| "A giraffe can kiss the clouds because it is | | | | of sin, Isaiah also wrote, "Though your sins |
| long, and God is long," says Tori, age 6. | | | | are like scarlet, they shall be as white as |
| Well, the Psalmist wrote that "with an | | | | snow" (Isaiah 1:18).Jeremy, 9, says the tiger |
| outstretched arm" God's mercy endures | | | | reminds him of God "because he is a hunter, |
| forever. I suppose "outstretched" qualifies | | | | and God hunts us so we can become |
| as long."God created the horse so people | | | | Christians."Not only is there none righteous, |
| could ride on it," says Jacob, 7. "The horse | | | | but "There is none who seeks after God," |
| takes care of its babies like God takes care | | | | wrote the Apostle Paul in his letter to the |
| of us." Yes, God nurtures us as a mare weans | | | | Romans. Like a stalking tiger in pursuit of |
| its newborn foal. Job wrote that God's "pails | | | | its prey, God hunts us down.Many who have |
| are full of milk" (Job 21:24).Scotty, 6, | | | | tried in vain to outrun God's persistent |
| likes cheetahs: "God created cheetahs because | | | | pursuit know him as a stalking tiger or "The |
| they are fast. God is everywhere, and He is | | | | Hound of Heaven." The beginning of this |
| fast."The next time you're tempted to pull a | | | | autobiographical poem written by Francis |
| fast one on someone, think of God as a | | | | Thompson reads as follows: "I fled Him, down |
| cheetah. You may think you're slick and fast, | | | | the nights and down the days;/ I fled Him, |
| but at 70 miles per hour, the cheetah can run | | | | down the arches of the years;/ I fled Him, |
| by you like you're standing still. You can | | | | down the labyrinthine ways/ Of my own mind; |
| never outrun God because as Scotty said, "God | | | | and in the midst of tears/ I hid from Him, |
| is everywhere."It's hard to imagine how a | | | | and under running laughter."Up vistaed hopes |
| deadly cobra could remind us of God, but | | | | I sped;/ And shot, precipitated,/ Adown |
| Houston, 6, made the connection: "God loves | | | | Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,/ From those |
| everyone, even the bad animals."Houston, this | | | | strong Feet that followed, followed after./ |
| is the heart of the good news. The Bible | | | | But with unhurrying chase,/ And unperturbed |
| says, "There is none righteous, no, not one" | | | | pace,/ Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,/ |
| (Romans 3:10). Ouch! We all are born with the | | | | They beat -- and a Voice beat/ More instant |
| venom of selfishness. Good deeds can never | | | | than the Feet --/''All things betray thee, |
| change our nature. In fact, we can easily | | | | who betrayest Me.'"Think about this: God |
| become proud of our humanitarian efforts.Only | | | | wants you to soar like an eagle.Memorize this |
| a new birth and heart given by God to those | | | | truth: "But those who wait on the Lord shall |
| who trust the Lord Jesus as their savior can | | | | renew their strength. They shall mount up |
| remove the poison from our hearts. Then and | | | | with wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31a).Ask |
| only then, can we show compassion and mercy | | | | this question: Are you soaring through life |
| to needy people without becoming proud of our | | | | on God's updrafts of grace?Carey Kinsolving |
| goodness. When people know the source of | | | | is a syndicated columnist, producer, author, |
| their goodness, they act in true humility and | | | | speaker and website developer. To see Carey's |
| often without recognition when performing | | | | Kid TV Interviews and more, visit The Kids |
| charitable acts."God created the zebra for | | | | Talk About God website contains free, online |
| their stripes," says Cade, 8. "The black | | | | content for children and families. Print free |
| stripes show sin, but the white stripes show | | | | lessons from the "Kids Color Me Bible" and |
| washed-away sin." Courtney, 6, also chose the | | | | make your own book. Watch for free the |
| zebra but adds, "They whipped Jesus, and it | | | | adventures of an 11-year-old girl traveling |
| hurt God."After the prophet Isaiah wrote that | | | | around the world, visiting missionaries in |
| the Messiah would be "wounded for our | | | | the Mission Explorers Streaming Video. Print |
| transgressions" and "bruised for our | | | | Bible pictures drawn by kids that illustrate |
| iniquities," he wrote, "and by His stripes we | | | | Scripture verses. Receive a complimentary, |
| are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Before Jesus was | | | | weekly e-mail subscription to our Devotional |
| sentenced to death by crucifixion, his | | | | Bible Lessons. Bible quotations in this |
| captors beat and mocked him. As for the color | | | | column are from the New King James Version. |