Kids of the King, Arise!

Remember Hannah? We shared some of her story in the spring. Well here is what she is up to today!
This is from and article in the Winnipeg Free Press today.
“The 12-year-old Winnipeg girl has already dined with a prime minister and spoken to some of Canada’s ”big bosses” for donations. But this week, she took her trademark ladybug backpack to the nation’s capital for an entirely new opportunity, a sleepover at the official residence of the leader of the opposition, Stéphane Dion, and his wife, Janine Krieber.

“I am super excited about that,” Hannah said with a huge grin. “We got to stay in, like, Stornoway. That was so cool. I didn’t know the name of the place (before) but I definitely knew (Dion and Krieber) would stay in a special place.”

Her Ladybug Foundation has raised more than $1 million since Hannah was five, and asked her mother why there was a man eating out of a dumpster in a backlane in Winnipeg.

Perched on a sofa in Stornoway’s living room, Hannah has a bright red scarf around her neck, and it is those scarves she is in Ottawa to promote. The $20 fashion accessories are a fundraiser for Hannah’s foundation and the purpose behind her trip to Ottawa.

“I’m here to launch national red scarf day,” said Hannah. “It shows the homeless people in Canada that we hear them.”

In addition to staying at Stornoway with her father, Bruce, Hannah delivered a speech to dozens of spouses of Canada’s MPs and diplomats including the spouses of the French ambassador to Canada and the British high commissioner.”They can spread the message I’m trying to get out even more,” she said.

Hannah’s scarves and information about her cause can be found at www.ladybugfoundation.ca.

Day 3: (optional review of Biblical heroes who have taken these “steps”)

Materials: 
Prepare before hand Cards with verse on them: 
1. Luke 4:16-20a; 42-44; Ps. 119:11
2. Luke 4:1-4; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2
3. Matt. 6:9; Matt. 14:23; Matt. 26:36; Eph. 6:18
4. Matt. 4:1-2; Matt. 6:16-18. Deut 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8
5. James 5:16
6. James 1:27; Mark 12:30-31
Cards with steps on them (from Day 2)

Catching On:
1. Ask students what they remember of the “steps” for the journey towards the heart of God.  If you wish, give a small prize to everyone who remembers one.
2. Explain: Today, we are going to play a game to find some more Biblical examples of people who took these “steps” toward God.

Digging In:
6. Hand out cards.  Some of you have a card that lists one of the steps.  Another person has a Bible verse that teaches us about the activity, shows Jesus doing this activity, or showing that he must have done it at some point beforehand.  Your assignment is to find your match.  When you’ve found each other, put your cards side by side on the board using magnets or tape.
7. Allow time for students to find their match.  Read verses aloud and give brief further explanation of each “step.”  Especially explain fasting, that it doesn’t always have to be food, but can be to give up something valuable for something else that’s more valuable (e.g. video games – time to read the Bible, internet/email – time to write a letter to God or an encouragement note for a friend; a bad habit of insulting others or being sarcastic)

Wrapping Up:
1. We often think God is only in the extraordinary things, like seeing angels, stopping earthquakes, etc.  But God is in the ordinary things.  Not the earthquake, not the fire, not the wind: a still small voice.  Part of our journey will include learning to really hear that still, small voice better.  The Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts and in our lives.  Here’s some of the “steps” that we will look at along the way.
1.Read God’s Word
2.Reflect on God’s Word
3.Memorize God’s Word
4.Pray and Fast
5.Confess your sins
6.Serve Others

STEPHANIE MCINTYRE

The Helper #2
When Jesus was with His disciples He told them that it was better for Him to go back to heaven than to stay on earth with them. This doesn’t make sense as I sure would have liked to have been there when He was on earth and be able to talk with Him, and if I was a kid again, to climb on His lap. But Jesus doesn’t lie, so it must be true. When he was on earth only 1000 or so people could hear him at one time. (They didn’t have p.a. systems and video cameras and such then!)

John 16; 7 It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the counselor will not come for you; but if I go. I will send Him to you.

Before Jesus’ time the Holy Spirit would sometimes come and influence a few chosen people who would impact their society at that time. Who can you think of who had that happen to them?

Since Jesus went to heaven the Holy Spirit can not only be with us, but also in us. This was also possible not just for one or two people but for 1000’s of people all at the same time. Bit by bit he can change us from the inside out as we co-operate with His promptings. When we do He helps us share the truth about Jesus to other people in a way that they can understand clearly. He helps us see with new eyes, or the ‘kingdom goggles’ that we have spoken of. He convicts us of sin. He works miracles and heals people. 

But why don’t we see more people come to Jesus, you may ask? Why don’t we see miracles more here in North America?

Well, that is hard to know, but part of it is how much we WANT the Holy Spirit to take total control of our lives. See, there are two groups of Christians. The first group of Christians are people who, whenever they run unto a problem say “I can do it” and try to fix what ever it is on their own. They might ask Jesus to help them, and Jesus, being the loving God that He is, will help as much as they let Him. He is like a friend that comes alongside us to hand us the tools or dry the dishes, but is never given anything more to do.

The second group of Christians knows that they are as helpless as Jesus said they are. They want Him to be as close as possible and know that the only way that Heaven’s power can flow to earth through them is if the Holy Spirit lives IN them and they respond to His direction and suggestions.

Activity: Take a garden hose and lay it beside the faucet. Turn on the faucet. What happens? The water flows beside and over the hose but there is no direction right?

Now take the hose and attach it to the faucet. What happens when you turn the water on? The hose is filled up and the water flows where it is needed. Same water and same hose; but what a difference.

Read:
John 14: 15-17
John 15: 4-5

What word picture is Jesus giving in these verses? Can grapes grow beside a vine or does it need to be attached to the vine? Uh, Duh, dumb question!
So what is Jesus trying to tell us? ____________________________

PRAYER: Dear Jesus I am beginning to see that the Holy Spirit is more wonderful than even your physical presence on earth, yet that is what You Yourself said. It is an amazing thought that the Helper is really Your presence in another form and that You want to live inside of me not just stand beside me and help me. This is HUGE!

My heart needs to be cleansed and set in order for such a royal guest. Please cleanse my heart so that You can flow through me with power. Help me to want that more than anything else.

1. Written on board: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
   
2. Say: Yesterday I invited you on the adventure of seeking the heart of God our Father.  It wouldn’t be fair for me to ask you to commit to this adventure, though, until I tell you more about the journey involved.  You might think the things I will say don’t sound much like an adventure at all, but before you do that, take a look at this picture.  It looks like the man is just walking.  It’s very routine and doesn’t look all that interesting.  But if you look closer, you can see that this man is an adventure seeker.  He’s prepared – he’s got his backpack and his hiking boots on.  He’s out in the wilderness, and he’s walking towards the mountain he will climb.  He’s beginning an adventure, but he’s got to take it one step at a time.   Our journey to the Father will be taken one step at a time, too.  The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  Let’s find out more about what the journey will include:

Digging In:

1. Explain.  I mentioned yesterday that Jesus is the Way.  No one knows the Father as well as He does. Many of the “steps” on the journey Jesus has taken himself.  Others the Bible doesn’t tell us Jesus did, but it does command us to do them.  These are very practical ways to seek the Father’s heart.  If we want to be like Jesus in the big things, we’ve got to be like Him in the small things.
   
2. Hold up cards.  Show students the cards showing all 6 steps.  Explain that these are not steps that any human came up with, but they are all demonstrated by people in the Bible. Some by Jesus himself, some by other “heroes” of the faith.
   
3. Divide students into small groups.  Give each group a sheet of paper and a marker.  Have them brainstorm times when Bible heroes have done one of these things.  E.g.  You might think about “pray and fasting” and remember that Esther and Mordecai fasted to pray for the nation of Israel when Haman wanted to destroy them.  You would write “pray and fast” - Mordecai and Haman.
   
4. Allow about 5-7 minutes for brainstorming.
   
5. Have groups come back together and share the ideas they came up with.

Wrapping Up:

1. Many of these things we know Jesus did, and we would be following His example. Remember: He is the Way.  None of these things would have any meaning at all if it weren’t for the goal of connecting with and knowing God our Father.  Buddhist priests do of these things.  Muslims do these things.  They can be empty forms.  They can be meaningless.  But if our desire is to know our Father more deeply, the Holy Spirit will give these exercises in discipline meaning, depths, and fullness. Step by step, He will guide us to knowing our Father, which is only possible through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. 
   
2. Ask, Which one of these steps can you take today to begin your adventure of seeking God’s heart?

 Stephanie McIntyre

Fascinated with Jesus.                                                        HELPER #1

When Jesus was in the upper room with his disciples before He died he gave them  a very important lesson.  He showed them what it meant to be a servant and serve others in humility. Do your remember that?
Now Jesus was going back to heaven. Before he went He told the disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit come upon them, and that they were to be His witnesses. But just like Jesus was baptized by the Holy Spirit before He started His earthly ministry, He now instructed the disciples that they needed to wait till they received the same power.
 
(Luke 24: 46-49) Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day: and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold. I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on High.

What is a witness? Montana gave a great definition. It is to tell the truth about what you saw or know. That is what the disciples were told to do. They had spent 3 years with Jesus and now they were to ‘tell the story’. As followers of Jesus, sons or daughters of the King, we are to do the same. However Jesus never asked us to do that without His help. Before He left He promised that he would send someone to come alongside us and help us.

Who is this Helper? John 14:16, 17 in the amplified version gives us a starting picture:
And I will ask the Father, and He sill give you another …Helper…that He may remain with you forever. … you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.

The Helper is however no ‘force’ but rather a person. He is one of the three persons of the Godhead. This is difficult to understand, but picture a clover for example. It has three parts to the leaf. No one part stands alone, yet they all have the same characteristics. The same way, Holy Spirit has all the qualities of God as well.

Look up these following verses to find clues to how He acts.

Acts 1: 16, Romans 8: 26,27; John 14: 26; Acts 2:4; 8: 39; Acts 7:51; Acts 8: 29,11,12; Acts 16:6,7;
Look up the answers in the word search puzzle.

 
comforts                                          Jesus
commands                                       leads
forbids                                              speaks
Helper                                              teaches
Holy Spirit                                      works miracles

The Holy Spirit is a Friend whom we can come to know and to love. Yet His main goal is to help us become fascinated with the person of Jesus. Why? So the world would know about God’s extravagent love.

There is a story about a Sunday school teacher who was talking about her class. She said, “You know I have for the last number of years tried to teach the children about Jesus. But do you know they are the ones that have been teaching me! Jesus is so real to them. I remember one day a young boy said, ‘if Jesus came through the door right now I’d run up to Him and hug Him.’”

The Holy Spirit was speaking through her and when she finished everyone had their eyes on Jesus. That is what the helper is like. He helps us remember what Jesus said and did, and helps us share the wonderful news of how He loved us SO much that he took our punishment and made the way for us to come back to a close relationship with God.

Prayer: Lord I need the Helper today because I need to have the greatest gift of all, that You become more real to me. Lord I want to be fascinated with Jesus; so much so that His love flows out of me to the people I hang out with. Lord help me to remember to take time each day to touch base with you, and to obey your promptings. Thank you Amen

* some of the ideas for this post came from Catherine Marshall’s book “The Helper“

We’re at our last circle, the earth! We’ve prayed from our families, to our churches, cities, provinces, nations and now the ends of the earth.

This Month’s Prayer Focus: Praying For The World 

 

GOAL: To pray for the world in a way that is fun.
          To learn more about the needs of children in the world.
SETTING: Room with a large map of the world have words in yellow/gold on the map “Shine Jesus Shine”
               or a globe
               or a  Globall, a beach ball with the globe printed on it. To order: (prayer tools for praying for the children of the world) - google for: Esther Ilnisky, Esther Network International. 
 
METHOD: Have one or two different centers in place, each with hands on items from a nation. If possible have some food that is particular to that nation for a snack. If possible invite a missionary to come and share.
Through powerpoint or overhead aquaint the children with the needs of kids around the world.

HEART PREP:
O.K. Let us pray first: “Lord we cover this place and all of us with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that we get to pray for the world! Because of our prayers kids all over the world will come to Jesus!
Everybody hold out their hands. The Bible tells us to come to God with clean hands and a pure heart. (Ps 24) so lets all pray together, “Lord, if I have done anything to make my hands dirty by doing things I should not have done, please forgive me and wash them to make them clean.”
Instruct the kids to put their hands on their hearts. have the kids repeat: “God if my heart is not pure, make it pure right now. I want You to hear me when I pray Forgive any bad thoughts I have had.” AMEN!
WORSHIP
From the ends of the earth
to the depths of the sea
to the heights of the heavens
your name be praised
Sing: Show Your Power
This is what is on God’s heart that the whole world knows how much He loves them
Have someone recite John 3:16
ASK: Does anyone know how many people are in theworld today?
(There are 6.5 billion people on earth)
ASK: How many of these are children?
(52% of these are kids under the age of 15)
Not all children are as fortunate as you are. Let’s have a look at what many other kids are facing in the world today.

PREPARE: Beforehand on black construction paper the following statistics:
-Put the headings on one set of construction paper
-And the statistics on another set.
-Hand them out and then ask the kids to mingle and try to find the statistics that belong to the headings.

What it is like to be a kid in the world today?

CHILDREN LIVE  WITH AIDS
• about 3 million new cases of_______each year
• 13 million children’s parents die because of_________               .
• 64 % of children who have__________and are 1 to 10 years old will die this year

CHILDREN ARE STREET KIDS (HOMELESS)
• 100 million_________                                    .
• no parents to care for them
• no safety (protection)for the___________
• abandoned
• get beaten up and hurt

CHILDREN ARE HUNGRY.
• 28% of children do not have enough food to eat ( malnourished)
• 17 million children starve to death each year
• 35 thousand children starve to death each day

CHILDREN GO TO WORK (NOT SCHOOL)
• 200 million child laborers between the age of 5 and14 years old.
• 2 out of 3 children live on less than $2.00 per day

CHILDREN LIVE WITH  WAR
Because of __________in the last 10 years
• 1.5 million children were killed,
• 4 million disabled,
• 12 million lost their homes

CHILDREN LIVE WITH  WAR
• 90% of people killed in__________ are women and children, not soldiers
• 70% of refugees made by ____________ are children

CHILDREN LIVE WITH  WAR
• 300 thousand children were forced to be child soldiers
• Child soldiers are forced to find land mines.
• Child soldiers are forced to act as human shields.

GIRLS ARE NOT LOVED AS MUCH AS BOYS
• 60-100 million __________ have “disappeared” in the last 10 years
• 15 million_____________ who are 8 to 15 years old are already mothers and have their own  children to take care of
• it is not important for girls to go to school
• boys get birthday parties and presents, girls might not

CHILDREN ARE KILLED BEFORE THEY ARE BORN (ABORTED)
• 40 million children ARE ___________each year
• It used to be against the law to____________ but now it isn’t.
• 1 billion children in the world have been______________ now that it is not against the law.

After the kids have found the clues:

ASK: Do you know that Jesus loves you and all the children of the world?  Do you know that Jesus weeps at all the suffering that they are going through? Do You know that millions of them don’t even know about Jesus?

ASK: What is Jesus doing in heaven right now? (He is interceeding for us and for the people of the world)
Shall we join Him in praying for the children that are hurting like we talked about? Let us ask Jesus what we should pray for. Take turns praying.

Have time for a water break.

Mission Center
When the kids come back have a center ready with pictures and hands on items from a nation that you have chosen beforehand. Have a snack ready particualar to that nation. Share some of the needs and points of interest. Prepare beforehand a map of that nation out of bristol board. Then cut it into puzzle pieces. On the backs write down prayer points. Have the kids put the map together as they pray the points that are on the back.
CLICK on the side bar. “Other interesting sites” and go to “Operation world” for lost of ideas and information about various nations.

