Cathy Jo’s Blog

It Is Finished: Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross

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Daily Truth:   “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave  up His spirit. John 19:30

Silhouettes of Three Crosses

“It is finished!”  What powerful last words spoken by Jesus on the cross.   He had completed all that was asked of Him by God the Father.

Do we follow what God asks of us?  At the end of our lives we want to hear, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”  We want to be great  wives, moms, and grandmothers.  Yet, how much time to spend on daily physical chores and neglect taking care of our own daily spiritual growth which affects our relationships to those we love most on this earth?

Maybe we should think about each day when it is finished and reflect on the questions like: What did I do for eternity today?,  What did I do to point my child or grandchild toward Christ? Did I spend time reading God’s Word today? Did I ask God for wisdom in situations that arose today?

As the mother of 3 children within 27 months I remember those days when I thought I was doing good to get meals on the table (well highchair, table, and bouncy chair as I tapped that with my foot while feeding the child in the highchair), clean clothes and house, toys somewhat put away, three baths, and then bedtime stories as my head began to nod.

In these days of Covid 19, families are doing much more than just the normal routines.  Some are teaching, working from home, trying to figure out what to cook with the ingredients they have…and the list goes on.

God has a way of getting our attention in a dramatic way sometimes and this is one of those times.   The entire world is looking around and really realizing all the planning and organization is totally out of our control.  Except, we can control what we think upon and act upon.  It makes me think of the verse, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

The most important thing we can do is to point our children to Christ.  It’s not about a clean house, playgroups, great meals, jobs, or volunteer  work in our community or church.  The most important thing we can to do is to tell our children about Christ and to show them how much He loved us.  Parenting, in all our lives, needs to  more intentional about teaching Christ.

Times  are crazy, or are they?   God has slowed us down so we can spend time learning and then teaching about God and His love to our families.  Children learn at such an early age.  Remember Moses was allowed to stay with his mother until he was finished nursing.  My how much she must have taught him before he went to live full time in the king’s court.

Times are busy and yes chaotic  but God is faithful and always provides wisdom and encouragement when  we ask.   We can grow spiritually with our children if we humble ourselves, apply God’s Word to ourselves and put our trust in Jesus Christ.  He loves us and died that we could have everlasting life.

Our life is not finished until God says that it is finished.  May we all learn God’s Word and ways and impart it to the next generation.

As we reflect today on this weekend and what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross may we see the great love and compassion that He showed us.  May we all share that love with the children God has placed in our lives. May we accomplish all that Jesus asks us to do and have a willing spirit to follow wherever God may lead us.  May we finish well.

Mark 10:27 “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.'”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

Let the Children Come

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Daily Truth:   “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'”  Matthew 19:14

 

Jesus views us as children.  “For such is the kingdom of heaven” means that heaven is

Jesus and childrenfor all of God’s children who have come to Him while on earth.

 

One day several years ago, my husband and I were so happy for one of our children as they were accomplishing a goal that they had sought for a long time.  In that very day we also received a call about one of our other children’s huge disappointment. We were so happy for one child yet so very saddened for our other child.

As I thought about the circumstances over that weekend I felt as though I had maybe an inkling of how God feels when He looks at us. He sees all His children at one time.  What great joy He has looking  at some of his children yet what grief He has looking at His other children. The range of emotions is difficult for a mother but as I cried out to God, He calmed my heart and allowed me to feel His love in a new way.  No matter the circumstance He loves us!  A mother’s love for her children is similar in that love is a constant factor no matter what is changing in the world or what our children are doing.

When I read the words “Let the children come unto me” I know that God is talking to me as well as my children.  Those words bring comfort to me and encouragement that I need to share with my children.

This weekend as we celebrate Palm Sunday, Jesus’ joyful entrance into Jerusalem, let us remember the joy and yet the grief God must have had as His only Son rode that donkey as everyone shouted, “Hosanna”.

