#bible lessons for toddlers

[beachreg]

⊹₊⟡⋆ beachreg's show recs!!

Here's a list of shows/cartoons I watch while regressed to various ages!! Most of these are from the 90s or so since I'm not a fan of a lot of newer stuff!!

I've included their age ratings, years on air and a quick summary I found for each!! I hope you enjoy and maybe find something new to watch!! :D

⟡ = cartoons & ☆ = other shows!!

☆ Reading Rainbow (1999) — Levar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.

⟡ Captain Planet and The Planeteers (TV-Y7, 1990-96) — A quintet of teenagers work together to encourage environmentally responsible behavior and can summon a superhero to deal with ecological disasters.

☆ The Crocodile Hunter (TV-G, 1996-2004) — Steve and wife Terri educate and entertain on the subject of Australia's all too often dangerous wildlife.

⟡ Gargoyles (TV-Y7, 1994-97) — A clan of heroic night creatures pledge to protect modern New York City as they did in Scotland one thousand years earlier.

☆ Between the Lions (TV-Y, 1999-2011) — Live action and animation blend together in this educational fantasy about a family of lions running a library filled with adventurous and musical books.

⟡ Pocoyo (TV-Y, 2005-Present) — Pocoyo, the curious toddler dressed all in blue, joins Pato the yellow duck, Elly the pink elephant, Loula the dog, Sleepy Bird and many others in learning new things and having fun.

⟡ Tiny Toons Adventures (TV-G, 1990-95) — The wacky adventures of the new young hip generation of Warner Brothers Looney Tunes characters, most of them descendants of the original classic toon cast.

☆ Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (TV-Y, 1968-2001) — Fred Rogers explores various topics for young viewers through presentations and music, both in his world and in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

☆ Bill Nye the Science Guy (TV-Y, 1993-98) —Scientist/comedian Bill Nye explores various aspects of science for young viewers.

⟡ Wonder Pets! (TV-Y, 2006-16) — A turtle, a guinea pig and duckling save the day by using teamwork.

⟡ Dinosaur Train (TV-Y, 2009-23) — Friendly dinosaurs climb aboard a train to visit different times throughout the prehistoric age, learning about dinosaurs and having fun adventures.

☆ The Joy of Painting (TV-G, 1983-2024) — In this half-hour program, artist Bob Ross paints a beautiful oil painting on canvas.

⟡ VeggieTales (TV-Y, 1993-2015) — Bob the Tomato, Larry The Cucumber, and their friends teach Christian and Bible-based lessons in a fun way.

⟡ The Magic School Bus (TV-Y, 1994-97) — An eccentric teacher takes her class on wondrous educational field trips with the help of a magic school bus.

⟡ The Berenstain Bears (TV-Y, 1985-2004) — Inspired by the book series written by Stan and Jan Berenstain, join the Berenstain Bears family as they figure out life together. With friendly neighbors and close friends, the journey is never boring.

⟡ Courage the Cowardly Dog (TV-Y7, 1999-2002) — The offbeat adventures of Courage, a cowardly dog who must overcome his own fears to heroically defend his unknowing farmer owners from all kinds of dangers, paranormal events and menaces that appear around their land.

☆ The Wiggles (TV-Y, 1993-2022) — Learn how to sing and dance with Australia's fab four of fun, The Wiggles. Joined by their friends, Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, and Wags the Dog, the group go on all sorts of adventures.

⟡ Little Bear (TV-Y, 1995-2003) — A grizzly cub has many misadventures with his friends.

☆ Are You Afraid of The Dark? (TV-14, 1990-2000) — A group of teenagers meet in the woods and tell scary stories.

divider credits: @/strangergraphics!!

[operationandre]

cal working as a counselor at vacation bible school.

cal grew up in a christian family, but he stopped joining them on sundays and wednesdays to church when he was in middle school. his mom has always been really involved at the church, sending her youngest kids to vbs and fixing snacks for all the children.

when she found out cal was in trouble for smoking weed, she worried about what the church would think. she wondered what to do with him until she realized it was about summer time--time for vacation bible school.

she'd force him to volunteer there, taking care of kids like his little siblings, to learn a lesson. plus, she could tell all the other church moms that his interactions with the police were just small mess ups, that he was working on himself.

every day for two weeks, cal helps set up arts and crafts, hands out random apple juices and animal crackers, and helps tidy up the play area after the toddlers have recess. he also was chosen to perform songs for the kids because of his ability to play guitar. he almost said no before his mom told him he had too. he refused to do anything other than play and mumble, though.

despite having to wash glitter off his face every night and learn random churchy lyrics to stupid kid songs, he actually enjoyed it. he refused to admit that to anyone, even andre.

[sailorsenshishitposter]

DID YOU PRAY TODAY?

"Why are we doing this again?"

"Because it's Sunday and you have no school today. Now be quiet and let me continue!"

It was the weekend and Angel was forcing all the first and second year students to participate in a Sunday school session. As an apology, Hana had baked some cookies for everyone but they tasted more bland than her personality. When she wasn't looking, the group then went over to Itadori and used one of Sukuna's mouth hands as a trash can.

"I thought this series was supposed to be based on Buddihism and Shintoist beliefs?"

"It's Gege. He can add Abrahamic religions into his work if he wants to. Now let me get on with my lesson! Can anyone tell me the events that took place one thousand years ago?'

The whole class groaned. It seems that now they were also being forced into a history lesson.

"Didn't Sukuna get his ass beat?"

Angel then forced Hana to put a bar of soap in Yuji's mouth.

"Language Itadori! But yes, he was defeated. Unfortunately, my clan and Satoru Gojo's were nearly made extinct. This is why the fallen is such a dangerous enemy!"

"The fallen? Did he get dropped on his head as a baby or something?"

"Please you guys, I can hear him screaming in my head..."

"So he's throwing a tantrum? I guess he really is a toddler."

A mouth then appeared under Yuji's eye.

"Damn brats! Once I am free of this body I'll kill each and every of you, one by one!"

Angel then poured a liquid from a small bottle down his throat. Sukuna began to vomit more blood than when the door opens in the shining.

"...What did you feed him?"

"Holy water. It won't kill him but it should get him to settle down for now."

Ijichi was then called to clean up the mess. As the poor man scrubbed away blood, Mai went over to Maki.

"Have you seen this!?"

She grabbed her phone and put on JujuTube. There was another viral video from their cousin Andrew Tate/Naoya Zenin. He was doing another lame podcast.

"-and if that doesn't work, just give her a blackflash. It works every time. Anyway you can email me at AlphaRizzler2018@gmail.com or hit me up on my Twitter-"

"The old house still gets mail deliveries right? Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I've already got a website in mind. Select expedite shipping and it should arrive in two hours."

____________

"And that's why God cursed us with sin! Now, can anyone tell me the way to salvation?"

Megumi was sleeping at his desk so Nobara slapped him on the back of his head.

"Jesus Christ!"

"That's right Fushiguro! I can see why Hana adores you so much!"

Hana then began to choke and Megumi raised an eyebrow.

"Nevermind, I don't want to know."

"All right students, have you ever seen an exorcism take place?"

"No offence, but we do that every day."

"Salmon."

"No, no, not a sorcerer style exorsim. I'm talking about removing demons from a possessed persons body!"

Sukuna then spoke to Itadori.

"Hey brat. Take these. I'm sure they will be of help."

How Sukuna managed to smuggle a box of DVD's was unknown.

"Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?"

The king of curses did his best to hold back his smirk.

"Don't worry about it."

Itadori then raised his hand.

"Hana sensei erm I mean, Angel, would these help?"

In his hands was a copy of bible black. "Angels have to do with the Bible, right?" he thought to himself. "This must be some kind of instruction video."

Angel's mouth then made a shocked look and then Hana was now being forced to swat Itadori with a wooden ruler.

"REPENT!!!!!"

"I'M SORRY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID WRONG! SUKUNA SAID IT WOULD HELP!"

All of a sudden a mouth formed on Yuji's cheek and began to laugh with glee.

"I should have figured he was behind this. Itadori, once class is over I'll give you a lesson about the sins of fornication..."

"WAIT, WHAT! PLEASE DON'T, I PROMISE I'LL BURN THE DVD'S JUST PLEASE DON'T GIVE ME THE SEX ED TALK!"

"Alright then. Just know that if you are lying to me than God shall strike you down!"

Nobara then moved her desk away from him.

"KUGISAKI!?"

"Hey, I'm not going to risk being hit by a thunderbolt because you're a teen boy!"

____________

"Achoo!"

Kashimo, the god of thunder then looked over his shoulder.

"Why do I feel like someone is talking about me behind my back?"

____________

"Why does no one believe me?"

Hana then clapped her hands.

"Is anyone here familiar with William Peter Blatty's the exorcist?"

"The novel or the movie?"

"Either is fine."

"Is that the one where the old lady crawls on the ceiling?"

"You're thinking of the third one."

"Wasn't that the favorite movie of some cannibal?"

"Hey Sukuna, what do you think of the exorcist three?"

"I don't even know what that is brat."

"Let me look it up on my phone. Hey Alexa, what year did the third exorcist film come out?"

"Who the hell is Ale-"

"The Exorcist three is the third film in the exorcist trilogy and based on the 1983 horror novel Legion-"

"We're getting off track! Can anyone detail the events that take place?"

"Doesn't a priest come along and tie a little girl down to her bed so she stops floating?"

"Close enough. Everyone, please help me push the tables together so we can tie Itadori down on to them.""Wait, what?

____________

As chaos began to break out, Maki and Mai were now scrolling through Naoya's Twitter account.

@NaoyaMasterOfSwag69

12:05

"Wtf? I just got home and my uncle is yelling at me! He says this kind of filth isn't allowed in our family but he literally screwed his niece. I'm going to ask my father what's going on."

12:10

"Dad's passed out again like usual. I tried to wake him up be he was drunk and mumbling something about dragons? He said it's in my room so I'll update you all."

12:20

"Okay, this has got to stop! I don't know who you are but this isn't funny!"

Below was a photo with various packages. Several items lay opened including three different bad dragon dildos along with some gay pornography. One clearly titled '17 naked cowboys in the showers at ram ranch'.

12:45

"I SWEAR I'M NOT GAY, I LIKE BOOBS! WHO'S WRINGING THE DOOR BELL!? WHY THE HELL ARE THERE A BUNCH OF MALE STRIPPERS!? HOW DID YOU PEOPLE GET THIS ADDRESS!?"

The twins then high fived each other.

____________

"SOMEONE, PLEASE HELP ME!"

Itadori was now pleading for mercy, having been held down against his will and forced to endure Angel's exorcism.

"THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELLS YOU! THE POWRT OF CHRIST COMPELLS YOU!"

Suddenly the door opened.

"What's he doing here!?"

It was none other than Kenjaku.

"What do you think you're doing!?" cried Angel.

"Taking my son out of your class, what else does it look like?"

"I'M NOT FINISHED YET!"

"Oh yes you are! Don't forget that I can sue you and all of Jujutsu Tech for forcing your beliefs on my son! Now come Yuji, let's get you out of these ropes."

"Please don't let him take me away! The last time he started going on about how my father was some kind of sex god!"

"I'm afraid there's nothing that I can do Yuji. You'll have to leave my class..."

"Come son, I got us tickets to Takaba's comedy special."

"SUKUNA, YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THAT NEITHER OF US WANT TO WATCH THAT GUY PERFORM!"

Itadori got no response.

"Sukuna...?"

The next thing he knew and Yuji was covered in vomit.

"Gross! What did you eat!?"

"You all fed me those cookies, remember? I think I might actually die of food poisoning..."

How Hana baked cookies that harmed one who was immune to all poisons was a still a mystery. 

[jw-horror-stories]

Ooh, I love telling my JW stories!!

1. (tw familial abuse) First off, I was lucky enough to not have had other kids my age in our congregation, so I wasn't really pressured into baptism. I got out when I was 16,it was a bit messy but no comparison to how it would have gone had I been baptised.

2. My mom was actually allowed to get a divorce! But only after she wrote to Bethel. My father was abusive to everyone in our family (my mother as well, but not quite as bad as him). She asked the elders in oir congregation to be allowed to get a divorce, but they didn't allow it. My older sister just turned 18 (I was a toddler, my younger brother a baby) and threatened my mom to go to CPS and try and get custudy for me and my siblings. So my mother wrote to Bethel, told them about everything and they allowed he to get a divorce. It was really messy and we had to go to a different congregation.

3. Said sister was disfellowshipped when I was 4 for having a boyfriend. Until then I had spent almost every day and night either with her or my other sister. From one day to the next I wasn't allowed to see her anymore and basically only then started living with my mom and my brother.

4. My elementary school teacher bullied me for being JW and poor. That's not JW fault (she also did this to the only muslim kid in my class and another poor kid) but it still sucks.

5. When I was 12 two elder (both over 50) talked to me about my nail polish. They said that it was really disrespectful to tempt men like that and asked if I wanted to be a stumbling block or viewed as a whore.

6. I actually don't have much to tell about evolution, because it was only briefly mentioned in my science lessons. The teachers knew about our religion, so I wrote one sentence at the end of the test (something like "scientists believe..., but I believe the bible") and that was done.

6. I do however remember how I debated pro life in politics class. Like the good jw I was I usually didn't really participate in our politics lessons, only enough to get an ok grade. But I cann still feel how my heart was beating because I was so horrified that my classmates were okay with "killing babies" (while praying for God to kill everyone who isn't jw).

7. I also remember when I was 11 (?) and I finally found two friends in school (who I was only allowed to see in school and for schoolwork) that I thought how nice it would be if someone killed them, because then they would be resurrected (also thought that the kindest thing to do would be if one person decided to kill as many people as possible, because they themselves would not get into paradise, but they would help others, because if you have already been resurrected it would be easier to decide FOR the truth). You know, normal kids thoughts...

8. I was constantly terrified that I would have unforgivable thoughts. I always had a "what if..?"-mind, so as a very young child I thought about "what if this is the dream and our dreams are the real world?" "How do we know what's real?" and stuff like that and I always had doubts in my mind (although of course I did everything to suppress them). When I learned that blasphemy was unforgivable and that a lot of stuff is considered blasphemy in jw circles I was even more afraid of my own mind.

9. One time my mom found my brother's Yu-Gi-Oh cards and freaked out because ot would certainly invite demons into our home. (I was slightly better at hiding my stuff)

10. Also, my family is convinced that my father invited demons into our home because he read Stephen King.

11. When I went to 7th grade I had to choose between learning French or Latin. I always wanted to learn Latin because I always had athing for ancient languages and "useless" knowledge. But my mom said that I would only need Latin if I wanted to go to college so I had to choose French. I had 5 years of French, hated every second of it and now that I could actually use it, I have to relearn everything because I forgot everything. Now I really like it btw, but now its purpose is;vt to keep me from acquiring "the wisdom of men".

