A Lasting Gift

It's that time of year...our children are making their lists.  I was reminded of this over and over the past week by my own children.  You can tell that your children are getting older by the price of the gifts they ask for!  WOW.


Yesterday, in Kids Adventure, we spent time talking about some of the early history of Israel and how God was faithful to them.  He gave them some great gifts as they journeyed through the wilderness:  food, water, shelter...but the greatest gift was His presence.  He never left them stranded and alone.


As I was talking to the elementary group yesterday, I challenged them to think about their lists.  I told them that I made a bunch of lists when I was their age.  Unfortunately I have NONE of those gifts today.  They are all gone.......all but one.  I got an eternal gift when I was 9 years old.  It was then that I accepted God's greatest gift, His Son, Jesus.  Though the other gifts I've been given are long gone, Jesus still remains.  He's never left me stranded.  He's never let me down or given me a bad gift (though I do deserve it).  


So, as we turn the corner into December, take some time to open your heart to remember the greatest gift God has given you.  Then, share your thoughts with your children.  They need to hear your faith story.  You can use HomeFront Weekly to start your conversation AND get them ready for next Sunday.  Just click HERE for the elementary edition and HERE for the preschool/kindergarten edition.


Don't forget HomeFront Monthly, loaded with all kinds of great stuff you can do with your family.  Just click HERE for the current edition (good through December 18).

Building Traditions

Traditions remain a big part of Jewish life.  God established seven feasts or festivals for the nation of Israel to observe to remember significant events in their history.  The feast and festival traditions passed down from generation to generation were designed to keep the Jew's attention on God.  Though many of us aren't Jews, we can learn much from these traditional feasts.


This Sunday, in Kids Summit, we will remember and celebrate a portion of the early history of Israel and participate in a simple observance of the feast of unleavened bread.  Click on the link below to read more details about this feast and help prepare your child for a great Sunday in Kids Adventure.


Kids Adventure HomeFront Weekly

HomeFront Weekly for November 20

Here's your latest edition of HomeFront:
Kids Safari (Preschool/Kindergarten) HomeFront Weekly
Kids Summit (Elementary) HomeFront Weekly

Don't Fail Me Now

Have you ever heard the expression, "Feet, don't fail me know!"?  It's been used in many TV shows and movies, but made popular by the 1920's actor, Stepin' Fetchit.  The character would get into dire but comical situations and hope that his feet would get him out quick.


Dire situations are painful.  They press on us.  They push us to uncomfortable places.  They squeeze us; even reveal our true self.  It's then that we see just how much faith we have in God.


You may know the story...Moses has died.  God calls Moses' aide, Joshua, to step up and lead the people.  Now, the Bible doesn't record how Joshua felt about this decision.  But, there must have been a few butterflies.  After all, look what had happened in Israel's recent history; slavery in Egypt, wandering in the desert wilderness, starving, thirsty.  Sounds like a group of people I would like to lead!


Listen what God said to Joshua:  (Joshua 1:5)

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Right then, Joshua was reminded of all the incredible things God did through His servant Moses: the plagues on Egypt, freedom from slavery, parting the Red Sea, manna and water in the dessert, and on and on.  How could Joshua refuse God's call even though he knew dire situations were on the way?


What part of "Dire-land" are you in?  Are you crying, "God, don't fail me know?"  Do you truly believe that He will help you through?  As you work through your situations in life remember, your family is watching.  Model your faith in God to your children.  They need to know how He will help them in their dire situations of life.


For more ideas on modeling your faith, take a look at HomeFront:


Kids Safari (Preschool/Kindergarten) HomeFront Weekly
Kids Summit (Elementary) HomeFront Weekly