Celebrate freedom on Independence Day

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Grover loved America with all his heart.

“Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to live in the U.S.A.,” said Grover, who worked as a truck driver.

Grover’s wife, Ginnie, also was very thankful for living in America. “This is the best country in the world,” she told Grover.

Ginnie was enjoying her summer break from her teaching job. Grover and Ginnie planned an Independence Day celebration at their home and invited several friends to share the occasion with them.

Two of Grover’s co-workers, Garth and Genevieve, responded to the invitation with a resounding, “We wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

Georgia, Ginnie’s best friend at work, was also quick to respond affirmatively to the invitation. “I can’t wait for this celebration,” Georgia e-mailed Ginnie. Would you like for me to bring anything?”

Ginnie replied, “If you like, you can bring a CD of your favorite Christian singer.”

The big day arrived and, after talking for a little while, everyone gathered in the kitchen for lunch.

“The hamburgers were super,” said Georgia.

“And the hotdogs were the best I’ve ever tasted,” said Genevieve. “The fresh garlic slices were the perfect added touch.”

“My favorite part of the meal was that scrumptious homemade potato salad,” grinned Garth. “I never would have thought about adding fresh beets, green beans and whole-grain bread crumbs. Nice touch!”

“Thanks for the compliments,” said Ginnie. “Now I think it’s about time for us to listen to some good Christian patriotic music.”

Ginnie, Grover and their guests walked to the den, and Ginnie inserted Georgia’s CD into the CD player. The vibrant female voice filled the room with sounds of faith in God, freedom in America and the fact that Jesus is the giver of true freedom.

After the final song was played, feelings of patriotism and faith were running high. “I’ve always been proud of America, and our time here today has re-enforced those feelings,” said Garth. “And I thank God more than ever for giving us spiritual freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ and for giving us the freedom to worship Him here in America.

“Those songs have helped me to realize more fully the need for Jesus Christ to offer himself as a sacrifice for our sin,” said Genevieve. “And we should always remember the sacrifices of those in America’s Armed Forces who fought and died to keep our country free.”

“Oh, I have one question for you, Georgia,” said Ginnie. “I asked you to bring a CD of music by your favorite Christian singer, but the singer on the CD sounded a lot like you.”

“Well, Ginnie, it was me,” laughed Georgia. “I am my favorite singer. My mom and dad say I can sing better than anyone they know. And my parents are the best judges of music that I know!”

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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Bible memorization contest draws unenthusiastic response

Enjoy this guest post from author Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Pastor Wanna Noe Bible felt his church needed a deeper knowledge of God's Word, so he decided to implement a month-long contest to test the congregation's desire to memorize Bible verses.

Pastor Bible promoted the contest for about one month. He announced the project on the church‘s Web site, purchased newspaper advertising, and ran announcements in the church's weekly bulletin.

Although response from the pre-contest publicity was dismal, Pastor Bible was not upset. “I realize people deal with many things on a day-to-day basic,” he told his wife, Mrs. Bible. “And I'm sure the folks realize the importance of knowing God's Word.”

Members of the congregation were asked to approach the pastor and volunteer for the project. Two weeks into the project, however, no one had contacted him, so the pastor decided to again appeal for participation.

“This will give you an opportunity to memorize the Word of God, and you'll be a much more effective witness for the Lord,” he said.

The following Sunday, the pastor called for a special meeting to be held in the church's fellowship hall after the morning worship service. He asked why no one in the congregation had responded to the call for Scripture memorization.

“I've been so busy at work,” said Bonnie. “I've had to work overtime every single day for the past month.”

“My time has been spent planning our family vacation,” said Buster. “I'm trying to make sure we get the best prices on motel rooms and restaurant discounts. Plus, I've checked the price of gasoline every day on the Internet. And I've also been working very hard on my job.”

“I'm in the process of starting a new business, and I'm trying to make sure I have all the proper licenses, select a good location and stock my new store with a great variety of merchandise,” said Bowman.

Pastor Wanna Noe Bible was discouraged by the reasons given by the members for not memorizing Bible verses. “I wish they would realize the importance of hiding God's Word away in their hearts,” he thought.

To the members of the church, the pastor said, “We still have one more week in the contest. I urge you to learn as many Bible verses as you can in the next seven days.”

The last Sunday in the contest arrived, and the pastor planned to announce that no Bible verses had been memorized. As he stood to make the announcement, Barbara raised her hand to get the pastor's attention.

“I memorized one verse,” Barbara said.

“What verse did you memorize?,” asked the pastor.

“John 11:35,” replied Barbara. “The reason it took me so long to memorize the verse was because it was so short that I almost didn't find it!”

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To contact Greg Miller about preaching and other speaking engagements, as well as puppet ministry, please e-mail kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Book Review: The Spoils of Eden

When my friend Jill Hart of CWAHM.com sent out an email asking for people to renew Linda Lee Chaikin's book, The Spoils of Eden, from Moody Publishers, I jumped at the chance. I love fiction and am an avid reader, so it seemed like a good fit.

Let me state up front that this is a historical romance and that is not my favorite genre. I personally prefer mystery and suspense, and the only historical era that interests me in fiction is the 1940's. So this book will probably receive a much better review from someone who absolutely loves this genre and this era.

The Spoils of Eden is set in 1891 Hawaii, an independent nation struggling with the possibility of becoming a state and ending its long history of monarchy. The heroine, Eden Derrington, is a young nurse who is determined to abandon the man she loves to help her father, a well-known doctor, fulfill his dream of starting a clinic on a leper colony. His goal is to assuage his guilt over Eden's mother acquiring leprosy while assisting him years before. Eden's goal is to finally get her father's attention. And she's willing to sacrifice everything to do so.

A sub-plot of the story, though touted as the plot itself on the publisher's review, is that Rafe Easton, Eden's estranged fiance, has acquired a young child, born of a leper, and plans to adopt him. Eden, on the other hand, is on a mission from the Hawaii Board of Health to send the baby to the leper colony where he legally belongs. The story is filled with battles of the will between Rafe and Eden, the Derrington patriach and other characters, and even Eden's own battles within.

Even when I receive a book free as I did this one, I am determined to give an honest review. And while I would like to say I fell in love with this book, I can't honestly say that. For the most part, it is well-written, but there are several instances where the author's presence becomes felt as she reverts to "telling" to give information rather than "showing," which is what fiction is about.

Having read dozens of books on writing well, and being that avid reader I mentioned, I'm the first to admit that I'm a critical reader. No book that interrupts my suspension of disbelief will ever receive five stars from me.

With that said, this is a decent book. For those who especially enjoy historical novels, this would be a good pick. The characters are well rounded and true to nature (though part of my problem, too, is that I'm not crazy about Eden—I think she needs to grow up and be a woman instead of trying to be "daddy's little girl," but that's another issue). And I do like the hero, Rafe. He's strong, dependable, and is a very likeable character.

All in all, I'd give the book three stars and add that if you do like historical fiction, and you can get past the historical facts interrupting the story, you might really enjoy this book.

Purchase The Spoils of Eden.

Second-grader listens closely to story of David and Goliath

Enjoy this guest post from author Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Duncan, a second-grader, asked Mrs. Daniels, his Sunday school teacher, to once again share the story of David and Goliath.

Duncan never grew tired of the stories of Moses, Joshua, King Saul and David, and all his other Old Testament heroes. “They’re not just stories,” he said. “These characters are among the most important people who actually lived, and we need to learn the lessons that their lives teach us.”

Mrs. Daniels began the story… “David’s brothers were in the army, and he went to check on them and take some food to them.

“When David left home, he had no idea he would be engaged in the battle of his life. He was a shepherd and had killed a lion and a bear that had attacked the sheep, but he had never faced a foe like Goliath. When the time came to battle this enemy of the people of God, David took his sling and selected five smooth stones from the brook and put them in a shepherd’s bag.”

Mrs. Daniels told Duncan and the other children, “The Bible tells us that Goliath taunted David because he was ‘but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.’

“According to the Word of God,” Mrs. Daniels continued, “Goliath cursed David by his gods and told him, ‘Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.’

“Then David told Goliath, ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.’”

Mrs. Daniels continued with the story. “David told Goliath, ‘This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.’”

Mrs. Daniels wanted to see how closely Duncan and the other children were listening to the story. She said, “Later, David told his brothers, ‘I threw the rock with my sling, but the Lord directed my aim. And when the Sovereign Lord takes aim at a target, he never misses. He never even has to take target practice!’”

“Did David really say that?” inquired Duncan. “I’ve heard the story before, and I don’t remember that part of it.”

“No, I don’t think he actually made that statement,” said Mrs. Daniels. “But he could have… and he would have been telling the truth!”

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To contact the writer of this column about preaching and other speaking engagements, or puppet ministry, please e-mail kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Make use of your trunk before buying a suitcase

Enjoy this guest post from author Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Macie, an elephant who lived in the largest city on a planet where all the residents were pachyderms, was planning a summer vacation.

Macie and her best friend, Maggie, went to numerous yard sales each week, so Macie decided to look for a new set of luggage in which to pack her vacation supplies: Sunscreen designed especially for tough skin, large bags of peanuts and a new pair of elephant boots. The boots were necessary because she needed to protect her feet from the hard, sharp rocks that covered the ground.

The month of May 2010 had almost finished its predestined trail through time, and Macie still needed her new luggage. Macie and Maggie arose early Saturday morning and headed for the yard sale sponsored by The Pachyderm Community Organization of the Planet. Since they were neighbors, Maggie offered to prepare breakfast so they would have plenty of energy for shopping.

As their destination came into view, Maggie observed that a couple of lady elephants were selling roasted peanuts. “Let's get several large orders of these delicious peanuts,” said Maggie. “It will be my treat, and it will help the organization raise a little more money for its various projects.”

“I know we ate breakfast at Maggie's Kitchen before we came here, but I'm always up for a generous helping of roasted peanuts, especially if they come from this great organization,” Macie said.

Macie and Maggie entered the building, purchased their peanuts, made themselves comfortable on the gigantic floor and began consuming their salty treats. The elephants ate so many peanuts that they closed their eyes, and soon they were fast asleep. About 15 minute later, Macie and Maggie awoke and, refreshed by their short nap, began shopping.

A large box labeled “Mystery Collectibles” caught Macie's eye. “Our friend Mollie will enjoy putting her ‘Mystery Collectibles' in this box,” she said.

“I don't know if all of Mollies' collectibles will fit in this box,” observed Maggie. “She has such a huge collection of collectibles.”

“I have a great idea!,” exclaimed Maggie. “Instead of buying this box for Mollie, why not buy it for yourself? You could use it for a suitcase when we go on vacation.”

“I don't really think that's such a good idea,” responded Macie. “I want to do something nice for Mollie. Besides, this box won't make a very good suitcase.”

“Even for an elephant, you are thick-skinned,” said Maggie.

“I'm no more of a thick-skinned pachyderm than you are,” replied Macie. “For one thing, I feel good after I do something nice for another elephant. For another thing, I've decided I don't need to buy a suitcase for vacation. I think the trunk I already have will hold everything I'll need to take with me!”

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To contact the writer of this column about preaching and other speaking engagements, or puppet ministry, please e-mail kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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A different kind of Father’s Dayby Greg Miller

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Maureen and Mitch celebrated Father's Day several weeks early.

“I'm sorry I must work on Father's Day, because I know you and the kids would like to spend the afternoon with me,” said Mitch. “But since my job as a fireman requires me to work this Father's Day, we'll celebrate the holiday a couple of weeks early.”

“That's a wonderful idea, Dear,” said Maureen. “Would you like to eat lunch at your favorite restaurant?”

“Sure,” said Mitch. “But after we get back home, I'd like to change the routine a little. Instead of watching a baseball game like I usually do, I'd like for us to spend some quality time with the Lord.”

“What kind of quality time, Dad?,” asked Monty, the couple's son.

“Yeah, Dad, what kind of quality time?,” asked Monique, Monty's sister, whose favorite pastime was teasing her older brother.

“The first thing I'd like for us to do is spend some time praying to the Sovereign Lord,” said Mitchell. “We'll thank Him for His provision and ask Him for His guidance.”

“I think we should share our testimonies about how the Lord has worked in our lives,” said Monique.

“I can preach a short sermon,” said Monty, who at the tender age of 14, said he felt the Lord was calling him to attend Bible college and become a minister.

“I'll receive an offering,” said Mitch. “We can send the money to help missionaries build a church in another country.”

“This will be a different kind of Father's Day celebration,” said Maureen. “We should have done it years ago. I believe it will draw our family closer together and strengthen our relationship with our heavenly father.”

Mitch asked Monty if he thought the afternoon together would strengthen his relationship with his sister. “I don't think it will hurt,” Monty replied. “But we already have a great relationship. She just teases me too much.”

Mitch asked his son and daughter to rate his job as a dad. “You're a great father,” said Monique. You are a wonderful husband to mom, too.”

“I agree with Monique,” said Monty. “Plus, you're always taking us to church and teaching us about Jesus and how He shed His blood on the Cross and died for our sins.”

“I'm glad you came up with the idea for this special Father's Day celebration,” said Monique. “I think it will help all of us to appreciate each other more.”

“I hope it will help all of us appreciate our heavenly father more, too,” said Mitch. “After all, when it comes to being a father, the Sovereign Lord has more experience than all the dads in the world put together!”

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To contact the writer of this column about preaching and other speaking engagements, as well as puppet ministry, please e-mail kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

Stars debate their brightness

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on Christian Daily Blog!

Francesca and Fred were stars who lived in different parts of God’s great and glorious universe.

Both Francesca and Fred had high opinions of themselves. “I’m the brightest star in the universe,” said Fred.

“Don’t be silly,” replied Francesca. “You’re the only star in the sky who doesn’t see my true brightness.”

“It seems that your opinion of yourself is the only one that counts,” said Fred. “You’re always talking about the brightness that overwhelms you when you’re standing in front of heaven’s mirror.”

“You’re just jealous,” said Francesca. “You’re a dreamer. You’re a wishful thinker. On the other hand, I’m a realist. I know what I see when I look at me. I see what I know when I look at me. I know what I think when I think about me.”

“You’re saying a lot, but you’re not saying anything,” said Fred. “You’re just talking in circles.”

“I’m millions of years older than you,” said Francesca. “That’s another reason to believe that I’m brighter than you.”

“Being millions of years older than me means only one thing,” replied Fred. “It means you’re millions of years older than me. It certainly doesn’t mean that you shine brighter than me.”

“There’s one more reason to say that I’m a brighter star than you,” said Francesca.

“I’m a graduate of the Heavenly Stars Celestial University,” Francesca said. “God himself handed my diploma to me!”

Francesca concluded her argument. “I’ve just given you all the reasons I am heaven’s brightest star,” she said. “Surely now you will concede the obvious.”

“The only thing I’m willing to concede is that you and I are very bright stars,” Fred said. “Only the Sovereign Lord, however, can judge which of us may have superior brightness. I know it may be highly unlikely, but He may say some other star is the brightest star in the Universe.”

Francesca giggled, “You’re so funny, Fred. God created us, so He knows more about us than we know about ourselves. Plus, it’s important to remember that each of us stars has been assigned a certain job to do.”

“I thought you were determined to have every star in the Universe bow at the Altar of the Mirror of Francesca,” said Fred.

“I do think I’m a very bright star,” Francesca beamed. “But since we started our little discussion, I’ve been thinking that while I may be the brightest star in the Universe tonight, you may shine more brightly tomorrow night.”

“The bottom line is no matter how brightly we shine, we’ll never outshine God’s Son, Jesus Christ,” said Fred.

“That’s right,” agreed Francesca. He created all of the stars in the Universe, and even on a cloudy day, He is far brighter than all of the rest of us put together!”
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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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