You're among the more fortunate. This is good.

I'm actually quite surprised they Guv'Body actually relented.

Separating families. Classic Guv'Body technique.

That's messed up. Though sadly I don't have any words of advice regarding teachers abusing students (I'm here for Jehovah's Witness Horror Stories, not School Horror Stories).

Honestly by this point the Elders are most likely projecting their own sexual desires. In layman's terms I think they may be pedophiles themselves.

(You put 6 twice so I'll just merge the two). It's amazing how one's cult programming can bleed into everyday life. I like to think that it's this very same bleeding that caused me to start asking questions.

That's the very same hypothetical I've brought up on at least one occasion regarding logical extremes. Believing that the dead will simply await judgement after Armageddon, etc etc. A horrific proposition, if you ask me.

It's stuff like this that makes it easy to scare people into submission. Make someone unable to trust their own instincts, and they'll cling to anything and anyone who acts as their "leader". A dictator's favourite pasttime.

I've basically just learned never to share my interests beyond the barest of descriptions because of this.

I've heard of several regimes that would try to snuff out literature. They rhyme with "Mittler", "Chtalin", and "Meow".

Reading Latin would've helped you read some of the older Bible literature, and therefore poke holes into JW theology. I FEEL LIKE I SEEN THIS SOMEWHERE.

-Degurechaff, dropping the "Mod" prefix.

[the-invisible-queer]

How does a grown man beef with a child? Was it his daughter in the kitchen with your brother? Because if so that admittedly is a poor tactical choice.

And yes please give us all the decade old tea I bet it’s still good. Don’t even bother with pseudonyms if you don’t feel like it

OH BESTIE

Buckle the fuck UP and I'll drop initials so I don't get sued because the youth pastor is currently in a legal suit against his own father rn THE TEA IS PIPING

Our Characters:

Eddie - My older brother

R - Senior pastor

M - Youth pastor

M&M - M and his wife because they both suck and are one entity in one story

G - R's current wife

E- R's ex wife BUT NOT M'S MOM

JK - E & R's son

I've got 3 stories so it's long as fuck. There's aren't the only scandals just the main ones that have to deal with M's bitch ass. I can't wait to hear that he died. I'm gonna piss on his grave.

SO Eddie got the title of "junior youth leader" when he was like 15/16 because he WAS the youth group. People only showed up to hang out with him. He knew everyone. He knew everything that was going on. He was the one keeping the peace because we were ROWDY fucking kids.

FOR THE RECORD Eddie's kitchen fingering was not with M's daughter. It was with his first girlfriend.

Story 1: Local trashy white man picks on Puerto Rican teenager

Eddie is actually the reason M's daughter's bathroom fucking scandal wasn't a FULL scandal. He kept that shit underwraps and stopped the gossip because he was friends with both parties involved.

M wasn't our original youth pastor. We used to have this ANGEL named Tim but he moved out of state so R gave the job to his son. I never liked M and then when he gave me shit for taking Fridays off because I was exhausted from school I hated him. He was NOT meant for that position. I think he only got it because he was a big kid (derogatory).

NO ONE liked M. Deadass no one came to youth group for the lesson. We came to hang out with out friends we only got to see on the weekends.

Literally the beef STARTED because Eddie was smoking off property BEFORE youth group with a few other teens. M didn't like that because he's supposed to be an example.

Keep in mind Eddie was 16yrs old. Living in an abusive household. Taking the brunt of the physical abuse from our mom because he protected us. And he was a poor kid going to a private school and had to keep a certain GPA to stay. Man was stressed and JUST wanted to smoke before he had to go infront of his peers and friends act like everything was perfect and he was hyped for God for 2-3hrs every weekend.

So for like 2 months M and Eddie were going back and forth on Facebook. Indirect posts, comments. EVERYTHING WAS OUT IN THE OPEN! Eddie refused to move it to DMs because he's not stupid. If this grown man wants to act a fool he was going to do it in front of EVERYONE!

Like M was judging him so brutally and pulling out Bible verses out of his ass. It was annoying.

It came to a head when R basically told my dad to control his son. Imagine being I'm your late 40s with a son in his late 20s picking a fight with a 16yr old. And you blame it on the CHILD!

That obviously didn't sit well with my dad.

And it wasn't like my dad was just some dude. My dad was head of security. My mom was heading the baby/toddler care classrooms.

We were at the church SEVERAL days out of the week.

That was my second home at that point. It's the church I grew up in.

WE WERE PART OF THE CHURCH!

So we kind of started getting pushed out of the church. I believe we had been there for like 11 years at that point.

We finally left after a year of the awkwardness and feeling like it wasn't home anymore.

Story 2: Death, Devastation, and Divorce

This one is rough. Deals with losing a child. And is still very much a story that hurts me 19 years later.

In 2005, R and E's son, JK, who was only 7 at the time died on an amusement park ride. He was a friend of mine and I was absolutely fucking devastated.

R and E were still married and E was the worship leader at the time.

And it was FUCKED UP devastating. Because E took JK's body home and prayed over him for 3 days for God to resurrect him. Like she admitted this in front of the entire congregation. What made her stop and accept it was he came to her in a dream and told her he was not leaving heaven.

There was a huge rift at the church over it. Instead of people supporting R grieving his baby half of the church ended up leaving following this.

People didn't like that R rightfully took a break from preaching despite E still heading the worship team. He had guest pastors come in and give sermons. I think he took 3 months off.

During this time E had an affair with the man who she is now married to.

So obviously R and E divorced. Got in front of the whole congregation and broke the news. E left the church and opened a little cabaret theater with the money from the amusement park lawsuit from JK's death. E took all the money from the lawsuit because R didn't want it.

Even though I think he could have out some of that money towards the church but I digress.

A few years later R met and married G and they're still together. I adored G and still very much hope she's doing well.

Story 3: NEW TEA POPPING OFF AS WE SPEAK

SO I can't remember the date but I had a dream that Joe and I visited a church in Texas and it happened to be pastored by R. It was a weird dream because I hadn't thought of R in years and why was he in Texas?

TURNS OUT during COVID R and G sold the church and moved to Texas. I HAD NO IDEA THIS HAPPENED!

And the day I had the dream R&G posted on their Facebooks EXPOSING E, M&M and some other not important assholes from the church.

THE FUCKING DRAMA

So when G came into the picture people were weird obviously. She wasn't E. And some Christians don't believe in divorve and remarrying.

But what R&G exposed was some of the leaders didn't accept her. E still had loyalties within in the church. WHICH IS WILD!remarriage. She had spies.

Also despite E getting all the lawsuit money from JK's death, in the divorce she fought for alimony on top of child support. R and E had another daughter.

R claims she had 10% of his salary. He didn't fight or stand up for himself because he was trying to make it as quick and clean as possible for their daughter.

He also took accountability for not protecting and defending G from the sharks in the church's leadership.

E and her spies at the church made R and G's lives a living hell behind the scenes. AND NO ONE KNEW!

And even now that R and G are on the other side of the country E and M&M are still making their lives hell, trying to claim their new ministry is fraudulent.

Imagine caring that hard.

