Christmas Gifts for 2012 - Find What Your Looking For

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Christmas gifts for 2012 started selling months ago, but sells have begun to ramp up quickly! This year, like dozens of years before, certain Christmas gifts can be hard to find, especially the new releases and those gifts that will not be available until closer to Christmas.

To save you time shopping around online or running from store to store only to find out that that one special Christmas gift you've been searching for won't be available until next week. Sounds crazy, but it happens all the time.

We decided to open a Christmas Store (powered by Amazon), so that customers just like you won't have to run all over the country trying to find the item that is already sold out.

Instead of waiting until the item comes out, then fighting to get the last one with your fingers crossed, how about pre-ordering it?

Amazon has a pre-order option that allows customers to place the order weeks before it is available and when the item goes on sale, yours will already be in the mail!

Sounds great, doesn' it?

Take a look at Our Christmas Store to see what you can find. If you don't see the exact item your looking for - do a search in the top left corner...Merry Christmas and happy shopping!

comments (1) | | Read More...

Halloween and Christianity - What Will You Do?

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Since my last post was about Christmas (and yes, it was more than three months early), I thought I would try to get back on track at least with the time of year. That's why this post is about Halloween. So, what will you do this Halloween? Will you celebrate it?

When many Christians think of Halloween, they immediately associate it with the dead and evil things while others associate it with a time of mischief and wrong doings.

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Let's get right to the question we all want to know the answer to - Should Christians celebrate Halloween? 

To answer this question you'll have to look at the reasons you would celebrate Halloween. First, Do you celebrate it to worship something other than God? Do you talk about the dead or focus on evil things? Do you decorate with dead bodies, body parts, witches, monsters, etc?

Most Christians would say no to the questions above and say yes to these questions - Do you dress up and have a fun family night together? Do you enjoy walking through the streets filling your bag with candy? Do you like to watch funny Halloween movies and cartoons that don't depict evil things? Do you like to decorate with fall leaves, pumpkins, gourds, and other fall decorations? 

I believe that celebrating something doesn't mean you have to celebrate it in a bad way. Your family can celebrate Halloween in a wholesome, Christian way that in no way sets a bad example to your friends, family, or neighbors. 

Teaching your kids from the start that by putting God first in all that they do, Christians can experience fun and laughter no matter what time of year. 

Halloween Tips

Some ways to avoid setting a bad Christian example on Halloween:

• pick a proper costume
• avoid decorations that reflect the dead and evil things
• don't attend Halloween parties where wrong doings are encouraged
• talk to your children about putting God first in everything
• be careful what Halloween shows and movies you watch

If your church decides to have a get together for Halloween, think about calling it a Fall Festival, a Harvest Festival, or even an Autumn Extravaganza. 

comments (1) | | Read More...

Christmas Times a Comin'

Monday, September 17, 2012

Christmas times a comin' believe it or not. Yes, I know it's just September, but Christmas will be here before we know it. 

So, what do you think about when you think about Christmas? I think of many things - like how our family gets together, how our Sunday school classes put on a Christmas play, the adults in our church put on a cantata, how amazing it is to wake up Christmas morning to the kids seeing what's been left under the tree, but most of all I think about the birth of Jesus.

Without Jesus' birth, where would this world be? This year, make an effort to talk about Jesus' birth and how his coming as a baby was the the first Christmas gift ever to be given. It was given by God. And how, not only was Jesus the first gift, but how the wise men brought Jesus his first gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh.

Whether you choose to spend an old fashioned Christmas with your family or you choose to spend it in a church or on a corner singing Christmas carols or if you decide to spend it serving soup at a soup kitchen, remember - Jesus is the reason for the season!

comments | | Read More...

Upcoming Christian Movies 2013

Thursday, September 6, 2012

In today's world, we can only hope and pray our children grow up serving the Lord. And, since God has entrusted our children to us while here on earth, we need to do everything we can to raise them according to God's plan.

