Kidz Topic ... SHARING

This is a new segment of my blog where I will be sharing a variety of thoughts, scripture verses, and “sparkle” ideas just for kids. Feel free to pass them on to your children, grandchildren, or any other young people that God has put in your life.

KIDZ ☮ PEACE... God wants everyone to know about Him!

For the past two Wednesdays we’ve been talking about ways to reach out to others ... and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Some of you may have had a chance to “SHINE for Jesus” over Halloween, and others may have started “TEXTING for Jesus.” But, being a witness doesn’t come easy for everyone. Some of you may have friends that aren’t Christians and you may be saying, “I don’t know where to begin.” Don’t worry, just keep reading.

Today I am going to give you a few tips that will make it easier for you to become a witness and share your faith when the timing is right! 

1. Getting started ... Do you have friends that really seem lost, sad, angry, depressed, or just can’t get along with others. Do you think they need Jesus in their life? One of the most important things you can do is to know the Bible better so you can tell them about Jesus. 

What does God's Word tell us? When we go to God in prayer and read His word we find many verses that can help us when we want to share our faith. Check out these verses: Romans 3:23 (we've all sinned), Romans 6:23 (sin separates us from God), Romans 5:6-8 (Christ died for us), Romans 10:9-10 (confess and repent), 1 John 1:9 (God will forgive), 2 Corinthians 5:17 (He makes us new), Romans 8:38-39 (we can't lose His love).

Ask God to help you memorize a few of the scripture verses, so they will be in your heart and mind when it comes time to share with others. It may help to write some of the verses down on note cards and tuck them in your book bag - that way they will always be handy.

2. Becoming a role model: Did you know that one of your friends who is not a Christian, may be watching you. They may be paying attention to how you treat people, the way you speak, or how you are living your life. You may be an example to someone and not even know it.

Read the two sentences below and complete one in your own words. Once you have the blank filled in, you can use the statement when someone asks you about your actions or your faith.

“I am glad that I’m a Christian because _____________________________.”

“I know that God loves me because ________________________________.”

3. Getting Involved: Activities such as Sunday school, Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, and Children’s Outreach Ministries also provide great opportunities to invite your friends to church.

As we continue to grow in our faith, it is important to remember that reaching out to others is not an option. It is a necessity. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus sent the disciples out to teach others about His commandments. Just as He has sent out the disciples, we have also been called to go out and tell others about Christ and His teachings.

Kidz Thought for the Week: God does not ask your ability or your inability. He asks only your availability. – author unknown

Keeping you in my prayers. 'til next week ... SHINE ... be a light that leads others to Christ.

God’s Peace, Donna

Kidz Topic ... TEXTING

This is a new segment of my blog where I will be sharing a variety of thoughts, scripture verses, and “sparkle” ideas just for kids. Feel free to pass them on to your children, grandchildren, or any other young people that God has put in your life.

KIDZ ☮ PEACE... This week we are going to continue to talk about “outreach” ... aka EVANGELISM.

According to a survey done by the Nielsen Company, teens average more than 3,000 texts a month — more than 10 per hour (not including the time they are sleeping or in school).

I got to wondering ... if Jesus had been born in this generation would he have had a cell phone or used texting?  During his ministry Jesus spoke to people using whatever language they understood. He used different ways to get people’s attention, even a “burning bush.” He spoke from a boat, on a mountainside, at banquets, at a well, and in people’s homes (like Mary and Martha), but His message was always the same.

I have to admit that texting is not my favorite way to communicate. Anyone that sends me a text knows that it takes me forever to reply to their message. But, I have to admit that since so many people (especially kids) love to text now-a-days, I may have to change my attitude. One of the problems I have with texting is that I don’t understand “text lingo.” I know a few basics like BFF means “best friends forever” or TTYL means “talk to you later,” but I wanted to understand more. So I “googled” text lingo and as I was reading through the list, I came up with an idea. Wouldn’t it be fun to use texting to spread God’s word?

1. What does God’s Word tell us?  Psalm 119:105 tells us, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." When we go to God in prayer and read our Bible we can find lots of verses that tell us the importance of God’s word. We can also find important messages that would be awesome to share with our friends. Check out these verses: Matthew 19:26, Isaiah 26:4,Phillipians 4:6, Isaiah 40:29, Genesis 12:2, Matthew 6:33.