NOW let me tell you about M&M! So M married M² and I had no issues with M² but now as an adult I realize if she chose and married that piece of shit why wouldn't she also be a piece of shit?

So R alleges in his post that M&M did some sketchy ILLEGAL shit in the church that made him ask them to step down from leadership instead of throwing their asses in jail which they didn't like. Which at that point should have just sent them to jail.

He didnt specify because M&M/E and R&G are currently suing each other. It's a big MESS!

And after M&M were forced to step down they left the church and moved to NC.

And M&M/E we're trying to turn the rest of R's family (his mom and siblings against him) but fortunately they all knew better.

People mentioned in the lawsuits are people from the church my family knew personally.

Mostly all people I never fucking liked too. Which is why I trust my gut about people always.

It's a WHOLE thing and my mom is watching Facebook for updates.

[fundielicious-simblr]

(Valentina's POV)

Harvestfest was a wonderful time full of refreshment and family, but it’s also great to be back home and back in the swing of things. We were surprised one day with a light dusting of snow one morning, it didn’t stick but it was a great sign that the seasons are soon to change and that winter will be here before we know it! Recently at church our pastor preached a message on never wavering in our faith despite the changing seasons, and how timely his message was. There’s so much change happening all the time, yet we shouldn’t get caught up in our lives that we forget our God and his goodness to us! My uncle Allan preached the message on Harvest Sunday, and it was wonderful having almost all of our family in our grandfather’s church. The message that weekend was also apt and spoke about building a Godly legacy that will follow on even when we’re no longer on the earth. My grandparents made sure to live in a Godly manner and raise their children as such, and it was a good reminder to us grandkids that now that we’re having children we need to have the same fervour for the Lord and prioritize raising Godly children! 

The kids have been excited to start school again, Aria is 8 turning 9 next year with Ansel turning 8 in the new year - so they’re only a grade apart with her starting 3rd and him starting 2nd. We use loads of different curriculums depending on how they teach different subjects, including the one that I used growing up, so I feel confident that I know the subject content inside and out since I was taught it and reviewed it. They both get right into homework after breakfast so they can be done and head outside to go play, we do quiet time with the younger kids if they’re up so that the mornings aren’t as hectic as they can get. 

Since they're close in age, they're on the same level of piano and violin lessons. At home they have their own violins, but for piano they travel to a piano teacher's home for their lessons twice a week. We're in the process of looking at electric pianos so that we can get one for them to practice on. Music has always been important to me, growing up my parents showed us that music was an incredible way to worship the Lord, even the Bible says so. Having the kids play music that honours God will help them to redirect their thoughts to Him and keep worship of him in their hearts and minds, the hymns I was taught as a little girl still play in my head daily and I would love the same for them. Eric works from home so he's usually witness to their music lessons, thankfully for all of us the kids have been improving in their skills so the music is nicer to listen to - but regardless of how it sounds we always make sure to cheer them on.

Aria loves to keep the little kids occupied when I need a few minutes to recharge, she loves helping them with their learning cubes and getting them to say their letters, numbers, and colours. When we do family devotions we all pick our word of the month, and Aria (after learning the definition) chose patience and her word of the month. She says that having younger siblings is a way the the Lord teaches you patience, and I have to agree with her! She only ever engages with them for around 15 minutes as a toddlers attention span is only so long, but she says that those 15 minutes are enough for her in the moment 😂.

Eric has been teaching the kids how to ride a bike, he takes each kid out on their own so they can move at their own pace. Ansel is slightly more apprehensive than Aria, to our surprise, you'd think that the little boy would be all gung-ho about bike riding, but in this case it's Aria who has more confidence! Eric says she's be zipping around in no time!

My sister Sabrina came to stay with us too, Tucker was out of town on farm business with his parents so Sabrina and little Campbell came to see us. She's in her second trimester now and will have a gender reveal with the family at Celeste's wedding to reveal what this newest blessing will be! While she was over we looked at baby names, they won't reveal the name until the baby is born but at least we got her down to a shortlist of names. I'm out of my pregnancy/labour & delivery season of life, and I've enjoyed getting to pour into those around me who are just entering motherhood - especially my younger sisters and sisters-in-law. The Lord having Sabrina live close to me feels like a blessing in that I get to be here for my sister, along with the fact that we have each other for support. We're headed to Britechester in a few weeks for her final dress fitting, she wants all the sisters there for her final fitting as she's only had one or two of us there at a time for her earlier fittings. She's asked Macie and I to be her maid and matron of honour, so we're in the process of arranging schedules for a nice bachelorette weekend for her. She wants something small with her loved ones, so we're aiming at renting a cabin and heading up the mountains for some fun in the snow to take advantage of the winter weather.

Zach was also with us after Harvestfest, he stayed for a bit to spend some time with Kelsey. It's heartwarming seeing my younger siblings meet their person and work to build the firm foundations needed for a Godly relationship. Kelsey is such a wonderful girl and makes Zach so happy, hopefully there's news of an engagement soon!

[clarkes-and-god]

Moriah's Instagram (@mrs.moriah.james):

We have been blessed with another beautiful baby BOY! Ezekiel James is our seventh blessing, meaning I've now overtaken my mom in family size! Just like Enoch, Ezekiel is a very calm baby, and their meek spirits really help me now I have 2 babies, 3 toddlers, and 2 big girls in the house! Ezekiel means "strength in God", which I hope he'll have! On the note of the big girls, we've switched from a more secular homeschool option to Learn By Christ, and they are really enjoying it! The program is broken into two parts, Understanding God's World, and Navigating God's World.

Understanding God's World teaches children reading, writing, math, religion, science and geography! All parts of LBC are split into 4 courses based on grade level, Course 1 is pre-kinder to Grade 1, Course 2 is Grade 2 to 6, Course 3 is Grade 7 to 9 and Course 4 is Grade 10 to 12. All the courses have chapters based on a Bible story and then use the lessons learnt in that story to teach the topics! For example, Dassy and Beth are currently learning the story of the Good Samaritan, which the course uses to teach about adjectives, adding and subtracting using money as an example, the importance of hygiene and cleanliness to avoid disease, and the geography of deserts!

Navigating God's World is focussed on the emotional and spiritual development of children. Iva, Jannes, and Natan are doing Course 1: I Can Trust And Obey! which focuses on developing joyful obedience in children. Dassy and Beth are working on Course 2: Sweet Spirits and Kind Hearts, which is for girls and teaches the importance of being kind, helpful, and sweet, as well as introducing practical lessons that will help them manage their home in future, such as caring for a baby and cooking basic meals. Of course, they learn the Bible teachings that show these characteristics too! This section splits by gender after Course 1, so when Natan is a bit older he'll be working through Willing Spirits, Strong Boys with Jannes! They'll learn how to be a confident provider while still obeying the will of God and respecting the authority of their parents. I'm delighted that this course is split like this, so girls and boys can learn the appropriate lessons from the Bible to help them grow their faith!

[blehfundiesims]

Allison's pov: Esther is such a sweet, meek, and helpful little girl at such a young age she already has an amazing heart for children and loves taking care of Beck. Though Beck is Carley's responsibility, we both let her help as she loves it so much. (She also has expressed wanting to learn how to cook, but that might have to wait 🤭) I can't wait to see her fulfill her righteous destiny as she continues her way through life.

