tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113827322024-03-04T23:43:24.767-06:00Sermons4Kids
Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-66690885778010301072019-02-18T09:34:00.000-06:002019-02-18T09:34:14.096-06:00Give of Your Best to the Master<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC4pw-UCl9iaJW37St2NU2LNMp13eiCbKg2ADTtg1j_IyLT3rOVUF1JB7AZgqJRZPM3t77Ukjh-rJ2i65R2YnU0nn0zj-Zgpb47h1xtWe0TGKwenBVXtegdz1O8ijBvX3NVnsdQ/s1600/lent_meditation.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC4pw-UCl9iaJW37St2NU2LNMp13eiCbKg2ADTtg1j_IyLT3rOVUF1JB7AZgqJRZPM3t77Ukjh-rJ2i65R2YnU0nn0zj-Zgpb47h1xtWe0TGKwenBVXtegdz1O8ijBvX3NVnsdQ/s1600/lent_meditation.gif" /></a>After my grandmother died, my mother gave me a diamond ring that had belonged to her. I never knew how much it was worth, and of course, I couldn't wear it. Nevertheless, it became one of my most treasured possessions because it had belonged to my grandmother. It was the only thing I owned that had belonged to her and I would never consider parting with it.<br />
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Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, "What is my most treasured possession?" To one, it might be a family heirloom passed down from his or her parents, an album of family photos, or a family pet. To another, it might be a fishing boat, a baseball autographed by a famous player, or a trophy won in a sporting event. We all have something that we consider a precious treasure.<br />
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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.<br />
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The season of Lent is a good time for us to search our hearts and assess where our treasures are being stored. Are we storing up the treasures that this world has to offer, or are we storing up treasure in heaven by using the spiritual gifts that God has given us? In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (Romans 12:6-8 NLT)<br />
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To many, Lent is a time when the focus is on giving something up. To give up chocolate, or coffee, or cokes. I think it more appropriate to make it a time that we focus on giving — not giving up. Make it a time to be devoted to loving one another above ourselves. A time to live in harmony with one another. A time to "Give of Your Best to the Master."Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-16307768797923302172018-12-26T07:48:00.000-06:002019-01-07T07:38:47.548-06:00BIBLE VERSES FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here we are again. . . looking ahead to what the new year has in store for us. What better place to look for what the new year holds for us than in the Bible? Here are some things to think about as we ponder what lies ahead in the new year.<br />
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<b>WILL I ENJOY SUCCESS IN THE NEW YEAR?</b><br />
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Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. Isaiah:40:30-31<br />
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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6<br />
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6<br />
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May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4<br />
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But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57<br />
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<b>IS THERE REALLY ANYTHING NEW IN THE NEW YEAR?</b><br />
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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17<br />
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I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18<br />
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Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4<br />
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<b>WHAT DOES GOD HAVE IN STORE FOR ME IN THE NEW YEAR?</b><br />
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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."<br />
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Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17<br />
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<b>WHY SHOULD I EXPECT THE NEW YEAR TO BE ANY BETTER THAN LAST YEAR?</b><br />
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But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7<br />
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He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:5<br />
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And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5<br />
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You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self . . . to be made new in the attitude of your mind; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24<br />
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<b>LOOKING AHEAD</b><br />
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So, as we look forward to the new year, I leave you with this final thought; the future is not in our hands. Our success in the year ahead is in God's hands.<br />
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Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21<br />
<br />Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-38071813080283351762018-11-26T04:17:00.000-06:002018-11-26T04:17:44.539-06:00Advent Trivia Quiz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Advent season begins on the first Sunday of December this year. During the Advent season, we will see many Christmas programs, pageants, plays, and displays. Many of them will contain traditional ideas that are not found in Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus. I thought it might be fun to take a trivia quiz to test our knowledge of the events surrounding the birth of Christ as it is recorded in the Bible.<br />
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Answers are provided at the bottom of the page, but I encourage you to carefully read the Biblical accounts to check the accuracy of programs you will be seeing this Christmas season.<br />
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1. Joseph was originally from... (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A3&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Luke 2:3</b></a>)<br />
A. Bethlehem<br />
B. Nazareth<br />
C. Jerusalem<br />
E. None of the above<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
2. What does the Bible say that the innkeeper said to Mary and Joseph? (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A7&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Luke 2:7</b></a>)<br />
A. “There is no room in the inn.”<br />
B. “I have a stable you can use.”<br />
C. “Come back later and I should have some vacancies.”<br />
D. None of the above<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
3. A manger is a...<br />
A. A barn for animals<br />
B. A wooden hay storage bin<br />
C. A feeding trough<br />
D. None of the above<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
4. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus’ birth?<br />
A. Cows, sheep, goats<br />
B. Cows, donkeys, goats<br />
C. Sheep and goats only<br />
D. The Bible doesn't say<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
5. Who saw the star in the east?<br />
A. Shepherds<br />
B. Magi<br />
C. Three kings<br />
D. Both A and C<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
6. According to the Bible, how did Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem?<br />
A. Camel<br />
B. Donkey<br />
C. Walked<br />
D. Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>E. The Bible doesn't say<br />
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7. How many angels spoke to the shepherds? (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A10&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Luke 2:10</b></a>)<br />
A. One<br />
B. Three<br />
C. A Multitude<br />
D. None of the above<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
8. What did the angels say/sing? (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A14&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Luke 2:14</b></a>)<br />
A. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given”<br />
B. “Alleluia”<br />
C. “Glory to God in the highest, etc.”<br />
D. “Joy the world, the Lord is come”<br />
E. “Glory to the newborn King”<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
9. In Matthew, what does “wise men” or “Magi” refer to?<br />
A. Men of the educated class<br />
B. Eastern kings<br />
C. Sages<br />
D. Men who studied the stars<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
10. How many wise men came to see Jesus?<br />
A. 3<br />
B. 6<br />
C. 9<br />
D. 12<br />
E. We don’t know<br />
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11. Where did the wise men find Jesus? (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A11&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Matthew 2:11</b></a>)<br />
A. In a manger<br />
B. In a stable<br />
C. In Nazareth<br />
D. In Saudi Arabia<br />
E. In a house<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
12. When the wise men found Jesus he was... (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A9&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Matthew 2:9</b></a>)<br />
A. A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes<br />
B. A young child<br />
C. A boy in the temple<br />
D. A grown man<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
