Godstruck Ministries 4 Kids August 2015 Newsletter

Blessings Blog: Katie, Bob and Jesus – To Whom Should We “Dole” Out Our Admiration and Praise?

Our beautiful “baby girl,” Katie, was married on Saturday, August 1, 2015. God brought her together with a wonderful man named Chase. They are each committed to a “until death do us part” relationship and to the God they serve. The wedding day went very well, save for a temporary loss of over half the linens for the reception during set-up time (they were eventually discovered in a box amongst other reception items – whew!) and a passing hail storm that started just after the outdoor ceremony but before the majority of pictures were taken, Oh well; it is those little quirks added to life’s experiences that tend to make them more memorable.

Since Katie has just participated in a highly significant event, it is fitting to write a bit about some of her quirky remarks and occurrences we’ve witnessed throughout her life. Since she was little, Katie has seemed to attract minor disasters to her person: she was dumped over someone’s shoulders onto her nose, sustained wounds on her leg from a cat bite, broke her arm, cracked open her head, slammed her front teeth into a family room end table (impression in the table and scar on her face are still there), cut open her knee enough to have stitches while riding her bike, and severely strained/sprained her ankle in a car accident. Even though she was a fairly quiet girl, some of the statements she’s made have been unforgettable. One time I was going over our schedule for the day, which included an outing in the afternoon. I told her, “Meanwhile, you need to go clean up your room,” to which she responded, “Don’t call me Meanwhile!” I think that even if I lose most of my brain capacity, I will always remember that statement.

When Katie started second grade, the 1996 presidential elections were in full swing, and it seemed as if they were a daily topic of conversation in Katie’s class. Attending a Christian school meant that conservative ideas and candidates were held in high esteem. So, Senator Bob Dole from Kansas garnered the irrefutable respect and admiration of Mr. Langford’s second grade students. According to Katie and her classmates, no one was smarter, had more integrity, displayed more charisma, or had all the right answers for America and the world than the Republican nominee.

One day that fall, my children were gathered around the kitchen table, and for some reason they had a rather interesting and amusing device to examine. It was one of those gadgets consisting of a box with a surface made of thousands of pins that can slide in and out to hold an impression of what is pressed against it. I have since found out that this implement has several names, one of which is “Pinscreen Toy.” As the kids were trying to make impressions of hands, faces, elbows and other objects, my oldest son said, “Gee, I wonder who came up with this?” Without hesitation Katie answered, “Bob Dole!” She had mistakenly added this accomplishment to the valid list Mr. Dole held as a political figure in Kansas and the US. The man was a superhero genius in Katie’s eyes.

While apologies to Mr. Ward Fleming who holds the patent on the Pinscreen Toy are in order, another error can certainly be addressed. For Katie to hold Bob Dole on such a pedestal was an error in judgment attributable to her young age. She took the information she had and made the assumption that Bob Dole could do no wrong and had all the answers for all of life’s problems. Certainly children are prone to placing their trust in people who are smart, strong, attractive, bold, wealthy; but what about the rest of us? Perhaps the athletes, screen stars, politicians and uber-rich with enormous hordes of fans and followers are a testament to humankind’s groupie mentality.

So, despite much to his credit as a public servant, Mr. Dole did not win the presidency in 1996. But, no one has, ever had or ever will have all the right answers, save for one: His name is Jesus. The book of Colossians expresses it like this: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the church body. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross,” Colossians 1:10-20 ESV.

So, while Mr. Fleming can still take credit for the Pinscreen Toy and Bob Dole has a valid claim as a notable leader in America, Jesus has cornered the market on creation and keeping balance across the universe. He is supremely responsible for life as we know it and for life eternal. He knows everything about each of us from the day of our conception, including how many hairs we have on our heads (Matthew 10:30). He fully knows past history, the present state of affairs, and the course of the future. Not only is He aware of each person’s own shortcomings, but because He loves us each without limit, He has chosen to cover our sin by taking our faults and failures to the cross and dying in our place. He is the perfect answer for all of life’s questions, and Katie has come to understand that this is true. How about you?

Information gleaned from:

Bob Dole
Pin Art

Family Activity: An Important, Ongoing Activity, and a Special Treat

Since we have ventured into the realm of politics this month via Katie’s love for Bob Dole, it is fitting to continue to talk a little bit about this year’s events in light of next year’s presidential election (Tuesday, November 8, 2016). Like presidential races in the past, contenders are already gearing up for straw polls, caucuses and primaries that will begin this fall and continue throughout next year until the Republicans and Democrats each hold their national conventions in July. Unlike past race seasons, this one has started out rather lop-sided with seventeen Republican contenders to date but far less Democrats seeking their party’s approval and nomination. With one Republican debate down and many more months of debates, campaign speeches, and yes, annoying ads to go, for better or worse, we will all likely be immersed somehow in the process.

And, very honestly, we should be. While our nation and our system of governance are not perfect, the citizens of the United States of America are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to have a say in who will lead us by exercising the right to vote. God clearly desires for those of us who are ultimately citizens of His Kingdom to support, obey and pray for those in authority over us here. In a land where He led brave men to establish a government, as noted in President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, “of the people, by the people, for the people,” we not only have a right but a responsibility to participate in the political process by becoming educated about those who are running for office and then voting conscientiously for those that we believe will serve well.

Parents, this season is an opportunity to teach your children about the importance of the elections in our localities, states and the nation. While as with all things the level of sharing will be different for children of different ages and comprehension abilities, touching on the subject by discussing the different candidates and their views and measuring their philosophies and approach to governing with God’s values is very appropriate. This then, is an ongoing activity throughout the year as the slate of candidates increases or shrinks as polls, pundits and finances dictate. As you engage your children in discussions about the people seeking office and the offices themselves, who knows what kind of spark may be kindled regarding their future endeavors. Today’s youngsters are tomorrow’s leaders, and should the Lord tarry, wouldn’t it be something if one or more of your children were placed into a position of authority by God’s election and design?