That's not all the compliments I have for my daughters. As I have some amazing news, Rebecca seems to have finally seen the light with the arrival of little Isobel. She is always helping with her and has even VOLUNTEERED to take care of her once she becomes a toddler. She has even begun stepping up with her other sibling, Dayton. She also has stopped interrupting family bible time as well as homeschool lessons. I'm so relieved had thankful to the watcher for turning my daughters heart🙏🙏🙏 before she enters the teenage season of life as that is the hardest time to stay true to the watcher and stay away from terrible influences.

[dissonancedance]

Worth Keeping Chapter 2

This attraction isn't part of him, it is an aberration, a mistake, this isn't what he is. In a few days, he’ll be far, far away from this problem.

CW: incest, rape fantasy, blood, underage

According to Harvey, the best thing about funerals is that no one expects the bereaved to sing along to the hymns or act like you’re praying if you look sad enough. The worst thing is that everyone else will still sing along to the hymns and act like they’re praying. Between each transition, which are long enough to prevent the elderly from feeling outpaced, Roscoe leans over to whisper to Harvey.

“She's got a heart of gold, that girl. Don't know where she gets it. Don't get me wrong – Jack and Nan were decent, God-fearing people, but, well, you know what I mean. And she’s nothing like her mother, that's for sure. You won’t ever have to worry about her turning out like that.”

Harvey considers pretending not to hear him, but knows that doing so would only make Roscoe repeat himself louder. “Are you talking about Tabitha?”

“Well I’m not talking about the fucking- the freaking first lady,” Roscoe grouses.

The new pastor– who has been there for eight years but the congregation still refers to as the new pastor– invites them all to join the choir as they sing We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer. Harvey continues to stare at the angular, forlorn face of Christ depicted in the carving of the crucifix behind the pulpit, just as he had every Sunday for as far back as he could remember until he left for college at 17. It is, as Harvey has come to find out, despite avoiding houses of worship whenever possible, an odd thing for a Baptist church to display Jesus on the cross. It is one of many ways that Home is an alienated and alienating place. The figure itself is large, but certainly not life-sized. Actually, he can’t say that. This Jesus is about the same size as Tabitha and she’s considered life-sized, though only by the technicality of being alive.

Before the new pastor moves on to talk about the Lord’s game of giveth and taketh, Roscoe leans over again and whispers, “You know that Nan had her taking ballet lessons since she was a toddler, right? Extracurricular activity is vital for kids. It's important to keep that going.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Nan never had a bad thing to say about raising Tabby. Sure, every kid makes trouble from time to time, but Tabby is a good girl. I don't see that changing either. Boys are gonna be a problem, though. She's gonna be a beauty when she's older.”

Harvey glances down at his niece seated at the other side of him. If she’s hearing what her godfather is saying, she gives no sign; all her attention is on the bullshit beginning to be shoveled on the pulpit. 

She’s already a beauty and it’s already a problem , he does not say.

When the new pastor asks that they turn their bibles to somewhere in the Philippians, Roscoe manages to fit in, “Something I've noticed about her is that she never wants to be a bother, which you’d think makes looking after her real easy, right? Wrong. Get this: I see her limping on Saturday night, and I had to get stern with her for her to tell me that she strained her knee pretty good when she was trying to help Nancy out of the tub. She didn't tell anyone, didn't want to make a fuss. Drives me nuts! You gotta be careful she's not hiding that she needs something.”

“Yeah.”

Harvey supposes that it’s nice that her godfather is excited about her. It’s a more interesting topic than baseball or the weather. The extra Xanax he took before entering the church helps him leave it at that. Then, remembering about the Xanax, he second guesses it all. Perhaps Roscoe has been talking about Tabitha because the old man noticed him looking at her so much. It wouldn’t be a far leap for anyone to guess why a child-hating bachelor would suddenly take an interest in his very pretty, very emotionally fragile, very naive niece. The old man hasn’t gotten there. Not yet. Harvey can’t let him.

The next time Roscoe leans over and starts whispering, he cuts him off by saying, “Please, Mr. Walsh, I’m trying to mourn.”

By some miracle, the old man buys it and shuts up.

Harvey escapes while the crowd is still shambling and shuffling in the pews. No one catches him glancing back at his niece as he steps out. She’s already being swarmed with sympathy, presently in the form of being crushed to Mrs. Johnson’s doughy bosom while a circle of mourners wait for their turn at the effectively orphaned child. She really is a good girl, doing her best to reach around Mrs. Johnson’s mass and pat her back as she struggles to breathe.

He stops a safe distance up the sidewalk and lights a cigarette, taking a shallow puff off it every few minutes to keep the flame alive as he watches so many familiar faces dribble out of the chapel and head towards the church hall for the reception. The Walshes eventually appear. Roscoe sees him and gestures for his wife to continue to the reception. Harvey takes a long, languid drag as the old man marches towards him.

“You don’t smoke indoors at home, do you?” Roscoe asks, grimacing in the sunlight.

“No.”

“Good. Secondhand smoke kills too.”

Harvey doesn’t comment on this non-sequitur. The old man will always take the opportunity to say something preachy whether it applies or not. 

“What day are you flying back to New York?”

“Tonight. 6:40.”

Roscoe’s grimace takes on an edge of disapproval. “Change that to Sunday night. Tabby needs more time and we need to get some stuff at Jack and Nan’s house.”

Harvey doesn’t feel the need to explain that he’s not someone Tabby should lean on for emotional support. It’s much more wise to continue avoiding discussing her at all.

“We’ll go to my parent’s house tomorrow and I’ll leave that night, then,” Harvey decides.

“You’re gonna have to start thinking about more than just what’s best for you, Harvey. Come on. Sunday.”

He drops the cigarette and stamps it out as he says, “I’m going to go back to the hotel in Omaha. What time do you need me to come over to talk about the will?”

The old man’s forehead scrunches into a deluge of folds as his eyebrows raise in disbelief. “You’re going to skip your own mother’s wake. Is that right?”

“That’s right.”

Roscoe shakes his head and sighs. “Alright, that's your choice. You should let Tabby know.” 

“No, I'm just going to go.” 

“Really?” 

“Really. I'll be at your house later anyway.” 

“Fine. Okay, we’ll be finished here in two, three hours, I'll let you know. Do you remember my address?” 

“Text it to me.” 

“Sure. Alright, Harv. We’ll see you in a few.”

The suffocating, claustrophobic feeling of Home that has been eating at him since knowing he'd be coming back becomes overwhelming as he drives to Omaha. The flat terrain stretches on all sides in monotony, each mile ratcheting that horrid familiarity. The instinctive urge to escape nags at him even in the hotel room with the curtain drawn to block out the view. He tries to distract himself with work but he can't focus. Even the air feels wrong, too open, too dry. He lies flat on the floor, stares at the ceiling, but the ceiling is here . He shuts his eyes, tries to conjure his apartment, the clean lines and sharp edges, the high gloss modernity, looking out of the windows to the extravagance of lights and buildings. That almost works. He needs something more, something stronger to flood the feeling of Home out.

“Tabitha.”

Her name falls from his tongue like a hex he casts out onto the world. He can see her lying beneath him on his bed, those darling Bambi eyes glittering with those pretty jewel tears. A warm, comforting pressure sinks low in his body. That's it . He presses his palm against his erection, coaxes himself to slip further into this feeling. She's so afraid. She should be. She will be . He unfastens his slacks, spits on his hand before he pulls out his cock. The wet friction is harsh, a poor substitute for the soft, smooth flesh he craves.

