“One of our family’s all-time favorite pets was a dog named Scampy. He was a black-and-tan, rag-eared mutt, part cocker, part Schnauzer, part whatcha-ma-call-it. When he was six months old, he was hit by a car and suffered a broken hind leg, which was put in a splint. Gangrene developed, and the veterinarian recommended euthanasia. My children, however, full of love and affection for Scampy, lobbied for amputation, and their tearful motion, put to a vote in a family council, was carried.

To my pleasant surprise, Scampy adjusted beautifully. Like a tricycle with the wheels reversed, he developed excellent balance, and although running in unorthodox motion, he moved amazingly fast. Squirrels scattered when he flew off the back porch as though propelled by a pogo stick.

Friends of the children called him Hopalong or Tripod or Crip, among other names, but Scampy had a couple of advantages over people: He didn’t understand their jibes, and he didn’t know that he had a disability. He lived on courageously for many years, doing the best with what he had. People who can do the same are, I am convinced, the winners in life.”

Fred Bauer “Dog Tales – Lessons in Love” from Guideposts

Go for the Gold

What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
-> Tell me about “Go for the Gold”

The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”

“Ashley–a pre-owned Yorkie from the Humane Society–came into my home with his head hung low. The neighbors were all waiting for me at home to meet the newest member of my family. That was when we learned that this little dog was terrified of men.

In their presence, Ashley would shake like a leaf. All my men friends are gentle, but their imposing sizes and booming voices seemed to terrorize him. I had to find a way for Ashley to be healed of his fear!

Whenever a male visitor came to the door, I would pick up Ashley and hold him in my arms. I would ask my friend to pet the dog gently and talk to him in a soothing voice. When the little guy relaxed, I would hand him over to my friend to hold and continue petting for a few more minutes.

After some weeks, Ashley seemed to remember each man he met in this way, and he stopped cowering and shaking in their presence. In fact, after meeting my next door neighbor, Bob, Ashley stole into his house, then reappeared a few minutes later to drop one of Bob’s dirty socks at his feet. Bob, he seemed to be saying, was not only safe, he was accepted!

Since coming into my family, Ashley has been healed of his fear and to this day lives at peace with all men. It’s the love he’s been getting that’s healed his fear–I’m sure of it.

And not only is Ashley a beloved family member now, but he also reminds me how to approach all the abused and fearful people I meet. The best way is to start with love.

Diane Komp – “Dog Tales Lessons in Love” from Guideposts Magazine

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

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Noted artist Vincent Van Gogh turned away from the faith which had been imparted to him in his Christian home and sank into depression and self-destruction. But later in his life by the grace of God, as he began to embrace that faith again, his life took on new hope, and he gave to that hope color, specifically the color yellow, which evoked for him hope and warmth in then truth of God’s love.

In his depression period, seen in his The Starry Night, there is a yellow sun and yellow swirling stars because Van Gogh thought that truth was only present in nature. The church, which stands tall in the painting and should be the house of truth, is the only item with no traces of yellow.

But later, when his life was on the mend, he painted The Raising of Lazarus, and the entire picture is bathed in yellow. He even put his own face on Lazarus to express his hope in the Resurrection.

Yellow tells the whole story. Like Van Gogh, we can start over.

Source: Unknown

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How lonely I’ll be!”

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.

The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, “I always turned to you for help and you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.” The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out : “I’ll leave with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !”

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives

a. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.

b. Our 3rd wife ? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.

c. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

d. The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.

Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…