13. The “star in the east” that the wise men followed... (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A9&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Matthew 2:9</b></a>)<br />
A. Stayed in the same place their entire journey<br />
B. Disappeared and reappeared<br />
C. Moved ahead of them and stopped over the place where Jesus was<br />
D. Was just a mirage<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
14. The wise men stopped in Jerusalem... (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A2&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Matthew 2:2</b></a>)<br />
A. To inform Herod about Jesus<br />
B. To find out where Jesus was<br />
C. To ask about the star<br />
D. To buy presents<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
15. Where in the Bible do we find the Christmas story?<br />
A. Matthew<br />
B. Mark<br />
C. Luke<br />
D. John<br />
E. A and C<br />
F. B and D<br />
<span class="name" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;"><br /></span><span class="name" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Adapted from an article by Dr. Ray Pritchard</span><span class="description" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: grey; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Author, Speaker, President of Keep Believing Ministries</span><br />
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To download a PDF version of this quiz, <b><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/christmas_trivia_quiz.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.</b><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Answers: 1. A 2. D 3. C 4. D 5. B 6. E 7. A 8. C 9. D 10. E 11. E 12. B 13. C 14. B 15. E<br />
<br />Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-16988707324728426182018-10-09T14:28:00.000-05:002018-10-09T14:28:14.117-05:00'Tis the Season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBCzp2qzBG3QBldTPMzSTQuKcUi20it-B5D2-xHN_kuWhyphenhyphenPpNWEsJjFQS3L2PRhYfg4bDuPcOode4Z2ZFiVx5eKvV83XoHKys6Rm8RMRDS4sMAbJgWyRqMQoMdQmHrmOFiR9tsw/s1600/N_11_49.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBCzp2qzBG3QBldTPMzSTQuKcUi20it-B5D2-xHN_kuWhyphenhyphenPpNWEsJjFQS3L2PRhYfg4bDuPcOode4Z2ZFiVx5eKvV83XoHKys6Rm8RMRDS4sMAbJgWyRqMQoMdQmHrmOFiR9tsw/s1600/N_11_49.gif" /></a><br />
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I was quite surprised when, during the first week of September, I received a couple of emails through the Sermons4Kids website, asking me if we had any Christmas plays for children. Now I like to plan ahead, but I must confess that in the first week of September I haven't even given a thought to planning for Christmas. Not only that, but I would still have to answer, "No" had the question come in the first week of October or November, because I actually have never even written a Christmas play.</div>
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My immediate reaction to these emails was to Google the Internet for "free Christmas Skits for children." The very first site on the search results was <a href="https://www.sunday-school-center.com./christmas-skits.html" target="_blank"><b>Sunday School Center</b></a>. When I clicked the link, I knew I had found a winner. The site not only had a gold mine of Christmas skits, but it also had skits on many different subjects. I wholeheartedly recommend this site to you for your children's ministry. It isn't just skits. Sunday School Center also has other helpful suggestions for children's ministry such as games, Sunday School lessons, and teacher training. I highly recommend this site to anyone who is involved in children's ministry.</div>
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I did find some excellent material on some other sites. Here are some others you might want to check out.</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://christiangamesandcrafts.com/items/view/449" target="_blank">Christmas Games and Crafts </a> - A Babe Was Born on Christmas Morn<br /></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amomstake.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/The-Saviors-Birth-A-Nativity-Skit.pdf" target="_blank">A Mom's Take</a> - The Savior's Birth - A Nativity Skit<br /></li>
<li><a href="https://ministry-to-children.com/12-symbols-of-christmas-play/" target="_blank">Ministry to Children</a> - 12 Symbols of Christmas</li>
</ul>
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Another suggestion I would offer is the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sermons4kids/" target="_blank">Sermons4Kids Facebook </a>page. Our Social Media Ami Watson, our Social Media Strategist, will be posting ideas that she finds and also posts from those who <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sermons4kids/" target="_blank">follow us on Facebook</a>. You will find a host of ministry ideas there!</div>
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Gods blessing upon you all as you minister to children. Not just at Christmas, but all year 'round!</div>
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Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-25778955097632637382018-06-25T13:18:00.000-05:002018-07-01T16:37:58.685-05:00Jesus Is Rejected in His Hometown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>The City of Nazareth</b></h3>
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Now Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,<br />
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<span style="white-space: pre;">“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and the regaining of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”</span><br />
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Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to tell them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read.”<br />
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Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.<br />
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Luke tells us that, at first, the people were amazed at the gracious words coming out of his mouth. But then, some began to question the authority of Jesus. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" The more Jesus spoke, the more angry the people became. Finally, they got up and forced him out of town. They took him to a hill on which Nazareth was built. They intended to throw Jesus off of a cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.<br />
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View from Mt. Precipice where tradition says they took Jesus to throw him off a cliff.</h3>
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The beautiful Jezreel Valley below Mt. Precipice.</h3>
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Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-45409644128948525552018-04-03T16:03:00.001-05:002018-04-03T16:06:37.714-05:00Breakfast on the Beach with Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
On our recent trip to the Holy Land, we spent a lot of time on and around the Sea of Galilee. On one of our excursions, we sat on the shore as Pastor Stan Allcorn brought a devotional about the time Jesus appeared to the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:</div>
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Several of Jesus' disciples were gathered beside the Sea of Galilee. The group included Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee.</div>
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Suddenly, Peter said, "I'm going fishing." </div>
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"We'll come too," the others said. So they got in the boat and they fished all night, but caught nothing."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzF0KB9evehAZWqgGnCX90aYG0c1ld0KrumwysEd8Uvo_4dL5YHslEBWnDMVUGigcSgPSuM3H1iz233F-MFAAKuAu6bVeDP6st33KvxdA6EcJbZx2HFFEUOjbWp1RFsllAPD9cg/s1600/sea_of_galilee_8x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzF0KB9evehAZWqgGnCX90aYG0c1ld0KrumwysEd8Uvo_4dL5YHslEBWnDMVUGigcSgPSuM3H1iz233F-MFAAKuAu6bVeDP6st33KvxdA6EcJbZx2HFFEUOjbWp1RFsllAPD9cg/s1600/sea_of_galilee_8x6.jpg" /></a></div>
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As the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn't make out who it was. Jesus called out to them, "Friends, have you caught any fish?"</div>
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"Not a thing," they called back.</div>
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"Throw your nets on the right-hand side of the boat and you'll catch some!"</div>
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Did they do it? Yes they did! Did they catch any fish? They caught so many fish that they couldn't even pull the net into the boat!<br />
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Then the disciple that Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Peter heard that, he jumped into the water and headed for shore. The others stayed with the boat and dragged the loaded net to the shore. When they got there, they found Jesus cooking breakfast — fish over a charcoal fire and some bread.</div>
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"Bring some of the fish you've just caught," Jesus said. Peter dragged the net to the shore and there were 153 large fish. "Now, come and have some breakfast," Jesus said. Then Jesus served them fish and bread.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2aGHcpMZOeFO7zxzLUasVoaEqdewzuOWTCmCVROg_wehvq_lCEXGIOuQafUPSgPaVaClqUrrjQlBtF4B1QnGEFZYDubYvkOot8HHh_vqGlED4lGFOfFhbnOIbEUFkbD4HPhjfg/s1600/17-sea_of_galilee_fish_dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2aGHcpMZOeFO7zxzLUasVoaEqdewzuOWTCmCVROg_wehvq_lCEXGIOuQafUPSgPaVaClqUrrjQlBtF4B1QnGEFZYDubYvkOot8HHh_vqGlED4lGFOfFhbnOIbEUFkbD4HPhjfg/s1600/17-sea_of_galilee_fish_dinner.jpg" /></a></div>
