On Sermonizing

I've been listening to myself lately ... sigh ... and I've been doing some preaching. In the middle of my impromptu sermons I see glazed eyes and that checked out of the conversation kind of expression. For some crazy reason, in the middle of my tirade, I think that my words are going to impact her.

"We should make it possible for the child to know the "King-Saviour-Child" relationship in simple confidence. We are always to "Let the children come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God." If we do not tell them, how shall they come? And do we not also forbid them, when we cover up the vital reality of our Lord and King, by turning this joyful simple access into a dull, weary, and unending verbal sermon?"
Susan Schaeffer McCaulay, For the Children's Sake, pg. 95

I certainly don't care for those dull, weary and unending verbal sermons. Why would I think this would draw my children to Christ?

Oh, that I would get a grip on this bad habit now.

The posture of a child who heard one too many sermons.

Overheard

Dad: Emma, you are my little artist!

Emma: Yes, and Ethan is your Jackson Pollock!

Jackson Pollock, Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist)(detail), 1950, National Gallery of Art, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1976.37.1

To create your own Pollackesque masterpiece click here.

Great Ideas for Young Children

Check out these great blogs and websites for some summer inspiration!

Chasing Cheerios - Montessori ideas for toddlers. Take a look, even if Montessori methods are not your thing.

Let's Explore - I always find something fun here.

Crafty Crow - I love the ideas on this site for both my kids.

Soule Mama - Amanda's book is worth checking out from the library.

Preschoolers and Peace - Take a peek through Kendra's archives and resources.

Hubbard's Cupboard - Not necessarily a curriculum I use, but purposeful activities and ideas to draw from.

Paula's Archives (not this Paula's Archives!:)) - Pages of great toddler and preschool activities. Scan through the shoebox and activity bag pages. These work great for Ethan's "school" while I'm helping Emma.

On Children and the Knowledge of God

"We let the child, from the first, have the objective source material: the Bible. We let him share with us as we worship. We do not exclude him from worries, questions, failures, or joys. We openly and honestly act like fellow human beings who are walking along the same road. Indeed,the child is, in many ways, to be our example. He is not to become like the grown-up church member. We are to become like the little child in our life with God. The reality of God's truth changes everything. It makes a difference to my self and to my relationship that adds up to life."

~Susan Schaeffer McCaulay, For the Children's Sake, pg. 105

Smoothies, Popsicles and Ice treasures...

Basic Fruit Smoothie

8 strawberries or 1 cup of fruit

1/2 c. yogurt

3 T. sugar

2 t. vanilla

6-8 ice cubes

Blend all until smooth.

Vary this basic recipe according to your favorite tastes and whatever is in your kitchen! I like to add milk or juice to change up the consistency. Our latest favorite includes peaches and cherries, a blend that was only tried because there was nothing else on hand.

This yummy yogurt popsicle recipe is new to us, but definitely worth mentioning. I am enjoying one as I type!

Ice treasures are taking over the mommy blogging world. After giving this a try, I see why. My kids loved digging out the treasures.

Ohhh, this is fun to watch! I saw it over at SoulPerBlog. Rhonda asks the question: How is this like church? Great question to have in your head while watching. Enjoy!

Do you think sunsets are God's way of showing a little bit of heaven? -Emma

A quiet conversation and and a cup of coffee with you.

That sounds so much nicer than writing thoughts down, not knowing who will read them and not really getting to interact with what is in your heart. Sigh...

I've been thinking about these verses...

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did,

God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face!

They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence,

not a piece of chiseled stone.

And when God is personally present,

a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete.

We're free of it! All of us!

Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face.

And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah,

our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful

as God enters our lives and we become like him.

2 Cor. 3:16-18

Our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. God enters our lives. We become like him. My heart pounds.

And a few verses down...

It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!"

and our lives filled up with light

as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ,

all bright and beautiful.

2 Cor. 3:6

Our lives filled up with light. We understood.

Best friends

This post just made me smile.

Happy Independence Day

True Freedom:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves

be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Gal. 5:1

Remembering June

Full summer days.

Daily.

Tiny Town.

15 new missionaries appointed! Here are a few of the new faces.

For those of you not familiar with our ministry check out Cadence International.

Also, Elizabeth blogged from time to time about her experiences

during this missionary candidacy and training.

Thanks to all of you who prayed and emailed. We love you.