Children's Stories From The Village Shepherd, Vol 1 by Janice B. Scott

I run Junior Church and had this book bought for my Birthday by my Mum, it is a series of short stories with a christian Moral, very interesting and informative.

Because I believe that God is in every part of life but does not intrude unless invited, these stories follow a similar pattern. That is, they are about God and Christianity, but they do not intrude unless invited. Above all, they are for enjoyment, because that too is what I believe about God -- that God should be enjoyed. -- From the Foreword This collection of heartwarming stories from the Village Shepherd is an ideal means for revealing deep truths of the Christian faith while at the same time entertaining and captivating readers. It is a journey through worlds of talking animals, imaginative characters, pixies and goblins, and regular, everyday life, learning important lessons on faith, love, family, and God. Some stories evoke laughter while others bring tears, but each will leave the reader better for the experience. Every tale is linked to a passage from the Bible, aiding readers in searching beneath the surface of the story and applying its wisdom to their daily lives. This collection is sure to be a treasured part of any library, appealing to the child in all of us

Tips for a Family Walk

Regular walking is good exercise and sociable.
Don't force children to walk if they really don't want to - you might put them off for good.

Prepare fun activities before you set out

Make a list of natural things to pick up/spot on the walk (feathers, cones, animals)
Hide treasure before the walk.
Make Maps
Have some masks and fancy dress ready so the kids can 'play act' during your stroll.
Pack some treats to eat and drink along the way

Let them take a friend or join forces with another family.

Pick interesting and varied terrain for clambering and running wild.

Comfort
Be prepared to cut the walk short and praise special efforts or achievements.
A good pace is 1.5mph.
Ensure they have comfortable clothes and shoes, and carry extra layers with them.
Take waterproofs and wellies.
Give them a small rucksack to pack, carry and stash the 'treasures'

Today is Sophies 11th Birthday, and i bought her the following publications

The Big Book of Faith Questions
What do Christians believe?
This beautifully illustrated book is packed with answers to questions a child might ask about God, Jesus, the Christian faith and many topics, including money, communion, suffering, the Bible, sin, living God’s way, Jesus’ death and resurrection, e.g., Did Jesus really die? What happened after Jesus died? What did Jesus’ death achieve? And How can I be forgiven? the Holy Spirit, prayer… and many more…
The 112 answers are clear and biblical, with references to the relevant Bible passage when appropriate and with an expansion or explanation underneath.

and

TOPZ Guide To The Bible

Written for 7 to 11 year olds, the Topz Guide to the Bible presents exciting and stimulating ways to become familiar with the Bible and appreciate the different aspects of God’s Word. With a blend of colourful illustrations, fun cartoons and lively writing, this is the perfect start for children to get to know their Bibles.

Then at Bible Study Alison gave me 2 issues of the childrens bible study notes Topz Many/June 2011 and Jul/Aug 2011, i ordered them for Sophie a few weeks back, from now no she should be getting them every 2 months.

Topz is an exciting day-by-day look at the Bible with the Topz Gang! In this popular bimonthly devotional for 7 to 11 year olds, the gang teach children biblical truths through word games, puzzles, riddles, cartoons, competitions, simple prayers and daily Bible readings.

Bambi (1942)

This afternoon while having tea we watched Bambi, ahhh lovely, talk about Circle of Life!!

The animated story of Bambi, a young deer hailed as the 'Prince of the Forest' at his birth. As Bambi grows, he makes friends with the other animals of the forest, learns the skills needed to survive, and even finds love. One day, however, the hunters come, and Bambi must learn to be as brave as his father if he is to lead the other deer to safety.

	Hardie Albright	...	Adolescent Bambi (voice) (uncredited)
	Stan Alexander	...	Young Flower (voice) (uncredited)
	Bobette Audrey	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
	Peter Behn	...	Young Thumper (voice) (uncredited)
	Thelma Boardman	...	Mrs. Quail / Pheasant (voice) (uncredited)

From the Mouths of Babes

Oh Sophie, Sophie, my 10yr old Special Needs Grandaughter, bless her, she is so full of questions about God and Jesus, and the questions are very probing and in depth and sometimes it is very difficult to answer, and she does not let up until she is satisfied with the answers, a lot of the questions compare our lives today with people from the Bible which makes it more difficult.

Some examples

She started discussing Adam and Eve as David mentioned them in Church this morning. Examples of types of questions followed by my responses

Where is Garden of Eden? - Understandable - Me - a long way away
Can i go there? - no one knows really where it is they can only guess
Why? -

I feel sorry for Adam and Eve, as there was no one else, they had no friends to play with - well, you don't miss what you have never had.

How come Adam and Eve are never babies? - ummm well

Did Adam and Eve go to school? - well no, because there was no one else, there were no schools.
Well how did they learn then?  - God taught them

What did Adam and Eve eat? - I don't really know but i suspect Fruit and Vegetables
Don't they have hot food then? - I wouldn't think so
Then how do they stay warm? - They live in a warm country
But I mean warm inside? - Ummm ok

Did Adam and Eve ever come to Hunstanton? - I wouldn't think so because it was a long way
They could travel? - not easily because there were no buses, cars or trains then
How did they get about then? - they walked everywhere
Oh that is sad - you don't miss something you have never had

Did God Make Hunstanton? - no man built it

Why did God Make Bugs cos i don't like them?

Does God really hear everything i say? - yes
But why can't i talk to him? - you can through prayer
But why can't i hear him, does he listen? - yes but he doesn't speak like we're speaking, he talks through your head and your heart

What is Hell like?

What is Heaven like?

And so it goes on and on and on and never stops!!!!!!!

It is brilliant, i am delighted but oh so hard work.

I did lend her my Good News Bible, which she is thrilled with, she is already upto Cain and Abel!!

I am sure i am going to add to this as i remember things.  I have debated giving her David's email so she can email him with her questions.

When Jen was young she had some bible reading notes for a time, i expect they still have them for children, i might have a word with Alison and ask her advice.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

When Willy Wonka decides to let five children into his chocolate factory, he decides to release five golden tickets in five separate chocolate bars, causing complete mayhem. The tickets start to be found, with the fifth going to a very special boy, called Charlie Bucket. With his Grandpa, Charlie joins the rest of the children to experience the most amazing factory ever. But not everything goes to plan within the factory. 

	Johnny Depp	...	Willy Wonka
	Freddie Highmore	...	Charlie Bucket
	David Kelly	...	Grandpa Joe
	Helena Bonham Carter	...	Mrs. Bucket
	Noah Taylor	...	Mr. Bucket
	Missi Pyle	...	Mrs. Beauregarde
	James Fox	...	Mr. Salt
	Deep Roy	...	Oompa Loompa
	Christopher Lee	...	Dr. Wonka
	Adam Godley	...	Mr. Teavee
	Franziska Troegner	...	Mrs. Gloop
	AnnaSophia Robb	...	Violet Beauregarde (as Annasophia Robb)
	Julia Winter	...	Veruca Salt
	Jordan Fry	...	Mike Teavee
	Philip Wiegratz	...	Augustus Gloop

 

Herbie Rides Again (1974)

Brilliant!!

Alonzo Hawk is a mean-spirited property developer who has bought several blocks of land in the downtown district in order to build a gigantic shopping mall. There is one problem however; an elderly widow named Steinmetz won't sell the one remaining lot that Hawk needs to proceed with his scheme. So he resorts to all manner of chicanery, legal or otherwise, to get it. Fortunately, the widow Steinmetz has an ace up her sleeve in the form of Herbie, the miraculous Volkswagen.

	Helen Hayes	...	Mrs. Steinmetz
	Ken Berry	...	Willoughby Whitfield
	Stefanie Powers	...	Nicole Harris
	John McIntire	...	Mr. Judson
	Keenan Wynn	...	Alonzo Hawk

Herbie Fully Loaded (2005)

Not Bad, not nothing beats Herbie Rides Again

Maggie Peyton is the new owner of Number 53--the free wheelin' Volkswagen bug with a mind of its own; she puts the car through its paces on the road to becoming a NASCAR competitor. As a third generation member of a NASCAR family, racing is in Maggie Peyton's blood, but she is forbidden from pursuing her dream by her overprotective father, Ray Peyton, Sr. When Ray Sr. offers Maggie a car as a college graduation present, he takes her to a junkyard to choose one from an assortment of very used cars. Maggie has her eye on an old Nissan, but a certain rusty, banged up '63 VW Bug seems to be clamoring for her attention. To her surprise, Maggie leaves the lot with Herbie. As she prepares to leave town for a position with ESPN News, Maggie discovers that Herbie has a mind of his own--and an alternate route for her future.

	Lindsay Lohan	...	Maggie Peyton
	Michael Keaton	...	Ray Peyton Sr.
	Matt Dillon	...	Trip Murphy
	Breckin Meyer	...	Ray Peyton Jr.