Park Street Christian Church, Richland Center, Wisconsin

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.– John 3:16 (KJV)

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Park Street Christian Church

148 South Park Street

Richland Center WI 53581

608-647-3702

Grandma for the next Generations –
A Lois Concept
A new blog by G ma
e-mail comments to
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

This is the first of what I hope will be a blog that will not only be useful but will reach out to all Grandma’s who have the same desire that I have. I am calling it the “Lois” concept.
Who is or was Lois?
For that one must go to your bible or computer and look up grandmother Lois Bible.
Ah You see Lois is a grandmother.
What else can you tell me about Lois just by looking in the bible?
That is what I desire and hope you will desire also. To be a Lois,
A grandmother with true faith and one that will teach it to the next generations and the next.
Grandma’s must be on the move for the cause of Christ to continue as we see how the world wants to destroy the Christian family.
Have you heard the song “God is on the move” maybe you should find it and listen to it. Better yet start singing it with your grandchildren.
The mission:
To go into the world ( our families) and preach the gospel, well for me it will be tell about Jesus. You can see more about that in the last verse of Matthew 28:19.
To encourage each other while we do our Grandma things.
To share a story about being a grandma
To share a story about your grandma
To express your struggles while being a grandma
To share positive helps to all grandma’s that are in the trenches
Or just maybe share what your grandchildren have told you lately.
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Grandma for The Next Generation # 139 Groanings When the two year old toddler gets bumped , groans of pain usually surface even if they aren’t hurt.
When you hit your finger with a hammer by mistake, the pain comes suddenly and unexpectedly. You may respond by sucking on the finger that was hit or holding it. Groans of ouchies may be heard in the next room. There is a scripture that I have always loved about Jesus groaning for me.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
The other day, I experienced that groaning analogy, my toddler fell on the cement garage floor. The tricycle was too close to her mouth when she fell and she bumped her mouth. There was no blood but for her the pain was intense. Whaling of sobs came at a steady pace. In an instant of the accident I, like all good grandma’s, in seconds had her scooped up and began consoling her, with “Poor baby” and “Grandma loves you sooooo much”, holding her tight and rocking back and forth, agreeing with her in the same tones that were coming from her sobs. “Oh, Oh, that naughty tri-cycle.” “I so sorry.” You’ve done it right? In a few moments the sobs became sighs and together in unison we, together, worked out the pain she was feeling and away she went back to the next adventure. That thought of Jesus, when He groans for me, became so very real. In my weaknesses he knows what needs to be prayed, when I come to Him, bogged down with the world’s cares and can’t focus He will be there for me interceding. I am glad that He paid the price and took the pain of the cross for me. I know His comforts are real and I can only hope that our toddler is understanding a grandmother’s comfort. With Resurrection Sunday around the corner, my hope is that you know the Christ that intercedes for you. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 138 No Greater Love
Walt Disney had a knack for children’s stories. From high school and his art classes, he became a commercial illustrator. He was born in 1901 and by 1920 He set up the Disney Brothers Studio. Places on the internet say he could have made from 157 - 494 different movies.
Many might wonder these days if Walt is turning over in his grave, as they say, to the product that is being turned out. Sadly ,the Disney world doesn't reflect much of what Walt believed and stood for. Bicotting and lawsuits seemed to be the norm for the company.
I heard an employee totally elated that she would be able to put any theme in the movie that she wanted and that the sky was the limit. Needless to say, the more corrupt for the child, the better, was the thought. Parents and grandparents should beware of the messages that are being sent by way of cartoon characters. I, however, would like to take you back to a wonderful movie that happened to be the last one that Walt was working on and never saw finished called the Jungle Book. Mr. Disney passed away in December of 1966 due to lung cancer.
The Jungle Book was released in 1967. We pulled out the old VHS tape movie of Jungle book with the grandkids the other day. A part of the movie jumped out at me with the feeling of “WOW! There’s scripture in a Disney movie.” Though I have watched it many times, that never had registered. Maybe because it is such a foreign thing to do in productions, for the world we live in. The character, Bagheera, was the jungle panther that found baby Mogli. Now a young man cub, Mogli is being consoled as his beloved friend, Baloo, who lies on the jungle floor dying. Bagheera makes this statement. “ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. What a wonderful message for a child or grown up to hear. This is love. Could you love that much to lay down your life for someone? Maybe a child, or grandchild? Some have been willing to give a kidney to someone in need. Could I love that much? I think you can mark your driver's license to be an organ donor? What a thing to ponder, giving your life, yet, those of us who know the simple Jewish Carpenter, by the name of Jesus, know that is exactly what He did for each of us. If you are one that doesn’t know that, I suggest you find yourself to a church on Sunday and listen to a good Gospel message. A foretold baby in a manger, grew in perfection to be the sacrifice we needed to be saved from our sins. He bore the weight of the world to the point of death, death on a cruel cross. So we could be washed and cleansed. The happy ending is that Baloo didn’t die. And, guess what! The happy ending for you is that you will not die either if you know Jesus as your personal Savior.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”John 11:25-26. Jesus was our perfect Valentine. The Bible tells us all kinds of ways to love. Share them with your Valentine this month. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 137 Candy Cane

There are a few stories about the Candy Cane that comes around at the Christmas season.
Using some of the thoughts, here is a Christmas poem that I came up with.
You might like to use it with your grandchildren.
Taking a Candy Cane hold it like and J and say
One little candy cane shaped like a J at Christmas time reminds me of Jesus every day.
Then turn it upside down, and say
One little candy cane, like a Shepherd’s hook,
that helps bring back a lost sheep when he has to look.
Jesus, like a Shepherd, cares for His sheep.
I am one of His little Lambs, He watches while I sleep.
Put your hands together and pretend that you are going to sleep.
Two little candy canes touching end to end Make a shape of a heart and say
Shapes a heart for all the love that our Savior sends
So much love he gave to me,
so I could live in eternity Point your finger to the sky.
Red and white the colors displayed,
Red representing He died on the cross shedding His blood that day
extend your arms out like a cross.
White so pure and clean as snow, He came as a baby humble and low.
Fold arms and rock back and forth.
Three candy canes shaped like an anchor hold three upside down together and say
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit I’m secure forever more.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 136 Restored

There are circumstances in our lives that become major disappointments for us. Sometimes it is a health issue that we come face to face with. Other times it might be a financial struggle. But I think one of the most energy depleting Life moments can be when your own family turns on you or is unwilling to come to a neutral place in the lives that should be lived as family.
One such situation is the son who now had lived on his own, becoming a father and then realizing that this whole marriage thing just isn’t cutting the mark, ends in divorce. What is a grandma to do? Grandma’s want to be there with their grandchildren. Grandma’s care and would like to spend hours a day sharing with the grandchildren, but how would it feel if suddenly you were cut off from your beloved grandchildren? Weeks fly by with no contact, which turns into months then years. There is a desperate loss felt as if an arm had been served from your body. Those once jammed packed photo albums have sat stagnant. The camera shutter won’t open because of lack of use. Your life has become a desert. The holiday lacks it’s luster. The gift giving went out the door. But then one day family situations change. A new marriage results in a more willingness to allow you to be a grandparent again. You are elated that the drought has become watered with showers of blessings. Soon the news comes that a new precious little one is joining the family. This all leads to you,grandma, being able to care and love just as God would want us to. God is so good. He has restored the years that the locust have eaten. Joel 2:25-26 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grandma For The Next Generation #135 R U Prepared?

I am sure in one of my grandma blogs I have mentioned the 10 virgins, but this particular instance brings me to reference the story again. In a way different light There were those who decided to go on a trip. 12 as a matter of fact were packed. 6 travelers in the first van realized the importance of gas in their tank. It was full to the brim and off they went.
At each opportunity, this van would stop and add a little more petro to the tank making sure that if the journey got too long before the next gas station they would be safe. The other van assumed they had gas and continued on their trip. Once on the highway going through some construction on a 4 lane highway with traffic bumper to bumper, where no gas was in sight the cell phone rang. “We need gas, NOW” was the urgent plea. Road construction and 4 lane highways are just the right place to have to find a gas station. Van number one had no concerns as they had filled in a little at each stop. Now though, in chaos, the second van was distressed. Their planning had caused concern, there could be a chance of an accident if they totally ran out before finding a fill up. Which could have been avoided with proper planning. 5 virgins knew to be ready and prepared for the King may come and they wanted to go with Him. 5 had not prepared. They tried to get prepared too late and ended up knocking on the door but they could not be let in. Thankfully the gas stationed was just a mile down the road and the turn off was easy. Gas was put in the tank and the second van was more aware of filling up even if NOT needed. This is a lesson for sure when it comes to being ready to meet your Lord and Savior. The one who rejects the call to come to Christ will not be let into the Kingdom. Don’t delay today, If you aren’t filled up with the Spirit, now is the time. It’s always better to be full than half empty.
Mathew 25:10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.” ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grandma For The Next Generation # 134 Don’t forget Me

When the first grandchild came, God gave me a lullaby song. Throughout the years it has evolved through each child. On the last child, God gave me another lullaby that fit right onto the first. The babies have come to love the song even joining in as we rock in our rocking chair. Our middle grandchild had to take a back chair when the third baby came. We were aware of the stresses a middle child might feel when another is demanding of the time and we made sure that love was poured out when needed. However - - - grandma is in the rocking chair rocking the baby who is not readily going to sleep. On and on the song goes. Over in the corner our very patient 4 year old blurts out “Don’t forget me! Grandma” Grandma in her repetition only included one child’s name in the song. She had to remind me that she mattered too. It made me think, of course she matters, and I want her to know it. So I’ll sing her name too. God is just like that with all of us too! Just think, He gave HIs only Son, so ALL would not perish. Jesus didn’t want any of us to be lost.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Jesus will not forget us, we matter to HIM. Maybe you, like our middle grandchild, have blurted out “Don’t forget me Jesus” It’s the best thing you could do.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grandma For the Next Generation #133 Forgiven

I have sung a song before called No Other Word for Grace, But Amazing. The song has a phrase in it, “UNMERITED FAVOR”. Today, I was shown unmerited favor. There is something to be said for that experience. It is good to be caught and then let go, pardoned is another word that comes to mind. Actually today, with tears welling up in my eyes, the words from the Officer were, “I’ll let you go this time with a verbal warning.” I fought hard to keep the tears from coming. I wondered if the glisten in his eyes were the same. But then, maybe it was just my imagination? I hadn’t been pulled over for almost 50 years. I do think I am a cautious driver and try to watch the speed limit. Tonight was the exception though, I had busied myself in town a little longer than I thought I should have, you get close to the increased speed limit sign and you speed up. Well, when you are in a hurry you consider. I saw his car, I knew I was guilty, the gauge wouldn’t lie and I had accelerated. Fear, guilt, sorrow, shakiness. I was caught no doubt about it and I knew it. I got my drivers license out, my registration, my insurance. “This is expired” the words came back. What can't be, I looked in the glove compartment again. There it was, not expired. Thank God. Coming back to the car, he handed me my license. Explained that he might have sped up himself at one time. . Then said, “You can go”. There was no punishment, it was deserved. It was a warning I didn’t deserve. I cried all the way home. Thanking Jesus, my name wasn’t shamed, but it should have been. My wrong was forgiven. It was then too that I could humbly remember what Christ has done for me. Anyone who will acknowledge the wrong they’ve done and seek Christ face, He is there willing to forgive. If you admit your wrongs He will pardon. Talk to Jesus. He is waiting to tear up your ticket too. He has given you verbal warnings though in His word, the Bible. You should take heed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. Romans 2:6-8 My sins are forgiven and my Christ intercedes daily on my behalf, and for me, I think I’ll make a little sign for the dashboard “SLOW” grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 132 It’s Just The Hormones

For the last two days going to town, I have witnessed the “DETERMINATION OF PROTECTION”.
The bird kingdom is fascinating to watch. My grandma loved watching birds from her window. There have been over 25 different kinds of birds at one time at the feeder.
Right now outside my window a mama Dove sits on her nest, ever so quiet, not to stir as I walk past with my head just inches away from where she sits. No movement to make one aware of where she guards her young. On the other side of the tree, however, the scolding of Mama Robin gets louder and louder though she has nothing to fear. Some determination of protection, you might say. Going back to my travels to town, I would look up and see the smallest of a bird flying over the top of quite a larger size bird ever Determined to chase that big bird away from something. This act of protection is actually called Mobbing. The smaller bird dashes or swoops down at the larger bird who is getting too close to the home range where a nest may be.
An article I was reading mentioned that hormones play into this act. It’s during this time that the bird becomes more territorial and has begun to make its nest. “Stay out of my boundaries” the message is clear. Birds, when mobbing, tend also to use similar sounding calls, warning others and calling for reinforcement. For those of us who read the Bible, we know that God is our “DETERMINED PROTECTOR” We can tell, as we see how He tarries for the lost. 2 Peter 3:9 says - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Another passage that gives me a peace is - Psalm 91: 1-16 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, "The Lord is my refuge," and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
The lines of communication of prayer, worship, and reading God’s Word remain open today. Come to Him today and He will answer. We can rest in the comfort of His ‘DETERMINED PROTECTION’ for us and on that thought we should have no problem getting a good night's sleep in our nest. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 131 Wind Prayer

“You’ll have to say a prayer," Grandma told her 4 year old grandchild. It had rained for the last two days. Storms had hit surrounding counties and states, and though the sun was trying to peek out of the gray cloudy skies, in the distance some clouds were dark and the wind was really beginning to blow. “We don’t want a tornado.” grandma replied. Tornados usually never come to their little country village but one could never know when that might change. Storms are storms and very unpredictable. Prayer, though, is predictable and is important at all ages. Our scriptures tell us to Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Teaching that God hears our prayers at all ages should be of most importance to a Grandma. One lady would tell of her grandmother’s lips moving through most of a visit when she would come. Sometimes even when she would get a perm at the salon, praying out loud. They knew where Grandma’s heart was and that impression was imprinted on the little one's hearts, forever. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:7 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:18 As grandma and the little one continued on their walk to the creek,
Grandma looked over to check on the granddaughter and there she was stopped, hands folded and lips moving. Surely praying for the wind and the storm to stop. A heart tugging moment for grandma for sure. We can not shy away from the instructions of the Lord, the world is seeking whom it can devour. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8. For this grandma, we will continue trusting God, and she might just get her CD out and listen to “The Master of the Wind .” grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 130 You Should Know

After the families sat and watched an innocent wrestling match between the two cousins, it began to get a little more intense, to the point that one hold around the neck looked a little dangerous and so a scolding took place. In desperation the young child cried out “I didn’t know”! There was nothing to be won in the tussle, there was no intent to harm but to a six year old with a cousin, competition was rising. They probably didn’t know or didn’t realize just how close to a choke it could have become. Nevertheless a word of caution needed to be made. Little children are sponges, they absorb more than we think but there are things that adults might think they know. But really they have no clue. Take for instance, the student that goes for their first clarinet lesson and the teacher expects they should already know how to play the instrument. Which really happened to someone. We should not assume that a child understands everything at a young age. Especially if they hadn’t been told. This scenario reminds me of the Christian life. There are many people these days that don’t believe in or choose not to know about the Christian life. Lack of knowledge will not be a crutch for those unbelievers when Christ returns. The Bible says in Roman 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. People may try in the last days to make an excuse and cry out “I didn’t know” but God’s word is clear there is NO excuse. If you haven’t confessed yet to God, make it right today so you WILL know. I’m sure that if you have been wrestling with the decision that you do know what you should do. If life is giving you a choke hold now that’s nothing compared to what a life not lived for Jesus will bring. As grandma’s we need to be all the more conscious with our little sponges, they are absorbing more than we know. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation #129 Are they Flowery?

YOUR blood for my sin Even though I’ve fallen again.
YOUR love Supreme to a world who was so mean
YOUR body bruised, broken and shamed
All just to give me a name
Forgiven, I am, only by You Redeemed pardoned, Yes, it is true.
This cup colored as blood,
a symbol of YOUR unfailing love
the drops of agony were shed,
they flowed down for me instead.
Life given, You did that for me
Life given, for eternity.
Forgiven, I am, only by you. Redeemed, pardoned Yes, it is true.
This bread taken, once made in haste
The representation of your body as we taste.
All given in Remembrance of Thee
Such love, demonstrated for me,
Forgive, I am, only by you Redeemed , pardoned, yes, it is true.

One song, learned as a little girl, was “Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim it”.
Have you been redeemed , cleansed, forgiven, purchased by the sacrificial Lamb?
These words mean something to me, but What do they mean to the lost as they hear them?
They might ask, What do I have to be cleansed of? I take a bath every day.
What do I have to be forgiven of? I try to be a good person.
Nobody has to purchase anything for me?
What do you mean sacrificial Lamb? I’m not Jewish, or Satanic.
Do our religious “Christian” words need to find a way to express our lives to the lost instead of in flowery words? Don’t get me wrong they are biblical words but possibly not understood if a Bible has never been opened to read or study. I was a blessed little girl, with two grandma’s that knew and loved the Lord in their own special way. I grew up with those words surrounding me every time I was in their presence. What words are your grandchildren hearing?
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grandma For The Next Generation #128 Grandparents

I believe the most fortunate grandchild is the one that can spend time with their grandparents. Grandparents have been around, some for quite a long time. Grandparents have lived through things that grandkids will never understand. Walking out back to a little shed called the Out House and no that is not the “Outback SteakHouse. ” Grandparents have learned by trial and error and want to make sure their grandchildren err very little. Grandparents have experienced life, some that have left scars they want their grandchildren to escape. Grandparents know what other adults are like and they want their grandchildren to know the difference between good and evil. Grandparents know about mood changes and high pitched voices that suddenly croak like a frog. They have lived bouts of tears and night long leg aches. They will have the compassion, understanding, guidance and hugs. A grandparent can be a best buddy or a superhero, a costume maker, a birthday cake baker. When a grandparent lives next door, that is a world of safety and love where a sense of belonging and enjoyment abounds. Where games are played , where songs are sung, where bikes can be ridden and swearing is forbidden. Where cookies are baked and leaves are raked. Where grass can be mowed and a garden is hoed. Where the Grandma taxi waits, and there is always an open gate. Yes, blessed is the child to grandparents, don’t have to travel many miles. And - - - - Bless is the grandparent that gets all the smiles. I was so very blessed to live next door to my grandma, when my father died at a very young age, she was my life line.
Proverbs 17:6 .Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 127 Best Day Ever
What can you recall as your best day ever?,
A sandy beach on a tropical island, a cool drink in your hand, soaking up the sun?
All your family home for a special occasion?
A knock at the door with a stranger telling you you just won the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstake? I guess it really does happen.
For one 4 year old, a ride in a dirty van through the local car wash with a grandparent, topped off with a stop at Mc Donald’s for a cheeseburger and french fries produces the joyful explanation “This is the best day ever!” That of course was heartwarming for the grandparent as well.
As Christians though, we know there is a Best Day coming. That will be when we are united with our Lord and Savior. The Scripture Acts 1: 9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
That will be the Best Day Ever. Just think what it would be like if you were with your grandchildren and Jesus came back in the cloud for all of us at the same time and place, for me that would REALLY be the BEST DAY EVER.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation #126 Speak Out Loud

Have you ever seen those catalogs that have t-shirts and sweatshirts in them with the most hilarious, or sometimes off colored sayings or thoughts.
I’m not advocating for those off colored or those with sexual or swear words but I’m sure what I’ve seen is pretty mild to what a sinful mind this day and age could conjure up.
Something for the fireman in your life “ I like it HOT”
For the mechanic “Grease Monkey”,
Something for the Lawyer “Lawn and Order”
Something for the grandpa “Only certain guys become Papas”.
Something for the Christian “Jesus Christ- It’s not a religion”.
Recently, I saw a young family with 3 children at an eating establishment. I caught a glimpse of her sweatshirt and asked my husband if he saw what it said. I was curious, so when she went up to the buffet, I went too. I thought I had caught enough of the saying when she passed by to have a slight clue where the phrase was going and when I was able to get close enough I had most of the idea right. It would never have been a shirt that I would ever wear. I admired her though for wearing her thoughts out loud. Most shirts that have a saying are meant to express a certain belief. Let’s face it, you’re a walking billboard, right!!! I told my husband what it said. She came by and I motioned for her to come to our table. I told her I commended her for wearing her shirt and standing up for what she believed. She mentioned that some people didn’t like it, but she wears it because of how her son was treated in his 4-K class.
I then said, “Good for you, that’s the American way- don’t ever cave.” I didn’t know her, she didn’t know me, we may never pass ways again but I had the guts to interact with a young mom, that had the guts to wear a shirt I’d never wear but agree with the sentiment.
Our church recently got some shirts, they say RU READY?
So I’m asking you, are you ready?
On the U is a very subtle cross, but total strangers have told me “Yes”.
Hopefully others start thinking about what they read.
What message would you wear on a shirt?
Especially for Jesus, Is it time to speak YOUR mind?
Proverbs 27:19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grandma For The Next Generation # 125 Determined

There is one word I have for my 1 year old grandchild. — Determination.
That child is determined to run this grandma down by Friday.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Determined to do exactly what she sees her older siblings do -
Determined to climb as high as she can before someone catches her it the act -
Determined to find the ant poison for a trip to the emergency room -
Determined to slide out of the high chair and the stroller with the greatest of ease
and then using her upper body strength to slide herself over the tray and back in.
Will she be a trapeze artist I wonder?
Have you considered the phrase “ Good thing this one didn’t come first, there wouldn’t have been any more!” Right?! Wrong, though exhausting at times she is like a sponge, determined to learn the words that she hears, babbling as if the whole dictionary is already stored in that little brain of hers.
Watch out when it all comes together she probably won’t stop talking.
Determined to be understood and heard.
Maybe she will grow up to be a judge, telling people how it is?
We Christians are to be that determined also.
Determined to STAND for the Bible and live it out.
What really does that mean?
Would compromise be a part of that picture or compassion?
Gossip or The Gospel?
Forever blaming or Forgiveness?
Be determined to be in God’s Word this New Year. Be determined to grow like our 1 year old.
Fast and furious.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation #124 Stand

Do the people you associate with know where you stand on issues of the day? Recently I saw a local business with a lighted sign supporting a candidate that was running for office. I was thrilled to see that this business had guts enough to do that without fear of income loss.
I frequently send emails to friends about a petition they might sign or an article on a person running for an office. Very rarely does anyone share their thoughts with me. Pro or con! Do people consider their opinion a private matter? Do they choose to keep a person guessing? Do they shy away from what they believe as to not get into an argument or lose a friendship? Maybe people just don’t know where they stand? They might like to just let others, media or news run their lives. Right now there are many issues that a grandma needs to take a stand on. The Child Bride law would be a devastation for our granddaughters. Yet who is talking about this issue? Very few. Who has contacted their Senators? Hopefully more than who is contacting me. Have we become so complacent that it doesn’t affect us so it is relevant? Is this the attitude of the day? Maybe we should all take the time to make a list of what really bothers us and if there is a way to stand up against it we'll do it. I contacted my senator. Leave my grandchildren alone, let them be children. I don’t need some pervert marrying my 8 year old granddaughter. Do you?
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation #123 Parties

There is an ongoing debate about childhood Birthday parties. As soon as an infant turns one,
a Birthday cake that they can eat squash and smear appears with oohs and ahhs. Pictures are taken and an event is all the rage. Another family will look at the day as another day with no fan faire. Many families gather together and celebrate with a meal cake and presents. Others invite their whole class from school for the observance.
I once read an article where it was encouraged not to open presents at a young person's party. The thought was that it would hurt the gift giver if the birthday child rejected the present or “didn’t like it”. I was taken aback with that thought. I was always taught to be happy with any gift because we didn’t deserve any. I’d be the one giving that kid a spanking acting that way. Sadly that is not the attitude of some parents nowadays. Is there a lack of kindness in children these days? Have we had so much that we don’t know how to be thankful for what we get? Do we celebrate teaching habits that later become thorns? Some children don’t understand the waste in toys, the expense that tires usually way too soon. Many being discarded to the thrift stores.
“Why didn’t we get them a present, mom?” came the innocent question, as the birthday child was opening all the other kids presents. “We gave them a card and money”, came the reply from the parent. So what is right? Do we leave it up to the individual? In the end what lesson in gift giving is being learned? Do we teach what is appropriate and help the child understand a sensible way in giving? We might say that money can buy something that is wanted or needed. If I look at the Bible it tells me that God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthian 9:7. I guess if it makes me cheerful, I’ll give. If I have to give to regret, then it probably isn’t a good thing.
Have you struggled with it? Grandma? Take heart, and know you’re not alone. I started a savings account for my grandchildren. I put money in it every birthday and Christmas, Yes they get a few presents, but I am hoping that maybe they will have enough money when they become an adult to do something unexpected with it. Consider the same grandma.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 122 Where do you Stand?

Do the people you associate with know where you stand? The issues of these days may make a person shy away from sharing their beliefs?
Recently I saw a local business with a lighted sign that had the name of a local person running for an elected position. We will vote for someone in this category tomorrow.
I was thrilled to see this business take a STAND for their belief in the candidate.
I frequently send emails to friends about petitions they might sign or an article on a person running for an office. Very rarely though, does anyone share their thoughts with me. Pro or con. Do people consider their opinion a private matter I wonder?
Do they choose to keep people guessing or do they shy away from what they believe in, so as not to get into an argument or lose a friendship?
Maybe people just don’t know where they stand, and would just rather have someone run their life for them and tell them what they should believe?
Right now there are many issues that a grandma needs to take stand in. One being the child bride law that is trying to come down the pike. This in my opinion is disgusting to say the least. But who is talking about it? How many have contacted a government official about the matter?
Hopefully more than have contacted me. Have we become so oblivious to the matters of the day that we feel it doesn’t affect us. Do we feel comfortable with the I don’t care mentality and go about our own daily affairs while others are suffering consequences on their own?
Maybe we should make a list of what really bothers us and if there is a way to stand up against it we do it!!!
1 Corinthians 15:58 So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:13 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Galatians 5:19-24
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. …Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 121 Set in Stone

The Ark Encounter became a reality in 2016. At the entrance of the Ark is an exhibit of 12 stones. There is a significance of 12 stones and what it represents. In Joshua 4:6-7, 24 it mentions they are a memorial to remind the future generations about the Almighty God.
The board members also laid 12 stones at the Ark Encounter as a reminder to parents to pass on the Godly legacy to the coming generations. Also it was a challenge to people of the world to seek out the truth of God’s Word and the gospel. I have always been intrigued with stones. A diamond is a “girl’s best friend” I've been told. I have to say that receiving one from my husband of over 40 years certainly was an exciting event.
The other day we had some concrete work that needed to be done. Bags of cement were purchased and water added to the mixture in the wheelbarrow. It was mixed thoroughly and the spreading began. Back when our children were very young and we had cement projects we would wait until the mixture was almost set and then have the children put their hands in the concrete to be set in stone. Their little hands still remind us of how little they were when the project had been started. Similarly, this cement project brought up the same idea for our grandchildren’s prints to be made. Their little impressions will be a reminder to us of how they will grow through the years, and how their parents, our children, were once that same size. Even the baby got into the project with a footprint set in stone.
It is important for us to set some things in stone. A firm foundation of stone gives a good solid base for a beginning. Being grounded in Christ and the Bible is imperative if we want some day to live with Jesus. What do you have set in stone right now? Maybe you don’t have a big cement project that you need concrete for, but a stepping stone could be a great way to preserve your grandchildren’s hand or foot print to show the future generations. Date it and put their name on it, then if God blesses, their children will one day see it and be reminded. Children are a heritage of the Lord. Love them while you can, soon they will be off starting their own cement projects. Who knows maybe they will even say “Grandma, come put your hand in the cement as a reminder for the next generation.” grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation #120 How You Say It ?

Would you say Forever is Eternity or Eternity is Forever?
Would you say Life is Death, or Death is Life?
Right is Wrong or Wrong is Right?
There was a conversation between two friends on the phone.
One told her friend she was trying to witness about Jesus to a neighbor.
In trying to gently enter a conversation about salvation, the neighbor told her that she Had been checking into different religions.
“I don’t see it as a religion,” but as a personal relationship with Jesus.” the witnessing neighbor
Explained. The girl was not too impressed with the conversation and basically told her neighbor she wasn’t interested in a commitment. While the other friend listened intently on the phone she Matter of factly said, “You just should have told her “You can go to Heaven or go t”Really, it all boils down to the choice you make.
Right or wrong
Good or bad
I’ve noticed that it is hard for some people to say “hell” unless they are swearing.
Do you remember the Charmin toilet paper commercial from many years back?
Mr. Whipple would squeeze the package and say “It doesn’t feel like– Then he would whisper “Toilet Paper”. Just think how far we have come on any whisperings these days. It is even a rare minister that will bring up the subject of Hell. What is the problem with talking, discussing or preaching on Hell? It’s real and it’s going to happen to some of us who may be surprised to end up there. I for one don't want to go there and I know I need to ask forgiveness more often than not for this tongue of mine. Jesus told us He would rather us be HOT or COLD not LUKEWARM. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelations 3:15-16
HOT OR COLD
So what will YOU say Black or White grey? Jesus taught that one too!
It is a choice that all will make some time in their life. Every knee will bend. Romans 14:11 Don’t wait any longer say Yes to Jesus today, then look up Mr. Whipple and watch his commercials that run from 1964-1985. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 119 Easter Cookies

Grandma’s may your time with the grandchildren be a time of baking cookies that tell the Easter story. Enjoy the poem with them and the cookies that they have rolled out and baked. I'll have a sheep, rooster, hen and chick, dove, and camel. I'll make roll the dough like a rope and form a serpent. Not sure about the gnat yet. Good cooking.

Easter time is coming
cookies will be baked.
Animals that will tell
the story of what was at stake.

I’ll need a sheep or a lamb
for that begins it all.
Christ was the Lamb, a spotless Lamb
that had to take the fall.

He was the Shepherd
who taught his flock.
He was the sacrifice,
The Solid Rock.

12 men followed,
one turned away.
Another heard the rooster crow
on that certain day.

That one, his head, he bowed in shame.
then told the Lord,
love and commitment
would be his aim.

Two found a donkey,
with her fole.
Taking it to the Lord
was their goal.

With clothing laid upon their backs
and some upon the road.
The Lord entered Jerusalem
with cries of Hosanna being told.

But in the Holy Temple
people with their doves,
got a big surprise
when their tables got a shove.

His chosen people, like Hen with chicks,
He wanted, Oh to care,
but they were not willing
yelling death as their dare.

Serpents, vipers, gnats and camel
leaders now rejected.
But woe to them because they have
The Lamb of God neglected.

Crown of thorns, a bloody King
cross upon a hill,
Yet only love was displayed
forgiveness was His will.

Earthquake lightning graves opened wide
the curtain torn in two.
Soldiers trembling took a bribe
not knowing what to do.

Body placed inside a tomb
stone rolled tight and sealed.
Yet just a few days later
A miracle would be revealed.

He is not here the angel said
He’s risen from the dead
now go and tell the others
He crushed the serpent's head.

