Hey kids,

Summer time is a great time to get outside and learn about God through nature! Did you know that God uses nature to help us learn about Himself? Yep, the Bible says, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” –Romans 1:20 NLT

Kite flying is a fun way to learn about the Holy Spirit through nature. Go out to a park or somewhere else that has a lot of open space without power lines or bridges and fly your kite. You’ll see that the wind is really strong. In fact if you have a big enough kite it may feel like the kite wants to pick you right up (don’t worry, it won’t)! It’s the wind and air pressure that does that.

Jesus said that just like the wind, which you know is there even though you can’t see it, is really powerful the Holy Spirit can’t be seen but He’s really powerful to change your life! Check out John 3:5-8. It will help you learn more about God!

Want to get a kite or learn about them? Here are some links: (NOTE: The following sites have not been fully review and are therefore not endorsed by us.):

• To learn more about the Holy Spirit click here.
• craftkitsandsupplies.com has some cheep kites with Christian messages on them. (I’m not getting any money from this one)
• Click here for a little nicer kite.
• To learn more about kites click here.
• Make your own kite here.

Have fun!

–Fred the Frog

The town leaders were organizing a city-wide celebration in Timothy’s honor. While some spread out a huge banner over Main Street, others posted invitations on every lamp post and every store window in town. The invitations read, “Come one, come all to a special celebration to honor the accomplishments of Timothy Atkins who won the National Spelling Bee in Washington.” Then they announced the time and location, which was the largest meeting room in the entire city! It seemed as if the whole town was abuzz with the exciting news and everyone pitched in to prepare for the big celebration.

The excitement was also very strong in the Atkins home. And if you were to peek into their window on the day of the celebration you’d see that other preparations were being made.

“Don’t forget to comb your hair, son. Let’s get that tie straightened a little; you want to look you best in the pictures!” Timothy pulled his tie into place as he and mother headed out the door and got into their car. Timothy bounced a little in excitement as he put on his seat belt.

When they arrived, the parking lot was so full that Mother had to drop Timothy off and go in search of a place to park.

As he opened the door he was taken by surprise. It seemed that everyone in town had come out to celebrate his accomplishment.

But as he walked in he was met with another surprise—everyone ignored him. When he tried to greet his friends they hardly even acknowledged his presence and continued to look at their dogs! It was the strangest thing. No one greeted him, no one spoke of the spelling champ—in fact it seemed to Timothy as if everyone had forgotten why this celebration was happening in the first place.

He breathed a sigh of relief when the mayor strolled to the microphone to make an announcement. Surely Mayor Woods would get things on track. “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please,” the mayor began. He clapped his hands a few times to get everyone’s attention. “As you all know, we have gathered here today to celebrate a kid from our town, um, what’s his name?” he paused for a moment. “Oh well, I guess it doesn’t really matter does it? Anyway we’re here to celebrate some kid who won, er, something. I don’t quite recall what it was. Oh well, congratulations, whoever you are about whatever you did. Now let’s get onto the main event. If everyone will bring their dogs to the front the judging will begin.”

“Is that all?” Timothy thought, “They set up this whole celebration to honor my hard work with spelling and my championship and they can’t even remember my name?” Timothy felt miserable so he sat down by the door with his head in his hands to wait for his mother to come. The thought that they were more interested in dogs than him hurt like he’d had a knife stabbed into his heart.

Finally he saw his mother walk in. “Let’s go!” he said as he pulled her out the door as fast as he could. They hurried out to the car where Timothy slammed the door and hunkered down in his seat.

“What’s going on?” Mother asked.

“It’s awful, just awful,” Timothy wailed. “No one even noticed I was there, the mayor forgot who I was and what I’d done, and no one else remembered well enough to remind him! All they cared about were their dogs! They ‘re having a dog show, Mom, a dog show when they’re supposed to be celebrating my spelling bee championship!”

“I’m so sorry,” mother began, “I bet it hurts terribly to be left out and ignored at your own celebration. I think Jesus knows just how you feel.”

“Really? Why?”

“A long time ago people got together and said, ‘Let’s set up a special day every year to celebrate what Jesus did on the cross for us.’ They called the holiday Easter. It’s a day when we should remember how Jesus died on the cross to take our punishment for sin so that we wouldn’t have to. It’s a time to remember that he was buried in the tomb even before they were able to give Him a proper burial because the Sabbath had come. But when some women came to the tomb that next Sunday morning to finish the burial they were surprised to find the stone rolled away because Jesus had risen from the dead. And, Timothy, because He has conquered death we too can have eternal life if we trust in Him. But these days when people celebrate Easter they forget all about that story and about Jesus and celebrate bunnies and Easter Eggs. How do you think that makes Jesus feel?”

Timothy thought about that for a long minute. He didn’t answer out loud for no answer was needed. But silently he began to pray, “I want you, Jesus, much more than bunnies and eggs. Help me never to forget what you did for me. Amen.”

^{__________________________________________________________________}

By Steve Severance © March 2008. Feel free to use this story in your church ministry but please email me and let me know you did! Also, please include the copyright info.

This story is based on Genesis 24 - Listen to this chapter.

“Mom, I’m ready to go refill the water jar. The sun’s getting lower and I don’t want it to get dark before I return.” Bekey called out. It had been a normal day; Rebekah had gone about her chores as usual totally unaware that God intended that her life would be completely changed by that evening.

It was customary that in the evening when it wasn’t quite so hot the young ladies of the town would go to the well to draw the water needed for the family. It was hard work drawing the water and carrying it in those heavy clay pots back home to the family but Rebekah didn’t mind it. It was just another way she could help out. She hefted the water jar onto her shoulder and headed out the door. On the way she met up with other girls in the neighborhood and they chatted as they walked to the well. As they drew near, they noticed some men with ten camels over near the well. “I wonder who they are and what they’re doing here,” said Bekey quietly, “and is that old man in front praying?”

“I don’t know,” replied her friend, “but I sure wouldn’t want to have to water all those camels. They look thirsty! Carrying water for my family is enough for me.”

Bekey didn’t think much more about the men as she went down to the spring and filled her jar. But as she came back up lugging the jar the old man ran to meet her. “May I have a drink of water?”

“Certainly,” she smiled as she hurried to lower her jar from her shoulder and give the man a drink, “Your camels also look thirsty, I’ll water them too.” Bekey offered emptying the rest of her jar’s contents into the watering trough then running back to the spring to refill it. Camels are thirsty creatures so it took a long time for Bekey to get enough water for them. Back and forth, back and forth Bekey went filling her jar at the well and emptying it into the trough then filling the jar again.

Ever since she was a little girl, Bekey had enjoyed helping people. Her mom had told her that God had given her a servant’s heart! It was a gift she had treasured; and as she grew up, she cheerfully served her family and responsibly saw to her duties. All the while God had been watching her. He noticed that she had developed a character of selflessness. She got joy out of service. The wonderful thing was that she was like this whether she thought it mattered or not.

But today God was not the only one watching her service. She didn’t notice, but as she went back and forth back and forth between the well and the camels’ trough this old man was watching her carefully. You see, he had just prayed a special prayer and now he was watching to see if Rebekah was the answer to that prayer.

By the time Bekey made her last trip to the well and back she was exhausted but happy to have served this gentleman. Much to her surprise, when she was all finished with her big job this kind old man took out some of the most beautiful and valuable golden jewelry she had ever seen and put it on her “Then he asked, ‘Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?’

“She answered him, ‘I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.’ And she added, ‘We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.’

“Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, saying, ‘Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.’”—Genesis 24:23-27.

Bekey ran back home to tell her family what had happened. She wondered what all this could mean. Her brother, Laban, was very interested when he saw the valuable jewelry. He had always been the money hungry one, so when he saw how rich this man was he ran to the well to invite the gentleman to stay with them.

The servants unloaded the camels and brought fresh straw and fodder while Bekey and her mom got a meal together. But when they were about to start eating the old man said, “‘I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.’

“‘Then tell us,’ Laban said.

“So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant. The LORD has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy…. My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. And my master made me swear an oath [promise], and said, “You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, but go to my father’s family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son.”—Genesis 24:33-38

“He promised that God’s Angel would come with me and give me success. So I set out immediately on my journey. This evening when I got here I came to the spring I wondered how I could possibly select find a young lady with the right character. So I got off my camel and prayed, ‘O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come. See, I am standing beside this spring; if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar,” and if she says to me, “Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too,” let her be the one the LORD has chosen for my master’s son.’

“Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

“She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels also.”—Genesis 24:42-46

When the visitor had finished telling his story everyone was speechless. The visitor asked Bekey’s dad, “So what do you say? May I take Bekey home with me to be my master’s son’s wife?”

“This is from the Lord. We don’t really have anything to say about it. It’s obvious that God has planned that Bekey and Isaac get married!” They responded, and Bekey readily agreed.

I know this story may seem a little strange to you because people don’t get married like that anymore but did you notice that Rebekah was blessed because she had built a good character that loved to serve? Our character is what we’re like when we don’t think it matters. Rebekah didn’t know that her character was being watched; she just served because that’s how she was. But God used that character to bless her in ways far beyond her wildest imagination. She became the wife of the patriarch Isaac, the one God chose to make the earthly ancestor of Jesus!

What are you like when no one’s watching? Are you building a character that loves to serve and share? I hope so!

Originally posted and (c) 09-30-2007

Just for a minute close your eyes and try to walk around your house. No Peeking!…

You probably did kinda ok didn’t you? That’s because you know your house and so you know where the couch or chair is in the living room or where your bed is in your bedroom so you can avoid it.  But imagine that you had to walk around in some place you’ve never been before with your eyes closed. You’d bump into everything because you didn’t know what was ahead of you. Now, that would be scary!

Life is kind of like that. It’s like we’re walking around blind, ’cause we can’t see what’s going to happen next and we’re going to bump into tons of things along the way; some good, some bad and some downright dangerous.

This morning as I was reading in my Bible I read Isaiah 42 where it talks about God coming out like a mighty warrior to rescue his faithful people. God said, “I will lead the blind on roads they have never known; I will guide them on paths they have never traveled. Their road is dark and rough, but I will give light to keep them from stumbling. This is my solemn promise.”–Isaiah 42:16

Do you ever feel like you’re on an unknown path and you can’t see where you’re going? Maybe your mom and dad are divorced or about to be and you’re not sure how you’ll make it. Perhaps you are struggling with a learning disability and it seems that you just can’t figure school out. Or possibly there’s a bully who’s decided that you are a good one to abuse. Or maybe there’s something else you’re dealing with. Whatever it is, Jesus says He can lead you in the dark and rough road. He may not make other people stop doing bad things (they have to choose that themselves) but He is able to lead you safely through whatever your blind place may be. He promised!

So talk to Him and trust him. If you want to talk to a human too, you can email me. I’d be glad to try to help.

Your Friend,

–Uncle Steve

____________________________________
^{(c) July 14, 2008 By Uncle Steve Severance}

This year’s Camp meeting theme is, “Pioneering on the Gospel Trail.” We’ll learn about Pioneers in the Bible, in America and even today.
 

When: June 1-4, 2011

Where: College View Church, 4801 Prescott Ave., Lincoln, NE 68506. Click here for a map. 

Who: All kids ages 7 through 9. (there will be programs for all ages 0 through adult but Frogspot’s pioneer program is just for 7-9 year olds)

Schedule:

• Wednesday, 7:30 - 9:00PM
• Thursday 10:30 – 12:00
• Thursday 2:00 – 4:00 PM
• Thursday 7:30 – 9:00 PM
• Friday 10:30 – 12:00
• Friday 2:00 – 4:00
• Friday 7:30 - 9:00 PM
• Saturday 10:00 - 11:00
• Saturday Worship Service: 11:15
• Saturday 7:30 - 9:00 PM 

Cost: Free

For more info about the whole campmeeting program or to reserve a free room: click here.

–Uncle Steve

***********

“I saw you last night in my dream,” Lokru shouted to me with excitement.  “You came just as you are now.  I saw you with your helmet on and your jacket and your scarf.  This is exactly like my dream!  You are here just like in my dream.”

I had come to visit Lokru and his family since I knew they still mourned the recent passing of Kruweh, their father and husband.  I knew each night they lay restless, waiting for the certain attacks of the demon sorcerers.  I’d been praying for them and I came once again to assure them that Chief God was with them and would keep them safe.  “We haven’t yet seen the soul-eating sorcerers,” Pumrok explained.  “Fortunately we still have a number of people staying with us from night to night.”  I nodded my head in relief.

I had also come to assure Lokru that I would support him financially so that he could continue the teachers training courses his father and mother had already sacrificed so much for.  His face lit up.  “I’m so happy!” he exclaimed.  “I so want to become a teacher.  I promise I will study hard and do my very best.”  And that’s when he said, “I saw you in my dream last night.  My dream came true!”

Chills raced up and down my spine as I realized once again that Chief God had prepared the way before me; that in fact, I had come right on time just as He wanted.  I suddenly understood the sudden idea that had popped into my head the evening before: why not go to Boan Village before breakfast in the morning?  That idea hadn’t been my subconscious playing tricks.  It in fact had been the voice of God.  Wow!  “Thank you God for directing me once again.  And help me to be more open next time.”

But Lokru wasn’t the only one who had dreamed the night before.  When I stepped into Liu’s hut, she was beaming.  “Chief God came to visit me last night in my dream,” she told me.  “He arrived with the chief in a car and then walked here to my hut.  I recognized Him.  I invited Him in and He stepped into my hut.  I reached for His hand and He shook it.  [The traditional Pnong greeting].  I offered Him a drink and He drank with me.  It was Chief God for sure.  I recognized Him.  He was like you!”

I glanced at the place Liu was pointing to on the raised platform.  Chief God had been here!  He had sat with this widow in her tiny hut right here on this spot.  Suddenly chills tickled more than my spine.  My entire body was trembling with excitement and joy.  For my God, my Friend, my Guide, had been here with this woman just a few hours before.  I glanced around the dark hut.  And he’s here now, I thought to myself.  He’s right here with us now.

“He was like you,” she had said.  I still don’t know what she meant.  Did I somehow remind her of Him?  I hoped so.  Did my love seem familiar when she saw Love Itself walk through her door?  Once again I hoped so.  But whatever the case, she recognized Him when she saw Him.

Please pray for these Pnong people.  We’re leaving the province again.  This time we have meetings in Thailand with AFM, a few days of buying supplies, and a week of family vacation.  We won’t be back until the end of next month.  But as you can see, God can speak to these people without us even being around and sometimes He uses the times we are away to do His greatest work.  Please pray for Lokru, Pumrok, and their family as they still watch the shadows for the jyaks, the soul-eating sorcerers.  Please pray that they find Chief God there instead and give Him praise.  Please pray for Liu.  Chief God is obviously sharing Himself with her right now.  Pray that during this next month she will welcome His presence even more – not only into her hut but also her entire life.

Love,

Braden, Johanna, Keenan & Jaden

• June 1-4 Primary Campmeeting, Lincoln, NE: We will once again be leading the Primary Division (7-9 year olds) at the Kansas-Nebraska Campmeeting. This year we have an extended program, beginning on Wednesday night and going to Saturday night. We will have a covered wagon theme as we pioneer toward our Homestead in Heaven. For more info email me.
• July 10-15 Science Camp, Lexington, NE: The highlight of our year is always this wonderful camp.  Located at Beautiful Camp Arrowhead we’ll have a blast learning about the “Wacky World of Water.” Uncle Steve’s story includes a mysterious alligator, and anaconda,  and a girl who has to face these and other dangers of a water based society. Mr Guteeair will be ther with good camp songs.

For more info CampArrowheadLexington.com/Science_Camp.html or you can check out our video from last year here.We hope to see you at one of these events.