Although we may not know exactly what that plan is - we need to be watchful and listen to our kids as they talk, pay attention to what they watch, and be understanding when they come home from school with a new 'word' or 'question' about something that they are way too young to have heard in the first place.

That being said, as parents, we need to live a life we want our children to live and one thing we should strive for is watching wholesome Christian based shows and movies that would be fine if our kids watched them with us.

I came across this video and wanted to share it. I also added a post to our website Christian Magazine Today with the same video embedded.

Check it out:

comments | | Read More...

Sunday School Games for All Ages

Saturday, August 25, 2012

I often post new Sunday school game ideas, but instead of posting a new game here today, I am going to direct you to our website 'Christian Magazine Today' for you to find several new games to use in your Sunday school classes.

Kids Sunday School Treasure Hunt Ideas

Free Sunday School Games to Teach Bible Verses

As you teach Sunday school, remember the most important thing is to teach God's word. Many times Sunday school teachers find that teaching about every day life is sufficient and leave out the Bible completely. What they don't realize is that everything we need to learn about every day life is in the Bible.

God didn't leave anything to chance. It's all in the pages of His word. All we need to do as Sunday school teachers is to read, study, and pray.

By praying about each lesson, God will be in control.

Until next time, may God bless you and keep you safe.

comments | | Read More...

Free Sunday School Game Ideas for Young Kids

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

I teach young children who either can't read yet or are just learning to read which makes it hard to do many Bible verse games. Never-the-less, they still need to learn the verses of God's word. Believe it or not, the little kids often learn them quite quickly. Kids are smart these days...you know what I mean.

Free Sunday School Game Ideas for Small Kids

Here ara two new ways to help teach kids Bible verses:

If the children are not too small - a great way to teach the kids Bible verses is with beans. Beans? Yes...beans. Purchase a poster board (any color). Now, pick up a bag of dried beans. If you are using black poster board, you may need to get white dried beans so they will show up nicely.

Before Sunday school, copy the verse onto the poster board. If the verse is short, cut the poster board in half and use the other piece for the next verse. During Sunday school, let the kids glue the beans onto the letters you've just written. Make sure the kids say each word as they are working.

Repetition is the key to helping little one's learn. After the glue has dried, hang up the verse. Let them repeat this verse several weeks in a row and as a reminder as needed. Encourage the kids to bring their parents into the room to show them what they've made and tell them to say the verse to them.

This next idea is something my kids love to do in Sunday school. We have less than 10 kids in our class, so you may need to add another balloon for larger groups.

The next free Sunday school game is called 'balloon bop'. This game is really fun for the kids. First, you'll need one or two balloons that you've blown up (not with helium just with good ol' air from your lungs). Have the kids stand up in a place where the floor is clear of table and chairs. Go over the Bible verse several times having them repeat it after you.

Next, bop the balloon back and forth in your own hands making it go high sometimes, while saying one word for each bop. Now, it's the kid's turn. Let the kids bop the balloon or balloons while they say each word of the Bible verse. Do this several times until you feel they know the verse.

Now, take the balloon away and have them say the verse to you.

Come up with some other great games Sunday school games for your kids to learn. Remember, the main thing is to teach your kids about God and the Bible. Make Sunday school fun, so the kids will look forward to class each week.

comments (1) | | Read More...

Colton Dixon Talks About His Upcoming Christian Album

Friday, July 6, 2012

After fans were devastated when Colton Dixon was voted off the American Idol Season 11 show at number 7, they didn't have to wait long to hear he had set out on a journey of completing his first album.

Colton Dixon's First Album

Talk of Colton's first album has been buzzing around since he was voted off the show. While some say it was too early for him to go, others know that God had a purpose for Colton and with news of his first album set to be in the Christian genre, this could be why.

Colton says his first album won't be typical by any means and wants fans to expect the same Colton they fell in love with - artsy and edgy. That's right...don't expect songs from your church song books to fill this album.

Look for Colton's first album hopefully to be released at the end of the year (2012).




________________________________________________________________________________________

comments | | Read More...

Jeremy Camp on Twitter - Jeremy Camp Lyrics

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

With nearly 140,000 followers on twitter, Jeremy Camp uses his fame to spread God's word.

Jeremy Camp on Twitter

If you don't follow Jeremy on twitter @jeremycamp, you need to or at least check out his tweets every day as you'll see. Sometimes Jeremy tweets upcoming events, but there are far more bible verses tweeted than anything else.

As Christians, we are to share God's word with the world. What better way to share God's word than through music and, in Jeremy's case, a constant flow of witnessing through twitter.

Jeremy Camp Lyrics

Jeremy Camp The Way Video with Lyrics

Jeremy Camp Jesus Saves Video with Lyrics

Jeremy Camp Healing Hands of God Video with Lyrics

Jeremy Camp I'll Take You Back Video with Lyrics

Enjoy! And please leave a comment about your favorite Jeremy Camp songs.

comments | | Read More...

Youth Group Lessons - Weird Stories From the Bible

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Being a teen youth leader can be a difficult calling in today's world. Most teens have their eyes glued to the computer screen 24/7 and would prefer to stay there, but with the right youth group lessons, you can have your youth group growing by leaps and bounds. How?

Youth Group Lessons

Teens love to go where there is something fun going on that can keep them entertained for more than a few minutes. It sounds crazy, but it's as if they have reverted back to their toddler years when nothing held their attention unless it moved fast and made lots of noise.

That's where a good group bible study comes into play. Think...different...strange...weird...and even scary. All of these can be found in the bible if you know where to look, although it would be a challenge to find exactly what you need and even harder to put together something that's more than just telling a bible story.

Weird Stories from the Bible

This book has some great ideas with the youth leader in mind as it focuses on stories from the bible that are perfect for youth group lessons.

Scary, Gross, & Weird Stories from the Bible - Download Behind the bizarre of the Bible lurks the truth that helps us know God in greater ways. Some of the craziest stories in the Bible are also some of the most revealing! Use these 13 peculiar & profound lessons to grab their attention and equip faith for life. Each lesson focuses on a relevant topic that connects to a Bible story. Plus, a game, daring activity, and discussion questions that help teens uncover life application. Surprise your teenagers... with the disgusting truth! Gross them out during youth group time. Start up a weekly study. Create a Scary, Gross, & Weird Retreat. Allow one hour per lesson.

comments | | Read More...

Colton Dixon Singing 'Everything'

Thursday, June 21, 2012

While many people know the Lifehouse song 'Everything' and tend to associate the lyrics with a relationship between two people, Colton Dixon from American Idol Season 11 and his "Messengers" relate the lyrics to a personal relationship with God.

Colton Dixon Performing Everything

As you watch Colton's version of the song below, imagine each word relating to Our Lord Jesus Christ and see if the song doesn't hold new meaning.

Colton is performing at Crossroads Church in Corona, California.

Colton Dixon on American Idol

Colton was not shy about his faith and regularly talked about God and stated many times he was a Christian. When he performed 'Everything' on American Idol, he still showed his love for God.



comments | | Read More...

Father's Day - Just Around the Corner

Saturday, June 16, 2012

With Father's Day just around the corner, I wanted to share a link and a video with you that will help you see your father in a whole new light.

One post I want to share is from our website "Christian Magazine Today". The post shares the Top 5 Fathers in the Bible.

The second I want to share is a Youtube video called, "Through My Father's Eyes" by Brianna Haynes.

For ALL the Christian Dads out there...

A Father Song


comments | | Read More...

Monumental Movie Trailer - Starring Kirk Cameron

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Share this Monumental Movie Trailer starring Kirk Cameron!

Click here to discover more about Kirk Cameron and his

'Love Worth Fighting For' Tour.

Kirk Cameron is ON FIRE FOR GOD!

Get fired up too!

Visit our new magazine...Christian MagazineToday! 

comments | | Read More...