Outgoing Mail: April

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I am continuing the monthly faith-themed letter series. The kids who are 14 and under are learning about the names of God, based off of Diane Stortz's book, I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God. Sunday School Zone sometimes has some great activity pages! 

✯✶✰☆ Master ☆✰✶✯  by Diane Stortz ~~ Luke 8:24 "They went and woke him, saying, 'Master, Master, we are perishing!'" ~~ From Matthew 8; Mark 4; Luke 6. Sometimes Jesus stayed so busy from teaching and healing people that He and HIs disciples didn't even have time to sleep. Jesus was so glad to help people in these ways, but sometimes He needed to rest. Near the end of one busy day, Jesus said to His disciples, "Let's go across to the other side of the lake." So they all got into a boat, and soon Jesus fell asleep on a cushion at the back of the boat. After a while, a strong wind howled and churned up the waves on the lake. But Jesus didn't wake up. "The waves are getting bigger!" the disciples said to one another. "Oh no! Hold on! Here comes a wave that's going to crash right on top of us!." The big wave rocked the boat on its side, and water began filling the boat. "We're gong to sink if this keeps up!" the disciples yellow. "We might drown!" But Jesus didn't wake up. Everywhere the disciples looked, giant waves were all they could see. The wind and waves kept pounding the boat. But through it all, Jesus didn't wake up. Finally, some of the disciples went to the back of the boat, where Jesus was still sleeping. "Master, Master!" they cried. "Save us! Don't you care that we're going to drown?" Jesus woke up. He saw the storm and His frightened friends. And He knew what to do. "Peace! Be still!" Jesus said to the sea. The wind stopped blowing. The waves stopped crashing, and the water was calm. Jesus turned to His disciples. "Why were you afraid? Where is your faith?" The disciples didn't know how to answer Him. But they said to one another. "How amazing and wonderful Jesus is! Even the winds and waves obey Him!" ~~ Do you like music? What is your favorite song? Have you ever heard an orchestra? In an orchestra are many kinds of musical instruments--violins, trombones, clarinets, drums, and lots more! Standing at the front of the orchestra is the conductor. All musicians keep their eyes on the conductor and play their instruments the way he wants them to because the conductor is the master of the orchestra--he's the leader, and he's in charge. One of Jesus' names in the Bible is Master. The disciples called Jesus that because He was their leader. But Jesus also is Master over the world. Everything about creation--even the weather--must obey Him. He's in charge." 

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I am continuing with a study on the book of Proverbs for the older kids. I am including a helpful journaling page with each letter. I also included a Psalm 1 coloring page. 

Dear Friend,

Here is the lesson for chapter 4 of Proverbs:

"PROVERBS 4

Proverbs 4:14-15: "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way."

Solomon warns us repeatedly not to follow people onto the wrong path. Solomon tells us to avoid going down the wrong path with the wrong people FIVE times in two sentences! I think he repeats himself so many times to get our attention and reinforce how important this advice really is. You give the people you surround yourself with an abundance of influence over your life.

Are you intentionally avoiding tempting situations by spending your time with people who will encourage you to do what's right in God's eyes?"

This lesson from Proverbs 4 reminds me of Psalm 1:

Blessed is the one

    who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

    or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

    which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

    whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked!

    They are like chaff

    that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Who are your closest friends? Have you chosen to spend time with people who encourage you to delight in God's word? I pray that you will walk in our Lord and be like a tree planted by streams of water. 

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Happy Writing!