Treasure House Kids

I just read "My LIfe as a Broken Bungee Cord--the incredible worlds of Wally McDoogle" by Bill Myers and it was wonderful.  Exciting, thought provoking a definite read for kids.  Wally McDoogle is know as the human castastrphe--he keeps you in the edge of your seat as one calamity builds upon another.  I loved the way they discuss the ways of God and put their trust in Him in very unique ways.  This would be a great bed time read--a chapter a night.  It even contains a nice science project.  I loved it!!!!!! 

As Zac was growing up we were constantly looking for new and interesting chore lists.  I sure wish this was available back then,  Let me know what you think.

http://www.handipoints.com/ 

Handipoints is free service where kids earn points by doing chores, worksheets, & arts and crafts!

I just had the opportunity thanks to Megan Walker and Tyler Harris to read the first two books of "The Mysterious Benedict Society".  I found it to be an enjoyeable read.  I really liked the way the author made each child with unique abilities.  These uniquiness created an atmosphere where the kids had to learn to get along, trust, depend and discover the greatest in each other.  It also encouraged the kids to stand for what is right and in the process to have compassion for others.  Although not a Biblical or christian book, it has strong morals and very imaginative.  I think your kid will enjoy Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance.  This book reminded me to the Boxcar Kids only with a more modern day twist.  I would have no problem seeing a child read this  of course as long as they are reading their Bible daily.

Several parents have asked about animals in heaven. Following is a lesson I taught to the kids referencing this subject:

Will Pets be in Heaven?

By Kim Jenkins 6/22/08

Elementary Ministry

INTRO: Will Pets be in Heaven? I love pets. I myself have lots of pets. They bring me great joy. I have 12 chickens, 3 dogs:Bow, Star, and Otis; 1 cat-Sabrina , 1 fish-Punchy, 1 bird—Belle, and 1 gerbil —Forrest—who is looking for a good home. My pets bring me great joy.

ó So will pets be in heaven?

& I think so, but the Bible is the ultimate authority. Turn in your Bible to Isaiah 11:6-9

6 The wolf will live with the lamb,

the leopard will lie down with the goat,

the calf and the lion and the yearling together;

and a little child will lead them.

7 The cow will feed with the bear,

their young will lie down together,

and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,

and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.

9 They will neither harm nor destroy

on all my holy mountain,

for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD

as the waters cover the sea.

NIV

According to these verses, the prophet Isaiah is describing heaven and the animals that will be heaven and they will no longer try to eat each other.

£ God loves us so much He has created a place where we will be able to pet a cobra without fear of being bitten, a lion will eat grass—not meat; and you, a child, will be able to lead a lion! Jesus tells that He is preparing for us a place with mansions for us to live in. We call this place heaven. (John 14:1-6, Rev 21, John 3:16)

ó Just thinking of how awesome heaven will be makes we want to make sure that I will be going to heaven someday.

& The Bible also tells us that there is only way to heaven, and that is through Jesus. We have to choose to go to Jesus. (John 14:6)

God created us very uniquely. He created the world in 6 days and on the 5th day God created fish and birds, He spoke and they existed. On the 6th day God created the land animals. (Gen 1:20-27) He said it was good. Also on the 6th day, God created man—but He did something different with man. Turn in your Bibles to:

Genesis 2:7

7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

NIV

9 God took special effort to form man in His image, and He breathed into man the breath of life. God gave man a soul and made man to look like Him.

ó Now that is special!

& God even allowed Adam, the first man, to name all the animals. (Genesis 2: 19-20) Jesus tells us in

Luke 12:6-7:

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

NIV

Ë You are worth more than the animals. As a matter of fact, Jesus said you are worth dying for. Jesus left heaven to come to earth to pay the penalty for your sins. Jesus made a way for you to come be with him in heaven—but you have to choose. He even gave you that right to say: I believe Jesus died for my sins, was buried, and rose on the third day so that I could become His Child. Jesus says you are worth more than a sparrow—can you see Jesus looking after the sparrow? (pause) He looks after you so much more! (John 1:12, Col 1:20, Romans 8:19-21, Romans 10:9)

9 No where in the Bible, that I can find, are animals given the right to choose Jesus, because God did not breath into them a soul—He only gave that to mankind.

