tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68059757302831518872024-03-05T07:25:21.652-08:00Redding First Familiesa resource for parents like you and kids like yoursPastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-28257232572157738362015-12-20T14:40:00.001-08:002015-12-21T06:45:42.567-08:00Experiencing Advent: week 4 PeacePeace...<br />
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How do we teach our children about Peace when we live in a world of chaos?<br />
Our lives in the 21st century are go.go.go! <br />
We have work, school, sports, dance, gym, church, playdates, family time, screen time...it never ends.<br />
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The word Peace is all around us and our children hear it constantly<br />
"I need some peace and quiet"<br />
"That was so peaceful"<br />
"Love, Peace & Joy"<br />
"Peace on Earth"<br />
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Christmas season can end up being one of the least peaceful seasons of the entire year, school programs, piano recitals, dance performances, Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, Christmas lights, Christmas decorating, Christmas baking, Christmas wrapping, Santa visits, card mailing, the list is never ending.<br />
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Some people thrive on and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, others are exhausted just reading that list, and are counting down the days not for Christmas but for Christmas to be over! They find no peace during this season.<br />
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I'm right in the middle, I love Christmas and everything that it includes. I do it all and more! I enjoy celebrating things and I enjoy being active. I also enjoy a night at home in my jammies doing absolutely nothing. And I happened to be married to a man that would prefer to spend the entire Christmas season doing absolutely nothing on the above list.<br />
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Our family's take on Peace during the Advent season, is to not do too much, which is different for everybody and every family. We make the call on activities like this, is it something that we have made a commitment to {sports, music, dance performance, work, etc}, is it something that we will enjoy or that will add chaos to our life. If the activity is not a commitment and/or its going to add more stress than enjoyment to our family we say, "No!"<br />
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Another way we choose peace is to choose NOT to make dinner some nights.<br />
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Yep, instead of "dinner" we will either make breakfast;<br />
eggs & bacon<br />
pancakes & fruit<br />
a waffle bar {waffle recipe to follow*}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL-zmMlTSDmV-XyMyhtxL5HZVIfiwRk4GnUqwbJME2c_jR5Nu60P8ZoL7BEPRvvcW5MJi377M-e0UGe02GJVo9rzBITIBm1bitv1ML5r07uDftik-FDGc9db6u2v02LvCOfr-UVixGeY/s1600/fruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL-zmMlTSDmV-XyMyhtxL5HZVIfiwRk4GnUqwbJME2c_jR5Nu60P8ZoL7BEPRvvcW5MJi377M-e0UGe02GJVo9rzBITIBm1bitv1ML5r07uDftik-FDGc9db6u2v02LvCOfr-UVixGeY/s200/fruit.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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...making breakfast at breakfast time can be so involved, but for some reason breakfast at dinner seems like an easy throw down meal.<br />
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Or have leftover buffet, {clean out the fridge and eat all the leftovers}.<br />
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Or a Sunday night favorite in our home, popcorn for dinner...yep, we have popcorn for dinner! <br />
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<img alt="Image result for bowl of popcorn" 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" /></div>
We have a huge bowl of popcorn with some sides of fruit and maybe some cheese, serve this on paper plates in the living room while watching a Christmas movie or an episode or two of Americas Funniest Home Videos.<br />
<br />
However you choose to do it, whatever works for you family, please find away to embrace the advent season without ruining the Peace of the season. <br />
<br />
Peace doesn't have to mean quietness, it's a feeling, the state of your heart. If your house/life being filled with activities and noise is something that fills you with joy, then let that Peace fill your heart. If the busy-ness is taking peace from your life, then that is not what Christ desires for you. Peace is a condition of your heart, and peace looks different for every.single.person.<br />
<br />
May the peace of Christ fill your lives, your heart, this Advent season.<br />
Pastor Kiera<br />
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<b><u>*Breakfast for Dinner Waffle Recipe</u></b><br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">1 1/2 cup flour</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">1/2 cup cornstarch</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">1 teaspoon baking powder</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">1/2 teaspoon baking soda</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">1 teaspoon salt</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">2 cups melted butter </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">2 egg</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">3 teaspoons sugar</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">3 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Butter and syrup, for serving</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px;" />
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; mix well. Add the milk, melted butter, eggs, sugar and vanilla and mix well. Let the batter sit for 30 minutes.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
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<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Preheat a waffle iron. Do not use non-stick spray on the waffle iron; the butter in the batter will allow the waffle to release easily. Follow the directions on your waffle iron to cook the waffles. Serve warm topped with fruit and whipped cream or yogurt.</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-8505664543741932822015-12-12T22:46:00.000-08:002015-12-13T07:34:56.479-08:00Experiencing Advent: Week 3 RedemptionChristmas season is in full swing. Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, Christmas decorating, Christmas burnout!<br />
<br />
Almost everyone loves Christmas, but the further we get into the season the busy-ness, rush, rush, rush, of the season can rob us of our Christmas joy. <br />
<br />
My hope for you & your family this Christmas season is that you will find time to stop, and experience Shalom {Peace}. Focus on the babe that came that first Christmas morning. The child that brought redemption to our world, to us, to you!<br />
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This weeks advent theme is redemption. Focus on that word...redemption...and what it could mean for you this Christmas season. Advent is about expecting, the arrival of something. Stop the rush, rush, rush of the "Christmas season" and embrace the Shalom, the peace that Jesus has brought for you.<br />
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Two small, easy activities that I ONLY want you to do, if they are helping you find the Peace of the Advent season and not adding to your long list of Christmas To Do's.<br />
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The first, a simple recipe, so simple, a 3 year old can do it {with the help of an adult}.<br />
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<b><u>Christmas Rolo Pretzel Bites</u></b><br />
1 bag small Pretzel twists {or rounds, or squares}<br />
1 bag of Rolos {or Hershey kisses}<br />
1 bag of M & M's {or any small candy or nut you want to use}<br />
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Preheat oven to 200 {not too hot!}<br />
Line baking sheet with parchment paper, foil or just spray it good.<br />
Place pretzels on baking sheet.<br />
Place one Rolo {or hershey's kiss} on top of each pretzel.<br />
Place in oven for 3-5 minutes, you want the Rolo/hershey kiss to be soft but NOT melted. Immediately start placing the M&M's on top of each Rolo/hershey kiss. Let cool before eating {10 min in the fridge or 1 hour room temp}<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEyitL-G1HFW0e5La-x_dwVnQbvGbWf_3daTuNIQQbz1XdkE-IBh9TeGx5L1IyQqk8Ca3i0de4R0y4gSYxv13N4CUcZ-OxRUEnvpDdN5yBvenB-Ish8isAo794A6xZ4YE6W6I2-VclFY/s1600/candy-rolo-bites-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEyitL-G1HFW0e5La-x_dwVnQbvGbWf_3daTuNIQQbz1XdkE-IBh9TeGx5L1IyQqk8Ca3i0de4R0y4gSYxv13N4CUcZ-OxRUEnvpDdN5yBvenB-Ish8isAo794A6xZ4YE6W6I2-VclFY/s320/candy-rolo-bites-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source <a href="http://www.lifescrapsinkblog.com/life-scraps-ink/2011/12/christmas-pretzels.html">Life Scraps Ink Blog</a></td></tr>
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<b><u>Coloring Time</u></b><br />
Find some Shalom with a night or afternoon of good old coloring. Break out the coloring crayons, pencils, markers. Visit these links below and print off some great coloring sheets, turn on some nice soft Christmas music or movie, and just loose yourself in the peace of coloring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXToF8Qt0UIrXuFR9J9sK4qACHTuCu2aXDB-5eHeo5ADoR1whvRAlahvR0G0Q9Nszb1QtMetmCbLt_Lzl7RZaw1d8Qcv9EVRKhrLon_KbyXfHn9b0QSs7_HczIVAsclMH4LpXxSVKHA8I/s1600/made+by+joel+nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXToF8Qt0UIrXuFR9J9sK4qACHTuCu2aXDB-5eHeo5ADoR1whvRAlahvR0G0Q9Nszb1QtMetmCbLt_Lzl7RZaw1d8Qcv9EVRKhrLon_KbyXfHn9b0QSs7_HczIVAsclMH4LpXxSVKHA8I/s320/made+by+joel+nativity.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source:<a href="http://madebyjoel.com/2013/12/paper-city-nativity-scene-joyfully-expanded.html">Made by Joel</a></td></tr>
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Here is a beautiful nativity that you can print out and leave just as it is, or color it, from <a href="http://madebyjoel.com/2013/12/paper-city-nativity-scene-joyfully-expanded.html">made by joel</a>.<br />
<a href="http://madebyjoel.com/2013/12/paper-city-nativity-scene-joyfully-expanded.html">http://madebyjoel.com/2013/12/paper-city-nativity-scene-joyfully-expanded.html</a><br />
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A few coloring pages for the grownups....just click on the link below each image.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYCrHgvtD_c7QhOYGKwbFHKlq3oU1WPRSxO0PNdjHQIf2T6Gv2-pj8Y5s-Y_quMOZyqcAoBwyb4M5Fs86mbeRxeDR7Rd91LHs_dDrXtIhE7xxEsDqVeVFAPGi7N3WjgjNljqrhB4cVIE/s1600/nativity19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYCrHgvtD_c7QhOYGKwbFHKlq3oU1WPRSxO0PNdjHQIf2T6Gv2-pj8Y5s-Y_quMOZyqcAoBwyb4M5Fs86mbeRxeDR7Rd91LHs_dDrXtIhE7xxEsDqVeVFAPGi7N3WjgjNljqrhB4cVIE/s320/nativity19.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.freecoloringpagefun.com/holidays/christmas/nativity19.shtml">Free Coloring Pages</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9LJC3k6s7oOQLqDyJkhbN24IGbJp-1xf3MM6WCPVbfWCBIC9dTETy9aLN8Oh0FlN5QTD4GbQCI8uSsR61jjfxKGxkvmaRVfKJcDiDFXPWyqqYv2XGOeyu8QDnHdO295GRJvN32jo1LY/s1600/adult-coloring-pages-deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9LJC3k6s7oOQLqDyJkhbN24IGbJp-1xf3MM6WCPVbfWCBIC9dTETy9aLN8Oh0FlN5QTD4GbQCI8uSsR61jjfxKGxkvmaRVfKJcDiDFXPWyqqYv2XGOeyu8QDnHdO295GRJvN32jo1LY/s320/adult-coloring-pages-deer.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.everythingetsy.com/2015/08/printable-coloring-pages-for-adults-15-free-designs/">Everything Etsy</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST9LO7n-ubfqIcGZ83T__ruzrwn7fSpepq8y3awwIWeLxWNAwfQ6qFK5eA8qHxZgdMK9_ilV1-_nXW9ulujLaH0cuACwRVOGzNxDUsUBwbNvBW2DP5-EH7xIcsNBY-PS-AdFx___jsAk/s1600/fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST9LO7n-ubfqIcGZ83T__ruzrwn7fSpepq8y3awwIWeLxWNAwfQ6qFK5eA8qHxZgdMK9_ilV1-_nXW9ulujLaH0cuACwRVOGzNxDUsUBwbNvBW2DP5-EH7xIcsNBY-PS-AdFx___jsAk/s320/fox.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/this-woman-created-gorgeous-coloring-books-for-adults-and-so#.bf2ZA0p7l">Buzz Feed</a></td></tr>
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A few for the kids....just click on the link below each image.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7QE_yA61XxJWbuN_oEYQ7z5TtpCZjOHSmgXdbi4uftVwUzpJtD9VsKicSKsYDUtYrzyx-lk_zPcXu1xm5RE8Z5ZdDjimM4GlumBFoOGCuufy27FukKq10JLxoHZWrEFeKejMCd70jmQ/s1600/sweet+holy+fam.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7QE_yA61XxJWbuN_oEYQ7z5TtpCZjOHSmgXdbi4uftVwUzpJtD9VsKicSKsYDUtYrzyx-lk_zPcXu1xm5RE8Z5ZdDjimM4GlumBFoOGCuufy27FukKq10JLxoHZWrEFeKejMCd70jmQ/s320/sweet+holy+fam.gif" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://www.hugolescargot.com/coloriage/creche-9956.htm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XUEdFos-yQda-RvdlVPYVX2nHwkwXYSg8HbqA0aFY7D0ODnKcL-nGHamr_aNOxAcyhFDpH2y4W24LTwj0VKNPIqHOjB7SlkXYfY1LLqc4LHpFnODWdyA9HJWqZKe8vIoyiKrzXkFfZI/s1600/snow-globe-coloring-page-holiday.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XUEdFos-yQda-RvdlVPYVX2nHwkwXYSg8HbqA0aFY7D0ODnKcL-nGHamr_aNOxAcyhFDpH2y4W24LTwj0VKNPIqHOjB7SlkXYfY1LLqc4LHpFnODWdyA9HJWqZKe8vIoyiKrzXkFfZI/s320/snow-globe-coloring-page-holiday.png" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/color-snow-globe/">Education dot com</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMpnHVhA8NJ-M0nJjV-N1WI5ZwwQkRbeNhdkjXR8R_-y8q1CRcgo4TSNiU2T15mfBeHdL2PjrjlQqZW260X9CpjxIii8Y4_Yjp9MBKqeYhpA9Z4ZBeSGeoO3NTXbp700OHCoNvVaKxDQ/s1600/color+by+number.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMpnHVhA8NJ-M0nJjV-N1WI5ZwwQkRbeNhdkjXR8R_-y8q1CRcgo4TSNiU2T15mfBeHdL2PjrjlQqZW260X9CpjxIii8Y4_Yjp9MBKqeYhpA9Z4ZBeSGeoO3NTXbp700OHCoNvVaKxDQ/s1600/color+by+number.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://coloritbynumbers.com/printables/book/christmas">Color it by Number</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRw2iUygWGbohmKWiU1TUctcWtVXZc4Rq6hoVze5oMMRJruM_aSurHREzNZGDSW_Y6TEo02cqgWRTQ7EqEFR0rkw0Z9xhOO7dvzP2XSNOfMo7GRtBhdvone8id3_3P2asPKF7QpZAyxQ/s1600/curly+ornament.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRw2iUygWGbohmKWiU1TUctcWtVXZc4Rq6hoVze5oMMRJruM_aSurHREzNZGDSW_Y6TEo02cqgWRTQ7EqEFR0rkw0Z9xhOO7dvzP2XSNOfMo7GRtBhdvone8id3_3P2asPKF7QpZAyxQ/s320/curly+ornament.jpeg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source:<a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/crafts/2015-pictures/free-downloadable-adult-coloring-pages-?soc=social_20151105_54932626&adbid=10153655945062412&adbpl=fb&adbpr=50970857411"> DIY Network</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYG2M3u7yR3iy_A6ih9I3ACKWla9ZKIr8kKDkd1tXgHHB5HLOtpBGCmRHv8IwQpZihhka1aX612LTOccSFq7I9fOwltF4rH2BhPmhgG3p4MNoK_PPcELEhl58jWWda9z3kM0gXrVchl4/s1600/puppy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYG2M3u7yR3iy_A6ih9I3ACKWla9ZKIr8kKDkd1tXgHHB5HLOtpBGCmRHv8IwQpZihhka1aX612LTOccSFq7I9fOwltF4rH2BhPmhgG3p4MNoK_PPcELEhl58jWWda9z3kM0gXrVchl4/s320/puppy.gif" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.honkingdonkey.com/coloring-pages/pets/02-dog-03.htm">honking donkey</a></td></tr>
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Shalom,<br />
Pastor KieraKierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-61099777302369756222015-12-05T12:09:00.000-08:002015-12-12T06:26:39.647-08:00Experiencing Advent; Week 2 KnowI hope you were able to experience the shalom of advent this past week.<br />
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This Sunday/week is about 'know'...</div>
