Admit it. We all like to look good. Some of us even look in the mirror several times a day to make sure we are looking our best. Why? Because we know our clothes communicate something about us. They give a peek at who we are.

From the day Jesus was born, His clothes told us something important about him. The way he dressed was a reflection of His heart. He was humble and that message was clear all the way back to his birth.Mary didn’t have the latest Carters outfit or even a hand-me-down from a neighbor or friend. In fact, there were no clothes for him at all, just a few strips of cloth that were wrapped around him.

Jesus made the decision to shed everything, his power, his status, everything he had to be wrapped in rags. He traded being King for being a slave instead of trying to impress. (PHILIPPIANS 2:7) Later in his life, after performing many miracles and telling everyone He is the Son of God. We see him kneeling down and washing the dirty smelly feet of the disciples. After he had finished he told them.

“I have given you an example to follow”

(JOHN 13:15)

Jesus Shows us what it looks like to clothe ourselves in humility. With this kind of wardrobe, our intent will not be to impress but to serve.

Family Dinner Discussion Starters

Go over this devotion on Monday. Then take one question each weekday and ask it to your family at dinner. You might be surprised at what you will learn about yourself and each other

Day One-Think about your favorite outfit. What does it say about you?

Day Two-Think though Jesus’ life and lifestyle. In addition to the way he dressed, what were some other signs that showed his humility?

Day Three-What Does Philippians 2:3-8 teach us about the humility of Jesus? How we can dress the same way?

Day Four-How can our outside effect our inside?

Day Five-Christmas Eve-Have your children look at their presents and as they wonder what is on the inside, ask them what God wants to see in their hearts

Parents, We started a new segment during the Kids Quest Gathering called NEWS FLASH! We take a few minutes from every gathering and talk about your child’s accomplishments that week with a picture of your child (Hopefully at the event).

This was a BIG HIT!!!

You can help by sending you child’s accomplishment or news for the week with a picture to j@faithisaquest.com or send a picture message to my phone (559-760-2324). This is a simple way to make your child feel special.

It is EASY

We hope you will start sending your news and pictures this week

Here is an example:

“Molly gets 3rd place showing her Rabbit, Danny Boy, at the Fresno Fair”

We hope to see your child’s NEWS soon

• A brand new look and feel in the Kids Quest Room
• A Parent Center for parents to get all kids of great information
• A teacher for every table, this teacher will give 5-6 kids 1 on 1 attention as well as pray for these children and follow up if they are absent or ill (This would be a great opportunity for you to serve your church and family)
• Plus much more…

If you are interested in helping in Kids Quest fill out our Kids Quest Volunteer form.  We have a passion for watching kids learn to live Godly lives and see God change the hearts of kids, friends, families, and communities.  If this though excites you then we have a spot just for you.  You can get the form from the GPS table, Kids Quest Registration Table, or fill it out online (Coming soon)

One of the challenges of being a Children’s Ministry in a portable church is how to make it eye catching and appealing.  Over the past few weeks you have seen different types of decorations come and go, some were really durable but to dangerous or took up to much space compared to the actual flare they provided.  You have also seen the styrofoam registration sign, which was super light and attractive but easily damaged.  (Already needs it’s first repair).  In my continuing search for easily portable, attractive and durable options I found this blog post.

One of the fun projects I got to work on was creating 2 sign stands that will serve as “set pieces” for our new set design. Being “portable” we’ve learned that pieces like this are more than just a stick & a stand with a sign. To ensure the piece’s excellence & longevity it must be…

Created in multiple pieces to maximize weekly storage

Able to be set up & broke down without tools

Constructed in a way that doesn’t weaken through multiple assemblies & weekly storage

In other words, if we build it like a German tank, it won’t store well & if we build it too weak & storable it won’t hold up well for the entire series.

Via: Just Pudge

This seems to be a great way to add signage to Kids Quest and keep it fairly portable.  Do you have any ideas?  Add them in the comments.

Never stop praying.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Pride will destroy a person”

Proverbs 16:18

Did I read that correctly?  Destroy? When I think of destruction I think of something like this.

Or this:

That is pretty powerful.  For the Bible to say that pride will cause such a crazy reaction is insane.  I’m sure you have been hurt at least once in your life by a family member or friend.  How did that end up?  Do you have friends or people in your life that you no longer speak too. That the first thing you think of when their name comes up is some situation that caused you to get hurt?  What do you think would have been different had they apologized? If you say, “not much”, then what would have been different if you had forgiven them?  It is interesting that a few words can lead to so much change.  What!? You don’t think so.  What is the difference between a person who is married and not.  Two words.  “I do”

Relationships rise and fall on our ability to apologize and forgive.  To simply communicate and understand, as people we aren’t perfect, but are still committed.  You might be asking what if this person keeps hurting me.  At what point do I say enough is enough.  Jesus made it SUPER simple.  If you are good at math this will be fun.  Jesus broke it down with a word problem.

21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someones who sins against me? Seven times?”
22 ”No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven

Lets look at that:

7×70=490

Lets say we were to forgive someone 490 times in a day  what would that look like a month.

490×30=14,700

Wow, that is a lot of forgiveness in a month.  Can you imagine how much forgiveness that would be for a year.

14,700×12=176,400

You would be rich if those were dollars.  Just for fun lets see what a lifetime of forgiveness looks like.  Mind you this is one person and one situation.

176,400×75=13,230,000

Even if Jesus was being literal, and he wasn’t meaning 490 times a day but overall.  That is still a heck of a lot of forgiveness and would probably do as much or more for our perception or understanding of a person and/or situation as it would bring change to it.  Anytime you feel the desire to walk away from a situation hurt or from a friend who is hurt, just remember, you have activated an atomic bomb that can and will destroy.

Total Recall

“Pride will destroy a person”

Proverbs 16:18

Hey, I was online this morning when I stumbled on this fun idea for breakfast. Rainbow Pancakes. How fun is this that.

I am going to surprise the kids with them this weekend and post the results. Give it a shot and let me know in the comments how it goes. Click through to the site to get the recipe.

Here is quote from the article.

“My kids have never eaten so many pancakes in one sitting before. They were loving it! Seriously… if you want to start out your day with the most gloriously happy children, just try these yummy rainbow pancakes.

I used a version of this recipe, and added food coloring, flax seed, and love.

Don’t forget the love.

Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. I am corny like that.”

Via: iammommy