Be His Good Challenge - Postal Service

#BeHisGood

The kids and I love the Post Office.  We used to have to go there 2+ times a week for sending out packages.  It was an outing they looked forward to, mainly for the bright smiles they came to know and the ever-so-lovely stickers they received.  FYI to win over a kid... just give them a simple sticker, you'd think they've won the lottery. Plus the parents will love the fact that they weren't filled with more sugar, tooth decay or a slobbery mess. 

These days we don't get to enjoy our weekly outing because of technology and the chance to ship from home.  So this week, our Be the Good challenge, my family, personally, is going to revisit the past and say thank you to those men and women who help bring packages and cards to their destination safely all so we can open that precious birthday card or pay that lovely bill.  And I guarantee if you walk in with a smile and take the time to enjoy and not hurry your way through without acknowledging them and their service, you'll get a smile right back and a feeling of gratitude to continue on your day.

Craft:

Postal Truck.  If you grew up like I did in a small town... you really didn't know these cute little trucks existed.  You just thought the same pick-up truck or car that had a flashing light on top and a person who kept driving on the opposite side of the vehicle delivered your mail.  But turns out they do!  And kids love them!  At least mine do.  They see ours coming down the side of the road and wait impatiently for him to come.  So this is just one idea for a craft you can create.  Other ideas include one my 4 year old came up with... back them cookies and give them a can of pop!  Or this week, take it easy and just color a simple coloring page and hand deliver at the post office.  Remember it's less about the craft and more about the purpose.

Challenge:

Have your kids sneak their artwork with a thank you into the mailbox or hand deliver to your local post office.  Friendly note, take into consideration lunch time and after work tend to be busy times for people to run the errand to the post office.

Then spread the word!  

Take a photo and post on Facebook or instagram and use the #BeHisGood.  Then encourage others to join you in saying thank you to our yummy local bakery's for all that they do.  

Thank you for joining us this week in being His good.

Be His Good Challenge - Local and National Leaders

#BeHisGood

After the July 4th weekend, we are feeling pretty patriotic.  So our Be His Good challenge is based on our American Flag and to those who serve us Nationally and Locally.  Our President and Mayor.   If we can put our biases aside and focus on the fact that we have willing leaders who fight for our freedoms and rights, whether we agree with what Political side they are on, we can make a small difference when saying thank you.  

Craft:

http://www.craftymorning.com/pom-pom-american-flag-painting-craft-kids/

http://www.craftymorning.com/pom-pom-american-flag-painting-craft-kids/

The American Flag.  Create this flag proudly and it explain to your children what this flag means. In fact, I looked up the exact meaning,

"white signifies purity and innocence,  Red, hardiness and valour, and blue, signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice."  

I, personally, see a flag that represents unity and freedom.  Has that symbolism been lost,  in a large part yes.  But it won't change with complaining.  Our mission as Christians should be to change hearts.  If we want lasting change, we need to be on a mission for Christ that transforms the hearts of human beings, including our leaders.  

The above image is just one way to create a flag.  Use your imagination, let your child cut out the red stripes in construction paper, use q-tips and dip in white paint on blue paper for the stars, do a basket-weaving of the American flag... I'm telling you, Pinterest has beyond endless options.  Remember it's less about what it looks like and more about the purpose.    

Challenge:

Delivering these crafts might be a little difficult, so mailing might be your best option.  Below is the White House address.  For my local city, I addressed to our local mayor and will send to our City Council.  If you are from Cottage Grove, MN  lucky you!  I have it below ;)  I also encourage you to add the hashtag #BeHisGood to help explain the mission to encourage your local leaders and our president.  And remember to write them a special thank you.  

Mail to the White House:  1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC20500

Local Mayor Example:   Mayor Myron Bailey, City Council of Cottage Grove, 12800 Ravine Parkway South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Then spread the word!  

Take a photo and post on Facebook or instagram and use the #BeHisGood.  Then encourage others to join you in saying thank you to our local and national leaders!  

Thank you for joining us this week in being His good.

Be His Good Challenge - Bakery

#BeHisGodd

I'm not going to lie... that last craft, with the coffee beans,  the sweet smelling aroma of coffee, was a grand one.  And it got me thinking about all those amazing treats out there in this world.  You know the ones loaded with butter, sprinkles, chocolate, fillings and frosting.  The ones where you only let yourself indulge on rare certain occasions.  The ones where you used to be able to have 4-5 of them but now you just look at them and 5 pounds jump onto your waist line.  Yes those amazing cupcakes, doughnuts, cakes and cookies.  the oh so delicious treats.  So we say "thank you" this week and always to our local bakery's.  You make life a whole lot sweeter.

