CBH Ministries is a children's ministry organization, offering Keys for Kids, Down Gilead Lane, and much more.http://cbhministries.org/kfk2009 CBH Ministries, All Rights Reserveden-ushttp://cbhministries.org/kfk/rss/CBH-For-Kids-Banner.jpghttp://cbhministries.org/kfk Eric angrily kicked a stone, sending it flying along the sidewalk. He heard someone coming up behind him. Turning, he saw that it was Doug, one of his classmates. "You mad about something?" Doug asked when he saw how upset Eric looked. "What's wrong?" "Oh, not much," mumbled Eric. He tapped his head. "It's . . . it's just that I'm so tired of having this bald head. So many kids make fun of me." Doug frowned. "Having leukemia doesn't make your hair fall out, does it?" he asked cautiously. "That just happens because of the treatments, right?" Eric nodded. "Mrs. Storm asked Mom to come and explain it for one of our health lessons next week," he replied. "She says the kids will get used to seeing me like this, but they still tease me." He bit his lip, struggling not to show how much the teasing hurt. "You never tease me, though," added Eric. Doug smiled. "You look okay," he said as they reached Eric's house. "Want to come over and play with my race cars? Mom said it was all right with her if I bring someone home today." "Sure," agreed Eric. "I'll just run in a minute and ask my mom if it's okay." So after getting permission, Eric went to play at Doug's house. The boys talked as their little cars sped around the track. "Does it hurt to have leukemia?" Doug asked. "Some of the tests hurt, and the treatments make me feel sick," said Eric. "And even though I wear a cap most of the time, I know I look funny with a bald head. When kids tease me about it, it just makes me feel worse." He stopped his race car and looked at Doug. "How come you don't tease me like other kids do?" "Like I said, you look okay. Besides, I . . ." Doug wasn't sure what to say. Then he decided to just tell it straight up. "I don't want to make you feel bad, and Jesus wouldn't want me to," he said. "It's that simple." "Well, I wish the other kids knew more about Jesus then," said Eric. "Actually, I don't know much about Him, either." Doug smiled. "Let's go to the kitchen and have some cookies and milk, and I'll tell you more about Him," he said. "Maybe you could come to Sunday school with me, too. We learn about Him there. Okay?" Smiling, Eric nodded. How About You? Do you know someone whose appearance is affected by a health problem? Or perhaps who has scars from an injury or surgery? Maybe you know someone who was born with a physical challenge. You can make life easier for that person by refusing to join in if other kids tease. Hurting kids by teasing them is a cruel thing to do. When you don't take part in that type of cruelty, you are showing the kind of love and behavior that pleases God. Today's Key Verse: Romans 12:10-15 Today's Key Thought: Don't tease when it hurts othershttp://cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php?goYear=2010&goMonth=07&goDay=30http://media1.cbhministries.org/kfkpodcast/key073010.mp3Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 "How do I get so unlucky?" wondered Brian aloud as the family ate dinner one Sunday noon. "I ask a simple question and get stuck doing a report." Mom smiled as she asked, "How did that happen?" "Today's memory verse was 'Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways, and be wise.' Our teacher said a sluggard is a lazy person," explained Brian. "Then I asked what was so special about ants, and Miss West said I should research them and write a report for next week." "That should be interesting, and it might be helpful with another problem, too," observed Dad. "You know, Brian, Mom and I have talked to you many times about your habit of putting things off until the last minute and being late so often. Maybe the ants will have a few lessons to teach you." Brian shrugged. "Yeah . . . well, I suppose I should do things a little more promptly," he admitted, "but I doubt that making a report on ants will get me out of bed any earlier in the morning or help me get my schoolwork or chores done any quicker." After a little prodding from his parents, Brian finally got busy on his report. To his surprise, he enjoyed learning about ants. He discovered that there were many different kinds-all of them interesting. "I read that an ant can carry a load fifty-two times its own weight," he reported one night. "And one kind gathers grain at harvest time and stores enough to last a whole year. Another kind can strip all the leaves off a small tree in one night. But you want to know which kind is the funniest of all? It's the kind that tends herds of aphids and milks them!" Mom and Dad found the information interesting, too. "Ants are very busy little creatures!" Brian told his class the next Sunday. "I guess that's why the Bible says to consider their ways." Miss West nodded. "If all Christians worked as well as ants do, the world would be a better place," she said. The next day, Brian was ready for school bright and early. He grinned at his surprised mother. "I decided I can't let those little ants show me up," he said. "The least I can do is be ready on time every day." How About You? Are you a procrastinator-someone who puts things off? Are you a sluggard-a lazy person? If you are, today's Key Verse is one you should memorize. Don't let the little ants put you to shame. Think about how busy they are and how hard they work. Then follow their example. Doing your work promptly and well, both at school and at home, is an important part of building a strong Christian character. Today's Key Verse: Proverbs 6:6-11 Today's Key Thought: Don't be lazyhttp://cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php?goYear=2010&goMonth=07&goDay=29http://media1.cbhministries.org/kfkpodcast/key072910.mp3Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 "Don't forget that I need money for our missions offering, Mom," said Caden. "Okay," replied Mom, and she opened her purse. Caden took the dollar bill she held out, and dashed off to Sunday school class. Mrs. Hallman looked around the class after they had taken the offering. "I'm guessing many of you get your offering money from your parents," she said. Several kids nodded. "I have a suggestion. For the next month, why don't you put only money you've earned yourself into the missions offering?" continued Mrs. Hallman. "The missionaries are setting up a school for kids your age. Think about those children. Some of them don't have parents; others don't get enough to eat. You'll be giving your money for them and for the Lord." Caden didn't like the idea of giving away his own money. "I don't know what difference it makes whether we give the money ourselves or whether our parents help us," he grumbled on the way home from Sunday school. "The difference is, you don't get any real joy out of giving to the Lord when the gift doesn't cost you anything," said Dad. "Maybe not . . . but I don't get much money," protested Caden, "and I've got to keep saving for a new bike." Dad smiled. "Sometimes we have to sacrifice and go without things we want in order to give to God's work," he said, "but maybe you could find ways to earn extra money. Pray about this, and ask God what you should do." Over the next few weeks, Caden was surprised at how many jobs he was able to pick up. His parents paid him for extra chores he did at home. He mowed lawns for a couple of neighbors, ran errands, and cleaned the basement for his grandma. He actually enjoyed earning money for the missionary offering, and he even decided to give the money he usually spent on candy each week. "I pretend I'm a missionary to Africa, and that I'm doing the work so people can hear about Jesus," said Caden when he'd made a couple of dollars one day. "Pretend?" asked Mom. "It isn't pretend. Even though you're not in Africa, the work you're doing is helping people come to God. I'm very proud of you!" She gave him a hug and added, "In a way, you really are a missionary yourself." How About You? Do you truly give to God's work, or do you just pass along your parents' gifts? Perhaps you can give something from your allowance or from gifts of money you occasionally receive. You can also ask God to make it possible for you to earn some money so that you can give something you've worked for yourself. You'll be blessed when your gifts to Him cost you something. And even if you can't be a missionary in a foreign country, you can still be a big part of their work! Today's Key Verse: Acts 11:27-30 Today's Key Thought: Give to Godhttp://cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php?goYear=2010&goMonth=07&goDay=28http://media1.cbhministries.org/kfkpodcast/key072810.mp3Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Morgan never got tired of hearing what happened when her parents took her home from the adoption agency. "You were only six weeks old," her father told her one evening when she begged to hear the story again. "I'll never forget that first call to tell me the agency had a baby for us. I was at work, and I was so excited, I forgot to ask if it was a boy or a girl." Everyone laughed as they recalled the happy event. Mom continued the story. "The ride home was a long one, and they sent a bottle along with us so we could feed you on the way home. But you kept falling asleep when you were supposed to be drinking your bottle." Morgan giggled. "So Dad kept blowing the horn to try to keep me awake?" "Yes, I did," said Dad with a grin. "I guess that was kind of silly." "And so you adepted me . . . I mean, adopted me," said Morgan. She laughed at her own mistake. "I know if you're adept at something, it means you're good at it. What does the word adopt mean?" she asked. "It means to take