& Animals do not pray, they can not choose to believe in Jesus, they do not have this ability—only humans. But that doesn’t mean that God does not love them. Remember Noah, God commanded Noah to take two of every kind of animal into the ark—so God cares for the animals. (Genesis 6) God also sent an angel to give a hard talking to Balaam for beating a donkey. (Numbers 22) So God does not want the animals mistreated.

The Bible also reveals to us that animals will be heaven. We know that from heaven God sent a chariot pulled by horses to pick up Elijah and bring him to heaven. (2 Kings 2:11) And Revelation 19:10 tells me that Jesus will be coming back to earth on a white horse!

ó So animals will be in heaven, but the real question is Will You be in Heaven?

* Have you received the gift of forgiveness for your sins? Only Jesus can give you this-He is the only one with this power.

SAVED: If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, will you at this time begin to silently pray for the persons to your left and/or your right?

UNSAVED: If today for the very first time you would like to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and become your personal Lord and Savior, will you raise your hand? (pause) Dismiss those responding to counsel.

Pray

Preschool Ministry:

INTRO: I love pets. I have lots of pets. They bring me great joy. I have 12 chickens,3 dogs—Bow, Star, and Otis; 1 cat: Sabrina, 1 fish-Punchy, 1 bird-Belle, and 1 gerbil . My pets bring me great joy.

For our lesson today, I am going to give you a colored sticker. When I call your sticker color you listen and follow directions. (give each kid either a blue or green sticker)

ó Did you know that there will be pets in heaven?

& The Bible tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If you believe that let me hear the blue and green stickers say really loud: The Bible is true! (John 17:17)

(Isaiah 11:6-9) The Bible says that in heaven a wolf —let me hear the blue stickers howl like wolf. The Bible says the wolf and the lamb let me hear the green stickers baa like a lamb. The Bible says the wolf and the lamb will live together. Now that is amazing!

The Bible also says that a cow, let me hear the red stickers moo like a cow. The Bible says that a cow will eat with a bear, let me hear the yellow stickers growl like a bear. Can you imagine a cow and a bear eating together? Amazing!

Now this is really amazing. Let me hear the blue and green stickers hiss like a snake. The Bibles tells that in heaven, a child, that’s you, will be able to play near a cobra and put your hand into a snake’s nest without being bitten or harmed. You can not do that on earth or your would die, but in heaven even the snakes will be nice! Amazing!

£ God loves us so much that He is creating heaven perfect where no harm can come to us at all. Jesus tells in the Bible that He is preparing for us a place in heaven with mansions for us to live in. Some of these mansions will be built with rubies, pearls, diamonds and the street will be paved with gold. AMAZING! (John 14:1-6, Rev 21, John 3:16)

ó Just thinking of how awesome heaven will be makes me want to make sure that I will be going to heaven someday.

& The Bible tells us that there is only way to heaven, and that is through Jesus. (John 14:6)

God created us very uniquely. He created the world in 6 days. Let me see six fingers. In six days He created everything we see, but He created man differently than everything else. The Bible tell us—is the Bible true? (allow for response) The Bible tell us that God took dirt , molded us to look like Him and then He did something He did not do with anything else, He breathed life into our nose. Everyone touch your nose.

ó Now that is amazing!

When God breathed into your nose, He gave you a soul. Animals do not have a soul only mankind. You are extra special!

The Bible tells us that God knows everything, even what the sparrows are doing. Do you know what a sparrow is? It is a bird, let me hear the red and yellow tweet like a bird. The Bible tells us that you are worth more than many sparrows.

Ë You are worth more than the animals. As a matter of fact, Jesus said you are worth dying for. The Bibles says that Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day according to the Scriptures. What are the Scriptures? (allow for response) That’s right it is the Bible. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

9 Jesus did not die for the animals, He died for you.

& Animals do not pray, they can not choose to believe in Jesus, they do not have this ability—only humans. But that doesn’t mean that God does not love animals . Remember Noah, God commanded Noah to take two of every kind of animal into the ark—so God cares for the animals. (Genesis 6) God also sent an angel to give a hard talking to Balaam for beating a donkey. (Numbers 22) So God does not want the animals mistreated.

The Bible also tells us that animals will be heaven. We know that from heaven God sent a chariot pulled by horses to pick up Elijah and bring him to heaven. (2 Kings 2:11) And Revelation 19:10 tells me that Jesus will be coming back to earth on a white horse!