Craft:

http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2014/01/cupcake-craft-for-kids-laura-numeroff.html

http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2014/01/cupcake-craft-for-kids-laura-numeroff.html

A good ol' cupcake.  Create this cupcake exactly or create a version of this. Add real sprinkles, that's if you can keep your kids from eating them all or add glitter, buttons, or just plain ol' paint or markers.  Remember it's less about what it looks like and more about the purpose.    Take the time to explain the love that goes into all of our cupcakes and treats, maybe even bake some!

In my family, we are experiencing a lack of gratitude right now.  We tend to take for granted so many things and sadly people.  Teaching our kids to go out of the way to say thank you to those who may not naturally receive many thank yous, is a great way to work on our hearts.  This challenge has been a great way to strive for everyday kindness.

Challenge:

After the project is finished, write a simple thank you whether on the back of the artwork or a separate card. Find your local bakery and drop it off.  Bakery's are every where.  Even your local Walmart counts!  ps... they make fantastic cakes ;)

Then spread the word!  

Take a photo and post on Facebook or instagram and use the #BeHisGood.  Then encourage others to join you in saying thank you to our yummy local bakery's for all that they do.  

Thank you for joining us this week in being His good.

One Of The Greats, Yet Unworthy

John the Baptist... what an amazing man.  Although I would never want to live a life like his lifestyle, I admire his humble devotion and mission to God.

In John 1:19, John the Baptist declares his mission to us when priests and temple assistants come and question John on who he is.  As leaders of the faith, that was their duty as guardians of the faith to investigate new teachings.  If their motives were just that, they would be pure and biblical.  However, we see throughout the Gospels that they are indeed selfish and full of jealousy.  See, John the Baptist had a huge following.  He was preparing the way for Jesus, getting hearts ready, preaching reconciliation that was to come through the coming Messiah.  He baptized with water as a symbol of forgiveness and repentance while always pointing to the Savior that was coming to offer the people something so much more.

But here is what I love most about John.  His humble heart. Back to the John 1:19 passage, when asked who he was, he simply replied with scripture from Isaiah 40:3 "I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, Clear the way for the Lord's coming."  Then he follows up in 1:26, "... I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals." 

John the Baptist was a great prophet and recognized many times throughout the bible, Matthew 11:11, Luke 7:28 etc.  But he sees himself as nothing compared to the Lord, not even worthy of a slaves position for Jesus Christ.  His humbleness is a complete self-check for me.  One of the greatest prophets of all times, declares himself unworthy in the presence of the Lord.  He humbles himself completely in His honor.  How much more should we lay aside our pride as we serve God.  When we truly understand who Christ is, our pride should melt away.  Our life becomes all about him and nothing about us. All about service and love and nothing of selfish desires.

It's a standard that is too holy for us to ever reach as sin is in this world and in our hearts.  But it's a standard that we should always strive for as we grow in Christ.  A life of humbleness to honor our Lord.

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

The Shepherd and the Sheep

Why is the relationship between Jesus and his followers compared to the Shepherd and the Sheep?

I have wondering that for years!  I kind of knew the answer, basically the Sunday school answer - the shepherd leads the sheep through life and the sheep follow.  We should allow Jesus to lead our life.  And that is very much true but it goes so much deeper.

The Apostle John uses 7 "I AM" statements throughout his Gospel to explain who Jesus was.  One of those I AM statements is found in John 10:11 -"I am the good shepherd."  Jesus then goes onto explain more about the good shepherd,

"The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.  A hired hand (a false prophet or teacher) will run when he sees a wolf coming.  He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd.  And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.  The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep."  and and He goes on...

We learn from Jesus that he loves us so much that he will and does lay his life down for us to protect us from the evil one.  And not only protect but to deliver us.

But we can learn so much more about the good shepherd from David in Psalm 23 - one of the most famous Psalms of all times.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me..."

Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd.  The shepherd guides them to the safe places in life, protects them from harm, and provides for all their needs whether food, water or shelter. 

The truth that Jesus is the Good Shepherd gives me hope, however, it's the relationship between the two that challenge me.  I'm challenged to be like a sheep. Yes a sheep; an obedient, trustworthy sheep who follows it's master.  A disciple of Christ's who allows the Good Shepherd to lead me along peaceful streams restoring my soul, guiding me through the dark valleys and walking along side me.  Acknowledging and even honoring God in those times that I need his discipline (rod) and see it as protection for my soul.

A life that is completely surrendered to the Good Shepherd.