 What happens when Pinocchio doesn't tell the truth? If you don't know, you should find out. The truth is, it's not good! It's always better to tell the truth.
M. Hirsch Goldberg, in the early 1990's invented this day of honesty. He thought that since we start the month with April Fool's Day that is filled with tricks and lies, that we should end the month with Honesty Day. That's pretty good thinking, Mr. Goldberg. Tricks and lies, like on April Fool's Day can sometimes be silly if it's just for fun. But dishonesty usually hurts people and relationships. Not telling the truth is against God's plan for us because He knows the damage that can be done with lies! In Ephesians 6:14, Paul writes that we should wear the BELT of truth. Have you ever forgotten to put your belt on when your pants are just a little bit too big. Now that's big trouble, especially if you have to run in PE! A belt is pretty important to hold everything together. Have you ever seen a construction belt full of tools. That's another important use for a belt -- to hold your tools. Ephesians 6 tells us about some of the other tools that we need to stand strong as a Christian: helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit -- but he mentions the belt first. I guess TRUTH is pretty important.
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 In the United States, Tell A Story Day is always on April 27. Lots of libraries have a storytelling hour on this day.
Our lives are full of stories! Do you tell your families the story of your day at supper? Do you ever tell funny stories, scary stories, or your favorite memory stories? That is a fun way to get to know people, by listening to their stories. Sometimes stories are true and sometimes they are made up. Can you tell the difference? What about the stories in the Bible. Do you think they are true or made up? Well, we know that all of the Bible is true. That's been proven through lots of years of study. The Bible does include some stories that Jesus told that are parables. That means they were made up stories to teach a lesson. But we can tell the difference between those parables and the true stories of the Bible. Some stories seem like they are made up -- like Jonah getting swallowed by a whale or the story of 3 guys getting thrown into a fire and not even getting burned. But all of those hard-to-believe stories are real and show how much power God has! What about you? Have you ever told a true story to a friend that show God's power? Can you think of something that God has done for you that maybe you should share with a friend or with your family? Today, on Tell a Story Day, would be a great day to tell a Jesus story!  Do you know where the most pretzels are made in the United States? Pennsylvania makes 80% of America's pretzels!! But who invented pretzels? There are lots of ideas and most people think they started out as a part of something religious. One of the ideas is that an Italian priest made them as a prize for children who learned their prayers. He made them to look like folded arms as in prayer.
That's kind of a good prize for the children, isn't it. Why is it important to pray? Because Jesus told us to pray. He even gave us an example of how to pray. But prayer is just talking to God like we would talk to our friend. It would be pretty sad to go a long time without talking to our friend, wouldn't it? God wants to talk to him often. He's really interested in hearing you say that you love Him and that you need His help. Go eat a pretzel, and then spend some time talking to God today.
 Do you know any two people who really look alike? How about Carl and Caleb, they look alike! This is their special day. It is also a fun day to dress just like your friend or sibling. Maybe you and your mom or dad can do your hair the same today. Have fun with this day!
It reminds me that the Bible says we were created in the image of God. That doesn't mean that we look like Him, it means that we have some of the same qualities as He does. But the Bible also says that we become a Christian we should be "imitators of God." (Eph 5:1). That means that we should strive to copy Him. Just like Jesus, we should be filled with the fruit of the spirit. Can you sing the song? Can you name them in order? I can hear you singing "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness,goodness, and self-control." That's what we want to look like today, and every day!  It is Easter and the grass is turning green and the Easter candy is almost gone from the Walmart shelf. I heard someone say that Easter is canceled this year. OH NO IT'S NOT. We still are celebrating Jesus but we just can't be together. Look at the picture. Do you see that white cloth hanging on the cross. That is what we are celebrating. That is the fabric that was wrapped around Jesus' body, but He doesn't need it anymore. He is risen! What are you going to do today since we can't go visiting with our family and friends? Does that make you sad? or mad? or just going crazy cuz you want to go somewhere - anywhere? Just remember that this will all be over soon (we hope) and then you can remember back to all that is happened. I hope that you have had more time with your family and realize more now how much we have to help each other. Happy Easter Here's a fun Easter children's video you could watch together with your siblings. (link) |
