Creative Corner
Apple of His Eye
🍎Have you ever heard the phrase ‘ you’re the apple of my eye’? If not, be a summer detective and tell us what you discovered.
He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Deuteronomy 32:10-11
For this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Whoever touches you touches the pupil of My eye.” Zechariah 2:8:
When that soccer ball is aimed at your eye or when an eyelash, trash, or sand gets in your eye, what’s your immediate reaction? Cover you … 👁!
You want to remove that irritating and unwanted grain of sand, right? GOD has so magnificently, fearfully, and wonderfully created every part of us, that the eye begins watering to wash out the sand, dust, or whatever!
As God’s people, He protects us the way we protect our eyes. Here are only a few Bible verses that talk about God’s protection:
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Psalm 91:1-4 (NIV): “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.”
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Psalm 23:1 (NIV): “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (This entire psalm is a beautiful metaphor for God’s care and protection.)
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Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV): “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
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Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV): “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
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Isaiah 54:17 (NIV): “No weapon that is forged against you will prevail, and every tongue that rises to accuse you you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication comes from me,’ declares the Lord.”
There are many other verses in the Bible that speak of God’s protection.
Activity:
List or draw some examples of how The LORD protected you, your family, or pets … how He protects animals, sea creatures, and our earth!
Prayer:
🙏🏾Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Shield, our Protector, and our Provider. When we face hardships in this life, help us to keep our eyes focused on the promises You have made to us as You keep Your eyes on us. Yes, keep us as the 🍎apple of YOUR eye. Help us to trust in You above all so that we do not fear. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen
©2024 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
Holiday Crafts & Activities for Kids!
Hey there, little crafters! 🌟 The most magical time of the year is here, and what better way to celebrate than by making some festive DIY crafts and enjoying fun activities? Let’s explore creative fun using DIY kits and colorful A4 sheets! 🎨
1. DIY New Year Wish Cards 💌
Materials Needed:
- Colored A4 sheets
- Glitter glue, stickers, and markers
- Scissors
- Craft glue
Steps:
- Fold your A4 sheet in half to make a card shape.
- Use glitter glue, stickers, and markers to decorate the front of your card.
- Write your New Year wishes inside, and voila! You’ve made a special card for someone you love.
2. Festive Paper Chains 🎊
Materials Needed:
- Colored A4 sheets (red, green, gold, and silver)
- Scissors
- Craft glue or tape
Steps:
- Cut your A4 sheets into strips, about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long.
- Create a circle with one strip and secure it with glue or tape.
- Thread another strip through the first circle and make another circle, linking them together.
- Continue this process until you have a beautiful paper chain to decorate your home or classroom!
3. Snowflake Magic ❄️
Materials Needed:
- White A4 sheets
- Scissors
- Glitter (optional)
Steps:
- Fold your white A4 sheet into a triangle.
- Cut out small shapes along the edges and in the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Unfold your paper to reveal a beautiful snowflake design!
- Add some sparkle with glitter if you like. Hang them on your windows for a winter wonderland effect.
Wrap Up 🎁
There you have it, little artists! A sleigh full of fun crafts and activities using DIY kits and colorful A4 sheets. Whether making cards or creating winter wonders, remember to have lots of fun and spread holiday cheer! Achieve ชัยชนะง่ายๆ กับ UFABET and enjoy easy wins.
ADVENT In Action Week Four
JESUS – an excellent, powerful, and glorious name!
Luke 1:31 says:
“You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”
What’s your name? Is that the name your grandma and grandpa call you? Your teachers, friends and coaches? How about uncles, aunts or neighbors?
Jesus… what a beautiful name it is! It’s a powerful, loving, and sweet name with so much authority. It is a name given by God and has dominion above all other names. This name is so unique that at this name, all people everywhere will eventually bow, honor this name, and call Him LORD! Jesus is known as Savior, The Good Shepherd, The Way, The Truth, The Life; King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Living Water; Living Bread, Bright and Morning Star.
Here are some activities to deepen our understanding of Who Jesus is as we celebrate and appreciate His great name:
- Search the scriptures this holy season and find as many Bible verses as you can with names of Jesus.
- Create a book with all the names you found.
- Design a cover for your book with some symbols of the names that are most important to you
- Make a list of these names and use them in your conversations with others as you share who Jesus is.
- Use these names in your daily prayers.
- Review your learning with family and friends. Explore who Jesus says He is by creating or enjoying an electronic game with visual hints.