So as you bake your cookies
no bunny is in sight
But all the Easter cookie animals
are sure to be a delight.
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 118 Hard Poke

I try to avoid the doctor, yet sometimes when I go, I have to have blood drawn. It’s at that time I make sure I tell the technician “I’m a hard poke!” I’m not really sure if that is a good thing to do or not ? Reveal that their job might be difficult because my veins aren’t the greatest for getting the blood they need for the test that needs to be taken. The young lab technicians may get frustrated and nervous. The older may see it as a challenge. Needless to say, I will probably get poked at least two times if not more. Sitting in church one day during communion time, I reflected on blood, the blood that was shed for me. This blood didn’t shed with a clean sterile little needle poke. This blood came from whipping, some say 39 lashes for punishment, but the Bible doesn’t exactly say how many Jesus received. This blood came from nails driven in the arms and feet of Jesus. Crucifixion is a very brutal killing. Why it had to be so gruesome I don’t know? Yet this was the plan God had for His one and only Son.
Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many " (Matthew 26:27-28).
In the Upper Room Christ met with His disciples and offered communion with them, when we meet together on Sundays we celebrate in a time of remembrance as well. We remember His sacrifice, His giving, His suffering. I may think multiple pokes for a few drops of blood is painful, But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed Isaiah 53:5
For this we grandma’s should be all the more grateful. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 117 Oz Times 3

When I was a little girl television was black and white. Then, in 1939, there came a new Technicolor and suddenly the color tv’s were all the rage. Every year I would look forward to one such movie. The beginning of the film began in black and white, the story line “We’re not in Kansas anymore” began the new color technique when the characters landed in Oz. You probably know the name of the beloved movie, that the U.S. Library of Congress says it is the most seen film in movie history, at wikipedia. Another clue would be “lions, tigers and bears, Oh my”. The Wizard of Oz. How I loved that movie. Why, I have often wondered? Could it be that I might have related to the young girl in the movie? She seemed to be where she wasn’t supposed to be. In the way of the farm hands and in trouble with the neighbor. Could it be that she, though not Somewhere Over the Rainbow, thought it might be a better place to be? From flying monkey’s to a wicked witch and fire to munchkins and the lollipop guild. To a hot air balloon that took off too soon and a house flying through the air, each part intrigued me. Later when you could buy it on VHS, I was the first to get one. Before, we waited once a year to see it on the television. Much to my surprise, when I brought my first born home from the hospital, just days old, it was on that night. What a fulfillment for me, my newborn bundle and the Oz and the resounding theme, there is no place like home. Over all the years when the red ruby slippers clicked, you would hear me sobbing. So what do you think, when watching it with our three year old granddaughter and holding rocking the newest baby that when those slippers started clicking, the tears started flowing. “Why is grandma crying?” came the question. My husband just chuckled at the sight. Grandma knows that there is really NO PLACE LIKE HOME, the joys that we have shared in our home though will never compare to the home that our Father is preparing for us. I may not arrive with ruby slippers but a place is secured with the scarlett red seal of my Savior’s blood. Grandma’s who are reading this, may you know that place, heaven, that will someday be our eternal home somewhere over the rainbow. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for The Next Generation # 116 Just Imagine
A few years ago, a movie came out made popular by the song with the same name. “I Can Only Imagine”. The song is filled with imagining what heaven might be like when we get there. What looking on Jesus would be? The Bible says that Christ will come back for HIs bride. Just who is HIs bride? 2 Corinthians 11:2 says I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. Fellow Christian believers, those who have put their faith and trust in God and confessed Him as Lord and Savior and who has been washed in His precious blood. Some day Christ will be our bridegroom. We can know that for certain. When a grandma cares for her young grandchildren, there is much imagination that goes on through the day. One such day involved “getting married”. Why not since at grandma and grandpa’s the wall is arranged with their wedding picture amongst the other family photos. If we go downstairs Great Grandma has her wedding gown on display in the beauty shop along with Great Grandpa’s Army jacket that he wore over 60 years ago. Grandma was told that there is lots of preparation that goes into a wedding. We need a dress, grandma. We need a veil, grandma. We can’t forget the tippy shoes, grandma. Can we have some cake and music too? She had it pretty well planned except for one important detail. Then she adds “Who will I marry? Grandma.”” That is a good question grandma says. She can’t marry her baby sister, she is to be the maid of honor. NO one marries their papa besides he is already married. That is when imagination comes into play. Marry Olof grandma suggested. Olaf is a stuffed Disney Character from the movie Frozen that grandma made. Being 28 inches long, it might not quite be the height you would want for your groom but for today it would do for a three year old’s play. The music starts, Grandma is humming, Here Comes the Bride, the Bride has her bouquet, there are Christmas bells ringing from the bouquet. Keep singing, the bride says as she passes by. She is radiant. Olaf is clueless! Grandma acts as the preacher, after vows , and a kiss they are pronounced husband and wife. There is plastic food that is enjoyed by all the guests at the reception. The bride carries on a conversation with her new husband. Imagination abounds. The Bible tells us that a Bridegroom is coming for His bride someday to take her to a heavenly home. We do not have to wonder who our Bridegroom is for the Bible tells us that He paid a ransom for us. He chose us and desires to be with us and us with Him.
1 Peter :18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
Though an atheist won’t believe it’s true, I might suggest a little “Imagination”. It could make for a lifetime of eternal married bliss. JUST IMAGINE! grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For the Next Generation # 115 I Can’t Get No

Some days are just going to be that way. It starts out fine. You’re dressed, the kids arrive, it’s another day in paradise with the grandkids. The diaper is changed, the three year old is full with breakfast. Then suddenly without warning Life Happens, one thing leads to another.
You go to the bathroom ,flush and the toilet breaks. You call papa because he can fix anything. He tells you to shut off the water, you do that and now there is no toilet upstairs. The baby is crying, the older sister says poop is coming out of the baby. It’s a blow out!
Time for a bath anyway. Baby gets cleaned up and has a new outfit on. Still there is crying.
What else can be on the list? It’s not like I haven’t been through this before. Let’s find a cool pack for baby’s gums. Maybe that will satisfy? Satisfaction - Sometimes you just can’t get no satisfaction! Today was one of those days. There is no comfort, no enjoyment. Just displeasure and discontent. This can make a grandma discouraged, try as hard as you might, nothing soothed the soul. It was in that moment I realized I should have prayed. God has told us in Psalm 50:15 to call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you shall glorify me. This certainly was a day of trouble and the devil delighted in it. I should have remembered the devil will flee when we submit to God James 4:7
I called unto the Lord, the baby quieted down, took a bottle and rested. There was peace. I sat rocking this satisfied bundle. Thank you Lord for answering my prayer. I wondered how the morning might have gone had I cleared out Satan at the very first my feet hit the floor for another day?
Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Help me Lord to realize I need you to start the day with me, everyday. I do rejoice in the love that you have for me and my grandchildren. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 114 New Year Brings A New Sun
The year’s ending and a new year is just around the corner. We say “Goodbye, to 2021” and “Hello” to 2022. A facebook post read “open the door and let the old year out and open it to let the new year in”.
“Fast away the old year passes” isn’t that what the song says?
We might consider letting other “old” things out the door as a new year begins also. Old habits, old attitudes, they could be shooed out the door. Old things that might not be pleasing to God. Our family loves to get together. We celebrate Christmas with food, laughter, and presents. Thankfully we are a family that is whole.
We all get together, there is no division, this was a lesson observed as a young girl growing up.
One sister had a husband, it ended in divorce and the other sister married him. Now at a family gathering, that could have been tricky but the sister who first had the husband never showed any ill will anytime the family was together. Sure there must have been hurt feelings at one time but never in the years of Christmas together was it displayed. Only a Christ like spirit would be seen. There it was learned, forgiveness in the truest sense.
Sadly there are families that never get together because one person upset someone else and like a fire that spread,soon each member of the family took a side and division followed by rejections, which led to distancing with no celebrations ever again. Possibly you even know of a family that experiences that.
The Bible tells us, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Ephesians 4:26
Do you have a past hurt that needs forgiveness? You can be the one to make the first move of forgiveness. Isn’t it really what Christ would want of you? Especially at this time of year saying goodbye to the old year and hello to the new?
Jesus chose LOVE and gave His life for all who would accept Him and all those who would reject Him.
What should you do in 2022?
Put on a forgiving spirit like that of Christ ? May that be your choice before the sun brings in the new year. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 113 Insane Sanity
What do you think of when you hear the word sanity?
I think just the opposite, Insane like crazy.
These days you may feel surrounded by the insanity of this world.
We wake up to a radio blaring with news we don’t want to hear.
One wonders when was the last time we heard some good news?
A cheerful message?
The local paper headlines seem to hold a gloom over us.
Political, financial, mental, or the virus.
There are those who would do evil with fear tactics.
It isn’t that viruses haven’t been around for a while, Ken Ham at Answers in Genesis, tells us that some viruses are actually good. But because of the fall some cause disease. Before that everything was good, very good as God states it, in Genesis.
One can see why the suicide rate has plummeted.
During June, more than 40 percent reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and increased substance use.
Just 4 percent said the same thing in 2018.
Many factors can bring about insanity, those with health problems
L.G.B.T.Q. mannerisms
Native Americans
military personnel
those with psychiatric illness
unpaid caregivers
our young adult population
The economic pressures with job loss only add to the insanity that surrounds us.
Many are concerned with Covid fears and isolations.
All contributing to higher suicidal tendencies.
But we know the underlying cause of this insanity is sin.
Yet ,the world would have us be brainwashed with fears lurking.
It was only fitting then, that my God, would put the word FEAR into the Bible for me to study. WE all are very familiar with Fear Not but there are supposedly 385 up to 500 scriptures in the Bible depending on what version you read, on fear.
God gave us enough references for every day of the year.
I say, however that It’s time to start focusing on some JOY things that would give us back our SANITY
We need to dip into some endorphins.
Things that make our brain feel happy
Stimulants that cause a good feeling, a sense of satisfaction in your being.
We need some calmness and contentment in our lives,
we need to feel that hug when the world is giving us a cold shoulder.
WE need to get our mood lifted up and decrease our stress and pain levels
Affect our brain with the release of neurotransmitters.
What is she talking about you may be asking ?
I am talking about CHOCOLATE over 300 naturally occurring chemical compounds that make us happy.
So, the other day when it was very stressful and the new baby was crying a lot and the 3 year old was being 3
Grandma reached for a piece of chocolate
The Granddaughter then said “What do you have Grandma”?
Grandma’s reply came back SANITY.
What’s that? came another question
Grandma promptly opened up a piece of chocolate and handed HER a Hershey’s mini bar.
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! WE can thank God for the Joy of chocolate that he gave us so we could taste and see how wonderful He is. Indulging in conversation with Jesus and a couple of pieces will keep the fears of this world definitely away.

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Grandma For The Next Generation #112 Frozen - Theme and Thought

For this grandma, the “theme” has been around for a few years. I had heard of the Disney Frozen Movie for quite a while but never had an opportunity to watch it. I had seen a video of one grandma’s granddaughter singing “Let it go”. I didn’t really understand what the theme of Letting Go was? Then through the years of popularity, I had even heard adults sing the phrase “Let it GO” thinking that they were just taking a breath and accepting what negative circumstance they happen to be dealing with.
I have now been enlightened to the Frozen movie. The Frozen items still being featured in the stores, tells me that I am not too outdated yet. Stickers, color books, dolls fill the shelves. My granddaughter likes to sing “Let it Go”. In a way I think she looks like Elsa but in no way has her problems. I hesitate to say too much about the movie as I don’t want to spoil it for any grandma who hasn’t had the opportunity to watch it yet but there was one phrase that led me to write this blog.
“You would love me so much that you would sacrifice your life for me?”
The movie shows an evil girl with evil powers who had a very cold heart.
There was another girl who felt left out and who felt rejected most of her life. She didn’t understand the relationship with the other girl. As stories go, Evil lashed out on Good so strong that it was going to kill the good. The Good loved so much that Good was willing to sacrifice herself for Evil. That’s when it struck me- I don’t know if the producers of Frozen knew it or not but the wording couldn’t have been more fitting for understanding of Jesus.

“Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2 :6-8

Christ loved you so much that He was willing to die for our sins, for our evils and wrong doings. He was rejected by man and walked a lonely road.

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2
Who would think that through the secular Disney movie, Frozen, that you could share with your grandchildren the love Jesus has for them. Watch the movie and see how the Holy Spirit works. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 111 This is a Warning
The day started out with a thick haze. The humidity was high and there was a sense of storm in the air. Though it was late morning, the clouds darkened the sky to make it look more of day ending instead of beginning. These kind of days keep us inside a little more than the grandkids would like. There are color books in every character you would want to color. Plenty of crayons, colored pencils, markers or paints to work on the perfect piece of art that will end up on the fridge at Grandma’s house. Sometimes a picture will go home with them to share with mom or dad or the other grandparents. This particular indoor day had the radio playing in the background. As the clouds rolled in, it got even darker, the wind picked up and it wasn’t long before the radio started blasting the weather alert warning.The first few times it went off the kids didn’t notice, but after the blaring continued for some time they began asking what it was about. It was explained that there was some severe weather happening in some place. The announcer had said”Warning of high winds that could take roofs off and chance of hail.” I explained that if a tornado was spotted it would tell us how fast it was traveling and for us to take shelter in a safe place. We talked about being thankful for our radio and for the information that it could give us to warn us of coming danger. It got one to thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a warning for those who need to accept Christ as Savior, and find shelter, before it was too late?” The problem is that sinners aren’t prone to reading the Bible where those warnings are.
Romans 6:23 tells us that The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God, is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sadly even Angels told us that He will come back the same way He left earth gathered in a cloud Acts 1:11 but we tend to forget those teaching.
Revelation 20:15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
The Bible has been preserved for thousands of years. The Answers in Genesis web site has a great article on the Preservation of the Bible. A wise grandma would read about it to share with their grandchildren. Even Jesus said in His world Mark 13:31 that Heaven and Earth would pass away but My words will not pass away.
The warnings are there. Who will sound the alarm for those in danger ? It must be up to us to be the weather spotter and tell the message of safety in Christ. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 110 Call me - God Heard My Prayer (GHMP)

Footnote: Grandma’s can witness anywhere God puts them.

Call me a procrastinator. I tell myself, “It’s not THAT bad”, I can put “THIS” off a little longer. After all, “ I am a grandma”, “ I’ve got a job to do.” Right! ?
Call me not so smart, too!
So, I had this issue. A FEW years ago, I was told I had “ multiple gallstones”. Well, let’s say about 4 years ago. I told you I can put “things” off. Call me a baby or scared or anxious . Every now and then a pain would flare up on the side where your gallbladder is. I would always ask myself, is this going to get worse? Duh? Do I need to get this checked out? Will it pass? I finally got to the point where I knew that something probably needed to be done but procrastination showed up again. So I prayed “God, If I am supposed to get this gallbladder out YOU are going to have to give me a sign.” Have you ever prayed like that? Be ready if you do!
The family was coming for a fourth of July get together. I had cooked a pork roast in the crockpot overnight to be nice and tender the next day. The prayer for lunch was said and every one dug in. The kids and adults went through the line. I finally sat down with my sandwich with some BBQ sauce on it and took a bite, “WOW” that was delicious. The mess was cleaned up, conversation continued, the grandkids went into the pool and were having a great time, the great grandparents watched , I sat scolding them because they were splashing too much water out of the pool. Time passed and the sandwich still felt like it was inside my stomach. I got the kids out of the pool, dried them off, reclothed them and shot off some fireworks. My stomach began to pain more intensely. I walked back and forth, the pain got stronger, Great grandma said, “What’s the matter?” I snapped, “I’m in pain, I think I am having a gallbladder attack!” I grimaced. I looked at my husband and said, “I am going to the ER”. So I drove myself there. The grandkids were to spend the night.
I pushed the button at the ER door, as I walked in, there in the waiting room were friends from our JOY Sunday School Adult Ladies Class. Familiar faces. God heard my prayer.
The nurse came out of the ER door. The first word off of her lips was MY name. More familiar. One of my son’s high school classmates, all grown up and serving her community. Precious.
I knew her, she knew me. God heard my prayer. The doctor was people friendly. God heard my prayer. The tech knew how to draw blood from a “hard poke”. God heard my prayer. When the report came back, one test showed that what should be in the 70 range was in the 700 range.
This is the problem, “We need to admit you to the hospital and get things quieted down” God heard my prayers. As I entered onto the floor I would be staying in, I noticed the picture on the wall of the Hospitalist that would be on call. God heard my prayer. It was the award winning Doctor I had read about in our local community newspaper. The Doctor that had brought my grandson into this world and would soon be bringing in his sister. God heard my prayer.
The nurses were great. They were kind and the passion for their job was apparent in the care they gave me. They would converse about their lives with me as they did their duties.
I knew they must get overwhelmed with stress.
So many of them are young mothers trying to get ahead in life,having a career, trying to go back to school, raising a family, trying to balance it all.Thinking about their child care. So many thankful that grandma’s were home caring for their children.
I hoped that the administration understood their circumstances and supported them, as well as they carried out their duties in the care of the hospital's patients. It was difficult for me to have them wait on me, I am not used to that.
More blood was drawn, an ultrasound done. The surgeon was a woman, very detailed with wonderful bedside manners. She was an eye watcher. As I. Meaning the eyes reveal a lot. I had told her my concern and my eyes to her must have looked a certain way and she knew what was in my “heart” by the comment she made.That made it all the better for me.
God heard my prayer.
9:00 a.m. the next morning the anesthesiologist came, he was thorough, God heard my prayer.
I kept my eyes closed a lot of the time going to surgery. As I was being pushed through the hall the song, “Angels watching over you” popped into my head. “All day All Night Angels watching over you my Lord” - God heard my prayer.
One nurse was very bubbly, she introduced herself and everyone else in the room, I opened my eyes a little. The room was bright and fresh, I closed my eyes. The surgical team called out their own responsibilities like clock work. It reminded me how the Amish worked so diligently on my husband's shed. Each moving in timing with the other. Board, shingle, nailed, when only after a few hours, the whole roof was shingled.
“We are wrapping you up in this blanket, nice and snug, the cot is not that big”.
“Doctor likes to get close”,
“Hooking up the IV”
“Adding the anesthesia”,
“Your arm can rest right here on this board”
“This is a little air for you to breathe”.
The black cup reminded me of the Ether that was used when I was a little girl getting my tonsils out. I don’t recall much besides praying.
I woke up, nothing was remembered, I was tired, can I tell you, I was tired.
I was chatty. Don’t ask me what I was chatty about but I know I was chatty.
That is funny to me now. I hope I didn’t drive them crazy with my chattiness.
I was tired. Back at my room it didn’t look like my room, even though I knew it was my room.
I was tired. I slept, my minister came, I was tired. People who love me visited. I got to eat. It had been a long time since Sunday and the pork sandwich. Chicken bouillon, yum yum, a liquid diet. They had a Lemon Ice that was tasty.
By now you have seen some nurses many times. They become precious to you. This old grandma has lived their life, I remember, the job, the kids, the bills,all the balancing. I pray for them then. I pray for the happy times, the sad and difficult , for their families and the extra job they may work to make ends meet.
Mostly Lord, I pray that they may come to a time in their life when they will seek your face.
I will go home tomorrow. I may not see these beautiful girls on the 300 floor again. I pray, in the next life, they will be there with me, when we can talk about how tasty Lemon Ice was and what a hard poke I was and that we all know Jesus.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 109 Two is Better Taking care of preschool children is such a joy. Their little minds are like sponges and that is when the Scriptures need to be implemented into their everyday life. When two cousins were playing together, they each were trying to lift on an object. Each object was too heavy for one, that was when Grandma suggested that they work together and each use their strength to lift the item, the reality of strength in numbers began to sink in. Grandma then interjected “Did you know the Bible talks about “Two being better than one?”

Working together, gets the job done quicker. Playing together, brings enjoyment and much more imagination. Doing things together are always more fun and functional with two. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4: Two are better than one “because they have a good return for their labor.” If I picked apples for an occupation, I would be glad to have a second person holding the ladder on the ground. If we both were picking on opposite sides of the tree we would get more picked in a lesser amount of time. Two is better than one. It continues to say:

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. This is so true when a 911 call comes for an elderly person who has fallen. How thankful the EMT’s are to have two, to lift the person up off of the floor.

If two lie down together, they will keep warm, those who may be married know when you climb into bed on a cold winter night that the first one in the bed would warm it up and that once the two were settled in, a warmer feeling would come over them. How many of us are guilty of putting cold feet on the other for a warm up?

It wasn’t until a few days later that grandma overheard one grandchild say “Remember two are better than one” when they reached for that second cookie. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation #108 Balanced

Balance is important. As a baby begins to crawl they soon try to pull themselves up wobbling as they try. A toddler takes a move on one foot and tries to put weight on the other. After many more attempts walking is mastered, sitting still is in the past.
Balance- we climb on a bike and need balance. We want the clothes in the washer to be balanced. If you ever have had a washing machine not balanced you know the noise, the shaking of the washer. Balance is important. It can ruin a motor. It could hurt the body if one falls off a bike. It can send a car through a garage door if a grandchild loses their balance and falls on the shift lever when the car is running- - No one never really knew just what happened but there the car was, slowly going through the garage door, only to stop when the father jumped through the window that was down and turned off the key, stopping the car just inches from the van sitting on the other side. Balance is important. We need a balanced meal to be healthy. How do you balance your life? Do you get enough sleep? One person said, I’m sucking in air. Breathing in and slowly breathing out can help focus on a balance. Even recipes are balanced with different tastes, spicy with mild. Calendars are a great tool for balance and scheduling. There are many types, some with journals to write in, some with spaces for appointments, even some come with stickers that remind you of birthdays, anniversaries and family gatherings.We want a balanced checkbook so that our balance account is in good standing. One can even schedule in prayer for a balanced life. God gave us 24 hours each day. When we give an account what will that time spent look like? Make every moment in your day count. Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation #107 Do unto others

Kindness is one of the most important words a grandma can emphasize with grandchildren. As grandchildren interact with each other, learning numbers and letters, playing with train sets, coloring and painting, kindness is a beautiful virtue to possess. As most grandma’s know though, situations occur and a gentle reminder of certain behaviors needs to be mentioned.
Especially when “kindness” is nowhere to be found. “Mine” is a word learned early in a little one's life but a lesson of the “Golden Rule” is appropriate anytime.
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Sharing those special toys seems to be a difficult task. The I trouble, Me, Myself and I trouble, shines very brightly, feelings are hurt but victory is claimed in possession.
A song that was learned as a young child was the JOY song.
Jesus and Others and You what a wonderful way to spell Joy. Jesus and Others and You In the life of each girl and each boy. J is for Jesus for He has first place. O is for Others you meet face to face. Y is for You and whatever you do. Jesus and Others and You what a wonderful way to spell JOY. It is wonderful when grandchildren can learn the technique of sharing. There is joy in this Grandma For The Next Generation’s heart when her grandchildren offer a prized possession for someone else to play with. This is a project that we will keep practicing.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 106 Out on a Limb

The night was dark, two cats were growling and hissing at each other. The bystander was trying to get to his truck. Out from the corner of his eye the two cats leaped up into the tree and the fight was on.
The next day one cat was still in the tree. The branch that it sat on was only about 9 feet up but fear of the traumatic night remained. It didn’t matter how much coaxing was done, the cat would not come down. Cat food was brought out, no dice.
A long two by four leaned up against the tree resting like a ladder on the side of the tree, still, for the cat, it provided no way down. No amount of support from humans was enough support to convince the cat to put her paws on the plank and walk it. Only constant crying for help was heard for 7 hours. No amount of assuring, gentle talk, or hand gestures would allure. Impatience on the part of the human that could hear the cry becoming weaker decided to take matters into their own hands and took the two by four in hand and gently gave a shove. The cat with claws out took hold on the trunk one time and then jumped onto the ground just like an acrobat in the circus. Once on the ground the cat immediately came to the human and rubbed against their ankle. Appreciation was felt on both sides, they were good friends and buddies.
Before you judge the human too harshly we might want to ask ourselves if there has ever been a time when we had to have a two by four hit us beside the head in order to do the right thing. Not an actual two by four of course but sometimes it takes a hard hit to get it through our thick skull. We need a shove to wake us up and realize the situation at hand like the cat. There are times we are just out on a limb and don’t know what to do. For the Grandma for the Next Generation we know who to turn to. Jesus is there ready to catch us in any fall.
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation # 105 Thoughts of Bread Rolls
I can not say that I have been on a Sabbatical. I can only say that as a grandma for the next generations there isn’t much time for writing down thoughts at times.
Not that there hasn’t been lots of thoughts, since we last have been together. We have lost almost a year to a pandemic namely Covid 19. But that is not what this writing is about.
Though I have thought a lot about it.
I however have been spurred on by a package of Bread rolls. “Pan O Gold” by name, not that that means much. I had never tried them before and since they were a very good price and I was looking for a dinner toll to serve for my family meal ---- “Why Not!”
Since I had never used these before I questioned how long I should have them in the oven?
Right on the back of the package was all I “needed to do”.
Take out of bag
Preheat oven
Bake 5-6 minutes brush with butter
Wa La!
Then right under the directions was the prompting for this Blog!
Note: These rolls will keep for several days on your shelf, about two weeks in your refrigerator,
Indefinitely in a deep freeze. “Indefinitely” WOW! Meaning - Unlimited time!
At first I thought, I better buy a whole bunch more of these and put them in the freezer, in case the store shelves go empty like they have been not too long ago. At least I would have something to eat. That was just a thought.
Then I thought Wow! What a claim--
Who was able to see that the rolls definitely kept indefinitely?
I thought- Forever? Like in Eternally?
Then I thought Christians have the promise that the Savior Creator gave us.
Eternal Life- meaning I won’t expire - I will live indefinitely with Jesus in a mansion that He is preparing, Just for ME! A home in heaven that is to have streets of Gold.
And -- The Good News is that you can be like a dinner roll too!
“Live Indefinitely” Just ask Jesus into your heart and life, seek out a good church to introduce you into being Baptized in the name of the Father, Son and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I know that Heaven is going to be more satisfying than a dinner roll but until Jesus calls me home--- “Pass the butter” I’d like a definitely tasty dinner roll.
O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him Psalm 34:8 grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation #104 Process Leads to Progress

When I was a child my mother made up a form of a lullaby. As she would rock me she would sing a name of a relative riding on a pony in an array of colors. She would have brother, sister, daddy, mommy, grandma, aunt, uncle, going around and around. She had a process and with the rocking and round and round song eventually I would go limp and be asleep and she had progress.
When my children were born I sang the same song. When the grandchildren came along, I had my own lullaby that God laid on my heart but Mom’s song never went away, instead it became the round and round song when we were on our bicycles. We would sing everyone in the family on a different colored bicycle going round and round. A three wheeled Adult bike was a good find for us when they were babies. We could put the car seat in the basket and go round and round. It wasn’t long before they progressed to their own trikes. At their young age, round and round became favorite. This process developed a progress and there was much excitement when the training wheels could come off and balancing a bike on two wheels became a reality. Life is full of process and progress. Once the process is understood the progress comes. We are taught from a young age a right and wrong way. It begins with “Hot.” The stove is hot. You do not want to get burned so stay away. Some children are born into families that understand the process of spiritual education. Sunday school is introduced and the song “Jesus Loves Me” becomes a life long staple. It is however the sad occasion that one learns of a high school graduate that neither knows God or of a life lived believing in such a Deity. There is a reason Christ says to “Train up a child when he is young.” At a young age there can be progress. One can pray and rely on the Creator to be a true Friend. There is time to grow into a Christian, grounded in a faith where the heat of the day will not scorch the roots. Christ gave a great example in the parables of the sower. 4 processes took place.
Seeds on the way side,
Seeds on the stony path,
Seeds with thorns and
Seeds on good ground.
The progress
Words that were snatched away.
Words heard brought joy but for only a while due to tribulation and persecution, which caused stumbling.
Words that choked out because the cares of the day and deceitfulness of money caused unfruitfulness.
The progress with hearing and understanding the words though produced a crop 100 ,60, or 30 fold.
Grandma’s for the Next Generation must introduce Jesus to their grandchildren. A generation without Jesus could very well mean a world without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Start the process today with your little ones.
We can’t afford to lose the progress the Saints that have come before us started.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 103 Shouldn’t Have Done It

There are few occasions that I ask myself “Why did you do it?”
Grandma’s should know better, shouldn’t they? They are to be the wise ones. Those who have lived and experienced. And yet, here I am asking what did you do that for?
There is a confession to be made. Grandmas cave into temptations sometimes.
Grandmas like everyone else can have those “yield to temptation” moments. What has this grandma done? You might ask, that warrants this blog? The bargain was too good, the coupon was available and resisting just didn’t happen. A chocolate peanut butter Culver's Concrete Mixer, YUM! Some of you may be saying.
It was yum, okay, but the coupon called for a regular size which was two times bigger than needed and the sugar packed in it wasn’t a good idea at the time of night it was getting eaten and the peanut butter in a stomach that is already sensitive to fat just wasn’t the right thing to do. And, I knew better!
It is after midnight. I’m wide awake from the overload and burping peanut butter and I’m thinking - YOU should have known better.
This grandma is human. All of us yield into temptation at some points in our lives. It is our sinful nature. There is a reason Christ told us to pray “Do not lead us into temptation” Matthew 6:9-13. Unfortunately with every spoonful of sugar (icecream) going down it was only a momentary “Mary Poppins” delightful way. The next time I think I want a treat it had better be much earlier in the day, not as large a serving, and I must remember the old ad. “A little DAB will do ya!”. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 102 Kiddie Pool

What memories do you have of the kiddie pool?
Growing up we seemed to have had some kind of water source to splash around in. That 10 foot by 3 foot plastic beast that you tried to keep up until the water filled it full enough to stay up on its own. The plastic tarp on the hillside with a hose turned on it to make it slippery to slide down, or the basic back and forth of the garden sprinkler. Something would get us wet during those crazy lazy days of summer. Our children went to the rec pool. They were on the swim team. Meets and practices filled our summer days full. The grandchildren have a five foot ten inch high kiddie pool here at the house. Two children in it seems to fill it quite full. Very little room for other inflatables but one tries. This year with the pandemic, swimming pools have been scarce. Everyone is staying far away from the “virus”. I have been thankful that last year’s pool made it through the winter elements with no cracks. After a good bleaching it was ready to fill. Add a few “new” accessories from the dollar store i.e. water squirties and the summer has been a hit. Squirt guns have been around since 1865, they offer that game of “gotta ya”. It is amazing the excitement that can come out of a grown adult when they are approached by a two year old with a little squirt of water. After all they are dry and want to stay that way. Right! The two year old totally understands the concept of wet since the sibling has done nothing but get her wet all afternoon while in the kiddie pool. So including you in the soak, makes this summer activity more enjoyable. I stumbled upon squirties, about an inch in diameter twelve inches long, shaped like a pencil with a plunger in them like a syringe, when filled with water they can squirt up to 10 foot with fairly decent force. The best deal was that they came in a package of two for one dollar. Nothing is bringing more gleeful noises from grandma’s kiddie pool like this find, along with aiming at grammie of course! When was the last time you got wet with your grandchildren? Better yet, when is the last time you were dripping wet with your regular clothes on? Just because we are grandmas, don’t mean we can’t enjoy a good splash or appreciate one when it is one hundred degrees out!

Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Remember- It’s the “Water” that helps us all grow.
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 101 Soaking in the Sun

One should be content soaking in the Sunday afternoon sun. A day of leisure , some may call it. But as I take pen to paper, there is no contentment.
Why, I ask myself? Could it be the cares of our days lately? The unrest of the whole world? The wrongs that are made to seem right and the rights that no one seems to be looking for? I feel there will not be answers to those questions for quite some time. Grandma’s bother themselves with questions like these. Especially a “Grandma for the next Generation”. They have read their Bible a time or two. They know that a future without the Promise will not come easy. They know the past with that Promise was not easy but was endured. So basking in vitamin D may help a litt. Researcher on Healthline mentions that 41.6 % of US adults are deficient.
Another doctor mentions that if you have skin cancer at least he knows you are getting some vitamin D. When’s the last time you soaked up some rays? Why not get a blanket out or a towel and just sit in some sun? Just you and the Son can be a great time for meditation. Pull up a chair, pick up a pen and paper, write down what comes to mind. Maybe God has wanted your attention for some time and now you can listen Look for the simple things in life. You may find your contentment basking in Him.

Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 100 Mistakes Erased

A teacher once told of some research that has shown that children of this generation are losing their hand muscle strength. It seems with the ease of technology, that computer devices have weakened young children’s hands, to the point of not being able to use scissors and pencils like children a decade ago could. Children actually are not capable of holding a pencil. The fundamental movement skills are being lost. Muscle building play has been replaced with tablets and other devices. Technology offers the pacifying that parents so desire at times, watching a movie usually settles the children down it can be a great babysitter, these devices can give a parent a moment of quiet time. We have to ask though if fine motor skills are being compromised wouldn’t a different approach be better? Does your grandchildren play with Legos, tinker toys, color? Have you ever gotten some beads for stringing for them? A bracelet or necklace made by them would make a great gift for a mom. Scissor cutting is a great way to do some muscle building play. Do you remember the old sewing cards? They still make them and they are an inexpensive learning tool. Just check out a dollar store. Kindergarten sign up is happening in the area. Children will be showing off their skills in hopes of going to school. Now is the time to start helping our grandchildren succeed when it comes to the basics. Occupational therapists have had to intervene in some incidences.
Using a pencil is a great way to introduce a Bible lesson too. As you introduce a pencil to them, remind them that on the other end is an eraser. Make a mark and show them how a mistake can be erased. Sometimes corrections need to be made. Mention that we all have made mistakes in our lives. Some are called sins. Then remind them that we are glad that God sent His Son Jesus, to erase all of our sins. He did that by dying on the cross. We all have to ask for forgiveness of our wrong doings or mistakes. When we acknowledge those “mistakes” sin in our lives, Jesus will forgive us for them and erase them from His memory. They are wiped away forever.
Isaiah 43:25 says I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions , for my own sake and remembers your sins no more. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 99 Rise Above

Our grandchildren come into our lives. We watch them grow, praising them for each milestone that they make. Those baby steps to walking fairly well without the wobbles. We hear their babblings and coos. Soon they are talking a mile a minute. This process of learning is quite a development. There are many month by month charts out there showing a timeline of reasonable developments. Just think of all that a newborn in those first year learns. One study mentions that the first three years are the most beneficial.

Between conception and age three, a child’s brain undergoes an impressive amount of change. At birth, it already has about all of the neurons it will ever have. It doubles in size in the first year, and by age three it has reached 80 percent of its adult volume.
Synapses are formed at a faster rate during these years than at any other time. In fact, the brain creates many more of them than it needs: at age two or three, the brain has up to twice as many synapses as it will have in adulthood.
A synapses is a junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter. When synapses are working correctly, they allow your neurons to communicate with each other, which keeps your nervous system functioning the way it should.
As grandma’s we are anxious to hear our grandchild say “grandma” often it is their own rendition. Nana seems to be popular. Oma is German for grandma and bubbe is for non Jewish grandma, and savta is for Hebrew/Jewish. But what if the words don’t come when they should be expected? What if we learn there is a delayment? When the vowels and consonants aren’t spoken? There may be discouragement, heartache and stress. Increased stress is especially evident in areas when added finances are strained,there are disruptions of family plans, and restricted social life that occurs when lack of support is given. Questions of why may surface.
Helen Keller is a wonderful historical hero with a story that can enlighten those who are in a similar situation. The Torchlighter DVD of Helen Keller helps us get a glimpse of what determination and learning is all about. Helen’s teacher Ms. Sullivan was dedicated and Helen overcame obstacles of deafness and blindness and learned to communicate with the help of this patient teacher.
HELEN KELLER WAS THE FIRST DEAF BLIND PERSON TO EARN A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
SHE PUBLISHED HER FAMOUS AUTOBIOGRAPHY THE STORY OF MY LIFE IN 1903
SHE PUBLISHED 12 BOOKS IN HER WRITING CAREER INCLUDING LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS
SHE CO-FOUNDED HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONAL IN 1915
WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM IN 1964
WAS A WORLD RENOWNED SPEAKER
RANKED AS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
REMAINS AN INSPIRATIONAL ICON FOR MILLIONS ACROSS THE WORLD
What one might call unfortunate Helen rose to the challenge and became exceptional. If you have a grandchild with delayed or impaired development take heart and know there is still a God and one can serve in their own special way. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 98 365 Day or More

This is a new year. We have 365 days to live a life that would be pleasing to God. 365 Days to accomplish something that could become a legacy. 365 days to eat sleep and work. Or 365 days to sit and do nothing. But---this year is different we get another 24 hours to do --- to be---
To learn, to explore or will we get caught up in the game of mundane. Meaning 1. Lacking interest or excitement; dull. 2. Of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one.
Doing nothing, no value, boring. God has been putting the word Stand in my mind lately. I am asking myself this year- Do I know what I stand for? Can I say for certain, that no matter the circumstance that I will stand I would STAND for ________________. And what would that ________________be? What do I intend to stand for this year and for my life?
I stand for the resurrected Christ
I stand for life. I have joined the County Right to Life group.
I stand for the traditional family. I will not buy into the hidden agenda that tends to destroy what God has ordained.
I stand for America, for freedom of speech, for the constitution. America with humble beginnings, tremendous sacrifice, generosity.
S TEADFAST
T READING
A BOVE REPROACH
N O RETREAT
D ETERMINATION
I will stand on the word of God, The Bible
As I listen to the news articles it is very apparent what people believe they stand for. Surprising it is not what I stand for. But as the years pass by I am seeing less and less of what I stand for and more and more of Chaos. The Bible, I stand for tells me that chaos does not come from God, so we know that it comes from evil. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
It also tells me that the Devil roams to and fro 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour and it tells me-
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Abundantly one translations says. This new year decide what you stand for the STAND.
Remain STEADFAST continue TREADING strive to be ABOVE REPROACH. NO RETREATING and remain DETERMINED.grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 97 Little Golden Book Christmas

Do you have any Little Golden Books on our shelves? In 1942, the first 12 books were printed selling for around 25 cents. The thought was to offer a cheaper priced book for children to all families. Other books at the time were selling for $2.00 or more. As long as I can remember the Little Golden Books have been on my shelf either for me or for my children and now my grandchildren to enjoy,. People who loved them as a child often collect them. Some having a value of over $270.00. Recently I was in the closeout bin at a local store. There for 75% off was a book titled, "Everything I Need To Know About Christmas I Learned from a Little Golden Book" by Diane Muldrow. Of course the title intrigued me to look farther and the book went into the cart,. Each picture comes from a Little Golden Book, dating from the 4-'s to current time.s Each telling me something that has to do with what Christmas is all about. How refreshing it was to see the page "When JOY Came" talking about the manger, star, shepherds, kings and the gift for the world. Here a definitely secular book, thought to include the true Christmas story. What some these days would rather forget in vivid color portrayed the story of what Christmas is all about. Those pages came from a 1952 book called the "Christmas Story" by Jane Werner. A lot has happened in the last 67 years regarding how may feel about Christmas Oh, should I say the "Holidays". Many stores stay open and never close. What used to be sacred and Holy has been replaced by blinking lights and reindeer, sleighs and red and white suits, or striped stockings. One wonders if the thought behind a gift really matters anymore and if people just feel obligated to buy and give. Even when you would think that a gift card would be a nice gift to give, at gift card girlfriend, it is reported that 32% men and 26% women don't even use their gift cards. It goes on to tell that since 2005 there is $45.7 billion out there in unused gift cards. Makes me with they could add it to the national debt.I could hardly believe it.
There is another Book that is Golden, it also speaks of the Golden Rule, it was taught to me many years ago. Do you remember it yourself. "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12. The book is the Bible full of wonderful ways to live our lives and learn how to treat others. It tells the true factual story of Christ birth and the ultimate gift given to each living being. Little Golden Books will always have a place in my life,k but the Bible and Golden Rule has a place in my heart for eternity.
It is up to a Grandma for the Next Generation to restore the true Christmas meaning and instill it in the hearts of our next generations. We have an awesome task ahead of us. Keep up the good jobs. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 96 Pretty Dishes

Some antique dealers look for unique dishes. They’ll dig through bins at the Goodwill stores Scan the shelves at the local thrift shop. Go to numerous rummage sales, hoping to find that one item that will bring them some extra cash. There is always something to get rid of and something the dealer can’t wait to snag. Certain dishes of antique value can bring in a pretty penny. Even normal household items can turn into a money making profit if you do a little research. Pyrex items have some value. I have some pieces that I have had for over 40 years. One specific casserole dish and lid sold for $4,000.00. Nippon for example could be worth a few dollars to thousands of dollars. Nippon is the English word for Japan, it began in 1891. in 1921 U.S. Customs decided that the word was not acceptable so items were marked Japan instead. Depression glass came in different colors pink in varying hues (some are very light in color, while others have an orange tint to the pink), cobalt blue, and green. Depression glass was also made in amber, iridescent, opaque white known as Monax, and several other colors as well. It was a dish that could have been bought for a nickel in the depression time. Often coming in a box of soap or as a special from the gas store. Opaque Glass originated in 16th century Venice and came in a variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, blue, and brown. The white variety of today rose to prominence during the Victorian era, they called it "milk glass. Its production and popularity waned during the Great Depression but saw a resurgence after World War II. True milk glass will have a beautiful pinkish red glow when you hold it up in the sunlight around the edge like a halo. Some glass items are hand blown and others like pottery are made on a wheel with a lump of clay. You may have a special glass dish from your grandma? A grandma may get carried away with pretty dishes. You may have gotten a pretty dish for a wedding gift, or you may have inherited a special item from a grandma or great aunt. Thanksgiving time is a great time to get out the fancy pretty dishes, there is always lots of food and to display the vast array the multicolored pieces of dishes can liven up any table. There will be grandma’s gravy boat, there will be aunties turkey platter, a green depression bowl with corn, clear cut glass for pickles, milk glass plate for cheese, a Pyrex bowl full of Jello salad, just to name a few that will don our Thanksgiving table. There may be some value in the dishes that will be used, but the gathering together with family will be priceless. It will be a time of catching up, seeing how college is going, listening to wedding plans, strategies for a good season in basketball. The rise or fall of the stock markets. Maybe a song or two. There is no price that can be put on that. Our bellies will be full and our spirits will be thankful for another year of together. Enjoy your family this Thanksgiving time. Pull out that pretty glass dish tell your grandchildren the memory that is dear to you about it. Maybe you’ll even want to give it away this Thanksgiving? “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:16-17 grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For the Next Generation # 95 Locked Out

You are watching the grandchildren. There are chores during the day that need attention. Dishes to wash, garbage to take out. Day in and day out you fix yourself into a routine and try to follow it. You think that things are finally at a low keel smooth sailing flow, then as you walk back into the door after taking a bag of garbage out, you find that you cannot get in. You know one child is down sleeping, you look through the glass window and the 1 year old is staring up at you crying with big tears rolling down her face. She has locked you out. Now I don’t for a moment think she knew what she was doing except turning a nice little knob for fun and dexterity, but needless to say she was on one side and I was on the other. Great! No need to panic I know where I hung the key. Well, I thought I had the right key, I got it off the nail and went to the door. It didn’t turn, great! Now I can panic. I got other keys that I had access to. One, two, five, ten. There has to be one key that will work, back to the one on the hook, trying to tell my granddaughter to put her hand on the knob and turn it again. She looks like a deer in head lights. Another try with the first one, it goes in it turns. Praise the Lord. Why it didn’t go in the first time, I will never know. A lesson in patience I guess so, a lesson in not getting upset, yes. Another lesson that I thought of, I was not let in. There was no gaining access. Mark 10: 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. I want my grandchildren to understand that the key to everlasting life comes only from Jesus and doing the Father’s will. Can you rest in knowing you can gain access? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 94 Daughter in Law

An interesting thought crossed my path the other day. “I am a grandma because of my daughter in law. Now I realize my son had something to do with it. But my daughter in law was willing to carry a child for nine months and then go through a delivery. I also realize it wasn’t just for me she labored in child birth love, but at this Thanksgiving time I am thankful for my daughters in - law. Daughter in laws are conscious of the meals they prepare and the lunches that they pack. They make sure that proper nutritious snacks are offered daily. They go to work 5 days a week yet care for the laundry and dishes and house. Yet, they still find time to support my sons, participate in community activities and have a listening ear for this mother in law. Each daughter in law has their own personalities. Spunky and known. Educated and inclusive. Dedicated and driven. Managed, consistent, and organized. One son mentions to her “You sound just like my mother.” Whatever that is supposed to mean? Daughter in laws that watch out for our sons are especially to be thanked. A mother’s concern for that son who needs medication daily is very appreciative when they know that daughter in law is there with love and care. Genuine compassion is what makes a family feel supported. When is the last time you thanked your daughter in law for loving your son? When is the last time you looked her in the face and said “I hope you know how much I love you?” Is it time to break down any walls that have been built? Bitterness hurt and resentment are horrible adjectives in any family. This Thanksgiving why not be the grandma who thanks the one who made you one. You might even suggest if you may be one again! I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds Psalm 9:1 grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 93 Add It Up

Have you ever felt that you don’t really make a difference? Do your eyes wander to the achievers, the rich, the popular and you say “What’s wrong with me?” Some of us may have had those feelings in grade school. Some had all the friend, you had one. Everybody else was invited to the popular girls birthday party but somehow you got overlooked. The athletic always got picked first but it took you a few years to get out of that clumsy phase. The pretty girl always got the dreamy date for prom and you never got asked. How does that relate to a grandma blog? In every situation that we have survived, it gives us a passage rite. We’ve been there. It has happened to us. We’ve been seasoned, beat around, molded into the person that God wanted us to be. We’ve learned and grown through these phases. Hopefully it has made us more understanding, compassionate, sympathetic. Searching the Fruits of the Spirit in the Bible, you will see Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. A Grandma For The Next Generation is always familiar with them. They are found in Galatians 5:22-23. Curiosity lead me to the United States Census report. Census.gov. I wanted to know how many grandma’s there were in the USA. It was a very impressive report. Though it was dated I could get a good sense about grandma. Seems in 2001, 38% of women age 30 or older with a child 15 or older was a grandma. It was estimated that 56.1 million were grandparents; by 2014 there were 69.5 million grandparents. Why share all of these statistics? To help you put into perspective how important you and being a grandma is. How you ask? Let’s go back to the “Fruits of the Spirit” if we would consider that around half of the 69.5 million grandparents were grandmothers , that would make over 34 million grandma’s out there. Say that only 10% have a faith in Christ. Suppose these 3.4 million grandmas could reach 4 grandchildren. That would be 13.6 million grandchildren, knowing and growing for the Lord practicing and sharing the Fruits of the Spirit. If Christians did nothing more than what the Fruit of the Bible represent can you imagine what kind of life people would be enjoying. You are important don’t give up in your quest to reach out for Jesus. The internet has lots of Fruits of the Spirit activities for you and your grandchildren to enjoy so explore them today. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 92 Everyone Can Come

Do you have a chance to go to parades? Parades are great fun. They are a wonderful place to gather with family. One such parade offers the occasion for 4 different families to meet. The grandchildren end up with 3 sets of grandparents. The grandparents can enjoy the company of the grandkids as each one donned with a plastic bag, tries to dig for the candy that is being tossed from the units going by. One grandparent asked “Do we watch the parade or the kids in the street going after the candy?” It’s a great day when the bag is full of candy and a granddaughter is willing to share a piece of candy with a grandma. It is a beautiful family unit that does not feel threatened or neglected by each -others company. The sharing of the grandchildren and responsibility of loving them in balanced harmony is a witness to the grandchildren and may not even be realized. When competition and jealousy can be put aside for the welfare of the children, even others will begin to notice. Children will feel secure and loved. Getting together as different families show kids how to build healthy relationships. A support system is built by family bonding. When those crises happen family is there to come along side. In a healthy family, all the grandparents may be invited to family affairs. Special holidays and birthdays are especially festive. Thanksgiving is around the corner, why not host a Thanksgiving meal and invite all the family just don’t fight over who gets the drum stick! How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1 grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 91 Bone of my Bone Flesh of My Flesh

One study of science is Genetics. It tells us what we inherit from our mom and dad. As more and more research is done, science can fine tune the different things that make us, us.

When a baby is born into a family it is very often that someone will say, “Who does the baby look like?” Right away they compare that parents features and determine who they think the new one looks like, the eye color, the smile, the nose and so on. Today ultra sound pictures are taken before the birth of a child. It can reveal some startling images. Some parental traits are so strong that one would think that the parent was in the picture and not a new child being formed. Some would even say, “That’s scary!” but really that’s DNA. It has a huge effect on your looks, talents and even temperament. Don’t you hear the visitor commenting “My, the baby looks just like the father” or “She has her mother’s eyes.” A five year old granddaughter told her grandma, “I want to look like you, grandma.” I’m sure she didn’t know it, but the probability of that happening is pretty good if she is that grandma’s son’s child. The grandma hadn’t thought too much about it until there were some picture taken at a parade and a comparison was made, same eyes, same teeth. The grandma considered it was quite a complement since the age difference was around 55 years. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder the old phrase says. In this case that must have been true. Kids Health shares that a grandmother shares a little bit more than 25% of her DNA with the daughter of her son. Instead, she shares on average about 26% of her DNA. The segments of DNA that contain the instructions for making specific body proteins are called genes. Along the segments of our DNA, genes are neatly packaged within structures called chromosomes. Every human cell contains 46 chromosomes, arranged as 23 pairs (called autosomes), with one member of each pair inherited from each parent at the time of conception. After conception (when a sperm cell and an egg come together to make a baby), the chromosomes duplicate again and again to pass on the same genetic information to each new cell in the developing child. Twenty-two autosomes are the same in males and females. In addition, females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y chromosome. The X and the Y are known as sex chromosomes. A single chromosome determines whether you are a boy or a girl. We know that our Bible has already told us about these discoveries Psalm 139:13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Do you have pictures of you and your grandchildren? If not start taking pictures then have a fun indoor day and reflect on how God made you and them the same. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 90 Overcome

The other day I was in a store. I saw a man wearing a T-shirt. It said “Quit pulling my leg –Seriously, It will come off.” Before I had seen the front of the shirt, I had felt sorry for the man. The man had a prosthetic leg and was wearing shorts. After I read the shirt I thought to myself, “How do you get to that stage of acceptance and humor, when something like losing a leg was so devastating at first?” Do you have any thoughts? Then how do we talk to our grandchildren about the ups and downs of life? How do any of us overcome the stresses. Some turn to counseling, others mind altering substances. Another person’s empathy may help. We have our Bible and we can learn from others that had stresses in their lives. Paul mentioned his ship wrecks, and beatings, his “thorn” in his flesh.

2 Corinthians 11:24-29 I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

One example we can learn from “The Christ” is the suffering that He endured in the garden. The weight of His stress cause Him to sweat drops of blood. He asked “Let this cup be removed from Me, but never the less Thy will not Mine.” Luke 22:42-44 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Here are 5 things you might consider when you are stressed or you are talking with a grandchild about stresses. Recognize your feelings. Don’t hold in negative feelings, express them. Focus on the journey not the destination. Talk to others who have been through the same thing. Find a purpose that gives life meaning. Console and Associates have other ideas for you at their web site.

2 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Peter 5:6,7, Psalm 34:4, Just a few scriptures as we deal with stress and remember the Bible has many more. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for The Next Generation # 89 Some More Please

The air is crisp. The leaves are falling. The pumpkins are ready for carving. People will begin their tours of apple orchards and the viewing of the autumn colors. A vast array of apples await those travelers looking for the right flavor for a fresh baked apple crisp from grandma’s recipe. Those candied caramel apples, apple cider and apple cider donuts are a delight to anyone who gives them a try. The hillsides are turning color and soon will reach their peak. People drive for miles to see the multicolored hews that our Wisconsin hills display. Autumn? Fall? Whichever you choose to call it, delivers the best of God’s seasons in my opinion. Then after a busy day it is time for everyone to gather around the camp fire for the ending to a perfect day. The sticks are sharpened from the limb of the oak tree. The super -sized marshmallows have been purchased. The embers in the fire are glowing. It is time for some roasting. S’Mores they are called, graham crackers, chocolate bar and roasted marshmallow make up the delicious treat. Have you roasted a marshmallow with your grandchildren lately? Some like their marshmallow char-coaled, blazing on fire, until it is blown out. Others have the patience of Job and will take their stick and ever so slowly twirl it round and round in their hand so every side turns into a golden soft marshmallow as creamy as a caramel. Some will eat it off of the stick and others will put in between two graham crackers along with a chocolate bar or peanut butter. For a fun mix up, licorice sticks have been added, gumdrops or jelly beans have been tried. Different kinds of candy bars give extra zing to the old standard. When another log is added to the fire a shower of bright sparks fill the air. Though the night air is cool, I’m told by a grandchild “This is warm and cozy, grandma.” Which reminds me of my love for him, and the Savior who allowed me to be a grandma. 1 Peter 1:22 God’s Word translation Love each other with a warm love that comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result you have a sincere love for each other. I am blessed to know a God that wraps me up warm and cozy too. Even when my faith cools like the night air around me I know that God welcomes me and keeps me in His care. When my attitude towards others or certain situations have cooled, He breathes His warmth by the Holy Spirit my way to bring me back to Him. In this cool of the night, my spirit is renewed. I’ll have a S’more please and I will try a little harder as I walk my Christian faith tomorrow. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 88 Explore a Rainy Day

Do you know when the first umbrella was used? Looking on I saw a carriage with an umbrella securely fixed to the side, from Qin Shihuang's tomb, c. 210 BC Parasol is another name for a fancy umbrella. Southern ladies in their lacy dresses would carry one as attire to shield the hot summer sun from them.Mary Poppins had a Parrott handle umbrella to fly around chimneys with. Business men protect their suits with one. In 1750, Jonas Hanway realized the wisdom in carrying an umbrella and though at first was rejected other men soon made it their fashion as well. Even tables hold big umbrellas to keep it cooler at a picnic.

If you look at some scriptures from the Bible you might say there was an umbrella or canopy over the Earth. The Garden of Eden was in perfect balance there was no need for rain. All things were provided for when man was created. The Earth had not experienced rain. God as Creator was able to freshen the Earth with a mist maybe like the dew we experience on our lawns in the morning. And as God said “It was good” Noah’s ark might even be classified as a canopy, a shield of protection.

A song that has been sung called “Singing in the rain” was popular in 1952 it comes from the musical by that same name. Here Gene Kelly is dancing holding his umbrella while singing in the rain.

Do you use an umbrella? Where do you keep them? I have two in the car. You’d be surprised how many times we have needed them from a rain shower that came during a parade or shade from the hot sun glaring down when no tree to shield you is around. There was a gentle shower the other day when the grandkids were around. We put on our rubber boots, got out the umbrellas and went exploring. The ground looks different with moisture on it, when you walk on the grass it feels different, the birds sing differently and there is a smell in the air that is different than in the hot summer sun. Of course in a hot summer afternoon there is no reason you can’t experience the rain on your skin. Get yourself soaking wet but then that is another day of adventure when you are a grandma. Those dollar stores have umbrellas for a dollar. Invest a little and have a rainy day adventure grandma. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 87 Pat My Back

Why does a grandma pick up a little child and pat their back? Was there something that inspired us to do this act? Was it that we also as a young one experienced a pat on the back? What is supposed to be meant? Is the pat meant to console? Is it meant to say “It’s alright” or “There There” or “I love you” Do we pat trying to ease an anxiety or anxious moment? Is the gentle pat something soothing to a little one? I don’t recall Jesus patting anyone but He was noted for His touch. Many came to see Him for His touch. His was a healing touch, His was a you’re forgiven touch. Mark 3:10 for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him.

Recently my granddaughter, just one, began giving me a pat on the back. When she first did it, it took me by surprise. I’d picked her up and give that reaffirming pat. That, “it’s alright” kind of pat, that “Grandma is here for you” kind of pat. Now for some reason she shares her pat with me. I call it my “here I am grandma” kind of pat, a “I love you too, grandma” kind of pat. Also, I believe in her own special way it’s my “Things will turn out just fine, grandma” kind of pat. Here’s to the reassuring comfort of knowing that we can communicate not in words but in touch. This grandma has a hug to share too how about you? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 86 There for Them

There are many songs for listening enjoyment, song that we like to sing, songs we like to share. One particular song that is up and coming is the song Rescue by Lauren Daigle. This song mentions someone who has been broken and the innocence stolen. Lauren mentions writing this for a friend that was struggling. As I listen to the song, over and over, I was moved to think of our precious grandchildren, some who will have their innocence stolen in one way or another in this world. None of us know the future of our grandchildren. If you look at one of the You Tubes of this song you will see the grand snowcapped mountains of Alaska. The magnitude of her small body contrast to those mountains, give an illusion of just how big God is, for us also. He is there for us all the time, we are never hidden. He knows all, feels all, and is always there fighting for us. He even gives us an angel to watch over us.
Psalm 91:11 ”For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. I want my grandchildren to know that this grandma will be their Rescue in the middle of the night and in the middle of the fight. Whether physically or prayerfully, this job is just beginning and has no end. I encourage you to listen to some of Ms Daigle’s other songs, they too will move you.
Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hair I am HE. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 85 Be inconvenienced

Do you think our generation understands kindness these days? When is the last time you gave and gift and received a handwritten Thank You card in the mail? Have we lost the courtesy of expressing thanks? When we were little, I believe it was called manners. Do we know what manners are? Are children taught them anymore? I remember Please, Thank you, You’re welcome. What does an example of a thank you even entail? A card that says, Thank you and a scribbled signature? Let me share an example that came in my mail box the other day. It started out, Dear—it had a beginning greeting—“Thank you so much for remembering my birthday. That was so special of you to --- the gift is so cool. I think my daughter is envious. I have just the right spot for it.” This person made her thank you very personal, it told me that she loved me and cared that an act of kindness was preformed and in turn her act of kindness in the form of a thank you, genuinely warmed my heart. If we get so busy in life with ourselves and forget others we pass by, are we any better than those who neglected the man on the side of the road in Luke 10:30-37. A priest passes on the other side of a beaten man, and a Levite does the same thing. The Samaritan however allowed himself to be inconvenienced for the sake of his neighbor. Jesus told the disciples and the lawyer to go and do likewise. What “Go and do likewise” can you think of for the grandchildren this week? A flower from the garden for the teacher? A plate of cookies for the neighbors who had a loss in the family, a welcome to the neighborhood loaf of banana bread for the one who just moved in next door? You and the grandchildren will have fun doing this together and also reap the reward when you put forth the effort to show kindness. The Christian radio station FM 95.3 has a web page of kindness look it up and get inspired. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 84 Kindergarten Kindness

What do you do to show kindness? How would you describe what kindness is? In a recent lesson, I learned that the Greek word for kindness was Chrestotes ; meaning-useful moral excellence of character or demeanor, gracious, gentle goodness. I use the word kindness quite a bit. I have thought about kindness ever since I was in kindergarten. There is where many of us began to have our lives molded and shaped by what was then called manners. These rules or gestures were all a part of who we would become and how we would behave.

Did you ever hear about the book, “Everything I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten”? It has sold over 7 million copies. The Golden Rule of Do unto others as you would have them do to you, was the theme day after day at school. Learning please and thank you, excuse me, and no thank you, were practiced and exhibited in kindergarten. Kindnesses like sliding our chair under the table when we got up to leave, hanging our coats and hats up in the cubby and being very quiet when someone else was talking were important to learn and do. One could find themselves at the round table when disobeying the rules. Your friend would take her last stick of gum and break it in two to share with you, you knew she was your best friend. The little boy with the red plaid shirt would bring a flower to you when it was your birthday and it made you smile for it smelled so beautiful. Kindness, an act that causes someone to unexpectedly smile. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, What would the world be like it everyone went around looking for ways to be kind? What if we showed a kindness to someone every day?
I’ve heard the word, rude, in the media lately, is that the opposite of kindness? A granddaughter told a grandma the other day that she wanted to draw with her markers. “I am going to make a swimming pool.” I don’t know why it was to be a pool? Maybe she had had a lesson in school about pools? The grandma suggested that she might give her pool picture to her uncle who was working on a pool project. She explained that it would be a very nice gift to give for his birthday. At first she remarked that the picture was hers! The grandma went on to say that it would make the uncle’s heart really happy if she would share her picture with him. She also reminded her that she could always make another picture for herself. She mentioned that she would have the picture for two weeks before the birthday celebration. That would be quite a while. I did not here if the little girl shared her picture with her uncle for his birthday or not. I know the grandma though tried several ways to help the girl see kindness in a simple act of sharing and giving. Hopefully it will be a lesson to be pondered when she sets out to draw another picture with her markers. An unexpected gift makes a person smile. A special picture from a four year old to put on your refrigerator is welcome anytime. When is the last time you got the markers out and set out on a kindness quest with the grandchildren? Get some finger paints and a smock out and start making memories with them. Don’t have a smock. Just take your old pillow case and cut a slit for a head and a hole on each side for the arms to go through. Marker s may be neater than finger paints and some kids might just not want to get their hands slimy from the paint. Each child is different, but have fun with your creations. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 83 Kindness Act

Do you think our generation understands kindness these days? When is the last time you gave a gift and received a handwritten Thank You card in the mail? Have we lost the courtesy of expressing thanks? When we were little I believed it was called etiquette. Do we know what it even is? Are children taught this anymore? Behaviors according to conventions of society is what one article mentioned. I remember Please, Thank you, You’re welcome. What does an example of a thank you, even entail? A card that says Thank you and a scribbled signature? Let me share an example that came in my mail box the other day. It started out, Dear—it had a beginning greeting—Thank you so much for remembering my birthday. That was so special of you to give me the vintage canister, the gift is so cool. I think my daughter is envious. I have just the right spot for it. This person made her thank you, very personal, it told me that she loved me and cared that an act of kindness was performed. If the act of kindness is lost what will be left in our society? A place where the bully always wins, a home where anger is the norm. A community that never has a fundraiser for the cancer society or for the auxillary? Why would there even be an ambulance if there was no caring? What teacher would want to spend six to eight periods in a class room with unkindness? None of this sound like a very happy environment but when you turn on the television news one has to ask how far from kindness have we strayed. We have a unique responsibility and privilege to teach our grandchildren. Is there an act of kindness that you can find to do with your grandchildren this week? There’s no time like the present to begin. Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 82 Just Pretending?

Children love fairytales and stories. They love to pretend and often have a make believe friend or a monster that’s in the closet. Some of us live in a fantasy world too. Some of us pretend that we are happy. Some of us pretend that we are rich. We contradict and we disagree. We argue and we back bit, all the while going to church on Sunday to pretend some more. I remember the Charlie Brown Christmas movie, Charlie yells “Does anyone know what Christmas is all about?” Then in a gentle, humble, mild and meek manner one of the characters begin to recite the Christmas story. I want to yell “Does anybody know what true Christianity is all about? At Christmas we celebrate Christ birth, we think of the purity of a new born and its innocence, then we spend the next two months paying off the credit card for gifts given that others return. What have we returned the baby Jesus for? Easter rolls around and we celebrated a resurrection of Christ from the grave, while we try to dig our own selves out of one every day. Now here we are mid -summer and some are still pretending. The garden has been planted and the seeds are hopefully going to produce a harvest. I ask what harvest am I pretending to reap for Christ?
I wonder what God thinks of all our smiling faces that hide the disgust?
Are you pretending today?

I wonder how He feels when He knows our sinful ways, that we try we hide?
Does everyone think that your marriage is the greatest one in town, when you know your husband has cheated on you?
Do people think that your children are the most well behaved in the school system, yet you know they have done the unthinkable.
People tell you that you have it all together, you really know the answer to that one. You would like to quit pretending but you don’t know how. You might ask yourself, is it best to continue in the lies, or live in silence? Is this only going to benefit me while destroying others? What does God wants us to do?
Is it right to destroy hope in others for the sake of self?
Have we stopped thinking for ourselves and allowed worldly thoughts and corruption to creep in?
Do we even know what truth is any more or have we allowed ourselves to become brainwashed?
As Christians we are to be in the world and not of it. How do you see that scripture in your life? How are you teaching your grandchildren truth? Do they know the difference between truth or lie? When our grandchildren were young we strived to help them know truth. When the cookie was taken out of the jar we reminded, it is better to tell the truth than lie. Wouldn’t we say the punishment would be worse if you were caught in your lie? As they got older somehow something changed? We rationalized our untruth. It’s just a small white lie, we’d say. The scripture in Numbers 32:23 says “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”
I will always remember a cute story on Uncle Charlie’s Bible Hour on Christian radio. The little boy took a pumpkin from the neighbors and denied doing so. In his guilt he dug a hole and hide it. In a little while the seeds became a plant and the truth was revealed. Of course the little boy could do nothing but confess and he did. I heard this story and it has stayed with me for nearly 30 years. Maybe we do hide things from others but it better to reveal all of our short comings to the God who knows all, sees all and is everywhere. There is freedom in truth, sometimes we just have to quit pretending and tell God. He already knows what you are struggling with. Honesty is the best policy. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 81 Too much

Do you like to go to Buffets? When my husband and I were first married, an older couple invited us to a neighboring town to go for a smorgasbord; A buffet style meal with multiple hot and cold dishes of various foods on a table that originated in Sweden. Which meant we had lots to eat. The specialty was cinnamon rolls. Needless to say, both my husband and I ate way too many “specialties”. I mean to the point that we literally couldn’t move or we ached. Go ahead, say it. “What pigs!” You are correct. Someone should have told us then, “You are over doing it”. After 40 years we still haven’t forgotten that moment and the way that uncomfortable feeling was. I don’t think that even the over 8 pound baby in my tummy felt that uncomfortable. Did it stop us from ever eating again? Of course not. Do we think we understand a limit? I do believe so. In our lives or our grandchildren’s, boundaries need to be established. Disciplines are important for the existence of human kind. If it feels good do it, is not a wise way to run your life. Especially, when cinnamon rolls are involved. Though our indulgence, was the somewhat harmless it still did not benefit us and life of “too many” is not healthy.

Today’s cultures ignore the effects of smoking not packs of cigarettes but what is called vaping. It has hit the market and we don’t pay attention to the harmful effects and dangers. It is said to have chemicals like acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and acrolein in them. The nicotine is more potent. One JUUL pod contains 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine which is about 200 puffs. These e-cigarettes are very addictive. They can slow brain development, memory concentration, learning, self-control, attention, mood increases, there can be a rise of other addictions. They can irritate and damage the lungs, COPD has been noted. There is an increased risk of seizures. Blood pressure and heart rates seem to increase which could lead to heart attack. The FDA tracts this information. 7 out of 10 people claim they want to quit smoking but being successful is another thing. Once again boundaries could help. The drug opioid addiction problem has escalated to the point of costing the tax payer more than a trillion dollars since 2001, according to a new study and may exceed another $500 million over the next three years. One has to ask if the original pain is worse than what is experienced now with families and communities. What boundaries where needed here? Also we know how the human trafficking has destroyed the family unit. Here the greediness of money made through exploitations of another human has brought in $32 Billion dollars worldwide in illegal money. The US has spent $31 million on 45 victim service providers that offer help to survivors. There is a sin called gluttony. We might think of food but one can succumb to many different vices. So boundaries are not a punishment. They are a salvation in a way. We need to exercise our right and responsibility to say “NO” when boundaries are being crossed. Set yours and your grandchildren’s up today. If we grandma’s can save our children from the world’s enticements. We will have completed a job well done. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 80 Nature Sing

Scripture tells us to give thanks to the Lord. We will sing, “Give Thanks” or “Come Ye Thankful People Come.” It is easy to think about Thankfulness at Thanksgiving, but what about the other 364 days of the year, when life is happening. The bills come daily in the mail, a phone call comes in and there’s one more funeral to go to. Your friend has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Still, we are called to give thanks. This doesn’t always have to be done in a formal prayer. Your personal relationship with Jesus, is just that.

The friendships that you share with one another, is the same kind Jesus invites us with Him. I can pick up the phone, call my friend and we can begin a lengthy conversation. I can get on e-mail and send a message in no time. I am making a connection because I want to stay in contact.

In Psalm 8:1 David’s conversations with God goes like this O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Psalm 9:1,2 I will praise You, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works I will be glad and rejoice in You I will sing praise to Your name O Most High. In Psalm 22 He wants God to be near, “Trouble is near and there is no one to help.” You can tell that he valued his relationship with his God.

We allow ourselves to become busy with grandchildren and different aspects of life, we may not always have the time to talk with a friend, but with God we only have to open up our mind or our mouth and speak. He knows our hurts, our desires, our needs. He knows our happy times, our excited time. The bible says that if man forgets though to praise Him, the rocks will cry out. Luke 19:40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Heaven and nature sing, nature is waiting for His return. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19. The elements, rain snow, lightening flooding earthquakes may be forms of nature crying out to their Creator. I wonder if our forgetting to praise Him is the reason we see more floods and pestilence, more poor crops and high winds? If you see nature erupting shout out a praise to God. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 79 Rockin’ Grandma
One of the first things we do when we hold a baby, is begin to rock it back and forth. I wonder if that motion was developed in our mother’s womb, as the umbilical fluid rocked us back and forth holding us in its keep? The warmth of our arm and the gentle motion often will settle even the most restless. It is no wonder, then, as a child, that we would run to the nearest swing. The bigger the care, the higher we would pump, the more we would pump, the lesser our concerns seemed, without us even realizing it. Once again, the familiar back and forth could remove the cares of our young lives. Remembering how to say please and thank you at the proper time. Getting to the potty, so as not to wet our new panties. Big people stuff for “I’m just little grandma.” concerns. Somewhere along the line the swing gets replaced with our back and forth rat race, running back and forth trying to meet deadlines and appointments. Is it time that you find a swing and climb on with the grandkids? Back and forth, back and forth. The bench swing used to be the highlight of the family porch. It was a place to gather. It may have been the place where a first kiss was stolen. Glider swings with an overhead umbrella can be placed most anywhere in a yard. If it has been a while since you have had a ride, take a trip to the park and get pumping. Better yet, why not invest in a swing. Make it your place where you and the grandkids can rock away those anxious times, where conversations start where answers can be begin. “Grandma, tell me about when you and Grandpa began dating?” If they are young and you have begun the talk, the familiar will be instilled and when they are older the swing will be a gentle reminder that conversation is still available. An in tune grandma will know when it’s time to rock back and forth. So stretch out your calve muscles and get swingin’. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 78 Leave it on the Casket

You raise your family up to become respectful contributing citizen. You try to instill in them the importance of the Fruits of the Spirit. Love Joy Peace Patience Goodness Kindness Self-Control Faithfulness. They give you beautiful grandchildren and you then have another generation to pour yourself into. They go off to kindergarten, graduate from high school, maybe college. Then if Mr. or Miss “Right” come along they get married. Those years invested in their lives become more precious as they get older and become young men and women. A granddaughter prepares for her wedding and grandma is there. Conversations about how you met grandpa are shared. Special places and things you did when you were her age become treasures. You leave a mark on their lives. At a funeral the minister invited all to touch the casket at the grave site. The words spoken were “We invite you to come forward and leave an imprint on the casket as this person has left an impression on you.” Do you stop and think of what impression you are leaving behind? How do you respond when there is broken crackers all over the floor from the two year old? How do you sound when the poo is in the pants and not the potty? Do your grandchildren see tears as well as the smiles? Have they heard you laugh a hearty laugh? Do they understand what line to tow and what line has some slack in it? God gave us emotions. He Himself wept. He saw people suffering and He touched them. He enjoyed friends at a wedding and did something unexplainable for them, saving the best for the last. He left a lasting impression on His disciples that prepared them to die for His cause. Mary with her many demons would never forget the words that set her free. The Roman soldier at the foot of the cross couldn’t forget what he heard, “Father forgive them they know not what they do,” and down through history countless lives have been changed because of Jesus. Maybe there is more to the story than what we realize. Maybe the impressions that we make are a way to prepare others for the end. Our lives lived for Jesus, the prayers offered up for others, the bible stories read at nap time; could these be the stepping stones to lead others to what will be the best to come, Heaven? Your life lived for others is the example set before us. What are you doing with your time, Grandma? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 77 Bees and Birds

Do you have a quiet place? That one place, where solitude finds you. Peace and tranquility? A time of refreshing and relaxing? Some people love to soak in a tub of warm water with little fizzy soaps floating around them. Lavender is said to be a soother. When I was young I would go climb the tree in my back yard. To think of it, I took my paper and pencil and wrote back then too. Others go to the beach and comb the sand for sea shells and soak up some rays. The splashing of the water against the boulders can be soothing. Have you ever listen to the ocean by putting shell up to your ear? Some find tranquility in a garden, moving the dirt around watching things grow, smelling the flowers literally. Even a short drive to look at the country side can be a refreshing time. Summer is a good time to take a break. Some warm water in a little kiddie pool can refresh even in the hottest of days. It is good for a grandma to go barefoot and dip her toes into the water too. On one breezy summer day a grandson and grandma had lunch outdoors as a picnic. The table and chairs were carried up a small hillside. The little boy sat quietly waiting for grandma to come back with the food. As grandma approached, the little boy said. “Is the food ready? Grandma”. “Yes” came the reply as she put down a plate of macaroni and cheese with some mandarin oranges on the plate. Some cottage cheese and mini cheese crackers was a tasty treat along with the lemonade for a drink.

As the two sat munching away on lunch, a bird startled the boy. “The momma bird has brought some food for her babies.” Grandma said. “They have to eat lunch too”. “See those two little head bobbing up and down in the nest?” “They are fighting for every morsel of the worm.” Soon momma bird flew off and return with another worm and another. It was great fun watching the little bird stretch their necks ever so far in the nest trying to reach what momma had. “Do you think that that could be the daddy bird bringing in the food?” asked Grandma. The little one was convinced that it was the momma bird that would feed the little ones. As they continued eating the picnic a paper nest of bees was spotted. The nest was the size of a baseball. The bees were very busy flying in and out. “We have to stay away from bees” said Grandma. The grandson recalled when he had been stung by a bee and how it hurt for a while. This grandma was glad the weather was good enough for the conversations that followed. She was happy the baby was fast asleep during it all. It was a tranquil moment. She was glad they had seen and talked about the nature around them and the birds and the bees. Then panic struck! “Oh my, He’s only three; it will be a whole different conversation about birds and bees in just a few years”!

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift his countenance upon you, and give you peace, and give you peace. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious, and be gracious; the Lord be gracious, gracious unto you. Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. Enjoy this hymn together today. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:26

grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 76 Favaloro

Today, as I opened my Goggle page, I see an article about the pioneer of the heart by-pass. His name was Re’ne Favaloro. Born July 12, 1923, in La Plata, Argentina. Having a little extra time, and interested in the heart, I decided to read the article. Thus what I learned is perfect to share with you. Re’ne Favaloro appreciated the lessons that were learned from his teachers. It looks as though he had a certain drive to education. He spent the first 12 years of his practice as a country doctor. He built his own operating room, trained nurses, and in 1962 moved to America, leaving his rural practice. He noted a memory of his grandmother Ce’sarea R’ de Raffaell. Quote “From whom I learned to love even a miserable dry branch”.

A little boy was loved and cared for by a grandma, probably encouraged, who grew up to become a worldwide noted surgeon.

I had to ask myself though, how was he referring to the “miserable dry branch”? I recall the times my grandson would pick up a stick around the yard. Playing with it, swinging it, pretending to be a parade Band Marshall waving his baton. Breaking one up into small pieces and floating them down the creek like a boat. Writing in the sand, those first letters, being learned. The word was “miserable” which made me think he might not have liked them. Possibly, because grandma often grabbed one as a switch off a tree. He had grown up and remembered the discipline that the stick gave but yet grew to love that “miserable dry stick” all the same. Deep down he probably knew that boundaries were good for him, whether he liked it or not. Discipline must have been practiced earnestly throughout his career as he became a noted professional. From school boy to doctor to surgeon to renowned heart by-pass pioneer.

The Bible reveals lessons for boundaries also. “Everything is permissible for me," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me," but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12. Here food and sex were the desires. We all know what food in excess will do, and well, sex that can lead to diseases and consequences that I can’t pronounce. As grandma’s we can only hope that as we correct, discipline and answer that continuous question, “Why?” that we will instill work ethic, and a compassion for the human race like Favaloro. Who knows, as our “heart” thoughts are implanted to their lives we just might inspire the next heart surgeon. Keep up the “Good” work grandma’s! grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 75 Taste Buds

We all have taste buds. They get us into trouble when something is delectable on our tongues. Potato chips, a steak, cookie or cake. Sweet, sour, bitter, salty. Not all taste are pleasing but they may be necessary. One grandson had to have some prune juice, it was sweetened but whether it was the taste or smell the little lad did not like it. I think Listerine mouth wash is horrible but it kills germs so I use it. The tongue that God designed has about 10,000 taste buds on it. When I was young I learned that different parts of the tongue tasted different taste, I have since learned that that is not the case. All the tongue can taste all taste. Even the nose can help us taste. When we age we can lose up to half of our taste buds. Maybe that will make a difference in my weight someday. The tongue is made up of groups of muscle. It has nerve like cells that connect to other nerves that run to the brain. It helps us swallow, sing, talk, chew up our food and it help in our digestive process. It is a sensory organ. I didn’t know this until researching, but we get new taste buds every two weeks. It is fascinating to think somehow someone figured this all out. I wonder how they discovered all of those facts. Our Bible talks about our tongue also. There is a song called “The Tiny Terrible Tongue” Our tongue can get us into trouble. The tongue is so powerful that it cannot be tamed.

James 3:1-12 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

As our grandchildren get older they understand more of what we are saying. Just the other day I heard a lady say “With a five year around there are no secrets” that is a pretty powerful thought!

It could be scary for some of us also if we tend to let it rip or speak without thinking. We must remember to consider what is in our ear shot but not only that, also what is pleasing to God. Blessing and cursing. Let’s pray that as we get older it is not only the taste buds that we lose but also a little more gaining of discipline in what we say. Make a batch of chocolate chip cookies today add some crushed pretzels to the batch. How does it taste? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation #74 Keep Fertilizing

Have you ever planted a garden? In Genesis 2:8 My Bible says that God planted a garden for Adam and Eve. It is not easy planning a garden. You need good soil that needs to be tilled. The land may need fertilizer but the right kind and the right amount. I can only imagine what the Garden of Eden must have been like. It’s not until Genesis 3:17-18 that we find that thorns and thistles were added to the ground. You need seeds or plant for a garden. Flower gardens can be beautiful if kept up. A pumpkin patch is great fun for the grandkids. One grandma said she lightly etched the grandchildren’s names into the pumpkins so when they came they could look for their very own. Knowing when to start seeds can be tricky also. You don’t want the plant too small or too big when transplanting outside. One grandma decided that planting onion bulbs would be fun for the grandchildren. Last year’s swimming pool was too small for all the grandchildren but it would be just the right size for 100 onion bulbs. Dirt was added and then one by one the grandkids stuck the bulbs into the rich black dirt. Drain holes were put into the bottom of the swimming pool. “This will be your first entrepreneur job.” Grandma told them. “If you sell each onion for twenty five cents how much money will you make?” Grandma asked. “Twenty five dollars” was one quick response. A lesson in mathematics applied. Every time the grandkids came they would check the onions see if they needed watering, they would check for weeds that might be growing. One time they even added a little fertilizer. The anticipation was rising with each day that passed. They could see with their own eyes the progress that they were making and the size that each onion took on. When the kids open a packet of seeds, they might find twenty some seeds. When they harvested what grew, there were many more pumpkins per plant and seeds than the packet had had. What a wonderful lesson of God’s providing for us. Some people will keep the seeds for the next season and plant them. The Bible tells us of fertile soil that can produce a crop a hundred sixty or thirty fold. Matthew 13:8. It goes on later to tell about us. Matthew 13:23 But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.” It’s interesting to me to see that there are three basic nutrients that are need for good soil. Do you know which ones they are? We also need three ingredients to keep our “soil” producing a crop of the Fruits of the Spirit. Can you guess what they are? Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Keep fertilizing your soul and happy gardening in your soil. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 73 Endure
In a grandma’s span of life, we experience many discouraging moments. Some of these let downs have come against us from another person or certain situation that we find ourselves in.
Living life can hand many moments of discouragement these have hopefully helped us to gain more wisdom. These should aid us as we help and encourage our grandchildren along their way. When a toddler takes her first steps they need encouragement. They fall down, get bumped, but usually get back up again. They may cry yet they continue to take a few more steps and with encouragement they get stronger. The pain they feel comes from a body’s that doesn’t like a hard surface or it may be their pride. Try again is what they hear from the sympathetic grandma. With hands out to get a little help back up there’s a smile and away they go. This time, with a sense of accomplishment when succeeded. When a grade school student begins band lessons the musical instrument is a stranger. Fingers need to be place in the proper position; the mouth piece has to be blown just the right way. The sound that comes from it can be irritating. A squawk here and there, from weak air flowage but continuing the lessons makes the lungs stronger the fingering more accurate and the song more familiar. The band student is emerging. Hot Cross Buns takes on a whole different sound. That which was difficult soon becomes peppy like a jazz ensemble. When the student goes out for sports, it’s not just a matter of trying out. You have to be good enough and know the plays in order to spend time on the field or court. With practice, the better the player gets. It would be silly to think that you could start the game knowing nothing about it. One who starts basketball at a grade school level or earlier age then continues into high school has a much better chance of succeeding. The coordination, strength and knowledge of game has been reiterated at each level. Each coach has brought their own expertise and a player’s determination to better oneself will bring cheers from the crowd and awards given. Effort and time put into any subject will win over the one who has never handled a ball. The one who sloughs off will not see much playing time. If you want a position bad enough you will have to convince the coach that you want to play. In the course of learning not all success started with a bouquet of roses. Blood sweat and tears I’ve heard it said. So how does that relate to the Christian grandma? Think of your own blood, sweat and tears that you have put into life. How you endured will be just the right teaching tool for those grandchildren of yours. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 72 God hath Provided

This grandma is always looking for something creative for the grandchildren. As she looked into a magazine she saw an idea that sparked her curiosity.

The garden magazine showed how to make a stick Teepee. One park that is close to our home has a real life size Teepee. This grandma thought it would be neat to try this project. Where would she get the right size sticks, she asked God. Their property did not have very many trees. They did have a high hill that would be a great place to put the teepee. Contemplating the sticks and praying grandma went to bed that night. On a walk with the grandchildren the next day, she noticed that God had answered her prayer. A wind storm in the night took the top out of a tree leaving just the right size sticks to make a teepee for the kids to sit in, in the exact place that was thought to put the teepee. With twine in hand grandma and grandson climbed the hill. Each stick was placed as if making a giant party hat. The twine was tied around the sticks to keep a little firmer. This was a good time to talk about God answering prayers. This was a time to enjoy the nature around them. This was time together. Though this happened for this family around Thanksgiving and a lesson in provision was taught by telling of Indians and Pilgrims. This project would be great for any season as God has provided for us many times if we only give Him the credit. We probably do not want to think of a father climbing a hill with his son wondering how God was going to provide the sacrifice but he climbed anyway and God did provide. Genesis 22- Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." That story is a little hard to conceive but pure commitment calls for that kind of action. Another time the Israelites were very hungry and God provided manna and quail from Heaven Exodus 16- God wants to be our provider. He wants to give us rest. He calls us to be still and know that He is God. Think about it, what has God provided for you personally? God also gave His only son so we sinful people could have eternal life. Grandmas can understand providing for. It is just in our nature. Look for a pile of sticks today and start building a teepee or maybe a house. If that’s not possible how about some chairs and a blanket over them for a tent or hide out. Maybe you could do it outside and have a picnic under it. Enjoy your sunshine. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 71 Out Grow
In conversation with an acquaintance the other day, she replied, “The church left me.” I have played that phrase over in my mind many times trying to think just what she meant. God does not outgrow us. We may think that we have out grown God, but being His creation, we need Him every moment of our lives. Growing is a beautiful transformation. Egg and sperm, 9 months and a new soul, a human being, born into this world. Birth, baby steps, going off to school, graduating, getting married, dying. This is life. This is what God has created. We can look to science, when he made man and women. X and Y chromosomes are our makeup. Men may try to change the chemical makeup using other drugs but a girl is a girl and a boy is a boy. I feel totally sorry for those who don’t understand it that way. I feel even more remorse for those born into the world that are not issue a gender until they are old enough to put it on their own birth certificate. People choose to deny biology, they refuse to believe in His word. Man has been rejecting God since the Garden of Eden. There they chose their own way. Some would like to get rid of the Bible especially the book of Genesis . In the beginning God ---.

How did this world get to the place that it is right now? Is it worse than Sodom and Gomora these days? I am a grandma that cares about what is happening in this world. I am aware of the world’s view and want to make a difference in my grandchildren’s lives. Too often our children grow up being heavily influenced by the world and other people’s views. Teachers or peers can have a huge impact. We want them to be grounded strong enough and firm enough to withstand the thoughts that will bombard them. Schools may teach evolution, we want the truth. Schools may teach let them be “Mix”. The Bible says God made a man and woman. This is truth, that some want to ignore. “Make the right choices” should be the daily phrase they hear from us. Hebrews 13: 7-9 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them. People in a church might become judgmental with choices that were made in a person’s life. Individuals will deal with others sins in different ways. Behaviors are different in each unique person. Love the sinner not the sin. This is a common phrase I hear repeated over and over. We must remember that we all were sinners, believers are saved only by the blood of Jesus. As we remember how much God loves us, let’s remember to show that same kind of love to others so they don’t have a reason to say the church left me. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 70 Which Way?
Take a right. Take a left. Go this way, go that way. Life can pull us in many different directions. Maps can assist us on the road but they do only so much as the map maker gives the information. GPS goes only as far as the computer has been programmed. I went to a wedding in a city. You could say the country mouse went to the city. Vehicles everywhere, the map said the corner of. In my mind a corner is one angle. In the city there might be roads between those angles I didn’t have a clue where we were going and I was driving. I was at the correct corner. There was a pharmacy that we drove by. We went into that drive way to get our bearings. It just continued going around the whole building. More confusion. Lots of roads going out of this area, with lots of traffic. We could not see any church. There were lots of bushes. No signs. Take a left turn was the choice. I had not seen any signs so I turned left, immediately getting blinking lights and horn and a husband then telling me you’re in the wrong lane. You are on a one way road, going the wrong way. Luckily it was just feet from another right hand turn at a four way crossing. The blessing was that all the cars stayed in the other lane. I quickly looked at the oncoming cars far enough from me to go fast and fast I went. Just a few more feet and there was an entrance road that looked quiet where I could relax a moment from just what happened. Needless to say my husband didn’t know where I was going turning off the main road like I did. I looked up and said, “ Look at those people, is this a wedding?” “Go around the building” was the reply. My husband states “That’s our neighbors car.” “There’s our girl’s car.” 70 miles away and God directed the car exactly where it was supposed to go. God had directed my path. I was a wreck just trying to get off the busy road but He knew where I should go. He was my map maker. He has told me He will never leave me nor forsake me. I am glad and praise Him for being with me in all the directions I go. This Grandma made sure He heard my praise for Him also. Remember the scripture Proverbs 22:6? Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. We don’t know the way our grandchildren will go. but this Proverbs tells us that they will not depart from what he is taught. Get your Bible out that is our road map for life. Start teaching in the way they should go, up! grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation # 69 Mother’s Day
Did you get a card for Mother’s Day? These days people can make their own on a computer. Pictures really are the most precious.
We just celebrated the 105th Mother’s day. The history of it is that congress approved it first to honor mothers who lost their sons to war.
It was not just a time to just say thanks to mom. The gift giving show the day to bring in an expected $25 billion . Greeting card became popular in 1880.
They became less expensive because of a new printing technique called lithography. Some people go out for a dinner. Others have a cook out, some mothers do nothing. Some families who have lost their mother may go to the cemetery and reminisce with other family members. There are many ways to say thanks to mom.
It doesn’t even have to be a certain day that we offer our gratitude. The other day I was called a saint. Really far from it, but very touching and I totally understood where the thought was coming from. This mom cares for their grandchildren. It saves them hundreds of dollars a year. He sees the patience I have with the kids and the happiness that is reflective on their face. They can see that the kids want to come back to grandmas. They are not afraid or scared. Really how can you even put a price tag on things like that. It is not just me that does these things there are lots of grandparents/ grandmas out there doing the same thing. Actually there is 4.8 million children living with their grandparents. I realize that is not the occasional child care but that number is quite startling. It is not nothing new though. If you study about Bible times often just an extra room would be added on to the building already in existence when a young son would marry he would build on a room and bring his bride there to live. The family remained intact and they could work and interact with each other daily. These rooms were called Insulas. There really should be a day that upholds our mothers and grandmothers for the true love that they demonstrate day after day. When my son gives me a hug, I know that it is genuine. When a bouquet of flowers decorates my kitchen table for three weeks, I am blessed by their gift. When my children trust me with their children, even overnight. (I must be crazy). Well it hasn’t happened yet but that can be another blog sometime soon. What did you or have you thanked your mom for recently? My mom is patient with me, that is a good thing. She knows I appreciate the fact that she can put up with my frustrations. It is good that she loves me and I know it. It is good when she can come to the rescue and help with my grandchildren, her great grandchildren. My mom is good. Tell your mom, “ I love you” don’t just wait for Mother’s Day. Every day is the day for appreciation. Tell your mom what she is good for. Grandma’s for the next generation can make little Mother’s Day cards with the grandchildren to give to their moms. Finger prints, foot prints can make different pictures there are tons of suggestions on Pinterest. Remember that Father’s Day is just around the corner use these ideas for grandpa as well. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 68 Buried Treasure

From a very young age we heard the stories about hidden treasure. Walt Disney brought animation to most every home. We fanaticized of Jennies, bandits, buried treasure that were hidden. Captain Hook and his pirates had stolen treasure, the little mermaid had treasure down under the sea. There are metal detectors that revealed a lost treasure in the ground. Growing up I never had one but I had a shovel and sometimes just a spoon, but I could dig in the back yard for endless hours looking for anything that could be called a treasure. Often a shiny piece of glass that glimmered in the sunlight would surface. A crystal rock was always a find. A few times even a penny, if we were real lucky. A marble or an old glass bottle was really something to find. Did you know some old glass bottles can be worth quite a bit? One bottle, a flask, that has a rounded body and narrow neck can go for over $40,000.00.

The Bible speaks of a man finding a treasure in a field. Though it doesn’t mention what he found it was so valuable that he would give up everything just to be able to claim it. As we read on though we see what Christ is trying to tell us. Nothing on this Earth is as valuable as being ready to meet our Savior in Heaven. The Bible also tells us to not store up treasurers on Earth.

Matthew 13:44-45 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

We treasure gifts for a fleeting moment, we treasure the memories that we have made with loved ones. Nothing though will compare with the eternal life that we will have in a home made for us by our Lord and Savior. I never told you about one treasure though that I came really close to getting but even though it was within my reach I didn’t get it. My husband and I went to a Mallards game. It just happened that that night was a jewelry store promotion with a diamond ring hidden somewhere out in the field. All ladies got a plastic spoon and we were asked to go out on the field and see if we were the lucky winner. I and another lady began to dig on second base. Needless to say she hit the spot before I did, so close but so far away. What have I heard that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. I am glad that I can know that I have a gift in heaven for eternity because of a treasure that I have found. Go treasure hunting with the grandchildren in the back yard with a spoon, go to the beach and find some hidden treasure shells. Summer is coming remember the best treasure to talk about though is one that will not be hidden to those who believe. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For the Next Generation # 67 What They See

How does Jesus see me, as I sit within the pew?
Does He see a happy face, or does he see me blue?
Does my voice sing sweetly, Grandma’s favorite songs,
Or does it cry and whimper “the sermon is too long!”
Do I think of Jesus and all that He gave for me?
Or am I way too busy and forget to really see.
Help me Jesus to remember, how I am to be,
Help me to remember that you always see.
Thank you for forgiving when I’m not what I should be. dn

Many times when I am sitting in a pew, it is easy to look around and see how people respond to the sermon or when singing. I sit asking myself if our worship is what Christ really wants. Passages in the Bible mention instruments played, shouting going on almost a parade atmosphere. Most times I hear a week “Amen”

And even then it might wake some people up when it is said. I ask myself why people week after week put that kind of effort into coming? It seems to me there should be more engagement. More reaction back and forth, more “Yes! I agree”. How does that kind of attitude get developed? Does it start with just one. Does it start with the minister? I have heard different minister. Those that speak on the radio vary in tone and accent. Some are the good old fashion Hell Fire and Damnation type. Some seem they are almost yelling all of the time. Some read from the Bible and some use one scripture and beat it to death. If I say that I have a personal relationship with Jesus then possibly each one at a worship service will individually worship the way they see right for them. Is sleeping in church worship.

I know it is easy. Maybe that is worship to Jesus because He realizes how exhausted you are and the scripture does say “He gives rest”. Some people open their Bible at every scripture reading. Others don’t get their Bible out of the cover and even others don’t even know where they put their Bible. Is that where the scripture “I don’t do what I want to do” comes in? I saw my grandmas play the piano, I saw my grandmas pray. I saw my grandmas go to their ladies meetings, I saw my grandmas inviting people into their home and rolling rags for missions. I saw. What are your grandchildren seeing in you. If they see your sleeping, your wiggling, your disinterest in the sermon, they soon will be the whiner in the pew next to you. Pick up the song book, sing a little louder to the Lord that gives you life. Be thankful that you have lungs to use and can breathe. Memorize the books of the Bible and help your grandchildren to learn them also. It does begin with one. Each one of our grandchildren will be the future church. Have you ever wondered what it will look like? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 66 For Me?!
With eager enthusiasm his voice said, ”For Me?” With raised emphasis on “me?” I was offering a fruit role up. I’ve heard it before when I hold up a new mini Thomas the train. A little offering, because of my love for him. We have called them “Just because” gifts. His bright eyes glistening and a wider than wide smile that wins this grandma over every time. He doesn’t expect that Grandma will give, but there is certain anticipation as he asks “For Me?” I experienced his excitement just today when Great Grandpa gave him a scale model of a white Jeep just like his. One day though I heard “For Me?” In a different light. We all at times, throughout the day offer prayers to Jesus. It’s what a Christian Grandma does. We come to Him with concerns, needs, joys, praise. We just celebrated Easter. It is about Jesus but I realized that it is “For Me!”
For ME God gave His only Son
For ME He said I is finished Done!
For ME He suffered, bleed and died
For ME His blood covers my lies.
For ME He overcame death in the grave.
For ME after three days HE RAISED!
For ME a Kingdom is being prepared
For ME belief will take me there
For ME God give eternity.
Will you and your family ask ”For ME?”
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 65 Convenience at What Cost?

Is convenient food so convenient God have us all 24 hours. Our human nature continues the quest in the “just one more thing added to our schedule” kind of life. So as we continue to jam pack our lives, we look for the easy way to achieve what needs to be done throughout the day, with the fastest results. Thus convenience food was born. There were homemade noodles, homemade rolls and homemade cookies. Now we have store bought. Sandwich stores give you the sub. Delis sell you the meat already sliced. Take home meals of chicken, potatoes and salad are bagged and taken home. Items called “take and bake” entice the meal preparer. We have kitchens in our home, but seldom make a meal in it anymore.

Does convenience come with a price though? Added packaging causes our landfills to be filled. We generate 258 million tons of municipal solid waste each year. Reports tell us that we could run out of landfill space within 18 years. A research study revealed that 49% of liter was from fast food. One area called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch aka The Pacific Gyre contains 3.5 million tons of trash. One article mentioned that trash is a $4 Billion dollar industry another called The Roadmap ReFed (rethink food waste mentioned a price tag of $218 billion on the cost of food in America. We can also look at the nutritional value of convenience foods. Which is leading to the obesity of Americans. One in three eat fast food a day. Over 40 % is obese. The fats, calories, sugar and sodium rates are to be considered. Health care cost go up as the body begins to react to the lifestyle it is dealt. One food I thought would be interesting to compare was French fries. Believe it or not, this guy called Dr. Axe had the research already stated for me. Go to his web site Dr. Axe Food is Medicine and look at what a French fry has in it. It is a pretty staggering article. Are we eating caulk? I think of a scripture in the Bible it says “Eat Drink and be merry for tomorrow you die. Sometimes we get so caught up in the convenience that we stop to realize what it is doing to us. Yes it might taste good but for what cost? God gave us dirt that we can grow items in, a potato eye can be placed in that ground and produce about 5 to 10 potatoes per plant. Once harvested you can clean it, cut it up like a French fries and bake it. It will be healthier and more economical. The satisfaction will also come because you grew it yourself and there is usually only 128 calories in a potato. The season of gardening is around the corner, some seeds have already been planted in the starter box. The grandchildren love to plant. Whether you plan a big garden or a box garden there is convenience in just picking that fresh vegetable off the plant. Happy gardening! grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 64 Accentuate the Positive

In 1944, a song was written to these words. It seems a sermon sparked the interest in a song write and a hit was born. The song goes on to suggest spreading joy and diminishing gloom, to have faith and accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative and don’t mess around with Mr. In-between. It talks about Noah and his opposition, and Jonah in the belly of a large fish. Noah’s positive was that He survived the flood and Jonah finally got the message and did what God wanted. Some proper training for young ladies tell of accentuating the positive. The thought was if you had something that was pleasing to the eye on your body you would try to enhance it so to be noticed. You might have a nice smile and adding bright red lip color would definitely draw attention to those ruby red lips. Thus red lip stick became a household name. One might have a small waist and wear a fitted dress that revealed that hour glass figure. This thought was also used to eliminate the negative. It has been told that dark colors will be more flattering in diminishing something that you would not want to accentuate. Thus if you had larger hips you would wear a navy or black and it was to lessen the look. So what do you need to accentuate in your “grandma” life? What positives need to be spoken about when it comes to the care of your grandchildren? Does your grandchild say to you “You’re my best friend”? What negatives do you have in your life that needs to be eliminated? Are you spreading gloom each day that you care for your grandchildren? Is the job becoming more than you can handle? I’m sure Noah was being ridiculed by his community for building a boat for a rain that they had never seen before. It could have become quite discouraging. His positive was that he listened to God and climbed into a boat that saved his and his families lives. When Jonah tried to eliminate the negative by refusing to do what the Lord had wanted him to, he probably had wished he hadn’t fooled around with Mr. In-between. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” What is God calling you to do today? Get rid of any negative? Accentuate the positive? Take it to God. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 63 Telephone

Have you ever heard of the game “Telephone” that people play? One person starts out with a phrase and whispers it into the ear of the person next to them, it continues down the line through the amount of people that is playing. Each time the phrase is whispered somehow it begins to change. People don’t hear it correctly so they say what they think they hear. The phrase “Aunt Sally gave me an apple.” Could eventually become “Aunt Sally is a mean example.” Somehow our ears just don’t hear what is being said. Sometimes our ears just hear what they want to hear. In certain circumstances what is being said to one party can become a disaster if repeated too many time to too many people. Sometimes it is the way we say words that come across the wrong way. If one finds themselves in a predicament where they are being blamed for words not spoken,that can become the rumor mill saga. There is a Veggie Tale movie called the “The Rumor Weed.” Let me tell you this character looks like she has experimented with a lip enhancing plumper like Botox that went wild. This story of rumor and words gets really blown out of proportion. The poor teacher’s reputation is at stake just because of some children’s interpretations of words spoken. We all need to be careful with our words and who is around to hear our words when they are spoken. If the ears that hear do not really understand what is being said they may be repeated to someone else that interprets it in a whole other way. We all know that little ears don’t always understand grown up words. Just think how the word soda, pop, cola, carbonated beverage has been used. If one looked at a recipe and it called for soda but I put pop in it instead I don’t think the results would be favorable. Our Bible has lots to say about words and the tongue.

Proverbs 21:23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

A grandma for the next generation should choose her words wisely and consider who is listening when speaking. “ O Be Careful Little Tongue what you say for the Father up above is looking down with love so be careful little tongue what you say. O be careful little ears what you hear for the Father up above is looking down with love so be careful little ears what you hear.” Teach this little song to your grandchildren today.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation #62 Hill or Mountain?

On a hill far away, I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary, A mansion just over the hilltop. Hills, rolling hills, high hills, steep hills, The hills are alive, a city built on a hill.

Hills hold a major advantage for the military. Hills surround my country home. What makes a hill a hill and a mountain a mountain is speculation. Hills are mentioned in the Bible. Christ knew about hills. He feed the hungry multitude on a hill. John 6. Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them [b]to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. He delivered the Beatitudes, referred also as the Sermon on the Mt.

Matthew 5: 1-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven.

Blessed meaning Happy. The grass is greening, the sun has been shining. Well at least a little. We can be happy knowing that as we just celebrated Easter we have a risen Savior. No other religion can claim that who they follow is still alive. We Christians can. At one time the Bible recorded that 500 had been an eye witness. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

I am hoping that your Easter baskets were all found, that the time that you spent together with family was blessed and you have remembered the tomb is empty. Take a grandchild up on a mountain or a hill and scan the horizon, sing a song and give thanks to a God that forgives us for our down falls and continues to love us. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 61 Define Me
Have you ever struggled with wondering who you are at certain times of your life? Have you thought of what molded you to be who you are? What defines you? Our personality characteristics can change. I don’t think there is anything the matter with that. There become defining moments in our life that change who or what we become. Sometimes it is just difficult for us to either submit to a new role or come to grips with what is now expected of us. Sometimes though through no fault of ours the change can also have negative reactions. When I was young and my dad died young that changed me. It changed my mother, she lost her spouse at a young age. It effected our family stability I stayed in town, my brother went to the country with grandpa most of the time. My grandma, my dad’s mother, struggled to believe that she out lived her baby. Difficulties, this is life. I have read a child develops mostly in the first few years of life. Though genetics accounts for most of the development, the environment, circumstances, and relationships with others have a significance influence. Bonding that takes place in the first few years , last a lifetime. Understanding the different stages of a child’s life can be helpful to their development. Brain activity becomes closer to an adult than newborn by the 12th month. There is a wonderful development chart on the Child Development Institute web site. Another personality that I have turned too for my own parenting skills was Dr. James Dobson. He has a ministry called Family Talk. He mentions that even homes have a personality. One article asked us to define our home. Is it light hearted, strict, rigid, depressed, or pessimistic? It mentioned that the parents set the tone for the home. A child’s behavior is developed by this tone. Stress, anxiety, restriction and over control creates a tense and frustrated home. Freedom and self-expression is very helpful to develop a child that learns how to cope with stress.

My identity changed when I became a mother. I can still recall the awakening moment. When my needs were put aside and I realized now that I was a mother, I may not always get what “I” wanted. It was around Christmas time. I had a batch of cookies made for the cookie exchange. I was ready to go that night to meet with other ladies and come home with a whole different batch of cookies. I was excited to get out and be with the ladies. But—that’s what happens, But—my baby became fussy, he spiked a fever and in my heart I knew I should not go to the cookie exchange, that a wise mother would care for her baby and pass, this time, on the fun activity. I looked at my cookies that I had baked, I looked at my sick child, and then I sat down and cried. Actually the baby bawled and so did I. But in that moment of exhaustion and self -denial I knew what needed to be done. My “self” had a new role to play. I was a mother. I now had different responsibilities. A new role to play. There were other opportunities in my life as I raised my children. I survived. Looking back now it sounds silly, missing a cookie exchange, but it was something “I” didn’t get to do at that moment. It was disappointment. Now that I am a grandmother, I am defining myself in a different way. The future generations are what are most important to me and how they will learn to survive in this world that has rejected the Christ that I lived my life for. If the environment, circumstances and relationships with others mold the first few years of life, then I need to make sure they see a Christian environment, that when negative circumstances happen they don’t see a grandma that is yelling, or swearing or falls apart, a grandma that shows the Fruits of the Spirit. I desire a relationship with my grandchildren that will be God honoring and one that will see them come to know the Savior that I know. Easter is coming. There will be fun with bunnies and eggs. Remember to teach the ultimate sacrifice that was made for us, eternal life for those that believe. For God so loved the World that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life. John 3:16 grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for The Next Generation # 60 Is It Finished?
The winter snow was deep and the ground lay under it fast a sleep. The season was changing and not too soon for the most of us. We welcome the warming sun and am elated as the dormant spring flowers begin to peek through. The melting snow reveals a yard that needs raking and pinecones that have fallen from trees and the hill side calls out “It will be time to mow me soon”. The grandchildren are happy that they no longer are bundled up with hats scarves and mittens and heavy coats. There is work to be done. Things need to be accomplished. Grandchildren need to learn the importance of helping. They need to learn the satisfaction of a job well done, to feel the sense of accomplishment and success. Work is hard and it is easy to give up. Someone else can finish, this is enough for me. I just want to sit down. We’ve said those phrases as we ourselves were learning different task. “There will be a special treat for those that help”, grandma chimes in. The grandchildren begin to eagerly pick up pinecones and twigs and before long the whole yard looks refreshed and the wagon is full. We will have a camp fire with marshmallows this summer, Grandma lets them know. It’s in the house for a yellow and purple popsicle. Spring is in the air, aren’t we glad. Our area has endured the harsh winter and new life is budding. Easter is coming, This too is accomplishment. Jesus was asked by His Father to do a job. To accomplish a task that no human could. Even Jesus struggled with what was to be accomplished. "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me . Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36 And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt. Easter, a time when we celebrate the ultimate accomplishment! We could never have succeeded. That wasn’t the plan. We are invited to accept the wonderful gift that He gave. Our grandson didn’t have to be sacrificed. Mary’s son was. The words of our Savior were “It is Finished” God’s prophecy was fulfilled. We are called to “finish” our job. Tell our grandchildren of the Saviors love for them and pray for their acceptance of Jesus in their lives. What a wonderful resurrection Sunday that will be if your grandchild were to accept Christ then. We all look forward to the day when it also is finished with words from our Savior. Well done good and faithful servant. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 59 Piece of White Paper

I Didn’t Understand

I heard there was a man who willingly laid down

His life for me upon a cross, so I would wear a crown.

I did not understand a love so deep and pure,

A man would do all that for me? I couldn’t be so sure.

So as I read my bible, went to church to study more,

I soon found out how much I really was adored.

He knew me in my mother’s womb, He rose a dear brother from the tomb,

He faced the hungry multitude, He changed the angry attitude

The blind could see the lame could walk, He even made a donkey talk.

He bleed and died, so many hated Him so, He told his friends He had to go.

But He also said “I’m coming back.” Just when though, you were not to ask.

The love He showed He gave to me, He brought the children to His knee.

So, here and now my knee bows too because the Lord said, “I love you.”

My grandma was a teacher. One of the fondest memories I have is one of my first poems that I wrote as a school lesson. Being fortunate to have grandma next door all of my unmarried life, I could come with school lessons and ask for help. She was a stickler for grammar. I wish I could get help today. My first poem was about my Grandma’s cat named Sunny who tried to catch a bunny. I am sure if I would dig around home I might find this copy some place. Those old school papers just get filed with those items that can’t be thrown out. Don’t we all have a desk drawer or a hope chest full of those kind of items? What kind of items are you putting away for your grandchildren when they get older. The first hand print you drew around? A colored page of a happy face? That first initial that they could write on their own? A plain piece of paper becomes something to be cherished. A plain white piece of paper can create many things. Poems, cut it into snowflakes, fold a boat or plane, water color paintings. The list goes on. What can you think of? Have you ever stopped to think that our lives are also like a plane piece of paper. Each day we are given is kind of like a clean slate. We can choose what to do with it, where to go, what choices to make. The right or the wrong. God gives us twenty four hours. He gives us a mind to make up for ourselves. Sometimes though our choices are not the best, sometime they down right get us in the worst place we can be. That three letter word S I N creeps in. That why He came. “He was born to die”, one song goes. It is hard to fathom a small baby, innocent and needy, to grow to become the Savior of the world, but that’s what He did. He was the sacrifice that had to come since we couldn’t follow the laws that had been laid out in an animal sacrifice. He is called the Lamb of God because of that. Easter is coming, how will you celebrate with your grandchildren? Will you get eggs and dye them? Will you eat some jelly beans? Will you gather for a family meal? Get a piece of plain white paper and cut out a cross find the Story of Easter in the Bible in the Gospels Matthew chapters 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24, John 19-20. Share that with your grandchildren. Come up with some rhyming words that you can pull out of the story and make your own poem together. Take that piece of paper and cut out the letter E from it. Use words that start with E to tell about Easter, enjoyment, eggs, excitement, ecumenical –all different churches celebrate this day. Eucharist – Holy Communion Jesus’ Blood and Body symbolized in grape juice and bread a part of the Last Supper. Encouragement Eternity. Because of an Empty tomb. Then tear off the bottom of the E to make the letter F. Then use words like We are found when we ask Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus wants to fill our life with fun and family forever. Find that piece of paper and get started. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation #58 What We Believe

I am a woman. I believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I accept that Jesus was crucified and died on a cross, was raised to life after 3 days and now lives in Heaven where He is preparing many homes for all lost souls that would come to believe in Him. I believe that He will return some day in a cloud to take believers home to live with Him for eternity.

I believe that as a Christian we are to go into the world, tell about the gospel, baptize people and continue to teach them the good news. I believe the Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. Realizing, that the good news is that I am forgiven of the wrongs that I have done and have been shown mercy from the loving Father who created me.

I believe that family was set in motion the day that God created the first man and woman and told them to go into the world and multiply.

What do you believe? Have you ever written it down and signed your name to it. A family went to a Christian conference one weekend in a big city. The teen age boys went to one session with other teens and the parents went to an adult parenting meeting. When they were back together in a bigger group the speaker told them to look at the paper that had been given to them. He ask them to read it as a family then each one sign their names on it and date it, if they could agree to the statement. This piece of paper said that each would strive to live a life that wouldn’t bring disappointed to any of the other members of the family. Each would be accountable for their own actions. This seemingly small gesture made an impact in their lives and they continue after twenty five years to respect the other family members. There are many temptations that can lure young adults. Many can bring shame to self and family. Some actions bring health issues that they will live with all their lives. Talking about smoking and what the consequences may be should be discussed before the act ever happens. “Grandma hopes that you will never smoke. Do you know how much smoking cost. Where will you get that kind of money? Do you know what smoking does to you body? To your lungs? Do you know how hard it can become to breathe after you have smoked for a long time?” Having sex out side of marriage. “Yes, that is a really cute baby, do you know how much the family had to pay the doctor for the stay at the hospital? Where do you think you could find $6,000.00? Some women have to have a lot of stitches when they have a baby. You will have to have a full time job to take care of the baby, there is diapers and formula, baby sitter fees. When you want to go to the movies with a friend where will the baby go, to the movie to cry during it with you ? Doing drugs. Grandma understands about peer pressure, she was young once. I am going to give you my phone number, you keep this with you. If you are in a situation where you feel uncomfortable then you call me. Grandma will be there and come get you if you need me. You are a precious gift to me from God. I love you so very much. Of course I am not advocating that this is a sit down and lecture kind of approach. This is a day in and day out every time you are together approach and the opportunity arises during natural casual conversations approach. That is when the best sermons can be taught. In kindness and gentleness of tone. Even if you are a grandma that has already had to deal with some of these situations, a loving grandma can be there, full of mercy like our heavenly Father is with us. This will be more readily accepted. When my finger came out pointed at the erring person, I was told that three fingers were pointing back at me. Think about it. Then thank God for His mercy when you have failed and remember to write down what you believe and don’t be afraid to share it. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 57 Credit Roosevelt
I like to read comments or statements that people have made throughout history. There is something to be learned in what has been left behind. I have heard it many times that History repeats itself. You would think that we would all wise up and remember that and learn from past experiences but for some reason many chose to either ignore or believe history never happened. I run across this comment that I would like to share titled “The Credit Belongs” by Theodore Roosevelt.
The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at best, know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
This paragraph is a small excerpt from the 75 page long speech called The Man in The Arena "Citizenship In A Republic" delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910. It makes me think of our Timothy or Paul who had made so many trips preaching the Gospel, had put their selves in danger for Christ cause. Their arena could have been those with stones in their hands ready to fire. It could have been the soldiers with whips to beat. They were in the ranks, they were setting an example for other churches to follow. What about our churches today. Do you know of those who are in the arena? Those trying for Christ cause to share with others the “Good News” speaking to a neighbor about being lost? Showing Christ attitude of forgiveness? Do know any who have great enthusiasms for the Lord’s work? Are there any who have devoted their lives to one specific church or have those you know hopped from one church to another after they have gotten their feathers ruffled? Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 8-10 And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.… He knew he wasn’t worthy but God’s grace and mercy knew better. 2 Corinthians 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea … there may have been many instances that would cause him to feel like he was failing for the Lord’s work but he kept persevering. Grandma’s for the Next Generation need to take the words of our 26th President. We can go valiantly with courage and determination; we can be enthusiastic when it comes to supporting our grandchildren. We can be devoted in prayer for them from their birth to school to marriage; we all know that telling our grandchildren of Jesus is a worthy cause. We can achieve this as we ourselves are in the Word, we will also know failures and discouragements but we will know that we gave it all, that we could because Christ was with us in our arena of grand parenting. Keep the faith grandmas.grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation # 56 Shopping
When did you learn about shopping? How old where you when you first went shopping? Who took you shopping? Was there a certain way you learned to shopped? How do you shop now?
Phrases like: Spend Thrift, Cheap Scape, Money Bags, Impulse buyer, Large shopping cart, re-useable, environmental friendly bags, shopping list only, No shopping list, Hungry when shopping, After seasonal stock ups, Guilt trip spending, Close out isle, coupons, rebates, Where to shop.
Have you ever stopped to think about all of this when you go shopping?
Do your grandchildren go shopping with you? One mother told of actually putting a paint stick in her purse to make a child behave when shopping. The child would have temper tantrums when they were not able to get what they wanted, whenever they wanted, every time they were in a store. On another shopping trip a story is told of the child putting an item they wanted into a boot that was going to be purchased with no knowledge from the parents. When discovered though the child was marched to the sales clerk to return the stolen item. A hard lesson learned. Has your shopping habits become generational?
If you were influenced by a mother or grandmother on ways to shop, do you still shop that way today?
If you have grown children now do they shop the way you shop? Do you shop with friends or by yourself?
Isn’t it interesting how seasonal items can be so valuable up until the holiday, but when that day is over items become half price even up to 90 percent off. I love shopping to fill a drawer with little token gifts. When a little thinking of you gift is needed I can go to my drawer and have a token for that special someone. When I was younger I loved presents. My aunt always showered me with gifts.
I can remember shopping in the big city with her and my mother. Riding on an escalator was fascinating. You learned to cautiously step onto moving stairs as it took you up up up to another floor.
I still have two dolls that I cherish that were gifts from my aunt. I never knew she was buying them for me but come Christmas here they were all wrapped up in the prettiest wrap waiting with my name on them.
Do you have a memory of presents received? How about a fond memory of a gift that you shopped for and gave? It has been told to me that no one is worthy of any gift but when one is given it should be accepted because after all , “It is the thought that counts”. That belief has sadly taken a back seat. Gift receipts are given with gifts and it is almost expected that the gift will be returned. There seems to be a lack of appreciativeness anymore. I feel sorry for people who have to live that way. Many things in my home I can look at and recall who was kind enough to give. I have a special dish that was given over 40 years ago to me at our wedding. Recently I received a brand name hoodie, I would never buy name brand unless it was at the Thrift Shop, that is how I was taught to shop. The cheaper the better, best deal you can get, do without until it is at the “right price”. One grandma mentions. A gift is different, I love it, I wear it, it is name brand, if that really makes a difference at my age. I am hip now!
There are many ways to shop, there are reasons why we shop the way we do. Grandchildren will need to learn too. Money doesn’t grow on trees and the child that doesn’t learn that concept are those that better have a very high income job. Buying for our children doesn’t always help them either. But teaching them what a good value is, is invaluable. Something that is very valuable is that our sinfulness is worthless but Christ death on the cross made us worthy. That’s the best deal for any shopper. Do you know that? Have you told your grandchildren that? When shopping with the grandkids do you say out loud, “Thank you God for the money to buy what we need.” God tells us in Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Remember when Timothy and Paul went on their journeys they depended on the generosity of church and fellow believers. I doubt if they took their gifts back but rather thanked God for each act of kindness. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation # 55 Remember me?

I have had a music cassette since 1993. The name of the song is “When all is Said and Done” by Geoff Moore. When I first heard that song I thought, that is what I want played at my funeral. People have all kinds of songs sang or played at their funerals. One funeral I heard a song about a farmer, another about a truck driver, mostly a religious hymn is sung but each funeral I guess is to be a tribute to the lost loved one. I have this cassette in a drawer along with other important papers that my family will need when the Lord calls me home. I don’t mean for this blog to sound morbid to you, but unless we are raptured out of this world it is inevitable. This song asks what will be remember when all is said and done. Music sung, all of the days, family loved, Jesus, it says it for me. My grandma was a song writer one of the first songs I remember that she wanted me to sing was “I want to live my life for Jesus”. This song said we were to tell others about Jesus. I believe that I have strived to do that in some form of my life. If you are a Christian we should care about the eternal destination of others. That is why God keeps us down here are this Earth. If you do a self-examination you might ask, did my life really matter? More and more young people are choosing to end their lives much too soon. Attempts are made morning and evening in the same day. Emergency first responders, police, hospitals all get alerts to the event. Some successful. Other people struggle to stay alive, eating the right foods, taking the right vitamins, getting the proper prescriptions, striving for that long life. Yet none of us know when our last breath will be taken. God is the giver of life. A person that is rested in Him will not have to contemplate the hour. They are at peace with self and know eternal life will follow. I want my grandchildren to remember butterflies. Grants have been given to farm lands to build butterfly habitats. Soon the family will be preparing the land, burning the weeds, disking the ground and sowing the seeds. All the preparation will hopefully bring a reward of butterflies. With the ease of a camera pictures can be taken and books can be made of different events that are shared. A story can make a lasting memory. We have stories of journeys, travels, trips. Each child has their own book. A find in a Christian catalog was little crosses that play scripture but also have a record button. It was just what I was wanting to record my song to my grandchildren that I wrote for them. It was a lullaby. I wanted to put my voice on it so they could play it whenever they wanted too and they could remember what I sounded like. Both my grandma’s made cassettes for me. One was songs and the other was stories read and recorded. When I feel I need the touch of my grandma I pull them out and start to listen there is great comfort in knowing that though loved ones have to go that there can be memories left behind in some form to reach out to when we need too. You may think that you don’t have any talent, that you can’t write anything but I bet if you go back to your school days and think about what you learned about rhyming, you soon will have a beautiful legacy waiting to pass on to your grandchildren. Think about it---- sweet, treat, can’t be beat, one and only, full of bologna, Make it personal, I’d love to hear what you said, grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The next Generation # 54 All up in Smoke
The December issue of In Business reported that 70 percent of voters want pot legalized.
This advisory referendum was on the ballot in six counties. Dane, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Racine, and Rock. Nearly 1 million residents voted yes on this referendum.
More than 23 states allow marijuana for medical purposes and many more are considering it.
I am hoping by writing to your readers and giving some facts that if a state vote were ever to become reality that we would be knowledgeable enough to “Just Say NO!”
7 years ago, Colorado voters legalized recreational marijuana. They believed that the black market would go away, that tax revenue would increase and adults would be the only ones with access.
Readers can judge for their selves if the vote was a good investment.
The true effects in Colorado has data that continues to escalate along with Washington, Alaska, Oregon and the District of Columbia.
Over the last 20 years research has made it increasingly clear that the THC harms. Science continues to give us an idea of the health risk. Colorado marijuana industry boast the strongest marijuana on earth with a level of 20-30 percent level of Tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive component ingredient in marijuana. It enters the brain and creates a euphoric “high” by stimulating the reward system in the same way as chocolate or other sensory pleasures do. There has been a 10-fold increase from the ‘60’s to the ‘80’s in the THC levels and a 90-fold increase in the candies.
It is a very different experience today than the 1970’s when levels were 1-2 percent.
Potency has grown more than 400 percent in the past 30 years.

Police Burden

Consumption in Colorado is 35.29 percent higher than the national average.
Nearly 44 percent of recreational marijuana which is taxed far more heavily than medical marijuana is used by out of state visitors.
In the mountain regions that number can be as high as 90 percent.
It is no longer a party drug.
Impaired driving operators tested positive for marijuana had increased by a whopping 100 percent.
Overall crime increased by 6.7 percent from the first six months of 2013 to the first six months of 2014.
Homelessness is increased.
There is a financial stress on criminal justice systems in the surrounding states.
There is a marked increase in complaints to police about the smell in neighborhoods
Citations for driving under the influence of drugs increased 43 percent in a four year period. Of these 36 different states received marijuana from Colorado. Traffic deaths increased 66 percent since Colorado went legal.
Increased robberies.
27 % of injured drivers tested positive for pot.
There are 739 approved sites for growing pot. Spread across more than 1,200 acres.
How do police enforce the “6 plants grown in your home only”, law? Some rented houses have between 400 and 1,000 plants.

Health Risk
*Risk of heart attack increase by four times in the hour after use. It can cause provoked chest pain in patients with heart disease.
*Lungs show a greater prevalence of bronchitis cough and phlegm. The smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are symptoms experienced.
*Mental illness like schizophrenia, psychosis, depression and anxiety is significant. Fear and panic can occur. The area of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention and reaction time are significantly and negatively affected, with after effects lasting up to 28 days after last use. *Those who are under 20 and using will show a significant loss in brain development. The part of the brain that regulates behavior, the planning for complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making and social behavior is affected.
*Teens are especially susceptible.
*Smoking while pregnant has shown to decrease birth weight, affect brain development and cause side effect well into adulthood.
*All reports find that there is no documented medical value in marijuana. It just opens the door to legalizing recreational marijuana.

Disturbing trends show:
Schools are being infiltrated.
Academic learning and problem solving skills are being suppressed.
The state reports 95 percent of youth are in treatment due to marijuana use. Many are on a waiting list for help.
More than 50% of welfare recipients used their state issued welfare debit cards at ATM’s that are inside marijuana retail store the first month that pot became legal. Use of marijuana has a strong correlation to the gateway to harder drugs.
*More than 333,000 people entered drug treatment programs for pot addiction in 2011. This was before it was legal.
*Nearly 4.2 million people have a marijuana addiction problem. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Negative findings:

Calls of poison control
seizures have quadrupled
two deaths so far are attributed to marijuana overdoses
Neighboring states are experiencing a surge in pot use and felony drug arrest jumped 400 percent over the past three years in Chappell, Neb. Just seven miles north of Colorado. Thus the state is being sued.
ER visits increased by 35 percent
Hospitalization increased by 72 percent
Employers have workers coming to work high which results in extreme negative employment consequences. Some businesses have moved out of state because of work place incidences and decreased productivity.
Lost revenue- Families go to neighboring state to ski where it is deemed safer and more family friendly.
The Department of Transportation spent $1 million on television ad campaign trying to discourage driving while high on marijuana. This could go for some road repair instead.
Children Targeted
The Colorado schools have become infiltrated with the drug. Use by kids 12-17years old is 58 percent higher in Colorado than the national average according to RMHIDTA. Drug related suspensions/expulsions in schools increased by 32 percent.
A 4 year study near Montreal, Canada showed that cannabis had greater short- and long-term negative consequences than alcohol on the memory functions of teens in four crucial areas. Beginning when students were an average of 13, problem solving, long-term memory, short term memory manipulations and the ability to stop habitual behavior were all evaluated. The results showed a greater risk for addiction, changes in brain function, inability to change their actions to help meet a goal. Long term damage to their brains, weak academic performances, cognitive functions were affected. On October 19th Canadian Senate voted to legalize recreational use of marijuana.
What was smoked is now packaged as food gummy bears, pot suckers, hard fruit candies and pot soda
and cookies all designed to entice the younger set. There are more than 300 retail outlets selling these kinds of products in Denver alone. Pot shops outnumber McDonald’s and Starbucks franchisees combined.
Many products are practically identical to the mainstream ones, once out of a package you can’t tell the difference. For a child who likes candy gummy bears the wrong ones in hand could become fatal. The concern comes from no basic markers on the candies or foods to know which is laced with pot.
New York Times syndicated columnist Maureen Dowd visited Colorado to research for a future column. She states she purchased a pot cookie which had no dosing instructions and nibbled on it then nibbled a little more ending up in a hallucinatory state for over 8 hours.
Profits rely on addiction.

Advertising is crucial to attracting new customers. Advertising begins to brain wash the person on the hazards. Claims of “relatively benign” and “overdosing almost impossible”, is aimed at the low-income and minority residents. Many neighborhoods are where most of the pot shops are.
Once hooked a continuous stream of revenue flows to companies’ bottom lines and government coffers. This has become the new black market. Sales can average nearly $1 million per day statewide.
Taxed sales for January stood at $14 million. Industry watchers expect it to reach $1 billion annually in Colorado.
*Several billionaires are getting richer as they continue to advertise and back the legalization on pot.
Wisconsin needs to beware of any gigantic loopholes if medical marijuana laws are to be made. Someone needs to be held responsible. Having “medical” forms at the pot shop and getting physicians to “sign off” needs to be investigated.
Tom Gorman is the director of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Traffic Area and offshoot of the Office of National Drug Control Policy he has stated “We’re starting to have buyer’s remorse.”
“WE NEED TO TELL THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, DON’T DO ANYTHING.
I hope we can learn from this huge experiment in other states and protect our fresh air, our young people and their academics, our already burdened shorthanded law enforcement, teachers, and employers nursing staff and emergency responders before it is too late. For much more information go to www.focusonthefamily.com , Rocky Mountain Low: the Downside of Legalized Marijuana Catholic analysts, Education Reporter, www.phyllisschlafly.com , In Business: Greater Madison, www.rmhidta.org grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com blog at www.parkstreetchristianchurch.com WI.
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Grandma For the Next Generation # 53 Help Mate
Do you know what a help mate is? It is really pretty easy to figure out. Help Mate
Help----- assisting, working with, coming along side.
Mate----your other half, your husband, the one you pledged your life too.
A help-mate is a valuable position. Man was created by God, but He also knew that man needed help.
Adam the first man had lots of responsibilities naming all of the animals and tending to the gardens.
Then God made Eve so Adam wouldn’t be alone. Adam and Eve enjoyed each other and all the plenty that God supplied. They had children together and were the first parents. From the very beginning there was a need for an assistant. Does that ring true today? It should if we follow the Bible’s leading. How much of a help-mate though am I? How much of a help-mate are you? What can we do to help our mate? The domestic wife will create and cook a delicious meal. She will plan it to be nutritious. She will cook and clean up afterwards. The husband being at work all day will come home to smells coming from the kitchen. A satisfaction will fill his belly and he will be refreshed to start a working day all over the next day. His income provides the electricity, the running water, the money for your shopping trips for groceries. Now I know that there are male chefs out there and they assist in the kitchen at home. There is nothing the matter with that and together they can create harmony in the home in a way that strengthens their relationship. The whole idea is to be a mate that helps. I would like to assist my husband in his weld shop but his is a talent that I have not acquired. One should not be around the welder as sparks are going all around the particular project. His shed gets out of shape sometimes. I can pick up the broom and sweep and arrange things on shelves and throw away what isn’t needed. Of course I’d better ask if a certain thing should be thrown. When building or remodeling, I can assist a little more. I can use a hammer and I can help him lift certain items that may be too heavy for just one person to be lifting. I will come along side of him. Lumber can be heavy and cumbersome, doing it all by oneself is nearly impossible, let alone not a wise thing to do when it comes to a hernia or hemorrhoids.
The Bible tells us that two are better than one. It gives greater warmth, strength, and help if you fall. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
The kind of example that we set before our children and grandchildren is important also. If one expects the other to always provide, a certain laziness may be observed. Children will not learn to pick up after their selves if they don’t see a role model in us. Traits can be passed down either genetically or naturally. Parents have a mighty influence on a child’s development.
It is a sorrowful affair when a mate corrects the other mate or shares a difference of opinion in front of the children.
Notary, Dr. Val Farmer says “Such power struggles undermine each other in a relationship.” This confuses the child and teaches them disrespect for authority. It can leave them to believe that the rule does not have to imply to them. They may become insecure and if a marriage would break up they may feel they were to blame. Young children are impressionable. We must try to guard them from our insecurities and learn from our parents mistakes so as not to make the same ones. Negative chains can be broken. Articles have reported that if a parent smoked probably the child would. Thankfully I never had a desire to. If a parent drank so would the child, thankfully again I didn’t pick up that habit. I am far from perfect because I know that the loudness in our family didn’t fall too far from the tree. As I’ve gotten older though, I have toned it down quite a bit. We all have places to work on. A grandma for the next generation knows that and continues to seek God’s will and learn by His examples. In doing that we will be a wonderful help mate and companion to the one God gave us. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 52 On Guard!
The Disney movie “Peter Pan” has been around since 1953 when it was first released. Many may not know that Walt Disney first thought about Peter Pan 18 years before the release. Many different changes went into the movie and the Bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941contributed to putting the movie on hold. Some of the scenes include the sword fights, good against bad, little boys against pirates.
Back and forth the swords would sway in hopes that good would be the strength to win out.
Philippians 4:3 says, I can do all things through Christ who can strengthen me. This is often learned and quoted. It is a comfort verse to know that all things are possible. It is also nice to know that God’s strength is much better than anything we could attempt.
One family has a yearly ritual in their home. When the tubes are emptied of the Christmas wrap paper each person picks up the tube and plays “On Guard” The empty paper tube become a sword and a fencing match begins. It doesn’t take long before the tube is broken into pieces. One grandma picked up her sword and said “The word of God is my sword!” then she quoted Philippians 4:3. As her tube swayed back and forth after the tube that was in the hand of a grandchild she would play the bad guy and get the grandchild to quote the verse back to her. “Use you sword to fight off the devil”, she would remind the child. The hits could get a little out of control at times but grandma would remind that life gets out of control sometimes too. All the more to use God’s word as our daily guide. One particular time grandma got a little to close to a dolly. The granddaughter came in for the attack. “Don’t hurt my dolly!” was the plea. Grandma roll played back, “but I am bad, the devil doesn’t care about your baby.” This prompted the girl to fight even harder, she took her sword in her hand, had a sturdy stance and said, “The heart will give me power.” “Yes!” The grandma replied, “the heart will give you power.” A true passion for Christ and knowledge of His word is all that we need in this world to come against the evils of the devil.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Psalms 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer
Yes we have rules for this game. No hitting the face and it is not intended to hurt anyone. It gets out the anxious jitters in a family gathering. It makes us think of scripture and makes us laugh at each other. Get an empty tube out and start swinging with God’s word grandmas. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 51 Color?
Do you see color? In a certain town, the musical “Show Boat” is being performed. Actors and Actresses are anxious to try out to see if they would land a part in this well-known show. Read from a script and sing. For some a particular part is all they would want to be considered for. Others are just happy to be a filler and have a very non-leading part. Maybe even working back stage. Those that are gifted in construction no doubt will have lots to do. It is amazing how a few pieces of wood and card board can become an awe inspiring scene to set the stage. Can you imagine what the boat will look like. The theme of “Show Boat” is discrimination. The first director wanted to bring people of different skin color to the same stage. So, back to my first question. Do you see color? I’m sure everyone knows their black from their white, but what do or will your grandchildren learn from you? Will they see black and white segregated? Will they not see color at all but the child that God created in His image? An adult once said, “I have to work hard at acceptance because of how I was brought up.” Could we say that example can develop the thoughts that we believe toward those of color? Someone else mentioned, “Your thoughts about this issue come from your heart.” Let’s go to God’s book and see.
Proverbs 27:19 As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.
We all have a choice acceptance or not. A book that addresses the race and color issues that I found very helpful is “One Race One Blood” by Ken Ham and Charles Wane.
A Grandma for the Next Generation that believes in the Bible have all the answers they need to wisely teach right in the guide book left behind for us.
If Adam and Eve were created by God Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed a man[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being a
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
If Noah and His family came out of the Ark after the great flood-
If they continued on in life and multiplied-
Genesis 8: 15-19 Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.” So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on land—came out of the ark, one kind after another.
Genesis 9:7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”
Then we are all related
Acts 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
We all came from the same beginning. So skin color, our pigment, is in all of us. It is called melanin. More sun or less sun helps to develop the varied colors. With the advancements in science and DNA those that have a hard time just believing the Bible at face value now can look to science and have proof. You may say, “Well what about our languages?” Once again, let’s go to the Bible.
Genesis 11 speaks of when man thought they were God and were building towers to the Heavens. The story of the Tower of Babel tell where God confused their tongue so in order to understand they had to find people who were speaking the same language. Isn’t it amazing to think of the 7.7 billion people in the world all being related? Maybe it is difficult to grasp that concept?
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Could you say that the human race is your brothers and sisters? What if we all began asking, “ Wonder what my brother needs in the Lord?” “Does my sister have a need I can help with?” “Do I need to change the thoughts that I have on race and color?” Thinking about such issues help us to learn God’s ways, we should be willing to explore every day that God gives us on this Earth.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism Acts 10:47 Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
James 3: 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Matthew 27:37-39 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
Some say that Paul and Timothy might have traveled over 10,000 miles in all of their travels. Think of the witnessing that must have gone on. Think of the example that Paul was showing Timothy on those travels. How much discrimination do you think they experienced? Remember little eyes are watching their grandma’s and will react the way we do. If you need to tell God about your struggles remember this too, He is always there for you, waiting to hear what you have on your heart. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 50 Be My Valentine
I want to stay behind you Jesus, I know the path you took.
You willingly gave your life, an undeserved fate recorded in Your Book.
You traveled Lord, by foot and boat, and others followed too,
I’ll choose your way, I want to follow tell me what to do.
Where will you call me to go and tell others Lord, of thee?
To paths narrow dry and hot or jungles with refugees?
I’ll follow where you need, though storms may find my way,
My heart will give a try but with you I want to stay.
I cannot go beside you for I am not that strong,
I cannot go ahead for there I do not belong.
I will stay behind and follow in your steps I will go.
though I’ll stumble and disappoint, my life to you I owe.
You gave Your all for me, the least that I can do
Is follow from Your Holy Word and tell others too.
Valentine’s Day is here. Many spend lots of money on gifts, flower sales increase, chocolate sales increase, going out to supper to celebrate becomes a ritual for some couples. But do you know how Valentine’s Day got started? There are many sites that you can go to for the history of the day, a site called Info had an interesting comment about the day. It mentioned that it was not romantic love (Eros) that started the holiday but a spiritual love (Agape) because he would not abandon his religion and thus he was executed leaving the note or Valentine for his love. God gave His Son to us, His Son had to suffer death on a cross for our sins. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
This kind of love is hard for us sometimes to understand. Which one of us would be willing to let any of our grandchildren be killed for a stranger, to save them from their sins? God has left many Valentines for us they are all in His Word.
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He says -We are special to Him.
“The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). He says- I am here for YOU
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 He says- I want you, don’t forget!
For the LORD is good; His loving kindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:5). He says – I care about those not born yet in your family. Christ is concerned about His generations just like we are. Make a Valentine with your grandchildren use a scripture on it and share it with one who needs a little encouragement today.grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 49 Mr. Potato Head
When was the last time you thought of our 5 senses? Can you remember what they are? Touch, Taste, Hear, Sight, Smell. God gave us each of these senses to use for Him. He left many examples in the bible for us to learn from and teach from.
TOUCH: Many people longed for the touch of Jesus, His reputation beckoned them to come. Their faith was so strong they felt they could just touch the hem of His garment and be healed. Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" Christ Himself went around touching the people little children were always welcome to come. Luke 18:15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them;
TASTE: At a wedding the jars of water miraculously became wine. The groom was praised for saving the best for last. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. John 2:1-11 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.
Hebrews 4:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.
HEAR: Revelations 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Many heard the voice that proclaimed Jesus had arrived. Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
SIGHT: Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Ezekiel 40:4 The man said to me, "Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.
SMELL; 2 Corinthians 2:16 Amplified To the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is qualified (fit and sufficient) for these things? [Who is able for such a ministry? We?
Genesis 8:21 The LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said to Himself, "I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.
One grandma and grandpa went to a 4 year old kindergarten 5 senses demonstration. At each table there were different activities for the child and grandparents to participate in. Musical instruments were played behind an easel for the others to listen to and guess what it was.
One area the child was blind folded and had to build a tower out of blocks without out looking.
One area was a tasting station where bitter chocolate pieces, lemon, sour patch candy, pretzels, and black olives were on a plate for those to taste and guess. Sour , Salty, Sweet or Bitter.
There was a lot of laughter at the potato head area. Participants had a fun time taking the pieces and putting them in the wrong areas. A nose where the feet were to go, an arm in a nose or hat spot. Of course a proper potato head was then put together so all knew exactly what was to go where. We realized that day that even Mr. Potato Head had all of his senses. Who would have thought. If you don’t have a Mr. Potato Head maybe you’d want to go out and find one. What a wonderful way to teach the 5 senses and God, the Creator who gave them to us. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 48 Still
The clouds are rolling in the sky. The wind gently breaks up their formations. As they change the blue sky tries to peak out. It has been cloudy the past few days with plenty of snow and ice. The world continues to rotate as do our live as we care for our grandchildren.
Most times in child care though, plenty of love prevails but not much “still”. One grandmother writes. “I am sitting in my husband’s reclining chair. The two year old is sleeping in the other room. The baby has been fussy but right now all is still. The window shades are up and I can look out to the hillsides. The baby is a sleep now in my arms. Her breath is gentle and steady. Her soft skin is so inviting to give a kiss.
The wind begins to pick up and our flag begins to blow strait in the air. As I look at the hill side the neighbor drives on his ridge road. He is probably going to the back forty to feed his cattle housed in the old barn. In a tree I see an Eagle. It shifts back and forth in its nest. Maybe caring for some of its own. I am reminded of the four that was on the dead deer carcass down the road that I saw the other day. They are such a stately bird. Nature continues no matter what the environment does.
The snow glistens in the air as the wind has blown it off. It reminds me of the spray from the hose in summer when the water glistens like a rain bow. How refreshing that was on those hot days just a few short months ago. The sun begins to shine brighter and it warms the room. No one would know that it is minus one degree today. Still – I sit and absorb it all in. I ask, “ How can I be so blessed”? I’m reminded now what God has said. I can somewhat understand.
Psalms 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earth. I would pray that our nations would come to know still. I continue to be in awe of the one who created it all.
What a wonderful sacrifice has been made for me. Grandpa allowing me, time off from working in the real world to care for our grandchildren. No it is not easy when everyone is hungry and have dirty diapers at the same time. No it is not easy when anything you try still isn’t enough to stop the crying.
Right now though, It is well with my soul and our household. To God be the Glory.grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 47 Drug
To tell you that we have a drug problem would be an underestimation to the epidemic that our society is facing. A crisis may very well describe it better. Children, even as babies are subjected to the horrors of a mother and father that sell or do illegal drugs. One has to stop and ask themselves the 5 W’s --Who What Where When Why?
Who- It seems that every town village and city has the same kind of people those who think they will get rich from selling or those who think they can escape the life they are in by using. Sadly they even call this substance abuse recreation.
What - This drug crisis or epidemic as many are calling it is
Where - If you would get out your globe spin it, close your eyes and point you would find where there is a problem. To be blind and say that it is “not” in your back yard is plain ignorance. Recently there was a drug take back program. The amount of the last Take-Back Day brought in more than 900,000 pounds of unused or expired prescription medication.
This brings the total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 to 10,878,950 pounds. According to the U.S. Government Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Web site.
When - This epidemic is believed to have started In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers, and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Members of the armed forces are not immune to the substance use problems that affect the rest of society. Although illicit drug use is lower among U.S. military personnel than among civilians, heavy alcohol and tobacco use, and especially prescription drug abuse, are much more prevalent and are on the rise. In 2008, 30 percent of all service members were current cigarette smokers Almost half of active duty service members (47 percent) reported binge drinking in 2008—up from 35 percent in 1998 Pain reliever prescriptions written by military physicians quadrupled between 2001 and 2009—to almost 3.8 million. 11 percent of service members reported misusing prescription drugs.
We can remember though that when this all started waswhen the person submitted to using. Don’t you usually hear that it was the first drink that began the alcoholic condition?
Why - Does self esteem play into this why? Does the family you were born in to make a difference? Does economic status matter? Is reality to hard to deal with and escape easier ? How about saying the devil is roaming to and fro trying to seek whom he can devour. 1 Peter 5 : 7-9 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
My mother in law had a story that she had printed up. I do not know who the author was or where she may have found it. But read on and learn about this “Drug Problem”
The Drug Problem
The other day someone in a small town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and asked the rhetorical question, “Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?”
Jim responded. “I did have a drug problem when I was growing up.”
“I was drug to church on Sunday morning.”
“I was drug to Church for weddings and funerals.”
“I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.”
“I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.”
“I was drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of my teacher or the preacher, or if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.”
“I was drug to the kitchen sink if I uttered a profane four letter word.” (I do know what Lye soap tastes like).
“I was drug out to pull weeds in mom’s garden and flowerbeds and cockleburs out of dad’s fields.” “I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothes line or chop firewood, and if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness she would have drug me back to the wood shed.”
“Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do say and think.” “They are stronger than cocaine, crack or heroin and if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America might be a better place today.”
If all grandma’s would take heed to this poem and tell it like it is I wonder how our Drug crisis would look?
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 46 Charade
If you decided that you were going to divorce your husband, while on a ski trip with a friend that he was paying for,
If you came home from that trip, and was told your husband was dead.
If you had a funeral and only three people showed up
If they thought you knew where a quarter of a million dollars was that they and your husband had stolen
If this happened in a war setting and you now were the target of suspicion
If you had no clue to where the money was and that you were being investigated
You could say that you were on an adventure of suspect and deception.
If you then throw in a romance with a man that you just happen to meet on the ski trip
If he told you his name was Peter, then Alexander well, maybe it was Adam but in the end was Brian
If he was the CIA and he proposed marriage and
If you told him you hoped they had four boys so they could name them after their father
There would only be one explanation for such a “Charade”.
Recently I watched this 1963 movie. It was such a delight to see such crafty witty and delightful performances. “Charade” as the dictionary mentions can be a deceptive act. There were plenty instances in the move.
Old movies have character. Movies today seem fake. There is good old fashion intrigue and mind exercising in our black and white films. The sets are constructed by humans and the computer imagining is nowhere to be found. Adding Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn was just the charm.
Evidently this movie came out right after our President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This even seems to have a sense of “Charade” to it now after all of these years but evidently it was a movie that people needed to assure them that what was normal life would go on. The bible tells us of deception. The devil is the Father of Lies.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
1Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech
2 Timothy 3 12- 15 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
The scriptures are our guide book for 2019 let all grandma’s be in the Word remembering that our future generations depend on us to teach them how to live in this world. Remember we can be successful because of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:22 He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” Let’s all strive to stop the “Charades” and get back to Christ this year. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 45 Wasting
I was never included in the family ritual of deer hunting as a child. Probably because it was a guy thing
for the families. My brother grandpa and cousins would all get together rise up early have a good breakfast together then head out for “the hunt”. Children now at any age can go to the woods in a mentored hunt with an adult. Wisconsin is the 35th state to allow this any age law. Now families can share at all ages with their hunting adventures. The family activity is one that generation after generation can enjoy and make memories with. Deer hunting safety classes can be taken and the importance of gun safety can never be stressed enough. This safety knowledge though becomes a way of life for those that continue the sport of hunting. Deer hunting comes at a cost though. Licenses have a price clothing, land to hunt on if you don’t own any yourself this can hamper one who might seek out a family activity. Guns and ammunition, and bow and arrows, travel time lost sleep trail cameras. A person can go out early in the morning see a deer, take aim bit but not hit in the right area so a deer will run and often hide, hunters may have to come back the next day to follow a blood trail and still never find it or worse yet find it as the temperature raised to a point where the meat was all spoiled. The processing of meat is not cheap either brats, jerky sticks, hit in the hundreds of dollars. For some though it is the quality of memories being made, the time spent together, the tails to be told year after year. The trophy deer to show off, which can become a cost also if it is mounted, though is priceless to the one who succeeded at the hunt.
Recently in the news a disease called Chronic Wasting has hit some areas of our state and others. It now is known to be a worldwide problem. Chronic Wasting is a progressive and always fatal problem. The first signs are movement difficulties. There is a definite loss of weight over a course of time. There are behavioral changes that occur. It is thought that as they drink and salivate increasingly that this might contribute to the spreading of the disease. Somehow an abnormal protein is found . It affects the meat, muscle nervous system and builds up in the brain causing neurodegeneration. There are other conditions that are found in the deer upon death examination and testing. The “wasting” syndrome was researched back in 1967 in Colorado. It was then identified as a (TSE) transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in 1978. It has been found in open range and captive populations. South Korea, Canada, Norway have researched their areas and found this wasting also. It is thought that the environment might be contaminated somehow and ongoing investigation is being studied. Even the American crow is being watched for transmissions, due to their extensive geographic range.

CWD is a hot topic amongst the deer hunters these days but did you realize that there is also and more devastating wasting that is going on in our society today? It truly is a worldwide disease that affects every living soul on this Earth!
WHAT you say could that be?
In three little letters, I can tell you. SIN ! It is slowly wasting away our family structure, divorce children being born out of wed lock and abortions. Fathers, that won’t father.
Our economic successes that have been known, are stunted due to the high demand of increased taxes and the health that we once enjoyed is taken away due to wrong choices in eating habits sexual desires that we give into.
Three little letters but such a powerful message.
Much research is being down to figure out the decay of the animals in our woods.
How much do you think is being done to prevent the wasting away of human beings?
Christ told us that the wages of sin is death. For a deer if they have CWD they are doomed also. We as humans though have the rest of the story, though our sin brings death. We can have the “gift” of eternal life. That being Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What have you done to prevent “Chronic Wasting” in your family recently?
What can you do this following year to prevent Chronic Wasting in your life, your grandchildren’s lives, in your neighbors life. God has given us a “New Year” may we all use it to serve Him more faithfully.grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 44 Words
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me”. Most of us probably remember that little phrase or a variant of it. When looking at its origin, it seems that it dates back to the early 1800’s. Possibly even being presented in an African Methodist Episcopal Church paper.
Do you believe this phrase? How about “Fatty, Fatty two by four couldn’t get through the bathroom door!”? Or what about, “Here comes the Bride big fat and wide, here comes the groom skinny as a broom?” It makes me wonder, now as I am older, who would be so evil to come up with the phrases and yet, I am sure that my generation and myself, like many other generations have repeated them down through the ages. I suppose they are like an advertisement, you get it in your head and sometimes you never forget that catchy phrase or rhyme. Our childish behavior thinks it’s funny so we join in.
I have worked with church kids for close to 40 years. It has been an inside chuckle to me , when one begins some “words” that they think are cleaver. When I tell them I heard that back when I was in school the newness fades very fast. I think the song “Jingle Bells” has had many different phrases added to it. I think “Batman and Robin even made the Christmas song. We might think it is all childhood fun and I am not opposed to that. But if the words can in turn be hurtful to someone, then shouldn’t we consider our Bible for guidance?
Philippian 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
I was taught nursery rhymes at a young age. They were part of putting words and phrases together. Making rhyming words with our English language became a part of us as we grew up. In one class we were asked to write poetry. One boy made a poem about me. Little Debbie______________, hit her mother’s fender, so every time we go to school we call her “Fender _______________!” Of course it was cleaver the way he rhymed his words, and there wasn’t really anything hurtful in it but I was upset. It bothered me that he was poking fun of my last name. Being young I didn’t even consider that it might have been a compliment, that he was thinking of me for his school project. I think Shakespeare even wrote words about women. Needless to say, that was over 50 years ago and I still remember those bothersome words.
I want to be a grandma that explains hurtful words to my grandchildren. When they are in school, they will be around other children and their words. I desire to have an open communication with my grandchildren. I will pray that they love to share what they hear at school with me. I will pray that we can have teaching moments. It is hard for me to understand the evil bullying that goes on in schools today. Though I have heard of many “campaigns” to stop bullying I have to ask if it is doing any good? It is very sad to hear that a child is pushed to ending their life because of such behaviors. That is now. What will it become in the next 5, 10 or so years? May all grandma’s wise up with their own words and consider the cost. Proverbs 17: 27, 28 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 43 Give
Have you ever gotten to the point where you say, “Enough is enough?” America is the land of plenty. Grandchildren end up with way more than they need or even have time to play with. If you go to a thrift shop, you will see bag after bag of items all donated for a cause. High quality, name brand, but discarded items. For the bargain shopper it is a find. A bargain though isn’t really a bargain if you don’t need it is it? Have you seen a car filled to the brim with cardboard and bags? There is barely room to see out of the back windows and most of the time the ones I have seen you can’t see out. I wonder how the police let people get away with obstructed vision? It seems some people can get so caught up in the bargain that their eyes are blinded to their surrounds that offers little room to breathe. Literally, a disorder called Hoarding is not anything to take lightly. It seems that people have a compulsion to cling onto stuff. Often filling homes and garages and cars with items that have little value at all though they might have a purpose. Family members often get in arguments about the clutter and mess, but to no avail. Children at a very young age begin to use the phrase “mine”. Sometimes learning to share is a difficult subject. I read something once that told of a family that would go through their toys before Christmas time and generously donate many that had not been used throughout the years. They would give them to a shelter for the needy. On one such Christmas the parents told about Jesus and how He gave His all and best for the world that was sinful and died on the cross for all people. When it came time to select what the children would give away. The parents were quite surprised when their seven year old, Sara, gave them her prized doll. She slept with it and carried it many places throughout the years she had it. The parents asked her why she wanted to give that special doll away, she quickly reply, “Because Jesus gave His all to the whole world, I should at least give my doll to someone who doesn’t have one.” It was a meaningful Christmas that year, when at the Christmas Eve service a new family attended, the father had been killed in an accident. There in the arms of one little girl was the very same doll that Sara had donated. Sara looked at her mother and then at the little girl holding what used to be her prized doll then looked at her mother again with a smile so radiant you would have thought there was an angel in the room. The gift was given, the gift was received. Is it time that some of your extra is given so that a blessing might be received this Christmas? Ladies shelter, family shelters, giving trees, Toys for Tots, Host a Family and churches are just a few organizations at the holiday time that ask for generous donations. Share with your children what they might do for someone less fortunate this Christmas season. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation #42 What is a Family?
What does family mean to you? A man, women, children. It was established back in the Garden of Eden. When God made man, Adam, and He gave Eve his wife to him. They were to be fruitful and multiply. Tend the garden and be care takers of this world. There would be brothers and sisters, grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 1:27-28 Genesis 2; But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”
There is a Holy Family- Mary Joseph and baby Jesus
An Extended Family - Could be different members but not always the same blood
Church Family - Members who come together in a church to worship and learn the ways of Christ.
Others might say Black family, Mexican, you know that list could go on and on. There is one family though that is worthy to note, the Family of God. There is a song that we sing called the Family of God. I’m so glad to be a part of the Family of God, I wonder how some can sing that when they have been criticized by fellow church family members. Are they glad that people don’t get along? Church family members sometimes become disgruntled, does that make a family member glad? I would hope not. I would hope that it would make them sad. Sad that sin was allowed to enter into God’s institution. Some may even retaliate and feel good about it. Something again that is sad.
You have a church member that spend their own money to paint some walls yellow and others can’t stand the color. The song goes on saying “ Those folks are so dear”. I don’t see anything very endearing about that contradiction.
I am far from being perfect. My children while in church were far from perfect. I expected that we were there to learn, to a strive to become more like Jesus. I looked at our church family as those who came together to worship the One who gave His life for our mistakes, sin. They went to Sunday School, I looked to the teachers to mold my children with the stories and principles of the Bible. I would not have questioned because I believed they were in that position because God placed them there. If my child needed correction, I felt they would do it. The Bible is full of scriptures for us to make our lives better. There are many that tell of discipline and what is expected. We are to strive to be like Jesus and tell others about Him. Christ called us to go into ALL the World. He wanted everyone to come to understand the Christian way of life. He didn’t chose favorites and had something to say about those that came to worship and how we treated them. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. James 2 :2-4 If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man “You must stand,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?… Hebrews 12 :17 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death. Proverbs 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge
Jesus taught while on this Earth, He had many stories for those who needed to learn a lesson. He did not shy away from correcting and He even told us the Bible is there for correction. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. If there isn’t correction then why do we say we need church? If there isn’t scriptural training then what kind of training is there to be within the church? If we know all things then why Sunday School or study? If we have achieved perfection then we must be God! I believe that is the spirit of the Anti christ who wants to be God. Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The devil loves to find a foot hold. He is roaming to and from seeking whom He can devour. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour 1 Peter 5:8 It hurts to see brothers and sisters in the Lord disagreeing, it is even harder to understand why we don’t want to strive to be the best we can be for Jesus. This is not a perfect world. We are not perfect people, but I would hope that those who believe in Christ would strive to follow the scriptures left for us. I want to focus on Love and Joy Peace and Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self-control, Faithfulness. Galatians 5:21-26 WE need to strive to stay away from the attitudes that are at the end of that scripture.
Malachi 2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
Psalms 144:11-15 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD
Zachariah 8:16-17 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.
Galatians 6:7-10 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted
Ecclesiastes 11:13-14Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Ephesians 4: 13,14, 25,26 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
As our Timothy went from church to church with Paul, you will find writings of correction. Paul was happy and told the church good job, other times he told the church to remember what God expected of them. I am sure Timothy had to have heard it too. He was a good example of following Paul. It is my prayer that the students that come from my church and yours will reach full potential in being more like Jesus. That their hearts will be open to listening and obeying the scriptures. They are our future generations, they are our legacies.
This Christmas, enjoy your family, whether it be Extended, Black, White, Hispanic or any other nationality. Share with them about the Holy Family, Mary Joseph and a baby Jesus in a manger, who came down from His Glory to live a humble life, grew to be a man of 33 and died a horrible death for the sins of us all. I hope you will all spend time enjoying those Christmas songs with your Church Family as well. For me, it isn’t Christmas without my church family. If you don’t have a Church Family, we at Park Street Christian Church invite you to our Christmas Eve service full of music and Christ words.grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation #41 How We Live
When I think of our Lois being a grandmother in biblical times, I wonder how she survived with out running water or a sink or vacuum or electricity. You get my drift don’t you? Modern conveniences- I appreciate my refrigerator, my husband wanted the ice maker. For years I had a gas stove, why, because my mom had a gas stove. After I freaked about gas smells, we went to electric, why didn’t I do that sooner? I am thankful I don’t live in a tent. Did Lois? Did she have a dirt floor? Did she have a kitchen to bake cookies in? Was it a wood stove that she cooked on or just an open fire? Did she grow a garden? I have to have squash in my garden and pumpkins for the grandchildren. Maybe she had a stone floor. Her daughter was married to a Greek. Did that mean she had better provisions than the Gentiles? Lystra, it seems wasn’t a very significant area. Some Greeks were well to do in studying the subject. Did Lois live with Eunice or Eunice live with Lois? It seems they were in the same town when they were converted when Paul came through on his journeys. Was the husband in the picture or were they raising Timothy as grandmother and mother together? Many cultures just add on a room when a family member has a need. That’s a great idea. Grandma is taking care of the kids, she knows what is going on in their lives, parent need to make a living and would welcome not having to keep up a house and just spend the extra time with their children when they are home, one tax to pay, one lawn to mow, one utility bill. Happy Family- isn’t that a Chinese food dish? Would you consider that? Maybe in a necessity? If need was the case for Lois and Eunice then I am sure Eunice would have cherished the company and the wisdom of her mother. I heard someone say last week, I knew so much when I was 18. We get lots wiser the older we get. We can learn from our family members if we are willing. I was blessed by having a grandmother right next door to me all of my life. My father was born in the house that she lived in. She kept a journal many years of her life. She lived with us for the last 6 months of her life. When she passed away at 93, I was given some of her journals. One happened to be the same year I was born. Guess what ? On the actual day I was born she told about my coming into this world. That was a legacy I will always cherish. Do you keep a journal? You can go to the dollar store and get one. You might be surprised once you start writing just how much you have to say to your future generations. You know one thing that was humbling reading Grandma’s journals? How many times she mentioned me, or the lack of me. It made me aware that her life was empty at time, like the page in her journal, if I hadn’t gone to see her or talked to her for a few days. I am going to make sure that I am available for my future generations. How about you? Modern conveniences should give us extra time to be with family. Use it wisely. This is the Christmas time. Lois and Timothy would have celebrated differently than what we do. But the true Spirit of Christmas will always be, Jesus Christ born in a manager, to the Virgin Mary, and Joseph the step father, Christ conceived by the Holy Spirit, grew to be the Savior of the world, and died a cruel death on the cross as the Ultimate Sacrifice for all the world. It is my prayer that you know Him this Christmas, that you are introducing Him to your grandchildren and that you have a wonderful family filled time together. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation Christmas Pictures #40
I love getting cards at Christmas time. It’s the most wonderful time of the year to celebrate. I especially like to get cards with pictures of families on them. Some cards even have multiple pictures on them. The memories of the past year. We should be appreciative that someone cared enough to send us such pleasure. A picture is a reminder of a loved one. It shows us activities enjoyed and time spent with others. It reveals that we are all ageing. Pictures aren’t always easy to take. You have the family member that has to put the rabbit ears up on another un-expecting family member. The baby lays a sleep in daddy’s arms or is crying big time. The toddler doesn’t want to sit still and the busy one feels it takes too long to get it all organized, but when the picture is taken and a smile is on our face we have a memory that was captured for the future generations. I love the Santa hats and the Elfie ears that you can put on to make a picture look more festive. Do you know when the first camera was introduced? Some resources say that 470 -391BC there was something like a camera, called an obscura. Then in 1816 a guy named Pie`pce and 1685 there was a Zahn, who were trying to get it figured out. Lens date to the 1550 circa. Kodak offered the first camera for sale though in 1888. Did you ever own a Polaroid? My uncle loved his. He had so much fun taking pictures and then being able to print them out.
At Christmas time I like to display all of the cards. Some picture frames will hold 10 or more pictures as a wall hanging. With the pictures in sight throughout day, it gives a wonderful opportunity to pray for those who sent the picture. I always appreciate when someone tells me they are praying for me.
With every missionary journey of Timothy’s, do you suppose our Lois would offer up a prayer of safety? Did she write down were her beloved grandson was going and journal the trip adventures he came home to tell? Do you find yourself praying for your grandchildren throughout the day? Some may be at school, some working on a farm, some enjoying the outdoors on the swing outside of your home. Every day our grandchildren busy themselves and every day we have that opportunity to offer up a prayer. Scrape booking is a way to keep your photos. There are many different books out there and ways to decorate the pages they are on. What would it be like if you crossed your prayer journal with your scrape book? There is always occasion for a prayer. Morning, noon, or evening. God will be there listening. It’s His promise to us. Do you remember the song “God answers prayer in the morning, God answers prayers at noon, God answers prayers in the evening, twill keep your heart in tune”.
There are many scriptures that tell us of the importance of prayer and it is our conversation with the Father. I am glad that I have a heavenly Father that doesn’t put me hold. That will always pick up when I call, never gives me a busy signal, and definitely is not a prank or scam.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (John 17:15) This Christmas season, get your camera, take some pictures, develop them and paste them on card stock put a scripture that correlates with the photo or better yet, make a book with pictures and a story about the event in the picture. It can serve as a wonderful historical grandma moment for your grandchildren. I took the camera to the play with my granddaughter, I took several different pictures that all will tell the story that we went to the “The Shoemaker and the Christmas Elves”. It will be a picture story book specially made that no one else in the whole world will ever have. It is special because we shared the moment together.
Father, remind us to pray anytime for our loved ones. Thank you for the family you have designed and the memories we can make when we are all together. Amen