2. Outreach Idea - Text Lingo and God’s Word: I started making a list of text lingo, what the letters mean, and a scripture verse that had a similar meaning. Here are a few examples:

IASAP4U (I always say a prayer for you)
I always thank my God as I remember you in prayers (Philemon 1:4)

GMTA (great minds think alike)
Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful (Colossians 3:15).

AAS (alive and smiling)
This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

PLO (peace, love, out)
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace (Psalm 29:11).

TMOT (trust me on this)
Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock (Isaiah 26:4).

AIMP (always in my prayers)
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers (1 Thessalonians 1:2).

TMWFI (take my word for it)
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:6).

WAN2TLK (want to talk)
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7)

RYB (read your Bible)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

POAHF (put on a happy face)
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:13).

IWALU (I will always love you)
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 (John 3:16).

PCM (please call me)
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me (Psalm 17:6).

RIP (rest in peace)
I will give you peace...and you will be able to sleep without fear (Leviticus 26:6).

TIAD (tomorrow is another day)
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today (Matthew 6:34).

PZ (peace)
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).

And check out these Christian messages:

YIC (yours in Christ)
g2g2c (got to go to church)
GBU (God bless you)
BRWG (get right with God)
PTL (Praise the Lord)
YBIC (your brother in Christ)
YSIC (your sister in Christ
WWJD (what would Jesus do)

3. Hey Kidz, now it’s your turn ... Next time you text a friend, why not send a message that includes God’s Word such as ... POAHF Proverbs 15:13

ALSO, I ‘d love some feedback ... answer the question “What do you think Jesus would text (WWJT)?” Be sure to include the text letters, what it means, and a scripture verse you think goes with it. Post your response on my Facebook link for this blog post, or in the comment section on my blog page.

Parents/Grandparents: Why not start texting your children/grandchildren and send them a scripture verse each day? (ie. Phillipians 4:14). It may create an opportunity to talk about it together, and you will be speaking their language ... how cool is that!

Kidz Thought for the Week: Honk if you love Jesus, Text while driving if you want to meet Him (Message from a church billboard, author unknown).

The Bible is full of messages that are just waiting to be read and passed along ... Call 2 Me and I will answer U and show U gr8 things which U do not know (Jeremiah 33: 3).

KYIMP (Keeping you in my prayers), TNW ('til next week) ... have fun texting!
God's Peace, Donna

The Concept of Three

Orange, Yellow and White

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

The Doctrine of Three
Haiku – by Donna Weaver

Did you know that the word "trinity" is not found in the Bible, but the concept can be found over and over again woven through God’s Word. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity ... is the belief that there is only one God, and that this one God exists as three persons. There are many scriptural references to the Trinity, such as Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," and Second Corinthians 13:14, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."

Here are some other examples:

• “... and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22)

• “... the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

• “God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts ...” (Galatians 4:6)

• “... one Spirit ... one Lord ... one God and Father of all ...” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

How many of us, when talking about the power of God, use words such as “our God is so big...” Can we really even begin to understand how encompassing our God is?  Human minds try to use logic - do the math 1 + 1 + 1 = 3, not 1.  Despite our best efforts, we can only begin to understand who He is.  But, if we think of it this way it begins to make more sense ... infinity + infinity + infinity = infinity ... God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit = One Almighty God. In other words, we worship an infinite God!

We’ve been talking about evangelism this week, and as I thought about sharing the Good News with others, I began to wonder how I would explain the doctrine of the Trinity to a non-believer, or a new believer? Where would I begin?

I guess it’s always best to start with what you know for sure.   I know that ... 1) God is three persons, 2) each person is fully God, and 3) there is only one God.  I also know ... 1) who God is to me, 2) who Jesus is to me, and 3) who the Holy Spirit is to me. To dig deeper, I consider how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are active in my life. When we can explain to others how the Trinity relates to our own personal lives, they can begin to understand the foundation of our beliefs.

When I was growing up, I was taught the doctrine of the Trinity through the words of the Apostle’s Creed. Years ago I would recite these words because it was part of my churchs’ liturgy. I didn’t really understand the meaning, but I now confess the Creed with a confidence and deep understanding of the words. As I speak them today, it is without a doubt the foundation of my faith.

