The SG Notebook

There once was a young man who wanted to learn to do something which was vital to his existence. He wanted to learn to read. George Washington Carver was that young man with an insatiable desire to learn. And learn he did. All of his life. It all began with a Bible given to him as a teenager, and a habit developed which set the course of his life: He read it every day.

I invite you to read about his life, which was one of perseverance and resourcefulness. As you read, you’ll find the life of one born black at a time when that meant getting an education was a rarity. Read, and let your children read, about a life that resisted suppression and embraced hard work and achievement. Read about how we’ve all benefited from this one life. And it all started by reading his Bible. Go to Glimpses for Kids for the full story.

This is a great book to use in your homeschool. Let your children practice their penmanship while learning about character qualities and Scripture verses. The nostalgic line drawings are lovely. It also can be used as a devotional study in your family. We appreciate every opportunity where your children can learn about character, a forgotten issue these days. This inexpensive book would be a great addition to your schooling of any age. Go to the product page for more info.

Talk to you soon.

Maxine (a/k/a Nanna)

It seems that this is the month to talk about China. China is the featured country in the VOM magazine and at the VOM children’s website. So my hero post for this week was chosen with that in mind.

Gladys Aylward. Read her story to your children from the online Glimpses for Kids. Ask your young ones to tell you how feet and walking fit into her story. Ask them to remember what she did for almost 100 orphaned children. Ask them why they think she was a heroine.

Don’t forget about our “Child of Courage” page in our Speakables section. This month we’ve been focusing on the children in the Chinese schools. If you print out that article and let your kids read and write about it, maybe God will put a love for China into their hearts. Perhaps they’ll want to pray for that land and who knows, by God’s grace, they might want to go there someday, as Gladys Aylward did.

Maxine (a/k/a Nanna)

Did you get to go to a Bible study this week? Many of us can answer yes to that question. We got into our cars and drove to the study, Bible and notebook in hand and were blessed by what we learned. That’s what I did today. We had our monthly ladies study for our church and received the usual blessings that accompany that time. There is something else that we usually do and today was no exception. We pray for the persecuted church.

This time our focus was China, because that’s the featured country in the VOM magazine for this month. We prayed for the people there who attend underground Bible schools, where they suffer considerably cold temperatures, but they continue to study on. They know that they are under extreme risk of imprisonment for going outside of the weak Government sanctioned churches, but they continue to study on. VOM calls them Schools of Suffering. These saints want to know Bible truth and they want to know all that is taught in God’s Word, because they love Jesus. Even if they have to endure suffering to do so. It’s not only China. Many who love the true God in various parts of the world have to suffer persecution for loving Him and serving Him.

Let’s please not forget these dear ones. Let’s not forget to pray diligently for them. There is no end to the many forms of suffering they endure. One thing we can do is read some of their stories. The VOM blog is a good place to go to get information about our afflicted sisters and brothers. Go and find out more. Then, I’m sure you’ll at least pray.

I’ll be talking about the persecuted church from time to time here on this blog. It’s the least I can do.

Maxine (a/k/a Nanna)

What do your children know about Adoniram Judson? Do they know that he could read books at the age of three and read and write Latin and Greek at age nine? He was often called “Virgil”, which was a nickname for “bookworm.” Let your sons and daughters read about this hero of our faith who rightfully considered education a good thing, but by and by found a better treasure, which became the impetus that sent him and his faithful wife to a country where they endured many hardships. Why do such a thing? Why go to such a place? For the love of Christ—what else? Go to Glimpses for Kids at CHI and encourage your children with a hero unlike those they will see on any TV show or movie. Let them hear or read how this man used his intellectual abilities and love of language for the kingdom of God.

We now have Keys for Kids right here, on our site. These are great stories for your children 8-12 to read and children of all ages will enjoy listening online. Come daily or whenever you and your family want to hear a cute story with a Biblical application. Maybe you could all listen during breakfast or lunch. Hope you enjoy them!

Talk to you soon.

Maxine (a/k/a Nanna)

Yesterday, an old friend forwarded a photo to some folks, including our family. This photo tore my heart to pieces. Some of you may have seen this Pulitzer Prize winning picture before, as it was taken during the Sudan famine in 1994. It was heart wrenching. Extremely so. A child struggling, literally crawling, across the terrain trying to get to a United Nations station where there was help. In the background was a vulture, waiting. Dear friends, I couldn’t stand looking at this picture. Actually, I couldn’t eat for a while. But, of course, I did eat eventually and will eat again. And again.

It’s not known if this child made it to his destination. It’s not known if the vulture had the meal he was hoping for. Please folks, I implore you, let’s never forget the hungry and starving. They’ll always be, I am sad to say. If we can find any way to get nourishment to them, please let’s do our best to help. Maybe we could do with a little less for ourselves. Maybe not buy that new couch or DVD player this year. I don’t mean to preach to you—I’m speaking to myself too.

Long ago, someone did help—with his whole life. Most of us have heard of this particular hero: David Livingstone, missionary to Africa. He healed many who were sick and told many of Christ. Go to Glimpses for Kids to read his story to your children. And when you do, speak to them about the hungry–the hungry in body and hungry in soul. Then, help your dear little ones to pray for the starving wherever they may be and for those who give their all to help them. Ah, that some of our children would do the same!

Question: Who Made You? Answer: God. What a question. What an answer. This is the opening question/answer team to the Catechism for Young Children, used by parents to teach biblical truths to very young children for decades. We have this booklet now. Add it to your order and use it as God leads. It costs little and weighs little.

Take care.

Maxine (a/k/a Nanna)

Have you ever heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer? I’m sorry to admit that I knew little of his life before today and may I say, his life is well worth reading about. Mr. Bonhoeffer was a German during the worst time in that nation’s history. He was a theologian and a pastor who cared about the persecuted people of his day. Though he was a pacifist, he became part of a plot to kill Adolf Hitler in the hope of saving the further extermination of Jewish people. The plot failed and Mr. Bonhoeffer landed in prison for that and for helping Jews escape the country. He spent his last days in prison, but remained useful even there. He pastored other Christians there and even authored writings for the glory of God while there. He was executed on April 9, 1945, having been seen minutes before in his cell, kneeling in fervent prayer.

To read more about this remarkable man who “knew and lived the cost of discipleship,” click here to the CHI website. He is well worth your children knowing about.