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 39 Voting
Voting: It’s a God thing. Some people are probably pretty happy with the past election. Some probably very disappointed. Others may be left wondering, what’s next? The God of the bible tells us though, If we seek what he wants He will hear from Heaven and heal our land. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land 2 Chronicles 7:14
Romans 13: 1- 6 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God
So God has placed authority where He wants it. We are to submit or be in submission to those who God placed in office. I do not think God wants us to forget His commands though as people govern around us.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king 1 Peter 2: 11-17 Do you notice that it does say “praise those who do right.” The voting example of our leaderships should tell you if what is “right in God’s eyes” are what they are voting for.
Government has a purpose and responsibility and we should pray for them. Officials are ministers of God. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Did you notice “to lead a tranquil and quiet life” if you have watched any of the debates or hearings for candidates or for the Supreme Court , I would ask where was any tranquility in that ?
Christians should be involved with what is going on in the political realm. The laws does not save us. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are Romans 3:20
Only Christ can do that. Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” It is for moral teaching and revelation of God’s righteousness. We get a choice. We should be good stewards of what God bestows on us. Matthew 25:14-30 Here God tells us about a debt owed and forgiven. One owed a huge debt another owed a small debt. One was forgiven another was not.
The one forgiving, found out that who he had forgiven, did not show the same kindness of forgiveness to the small debtor. Read the rest of the story. It didn’t turn out too good. The lesson is for us to teach to our grandchildren.
We also can go to 1 Timothy 3 and read about governing. Information, that our Timothy was taught from Paul. Have you been a grandma that explains why we vote? When was the first vote? A good video series that has been introduced to me is called the “Liberty Kids.” it has a lot of American History geared in a cartoon setting but educating as well. I don’t know if there are laws of taking a child right to the voting poles for a field trip but it is worth checking out. Be there to teach every time you get together. When adults talk out loud, little ears can hear. Make sure that your values are understood and why. Another note is that our freedom to vote comes because a lot of very generous men and women gave their lives for us. No other country has the governance that we do. We must value it and teach our future generations. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 38 Training Wheels
When did you learn to ride a bike? Did you have a different bike for each time you grew? Did you have training wheels? I can remember my brother loved his banana seat bike. He was a hot rod on wheels. I knew of someone who tried to ride a bike but could never conquer the task. I often wondered what caused this person to try but never succeed. Was it a balance issue? Maybe a security issue? This person was able to achieve many other important things in life but not a bike? A bike can give you freedom, it can take you to places that you have never been before. Some ride to work or school. Some ride in snow, and believe it or not some live on their bikes. One person I know rode his bike to college which was over 40 miles one way.
Have you seen the bike that doesn’t have peddles? It is the new craze, just balance with your feet on the ground. It must give a lot of extra muscle to the leg. One family member, took a bike and made a small replica. By taking out the peddles and putting training wheels on it. It is the greatest thing for a grandson. Though only two years old, you would think the boy was at least five the way he would go round and round. The motion almost looks like he is skiing. The added balance of the training wheels help immensely. When the training wheels came off though, it was pure devastation. The bike shook and wobbled, the boy could not hold the bike up and it fell over with him on it. His own strength just wasn’t enough to enjoy the ride and receive the pleasure that once was experienced. The bike did not bring satisfaction anymore. The confidence was gone and much reassuring had to be made before the lad would try to ride again. Skinned knees were there to remind him of the hurt experienced. The whole trust issue was destroyed. The wonderful fun suddenly soured and turned on the youngster.
So how do you go about reassuring the lad to trust again? Coaxing him back on the bike took a lot of talk, a lot of promises, a lot of assurance that he would not fall again. One family member chimed in “it wasn’t that bad!” But they weren’t the one that fell off. One person said, “ If you get bucked off of a horse you just get right back on it and try again.” “Brush yourself off and start all over again.” Is this where determination comes in and cheer leading, chanting “you and do it! you can do it!”, “If at first you don’t succeed try try again”? All of that might have helped a bit, but It took putting the training wheels back on. With that familiar, all attitude was changed. The ride became the same, the confidence came back. The smile was on the face and the knees didn’t hurt half as bad anymore. What a difference when there was a security measure in place. Christ is like our training wheels. He is the security that we need for all occasions in our life. Our Timothy was taught lessons from Paul, being older, he was able to share with congregations on their travels. One such lesson was that of suffering. Things didn’t always go right for Paul.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 tells of him being in prison, flogged, exposed to death, beaten with a rod three times, five times received 40 minus one lashes, shipwrecked, stoned, danger from bandits, countrymen, Gentiles, hungry, thirsty, cold and naked all for the cause of Christ. Paul was able to endure. Paul knew where his help come from. He was reassured of the Christ he followed. Paul knew his Security. Paul had matured and knew where his contentment comes from. I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation— to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
We will probably not ever encounter all that Paul suffered for being a Christian. Learning how to be content or thankful for what we have, no matter what, will be a beautiful characteristic that could be introduce to our grandchildren. The way that we react to circumstances in our lives speaks volumes. How they see us respond to good or bad situations become examples. Grandma’s should encourage optimism and a positive “can do” attitude. What better place to begin, than the Thanksgiving family gathering. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 37 Teether Kiss
At four months old, teethers are now situated in our home in strategic places. One on the counter, one by the bed, one in the play room. A teether is really interesting to look at. Some are made of multiple materials , some hard plastic, others squishy rubber, some look like a tooth brush with rubber bristles. One looks like a hand but each finger has a different textured squiggle mark on it. We had one that went into the freezer. When one isn’t in sight a fist will suffice in the mouth or my face becomes a target.
Did you ever hear the Mary Chapin Carpenter song “Passionate Kisses?” I would hear the chorus “passionate kisses” on the radio but never really paid attention to the lyrics. A comfortable bed, warm clothes, quiet times, along with “ Passionate kisses on me,” I know that the song was a woman’s desire but recently I have been receiving a different kind of passionate kissing. Two rosy little O shaped lips give me a smack.
I once heard an author share about baby toes. She just couldn’t keep from kissing them as they reminded her of an ear of sweet corn and she just wanted to nibble. I’d like to think that at 4 months old she recognizes me as grandma. That when she nuzzles her slobbery mouth all over my cheek that it is just innocent delight and pure adoration for me that she does it. However, I believe, I am just another teether to her. I did a little research though to see what the experts thought. One medical professor said that if you saw your grandchildren at least once a week by 6-9 month she may know you. If she coos and smiles then she is recognizing you. One article said around 1 year old they give kisses. Since our girl is just 4 month old, I must have a genius on my hands! The article went on to say that from birth a baby studies the face to begin to know what love and comfort is. There’s another song that I’ve been reminded of it, it is called “Butterfly Kisses”. The song tells of daddies little girl saying her night time prayers and him praising God for what he has, and questioning why he would deserve such sweetness. It goes through the perfume and makeup stage along with the boy who eventually takes her from the father to marry. I find myself asking God what I did to deserve my special grandchildren and I lift up a prayer of Thanksgiving to Him this thankful season for every slobbery kiss and for the chance to be her teether. I just ponder if this is a foreshadow of the days that will come with broken hearts, flowing tears and kisses ? I can only pray in those tender moments that I will be a grandma she has confidence in. That she knows that this grandma will be here for her in all occasions. Listening and loving. I am thankful that I have been given the awesome task of grandparenting and a privilege to bond with my grandchildren. Grandma, what you begin to establish now when they are infants will not grow void. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation # 36 Here Comes the Bride
Here comes the bride. Preparation, anticipation, planning. A lot of planning goes into a wedding. The young man finds an engagement ring, then the wedding ring. The bride finds a dress, often trying on a whole afternoon of selections while close relatives gives a thumbs up or thumbs down. There is a church to select or a place to hold the reception. The food and the cake. Would that be three tiers or cupcakes? I have been to receptions where there is just a dessert bars. This proves to give a bigger selection and a cheaper way to go for the young couple. There are chocolate brownies, raspberry oatmeal bars and one bar that I drool over, a seven layer bar. I do not make them at home anymore because I would want to eat all of them. So at a wedding I can have one or two, okay three, but they were small and then I don’t desire to eat any until the next wedding. Which may be another five years.
Do you remember any of the cakes you have seen at weddings you’ve attended? Wilton cake decorating books used to be fascinating to me. In those books you could look at page after page of scrolled icing on every size of cake that you would want. The flavors were endless also. Chocolate it seemed was the choice for a groom’s cake. My past minister’s wife actually made my wedding cake as a gift. What a blessing. That was 40 years ago. Then there was the cake topper. One topper had the bride pulling, well dragging the groom, I often wondered if that meant “He” was dragging his feet or “She” was going to rule the roost? One might get overwhelmed when trying to plan for such an event. The Bible has lots to say about weddings. God made a man and a woman to be husband and wife and said the “two would become one”. The minister will say “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder “. There are many married couples in the Bible also. Each couple has their own unique story. One works 7 years for the wrong bride. Then had to work 7 more for the one he wanted. Genesis 29.
One husband tells his wife to tell the king that she is the sister. Find out how that lie turns out in Genesis 12:13. The Bible also tells us that the bridegroom is going to come back for his bride. That she needs to be ready because without notice the trumpet will sound and He will come to take His bride to the place He has been preparing. Matthew 25:1-13, John 3:29 Revelations 19:7. Jesus had designed marriage. He knew the people would understand the plans and preparation that went into a wedding, that is why He taught of his return and Him being the bridegroom and they (us) as the bride. He was telling them to be ready, have what they need. Are you in awe about Christ return? Floating up to heaven some day? I am. Any day, each day, could be the day! Have you prepared for that day? Do you have what you need? What is that you may ask? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou will be saved. Acts 16:31 Repent and be baptized, each one of you. Do you look forward to it in eager anticipation in the same excitement you did on your wedding day? No one knows the day or hour. Mark 13:32
Grandma for the Next Generation-Have you told your grandchildren that Jesus is coming again and he will return in the clouds? Get a package of sugar cookie mix, take your rolling pin out and roll out cloud round shapes. Bake them, cool them, then frost them with white icing and use a piping tip and scroll around the edges to look like a fluffy cloud. There is even shiny sprinkles or flakes that would decorate even fancier if you are so inclined. Then celebrate Jesus return and tell the story. Seven Layer Bars Recipe
***I just use an already made graham cracker crust pie shell, so that takes up at least the graham cracker and butter Add coconut shredded probably around a ½ cup spread on bottom add layer of walnuts, add some more coconut add some chocolate chips add some more coconut add some peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips or both and some more coconut and then add a whole can of sweeten condensed milk Then bake until it looks like it is done, if a tooth pick comes out clean when inserted in the middle it is probably done. You can tell I am not a real measure kind of person, a handful here and a glance at it there is my way of cooking. Let’s face after all of these years feeding people, it’s just in the memory, but for those who like a recipe:
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Melt butter in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in graham cracker crumbs until thoroughly combined. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
Evenly sprinkle remaining ingredients one by one over the crust to form layers, beginning with the chocolate chips, followed by the butterscotch chips, coconut, and walnuts. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the top, and spread with a rubber spatula to make sure it's evenly distributed.
Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden brown and the middle is set.
Allow to cool completely before slicing. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 35 Divorce
We experience joy at a wedding. The anticipation of two families that merge together. A man and a woman that are determined to make a vow, a pledge, a promise to love until death do us part. What has happened to commitment? The world view has begun to deteriorate what God designed and it is breaking down the family unit. There is no value to the pledge. There is little shame to end the promise. Many become numb to the loss and suffer multiple divorces. It is interesting to me that some who divorce actually remarry the same person. It is wonderful if they can stay together but it is been reported that they usually become dissatisfied with each other and end it again. Children are often involved. Some children stay with one parent 20% of the time and the other 80% of the time. Some split the child down the middle 50/50% of the time. Some have a baby then get a divorce. Some parents stay married for 25 years, see their children marry and they themselves get a divorce. What is right? Is there even an answer to that question? One father choose to never be involved in a child’s life. While another father is all the child has ever had.
Joy often turns to sorrow. Sorrow often can turn to joy. Our attitude, determination, our grit and tenacity all are a part of how we look at a marriage.
Scripture has plenty to say about it too. What is truth is what God says Malachi 2:16 “I hate divorce.” Matthew 5:31-32 Divorce makes a woman a victim of adultery Mark 10:2-12 From the beginning man and women became one, leaving mother and father. Adultery will be committed against her in a divorce . 1 Corinthians 7:39 bound until death. So are all divorcees going to the devil. I can’t answer that but the Bible will tell us 1 John 1:9 He is faithful to forgive our sins. Ephesians 1:7 Redemption comes from His blood, He forgives us. Matthew 18:21-22 Forgive 7 times 70. God is a just God. He will judge us all someday. We don’t continue in our faults but try to live a new life different from the past. 2 Corinthians 5:17. A grandma for the next generation can be there for the grandchildren if this has occurred in the home. Being understanding and nonjudgmental will help the child through the heart ache. Being impartial towards the father and mother will be the healthiest for the child. Keep your opinions to yourself and let God’s word speak. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
Grandma’s for the Next Generation # 35 extra message Crafty Grandma
Some grandmas are crafty, from baking cookies to making costumes. Baking or making up is just part of the special flare the some grandmas have. Pumpkins are beginning to line the drive ways. The holidays are just around the corner. With a costume party looming for the grandchildren, one grandma told me of her efforts to make a safe and fun outfit. Her flare and craftiness will definitely make her granddaughter the hit of a party. She has planned fancy netting to be the main fabric to use. Making a skirt is as easy as making a hem and adding a little elastic. Adding gems and sparkles will make it unique and will not look just like the store bought ones. If you are one that goes to thrift stores check out the curtains, often some of the shower curtains come with hanging beads and are in shiny material. Often for a little of nothing you can get a sizeable piece of material to repurpose. It can turn into a princess, a bride, or a ballerina with a tutu. A veil can be made by making a hem and threading a hair band through it. A little stitch on each side will keep the material on the band.
Little boys can have fun with an old sheet, cut two holes in it for eyes and you have a ghost. Cut more holes in it and call them the Holy Ghost. Just kidding! But you could tear the sheet in strips and make them a mummy or call them Lazareth and use it as a teaching moment from the Bible.
Some churches are having tailgate parties, handing out treats and tracts about Jesus. Adults even will be in a Biblical costume, what a great way to introduce the community to Bible characters and tell a story. Maybe this will be the first time some kids even hear a story from the Bible. Some characters from the Bible actually have a scary tone to them. How did David take care of Goliath? How did the Queen get rid of her pest? What kind of plagues hit Pharaoh?
Get the pan out, bake some cupcakes and decorate them with figures that can tell a story. Plastic bugs from a dollar store can represent the plagues.
Shiny gems can represent the Queen. Gold coins can represent God’s provision. Just remind them that they can’t eat plastics. If you are stumped just go to Pinterest ideas they are endless. Be safe in your tricking or treating. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 34 Filling in the Blank
I feel _________________? Do you remember in grade school, how the teacher would give you a fill in the blank work sheet? It was a learning exercise to help us be creative. Discover our own personal writing skill. Do a test.
I remember a fill in the blank game one time where we filled in a blank then passed the paper on to the next person. When complete a story had emerged and was read maybe about a possible bride that was marrying a goose named Harry. It was really hilarious to hear that they were to live on the moon. It was a fun game to play, but sometimes in life, it is difficult to fill in the blanks.
My weight is ________ My age is ______________ my health condition is ______________. When it comes to truth or reality we often don’t quite want to face the facts. The doctor’s chart claims you to be obese. Ouch! Your graying hair and increased wrinkles and failing memory mean your age is getting up there. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease are now revealing that your life style has finally caught up with you and now you are paying the penalty.
We look for a softer kinder view in life, we eat drink and are merry but then we have to face the cold hard facts. Truth is revealed and for some it is the only way it could be to take a good hard look in the mirror and really see themselves. No more sugar coating, no more fantasy. No more__________ fill in your blank. With all the walking our Timothy did, I suppose he didn’t have health issues to contend with. There isn’t a lot in the Bible that tells us about the health conditions of very many Bible characters. There was a lady though that had a blood disease for 12 years. If I am sick for one day I am not a happy camper. When you think of those that have to go through rounds of chemo therapy, those that lose their hair, those that have to have an amputation. You might think hope is lost. Yet some persevere and have a remission or a complete healing. Many though have to face the inevitable and rely on the moments left. When people in the Bible heard that Jesus was coming around they did everything they could to go to the great Physician. The lady with the blood disease thought if she could just touch the hem of Christ garment she would be healed. The scene is marvelous as Christ said “Who touched me? With the crowd gathered around, the disciples could not begin to answer that question. But Christ knew. Someone had faith and evidently Christ felt power or something being released. I don’t understand it, but Christ knew. He called the person out. Finally the woman said it was me. Her faith had made her whole. Free after 12 years. Luke 8:43-48
Complete healing though does not come to everyone in this life. One grandma I recently spoke with is preparing for her grandson’s sorrow. Their father will soon pass away at a young age due to cancer. It has been fought for many years but sometimes there just comes a time when no more can be done. The mother was a classmate of mine. So often we get caught up in life that we don’t think about death. For the Christian it is viewed different, because we believe that there will be a better life and a place prepared for us by our Maker. Yet it doesn’t make it any easier, someone said last week, “We grieve for ourselves.” No one wants to leave their precious family, really who wants to talk about death anyway. I’ve heard it said though, two things you can trust on death and taxes. So it does happen and will. How have you spoke to your grandchildren of heaven or death or the life after this world? I’ve heard about a movie, “Heaven is for real.” I have not seen it and I do not know if it is scripturally sound but that might be way to start a conversation about life and death. We never know when the conversation will have to be brought up so filling in the blank before that sorrow and heartache might be appropriate. Some scriptures about heaven follow. Colossians 3:1-7 John 19:2-4 Revelations 21:4 Philippians 3:20-21. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 33 Come Find Me
In the month of Abib, which is around our March. Every year Mary and Joseph and the boy Jesus would travel in a caravan from Galilee Nazareth to Jerusalem, This journey was about 70 miles long. They would go to observe the Passover Feast or the Feast of Unleavened Bread what was known as Pesach. On one such occasion when the boy was 12 He remained in Jerusalem unbeknownst to His parents. Some say he may have been preparing for His bar ‘mitzvah. After questioning family and friends, they found the boy three days later at the temple amongst the teachers listening and asking questions. You can only imagine how relieved yet how upset a mother would be with such an act. “How could you do this!”
The mother questioned. In a 12 year olds voice he said “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Though His earthly parents didn’t understand, His mother pondered this all in her heart. Luke 2:41-52.
Have you ever been lost? Were you lost and didn’t know it or were you lost and you were frantic? Have you ever lost a child or grandchild in a store? They can be quick to run and hide. The clothes racks are a wonderful place to huddle in and get lost. With some clothes touching the floor even their little feet won’t give them away. Panic can strike the one who was to be watching the child. I can’t imagine being traveling on foot for days and losing a child. How could you ever begin to know where to look? Especially with all the people and distance. Would you even have a remote chance in finding them? One group of little cousins were going to the grocery store for a treat. With money in hand they were told to go down one block. They had been to the store before. After walking three blocks further they could see a store. Was it the store they were supposed to go to? Since they were young it seemed the store was familiar. The further distance made the return trip much longer than the parents had anticipated. Where could those kids be? In desperation they climbed into the car to see what was going on. Here coming out of the store were the three children happy as could be with their treats not even knowing they had gone to the wrong store.
These children thought they knew where they were going. They started on their journey with no hesitation. They had no idea that they were lost.
I have to ask myself, do my grandchildren know what lost is? Do they know what is expected of them when you say one block. Teaching moments are all around us. Rules and guidelines help to mold and shape our little ones. We try to offer safe environments. We seek to give them the knowledge to help them find their way in life. Yet how many times has an opportunity to share Jesus with them been available and we didn’t take advantage of it. Have you discussed the fact of being spiritually lost with them? Have we introduced the need of a Savior and what that even is? Luke 15 has three short stories about a lost coin, lost sheep and a lost son. Look them up, share them with your grandchildren. Find a toy sheep and hide it. See if they can find the lost sheep, the same with the coin. Then play hide and seek with each other and remind them what it felt like when you couldn’t find them. Ask them if they felt afraid at all if they didn’t find you right away. Make sure they know as you speak in love you never want to lose them. Remind them that Jesus doesn’t want to lose them either. Tell them about the devil that acts like a roaring lion ready to get them. 1 Peter 5:8 Play acting is a very good teaching tool, practice roaring like a lion together, though it can be a fun silly time it can also be a time that they’ll begin to understand what a life with Jesus is all about. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation #32 The Problem, The Solution
Have you ever been evaluated? Job management will often call an employee into their office at any given moment and inquire about the job the employee is preforming. Most of my life I have been self-employed. Does that say anything? There was one time that I held a management position and was evaluated. I was told that I was negative. Thing is I had already verbally announced at other meetings that I was. Part of my problem was frustration. I could not progress at the rate I wanted because of my surroundings. I had to put up with what I had. If I had known someone with lots of money to donate to the cause, I could have changed my attitude and been part of the solution, adding more space. People would come into the place of business and complain. They too could have been more positive but chose to be negative. Problem. I wonder how often money is the cause of being negative. What percentage of marriages are negative? How many children are negative with their parents in those teenage years? The Bible has a lot to say about our countenance. A cheerful heart---Proverbs 17:22 A constant dripping Proverbs 27:15-16 People can make their selves a problem or a solution. Attitudes can make or break businesses, organizations, churches. How many women have ever been disgruntled over the color of carpet or what song was sung on a certain Sunday? The problem is sin, until we get a grasp on what it is, in our own lives, we will never be able to accept the Solution, which is Christ the Lord. I can call my kettle black, I can look at myself in the mirror. Self-examination in truth, is ultimate. Sometimes it takes a long time to get to that point in your life. When one relies on the Bible for answers though , the Holy Spirit will be there convicting all the way. Was Christ ever negative? The Bible mentions Him being angry enough to turn over the tax collectors tables. Matthew 21:12. I've heard it called Righteous Anger. Some thing we can discuss another time. I’m not saying I always get it right, and many times, problems that come, I have caused myself. I am a grandma though, that wants to be a part of the solution in every aspect of my family. I am not in that management position that made me negative. Solution solved. Writing this blog and being a grandma has been nothing but positive. Self- examination is healthy, If you love yourself enough to really see yourself in the mirror, you will be a grandma with a beautiful reflection. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 31 Road Kill
How much road kill do you see on your roads? If you commute a distance you will often see more than one dead animal on the side of the road. On a hot day you will see the animal bloating with flies and maggots all over it. The stench can be repulsive along with the sight. There is to be a road side cleanup crew, but often they don’t get collected soon enough. In this disgusting situation, It can make one almost sick to their stomach. Someone told me of a road side kill that they actually drove buy, felt the deer was still warm, so they took out a knife, cut out the loins and ate it that night for supper. You could say that this was fresh road side kill but even the thought of that isn’t appetizing to me. Somehow even the Beverly Hill Billie’s can make my stomach churn when talking about possum guts and the such. Those dead carcasses are a real treat to the Vulture. It is a very interesting bird. They are quite large in size. They will swoop down at the first sight of fresh meat on the side of the road, and eat and eat. One road side kill was devoured in 4 days. At one time there were four Vultures eating on it in contentment. My husband and I learned that they stick their stomachs out and let the sun bake the food that they just ate. It helps to kill the bacteria and aids in their digestive system. When we went to a buffet one time and over ate, my husband commented that he needed to stick his stomach out like the Vulture so his stomach would settle. We’ve kind of made a joke out of it. We realize that it isn’t a laughing matter, eating to the point of "stuffed", but like these Vultures sometimes the food just is really good and you over eat. One grandson really enjoys his food. Many times he will sample something and say "This is tasty!" He finds pleasure in what he is eating and is there to compliment the cook. It is then that we could remind him of a spiritual food. The Bible speaks about it. Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 Jesus satisfies the soul, just like food satisfies his little tummy. Jesus even cooks up a meal for us. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Remember that teaching moments are all around us. Cease the moment and serve a tasty lesson from God’s word the Bible, every morning noon or night. The family table might be one of those places for one of those moments. Even a plain white piece of bread with peanut butter and jelly can make for a good lesson from the Bible.
Gospel Sandwich
White bread is the clean pure symbol of God, spread on the peanut butter that represents Jesus come in a manger along with the grape jelly representing the blood that He shed as a sacrifice so that the Holy Spirit could come and live in us , just like the sandwich which is now in your tummy when the sandwhich is all eaten up. Taste and see grandma, lessons abound. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For The Next Generation # 30 HAPPY!
“Happy Days are here again, the sky’s above are clear again.” Sitting in the waiting room was an elderly gentleman. His name was called for his appointment, as he left he started singing this phrase. I hadn’t heard the song for a long time. It’s copy write was in 1929. He must have remembered happy days, or maybe he was hoping for happy days singing it, or maybe he was being sarcastic? There must have been happy days now at the doctor, maybe not so happy, but, with a positive attitude he would recall, “Happy days AGAIN”.
Doctor visits are no happy stroll in the park. People’s bodies get aliments. Doctors access what test needs to be reviewed. The lab people study the blood, the urine, our chemical makeups. The x-ray techs position us in just the right pose for a picture on their platform to see our insides. The doctor says, “ I can’t see what is inside so we will need a picture”. The last year I have found myself at the doctor more times than in the rest of my life lived. The sad thing is I don’t believe very much has been accomplished for the amount spent. My friend, in health care, told me, “The clinic writes off millions of dollars every year for people who can’t pay and the rest of us pay for everyone else”. Pretty sad scenario. I wonder at times, what God really intended for us here on Earth. I know He gave us a perfect world. I know that we messed up. So while we are here, we exist, Is that how it is to be or should I, we, believe that if God is the True Healer, the Great Physician, that I should totally trust Him with all my heart and if I get sick just tell Him and He will take care of it? He’ll take care of me or I’ll die? The ultimate is Heaven anyway isn’t it?
It sounds like a death warrant. I believe in eternal life, I guess I didn’t know at a young age I had to think of mine though. Does it sound like giving up? Discouragement can make a person look at the negative. The devil likes to creep in, especially when we don’t feel well. He will ask things like he asked in the Garden of Eden. Are you sure------? Am I sure------? God said? What did He say------- ? Satan is the author of confusion. There is plenty of that these days. Christ always answered back to Satan with scripture.
Job was stressed by Satan too. He withstood. We now has his example to follow. It wasn’t easy being chosen by God to have to endure what Job did, his friends definitely tried to help but didn’t. Job kept his eyes of the One True God. For Job he was blessed beyond measure. In the end God was the Great God, the Healer. God didn’t leaven Job and I know He doesn’t leave me. We get enslaved with our cares and the world sees many of them these days. It makes me wonder if God’s days are happy? There was a passage in the Bible were it mentioned that God was sad that He made His people. I pray that I don’t contribute to that sadness these days. Some people thrive on making God sad, maybe they don’t even realize that they are. So many are caught up in their selves trying to be happy, yet continuing in the things that are not happy at all. Thoughts of encouragement, endurance, the Great Saints cheering us on who have gone before us, should help to remind us that the Great Physician does truly care. Hebrews 12:1
He tells me to cast my cares on Him. 1 Peter 5:7 He is the Great Physician. Happy days aren’t here all the time but happy days will come “again” Here’s praying that happy days will be here again for you and for this world so lost in their sins. Take those grandchildren to an older person this week and bring a little “happy” to them. It will make them smile and will be a blessing to you. Listen to a You Tube of “Happy Days are Here Again.” with your grandchildren. Reminiscing is great fun. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 29 Weddings This has been the summer for weddings. A niece got married at age 28, a special friend from church got married at age 30, and a friend of my sons, from high school got married, he was 29. Within a week of each other all “tied the knot” literally. At one of the weddings, the groom’s grandpa had made a beautiful wooden frame with 4 hooks on it for rope to be tied to each hook. The couple during the ceremony tied the three strand cords and in the end it made a beautiful rope cross within the wooden frame. It will be a striking conversation piece in their home. I am sure it will be cherished for years to come. Another couple made a tie on each side of the cord they were holding. Each one together took their strand and pulled at the same time. It tightened the knot leaving the strands taught and firm. Each ceremony had significant of the scripture 3 cords that cannot be easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12. Interpreting this as a husband wife and God the union will be strong and will not be shaken. Each wedding had their bridesmaids and groomsman, flower girl, ring bearer, a dog brought the ring down at one wedding, , very unique for that couple. One couple had a little wagon decorated up and an older boy about six pulled the wagon with four miniature groomsman under the age of two down the aisle. Each one with their little blue suspenders and crisp white dress shirts on. That couple was also toasted by the one grandpa to “ continue to put pieces into the family puzzle” meaning have some grandchildren. One touching part of two of the weddings were vintage pictures of their grandparents and great grandparents in their wedding attire dating back to the early 1900’s. . It was most intriguing to see the old fashion gowns, the looks on their faces, the bouquet of flowers held. In one of the pictures, the great grandma had a gold bracelet on. The bride that day was wearing the same bracelet. What a priceless heirloom that was for this great granddaughter to be able to use. The old cliché’ something old, something new, something borrowed ,something blue. I wondered how many even followed that anymore. In one wedding the congregation even sang songs. One song was about being a servant to each other and the other was Amazing Grace. This wedding was the most sacred service I have attended for a wedding. It was what I feel all wedding should be like. The sermon and message was not taken lightly. The minister actually had “G U T S”. As I sat and listened, God gave me this acronym, God’s Ultimate Truth Stands. Taking the first letter of each word you get GUTS. He did not sugar coat what marriage was to be. He even mentioned what marriage was and that casting a vote did not change the meaning, even if it came from the Supreme Court! I sat there in silence but in side I was cheering “Way to Go!” “You have GUTS” He knew conviction and wasn’t afraid or ashamed to share it. He stood on God’s truth, AKA the Bible, and what it says. As I looked across the room there were so many young families and young adults waiting their chance for marriage. How I was blessed to know that they all heard this kind of message. Loud and clear. I was blessed that the minister was not afraid to say what he said. I was very impress with the passion that he spoke, of love and relationships. He genuinely was serving the God of the Bible and his conviction to the ministry. I didn’t know how long the minister had been married or how many weddings he had previously performed, but I know that his right to officiate probably wasn’t from the local website where you can pay $7.00 and become a minister to preform weddings and call yourself pastor. This is an interesting concept to me. Most minsters say something like “By the powers vested in me and by the state of __________ I now pronounce you husband and wife”. At one wedding we attended the officiant actually said “By the Universal Life Church, I pronounce you, husband and wife.” What is the Universal Life church? I invite you to its web site and see for yourself. Each wedding was unique to the ones getting married. Christ tells of many weddings in His word the Bible. Timothy and Lois probably saw many wedding in their days. We have no scripture that mentioned Timothy being married but we know that his mother, Eunice, was married to a Greek. Acts 16:1, 3. Christ even calls Himself the Bridegroom and we, the church, the bride. Matthew 25:1-13, John 3:29 are just a few passages. There are many others that you can explore while talking to your grandchildren of the importance of marriage. It is sacred. Living together out of wed lock isn’t what the God of the Bible wants for us today, even if it has been voted on. Do you have GUTS? Can you teach it to your grandchildren? When’s the last time you looked at your wedding pictures? Have you shown them to your grandchildren yet? As always send me your comments. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 28 Navigating
Navigating: To direct on a course. This day and age people can buy a device called a Garman. Helga was the name someone I know, called their voice that came out of the little box. This apparatus is hooked in a 12 volt power outlet in the car. Somehow from the “clouds” I understand, it will coordinate the direction you want to go. Older models you would type in where you wanted to go from where you were. New models, with Alexa, you can just speak and it will direct you which way to turn and when. I, myself don’t use a Garman or whatever else might be on the market. I am a firm believer in paper. As in a paper map. I know where I am and I can look at where I am going. The old saying was “as the crow flies” meaning the straightest, easiest fastest way to get there. I look at a map decide my direction to be traveled but it may change during the trip. A change may be made due to weather, flooding or ice on a road, also a change in our mind, “Hey, there is a large body of water on that road, Let’s go see it”. Even a change in the road can abruptly change the road you are traveling on. You know how that goes don’t you? You are traveling along on road X, it is a straight shot to your destination. The lines are yellow and out of no where the road goes straight but also sharply turns, that road also has yellow lines. It is a keen eye that keeps on the straight road. Turning left wouldn’t have hurt this time but in Chicago, where North is East and East is South , we could have been in a world of hurt. Exit ramps can get a person in trouble. Get on the wrong one and you're going in the wrong direction for miles, it doesn’t help the travel mileage ither. You could have 3 or 4 exists or more all going to the same place but in a different section of that area. Way too confusing for one who comes from the neighborhood of 300, next to an unincorporated village.
It is great to get away. Going on a journey refreshes you. Helps to sort out the cobwebs that have cluttered the thought process. Gives you a different perspective on life. Presents a change in the scenery. How long has it been since you’ve taken a trip? Even just a day trip is a good escape. Climb in the car, you don’t have to go far. With so much emphasis on tourism these days, there’s a wealth of information just waiting for you to explore. The Bible tells us that Jesus told his disciples that He was going on a trip to His Father’s house. His Father had many rooms and He was preparing a place for them too. He told them that He would come when it was ready and take them back on the trip with Him. The promise in John 14:1-3 is for us too. No one knows the day or hour, but, we are told to be ready for the trip, for in a twinkle of an eye we will be on our journey. 1 Corinthians 15:52 Matthew 24:36-44.
There are ways for us to prepare for this trip, there is a road map that has all the directions that we need to navigate our way to the ultimate destination. That map is called the BIBLE. Read it today with your grandkids, practice shutting your eyes real fast with them and mention that’s how fast we’ll travel someday with Jesus. Pretty fast huh? Are you ready? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com _______________________________________________________________________________
Grandma For the Next Generation # 27 Foundations
My husband and I were on a road the other day. The road looked to be very new. Nice black asphalt and bright white lines. Yet it was the bumpiest new looking road that I have ever been on. I mentioned to my husband, “Why was this road so bumpy?” The foundation appeared to be the culprit. He knows his roads pretty good and mentioned that the gravel base wasn’t done right. Since it wasn’t a firm foundation then as the heat and traffic started breaking it down it became bumpy at a fast rate. It was raining and the water was actually pooling in parts of the road. It looked shiny and new but it was not fun to travel on. The brick walls that I have seen leaning in the wrong direction on sides of the road are also due to years of settlement with a foundation not stable enough to hold. Some new foundations are poured and look great but if the right mix of concrete isn’t made, it won’t be long before a rain will come and flood a basement. A good foundation is essential. My husband has mentioned to me about bridges that give way when a storm come. There are actually men that have to test the mix of concrete before it is poured to make sure that it will be the right solid form. There is an art to the right consistency and there may be additives needed. The ambient conditions factor into the right texture for the specific job. Dump trucks loads of cement have been rejected because someone didn’t follow the right recipe. At a Vacation Bible School program a few weeks ago one of the songs sang was about the wise and foolish man. They built their houses in different places and when the rains came down one stood firm and the other went splat! Our lives can often go splat too when we are not standing on solid ground and a firm foundation. Jesus gives us many lessons in His word on how to live a life. If we mix our daily lives with what He has to say even in the stormy times we will overcome because our foundation is on the one true rock. Jesus taught this lesson to us in Matthew 7:24-27. If you know anything about a Wadi it can be dry and appealing in certain areas but when a rain comes it can come suddenly and flood away anything in its path. In Jesus’ time the people would have understood this wise and foolish builder’s song. My heart goes out to those surrounding communities that have been hit heavy with rain and their flooding. When you are going day to day with your grandchild remember you have every opportunity to begin that firm foundation with them. It is what they are familiar with and understand where a lesson about Jesus can be taught. Maybe you could buy a bag of concrete, follow the directions and make walking stones. Remember to put your grandchild’s hand print on them and date. Then every year that passes you will be able to remind them how much they have grown and ask your own self , “How much have I grown in Jesus”? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com _______________________________________________________________________________
Grandma For The Next Generation # 26 Superstitions
I have often wondered where superstitions came from. I can remember family members talking about not walking under a ladder when I was young and crossing my fingers to make something come true.
I was told not to break a mirror or I would have seven years of bad luck. My one grandma didn’t want to sleep with her head at the North because that was bad luck as it was the way the deceased were placed in the grave. I guess I’ve been guilty of saying “bless you” when someone sneezes and I have said “knock on wood” hoping that nothing else goes wrong. I heard the phrase, so I said it. Did I even believe what I was saying? Who did I think was going to do the blessing or would hear “knock on wood” and prevent anything bad from happening. Silliness happens in families and superstitions have been around for a long time. Watch out for Friday the thirteenth or the black cat in your path. Can you think of others that were in your family?
One family story was that there were 2 moles spaced about 2 inches apart on a baby on the hip. This, the mother believed was because she had stepped on a snake and then went into labor. The moles representing fang marks. It sounds ridiculous to me, but people are very sincere in their beliefs. There are many different thoughts out there. Even Jesus, truth and the Bible. Religion can get confusing to some. Each one reading this might have a different recognition of Jesus and the Bible. There are now books that explain what a person thinks are contradictions in the Bible.
As far back as the bible, stories about superstitions are there. Check out the one in Genesis 30:14-17 it talks about the Mandrakes. Here it is thought as a folk medicine or superstition of fertility. 1 Timothy 4:6-7 reminds us to stay away from wives tales and godless myths. Let’s focus on the words of Jesus.
Let’s put our trust in Him and Him alone. I like my Red Letter version of the Bible those are Jesus actual words. Helps me to get closer to what He was trying to say and not a man’s thought. Don’t take any wooden nickels! lol. Until next time. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For the Next Generation Two Year Old Wisdom #25
You know how it is, you are preparing a lunch for the grandchild. There’s dishes to wash from preparations. There’s items from the oven that need out or something in the microwave that needs served up. There’s that last thing in the refrigerator to get out so you scurry around grabbing a bite here or there and it’s off to help the grandchild again with their meal.
Lately in all the “busy” my 2 year old grandson will adamantly say “sit down!” Being two at first I didn’t pay much attention to what he was saying but after the demand got sterner and louder I realized he was making a demand and statement to me, to “sit down!” He wanted time where we were together, not busy but enjoying our lunch together, sharing time, together. I think the scripture tells us that we can learn from babes. Psalm 8:2, Keen insight and wisdom in two little words. Sit down.
My two year old probably didn’t understand sitting down and eating was wise for the digestive system. He knew that we had played hard all morning and he was enjoying his resting time and grandma probably should too. Sitting down, relieving some of the stresses from the day. I wondered what prompted him to tell me to sit down? Was he telling me to take a load off? Was I hurrying too much for his liking? Was I distracting him from the meal he was eating, or was it in the pace of my step that he just knew grandma needed a time of rest also? We enjoy our times together with others when we go out to eat. We sit and talk and tell stories. Those are memorable times. Why in the rush of child care, do we sometimes forget that sitting down and doing those same things isn’t a bad idea? We try to juggle four things at once and wish we were an octopus so we could juggle that much more at one time. But, we were not mad that way. We were given two arms and hands. God made sure we could hold our little ones and cuddle, and our two hands to fold together in prayer to thank Him for our meal, that we can share sitting down. If life has you blowing in every direction like the wind, take my grandson’s advice. “Sit down!” take a breath, breathe in the moments you have with those grandchildren and relax. Listen with your ears too because some words of wisdom might be coming your way from one you’d least expect it from. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For the Next Generation # 24 Comfort
When the Apostle Paul started his ministry, he probably never knew that he would encounter time spent in prison for being a Jew. He probably didn’t realize that the way that he had treated followers of The Christ, in his former “Saul” days would be how he might be treated himself. The scriptures say that we will “Reap what we sow”. Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. During my sons growing up years, that was a favorite verse that was quoted often. Shortened down a bit to “You always reap what you sow, you know!” It was a catchy rap tune on a cassette tape of scriptures that we found when they were young. It must have been difficult for Saul turned Paul as the Lord revealed to others that Paul was now a minister of the gospel. During one such encounter Paul ended up in prison due to his teaching. In one of his letters he mentioned for Timothy to bring his cloak. What did a prison look like back then? Stone walls, dirt floor, water dripping from condensation, chains, guards, there are references that Paul was chained to the guard. Philippians 1:12-26 It must have been cold if he was asking for a cloak. Asking for warmth and comfort. What would the cloak have looked like? Was it made of hide or cloth? Did it have a hood? Was it like a blanket? Children find much comfort and warmth in their blankie. Timothy being a young protégé most likely would have jumped at the chance to take Paul his cloak. With Paul asking for him certainly he would want to be an eager servant. It might have been fairly lonely in prison also. Having a companion there giving support and encouragement would help pass the time while imprisoned, yet we in our lives enjoy our comfort, our nice warm bed and pillows. When I go on vacation and we stay in a motel, I have a difficult time with the beds. I can’t wait to get home to my own bed, it seems motel beds are the hardest things I’ve experienced. I sleep well in my bed and I have enjoyed the comfort of my feather pillows for over 40 years. What would it be like though if it was all taken away? When a tornado hit a neighboring town a few years ago, they immediately experienced an uncomfortable lifestyles. The sorrow of losing their prized possessions, the heartache of losing a child swept away, the trauma that their house was leveled to the ground. How do you find comfort during those disasters? Is there a formula that you follow to make it through? Where do you turn? “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and righteousness” the song goes on, “wholly rest in Jesus name”. Music is a good therapy and words are often comforting. Jesus wept at a grave site. Jesus knew heartache in betrayal of friends. Jesus was crucified without cause yet he was willing to obey His Father and overcome the grave. He sits in the right side of His Father for He endured. He asked for a drink yet got gall. Paul was uncomfortable for the cause of Christ. He endured and was assured the prize. We don’t know if our lives will be uncomfortable because of the faith we profess but many Christians sacrifice their lives for the sake of the cause in other countries. Some have to go underground in secret, some meet in grassy meadows in secluded places. Just to hear the scriptures read. The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit organization that tells of many stories of the faith of our brothers and sisters that do not live in a secure area to practice out their beliefs. It would be a good thing if grandmas for the next generation would read some of the stories of sacrifices that are made. They need to know how fortunate we are to live in a country where we are free to practice Christian beliefs without getting shot or put into prison. We must pray that the day never will come in our life time or our grandchildren’s children. Even now though, there are those that work continually to say we practice “hate crimes”. Paul made a choice to follow Christ. In good or bad, comfort or not, may we be able to do the same. Thank God when you climb in bed tonight for the comfort it gives. Remember those who may be in homeless shelter and share a blanket to them. Take the grandchildren with you when you go.
Philippian 4: 12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 23 Youth, an Age
Some things in life have an age requirement. Driving in certain states have a lower age determined than others. Our state happens to be 16 years of age to legally drive; other states are up to 18. A local swim team says children need to be at least 5 years of age. For years our children went to the summer church league games cheering on the church and their father. They could hardly wait for the time when they turned 12 and could join the team. For many years they played and as their lives changed, church softball went by the way side. Trying to be supportive of our church, we decided the other night to go and watch a game. On a team you have the skilled and the not so skilled and the learning. It is designed that way; however 40% is to be over 20 years old. I couldn’t help but have a grandma moment. One little boy on the opposing team, came up to bat at least 4 times. Little eyes squinted looking at the ball, he’d hold the bat up high and stand there. His face, reflecting a look of pure fear and apprehension. He’d look at the umpire to see what the call was. One time even asking, “Am I out?” Each time I am sure he wanted to swing. Each time he probably thought he would swing, but each time he didn’t. Self-confidence began to wane.
I realized in the not too distant future I would be looking at my grandchildren holding that bat. I would be the one who would feel the pain of a swing not taken or a call of “OUT!” I would empathize with them as they felt the pains of learning and growing up and becoming stronger in their sports. That’s what a grandma for the next generation would do. I will be there, they will feel supported and worthy of being on a team. Grandma will be their cheerleader. Grandma will make team treats. Grandma will take pictures of them on the field. Grandma will cherish each moment.
Timothy was young once too. In 1 Timothy 4:12 Paul encourages Timothy “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
He was to pray and give himself entirely to the mentioned so that his progress would be evident to all. Be there to U Rah Rah! Even if your hair is turning grey, find the old pompoms and tell your story. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 22 A New Habit
How do you describe patience? Waiting, anticipating without being anxious? I should go to the dictionary and check. It seems that I know more what it isn’t. I have heard it told that it is a virtue!
Tapping my fingers on the shopping cart while in the grocery store line waiting, nervously humming while waiting in the drive through for some food, “I’m starving!” Waiting, beeping the horn, while wanting to go to a play and someone else is dragging their feet . Spacing out when someone keeps talking a mile a minute and for a lengthy time. If we’re honest we all do it sometime in our life. Words like irritation, intolerance, annoyance, complainer, loss of temper are words that describe what I don’t want to be like but often find myself living. Do you remember how you were taught patience? I had to wait for a birthday party, I knew Santa was coming but I had to wait, I set a wedding date and had to wait for that day to come. I was pregnant and that was 9 months of waiting. As we grow older we develope the habit of patience and realize to not get anxious, to be calm, and trust that things will come around in God’s timing. It is a technique, the application of patience. When learning how to play the piano most people don’t just sit down and play Bach or Chopin. Players report practice time between 3- 18 hours a day to become accomplished. Apparently a certain decision of determination was practiced also. When the farmer puts his seed in the ground one day he is motivated and determined to watch the seed grow, he doesn’t expect it to be sweet corn the next week. When little Jen falls off her bike repeatedly, her sense of determination makes her get back on and try again and when she rides around with the bigger girls on the block she feels a sense of accomplishment. Patience can be a reward.
In conversation the other day, I learned of a granddaughter in her teens that was now realizing the meaning of patience. It was summer and she was available when her grandmother fell and broke a bone. She soon learned that patience was of the essence. As the parents went off to work, she would stay home and fluff the pillow and fix the meals, and get the mail, and dust the house, and take the dog out and shake the rugs, and answer the phone. You get the picture. She was the right hand granddaughter, Johnny on the spot, I love you very much grandma, kind of granddaughter, yet being a teen there soon came a time when she began to be overwhelmed with the responsibility. A break was welcome when other family members came to visit. I am a lot older than this young lady and I can tell you there are moments that I am overwhelmed with some of the people that I interact with. I stop and ask myself why I react a certain way then I stop and ask myself again. How do I stop the anxious response, how do I think before I speak? How did I forget patience so quickly? How do I continue in the moment without complaint? How do I not lose my temper? Patience shows others who we are. If I’m to be a reflection of Jesus, I’m asking myself, are others saying “Wow, did you see how she reacted to that!” If a new habit takes from 21 days to a year, I guess I’d better continue on the journey of patience. Thomas Edison said, “Many a life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”. So to the teen that cares for the grandparent and the little one on training wheels keep up, the reward is just around the corner. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For The Next Generation # 21 Go Into All The World
Timothy was a convert of Paul’s. He was taught the teachings of Jesus as he journeyed the many trips Paul took. They perhaps traveled by ship, horse, camel, donkey, but probably mostly foot. I don’t know if chariots were hired like a horse drawn buggy? I have been intrigued by traveling modes in the bible and the great wonders that have been built and how it was accomplished. Reading about the temple that David wanted to build in 1 Chronicles 22: 1-4, I have often wondered how the “abundance of cedar trees” was “brought” to him. 2 Chronicles 1:8-9 also mentions bringing trees to build and 2 Chronicles 2:16 mentions the tree being floated down by sea near Joppa, then carrying it to Jerusalem. That must have been something to see all of this building material coming in to build the temple for God. Though David wasn’t allowed to build it, his heart was in the right place. 1 Chronicles 28:1-9.
The mode of travel didn’t seem to slow them down when Paul and Timothy’s hearts were in the right place. The message of the gospel and Jesus’s way of life was to be spread throughout the world. Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to go into the world teach baptize and continue to teach all that was commanded. Something that I am really impressed with these days, as a method to spread the gospel is a little gadget that I got acquainted with through the In Touch ministry. It is called the Messenger, and it was launched in 2007. It is a solar powered audio device that has dozens of sermons, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs on it. It is equipped with a flashlight and FM receiver also. Areas where electricity is limited can be served by this solar device; some people have smart phones and can use SD cards. Bibles are heavy and a multitude of them are easily taken through customs so the very small USB device is perfect. The ingenuity of this device has far exceeded what the ministry thought could be possible. The Messenger has traveled in 88 languages. Over 708,000 have been distributed, many have gone where missionaries may not be able to go. Other churches have even been helped for educational purposes for local pastors.
China, India, Ukraine, Netherland, Hungry, Benin, Cameroon, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Paraguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, Cuba, and the United States and more to come are being blessed by this technology. The Lord has not laid upon my heart to go to all of these places but a small donation that is made will help get God’s message out to those that are afar. Paul and Timothy used foot power to spread the Word. Now the sun is spreading the Word of the Son. Check out their web site and learn more about it at ” In Touch Ministry”. One cannot comprehend what the future for our grandchildren will be like, spreading the gospel, with technology changing at the fast rate that it is. 4 year old kindergarten classes start on computers. It is amazing how quickly they catch on. We went to take care of the grandkids one afternoon and the one wanted to watch a movie, since we don’t have TV we didn’t have a clue on how to turn the thing on. Buttons were pushed but nothing happen. After trying another button the screen changed. The granddaughter yelled out, “It’s on command, Grandpa!” We didn’t have a clue to what she meant and we did not get a movie on the screen. She has learned a lot more about turning the television as she has gotten older, that’s a good thing. This grandma struggles with the basic, maybe she’ll teach me a thing or two. I’ll be open to learning too. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation # 20
It’s Just That Simple When Paul visited Lois and shared the gospel message. She said, “yes.”
When Billy Grahm went to a tent meeting with his mother, he heard the gospel message and he said, ”Yes”.
When I went to church one Sunday in the bottom of the old auditorium and the minister delivered the gospel message, I said, “Yes”. It was that simple. Would we decide there was a Jesus or not?
Answers in Genesis is an organization dedicated to the book of Genesis. In their magazine, Ken Ham, puts it like this. “Man’s way or God’s way”? The scriptures, Matthew 7:24-27, speaks of a wise man or a foolish man. When is the last time you heard or sang that song. When you were three? Do you remember it? The wise man built his house on the R_ _ _. The foolish man built his house upon the S_ _ _. Share the song with your grandchildren if you haven’t already. Simple; the choice is ours. Wise man or foolish man. Though we long to be a wise man, often times we end up looking very foolish in our Christian behavior. I cannot say that I am a strict to the sign obedient driver, I will say my foot is not made of lead, but on occasion I just am going, or I think I am in a hurry. Soon after I notice my error, I slow down, but I think to myself. Don’t you have a fish on the back of your car? What kind of example is that! Pretty foolish if people would pass me by stopped by a policeman don’t you think?
Another scripture, John 8:12 says Jesus is the light of the world. If we choose Him we are in light if not darkness. So simple. Do you like the dark or the light? The dark is great for watching fireworks, but getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and stubbing your toe may not feel too good in that same darkness. It is our choice once again. Eve’s creator told her “Don’t” but she did. The serpent being wise convinced her and then she convinced her husband. The do; they both ate. Genesis 2:16-17. Such a little word, OBEY, just four letters. Mankind though has struggled with it since the beginning of time. Do we know how many religions there are in the world? Wikipedia says there are roughly 4,200. The Bible says, Black or White. How did it all become so complicated? A serpent influenced one in a perfect world, convincing Eve that God was not telling the truth. What was the phrase? “Surely you will not die” Now in a sinful world millions believe God really didn’t say----.
Man’s influence has now over taken God’s view. God’s words were “Lest you die”. They were said, and if our choice is dark, black, foolish and man’s , we will die. Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death, but God didn’t leave it there. He gave us a gift, eternal life. He gave us the “gospel message” Jesus Christ born, hung on a cross for my punishment, died and three days later rose to eternal glory. It’s that simple. Choose to believe today. Lois and Timothy did. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation Good Choice # 19
Someone once commented about a young man that they knew. He seemed to be quite outstanding to the person.“ Brought up well”, “their parents have done a good job with them”, was the comment made. When hearing this comment, I wondered, were the parents good or did the child choose to be good and obey? God gives us a free will, so is choice what it is all about? How do you choose to live? Do you choose to be good or choose to be bad? I might think of bad being disobedient. We all have made the wrong choice sometime in our lives. For the most of us, we probably knew that we were choosing to be bad but we did it anyway. Some parents might never acknowledge that their children do wrong. Have you seen the behavior of a child that never is disciplined and is never wrong in the parent’s eyes? It seems that someone else is always to blame for their child’s misfortune or mischievousness. You might have a parent that can never see the good in their child. Would you think that this child might suffer just as much as the one who could do no wrong? What kind of life is it for a child that can never measure up to what their parents expect. Why do you suppose our prisons are full of juvenile delinquents? Wouldn’t it be interesting to see just how many of them come from broken homes? Often, single parents are at work and that leaves a lot of time and room for wrong doing. How many live on the streets with a gang instead of in a nice warm home with parent to shower love on them. One elderly grandma told me, “My 16 year old grandson said, Nana you treated me so good, but you’re strict.” Discipline and love, what would the world be if there were more of those behaviors? More grandma’s that would give a child what they need? Discipline takes discipline, caving in sometimes seems the easy thing to do. When you’ve said no for the twenty-fifth time and have to say it again. Giving in may seem alright at first but there will be consequences. Every choice made in raising a child or a grandchild comes with them. It will be the wise “Nana” that sticks to her decisions and allows the child to see that there is no budging in the rule set down. Dr. James Dobson, commented on a radio program one time of the importance of the child, always knowing who the boss was. If they thought they were, it would be a hard battle won for the parent. It didn’t matter how many times you had to say “NO” you had to keep on saying it. The child should not see any way to persuade a yes from the parent. The checkout counter was the worst, for me, you know, you are getting the cart unloaded, the kids have had enough shopping, you have too, but you are the adult. But---there it is! That one thing they cannot live without. Candy!! I want, I want. You say, ”No, you don’t need that”. Then you say, “No, you’re not getting that”, he reaches out for it. He tries to grab at it, You are trying to get the last item out of the cart, “ I want I want.” The kicking begins, you grab at his legs to stop him. He starts the whimper and then the tears, the noise gets louder. “I want, I want.” “No, it’s almost supper time”. This carries on and then in that last desperate moment what do you find yourself doing? Explaining to them once again and leave the store with them upset , or saying “Alright –but just this one time, one time!” That was all he wanted was “one time” because now since you gave in he knows that there will be another time, if he just keeps whining and kicking and crying he will get what he wants and you will have lost. I can remember how difficult it was at times with a strong willed child. He thanks me now for the discipline as he teaches his own children the right choices. I’ve heard some parents say “We count to three”. Another said “I count to one”. Christ has set down some rules for us too. The Ten Commandments in Exodus, or scriptures like “Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:30 He longs for us to make right choices in our lives. Choices that will reap us benefits in the end. I am a grandma that is thankful that He said “Forgive 7 times 70”. Matthew 18:22. As a Grandma for the next generation, I am praying for good grandchildren that will heed the instructions set before them and for me that I will listen and obey God’s instructions for my life. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma For the Next Generation Independence Showed Up # 18
Well, today is the day, Independence showed up! I knew it was coming. It begins with the crawling, then the baby steps then the no hands and finally the running, the jumping, the skipping, the running away from you. It really is progress that all parents and grandparents want to see, it is how life goes on. We had a great routine. Momma said she knew it was coming and so I was waiting for that “ no more grandma thing” that I knew would to soon come. God had given me the lullaby, Grandma’s Baby----
I sang it to him when he was first born, I sang it to him, at the basketball games that his father coached,
I sang it to him in the car while we waited for poppa to get a tractor part. I sang it to him after he ate his favorite meal of Macaroni and Cheese and his belly was full and our bed was nice and comfortable. But- today, “No”! today it would be different. It would not be the same routine, it would be the “sit on the floor and not want to go to bed”. It would be the nice hard wood floor and a small rug that would be clung onto. It would be independence telling me “It would be his way now”. So as the small fit carried on, I sat on the bed as usual, I patted the blanket minus the child as usual. I sang the lullaby as usual, but with a child on the floor. The rendition carried on longer than usual as one fought to outlast the other. He would look at me, I would look at him then I would close my eyes as if nothing was different, I would ignore the fact that he was on the hard floor and not on the nice soft bed under a nice warm blanket. He would look up at me beginning to teeter from one side to the other as his eyes began to get droopier and droopier. I continued to sing, I held my hand out to him once then a second time. He began to fuss with the rug. Would this scratchy thing be the substitute for the norm, the nice and cozy?
I continued to pat the empty blanket and sing. I could tell as one arm went down on the rug that it would not be long, that he had substituted the inviting for his choice of hard wood floor. I reached out my hand to him again, this time he held his arms up at me, accepting the thought but not the offer. He laid down. I sang, and patted the empty bed and he went to sleep on the hard cold floor with no blanket of comfort. So as I think about the moment, I am asking myself, did he win? He got the cold hard floor. Did I win?
I kept singing as always, I kept patting as always, I kept offering as always. Yet he wasn’t on the bed. Did it matter? I am still asking myself. I lifted him up and he willingly came and I placed him on the more comfortable soft bed. I patted a little while and then there was a sigh of release.
Some might say leave him on the floor, that is what he wanted. Others might side with me and pick him up. I won’t say there is a right or wrong because I don’t think it really matters. What matters is that independence did show up. This little small way, will be nothing for what the world will try to offer as he continues to grow. I want independence for my grandchildren, I want them to stand on their own two feet. For them to look back and say “That was “my” job and look how well it turned out”. I am pondering what tomorrows scenario will look like. The same routine or his way of thinking?
Timothy was as young man when he began to serve with Paul but he had grown up qualities that only could have come due to the guidance of the adults around him. Namely a Christian grandmother, Lois. With scriptures as her teaching tools she was able to show Jesus to a grandson who eventually began churches with Paul. It must have been difficult letting her young grandson go through the wilderness and to the many different villages that Paul and him traveled. She must have wondered if he was safe and eating alright. Getting enough sleep and if his garment needed mending? All those things grandmas think about. Yet she knew that God was with them. The ultimate provider, molding and shaping him to be a noteworthy disciple for Christ. There came a time when she had to let go. I will continue to watch my little ones travel on with their choices but at this young age I think I will still let them know that though they might think they want something that isn’t good for them I will lovingly show them a better way. Isn’t that what Jesus does for us. Lets us make the mistakes we have chosen for ourselves and then gently says “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30.
Try to make the right decision in your own life and they will be reflected in the lives of those in your surroundings. Continue on for the foot note to "tomorrow's scenario" grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For the Next Generation Foot note: Independence *Tomorrow’s Scenario As I recently printed my story about Independence, I just had to share that it didn’t seem to last very long at this age any way. I applaud my children on how they have developed a way to settle their child down to take a nap or probably go to sleep at night. I think scientifically they just ignored the crying for a few days and to me it seems like it has worked to a charm. In my story I told how my grandchild had decided he didn’t need to sleep on the bed for a nap and ended up on the floor covering himself up with the scratchy old rug. I am glad to inform you, that it lasted one time. Today it was all cuddles and ready for blanky. It was lay down be covered up listen to grandma sing her song made for him, then – “I need the car”, more song, “I need the cow”, more song, play with the car a little as grandma sings, then the eye lids begin to droop closing rapidly a few times. That’s the giving up part. Snuggle in a little closer to grandma, keep patting and singing quieter and quieter until the lids stay down and you know that he is enjoying sweet peace and rest. If only our lives could experience that sweet peace and rest. We let so much mound up on us. We bring in worldly influences that tell us we need more or should do more but Jesus wants to keep us under His wing and give us rest. Enjoy the fireworks together, It’s Independence Day soon. With each “oooh and ahhhhh” as the colors light the sky remember to thank God for your independence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation Skip a Rock #17
Since I have had the privilege of taking care of my grandchildren, we make frequent trips to the creek that is down the road from us.