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It just doesn't get any better than that. Breakfast on the beach with the risen Lord! What would have happened if the disciples had refused to throw their nets on the right-hand side of the boat? They would have missed out on a wonderful breakfast on the beach with Jesus. What happens when you and I refuse to do the things Jesus has called us to do? We miss out on the wonderful blessings that he wants for us!</div>
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Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-35377028933766681272018-03-22T16:36:00.002-05:002018-03-23T04:25:08.015-05:00I Walked Today Where Jesus WalkedFrom my early childhood days I heard and sang the song "I Walk Today Where Jesus Walked." I never really dreamed that I would truly walk where Jesus walked. I always imagined that it would just be in my mind's eye that I would see the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, the Garden of Gethsemane or any of the other places I learned about in Sunday School.<br />
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Those dreams did come to reality in March of 2018 when I went to the Holy Land with a group of 45 travelers made up largely of members of my church. It was a wonderful experience and a great photo opportunity. I will share just a few of my favorite experiences with you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd0zVsmPsHESNubbXo-9mVWlO5lsLbGOXHe4_X5Y0iBmmsobrS5xlazgJ5JH3KNUEneM6x1jI8Xf331MuL43oY6tSu4qWCuvYyr4Sj4LxmHcBKpKfrXjFZ7z5vr4IF6k-CbniUA/s1600/19-jordan_river_8x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd0zVsmPsHESNubbXo-9mVWlO5lsLbGOXHe4_X5Y0iBmmsobrS5xlazgJ5JH3KNUEneM6x1jI8Xf331MuL43oY6tSu4qWCuvYyr4Sj4LxmHcBKpKfrXjFZ7z5vr4IF6k-CbniUA/s1600/19-jordan_river_8x6.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Jordan River was even more beautiful than I had imagined. About sixteen members of our group chose to be baptized in the river. One thirty year-old man was baptized for the first time even though he had made a profession of faith in Christ many years before. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xlhB4pG0g9imcmbm1CZNF1v0A5V9_lW-M9Jn4SS57sO4-v4KJnLlRuh2dc7vhVgHULCzI_KkOZwb8HKx-mvUF5UwWTKlFGsw6AgYRGShkMx1FtexRHPecpZZgMgt7ThU7OWGDw/s1600/30-caesarea_philippi_site_of_peters_confession_8x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xlhB4pG0g9imcmbm1CZNF1v0A5V9_lW-M9Jn4SS57sO4-v4KJnLlRuh2dc7vhVgHULCzI_KkOZwb8HKx-mvUF5UwWTKlFGsw6AgYRGShkMx1FtexRHPecpZZgMgt7ThU7OWGDw/s1600/30-caesarea_philippi_site_of_peters_confession_8x6.jpg" /></a></div>
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Many of the sites were brought to life by devotionals brought by our pastor, Stan Allcorn. At the above site in Caesarea Philippi, pastor Stan brought a challenging message based on the Gospel account of Peter's great confession that Jesus was the Messiah.</div>
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Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”</div>
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“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”</div>
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Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”</div>
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Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”</div>
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But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqbwTKRxD_HP-6pPVxUKJ1UUcZq-ok2UMzWMsF0HHnHcKsVc7sqwne8taa_z1cCckJHLLFUJDB-BAp0SDpLyT7dkbSHJrJqcEdrHCIWE7qw2xzUHI9lyqwnL2BJG1lNAO2neK3A/s1600/57-garden_of_gethsemane_6x8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqbwTKRxD_HP-6pPVxUKJ1UUcZq-ok2UMzWMsF0HHnHcKsVc7sqwne8taa_z1cCckJHLLFUJDB-BAp0SDpLyT7dkbSHJrJqcEdrHCIWE7qw2xzUHI9lyqwnL2BJG1lNAO2neK3A/s1600/57-garden_of_gethsemane_6x8.jpg" /></a></div>
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JESUS PRAYS IN GETHSEMANE: They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed.</div>
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The Garden Tomb is operated by a nondenominational Christian charitable trust based in the United Kingdom. However, the tour guides who lead groups past a hill that could be Golgotha and into the empty tomb only go so far as to say, "It could be the actual tomb of Jesus."</div>
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The most important thing is not whether this is the actual tomb where Jesus was laid, but that the tomb did not contain Jesus permanently. The important thing is that he is not there. On the door of the tomb we see these words, "He is not here, he is risen."</div>
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I took over five hundred photos on this trip and then narrowed them down to about a hundred of my favorites. This represents a handful of those favorites. I might share some other photos in future blogs, but with Easter just a week away, I wanted to share these to give us something to think about during this time.</div>
Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-72604676256381436082017-12-22T11:43:00.000-06:002017-12-23T04:59:57.255-06:00The Light of the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfBuOJ5wK94-04npFWqK3-tOkDukbfwlzIdhxBJkZbfFx7dE-YHBolcKU9i02EVyMW6UQ_G1U1K12YpDoPEP927eqmtB71bwDXL5qQNWwZeCQVWfw3S27yXTD8m5w65axVoWLuA/s1600/advent_wreath_4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfBuOJ5wK94-04npFWqK3-tOkDukbfwlzIdhxBJkZbfFx7dE-YHBolcKU9i02EVyMW6UQ_G1U1K12YpDoPEP927eqmtB71bwDXL5qQNWwZeCQVWfw3S27yXTD8m5w65axVoWLuA/s200/advent_wreath_4.gif" width="181" /></a></div>
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This year our church published a book of daily Advent devotionals written by various members of our church. The book was entitled "Songs of the Season" and writers told about their favorite Christmas carols and how those carols had brought a greater understanding of the season.</div>
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I thoroughly enjoyed the devotionals and reflected on how each carol had blessed the Christmases of my own life. I also reflected on various carols and tried to decide what might be my favorite. One song kept coming to my mind, The only problem was that it wasn't really a song that we traditionally think of as related to the Christmas season. That song was "The Light of the World Is Jesus."</div>
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The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,</div>
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The Light of the world is Jesus;</div>
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Like sunshine at noonday,</div>
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His glory shone in,</div>
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The Light of the world is Jesus!</div>
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Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee;</div>
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Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me.</div>
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Once I was blind, but now I can see:</div>
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The Light of the world is Jesus.</div>
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At this time of year, we see lights everywhere that remind us of the coming of the true Light that John tells us about in the prologue to his Gospel. There are trees adorned with lights, streets that are lined with lights, homes and businesses are outlined with lights. One of the favorite activities of the season is to drive around and look at all of the beautiful lights. Each Sunday of the Advent season, we light candles on the Advent wreath.</div>
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I wonder how many of us remember that the lights of this season are a symbol of the one true Light, Jesus, who brought light into the darkness of this world? As we light the candles on our advent wreath, the four candles remind us that Jesus brings hope, love, joy, and peace into the world. It is true, "The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin, the Light of the world is Jesus!"</div>
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During this season, may each and every one of us know the joy that Jesus, the Light of the World, brings.</div>
Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-15269539233310641942017-11-17T08:41:00.000-06:002017-11-17T08:55:03.741-06:00THANK YOU!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-J6WMBRMM0rcNZvfjwzZTVkLp-1S4W5SPfOSeg1OEd2rgLOdhhfl5ZcWhWT-9W6Gr_vj5Xet08DSLAMQj2TtNucuICBrsdyyOZ8jikbkY341K95xsTt1bGSmrE0RQYg2i6AqRQ/s1600/thankyou_note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="214" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-J6WMBRMM0rcNZvfjwzZTVkLp-1S4W5SPfOSeg1OEd2rgLOdhhfl5ZcWhWT-9W6Gr_vj5Xet08DSLAMQj2TtNucuICBrsdyyOZ8jikbkY341K95xsTt1bGSmrE0RQYg2i6AqRQ/s200/thankyou_note.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I recently received a beautiful card in the mail. It was a "Thank You" card sent to me from a friend that I had given a gift. It really made me feel good that they took the time to go and buy a card and send it to me to say "Thank You." It also made me feel good that they were appreciative of the gift that I had given to them. Sometimes people forget to say "Thank You" when someone does something nice for them.<br />
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In chapter 17, Luke tells of a day when Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem when he met ten men who were afflicted with the terrible disease of leprosy. When they saw Jesus, they called out to him, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"<br />
