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Dear Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving! Christians should be the most thankful people in the world!
We hope that you enjoy the Thanksgiving family activity which you can find at the end of this article. There is a prize for the first 25 families who complete it! Also, if you are looking for Christmas ministry ideas, remember about the Christmas scrolls. We have been shipping out a lot, but we still have plenty left! We are offering free shipping this month, and we have also highlighted a few other recommended resources below.
A 400 Year Journey Continues (by Harold Mally) On November 11, 1620, exactly 400 years ago, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and initiated the launch of a nation with Christian foundations. The “Pilgrims,” the term they used of themselves, were on a journey and, miraculously, by the providence and blessing of God, that journey continues yet today. Praise the Lord! We are pilgrims too. We keep the journey going as pilgrims for Christ, and we have trials to overcome that are just as formidable as the ones they faced. They did not at the time envision breaking from England and establishing a unity of states. But they did recognize the need for government and a governing document. That very day, on November 11, they drafted the Mayflower Compact, our first formal national governing document, and one that firmly identifies allegiance to Jesus Christ. Like them, our focus is not an earthly kingdom per se, but a heavenly one and a nation that seeks to honor our Creator and Savior. As we read of Abraham in Hebrews 11:10, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Today there are many more pilgrims in our land, but also many enemies. The biggest problem in 2020 is not COVID-19, but that America has forgotten God. Therefore, it is no surprise that political leaders and the media have not mentioned the Pilgrims on this 400 year memorial. It has been very disturbing and disappointing to me that so little has been said about this historic 400 year anniversary. How could America forget such a significant part of our history?
After Israel entered the Promised land, Joshua instructed the people, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The people of Israel insisted that they would serve the Lord, so Joshua took a great stone and set it up by the sanctuary of the Lord. Then Joshua explained, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us … lest ye deny your God” (Joshua 24:15, 26-27).
America is not Israel, but we do have Christian foundations, and by God’s providence, we also have a great stone to look back to as a witness. The Pilgrims landed near a rock that has become known as Plymouth Rock. It commemorates the beginning of our national history – a history of Pilgrims, the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The importance of that event is monumental. We need to use that history to teach our children about Jesus whom the Pilgrims served and the price that the Pilgrims paid. Let’s not allow that history to be erased.
We need today’s true Pilgrims, Patriots, and Preachers to be faithful and to “fight the good fight.” Let’s use this important 400th anniversary year to bring attention to the real issue in our land, Jesus Christ and eternal life in Him. He is the True Rock who purchased our salvation on the cross. And let’s pray that God continues to honor, protect and empower the Pilgrim’s vision – a land of freedom that glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving Activity Click here to download a matching activity to help your children learn about Pilgrims, Preachers, Patriots, Pioneers, and Politicians. It would be a good activity for Thanksgiving day, and hopefully a discussion starter too.
Prize: Complete this activity at your Thanksgiving meal with the words, pictures, definitions, and verses matched up correctly. Then email us a picture of it. For the first 25 families who gets it correct, we’ll send you a free copy of Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends.
Online Strong in the Lord Conference Report It was very encouraging to have over 600 moms and daughters join us for the second online conference on November 13-14th. One benefit of the online conferences is that they have enabled ladies from around the world to be involved. At the recent conference, ladies were able to join us from Canada, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Mozambique, the Philippines, Singapore, Slovakia, the UK and the United States! We have received many wonderful responses from both mothers and daughters about how it has affected their lives, their walk with the Lord and their relationship with each other. It has also been encouraging to hear about all the creative things that mothers did to make it a special weekend with their daughters. Praise the Lord.
Encouragement for Fathers (by Harold Mally) Have you heard of the “Familyman Weekly” newsletters from Todd Wilson? They are short, humorous, and encouraging emails for dads. I’ve been on Todd’s email list for years and enjoy each email as he reminds dads of what’s important. It’s written just to dads. Check it out at www.Familymanweb.com to see recent posts, to sign up for the newsletter, and to see other things for dads and families on his website.
Christmas Ministry for Your Family and Church (by Harold Mally) Covid-19 is making Christmas programs and parties difficult this year. But, actually, the best Merry Christmas is when we can help others have a Merry Christmas. And the only true Merry Christmas is knowing and rejoicing in the Savior. That is why we have printed tens of thousands of Christmas scrolls which contain the account of the birth of Christ straight from the gospels of Matthew and Luke (as well as some prophecies from Isaiah and gospel verses from John). One suggestion is to have a family scroll rolling party and then go “scrolling in the park” on some nice December weekend. Include a smile, a few kind words, and explain that the scroll is the Christmas account from the Bible. You could tell them, “2020 at least needs to end well, and that can only happen with God’s blessing, and His biggest blessing came to earth 2000 years ago. If we forget that, we’re toast!” Then finish the afternoon with some nice hot chocolate and a prayer time for the people who received the scrolls. Another idea is to include the Christmas account in Christmas cards you send out or with plates of cookies given to neighbors. To see or purchase scrolls click here.
Free Shipping for Orders Over $25 We are giving free media mail shipping for orders over $25 on our online store from now until Christmas. Offer is good through December 25th, 2020. Use promo code: shipping2020. Please note: this does NOT apply to International orders, or orders placed using the Bright Lights Leaders discount pricing.
Highlighted Resources Mr. Mally’s Christmas Cards for $5.00 (50% off) Several years ago at Christmas, our dad surprised us with some special Christmas cards he designed. They feature a camel, donkey, and a family of sheep, and their unique perspective about the Christmas story. :-) Each one has an important message, and we think they are a useful tool in drawing the attention of unbelieving friends and family to truths about the coming of Christ. These cards are available on our online store for $5.00 a box (16 cards per box). No promocode needed.
What if Jesus Meant What He Said? (by Nate Bramsen) "When Nate asked me to proofread his book, I didn't know how much I would be encouraged and challenged myself. It is full of thought-provoking stories and life-changing truths. I have been friends with Nate for quite a few years and have been impacted by his genuine love for people and his zeal for Christ. I have personally seen the Lord use him to impact young people mightily, and I hope that many others can be influenced through this book." – Grace Moffitt
This book is a call to live in radical devotion to Jesus, challenging the reader to ask soul-searching question: What if Jesus' words were never intended to fit into your existing lifestyle? If Jesus meant what He said, how might His words affect our relationships, investments, speech, perspectives, discipleship, spiritual disciplines, and every other compartment of our lives?
$13.00. 240 pages. No promocode necessary.
It is important to start teaching foundations about creation to your children starting when they are young. This book teaches children interesting facts about bees and the different jobs they do. It encourages children to explore God’s amazing creation. Recommended for ages 5-12. This month it’s on sale for $3.00. No promocode necessary.
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May God richly bless you and your families! The Mally Family, Moffitt Family, Hancock Family, and Bright Lights Staff Tomorrow's Forefathers, Inc.
945 7th Ave, Marion, Iowa 52302
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