Lessons of Spring

I have in my hand a small branch from an apple tree. Here are seen the tiny buds, the promise of the blossom, and after that the fruit. Have you ever seen an apple orchard in blossom? People rave about the cherry blossoms of Japan, and the fire trees, flaming red, of the Philippines. I have been in both countries, but I think there is no more beautiful sight in any country than the blossoming apple orchards of America.

Photo Credits: G Schouten de Jel, Stock.Xchng

When you see branches like this sending forth their first buds, what do they tell us?

First, they tell us of God.  I do not see how any one can live through the awakening spring season and not think daily thoughts of God.  Most people remember the Creator.  Only one person has ever denied God. "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God."  He said it to himself, he did not dare speak it out loud.




Second, they tells us of God's Love.  He, the loving Father of all people, makes blessed provision for the care and nurture of his children.  He reminds us each year, in seedtime and harvest, of his boundless love. His love never fails. There have been many hundreds of years in the history of the world, yet each year has had its spring, its seedtime, and its resurrection. Young people, let God's Spring time speak to you.

MEMORY VERSE:  Daniel 2:20-21

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons."

KIDS CRAFT
Flowering tree coloring page.
Easy Shapes Tree Craft.  Print out the templates: colored version or black and white version (this the kids can also color).   Cut and then paste the shapes onto a bond paper forming pine trees or apple trees.  Alternatively, the shapes can be cut out of colored construction paper.  Do this ahead of time for younger kids.

The Snowflake - Lesson on Uniqueness

Sleep - God's Most Blessed Gift

Did you have a good sleep last night? I hope you sleep well nightly. God's finest gift to his children is sleep. Do you think there are some finer gifts? Name them.

Ah, I believe you were mistaken. The more you think about it the more you'll agree with me that - sleep - the Father's loving provision for tired people, is a most blessed present.

Now God gives sleep not only to girls and boys but to all of his creation. Do you know how some of those creatures sleep? I'll tell you.

Elephants and horses normally sleep standing up. How would you like to hear your mother tell you, "Robert, it's time to go to bed, stand in that corner over there and sleep."

Most birds sleep with the head turned over toward the tail and the bill poked in under the feathers. Storks, seagulls and all other long-legged birds sleep standing on one leg. It would be harder to sleep that way than just standing in the corner, wouldn't it?

The fox and the wolf sleep with the tip of the nose and the soles of the feet touching each other; and the big, bushy tail covering up all their body to keep them warm. Owls sleep during the daytime. They have eyelids, and "curtains" over the eyelids. These curtains are worn across the eyes, sideways to shut out the strong light of the day. Rabbits, snakes and fish sleep with their eyes open.

Why does God give us sleep? Is it for the pleasure of sleeping? No. He gives us sleep that our bodies and minds may be freshened up. The strength we have spent during the day is restored to us during the night's sleep.

Be thankful to your Father in heaven when this evening you kneel to pray:
"Now I lay me down to sleep."

MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 127: 2
"So he gives sleep to those He loves."

KIDS CRAFT: How to make an Origami Bird
There are 2 ways of making origami bird here. One is presented in the You Tube video below. The other is an origami bird printable (just click on the thumbnail on the left to download).

The Spider (Poem)

Don’t kill the spider, little Fred,

But come and stand by me,

And watch him spin that slender thread,

Which we can hardly see.

How patiently, now up, now down,

He brings that tiny line!

He never stops, but works right on,

And weaves his web so fine.

You could not make a thread so small,

If you should try all day;

So never hurt him, dear at all,

But spare him in your play.

- Cousin Hatty's Hymns and Twilight Stories

KID'S CRAFT: How to Draw a Smiley Spider