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Jesus, moved with compassion, said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were healed of their leprosy.<br />
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One of them, when he saw that he was healed, stopped and went back praising God with a loud voice. He threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.<br />
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Jesus said to him, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except you?"<br />
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God does so much for us! Every day he provides everything we need; food, clothing, and a place to live. The greatest gift he has given us is that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Do we ever forget to say, "Thank You?" Let's stop right now and say "Thank You" and ask God to help us remember to thank Him every day.<br />
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Dear Lord, you give us everything we need and much more besides, but we often forget to say "Thank You." We thank you now and ask you to help us to remember to give thanks every day for all the gifts you give us. Most of all, we give thanks for the gift of eternal life. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-9759970805325177042017-10-26T10:59:00.004-05:002017-10-26T11:43:09.600-05:00A New Social Media Editor for Sermons4Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJDcITxnVpKeEVh7tyjmcHjFWXGb8LBjZunQefdnq2fy6Vbuna9v_PM8td359w6rNgaWfVT-0QlkNuInMK97DYVAaMWO79WqebTLbUrab_YTCnPwExtgM1CLM0dFep3YI3ePOvg/s1600/ami_watson_and_family_xsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJDcITxnVpKeEVh7tyjmcHjFWXGb8LBjZunQefdnq2fy6Vbuna9v_PM8td359w6rNgaWfVT-0QlkNuInMK97DYVAaMWO79WqebTLbUrab_YTCnPwExtgM1CLM0dFep3YI3ePOvg/s1600/ami_watson_and_family_xsm.jpg" /></a></div>
Effective October 1, 2017, Ami Watson became the Social Media Editor for Sermons4Kids . You have probably already noticed the improvement in the quality and frequency of our posts on Facebook and Twitter. I thought it was about time I introduced her and told you a little bit about her.<br />
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Ami lives in Tennessee and is a wife and mom of a twelve-year-old son. For the past five years she has been a Children's Church Pastor in her home church, so she knows first-hand the type of things that will be helpful to you in your ministry to children. She is also a second grade teacher at Alldardt Elementary School and is in her thirteenth year of teaching, so, she has a lot of experience communicating with the children.<br />
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Ami is actually no stranger to the Sermons4Kids ministry. She has created and shared with us twenty-two PowerPoint presentations to go with some of our lessons. They are available on the <a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/powerpoint_presentations.htm" target="_blank">Sermons4Kids website</a> for your download and use. These presentations are a good example of the creativity Ami brings to our ministry.<br />
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Ami looks forward to interacting with you on Facebook. So, if you aren't already a follower, visit our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sermons4kids/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page today and get to know her better.<br />
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Welcome, Ami. We are happy to have you on board and we look forward to the contribution you will make to the Sermons4Kids ministry.Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-31192550235764358632017-09-14T14:58:00.000-05:002017-09-14T14:58:45.378-05:00When the Storms of Life Are Raging<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u3kkgZSH7JiWAc0D2bsCA_xSx3uX_8H1a83LgWi2F7RXJKsk6JwhWFARSfEbJrsBs5Lcf3C_3WIS7EjEDkym7Nd-fY9s59osMxb55h-_gXxKiK6XEvM9hn-q9YyPIToBEzHoAw/s1600/hurricane_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="186" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u3kkgZSH7JiWAc0D2bsCA_xSx3uX_8H1a83LgWi2F7RXJKsk6JwhWFARSfEbJrsBs5Lcf3C_3WIS7EjEDkym7Nd-fY9s59osMxb55h-_gXxKiK6XEvM9hn-q9YyPIToBEzHoAw/s200/hurricane_sm.jpg" width="200" /></a>Over the past several weeks, natural disasters have brought devastation to various parts of our country. First it was Hurricane Harvey bringing destruction to the Texas Coast. Then it was Irma hitting the Florida Keys and the coastal areas of Florida. As these storms brought their destruction, a large area of Montana is being ravaged by wildfires. These disasters have brought with them loss of homes and natural resources, destruction of property, and even loss of life. William Long, administrator of FEMA, predicted that the recovery from Harvey would take many years before we returned to normal. Federal and state agencies, community groups, non-profit relief agencies, and many others have joined together to reach out to those in need.<br />
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It is important that we ask ourselves, "As Christians, what is our response to these disasters and how do we reach out to those in need?" Here are some practical ways that we can help.<br />
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PRAYER — As followers of Christ, we need to fix our eyes on the God who promises his presence in the storms of life. We must, as individuals, and in concert with fellow believers, pray for the victims of these disasters.<br />
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GIVE — We can help both the relief workers and the victims by providing clothing, blankets, and food. Donations of money can be applied where they are needed most, but choose your channel for giving carefully. Make certain that your donation will go to those who need it rather than to an organization will use the funds for personal use.<br />
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VOLUNTEER — Some of us might be in a position to volunteer to work for organizations such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Many churches are sending ministry groups to help by fixing damaged drywall, flooring, roofs, and clearing debris.<br />
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One thing we must remember, this is not a short-term problem. These storms have produced major damage and we must be prepared to be involved long-term.<br />
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Heavenly Father, you are present with those who suffer from these natural disasters. We pray that those affected may feel your healing presence. You are in the hands of those who reach out to help those in need. We pray for those first responders in their courageous work. Help us to be faithful to pray for those who are suffering. Help us also to reach out in any way we can to help relieve their suffering. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-73761542623296202912017-08-15T12:13:00.001-05:002017-08-16T04:05:46.057-05:00Getting the Stain Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaqJblB6UAcKG8VnwlWhqj2xm5gISPyfLP-JdpTUWq_G6Wu0H2FhyphenhyphenM8TsZsKiwmbXXfvCnPxjoCP-i04CuXC6WRAQzX4FH_zpfWcR1ApoQNagozJFHB_g7PX8QYBcA2HV2TsEeQ/s1600/spaghetti_stains_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaqJblB6UAcKG8VnwlWhqj2xm5gISPyfLP-JdpTUWq_G6Wu0H2FhyphenhyphenM8TsZsKiwmbXXfvCnPxjoCP-i04CuXC6WRAQzX4FH_zpfWcR1ApoQNagozJFHB_g7PX8QYBcA2HV2TsEeQ/s1600/spaghetti_stains_sm.jpg" /></a></div>
It almost never fails. It seems that every time I get a new shirt, I manage to get a stain on it the very first time I wear it. This seems to be especially true if I eat Italian food. Spaghetti sauce always seems to find its way onto my new shirt.<br />
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When this happens, I go straight to the laundry room and get out the spray and wash and spray it on the stain. Next, I pour some laundry detergent on the stain and put the shirt in the washing machine to soak. I will try everything I can find to get that stain out. I have tried new, intensified Tide. Their TV commercial says, "Dirt can't hide from intensified Tide." I have also tried new Blue Cheer, and Clorox II. I have even tried to Shout it out, but nothing I do seems to work.<br />
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A life stained with sin is a lot like a spaghetti-stained shirt. There is nothing that we can do to remove the stain. Some think that if they go to church, they will get clean, but the stain is still there. Some think that if they get baptized, they will be clean, but getting baptized won't get the stain out either.<br />
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I may never get the stain out of my favorite shirt. Perhaps it is hopeless, but it is not hopeless to get the stain of sin out of our lives. You see, the blood of Jesus can wash away even the worst stains in our life. The Bible says, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Perhaps you have tried everything to get the stain out of your life, but have you tried the one thing that will? Have you tried Jesus?Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-69660299121377902232017-07-27T15:29:00.001-05:002017-07-30T19:56:26.237-05:00Teaching Like Jesus Taught<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIyPjk3qQ9rMpMbw8cH2VNggMZ8SM1fAQwpmqyxpouvV7Q_MrEwWKdrCu222b-tw54vfjWX3oGq1difMY25Ob8myLzFoWmhyYlofy87ybMM3ksjc9DcKzX0Qj31g2zCVrchQFgQ/s1600/jesus_teaching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIyPjk3qQ9rMpMbw8cH2VNggMZ8SM1fAQwpmqyxpouvV7Q_MrEwWKdrCu222b-tw54vfjWX3oGq1difMY25Ob8myLzFoWmhyYlofy87ybMM3ksjc9DcKzX0Qj31g2zCVrchQFgQ/s200/jesus_teaching.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