“Tabitha.”

Her neck feels good under his hands, fragile and weak like the rest of her. That fearful whimpering is lovely, it's almost a shame to silence her. He squeezes his shaft as he squeezes her throat. Her mouth gapes, desperate to suck in more air through her narrowed trachea, and he licks inside to the soft meat of her tongue. He strokes himself faster, chasing this thrill deeper, outrunning the sickening shame. Her thin legs are spread wide as he forces himself between them and he makes her watch as he presses his tip against her little goody-two-shoes cunt. She screams when he tears her open. Too young, too small. Her blood coats him, spilling hot and fast from inside her as though it's as eager for him as he is to release it. The blood of his sister, the same blood as his, taken and reshaped to belong to him as his again. Bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.

“ Tabitha .”

His hips jerk and a groan scrapes out of his throat with each deep pulse as he cums. The frenzied pleasure recedes, but the desire she invokes is clearer, louder than before. He doesn't have to worry, though. This attraction isn't part of him, it is an aberration, a mistake, this isn't what he is. In a few days, he’ll be far, far away from this problem.

Roscoe and Barbara Walsh’s home has changed from what Harvey remembers of all those frequent barbecues and holidays that his parents would drag him and his sister to. Roscoe in his semi-retirement and Barbara in her full retirement have been busy remodeling and trading out the deplorable farmhouse and dated fake Tuscan influences for a more defined and current coastal style. It's heartening to see change occurring to Home. Even though the memory will not die, knowing that a piece of it has been killed and replaced in reality is comforting. 

He's staring at an arrangement of teal glass balls in a driftwood basket on the coffee table when he catches something odd in Roscoe's rambling about the legal responsibilities in regards to Nancy's will.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Harvey says, leaning forward to listen carefully now. “What do you mean ‘once Tabby settles in with’ me?”

Roscoe waves him off. “You know, after you enroll her into whatever school is out there and get her a primary care doctor for the health assessment, the nuts and bolts stuff.”

Harvey’s gut clenches with a cold suspicion of something he's apprehensive to confirm. “But she's living with you. You're her godfather.”

Roscoe stares at him in bewilderment, the crows feet around his eyes deepening in a squint that widens when his confusion abruptly clears into shock.

“Nancy didn't tell you!”

A headache begins to coalesce in the back of Harvey's skull. “Didn't tell me what?”

The older man leans back in his chair, watching him in astonishment before asking, “Remember when your sister came back to the house a few months after your father died and robbed it?”

Harvey swallows his impatience with this man’s annoying non-sequiturs. “Yes. Katelynn has 16 years left to serve for that and the meth.”

Roscoe nods, then carefully continues, “After that, Nancy made some changes to her will. One of those changes was to remove Katelynn entirely. She gets nothing. Understandably so. Nancy also made some changes in regards to you and Tabby. I guess losing Jack and having her home broken into made her rethink the situation Tabby would be left in if something happened to her. I'm 70 years old. There's a strong chance that Barb and I might not even live to see her reach adulthood. She's already had three parents leave her, there can't be a fourth or fifth. Nancy wanted to make sure Tabby will be cared for, so… she named you as Tabby's guardian in the event that she becomes incapable of raising her. And that event happened.”

“But I can't…” Harvey starts, then takes a breath to calm himself. “I can't do that. I'm not… I don't have room in my life to do that. I decided to never have children, there's no way that can work.”

Roscoe nods again, a solemn disappointment etched into the deepened grooves of his face. “Well. That explains the conditions Nancy set around your inheritance.”

Harvey presses against the tension between his eyebrows. “Just tell me, Roscoe.”

“Before I do… I want you to tell me why you can't take Tabby in. Is it where you live? You have a room she can use.”

“It's not that.”

“Is it money? You won't have to worry about that, there's a trust to cover anything she wants or needs.”

“It's not about money.”

“If it's about not having time, Tabby is a very mature girl, she doesn't need 24-hour supervision. You can still work late, you can still go on business trips.”

“No, Roscoe, it's not-”

“Then what is it? What's stopping you? Out of the family she knows, you're all she has left. And she's all you have left. That kid loves you, she's crazy about you, are you really going to let her down? What is so fucking important that you'd turn away a little girl who only wants to be with you?”

“It's not that simple!” Harvey snaps louder than he meant to. He hadn't meant to snap at all. Roscoe only glares at him in disgust. Harvey buries his forehead in his hands and sighs. He doesn't need him to understand, but he explains anyway, “I'm not someone who should have her. I don't know how to care for a kid. I never had to know. I never want to know. I'm not good for her. If I had her, if I had Tabitha, I… I don't trust myself enough to have her.”

“You don't have to be good. You just have to be good enough. A roof over her head, a bed to sleep in, food to eat, family who gives a shit that she's alive… That's what she needs. That's good enough and that's what you can give her.”

“No. I have my life the way I want it.”

“The will explicitly states that you must adhere to your role as Tabby's guardian and have her reside with you until she comes of age or you get nothing.”

“I don't need any of it.”

Roscoe grits his teeth the same way Jack used to when he got angry. “Fine. If that's what you've decided, then you'll have to explain that to her. Go on and tell your niece that you're turning your back on her. Please leave when you're done.”

Harvey shoves down the urge to show his contempt for this judgemental interloper. He wants to remind him that he never agreed to this in the first place, but more than anything, he wants to leave. If this is the quickest way out the door, that'll do. It's better she hears this from him than from that vindictive asshole anyway. He pushes himself up from the couch and heads towards the kitchen where Tabitha and Barbara are preparing dinner, only to find Tabitha standing around the corner. The expression on her face is enough to tell him that she heard everything. That sad smile plastered over her pain.

“I'm sorry,” she says. “It's okay, uncle Harvey. I understand. It's not fair that you had this put on you. You never asked to take me.”

“Tabitha…”

No, she doesn't understand. He hates that this is what he's leaving her with. If she knew the whole truth, she would understand that this is what's best for both of them. If she knew the whole truth, she would run screaming from him. 

“I'm sorry too, kid,” he says, actually meaning an apology for once.

“No, no… it's okay, I…” Her brave facade crumbles before she can finish and she turns away, her voice breaking as she rasps, “Please excuse me.”

She hurries away, retreating with her heart broken and leaving him standing there. He lets out a sigh, runs his hand through his hair, and walks out of that house. There was no other way for this to go, really. Nancy had to have known that he would refuse; it was vile of her to harm an innocent in this final spiteful act towards him. No. He's the one who hurt Tabitha. He had to hurt her now to avoid hurting her far worse later by trying to be something he can't.

He sits in the rental car in front of the Walsh residence, the engine idling as he lights a cigarette. Fuck the cleaning fee. He leans back against the headrest and sighs out the first drag. Smoke curls and billows along the ceiling as he stares. If he leaves now, he can probably make that 6:40 flight. He lets the flame in the cigarette die, relights it to take another drag, lets it die again. If he rushes, he can still make it. He'll be back in his dark, silent apartment in a matter of hours. He’ll have a couple more days to piss away ignoring his fake girlfriend and jacking off to ignore this feeling. Maybe one of the masochists who still haven't blocked him will let him use them to take this feeling out on, or maybe Judith has something that will screw him up enough to take care of it. Then he'll go back to work until next weekend when he’ll make up with Rebecca. He’ll go to another BDSM party to play those safe and sane games with safe and sane people who only like to pretend with him until they're done. Then he’ll do it all over again. This is his life. This is the way he wants it. Unattached and unattainable, keeping everything and everyone far enough away to stay in control, never surprised, never at risk of being known. Always the same, always alone.