God’s love is great. God’s forgiveness is great.  God’s mercy is great.  God’s grace is great.

Have your children wave palm branches this Sunday and pretend that Jesus;  this one who  made the blind to see, the lame to walk, dead to rise and spoke of God and the Scriptures like no other coming down the road to your home town. Help them experience the great joy the Jewish children and parents must have felt as Jesus rode by them as He came into Jerusalem.

“Let the children come unto Me”.

Let us share the love of Jesus to the children God has entrusted to our care.  Let us share in the joy of that  wonderful entrance into Jerusalem.

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Need to be Afraid

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Daily Truth:  “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

   Psalm 27:1

Wian 29
Illustration from the children’s book,
“What’s in a Name?” by Cathy Jo Johnson

 

Have you ever been afraid?   The word “afraid” can be found 216 times in the NKJV of the Bible. God gives us accounts in the Bible where men, women, and children are afraid.  God also shows us how He rescues, protects, and gives grace to people.

According to the “Harvard Mental Health Letter” of December 2004 “A child’s world is full of dangers, real and imaginary, that many adults forget they ever experienced… Children’s minds and emotions are constantly changing and developing, and they do not all develop at the same rate, so it is not always easy to distinguish normal fears from those that require special attention. Newborns typically fear falling and loud noises. Fear of strangers begins as early as six months and persists until the age of two or three. Preschool children usually fear being separated from their parents; they may also be afraid of large animals, dark places, masks, and supernatural creatures.”

As parents we need to take care in providing a safe environment for our children.  As much as we would love to hold them and protect them their entire life we cannot and should not.

It is important for parents to have a strong prayer life.  As the mother of three children born within 27 months people often said, “They must keep you on your toes?”  Which I replied, “They keep me on my knees.”  Understanding that some things were in my control yet all things were in God’s control which was a constant help to me.

We try to remain calm when afraid so our children will not be fearful. By having a time with the LORD each day (no matter how short or long depending on our season of life) helps us to maintain calmness amidst fear.

The most important thing to take away fear is trust.  When children know that you are there to nourish, care, protect, and love them their fears are reduced and trust is built.  Our jobs as parents is to then build upon that trust and teach them to trust God.

When life situations arise, point out how God cares and protects.  Take pictures and frame those moments so your child can be reminded of God’s goodness.  Pray for others and keep a journal of those prayer requests.  Praise God for answered prayers and record in the journal so you can go back and remind your child of God’s working.  Just as the Israelites made  stone monuments in specific locations to mark God’s working we too need to make visual reminders of God’s working in our lives and those of our children’s.

Verses to teach your children about not being afraid and trusting God include:

  1.  “The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”      Psalm 27:1
  2.  “…The LORD is my helper; I will not fear…” Hebrews 13:6
  3. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid…” Deuteronomy 31:6 a
  4.  “…He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 b

Some Bible lessons that show fear from people yet  teach trust in God:

  1.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego  in Daniel 3 of the Bible
  2. Crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 of the Bible
  3. Jesus Calms a Storm in Matthew 8:23-27   

Learning the names of God helps to take away fear and build trust.

“What’s in a Name?” is a children’s book for ages 4-8 that teaches about some of the names of God.  The name of God shown in the above illustration is the name “El Roi”. “El Roi” means the God who sees.  God sees when we are afraid.  He will take care of us. When we learn the Hebrew names of God we learn more about God.  Each of His special names teaches us a characteristic about Himself.  God loves us and can be trusted to take care of us in all situations.  We do not need to be afraid.

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Steps to Follow: Following Jesus

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Daily Truth:   “Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.”

 Psalm 85:13

In His Steps: Sheldon, Charles M.

 

 

You have probably seen the WWJD bracelets.  Did you know that they were based on the book In His Steps?

