Ordering the Old Testament

"Is it Kings and then Chronicles?

Chronicles and then Kings?

Which of those minor prophets comes first?

I KNOW that Genesis comes at the beginning."

Has this ever been you?

Your students/kids?

(The older I get, the more it is ME!)

Many years ago, I made a packet of cards 

(along with section dividers)

to help my students begin to sort and learn the 

books of the Old Testament in order.

(and it was ugly, awful, so I just updated it)

I think that learning the sections,

then learning the books in each section

makes it so much easier for our kids (and us) to get the order right.

This activity could be used in many ways,

whole group, small group, etc.

But I mainly used it as a literacy station.

EVERY TIME I used this in a station,

they always wanted the laptop so they could listen to....

(click on it for the YouTube link)

If When you get sick of hearing this song over and over and over again,

 they could simply use a Bible to help with the order until

they are at a point of doing it without help.

I also made several recording sheets to help along the way.

There are sheets for each section and then a huge,

name all the books recording sheet

(this is a time-consuming activity 

so I spread it out over several visits to the learning station).

I also made a cute poster to hang in the classroom.

And if you have made it all the way to the end of this post,

then it is yours for FREE.

(click on the poster to get your FREE copy)

Hopefully this will be a great help to you and your students.

P.S. "Malachi is last for sure."

Baggage Handler

I was on Facebook this morning and THIS came scrolling by.

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

Why???? 

Because it's how it should be.

What a great portrayal!

How many of us are walking around with ALL of our baggage,

lugging around so much that we can hardly stand?

Carrying around our problems, our worries, our past, our hurts, our disappointments? 

I'm also usually walking around with all the possible solutions 

that I can figure out to solve all of those things.

But honestly, the weight is just too much.

And the truth is that it was never ours to carry!

Do you know this Mercy Me song???

I LOVE the line that says
"You were never meant to carry this BEYOND the cross"

Psalm 55:22 

Cast all your cares on HIM and HE will sustain you....

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for you.

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, 
and I will give you rest.

Let's give it to HIM today. HE has the strength to carry it.
Let's check our bags (not check them as in keep looking through them)
but turn in all of our luggage and let HIM do what only HE can do.
HE knows every situation, every problem.
And the best part is that HE knows the solution.
HE is the solution!

Is Your List Ready?

Ever get up in the morning with your list ready?

No, I don't mean your grocery list, or your activity list for the day.

I mean your list of complaints,

that list of ALL the things that are "wrong" in your life.

Have you ever woke up in the morning armed and ready with your complaints?

Ready to tell anyone who would listen what you were dissatisfied with?

(As if they wanted to hear your list, or could do anything about your list, arg!)

Well, today was one of those days for me.

I woke up with some things already on my mind,

and was all set to spend the day whining, complaining

(or maybe just being mad).

But God.........

(isn't that usually how the story goes?)

The kids and I sat down to do our devotion at school this morning,

turned to today's lesson and there HE was.......God.

There HE was, knowing what I was thinking and feeling today.

There HE was, knowing exactly what I needed to hear.

A very timely and accurate response to my plans for the day.

A reminder that GOD KNOWS.

A reminder that HE KNOWS what I need,

what I want,

what I'm thinking,

what I'm planning.

A reminder that HE knows better than I do what this day should hold.

Also a reminder that I have a choice. Did you see that part?

DECIDE to be happy!

CHOOSE to look for the blessings HE is sending our way today!

Live TODAY!

Thank you God. I got your message today.