(Romans 13:1-7, ESV) “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”

Lest you believe that these words cannot possibly be for today, please remember that this passage was written by the apostle Paul at a time when faith in Christ was new and attitudes about Christians were at best apathetic and at worst hostile. Within a decade of this writing the horrendous and abhorrent treatment of believers was part of everyday Roman life. God’s Word does speak of Christian persecution in the end times. Sometimes it seems as if it is already here, or it is surely on the horizon. But, God’s Word still commands us to love others and pray for those who persecute us. That marks us believers as different from all the rest of humanity.

Along with these thoughts and the former recommendation, the following is the typical fun, hands-on activity we normally present for your family. Remember Senator Bob Dole is the central figure here. So, while he apparently has no ties to the Dole Food Company, it is our pleasure and a pleasure for your taste buds to provide you with instructions and a recipe for Dole Whip. This frozen treat is especially appropriate not only because of the name, but Senator Dole’s father ran a small creamery in Russell, Kansas, and Dole worked as a soda jerk in the local drug store as a boy. Dole Whip is a big hit at the Disney Theme Parks, so much so, that it is now being offered at other amusement parks and frozen treat shops as well. As summer is quickly dwindling, this yummy, refreshing creation will allow you to bask in one last delight before we bid this season of enjoyment and pleasure adieu.

Homemade Dole Whip

2 cups fresh pineapple cubes, frozen
(Canned pineapple in its own juices is fine, but fresh is best)

1 banana, cut into 1 – 2 inch pieces and frozen

½ cup coconut milk

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*1 Tablespoon of honey, if desired

Serving dishes

†Cut both a fresh pineapple and a ripe banana (better with brown speckles). Once the pineapple is cut away from the skin and the core is removed, younger children can participate by cutting both the pineapple and banana into pieces using a plastic knife. Place pieces into a freezable dish and into the freezer for at least a couple hours.

When the fruit is ready, place the coconut milk, pineapple, banana, vanilla and *honey into a blender. Begin on the lowest speed, and turn up incrementally to high. Turn off blender and tamp down mixture periodically to get an even blend. (If mixture is too thick, add just a few drops of coconut milk at a time to continue blending.) Be very careful throughout this process. The mixture is supposed to be thick, and this can over-exert an insufficient blender motor. If more whip is needed for your family and friends, prepare it in more than one batch. Turn off the blender and tamp down the ingredients as often as is necessary to cause the entire mix to blend.

When the whip is the consistency of frozen custard, scoop into dishes. Freeze for about 20 minutes, if the family can wait that long. Top with a piece of pineapple, a banana slice or a cherry, and dig in!

Storing the whip in the freezer will cause it to harden. If there are leftovers, the dishes can be frozen and then removed from the freezer when desired, and the frozen mixture can be scraped with a fork for a creamy shaved ice, or the mixture can be stirred as it thaws to restore its custard-like texture. Try freezing the mixture in Popsicle molds for a future yummy treat.

†To cut a pineapple: Use a very sharp knife. Cut fully across the bottom and the top or crown of the pineapple allowing for a flat base, exposing the flesh at both ends. Stand the pineapple on the bottom end and cut down along the skin as close to it as possible. Do this all around the fruit. Cut the pineapple into approximately one-inch slices. Cut around the core of each slice (core is good, but rather hard for this recipe) and discard, or enjoy it as an interim snack. Let the children cube the softer flesh, using plastic knives, if age and experience warrants. One whole pineapple should produce more than enough cubes for this recipe leaving some for another batch or to use as a garnish for the whip.

*The original recipe made without honey is a bit tangy. If you would rather not add honey to the mix, another option is to drizzle honey on top of the treat. It is delicious!

Information and recipes were gleaned from:

Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking
Healthy Happy Life

Living the Word: The Most Important Part of the Process

You have likely heard the phrase, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” spoken by baseball great Yogi Berra, and even written into song by American musician Lenny Kravitz. Today it applies here as we further the subject of politics and politicians. To live a life of faith, there is at least one more thing that God requires of us in regard to those who are in authority over us.

As you study the presidential candidates and those who are presently in office, God asks that we pray for them. His Word in 1 Timothy chapter 2 states, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” 1Timothy 2:1-4 ESV. “Urge” is a strong word denoting the desire to influence to cause one to follow what is presented. God states that it is through these prayers and petitions that we can find a peaceful and dignified life. So the benefit is not only for those leaders for whom we pray, nor only for our country, but for us as well. God can and will answer the prayers we pray for those in authority over us. Thus He can more effectively use their gifts, talents and service as tools to not only better the United States of America but to further His plans and purposes both now and for eternity.

After you take time to talk with your family about some of the candidates and issues that are prominent in our country today, gather them to pray. Pray for safety for those who are traveling and for those who could be exposed to difficulty and danger in this ever-precarious environment. Pray for God to open each one’s eyes, mind and heart to truth and what He would desire for our nation. Ask God to protect them from stumbling and making mistakes in their private and public lives. Pray also for the voting public to make wise and informed decisions about who should be in office, and ask for wisdom for those who are in office now to seek God’s presence and will in the decision-making process. You and your family members may not be running for government office, but you can surely affect the course of the nation by your prayers. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working,” James 5:16 ESV.

Both bits of information regarding the statement, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” were found on Wikipedia.

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As the theme verse for Godstruck Ministries 4 Kids, Colossians 3:16 speaks to the heart and soul of why this ministry exists. Our mission is to help children hide God’s Word and principles in their hearts through His wonderful gift of music.