“Fucking bullshit,” he mutters.

He lights another cigarette. It's better this way. It's safe. Tabitha is safe from him. What he wants from her isn't something he's allowed to have. If he had agreed, if he had taken her away from this shit hole that will only ever reduce what she might become into another God-fearing sow, he would be taking her from all that she knows. He would have her isolated from any other influence but his, completely dependent on him, susceptible in her ignorance, vulnerable in her innocence. He would make her into his in a way that would be impossible to do to anyone else.

The cigarette is cold. It's too late to make that flight. He kills the engine, gets out of the car. He has to ring the doorbell three times before Roscoe answers.

[stopdrunkdriving]

7 Tips for Teaching the Bible to Children

New Post has been published on https://drunkdriving.co.za/7-tips-for-teaching-the-bible-to-children/

7 Tips for Teaching the Bible to Children

7 Tips for Teaching the Bible to Children

June 12, 2023

by:

Douglas Sean O’Donnell

This article is part of the 7 Tips series.

Helping Kids Understand the Bible

“Why do we have to read the Bible, Daddy? It’s such a big book and hard to understand.”

As a father of five and a pastor for over two decades, I have heard a lot of good, honest questions from bright, inquisitive children. How would you answer this question or others like it? In this short article, I’ll answer that question in a roundabout way. More directly, I’ll answer the question, “Based on your experience, what tips would you offer on teaching the Bible to children?”

1. Start with prayer, and pray without ceasing.

First and foremost, pray. Pray that the Spirit will help you understand as you study the passage you are teaching on. Pray that the Spirit would give you the words to say. Pray over your lesson plan. Pray for the children by name. And pray when you gather as a family, church family, or class. Model to the children dependence on God’s guidance and wisdom in the study of his Word.

2. Practice what you preach.

Speaking of modeling, practice what you preach. That is, if you want your children, or the children you teach, to want to learn what the Bible has to say, you must let them see you reading and delighting in the Word. I’ve always been an early riser; my daughter Evelyn too! When she was a toddler, she would wake up a few minutes after I did, come down the stairs and find me in my chair with a coffee in one hand and a Bible in the other. I would get up and make her hot chocolate. She would sit quietly next to me (she is one of those who still is a quiet one!) and drink her sweet brew as I read. I don’t know for certain what she felt or thought each morning, but I know that when she heard me preach on Sundays about how important the Bible is she knew that I meant it because she saw my morning routine day after day for years. To effectively teach children, model the habits that you want to instill in them.

3. Focus on the text.

Don’t stray from the text. As teachers of little ones who live in a world with a barrage of constant entertainment, it is tempting to spend little time on the text of Scripture. But without hearing from God through God’s Word, there is no hope of them hearing the transforming news of the gospel, which is what they need most.

4. Make your Bible teaching interactive and interesting.

Brainstorm ways to include interactive and interesting components into your Bible teaching! Because children are young (their brains are still developing) and have shorter attention spans (perhaps not much shorter than most adults today!), they will struggle to understand complex concepts—like how every human being throughout all history is guilty because of Adam’s first sin. So, use simple language, avoid overwhelming them with too much information, break up stories or sections of the Bible into manageable units, and allow them to interact with you as you interact with them. Share what you found interesting or challenging. If it interests you, it will likely interest them. Ask them questions. Play games. Create crafts. Use props or other visual aids. Sing songs. Act out Bible stories. Engage their emotions and bodies through the five senses. When kids are actively involved in the learning process, they are more likely to remember what they have learned.

To effectively teach children, model the habits that you want to instill in them.

5. Apply it.

Connect the Bible to everyday life. Help children understand how the lessons you cover apply directly to the issues they face. This could include how they relate to people in authority—like their parents, teachers, pastors, or police. It could also include practical steps on how to be kind to someone who is difficult to play with, or how to ask for forgiveness when they have done something wrong. When children see how the Bible is relevant to their lives, they are more likely to engage with it and listen to its words of wisdom.

6. Be consistent.

Consistency is key when it comes to teaching children. When it is time for the lesson, it is important that teachers establish a regular routine and stick with it. It could be that you start with a fun activity, move to storytime, then the lesson, followed by a craft. When children know what to expect, they are more likely to be receptive.

7. Keep it fun!

The devil hates when God’s people are happy. So, be happy! Have some fun! Teaching the Bible to children (or everyone, but especially children!) should be both enjoyable for you and them. Other than the sure-to-be fun crafts, songs, and games that are tied directly to the text and lesson, feel free to start or end, or stop midway, and just have fun for fun’s sake.

A Deep and Lasting Relationship with God

Teaching the Bible to children can be a great challenge, but, if done well, it will be deeply rewarding. By modeling your dedication for God’s Word; creating a consistent routine; teaching the Bible text; connecting the lesson to real life (their real lives!); making it interactive, interesting, and fun; and praying together, you can help children grow in their knowledge of and love for God’s Word, as you also equip them with the tools they need to grow in their faith and make a positive impact within their home and in their community. Moreover, and more importantly, you can help them develop a deep and lasting relationship with God.

Douglas Sean O’Donnell is a contributor to The Biggest Story Curriculum.

Douglas Sean O’Donnell (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is the senior vice president of Bible editorial at Crossway. He is the author and editor of over a dozen books, including The Beginning and End of Wisdom; The Pastor’s Book; The Song of Solomon and Matthew in the Preaching the Word commentary series; and Psalms in the Knowing the Bible series. He also contributed the Song of Solomon and Job to the ESV Expository Commentary.

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Go to Source Author: Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Home

The post 7 Tips for Teaching the Bible to Children first appeared on Koa Sinag.

[bestbiblestoriesforkids]

The Easter Surprise | Animated writing lessons for children

The Easter Surprise | Animated writing lessons for children

Kanga Toys is proud to sponsor this video! Visit and use the discount code LatterDayKids10 for a 10% discount on your order! Free weekly ‘Come Follow Me’ lesson plans and activity pages for these videos on our site: Support us on Patreon: Follow us on Instagram: @latterdaykids Subscribe on Youtube: Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward Free Download: “Sheep May Safely Graze “Kevin MacLeod…

[theivorybilledwoodpecker]

I want to share something that I haven't told most people. At least not in detail. Maybe it will just end up being a shout into the void. But I hope that maybe it'll help someone who went through something similar or who is questioning their church.

My family was always Christian, but we rarely went to church. When I was in...maybe 5th grade? I got invited to a Christian youth group. For the first time, I started hearing about what the Bible said about specific topics, not just generic lessons. The pastors told us how

We were all sinful and evil.

We were all more aware of what we did than we thought, so a lot of "accidents" were intentional sins.

Even babies and toddlers sinned.

Jesus was the only one who could save people...so anyone who had never heard of him or who didn't believe in him went to Hell. But they didn't say how someone could be saved....they just talked a lot about how sinful we were.

Every sin was equal, so if we told a lie or disobeyed our parents, it was just as bad as of we had murdered someone. And as for obedience to our parents, a pastor once said in response to whether kids needed to obey their parents in everything, "Jesus' father told Him to die, and he did it."

The Bible was always right, so if we questioned it, we were evil.

