What are You Afraid of? - Courage #4

I am unecessarily afraid of many things.
Often our daily fears are as silly as my first real fear. I am afraid of sharks. Fear is usually caused by Satan's lies. All we need to do is remind ourselves of the truth.
Example:
Lie - I am in danger of being bitten by a shark.
Truth - I am not in danger since the nearest beach is about eleven hours away.


Below is just the beginning of my list of fears. Make one for yourself and/or talk to your kids about their fears.  Then find some of God's truths to combat your fears. I have listed some courageous verses at the end to help you get started.

I am afraid of:                               See photo of my view above vs. God's view below.

What people think of me
My children's and husband's safety
failure (mine and my children) 
getting old
being left out

God's comforting truth:

1.Joshua 1: 7 & 9 - "....Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

2. Psalm 34:4 - "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."

3. Psalm 56:4 -"...In God I put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"

4. Isaiah 41:10 - "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.  Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

5. II Tim. 1: 7&8 "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and discipline (sound mind)..."

6. I Peter 5:7 -"Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you."

7. I John 4:4 - "Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world."

What are you afraid of? How do you combat your fear?

"So long Status Quo" - Courage #3

BRAVE  - by Nichole Nordeman

The lyrics to this song by Nicole Nordeman are inspiring and convicting.  If we aren't doing anything in our lives that requires bravery, then are we really living the abundant life?  Ask yourself if you are taking the easy road and blending in with the crowd, or following Christ wholeheartedly? He makes me want to be brave!

Wanting to be brave and being brave are two different things. Next week we are going to talk about some heroes who overcome their fears and how we can to.

Until then, watch this "Brave" video. It will jumpstart your day and your weekend.
Put this on as background music this weekend and see if your family says anything about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqSs39C3LN8

I would love to hear about your fears, how you have bravely overcome them, and anything or anyone that inspires you to have courage. Have a great weekend!

Witness with Wordless Playdo - Courage #2



http://www.hsprintables.com/wordlessbook.html

http://www.hsprintables.com/wordlessbook.html

I asked myself what do I need courage for most in my daily life?

Answer:
Telling others about Jesus' love. 

So I tried to think of a fun and simple way to help my kids have courage to tell others that Jesus loves them whether that be a neighbor, classmate, or any other friend.

The wordless book came to mind. Yet I wanted to be able to give our friends not just a few colored pieces of paper, but something they would really want.

I believe God gave me the idea of Playdo. What kid doesn't like playdo and how easy to give them playdo in the same colors as the wordless book.

My idea is to invite a friend over for a playdate.  After everyone starts feeling comfortable with each other, present them with your present of colored playdo and the color by number sheet about Jesus' love, and maybe a heart cookie cutter.  Then let the kids play with playdo (have your own set so they don't have to open their nice new playdo) and have your child explain to the other child about the different colors and why we wanted to give them a present - to share with them that Jesus loves them.

Here is a short version of what the colors stand for:

Gold - reminds us of Heaven  - John 3:16
Black - reminds us of sin (anything that displeases God keeps us from going to heaven) - Romans 3:23
Red - reminds us of Jesus' blood took the punishment for our sin- I Corinthians 15:1-4
White - reminds us how to get a clean heart - John 1:12
(A- Admit that you are a sinner
  B - Believe that Christ died for your sins
  C -Call on Jesus to forgive you so you can be saved.)
Green - reminds us to grow to know Jesus more and more through
   the Bible, prayer, church, and telling others

I hope to try this out this week.  I would love to hear how your experience went if you try this!
Do you have any fun and simple ways to help your kids have courage to share Christ with others?

The Basics for Right and Wrong? - Courage #1

It is getting harder and harder to stand up for what is right in a society that is trying to convince us that there are no moral absolutes. The irony is that the only thing that our universities teach as absolute truth is that there is absolutely no absolute truth.

We must courageously continue to teach our children God's truth and teach them to courageously stand alone for what the Bible says is right in a society that is training young people that it is right for them to do whatever feels right to them.

So how do we teach our kids what is right and what is wrong? Start with the basics - The Ten Commandments - which are summarized beautifully in Mark12:28-34

"'Which commandment is the most important of all?'"Jesus answered,'...you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself...'"

See my Pinterest Pages for some simple Courage activities and Ten Commandments Crafts.

I would love to hear about any ideas you had for teaching your kids about absolute truth.

Free Download - Shining (not Whining) for Jesus in July

My very favorite verse for teaching about shining (and not whining) for Jesus in July is Philippians 2:14-16.

"Do all things without grumbling or complaining, that you may be blameless and pure children of God in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life..."
See this free download for:
    1. Three pages of fun and simple activities for teaching Courage and
    2. 4th of July ideas from Pintentional Parenting Page for
courageously shining for Jesus in July.

I would love to hear about your shining celebrations!

Shine Like a Diamond! - Fourth of July Finale



Made by Jonathon Ogden
for Typographic Verses

Happy 4th of July! 

As Americans we are very blessed to have great freedoms. However, with freedom comes responsibility.  Freedom only works in a society if it is accompanied with self-government or self-control. Talk to your kids about how the less self-control a person has the more laws and rules are necessary.

As Christians we also have freedom. Galatians 5:13&14 says, "For you were called to freedom, brother. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  for the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

When we use our freedom as an opportunity to use self-control and show love to others, we are shining for Jesus as bright as a diamond!

So this 4th of July,
1. Thank God and our founding father's for our liberty (freedom to do what is right) as an Americans.
2. Pray that good men and women will continue to fight for our liberties.
3. Thank God also for our freedom as a Christians,
4. And Shine for Jesus by loving your neighbor as yourself and teaching your kids to do the same.

Thank you Lord that we are free to shine for You this 4th of July!
Have fun celebrating your freedoms!

Star Jar - 4th of July Fun #4

I think all kids want to be shining stars!

One of my favorite verse for teaching about shining for Jesus is:
"Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." - Matt. 5:16

This star jar is one of my favorite crafts for teaching about shining for Jesus (from stylist.com):

Supplies: glass jar, star stickers (we just cut stars and letters out of duct tape), spray paint, votive

Directions:
1. Apply stickers (or duct tape cut into shapes) to jar.
2. Spray paint and let dry thoroughly
3. Remove stickers
4. Watch your little stars face light up.
(This is my shining star, Kyah.  We talk about stars often because Kyah means diamond in the sky).
What are your favorite ways to teach about shining for Jesus?