Helping Makes Us Happy!

Helping Makes Us Happy!

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. Matthew 7:12 (NIV) “School’s out! What do I want to do?” Hannah Hippo asked. She thought about ice cream. She thought about cupcakes. She thought about toys and laughing. Hannah jumped. She squealed. She splashed and flipped in the water. Then she got tired and flopped on the bank. Harold Hippo waddled over.“What are you doing, Hannah?” he asked. “I want to have fun this summer,” Hannah said. “But too much food hurts my tummy. Too much playing makes me tired. Too much laughing makes my cheeks hurt!” Harold sat beside her. “What makes you happy? What makes you sad?” Hannah thought.“I’m happy when people are kind to me. I’m sad when they’re mean.” Harold nodded. “Me...

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What is Biblical Archaeology?

What is Biblical Archaeology?

Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and He overthrew those cities… Genesis 19:24-25 Hey guys, let me introduce myself, my name is Angela the Archaeologist! I’m a Biblical Archaeologist from the great state of Texas. A lot of people think archaeologists dig up dinosaur bones. That’s cool, but that’s more paleontology, not archaeology. As a Biblical archaeologist, I study ancient peoples recorded in the Bible from the material remains they have left buried in the earth for thousands of years. What are material remains you ask? Good question! Materials remains are things like cooking pots, weapons, architecture and even toys! Biblical Archaeological sites are scattered all across the countries of...

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Broken? Bending? Standing Strong!

Broken? Bending? Standing Strong!

Blessed is the person 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! Blessed is the one who meditates on God’s Word 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. (Psalm 1)   Paying attention to a healthy tree, what do you notice right away? We see the tall, solid trunk, the strong branches, buds, blossoms, fruit, and the leaves. Now, imagine (or maybe you’re actually seeing) then describe an unhealthy or diseased tree!  What we don’t see is the root system of these trees. The roots go deep...

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Henny Minnies New Friends

Henny Minnies New Friends

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV. “Look! Look!” Henny Minnie flapped her wings happily. “New chicken friends have arrived!” Henny Minnie clucked with delight. She loved meeting new friends. Fluffing her feathers, she ran to greet them. But the pecking order had begun. The older chickens pecked at their heads and snipped their tails. They tormented the new birds, chasing them around the chicken pen. Henny Minnie watched in shock. Her big brown eyes filled with tears for her new friends. “Stop! Stop!” she cried, watching her new friends being teased and bullied. “Don’t hurt them!” The others ignored her cries. Henny Minnie could not stop the aggressive birds. Her new friends panicked and fearfully ran away,...

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God’s Creation—A Talking Donkey

God’s Creation—A Talking Donkey

Numbers 22:28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (ES). “Please! Please,” the donkey said. “Don’t beat me!” Balaam’s donkey didn’t understand why her master was upset. As commanded, she carried him toward town. Then suddenly, God’s warrior angel appeared in her path. The angel towered above them, shining bright as the sun. Laser swords buzzed in his hands. The donkey trembled, and pressing ahead, tried to carry her rider away from danger. “Stupid bad donkey!” her master yelled. “Why are you running? I didn’t tell you to go.” He struck her with his stick. “Sometimes, you make me so angry!” The donkey loved her master, but the...

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God’s Creation—The Cat

God’s Creation—The Cat

There is a candy called a Lifesaver. It gets its name because its round shape resembles the life-preserver rings that boats carry in case someone falls overboard and needs help. Frisky the cat did not live by water, but he became a lifesaver. His family lived in the country with plenty of space and trees. Wild animals and snakes kept Frisky alert. In front of their trailer, the cement pavers on the sidewalk didn’t touch each other, and there Frisky often watched for small prey. One morning, leaving for work, Frisky’s owner saw him trying to catch something between the pavers. Hesitating, he watched Frisky pounce and kill a small poisonous snake—all without getting bitten. Though Frisky may not have known, the cat’s owner knew that small snakes can be more...

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