Part of the ritual is picking up some rocks that we can throw into the creek. Some rocks are big and some are small, each rock makes their own noise as they splash into the water. Many young boys have made their fame by being able to skip a rock over a pond multiple times.

There is a method to the way the rock should be selected in order to be skipped. Just the right size and just the right shape. It is better to be as flat as possible in order to throw it. It should go just across the top of the water and skim over it then skip maybe up to four times. Maybe even more.

There is even a rock craze going on now. Where you take a rock and paint it then hide them. This is a part of a organized effort to tell others that "Richland Rocks!" It has been very interesting to see some of the elaborate designs that an ordinary pile of rock can take on. Once you find one so beautifully done you want to keep it for yourself and not re-hide it. Families take time out to take a walk together, get exercising together, getting fit, just looking for a rock. Some have had an added bonus like a free ice cream cone or a store discount. A teacher came up with the idea and it took off. It's nice when an idea is accepted by the whole community. It really rocks!

I suppose that our Timothy was able to use rocks for many of his activities while growing up. Possibly he learned his math skills with rocks. Maybe he took one rock and scraped it on another as his writing paper and pen? Maybe he put a rock in his sling like David did and got some supper with it?

Probably Lois taught Timothy about the solid rock, that being Jesus. He is our firm foundation, one that stands firm. He is the right size and shape. He can fit into our heart and yet can not fill the universe. He is with us during all moments of our lives. Even a trip to the creek or a nightly walk looking for a painted rock.

Find some rocks today and take the grandchildren out and skip a rock. Give it a good throw and tell God, "Thanks, for being my firm foundation." See who can skip one the farthest and the most times. Put on a paint shirt and design a rock to hide, put a cross on it or a bible verse.
Matthew 7:24-27 Tells us about a firm foundation. Do you remember the childhood song about the wise man and the foolish man building their house on either the sand or rock? Teach it to your grandchildren. Help them to understand wisdom and foolishness. Things that cost very little but your grandma time. That’s what a Grandma for the Next Generation does. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 16 No Regrets
We all live in a sinful world. Humanity has had times in their lives when they have failed miserably and experienced regret. We can, though, choose to go forward after the failure and press on for the eternal prize. We get a clear slate when we come to Jesus. He washes away our regrets and wrongs, then continues to lead us to life with Him. When we become a grandma we get to choose what kind we will be. When a first born came to one grandma’s life she commented, “He was my little savior.” She started going to church, gave up her past way of life and began seeking a life that was pleasing to Jesus. She had had regrets, she had known that she was doing wrong but it didn’t seem to matter until something else matter more. The title; grandma.
Her grandchildren would see something different than what her own children had seen.
Another grandma wasn’t so sure about the whole thing. She commented, “I’m not ready to be a grandma, I’m way to young, I have a career, I have my own life to live.”
Will she live to regret those remarks? Only the future will tell us.
God will give us many opportunities to be there for our grandchildren.
Don’t look back at the end and say, If only I’d spent more time with them, If only I’d baked more cookies with them, if only we’d ate more ice cream together and taken more walks by the pond that they so enjoyed. If only--
I was at a recent graduation the other day, on the shoulder of one of the attenders I noticed on the back of her right shoulder a bold lettered tattoo. It said NO REGRETS. The young gal must be in her early 20’s and I wondered why those words. Were the words for her or for anyone reading them as she would walk past? I might just venture to find this gal and ask her. I won’t run out and get a tattoo, but I will remember hers and try to be a grandma that God will be pleased with. For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23 It is never too late to make a change. God is listening right now and knows the regrets you feel, let Him clean your slate and start anew. Grandma for the Next Generation- plan to spend more time with the grandchildren. Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13
Let’s hear “Well done, Grandma, good and faithful servant.”
Matthew 25:21 When our days come to an end, then we will be able to look back and say “NO REGRETS!”
grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation # 15 Father –What’s that?

There are 24 million children in America that live without a biological father, so reports the US Census Bureau. Some comments about our Timothy from the Bible were that his father wasn’t a part of his life either. This may be speculation as lots could have happened to the man. A fighting soldier killed in war, a working man at his post too many hours of the day. A shipman, off at Sea. I like to give the person the benefit of the doubt most of the time, but with 1 in 3 children not living with their father, maybe I shouldn’t be so generous. Father’s Day is just around the corner. I myself only had a father for 12 years of my life. I can empathize with those who know the same. I had another father but the choices that he made in life made for a dependent way of living and though our young family and mother was provided for, what my children experienced in their growing up years was nothing like mine. After my step father’s passing, mom survived on her own and tried to make her way. By then I was grown graduated from college, married and had children of my own. I never considered that my mom late in her years would come to meet another man that I would call dad, number three. This man knew God before he ever met mom. This way of living for them was totally different that was experienced before for mom. Christ was the head of the home, together now the families could worship together and share Christ.
I wonder sometimes what life would have been like if I would have lived in a Godly home with Godly parents trying to live a Godly life? I am not disappointed that my life was what it was because now as a mother who has had a Godly husband to raise our own children with, I see the extreme benefit there is to having a father figure around for the children. I have a great desire to see other families succeed, and become traditional. Hence, Grandma For the Next Generation. It may not even be a biological family. You may adopt or sponsor a child in order to reach out. That truly is a mission in itself. I just attended the most beautiful worship service with the Watoto Children’s Choir. They all have a story of family dysfunctions at one time in their lives. But a church in Uganda decided they would help their community by providing for the needs of others and it has become a God blessed mission, giving to orphans and widows. That is just what Christ calls us to do also. James 1:27 says Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. I was uplifted at this concert , I cried because of the compassion others have had for the precious little ones they have rescued. I also rejoiced to my Lord and Savior for a gift He has given me, as not only one grandpa was also at this concert but three were there, being family united for my grandchild. I am trusting great things for this next generation of children. I will embrace the thought of praying for the next generation and the next. For my grandchildren , for the spouse that God has already picked out for them, for their career paths and education, for the world that they will have to stand strong in as it continues to oppose Christ. Grandmothers need to be praying for grandfathers. Father’s Day is a great time to start.
Paul took Timothy under his wing and provided that father figure. Think of someone around you that you might begin to minister to. A fatherless child may be right in your own back yard. Get going Grandma For the Next Generation there is a life time of praying that needs to begin for our future generations. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation Lonely, I Care? #14

Some grandma’s may never know about lonely. What a lovely gesture from her family. In one of my earlier blogs I mentioned the grandpa’s dying wish was for the grandchildren to call grandma every night. I truly believe that grandma will never be lonely. She has taught them well and their love will spill back on her. However, grandchildren may get so busy with their selves and their own family matters that grandma may not be that high on the “to do” list. Unfortunately some family members feel that putting grandma in a nursing home fixes everything. Problem taken care of, no need to go back. Time can become very lonesome. The family that she gave her life too, now rejects and a different family emerges. That of an institution. Concrete walls, and one small room, very little or no mementos to remind her of an earlier life. Sometimes a shared bathroom and employees tired and underpaid. Day after day the same routine, sit in the chair and look out the window, only faint memories of what life once was.
Looking in the Bible, Christ had things to say to us about widows which a lot of the time will be a grandma.

James 1:27 Tells us that a pure and undefiled religion, before God and the Father, is taking care of the widows.

James 1:25 tells us that we receive a blessing for doing the perfect law of liberty.

John 13:34 Meaning love.

1 Timothy 5:8 Also give us something to think about. Words like infidel, unbeliever, denier of the faith, labels those who reject their own or those in the family.

Lots of grandma’s may be on fixed incomes. As one gets older and more unstable decisions may have to be made. With nursing homes costing thousands of dollars a month, many elderly find their selves staying in their home. Issues like showering and house cleaning can become a burden also. There are aids out there that make that their business. This also comes at a cost though. Blessed is the grandma that has a loved one come to clean the house. One who would give a weekly shower to her. At no cost, except time. Blessed is the family who makes a room and moves grandma in until her dying days. Do we say, “we couldn’t do that”? Maybe, but the greatest example we have is Christ who had 12 friends around a table in just one evening and He washed all of their feet. Feet aren’t that bad you may say to yourself but we don’t know where those feet had been or how long it had been since they had last been washed? This was considered, in that time, the most disgusting thing to do. Don’t forget this too, Jesus washed Judas’s feet knowing he had sold Him out for 30 pieces of silver. Christ gave His all for us. Things to ponder as we teach our grandchildren. When’s the last time you took them to a nursing home to visit the older generations that have given their all?
What is real love? Do you have it in you to show it? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation Carom #13
I had a wonderful mother in law. From the very get go she told us that she would not interfere. She was a Godly woman and read her Bible multiple time through, clear up until her last year of life being 96.
She was still holding bible study in her home at that time also. On her death bed in the hospital her teaching moments were still evident when she corrected us on saying the “Model Prayer”. Not, the Lord’s prayer. She was Amazing Grace in action. She often told of her childhood and how her momma would rock the baby when it was crying and just keep reading the Bible. As a little girl she would sit and listen and see her baby sibling, quiet down and go to sleep as momma continued to read and rock. She mentioned that her family life was not happy when alcohol entered the home. She knew Jesus but it wasn’t because she went to Sunday School every Sunday. She tells of going on Easter and Christmas. Always wondering why people only went those two Sundays all year when it was such a nice place and so pretty of a building in her little eyes.
She was a good grandma. Our children have fond memories of the Carom board that they would play on when visiting her. If you don’t know what that is. It is played on about a 3 foot square wooden board with nets attached on each of the four corners. Little colored rings make up the play pieces and each has a shooter and attempts to shoot their color into a net. Like how one plays billiards. If you don’t miss you keep going.
When grandma passed, each kid asked about the carom board. Unfortunately there was only one. Will your grandchildren ask for the special game board or puzzle or sheet music or story book. When you have passed on? Begin observing which child responds to which item you have, even consider giving it away as a gift instead of something received when you are laid to rest. There will be joy in the giving as well as the getting. Start making a memory today. Shine like Jesus for little eyes to see.
Get out the game board, mix in a little bible story and you have a wonderful moment spent together that just might last an eternity. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation Make My Day #12
I heard a grandma story the other day. It was very endearing and made me a bit envious. Well, hopeful, that my granddaughter may grow up to include me in her everyday life decisions.
The little girl was in middle school. Her mom is a single mom. Recently her parents got a divorce and the grandma has been shuffling the kids to school, picking them up at night, preparing breakfast for them and helping with the homework and craft projects. Just” being there” when needed. After a few months of this routine, the granddaughter was dropped off at her grandmother’s home before school but she wasn’t dressed. In her arms she carried a small suitcase. The grandma was curious. “Why aren’t you ready for school yet?” She questioned the granddaughter. “Oh, I have my school clothes in here grandma.” She replied. “I wanted to show you these two outfits and see which one you liked best!”
The grandma was surprised beyond all measure to think that her granddaughter valued her opinion so much that she would want her decision. She must have seen something in grandma that brought her to the maturity level she was in to trust someone else’s opinion. She must know that grandma cared a lot about her and her self-esteem and her being accepted by her peers. She must have been relaxed enough to know that her choices would be accepted by grandma and that grandma would complement the choices that she had brought.
Grandma had been there through the heart ache of her parent’s breakup. Grandma would be there in everyday decisions. Grandma would be included in her fashion. Fashion is a priority to some young ladies. There is a multitude of choices for girls to choose from. Discretion is important to be taught.
Your granddaughter might not choose what you like but try to get inside her head. Be aware of what the other girls are into and then in your more mature minded way of thinking, direct subtly but also know a little flare will never hurt anything. Color is just a plus. What does your grandchildren see in you?
A caring attitude? A “MY” grandchild is the best around belief? A willingness to guide and direct, without being pushy or disconcerting. It’s never too late to evaluate ourselves. Use scripture as our guide that God has left us. Lois’s personality had to have made an impression for the young grandson Timothy. The Apostle Paul noticed him. He knew she was a servant of the Lord, for he said, “Which is in your grandmother Lois.” What a compliment that must have been. Let's strive for others seeing our belief in us without us even saying a word. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation Go Fly A Kite # 11
What does that mean to you? Today I went to the dollar store. I thought I’d be a super grandma and get a kite and fly it with my grandson. Right! You first have to put the thing together. You have to follow the directions, read between the lines between 10 other languages. There needs to be a wind current and the tail is an important part of the kite too. Was this dollar kite going to fly in the wind?
We went outside, I could feel a breeze. It wouldn’t stay up. I got the directions out again. I evaluated it with my husband. It should be this way. So I tried again and again. We went back to our open field. It was windier there. Meanwhile my grandson was occupied in the wheel barrow that was full of water from the night’s rain. The plastic pieces fell out of the sockets that was supposed to keep the kite together. The string got tangled, then it got wrapped around two little feet and then one big leg. Have you heard the phrase, “Enough to make a preacher swear?” Well, I was there! Do I swear NO! Do I get frustrated when I think I am doing something good and it goes bad. YES! Frustration is a part of our lives. How we deal with it becomes our choice. God gave us that attitude of submission to His ways or the worlds. (More on that another time.) I strive for His ways. The wind began to blow, the kite went up, up, up,. My grandson held on. He could feel the tug as it went higher. The tug became too strong! He let go. I thought I had a hold on it but it wasn’t a strong enough grip. The kite went even higher. The wind took it up up up right into a tree. Great! More frustration. That’s it! No more kite. Then the wind came up again and moved it into another tree and another and another and then it feel down to the ground unharmed. We put the kite up again. I held on tight with my grandson holding it this time. We were able to let all the string out. It was up really high. Daddy came home and he flew the kite with his son. My frustration was gone. Mother and son with his son. That makes one happy grandma for the next generation.

Invest $1.00 in a kite, go to an open field and soar. That reminds me. Those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength , they shall mount up with wings like Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not grow faint. Isaiah 40:31
Learning to wait for the wind to take the kite took patience. The kite when up did soar like an Eagle.
A good song to listen to and learn is “Soar” written by Meredith Andrews.
If our Lois had to watch her grandson grow up without a father figure around a lot of the time, there could have been many frustrating moments. Though grandma’s aren’t fathers. I’m sure that the time you spend helping your grandchildren with their frustrations will help them Soar to great heights.
If you are weary let me know so I can pray for you. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation Birdies Know! # 10
When I was growing up, my mom would often remind me that the little birdies were watching me. Meaning I’d better straighten up and behave myself, especially when she wasn’t around. When I was younger I tended to believe her but might question her as to where those birdies were and how they would know? When I was older I doubted that she knew what she was talking about. Most of us get to that age when our parents don’t know anything, so we think. I was far from being a sinless child but every now and then she would remind me that those birdies knew what was going on when she wasn’t there to discipline and make sure I was being a good person. I had secrets I thought, that no one would ever know. Secrets that were made when no one was around. Secrets that didn’t make for a good behavior and it didn’t bother me even when I knew I did wrong. One day though a secret was revealed. Somehow some way that birdie had seen me and told. To this day I do not know who or how my secret was revealed to my mother but I was caught. Caught right in the act. There is something to be said for secrets being revealed. A wise young lady learns from her mistakes. I can guarantee that I never made that mistake again. Remorse, shame, fear, sorrow, all emotions that are yucky. That’s what I felt. I wasn’t getting away with anything anymore. I was put in my place. I was disciplined and corrected. I was loved. I was forgiven. Years later in a bible study, Ecclesiastes 10:20 was read. Do you know what it says? “A bird of the air may carry your voice and a bird in flight may tell the matter.” Mom knew all the time that that scripture was there. Her mother probably had told her that when she was growing up. Using the scriptures to teach and correct is what a grandma for the next generation should be using. It is a shame that we aren’t reading it daily to our next generations. It would be interesting to know how many books are on the shelf being read and how many times the Bible is passed over for another love novel. I learned a valuable lesson the day the birdie knew and told my mom. It has stuck to this day. I am thankful that our God is a loving one. That He shows us mercy when we are not deserving.
Which reminds me. Our grandchildren need to know a little birdie is out there watching them too. Mother’s Day is coming, if she told you the gospel story give her an extra big hug. The doves and the sparrows probably were watching Timothy as he grew up. Wonder what they heard and saw? He was respected at a young age maybe what they saw was obedience. 1Timothy 4:12 says “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”. I want that for my grandchildren, don’t you? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com____________________________________________________
Grandma for the Next Generation Critter # 9
Well, today started out very interesting. Everything was as usual. My daughter in law brought the grandson to be cared for. We had our conversations and then on her way out the door she jumped and let out a shriek. “A mouse!” came out of her mouth, so I went and got a broom and luckily it was right by the outside door. I swiftly knocked it out the door. Unfortunately it stayed in the garage but at least not in my house. It looked more to be a shrew. Was I ever thankful that it didn’t get into the house. I was thankful for my daughter in laws eyes that were able to see the thing and our broom and for my well, maybe fearlessness, I was screaming too, as the broom was flying and the shrew was trying to get away. But our actions, raised a curiosity in my grandson and he began to react the same way we were, not even knowing what was going on. His tender heart could sense trouble in us. Not even two, he acknowledged suffering in the people he loved and who cared about him. He came along side of us. Jesus does the same thing, comes along side of us when we are discouraged or in distress.
He longs to be a part of every aspect of our lives. I hope you are letting Him. He will be there with every swing of your broom and shriek that comes into your life. Every disappointment and fear. Makes me wonder what our Lois did in her days of living in Lystra? Did she sweep her dirt floor or was it tile and decorative? What kind of critters did she have to contend with? Spiders? Ants? Snakes? Did Timothy have a pet frog? I hear the peepers now. So glad the weather is getting better and the sunny days are ahead. The warm moist rains from the night shower really brings those frogs out on the road. Get your flashlight and grandchild and go exploring for those hoppy creatures.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma For the Next Generation Sticky Situations # 8

Have you ever been in a sticky situation, well the term might not always suggest sticky but a predicament none the less. One day a skunk got into our garage. Now that was a “stinky” situation. My husband, though, being the genius that he is, decided to pull the skunk out. Meanwhile, I am in the house praying that it doesn’t let loose with its lovely aroma. He literally made a loop in a rope, lassoed the skunk, then gently pulled on the skunk edging it out of the garage one gentle tug after another, stopping each time it decided it had had enough and started to hunker down like it was going to let loose. I will add the title brave to my husband also. This span of leading this skunk out of our garage was around 40 feet. Let me tell you he did it. My wonderful, husband, another title, got that skunk out of our garage and into a snow pile where it saw its last day.
On another occasion my grown children found themselves in a sticky situation, well maybe a wet one. They ran out of gas on a river with their boat. Going down stream, of course. Sometimes people learn about these situations many months or years after it really happened. How did they remedy their dilemma? Take a rope tied to a boat and tie it around a waist and start swimming upstream. While another passenger paddles for all they are worth. Did they survive? Yes. Am I glad I didn’t hear about it for years later, definitely?
Rice Krispie bars, don’t you just love them. They go down so easy and when one puts peanut butter and chocolate melted together on top. Watch out, they are really yummy!. We made these delicious bars the other day.
You know the ingredients;
Butter in a bowl sprayed with butter spray
A lump of butter to melt in the bowl with a bag of marshmallows in your microwave for 2 ½ minutes then take a spatula and mix in half a box of krispie rice put them into a plastic ware cake size pan that you have sprayed with butter spray
Pat them down to be firmer and then eat or put the lid on to eat later.
Spread the chocolate chips and peanut butter that you have also melted in the microwave on top for a great treat.
My grandson can eat them down faster than I can say, “marshmallow!” I will say that was a “sticky” situation! You could actually see the marshmallow string as he spread each finger on one hand apart. Then it was the individual dotted krispie rice on his sweet baby face that stuck. Needless to say, we needed a good wash down when we finished.
It reminded me, of someone who sticks closer than a brother, the Lord Jesus. Proverbs 18:24
Make a batch of Rice Krispies with your grandchildren and enjoy the sticky mess.
Then thank God for His sticking with you, when you sometimes get yourself in some sticky situations.
Remember our grandchildren will probably get in some sticky situations while growing up. We need to be there and make sure they know that we are for them no matter what dilemma they find their selves in.
Start when they are young to develop the confidence they will need in you when they are older. Then they will want to stick with you.
Wonder what kind of sticky business Lois and Timothy got their selves into.
Burnt bread on the fire? Pet snake? Losing the wash down the river? Riding on a sheep?
What do you think? grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation Seasons Butterflies #7
Some people put in a 12 hours day at work and then start in again at home. Mix that with a young family to raise and I have to ask, “Why?” Our little ones are just that. Little for such a small season. If you are a grandma taking care of your grandbabies, you can notice month by month just how much they change and those who have toddlers; they begin to walk, talk and take to the “big” potty. What changes they make and really in just a small span of time. People can run a rat race and then look back and realize who was really caught in the trap. You then wonder what did I do with all of that time. We all fall into it in some ways. Some can see many fruits, others regret the times lost. Soon you see your grandchildren going to 4 K in the fall then graduating college in the spring. Have you asked yourself, where did that time go too? It is wonderful when a grandma can live next door. Some grandma’s mention grandchildren born 4 years ago and only seeing pictures of them. That really has to be a sad and unfortunate situation.
One grandma said, “The first thing that my granddaughter recognized at our home was a silk butterfly that I had hanging in our window. When the furnace would blow , the butterfly would flutter and the motion caught her eye at just a few months old. I have tried to make butterflies her item. I love the biblical tie in that is made with the butterfly. The change of a worm, into a beautiful butterfly. Just like our sinful nature, ugly but when Jesus transforms us He makes something beautiful of our lives. It makes us, His. We took her to the butterfly museum once. It is really interesting the changes that they go through. There are books out that you can get that even give you a gospel message using the butterfly theme.
Another friend said, “Our minister preached a sermon on Easter about butterflies.”
Last year she had a yard full of milkweed and is hoping for the same this year. She mentioned the need of milkweed plants for the butterflies, as the count is very low. Blowing the seed puffs into the air is a fun activity and a very easy way to sow the seeds, they also took some to the creek bed in hopes that the coming year milkweed would grow. Did you know that children at one time in school were asked to pick the milkweeds for the government so they could make parachutes out of them. I am sure that most grandchildren don’t even understand that kind of need that was back during war days. This might be a learning topic you could share with your grandchildren. There’s a time to sow and a time to reap. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Keep your grandma stories coming at grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Grandma for the Next Generation For the Birds #6
I can’t say that I am an avid bird watcher but come spring when the sounds of birds are back in the air, you will hear me trying to mimic their sounds. Well, trying to welcome them back. I don’t think they could understand me using human talk saying welcome back. Come to think about it I don’t know when I make a noise and they echo back if we really are having a conversation in bird or not. Isn’t is fun to wonder though. That excitement can be shown to your young grandchildren while out on a walk with them too. Now is the time that many will be doing bird counts and that job of preservation is taken seriously. I don’t think it has been very long ago when some worried about the crane population. Those who worked on that project I believe can say they were successful, as each year we have a pair of cranes that proceed to have their young across the road from us in a low wet land. It is something to see them in flight. There is almost a prehistoric feeling that comes over you as they glide by.
A neighbor’s pond always welcomes back a family or two of geese and ducks. It is so fun to see a momma duck trying to teach her little ones how to fly and dive. They take off ever so cautiously and often dive bomb their first attempts but gradually their takeoff and landing begins to be second nature to them.
I am not sure how many species of birds there are and mostly I have only considered those that show up at our bird feeder. This weekend for sure has shown over 50 birds there. With the snow and hail that we received I was busy filling it up. I have identified around 12 different birds right now.
Everyone seems anxious, come spring, to see the first Robin. I am amazed at the size of some of the Blue Jays and the Woodpeckers. I felt sorry for one the other day. For some reason he thought that our old TV antenna was a tree. I thought, doesn’t that hurt your beak tapping on that piece of metal? Maybe he was sharpening it for making his nest?
My grandma loved to watch birds. When she came to live with us, we would spend lots of time watching and counting and identifying the different birds that came each day to the feeder. It was a great way for her grandchildren to relate with her in her aging years and it brought a sense of nature and education close to heart.
My biology teacher, Mr. Curnow, taught us and tested us on 100 different bird sounds. My music ability landed me an A back then but sadly I have to admit many I have forgotten. But now with the grandkids around you can be sure that I will be honing my skills in order to bring birds sounds into their lives.
Turkey hunters have a little gadget that they put into their mouth that sounds like a turkey call. I heard it again just last week. I believe that turkey season is almost here for some hunters.
Many bird books and now the internet will give the pronunciation for a specific bird sound. One that I do remember and is quite easy to call is the Phoebe and it is pronounced fee bee. Listen for it with your grandchildren. It is not a difficult sound for even a two year old to make. Find a picture of it and begin the study of Ornithology with them. Or, better yet get out the camera, hid by a tree, get as close to the birds as you can and take your own pictures, then look them up with the grandkids for identifying.
You will soon find out how marvelous our Great Creator is. Color and design, size, shape and sound. I would venture to say that Timothy and Lois probably had some bird adventures. Dove and Pigeon probably. I wouldn’t want to think about them eating them though. That would be for the birds!
His eye is on the Sparrow and I know He’s watching you. Sing a happy song today Grandma’s. God cares for you. Matthew 10:31, Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 12:6
Love to hear from you at grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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Downsizing Season # 5
I’ve seen in some magazines where some young families are starting to see that less is really more. They have taken to downsizing. I can understand that completely. As our parents get older we find ourselves in the process of helping them to downsize. That can be a tricky business because they are independent and can make their own choices, yet we all know that some of the “stuff” will not fit into a small economy apartment. The dilemma, a rummage sale or an auction? Each family makes their choices. Of course giving it away to loved ones might keep the memory of a certain item more alive. Yet that can come to a disappointment if more than one wants the same thing. We have seasons of getting and losing, keeping and casting away. With the thought of spring in the air. I am sure that many closets will be cleaned out and the thrift shops will be full. We all know that we need to clean out but the motivation just might not be there. Rummage sales can be lots of work but they can be a fun time also. There really is enjoyment in seeing a shopper light up in excitement because of the “find”. It was such a bargain, which makes it even better. A few years ago some of my family members went together and spent time together selling items they had no need for anymore. The time spent was invaluable. Some had come from over a hundred miles. It gave them a productive time to rid stuff and share a memory. A time to cast away and a time to love.
Why not share a rummage sale with your friends this year, you’ll reward yourself and the bargain hunters. Besides that, it is a great introduction to sales and marketing for your grandchildren. If they sell some of their toys and make a little cash. Teach them the art of math as they add up the prices. You might discuss the children organizations in your area and have your child/ grandchildren make a choice to donate some of those toys to them. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Your comments are always welcome at grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation Jelly Beans # 4
Do you like Jelly Beans? What flavor do you like the best? Have you ever wondered how many flavors there even are? I have seen where there are over 100 different kinds and over 133 different colors.
Taste like chocolate pudding, lemon drop, mango, of course cherry, blueberry, are tasty treats that we enjoy at Easter time. Did you know that you can even visit the Jelly Bean factory in Wisconsin?
Have you heard of the Jelly bean story for SALVATION?
Yellow represents HEAVEN God prepares a place for us John 14: 1-3 John 3:16 Revelations 21:21
Black represents SIN All of us sin, without Christ we will not get into heaven it leads to eternal death
John 8:21, 24
Red represents BLOOD Christ death on the cross and His blood shed saves us Hebrews 9:22
White represents WASHING away our sins Christ’s blood washes away our sins. Psalm 51:7
1 John 1:7
Green represents NEW LIFE in Jesus. 2 Peter 3:18 We can grow in Christ by studying His word the
Bible.
Blue represents BAPTISM Be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit your Comforter.

There are many ways to share this idea. Come up with your own version of salvation using the different colors. I have seen where you can actually purchase the jelly beans in prepackaged form with the story right on them. If you had extra jelly beans left over share some of them with your grandchildren to tell the true Easter story using the colors of the jelly beans to tell His story. Another thing you can do when teaching colors, is to use the jelly beans to represent other things in your life that you can be thankful for, that God has given you. Example: Thank you God for giving us a red truck while you enjoy eating a red jelly bean with your grandchild. Thank you God for the blue sky, green grass, You get the idea.
Let me know what the colors represent to you in your life. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com
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Grandma for the Next Generation --Promise Kept
God often puts people in our lives for a specific reason. It’s exciting to me the people that he has put into my life since I have committed to “Grandma for the Next Generation”. There are stories out there and many that will be shared throughout the time God permits with this blog.
In my line of work I see many different aspects of life. Today, a customer told me a story. Often times our conversation end up with tears in our eyes trying to fight back a sad thought and today was no exception.
A few months ago a grandpa was dying. At his bedside the grandchildren and great grandchildren were close by. He leaned over to the granddaughter and said, “Will you promise me something,”
“Yes, what Grandpa,” was the reply back.
“Will you promise me, that you will call Grandma every night when I am gone.”
“I can do that for you Grandpa.” She quietly said. Grandpa soon passed that night.
The lady telling me the story began to well up with tears and at my age it doesn’t take much to set me off either. She said, “You know, unless the great grandchildren have been sick, she has called every night, and if that was the case, can you believe that the grandson in- law calls in her place.”
She told them that they didn’t have to keep the promise that they had made to grandpa, but she told me the grandson in-law told her, “We will have NO talk of that grandma.” The lady was so proud of the fact that when she had cared for her grandchildren in the days of their growing up, that they now recognized the need to give back.
In this day, when “in-laws” often get the bad rap, isn’t it great to know that there are good ones out there acting like a Timothy.
Acts 16:1-2 tells us that he had a good reputation.
I would say that all grandma’s would like a grandson in-law like the one told about today. What is instilled when they are young will come back to help us in our end. What have you taught them today?
As we focus this week on Christ and His suffering on the cross for us, you might look up John 19:26-27 There you can find another wonderful expression of remembrance. Have a blessed Easter.
Remember your comments at grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail
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Grandma for the Next Generation #2 Your Story
I love listening to Christian Radio. I do not have television. I don’t miss it.
It seems quiet silly to ear people who “pay” for their television to complain about not having anything to watch. People say, “It is garbage, not fit to watch.” Then why do you have it? I wonder. Is it a status to have a television? Do we do it because everyone else does? Do we think we could not survive without it? Radio leaves room for imagination. Radio, Christian radio anyway can broaden the way we believe, it can strengthen our faith. It can help us to minister to someone else.
On Christian radio today, driving in my van, I heard the phrase “You, are a piece of God’s story.” Isn’t that something to ponder on. If you read the Bible you can learn of lots of biblical characters that were a piece of God’s story. The Old Testament and the New Testament tells lots of stories of those who were trying to follow the Christian faith. Some were not of the faith and we learn that their stories at times were not very pleasant. In our church we have a youth group that sings for worship service occasionally. One contemporary song that they sing is called “Write your Story” by Francesca Battistelli. It tells that we are a blank page and that we will allow God to write “His” story on our heart.
That is exactly how Lois looked at life once she became a women with faith. She had to have seen and experienced what Christianity was trying to do in her surroundings, so much so that she shared it with her daughter Eunice and then Timothy her grandson. She didn’t let the world hinder her teaching to the next generations.
Grandma’s for the Next Generations do the same thing. We bring Christ story to those we love and are surrounded by in order to keep it alive and first place in our lives.
Have you ever wondered if Christ will have a Bible the second edition with our stories in it for future generations to learn from? Is that a scary thought?
Grandma for Next Generation, caught smuggling drugs, Grandma for Next Generation encounters with multiple partners, you fill in the blanks. Yikees, I am so thankful that though I once was lost now I am found, was blind but now I see. I’m just a sinner saved by GRACE. How about you? History is just that. Philippians 3:13 Says, “ Forget what is behind and press toward the goal.” We can do it with Christ help
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Grandma for the Next Generation What’s in a Name? #1

We will focus on our characters from the Bible on which this blog was designed.
The Lois Concept, is just that, a thought concerning grandma. Lois was a grandma. From what I read she was only listed once in the whole Bible. 2 Timothy 1:5 speaks of her, her daughter Eunice and grandson Timothy.
Lois means- “agreeable”.
When Paul passed by she was agreeable to accept the message he was preaching.
She was agreeable to teach her daughter and then her grandson, Timothy. 2 Timothy 3:15. One generation at a time.
She had to know the scriptures, it says that Timothy, knew the scriptures.
How well are you doing in this aspect of teaching your grandchildren?
Eunice means Conquering well, listed just once in the Bible.
Does that mean she seized a well or does that mean she was successful in how “well” she was doing? If she was married to a Greek man, that we know little about, she probably had to stand her ground in remaining in the faith and also in teaching Timothy about the faith that Paul had spoken of.
Timothy means Honored of God. From the scriptures we can find, it is evident that Paul accepted him as “My own son in the faith” 1 Timothy 1:2, or 2 Timothy 1:2 where he calls Timothy “my dearly beloved son.”
Do you remember
Paul’s name change? “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” That is a lesson in itself. One that needs to be told to our grandchildren. It doesn’t matter how you have sinned, or what the sin was, God gave us His Son in order to remove it all. We just have to put our faith in Him. Let’s start teaching that scripture to our grandchildren at a young age. John 3:16. I learned it at Vacation Bible School when I was in the third grade.
Oh one last thing what does your name mean? If you have accepted Christ, it is CHRISTIAN. grandmaforthenextgeneration@gmail.com

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