As a child, my brothers and I spent hours dreaming up games that, for no other reason, allowed us to compete with each other and share the joys of spending time together. One game I remember with great excitement was our version of boardwalk horseshoes, but with pennies. Here’s how you can play:
• First, collect lots of pennies – five a person should be plenty
• Space out rows of containers, the more the better – use baby food jars or cans with smooth rims (they give the best bounce)
• Pick a line on the floor as the stand-behind line – and to be fair, adjust it for the different ages of those playing
• Players line up in single file
• Each player gets five pennies and one penny at a time tries to pitch them into the containers
• After five tosses, collect the missed pennies and go to the back of the line
• It is then the next person’s turn
• Repeat with all contestants until one person is out of pennies
The first one to make all five of his/her pennies wins and can either keep all of the pennies in the jars or pass them out again for another game!
White:
Pawn from e2 to e3: Your first move, or day of school. Different, but a comfortable move. Millions before you have been homeschooled and gone on to be some of the most influential people on our planet – like Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, James Madison, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Red:
Knight from b8 to a6: Aggressive, throwing caution to the wind, the intent is to bark with little hope of a powerful or immediate bite. There is a temptation to strike with your bishop, but you’ll feel the repercussions of your actions. In chess, and life, we are taught that we must make sacrifices sometimes. Is this sacrifice worth it?
White:
Bishop from f1 to c6: That’s it, be smart. Think it out. Show your hand proudly. And remind your opponent that you are smart and can strike at anytime. This is your board, your home and your choice. Be proud of it. Educate your opponent while remembering there is a higher power than merely the one Knight.
Red:
Pawn from h7 to h5: Your opponent is trying to influence you from the outside. Influences oftentimes are introduced to us as pleasing to the eye, forcing us make decisions about what is right and what is wrong in life. Stay true to your direction in life and your game plan.
White:
Queen from d1 to f3: Her power can be intoxicating. It can shriek fear into pawns or cause the mightiest of kings to topple. As Christians, we must understand that God’s Word lives in us and can will us into the right direction as long as we continue to follow Him and serve Him.
Red:
Rook from h8 to h6: This is clearly an example of trying to establishing dominance. Sometimes our world gives us the illusion of satisfaction, the gluttony of greatness or the power of something powerless. Instead of allowing these false truths to corrupt your way of life, your Christian Values, stay on course for your ultimate prize.
White:
Queen from f3 to f7: You witness the world around you. You participate in sharpening your mind until every piece fits perfectly into God’s plan. Smart enough to recognize another’s motives, you keep your focus and convictions in check, and now you can proudly say, “Checkmate.”
Who’s your Valentine? Mine, it’s Jesus! My kids and I make Him a card and sign our names and color and play games together. One of our favorites is the word game. Do you know it? It’s simple.
Here’s how to play:
JESUS LOVES ME
This is a Christian twist for a simple word game. Have your guest write the words, “JESUS LOVE ME” at the top of a sheet of paper. Instruct them to write as many words as they can using the letters from the three words. If you like, you can set a time limit of 2-3 minutes. The person who comes up with the most words wins the game!
Let me know how many you can list and I’ll post the winners online! E-mail me at Mimi@LearningbyGrace.org.
Who’s your Valentine? Mine, it’s Jesus! My kids and I make Him a card and sign our names and color and play games together. One of our favorites is the word game. Do you know it? It’s simple.