 

 

 

 

 

The story In His Steps was story written by Charles M. Sheldon in 1896.  It was read a chapter at a time to young people on Sunday evenings in the Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas.  “The Reverend Sheldon found that reading a dramatic story illustrating Christian principles in the everyday lives of ordinary people, like Jesus’ parables, drew crowds of young people to the church on Sunday evenings.”

“Sheldon’s church and church groups around the world took the book’s pledge to ask ‘What would Jesus do?’  He received dozens of letters a day relating how that pledge had changed lives, restored families, strengthened relationships, cleaned up business practices and politics, and given peace and joy to countless believers.”

“Newspapers and magazines serialized In His Steps.  This simple but inspired religious novel changed the work in the early twentieth century.”  An estimated thirty million copies in fifteen languages worldwide have been published.  Due to faulty copyright Sheldon did not earn very much money from his bestselling book.  It is said that he rejoiced knowing that the message was so popular.

The story is told through ordinary people led by their pastor.  These ordinary people take a pledge to ask “What would Jesus do?” whenever they are asked to make a decision.   Each person’s story emphasizes the importance of immediate obedience and personal Christian action in daily choices.

Sheldon’s great-grandson, Garrett W. Sheldon, wrote a contemporary retelling of his great-grandfather’s story and entitled it What Would Jesus Do?  This book possesses the same wonderful elements of the original story yet in a time period better understood for today’s reader.

It is exciting that a children’s book has also been written.  This book captures the same message as the original book and asks after each short story for the child to make a choice according to the life circumstance in the chapter.

what would jesus do cover

There is also a character building game based upon In His Steps.

What would Jesus do in the situations of life is a good question to ask ourselves.  It helps children (and adults) to think about their actions and act responsibly rather than impulsively. A Christian has the Holy Spirit to guide and direct. Yet, there is always a struggle between the “old man and the new man”.

These resources provide good practice for a life that brings honor and glory to God.

Until the next “Truth”sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

Quotes from:  In His Steps 100th Anniversary Collector’s Edition published by Broadman & Holman 1995

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share Saint Patrick’s Day Facts and Fun with Children

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 Saint Patrick’s Day with children…

3-leaf-clover

Saint Patrick’s Day is the celebration of a man that told his homeland of Ireland about Christ.

Saint Patrick is not really a saint with a capital S as he was never authorized by Rome.  He was a saint in the Christian definition as a saint is “one who is holy and set apart”.

Patrick was sixteen years old when he was taken from his homeland in a raid and became a slave.  He was taken to, at the time, the pagan country of Ireland.  While there he wrote that he prayed nearly a hundred times a day.  He was a slave for six years until he managed to escape.

After forty years he felt called to go back to Ireland and witness to the people there.  It has been said that he used the shamrock to witness by  explaining the Trinity.  Patrick introduced Latin to the people of Ireland.  Handwritten copies of the Bible were completed in Latin for the people of Ireland.  This replaced the awkward Ogham scripts.  He stayed in Ireland as a missionary until his death.

A good book to teach young children about St. Patrick’s Day is “The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day” by Patricia A. Pingry and Illustrated by Pamela R. Levy.

A fun snack to make is the Shamrock Shake:  Place 1 pint (2 cups) vanilla ice cream, 1 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract, and green food coloring into a blender.  Blend on high until smooth.  Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and green sprinkles.

A good craft to emphasize the trinity is the Shamrock Craft:  Cut the top off a green pepper. Place open end of pepper in green paint and begin stamping.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts

As read in the book of Philippians Paul greeted fellow Christians or saints with joy so too should we.  Bake some sugar cookies with your children and add green sprinkles or sugar to decorate.  Share these cookies and joy to your neighbors.

Paul and Patrick are examples of men that reached out to others.  They both told others about Jesus Christ and His Word.

Enjoy this day, reach out and share the Good News of Christ.

