scholars maybe your family. 
Enjoy being loud and silly and adventurous because that's what makes life so much fun. The world wants to know that living your life for Christ is the best life.

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

    our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

    “The Lord has done great things for them.”Psalms 126:2 (NIV)

Blessings, 

Gail

Children in Church

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14 NIV

Parent Worries
Have you ever worried that your child might cause a disturbance or a distraction in church?
Did you think, maybe I should have left her in the nursery? Maybe I should have made him go to children's church. Maybe I should just stay home, I'm not getting anything out of the service anyway.

Be assured that is Satan desiring to keep your child from learning to worship.

As a teacher of young children, each year I see children who know little to nothing about the reason for Christmas and Easter. Christmas is Santa Claus and presents. Easter is the Easter Bunny and candy. There is a total disconnect with the two most important Christian holidays.

God's Truth
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them,..."
 Why?
Imagine it was your children Jesus took on His lap and blessed them. What would be your emotions, feelings, actions to such an act of caring? How long would you remember that day? How often would you rehearse that occasion to your children?  If they were old enough to remember would they ever forget?

The Importance of Children

Demonstrating worship is a church action.

Children need to see their parents worshipping. 

Older people need to be encouraged that there are children to keep the church going.

Young people need to see their children will be welcomed.

Children need to know they are welcomed and cherished as part of worship.

Children need to hear the songs, the music of worship.

Children need to see the feelings and emotions tied to worship, the tears, the repentance, the joy.

Children need to be a part of worship that they will remember all their lives.

Let your children come to Jesus even if they are so small all they do is cry or sleep.

Jesus wants them there and so do you.

Hey Kids:

What are your first remembrances of church?

I remember an older couple who sat in front of us. They always handed my brothers and me gum. We loved them for their kindness, though it was probably to help us stay quiet.

I remember trying to hold the hymn book and helping my parents sing. Daddy took it and turned it right side up for me.

I remember there was no air conditioning and on Easter Sunday the stain glass windows were open just a few inches at the bottom. I could hear the birds chirping and smell the spring flowers as the preacher spoke about Mary and the others coming to the tomb very early in the morning. It was as if I was experiencing that moment of resurrection with them. For me, it was a soothing, happy experience.

Do you have memories to share? Your parents and siblings would probably enjoy hearing your memories. I know I would.

Blessings,

Gail

Gone Fishing

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 

Mark 1:17

My son is a flyfishing guide. He studies the weather, the hatch of the insects, the water levels in the rivers and streams and notices what type of insects the fish are biting on this week. 

He ties his own flies. They have to look as near the same color and size as the actual insect as possible. He also has to hike miles through rough terrain and wade slick rocky rivers to give the best guides in natural waters. This is a lot of hard work but he absolutely loves the studying and hard work. 

When Jesus called his disciples he told them to follow him and he would make them fishers of men. It wasn't an instant transformation any more than my son became an instant expert on flyfishing. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 and following, Jesus took his disciples up on the mountain away from the crowds and began to instruct them. They followed him and just like my son guiding on a trip, Jesus showed the disciples how to fish for men. They began to practice "fishing" before Jesus ascended so they would know how when they had to go "alone". 

There's is a pattern to become a fisher of men. Mark 1:15 says repent and believe the gospel. The first part of learning to fish for men is to know that we ourselves are sinners in need of repentance (a change of heart about ourselves) and we need to believe the gospel (Jesus is the sinless son of God who died for our sins and was resurrected again). 

Jesus then called the disciples to follow Him. Following is probably the hardest part. That's the study, the understanding of scripture, the talking with the Master. Along with all the study comes the practice, the little by little learning to talk to others, teach others and go into all the world with the gospel (Matthew 28:19,20).

The transformation into a fisher of men doesn't happen overnight. It happens over time. If my son were not a continual learner and follower of flyfishing he wouldn't have his own business today. If we are not faithful and continue in our study of God's word, faithful in prayer and faithful to reach out to others we will not be effectual fishers of men reaching all nations. 

Hey Kids:

Do you like to fish? 

Who taught you? How often do you get to practice?

Can you bait your own hook? What type of bait do you use?

Can you take a fish off?

Is fishing your passion? 

Maybe fishing isn't your thing but God has given you interest and talents that He wants you to use for His glory. 

How can you go into all the world? Do you speak another language? Can you draw or write? Do you contribute to kid's online magazines? In our day of technology, going into all the world can mean reaching them at home, but it doesn't mean it's easy.

How can you improve your talents so you can use them to be "fishers of men"?

Blessings,

Gail