Aren’t kids amazing? They know more than we think!

Essay Subject: "Explain God" written by Danny Dutton, age 8, from Chula Vista, California, for his third grade homework assignment to “Explain God.”

WOW (means without words) - That is how His death can leave you when you think about what He did for you.  Speechless!

So it begins.

Today is Ash Wednesday. Another season of Lent is upon us.

Ahead lies 40 days of journeying with Christ and with each other. This season is often marked by the sacrifices we make in order to draw closer to Jesus unto the day of his great sacrifice. Some give up chocolate, meat, television, over-priced coffee (or any caffeinated stimulant for that matter), sweets, and so on.

What will you sacrifice this season?

There's a song my mom taught me years ago. It was a silly little song, but I loved it and we'd often sing it during our Sunday School assembly time (with actions, of course). In fact, I've recently taught this song to my own daughter who is always begging to learn "a song she's never, ever sung before," when we do music time at home.

Maybe you'll recognize it. It goes like this...

Do you live defeated?

I know a few people (myself included!) who struggle keeping away from the sweet stuff. So, as is the norm, each New Year we make our committments to stay away from sugar, spice, and everything nice. The problem is, the moment we slip a little -- you know, when we stick something divine in our mouths, it's as though there's no turning back! Bring out the entire cake!

“Let’s be honest, those who travel with Christ at some point, will travel through darkness. The system of creative order which holds our lives and souls together will fail.