The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

As evangelists “shining, sparkling, and glowing” in the world today, we will encounter people in all different walks of life and in all different stages of their spiritual journey. We need to pray for discernment in how we should approach others, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide our words as we spread the Good News of God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

It’s Friday, Let’s “sparkle” ... action required ... If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know by now that when I use the word “sparkle,” it usually means “to share the light of Jesus that resides within us.” Check this out!

The National Confectioners Association estimates that 20 million pounds (over 9000 tons) of candy corn are sold annually. Bet you didn't know that these fall treats have their own special day? Sunday, October 30 is National Candy Corn Day ... and what perfect timing, just a day before Halloween.


Candy corn was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger.

Primarily made of corn syrup, honey, and sugar, candy corn may have lots of carbs, but it is a “fat free” treat.

The thing that attracts me to these sweet little treats is their colors. THREE colors to be exact – orange, yellow and white.

The poem below compares the colors of candy corn to the Trinity ... what a perfect fit for the topic of today’s blog.

CANDY CORN TRINITY
White is for purity and holiness

Lord help me to be
pure and holy just like You

Orange is for courage

Jesus help me to have courage like You

when You died on the cross for me

Yellow is for sunshine

Holy Spirit help the “Son’s” light

shine through me

-Author Unknown

SPARKLE IDEA: Why not make copies of the poem, tie to small bags of candy corn, and share the message of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit ... what a great way to S H I N E ! ! !

Have a happy National Candy Corn Day, and I’ll meet you here again on Monday.

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

“Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch

that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's

got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere

than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of

hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.”

- from Linus (Charlie Brown’s friend)

Kidz Topic ... EVANGELISM (Halloween)

This is a new segment of my blog where I will be sharing a variety of thoughts, scripture verses, and “sparkle” ideas just for kids. Feel free to pass them on to your children, grandchildren, or any other young people that God has put in your life.

KIDZ ☮ PEACE...  Over the next three weeks our Kidz Peace topics will be about E V A N G E L I S M.   Evangelism means talking about our beliefs with others who do not share those same beliefs. In other words, spreading Christianity.

A few more days and it will be Halloween. When I think of Halloween, I think of carving pumpkins with crazy faces, then putting a candle inside to watch them glow.

In Exodus 34:29-35, we can read the story of how Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mt. Sinai with the Lord. During that time, Moses wrote down the 10 commandments. When he came down the mountain after meeting with God, his face was glowing. Like Moses, we have no light of our own. But , because we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have been filled with His light, and the more time we spend with God, the brighter our light becomes.

John 8:12 tells us that when Jesus spoke to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” What an important message – one that needs to be shared with others. We have been called to reflect God’s light to the world – to share the incredible message that God sent His Son to die for our sins (Romans 5:8).

1. Did you know that being a CHRISTIAN is like being a PUMPKIN?

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes off the dirt you may have gotten from the other pumpkins. Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see. (- passed on from one of God's pumpkins to another!)

Evangelism Idea: Why not put a copy of this poem with each treat you pass out this Halloween. Spread the Good News of Christ!

2. How to carve a Christian Pumpkin:

I am a Jack O' Lantern my light will shine so bright,
for I am a Christian pumpkin my symbols tell what's right.

My nose is like the cross on which our Savior died,
to set us free from sin we need no longer hide.

My mouth is like a fish the whole wide world to show,
that Christians live in this house and love their Savior so!

The story starts at Christmas my eyes are like the star,
that shone on Baby Jesus and wise men saw from far.

My color it is orange just like the big bright sun,
that rose on Easter Day along with Gods' own Son.

And so on Halloween let's set our pumpkins out,
and tell the trick-or-treaters what Gods’ love is all about!

Evangelism Idea: Why not carve some Christian pumpkins, then make a card telling the story of a Christian Pumpkin, and give them to some of your neighbors. Your neighborhood may reflect the only sign of Christ someone see’s this Halloween.

3. What does God’s Word tell us? When we go to God in prayer and read our Bible we can find words that instruct us on shining our light as a witness to others. Check out these verses: Matthew 5:14, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 5:8, Matthew 5:16, 2 Corinthians 3:18.

4. Do you know what an acronym is? It is when you take letters and use them to represent a saying. If I asked you what the letters W W J D meant, you would probably know that it meant – What Would Jesus Do. Here’s another one, what do the letters G L O W mean? They stand for God’s Love Overpowers the World. Or, what about S H I N E  - Share His Incredible News Everywhere.