Now, you need to understand that as horrible as all of this sounds, it was communicated in a gentle tone. Before and after lessons, there would be snacks. Pastors would play games with kids, like dodgeball or basketball. It made the lessons more insidious because kids are less likely to question the adults who are also forming positive associations with them.

By the time I was old enough to move to the next youth group, I was 100% convinced that the youth group leaders were right. That I was evil. In this group, they didn't just tell us how sinful we were and how we needed to turn to Christ (but again, not what way we could do that), they screamed it at us.

I don't remember a whole lot of specific sermons, but one that stands out is the pastor saying how this woman he talked to clearly wasn't a Christian because Christians should want to die to go to Heaven and this woman wasn't ready to die.

I became deeply traumatized. I stayed awake some nights crying because of lies I'd told in Kindergarten. I became convinced I was irreedemable...but then felt guilty, because wasn't that doubting that Jesus could save me somehow? I started yelling at my friends, repeating the sermons I'd heard, because I didn't want them to go to Hell. I'm not proud of that. I wish I'd been strong enough to see through the gaslighting, but I wasn't.

Even when my parents realized what was happening, I didn't have anyone sitting down to talk to me about it. I was just yelled at for believing it, so it took me years to break the conditioning.

I'm posting this because I've heard other churches express beliefs similar to the youth group, so I don't think this group was an anomaly. If what I described sounds familiar, please start to question what your church is telling you. Leave. Church should not leave you feeling drained of any self-esteem and terrified to question.

[dangerously-human]

I am having a particularly excellent Easter weekend, folks. Friday was beautiful weather, and I worked out on my porch for a bit before wrapping up for the day a little early because I worked late a couple days this week, then went to a beautiful Good Friday worship night at church in the evening, where I learned and spent time in God's presence with my church family, and also a woman specifically asked if she could anoint me with oil and pray over me for healing and a few other things, which really touched my heart. Today was also beautiful weather; I got up kinda early to help the littles rehearse the song they're performing tomorrow, then spent the early afternoon watching some SGA, looking for a bridesmaid dress, and making progress on the analysis I'm doing for this semester's independent study. Later in the afternoon, I joined some friends for a walk around some local gardens - the boy threw an invite in the group chat and it ended up being the usual four of us, plus someone else who sometimes joins Bible study came for a bit with his mom, which was nice. The usual suspects went out for boba after, and while it was all four of us, we kinda split into guys and girls for our conversations, so I had a very nice chat with Bible study bestie. The boy seemed pretty determined to grab a beer after, even though it would have just been us, and I am giving myself brownie points for the self-control of saying "no but next time" considering I have to get up early for church tomorrow (and have yet to lesson prep, oops). Looking forward to all three Easter services tomorrow - attending first, teaching my preteen class second, and teaching toddlers third - then brunch with my mom's side of the family, dropping in to visit my dad's side for a bit, and then making Easter dinner and dyeing eggs with the boy (he doesn't have any local family, so I invited him to do something together - TBD on if anyone else joins, but I think it'll be nice either way. Easter is my favorite holiday, and it has been filled with a mix of both situational and Christ-constant joy for me this year in a way I really appreciate!

[mathmusic8]

But If Not

I'd had a nagging thought recently as I've prayed for specific things to happen and added "but if it's not Thy will, please help us deal with it" at the end.

The most recent example of this was when my little toddler niece lost her precious purple hat at my parents’ house yesterday. We looked everywhere, including outside, and couldn't find it. While I was stepping through the brambly weeds in the hot afternoon sun, I silently prayed that we could find the hat—I know how important these things are to kids, and how much stress it can cause to parents, and my sister needs all the breaks she can get right now—but in my prayer I included that catch-all "but help us to deal with the fallout if not."

I wondered if including that phrase was an indication of a lack of faith that God would answer my prayer.

A few minutes later I admitted defeat and went back into my brother’s room to keep watching TV with him and the kids, but I looked around one more time, and there was the purple hat, crumpled up on the floor next to the bed. I said a little prayer of gratitude and my little niece was relieved to finally have her hat back.

Today I was reading "The Divine Gift of Forgiveness" by Neil L. Andersen, and in chapter 4 he quotes the Book of Mormon about the People of Ammon. These folks had been pretty wild and violent in the past, but when they were converted to the gospel, they decided that to keep from falling back into their old way of life, they wouldn't fight anyone ever again. Their neighbors were pretty upset with their new faith and highly likely to attack them, but the People of Ammon buried their swords so they wouldn't be tempted to use them, and after bearing testimony of God's grace, they said "if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and be saved."

That was not a lack of faith kind of statement.

Some of the People of Ammon did die in attacks, but the Lord helped the survivors get out of that situation and they found a new place to live. Many of their neighbors were so impressed by their convictions (and disturbed by their own actions) that they were converted to the gospel, too.

While I was re-reading that story, I was reminded of a bible study lesson I had in high school about the phrase "but if not" in the story about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in Daniel 3. When these young men were about to be thrown into a fire for refusing to worship an idol, they said something along the lines of "we've been faithful, so God might save us (He definitely has the power to), but if not, we still won't break the commandments." When they were thrown into the fire, it was so hot that their executioners died, but the three young men were miraculously unharmed.

Esther had a similar line when she decided to slightly illegally go talk to the king to plead for the Jews. After telling Mordecai to ask people to fast and pray with her, she said she'd do her best, but “if I perish, I perish." In the end, she not only lived but was able to save her people, too.

There’s also Abinadi, another Book of Mormon hero who preached the gospel to the court of a very wicked king. When the king tried to interrupt him and have him executed, Abinadi was miraculously protected by the Lord. He said “Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish my message… and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved.” He then prophesied that whatever would happen to him, the same would happen to the king, and he was right—Abinadi was executed a few days later, and in time, the king was similarly executed by his own people who’d finally come around to believe Abinadi’s words.

These four stories had various outcomes. Sometimes people were miraculously saved. Sometimes they weren't.

In my own (much less dramatic) life experiences, I've also seen a mixed response to my prayers.

But it was comforting to me today to realize that none of those “but if not” statements were made in a lack of faith—rather the opposite.

[100talberts]

Finding a rental lot with room for three adults, seven girls, five boys, two boy toddlers and a girl toddler was almost impossible!!! After much prayer, the Lord led us to this cabin!!! We managed to squeeze in enough beds for everyone except one boy, so I told my sons to decide which of them had to sleep in the hallway!!

Instead of having a calm discussion, they argued!!

As a woman, my natural instinct was to correct them and quote Bible verses that preach love and harmony, but fortunately we had a strong man to teach true wisdom!!!

Barney commanded attention, so as is God’s natural way the women were silent and the men attentive!! He told us that there is masculine, Godly strength in aggression and fighting, as it is God’s will that men be our warriors and our leaders!!! So instead of stopping the fight, he told them to go find sticks and fight in the backyard, and the first man down will sleep in the hallway!!!

To my horror, Winona asked if was fair to pit a 16 year old against a 7 year old!! A woman should never question a man’s decision, especially when that man is an older relative!!! Barney was clearly slighted by her rudeness, but had the grace to tell her that the fight was fair because the triplets made up for their small size through numbers!! When he was done speaking - and not a second before!!! - I took Winona aside and reminded her of her place in such conversations!!!

Gregory lost the fight, so we put his mattress next to the stairs!! I’m sure this will be a wonderful lesson in being grateful to the Lord for providing him a bed at all!!!! Amen!!!