CLOSE: By coming back together and sitting around the world map or globe. Quiet your hearts and ask Jesus if there is any place in the world that is on His heart right now that we should pray for. Last year we asked our DPG kids that and one felt to pray for Australia against fires. He had no idea that there were HUGE fires there at that time. Someone else felt to pray for Indonesia, and there was an earthquake there that week and no one was hurt!
* Some of the ideas in this DPG were gleaned from Esther Ilinsky’s book “Let the children Pray”
* Statistics from Audio C.D. by Jennifer Toledo “Raising up the Next Genereation”

An Adventure of Seeking the Heart of God
A series focusing on seeking God by practicing spiritual disciplines Each lesson is broken into 5-10 minute segments.  This met my needs as I presented it as a short devotion five times a week in my class in Japan. 
Materials:
Have pictures ready or draw cartoons as you talk: mountain, mountain climbers, other cultures/countries, globe, Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. 
 
Catching On:
1. Open with prayer: asking God to direct you as you speak. 
2. Ask: Have you ever dreamed of going on an adventure?  Where did you want to go?  What would you like to do?
3. Show pictures as you talk about some of the following adventures: I’ve always wanted to climb a mountain.  I think this would be an amazing adventure.  (Show picture of mountain and mountain climbers).  I’ve also wanted to travel around the world and visit a lot of different countries (show pictures of different cultures, people, places, a globe from National Geographic).  Neil Armstrong went on an adventure to the moon.  Christopher Columbus went on an adventure and discovered the Americas.  History is full of people who went on adventures.  We remember their stories and we call them heroes.

Digging In:
1. Say: As we begin 2008, I want to invite you on a spiritual adventure.  On this adventure, we will be seeking God’s heart.  On this adventure, Jesus is the way.  The Holy Spirit is our guide. The Father’s heart is our goal.  You might be wondering, “How can this be an adventure?  I don’t hear anything about mountains or the moon or discovering cool places.  This doesn’t sound like a very fun adventure.”  Well, I want you to stop and anwer a few of these questions.
 What is an adventure? (an exciting or unusual experience) Write on board.
 How do you feel when you’re excited?  (really happy)  The dictionary defines “excitement” as “lively and cheerful joy”. Write on board.
2. Say: OK, next questions are on a different topic. 
● Do you believe the Bible is true? 
● Do you believe what it says about you and your life?
God, our Maker, gave us the Bible to teach us how to live.  He knows we’re hungry for adventure, excitement, thrills, and joy.  And the Bible tells us WHERE to find fulfillment for all of our adventure-seeking. 
3. Say: Check out Psalm 16:8, 9a, and 11.  (Read together)
■ “I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
4. Explain. This was written by David.  He was a man who knew about adventure: he’d defeated Goliath, hidden in caves, won tons of battles, and travelled all around Israel.  He became king of Israel and was very rich, but he knew where to find joy: God’s presence.   I believe we go on adventures because we are seeking excitement and a thrill.  We long to have joy. God promises that we will find this joy in his presence, and it is ETERNAL, (write ‘eternal joy” on board) never ending. Our thrill-seeking nature will be satisfied in Him.  He is ultimate adventure and ultimate fulfillment.
5. Explain.  You see, I believe our desire for adventure and excitement can only truly be filled by seeking God.  He designed us to want Him and be satisfied only when we find Him.  Jesus said he came to give us “life to the full”.  The Old Testament says God planted a desire for Him in our hearts.  (Ecc.)  That’s why I call this an “adventure” – we will have an experience that fills us with joy.
6. Explain and write: There’s another way that this is like an adventure, though.  Think back to Neil Armstrong, Christopher Columbus, and the mountain climbers.  Their adventures all included some sort of journey.  (write ‘journey’ on the board)  This will be a journey towards knowing God better. 
7. Explain and draw: Like any journey it will be fun and exciting at times (draw arrow from journey and draw a smiley face).  We will have moments when we are excited and loving it.  Think of climbing a mountain when you’re at the peak, where you can see for miles.  Imagine Christopher Columbus when he first spotted land.  Put yourself in Neil Armstrong’s shoes as he took the first step on the moon.   How are they feeling?  It’s awesome!  This is the reason we go on adventures!
8. Explain and draw: But like any journey, it will also be hard and boring sometimes. (draw arrow from journey and draw a sad face)  These parts are necessary to reach the goal.  How can you enjoy the top of the mountain, if you hadn’t trudged uphill, getting tired, thirsty, with aching muscles. How could Christopher Columbus have discovered America if he hadn’t spent week after week at sea, enduring storms, with no land in sight?  How could Neil Armstrong have walked on the moon if he hadn’t spent years in science and math class, preparing to be an astronaut?  Adventures have a price, but they’re worth it!  Even more, it’s during the boring times that we learn important lessons about perseverance and discipline. 
9. Explain: In this adventure, you will have moments where you and Jesus connect in intense ways, where He wraps you in His love or invites you to join Him in a mission, or asks you to bravely do His will.  You will have times when you are bored by reading the Bible or don’t feel like praying.  But if you persevere, you will find that knowing our Father’s heart is worth it!  The strength and discipline you gain through the boring parts will help you and enable you to do what Jesus asks.   

Wrapping Up:
1. Present the challenge: The question I want you to think about today is whether this is an adventure you want to take or not.  Do you really believe seeking God is the ultimate adventure?  The Bible says, “God rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Heb. 11:6) Will you choose to be a seeker of God?  Will you go on an adventure of seeking God’s heart?  Will you choose Him as your ‘ultimate adventure’?  We’ll talk more about the journey tomorrow. But for now, consider the goal: knowing your Heavenly Father more deeply, becoming more like Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit speak to you more clearly and guide you along life’s paths. 
2. Ask: Do you believe seeking God is the ultimate adventure?  If so, is this an adventure you want to take? 
*Brian Green of Rochester Hills boulders his way up a climbing wall at Planet Rock Climbing Gym. Brian is Carolin’s nefhew.  

By Stephanie Mc Intyre

Deeds Irwin sent a report about the UN prayer intitiative that we prayed along with in September. Here is a part of that report.

CHILDREN AS PART OF THE UN PRAYER INITIATIVE

Making children part of the UN Prayer Initiative was a most significant decision that was made. They played a vital roll in this very special time together. The adults enjoyed having them amongst them and were astounded at the boldness of the children with which they serve the Lord and stand for Him.
John Robb
Chairman International Prayer Council

Anna Maria
Guatamala

My experience in New York was incredible.  I was deeply impacted by the fact that there are children and youth praying all around the world.  In my country, Guatemala, there are a lot of intercessors but only a small portion of them are young people.  After my experience in New York, God touched my heart and placed a seed on it.  My heart’s desire now is to organize the youth in Guatemala in prayer and I know that God is going to help me in this endeavour.  On the other hand, I am truly thankful to God for the opportunity of having met all of you. 

Samuel 14yrs

Children and youth prayed with great faith and authority.  Here is a sample prayer from a young boy named Samuel which he prayed as we were cruising the water ways:
 ”We declare that God’s eternal gates open up in New York. Ports, we bless you and we declare you are open to receive the blessing and the presence of God. We declare you open to the good and perfect will of God. We cancel all demonic presence, in the name of Jesus. We cry out for the blood of Jesus on these entries for the glory and honor of God. Amen.” 

Andrew 11yrs

The trip was awesome I don’t think I’ve ever had a better spiritual time and made so many new friends so quickly.  I really feel like it wasn’t just a conference it was more like a briefing for our mission from God. And another thing I really liked was just how we were all from different nations but we all were Christians and were gathered for a common purpose and just how it really occurred to me that we really aren’t any different than each other and that we’re all parts of the body of Christ and we’re all 1 family. That feeling was the coolest thing I’ve felt in my whole life! I felt God calling us to change the world and I have confidence, after meeting so many people with such Godly spirits, that we will change the world and we will keep Gods fire in us.

*Click on the side bar, “Prayer initiatives” to pull up the material related to the UN prayer initiatives on September 8th. OR follow the tag links below.