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What does that mean? What does that look like?</div>
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Depending on the age and or personalities of your children you can take this discussion on 'knowing' 2 different ways.</div>
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1} You can discuss what they 'know' about Christmas & Jesus. {an intellectual know}</div>
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or </div>
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2} You can discuss that Jesus knows them and that they can know Jesus. {a relationship know}</div>
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A few simple ways to celebrate these two different versions of know with your kids this week...</div>
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*<b><i>Set up your nativity </i></b>{or if you're like us, your many, many nativities} </div>
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While unpacking and setting out each piece. Talk about the meaning of each piece. Make this as detailed or simple as needed for your kids. You can take this either direction with 'know' you can 'inform' your kids {intellectual know} about the pieces of the nativity. Or you can talk with them about the why {relationship know} Jesus came as a baby. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDdMj4SnMGhDA3obAiiutph7PmKdGvBOXUFqclOjFQBkdpjcHWKmyyG2hMdvi4OUFodu5G7QMQAB6SXbPzcKPh9V-VbZcIoZH74-g7SaqDSESu0JrDQsvCPA8AzFkf6t_jsR9IV520lQ/s1600/navitiy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDdMj4SnMGhDA3obAiiutph7PmKdGvBOXUFqclOjFQBkdpjcHWKmyyG2hMdvi4OUFodu5G7QMQAB6SXbPzcKPh9V-VbZcIoZH74-g7SaqDSESu0JrDQsvCPA8AzFkf6t_jsR9IV520lQ/s320/navitiy+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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*<b><i>Make Christmas ornaments; A simple ornament 3 ways</i></b></div>
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a} <i>Reminder Bulb</i></div>
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-1 empty clear glass bulb</div>
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-1 piece of straw/hay/rafia</div>
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- nail, 1 white feather</div>
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Place the hay, nail & feather into the glass bulb. Each of this items are symbols of Jesus and can serve as reminders of our relationship with Him. The hay = he humbled himself and came as a baby, being born in a manger, so we could know Him. The nail = He died for our sins, so that we could know Him. The feather = he sent the Holy Spirit so that we may know Him! Print off or hand write a Bible verse that your family chooses to attach to the ornament and hang it on your tree.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDnzVR-G22GsMlkW7w1M5jPcGbyvtziQU-Cpvo3j_HEN8Z4qvmtInpkJmiaFkcYnp54W1t2ewjXokrm-rWEFDIiqad5ofji0ajlEoiqojs1nbS6rWyUe1-NZVAAphvhRxqaHdt85M2U8/s1600/ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDnzVR-G22GsMlkW7w1M5jPcGbyvtziQU-Cpvo3j_HEN8Z4qvmtInpkJmiaFkcYnp54W1t2ewjXokrm-rWEFDIiqad5ofji0ajlEoiqojs1nbS6rWyUe1-NZVAAphvhRxqaHdt85M2U8/s320/ornament.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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b} <i>The Emmanuel Bulb </i></div>
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-1 empty clear glass bulb</div>
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- small strips of paper{any color you choose} & something to write with</div>
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- a permanent marker. </div>
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Write ways that God was with your family this past year. {he comforted me when I was scared/sad/lonely, he healed my broken bone/body/heart, he supplied our needs, we enjoyed his creation, we saw a waterfall, a new friend, an old friend, a great church, a good school year, a hard school year, etc, etc, etc}. Roll these strips of paper up and drop them into the ornament. Replace the metal hangy thing. Using the permanent marker document what this ornament is on the outside, {ex. "Emmanual 2015," "Our Journey with Jesus 2015," "Jesus Loves Us 2015"} Place on your tree.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KabBygOh9YV3qQ6EEeoAHj91EN6fwh8N0e1ENuZadUze6SVdFAWlOGGnJag5J7eXa_iM83LuMso8wUniYrszQ8tZfefhlmJBVHZoRoyLDvXM2ipbW0DKB_wpGOaLgQWs-hCbRZWTrJA/s1600/ornament+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KabBygOh9YV3qQ6EEeoAHj91EN6fwh8N0e1ENuZadUze6SVdFAWlOGGnJag5J7eXa_iM83LuMso8wUniYrszQ8tZfefhlmJBVHZoRoyLDvXM2ipbW0DKB_wpGOaLgQWs-hCbRZWTrJA/s320/ornament+2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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c} <i>Jesus is the Word Bulb</i></div>
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-1 glass bulb {does not need to be clear {you will be covering the bulb up}</div>
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- a computer & printer</div>
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- white glue/mod podge</div>
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- foam paint brush</div>
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Using your computer print off Bible verses {either Christmas related Bible verse, ones about Jesus, or your favorite verse} in a small, easy to read font. Cut the verses into strips. Glue these strips onto the outside of your glass bulb. Cover the entire bulb with strips. Let dry and then hang of your tree.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTryaVpesvLl6xfs3yJx14z81oTUmTBfbUSR0vL1ckhlHSZ7BhtlCyy5Q0P8-cO1WnT99DFQz2TFYtYVBOHeJZaDDzQkgqSnVIUXEAQh7M-n9D3wCykF_P_Mb_vL0UoW5isw9qLag2ek/s1600/paperornament3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTryaVpesvLl6xfs3yJx14z81oTUmTBfbUSR0vL1ckhlHSZ7BhtlCyy5Q0P8-cO1WnT99DFQz2TFYtYVBOHeJZaDDzQkgqSnVIUXEAQh7M-n9D3wCykF_P_Mb_vL0UoW5isw9qLag2ek/s320/paperornament3.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idea from <a href="http://theturquoisehome.com/2012/12/diy-paper-covered-ornaments/">the turquoise home blog </a></td></tr>
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*<b><i>Know-in the kitchen</i></b>...</div>
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2 different ways to experience know in your kitchen this week with your kids...</div>
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a} Intellectual Know-find a simple recipe that your kids might be able to memorize/know and make it. Something simple like a 1 cup Snack Mix {5-6 different ingredients, raisins, dried cranberries, peanuts, sunflower seeds, dried mango pieces, coconut, chocolate chips, chex cereal, popcorn, etc} measure 1 cup of each ingredient into a large bowl {or large bag} and mix together.</div>
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b} Relationship Know-do you have a favorite family recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation {relationship}. Together make this family/relationship recipe.</div>
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Our goal with these advent ideas are just that...ideas. We want your family to experience the shalom of advent this year. We do not want to add to the busy-ness of the season and give you more to check off your to-do list. Please do not see these as added stress. Choose 1, maybe 2, of these activities, and ONLY if you don't have other ways your family is already celebrating advent. Relax and experience the shalom of the season!</div>
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Pastor Kiera</div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-50538980623611218822015-11-25T09:30:00.000-08:002015-11-26T07:57:34.733-08:00Experiencing Advent:Week 1 Comfort<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What is Advent? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Advent literally means "</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 15.6px;">the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event"...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Growing up the word advent meant one thing to me, CHOCOLATE! My mom would purchase an Advent Calendar that had 25 little cardboard windows that hid 25 pieces of chocolate. I'm sure the chocolate was cheap and gross, but as a child I LOVED this little Christmas countdown. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ibTx7hH6VuyHU_8EE1im3oeWMTn2MehatxAdUpNg6IIoxOORcoMCEe4yN_UX5sKf7nl8Wc2SsKf8LDKlHsiNfULk8SVAYh6pWLV5vIeQULK86bUv7mR63CjUUCa8ddFiimmlIlEYH7mV/s1600/vintage+advent+calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ibTx7hH6VuyHU_8EE1im3oeWMTn2MehatxAdUpNg6IIoxOORcoMCEe4yN_UX5sKf7nl8Wc2SsKf8LDKlHsiNfULk8SVAYh6pWLV5vIeQULK86bUv7mR63CjUUCa8ddFiimmlIlEYH7mV/s320/vintage+advent+calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">{ps Trader Joe's sells 2 different versions of a chocolate Advent calendar, a cheap $0.99 one for the kids, or a $9.95 version with better chocolate for the grownups!}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This chocolate calendar was my only word association with Advent as a child. But I knew that the arrival of that chocolate calendar in our house meant that Christmas was close!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 15.6px;">The season of Advent is celebrated in many churches around the world. The Advent season includes the 4 Sunday's leading up to Christmas, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;">Advent season focuses on expectation and serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. The </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.75pt;">Advent
Wreath is one of the </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">notable</span><span style="line-height: 15.75pt;"> symbols that the church uses during the Advent season. This wreath </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> is one that lays on a flat surface {rather than hanging on a door
or wall}, with 5 candles within the wreath; three purple candles, one pink
candle, & a white candle in the center of the wreath</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. As a whole, these candles
represent the coming of Christ, the light of the world. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual
preparation for the coming of the Jesus Christ.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Each Sunday during Advent, a candle is
lit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The fourth and last purple candle, called the "Peace Candle," {sometimes the “Angel Candle”} represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Celebrating with an Advent wreath during the weeks prior to Christmas is a great way to experience Advent, the arrival and excitement of Christ, as a family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #222222;">The themes for Redding First this Advent season are</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Week 1: </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_69485492" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Nov. 29th</span></span> - Comfort</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Week 2: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_69485493" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Dec. 6th</span></span> - Know</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Week 3: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_69485494" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Dec. 13th</span></span> - Redemption</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Week 4: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_69485495" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Dec. 20th</span></span> - Peace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We think in the busy-ness of the holiday season, it would be wonderful to have a few things that your family can choose to participate in that reflect on these Advent themes and allows you and your family to experience Advent in a new way.</span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Family Friendly Advent Wreath</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Building" your family advent Wreath for less than $10</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What you will need:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*5 decorative holiday glasses, we found these at the Dollar Store; $5 {or votive candle holders, small mason jars, etc}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*3 packages birthday candles; $3 {1 pkg pink, 1 pkg purple, 1 pkg white, Walmart has all these colors in the birthday section for $.98 pkg}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*something to stabilize the candles; sand, rice, rocks, lentils, etc; $1 or free {we found the green sand at the Dollar Store}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*greenery; clippings from trimming your Christmas tree, pieces from a tree in your yard, faux greenery, or mini faux wreath; $1 or free</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Have your children place about an inch of your "stabilizing substance" in the bottom of the candle holders. They can then place one of the birthday candles into each holder (3 purple, 1 pink, & the white one in the middle). Arrange candles in a circle in a location that works for your family; kitchen table, piano top, mantle, coffee table, etc. Arrange some greenery around the bottom of the candles to mimic a wreath. Each Sunday light the candle for that week.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CXNEiaAqDEjG3-litsPBDAEB75zgCyIhYQRJzd5ugkCje3Yx2ajMrnu_MUrE2llVzv2RR4DwwSztUbxBr9mBvIr5LBgyMd9bsXbnGIOhrZtVmq9rZDEElNP2fsLObi4NgUwuBMUPbQKA/s1600/family+advent+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CXNEiaAqDEjG3-litsPBDAEB75zgCyIhYQRJzd5ugkCje3Yx2ajMrnu_MUrE2llVzv2RR4DwwSztUbxBr9mBvIr5LBgyMd9bsXbnGIOhrZtVmq9rZDEElNP2fsLObi4NgUwuBMUPbQKA/s320/family+advent+wreath.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I placed our "wreath" on a cake stand<br />
