Hotel Replaces Bible With '50 Shades of Grey' - Yahoo! News

 

"In this secular age it seems distinctly odd that anyone would expect to find a religious book in a hotel bedroom."
So what are guests who are not the book's "target audience" supposed to read on a visit to the Damson Dene Hotel? Denby isn't banishing the Bible altogether. Instead, he plans to keep a few copies behind the reception desk in case someone asks.

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20

I wish that I could say that I am shocked by this, but in reality - he is correct.  This is a secular age, a "post-Christian" society.  How sad!  We are in an age where right is wrong and wrong is right - everything is upside down.

We must decide what will be our standard.  How will we chart our path through a world that is twisting and turning?  How will we decide what is right and wrong?  One thing is very clear: we cannot depend on culture or mainstream to make those choices for us.  We cannot even rely upon our pastor, parents or friends.  We must make and individual choice.

You cannot allow your morals and values to be based on a sliding scale, they must be firmly rooted in something unchangeable.  I know where mine are rooted.  Do you?

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  Joshua 24:15

Hotel Replaces Bible With '50 Shades of Grey' - Yahoo! News:

'via Blog this'

My Sunday Weakness

I love Sundays!  I got to participate in worship this morning at The Crossing Church, followed by a great message on parenting by Dr. Garland Ownesby

His message came from Joshua chapter 1 - where God tells Joshua repeatedly "Be strong and courageous".  This scripture has come up over and over again in the last few months.

I am tired.  I am tired of being strong.  I am tired of being brave.  I am tired of being... I am just tired of BEING.

Source: mehimandthecats.blogspot.com via Noel on Pinterest

North Dallas: Free Parenting Seminar

In conjunction with its Family Matters series this Saturday and Sunday- April 14 and 15, 

The Crossing Church is having a family seminar. 

Special Guest Speaker- Dr. Garland Owensby will hold workshops on how to deal with the problems teenagers and kids are facing today. The event is open to the community. He will be dealing with issues that all families are facing in the twenty-first century. 

There will be two different opportunities to attend the workshop on Saturday-from 10-12 or 2-4. Many people have games on Saturdays so they wanted to make this accessible for everyone. 

Please, help spread the word about this weekend, and RSVP as to which session you will be attending so that they can have proper childcare workers in place. (Childcare is provided!)

RSVP to Facebook Event Page (10 AM)

RSVP to Facebook Event Page (2 PM)

RSVP via email

Remember...

I must remember.  I must remember to give thanks.  In all things.

Source: heartlight.org via Noel on Pinterest

There are people all over the world, probably in my neighborhood, that would love to have my "problems".  

Right now

there is a woman begging God for children

how can I complain about my four?

Right now

there is a father grieving his teenaged son

how can I complain about resistance to chores?

Right now

there is a family hoping that it doesn't rain and make their dirt floor muddy

how can I complain that half of my house is down to concrete?

Right now

there are people fighting cancer

how can I complain about my treatable condition?

Right now

there are people sleeping on a curb

how can I complain that my house is too big to keep clean?

Right now

there is a child wishing he could hear his mother's voice

how can I complain about the mysterious sound that I can't locate?

Right now

there are mothers watching their children starve to death

how can I complain about the boring food in my pantry?

Source: traceysthoughts.tumblr.com via Noel on Pinterest

Oh God - help me to remember how blessed I am!  

Help me to consider those less fortunate before I open my mouth to complain!

Does it matter who you are friends with?

In my opinion, we have to guard our marriage from outside influence much the way we guard our children:  We are careful about who they interact with, never leave them unattended and always affirm and care for them.  We don't do this to control them, but to protect them.

Book Review: Fashioned by Faith

Book Description:
Everyone knows that we live in a “skin-is-in” society, heavily driven by media and immodesty. So how does a young Christian woman reconcile a fashionable wardrobe with maintaining her integrity?

Perspective

Perspective is a funny thing.  You can look at something and be quite convinced that your understanding is accurate.  You can outline all the reasons that you are right, how others are wrong.  You are right. It's simple, black and white.  And then something shifts, you see the exact same thing in a new light; you have a new perspective.

shadow art

Grief is, perhaps, the greatest illuminator of all.  When something, or worse - someone, is lost you are forced to shift your focus from the tyranny of the urgent.  The mundane things of everyday life become even more mundane.  I've often said that there is a clarity that is the gift of grief - we are able to distill our lives quite effectively into important and unimportant.  Those of us who have received that gift, lived with it and love it have few occasions to share it.  Unfortunately - it seems the most effective teacher is, once again, experience.

