60th Annual National Day of Prayer

For those of you who don't know next Thursday, May 5th will be the 60th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. As quoted on the website the mission is to "mobilize prayer in America and encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture". Generally this is a one day event focused on prayer in seven specific areas: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church, and Family.

I can remember as a middle school student gathering around a five foot pine tree with a paper flag on top to join in prayer before school. As time progressed my small Christian school aquired its own flag pole and we were able to gather there. In college I walked across campus after going to bed just a few hours earlier to join in prayer with believers. But it was not the location or the flag and certainly not the time of day that made this event so meaningful and memorable. It was the prayer. Standing beside teachers, staff,  fellow students, and sometimes complete strangers praising our Lord and laying our requests before Him that made the time so special.

This year's theme verse is Psalm 91:2

                                      "I will say of the Lord He is my refugee and                                        fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

I encourage you to get involved. It can look very different depending on you circumstances but don't let Thursday pass like any other day. Be intentional to set time aside and pray, in your home, workplace, school, or at an organized public event. 

You can go to  http://nationaldayofprayer.org/ to find more information about the day or to find an event near you.

Next week I will be devoting my posts to the theme of prayer. I hope that you will stop back then and let me know how you are planning on participating. How does your family make prayer a priority? Do you have any interactive ways of teaching you children the importance of prayer? I would love to hear your ideas and/or questions!

Possible Easter Tradition in the Making: Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls

I have seen this recipe on several blogs and have decided to try them for myself! Since my daughter is a little young to be helping in the kitchen I may invite some friends over from chuch to help out!

Ingredients:

Crescent Rolls or Make your own favorite bread recipe

one package Marshmallows

3/4 t. Cinnamon

4 T.   Sugar

1/3 c. Melted Butter

1. Mix Cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl

2. Dip each marshmallow in butter and then in cinnamon/sugar mixture.

3. Next use one crescent roll per marshmallow and wrap the dough around the marshmallow pinching the seams together. (No part of the marshmallow should be showing).

4. If desired you can then roll the dough covered marshmallow into a ball to eliminate the seams.

5. Continue steps 2-4 until you have the number of rolls desired.

6. Place the rolls on a cookie sheet with a lip around the perimeter.

7. Spread additional butter on top of rolls and sprinkle with extra cinnamon and sugar if desired.

8. Bake at 350 degrees for abour 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

The finished product doesn't just look and taste yummy it is a great way to teach about the Easter story!

As you make these rolls you can use them as a picture of Jesus burial. The marshmallow illustrates Jesus body. As you dip it in the cinnamon/sugar mixture you can discuss the oils and spices that were used to anoint Jesus body. The roll represents sealing the body in the tomb. After baking the roll the marshmallow "disappears" leaving behind an "empty tomb".

Let me know if you try this yourself. I would love to hear how you use it to teach your children to understand the Easter! I will update this post after I have tried these for myself! But for now I wanted to share it with you! Enjoy celebrating the sweet hope we have in a risen Savior!

The Story of Easter

The Story of Easter
Written by Patricia Pingry
Illustrated by Lorraine Wells

Appropriate for ages 2-5

This basic presentation of the Easter story provides an overview of why we celebrate Easter. Covering Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter itself the book records that Jesus was put on the cross, but disappointingly leaves out the most important part. He was crucified for our sins. Without the blood of Christ we would have no hope. Speaking about Easter Sunday the book mentions the empty tomb and that Jesus had risen. It vaguely implies that His death was paying for our sins, by saying something like His death gives us life.

Overall the book was a bit choppy jumping from baby animals and spring to the story behind Easter and even covering why churches have crosses on their steeples. All of that in just 11 pages.
The last page, the most gospel centered of them, states, "He gave His life for us so that we can live too." How true and yet we so often we forget or choose not to remember the sacrifice He made to rescue us from our sins.

I hope that you take this Easter season to remember and treasure the sacrifice that was made so that you might have life!

Parables for the Youngest

The Proud Prayer
Written by Carine MacKenzie

Illustrated by: Michel DeBoer

Appropriate for ages 2-6

From the series Stores Jesus Told Carine Mackenzie and Michel DeBoer clearly show the contrast between a proud and humble heart. They use both the text and illustrations to make the parable comprehendible for very young children.

The text is based on the passage in Luke 18:9-14 where Jesus speaks to the people. It closely follows the biblical story simplifying it to provide background information and clarity for young readers or listener.
The short book ends with the big picture; those on earth that think highly of themselves will be humbled when they stand before Christ and those that see their need for Jesus will be exalted.

Each page includes a few sentences with a brightly colored illustration to accompany the text. Interaction is imbedding into each page as kids can search for the purple feather. The book's simplicity, and biblical focus illustrate for young children the point Jesus made as he addressed the hearts of the people. 

Good Samaritan

(My Very First Bible Stories)

Written by Lois Rock

Appropriate for ages 2-6

I love this series, My Very First Bible Stories. The board books are not only sturdy but accurate (one of the biggest things I look for when choosing literature). It is an illustrated version of the story that Jesus told in Luke 10:25-37 with a few word changes to convey the message to even the youngest. The colorful pictures add a great visual to the biblical account of the good Samaritan.

Aside from the biblical truths, my favorite part of the book is the "Special Words" (Glossary) page. This page highlights words that may need clarification or background information. A great literary element to introduce to young children. Another special feature is a rhyming prayer which takes the lesson Jesus is teaching and incorporates it into a concise and applicable prayer.