The past several weeks our Sermons4Kids lessons have focused on the parables of Jesus. When Jesus wanted to teach people a lesson, his lesson quite often begins with, "The kingdom of heaven is like ______". You can fill in the blank! Matthew 13:34 says, "Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable." Later in that chapter, after telling several parables, Jesus asked his listeners, "Have you understood all these things?"<br />
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"Yes," they replied. And that is why Jesus taught using parables!<br />
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When I first began teaching children, I spent most of my preparation time looking at the things around me. When something caught my eye, I would ask myself, "How could I use that to teach the children something about Jesus?" Almost all of my lessons began by showing the children an object and asking things such as what is it, how does it work, and what can it do for us? Then I would segue into the Bible lesson by saying something like, "That reminds me of something that happened in our Bible lesson today."<br />
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Jesus taught in parables, object lessons, and stories so that people would understand what he was trying to teach them. Wouldn't it be a good idea for us to teach the same way? I have seen many teachers lose the children because they didn't engage their imagination in that first few minutes of the lesson. The right object will get you off on the right foot to learning about Jesus.<br />
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If that's not the way you're teaching, try it!Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-71588768595512833272017-05-06T14:35:00.000-05:002017-05-06T14:50:07.980-05:00Fond Memories of Days Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Some of you who are reading this may not know that I am a retired school teacher. I taught music in El Paso and Clyde Texas while also serving as Minister of Music in local churches. What wonderful memories I have of those days. Those memories are brought to mind at this time of year as we receive announcements of graduation, wedding invitations, birth announcements, and other notices of milestones in the lives of former students.<br />
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A couple of week's ago I attended a voice recital at Hardin-Simmons University and was thrilled to see three of my former students. All three were majoring in music. A couple of days later I attended a concert presented by our local Civic Orchestra at the invitation of the principal trombonist who is also a former student of mine graduating from college with a major in Music this month. Just a week later, I attended another voice recital at Hardin-Simmons to hear a former student present a solo recital.</div>
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Today, as I browsed my Facebook page, I was delighted to see a photo posted by another one of my students. The photo is of my students singing a song we used to sing in the first-grade music class at Clyde Elementary. A Thanksgiving song called "Five Fat Turkeys Are We." It goes like this:</div>
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The children in the picture are now in college. A couple of them are studying to become teachers and one of them is in nursing school. I was blessed with some wonderful children when I was teaching, but the real joy comes in seeing what they have become as adults.<br />
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Thanks for the memories, kids!<br />
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Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-81647022177836692852017-04-19T10:35:00.000-05:002017-04-19T10:36:47.841-05:00Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGaXXX48VLdbkP52ySwIi1-yg-1JsgvVdvhrmULIXWQHmQkVVb-bt00cCAtUfXO-tZnqzrO35r4nuP1-KGwehVmf4J8pMntMXG9t4yutaZudwmO9UTGgGn9uRwWlNeU8EhMM7XQ/s1600/N_46_49.gif" 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/AVvXsEgKGaXXX48VLdbkP52ySwIi1-yg-1JsgvVdvhrmULIXWQHmQkVVb-bt00cCAtUfXO-tZnqzrO35r4nuP1-KGwehVmf4J8pMntMXG9t4yutaZudwmO9UTGgGn9uRwWlNeU8EhMM7XQ/s200/N_46_49.gif" width="155" /></a>On Easter Sunday 2017, “60 Minutes” ran a story about two doctors, Dr. Sanduc Ruit and Dr. Geoff Tabin, who have helped reverse blindness in more than 4 million around the globe. The doctors work in Burma, also known as Myanmar, performing surgery on people who have lost their sight due to cataracts.<br />
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Dr. Ruit uses a technique that requires no stitches. The surgery involves making a small incision and the lens inside the eye which has become cloudy is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The two doctors started a lens factory that produces the artificial lens implants — for a fraction of the cost in the United States — and they have a hospital in Nepal that has trained hundreds of doctors and nurses in their technique.<br />
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The surgeons have operated in more than 20 countries, including North Korea and Ethiopia, and restored sight to 150,000. Four million others have regained their vision through surgery performed by doctors trained by the duo.<br />
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“For these advanced cataracts, I'm performing the same quality of surgery that I would be doing in America,” says Tabin, a professor at the University of Utah Medical School in Salt Lake City.<br />
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I find this story quite interesting since my wife and I have both had cataract surgery on both eyes and I can attest to the miraculous improvement the surgery made in our vision and we were nowhere near blind. The people these doctors are operating on are literally blind!<br />
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We cannot help but think of the healing power of Jesus when we hear stories such as this. We are reminded of the story of Blind Bartimaeus who sat begging on the streets of Jericho when he heard that Jesus was passing by. As Jesus passed by, Bartimaeus began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"<br />
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"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus replied.<br />
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Bartimaeus answered, "I want to see."<br />
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"Your faith has healed you," Jesus said — and immediately, Bartimaeus received his sight.<br />
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Jesus was filled with compassion for the physical needs of people, but he was even more concerned with their spiritual needs. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you and I would point others to the one who said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)<br />
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Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-75482671267055127032017-03-03T11:17:00.000-06:002017-03-03T16:52:10.411-06:00Lent—What's It All About?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just as the month of February brings thoughts of Valentine Day and love to my mind, the month of March brings the season of Lent to my mind. Being a teacher at heart, I thought this would be a good time to take a little quiz to see how much we know about what Lent is all about. Here are some questions about the traditions of Lent and their significance. The correct answers can be found at the end of the blog, but don't peak before you finish the quiz!<br />
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1. The original meaning of the word Lent is ______________________.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A. Easter<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>B. Fall<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>C. Spring<br />
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2, Lent begins on ________________.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A. Ash Wednesday<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>B. Good Friday<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>C. Maundy Thursday<br />
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3. The purpose of lent is ________________________________________.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A. to increase in God's favor<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>B. to examine oneself and grow in holiness<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>C. to seek the approval of others<br />
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4. Lent lasts for _________ days.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A. 2-3<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>B. 21<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>C. 40<br />
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5. Lent helps us to remember _________________________.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A. the end of John the Baptist's ministry<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>B. the period that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>C. the transfiguration of Jesus.<br />
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6. The reason people give up something during lent is ___________________.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A. to show off for their friends<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>B. to deny self<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>C. to lose weight<br />
