Here’s a picture to study with your children. If you’re like me, you like to imagine what each person in the picture is thinking, or saying.   Before you fill in the blanks, ask your children; “What do you think he’s saying?” or “How would you feel if you were Mary?”  Perhaps; “Can you guess who all these people are?” or “What do you think it smelled like in that stable?”  Would the cow have any opinion of the situation?  One more suggestion: Use this picture as a focal point when you read the Christmas story outloud on Christmas...

I found another place to test my knowledge on the web this morning. Could it be one MORE way to engage our families in Biblical thinking. Try it out! http://www.christianity.com/quizzes/ Hopefully, BBopp

D.I. (Doctrine Investigator) How can you tell is something is working? Test it. God allowed Job to be tested in the harshest of ways…..and he passed with flying colors.  Teachers hand out exams.  Doctors poke & prod and stretch and pull, but what test is there to see if our spiritual lives are healthy?  Try these twelve questions, record your answers, and call me in the morning.  We’ll call it a Simple Spiritual Check-up.  By the way, I expect all 5th graders to know this by the time they leave Children’s Ministry.  Are YOU smarter than a 5th grader? PS.  This is a...

Here’s an interesting equation: 29 volunteers + 1 1/2 hours + more than enough boxes + countless donated toothbrushes + gifts & baubles collected through the year + pretty wrapping paper + pens + pencils+ donated handling money + paper x innumerable prayers = over 200 Operation Christmas Child packages on their way to brighten the lives of children across the globe. What will YOUR holiday equation add up to? Hopefully, BBopp

It is NEVER too early to begin teaching the virtue of charity to our children, and one simple way to do that is Operation Christmas Child. Due to the time involved in packing and shipping, our boxes must be packed and on their way this month to reach the target children by Christmas. I would encourage every family to participate for the sake of kids around the world, and to lay the foundation of giving into the hearts of our own. Our church “Boxing Party” will be from 6:30 - 8:30 pm on Tuesday, November 17th in Room 206. Perhaps you can make this a part of your family Christmas tradition...

Have you ever heard that phrase? Was it a good thing? I hope so. For those of us who call God our Father it should apply to every one of us, because the scripture clearly says we are made “in His image.” Read on to explore three important points about what that means. First of all, to be made “in His image” has nothing to do with skin color, or hair length, or even gender. We have to think beyond the mechanics of “sight” into the realm of like-ness, activity, or other non-visual characteristics. Secondly, we have a free-will just like our Father. He created...

In spite of wintry weather, our kids put the annual World Missions Convention off to a good start last Saturday. Our miles were traveled in the church gymnasium, round and round and round (17 laps per mile) until we were pretty much pooped out. So far, the pledges are running over $2000.00 for Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge. THANKS TO ALL those who participated & especially to those who pledged. We will look forward to learning the full extent of our efforts one day when we hear our Savior say “Well done, you good and faithful servant!” Here’s a picture of our “Marquee”...

  This Saturday, October 10th, marks our third annual Hike-A-Bike-A-Trike-A-Thon for Boys & Girls Missioanary Challenge. What exactly is it?   Our kids will be using their strength and abilities to raise support for missionaries to more effectively accomplish the one task of the church; communicating the good news of Jesus Christ to every nation.  Our HOPE is to nurture a heart of charity in every child by offering this opportunity to do something tangible for someone else.  A bonus lesson will be that one day we will receive an eternal reward for all such acts of selfless giving.  Our...

Parenting is serious business, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. I would hope every family holds a high value on laughter, good-hearted games, and just enjoying all that God has given us. Here’s a website that combines excellent clowning with Godly principles. Check it out for a weekly video with your kids. Click here —->>> http://www.timewithdizzy.com/Home/tabid/302/Default.aspx

Aaron & I stumbled upon a cool lesson this morning. Focus on the Family’s “Paws & Tales.” We both enjoyed the story whhich is presented with high production standards. This story prompted some very natural discussion. Check it out! http://www.insight.org/pawsandtales/ <– click here