 God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. —1 CORINTHIANS 12:18-20 STARLOG ENTRY 1.001Greetings from the orbital platform Provider! My name is Gavin Greystone, and I live here on Provider with my family. My dad’s name is Phoenix, my mom is Nebula, my brother is Comet, and my sister is Aurora. You could say my family is living on the edge—both because we’re living on the furthest edge of human civilization, and because our work out here is so dangerous. Here on Provider, we are somewhere between 746 million and one billion miles from Earth, depending on our current position in the solar system. That’s a long way from our home planet! Provider orbits Titan, one of Saturn’s moons, and it was built by the Alliance of Spacefaring Nations (ASN). Five years ago, my family arrived at Provider on board a spaceship called Beyond. I was seven years old at the time. We moved here from Mars to oversee the construction of Inspire, the first human settlement on Titan and soon to be our new home. We have an artificial intelligence system named KEWD. (Don’t ask me what it stands for because no one ever told me.) This AI is built into all of our computer systems, helping us with our work and with living life out here in space. Most of our work on the surface of Titan is done remotely by our team of constructo-bots. With KEWD’s help, my family creates these robots’ tasks, verifies their work, and solves problems that happen along the way. There are a few other people aboard Provider too. Their job is making sure the station continues to function, communicating with the ASN command center on Earth, and conducting other experiments. But when it comes to establishing a settlement on Titan, it’s the Greystone family or bust. We are a hundred percent on the hook for the success or failure of our habitat, called a hab-dome, on Titan’s surface. Eventually, the Inspire settlement will include other hab-domes, but completing this one is our first priority. Our family has trained hard to become a fantastic team. Not that we don’t have the occasional setback or argument! My brother, Comet, likes to be in charge (even though he isn’t), and my sister, Aurora, thinks she has the answer to every problem (even though she doesn’t). I don’t let either of them push me around. I may be the youngest, but I’m taller than both of them, and I read a lot because, well, there isn’t a lot else to do out here at what feels like the edge of the galaxy. Dad and Mom are good about keeping us focused on our mission and helping us work out our differences. They take time to help each of us develop our own skill sets even if, at times, these skills aren’t necessarily something we want to learn. For example, why do I have to know how to solve math problems when KEWD can do all the calculations for me through my mTalk? I mean, isn’t that why we all have mTalk devices—to communicate, access information, and help us solve problems? If all goes according to plan, Team Greystone will be departing from Provider to the surface of Titan next week to become the first settlers there, making us the third group to establish a settlement on a moon or planet beyond Earth (after the colonies on Luna and Mars). We’ll be the very first humans to touch the surface of Titan! That’s mind-blowing to think about. I’ll be walking in places where no human has ever been. Amazing! Our current team consists of my family members, but it’ll soon expand with two additional families joining us down on Titan. And from there, our settlement will continue to grow. For now though, my parents will lead our family and the two additional families coming to Titan. I hope someday I’ll be as good at leading a team as they are. Faith at the Edge: TeamworkHello, this is KEWD again. I’ll be extracting insights from Gavin’s daily journal entry to take you deeper into some of the challenges he is facing. The Greystone family is a team. No matter what challenges come their way, they rely on each other for all of their successes and failures. Each person in their family has a different skill set that makes them all valuable team members. This is important to help them succeed in their mission to colonize Titan. No role is more important than another; each position is unique and helps the team work together more effectively. Mr. and Mrs. Greystone help Gavin and his siblings sharpen their skills and keep them focused on the task at hand. The Christian life works very similarly to the Greystone team. When you put your trust in Jesus Christ, accepting His offer of salvation, you become a part of a heavenly team. This is a team of Christians working together for a common goal or task: to share God’s love with the world! We learn in 1 Corinthians 12 that this team is similar to the human body. Each part of the body has an essential job, and one part cannot work as effectively without the other. The Bible says that God put each part exactly where He wanted it. God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. —1 CORINTHIANS 12:18-20 Just like Gavin’s parents help him and his siblings stay focused and sharpen their skills, the Lord does the same for you. He puts people in your life to help you grow in your relationship with Him, and He’ll develop your skills so that you can work effectively with your Christian team. Gavin’s family is part of a critical team working together to achieve the goal of establishing a settlement on Titan. You, as a Christian, are also a part of an essential spiritual team working together to achieve the purpose of sharing Jesus with the world. So remember that God loves you and values you as part of His fantastic team. Edge Questions:
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Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Luke 22:61) At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Luke 22:61 KJVAnd the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. DevotionalHas anyone ever called you “chicken” because you didn’t want to do something? What would you do if soldiers showed up to kidnap your best friend? Would you stay or run and hide so the soldiers wouldn’t take you, too? After Jesus was arrested, Peter faced this very dilemma. Open your Bible and read Luke 22:54-62 to see what happened. Peter was the only one of Jesus’ disciples who dared to leave the boat and walk on water! Peter had a big heart and a big mouth, which often got him in trouble. I’m a lot like Peter. I, too, am one to jump before I think. More than one experiment has gone awry (which means wrong) because I didn’t take the time to ponder (which means think). Mostly, though, Peter’s leaping to action because he trusted Jesus was a good thing. And yet Peter and I have something else in common too—something not so fizztastic. This one kid in my class, Max, was good at art—he could sculpt anything out of clay, and he made the best comic strips. They were so funny! One time my friends were making fun of one of Max’s projects. I heard a voice in my head telling me this wasn’t right, but I did nothing. Then one of my friends tripped Max as he walked by. His clay sculpture fell and shattered into a gazillion pieces. A screw twisted in my stomach, and the voice inside me said this wasn’t right. Yet again, I didn’t listen—I said nothing. Finally, as Max began to cry over the destruction of his masterpiece, my friends started to laugh and point. And though my stomach churned and the voice sounded louder, I still did nothing. I just followed my friends as they walked down the hall and gave each other high-fives. I heard Max’s whimpers behind me. That night in my room, I began to cry as I tried to pray. I realized how wrong I’d been. I hadn’t acted as God had created me to act—in fact, like Peter, I’d denied Jesus three times. “I tell you the truth, Peter--this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me” (Matthew 26:34). Three times the Spirit of God had prompted me to act, and I’d ignored him three times. I knew what I had to do, so the next day, I sought out (which means looked for) Max. He turned away as I approached, embarrassed. But I tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Max, I am very sorry.” I told him I was a Christian but hadn’t acted like one. And that I was sorry for not standing up for him. Instead of being angry or blowing me off, Max surprised me. He quoted my favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Max smiled. “I forgive you.” Relief washed over me, and that was a turning point in my life. It wasn’t as though I never sinned again, but I knew that if I did, the best thing I could do was face the one I had wronged and apologize. And, you know, Peter changed too after Jesus forgave him. Peter became a man of action once again. This time, he would be sure his actions weren’t based on his ideas but on God’s. “Strengthen your brothers,” Jesus told him. So that’s what Peter did. He became one of the most outstanding, fizztastic leaders of Christ's followers, with his weakness turning to marvelous strength. His story gave me hope then, and it gives me hope today. Is there someone in your life you’ve been unkind to? Or have you stood by while others were unkind to that person? Pray for God to allow you to seek forgiveness from them and perhaps even to become friends. Prayer TimeAs a family, take a moment to pray for each other by name—that each of you would have the strength and courage to stand strong in your faith, even in the face of adversity (which means a challenge). Discussion QuestionsThink of a time you disobeyed Jesus and later asked for His forgiveness. How did it feel to be forgiven by Him? Is there anything you need to ask forgiveness for right now? Click the button above to conduct a fizztastic experiment connected to this devotional. Devotional Featured in Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop: 52 Fizztastically Fun Experiments and Devotions for FamiliesDevotionals are a great way to engage your kids with the Bible as well as character-building traits. They allow kids to explore topics they may be experiencing at school or at home, and unpack them through an outside viewpoint. While connecting kids back to sound Biblical principles these devotionals go one step further in engaging your kids in exciting ways. Several of the devotionals on this list provide active ways for kids to experience and engage with their faith. All of these devotionals are sure to draw your kids closer to God and away from the screen. Below you’ll find a must-have selection of ten (plus one) devotionals sure to engage your kids with their faith. Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop: 52 Fizztastically Fun Experiments and Devotions for Families
Edge of the Galaxy: 30 Faith-Filled Adventures
Made to Create with All My Heart and Soul: 60 Worship-through-Art Devotions for Girls
Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit
God Is in Nature!: A Kids Devotional About His Awesome Creations
The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science (Indescribable Kids)
The Action Bible Anytime Devotions: 90 Ways to Help Kids Connect with God Anytime, Anywhere (Action Bible Series)
90 Devotions for Kids (Adventures in Odyssey Books)
Roar Like a Lion: 90 Devotions to a Courageous Faith
Seekers: An Interactive Family Adventure in Following Jesus
Devotions for Super Average Kids
Tell me about your favorite kids' devotionals in the comments below! From the PublisherWhat do your kids know about the fruit of the Spirit? Maybe they can rattle off the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But do they really understand what the fruits look like in daily life? Christie Thomas is here to help you connect your children to the power of the Holy Spirit – and help your entire family learn a lot along the way! Each of these 100 devotionals will inspire your family with thought-provoking questions, real-life applications, and more. She also includes hands-on activities you can try when there’s time. Fruit Full offers real understanding of how God covers each of us with his goodness and love, and how the Spirit will help your kids grow in their own beautiful, Jesus-reflecting character With this book as your guide, the whole family will learn to grow abundant “fruit” together. “The most comprehensive, well-written family devotional on the fruits of the Spirit that I have ever read…A thoroughly easy-to-read, delightful devotional.” -Glenys Nellist, author of the Love Letters from God series The InterviewBrock: What was your inspiration for writing this book or series? Christie: In my 20+ years in children’s ministry, I often encountered curriculum that turned the Fruit of the Spirit into character traits we wanted to see in our kids. We labelled apples and bananas with permanent markers and gave them grape-scented stickers and magnets, but kids just didn’t understand. Worse, they didn’t grow spiritually. Finally, I figured out why. The Fruit of the Spirit isn’t a to-do list. Training our kids to "do better" at the fruits of the Spirit isn't Christian because the fruits of the Spirit aren't just nice character traits to practice. They are evidence of a life that is crucified with Christ and living in the resurrection power of His Spirit. They're fruit, not rules. When Paul wrote about the Fruit of the Spirit, he meant that when we put our roots deep down into God’s love and our souls are nurtured by Living Water and we follow the Light of the World, then, like a tree, we will grow good fruit. And the good fruit that grows in our lives as a result of being with Christ is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Fruit of the Spirit is evidence of a soul that is growing in Christ. Fruit Full centres around this concept: that as we spend more time with Jesus, connected to the Vine, we will grow in the fruit of the Spirit. The fruits then will naturally grow because they are the evidence of a life rooted in Christ. Brock: In three sentences what is this book about? Christie: How about one sentence? Through Fruit Full, I help your family focus on how Jesus lived out the fruit of the Spirit...and how, as we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus. Brock: But it's a long sentence, so we'll take it! What is your favorite genre to write for? Christie: I love writings stories from the Bible for kids! I’m not fussy as to whether the stories are in picture book or devotional form. Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids? Christie: I hope families will take a few minutes each day to connect with their kids through the devotions, conversation starters, and sample prayers. I also hope families will use the hands-on learning activities in whatever way fits their family best, whether that’s doing a few in one day, one per week, or just adding them as you have time and inspiration. Brock: What do you hope kids take away from this book or series? Christie: I hope kids learn that they are deeply loved by Jesus, and that, as believers, they know they have constant access to the Holy Spirit as their Helper and Guide in life. Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Christie: Since I also homeschool my three sons, I only have time to write part-time! I write in the evenings and on weekends, but usually try to make sure my kids know they are my priority. Brock: What is your "how I got published" story? Christie:I self-published my first book, a preschool devotional and submitted it for a writing contest. It made the short-list, so I flew to the conference on the other side of Canada. It was my first ever writer’s conference, and I gathered up all my courage to meet with an agent during the 1-on-1 sessions. To my shock and delight, his agency signed me on a few weeks later, and I’ve been slowly creating new books ever since. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Christie: I loved to write as a child, but wandered away from that dream in university, when I took a biology degree, hoping to get into medicine. However, rather than applying for med school, I ended up loving my summer job in Children’s Ministry and staying there for the next 14 years. Through my time in ministry, I wrote newsletters, skits, Bible stories, and curriculum, which heavily influenced my writing style and rebirthed my dream to be a writer. Brock: It';s time for the lightning round or unique questions! Soft shell or Hard Shell tacos? Christie: Tortilla chips. 😉 Brock: Favorite place to vacation? Christie: The Rocky Mountains. Brock: Favorite color? Christie:Purple Brock: Where do you live? Christie: I’m from Alberta, Canada, and live 10 minutes from the house my parents bought in 1978. I love living near my family, and my parents have been amazing cheerleaders during the writing process. Brock: What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Christie: I homeschool my three sons and (in the summer) putter around in the garden! I am proud to grow cantaloupe in my little greenhouse, despite how far north I live. Meet the Author I spent over a decade as the Children's Ministries Director at my church in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), but now I spend my time writing books and homeschooling my three boys. I believe that EVERY Christian mom can confidently nurture deep faith roots in her kids through tiny habits that add up over time. These tiny habits will grow like roots in your family, and they allow you to be more creative and go deeper with your kids as you develop confidence in God's faithfulness and in your leadership skills. When you join the Little Shoots, Deep Roots community, you will learn to lead your kids spiritually through little faith habits, without feeling like you have to do it all or know it all. I'm all about making family faith fun and simple so that your kids love it, and you can feel confident that you're nurturing deep faith roots in your family. Learn more at LittleShootsDeepRoots.com Book Title: Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit Publisher: Kregel Audience: Christian families with kids ages 2-12 Genre: Christian family devotional Release Date: February, 2022 Author Name: Christie Thomas Author Website: https://littleshootsdeeproots.com/ Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristieThomasLittleShoots/ Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleshootsdeeproots/?hl=en Author Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/cthomaswriter/ Author Other Social Media: https://www.tiktok.com/@littleshootsdeeproots  |
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