something as one's own," said Mom. "In the case of parents and children, it means to voluntarily take a child of other parents as one's own child." Mom gave Morgan a hug. "We gladly took you as our own. We didn't have to do that, but we wanted you. We're so thankful the Lord brought us together." "I am, too," said Morgan. "You know, Morgan," Dad said, "the Bible talks about adoption, too. God wants to adopt us into His family. The Bible says that when we trust the Lord Jesus Christ, God accepts us as His own children." "That's right, and being adopted into the family of God is more wonderful than being adopted into our family," said Mom. "We become God's children and heirs-we're joint heirs with Jesus." "Then I've been adopted twice," said Morgan happily. "I was adopted into your family when I was a baby, and I was adopted into God's family when I was saved. Now I belong to you, and I belong to God." She smiled and added. "I like being adopted!" How About You? Have you been adopted into God's family? Even if you have a wonderful family here on earth, you need to also become a part of God's family. You can become a child and heir of God only by trusting Jesus as your Savior. What could be more wonderful than that? Won't you become God's child today? (See the ABCs of Salvation at the end of this book.) Today's Key Verse: Galatians 4:4-7 Today's Key Thought: God wants to adopt youhttp://cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php?goYear=2010&goMonth=07&goDay=27http://media1.cbhministries.org/kfkpodcast/key072710.mp3Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Thump! The bow of the boat thudded against a wave, and a spray of salt water hit Steve and Janae's faces. "This is great!" shouted Janae over the roaring engine. "I can't believe Uncle Joe let us do this all by ourselves! This is fun!" The boat sped through the water, and they laughed as the wind blew through their hair. A few minutes later, Steve cut the engine. "I think this is as far Uncle Joe said we could go," he said. Soon he started the engine again. "We'd better head back." "Don't you want to check the map?" asked Janae, offering it to her brother. "I heard Uncle Joe explain it to you." Steve shook his head. "Nah, I don't need the map." He swung the boat in a wide arc and soon they were speeding for home. Suddenly there was a jolt, followed by a sickening CRUNCH! The engine sputtered and died. "We must be stuck on a reef," gasped Steve. "I didn't see it. Let me look at that map." He studied it a moment. "Oh, no-o-o-o," he groaned. "I see where we are." He pointed to the map. "We're at Dead Man's Reef!" "Steve, the boat is leaking!" gasped Janae. "What are we going do? We're so far from shore!" As she spoke, they heard the sound of a horn; a Coast Guard launch was heading their way, and soon they were safely on board. That evening, they sat in their uncle's cottage with heads bowed and faces downcast. "I'm so sorry, Uncle Joe," said Steve. "I'll pay for the damage to the boat. I have some money saved up, and Dad says it will pay the part the insurance doesn't cover." Uncle Joe nodded. "I know. I appreciate your taking responsibility like that," he said. "But why didn't you look at the map, Steve? That reef is well-marked because so many boats have been wrecked there." "I didn't think I needed the map," admitted Steve. "Well, I hope you'll always remember this experience and the importance of checking maps," Uncle Joe said. Janae spoke up. "We will!" she said. "I remember that my Sunday school teacher told us the most important guide, or map, is the Bible." "Absolutely right!" declared Uncle Joe. "Never get the idea you don't need it." How About You? Do you use God's Word, the Bible, as the map or guide book for your life? First of all, it will point you to Jesus, the only way to heaven. Then it will guide you in your Christian walk. God's promises will give you joy, and you'll find comfort when you go through difficult times. The Bible will teach you to be honest, pure, loving, patient, and kind. Obeying God's Word will keep you from many mistakes. Take advantage of the privilege of using the special guide God has given you. Today's Key Verse: Psalm 119:129-135 Today's Key Thought: Let the Bible be your guide in lifehttp://cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php?goYear=2010&goMonth=07&goDay=26http://media1.cbhministries.org/kfkpodcast/key072610.mp3Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 "Look, Brittany!" Mom was sitting on the couch with a big book on her lap. "Here's a lock of your hair from when you were three months old-and look at your footprint from when you were born." Brittany grinned. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "It's really tiny! That's my baby book, isn't it? It's been a long time since I've looked at it." Mom smiled. "I wrote all these entries in it during your first three years. It says you walked and talked early. You took your first step at nine months. You said 'Dada' at five months-at least, your dad said you did-and you could sing the ABCs by the time you were two and a half. You were a smart little cookie." "Really?" asked Brittany. "Well, I'm always doing dumb things now. I'm not smart anymore." "Sure you are," said Mom. "Sometimes you just dwell on your mistakes too much." She pointed to the book. "Why do you think I didn't write things like, 'Today Brittany fell down fifteen times trying to walk'?" Brittany laughed. "That doesn't sound so good." "No, but falling down is part of learning to walk," said Mom. "I don't remember how many times you fell, but I do remember that first step. I didn't record the times you cried for what seemed like hours. But you were a sweet baby, and I recorded that." Mom smiled at Brittany. "Mothers write good memories in baby books," she said, "and that reminds me that God has a book of remembrance, too." Brittany's eyes sparkled. "Does He write down only good things in His book-like mothers do?" "I like to think so. Of course, He knows everything we do, and there are consequences for our actions," said Mom. "But when we trust in Jesus as Savior, all of our sins-that is, all the bad things we do-are forgiven and forgotten." "When we sin after we're saved, God wants us to be sorry and confess it to Him, doesn't He?" asked Brittany. "When we're really sorry, we need His help to not do those things again." "That's right." Mom smiled at Brittany. "God sees all we do, and the Bible says He does discipline His children, but He also rewards them. So let's remember to do things we'd like to have Him write in His book of remembrance." How About You? Aren't you glad God remembers the good things you do? Don't dwell on your failures and mistakes. Confess them to God and ask Him to help you do better. He has promised that He will always forgive and give help and strength to move forward. Thank Him for what you can accomplish with His help. Today's Key Verse: Malachi 3:16-17; Colossians 3:23-24 Today's Key Thought: Do things you'd like to have rememberedhttp://cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php?goYear=2010&goMonth=07&goDay=25Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 A delicious aroma drifted through the door as Beth walked into the house. She inhaled deeply, wondering for a minute what it was. I know-apple pie! Maybe Mom will let me have a piece before supper. Her stomach growled as she went into the kitchen. No Mom. No apple pies, either. Beth found her mother in the family room. "Hi, Mom. I have a note for you from my teacher," Beth said, grinning. "I think it's something good." Mom opened the envelope and read the note aloud. "What a delight it is to have Beth in my class," she read. "Several times she has given up her free time to help her classmates. She has befriended the new girl from Indonesia. She is like a breath of fresh air in our class. By the way, she invited me to visit your church sometime, and I'm going to do that." The note was signed by Mrs. Hollis, Beth's school teacher. Mom beamed and gave Beth a big hug. "I am so proud of you, honey." Beth looked pleased. "Now where's the apple pie?" she asked. "I know you made one-I can smell it. May I have a piece?" Mom wrinkled her brow. "Apple pie? I didn't make any . . . oh, it's the candle." She pointed to the candle burning on the mantle. "It's an apple pie spice candle." "Oh." Beth was disappointed. "It made me hungry for apple pie," she said. Mom smiled. "You know what? I think your life is like that candle," she said. "The candle makes you hungry for apple pie because it smells so good, and I believe your actions and attitudes have caused your teacher to be hungry for what you have-I think that's why she wants to come to church sometime." "But . . . church isn't really what she needs," said Beth. "She needs Jesus." "Yes," agreed Mom. "Your teacher doesn't realize that she's really hungry for a relationship with Jesus. But she sees something in your life that appeals to her." Mom put down the note from Mrs. Hollis and looked at the clock. "Come on, Beth,' she said. "We still have time to make an apple pie before supper!" How About You? Do your actions and attitudes make people want to be around you? Would your behavior cause anyone to want to know Jesus? Your life can be a testimony for Him as you show love, kindness, patience, and helpfulness. Your actions can make people want to know why you live the way you do. As they observe you, they may become hungry to know what you have-hungry to know Jesus. Today's Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Today's Key Thought: Witness by your lifehttp://cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php?goYear=2010&goMonth=07&goDay=24http://media1.cbhministries.org/kfkpodcast/key072410.mp3Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400