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7. On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a _______________.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A. white horse<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>B. chariot<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>C. donkey<br />
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Well, now you may check the answers at the bottom of this blog. How did you do? I hope that, if you did well, your heart doesn't swell with pride. If it does, you have missed the true meaning of Lent. Lent is not a season where we earn God's approval by our good works and personal sacrifice. In fact, it is the opposite. It is a time when we strive to grow in a deeper knowledge of God's love and prepare our hearts for a deeper understanding of the miracle of his grace poured out on Easter.<br />
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Answers: 1. C 2. A 3. B 4. C 5. B 6. B 7. CSermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-82338938378100784992017-02-12T17:07:00.001-06:002017-02-12T17:07:20.922-06:00The True Meaning of Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwseOxSzZxSQxBbj5SEBn6OZhtCtdxv0GKg16lmhfOy-rsOUPqPDxCP7A1HVi5MJsFUeVprvtwCZt9_yaVPNn9S6QTtT-e6XhSgitLLZwhfDb5XCm6JaFqvyNzI6YkMuNAHun4Q/s1600/love_one_another.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwseOxSzZxSQxBbj5SEBn6OZhtCtdxv0GKg16lmhfOy-rsOUPqPDxCP7A1HVi5MJsFUeVprvtwCZt9_yaVPNn9S6QTtT-e6XhSgitLLZwhfDb5XCm6JaFqvyNzI6YkMuNAHun4Q/s200/love_one_another.jpg" width="200" /></a>The month of February is synonymous with love. Valentine Day is definitely a favorite holiday of children. I remember the excitement I felt in my childhood as I addressed cards to all of my classmates.<br />
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As a child, Valentine Day was not so much about "love" as it was about "like." It was a time to give friends a card to let them know that I liked them and receive cards from friends to say that they like me too. And of course, I looked forward with great anticipation to those valentines that might come with a chocolate kiss or a heart-shaped lollipop attached.<br />
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As a teacher of children, Valentine Day provides us with a great opportunity to teach them about the true meaning of love - the love that we learn about in God's Word. Probably the best definition we find for love is found in the "love chapter" of the Bible. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-6 tells us that “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.”<br />
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Of course, there are many other verses in Bible that teach us about love. Here are a few:<br />
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<li>Hebrews 13:1-2: “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers.”</li>
<li>1 John 3:11: ”For this is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another.”</li>
<li>John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”</li>
<li>1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."</li>
<li>1 John 3:16-18: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lie down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."</li>
<li>John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”</li>
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It is easy for children, and even adults, to love friends and those who show love and kindness to us. Jesus, however, went much further than that. Jesus taught us that we should love our enemies and those who persecute us.<br />
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<li>Matthew 5:43-45: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.</li>
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What a wonderful world it would be if we would practice the kind of love that Jesus taught us. The love of true children of the Heavenly Father!Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-33835996690033805862017-01-19T13:27:00.000-06:002017-01-19T13:27:17.186-06:00The KISS Principle for Effective Children's Sermons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom8bEMbN6KwqF9AT3BR7RN5Y-UhY0rkqFyuidZuXwSedxXleF2K1B4pAt3TrE9bKiFqi8toHM4Warg-sCt4xBnP6euwNE8HUX48Q-zpoDhcLd4GpXcyMS3p_eifsT048mlimquA/s1600/crayons_small.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom8bEMbN6KwqF9AT3BR7RN5Y-UhY0rkqFyuidZuXwSedxXleF2K1B4pAt3TrE9bKiFqi8toHM4Warg-sCt4xBnP6euwNE8HUX48Q-zpoDhcLd4GpXcyMS3p_eifsT048mlimquA/s200/crayons_small.jpg" width="200" /></a>I am often asked for the secret to a successful children's sermon. It really isn't a secret at all. We have all heard of the KISS principle — Keep It Simple S*****! No! No! I would never say that! Even small children know that the final word that most people use in the KISS principal is not a word that we should ever use in addressing one another. When I was teaching school, a child came to me one day and whispered, "David said the S word." Even to this child, the word S***** was not a nice word. So, here is my KISS principle: Keep It Short & Simple.<br />
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I have heard teachers deliver a great children's sermon only to spoil its effectiveness because they didn't know when to quit. I knew a pastor one time who was famous for his eighteen-minute sermons. When people asked him about it, he explained, "Few people ever hear anything you say after eighteen minutes." If the adult attention span is eighteen minutes, how long do you think the attention span of a six-year-old is? My guess — about five minutes.<br />
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My usual format for a children's sermon is to begin with an object that can be used to illustrate the truth of the lesson. I like to use an object because it is a good way to get the children's attention right off the bat. It is best if it is an object that the children are familiar with because that helps to get the children actively engaged in the lesson. After the introduction and a brief discussion of the object, the teacher should segue into the spiritual application of the lesson by saying something like, "You know that reminds me of something that Jesus said in our Bible lesson today."<br />
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A good example of this technique is a recent lesson called "A Recipe for Happiness." In the first part of the lesson we talk about what a recipe is and actually follow a recipe to create a tasty trail mix treat. We then segue into the lesson by saying, "Did you know that Jesus gave us a recipe for living a happy life?" The application then is a lesson on the beatitudes.<br />
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Finally, it is important for the teacher to be on the child's level. The most common place for the children's sermon is on the chancel steps. If the children are seated on the steps, the teacher should be seated there as well. If you are in a classroom setting and the children are in chairs, the teacher should also be seated. It is also important to use vocabulary that is on the level of the children. We adults sometimes use theological terms that we use every day, but children don't understand.<br />
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Sermons for adults often fit into the mold "Three Points and a Poem." A really effective children's sermon should have one main point that you really want the children to take home with them. So, when you meet the children at the chancel steps, remember KISS. KEEP IT SHORT AND SIMPLE.Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-53305055094557431892016-12-28T11:44:00.000-06:002017-08-06T07:31:27.403-05:00Change Is Coming in 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems I have just gotten used to writing 2016, and now, I have to change to 2017! A friend asked me last week, "Do you know how many Baptists it takes to change a lightbulb?" The response was, "Change?" It's true, some of us seem to be resistant to change of any kind.<br />
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Another joke I have heard is, "The seven last words of the (you fill in the blank) church was, "We've never done it that way before!" We may chuckle at such jokes, but the truth of the matter is that if we refuse to make needed changes, we will be left behind.</div>
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So, what changes do we at Sermons4Kids anticipate in 2017? Well, the first change we will make, after changing the date on our Sermon of the Week to 2017, is a redesign of our website. "Why?", you ask. Technology is constantly changing. It has been brought to my attention that almost half of our users now access our website from a mobile device. The problem is that our current site does not render well on mobile devices. You can access the site on a mobile device, but a different design for tablets and mobile phones is needed for our site to be fully readable and functional.</div>
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The process to redesign our website to make it fully compatible with all types of devices has already begun. I am telling you about this now so that you won't freak out the first time you click on a link to <a href="http://www.sermons4kids.com/">www.sermons4kids.com</a> and see an unfamiliar face. The same material will still be available, but it will have a little different layout. <a href="http://sermons4kids.com/demo_homepage_new.htm" target="_blank">Click Here</a> for a sample of what you can expect to see when you visit our newly designed website.</div>
