A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made
it out.

When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?” The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words….it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another. Be Special to others.

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

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An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his boss of his plans to leave his job and live a more leisurely life with his wife and family. He would miss the paycheck, but they could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see such a worker go, so he asked the carpenter to build just one more house as a personal favor.

The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. The house was not up to his usual standards. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work, the contractor came by, but instead of inspecting the house, he handed the carpenter the front door key and said, “This is your house,” he said. “It is my gift to you.”

The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built.

If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back…

You are the carpenter of your life. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall.

Your attitudes and the choices you make today build your “house” for tomorrow… It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, build wisely!

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

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On the night of the Baby Jesus’ birth, all the living creatures of the world, both plants and animals, came to Bethlehem with gifts. The olive tree brought olives and the palm tree brought dates. But the little fir tree had no gift. The small little fir tree was so tired that the big trees pushed it out of the way and hid it from the baby Jesus.

Then a nearby angel took felt sorry for the little fir tree and took pity on it. The angel commanded a group of stars to come from the sky above and light the branches of the small tree. When the Baby Jesus saw this beautiful lighted tree, He smiled and blessed it. They he declared that from then on, fir trees should always be filled decorated with lights at Christmastime.

Christmas Collection

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Candles were used on Christmas trees until Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, first put electric lights on his own Christmas tree in 1882.

Christmas Collection

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A Christmas Alphabet

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.” Luke 2:13.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.” Luke 2:7.

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32.

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.
“Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king of the Jews?'” Matthew 2:1,2.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.
“And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11.

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” Matthew 2:13.

I is for Immanuel, “God with us,” for Christ brought man back to the Father’s house.
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14.

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God’s word with absolute trust.
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.” Matthew 1:24.

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation.” Zechariah 9:9.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8.

O is for Omega, meaning “the last;” He’s eternal present, future and past.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:13.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16.

R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.
“And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.” Luke 1:14.

S is for Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.
“She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21.

T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God’s revelation on prophecy’s page.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23.

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

X is for Christ. It’s X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Acts 10:38.

Y is for Yes, called God’s Yes in His Word; God’s answer to all is Jesus the Lord.
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ’s heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.
“And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up.” John 2:1.

Source Unknown

Christmas Collection

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Wouldn’t it be terrible? Wouldn’t it be sad?
If just one single color was the color that we had?
If everything was purple? Or red? Or blue? Or green?
If yellow, pink, or orange was all that could be seen?
Can you just imagine how dull world would be
If just one single color was all we got to see
?

I ain’t much good at prayin’, and You may not know me, Lord
I ain’t much seen in churches where they preach Thy Holy Word.
But You may have observed me out here on the lonely plains.
A-lookin’ after cattle, feelin’ thankful when it rains.
Admirin’ Thy great handiwork, the miracle of grass.
Aware of Thy kind spirit in the way it comes to pass
That hired men on horseback and the livestock that we tend
Can look up at the stars at night and know we’ve got a Friend.

So here’s ol’ Christmas comin’ on, remindin’ us again
Of Him whose coming brought good will into the hearts off men.
A cowboy ain’t no preacher, Lord, but if You’ll hear my prayer.
I’ll ask as good as we have got for all men everywhere.
Don’t let no hearts be bitter, Lord: don’t let no child be cold.
Make easy beds for them that’s sick, and them that’s weak and old.
Let kindness bless the trail we ride, no matter what we’re after.
And sorter keep us on Your side, in tears as well as laughter.

I’ve seen old cows a-starvin’, and it ain’t no happy sight:
Please don’t leave no one hungry, Lord, on Thy, good Christmas night
No man. no child, no woman, and no critter on four feet
I’ll aim to do my best to help You find ’em chuck to eat.

I’m just a sinful cowpoke, Lord ain’t got no business prayin’
But still I hope You’ll ketch a word or two of what I’m sayin
We speak of Merry Christmas. Lord- I reckon You’ll agree
There ain’t no Merry Christmas for nobody that ain’t free.
So one more thing I’ll ask You. Lord: just help us what You can
To save some seeds of freedom for the future sons of man!

S. Omar Barker
Source Unknown

Christmas Collection

Get more than 200 creative ideas for planning a Youth Christmas celebration or Christmas Party party. You can immediately download my best Christmas Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Christmas activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!

=> Tell me more about the Christmas Collection