ó I’m glad animals will be in heaven. Are you?

Let’s pray and thank Jesus for the animals.

Dear Jesus

Thank you for all the animals

Thank you that animals will be in heaven.

Help me to learn more about you.

Help me to know that your Word is true.

I love you

In Jesus name I pray

Amen

Teaching Your Children How to Work

Christine Field

Age Appropriateness: What Can Your Child Do?

OK, you are looking down at your eighteen-month-old toddler and saying, "Sounds great, but I guess it will have to wait." Not so. A child of that age can be asked to fetch items, fold washcloths, pick up toys, and carry plastic dishes to and from the table. We can ask and train, even at this age. And as they mature, our children are capable of much, much more.

The following chart gives some ideas of what is possible at what ages. These are merely guidelines—your child may do more or less. Knowing that learning life skills is a process, don't expect perfection from him. The intent here is to give you ideas to try out in your family.

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Ages 2-3 

Begin to dress self

Put silverware in dishwasher

Help make bed—at least pull covers up

Help feed animals

Help wipe up spills

Pick up toys

Dry unbreakable dishes

Hang clothing on hooks

Sweep

Carry laundry to and from laundry area

Bring in newspaper

Mop a small area

Help fold towels

Pour from a small pitcher

Empty light trash cans

Pull weeds

Dust

Fetch diapers

Carry plate to sink after meals

Help pick up living room

Ages 4-5 

Dress self

Help in kitchen—stirring, ripping lettuce, drying dishes

Make own bed

Clear dishes from table

Help carry and put away groceries

Set table

Retrieve the mail

Wash toys when needed

Dust

Help rake yard

Water plants

Help wash car and clean interior

Sweep patio

Sort clean clothes by family member

Wash floors, low walls with sponge

Sort dirty clothes by color

Put away own clothes—put dirty clothes in hamper

Hang towels after bath

Help load dishwasher

Ages 6-12 

Make bed

Straighten up house

Take care of pets—clean cages and feed them

Wash, dry, and put away dishes

Clean bathroom completely

Cook simple foods—use simple recipes

Rake leaves, shovel snow

Weed and water garden

Make school lunches

Use washer and dryer

Help with yard work

Take out trash

Help wash car

Strip and change beds

Wash, hang, and fold laundry

Iron

Vacuum, sweep, and mop

Polish shoes

Ages 13 and up 

Any of the above, plus:

Cook meals

Change light bulbs

Do all laundry functions

Replace vacuum cleaner bag

Iron clothes

Wash inside and outside windows

Do clothes mending, repairs

Mow lawn

Clean out refrigerator

Trim yard

Clean stove and oven

Wash and polish car

Prepare a meal

Maintain a bicycle—fill tires with air, oil squeaks

Make grocery lists

Shop for groceries

Help paint and caulk

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Footnotes:

Ages five to twelve or so are golden years for teaching children at home. These kids are increasingly capable and yet not too preoccupied with school and extracurricular activities. Make sure you start to give both boys and girls the opportunity to do outside chores and to do maintenance-type tasks with Dad. Don't neglect teaching both your son and your daughter to do chores inside the home, like cooking and cleaning. You will shortchange them for life if you do.[back]

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Excerpted from Life Skills for Kids by Christine M. Field, Copyright © 2000 Chris Field. Used by permission of Shaw Books, an imprint of WaterBrook Press, Colorado Springs, Colo

Need a good survivor story to share with your kids? Check out "Shark Survivor: Bethany Hamilton" www.bethanyhamilton.com

What's in it? A good site to find out what the games, songs and recent movies contain is

 http://www.pluggedinonline.com/  

http://christiananswers.net

Let me know what you think!

Bakugan What? The kids are crazy, especially the boys, about these marble type toys that transform into battle brawlers. On April 26, I did a lesson entitled: "Bakugan What?". I must say the kids are really talking about this lesson. I have had many calls wondering what in the world I am doing and I am so excited.

I have researched the Bakugan and found that among the latest toy crazes, this one at least has good overcoming evil. That is the first season, who knows what will happen in season two. The cartoon, toys and game make reference to "Naga" but they never explain what Naga is or make reference to the Hindu/Buddhist gods actual identity--Naga is only explained as the evil one. If you would like a copy of my research notes and/or a copy of my lesson--just let me know.