The following is from our new Preschool Director Lindsey Moss! We are so thankful to have Lindsey working with our sweet children and as a part of Refresh, too!

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“At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.”  Daniel 1:15

We are all familiar with this story:  Daniel and his friends are captured and taken to Babylon where they are given the choicest foods straight from the king’s table.  They decide to take a stand and eat only vegetables and water and end up finding favor with King Nebuchadnezzar.   God blessed their good choices! (Daniel 1)

This story has even more meaning  as my children  grow up and watch the food choices I make. I’m asking God to give me the ability to step back from the “choice foods” and eat the things I would not naturally choose.  Need some help?  I’ve found a few healthy snack ideas and listed them below.  All are fun, kid friendly, and easy to make.  Happy (healthy) snacking!

Ants on a Log:

Washed celery, cut in 3 to 4 inch pieces

Raisins

Peanut butter or Nutella

Spread peanut butter on middle of celery. Add raisins on top to get the “ants” crawling on a log.

Yogurt Parfaits

Yogurt

Fresh fruits (strawberries, blueberries, etc)

Dry cereal (Fruit Loops, Cheerios, etc)

Layer the ingredients in a tall bowl or cup in the following order: yogurt, cereal, fruit, repeat as wanted.

Apple Smiles

Red apples, washed and sliced (these are the lips)

Peanut butter or cream cheese

Small marshmallows

Spread peanut butter or cream cheese on apple slice. Place mini marshmallows (these are the teeth) on top of peanut butter and top with another apple slice.

More ideas at:  www.kids-cooking-activities.com

March Refreshment Information

What: PJs & Popcorn Movie Night!

When: Tuesday March 8th
           Doors open at 6:30; Movie begins promptly at 7:00pm

Where: Church Fellowship Hall

Other: Purchase your $2.00 ticket beginning next Sunday at the Welcome Center
           Coke and Popcorn will be served
           A Love Offering will be taken up for Crash Ministries

Discipline Today - Vicki Taylor

I was just wondering what ever happened to good old biblical discipline for children.  You know the verse in Proverbs that says, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”  My how times have changed since my boys have grown up. 

I was reading the paper this morning and well known pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton stated that you need to choose your battles when dealing with newly assertive 2 and 3 year olds.  OK, I thought that’s a good idea.  I can remember my husband telling me that when my boys were teenagers and I wanted them to stay close to home when they were ready to start cutting the apron strings. 

Brazelton stated that tantrums are important to children, it helps them to make their own choices.  Example, “I want the orange shirt, not the red one.” This is why you, the parent, need to pick your battles.  He also stated not to be surprised if your child “melts down” when you say no.  This is the new term for temper tantrum.  This is what children do today, they have “melt downs.”  My generation has never heard of a melt down.  We pulled out a belt or a wooden spoon and applied it where God intended it to be used.  Then we gave the child some “space” so they could consider what they were punished for and followed up with love and affirmation. 

When my boys were in the youth department, they went on a church ski trip.  The youth pastor at the time took his family with him on the bus ride to the ski resort.  When they returned home, they told my husband and I how horrible the children of the youth pastor were and how undisciplined they were.  In their opinion, they ruined the trip for everyone on the bus.  All because the parents did not discipline them but allowed them to express themselves with tantrums and meld downs.  After a long discussion of the trip and their own upbringing, both boys looked at us and actually “thanked” us for the discipline they received growing up. Because they saw first hand how important it was to grow up polite and mannerly with boundaries. We were blown away!  Now, don’t get me wrong, my boys were far from perfect, very far!!!  But looking back, we loved them and nurtured them in the love of the Lord by following the guidelines in the Word, not by some secular doctor who believes tantrums are important.

Storm Warning - Tony Manley

I admit I enjoy the “hype” of snow storm warnings!  The constant updating of the weather and all the details of temperatures, times, and predictions; the preparation of food; getting the house and laundry clean; and having a good book ready for reading.  All that goes into making it an event versus just weather.  The anticipation of a storm over the last few days put me in prep mode.   All was ready and I felt very virtuous.  (“When it snows, she has no fear for her household…”Prov. 31:21).  In my heart, because I had prepared, I was ready to sit back and “enjoy” the predicted storm!  On the big day, I got up and saw no evidence of what was coming, and I felt a little disappointed at the prospect of “they” missed it again!  Yet in my heart, the Holy Spirit was so kind to talk to me about how I intentionally, physically prepare for predicted storms in my life versus how I spiritually handle the unexpected, ”unpredicted” storms (my attitude, fear factor, dread).  God’s Word is my unshakable, consistent, always true standard for any storm at any time. I know God’s heart for me is to truly be so prepared for the promised and sometimes unpredicted  storms (John 16:33-“In this world you will have trouble”) by hiding His word in my heart, believing Him, clinging to Him, intentionally releasing the storm, and reaping the rest that comes as He overwhelms with His peace that passes all understanding (Isa. 26:3).  OK, I just checked – the clouds are thickening, the temperature and moisture level are right…looks like conditions are right for a “good” storm and I am ready!  (I think!)

"Paths" - Tony Manley

In the last few months, God has been very intentionally teaching me about paths.  The purpose and types of paths – the path of righteousness (Ps. 23), path of Your commands (Ps. 119), path of the upright (Ps. 15), path of life (Pr. 15), path of the righteous (Is. 26), path of peace (Lk. 1), path beyond tracing (Rom.11), path for your feet (Heb. 12), and path of life (Acts 2).  Other scriptures have told me good reasons to stay on God’s paths – protection (Ps. 119:104), direction (Ps. 119: 105), wisdom (Ps. 119:27-28), instruction (Ps. 25:4), provision (Pr. 3:6), consistency (Is. 26:7), and my testimony (2 Cor. 6: 3).  I am sure there are more truths and principles, but God is gracious to only give me “a few” to begin applying!  Paths often have surprises (especially when I am not the path guide!).  I am learning each day’s path is truly individualized for my heart by the only Guide whose ways and heart are pure 100% of the time.  The paths have unexpected moments, circumstances, and people who are lovely, scary, and my personal favorite(?) unexpecteds!!! Yet, how perfect for me that the path of this day is designed, led by, and walked with God Himself.  But one thing I never have to wonder is where the path is going .  I know at the end of my day(s), all God’s paths for me lead to home…a glorious end to my path.  How great is that!