Both of these books present parables that Jesus told in understandable language without losing the biblical accuracy! They are two resources to teach children about God's concern for the heart rather than the outward actions. As I read both of these books they caused me to examine my own heart. I must daily humble my heart before the Lord or I will become just like the "Proud Prayer", the priest, and the Levite. I hope you have been able to enjoy God's grace today as you think on what truly matters, the heart.

Luke 18: 12b "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

The Hiding Place: Free!!!

The Hiding Place

Written by Corrie Ten Boom and

John and Elisabeth Sherrill

Appropriate for ages: High school and up

Get your free audio copy of The Hiding Place.

Every month Christianaudio.com has a free download of the month. This month they are featuring The Hiding Place. I downloaded it to my MP3 player and am listening to in the car.

From what I understand you need to set up an account. (E-mail address, first and last name) Then go to the free download tab and put the item in your cart. (Make sure you put the download in your cart not the CD) From there check out and you will be able to download the book. (It is broken into 8 parts.) What a great free form of entertainment! remember you have until April 30 to download the book.
I can't wait to see what next month's free download will be!!

Baby Bible

The Baby Bible Storybook

(for Boys)

(for Girls)

Written by Robin Currie

Illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo

This Bible highlights a total of 22 stories from both the Old and New Testament. From what I have seen I believe the Bibles (girls and boys) are identical except for the covers. The sturdy pages and colorful pictures are fantastic for infants and toddlers. They draw the child in and make the book accessible. Every story is referenced by the book and chapter it is taken from ("Taken from Genesis 6-9") but scripture is not used at all to tell or summarize the story. Each story is told in ten sentences or less and generally includes a point of application and short prayer. While the stories are simplified and isolated from each other, I did enjoy the interaction the author incorporates, the application and short prayer.

The interactions are simple directions related to the text.

For example, after stating that God told Noah to build an ark the text says, "Let's pretend to hammer."

These suggestions are great ways to get kids involved and keep their attention!!

The application is a summary of the biblical lesson applied to a young child's heart and life.

Here is a piece of the text, "God took care of Noah. God takes care of you too."

Lastly the prayer takes the main idea of the Bible story and restates it as something to thank or praise God for. An example is, "Dear God, I'm glad you take care of the animals and me! Amen."

There is no substitute for the word of God! This Bible has some things I would improve and some very unique features. All in all it must be used as a secondary tool to the inspired Word of God.

The back of the book includes suggestions for furthering the learning and application of the spiritual truths. All of the suggestions are appropriate for toddlers and help deepen their understanding of the gospel as a whole.

Whether you use this or another resource it is never to early to begin engaging your child in the truth of the gospel!

Psalms For Children

Where are you God? : Psalm 139 for Children

Written By:

Elspeth Campbell Murphy

Illustrated By: Jane E Nelson

Appropriate for Ages:

Toddler through 8 years old

Another classic from my past, this book is an overview of Psalm 139.The text takes the big ideas from Psalm 139 and puts them into everyday occurances children encounter. For example Psalm 139:2 says, "You know when I sit down and when I rise up..." The author illustrates this idea with the phrase, "You see me when I run and when I rest."

The foundational idea that God knows and sees everything that a person says, does, and thinks is the basis for the first half of the book. Followed by a few pages stating that we cannot escape God's presence; He is everywhere. The book ends by revisiting the omnipresence of God and introducing our need for God to show us our sin. While this in no way can replace the scripture, I appreciate the simplicity the author uses to bring a lofty text to children. Personally I would use these texts (Psalm 139 and Where Are You, God?) together empasising the Word of God.

This series (David and I Talk To God: Psalms for Children) includes twelve books that parallel a particular Psalm. Where Are You, God? is book number two in the series. The books include full page spreads of simple sketches that alternate black/white and color. The pages include a few simple sentences using words and situations that children will understand without compromising the important truth of God's Word.

Although these books are no longer in print they are is still available used on Amazon. The title is at the top of the page is linked to the direct page on Amazon's site.

Fool Moon Rising

Fool Moon Rising

Written and Illustrated by

Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty

Appropriate for ages 3-8

In this clever allegory, the moon boasts of his power over the sea, ability to change shape and most importantly his light.

Until one day a powerful ray from the sun brings him to realize where he gets his brilliant light.
The moon repents of his pride and begins giving credit where it is due by boasting in the Sun. 

A Snatch of Text:
                         "He saw his pride and then he cried
                          For all that he had done.
                          For he had lied when he denied
                          His light came from the Sun."

This picture book brings to light the pride of our own hearts and our need to repent and humble our heart in complete submition to our creator. He is the one who has given us all of our talents, relationships, and possessions. When we deny/refuse Him honor and glory for the things He has given we are "stealing" honor and glory temorarily for ourselves and ulimately robbing ourselves of God's greatest blessing, an intamate relationship with Him.

The book is written in rhyme and incorporates a great variety of vocabulary! It includes a list of thought provoking questions in the back along with some intersting facts about the moon. Overall it is a book aimed at keeping our hearts in check so that we don't get carried away by the desires of the world. If we are not careful it is easy to get caught up in the "things" of this world and forget the great treasure we have in Christ Jesus. Focus on Him and He will shape your heart!

"For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not recieve? And if you did recieve it, why do you boast as though you did not?"     
 I Corinthians 4:7