Creative Corner
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!
God’s Continued Wisdom, Mercy, Grace
Why? When? Oh, how?
Ecclesiastes 7: 23-
“I am determined to be wise”—
but this was beyond me.
Whatever exists is far off and most profound—
who can discover it?
So I turned my mind to understand,
to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things
You can ask God ANYthing! Yes, ANYthing… really go ahead, ask about ANYthing, and EVERYthing! Others may tire of your countless and endless questions, not our Father! He invites and welcomes our endless inquiring because He created us to learn especially about Him! You are in the company of many faithful followers and believers when you ask questions. Moses, Abraham, Sarah, David, Esther, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Deborah, Paul, Mary, Peter, and John.
Just know that He is an eternal God Who has ALL answers to ALL questions for ALL times! He listens; yet remains Sovereign and may choose silence for the moment.
Sometimes we wonder how that large family can be so happy, so grateful, and so generous with what some might think is not enough. We ponder why the little boy down the street was born with no arms. We are puzzled about the girl who cheats in school and then brags about it saying “Nobody catches me”. We experience questions and sadness because a good friend had to move to yet another foster home.
Think of watching a parade or a race! We strain to see who or what’s coming. We can only see a short distance and a small part. God sees and plans the ‘whole’ of our lives. He knows from beginning to end every detail between the two. His promises of knowing and having good thoughts for us, giving us hope and a future are encouraging. God’s reassurance of always being with us and causing all the events in our lives to work together for our good are comforting.
REASONS
R remember… only GOD knows
E EVERYthing about EVERYbody, EVERYwhere, EVERYtime
A all the details, in and outs, ups and down~ beginning to end
S sometimes we try to see the whole puzzle finished, figured out, in
O order, and line up the whys, hows, whens~ BUT
N no matter our many feeble human efforts
S Sovereign Lord ALONE holds those answers saying, “Trust Me”.
Write then pray your prayer of questions and thanksgiving to GOD!
Dear LORD, thank You for being You! You know the past, present, and future! How awesome You are! You are always with me, knowing my thoughts and my questions. I can bring them to You. Help me to do that trusting You more and more as the questions seem to be more and more.
I love You, LORD. Amen
©2022 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!
Let Me Help You With That!
Mark 15:21 states, “A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.”
Do you know the feeling of being overwhelmed, struggling to carry a heavy load, and feeling so exhausted that you start to stumble? Then suddenly, someone stronger comes along and reaches out to lift you or your burden.
That simple yet incredibly significant act saves you, brings relief, and helps you in ways for which you cannot express enough gratitude.
Take a moment to look around and consider small acts of service that God may be guiding you to do this summer. Think about things like organizing, cleaning, helping others, or even running errands. Write down some “SMART” goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely) for the tasks you believe God has chosen for you to complete.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, my Strength, for carrying all my burdens, sins, sickness, worries, and concerns. I desire to be Your hands, feet, eyes, ears, heart, and strength to help others. As You reveal to me whom to help, how to help, and when to help, I will do so promptly and willingly, with a joyful heart. I perform these acts in Your name and for Your glory.
©2022 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!
JESUS … Be Lifted Higher!
Jesus – a beautiful, powerful, and glorious name!
Luke 1:31 states, “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 and coaches? How about uncles and aunts?
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 your understanding of who Jesus is and celebrate His great name:
- Search the scriptures this summer and find as many Bible verses as you can of names for Jesus.
- Create a book with all the names you found.
- Design a cover for your book with some 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 with ice cream as everyone gets the scoop on who Jesus really is.
- Celebrate His great name with joy and gratitude.
Let’s embark on this journey of discovering the depth and significance of Jesus’ name. Embrace His love, guidance, and power as you grow in your faith.
Prayer
Write your prayer using several of the names of Jesus you studied.
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! I love You! Because of who You are, I bow in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving! Amen.
©2020 Penelope White
Use with author’s permission. Send request to penywhite@hotmail.com
PENELOPE ALLEN WHITE, wife, mother of two young adult sons, and G’ma puts into print her heart’s desire—that is, for all children and people to intimately know God. She is a Christian educator and speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, neighborhood tutor and still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!
FAVORites
“Can we feed the chickens?”
The children had arrived at the farm, and were ready for work. First they measured a big helping of chicken feed. Then they washed out the waterer and refilled it with fresh, clean water for their feathered-friends to drink.
“My favorite is that one.” One of the girls pointed to Faithfulness, a black and white speckled hen.
“Mine is Joy,” said another girl. Joy was pure white and treasured by many of the kids.
“I love Friar Cluck,” added a third girl with shining eyes. “Can we catch them now?”
The chickens were done eating and drinking, so I nodded my approval. The girls ran, and the chickens ran, too. Running was part of the fun! Before long, each girl gently held their best-loved chicken. Wide smiles proved that it felt good to work hard and play outside in the sunshine together.
God watches us to see who is obeying Him and loving others. When He sees us doing what is right and good, He shines His grace and favor onto us. The joy that comes from the Lord is kind of like that feeling you get when you catch your favorite chicken!
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalms 90:17
Jennifer Tirrell has worked alongside many wonderful individuals serving the underserved across the United States and beyond, as well as mucking stalls and cleaning goat pens closer to home on her daughter’s farm ministry. She loves Jesus Christ, writing, kids and everything outdoors. www.writingwithjet.com
Go To the Ant
God can use the smallest of His creation to teach us BIG lessons.
Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8).
Are you planning a summer cookout? What are you taking? Farm fresh, juicy, sweet watermelons? Cantaloupes? Berries? Peaches? How about grilled corn on the cob? Perhaps … I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream?
Did you pack the ants? No? And yet they arrived!
You won’t need to bring ants. Ants invite themselves and bring friends. They eat outdoors on the blankets, tables, lawn chairs. More than eating, they work tirelessly gathering your leftovers and preparing for winter FEASTS.
If ants had bones, you wouldn’t find one lazy bone
*READ as much as you can find about ants!
*WRITE and illustrate your story of how the ants view this lunchtime. Ask yourself: “What are ants thinking?”
Site Editor
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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