so I can easily move it off of the table when needed</td></tr>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Advent Ornaments:</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Talk to your children about the 4 <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_69485484" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday's</span></span> of Advent and the meaning of each <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_69485485" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> {The themes for Redding First this Advent season are Comfort, Know, Redemption, Peace or you can go with the more traditional Advent Themes of Hope/Prophecy, Love/Bethlehem, Joy/Shepherds, Peace/Angel & add a 5th ornament for Christmas Eve, the Christ ornament}. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Brainstorm ideas that these words might look like, {This was our families brainstorming ideas before we headed out, comfort=music, know=book, redemption=cross, peace=dove}. Now with an open mind and brainstorming ideas still flowing go pick out inexpensive Christmas ornaments that would represent these ideas/words {Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target, Shopko, Kmart all have ornaments around $1 a piece.} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I took the kids </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">out and tried to find ornaments that matched our brainstorming ideas, we ended up with, comfort=sleigh, {we also thought an angel would work, or we found a teddy bear or fluffy boots}, know=owl, {we also saw a hat or an elephant might work}, redemption=cross, peace=dove</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Now each </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_69485486" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">/any day your remember or have time during Advent place your weekly Advent ornament somewhere special on your tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Different Options: Have a mini tree that you place your special Advent ornaments on, or a wreath that you hang on a wall or door.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NODk8hMnlHVnM9lKVFMt2nmZjhx1qua6CHHPxiDoDvjaRATNUcyGHet4jvCXH2rdsg7-57xWqp1TXQW5BVbX0duUb56Fj_FD3G_-fDlz4fnlQR9X9jw4LZ6D-xJL_xvYeKWzqdv332QH/s1600/advent+ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NODk8hMnlHVnM9lKVFMt2nmZjhx1qua6CHHPxiDoDvjaRATNUcyGHet4jvCXH2rdsg7-57xWqp1TXQW5BVbX0duUb56Fj_FD3G_-fDlz4fnlQR9X9jw4LZ6D-xJL_xvYeKWzqdv332QH/s320/advent+ornaments.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What we ended up with comfort=sleigh, know=owl, redemption=cross, & peace=dove</td></tr>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Comfort Food</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cinnamon Roll Advent Wreath</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Unbaked Cinnamon Rolls (either from scratch, frozen, or from the refrigerated can thingy, your choice)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In a 9x13 pan arrange rolls into the shape of a wreath/circle, bake according to recipe/package directions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Add green food coloring to the glaze/icing and frost your Cinnamon Roll Advent Wreath with green!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Talk with your children about how we find comfort in different things (food, blankets, people) but that true comfort comes from God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our hope for these activities are not to add to your busy holiday season, but to give your family moments to experience Advent together. Memories of slowing down and soaking in the meaning of this season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pastors Beau and Kiera</span><br />
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-63250971411164872522015-01-09T08:42:00.001-08:002015-01-09T08:42:08.341-08:00Reading My Bible Daily and Other Things...Wow. 2015 is here!<br />
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I remember watching Back to the Future II and thinking that 2015, the year Marty McFly travels back in time to, seemed so far away. So far away in fact that the flying cars, self-fitting jackets, and holographic movie marquees actually seemed plausible.<br />
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Well, all of a sudden it seems, 2015 is a reality and even though we're already 1 week in, I have yet to see one flying car, a self-fitting jacket, or a holographic movie marquee.<br />
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A few things from that movie did come to fruition though. The video phone Marty used are a reality now, although we call it Facetime. We know Marty's awesome television sunglasses as <a href="https://www.google.com/glass/start/" target="_blank">GoogleGlass</a>. And my childhood dream of hoverboarding to school is now a viable option ... because apparently <a href="http://hendohover.com/" target="_blank">hoverboards</a> are real!<br />
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Even though self-tying shoes and capsule sized just-add-water entree dinners haven't made it here yet, it doesn't mean they never will. I'm sure someone, somewhere is hard at work on them and sooner rather than later those things too will become our very real reality.<br />
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But as cool as those things are, they actually have no real impact on what really matters... my ongoing relationship with Jesus.<br />
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If I were to travel back in time, I would see at multiple points along my life's continuum, my past-self attempting the discipline of reading my Bible daily... I would also see, however, after a few days my past-self giving up. I was too busy, too tired, too forgetful, too lazy...<br />
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Fundamentally I know these things are stall tactics of the Enemy used to thwart my attempts at strengthening my relationship with Jesus. But still, after attaching all sorts of excuses to reconcile my heart's desire with what I actually know to be happening, I invariably come out the other side feeling defeated and just give up.<br />
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Now, who does that make sense to? Out of the two powers vying for my soul why am I giving in to the one I know has no power over me? Why am I helplessly conceding when all I need to do is ask Jesus for help?<br />
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Regardless of the excuses and the constant starts and stops, I consistently have the strong desire to want to read my Bible everyday. I think that's how we're designed... We were created to be in relationship with Him... We have imprinted on our hearts this inescapable desire to know God better. <br />
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So this year, I've made up my mind that it's going to be different.<br />
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And I'm starting 2015 acknowledging three things:<br />
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1. There will be attempts to stall, stop, distract, and discourage my attempts of the daily discipline of reading my Bible. I wouldn't expect anything less really. <br />
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2. Sometimes those attempts may succeed.<br />
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But... <br />
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3. Acknowledgment of these realities creates room for me to fail forward - an opportunity to faithfully press into God and His wonderful grace, allowing Him to help me know Him more and more - not just give up.<br />
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To that end, the kids in the Family and Children ministry department, the staff, and myself are starting with the book of Luke taken in bite-sized chunks. It's a 51 day track and about 20 verses per day.<br />
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<a href="http://rachelwojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/luke-childrens-bible-reading-plan1.pdf" target="_blank">Here is a link to an easy-to-follow map of the book of Luke that we're using.</a><br />
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Please feel free to join us on this journey if you'd like.<br />
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And remember, if you fail to read everyday, fail forward and press into God's grace... just start again!<br />
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On this journey with you,<br />
<br />
Pastor Beau<br />
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<br />Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-41205682294478286922014-12-02T19:51:00.001-08:002014-12-02T19:54:00.320-08:00What Was and What Is...I recently took one of those who-are-you tests that supposedly can figure out what makes me me by answering 50 questions. The results? In a nutshell, and no surprise to me, I am a guy who lives and experiences the world through my senses.<br />
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It is because of this super important aspect that a big portion of my life revolves around experiencing the world through smells, sounds, tastes, and textures... but mainly smells and sounds.<br />
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Smells and sounds to me are a time machine... with the faintest smell I can be transported to a different time and place. <br />
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The first few notes of Bon Jovi's "Shot Through The Heart" immediately transports me back to 1986; a time of new schools, summer days, and good friends.<br />
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Just the mere whiff of a pine tree is enough to waken the butterflies of Christmas morning anticipation in my stomach. <br />
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The soaring strains of the Star Wars theme song invokes such strong feelings in me that it can actually change my attitude (for the better of course!).<br />
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Or the scent of rain, or the 'ping!' of a Super Nintendo boot screen, or gingerbread, or the Ghostbusters theme song, or the smell dust burning off of a dormant heater... it's all actually quite remarkable and wonderful.<br />
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If I had to put what I experience in a word we can all understand it would be:<br />
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Nostalgia.<br />
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I love that word! That word encapsulates the feeling of "ahhhhhh" in me. My happy place, my mental cozy spot.<br />
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But here's the rub: I can never be nostalgic about the future. It is impossible.<br />
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And that is why nostalgia is also dangerous for me... Nostalgia is always rooted in the past. Things and places and smells and sounds that have already happened. Moments in time that have slipped into memories.<br />
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The irony of this whole thing is the fact that nostalgia is predicated on past experiences. There can be no nostalgia without past experiences. At what point do past experiences become nostalgia? Can I be nostalgic while at the same time creating nostalgia?<br />
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I've decided on this: If I spend all of my energy reliving what <i>was, </i> I will therefore forfeit what <i>is</i>. If I let my life be consumed by my past, I will therefore forfeit my 'now'.<br />
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"But nostalgia gives me such a good feeling."<br />
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"I don't want to <i>not</i> be nostalgic."<br />
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"Especially because it's who I am and makes me me."<br />
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"But I also don't want to miss out on now... what <i>is."</i><br />
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<i>After much thinking and inner dialogue... here is where I have landed:</i><br />
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I don't have to choose. I can actually live in both worlds (without splitting myself into two).<br />
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If nostalgia is rooted in the memories of the past then there must be a future counterpart.<br />
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I believe the answer to that question is <i>expectancy</i>.<br />
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Nostalgia + Memories = Past</div>
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Expectancy + Hope = Future</div>
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As Christmas time rolls closer the nostalgic side of me is giddy with memories of Christmases gone by, of presents opened, candy canes eaten, songs sung.<br />
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Because memories of past Christmases for me are ripe with nostalgia... it feels good and cozy to mentally live in that space... but it doesn't have to end there.<br />
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With a subtle shift in the way I categorize smells and sounds, emotions and feelings I arrive at the same base 'good feeling' I associate with nostalgia. Only this time my focus is not on the past but on the future: time I <i>will</i> spend with my family, things I <i>will</i> eat, presents I <i>will</i> give, love I <i>will</i> show.<br />
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I now find I am filled with the <i>expectancy</i> and <i>hope</i> of future memories that will be created in the Christmas of <i>now</i> which will eventually morph into the nostalgia of tomorrow, to be repeated over and over again.<br />
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Nostalgia + Expectancy = Abundant Life</div>
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This Christmas go ahead and visit the Christmases of the past, those nostalgic, cozy places. But also choose to live in the expectancy and hope of what Christ offers us every day, a personal relationship with Him.<br />
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Pastor Beau<br />
<br />Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-82984072334492756762014-01-21T12:39:00.000-08:002014-01-21T12:43:04.232-08:00Family Conversation Starters...Hello parents!<br />
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This week why not start a new time of spiritual discussion around your dinner table? Use these conversation starters to spark God Talk at dinner time.</div>
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Try it... I think you'll like it (and be surprised at what your kids think about God!)</div>
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On this journey with you,</div>
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Pastor Beau<br />
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Item needed: mouse trap</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Show the mouse trap. (If you have creative kids, ask one of them to think of a story about a mouse and the trap.)<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>A mouse is a pesky little creature that eats through packages of our food and leaves nasty droppings—yuck! </strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em><br />Why do we set a mouse trap?</em></strong> (If you do)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em><br />What do we put on the trap to try to catch the mouse?</em></strong> (Cheese; peanut butter; etc.)<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The mouse wants the cheese so badly that he goes after it and is CAUGHT by the trap.</strong></span><strong style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><br /></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>How is sin like a trap?</em></strong><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> (It catches us when we give in to it; it looks good, but the end result is not good; we want what we want so we give in and we can’t stop; etc.)</span></span></div>
