FAITH AND FAMILY Stones of Remembrance BY DONNA WHARTENBY
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ld Testament scripture tells us how God delivered His people out of slavery from Egypt. God chose Moses to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. They spent 40 years wandering the wilderness because they did not have faith in Moses or in God’s promises. But then, they finally arrived near the Promised Land. This story is told in Joshua, chapter 4, where Joshua played a vital role for God’s people. God miraculously parted the waters of the Jordan River for them to cross. Joshua instructed one man from each of the twelve tribes to pick up a stone as they crossed the riverbank. These stones were then stacked and placed in the middle of the camp where they lived. As people walked by, seeing these stones of remembrance, they would remember how God was the center of their lives and tell the next generations the stories of God’s blessings and promises. We can use stones of remembrance today to help us remember times when we experienced God’s presence in our journeys. We need to share with our children and grandchildren who God is, what He has done in our lives, and how God is in the center of our lives. We must share His promises and His truth. How do you start? 1. Ask yourself: What are your stones of remembrance? What did God do to be in the center of your life that is important to share with your children and grandchildren? Remember how God provides, protects, and loves each of us. 2. Take your children and grandchildren on a walk to gather smooth stones, large enough to stack and pile together. Write God’s name or other identifiers on each memory stone to help you remember the unique situation(s). These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever (Joshua 4:7, NIV)
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