BJU Press Blog

LOVE

by

It certainly goes without saying that Christ’s coming to earth brought us the most vivid picture of love that the world has ever seen. But it was when He left and returned to the halls of heaven that we received the power to exercise His love. Love has first place in the list of His fruits of the Spirit. It is for the believers to give and to enjoy.

cover image of Wonderful Words

The Lord said, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us” (Ephesians 5:2). “See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22). “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light” (1 John 2:10). “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: Walk in love as Christ has loved us.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (June 1 reading).]

Dates to Remember in June

by

To me, June is the official start of summer. The weather has finally warmed up in most regions of the country, and our days are still getting longer as the northern hemisphere tilts toward the sun. And when I was a kid, June also meant that my workbooks and academic projects were put aside for swimming lessons and family visits.

But the one thing I didn’t take a break from was reading! Every time we got in the car, I brought a book along. For you and your little bookworms, our JourneyForth books provide great summer reading material. We’re also going to be promoting reading the entire month of June. Keep an eye out for what’s coming!

Writers Born in June

  • Gwendolyn Brooks (born June 7, 1917) wrote the poem “We Real Cool” found in Fundamentals of Literature.
  • Ben Johnson (born June 11, 1572) wrote the poems “Song to Celia,” “Still to Be Near,” and “On My First Son” included in British Literature.
  • Anne Frank (born June 12, 1929) wrote a journal, now published as a book titled The Diary of a Young Girl, excerpts of which can be found in Excursions in Literature.
  • Joyce Carol Oates (born June 16, 1938) wrote the short story “Murder” included in American Literature.
  • Helen Keller (born June 27, 1880) wrote an essay called “The Most Important Day.”

WP-Remembrance in Action: A Memorial Day Project; Rebecca, 5/2016; WP-Dates to Remember in June; Meredith; 5/2016

June 6

Known as D-day, June 6, 1944, was the day near the end of World War II when the Allied Forces began an attack to free Europe of Nazi occupation. General Dwight D. Eisenhower led this campaign—Operation Overlord—the largest amphibious operation in military history. It quickened the end of the war in Europe. View the Untold Stories of D-day from National Geographic to learn about the planning and scale of this invasion.

June 14

Show your patriotism on Flag Day. Today we remember when the Continental Congress passed a resolution to choose a flag that represented our nation. The US flag changed in layout and design as our nation grew, but today its form is defined. The Stars and Stripes is an important national symbol that reminds us about our freedom. Each of the fifty stars represent one of our fifty states, and there are thirteen red and white alternating stripes to symbolize the original thirteen colonies. See how the flag changed as states were added to the Union.

homemade Father's Day card with gift coupons

June 19

Don’t forget to tell Dad you love him on Father’s Day! A father’s love is the closest human comparison we have to our heavenly Father’s tender care for us. And despite the times our earthly fathers disappoint us, we can be sure that God in His wisdom always does what is good (Romans 8:28-32). The kids can offer to wash the car, clean the garage, or take Dad to his favorite game with this coupon template.

diagram of Earth rotating around the Sun

June 20

This year summer officially arrives on this date. Today is the summer solstice. That means the sun’s rays are shining straight down on 23½ degrees N latitude at noon. This latitude is also known as the Tropic of Cancer. The seasons are a direct result of the earth’s motion around the sun, and this day is defined by a distinct point in the earth’s orbit. It’s when the North Pole is tilted toward the sun, and that’s why we have warmer temperatures and longer days. Take advantage of the longest day of the year to go on a family hike. This blog post has some nature trail tips and a hiking trail journal for the kids.

How do you celebrate the beginning of summer? Let me know in a comment.

LIGHT

by

Life on earth began with and is sustained by light. When God said, “Let there be light,” He bore testimony to us that He is the only source of light and life. The apostle John declares in 1 John 1:5 “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

cover image of Wonderful Words

God said, “Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). “In thy light shall we see light” (Psalm 36:9). “O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me” (Psalm 43:3). “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). “Ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Golden thought: The Lord is my light.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (May 25 reading).]

Remembrance in Action: A Memorial Day Project

by

American flag

Memorial Day blends sadness with gratitude as we remember those who died in the service of our country. Unlike Veterans’ Day, which honors the soldiers who served and returned, Memorial Day recognizes those who gave up their lives fighting for freedom. Keeping Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day straight is difficult for kids, but doing activities and writing about the day will help them understand its meaning.

Step 1. Adopt a Soldier

About a week before Memorial Day, choose a soldier to remember. Perhaps there is someone in your family who gave his or her life while serving in the armed forces, or perhaps you know of a family friend or a neighbor who lost a loved one in war. If possible, choose someone whose grave is in your area, so that you and your children can visit briefly as part of your Memorial Day project.

Step 2. Do Some Research

Once you have chosen a soldier to remember, it’s time to do some research about him or her. The individual’s birth date, date of death, hometown, place of service, and other details are all helpful pieces of information that you can find out online or from the soldier’s family members. Learning a little bit about the soldier will make him more real to your children and deepen the meaning of his sacrifice. While they research, kids can take notes using this graphic organizer.

Step 3. Write About It

Younger children can write a few sentences about what they have learned, in the form of a short narrative or a timeline. Visual learners may enjoy drawing some illustrations to go with the written part. Older kids can turn their research into an essay about Memorial Day or the price of freedom; or they could design a timeline with information and illustrations to celebrate the soldier’s life. Posting photos of the project on Facebook, gifting the illustrations to the soldier’s living relatives, or reading the essay aloud to a group of fellow homeschoolers are just a few ways that your children can share their projects.

Step 4. Make a Stars and Stripes Wreath

To adorn your soldier’s grave on Memorial Day, you and your kids can make a red, white, and blue wreath reminiscent of the American flag. You’ll need the following supplies:

  • Red, white, and blue bandanas from a dollar store or thrift shop
  • A wreath form from a craft store
  • Twist ties
  • White felt
  • A hot-glue gun

Wrap blue bandanas around the left side of the wreath, securing them with twist ties and leaving the ends free. Once you have done about half of the wreath, wrap the remaining portion in alternating red and white bandanas. Cut a couple dozen five-pointed stars from the white felt and hot-glue them onto the blue bandanas.

Step 5. Decorate a Soldier’s Grave

On Memorial Day, take the kids to visit their soldier’s grave. Check with the cemetery to make sure it’s okay for you to leave the wreath at the grave to honor the soldier’s memory.

What other activities have you done to teach your kids the importance of Memorial Day? Share them with me in a comment.

• • • • •

Rebecca is a work-at-home freelance writer, novelist, wife, and the mom of two bright-eyed little ones. She credits her success in writing and her love of books to her own mom, who homeschooled three kids from pre-K through high school.