Group, in conjunction with Walden Media & 20th Century Fox, present “Fun for the Whole Family Hour’ a well-presented program that you can use in many situations: family worship service, special children’s church program, community outreach event and more. It’s an action-packed hour that includes never-before scenes from the latest Narnia adventure and explores the themes of grace and transformation, providing families the chance to look at God’s transforming love in a new way.   
         
· Flexible– use it anytime for an exciting family event leading up to Christmas
· Easy to implement– you only need a handful of volunteers
· Great value– just purchase the Leader Pack and get started. Everything you need is in the box– Leader Guide, Media pack, Publicity Poster!

Check out a clip from the upcoming movie that will be released early December 2010… 
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
More information about this movie can be found on the official Narnia website: www.narnia.com

Cost: $19.95 plus postage & handling

I'm sure all of you know and love the stories and adventures of Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber in VeggieTales from Big Idea. The impact these little guys have had on children, families and children's ministry is quite astounding, but wonderful, too. I remember my sister driving home from a midweek kids' program she was organising, still wearing her bright red Bob the Tomato shirt. She had to pick up something from Coles on the way home and, as she walked self-consciously down the street, noticed a noisy gang of teenagers jostling each other and laughing, some kicking around a few skateboards, some leaning against the wall .Gradually they stopped all their activity and quietly watched her approach.

There is something unsettling about quiet teenagers. She pushed aside her apprehension and walked on, smiling brightly. But she was barely out of earshot when she heard a hissed whisper, "Did you see that? She's wearing a VeggieTales Tshirt!"

Well, Phil (originator of Big Ideas) has even more plans afoot and you can keep up-to-date with these developments with his ongoing blog where you'll find dvd clips from his new series, resources to download and use in your children's lessons, and parenting helps. In upcoming blogs, we'll be reviewing some of the VeggieTales dvds and resources currently available. Don't miss it!

Phil Vischer's blog.....

We all agree that it's important to be aware of popular children's games, activities, movies, trends and toys. By keeping current, kids know that we're tuned into the world they live in. We have a greater opportunity to tell them about the God who knows all about them and their lives and who cares deeply for them.  Keeping current also adds incredible power to your teaching. It's one thing to talk about life's disappointments. It's another to describe your feelings when the battery dies on your favourite Nano Bug in the middle of a race- winner takes all. Suddenly everyone is tuned in and you've set the stage to start talking about what God has to say about real life. Check out this short quiz and take your "Current Quotient".

'When Jesus wanted to change lives he told stories. That's what we do at Lost Sheep- and at the centre of our stories is Jesus.' If you've recently visited the Zonderkidz site, you will probably have noticed Cecil the Sheep and other highlighted stories from Lost Sheep. It may surprise you to know that these stories come from Australia. Andrew McDonough, based in South Australia, is the creator, writer and illustrator for Lost Sheep publications.Before focusing on Lost Sheep, he was a pastor of Westcare, an inner city Baptist mission working in the community with the homeless and helping those struggling with addictions.
 
Andrew began drawing sheep and telling stories when he was asked to give the 'dreaded children's talk' at church. With the help of the talented team at Lost Sheep, these stories are now available in more than 30 countries around the world with some donated for use in schools and  missions in Zambia, Cambodia and India to name a few.

"Fresh, vivid and attention-grapping, these stories touch the heart and illuminate the mind."  Max Lucado
You'll want to use them, too, and you can download a free story-telling kit to sample. Use them for your children's programs, in your worship services or include in community outreach programs. These powerpoint-style presentations come complete with a prompt booklet and the story to read aloud. Story-telling kits are available for immediate download for $10/ kit.

                                                                                    FREE STORY-TELLING KIT DOWNLOAD

A new chapter in my life... a new blog... a new focus. Opportunities open with new challenges and I'm tempted to see and to tackle each on the basis of my past, what I know I can do. It's natural, it's comfortable... it's limiting. My past is not my potential. God is changing me, growing me and transforming me into the person He wants me to become- this is part of His process. So often, it's not who I am that holds me back, it's who I think I'm not.

Be challenged today in your work with children and with families; move beyond your past achievements. Robert Brault said, "How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it." Don't limit yourself or God. Look to new ideas and new solutions to the tasks you must accomplish. Broaden your horizons. Like me, expect God to move you beyond your past and into new territory.