Death, Birth Control, Duggars and Mega Families (I have one)

Duggars announce #20 on the Today show

"Ah, the Duggars! Just the name stirs so many emotions! You won't encounter many people who don't have a strong opinion on this topic!"

So started my response to a post in an online grief forum this morning.  One of the recently bereaved moms had vented her anger that the Duggars will soon have 20 children and she can't even have one.  Her "Friends" on Facebook had chimed in their two cents (and many cheap shots).

When I was in fresh grief, the only people that I felt deserved babies were people who had lost babies. No one else had a right to procreate!

• Unwed teens? NOPE! 
• College party girls? NOPE! 
• Childless couples? NOPE! 
• Someone with a living kid or two? NOPE! 
• Happily married high-school sweethearts? NOPE! 
• Remarried blended families? NOPE! 
• The Duggars? NOPE! 

Why should anyone else be blessed with a child when mine was taken away?

I'm Rich! I'm Rich! I'm Rich!

I'm the 40,391,619 richest person on earth! Discover how rich you are!

Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor.
Thomas Jefferson
If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.

Edmund Burke

When life is too easy for us, we must beware or we may not be ready to meet the blows which sooner or later come to everyone, rich or poor.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own.
Mother Teresa

Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.
Epictetus
Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.

1 Timothy 6:10 God's Word Translation

Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his family, but whoever hates bribes will live.

Proverbs 15:27 God's Word Translation

Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world.

James 1:27 God's Word Translation

Help!

Pray for James Camden Sikes

Update:  James Camden passed away shortly after this post.  My heart goes out to his grieving parents and family.  If you find the need for healing of your grieving heart, please read more of my posts on grief and healing, and visit my Pinterest board.

James Camden Sikes » Fotolanthropy

With so many loving memories of my dear Ian.

www.firstcandle.org 

~*~*~*~
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News from the homefront

Perhaps I should say "News from the Frontlines" - some days it seems more like a battlefield than a homefront!

This last month has brought a wave of changes.  I started up my Gold Canyon business again (the beauty of being in business for yourself) and have started meeting lots of other women who are building their businesses.  I really try to find out how I can help them, what they need and how I can connect them to resources.

A few things have really stuck in my mind the last few weeks:

Seek first the kingdom of God, and then all these things (provision and possessions) will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
and
You do what you can do, and let God do what only God can do. (Pastor Zack Miller of The Crossing Church)

This is hard for me.  I like to think.  I like to plan.  I like to succeed!  It's a challenge for me to sit back and rest, once I've done all I can do.  It's a challenge for me to prioritize time with God, learning, praying, worshiping over all the other stuff that needs to be done (let's not even talk about all the stuff I want to do!)  Yet, that's what is required.  I greatly admire people who maintain schedules and routines.  Sort of.  I mean, I love that my life is fluid and flexible.  I love that William and I make quick decisions and can turn on a dime to do something.  Homeschooling (unschooling, specifically) has been a great fit for this.

Yet, I know that I am actually very undisciplined and very selfish.  I know that my day would be better if I were to get up BEFORE the kids and visit with my Father.  I know that my relationship with William would be enhanced by breakfast together before he leaves for work.  I know that the entire family would benefit from a more dependable schedule.  The problem is... me.  The only thing standing in between me and what God called me to be, is me.

This prompts me continuously to pray "less of me, more of you"  and "oh that you would increase and I would decrease."  For which I promptly pat myself on the back and am proud of my Christ-likeness, then facepalm for the utter lack of humility that I've just shown.  So. Far. To. Go.  !!!

This inner struggle is probably invisible to all but my closest companions.  The outer struggle that is most apparent is parenting.  I know that to wonder about whether I am a good parent is in itself an answer to the question; bad parents don't care if they are bad parents.  I know that we have done a good job, our children are well-behaved (although still children!) and things could be much worse.  But I also know they could be much better!  Our children struggle with each other, argue, bicker, show selfishness (oops, sounds familiar - wonder where that came from?)  We strive to show leadership, grace, mercy and faithfulness in our parenting.    Many times we fail miserably.  We aren't afraid to ask for forgiveness and confess our shortcomings to them.

A friend and mentor said recently that she felt I had lost confidence in my parenting.  I have thought about this a lot!  It's true.  After we lost Ian and dealt with CPS, I was crushed.  I felt guilty, even though I did nothing wrong.  I felt that others blamed me, I blamed me.  It makes sense then, that I would lose confidence.  I didn't know that it was still this way though.  I have relied heavily on my husband, chosen to ignore the disrespectful attitudes that cropped up in my older kids (and are being repeated by the toddler).  As I have begun to realize this and try to regain confidence and re-assert my authority, there has been much resistance!  Daytime with an infant and toddler are trying enough, but add in a 10 and 12 year old that are adjusting to new expectations and that live in constant conflict with each other - well, it's almost unbearable some days!

I know that the kids need more structure, and I know that area is one of my weaker points.  I have some really good days, but then there are some really bad ones too!  I'm not expecting perfection from myself or my kids (I don't think!), but I would like a little consistency in all of us.  William has frequently asked if the kids "act like this" all day/week long with me.  This usually happens when he is home from work.  I used to excuse them, saying that it was just because they were out of "normal" with him home, that there were other factors.  As I've realized that I was circumventing the real issues, I started saying "yes, this is pretty much what it is all the time."

Last Friday was one such day.  William was working from home in advance of the holiday.  I left for 2 hours to meet with a friend to help her plan a women's conference.  When I returned, the decision to a long-pending question had been resolved: the kids are going back to school.

I have mixed feelings.  I am elated that I will not have to constantly settle petty disputes (at least for 8 hours of the day).  I'm glad that Jordan is super-excited and has already started planning her wardrobe and sharpening pencils (seriously - when she was supposed to be cleaning her room, she was collecting and sharpening pencils!)  I feel good that I will be able to focus more attention on my 2 little ones, and "home school" Gavin for pre-school.  I know that it's good for us all to get more structure, that the kids will meet new people, reconnect with old friends and be exposed to lots of new ideas.

On the flip side, I'm feeling a bit selfish for being happy to be without them for a while.  I'm sad for Calvin, who will have to cut his hair and who is not interested, in the least, in returning to school.  I'm not looking forward to back-to-school shopping, uniform procurement and the arguments that will ensue over "Why do I have to wear this?  Why can't they just let us wear jeans?"  I am bummed at the prospect of packing healthy lunches, getting breakfast in them before they leave and whether or not they will ride the bus.

All of this swirling has caused me to remember another verse:

"Be still and know that I Am God." Psalm 46:10

Since I have a migraine headache right know, being still sounds good!  As a stay-at-home mom to 4, it's just not realistic!  Even when daddy gets home, there is work to do, errands to run, pee-pee to clean off of the bathroom floor (don't let a 3 YO brush his teeth BEFORE he goes potty!)  So, instead I have to still my heart, still my mind, and know:

verb (used with object)

1. to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty: I know the situation fully.
2. to have established or fixed in the mind or memory: to know a poem by heart; Do you know the way to the park from here?
3. to be cognizant or aware of: I know it.

That HE is God.  I am not.  I cannot control, I cannot reason it out, I cannot come to the right conclusion on my own.  I don't hold all of the puzzle pieces.  I don't have the lid to the box!  I don't even know what I'm supposed to be piecing together - but He does.

Which makes me think of another one:

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

 Know - there's that word again!  ...that God CAUSES everything to work together for my good.

Even my mess.  Even my imperfections.  Even my hurts, my failures, my pride - he MAKES them work together for my good.

Amen.

Be Still and Know from Zazzle.com

Down's Syndrome: the education of me

Six months ago, Down's Syndrome was something that happened to other families.  It was sad, but "how brave of them to carry on."  Down's Syndrome was the dreaded thing that happened to women who dared to procreate after 35, which is why I had told my husband I didn't want to have any more babies after that milestone.

Down's Syndrome was the subject of a great sitcom from my childhood, which I watched and sang "la la la la life goes on!" with much enthusiasm.  It was at a safe distance, where I no longer had to be concerned after the "quad-screen" came back negative (which is positive).  It visited briefly when sonograms showed "shortened femur length which can be a soft indicator for Down's Syndrome" but flitted away with the assurance that it "could be constitutional, no other indicators are present".

Down's "people" were strange, not in the way that people who dress up at Star Trek conventions are strange, but in the way foreigners are strange.  Their customs, mannerisms, different language and interests... all so alien to me.  And then there were their parents.  The moms with the pinched faces, short hair and practical shoes; always weary and defensive.  And dads - if you ever saw them - aloof and disconnected.

