How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise you for that.
M organ felt her muscles burn as she counted. One thousand and one, one thousand and rest She sat down on a step. Her uncle Ed pulled out the guidebook while trying to breathe. The Eiffel Tower has 1,665 steps. Six hundred or so to go. We can do that. He sat beside her, wiping sweat from his face.
Morgan inhaled, stood up, and began to climb again. Just think how much easier it will be to walk down again.
Uncle Ed gulped more air. Walk down! What about the elevator? Isnt going up enough? Morgan smiled as she continued counting steps. Walking all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower was a real endurance challenge, but Morgan was ready for it.
Planning challenges is a good thing. Why? Because when we succeed in even small goals it helps build up our confidence to take on other things. God created us to be confident in the abilities he gave us. So go out and see what you can do. And pray about what challenges God has for you. God is cheering you onso go for it.
January 3
Less Talk
P eters grandfather leaned forward as he talked. So, here I was, this rookie newspaper boy on my bicycle speeding down a cliff toward a highway. No brakes! My bike chain had snapped and fallen off. Nothing to stop me.
Words to Treasure
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of those who are wise.
Proverbs 22:17
Peter leaned forward as well. What did you do?
His grandfathers face crinkled, I crashed into a hedge. Broke my arm. Peter looked at the scar on his grandfathers arm. I learned something that day. Take good care of your bike, and it will take good care of you. I want you to remember that.
Peter nodded and picked up his video game controller but then put it down again. Grandpa, do you want to help me check my bike?
Sure, Peter. Id like that a lot
Talking is good but listening to other people is important. Not only will you learn possibly life-saving advice, but youll also get to know that person better. And youll make them feel special and needed. Everybody likes that. Learning to listen to others just might be one of the most important things youll ever learn. Jesus often said, Those who have ears should listen. Now thats something to hear.
Life in Bible Times
Who has itching ears? Well, the apostle Paul says its someone who wants people to say only the things they want to hear. Do your ears itch? (See 2 Timothy 4:3.)
January 4
The Path
Words to Treasure
Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being certain of what we do not see. That is what the people of long ago were praised for.
Hebrews 11:12
D avid and Noel walked along the worn dirt path along the river. Not just any riverthe Nile River in Egypt, one of the oldest and most famous rivers in the world! Noel looked back at the ancient ruins they had just explored. David, how many people do you think have walked along this path? This trail could be thousands of years old.
David shrugged and said, thousands of people. The boys watched a felucca sail by, a type of sailboat used since the time of the pharaohs.
Noel climbed up on a rock. Maybe Moses or Joseph sat right here. We could have followed their footsteps on the trail.
Footprints would be long gone by now.
True! But the important thing to remember is that Joseph and Moses were real guys who lived in a real place called Egypt. And when we read about them in the Bible, were learning important stuff such as how they learned to have faith in God in every situation, good and bad. Just because what they did happened a long time ago, doesnt mean it isnt important today. They may be dead guys, but theyre still an example for us to follow. Cool, huh?
Discovering Archaeology
Did you know that when Joseph first arrived in Egypt, the great pyramids of Egypt were already hundreds of years old? Joseph could have been another pyramid tourist.
January 5
Lip-Syncing
T he entire church was singing loudly, but Halley leaned over and listened to Jen sing. It was the strangest thing. Jens mouth was moving but she wasnt actually making any sounds. Halley whispered, Jen, why arent you singing?
Words to Treasure
My lips will shout with joy when I sing praise to you.
Psalm 71:23
Jen whispered back, I sing like a frog. Nobody wants to hear me sing. So I fake it.
Halley whispered back, Dont be an idiot. God loves the way you sing.
Jen thought about that for a moment Because he created frogs? Halley pointed to the lyrics on the screen up front, No, because he loves you.
When you sing a song at church, it isnt supposed to be for some talent search on a television show. Its supposed to be about letting God know how you feel about him. We write and sing songs to help us express our love for God. Thats called worship. God loves you, and he loves to hear your voice singing just to him in a very personal way. Theres nothing to worry about or be embarrassed about Sing with an Im-singing-right-to-God-and-I-dont-care-who-hears-me kind of attitude. No lip-syncing with God.
People in Bible Times
In ancient Israel, people sang songs together at the temple. In fact, King David took time out from all his battles to help organize the temple choir and musicians. He loved to sing and play the lyre harp. He was a singing warrior king.
January 6
Friendship
Words to Treasure
The Lord would speak to Moses face to face. It was like a man speaking to his friend.
Exodus 33:11
J udy sat on the street curb waiting for her friend to arrive. She watched for the car to turn down the lane. She was watching so hard she had to remind herself to blink. Catherine was sleeping over, and Judy had everything planned. She had bought snacks and a movie they had both promised only to watch together. Her mom was making their favorite dinner. But what Judy was most looking forward to was talking with Catherine late into the night. They would sit on the bed and talk about everythingimportant things and stupid things. It didnt really matter what they talked about because they just liked being together. They were friends.