Substitutionary Atonement for Kids

I really wanted to repost from a blog that the Pastors from my church keep. The blog is called Christocentric (from bethelgrace.org). An excellent Pastor (my hubby) wrote the following blog a few weeks back and everytime I read it, I'm overcome with gratefulness...Enjoy and be encouraged!

Substitutionary Atonement for kids
September 20, 2010

Recently I had the opportunity to teach one of my children about substitutionary atonement. As is the case for any parent who loves their children, I found myself in the position of needing to hand out some discipline. On this particular occasion the sin was of the nature that not only required the withholding of blessings (no treats) but also needed to be preceded with a swat. The parties that were sinned against had been talked to and reconciliation had been achieved. It was time for the dreaded walk into the bedroom. As I explained what was about to happen I also explained that God punishes every sin. I explained that I had to do what was right and give a discipline in the form of a swat. With an understanding head nod, my child laid across my lap, eyes closed and teeth clinched, waiting for the pending punishment to be delivered. Swinging with more power and force than normal, I connected with my own hand that was covering my child’s bottom. “You hit your own hand!” Pleased but confused was the response. Putting my child on my lap we took a look at the welt that was now rising on my hand. I immediately thought of Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”

With tears streaming down both of our faces I explained that Jesus takes our punishment upon Himself. The punishment that we should have received because of our sin.

I explained that I wouldn’t always take the punishment, but this time I wanted to show that God loves us so much that even when we were sinners Christ took our punishment on the cross. Kind of like Daddy taking the swat that you deserved.

As my child rubbed my welted hand in consolation, I knew that on some level the lesson made sense.

It was a good bonding time for us and turned into a wonderful time for me to worship at the foot of the cross once again as I thanked My God for taking upon His body the wages of my sin and the wonderful healing that comes from trusting in His shed blood for me.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Blessings,

Alvin

Busy, busy!

Our days have been full! I figured i'd update with some recent pictures at least, for now. :) hugs!

New School Year

New school year pictures! These kids are great fun!! This year we will be learning about History, Geography, Math and Science! We will also practice Spelling, Writing and Reading!! Art, Cooking and Bible are three of my favorites that we'll do too!! I am excited!! I have 2 out of 3 kids excited too!!! (I'm still figuring out how to inspire the other kiddo)...

My Darling

Recently we celebrated my darling Kennedy's 6th birthday!!! I absolutely adore this girl! She is an absolute joy! She loves life! We have so much fun together and already have meaningful talks of how to love others and live her life for God's glory! I really think this girl is quite amazing! Here are some pics of her birthday celebration during her first trip to American Girl!

Thank you Heavenly Father for the gift of my children! Thank you for the growth you have given me through being their Mama. I pray that all my children will love you and desire to live their life for you from an early age. I pray for Kennedy; that she will be a godly young girl/woman who loves you and your word. Please allow Kennedy and me to keep a tight bond of friendship as she grows in maturity. Thank you again Lord for her life, may she yield herself to you always, Amen.

The Saviour

This summer I have had such a wonderful time writing a Bible Study on the book of Romans. Periodically throughout the study, I am including some puritan prayers from the book Valley of Vision, A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Here is one beautiful prayer to echo.

† THE SAVIOUR

Thou hast given me a Saviour,
produce in me a faith to live by Him, to make Him all my desire, all my hope, all my glory.

May I enter Him as my refuge,
build on Him as my foundation, walk in Him as my way, follow Him as my guide, conform to Him as my example,
receive His instructions as my prophet, rely on His intercession as my high priest, obey Him as my king.

May I never be ashamed of Him or His words,
but joyfully bear His reproach, never displease Him by unholy or imprudent conduct, never count it a glory if I take it patiently when buffeted for a fault, never make the multitude my model, never delay when thy Word invites me to advance.

May thy dear Son preserve me from this present evil world,
so that its smiles never allure, nor its frowns terrify, nor its vices defile, nor its errors delude me.

May I feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on earth,
declaring plainly that I seek a country, my title to it becoming daily more clear, my meetness for it more perfect,
my foretastes for it more abundant, and whatsoever I do
may it be done in thy Saviour’s name.

Starfall.com

Starfall.com is an amazing educational website full of games that teach preschool to the "reading on your own" stage. Most games teach phonics which has been great with teaching my own kids to read. (Side note, I also recommend the book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann--$14.96 on Amazon). Starfall also has loads of fun lessons on poetry, art, the body and music. I LOVE that my then 2 year old daughter knew who wrote the classical "Can Can". In the priorities of child training and life, it's not too important but it is a fun little extra! (BTW, it's Jacques Offenbach). You could even teach your child to recognize Beethoven's 9 symphonies! (I didn't). I could go on and on about starfall.com! With the younger kids, parents can sit with them and maneuver the mouse. When your child learns to maneuver the mouse, he can do the games on his own because the directions are said aloud on the site! My three kids, ages 7, 5, and 4 love this site and between the 3 of them, they could spend hours on this site exploring and learning! Most times, I have them each take a 20 minute turn being the "mouser" (a term my 4 yr old made up for the person controlling the mouse), as they all interact with the lesson. Check it out and have fun learning!

Sweet Girls

Noelle and cousin Abbey.
Isn't this a sweet picture?!

Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!

Thank you Lord for the gift of family and friendship. I pray that these girls will know you as their Savior, love you and live for you all of their days! Amen.