"Stopping to 'Smell the Roses'" Nellita Young

Some years ago friends of mine toured a well known rose garden while on their vacation out of state.   While strolling down the many beautiful pathways, they spent an hour or so just enjoying the time together and “smelling the roses.”  After all that walking, the couple decided to go into town to have lunch at one of the local restaurants.  As the friendly waitress took their orders, she commented, “Oh, you’ve been to the rose gardens, haven’t you?”  My friends looked rather surprised at her and said, “Why, yes, - we have, but how did you know?”  The waitress smiled and then replied, “Oh, the smell … the fragrance of the roses lingers on your clothing, and I could still smell the roses on you!”

Exodus 34: 29 – 30a states, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.  When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant … .”  Upon reading this, I began to think, “What about me?  Do I have a glow about me when I have been with the Lord?  Can others tell when I have been spending time with Him - the Rose of Sharon??  … Or not!!??”

When a waitress is slow getting my food to me at the restaurant or when the customer service personnel on the phone does not meet my needs, can they tell that the fragrance of Jesus is on me by my attitude?  If others look at me, can they tell by my demeanor that I am trusting in One much stronger and wiser than I to get me through my circumstance, regardless of how difficult it is?  When others hear the choice of words that I use or watch the way I act outside of church, can they tell that I am a follower of Christ?  I daresay that when we have truly spent time with Him … leisurely strolling through His Word and enjoying His very presence … others will certainly be able to tell because the beautiful fragrance of Him will still be clinging to us.  “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life”  (2 Cor. 2: 14 -16a).

Oh, -- have you noticed, too, that being around “fake roses” will not leave a precious fragrance on you??  Substituting other things for quality time with the Lord – yes, even good things (After all, many fake flowers look almost authentic!!) – will not result in a sweet aroma.  Eventually, when put to the test, their deception is revealed.  I have some beautiful artificial flowers in a vase in my home that look almost real, and many times I have noticed visitors bending down to smell them.  They have quickly realized that there is no fragrance and that they are just a reproduction.  Have you realized, too, that a quick run through the garden won’t offer the same results either??  Taking the time to quickly read a few verses in God’s Word or rushing through a “God bless what’s-his-name” prayer will not produce that same sweet aroma!  So, it is my prayer that each of us as believers will take the time to really study and to meditate upon His Word and to spend quality time in conversation with Him – both talking and listening.

So, stroll through His beautiful Garden of Wisdom; stop and “smell the roses.”  Then, hopefully others will be able to look at us and say, “There is something really special about them!  They just seem to have a glow that others do not have.  They must have been spending time with Jesus!”

"How to Add Style to Your Wardrobe" - Kristi Childs

Kristi Childs is a church member and Independent Distributor for Premier Designs High Fashion Jewelry.

The quickest way to add style to your wardrobe is through accessories.  Accessories add flair to any basic wardrobe.  Accessories can update an old outfit.  They bring a designer look to affordable clothing.  Accessories are style—style you can create yourself.  Accessories and the ways that you wear them make a bolder statement about who you are than your clothing does.

Here are some essential items for your basic wardrobe.  An essential item is any item that is simple, classic and ever-usable.  Essentials are items that are always safe to be seen in, always appropriate to wear.

*A black pant suit                                      *A white t-shirt

*A neutral skirted suit                               *A white blouse

*A khaki trouser                                        *A black dress

*A denim shirt                                           *A pair of jeans

Essential earrings:

*Gold earrings     

*Pearl earrings     

*Silver earrings    

*Hoop earrings  

Essential necklaces:

*A single strand of pearls

*A long strand of pearls that is about 30”-36”        

*A sturdy gold or silver chain that is choker style or one that rests just above the collar bone

*A medium length gold or silver chain that is about 18”-24”

Pay attention to proportion.  You want to choose accessories that make you look taller and slimmer.  Your accessories should be in proportion to your size.  For example, tiny jewelry and small scarves can make a plus sized woman look larger while huge jewelry and big scarves can make a petite woman look even smaller.

"Lining Up" - Tony Manley

Teaching in an elementary hallway, I hear several times a day “get in line,” “turn around and face the front,”  and “watch where you are going.”  This morning in a devotional setting, we were reminded about Jesus praying “not my will, but thine.”  Even Jesus wanted to be so in line with God’s heart and plans that He would submit and surrender in complete obedience.  Jesus knew by being in line with God’s leading, he would never have to regret or fear the outcome.   As I watch children, I see a natural tendency to want to wander out of line and look back to see what is going on behind them, and then the inevitable bumping into somebody else – basically – being in the wrong place and space!! The Holy Spirit speaks to me urging me to see myself as one that tends to want to get out of line and wander, to turn around and look at what I might have missed or didn’t need to see, and then I find myself being in the wrong place and space which causes my heart to stumble!  When God leads me to pray “not my will, but thine,” He is asking me to bring my heart, my desire, my need under or behind Him because He knows that is where my protection, peace, satisfaction, contentment, provision, wisdom, joy…(the list goes on) comes. The next time I hear, “get in line, face the front, and watch where you are going,” I will smile knowing my Teacher also speaks those words to my heart.