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A Friend to Mothers

We dwell much on the greatness of Christ’s life. We speak of the wonderful things that He accomplished, of the miracles that He wrought.But His attention to things accounted small is even higher proof of His greatness.

Among the Jews it was customary for children to be brought to some rabbi, that he might lay his hands upon them in blessing; but the disciples thought the Saviour’s work too important to be interrupted in this way. When the mothers came desiring Him to bless their little ones, the disciples looked on them with disfavor. They thought these children too young to be benefited by a visit to Jesus, and concluded that He would be displeased at their presence.  But the Saviour understood the care and burden of the mothers who were seeking to train their children according to the word of God.  He had heard their prayers. He Himself had drawn them into His presence.
One mother with her child had left her home to find Jesus. On the way she told a neighbor her errand, and the neighbor wished to have Jesus bless her children. Thus several mothers came here together, with their little ones. Some of the children had passed beyond the years of infancy to childhood and youth. When the mothers made known their desire, Jesus heard with sympathy the timid, tearful request. But He waited to see how the disciples would treat them. When He saw the disciples reproving the mothers and sending them away, thinking to do Him a favor, He showed them their error, saying, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14. He took the children in His arms, He laid His hands upon them, and gave them the blessings for which they came.

The mothers were comforted. They returned to their homes strengthened and blessed by the words of Christ. They were encouraged to take up their burden with new cheerfulness and to work hopefully for their children.

Could the afterlife of that little group be opened before us, we should see the mothers recalling to the minds of their children the scene of that day, and repeating to them the loving words of the Saviour. We should see, too, how often, in after years, the memory of these words kept the children from straying from the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord.

Christ is today the same compassionate Saviour as when He walked among men. He is as verily the helper of mothers now as when He gathered the little ones to His arms in Judea.
The Ministry Of Healing pg.40-41

Tonya writes and shares encouraging quotes on her blog, Momma’s Sunshine.

Motivation Monday

The king upon his throne has no higher work than has the mother. The mother is queen of her household. She has in her power the molding of her children’s characters, that they may be fitted for the higher, immortal life. An angel could not ask for a higher mission; for in doing this work she is doingservice for God. Let her only realize the high character of her task, and it will inspire her with courage. Let her realize the worth of her work and put on the whole armor of God, that she may resist the temptation to conform to the world’s standard. Her work is for time and for eternity. Adventist Home, 231.

Prayer for AHE Families

Dear Father in Heaven,

We thank you so much for your love and care over each of us.  We ask you to forgive us for the things that we fail in, give us strength to overcome with Your help.

Today Father, I especially pray for our homeschooling families that are reading.  May they have the Holy Spirit poured out into their homes, that their homes can heal and grow closer to you.  May your Spirit reign in the homes and give light to our communities across the world.  We look forward to the soon coming of Jesus; help us to be ready and to share with those around us.

Thank you Father for hearing this prayer.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Rest

Moran State Park, Orcas Island

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:11

Photo Credit: Moran State Park ©2011 Nathan Clark. Used by permission.

Free SDA Resources to Use in Your Homeschool

Here is a list of free SDA resources that you can use/adapt to fit the needs of your homeschool program.   This is not a comprehensive list,  so look for a new list with even more resources coming soon!


Bible/Church History/SDA pioneers

God’s Messenger – Lesson plans and mp3s on SDA pioneers.

Youth Bible Reading Plan – A four year Bible reading plan for young people.

The Bible Story lesson plans Volumes 1-6 and Volumes 7-10. – From the South Pacific Division, lesson plans to accompany the “blue books” that so many of us have on our bookshelves. Download Note: the documents are large!

Planning a study of Adventist pioneers ? This gallery of drawings of Adventist pioneers will be helpful to your study. Adventist Pioneer Library has a nice page with brief biographical sketches and pictures as well. If you are also creating a time-line of church history, here’s a sample parallel timeline showing key events in US history, world history and SDA church history. Makes a great model to help your student create their own parallel time-line.

Free study guides for 22 E.G. White books.

History/Geography/Missions/Biographies

Maranatha Volunteers International – Lots of inspiration for hands-on mission work.  Free DVDs available.

Adventist Missions– Lots of ideas and resources.  Be sure to check the past children’s quarterlies for games, puzzles and recipes.

Adventist Frontier Missions– Inspiring first-hand accounts of reaching the unreached.

CIRCLE : Browsing Adventist Missions – A page full of Adventist mission websites and resources.

Visionary for Kids – Online kids magazine issue focusing on Adventist missions.

 

Unit Studies

Adventurer and Pathfinder awards make great outlines for creating fun unit studies.

Adventurer Club Awards- Award requirements

Adventurer Awards Wikibook Helps for completing awards.

Pathfinder Club Honors Honors requirements

Pathfinder Honors Wikibook Helps and answers for honors

 

Jochebed’s Sunshine


Has anyone ever thought that about Moses and who taught him when he was a child? Yes, his own “momma”, Jochebed. We know the story…she put him in a basket and he was found by Pharoah’s daughter…his sister saw the favor on the Princess’ face and asked her if she wanted her to find a nurse for the baby…and here comes Moses’ “momma”…getting paid to care for her own child.

So, I want to look at the Sunshine that Jochebed gave to Moses.

Here is my list:

1. She was a praying mother. Would you make a basket for your child and put him in the River and then expect to get him back??? I think not. But, “God had heard the mother’s prayers; her faith had been rewarded.” Patriarchs and Prophets pg. 243

2. He was taught by his mom. Jochebed was his teacher. The Bible says that he grew…while he was growing Ms. Jochebed was teaching him about the Living God. She taught him to pray and bow down to the Living God. Exodus 2:10 says “and the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son’

3. Her lot in life did not deter her from her task of training Moses. “How far-reaching in its results was the influence of that one Hebrew woman, and she an exile and a slave!” Patriarchs and Prophets pg. 244

The list could go on and on. She had faith, courage, and strength. Wisdom and insight. Hope and trust in God alone.

And that is what I need as a Momma”…I need those traits as well…faith, hope and trust etc.

 

~You can read more of Tonya’s thoughts about sunshine in the home on her blog, Mommas Sunshine.

 

 

image source

Motivation Monday

“The fact that he [Christ] was without fault in his home life makes him a pattern for all children and youth. He was no less the Son of God in his quiet life at home, in faithfully serving his parents at Nazareth, than while healing the sick, and in raising the dead.

“Important lessons can be here drawn for children and youth, that they cannot be employed in a more noble work than in performing their duty to their parents. They are no less engaged in the work of God, acknowledged and recorded by the heavenly angels as such, in faithful, filial obedience, than in a more public and more responsible position of later days. Youth can serve God as faithfully in the submission of their wills to their parents, and in the filial discharge of the every-day duties of life, as in the house of God.”

Youth’s Instructor, March 1, 1873