This year’s fabulous Fridays will include a Bible Boot Camp for children ages 3 through 11. We’ll be getting back to basics on our spiritual growth. Studies will be incorporated into our Sunday School hour (Sunday at 9:30am), Wednesday night Bible Studies (7pm) and Friday mornings (9:30am until noon). Fieldtrips will begin around noon on Fridays until 2pm or 3pm depending on distance) There will be no charge, except to purchase a T-shirt (optional) - $12

Friday, July 10th - Colquitt Co. Art Center

Friday, July 17th - Chehaw Park & Zoo
Bring a sack lunch

Friday, July 24th - YMCA ~ Soccer Fun

Friday, July 31st - Jungle Gym in Valdosta

Register on by June 17th in order to get your t-shirt.

call the church office 985-6365 Or e-mail office@moultriefirst.org.

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My regular Bible reading comes to me by e-mail through www.powerby4.org The subject this whole week has been on prayer which has really been pricking my heart. We need to be praying more, folks. What will it take for us to actually fall to our knees and get serious with God? I’m also participating in a 21-day spiritual renewal to get into the word and learn scripture. Of course, it has been hitting the subject of prayer as well.

The other day I was given an “aha” moment that I’ve not had time to share, but I definitely will. But today I had to take time. My Bible reading portion was from Daniel. It was his prayer to God when Darius became king. Wow! It sounded like something you could pray right now. Today on National Day of Prayer while our president ignores God.

I urge you to go read it, pray it, print it out and pray it several times today and all through the week. I read it from The Message. But if you go to this link, you can select whatever version you like. Maybe choose a different version every time you pray it.

If you can you might add some fasting to the mix. If you can’t fast food, how fasting FACEBOOK, or surfing the net, or video games. Ouch!

Here’s the link …

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=34&chapter=9&version=65

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Check out these original poems written by the Academy English Class. Hope you enjoy them. Feel free to leave your comments; however, all comments are being monitored.

If you are not already at the Sigma Chi Mu website, click on this link www.sigmachimu.com

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My Wednesday Night Bible Study has been filled with girls for some time now and I’ve had a desire to do something totally girlish. I finally decided to go forward with a Book Study on “The Princess and the Kiss” which is a very gentle approach to purity for young girls. I strongly feel that the time to talk about these things is while they will still listen. That means preteen maybe even 8 or 10 years old. Anyway, this is a great book for your daughter ….. or your son …

The Princess and the Kiss/ The Squire and the Scroll By Jennie Bishop / Warner Press  Whimsically illustrated, the Jennie Bishop Set of storybooks offers “his and hers” lessons on the timeless virtues of purity and courage. In The Princess and the Kiss, a king and queen present their daughter with a gift from God—to keep or give away. And in The Squire and the Scroll, a brave young lad fearlessly defends “the lantern of purest light” against all enemies—including a fire-breathing dragon! Approx. 32 pages each, hardcovers, Warner.

If you ready to talk more about the birds and the bees, here’s a great series of books to check out. They are set up by suggested age beginning at 4 years old and up to 14. It’s good to have these books around to help you out when your child starts asking questions.

God’s Design for Sex Series, 4 Books: Revised By Stan & Brenna Jones, Carolyn Nystrom / NAV Press  Prepare your kids now for the pressures and relationships they’ll experience as teens and adults. These award-winning illustrated books give you age-appropriate biblically based information to help you talk openly with your children about sex and answer their questions about God’s design for families; breastfeeding; puberty; intercourse; and tough issues like homosexuality. Four softcovers, from NavPress.

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When your child enters high school, try as soon as possible to assess her/his goals for college/tech school/vocational school. This will help you know what type of courses will be needed. Re-assess this EVERY year.

If possible even get down to two or three schools of preference. Contact them and find out exactly what they will be looking for when you get ready to apply.

A few things I have learned now that my son is entering his senior year ….

Liberal arts colleges and universities (in general, maybe not always) do NOT want to see a GED score. This is a flag for “high school drop out”. These schools will be looking largely at SAT scores, written essays, community service, and probably a personal interview. So work on these things.

Technical and Vocational Schools want you to have taken the GED. They may also want to see ITBS or equivalent type scores during the high school years. Again check with your particular school. Another note to consider if there is any chance you will want to transfer to a university following tech school. BE SURE that the credits WILL transfer to the university system.

My personal note about attending Christian college..

1) It is worth every penny.

2) There are usually rules which keep our kids from going totally wild and protect them.

3) Most courses are taught from a Biblical Worldview or at least it is presented. This is where my christian beliefs became mine rather than just what my parents told me.

4) Student/teacher ratio is much smaller. Professors and administration actually care about the students and want them to succeed. They actually will know your child by name!

5) I also have found that Christian schools seem to be the most flexible. They want your student. And they will do what it takes to get them there.

6) By the way, do not assume that you cannot afford Christian schooling. These schools usually have a lot of private scholarships to award.. academic, musical, sports, etc. They try very hard to make it work for you. And (at least for now) Pell Grants and other government financial aid are also available. Go through the application process before totally ruling out this option.

7) Chances of them finding a wonderful Christain spouse increase greatly!

At least consider sending your child for one year, preferably the first year. I would be a kind of transitional time for them… being on their own with limits. (I know it is hard to think of sending them away to school, but it will not kill you or your child.)

Blessings!

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Just a quick note to let you know that we are starting another 21 Days to Spiritual Renewal starting on May 1, 2009. This is our 1 year anniversary of Wordkeeping, and the Lord has blessed abundantly! I know I’m ready for another revival experience, where I can set aside 21 days to focus on spiritual matters, and put aside all the secular media that can get us off track. I’m actually looking forward to staying away from the news for 3 weeks, because it has really been depressing lately. To just have a time to saturate our minds with the words of Scripture will be a tremendous blessing. And how much we need that emphasis right now, because of all that is going on in our messed up world.

I invite you to join with me in this spiritual retreat. Make sure that you sign up for the 21 Days to Spiritual Renewal, starting May 1 at http://www.Wordkeeping.com. If you have done this before, you know the routine. If it is new to you, take a look at the various pages on the website so you will know how to prepare. And be prepared for a real spiritual treat!

Just remember, the more out of control things get in this world, the more confidence we need in the One who has everything under control. And the way we get that confidence is by spending time in Bible study and prayer. We really need to be putting God’s Word in our hearts, now more than ever!

Hope to have you join with us.

May God bless you abundantly,

Linda Kirk

http://www.Wordkeeping.com

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The other day, I wanted a new fresh way to review with the quiz team.

I noticed in one of the classrooms a classic board game, Candy Land. This is a preschool game using colors instead of numbers and counting to move your piece. I wondered since I had the colored cards from my jeopary game (which I shared with your last fall) if there would be a way to use the cards with the board game.

Sure enough all the colors of the cards were represented on the game board! Here’s how we used the game…

1) A child draws a color card. Then she answers a question for a card with that color. If the answer is correct, she can move her game piece to the next block with that color and draws again. If she answers, incorrectly, her turn is over.

2) If a child draws a picture card, They would have to draw a scripture card and quote a scripture.

You can add variety by making them move their game token backwards if they miss the question.

There you have it. Another fun way to review those questions! Good Luck Georgia Quizzers, this Saturday at the State Meet!

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I am SOOOO proud of these kids. They really know Exodus. All these children have qualified for the State Finals.

Randi Tapscott - Moultrie First
*Kristopher Morse - Valdosta First
*Brialisse Sayre - Valdosta First
Ellie Deener - Waycross
*Deborah Bontrager - Moultrie First
*Marriam Conrad - Valdosta First
*Brooklyn Sheets - Moultrie First
*Mikaela Farmer - Moultrie First

*Sarah and *Ally Dickt from Waycross(scores not in yet). We send condolences to their family in the loss of their grandfather.

Kudos to our Coaches
Waycross - Christy Dickt & Teresa Deener
Valdosta - Janice Hines
Moultrie - Donna Tapscott & Colleen Sheets

*Astericks indicates those who have recited all 20 scripture verses.

State Finals will be held at Macon Shurlington Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, March 21st. Contestants for Regionals AND World Quiz Meets will determined at this meet. Be prepared to register on this day for both of these events.

To qualify for S.E. US Regionals (in Atlanta, April 24 & 25) -You must have recited at least 10 verses by zone finals and place in the top 15.

To advance for the World Quiz Meet in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, June 27th. You must score with at least 85% correct at the State meet. Registration fee is $30.

Great Job kids! Keep up the good work. Hope to see you again next year when we study Joshua, Judges, and Ruth

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Congratulations to our smart Bible Quizzers …

1st Place - Ellie Deener (Waycross) & Brooklyn Sheets (Moultrie)

2nd Place - Ally Dickt (Waycross)

3rd Place - Mikaela Farmer (Moultrie)

4th Place - Deborah Bontrager (Moultrie)

The following have quoted all 20 scripture verses:

Mariaam Conrad (Valdosta)

Sarah Dickt, Ally Dickt (Waycross)

Brooklyn Sheets, Mikaela Farmer, Deborah Bontrager (Moultrie)

Zone Finals will be at Valdosta on Feb 21st.

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I started reading a new book that every mom of a daughter needs. It’s “Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter” by Vicki Courtney. This book will help you help your child get a right perspective on life, but even before that, you may have to deal with some of these issues yourself. I encourage you to do it, to save your daughter the heartache you have dealt with.

I’m only on the 2nd conversation, but this is good stuff. She has brought to light alot on things that, even if our girls know it, they are not believing it. Let’s try to help them!

The book was just released in October. Last week, Vicki began an online book study. The book study will stay active so go ahead and get the book and join in. In May, she will be releasing a Bible Study with Beth Moore based on this book. Find out more about Vicki at www.vickicourtney.com

To get to the online book study go to www.virtuealert.com and then click on the “5 Conversations” ICON.

Buy the book here …

5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter By Vicki Courtney / B & H Publishing Group In 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter, youth culture expert Vicki Courtney gives moms straight talk about keeping the lines of communication open and honest with their daughters from cradle to college. Vicki helps parents pinpoint and prepare the discussions that need to be ongoing so that girls will know the truth about life before they believe the culture’s lies. Conversation tips are grouped by age groupings: 5 and under, 6 to 11, and 12 and up. Paperback.

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