Joshua’s House

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Thanksgiving is tomorrow!  Amidst all the travel and preparation for a wonderful meal, don’t forget to thank the One who has given us everything.  Here is a fun idea to get the whole family involved in a spirit of thankfulness.  It also makes a great centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

All you need is a couple twigs, a vase, scissors, string or thread, and a hole punch.

Step 1: Gather one or two branches from your yard.

Step 2: Put the twig(s) in a vase.  If you need something to make them snug in the vase, tie multiple branches together with string and stuff paper towels or toilet paper in the vase.

Step 3: Print out some fall leaves from this template.  To make it more fun, you can print them on colored paper.  You may want to cut them out ahead of time, or you can let others do that as part of the fun. You can even print out some direction cards to place around your Thanksgiving tree.

Step 4: Put leaves, string and the Thanksgiving tree on your table or in a prominent spot.

Step 5: On each leaf, write (or draw a picture of) one thing you are thankful for or your favorite Bible verse that reminds you to thank God for the things He has given us.

Step 6: Tie a string to your leaf and hang it on the Thanksgiving tree.

Step 7: Watch the tree grow with beautiful fall colors.

By: Mandy Brady

I’ve always wanted kids of my own. But I never expected God to give me 80! Ok . . . so . . . maybe they’re not exactly my kids, and I’m not technically a mom, but I sure feel like it. I’m a volunteer at an orphanage in El Salvador and I definitely lay claim to the kids here. Even though they are not mine biologically, I care for them as if they were my own. I love them, and it hurts me that they are hurting. It hurts me when they make bad decisions. It hurts me when they don’t seem to care about their future, or worst of all, when they don’t seem to care about God.

So many of the kids here seem to have it all together on the outside - they go to church, read their Bibles, memorize their verses, do all the right things; but they don’t really know Jesus. This reality is rough on a mother’s heart. I want to have the assurance that all my kids will be saved. I do all I can to help them understand and realize the opportunity they have, but in the end it is still their choice. There is absolutely nothing I can do to make them choose salvation.  I have never felt as helpless as I do here.

About a month or so ago, the other missionaries and I began gathering each morning to pray for specific cases and children. As we began to ask God to open their eyes, our eyes were opened as well, and we started to see more of the hurt.  We also saw more opportunities to share the good news of Jesus. As we began to ask God to open doors for us, we saw them opening up. We also saw the devil increase his work too. We have one situation here that we have been praying for very intently. Today it seems that the door has been closed. Notice I said “seems”. In reality, we know that things are rarely as they seem. God has certainly not abandoned us. He has certainly not ignored our pleas for this child. I believe as never before, that there is incredible power in prayer. I believe that God has heard and answered us. A Bible verse that I have been claiming lately is found in Isaiah 49:25 “I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save”. It is so important that we take God at His word and believe His promises even when things seem hopeless.

Working for God is not usually an easy thing, but I believe it to be especially challenging when working with children. But then again, the rewards are infinite. I have learned much from my experience here, and am learning more every day. The most important lesson I have learned/am learning is that nothing is impossible with God. My job is not to make things happen, my job is to be completely surrendered to Him and just to be in the place where He puts me and give it my all. I’m learning that the most powerful influence I have is in the little, unexpected moments where I just share what I know to be true, what I’ve learned in my walk with God. Kids really want you to be honest with them. And they want you to spend time with them, listening to them, playing with them and encouraging their efforts. The more time I spend with the kids, the greater the reward.

We’ve all heard that saying that nothing worth having comes easily. Anyone who works with children is on the front lines of the battlefield, of course it is not easy. But we have the assurance that the victory is won. We have the assurance that we are not fighting alone, we are not fighting in our own strength. Every soul is of infinite worth and God will not overlook even a cup of water given in His name. Money, possessions, prestige, comfort, these things are all worthless in comparison to the treasures we can be storing up in heaven. Let us leave behind the things of this earth and give our all in service to the One who gave so much for us (He gave it all in fact). Let nothing hinder you from seeking Jesus more every day, and seeking to draw your children too.

Mandy first visited El Salvador in 2005.  She loved it so much that she when back for another year of service.  Her duties there change frequently, but she is happy to be serving God in whatever capacity He calls her to.

Written by: Mary E. Erickson
Illustrated by: Bari Weissman

Cuddle up on the couch with your toddler for a fun time discovering God’s Word.  Rather than simply having a story read to them, your little ones can become a part of the story telling.  At the beginning of each story the corresponding scripture passages are listed.  These give you an opportunity to read the full story on your own or with your child after you read the main points together in Picture Word Bible Stories. You can take advantage of the fun illustrations by having your children point to a particular animal or thing to reinforce the story.

The one down side to this book is that some of the picture words are a bit difficult to identify without knowing the story ahead of time.  Be prepared to give your little one a clue or two.

I recommend this book as a great way to have worship with your little on in the morning or for everyday reading.

Recommended Ages: 2-5
Great for: Worship
Bed time
General Reading

Written by: Katherine Bohlmann
Illustrated by: David Erickson

Children are full of questions. Some of these questions are difficult to answer like “Why did Jesus have to die?” or “Do angles always watch over us”? The boy in the story asks his Grandfather these and many other questions. His grandfather answers each question lovingly and when the boy asks him how he knows, the grandfather’s response is: “Because the Bible tells me so.” Each response is followed by the passage from scripture where the answer can be found.

Not only is this book a gentle way to answer some tough questions, but it also teaches children that the Bible is the ultimate answer book for all things. It is a must have for your child’s library.

Recommended Ages: 4-7
Great for: Reading together

If you’re in the Chattanooga area, come out the Family Fair and Expo at the LCA school gym and ball feild.  Joshua’s House will be there with give aways and free tickets for some of the booths.  This is a fantastic family event with activities that include facepainting, inflatables, a dunking booth, hayrides, science demonstrations, food and more.

The event is on Sunday, November 9 from 2-5p.m.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Thankfulness.  This is an attitude that is difficult to foster in today’s society that is constantly working for more, better, faster, bigger everything.  It seems that there is so much discontentment.  Yet, amidst the dissappointment, there is so much to be thankful for.  There is so much that God has given us.  Take some time any time thorugh out the day to be thankful for what is around you.  You can do this anywhere with any topic.  Here are some ideas of places you can be thankful:

• As you’re driving in the car - what things are you able to do because you have a car, that you wouldn’t be able to do without one?
• At the dinner table - what are some of your favorite foods?
• When you are shopping - what things has God provided for you that You need?  Has He even given you some things you just want?
• The 5 Senses - What are you thankful you have the ability to see, feel, taste, hear or smell?
• On holidays - What holiday memories are you thankful for?

There are so many ways this activity can be done.  Have a lot of fun thinking of all the ways God has blessed you and for being thankful for those.  Don’t forget to actually thank God!  After you’ve had fun brainstorming, stop to tell Jesus thank you for all of His wonderful blessings.