The annual National Day of Prayer is a wonder time to pause and remember to be grateful for our great country and to lift it up in prayer. 

Creative ways to pray for America on this day or any day can be found at
www.commit2pray.com and www.nationaldayofprayer.org and include:

*Pray as a family the same prayer people will be praying all across the nation on May 1:
The 2014 National Prayer written by Anne Graham Lotz plus audio links  – Click here

*Record your prayer for America:
 From the website, “We want to hear from you! Call (719) 559-9566 to record your prayer for America!”

*Sign a declaration to commit to pray for America – Click here

*Download Prayer Guides and other materials for the National Day of Prayer – Click here

*A favorite idea I ran across is the Prayer balloon Launch Kit.  Click here.  This would be so much fun for families or church groups!   Make your own version by grabbing a few helium balloons at the grocery store, writing your family prayers for America on homemade tags to attach to the balloons, and launching them from your home!   

2014 National Day of Prayer Theme: One Voice, United in Prayer.  
“So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 15:6

 For more on the topic of Prayer, see your copy of
Parenting with Scripture:  A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments.

I was also confused when her publicist contacted me! 

I thought, “What does Goat Milk Stuff have to do with Parenting with Scripture?!”

It turns out, quite a lot! 

PJ Jonas, Founder and Owner of Goat Milk Stuff, is the mother of 8 homeschooled kids and runs the business with her husband and family.  She has been asked so often about her parenting that she decided to share her wisdom. 
Thus, her creation of Raising Healthy Kids Blog and the Busy Mom Podcast. 

I loved chatting with PJ as we recorded our conversation for the podcast.  PJ is a master at naturally incorporating Scripture into her family’s daily life and is great at sharing tips on how she does it.  You’ll also enjoy hearing her talk through the Jonas family list of favorite verses.  I’m printing them and adding them to my list of favorites! 

Take a listen if you want
training, encouragement, or a refresher on parenting with Scripture!

Click here for Part 1 of my Parenting with Scripture interview for the Busy Mom Podcast.

Click here for Part 2 of my Parenting with Scripture interview for the Busy Mom Podcast.

PS – The Goat Milk Stuff products are truly wonderful!  She sent me a number of samples that we are appreciating and I’d like to order some more when we run out!  Love that they are made with natural ingredients!  www.goatmilkstuff.com

PPS – Please try to overlook my excessive use of “Absolutely,”  “you know,” and my thicker than usual Texas accent in these podcasts.  I think the “over coffee” style of the interview brought out the less formal chit chat in me!  🙂

The Jonas Family + Goat!

To have topical verses at your fingertips when those teachable moments arise, 
order a copy of Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments.

Consider Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments  for the any of the following and stock up now!

* Mother’s Day presents for a grandparent, sister, friend…
*School teacher end-of-the-year presents
*Sunday School, Awanas, Church choir, etc end-of-year appreciation presents. 
*Baby present for a meaningful addition to your gift.  Who’s due in the next few months?
*Friend’s birthday present.  Who are you going to be celebrating in the next few months?

Idea for what to write inside along with your personalization –
“May God bless you with wisdom as you continue parenting/grand parenting/influencing children with Scripture!”
 You can incorporate this into the wording on the inside title page.

Important:  The link in the first line and shown with the book picture below are for Amazon.  They do occasionally sell out of my book.  In that event, they usually restock quickly.  However, you can always be sure you’ll have a there will be enough in stock when ordering through my publisher.  If sold out elsewhere, click here to order through Moody Publishers. 

If you are local, I’m happy to sign them for you!

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook last year and gave me permission to share. 

This morning we talked about Holy week with my kids. My 6 year is notorious at tuning me out and especially if it has nothing to do with reptiles, Skylanders (a Wii game), or ninjas. My 8 year tried to clear it up by telling him that he had saved up and used his own $ to by my 6 year old a new Skylander and it was at Target. All the 6 year old had to do was go get it.  Mr. 8 year old added, “That’s how it is with Jesus, He already paid for our sins. All you have to do is accept it.”

accept: Consent to receive.

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.  Luke 18:17

For a simple explanation of Salvation, see that topic under your copy of
Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments.
What a great week to discuss this topic with your children and even think about it for yourself.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior?

Kids young and old enjoy a good hunt, so why not multi-purpose those plastic Easter eggs and incorporate Scripture!  Here are variety of ideas that can be geared up or down depending on the age or ability of your child(ren):

Fill eggs with…

Picture Clue
Fill eggs with nothing, except for one egg that has a picture of something or somewhere in your home.  For example, the picture could be a Googled image of a refrigerator.  When the child finds the egg with the picture, it’s the clue to where you’ve hidden an Easter Bible story book or the Bible with the Easter passage marked to read aloud.  Scroll down for the “copy and paste” fridge picture, ready for your use.

Bible Verse Words
Fill eggs with words from a verse and help them assemble the Scripture after they find the eggs.  Scroll down for the “copy and paste” version, ready for your use.  

Bible Story Sentences
Fill eggs with sentences from the Easter story and help them order the story and read it after finding the eggs. 

Coded Number Clue
Fill eggs with nothing, except for a coded number clue in one egg.  Use a simple code (such as each number corresponding with a letter in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, etc) and write the letters of a number of someone they can call or text (enlist a friend or other extended family member for this) for the next clue.  You’ll have previously instructed that person to text back a Bible verse address.  Then, the kids can look up the verse(s), read what it says, and the family can discuss it.  

Our clue was translated to “Call Aunt Susan!”  I had texted her ahead to tell them “Luke 24.”

  
These ideas could actually be used any time of year with any Scripture or Bible Story!  

Look through your copy of Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments
for more topical verses to play with!

Feel free to cut and paste these for your own egg hunt:

The angel said to the women,

“Do not be afraid,

for I know that you are looking for Jesus,

who was crucified.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

Come and see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:5-6

 Happy Scripture Hunting!