Kidz Thought for the Week:   Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title. - from Scooby-Doo

Keeping you in my prayers. 'til next week ... whether you G L O W or S H I N E, have a safe and fun-filled Halloween ... it’s a great time for Evangelism.

God's Peace, Donna

A Great Time to SHINE

"The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out."
- Proverbs 13:9

We’ve been talking about October and all the activities it has to offer, and this week is no exception. With autumn in full swing – cooler temperatures, leaves changing colors and falling to the ground, and pumpkins everywhere you look, I am reminded of carving jack-o-lanterns, bobbing for apples, watching the Peanuts gang as they prepared for Halloween, attending costume parties, visiting haunted houses, and going trick-or treating.  Innocent fun – or is it?

Many Christians treat Halloween as a time devoted to handing out goodies, and dressing up in costumes with no threat to their spiritual well-being. The celebration of Halloween itself has no Christian spiritual or religious significance (and should not be confused with celebrating the lives of faithful Christian saints on All Saints Day, November 1). Other Christians have concerns that Halloween celebrates paganism and other activities that compromise their beliefs.

I recently read an article entitled What does the Bible say about Halloween? The article stated, “The dilemma over Halloween may fall under the category of a Romans 14 issue.” What the writer was referring to is that there are matters that lack clear and specific direction from the Bible. Sometimes our decisions must be based on our own convictions. Romans 14:5 says, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” We should never judge others, because someday each of us will have to give an account of our own actions to God.

According to the article, when we answer the question ... Should we be involved in the celebration of Halloween, there are 3 things we need to consider first:

1) Let your heart and your conscience before God alone tell you what is right and wrong on matters that are not clear in the Bible. Do you have freedom in Christ and a clear conscience before the Lord to do whatever is in question? Or, does the area weaken your Christian walk?

2) Don't pass judgment on your brother or sister if they have freedom that you don't have in an area (Romans 14:10-12).

3) If you are strong in an area and have freedom in Christ in that area, never let your freedom cause someone else to stumble (Romans 14:13, 1 Corinthians 10:32).

When my children were young, they looked forward to dressing up in their costumes. We would enjoy an evening walking around the neighborhood, gathering yummy treats, visiting with neighbors, and having a fun time creating family memories. It really was a time of innocent fun!

It’s not Friday, but we’re gonna “sparkle” anyway ... Many Christians see Halloween as an opportunity to witness for Christ. It’s a great time to S H I N E (Share His Incredible News Everywhere). Local churches have gotten involved in providing safe alternatives to the usual trick or treat activities. Some of those alternatives include: fall harvest festivals, youth group pumpkin patch fundraiser, neighborhood block party, family hayride and pumpkin carving, or an evangelism outreach such as Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot – it’s just like a neighborhood tailgating party. Check out churches in your community to see what activities might be planned.

Another activity (started by a Pennsylvania minister and his wife) has become a common sight during Halloween - it is Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Started as a local event in a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood in 1950, the program involves trick-or-treaters taking small boxes door to door so they can collect small-change donations from the houses they visit. It is estimated that children have collected more than $118 million for UNICEF since the program started. Kids and adults alike are making a different in the lives of other kids around the world.

You can order your collections boxes by phone at 1-800-FOR-KIDS, or pick up UNICEF collection boxes at Crocs stores nationwide from September 22 through October 31, while supplies last. To find a participating Crocs store location near you check out:  http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/participate/

No matter what choice we make in regards to celebrating or not celebrating Halloween, it is important that we not hide in the face of evil. We will have peace with our decision if we remember that God wants us to boldly celebrate good over evil and His ultimate triumph over Satan, each and every day as we continue our spiritual journey.

Be sure to check back on Wednesday when our discussion on Halloween Evangelism will continue with some great outreach ideas for kidz!

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

Pumpkin Prayer ... Dear Jesus, as I carve my pumpkin help me pray this prayer: Open my mind so I can learn about you (cut the top off pumpkin). Take all of my sin and forgive my wrongs (clean out the insides). Open my eyes to your love (cut out eyes). I'm sorry for turning my nose up at times (cut out nose). Open my mouth to tell others about you (cut out mouth). And let your light shine in my heart always (light candle inside pumpkin). In Jesus' name ... Amen.



REFERENCE: Fairchild, Mary (n.d.). What Does the Bible Say About Halloween? Retrieved October 19, 2011 from http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/i/biblehalloween.htm