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Don't panic! You will find the same content and the menus will work pretty much the same as they have in the past. The difference is, we hope you will find the site more friendly, easier to navigate, and definitely, more useable on your mobile device. If not, click the Contact Us button and let us know what we can do to help.<br />
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Finally, I wish you a Happy and successful New Year in Children's ministry. I hope that our new website design will greatly enhance our role in assisting you in teaching children about Jesus and his love.<br />
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Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-79670637881308315212016-12-13T16:09:00.001-06:002016-12-13T16:11:41.846-06:00Countdown to Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF0j8rPykmhSE19yJh6IxlnFjDepKOhZG7RW5g1vmpL4JEyw5CPDiID6XSThUTJJzsZ5zCRPG2yVc41E9IGRsTffV5AlebAMjOki-jyLJFwO81qmEsWu2NjVDKX5EXFGAGu9SMg/s1600/christmas_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF0j8rPykmhSE19yJh6IxlnFjDepKOhZG7RW5g1vmpL4JEyw5CPDiID6XSThUTJJzsZ5zCRPG2yVc41E9IGRsTffV5AlebAMjOki-jyLJFwO81qmEsWu2NjVDKX5EXFGAGu9SMg/s1600/christmas_day.jpg" /></a>At the beginning of the Advent season, Sermons4Kids provided an Advent Calendar for the children to color a star each day as they counted down to the day which we have set aside to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.<br />
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This past Sunday, our pastor reminded us that it was only two weeks until Christmas. It started me to thinking, "What special things could we do to bring more meaning to the final ten days of the Countdown to Christmas?" Here are some of the ideas I came up with.<br />
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10 - Raid the pantry and gather a sack of canned goods and take them to your church food pantry.<br />
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9 - Go to a store that has a Salvation Army bell ringer and make a donation—then leave without going into the store.<br />
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8 - Take a few small gifts to a shelter for women and children.<br />
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7 - Leave a gift at a neighbor's front door.<br />
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6 - Visit a home for the elderly and hand out homemade cookies.<br />
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5 - Write a letter to a member of the military who is stationed overseas.<br />
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4 - Watch a favorite Christmas movie with your family.<br />
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3 - Put on Christmas music and listen to it all day long.<br />
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2 - Have a family night out with dinner and a movie.<br />
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1 - Attend Christmas Eve services.<br />
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You may have some better ideas of your own. Whatever you choose to do, make it a time when you think of others rather than thinking about yourself. It will bring the true meaning of Christmas into focus.Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-86129348337718261532016-11-25T17:45:00.001-06:002016-11-25T19:03:36.943-06:00THE WAITING OF ADVENT by Rebecca Edwards<div style="text-align: left;">
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The word “Advent” means an arrival of a notable person or event. In the Christian tradition, Advent is a season. An intentional time of waiting, Advent is quiet and dark. We are getting ready for the Mystery of Christmas. While the rest of the world seems to celebrate, those observing Advent are waiting for the reason we celebrate.<br />
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In our family, we have several Advent traditions. First, Our church celebrates the first Sunday of Advent with a Hanging of the Green service, where we sing hymns and decorate the church. The Chrismon (Christ-Monogram) Tree is the focus of our decor, with splashes of blue, purple, and white hanging from tables and walls.<br />
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At home, we gradually get our own Advent/ Christmas decor out and around the house. Our church also helps with this in hosting the annual Advent Dinner Fellowship, which involves a potluck supper and creating a family Advent wreath. The wreath represents the eternal Love God has for His people. We light a candle for each of the four Sundays in Advent, one for Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. Then, on Christmas Day, The Christ Candle (the big candle in the middle is lit, the life of Christ that has come into the world, pure and spotless. <br />
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We live near Baylor University, and every year, during the first week of Advent, we attend the Advent service in the beautiful Armstrong-Browning Library. It is a lovely night that visually and musically sets our hearts ready for the season.<br />
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At home, our family begins Advent devotionals with The Jesse Tree, a journey through the people of Scripture that culminate in the birth of Jesus Christ, based on Isaiah 11:1:<br />
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A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;<br />
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.<br />
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In 2010, I found a wonderful resource online from <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">Ann Voskamp</a>. It was a printable Jesse Tree devotional, complete with ornaments and daily Scripture. (<a href="http://sermons4kids.com/A_Jesus_Advent_Celebration.pdf" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the devotional.) Other resources are available, too, and it is fun for the children to hang an ornament on the tree each day as we approach Christmas. <br />
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As the season goes by, with Christmas events around town, we hold the waiting still. While school “holiday” parties happen, we remember the “Holy Day” for which we are preparing.<br />
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However your family chooses to celebrate this Advent season, what is important to remember is this waiting prepares us for the journey of this Christian life. This waiting in the “not yet” is the daily practice of a Christian.<br />
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<b>A note from Charles Kirkpatrick:</b> Rebecca Edwards is a Native-born West Texan transplanted in Waco. A wife, mother, volunteer, and substitute teacher, her passions include her Christian Faith, her family, her children, and her community. Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-60909429762143874402016-11-03T16:46:00.000-05:002016-11-03T16:48:22.698-05:00<h2>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">MY THANKSGIVING TOP TEN LIST</span></h2>
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Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 (NIV)<br />
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It's just around the corner—the day we celebrate as Thanksgiving. Isn't it interesting that we designate ONE DAY out of the year to give thanks to our God who so richly blesses us 365 days a year? We should say, "Thank you" every day of the year!<br />
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It would be impossible to list everything I have to be thankful for, so I will just list what I will call My Thanksgiving Top Ten List.<br />
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10. My house – there are many people in this world today who have no place to live. Many of them sleep on park benches and under bridges.<br />
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9. Food - we always have plenty to eat at our house. Many people don’t. Every day as I drive home from work, I see people standing beside the road holding a sign that says, “Will work for food.”<br />
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8. Clothes – I never have to worry about whether there will be clothes in my closet for me to put on each day. Many people only have the clothes that they are wearing.<br />
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7. Health – I am thankful that I am blessed with good health. Many people have a serious illness which keeps them from enjoying a full and happy life.<br />
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6. My country – I am thankful that I live in a country where I enjoy great freedom. In many countries you don’t have much freedom. In some countries you can be put in prison, or even put to death, for telling others about Jesus.<br />
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5. Teachers – I am thankful for the teachers that I have had in school and in church who have taught me the things I needed to know to live a happy and successful life.<br />
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4. Friends – I am thankful for my many friends. In times of trouble, I have always had friends who were there to help me.<br />
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3. Family – I am thankful for my family. God has given me a wonderful wife and son and many other family members whom I love very much.<br />
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2. Parents – I am thankful that God blessed me with wonderful parents who loved me, cared for me, and taught me about Jesus and his love.<br />
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1. Jesus – Jesus is number one on my list of things for which I am thankful. No one ever loved me like Jesus. He loved me so much that he was willing to die on a cross so that I can have everlasting life. Thank you, Jesus.<br />
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Well, that is my Thanksgiving Top Ten list. I have been so richly blessed! The Bible says, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." It is my prayer that I will begin to share generously of the bounty with which I have been blessed.<br />
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<br />Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-46184150302048054262016-07-02T07:00:00.006-05:002016-07-02T07:28:32.772-05:00Freedom Isn't Free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On holidays, I fly an American flag on the lawn in front of my house. I do this is a reminder to all who pass by of the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. July 4th is, no doubt, the most important holiday to us as Americans. It marks the birth of our nation which was founded on the principal of "Liberty and justice for all." In our country we enjoy a lot of freedom. Our constitution guarantees us the right of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." We are blessed to live in a nation where we enjoy that freedom.<br />
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This might come as a surprise to some, but freedom isn't free! Someone had to pay a price for us to have the freedom that we enjoy. That price was paid by men and women who have served in the armed forces—the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard. Many of you who are reading this have helped to pay the price for our freedoms. Many of you have had loved ones who paid the ultimate price—they gave their life fighting for our freedom.<br />
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You and I have a lot of freedom, but the greatest freedom that we have is the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus. The Bible teaches that the penalty for sin is death, but you and I have been set free from this penalty. We have been set free because Jesus paid the penalty. The Bible tells us that Jesus died to set us free from the penalty of sin. Instead of death, we have been given eternal life. This freedom wasn't free, Jesus paid the price.<br />
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This week as we celebrate Independence Day, I hope we will all remember to stop and thank God for those who have paid the price for our freedom. But even more important, let us remember to thank God for Jesus, who has set us free from the penalty for sin, because he was willing to pay the price.<br />
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Dear Father, we thank you for the freedom that we enjoy in our country. We are thankful for those who paid the price for that freedom, but even more important, we thank you for the freedom we have because Jesus was willing to pay the penalty for our sin. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-31237324102901452942016-03-22T16:45:00.000-05:002016-03-22T16:45:38.590-05:00"PLEASE" AND "THANK YOU"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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They may be the most important words in any language—do you know what I am talking about? I'm talking about the words "please" and "thank you." Barney, the big, purple dinosaur that I see on TV sings a song called "Please and Thank You." He calls them "the magic words."<br />
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He's talking 'bout please and thank you,<br />
They're called the magic words,<br />
If you want nice things to happen,<br />
They're the words that should be heard, [1]<br />
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When I was a child and asked my mother for something, she would often remind me to say "please" by saying, "What's the magic word?" Then, after she gave me what I asked for, she would remind me to say "thank you" by saying, "Now what do you say?" I knew what to say, but sometimes I would forget. We all know what to say, but unfortunately, we sometimes forget to say it.<br />
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In 2007, I wrote to Standard Publishing Company and asked permission to use coloring pages from their Thru-the-Bible Coloring Pages. To my surprise, I received a letter from the Rights and Permissions Consultant, Joann Van Meter, and she said, "Yes." So, for the past nine years, we have been using their coloring pages.<br />
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On March 7, 2016, I received an email from Ms. Van Meter and she informed me that Standard Publishing had been sold to David C. Cook and the coloring pages would need to be removed from our website. Even as I began to think about how I would accomplish this task, I began to pray, "Please, Lord, help me to resolve this problem. Open doors and make it possible for us to continue using these coloring pages."<br />
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I wrote back to Ms. Van Meter and asked if she knew of someone I could contact to see if it would be possible to continue using the coloring pages with the permission of the new owner. She gave me the name of Sondra Rymer in the Rights and Permissions division of David C. Cook and suggested that I start by contacting her.<br />
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I wrote to Ms. Rymer and shared information about Sermons 4 Kids, sent her a copy of the agreement we had with Standard Publishing regarding the use of the Thru-the-Bible Coloring Pages, and asked if we might be able to continue to use the coloring pages. <br />
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On March 10, 2016, I received a reply from Ms. Rymer granting permission to continue using the coloring pages.<br />
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Thank you, Lord, for the answer to our prayers.<br />
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Thank you, David C. Cook and Ms. Rymer, for allowing us to continue using the Thru-the-Bible Coloring Pages.<br />
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Would you like to help me say, "Thank you!" to David C. Cook? Here's how. Go to their online store and buy one of their coloring books, craft books, puzzle books, or any of their many fine products. <a href="http://store.standardpub.com/collections/childrens-activities" target="_blank">CLICK HERE!</a><br />
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[1] (Words & Music by Phil Parker © 1992 Shimbaree Music)Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382732.post-30170780584235644502016-02-27T12:09:00.002-06:002016-02-28T05:20:43.441-06:00He Loves Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Have you ever wondered whether or not God loves you? Maybe you have done something bad, like telling a lie, taking something that didn't belong to you, or maybe you have disobeyed another of his commandments. Does God still love you? To get the answer, you might play the "He loves me — He loves me not" game? You know how to play that game, don't you? You take a flower, usually a daisy, and you pluck out the petals one at a time and with each one you take turns saying, "He loves me. . . He loves me not." The very last petal you pull out is supposed to tell you whether he loves you or not. Do you think that is a good way to know if God loves you? I don't think so.<br />
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To show how much God loves us, Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons. One day, the younger of the two sons went to his father and asked him to give him all the money that would be his when his father died. The father agreed and gave the boy his inheritance. A few days later, the son packed all of his belongings and left home. He went to a far away country and there he wasted all of his money in wild living. When all of his money ran out, he went to a local farmer and asked him for a job. The farmer hired him and sent him out to feed his pigs. The young man was so hungry that even the food that he was feeding to the pigs looked good to him.<br />
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When the young man finally came to his senses, he realized that even his father's servants had a better life than he did. He said to himself, "I will return to my father and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against you and against heaven. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Please let me come back home and be one of your servants.'"<br />
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The boy began his journey home to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love, he ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against both you and heaven, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son."<br />
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But his father called his servants and said to them, "Quick! Bring the finest robe and put it on my son. Place a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Kill the calf we have been fattening and prepare a feast. Let the celebration begin! My son was lost, but now he is found!"<br />
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You see, the father's love was not dependent on the behavior of the son. The father loved his children regardless of their behavior. That's the way it is with God's love for his children. There is nothing we can do to be deserving of his love. His love is undeserved, unending, and unconditional.Sermons4Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06990684390522591037noreply@blogger.com