VBS - Reviews of Standard Publishing, LifeWay, and More

Monday, April 9, 2012

What VBS program will you pick this year? There are so many great programs available each and every year that it can be hard to choose.

How to Pick a VBS Program

Making a list of the following will get you started:

• how many kids are you expecting?
• how many adults will you have to help?
• how long will each VBS last? 2 hrs, 3 hrs, one full day?
• where will it be held? inside or outside?
• how much room do you have? a parking lot or a huge field?
• will there be snacks served?
• will you be running a church bus?
• what will the age group be? small children, teens, adults?
• do you want a puppet program?
• will there be skits to put on?

As yo can see, these are only a few questions to ask yourself. Now, one of the easiest ways to determine what type of VBS program you purchase is to buy the sample pack or starter kit that many VBS retailers offer. You can order these months in advance and can weed out any programs that doesn't suit your needs.

VBS Reviews and VBS Costs

Below are some links to some reviews by fellow VBS administrators that may help you make your decision easier.

About the Children's Department: How Did I Determine Which VBS ...
http://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2012/01/how-did-i-determine-which-vbs-is-my-top.html1/29/12
I want to give you an idea of how I made my selections for this year's Top Ten VBS resources. I'm not a VBS publisher and I'm not a bookstore; I'm a children's ministry person so when I evaluate curriculum I look for the "tools" ...

About the Children's Department: VBS 2012 - Dollars & Cents of ...
http://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2012/02/vbs-2012-dollars-cents-of-vbs-part-3.html2/8/12
Today I'm going to once again take a look at the Dollars and Cents for the final five VBS resources I reviewed. I'm happy to see in many of the director's materials some fun ideas of ways to raise money for VBS, but again, ...

Weekend VBS – Rocky Point Lighthouse – Review | Children's ...
cmbuzz.com3/27/12
If you don't do VBS today or if the traditional 5-day VBS just isn't working for your church...maybe you should take a look at Group's Weekend VBS - Rocky. ... Epic $10000 Children's Ministry Resource Giveaway. October 18 ...

A Few Words About My Top Ten VBS Picks for 2012 - Home School ...
homeschoolcourier.com1/4/12
while I do “rank” the VBS resources based on the content and components of each kit, this year it was particularly difficult for me to do so as most of the kits I reviewed were absolutely wonderful! This is. Read Full Article- follow ...


About LifeWay VBS

What We LOVE About VBS | LifeWay VBS Blog
lifewayvbs.wordpress.com2/14/12
If you think these 10 reasons we love VBS sound a little like LifeWay's “Purpose and Principles of VBS” statement you are correct. To those of us who have the privilege of working to provide your VBS resources this is more ...


About Standard Publishing VBS

Standard Publishing's 2012 Vacation Bible School Named Top Pick ...
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7866718876.html2/6/12
Contact: Joni Sullivan Baker, Buoyancy Public Relations, 513-319-3231 CINCINNATI, Feb. 6, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Standard Publishing again received top honors for the best Vacation Bible School in the nation with ...

Hidden VBS Costs

There are several hidden VBS costs that you may not think of when making out your budget. Whether it is a week long VBS, two or three night VBS, or even a Saturday VBS, you may come across some of the costs, so make sure to add in some extra cash for things like:

• bottles of water (especially on hot days)
• snacks (kids get extremely hungry when on the go)
• puppets or costumes
• VBS t-shirts, hats, etc.
• gas for church vans, buses, etc.
• items for VBS games
• VBS crafts
• paper plates, plastic ware, cups, napkins, etc.
• toilet paper, soap, wipes
• coffee, kool-aid, and other drinks

Remember, no matter which VBS program you choose, do it for God. Don't let all the 'little stuff' that will pop up get you down. The devil doesn't want you to have VBS, so keep the reason for VBS first and foremost in your mind - Jesus!

Have a fantastic Vacation Bible School this year!

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Taking the Lord's Name in Vain - The Third Commandment

Most people, even those who are not Christians, know some of the Ten Commandments. While all of the Ten Commandments get broken, some of them are broken more often than others and by Christians themselves.

Most Commonly Known Commandments

Commandment Six - Thou shalt not kill.
Commandment Eight - Thou shalt not steal.

and even,

Commandment Five - Honour thy Father and Mother.

But, what about the other seven Commandments? Especially, Commandment number three? The Third Commandment seems to be one that gets broken the most. Why is this?

Exodus 20:7 KJV

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord they God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

The Third Commandment Today

Just about every television show you turn on today uses the Lord's name in vain. Even cartoons have this problem. And, yes, it is a major problem. How do we expect our children to know what is right and wrong, to love God, and to grow up to be strong Christian adults if we can't teach them one of the simplest of the Ten Commandments?

In case you didn't realize...

Saying, "Oh my," then, "God", is using the Lord's name in vain. Even using the letters O, M, and G are wrong as they stand for the same thing. Even if you are not using the letters to mean this, what do other people think you are saying? As Christians, we should strive to be the best we can be for God.

What about this old saying?

"Lordy, Lordy, Look who's forty?"

Have you heard or used this? What does it have to do with the Lord? Nothing.

Today's society tends to throw God's name around everywhere that it doesn't belong. His name should be used correctly.

Using God's Name Correctly

The only time we should use God's name is when:

1. We are talking TO him.
2. We are talking ABOUT him.
3. We are PRAISING him.
4. We are READING about him.

God's name is holy and shouldn't be thrown around without any thought at all. The next time you use the Lord's name in vain, stop and think about what you've done.

• You have just broken the Third Commandment.
• You have just acted like everyone else in this world who doesn't think enough about God to use his name correctly.
• You have given others a reason to believe it is acceptable.
• You are not showing others you are a Christian.

Of course, this doesn't mean you are not a Christian. It just means you need to correct yourself now, ask for God's forgiveness, and get back on track!


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Devotions for Mom - Great Gift Idea for Mother's Day

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Introducing a new series of Day-Votions(TM) from bestselling inspirational author Rebecca Barlow Jordan. This beautiful, light-hearted series of devotional books is a perfect gift for women of all seasons, and all stages of life.

From deepening their walk with the Lord, to strengthening their relationships with others, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and women the world over will find page after page of powerful spiritual encouragement within.

Each "day-votion" points mothers to a biblical truth, affirming with every reading that God is faithful no matter what challenges they face.

With 40 devotions per book in this three-set series-designed to bring women into deeper relationship with God, with family, with children, and with friends-inspiration is certain.

The possibilities are endless..."

To get FREE shipping click the link above and search for...

Day-Votions

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Memorial Day: What Do We Do?

Monday, February 27, 2012

That's a silly question. We take memorial flowers to the cemetery and often see family we haven't seen in a while. It can be a happy time to reflect on the lives of our family members who lived before us or a sad time where we morn the loss.

Thankfully, for those who died knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, we can rejoice in the fact that they are no longer suffering and are waiting up yonder for us to join them.

This year, if you are planning on taking a Memorial Day flower arrangement to the grave site, think about making it yourself. It isn't hard and it can be more personal and cheaper too!

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Exercising Throughout Pregnancy

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Our body is a temple. Whether you are pregnant or not, we are suppose to take care of our body. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. Would you want the Holy Spirit to live inside a temple that has not been taken care of?

Pregnancy is no different. Women tend to use this time in their lives to eat EVERYTHING they want and later find they have packed on a lot of weight.

If you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant, it is a good idea to stay healthy and at an ideal weight. Some pregnancy programs like this one is a great place to start. There are also other ways to keep yourself healthy during pregnancy. Find a program that is good for you.

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Pray for Those You DON'T Love

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

We make it a habit to pray for those we love, but do you pray for those you DON'T love? We'll, you should.

It is definitely easier to look at a person we don't like and want to smack the smile off their face than it is to pray for them. The bible tells us in James 5:17 (KJV) to pray for others while Matthew 6:14 (KJV) tells us that if we forgive men our heavenly Father will forgive us.

Today, make it a point to pray for those who are giving you the most trouble. After you have prayed for them once, don't let that be the end of it. Pray again and again for that person. Keep praying for them and let God take over.

God can do anything and if we just lift up our hands and pray, God, the King of Kings, will have the victory!

Just a tip: When praying for that person you DON'T love, make sure to pray that God will take control of their lives. You don't want to let your feelings toward that person affect what you pray for God to do.

If you like this, pass it along for others.

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I Can Only Imagine: Sign Language

Saturday, November 12, 2011

I found this while searching for something else and loved it!



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Christian Children's Plays for Free

Here are links to two Christmas Children's Plays with free script:

A Christian Children's Christmas Play

Children's Christmas Play for Church

Courtesy of Jorge Barrios

Wikimedia Commons

 

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Check Out My Newest Blog...

Saturday, September 3, 2011

I  have just begun my newest blog. It contains a bunch of different ideas, recipes, holiday foods, party ideas, history about natural disasters, holiday movies, camping ideas, and just about any thing else I feel like writing about. I hope you enjoy it and will follow it as I embark on a journey of becoming a.....

Jack of All Trades

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What God Says About Marriages...

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Even at the beginning of time when Adam was in the garden, God was planning on man and woman being together. The Bible tells us in Genesis 2:18 and 24...

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Then in in Proverbs 18:22 the Bible says...

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Courtesy of Sherry Main, Wikimedia

Marriage is something that is not to be taken lightly. Do not rush into marriage for convenience or fun. It is a life long commitment and should be treated as such.

If you are planning to be wed soon or know someone who is entering into marriage, take a look at the links below to find some great bridal shower themes, wedding shower themes, and showers for couples...

Couples Wedding Shower Themes: At the Campground

Wedding Shower Themes: Game Night

Times Are Tough: Wedding Shower Themes and Inexpensive Wedding Shower Group Gifts

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Guest Post for Wayfarer Psalms: Christian Children's Books

Saturday, August 6, 2011

If you liked to check out my guest post on Wayfarer Psalms, I love to hear your feedback here and on the other site.

Thanks to all my followers and supporters.

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Isaac: Genesis 24

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Did you know that Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah?
Did you know that Isaac & Rebekah had not seen each other, yet she agreed to marry him?
Did you know that Sarah, Isaac's mother, died before seeing her son wed?
Did you know it was Abraham's (Isaac's father) most trusted servant who was sent to find a wife for Isaac?
Did you know it was God who chose Rebekah for Isaac?

and the last did you know...

Did you know that Isaac & Rebekah had twin boys?

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