Dear Dernier Friends,
Thanks for coming over to read our news. You will be encouraged!
Stay Alert!
We love our sparrows! They nest in the hedgerow opposite our house, and in trees in surrounding gardens. They have their enemies, though. This year we have had an influx of bold magpies, arriving in chattering groups, plunging into the trees to steal the nestlings. Horrid!
One morning, as I was having my quiet time, a black cat slunk under the bushes, where the sparrows love to flit and quarrel. He was there so long I’d almost forgotten he was there – until he walked out licking his lips, then stopped to wash his face… oh dear. It wouldn’t have been hard for him to catch a sparrow unawares.
Then there was the sparrowhawk we caught sight of one evening, ripping up a sparrow on one of our fence posts. I know, they have to eat, too… Sigh. We look forward to a time when there will no longer be any more sorrow or sighing, and every tear will be wiped away.
In the meantime, we also have to live with our enemies around us. One of the messages of our time is to “stay alert”.
Those of us who know our Bibles are already familiar with this thought. We are told to, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1Peter 5:8, NIV)
As we stay alert and take care to avoid spreading the coronavirus, let’s also be alert, and sober, and pray for our children, and do all we can to build up their faith now, while we have the opportunity to do so. The consequences don’t bear thinking about.
Big Day for Children
Today (1st June) is Children’s Day, which isn’t the same as International Children’s Day (which happens in November!)… but still, every opportunity to remember and celebrate children and their welfare is good. 🙂 Plus, today is a big day for children here in the UK, as some of the year groups go back to school. No doubt some children will love to see all their friends again, get back to learning in a classroom setting and join in all the activities, while some will find it hard. May the Lord bless each and every one (and their teachers!), and keep them safe.
Here’s a prayer you might like to pray for children going back to school today (and in the weeks to come, as more children return):
Dear Father God,
We pray for all the children who are returning to school today, and ask for your protection over them.
We pray that the children and staff will cope well with the extra difficulties and regulations that have been put in place.
We pray for shy children, that they will not feel lonely. We pray for mischievous children, that they won’t cause problems for others. We pray for those who struggle with anxiety, that they will feel calm. We pray for those who know you, that they may reflect the light of Jesus.
We pray for a sense of peace in the classrooms, and for joy and fun in all the lessons and activities.
We would like to bring before you (mention child’s name and any issue you know they face). Thank you that you love them, and you delight to answer our prayers.
And dear Father, we pray that many children will come to know you and be strengthened in their faith, in this new season of their lives.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Competitions
If you are reading this on 1st June, head over to the Dernier Publishing facebook page, where you will find we have competitions to celebrate Children’s Day – you might win one of our fabulous books! You will need to like, share and comment on the post. Several books are up for grabs, so feel free to join in them all. 🙂 The posts will look a bit like this:
Bookshops Opening
On 15th June, some Christian bookshops will be re-opening in the UK, as the lockdown eases. Many have closed down completely over the last few years, and a whole swathe closed in January. Any remaining bookshops need our support, so if you can get to one, please do.
Half Price Books
These are tough times financially for many. As only a few children in our readers’ age category are back at school in England, and not at all in other parts of the UK, we have decided to keep all our books at half price for another few days, so if you have a Sunday School class you would like to buy for, or a group, or an individual, or a school, or a library… well, any children anywhere, now’s your chance to be the one who brings good news of peace. Like, right now!
All you have to do is choose the books. We can send them to any UK address free of charge. Simply add your chosen address at checkout.
We desperately want as many children to have access to the good news through story as possible. This is why we exist, and that is why we have this offer running. We can’t run it forever, because we have bills to pay and new books to produce. Please pray with us that the Lord will provide, so we can continue producing more books and reaching more children, as long as we can. This is the link to get your half price books. (They are just £2.99 each, but have eternal value in their pages.)
May the Lord bless and keep you, and all the children on your heart,
Janet
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