For more Saint Patrick’s Day craft and food fun please check out my Pinterest board http://truthsfortots.com/saint-patricks-day-facts-and-fun/

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

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Three leaf clover photo from Irishviews.com

Fingerplays Add Fun and Increase Attention Span

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Daily Truth:   “Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding…”  Proverbs 3:13

MP900227619

It is never too young to begin teaching children about God and the things of God. Below are some fingerplays to teach God’s precepts at an early age.

Loving Gifts from God
Loving gifts from God; (Point up.)
My father and mother, (Use index finger of one hand to touch middle and index finger of other hand.)
My sister, brother; (Touch little and ring fingers.)
These are gifts from God.  (Point up.)
 
Loving gifts from God; (Point up.)
A home so good, (Put fingertips of both hands together.)
My friends and food; (Wiggle fingers and then pretend to eat.)
These are gifts from God. (Point up.)
 
Jesus Is with Me
Jesus is with me all the time; (Point up, and then to self.)
He sees me when I play. (Jump lightly and clap hands.)
He watches when I eat or sleep; (Rest head on hands.)
He hears each word I say. (Cup hand behind ear.)
 
Jesus will help me anytime; (Point up, then to self.)
When I am sick in bed, (Lay head on hands.)
Or when I’m skipping down the walk; (Skip.)
He’s there-just as He said! (Point up, nod head yes.)
 
He watches when I read His Word; (Make open book with hands.)
He listens when I pray; (Fold hands in prayer.)
He sees me when I go to church; (Put hands overhead to make a church steeple.)
He’s with me every day! (Point up, then to self.)
 
Jesus Grew
Baby Jesus grew and grew,
Just as babies do.  (Move hands apart as lines are recited.)
From a baby, very small, (Rock “baby” in arms.)
Grew to be a man so tall. (Indicate man’s height.)
Jesus loves a child like me; (Point to self.)
He was once a child, you see. (Point up.)
 

These fingerplays are from Preschoolers Sing and Say by Regular Baptist Press.

Fingerplays increase attention span, add fun, and help teach concepts.  Have fun teaching God’s precepts to the children God has placed in your life.

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Learning Styles and Teaching Style Matter

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Daily Truth:  “You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”  Deuteronomy  11:19

group of children

Is it important to know the learning styles of children in order to teach children effectively?

According to Deuteronomy 11:19 we are to teach the things of God throughout the day. This seems like a big order in this day of technology, over commitments, fast food, and sometimes fast talk.  Yet, we need to slow down our lives so we will be able to tend well to our families. Teaching about God and His Word are the most important things we can do.

In order to make the most of  teaching moments it is good to know the learning style of your child.  There are several ways to categorize learning styles.

I will refer to  three learning styles:  auditory learner, visual learner and the kinesthetic learner. The auditory learner learns best by hearing the information being taught to them and then talking about what was learned.  The visual learner must see the process, facts, and concepts being taught.  The kinesthetic learner learns best while manipulating, touching, and working with the concepts being taught.

Watch children as they play to help determine their learning style.  An auditory learner will express themselves through their words.They may also enjoy music and various sounds. The visual learner will have more facial expression. They also enjoy watching and observing.  The kinesthetic learner will more likely express themselves through body language and manipulation of the objects being played with.  They may even want to take things apart to see how it works. They enjoy physical activity.

Our ultimate teacher example is Jesus Christ.  While on this earth he taught to the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learner.  Jesus used parables (a short story with a message) to teach. Oh how those auditory learners must have wanted to sit for hours listening and soaking in every word that Jesus said.  Jesus also taught to the visual learner.   He fed 5,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread!  What a site that would have been to see!  And then for the kinesthetic learner (some of the disciples)  each received a basket of food left over to carry with them after Jesus fed the 5,000 people.

Try to think of other examples from the Bible in which Jesus taught to the various learning styles.  It is exciting to see all the examples of teaching scenarios God’s Word provides for us.  It never ceases to amaze me how much we can learn from God’s Word.

Once we understand the learning style of the children God has placed around us we can more effectively teach each child. Just as Jesus taught in a variety of ways so too should we.  We need to know the dominant way in which the individual child learns but teaching to all children means we need to make sure that we as parents, grandparents, and teachers follow Jesus’ example and teach to all three learning styles.

Teaching the things of God while we “speak, sit, and walk” as told to us in Deuteronomy 11:19 covers the three learning styles.

Until the next “Truths” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

 

 

 

 

Going for the Gold, Why Not a Crown?

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Daily Truth:   “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Olympic gold medal

The Winter Olympics have been enjoyable to watch and when the athletes receive their awards it is a memorable moment.  In the first Olympics crowns of olive leaves were given as the awards. To receive an award for your efforts sets one apart from the others.  Why do we enjoy hearing the medal count for each country at the end of each broadcast? There is a competitive aspect and achievement recognition that interests us. It is good to see those who have worked hard be recognized for their efforts.

These elite athletes have overcome many obstacles in order to compete in this year’s Winter Olympics.  Some of the athletes have fought through injuries that most of us would still be recuperating from and in some sort of physical therapy.   Other athletes have overcome great grief of the death of loved ones. A bobsled was broken and there was a team working through the night to repair it so the athletes could compete the next day. What about Nick Goepper who learned to snowboard in the hills of southern Indiana?   He and his parents found a way in which he could perfect his skills to the point of becoming an Olympian and medalist.

What characteristics do these elite athletes have in common? Can we apply these characteristics to Christian parenting?

  • The Olympians fight through setbacks and injuries while becoming the elite athlete they each are today.  Do we focus on the situations in our life or do we focus on the prize? (Eternity with Jesus Christ and laying crowns at His feet.)  Prayer is important for the Christian.  Keep a family journal of prayer requests and answered prayer so children can see God.  Come back to those answered prayers in time of difficulty and remind children that God helped in the past and will help in the future.
  • The Olympic athletes must eat well in order to fuel their bodies to perform at this elite level.  As Christians we must feed on the things of God. Spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word are imperative if we want to finish this life well.  In order to teach our children to love the Lord we must spend time with God first and then share that love with our family.  Pray with your children before school. Have Bible fact night at the dinner table once a week.  Pray for a missionary before dinner. If your hear an ambulance pray for all concerned.  Be creative and see how many ways you can point your children toward God in a day.
  • Practice is imperative in order to become an Olympic athlete.  Have a time of Bible teaching with your children.  Memorize Scripture as a family.  Use teachable moments in nature to teach the things of God.  Practice is repetition and adding creativity to the repetition is key.  Make learning the things of God repetitive, fun, and creative.
  • Encouragement from mothers has been a theme of many advertisements during the broadcast of the Olympics.  As mothers we have a great responsibility to encourage our children in the things of God.  Just think of Hannah in the Old Testament and her son Samuel.  She brought him a coat each year he was growing up with Eli as an act of love and support.
  • The medal winners are very thankful for the people who have helped them on the arduous journey toward perfection of their specific sport. As Christians do we provide encouragement to others? Do we praise God for His Word that imparts so much and are we thankful for the Holy Spirit that wants to guide us in all things?  Let children see your praise and thankfulness of God and others. Help your children think of  “random acts of kindness”  to bless others.

We may never earn an Olympic medal but we all have the ability through Christ to earn a crown that we will want to lay at the feet of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown but we for an imperishable crown.”         1 Corinthians 9:24-25

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”  1 Thessalonians 2:19

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”  James 1:12

“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away”. 1 Peter 5:4

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:8

As this year’s Olympics come to a close and the medal count is posted consider the importance we are placing on the rewards God gives to us.  Are we teaching our children about God’s rewards?  Our we teaching them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind?   Let’s run this race well and teach to our children what counts for eternity.

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

 

 

 

 

Love, Not Just For Valentine’s Day

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 Daily Truth:   “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three:  but the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:13

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On Valentine’s Day love is written on conversation hearts, chocolates, and cards. Children make cards and parents buy cards to share on this special day.   According to Hallmark, 1,400 billion cards are made for Valentine’s Day.  Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in the amount of cards mailed.

There are thousands of books, poems, and songs written about love. Artwork, both paintings and sculptures depict this.   We long for and seek after love.

Why is love so important?  We are made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)  So we are made for love.

The Greek word “agape” is the type of love that means love, dear, and charity.

The greatest of faith, hope, and love is love.  “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”  1 John 4:16

This Valentine’s Day share love with your neighbors, family, and friends.  Make cookies and cards or do an act of kindness to share God’s love.   Teach your children about sharing with others.  True love is found in what God did for us by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth for us. Love is all about giving.

Below is a tried and true sugar cookie recipe to share with family and friends. Decorating cookies with your children is fun and sharing the finished product brings even more joy.

Sugar Cookies

2/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
4 teaspoons milk
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Thoroughly cream shortening, sugar, and vanilla.  Add egg and milk; beat till light and fluffy.  Sift together dry ingredients; blend into creamed mixture.  Cover and chill at least one hour.  On lightly floured surface, roll to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut in desired shapes with cutters.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees about 8 to 10 minutes.  Cool slightly; remove.  Add frosting and decorate as desired. This recipe will make about 24 heart shaped cookies.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family.

“Faith, hope, and love… the greatest of these is love.”

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

 

 

 

 

Winter Olympics: Past and Present

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Daily Truth:   “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”  Hebrews 13:8

OlympicRings_360

Sochi Olympics 2014

Did you know that the first Winter Olympics were in held in 1924 at Chamonix, France?  A lot has changed since that first game.

1.  The attendance at the games in Chamonix was 10,004 paying spectators.  Sochi has plans to sell 1.1 million tickets, according to the International Olympic Committee marketing document.  “Bloomberg Businessweek”

2.  There were 16 events in the first Winter Olympics.  Today there are 15 sports with 98 events in the Winter Olympics.

3.  In 1924 there were 258 athletes participating. This winter there are 2,871 athletes competing.

4.  Technology has come a long way since 1924.  To see a video of the first Winter Olympics click here.  “This year NBC Universal has 40 percent more capacity, including 19 broadcast/cable networks and more than 60 websites to promote the upcoming Winter Games than it had in Vancouver 2010” according to TV News Desk.

5.  According to Olympic.org, “In the opening parade of delegates [Chamonix] many athletes marched with their equipment on their shoulders (skis, hockey sticks, etc.).  Indeed, according to the rules in place at the time, the athletes had to march in their sportswear, and the skis or hockey sticks were part to their equipment.  Today, the delegations no longer wear their sportswear, but they try to outdo each other in terms of imagination to appear in all their finery.”

6. Canada won the ice hockey event by scoring 122 goals, with only 3 scored against them in that first Winter Olympics.  Beginning in 1998 a women’s ice hockey team was added to the Winter Olympic events.   Twelve teams will compete this year in the men’s tournament, eight in the women’s.

The Olympics have grown and changed in many ways.  Technology, rules, culture, and  society  have contributed to the change of the Olympics.

Celebrating the accomplishments of the athletes in this year’s Winter Olympics is fun. Watching all the countries around the world coming together in a symbol of unity is wonderful.  Every four years provides us with new faces, new rules, new venues, and new stories.

It is good to know that there is one thing that never changes and that is Jesus Christ.  While watching the Olympics this winter I challenge you to discuss some of the changes in the Olympics and then discuss how Jesus Christ never changes.  He is eternal (Hebrews 13:8), good (James 1:17), holy (Isaiah 6:3), and He is sovereign (Matthew 10:29) to  tell of just a few of His unchanging attributes.

There are teachable moments all around us.  Do we use those moments to just teach current events or do we teach for eternity?

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson