FREE Guide: Have a MISSION-MINDED 2010

Do you want to set aside time to seek God’s will for 2010? Do you want your life and your family to become more effective for God’s Kingdom . . . and for ETERNITY?

FREE New Year’s Evaluation Guide

Take 7

Take 7 Days to Seek God’s Will for 2010

Click here to download our FREE “7″ Guide

An Evaluation & Prayer Guide to planning a MISSION-MINDED New Year

Especially designed for Christian Woman and Families

Also, here’s a good One-Year Bible Reading Plan from www.Bible-reading.com

NOW!!! - ALSO AVAILABLE:

2010 MISSION-MINDED GUIDE for Youth & Young Adults

Great for Homeschooling Families with Teenagers, College Adults,
Christian Jr. & Sr. High Schools, or Church Youth Groups

Click here for FREE “7″ Guide for YOUTH

Click here for more details about Ann’s book, The Mission-Minded Family - Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny, including a link for a FREE Sample (and info about how you can get a copy)!!!

Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny

Often, parents and teachers ask their children, “What do YOU want to be when you grow up?” Even within the church, this present generation is fixated on obtaining fame, wealth, and pleasure. But shouldn’t we be encouraging our children’s willingness to surrender to God’s plans for their futures?

In The Mission-Minded Family, Ann Dunagan presents a plan to transform the “Me Generation” into passionate warriors consumed with God’s glory.

The Mission-Minded Family

(Authentic, 2008) - By Ann Dunagan

Download a FREE SAMPLE!

BUY NOW (including discounts for BOXES of 12 or CASES of 48!!!)

What Others Are Saying:

GIVE YOUR FAMILY A DANGEROUS DESTINY! “I loved this book! In a time in our country where the tendency is to keep our money and time and children very safe, this book encourages - even pushes - us to get out in the world and make a real difference with the resources we’ve been given. Ann Dunagan is no arm-chair missionary…the pages of the book are filled with actual experiences that she and her husband and kids have done for many years. It totally inspired me to take some big risks and help my kids learn to love the world beyond our doorstep.” - Bo Stern - Bend, Oregon

EDUCATIONAL . . . AND THE COOLEST BOOK! - “The Mission Minded Family” by Ann Dunagan is the coolest book! It has everything: hymns, stories of missions, mini biographies of missionaries, skits, a calendar of international holidays and suggestions for how to pray on those days, tools for teaching mission-mindedness, and even practical tips for missionary travel. This is an educational and informative book whether you’re planning to be a foreign missionary, a local missionary, or just learn about the field.” - Stacey, Las Vegas, NV

ABSOLUTELY INSPIRING! - “In our busy lives, very seldom, do we stop to ask God if we’re truly fulfilling His purposes in our lives. “The Mission Minded Family” opens that line of communication between you and God to have a discussion about His will for your life…Don’t be surprised if you hear God speaking to you in greater ways than you ever imagined. If you are a church leader, I can’t imagine a better resource to promote to your congregation and a better gift to give to your missionary families. Ann Dunagan walks you through her and her husband’s lives as a missionaries and sprinkles it with wisdom coming from her young children who have experienced the power of God in and through their lives. The book is not only a resource that provides you with countless “how-to’s,” but it is filled with the Dunagan family’s missionary experiences that will inspire you and draw you nearer to God.”- CHERI HILL

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Seeking First the Kingdom in a Self-Absorbed Culture

A Press Release - by The B & B Media Group

Often, parents and teachers ask their children, “What do YOU want to be when you grow up?” In a world that is increasingly self-seeking, self-centered, and self-absorbed, the answers are consistently more egocentric–”a movie star,” “a rock star,” “a dance star.” Even within the church, this present generation is fixated on obtaining fame, wealth, and pleasure. But shouldn’t we be encouraging our children’s willingness to surrender to God’s plans for their futures? Shouldn’t our question instead be, “Oh, I wonder what awesome plans God has for your life! When you grow up, will you do whatever GOD wants you to do?”

In her new book, The Mission-Minded Family: Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny (Authentic, July 2008), author, teacher, and missionary, Ann Dunagan shows parents how to combat the influence of the “Me Generation” by giving readers the tools to revolutionize their families into ones dedicated to fulfilling God’s will and potential, instead of their own. In the first chapter of her book, Dunagan quotes David Shibley as he clearly addresses the current crisis within the church.

“We whine, ‘I just want to know my purpose; I’ve got to reach my destiny.” We race all over the country to attend ‘destiny conferences,’ and we devour tapes and books on ‘reaching your full potential . . . ‘ Even cloaking our self-centeredness in Christian garb and jargon cannot cover the nakedness of this cult of self that has infested much of the church . . . How can we ever hope to discover our purpose in the earth with little or no interest in His purpose?”

Dunagan, who also wrote The Mission-Minded Child, brings the same perspective to what it means to be a mission-minded family. Her goal is to equip today’s godly parents to train our next generation to make a powerful impact for Jesus Christ by directing their focus outward. “Every day, approximately 150,000 people die; the majority of these people are not saved, and far too many have never even heard God’s Good News of salvation,” says Dunagan. “How can we sit back and hear the Gospel again and again, while many are still waiting to hear it for the first time? [adapted from a mission quote by Oswald J. Smith]. Today’s Christian families desperately need to remember that our purpose in this world involves so much more than what we can attain for ourselves. We’re here to reach the lost.”

The Mission-Minded Family includes suggested activities for families to participate in missions together, as well as resources to help families develop the desire to become more missions-focused. Dunagan discusses the need for families to balance and prioritize their everyday lives and delves into what a family’s finances would look like if they were focused on missions. Families who read and practice principles from this book will receive a rekindled closeness as they participate in ministry together.

“In a mission-minded family, there’s a God-infused energy,” Dunagan explains. “There’s a focus on God’s worldwide purpose and a passion for the lost.” There’s a spiritual depth and hunger that reaches beyond the maintenance mode of cultural Christianity.”

Packed with motivating missions stories, hymns, and quotes, The Mission-Minded Family is a quick resource tool with examples of missionary family heroes, ministry ideas, exciting prayer projects, and even practical tips for international travel. Filled with passionate inspiration, The Mission-Minded Family will be picked up again and again, read aloud, and used as a reference for years to come.

You can also find The Mission-Minded Family at e316.com, ChristianBook.com, YWAM’s WorldChristian.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, CBN’s Parable.com, and STL - Authentic Books

Hand Commands - Some Great Reviews!

A Great Homeschooling Review

We recently learned that Eclectic Homeschooling Online published a positive review about Hand Commands, Ann’s little book about teaching the Ten Commandments to children.

Hand Commands: The Ten Commandments for Little Ones

Publisher: Kregel Publications
Author: Ann Dunagan
Format: Board Book
Ages: Preschool/Kindergarten (and older!)

Review by Jean Hall of Eclectic Homeschooling:

Fingerplays are a wonderful way to teach little ones, and not-so-little ones! In fact, our whole homeschool science class (students from age eight to eighteen and their parents) recently used a fingerplay to memorize the five species of Pacific salmon!

Hand Commands is a charming board book that will help you teach your little ones something much more important: The Ten Commandments.

The book’s introduction is sweet, winsome, drawing the reader gently into the book, and the conclusion encourages storing up God’s Word in the heart. The Ten Commandments are quoted from Scripture on the last two pages. Both the New King James Version (for all but one of the commandments) and the New International Version (just for one of the commandments) are quoted.

The text is simple but not simplistic, illustrated with bright pictures that bring a smile. For each commandment, there’s a photograph (or two) of a child’s hands illustrating the meaning of the verse, an explanation of what the verse means, and the verse as quoted in Exodus 20. The hand motions are quick to learn and easy to remember. (When I think how I struggled to keep all the Commandments straight, myself—I always got the first four in the right order, but it was hard to keep the rest straight for the longest time—I wish I’d had this book a long time ago, for my own sake as well as our little ones’!)

I’ll never mix up the order again. (Can you say the same?)

More Reviews:

Customer Average Rating at ChristianBook.com:
5 out of 5 stars, (7 of 7 Reviews Showing):

5 out of 5 stars - Reviewed by Gretchen (Snoqualmie), October 25, 2008

We really enjoyed this book. Our whole family learned the 10 commandments in order this summer by reading this book at camp for 5 days. The kids from ages 4-12 can still tell you all the commandments and the older two can recite them out of order or while being questioned, “What’s the 5th commandment?” We have been able to witness to friends and family by sharing what the kids learned! What a blessing.

4.5 out of 5 stars - Reviewed by Stacy (Phoenix, AZ), January 20, 2008

Even though my kids are past board book age, we enjoyed using this book in our homeschool to learn the 10 commandments. We supplemented it with the CD, If You Love Me: Songs for the Ten Commandments, by Judy Rodgers.  We found the motion for the 8th commandment a little tricky — it requires motor and cognitive skills that kids of the recommended age (under 5) will find difficult. For the motion for the 10th commandment, we made a grabbing “give me” motion to accentuate the meaning of “You shall not covet.”

5 out of 5 stars - Reviewed by Elisabeth Dillon (Wichita, KS), October 19, 2007

We are using this book as a supplement to a curriculum for preschoolers and kindergartners on the Ten Commandments. All the children seem to really like the book, from ages 2 to 6. They are picking up the hand moves and having a fun time. One of the best unintended benefits is for the adults teaching and for the parents of the children. I have had numerous adults say that they have never memorized God’s commands and that this book is helping them! We have actually ordered numerous extras to sell to parents wishing to augment their learning and their children’s by having this book in their home. Highly recommended for ALL ages.

5 out of 5 stars - Reviewed by Ernest (Tulsa, Oklahoma), January 10, 2007

This tiny little book offers a whole lot more to “ALL” age groups. I am a 21 year old male, and learning the 10 commandments in order in a very simple way has been a joy to my heart. This book is easy to read, easy to follow, happy, and God-honoring, and its not just for kids, but adults as well!

5 out of 5 stars - Reviewed by Pam Hughes (White Salmon, WA), January 08, 2007

Sometimes wonderful, precious things come in small packages and this is exactly what you will find in “Hand Commands!.” Our church bought 75 books to put in “Operation Christmas Child” shoe boxes. We like having some for the children in our Nursery and Pre-school programs too! A great gift that children of all ages can treasure for eternity as they hide God’s Word in their heart!

5 out of 5 stars - Reviewed by Tiffany Westby (Aberdeen, SD), January 03, 2007

I love the book “Hand Commands”! We are a family of seven and each one of us who read the book ONCE was able to say the 10 commandments in order, using the hand motions! Did I mention that 4 of my 5 kids are teenagers and THEY think it’s neat? My pastor loves the book and we are going to use it for baby dedication gifts. You will be amazed at this little book.

5 out of 5 stars - Reviewed by Lorraine (The Dalles, OR), December 22, 2006

The bold colors and pictures of little children quickly caught the attention of my 21 month grandson Josiah. The ‘Hand Commands’ were very easy to follow and fun to learn. Josiah was able to imitate most of the commands, I know it won’t be long before he has them all down. These scriptures are so important to learn for our everyday lives they lay a foundation for our children to walk upon, and you have presented them in a way that children will not only learn from but enjoy reading over and over again. I’ve bought four copies for each of my grand children and my nephew.

To order Hand Commands, at Christianbook.com

Click Here!

Balancing Missions & Family

How can we balance our passion for missions with our hearts for our homes? Do we have to choose between “raising our kids” and “reaching the lost”—or is it possible to do both?

As parents, we’re called to raise our kids; and as Christians, we’re called to reach the lost. We really can’t fulfill one of these callings, if we choose to neglect the other.

As I was writing The Mission-Minded Family, I felt especially led to evaluate the homes and family-lives of well-known missionaries. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to realize that many missionary heroes with families were not heroes of the family. Some of the most prominent names in mission history had horrible problems at home; while other leaders (such as William and Catherine Booth of the Salvation Army or Hudson and Maria Taylor) found a powerful ministry-family balance.

As I began to delve deeper into these examples, I searched for clues and common-denominators for those godly world-changing leaders who had God-glorifying homes. And I believe I found the key. It’s PRAYER. The men and women of God who focused primarily on seeking the Lord and their personal devotion to Him (rather than focusing on a merely a successful ministry) seemed to find God’s divine balance for each day. As a result, not only did their ministries glorify God, but their families did as well.

Author and international minister Dr. David Shibley says, “The normal Christian life is anything but balanced, as popularly defined . . . The normal Christian life is high risk and high joy. The normal Christian life releases the temporal to embrace the eternal . . . God is not calling us to win the world and, in the process, lose our families. But I have known those who so enshrined family life and were so protective of “quality time” that the children never saw the kind of consuming love that made their parents’ faith attractive to them. Some have lost their children, not because they weren’t at their soccer games or didn’t take family vacations, but because they never transmitted a loyalty to Jesus that went deep enough to interrupt personal preferences.”

I want my family to have that kind of consuming love, with high risk and high joy. I want to live out my faith in a way that is not only attractive, but also compelling and irresistible! I want to be moved by the passions of God’s heart—and for my kids to take these godly passions to a deeper level. I want to hand off the baton to my descendants, and have them run faster and farther than I ever did.

Let’s raise our kids; let’s reach the lost; and let’s challenge the next generation to live for God with even greater boldness, wisdom, and effectiveness. Through Christ, all things are possible.

What is a Mission-Minded Family?

In a mission-minded family, there’s a God-infused energy. There’s a focus on God’s worldwide purpose, and there’s a passion for the lost. There’s a spiritual depth and hunger that reaches beyond the maintenance mode of cultural Christianity.

A mission-minded family emphasizes leadership, calling, and destiny. There’s a prevailing attitude of self-sacrifice and an emphasis on total submission to God’s will. And there’s an unmistakable and contagious joy.

A mission-minded family . . .

• loves to make God smile!

• learns to be diligent, because there’s work to be done and many needs in this world

• brings a stack of well-worn Bibles to church!

• enjoys presents at Christmastime, but never forgets all the poor little children in Cambodia who have nothing.

• is focused on eternity.

• knows how to look up Afghanistan, Bolivia, Singapore, and Tibet, and imagines more than what they see on a map.

• eats rice!

• learns how to share the “gospel colors” and is excited about the miniature EvangeCube that can hook to a kid’s backpack.

• dreams of traveling around the world and makes sure each person has an updated passport–just in case!

• thinks about the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day–and all the people wearing green who don’t have a clue that Patrick was a missionary.

• lives in SUB-mission!

• shakes missionaries’ hands after church and invites their family over for dinner.

• knows that when the Lord guides, He also provides.

• keeps the lawn mowed, as a good Christian witness to the neighbors.

• is strategically aimed for God’s purpose.

• anticipates the excitement of the teenage years and looks forward to youth group mission trips.

• keeps active and healthy in order to be physically able to do whatever God requires.

• gives generously–even when it hurts!

• enjoys carryon luggage with wheels, final boarding calls, and airline peanuts.

• thinks beyond the box of what’s merely expected and hope to do something big (or something little) for God.

• lives for Jesus!

This article by Ann Dunagan, is an excerpt from her newest book, The Mission-Minded Family - Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny (Authentic Media, 2008). It is also a featured article on The Christian Post’s “Better Parenting - Better Families” Blog.

MEATY: A Vision for Souls - by Amy Carmichael

Ezekiel 3:18-19 says, “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity but you have delivered your soul.”

These verses stress the vital importance of our Christian and biblical command to share the Gospel with the “heathen” (this term is outdated and unpopular, yet it is vital for mission-minded focus. “Heathen” refers to precious unsaved people who have never yet heard the Gospel message of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ). So often, we are distracted by good and busy activities, even in the church. The following vision, received by Amy Carmichael, compares these activities to making “daisy chains.” As you read this, may you allow the Lord to challenge your heart. May we “see” the waterfall of souls who so desperately need Him, and may we be more aware of God’s passionate love for these people, and allow His love to flow through us . . . through our prayers, our giving, and our obedience.

Give me the Love that leads the way
The Faith that nothing can dismay
The Hope no disappointments tire
The Passion that will burn like fire
Let me not sink to be a clod
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

-Amy Carmichael

Amy Carmichael
Missionary to India (1867-1951)

Amy Carmichael was born in Northern Ireland to a wealthy family. When she was eighteen, her father died, and as the eldest of seven children, Amy received much of the family responsibility. In 1892, at the age of twenty-four, Amy Carmichael received a “call to missions,” and soon left for Japan, and later, Ceylon. After returning home for a brief time, she finally set sail for the country that would become her long-term home: INDIA!

Within twelve years, Miss Carmichael had 130 children in her care and had rescued many hundreds more. For fifty-five years, she sacrificially lived and ministered in India…without even a furlough. Many others were inspired to join with her, and together with these co-workers, she established an Indian mission work called “The Dohnaver Fellowship”.

Amy Carmichael is best remembered for her life work of saving precious Indian children (especially rescuing many young girls from Hindu temple prostitution). Even today, through her books and writings, the impact of her life and testimony continues to challenge many to a deeper walk with the Lord, and a deeper commitment to His service.

Thy Brother’s Blood - A Vision for Souls

The tom-toms thumped straight on all night, and the darkness shuddered ‘round me like a living, feeling thing. I could not go to sleep, so I lay awake and looked; and I saw, as it seemed, this:

That I stood on a grassy precipice, and at my feet at crevice broke down into infinite space. I looked, but saw no bottom; only cloud shapes, black and furiously coiled, and great shadow-shrouded hollows, and unfathomable depths. Back I drew, dizzy at the depth.

Then I saw forms of people moving in single file along the grass. They were making for the edge. There was a woman with a baby in her arms and another little child holding onto her dress. She was on the very verge. Then I saw that she was blind. She lifted her foot for the next step…it trod air. She was over, and the children over with her. Oh, they cry as they went over! Then I saw more streams of people flowing from all quarters. All were blind, stone blind; and all made straight for the crevice’s edge. They were shrieks as they suddenly knew in themselves that they were falling, and a tossing up of helpless arms, catching, clutching at empty air. But some went over quietly and fell without a sound.

Then I wondered with a wonder that was simple agony, why no one stopped them at the edge. I could not, I was glued to the ground. And I could not call; though I strained and tried, only a whisper would come.

Then I saw that along the edge there were guards set at intervals. But the intervals were too great; there were wide, unguarded gaps between. And over these gaps the people fell in their blindness, quite unwarned; and the green grass seemed blood-red to me, and gulf yawned like the mouth of hell.

Then I saw, like a little picture of peace, a group of people under some trees with their backs turned towards the gulf. They were making daisy chains. Sometimes when a piercing shriek cut the quiet air and reached them, it disturbed them and they thought it a rather vulgar noise. And if one of their number started up and wanted to go and do something to help, then all the others would pull that one down. “Why should you get all excited about it? You must wait for a definite call to go! You haven’t finished your daisy chain yet. It would be really selfish,” they said, “to leave us to finish the work alone.”

There was another group. It was made up of people whose great desire was to get more guards out; but they found that very few wanted to go, and sometimes there were no guards set for miles and miles of the edge.

One girl stood alone in her place, waving the people back; but her mother and other relations called, and reminded her that her furlough was due; she must not break the rules. And being tired and needing a change, she had to go and rest for a while; but no one was sent to guard her gap, and over and over the people fell, like a waterfall of souls.

Once a child caught at a tuft of grass that grew at the very brink of the gulf; it clung convulsively, and it called — but nobody seemed to hear. Then the roots of the grass gave way, and with a cry the child went over, the two little hands still holding right to the torn-off bunch of grass. And the girl who longed to be back in her gap thought she heard the little one cry, and she sprang up and wanted to go; at which they reproved her, reminding her that no one is necessary anywhere; they gap would be well taken care of, they knew. And then they sang a hymn.

Then through the hymn came another sound like the pain of a million broken hearts wrung out in one full drop, one sob. And a horror of great darkness was upon me, for I knew what it was; the cry of the blood.

Then thundered a voice, the voice of the Lord. And he said, “What hast though done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground.”

The ton-toms still beat heavily, and darkness still shuddered and shivered about me. I heard the yells of the devil-dancers and weird, wild shrieks of the devil-possessed just outside the gate.

What does it matter, after all? It has gone on for years; it will go on for years. Why make such a fuss about it? — God forgive us! God arouse us! Shame us out of our callousness! Shame us out of our sin!

Amy Carmichael, Thy Brother’s Blood Crieth:
(India: The Dohnavur Fellowship).
Obtained from an article from Bethany Fellowship, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN.

ON THE LIGHT SIDE: The Filipino Cure for Fleas

Our family was in a remote Filipino village on one of our first missionary trips, and the national pastor hosting us was very nervous.

“I’ve never hosted foreigners and don’t know what to feed you,” he said.

“Oh, we’re easy to please,” we responded naively. “Just relax; we’ll eat whatever you put before us.”

A few minutes later the pastor introduced us to the church women who were going to be cooking our food. One of them was eating this very different looking egg. It was black; and as she cracked it open, she started tugging at the insides–pulling out a black embryonic chick!

We found out that balut (a fertilized duck egg with a nearly developed embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell) was a common Filipino food . . . and we were nervous.

The people gave us an esteemed room in the village — the only one with a rug. Unfortunately, the rug was totally infested with fleas; and within a few days my legs were covered with flea bites.

When the pastor saw the bug bites, he said, “Oh, that is terrible. We must do something about those fleas biting you. Yes, there is only one thing to do.”

“What is that?” we asked.

“Well, we must eat the dog. I was going to save it for a party, but I think we must eat it now.”

A few days later, Jon came into our room. “Guess what we’re having for dinner,” he said with a raised eyebrow.

Not balut, I hoped. (I didn’t know if I was that good of a missionary yet.)

I went to visit the church women and to see our menu for myself. These precious ladies were cutting up some strange white-looking meat. When I asked what it was, they talked among themselves in their Filipino language of Tagolog and then went to find someone who could interpret.

A few minutes later one woman came in and distinctly pronounced with wonderful enunciation the new English word she had just learned.

“Dog.” she said.

“Dog?” I timidly asked, as my mind whirled with memories of special pets from my childhood.

The woman clarified herself: “Yes, you know — Ruff! Ruff!”

Yes, I knew far too well. But that’s what we and our kids had for dinner that night. Our menu actually consisted of nearly-raw dog meat and fried dog intestines.

And we still had fleas!

This story was excerpted from Ann’s book, The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose (Authentic, 2007), Chapter 11, “Making Missions Fun - At Home, School, and Church”

A Mission-Minded Christmas: Part 5

Christmas is not just about HOME, or PRESENTS; it’s about living in the PRESENCE of the Lord, and sharing His PRESENCE with others.

Focuses . . . on God’s Presence!

Jesus came as our Emmanuel - Our “God with us.” This Christmas, let’s remember that Christmas is all about Him. It’s about being with Him, and taking time to enjoy His presence.

In a Christmas Eve sermon, Martin Luther (German leader of the Protestant Reformation) encouraged his congregation to be like a manger in which Jesus can be found. May our hearts be like that simple manger bed, prepared for the greatest gift of all: Our Savior.

On How to Be a Manger

Be empty.
Be sturdy.
Be soft inside.
Be still.
Be ready.

By Barbara Germait

Mission-Minded Ideas:

A few more MISSION-MINDED Christmas Ideas:

• TAKE SOME QUIET TIME: Encourage your family to take some quiet time this Christmas to pray and to worship (and plan now to bring a special worship and prayer time into your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day celebrations). Remember that Christmas is all about His PRESENCE!!!




• LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD: Learn how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world, such as St. Lucia Day in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries (the legend of St. Lucia focuses on a Sicilian girl who gave away her dowry to feed the poor) or Las Posadas from Mexico and Latin American countries. You can also learn about Hanukkah (as you pray for the nation of Israel, and for Jewish families to come to know Jesus as their Messiah). Perhaps incorporate one or two new international traditions into your family celebration.




• BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS: Remember that Christmas is one of the easiest times of the year to be a strong witness for Jesus. Whenever anyone says, “Happy Holidays,” encourage your children to be bold and friendly as you respond with a cheerful “Merry Christmas!” or “Jesus Loves You!” (and don’t be afraid to invite people to your church or to a special Christ-centered event). Pray specifically for your unsaved neighbors, and perhaps deliver a plate of Christmas cookies along with hand-written cards or loving notes about God’s salvation. Visit elderly people in a nursing home and sing God-glorifying Christmas carols and talk to these precious people about the Lord. Specifically pray for relatives who need Jesus (and maybe plan a little Christmas Eve “skit” performed by your sweet non-threatening kids, to clearly share the real salvation reason for Christ’s coming to earth).




• CONTACT YOUR MISSIONARIES: Communicate a few times during December to your own missionary friends and their children. Today, most overseas missionaries and international ministers utilize online tools such as facebook, twitter, blogs, or websites, so it’s easier than ever to keep in touch. Don’t be afraid to share about your fun Christmas activities, but be sensitive and appreciative for the sacrifices they are making for Jesus to serve Him so far from home.

This Christmas, I invite you to seek God’s purposes for your family.

Let’s seek His PRESENCE!

Mission-Minded Hanukkah

Hanukkah . . . and JESUS!!!

In the history of Hanukkah; there are types and shadows that point to our Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is our light of the world . . . and God wants each of us to be lights for Him.

Hanukkah . . . as a mission reminder:

During December, it’s common to find many references to this Jewish holiday, especially as stores and schools attempt to be culturally sensitive to those who don’t celebrate Christmas. We usually see Hanukkah reminders in store windows, in the wrapping paper aisle, and even at the post office.

Dates of Hanukkah, 2009

The first day of Hanukkah 2009 is Saturday, December 12th, meaning the first candle is to be lit on Friday evening, December 11th. The holiday extends for 8 days, ending on December 19th, 2009.

Holiday Hanukkah reminders and decorations provide perfect “on-the-spot” teaching opportunities to talk with our children about the need to pray for the people of Israel, and to share how Jesus Christ came as God’s promised Messiah for the whole world. As you see these decorations throughout your shopping times, take these moments to talk with your kids about loving the people of Israel and praying for their salvation.

We’ve recently learned a few interesting things about this Jewish holiday:

• Did you know the only biblical** reference to Hanukkah is in the New Testament?
• Did you know that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah?
• Did you know that Hanukkah is the feast of lights and the feast of dedication?
• Many aspects of this holiday point to the coming Messiah . . . and did you know that Jesus Christ completely fulfilled this celebration by being our Light of the world?




(**Please see NOTE below, in the comment section.)

Hanukkah . . . in the Bible

“At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. “I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” ” John 10:22-33

Isn’t that exciting?

On this feast day, in the wintertime, Jesus declared His divinity!!!

Read the Bible selections that refer to Hanukkah, and talk with your children about how Jesus came to fulfill this celebration. He is our light of the world.

• John 10:22-33
• Matthew 20:28
• John 8:12

As you’re at the post office, deciding which holiday stamps to buy, take a moment to mention (to the post office worker, or to other people waiting in line next to you), “Did you know that in the Bible, it says that Jesus actually celebrated Hanukkah?” You can then share how Jesus Christ came to earth as the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. He came as the Messiah of Israel and God’s Light of the WORLD!!!

Hanukkah Crafts Ideas:

Have your children make a few simple Hanukkah craft projects.

• Star of David Ornaments - Make two cardboard triangles and cover them with aluminum foil. Staple them together and add a ribbon. (Our children made these and hung them on our Christmas tree. See photo above.)
• Menorah - Our son Mark crafted a simple wooden Menorah candle stick with nine (birthday) candles. (See the photo at the top of this post.)

The Light of Hanukkah:

Here’s a short excerpt from the “Jews for Jesus” website blog. The article is entitled “The Light of Hanukkah” and it’s a good summary of the spiritual significance of Hanukkah and how it relates to Jesus as our Messiah:

The Hanukkah candles are traditionally lit by a special candle called the shammash. Shammash is Hebrew for “servant.” In the shammash candle, we can see a symbol of our Messiah Jesus, for as the Gospel of Matthew says,

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

The shammash serves the other candles by bringing light to them. In the New Testament, Jesus is frequently referred to as “the Light,” and Jesus Himself once said,

“I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Just as the shammash gives light to the other candles, Jesus came to give the world His Light. As we celebrate Hanukkah, it is good for us be reminded of that light each night as we light our menorahs. As believers in Y’shua (Jesus), Hanukkah should hold precious meaning to us. The miracles we celebrate at Hanukkah – the defeat of an enemy army, the oil lasting for eight days – show how God keeps His light burning in the hearts of His people, even when they face what seem to be impossible odds or situations. With God, all things are possible. His light cannot fail, or go out.

For the entire article on the Jews for Jesus website: “The Light of Hanukkah”

Have a Mission-Minded Christmas . . .

and a Happy Hanukkah too!

Celebrating JESUS our LIGHT of the WORLD!

A Mission-Minded Christmas: Part 4

God gave His Only Son for us; this Christmas, let’s make Him LORD over every area: over where we live, where we go, how we spend “our” money and “our” time, and over our children’s lives. Let’s GIVE Him . . .  ALL!

“All to Jesus, I surrender, All to Him I freely give . . .”

Focus on GIVING . . . it ALL:

This Christmas, let’s do something different.

Let’s “get” what Christmas is really all about . . . and then “give it” all to God.

A Christmas Story from Liberia, AFRICA

“I Gave Myself”

It was Christmas, and the Liberian Christians had been asked this year instead of receiving gifts, to help carry the Gospel to others.

As in many mission fields, they brought, not money, but produce. Presently, the great plates were piled high with offerings of rice, cocoa, bananas, palm nuts, pineapple, and cassava.

There was a moment’s pause . . .

Slowly, a twelve-year-old boy walked forward and solemnly placed his feet in one of the plates. Afterward, when the missionary questioned him, the boy said . . .

“We are very poor. I did not have anything else to give . . . so I gave myself.”

A few MISSION-MINDED baby-steps

Here are a few baby-steps to begin to incorporate a mission-mindset into your family’s yearly Christmas celebrations.

• Incorporate a GLOBE into your Christmas celebrations. Perhaps use this to bring a mission theme into a corner of your living room or family room. Add some garland and lights, or place a mini-nativity beside this globe (or map), as you encourage your children that Jesus came to earth to be the Savior for ALL people.
• If your decorations are looking a bit old and shabby, and you’re wondering about using them another year, remember 1.6 million people around the world have yet to hear the Christmas story . . . for the first time!
• Read aloud a Mission-Minded Christmas story such as this story, “I Gave Myself,” or “Home for Christmas?”
• Plan a specific family giving project for Christmas. Perhaps put a coin jar under your tree and begin saving coins for a specific mission need.

As mission-minded families, if we really want God’s direction in every areas of our lives, we need to begin by surrendering ALL of our “rights” to God.

All to Jesus, I surrender.

All to Him I freely give.

I will ever love and trust Him.

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all. I surrender all.

All to Thee, My Blessed Savior.

I surrender all.

This Christmas, I invite you to seek God’s purposes for your family.

Have yourself a MISSION-MINDED CHRISTMAS!!!

More Mission-Minded Christmas posts

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