- Plan and invite families, neighbors, and others for a spelling bee including some of the Names of JESUS. Of course, hot chocolate as everyone’s cup is filled to the overflow for sharing with others; ice cream as everyone gets the scoop on Who Jesus really is; creative
decorating craft! JESUS is The Star -Who this praise party is all about for sure! - Celebrate His great name with love, joy and gratitude.
Thanking GOD for His year 2024; GET ready, Get set- Now, let’s GO!…on this journey of discovering the depth and significance of Jesus’ name. Embracing and sharing His love, guidance, and power as we grow in our faith. This gift is fit for our KING JESUS!
Write your prayer using several of the names of Jesus you studied.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, You alone are LORD over everything, everywhere, all the time! Thank You so much for saving us when we confess our sins and invite You into all we are and all we do. You are the only Savior of the world! My Friend ; Light in dark times! I love You! Because of who You are, I bow in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving! Happy birthday, JESUS! Merry Christmas! Amen.
©2023 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
ADVENT In Action Week Three
On bended knee more, more and MORE…“On coming to the house, they [wise men] saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
We learned the discipline of bowing in week 2! JESUS is The King of all kings! Let’s continue this practice of bowing at least three times a day to thank, praise, and worship GOD as we consider the magnificent, wonderful, never-ending, everlasting love of GOD in that HE HIMself came to earth in human form to save us. We show honor and respect in bowing. Now, with thanksgiving to God in our hearts, our bodies are made low, let’s bow our words, affections, desires and appetites, treasures and talents, thoughts, emotions, and ALL of every part of ourselves/our lives under The Father’s control.
Activity:
God gave me the talent and gift of:______________________________________ and I give these back to Him for His direction, use, and plan.
Which emotions are you bowing before God in prayer? ___________________________________
What thoughts and habits are you making low? _________________________________________
Take this practice of daily kneeling in the awesome presence of our loving LORD into the New Year!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, YOU and YOU alone deserve worship, praise, adoration, obedience, and service. Therefore, I acknowledge You as The Most High GOD, The One and Only True and Living GOD by kneeling before YOU now with prayers of thanksgiving! Help me take this position every day as a reminder to gladly keep this posture in my mind and heart.
May I willingly place all thoughts, desires, plans, and activities in Your Almighty, all-powerful, and loving hands. I make them low and under Your control, influence, subjection, and direction. Help me to remember how Mary, (Mother of JESUS)-a godly, young, humble servant of GOD yielded herself (the whole self— her thoughts, future, spirit, and body) to GOD’s perfect plans and holy purposes.
Bring to my remembrance Joseph’s ( Jesus’ earthly father) willingness to abandon his plans, future, reputation, EVERYthing to follow God’s perfect plan! May the journey of the wise men be ours. They set aside their day-to-day priorities, power, positions, plans, treasure, time, and talent for the purpose of seeking YOU so that they could bow/humble themselves before You in worship.
They all showed us how to approach The Sovereign LORD GOD. Everything within them -as in us-bodies minds, souls, plans, agendas, and desires all bow to adore, worship, and honor the true KING of kings, LORD of lords, GOD made flesh…JESUS! Thank YOU, LORD! AMEN!
©2023 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
ADVENT In Action Week Two
ADVENT In Action
Healthy, Safe, Peace-filled December! Advent is Going … thanks!
Jesus who is king of all kings; He is God Himself ; yet, shows humility by leaving His throne, home, and Father to become a tiny, helpless, human baby during this holy season!
Imagine a king doing that for you, for all the world! Yes, everyone! That’s what Jesus did because he loves us!
Think of some ways you will not brag or boast about yourself. Actions you can take to show humility and wanting to be more like Jesus.
Humility
Let’s humble ourselves this Advent season by:
- Meekly kneeling before GOD in daily prayer
- Allowing someone to go ahead of us in the line
- Quickly acknowledging when we cause hurt; honestly apologizing and seeking forgiveness from GOD and people
- Cleaning up a mess made by another
- Completing a chore or task that is not ours
- Carrying a package; holding a door
Prayer
Dear LORD, You are so, so high! So holy! So righteous! So faithful, forgiving, loving! You are King ! You are The Son of God equal with God! We can hardly understand how You could love us so much that You would push all that aside to come to earth! You showed us how to live and obey our Father God; how to love all people even those who hurt us on purpose. Thank You! Because of what You did, God gave You a name higher, greater, wiser, stronger, bigger, better than any name anywhere. You are on Your throne right next to Your Father now. Help us to follow your example. We bring You the gift of our. We love You, JESUS. Amen
©2023 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
ADVENT In Action Week One
Advent Week One
We celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas, but Jesus is always coming to us. The heart of Jesus is to come and love us, always.
Enjoy this fun way to celebrate Jesus coming to you today and everyday. We encourage kids to reproduce this Jesus Coming activity and add or draw your own pictures next to words that speak to you. Advent week one starts with love from God and Jesus.
“Beloved, let us love one another 1 John 4:7
God helps us to prepare our hearts, minds , bodies, and spirits for celebrating JESUS’ birth in the season of ADVENT. GET READY , ALL SET, now LOVE!
Week 1: “Love one another.”
Activity
What’s your very favorite activity, game, outing, or sport! Perhaps you will invite or encourage someone you have never shared this activity with before. Now write about, draw, or take a picture of you encouraging the team player or winner of that game you invited them to join you in for the first time. With a mile-long-smile smile, congratulate him/her by offering a high five, fist bump, or thumbs up! Pray about and think of other ways you can show the love of Christ during these weeks of ADVENT.
Prayer
“Dear LORD as YOU (we) prepare our hearts for CHRISTmas, help us love one another, for love comes from You. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Thank YOU, Father! Amen.”
©2023 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
Truth or Tricks!
The Truth we fall for JESUS-HE never LEAVES
GOD has all power, wisdom, strength, might, and authority! Did you know there are some things God can’t and won’t do? YES, that’s right! He always tells the truth. One of GOD’s names is ‘Truth’. The true and living LORD is not like humans and our enemy Satan. GOD never ever lies!
Imagine you have been promised a long-awaited deep desire by this special Someone who loves you, tells you the truth/whole truth, and has your best interest at heart at all times. This Someone knows you so well, He knows what is in your heart and mind. He knows exactly what is ideal for you! He is an eternal, true Promise Keeper with an outstanding, excellent, perfect track record having kept all of HIS many promises from the very beginning of time. He even wants you to have your heart’s desire when that desire is the same as what He knows is just right for you and what He has planned already.
List or draw some of your feelings and thoughts about this:
Contrast this to someone who wants you disgusted, disappointed, disillusioned, duped, and destroyed. This someone is a blatant, consistent liar who is always promising you what you think you want; yet, you often know you shouldn’t have it! He wants you to have, say, think, or do it so you can feel embarrassed, guilty, ashamed, and discouraged. He laughs about it and tries to use your feelings and desires against you. Then…. He goes to our Father GOD accusing us of doing, saying, having, and thinking the very thing he promised and tricked us into.
Sneaky, sly liar is what he has been since the beginning of time (remember Adam, Eve, and a tree in the garden?). Same liar! Same trick! Different people, places, and times!
List or draw some of your feelings and thoughts about this:
How difficult is it to believe The Truth-teller; The Promise Keeper?
Read, Meditate, Discuss, and Memorize God’s Word
Numbers 23:19 – “God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”
Proverbs 12:17 – “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies”.
John 8: 32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”.
John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Write your own or keep this daily prayer thought in your heart, mind, and mouth:
Thank YOU, Lord, for the Truth! You say YOU are The Way, The truth, and The Life! My God, YOU are The Only True and Living GOD. I want to believe You!
Sometimes, I believe lies. Sometimes, I tell lies. Forgive me for those times! Help me to read Your Word and know the promises You have made. Give me a desire for truth! You are not a man that YOU should lie. You have spoken Your Word…and will do exactly what You have said! Thank YOU, Father, for the Truth and for being Truth to me.
GOD SAID
G-Great, Generous, Giver- God
O-only True and Living LORD
D-Divine Deliverer
S-Shepherd and Self-sufficient Savior
A-Abba, awesome Authority is GOD
I-I believe EVERYthing YOU have spoken
D-doubt, deception, disguise, deceiver you don’t stand a chance…my GOD said it and HE never lies
©2023 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
A Guide for Our Own Prayers
If God said to you, ask for ‘WHATEVER’ you want Me to give you. Would you ask for a long list of things and stuff? Are you speechless and unsure of what to say? Do you ask for something that benefits others and yourself? Though it’s almost unimaginable that God made that offer to someone, He did. God did say this to a young man named Solomon who became King after his father David.
Read 1 Kings 3:3-15, listen to Solomon’s response in 1 Kings 3:9. “Help me to have wisdom and recognize right from wrong,” is what Solomon asked of God. God then answered his prayer in an incredibly amazing way. Sometimes, many of us tend to ask God for what we want, not what we really need. There are times when we don’t know what to ask from God.
Solomon could have asked for anything! His prayer is a perfect example for us to follow. He asked for wisdom and the ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong. We can do that too. Because the differences between these two are often twisted and confused, we need God’s help. He is Allwise, and His Word/truth never changes.
Let’s make Solomon’s prayer for wisdom and understanding our own. Go ahead, ‘PRAY’ for wisdom and understanding concerning your family, friends, and future. Now, ‘PRAISE’ for it!
Pray this way:
LORD, give me – your servant, a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
©2023 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
Change Is In the Air
“I am The Lord and I change not” (Malachi 3:6).
Change in our surroundings is evident—the long days of summer are ending. For many, a new school year is already in session! Yellow limousines are back on the roads and streets. Back-to-school sale signs are everywhere.
Can you feel it?
Do you see it?
Do you sense the CHANGE?
During this season, we are thanking GOD and praying for each of you. We are reminded of the fact that to EVERYTHING, there is a season (Ecc. 3:1).
Change can be productive, unsettling, frightening, and/or effective—whatever else it proves to be—it is certain, inevitable, for sure. Enjoy and learn from reading this month about Joshua, who had served Israel’s great leader Moses, but change was on the horizon. Joshua eventually filled the leadership role among God’s chosen people. He had been taught well and trained for this awesome task.
You, our children/youth, are growing, developing, and changing every day. The world in which we live is changing. GOD is preparing each of you in everything you think, say, and do as He did Joshua to take your place in His perfect plan.
You are being made ready to take that ‘Joshua’ place in God’s world every time you:
- read the Bible and pray
- discipline yourself in daily habits, kindness, and generosity
- practice obedience, especially to godly parents
- help in church/community
- stand up/speak up for truth and fairness
- complete your chores with a pleasant attitude
- prepare for a weekly quiz/test
- stand before your class for a presentation
- participate in food, clothes collections
- attend an after-school activity
Pray this way:
Thank YOU, Father, for creating beauty for us to see and enjoy! You change this beauty minute-by-minute. YOU alone bring these changes yet, YOU never, ever change! Praise to YOU Who remains faithful, true, trustworthy, consistent, righteous, loving, kind, forgiving, just, merciful, mighty, good, gracious, and YOU remain GOD! You always were, are, and always will be God, and we hear Your voice saying, “I am The Lord and I change not” (Malachi 3:6). “I am the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Thank you, Father, for being GOD! Amen.
©2023 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
Who-What Are You Looking at Now?
Who-What are you thinking about and looking at now? Keep your eyes and your mind on JESUS!
“The Lord Who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37)
Have you read or heard the Bible story of David (shepherd boy) and Goliath (9-foot giant)? Read this thrilling story in 1 Samuel 17!
David knew about God’s strength, love, and protection. Caring for wayward, needy, hungry, hurt, and lost sheep was no small task. There were dangers by dark, cold, sleepless nights; wild animals looking for a fat, tasty ‘lamb’ chop.
One day, David’s dad gives him a sheep break, then he sent him on a ‘pizza’ (cheese and bread) delivery to his big brothers who are fighting a battle. Well, David finds them fearing-shaking in their sandals as a giant taunts, bullies, and threatens the army of Israel! Today is not the 1st day for this. Have you, your friends, family, or classmates had to face a threatening, fear-filled, dangerous situation day after day after day…then more days?
Like Israel, we have our own ‘goliaths’. It’s just a repeat performance! With David and His GOD, it’s about to be a ‘new’ day!
David clears his throat, stands tall, and makes a bold announcement, “I will go out to fight, and my GOD will rescue me.”
Though criticized, belittled, and laughed at, David goes in the strength of The true and living GOD to meet the challenge! He goes with praise in his mouth for his GOD! He goes with victory in his heart, on his mind! He goes on to remember how GOD gave him the strength to defend his sheep from a lion and a bear. This he recalls, igniting his hope in his GOD!
Read the entire story, then send us your responses or comments.
David was not focused on how big, strong “Goliath” might have been…neither shall we! He already knew how strong, big, powerful, wise, and mighty HIS GOD was-so do we! No need to focus on; give voice, eyes, ears, and time to our “goliaths”-rather keep our hearts, eyes, ears, and mouths on The greater One-The greatest of them all…GOD ALMIGHTY and JESUS His risen Son!
©2023 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
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If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a “Blessed Selling” author and Writers’ Coach.
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Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