I'm sure that there is a really long and comprehensive list of all the fears that new parents have.  Mine distilled to:

1. Losing a child
2. Having a "special needs" child
3. Having a child kidnapped

In 2006, my worst nightmare came true.  My precious 3rd child died in my arms.  Less than 24 hours prior, my husband and I had been forced to sign over custody of our older children to a family friend - we were under investigation by Child Protective Services.  This lasted nearly 2 weeks, then we weren't "cleared" until the official death certificate came back - 4 months later.

It has taken me nearly 4 years to "recover" from the pain of being under CPS suspicion, being separated from my children during such a difficult time and the whole process that assumes you are guilty until proven otherwise.  I will NEVER recover from losing Ian.  

Having a "special needs" child was not even on my radar when I was pregnant with Gavin.  I was more worried about miscarriage and genetic disorders that would cause a painful, short life - and stillbirth scared me.  I had attended several support group meetings for families that had lost a child before or shortly after birth.  It was great support, but now I not only knew 143 ways that a baby could die, I knew families who were living through it.  These were no longer statistics, they were real.

Once he arrived safe and sound, all worries were gone.  I wasn't "planning" to have another child.  When we found Aaron was on the way, we were shocked!  Happy, but nervous.  The first appointment was disappointing, the sono showed a gestational sac but no baby.  We were thinking blighted ovum.  I went to the cemetery and sat at Ian's grave and cried and cried (I figured no one would bother me there!)  After an hour or so, I pulled out my smartphone and googled "blighted ovum"  I came to this page.  I felt like it was God telling me that it was going to be OK, to just believe.  I dried my tears.  I took a picture of my sonogram (the one with "no baby") and posted it to Facebook.

Three weeks later I went back for another sonogram - there was little Aaron!  Measuring perfectly at 9 weeks, just as he should.  Then at 12 weeks- perfect and 19 weeks - the shortened femur thing, but perfect (and a boy!)  Then sonos every 4 weeks to chart the progress.  He was much less active than my other babies in uetro.  This was attributed to the fact that my placenta was anterior (in front) and I probably couldn't feel the kicks.  Now, I wonder if it was the lessened muscle tone?

Anyway - he arrived December 30th by  emergent cesarean section, since he was breech and the cord was wrapped around his neck twice.  He was beautiful and perfect!  My husband says that he "knew" about the Down's on the first day, that one of the staff had mentioned it.  I honestly don't know if someone told me, but I don't remember if they did!

My entire education about Down's Syndrome was only moments away.  On the second day in the hospital, the pediatrician came in.  Having danced this dance 4 times before, I knew he would say "He's healthy, got 10 fingers, 10 toes.  Do you have any questions?  No?  OK, here's my card."  In fact, I was on the phone with my daughter when he arrived, and I just said "hold on a second honey" and set the phone down on my tray.

What he said came as a total shock.  It rocked my world.

(I will post part 2 later)
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

LRH: Good Sportsmanship Lesson Plan - Lesson 9

Lesson 9: Self-Control
Devotional Text:

James 3:2-8
2 All of us do many wrong things. But if you can control your tongue, you are mature and able to control your whole body.  3 By putting a bit into the mouth of a horse, we can turn the horse in different directions.  4 It takes strong winds to move a large sailing ship, but the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction.  5 Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things.  It takes only a spark to start a forest fire!   6 The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself.  7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed.  8 But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison. (CEV)

Memory Verse::

2 Timothy 1:7b The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control. (CEV)

What does it mean to be in control?

• When you are using a controller for a video game, you make the player move by the actions that you take.
• When you control a car, you use a small steering wheel to control a large car, or like in our devotional text, a ship’s captain uses a small rudder to control a large ship.

How can we be “self-controlled”?

• As we learn the other aspects of good sportsmanship, like patience, fairness, honesty, and being humble, it is easier to be self-controlled, but we can’t do it all by ourselves!
• That’s why God gave us the Holy Spirit.  He’s kind of like the cricket in Pinocchio, our conscience!  He’s always there, right by our side, even inside!  He reminds us to do the right thing, follow the rules, hold our temper and to be compassionate.  God’s word tells us that God has given us a spirit (a way to live our lives) of Power, Love and Self-Control.  We have help!

Next Lesson: Compassion & Mercy (final lesson)
Just joining us?  Start with Lesson 1

LRH: Good Sportsmanship Lesson Plan - Lesson 6

Lesson 6: Integrity

Memory Verse:

Psalm 101:2-3 I will be careful to live a blameless life … I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. (NLT)

New Word:

in·teg·ri·ty   
[in-teg-ri-tee] –noun
1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

• What does it mean to blame someone?  (You say that someone did something or caused something to happen, usually something wrong.)
• How do you feel when you've done something wrong, and then you get “blamed” for it?  
• How about when you've done nothing wrong and are accused of something?  
• What do you think it means to be blameLESS?  (It means that there is no cause for blame, the charges won’t stick.)  

If you are blameless, you’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve followed the rules, then you have integrity.  That’s what integrity means, to follow the rules.  In our memory verse, the Psalmist says that he will have integrity in his own home.  What do you think that could mean?  I think that it means that we should have integrity, with our families, but also when no-one is looking, when no-one would know whether we broke the rules or not.

Next Lesson: Pride & Humility

Just joining us?  Start with Lesson 1

LRH: Good Sportsmanship Lesson Plan - Lesson 5

Lesson 5: Honesty & Cheating
Memory Verse:

Proverbs 11:1 The LORD hates cheating, but he delights in honesty. (NLT)

Watch "The Cheating Scales of Bullemanka" from 3-2-1- Penguins

Scripture:

2 Timothy 2:1-7 (Doing Your Best for God)  1. So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. 2. Pass on what you heard from me--the whole congregation saying Amen!-to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. 3. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. 4. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. 5. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. 6. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. 7. Think it over. God will make it all plain. (The Message)

• The best professional athletes rarely have a "win at any cost" attitude. You're more likely to hear them talk about how much they love their sport and how much personal satisfaction and enjoyment they get from it. 
• Honesty and integrity should be the two hallmarks of any athlete. Good sportsmanship means playing honestly and fairly at all times, and never indulging in any type of cheating. Taking performance-enhancing drugs, using illegal equipment, and committing “dirty fouls” are all ways in which one can abuse the enjoyment and spirit of a particular sport. Only losers resort to these methods. (taken from an article in The Catholic Exchange by Kevin J. Wright)

Next Lesson: Integrity
Just joining us?  Start with Lesson 1

LRH: Good Sportsmanship Lesson Plan - Lesson 4

Lesson 4: Fairness

Memory verse:

Leviticus 19:15a  Be fair, no matter who is on trial. (CEV)

Definition:

1a. Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial: a fair mediator.
1b. Just to all parties; equitable: a compromise that is fair to both factions.
2. Consistent with rules, logic, or ethics: a fair tactic.

What does it mean to be fair?

• It means to have the same rules for everyone.  If Billy can’t take an extra turn because he landed on green, then neither can the rest of the players.  If landing on 100 gives Adam 100 points, then every player that lands on 100 gets 100 points.  If Steve cannot jump his own playing piece, then no one else can either.
• Sometimes we want to favor, or be extra nice to, our friends.  That’s ok, but not when it means that we leave other players out.  Being fair means that everyone plays by the same rules.  When the game is fair, and everyone is playing fair, then you can know for sure that whoever wins, really won the game.

Just joining us?  Start with Lesson 1

31 Days to Clean Challenge: Day 5

I'm excited to be participating in the 31 Days to Clean Challenge over at Joyful Mothering.  You can get a copy of the e-book on Amazon
(just click on the picture on the left!)  I'm WAY behind, but I'm not stressing about it!

Today talked about priorities.  I thought I'd take a look back at the priorities I identified nearly a year ago and see how they've changed.  She also suggests rating them on a scale of 1 (needs work) - 5 (doing good) to track your progress.

1. Spiritual Life

   a. Daily walk (no change) -3
   b. Church attendance (no change) -4

2. Family Life  

   a. Husband - date nights, evening time -3

             b. Family Meal time (was "a") -3

   c. Home-keeping -3

 3. Homeschool/Education

   a. Maintain an educational atmosphere (no change) -4
   b. Be consistent with chosen curriculum (moved to an unschooling/minimalist approach)
   c. Karate classes (no change) -4
   d. Piano lessons for Jordan (at home) (no change) -2

4. Church
   a. Volunteering (Worship team, etc) (no change) -3
   b. Activities (no change) -5

5. Community
   a. Business events
   b. Karate Demos/events
   c. Cultural Arts Council
   d. CampSol volunteer-ism -3

I really like the way that she wrote a mission statement and action plan for each one.  I would love to do that!

LRH: Good Sportsmanship Lesson Plan - Lesson 3

Lesson 3: Sportsmanship & Winning

We've all seen this around:

"Second place is the first loser" - that's just not very nice!  Yet is is EVERYWHERE!  How do we need to behave as Christians when we win?

Devotional Text:

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (tough times)

Remember:

sports•man•ship  (spôrts m n-sh p , sp rts -) - n.
1. The fact or practice of participating in sports or a sport.
2. Conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in sports,
especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit, and grace in losing.

Winning is everything – or is it?

• Remember that in every game, there are winners & losers
• How many winners are there?  Usually one person, or one team.  
• That means that when you win, there are quite a few people who didn't win.  They will probably feel bad that they lost, they might even try to accuse you of cheating, or being unfair.

You should encourage lesser players

• “A friend loves at all times” - even when he wins the game!  
• How do you like to be treated when you have lost?  Then treat other players that way when you win.

Next Lesson: Fairness
Just joining us?  Start with Lesson 1

LRH: Good Sportsmanship Lesson Plan - Lesson 2

Click here to see Lesson 1: It’s just a game … does Christian Character matter?

Lesson 2: Sportsmanship and Losing
Devotional Text:

Proverbs 18:17-19
Any story sounds true until someone sets the record straight.  Casting lots can end arguments and settle disputes between powerful opponents.  It's harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars. (NLT)

New Word:

sports•man•ship  (spôrts m n-sh p , sp rts -) - n.
1. The fact or practice of participating in sports or a sport.
2. Conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in sports,
especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit, and grace in losing.

It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game…

• Have you ever heard anyone say that?  It seems a little funny, doesn't it?  I mean, why play, if not to win?  Nobody wants to lose, do they?  Yet in every game there are winners and losers, that’s why HOW you play the game is more important than who wins and loses.
• Remember that we learned last week that we are to honor Christ in everything that we do?  We can honor Christ, even when we lose, by losing graciously.  That means that you don’t call the other person names, or accuse them of cheating, just to make your loss seem better.

Respect for your Opponent – without them, there would be no game!

• If you accuse people of cheating (when they are playing fairly), then you will hurt their feelings.
• If you get angry when someone else wins, you steal his or her joy in the victory.
• Remember last week’s devotion “You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong”?  It would be better to accept the loss and “suffer” knowing that you could have played better, than to wrongly accuse your friends!  After all, listen again to today’s verse – it is very hard to make up with a friend that you have offended, even harder than capturing a heavily guarded city!  It’s much better to lose graciously than to say or do something that would offend your friends.  Just think, no one likes to play with a “sore loser” - one day you might have no one left to play with!  Sure, you could win every game, but that wouldn't really be fun, would it?

Next Lesson: Sportsmanship & Winning

LRH: Good Sportsmanship Lesson Plan - Lesson 1

Several years ago I taught a class on good sportsmanship at the For His Glory homeschool co-op.  This lesson plan could be used for a Sunday School class, small group, homeschool or just about any group of kids!

Lesson 1: It’s just a game … does Christian Character matter?

Devotional Text:

1 Peter 3:15  Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. … Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ. You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong. (CEV)

Memory Verse::

1 Peter 3:15 Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life.

Abiding by the Rules – Why is it important?

• We are to honor Christ in everything that we do.  Following the rules is one way to honor God
• The 10 Commandments tell us that God thinks that rules are important – and rules are good!  How else would we know how to play the games?

Teamwork & Following Directions

• Many games require teamwork – working together.  It is important to be able to talk to your teammates, and more important, to be able to listen to them!
• Just like rules are important, following the directions is important too!  Many times there is someone who is older, or who has played a game more often, who can help you to understand the rules.  It is important to listen to them and follow their directions.  I am going to be this person for our class time.  It is important that you listen to me and follow my directions, so that everyone can have fun and learn how to play lots of new games!

I printed several copies of the "Dot Game", like this one from Mom's Minivan (a great resource for road-trips!)  Review the rules, ask if the kids have any questions and have fun!



Next lesson: Sportsmanship and Losing


If you have a Kindle you can get the game for free here: