Author: theministrymama

10 Great Games for Deputation

♪  ♫ On the road again, just can’t wait to get on the road again… ♪ ♫ Do most missionary families  on deputation sing this song? Okay, maybe they do not sing the Willie Nelson song and maybe they really have moments where they do NOT want to get on the road again. That is why I have come up with a list of 10 Great Games for Deputation.

Some of these games are games that we have played as a family on our own road-trips, and some of these came highly recommended for travel games. You’re sure to bring a smile to a family’s face if you give them a game or two listed here. Everybody knows that being months on the road can give even the most Christian mothers and fathers the feeling of slamming their forehead into the steering wheel when the kids are fighting and tired of playing slug-bug.

These games were also chosen because most of them are travel size, small enough to fit into a vehicle without taking too much space. Space is always an issue when you’re traveling and when we give gifts to a missionary family we never want to give something that is going to be an over-sized burden.

Now let’s get to the fun part and take a look at these fun games for families on deputation (and furlough too).

Deputations Games 2

Top row, left to right.

  • Melissa & Doug’s Hangman – In this game of hangman you don’t have to keep up with which letters you have used and those you haven’t. You simply flip over the letter once it’s used. AND then you flip over the hangman’s body parts when someone guesses wrong also. The white section on the bottom is designed for writing with your handy-dandy dry erase marker the blanks for your secret word. This simply will slide beneath a seat or into a seat pocket.
  • Melissa & Doug’s License Plate Game – This game has easy flip license plates that stay securely on with tight bands, so there is no losing small pieces in the car. When you see a state license plate then you can quickly flip it over. This game is great for ages 5 and up.
  • Pass the Pigs by Winning Moves – Roll 2 cute little rubbery pigs and the way they land determines how many points you receive or LOSE! This game is like Yahtzee because you are trying to get your pigs to land certain ways to earn all the points you can. The pigs, pencil, and score pad fit nicely into the little container provided and will slip easily into a purse or backpack. Use a cookie sheet or other flat surface and you’ll have a oinking fun time!

Bottom row, left to right.

  • Loaded Questions: On the Go Version – This is a questions game where you ask people in your car all sorts of questions and get to know even your closest family member better. You can use the papers and pencils and pass them around the car by following the instructions or you can leave them in the box and just ask each other the fun questions. With 200 questions in the box, it is loaded with laughs! Recommended for ages 8 and up.
  • Spot It – On the Road Version – This game comes with 55 cards in the canister and comes with different ways to play by matching items on the cards or by traveling a Bingo style and looking for objects outside of the car. Many people love that it helps the family stay alert while driving.
  • Rory’s Story Cubes – Roll the dice and the upward pictures become your inspiration for story telling! This would be a great game for 2+ children playing in the back seat and for occupying children in the hotel room. The cube pictures vary and make the storytelling very funny and unique.

Deputations Games 1

  • Pixy Cubes – Kids that like to figure things out would love to play this game! Twist cubes around to match the card patterns, you can play this game alone or play it with up to 4 players, 6 and up.  This game also includes challenge cards for those looking to go the extra mile. This game comes in a sturdy tin that holds all the cubes and the game’s 66 cards. The cubes are not for children 3 or younger.
  • Find It! – A great American-made toy filled with plastic pellets and up to 40 items in each container, Find It is fun for the whole family! It comes with a pad that can be used to check off the items that have been already found. With all the objects contained inside it makes it easy for travel. There are many different versions from a beach theme, a hunter’s theme, zoo, sports, glitz & glamour, and even Veggie Tales, and more! Find It is great for all ages.
  • Mad Gab To Go – This is a hilarious word puzzle type of game, where you sound out words and letter sounds to figure out phrases. Teams can go head to head against each other or you can read the cards to yourself and try to figure them out. The travel set has 240 puzzles. It comes in a plastic carrying case that is small and compact to fit in a tight space easily.
  • IQ Twist – This is a puzzle game that fits in a small box. It has pegs and puzzle pieces and a small brochure that provides 100 different puzzles. By using the diagrams in the brochure that comes in the game you set the pegs into the holes on the board and then fit your puzzle pieces into the rectangle. This is a great brain game for those that love a challenge because each figuration has only one solution, (which is also provided in the brochure). If you or your brainiacs need something to keep your mind off of long boring stretches of road, this game is it! This game has small parts that are not for children 3 or under.

Don’t these games look like a TON of FUN!? I love how many of these games give such a variety of styles, also how many of them are great for all ages, and educational to boot!

Always keep your eyes and ears open to being a blessing to your missionaries! Something fun like this might be just what they need to brighten their spirits and keep them happy while traveling so that they can meet their goals of raising their support for the mission field or report to their churches about their mission work.

If you have any other ideas or suggestions for great games while traveling please feel free to e-mail me or make a comment on our Ministry Mamas Facebook page! I may use your suggestions in a future post.

Heavenly Hospitality Part 2

Hello!

Today Heavenly Hospitality Part 2 will be on youngwifesguide.com. This is the second article I have written about hospitality where we look at God’s heavenly home and how He is hospitable there.