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<strong style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We need to be freed from our sin.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Play the Choices game. List two choices and ask kids to move to the side of the room of the choice they like.<br /><br /> For example—if you like pepperoni pizza go to the left, if you like cheese pizza go to the right. (Soccer/basketball; sport teams; favorite school subjects; kinds of game systems; ice cream flavors; vacation spots; hobbies; etc.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Even though sin is a trap, we have a choice on whether we give in to sin. Jesus’ death frees us from sin’s power and we can choose to do what is right.<br /><br /></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Asking for Help</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>We are all tempted (it is not a sin to be tempted), but when we give in to temptation and do what is wrong, we sin.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Talk about what we could do when tempted and yet not give in to sin. </span></span></div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You want a pack of gum at the store, but don’t have any money.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You are tempted to look at a friend’s test paper when you don’t know the answer.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You feel angry at your mom when she wouldn't let you go to a friend’s house.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Your little brother is annoying; you want to scream at him to leave you alone.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You’re supposed to clean your room; instead you want to play a game. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Remember that sin is a trap. Asking for God’s help can help us say no to temptation.</strong></span></span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-85108623217062180122014-01-14T11:24:00.000-08:002014-01-14T11:24:00.854-08:00Hmmmmmm...I seem to not be as good at this blogging thing as I had hoped :)<br />
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My goal now is to post at least once a week... just to get me going.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
<br />
Pastor BeauPastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-33645546643074567762013-07-10T09:43:00.000-07:002013-07-10T09:43:03.471-07:00The Final Countdown!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYI06gqTdGoDvWVaIr3KDtvsnoprzWZfsn1sQH6-pMai0CbxMLwigLcJfElJrPqF_v-hpp3ElPfblihGBY6G7SxwLkiY3NRPYEqUZ9-b7kvwyTwHfu3MYNEhJws7k0s7gQFZEntgg5LTA/s1600/Be_Transformed_Gold_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYI06gqTdGoDvWVaIr3KDtvsnoprzWZfsn1sQH6-pMai0CbxMLwigLcJfElJrPqF_v-hpp3ElPfblihGBY6G7SxwLkiY3NRPYEqUZ9-b7kvwyTwHfu3MYNEhJws7k0s7gQFZEntgg5LTA/s400/Be_Transformed_Gold_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><br />VBS is almost here! Watch this space for updates throughout the week!</b></h3>
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Date: July 15th - 19th <br />Time: 9:00am - 12:30pm(noon), Daily <br />For kids entering Kindergarten - 5th grade this Fall.<br /><br />Come on a 5 day journey as we discover together how God can transform our lives!</div>
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Each day we will participate in an investigation lead by two detectives who are hot on the trail of a mysterious being known as The Transformer.</div>
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Through clues The Transformer leaves behind, stories from the Bible, wild and crazy games, science experiments, and Scripture memorization we will discover the True Transformer and how He can completely transform our lives!</div>
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Music, food, games, Bible verses, contests, and more await you as we discover together how God can transform our lives.</div>
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Come join the fun! </div>
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<a href="https://reddingfirst.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=11" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Register online</a></div>
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Pastor Beau</div>
Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-59154820955648770562013-04-30T08:41:00.002-07:002013-04-30T08:41:23.733-07:00PACT for the Last Week of April<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Two Friends and a Broken Toy</strong></span></div>
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Read this week's Bible story in Matthew 18:23-35 about forgiveness and challenge kids to come up with a modern version of the story. (How about one involving a younger and older brother? Or how about two friends and a broken toy?)</div>
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Give them time to work on it and then have them act it out. If you like, videotape and then watch it.</div>
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<strong><em>In this story, which one is the most like God?</em></strong> (The 1st one who was willing to forgive a really big debt)</div>
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<strong><em>Which one are you more like in this story?</em></strong></div>
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God is generous and forgiving. When we forgive others, we are acting more like Him.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Steps to Forgiveness</strong></span></div>
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Items needed: pieces of copy or construction paper, and markers/pens</div>
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Students in the upper elementary classes learned some Steps to Forgiveness. Review and illustrate the steps. Assign the steps to different kids and ask them to illustrate someone doing that. (They could even write the words in a word bubble above the character's heads.) Talk about each one.<strong> </strong></div>
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<li><strong style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Acknowledge that you were wronged. </strong><span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">It's okay to feel sad and angry when someone hurts you. It's okay to admit that what they did was wrong. God is sad when we are hurt. </span></li>
<li><strong style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Communicate.</strong><span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> Talk about it. Words such as: I felt sad when you broke my CD; I felt hurt when you made fun of me, can help others understand how they wronged us. Others may not have realized they have hurt us. Going to them privately and talking about it is what Jesus said to do in Matthew 18:15.</span></li>
<li><strong style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Forgive.</strong><span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> Come to an agreement and forgive. If you can work it out, you have gained a friend back. Ask yourself: Is what he or she has done bigger than what I have done in sinning against God? Forgiving means you are giving up your right to get them back. It means you are trusting God to take care of it.</span></li>
<li><strong style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Pray.</strong><span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> Every time the bad feelings come back, tell God you want to obey and ask for His help to forgive. Tell Him you trust HIM to handle it. Pray for the person who wronged you.</span></li>
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Use these steps when family members have a disagreement. </div>
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<strong style="color: inherit; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">Forgiving Others</strong></div>
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<span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Students are memorizing Ephesians 4:32. This verse fits the song, </span><em style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Frere Jacques</em><span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> (Are You Sleeping?). Sing the song together to review the verse. Once they have memorized it well enough, try singing it in a round. Divide into two groups and the second group would begin singing at "tenderhearted."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What is the opposite of tenderhearted?</em></strong> (Hard hearted—not wanting to forgive, but wanting to get revenge)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Why should we forgive others?</em></strong> (God has forgiven us)</span></div>
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God's forgiveness to us is the reason we can forgive others. Others have not hurt us more than our sin hurt Jesus. Our sin against God is bigger than any sin that others have done to us. God forgives us; we can forgive others.</div>
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On the journey with you,</div>
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Pastor Beau</div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-14761439483742941892013-04-09T10:26:00.003-07:002013-04-09T11:17:26.524-07:00PACT for the First Week of April<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; width: 650px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Did You Really See That?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Item needed: computer</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Go to the website: <a href="http://e2.ma/click/7rv3e/3wcxjc/389aeb" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title="Optics For Kids">http://www.<wbr></wbr>optics4kids.org</a>. Look at some of the optical illusions posted there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Did your eyes trick you?</em></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes we are confused or can be tricked into making bad choices. Things are not always as they seem to be and we need discernment to decide between right and wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What is discernment?</em></strong> (To recognize, to distinguish, to tell the difference between, etc.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We need discernment to make good choices—to recognize what is the best thing to do. We can't always rely on how we feel because our feelings can trick us (just as our eyes were tricked by these optical illusions). We must make decisions based on the truth of the Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Strong Foundation</strong></span></div>
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Items needed: blocks or Lego's or building materials, sand, large flat rock, and a pitcher of water</div>
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Divide kids into two teams and give each team one of the two foundations: a large, flat rock and some sand. Ask each team to build a house on their foundation. Do a test to see which house will stand the longest. (You may want to do this outside.) Pour the pitcher of water over the houses to see which one stays put. (Hopefully, the one on the rock will.)</div>
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Read Matthew 7:24-27. (The man who built his house on the rock is like a wise man that follows and obeys Jesus' words; the foolish man who doesn't listen to or obey the Bible is like one building a house on sand.)</div>
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<strong><em>Why is the Bible a good foundation for us to build on?</em></strong> (It is strong; it has been proven true; it will help us know the right things to do, which will help us build a better life, etc.)</div>
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We must use the Bible as a way to discern between right and wrong, between wise and foolish choices.</div>
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<strong style="color: #222222; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Green Light. Yellow Light. Red Light.</span></strong></div>
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Use the stoplight to teach kids how to make decisions.<span style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"> <strong><em>STOP and THINK </em></strong><em>(RED)</em></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong><em>CAUTIOUSLY Consider the Choices </em></strong><em>(YELLOW)</em> </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong><em>GO GOD'S WAY </em></strong><em>(GREEN)</em></li>
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<strong><em>STOP and THINK—RED</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Why is it a good thing to stop and think before making a choice?</em></strong> (Keeps you from just following the crowd, keeps you from reacting wrongly, etc.)</div>
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A wise person doesn't just follow the crowd. A wise person doesn't just do what he feels like doing. He stops and thinks before he does things. If we only stopped to think before we said or did anything, we might keep ourselves from saying or doing something wrong.</div>
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<strong><em>CAUTION, Consider the Choices—YELLOW</em></strong></div>
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2 questions to ask:</div>
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<strong style="color: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"><em>1. Does the Bible say anything about this?</em></strong></div>
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Not all choices are equal. Some are between right and wrong; some are between things that are wise and unwise.</div>
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If the Bible has specifically said something is wrong, we should choose NOT to say or do it. But not all choices are between right and wrong. How do you decide when you have a choice between two okay things?</div>
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<strong><em>2. What is the WISE thing to do?</em></strong> </div>
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<strong><em>GO GOD'S WAY—GREEN</em></strong></div>
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Choosing to GO GOD'S WAY is always best. If something were clearly wrong, then the wisest choice would be to say no or walk away. If something is not wrong and it would be a wise thing to do . . . then do it! We want to be wise and choose daily to follow God's way and rules.</div>
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Give the kids some chances to practice making choices using the stoplight.</div>
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<em>Some situations: your friends ask you to steal something; a friend wants you to disobey your parents; you want to eat cookies just before dinner; you want to play your video game but have homework, you have an hour of free time, etc.</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On the Journey with you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pastor Beau</span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-38982693378393548602013-03-12T10:13:00.001-07:002013-03-12T10:13:29.471-07:00PACT for the second week of March<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; width: 654px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">March 10 - 16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px;"><strong>Kingdom Law</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>G</strong><strong>oing the Extra Mile</strong></span></div>
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Read or tell the following story to help kids understand the expression, "Go the extra mile."</div>
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Samuel was hot and thirsty as he ran errands for his mother. The sun beat down on him. The dry, dusty road was crowded with people and animals. He couldn’t wait to run this last errand and join his friends playing games under the trees by his house. His dad said that now that he was twelve he was going to have to be more responsible, but Samuel would still rather play with his friends than do anything else he could think of.</div>
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Out of the corner of his eye he saw a Roman soldier. Samuel hated the Romans. He had heard his dad and the other men talk about how the Romans made them pay such high taxes and made too many rules for them to live by. He grew up learning that good Jews did not like the Romans. Samuel hurried past the soldier, but just as he passed him the soldier shouted, “Hey you, carry this!”</div>
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Samuel knew better than to run away, because no one ever ran from a Roman soldier. He also knew that it was the law—“A Roman soldier could force you to carry his load . . . but only for one mile.” Samuel wanted to spit on the man’s backpack and run away, but he slowly picked up the pack and followed behind him. “One mile is ALL he’s getting,” Samuel said under his breath. With each step he took he chanted, “One mile, one mile, not a step more. One mile, one mile, not a step more.”</div>
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As Samuel followed behind the soldier, he remembered the day that he heard Jesus teaching on the mountain near his town. Jesus had said, “Whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two.” Samuel knew that Jesus had been talking about the very situation he was in, but how could he? TWO MILES! That was a long way. Samuel didn’t want to go ONE mile, much less TWO miles.</div>
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"Why did Jesus tell them to do that?” he wondered. As he walked, he thought about it some more and decided he would put Jesus’ words to a test. Jesus had something other hard things that day about loving your enemy and doing good to people who hurt you. This was all new to Samuel, but he believed that Jesus was a teacher from God and he wanted to obey God’s words.</div>
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Finally the Roman soldier stopped and said, “That’s one mile.” He waited for Samuel to drop the pack, but instead Samuel said, “I’ll carry it another one.” The soldier didn’t say anything, but kept on walking. After a while, Samuel looked at the soldier and saw how young he was. “Where are you going?” Samuel asked him.</div>
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“I’m going back to Rome,” he answered. They continued walking and finally the soldier asked Samuel, “Why would you carry my pack a second mile?” Samuel told him about Jesus and some of the things that He had said on the mountain that day. The soldier seemed very interested and told Samuel, “I would like to know more about a man whose teachings would cause someone to go the second mile like you just did.”</div>
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They talked until the second mile was up and Samuel handed the soldier his pack. He could see how tired the soldier was and was glad he had done what Jesus had told them to do. He raced back to town, tired, but glad he had done the right thing.</div>
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<strong>What does it mean to go the extra mile?</strong> (It means to give a little extra, to give more than is expected, etc.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Being an EXTRA MILE Christian means that you do a little extra or that you do more than is expected.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Time to Go the EXTRA Mile</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div>
Announce to the family that a certain day is the "GO the EXTRA Mile Day," preferably on a Saturday when you can all be together.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
(Or make it a "Go the EXTRA Mile Evening" if you do it one evening.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Write each family member's name (or names of close friends and extended family) on a slip of paper. Set the timer for random times and when the timer sounds, each person must choose a name and think of a way to do a little more—do something extra for the person whose name they chose. (Don't underestimate the power of small things—a kind word, help with a chore, a homemade card, an inexpensive gift, etc.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Have fun being an Extra Mile Christian!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><div>
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<div style="font-size: 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Loving Our Enemies</strong></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 10pt;">
</div>
<div>
Jesus said that He didn't come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. He then gave them examples in this week's lesson about what that meant. For example: the law said to love your neighbor, but Jesus said not only to love your neighbor, but to also love your enemies.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong><em>Who might be an enemy?</em></strong> (Someone who is mean to us; someone who hurts our feelings; someone who excludes us, etc.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong><em>How do we feel when someone is mean to us or hurts our feelings?</em></strong> (We want to be mean to them; we want to hurt them back, etc.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Loving our enemies is impossible to do on our own. We NEED God's help.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Illustrate this by asking one child to give another child a certain item (pencil, dollar bill, candy bar, etc.). When she tells you that she doesn't have that item, ask, "Would you be willing to give it to him, if I gave it to you?" (Hopefully, she will say yes.) Supply the needed item for the child to give.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong><em>How were you able to give the _______ to him?</em></strong> (You gave me what I needed.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
There are times when we will have a difficult time loving our enemies. The only way to do this is with God's help. We can ask Him to fill us with HIS love. (After all, God loves us even when we do wrong.) He can fill us with His love so we can love even our enemies. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong><em>How did Jesus love His enemies?</em></strong> (He loved and forgave those who nailed Him to a cross; He died for those who rejected Him, etc.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Loving our enemies requires supernatural (God's) help.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
On the journey with you,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pastor Beau</div>
</span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-43243001091233299972013-02-20T08:12:00.002-08:002013-02-20T08:12:25.534-08:00PACT for the 3rd week of February <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 650px;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><td align="center" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table bgcolor="#cccccc" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 27px;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>You Are Unique</strong></span></div>
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<div>
Items needed: pencils, white paper or card stock</div>
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</div>
<div>
Make a set of fingerprints. (from <cite><a href="http://e2.ma/click/nwtte/3wcxjc/30vqab" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.humanhand.com/<strong>finger<wbr></wbr>prints</strong>.html</a>).</cite></div>
<div>
</div>
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Step 1: Use a pencil to scribble a dark section on a piece of paper.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Step 2: Rub one fingertip across the section of paper.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Step 3: Stick a piece of clear tape onto the darkened finger. <em>(Packing tape works very well, but any clear tape will do.)</em></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Step 4: Carefully remove the tape from the fingertip, and stick the tape onto a piece of white paper or card stock.</li>
</ul>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Every person has a unique set of fingerprints.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong><em>What does unique mean?</em></strong> (Different, only one, etc.) </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
No one in the whole world has the same fingerprints as you (even identical twins have small differences that make their prints unique). Just as our fingerprints are unique, God has a unique purpose for each person. What an honor that the eternal God created each of us with a special purpose! Even before Samson was born, God had a purpose for him. We will be happiest when we accept and live out God's purpose.<strong> </strong></div>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>A Special Purpose </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div>
Choose an activity your family can do together (make a meal, organize the playroom, do an art project, make a dessert, etc.) Break the activity down into different roles or steps. For example: If you choose to organize the playroom, the different roles could be: put the books on the shelf, pick up toys and place them in the right bin, gather and organize the art supplies, make labels for the bins, etc.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Set the timer and give everyone a chance to fulfill their role. When finished, ask:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong><em>What would have happened if you hadn't done your part or job?</em></strong> (It would have been left undone; it would still be messy, etc.) </div>
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</div>
<div>
Each person had a specific job or purpose to do. We all need to do the job given us. God has a special purpose for each one. It is up to us to fulfill the job He gives us to do.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="260" src="http://cdn.e2ma.net/userdata/12821/images/e1244819803.jpg" width="168" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><div>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Becoming Stronger</strong></span></div>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lead your kids in some exercises: running in place, jumping jacks, touching toes, stretching, sit-ups, knee raises, and kicking. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How do you get stronger?</em></strong> (Eating good food, exercising, etc.)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As a baby, you were weak and helpless. You couldn’t even roll over by yourself. But as you ate, you began to grow stronger. First, you crawled, then you walked (falling down a lot at first) and soon you could run and jump. Exercising your muscles made you stronger and able to do things you couldn’t do before.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What would happen if you laid on the couch all day, every day?</em></strong> (You would get weaker, your muscles would go down, etc)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How can you get stronger in the Lord?</em></strong> (Depend on Him for strength, read the Bible, pray, believe God, serve Him, give, tell others, obey, etc.)</span></div>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The more you do each of these, the stronger you will become. God will help you to be stronger inside to make right choices and do what pleases Him. It takes more than doing them once a year or even once a month. Just as you need to physically exercise daily, you need to do these things often to build strong spiritual muscles. </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Review the Bible verse, Ephesians 6:10b. Say it at least once a day, maybe at the same meal each day.</span></div>
</span></div>
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<div>
On this journey with youm</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pastor Beau</div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-42731449307837935012013-02-12T09:44:00.001-08:002013-02-12T09:44:15.605-08:00PACT for the second week of February<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 650px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>God Delivers His People</strong></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Israelites were in a bad cycle—they went away from God, God sent a judge to deliver them, they followed God...they went away from God, God sent a judge to deliver them, they followed God. This was repeated over and over. Eventually, you read that God delivered the Israelites through Gideon, a judge.</span></div>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Act out the story of Israel's victory. Assign parts for Gideon, the Israelite army, and the Midianite army. Read Judges 7 aloud as the kids act out their parts.</span></div>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How did God deliver Israel?</em></strong><br />(He saved them from the Midianite army that was stealing their food and other possessions.)</span></div>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">God is strong and can deliver His people from those who hurt them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">Be Strong in God</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
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Items needed: </div>
<div>
copy or construction paper</div>
<div>
markers or crayons</div>
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</div>
<div>
Help your child memorize Ephesians 6:10b.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
When Gideon thought he was ready to fight the Midianites, God told him he needed to take away some soldiers. God reduced the size of Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300! God wanted Gideon and the Israelites to depend on Him instead of their own strength or power. Gideon needed to focus on God and what HE said and not on the BIG problem or job before him. When Gideon did not see a way for them to be free from the evil Midianites, God had a plan and directed Gideon on what to do. When we depend on God's strength, He can take away our fear and do amazing things.</div>
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</div>
<div>
<strong><em>How did Gideon rely on God's strength?</em></strong> (He trusted in God to help them, he did what God told him to do, he obeyed even though he may have been afraid, etc.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong><em>How can we be strong in God?</em></strong> (Pray and ask Him to help us with our problems, believe that He will guide us to know what to do, read and focus on what He has said, etc.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Ask kids to illustrate the Bible verse. Talk about a problem they may have and how God can help them. Post the Bible verse in their room as a reminder that God wants to help them face the big problems.</div>
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<ul></ul>
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<em> </em></div>
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<em> </em></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="159" src="http://cdn.e2ma.net/userdata/12821/images/e1252421198.jpg" width="224" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Celebrating God's Love</strong></span></div>
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</div>
<div>
Items needed: supplies to make cookies or cupcakes, pieces of paper (or small hearts)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Celebrate Valentine's Day by showing love to others. Just as God used Gideon to deliver the Israelites from their trouble, God can use us to help others. Think of someone you know who is going through a hard time (sickness, loss, sadness, etc.). Bake cookies, make a card (with a message of encouragement, such as: We are praying for you, We love you, We believe God will help you, etc.) Deliver some of the goodies and say a short prayer with them before you leave.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Play a game of finding the letters to an important message. Write each letter of the phrase, God loves you, on a slip of paper or heart. (Make at least one set for each kid, with some extras to make it easier to find them.) When kids aren't looking, hide the letters. Invite the kids to find the letters and an important message. Let them exchange letters, if they need to.</div>
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</div>
<div>
Celebrate God's love with some of the goodies you made!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On this journey with you,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pastor Beau</div>
</span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-91374829015931124062013-02-06T14:31:00.001-08:002013-02-12T09:44:30.889-08:00PACT for first week of February<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; width: 654px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px;"><strong>Corruption</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Sin Is Bad for Us</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Item needed: moldy bread (or other food)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Find and offer some moldy bread or food (the moldier the better) to your kids. Or follow the steps to grow some mold.</span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Collect dust on a cotton swab. You can slide the swab along a dusty shelf, floor, or any other surface with a thick coating of dust. Since dust contains the spores from which mold grows, you will want to collect as much dust as possible. <em>(Mold spores exist in the air and can drop to the floor or onto objects as dust.)</em></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rub the cotton swab over the entire surface of your bread slice, coating it with the dust. The moisture from the bread combined with the spores contained in the dust creates an ideal breeding ground for mold. You can also drop a few sprinkles of water on the bread slice.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seal your bread in an airtight environment (in a sandwich bag or wrap it in firmly in plastic wrap) to lock in the dust.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Place your bread in a warm, dark environment to accelerate the growth process. For example, the website Science Fair Adventure recommends placing the bread in an old milk carton (preferably one with traces of milk still left behind) and sealing the lid. Leave the bread alone for approximately 24 to 48 hours and then remove.</span></li>
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(Read more: <a href="http://e2.ma/click/jhfhe/3wcxjc/7bnq6" target="_blank">How to Grow Mold Quickly on Bread</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Would you like to eat this? Why or why not?</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">At one time, this food was good, but now it has become corrupted. We too can become corrupted by sin. With the right conditions and our sinful desires, we tend to give in to sin, which will be bad for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How is sin bad for us?</em></strong><br />(It makes us feel guilty; it draws us away from God and what is right; it hurts our testimony; it leads us to do other wrong things, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Who Are You "Linked" With?</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
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Items needed: strips of fabric or scarves (to tie legs together for a three legged race)</div>
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Run a three-legged race, but with a little different twist. Pair up kids, but tie them together with one person facing one direction and the other one facing the opposite direction. At the instruction to GO, each pair should run toward the wall they are facing, which is the goal line. After a minute or so of struggling, untie them and talk about it. </div>
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<strong><em>Why was it so hard to get to your side of the room</em></strong><em>?</em><br />
(We were linked with someone going the opposite way.)</div>
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<strong><em>Is it harder to do right if you are “linked” with people who want to do wrong</em></strong><strong>? </strong>(Yes)<br />
<strong><em>Why? </em></strong>(They want to go the wrong way; they want to lead you in a wrong way; it is hard to stand by yourself and do right, etc.) </div>
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This week, we began studying the book of Judges. Joshua had died and the Israelites began following the gods of the Canaanites in the new land God had given them. God had given them strict instructions NOT to make an alliance with the Canaanites; neither were they to marry them or the people who still lived there. God was holy and He wanted His people to be holy. The people linked up with the Canaanites and were soon going away from God and worshiping false gods. They were corrupted by the Canaanites.</div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <strong style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 18pt;">Link Up With Jesus</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As a family, read 1 Corinthians 15:57 and memorize it together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ask your child to do something that he or she cannot do. (Pick up a heavy object, complete a difficult chore, write something, etc.) When they get frustrated or tell you they can't do it, come alongside of them to help.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How were you able to do what I told you to do?</em></strong>(You helped me)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The best way to do something hard is to ask someone stronger for help.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How does the Bible verse say we can have victory—be a winner?</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Through Jesus Christ)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The best way to win over sin is to link up with Jesus. When we ask, He will take away our sin and then send His Holy Spirit to live inside us to help us do what is right. God will help us know the right thing to do and give us the strength to do it. When we link up with God, He will hold us tight. He is strong so we must stay as close as we can to Him. He will help us! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pair up kids and have them help each other learn the verse. Toss a small ball (or stuffed animal) back and forth with each person saying the next word in the verse when they catch the ball. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">On this journey with you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pastor Beau</span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-67676485571109679752013-01-22T12:11:00.007-08:002013-01-22T12:12:26.454-08:00PACT for the 3rd week of January<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; width: 654px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">January 20 - 26</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mercy</span></span></strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>A Place of Refuge</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Play an old-fashioned game of Hide and Seek. Designate a spot as the safe place or home base. Remind the kids that if they can get to that spot, they are safe from the finder. Choose one person to be the finder who will count to 50 while the rest are hiding. (Play this in the dark if you are really adventurous and have older kids.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After several rounds of hiding and seeking, talk about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What did you like about playing this game?</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How did you feel when the finder was chasing you?</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How did it feel to make it to the safe place, home base?</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">God told the Israelites to make six cities of refuge—six "safe" places where people could run to when they had accidentally committed murder. They could go to these cities and no one would hurt them; they could receive mercy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What is mercy?</em></strong> (Mercy is when someone shows compassion or kindness toward someone who needs help or has done wrong.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We all need mercy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 18pt;">Free Mercy</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
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Act out some of the following situations where a person might need mercy. Write each of the situations on an index card or slip of paper. Pair kids up to act out their situation where mercy is needed.</div>
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Situations: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>little sister accidentally broke older sister's toy</li>
<li>forgot to bring lunch money</li>
<li>need help completing a big assignment</li>
<li>accidentally spilled milk on the carpet</li>
<li>lost temper and yelled at friend</li>
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<strong><em>How do you feel when someone gives you mercy?</em></strong> (Happy, relieved, etc.)</div>
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We have been given mercy, so we should give mercy to others.</div>
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When your child does something wrong and breaks a rule, show him/her mercy. Instead of punishment, sit down together and talk about God's mercy.</div>
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He forgives us even when we don't deserve it.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></strong></span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">Rich in Mercy</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Item needed: Band-aids (the colorful ones would be great)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Give each kid a band-aid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ask:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>When do we need band-aids?</em></strong> (When we have been hurt)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>When you are hurt, would you like for someone to give you a lecture or hurt you more?</em></strong>(No, of course, not. You would like them to give you mercy, not their judgment or harshness.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>What are some other words for mercy?</em></strong> (Kindness, helpfulness, goodness, sympathy, and gentleness)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>When others are hurting what do they need?</em></strong> (Kindness, help, mercy)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians 2:4 says that God is RICH in mercy. We can be full of mercy toward others.</span></div>
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<div class="splinkTags">
<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On this journey with you,</span></div>
<div class="splinkTags">
<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="splinkTags">
<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pastor Beau</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-85440375635420663542013-01-15T09:35:00.000-08:002013-01-15T09:35:07.698-08:00PACT for 2nd week of January<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; width: 648px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Who is God's Judgment For?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The five kings came to battle against Israel (God's people) and the Gibeonites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>The Israelites were fighting hard but it was getting late in the day, so what was the special favor Joshua asked God?</em></strong> (To let the sun keep shining so they could see to win the battle)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What did God do?</em></strong> (He did a miracle; he allowed them to have more sunlight so they could keep fighting and win the battle)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Israel won the battle, with God's help. God judged Israel's enemies.<strong> </strong>Only God is perfect and He sees peoples' hearts so He can judge them with fairness (Deuteronomy 32:4). God's judgment is for those who reject His way and His</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Son.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ask:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>If you could ask me for a favor, what would it be? </em></strong>(If it is something that you could do, do it.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As a parent, I want to help you. I can't do a miracle, but I will try to do what I can. God wants to help you. You can ask Him anything. He may say yes, no, or wait, but He will help you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><strong>Running Away...From Sin</strong></span></div>
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Do a simple experiment to show that living with integrity means doing what we can to run away from sin.</div>
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<strong>Items needed: </strong>bowl (cereal bowl is fine) with water covering the bottom, pepper, liquid dishwashing detergent, and a Toothpick</div>
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<li>Sprinkle some pepper over the water.</li>
<li>Dip the toothpick into the detergent and place a drop of detergent in the middle of the water.</li>
<li>Watch the pepper run away.</li>
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<strong><em>Why does the pepper move away?</em></strong></div>
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FYI: Water molecules are strongly attracted to each other and this creates surface tension. (This is what allowed the pepper to float on top of the water.) When you put the detergent in the water, it makes the surface tension weak. The water’s surface tension force is stronger than the detergent’s surface tension force, so the pepper pulls away from the soap and carries the water with it.</div>
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God is holy and wants us to be holy; we are to run away from sin.</div>
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Read <i>Proverbs 6:16-19</i>.</div>
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<strong><em>What are some sins God hates?</em></strong> (Proud look, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers)<br /><strong><em> </em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>What are some ways you can avoid</em></strong><em> (stay away from)<strong> sin?</strong> </em>(Make friends who also want to do what is right, pray and ask God to help you be strong, listen to your parents, love God more than any sin)</div>
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<strong><em>If someone asks you to do something you know is not right, what can you do?</em></strong> (Walk away, tell them you need to leave now, say "no, thanks")</div>
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<strong><em>No one can completely be free of sin, but God gives us His Holy Spirit to help us keep away from sin. What should we do when we sin?</em></strong> (Be sorry for our sin and ask God to forgive us; He is merciful and always ready to forgive us.) </div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>God's Gift of Forgiveness</strong></span></div>
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Review the Bible verse kids are learning—Romans 6:23.</div>
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Announce that you have a list of extra jobs to be done and that you are paying money. (Make a list of extra jobs and attach a money amount to each one—clean out the hall closet - $1; organize the bookshelf - $.50. The amounts will depend on the ages of your kids and the difficulty of the job.)</div>
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Post the list on the fridge and set a deadline for when the jobs need to be completed. At the designated time, call them together and hand out their their wages.</div>
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Read Romans 6:23 (or ask one of them to quote it).</div>
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<strong><em>What are wages?</em></strong> (Payment for doing work)</div>
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<strong><em>What are the wages for sin?</em></strong> (Death, separation from God)</div>
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We've all sinned and our payment for it is to be separated from God forever. <strong><em>God doesn't want us to be separated from Him so what does He give us?</em></strong> (The gift of eternal life in Heaven)</div>
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Give each of them an extra amount of money as a gift. Say something like this as you hold up each one's money: <em>This is a gift for you. You don't have to earn it.</em></div>
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<strong><em>What did you need to do to get the gift of money?</em></strong><em> </em>(Reach out and take it, receive it, etc.)</div>
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God wants to give each one the gift of forgiveness. It is up to us to receive it.</div>
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Post the verse on the fridge and say it at least once a day.</div>
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On this journey with you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pastor Beau</span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-4994938979138210512013-01-08T11:19:00.003-08:002013-01-09T13:50:29.128-08:00PACT for the first week of January<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 654px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">PACT for January 6 - 12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px;"><strong>Sin</strong></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">Breaking Rules Brings Bad Results</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Items needed: 10 slips of paper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Write each of the Ten Commandments on a slip of paper (<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4vVjh_kv1Z-ZGQyOTE0NDEtYWVjMS00NGMzLWIzYWQtYzk4ZDQzZWY1ZTY2/edit" target="_blank">or here are some cards I've created for us</a>). Look in Exodus 20:1-17 to find them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When the kids aren't looking, hide the commandments around the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gather everyone together and ask them to find the 10 slips of paper on which the Ten Commandments are written.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After they've been found, let the kids read theirs aloud. Then try to put them in the correct order.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What are the Ten Commandments?</em></strong> (God's rules)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What is sin?</em></strong> (Breaking God's rules, going our own way, doing wrong things, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What was Achan's sin?</em></strong> (He coveted; he wanted something that wasn't his and he took it; he stole)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God made us and He made the rules where we will be the happiest. Breaking God's rules brings bad results. Obeying God's rules is the best way to live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Keep Away</strong></span></span></div>
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Items needed: warning label (on cleaning products, garden poison, some electrical appliances, etc)</div>
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Show label and ask:</div>
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<strong><em>What does this say?</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Why do the makers of this product put this label on it?</em></strong> (They want to keep you safe; they don't want you to be hurt, etc.)</div>
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SIN should have a label on it! There should be a WARNING—KEEP AWAY sign because sin hurts us. We may think it is not so bad, but there are always bad results to sin. When you are tempted to do something wrong, remember that sin always brings bad results, maybe not right that minute, but it will eventually hurt you.</div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>God Makes Us Clean</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Items needed: bowl of mud (mix some water and dirt together to make it), soap, and water</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What did Achan do when he sinned?</em></strong> (He hid the stolen items under his tent)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What are some things people do when they sin?</em></strong> (Hide it, blame others, make excuses for why they did it, keep doing it, etc.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">God gave us the Bible and the Holy Spirit to help us know what is right and wrong, but there are times when we still sin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Is it ever right to sin?</em></strong><strong> </strong>(No)<strong> <em>BUT when we do sin, what should we do?</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Read 1 John 1:9 (If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to clean us from all unrighteousness [un-right-ness].)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dip hands in the mud. Oh, no! <strong><em>How can I get rid of the mud?</em></strong> (If I hide my hands behind my back, it will be gone; try to blame one of the kids for your messy hands; act like it's not such a bad thing to live with mud all over your hands, etc.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I need to wash my hands. (Go the sink and do just that!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hiding or blaming or pretending will not take away our sin. Only God can make us clean on the inside!</span></span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-18251921609460521032012-12-18T09:25:00.001-08:002012-12-18T09:25:23.724-08:00PACT for the 3rd week of December<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; text-align: start; width: 654px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">December 16 - 22</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mighty God</span></span></strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><strong>Things Only God Can Do</strong></span></div>
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Write each of the following instructions on a slip of paper (or just assign one verbally to each kid). Instructions<em>: make it snow 3 feet, make it rain, create a tree full of leaves, create a fruit that tastes good, heal a blind person, etc.</em></div>
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Invite each kid to choose a slip of paper and to complete their assignment within the day. When they look surprised, ask, "What is the problem?" When they assure you that their task is impossible, ask them why.</div>
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These assignments are things that only God can do. Only God can make it snow or rain, only God can make a tree or fruit and only God can heal someone. We call things that only God can do, miracles. God has all-power and we can trust Him to help us. He is a mighty GOD!</div>
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<strong><em>What miracle did God do for the Israelites as they were entering the Promised Land?</em></strong> (he held back the waters of the Jordan River for them to cross on dry land) </div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><strong>God's Power</strong></span></div>
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Items needed: rocks, paint or markers</div>
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When God held back the waters of the Jordan River so His people could cross, He gave them specific instructions. He told them to make a memorial - a pile of stones to help them remember what God had done.</div>
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Make a memorial with your family. Brainstorm to think of good things God has done for you. (<em>Has He answered a prayer? Has He helped you through a rough situation? Has He comforted or encouraged you in a special way? Has He miraculously healed you? Has He saved you and forgiven your sins?)</em></div>
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Go outside and look for a rock (one large enough to write a message on).</div>
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Write a date or a simple message (God is good; God is strong; God Rocks; God helped me; etc) on the rock with paint or markers. After the rocks are finished, ask each family member to show their rock and share a time that God helped.</div>
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Just as the Israelites remembered God's power and care when they saw the pile of rocks, we can remember God's power and care for us when we look at our rocks.</div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><strong>A Simple Prayer </strong></span></div>
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Item needed: a journal - a simple spiral notebook will do fine</div>
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Start a prayer journal as a way to remember God's power. Draw a vertical line down the middle of the page and on one side write, <em>Date Asked</em> and on the other side, <em>Date Answered</em>. Once a day, pull out the journal and write down your family's prayer requests. Say a simple prayer asking God for His help. Update the journal as you see God answer. If you continue praying and recording, you will have an amazing record of God's power and care for you!</div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-2882585994233014402012-12-14T12:39:00.000-08:002012-12-14T12:39:38.003-08:00Parents, for you about today's tragedy...As I sit and watch this tragedy unfold and how my own children are at school, I wanted to give you some things that I am thinking about that deal with how Kiera and I will handle this with Madison and Wilson.<br />
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<li>As soon as our kids get home we will turn off our TV. Continuing news coverage of developing stories such as today's shooting will only create more fear and unnecessary worry for our children.<br /><br /></li>
<li>But, on the other hand, please don't ignore your children's questions. Below are some ways that Kiera and I plan on talking with our children should they have questions.<br /><br /></li>
<li>We will talk as a family about how sin affects the world we live in. We will be sure to reiterate that this tragedy was not God's will, but instead what happened today in Connecticut was a result of the sinful world in which we live. <br /><br /></li>
<li>Undoubtedly as we process this horror one question that will arise will be "How could God allow something like this to happen?" Reassure your children (and yourself) that God did not stop this from happening but is working and will continue to work to redeem what has happened. It's OK to let your kids know that God's heart is breaking too.<br /><br /></li>
<li>We will assure our children, as much as possible, that they are safe. It's important for kids to know that danger exists in our world, but it's more important for your kids to know that you as their parents will do everything in your power to keep them safe.<br /><br /></li>
<li>We will pray as a family for the following:</li>
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<li>Pray for the families of the children who were lost. That God's peace that goes beyond all understanding will surround them during this unbelievable and indescribable time.</li>
<li>Pray for the surviving students and staff who have just begun a long road of healing. Pray for God to help fill the minds of those who witnessed this horror with images of comfort and peace.</li>
<li>Pray for the shooter's family as they come to grips with what their loved one has done.</li>
<li>Pray for the churches and God's people in and around Connecticut that God's love and comforting Spirit will permeate that town.<br /><br /></li>
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<li>We will admit to Madison and Wilson that we simply don't know all the answers. But we DO know that God WILL work to redeem this situation, that His heart grieves for those that are lost, and that God will continue to reign as He has always done.</li>
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Hug your kids. Tell them that you love them. And help them to understand that God loves them more.<br />
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On this sometimes difficult journey with you,<br />
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Pastor Beau<br />
Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-9056815270791886252012-12-11T13:00:00.000-08:002012-12-11T13:03:23.895-08:00PACT for the second week of December<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; text-align: start; width: 648px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><strong>Faith</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><strong>Believing without Seeing</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Items needed: empty water or soda bottle, paper towel</span><br />
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Do a simple experiment to show that things exist (air), even though we can't see them. Take an empty water or soda bottle and lay it down horizontally on a table. Carefully set a small wadded up ball of paper towel in the mouth of the bottle. (The ball should be about half the size of the opening.) Challenge kids to blow the ball of paper into the bottle. <br />
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Why is this so impossible? The bottle is already filled - with air. You’re trying to force more air into the bottle, but there’s no room for the air already inside to go except back out the mouth of the bottle, taking the paper ball with it.</div>
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(For more fun experiments about air pressure go <a href="http://e2.ma/click/fajce/3wcxjc/jl684" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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<strong><em>Can you see air?</em></strong><strong> </strong>No, but you can see the effects of air through the leaves blowing and limbs swaying.<br />
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<strong><em>Can you see God?</em></strong> No, but we can see the things that He has made and see that He is at work in the world, answering prayers and helping people.</div>
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Faith is believing in God, although we can't see Him. We believe that there is one true God who made the world and everything in it. We believe that He loves us and wants to have a friendship with us.<br />
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<strong><em>What are some ways we can know about God?</em></strong> (we can look at creation and see that if there is a world, there must be a world maker, we can read in the Bible about Him and the miracles He did, we can talk to Him and He will answer our prayers, we can ask forgiveness and know that He will save us, etc.) <strong> </strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rustle everyone to the dining room and climb up on the table. Tell them that the table is going to take all of you to the ice cream store (depending on the ages of your kids, you can pretend to start it as you would a car).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Could this table drive us to the store?</em></strong> (No matter how much you believed that the table could drive you to the store, it can't!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gather everyone out to the car and tell them the car is going to take you to the ice cream store (or wherever you choose).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Could this car get us to the store?</em></strong> Yes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Why?</em></strong> It has done so in the past. It has proven that it is reliable and able to make it to the store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Drive to the store and enjoy a treat. Talk about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Does it matter what you put your faith in?</em></strong> Yes! No matter how much we believed that the table could get us to the store, it couldn't. We must put our faith in the right place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Students learned about Rahab's faith in the One True God, who created the world. There were many false gods that Rahab could have believed in, but they would not have saved her. It is not enough to have faith; we must put our faith in a reliable source - GOD!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How do we know that Rahab had faith? </em></strong>(she hung the red rope outside her window just as the spies told her to do and she gathered her family into her house so they could also be saved)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><strong>Faith in Action</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Students in the upper elementary classes were challenged to live out their faith each day. Maybe the whole family would like to join the challenge.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Monday</b> - God loves you; love Him back. Today's mission is to say, "I love you and show it by putting Him first today. Think about Him several times today.<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Tuesday</b> - Today's mission is to show that you believe in prayer by PRAYING! Take five minutes in the morning to pray. Praise Him, thank Him, and ask Him for what you need.<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Wednesday</b> - Do you believe the Bible is true? Show that you believe it by reading and obeying it today.<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Thursday</b> - Do you believe that God will take care of your needs? Show that you have faith in Him and give a tenth of your allowance as an offering to Him.<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Friday</b> - Do you believe that Jesus is the way to heaven? Show that you have faith by telling someone, "Jesus is the way to heaven. Would you like to know more about Him?"<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Saturday</b> - Are you glad that God saved you? Invite someone to church with you to hear the good news.</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We show that we have faith by the things that we DO.</span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-36721283899088820862012-12-10T12:50:00.000-08:002012-12-10T12:50:19.053-08:00LEGO Creations... Baby Jesus in a Manger on a Present with a Star<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39MEAgsGFilFgoh_yxbHHLSY4Ira0LvpvFxRDKsJQVOHYuUnsMusFAo0b6f_VG9uRa5If1IXBj580AWEjfhejgRy_VRM4_hJ9Bs32DLQkGjQLyptaQUX8uFWNAAHglRKYpFRuaplL-44F/s1600/lego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39MEAgsGFilFgoh_yxbHHLSY4Ira0LvpvFxRDKsJQVOHYuUnsMusFAo0b6f_VG9uRa5If1IXBj580AWEjfhejgRy_VRM4_hJ9Bs32DLQkGjQLyptaQUX8uFWNAAHglRKYpFRuaplL-44F/s200/lego.jpg" width="173" /></a></div>
I'm all about using our God given creativity and imagination. Every Sunday and Wednesday the kids are given a theme from which they can either draw or build something out of LEGOs pertaining to that theme.<br />
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This last Sunday the theme was... Christmas scene.<br />
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I love to let them build or draw whatever is conjured up in their minds and then sit back and watch their God given and inspired creativity flow.<br />
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It never ceases to amaze me how much more creative these kids are than myself :) Give me a box of LEGOs and I instantly go to one of two standby models:<br />
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1. a car</div>
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2. a house</div>
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The things your kids come up with are truly, truly amazing...<br />
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So amazing in fact, that every now and again I will be posting their artwork for all of us to see!<br />
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Without further ado, I give to you: <i>Baby Jesus in a Manger on a Present with a Star</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVFqKc2CcSCvHBuHbG0S1sUy48kNwOx8aQNmnM3tf8KnS1tqV1gjGE7IUD8KQNgBJekz9qB9YTZhh0q79Gzgv6_5ZtPlL5PY3xw2LiO5AyGG5nSeaHi577r53F5mqkrf-xz5SAqadmUBq/s1600/IMG_20121209_090122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVFqKc2CcSCvHBuHbG0S1sUy48kNwOx8aQNmnM3tf8KnS1tqV1gjGE7IUD8KQNgBJekz9qB9YTZhh0q79Gzgv6_5ZtPlL5PY3xw2LiO5AyGG5nSeaHi577r53F5mqkrf-xz5SAqadmUBq/s400/IMG_20121209_090122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This lovely piece of team artwork built in less than 15 minutes by two bright and creative students (5th and 4th grade) is now prominently on display in The Great Room. Not only did these two lovely ladies create a masterpiece, but when presenting their art to the class they incorporated a brilliant reading from the 1 and 2 chapter of Matthew, focussing on Matthew 2:10-11 as their main inspiration.<br />
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<i>When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy. The went to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary. They bowed down and worshiped the child. They opened the gifts they brought for him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11</i><br />
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"It started out as a wrapped present but it turned into much more," said the 5th grader. "We thought that the best present we could ever get is Jesus so that's why we made this."<br />
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If you would like to come see it in person the viewing hours are Sundays 8-12 and Wednesdays 6:30-8.<br />
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Expect more artwork to be added weekly.<br />
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On this journey with you,<br />
<br />
Pastor BeauPastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-8613488569863061542012-12-08T15:56:00.002-08:002012-12-08T15:57:23.243-08:00This Year's Advent Calendar...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjPj9blq-r2vjAMo_0V3WdFp0hLWpKZ5AWbJzs-rZua_7auti0T2wfzuR7qBV_4bAaj-QCAFLm486T6RTNVanXeyV_kke1Zx2pM2ozdpCczIcKPG74FqRwFsdphyt9lE40chFIAUEznNp/s1600/advent+calenda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjPj9blq-r2vjAMo_0V3WdFp0hLWpKZ5AWbJzs-rZua_7auti0T2wfzuR7qBV_4bAaj-QCAFLm486T6RTNVanXeyV_kke1Zx2pM2ozdpCczIcKPG74FqRwFsdphyt9lE40chFIAUEznNp/s200/advent+calenda.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Check out <a href="http://chambersmade.blogspot.com/2012/12/advent-calendar.html" target="_blank">my wife's blog</a> to see how we are doing Advent this year.<br />
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On this journey with you,<br />
<br />
Pastor BeauPastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-65393571797146092872012-12-06T10:48:00.003-08:002012-12-06T10:48:47.499-08:00What Would God Like For Christmas?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What Would God Like For Christmas?</span></span></h3>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I can remember being little and actually losing sleep while trying to decide what I wanted for Christmas. Everybody seemed to ask me what I wanted, but it was my grandparents who were especially inquisitive. “Do you want a new bike? How about a chemistry set? Star Wars? Here, take this Sears Wishbook and mark what you want.” Later I realized why they did this. It was not because I deserved gifts, it was because they loved me. They desired to give me a gift to express how much they cherished me...a tangible token of their love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Flash forward thirty years. While Christmas still holds a very special place in my heart, Christmas gifting has taken on new meaning. I still like getting gifts, but now I find great joy in giving gifts, especially to my kids...not because they deserve them, but because I love them. I desire to give them gifts to express how much I cherish them...tangible tokens of my love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If we give gifts to those we love because we want them to KNOW how much we love them, I wonder what we would give God for Christmas? Don't we love Him? Shouldn't we desire to give Him a gift to express how much we cherish Him...a tangible token of our love?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2000 years ago God gave us a gift, not because we deserved it, but because He loved us. God desired to give us a gift to express how much He cherished us...a tangible token of His love. So, it seems to me the only gift that could possibly express how much we cherish God is to give Him ourselves as tangible tokens of our love for Him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Why not give God the only gift He ever wanted...yourself?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pastor Beau</span></i></span></div>
Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805975730283151887.post-28986024359092235922012-12-04T12:06:00.003-08:002012-12-04T12:07:17.468-08:00PACT for the First Week of December<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; text-align: start; width: 654px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Items needed: white board and marker (or just a piece of paper and pen)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are starting a new series of lessons (for the next three months) about the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land. This week, we learned about Joshua's need for courage as he led the people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Make a list of the...<strong>TOP 10 Things that Make You Afraid</strong>. Invite kids to add things that can make us feel afraid to the list. They don't have to be just physical fears - how about the fear of being different or the fear of being made fun of?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We all feel afraid. We may not try new things or even do what is right because we are too afraid of failing or afraid of what others may think. We all need courage!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What is courage? </strong>(doing the right thing, even when we feel afraid)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Will you be afraid if you have courage? </strong>(true courage does the right thing WHILE you are still afraid)</span></div>
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Students began learning a Bible verse to give them courage - Joshua 1:9.</div>
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Find the Bible version your students are memorizing and download it at <a href="http://e2.ma/click/bblbe/3wcxjc/vic14" target="_blank">youversion.com</a> and read it together.</div>
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<strong><em>Would you be afraid if you had to walk down a dark alley and you knew there was a big bully waiting for you?</em></strong> (If you are smart, you would be!<strong> Of course, you would be afraid.)</strong></div>
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<strong><em>What if you had five BIG brothers who promised to walk through the alley with you? Would you feel afraid?</em></strong><strong> (</strong>probably not)</div>
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<strong><em>Why did Joshua NOT need to be afraid?</em></strong> (because God was going to go with him; God promised that He would not leave him)</div>
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<strong><em>What does the verse tell Joshua (us) to do?</em></strong> (be strong and courageous, don't be dismayed)</div>
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<strong><em>What does it mean to be dismayed?</em></strong> (discouraged, disheartened, unsure and afraid)</div>
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<strong><em>How can we keep from being afraid?</em></strong> (by remembering that God is with us, He will help us)</div>
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God gave a big promise to Joshua. Joshua could have courage <em>because </em>God was with him. We can have courage <em>because</em> God is with us.</div>
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Start reviewing the verse at home by making up motions for the main words of the verse. (<strong>strong:</strong>flex arms to show muscles -<strong> courage</strong>: make fists and hold them in front of chest to indicate bravery - <strong>afraid</strong>: hold hands in front of the body as if to protect it from something that has scared it, etc.) Practice saying the verse (using the motions) several times this week.</div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Advent Activity</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Collect money to give as a Christmas gift to Jesus by using a special calendar. (After all, it is HIS birthday.) Download a copy of the December Advent service calendar <a href="http://e2.ma/click/bblbe/3wcxjc/bbd14" rel="here" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Each night after dinner, do what that day's posting tells you and collect the money in a stocking (with Jesus' name written on it) or a wrapped box.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Optional idea: Make a paper chain with the ideas. Write each activity on a 1 inch X 12 inch slip of construction paper. You will need to add a few fun activities for the days where a sticker was to be placed. Staple them together and remove one each day and do what the slip says. It will also be a visual countdown of the days till Christmas.</span></span></div>
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Pastor Beauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314426553591663872noreply@blogger.com0