Archive | April 2014

“Little Isabel”

Apr22

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When I started writing The Vision of a Mother’s Heart, Isabel was almost ten years old. I tried to keep the story as close to the stories my Grandmother Isabel (Nannie) often told me through the years.

I often held a photograph of her sweet mother as I listened and could almost see the scenes enfold before me. However, as the Isabel in the story grew older in the book, I felt sad to leave that childhood stage behind and felt led to write stories about “Little Isabel” in this blog.

My friend, who is a photographer colorized the picture of my grandmother and we played around with covers for an e-book. While I was contemplating the possibilities, my friend was posting pictures of her adorable little granddaughter. She was so cute, I practically squealed, “AAAhhhhhh, so cute!” and with her cute smiles and poses, inspired stories for Isabel when she was little. So, I will try to post a Little Isabel story at least once a month.

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Meet the model for our Little Isabel stories!

Coming soon!

Little Isabel stories!

Pictures used with permission.

He is Risen!

Apr20

 

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“He is not here, He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:6

Why do we celebrate Easter? It’s not about the new clothes, baskets of candy, it’s not about a bunny who hides pretty eggs for children to find. We celebrate Easter because God loved us enough to send His Son to bear our sin on the cross so that we may be saved. (John 3:16- 17) We celebrate Easter because He rose from the dead three days later and in doing so, He conquered death! He arose that we may have everlasting life. He did not stay on the cross. His work on the cross was completed when He said in a loud voice on the cross, “It is Finished!” He arose the third day because He is God! He has power over death. He also has the power to give us new life. Life everlasting through the Lord Jesus Christ and in Him alone.

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“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

I Corinthians 15:3-4

Just imagine, every knee should bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Every time I read this passage, my heart bows to Him, with the realization of who He is and how significant I am and yet He gave His life for me and for you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 KJV
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
Have a Blessed Resurrection Day!
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As your little ones gather eggs and treats after Church tomorrow, remember the greatest gift hung on a tree for you and me.
But He didn’t stay there, oh, no! He arose from the dead, folded his napkin and left the grave clothes where His body lay.
So that we could see that He is alive today and He loves you! His gift of salvation is the sweetest gift ever.
Photo used with permission.

Peter’s Forgiveness: A Rhyme for Preschoolers

Apr18

 

My friend who has been working with four-year-olds shared this in her newsletter yesterday and has given me permission to share it with you. Children that age love rhyme and as you know, some jingles continue to come to mind years after we learned it. Praying it is so with this song/rhyme!

I don’t know about you but I can emphasize with Peter. So often we speak before we think, we act on emotions and we want to be so close to the Lord that we desire to walk on water with Him. And then in a moment of distress, we forget all He has done and say or try to do something in our own strength and we fail. The good news is that through the Lord Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and cast into the sea – as far as the east is from the west. Peter denied He knew Jesus; just as Jesus had said. When the cock crowed, he had denied Jesus three times. At that very moment, he looked up and Jesus was looking at him. Looking into the Lord’s eyes, Peter realized what he had done, then went out and wept bitterly. I love reading Mark 16:7 “But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter, that He goeth before you into Galilee, there ye shall see Him, as He said unto you.” Jesus was specific that Peter should know that He had risen from the dead and in including him, Peter knew that he was forgiven.  kp

~*~7cfbe1d425fbb5b5c61bd4f52393610aMusical instruments for kids

Okay, time to take a break and have some fun! Grab some four-year olds and let’s go!

First you’ll need to give some very detailed instructions, of course. Then give each of them either a set of lummi sticks or a triangle. (We’re talking musical instruments here.) No need to fret if they don’t get the instrument they want, they will be taking turns with them.

Now you need to learn the beat. Since you probably don’t have sticks and a triangle handy at the moment, you can use your hands. Slap your palms on the table (or on your thighs) twice to represent the lummi sticks, then snap your fingers once to represent the triangle. Ready? Let’s go! Slap, slap, snap. Slap, slap, snap. Slap, slap, snap. Slap, slap, snap.

Got it?

Good.

Now we need to add some words. Don’t sing them, say them. The more expressive, the better. Slap, slap, snap 3 or 4 times in between the verses. Here we go! Get your beat going first and . . .

Listen to the story of a man named Peter
Whom one day God called to be a great leader

Jesus found him fishing out at the lake
“Come with me, Peter, we’ve a journey to take!”

A journey of faith was what was in store
It would take much longer than a 3 hour tour

They walked and they talked along the dusty roads
Sometimes they were noisy, sometimes quiet as the toads

Peter saw Jesus heal the sick and lame
He saw Jesus help everyone who came

The blind, the deaf, and those who couldn’t speak
The poor, the needy, the lowly, and the meek

Jesus loved them all and helped them everyone
And then Peter knew the Son of God had come

Peter made a promise to never run awayd429105d0de563a7fe6f780ebd6b5d05
No matter what happened, with Jesus he would stay

But then the crowds and soldiers gave him such a fright
That Peter lost his courage and ran out in the night

Peter was so sorry for the words he’d spoken
He cried and felt so sad, his heart was almost broken

Peter wanted to see Jesus, look him in the eyes
To tell Him that he loved Him and to apologize

After Jesus died and came to life again
Peter was relieved Jesus forgave him of his sin

Peter knew that Jesus knows all things
Peter told others of the joy Jesus brings!

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Monday Melody – One Day!

Apr15

 

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives”

Matthew 26:30 (KJV)

I love this verse!

Not just that Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn but because of the timing. He knew and yet He sang!

It was Passover and Jesus had just given the reason for the Passover. As the first Passover was about the Exodus of God’s chosen people; the death angel coming by and if one had the blood of the Lamb on the doorpost and the upper post (which must have looked like a cross), the death angel would pass by. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you,” (Exodus 12:13)  It was a picture of The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God and His redemptive work on the Cross.  Jesus then told His disciples what was to happen as He broke the bread and poured the wine.

“This is my body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.”

“Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood which is shed for you.”

(Luke 22:19-20)

He knew what was ahead and before He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, plead with the Father and in obedience, to present Himself willing to shed His blood for you and for me. “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will, but as Thou wilt.” John 26:39.

Three times He prayed, so intensely, He literally sweat drops of blood. (Luke 22:44) He knew what “this cup” meant and yet, He sang a hymn with His disciples before they went to the Garden to pray.  The betrayal, the false accusations, the jeers from the crowds, the sorrow, the pain, the agony of the cross, The Father turning His back as His only begotten, sinless Son bore our sin in His body, the death, the burial and the resurrection – He knew all of this would happen but He gave His life a ransom so that we might have eternal life. Oh, what a Savior!

Do you know Him? Have you received His wonderful gift of salvation?

I have chosen my Mom’s favorite hymn for today’s melody. Each verse of this song tells of His great love for us. It is the Gospel in song. Click on the link below for the music and lyrics. I hope you will sing along with me!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
One day He’s coming—O glorious day!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/987#ixzz2yvYqw33U

 

From the hands of a child

Apr11

Lachin and Dandelion

Isabel smiled as little Billy crawled to a patch of dandelions and picked one. With a look of accomplishment, he held up his prize and offered it to Mama.

“Ah, that’s nothing but an old weed,” Jimmy said and laughed with their two older brothers. “Papa said so!”

“Boys, you mustn’t laugh at your little brother,” Mama said as she reached for the yellow offering. Farmers might not like dandelions because they say the roots choke the good plants but God made them for a purpose.”

Mama received the gift, lifted it do her nose, breathed deeply and sighed. “Thank you Billy, it’s” she said as she picked him up and held him close. “Every one of you have brought dandelions to me and I treasured every one. Even a dandelion becomes a golden treasure when offered from the hand of a child.”

Jimmy turned and ran to the dandelion patch. “I’m gonna pick some Dandy Lions for you too!”

Lachin and Gabriel

 

Thank you, Jamie Cook Wilson for letting me use the pictures of your sweet Lachlan and Gabriel!

 Michele Green Photography & Design‘s photo.