September 17, 2013 -- Issue #20 - Volume 14

Today's articles are listed, below. When replying, highlight the text that is pertinent to your response, then hit reply. Title your message to reflect the content.

1) Dynamite Living
2) Icebreaker Idea
3) To Tell the Truth  - Game Show
4) Candlelight and Cheese

1) Dynamite Living

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

Recently, I wrote about my ongoing struggle with anxiety (Freedom in Christ and From Panic Attacks Too). I did so to encourage others who struggle with this “disorder.” Today I want to share a nugget of truth concerning fear and its power over our lives.

Fear is a useful reaction to a dangerous event. It causes people to run for safety or to stand and fight to protect their lives. But when these feelings arise for no apparent reason, it can cause people to retreat from life (agoraphobia), or to live with constant anxiety and fear (generalized or social anxiety); both of which are debilitating, and at the very least a thief of joy!

There are many reasons why people suffer from anxiety. It may be the result of a chemical or hormonal imbalance that requires medication, a result of prolonged stress or emotional trauma, wrong thinking "misbeliefs," or even from eating the wrong foods. 

The other day I read an article about fear and our feelings, which got me thinking about today’s Bible verse. The article went on to say that fear is not a feeling, but is a spirit that is opposed to God's wonder-working Spirit. This may be true in some cases. But, whether or not my anxiety is a result of a chemical imbalance or caused by too much stress, I do know that the Enemy can use my weakness to his advantage. However, I have discovered that 2 Timothy 1:7 is a powerful weapon to help me stand and fight without fear!

To continue reading, click on Dynamite Living, listed alphabetically on Bible Talks & Devotionals for Older Teens & Adults.

2) Icebreaker Idea

This past week we tried the "On a Roll" icebreaker activity with our 3rd and 4th graders. But to save time, rather than allow them to take as "much paper as they needed," we instructed them to say their name and then take 1, 2 or 3 squares of paper. When everyone had taken their share, they had to tell 1, 2, or 3 facts about themselves. It worked great, got them talking, and they thought it was fun!

Do you have an icebreaker activity to share? Please send it to: sstn@sundayschoolnetwork.com. 

3) To Tell the Truth - Game Show

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6 NIV).

Fifty years ago I was a participant on a popular Goodson-Todman program hosted by Bud Collyer. The year was 1963, and the program was "To Tell the Truth." Panelists included Sam Levinson, Lena Horne and Barry Nelson. The show was scheduled to be broadcast on CBS-TV on November 25, 1963. A segment of the program spoke of laughter and good times at the Kennedy White House.

Two weeks later there were tears throughout America. The assassination of John F. Kennedy on Friday, November 23, 1963 erased broadcast schedules and ended the era of Camelot in our nation’s capital. The program I appeared on never aired.

During the show I was an impostor impersonating the youngest officer in the United States Army.

To continue reading, click on To Tell the Truth, listed alphabetically on Bible Talks & Devotionals for Older Teens & Adults.

4) Candlelight and Cheese

"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 NIV). 

There we were, just the two of us. The candles were lit. The table was set. My bride had prepared a wonderful Italian dinner. The sun had set after a long day at work. Now we could just relax and enjoy being together.

Dimly-lit rooms can be both enticing and romantic. They can also hide things from the light of day. That summer evening my wife had prepared linguine with a delicious meat sauce. And, as we both love Parmesan cheese, we piled it on. 

It was all so delicious—a memorable evening!

Only after finishing our meal, with the overhead chandelier on, did we discover that the grated Parmesan we used from the canister had turned blue from mold. It was not pleasing to look at, and we wondered, “What have we done?”

This reminded me that darkness can cover a multitude of sins. Secret societies are dark. So are strip joints, bars, cloakrooms, and every other locality where the Truth is hidden. In the dark, like the spreading tentacles of mold on Parmesan cheese, sin flourishes. Once sin is ingested it can lead to death: greed, pride, envy, lust, sloth, and gluttony, all of which are deadly organisms of a spiritual nature.

To continue reading, click on Candlelight and Cheese, listed alphabetically on Bible Talks & Devotionals for Older Teens & Adults.

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