Heavenly Hospitality Pt 2

In this article it teaches about the aspects of having visitors in your home. Looking at the meal, the atmosphere, and the service of hospitality to your visitors. The Bible gives us glimpses of each of these aspects and there is plenty that we can apply to our hospitality to make it heavenly.

I am so blessed to be able to be a contributing writer to the Young Wife’s Guide. If you go and read the article, then take a look around, they share recipes, natural helps, and marriage and wifey type tips.

If you are interested in viewing Heavenly Hospitality Part 1, then click here. It teaches about the home, the invitation, and the preparations.

Have a wonderful day!

The Case for Biblical Modesty: It’s Appearance to All

THe Case for Biblical Modesty 3

This article is Part 3 in the series about Biblical Modesty. You are welcome to read the earlier posts. The Case for Biblical Modesty: Being Discreet and Chaste (Part 1)
and The Case for Biblical Modesty: God’s True Purpose (Part 2).

Titus 2, has been the basis for our entire series. Studying it has helped us see God’s emphasis on modesty in two simple words: discreet and chaste (2:5). Now we will learn more about the importance of modesty by looking further into Titus chapter 2.

This chapter instructs Titus to teach certain people (older men, aged women, young men, servants) “sound doctrine.” Doctrine is the teaching and instructions given in the Bible. The purpose for teaching these doctrines is found in Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

Notice these words, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…” How could it appear to all men?

Then the thought occurred to me, that our outward lifestyle is displayed for the world to see! Titus was encouraging people to live righteously so that the matters of the heart were an accurate reflection of what could be seen from the outside.

This verse means the grace of God that brings salvation has been shown to most people in this world by the outward righteous lifestyles of Christian people. There are still unreached people groups without a Christian influence in this world.

In looking up the definition of appeared in this verse it means, “visible, give light.” Maybe the popular children’s Sunday School song comes to your mind, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine…” That song speaks of the Biblical illustration of a candle in Matthew 5:15, as a picture of God’s light inside us that shines out into a dark world pointing the lost to Him.

Matthew 5:16 is a personal encouragement from Christ, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Our outward lifestyle and dress sends out a light that glorifies or defames the Word of God.

Modesty is one way that God’s grace appears to all men.

Let’s look at verse 12 again, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.“

Modesty silently teaches unsaved people and newborn Christians to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and encourages them to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

Ask yourself these questions and allow God to speak to your heart.

  • Are any of my clothes a hindrance to God’s purpose of drawing all men unto Himself?
  • Do I dress in a way that helps other people learn to live the Christian life and helps them live a more godly life?
  • Do I genuinely desire for unsaved people to see a difference in me?
  • Am I concerned about lost souls enough to change my clothing styles and wardrobe?
  • Am I committed to wearing modest clothing each day so I can be a consistent witness?
  • Does what I wear match what I say about being a Christian?
  • Do any of my clothes accentuate or reveal my body in a way that would cause my brothers in Christ to stumble?

Titus 2 goes on to explain in verses 13 and 14 more of God’s reasons for living godly and righteously, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Jesus is coming back and we should be looking for His appearing! He gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity (sin). He wants to change us into a “peculiar people.” God wants us to be special! Modest dress makes us special, not weird or out-dated.

In the area of intentional modesty we must always be monitoring and modifying our dress so that we stay righteous and pure. It helps enable us to be actively pursuing good works. This is the opposite purpose of immodest clothing, that may tempt us to actively pursue sinfulness.

God’s Intentions for Biblical Modesty are:

  1. That the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:5)
  2. That the grace of God that bringeth salvation appears to all men. (Titus 2:11)
  3. It helps deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. (Titus 2:12)
  4. It helps us and others live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. (Titus 2:12)
  5. To be a sign that we are ready and waiting for Christ’s second appearing. (Titus 2:13)
  6. To identify us as a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14)

Each and every one of these points gives us a clear reason why we should dress appropriately out in the world and in front of our brothers in Christ.

If you have clothes that bring a question mark in your mind, then ask God first what He thinks about it. Then, go down the list of God’s intentions of Biblical modesty ask yourself if your dress is fulfilling each Biblical intention.

Ask trusted modest women in your church to help you if you have questions. Most women would love to help you! We have such a great responsibility as women to help men deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.

Now that we have learned these things from the Bible about modesty we have an accountability to God for how we dress. We also have a duty to teach the younger women how to be discreet and modest, and an obligation to point lost souls to Christ by our clothing styles.

“Be wise dear women, and listen to God’s biblical case for modesty by studying and learning His Word, and allow Him to make changes in your heart and wardrobe if He wants to.” (Part 1)

Heaven will reveal the effects of our modesty, or the lack thereof.

If someone came to Christ because your clothing matched your beliefs in God and His Word, it would be worth every effort to dress modestly. If our dress also encouraged other believers to be zealous of good works then it would also be worth every effort!

God has no greater desire than for us to be consistent Christians, full of faith, and zealous of His good works. Now let us do it in all that we wear!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA