Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Daughters of His Story

If only there were models out there to show young girls about Biblical femininity, modesty, and wet an appetite for learning history... THERE IS!!!  Daughters of His Story is a line of paper dolls that are of wonderful historical women (Abigail Adams, Sarah Edwards, Katharina von Bora, Idelette Calvin, Pocahontas, and Priscilla Mullins) that will encourage use of the imagination in minds of the little ones.  To make a good thing better, through August 27th, Simply Vintage Girl is having a giveaway which you can enter for the opportunity to win the first copy of the new project and Bundle One, which is the entire collection of dolls.
You can enter here

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Surprise! Doubt you knew this about Islam

Part of me would like to recommend watching the whole clip on Youtube. However, some comments about the Bible and Torah make me slightly hesitant. So instead, I'd recommend listening to the whole thing August 12 - it's just that Todd rambles a bit but if you have a moment be sure to listen to the whole 15 minute clip from Wretched.  Last resort would be to watch the full video here.


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Bye-bye civil rights!

If this was a one time thing, it would be scary but at least unprecedented. Unfortunately it seems to be increasingly popular to arrest Christians proclaiming the Truth.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

VBS 2011.... ALREADY?! part 2

More have released preview info, remember to check the teachings before cooing over the sparkley themes

Day
Baptist Press: Rev It Up!
Concordia House: Big Jungle Adventure
Bogard Press: Treasure Quest
1
Welcome to the Team: Jesus Calls Disciples – Join Jesus
Baby Moses Rescued – God takes care of us through Christ
Treasure of Salvation: Lydia Found of the Savior – learn how to believe on the Christ
Gratitude – Parable of the Whiny Workers (workers in the vineyard)
2
Learn from the Best: Jesus Shows His Power – God’s power helps us run the race
Crossing the Red Sea – Jesus rescues us from our enemies (sin, death, & devil)
Treasure of Prayer: The Church Prayed for Peter – how to pray when in need
Compassion – Parable of the Roadside Rescue (Good Samaritan)
3
Run up the Caution Flag: Who is the Greatest? Jesus first place in your life
Sermon Mount -Jesus is the light of life that we share with others
Treasure of Fellowship: The Church Focused on Fellowship – learn importance of Church membership
Forgiveness – Parable of the Shocking Servant (unmerciful servant)
4
Jesus is in the Winner’s Circle: Jesus is the Victor – His victory over sin
Peter and John run to empty tomb - Jesus rose from the dead to save us
Treasure of Scripture: the Bereans Searched the Scriptures Daily – learn to read Bible daily
Grace – parable of the Warmest Welcome (prodigal son)
5
Full Speed Ahead: Peter and John Carry On – Serve God
Heaven – Jesus, our Savior, prepares our heavenly home
Treasure of Soul- Winning: Soul winning in Gadara – How to share the Gospel
Faithfulness – Parables of the Master’s Money (ten talents)


Rev It Up:  Wow, the Gospel on Day 1?!  There is a bit of a twist from the usual VBS timeline, but at least this promotes a proper understanding of good works and prayer (We do good works out of love for God and He answers the prayers of His children).  I would certainly hope that the Gospel is presented soundly considering who the publisher is... So it appears to be fine as far as programs go - certainly better than some of the big name publishers (Group and Standard Publishing).  Wouldn't it be nice if this VBS got many saved and revved up ^_~ for God, evangelism, and the Bible?

Big Jungle Adventure:  I am a touch confused at the moment... In some ways it appears that, as with Rev It Up, Big Jungle Adventure is presenting the Gospel with each day.  If so, WONDERFUL, assuming that it is properly given. On the other hand, with the Scriptures provided for each lesson it seems to be toeing the waters that PandaMania dove into - promising things only meant for Believers to all...  Hopefully their curriculum will be present at "VBS Day"...

Treasure Quest: Ok even I have to admit the theme's look leaves a lot to be desired.  But when it comes to lessons, it looks to be AMAZING!  The Gospel is presented on Day 1 with the rest of the week being Christianity 101; the basics that every lamb of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, needs to know.  So while the excitability factor may need work, the lessons appear solid - and ultimately that is what is important as well as a jewel among many rough VBS programs.

Inside Out and Upside Down:  I read that it received praise from 'Christianity Today', that Standard Publishing is known for their Biblical content, and for the final cherry on top: they produced Hero Headquarters; is it a bad thing that this caused me to gag?  Harsh? Maybe, but probably not.  Last VBS day I was appalled when I watched the preview clip for it and horrified when I looked through the lesson plan.  Did it pull out some lesser known Biblical accounts? Yep.  With moralism as the main course and a heaping helping of normal VBS silliness for better and worse... To make it worse, they produced "Studio Go", which left a bad taste in my mouth when my church did it.  Call me a pessimist if you wish, but when I look over the lessons and see "Kids will explore one of Jesus' parables in a variety of interactive ways and take a new look at what the Bible says about gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, grace, and faithfulness" coupled with the daily Bible passages it makes me quake with fear for all the churches that choose to use this program. Why? Because it SCREAMS moralism.  The company's motto is "VBS CHANGES LIVES!"  By the look of their programs, I would say it sure does - producing another generation of kids who see Christ as a merely man who taught others to be nice.  I guess it does not help that the theme reminds me of Sesame Street meets Animaniacs with a touch of acid...
In attempt to be fair to the lessons themselves: Day 1's parable really is a lesson in gratitude if you are in the twilight years of life... in the dawn it would seem more of an excuse to "live it up" and get saved later.  Compassion, it is a good thing to have and the Good Samaritan parable is a beautiful lesson in that everyone is the "neighbor" that we are to love as ourselves.  But without Christ this lesson is a moralistic tale to be compassionate to all around.  Day 3, forgiveness, my issue with it is pretty much the same as Day 2: good in and of itself but is pure moralism whenever Christ is taken out of the picture.    Someone dear to me reminded me that this is a beautiful parable illustrating salvation, it is true that the parable is.  My concern is that there will be abundant "ask Jesus into your heart" along with "so that Jesus will clean up your life and make it better".  Day 5, are they really gonna talk about staying strong in the faith and that there are no backsliders, only false converts?  I would be throughly stunned in a good way if that is the point.  For over half the week the VBS takes the plan of several others - moralism, moralism. moralism and then finish off with the Gospel - this is putting the cart before the horse.

So what will installment 3 hold?  Lord willing: Go Fish, David Cook, Apostle's Publishing,  Augsburg Fortress, VBS Reachout Ministries, and Word Action.  Until then, go serve your King!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

VBS 2011.... ALREADY?!

 Yes, yes, I know, IT'S STILL SUMMER 2010!! However, these companies have already released their previews.  I have compiled the title/theme for each day along with the lesson to be taught for each program.  By clicking on the name of each program you will be taken to the info page and be able to see the Bible verse/story for the day and with some the crafts, snacks, and games.  Unfortunately Go Fish has not published the information on their VBS for 2011, but everyone else should be present in this chart.  PLEASE EXAMINE THE CHART BEFORE CLICKING TO THE MAIN PAGE!!  This way you can examine the lessons without the distraction of music buzzing in the background, the nice graphics or lack thereof, cute characters (for some truly are adorable) and other things that would prevent you from being able to clearly examine the days.



Group: PandaMania
Gospel Light: Son Surf Beach
Day 1
God made you – God creates the world
Jesus had a family… we do too
Meet Up with Jesus – Who is Jesus
Israelites Celebrate Passover – Be ready for God
Connect with Faith – I can have faith in Jesus
Don’t Be fooled by counterfeits – meet Jesus discover His bold claims
Day 2
God listens to you – Elijah confronts prophets of Baal
Jesus had a name… we do too
Look Up to Jesus – why can I trust Jesus
Festival Celebrations for the Israelites – Give happily to God
Connect with Love – I can love Jesus
Treat Him like a King – Discover His miraculous birth
Day 3
God watches over you – Jonah tries to run from God
Jesus had a home… we do too
Join Up with Jesus – why do I need Jesus
Jesus Celebrates the Festival of Booths – Believe in Jesus Fully
Connect with Trust – I can trust Jesus as my Savior
Let Him be your guide – discover His radical Life
Day 4
God loves you no matter what – Christ death and resurrection
Jesus went to church… we do too
Open Up to Jesus – how can Jesus help me when I mess up?
Jesus Celebrates Passover – Remember Jesus often
Connect with others – I can tell others about Jesus
Claim the name Christian  - death and resurrection
Day 5
God gives good gifts – Hannah is given a baby
Jesus served others… we do too
Fire up for Jesus – what does Jesus want me to do
Celebrating the Festival of Weeks and Pentecost – Celebrate God forever
Connect with Life – I can live for Jesus
Spread the good news like wildfire


I take issue with PandaMania for a few reasons.  The first being that according to Tony Kummer, the theology was vague with little reference to sin - the very reason we need a Savior.  VBS should revolve foremost around the Gospel and presenting it accurately to the children, second would be a high view of Scripture.  I have heard it argued in regards to the former that it is simple enough for the church to fix; true... but if the curriculum cannot get something as crucial as the Gospel correct then why trust the rest of the lessons?  As for the latter, American culture today screams not to trust the Bible.  From the first book of Genesis, and America's love affair with Darwin, to the last book and the obsession with every end-of-the-world myth under the sun, American culture berates those who trust the Bible.  Insisting it is little more than fantasy - Jesus was a nice man who taught us to love (along with Buddha and Gandhi)...  read the Bible and get good morals from it.  That is the message of the culture and shame on the church as a whole for doing nothing to challenge this view, and instead encouraging it.  We tell Bible "stories" which translates to "fables" with pretty doodles cementing the thought of "fable".  The PandaMania has beautiful graphics and adorable characters.  In fact, I intend to "borrow" them for future posters.  But the blatant rip-off of Kung Fu Panda seems to only get day one fully right...  God listens to His children, but has no obligation or reason to listen to the unregenerate (2).  God is watching over you because He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent (3).  God has a love for the world, but that doesn't guarantee heaven for the world (4) - God may love that child, but that doesn't mean the kid is going to heaven.  God works for the good of those who love Him... but what that child sees as a good gift and what God sees as a good gift are often two very separate things (5).  This lesson appears to set up that if we only ask God will give us nice things, and He may... but the ultimate good for a Child of God is to be drawn closer to Him.  Which sometimes means that Fido dies from sickness instead of getting better or one doesn't get the new game station.  That is a lesson many adults today struggle with, much less young children.  PandaMania at a glance, and from Tony's caution, sounds more like an exciting new way to make bitter false converts rather than new lambs of the Good Shepherd.

Nazareth looks like it's purely for preschool... that is my hope anyway.

Son Surf... looks to be alright.  I have gotten other items by Gospel Light that have been acceptable.  Most of my thoughts for this are the same as for Big Apple by LifeWay below.

Big Apple Adventure: As LifeWay is of the Southern Baptist Convention I would certainly hope the Gospel message is sound... but I would want a closer look at it when everything is officially released.  The lessons... would probably be fine.  They just seem to be very vanilla; a dull theme is easy enough to liven up, a dull lesson plan that gives no credibility to its name, why bother?  Is it possible that the lessons will be in-depth and wonderful? Of course, but I have been playing the VBS game long enough that have I become a cynic when it comes to such matters.

As for the Cafe, what can I say? I'm intrigued by it.  Most evangelicals do not seem to realize just how much foreshadowing is in the festivals of the Old Testament, I would be surprised if any could tell me even one other festival than Passover.  A bigger surprise still would be for them to explain the foreshadowing of the Passover.  So a curriculum that examines something other than the vanilla (and misguiding) Touched By An Angel's "God Loves You" is WONDERFUL in my book.  The overview presents a lovely curriculum along with crafts, snacks, games, and missions.  The overall idea is that when you become a believer God "shakes up" your life and you do things for Him because you love Him.  Plus by showing how connected the Bible is (which was written over hundreds of years) it points to the Bible's uniqueness from all other writings - in a world where "all are the same in the end" that is a good thing to be able to claim.

Gold Rush.... I would rush to do it ^_~ Seriously, I love AiG on the whole and the overview looks very promising.  Day One in particular is something that is becoming more prominent among scoffers, "well what about __ myth which talks about ___ being (part)deity born of a human who was to save the world" the other day there was a rerun of a "documentary" on someone who was born shortly before Jesus and supposedly made similar claims... I did not watch it, I was not in the mood for a migraine.  AiG also has a marvelously clear Gospel presentation for the leaders to use that specifically forbids confusing and vague language like "asking Jesus into your heart" (when a child is honestly confused as to why she couldn't see Jesus on the X-ray of an ill sibling's chest this is NOT CUTE!! It shows a damnable lack of an understanding of salvation!  Another false convert walks about thinking she's in the clear when Hell is currently knocking at her door...).  Instead, ensuring the child understands what sin is (not just the Sunday school answer either) and discussing REPENTANCE and FAITH!!! WOOT!!

Look forward to being able to post up what Go Fish has in store for 2011.  Until then, go serve your King.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Christian, Start Your Family

Ladies Against Feminism (LAF) has placed a wonderful review of the book "Start Your Family" by Steve and Candice Watters. The review can be read here. The book is both an encouragement for those who have already committed to allowing the Lord to determine the size of their family. While encouraging Biblically all believers to trust the Lord with their family size and to go about actually having a family.
I encourage all to read this book, which is available at amazon as a bound book and kindle format. Also be sure to check out LAF's review of another book by Candice Watters, "Get Married"