Jesus Healed The Man At The Pool Of Bethesda 

In a city called Jerusalem, there was a special pool named Bethesda. Lots of people who couldn't run, jump, or see very well hung out there. ⛲️

An angel would come down from Heaven once a year and stir the water. Whoever jumped in first would get healed from their diseases! ✨

One day, Jesus visited the pool. He saw a man who hadn't been able to jump or walk for a really long time - 38 years! That's like missing out on ALL the best birthday parties!

Jesus asked the man, "Hey there! Would you like to be able to run and walk again?" The man said, "Yes please! But when the water gets swirly, everyone rushes in, and I'm too slow."

Then, something amazing happened! ✨ Jesus told the man, "Stand up tall, grab your mat, and start walking!" And guess what? The man DID! He was all better, just like that! He could finally run, jump, and walk like everyone else!

But wait, there's more! Some Jewish leaders saw the man carrying his mat, and they said, "Uh oh, you're not supposed to do that on this special day!" That was the Sabbath Day or Day of Rest.

The man explained, "The kind man who healed me told me to carry it!" The man could not tell them who had told him to take up his bed and walk But the Jewish leaders still weren't happy, and they wanted to find Jesus.

Later Jesus found the man and told him to stop sinning or something worse would happen to him. The man then went to the Jewish leaders and told them that Jesus had healed him..

The leaders looked for Jesus and rebuked Him for breaking the Sabbath. But He answered them and said, ``My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working."

The rulers became furious because Jesus broke the Sabbath, and called God His own Father, thus making Himself equal with God.

Jesus responded that He was doing everything that He had seen His Father do. He continued to reprove them and ended by saying that  

anyone who hears His Word, and believes on the Father will have  eternal life.

Remember, even when things seem hard, Jesus wants to help! He can make amazing things happen, just like they did for the man at the super special pool of Bethesda! ✨

The most important thing is to believe the Word of God like the lame man. He received eternal life by faith.

Jesus Healed The Man At The Pool Of Bethesda  - JOHN 5 1 - 24

1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes.

3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [ waiting for the moving of the waters;

4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]

5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, ``Do you wish to get well?"

7 The sick man answered Him, ``Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me."

8 Jesus said to him, ``Get up, pick up your pallet and walk."

9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.

10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, ``It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet."

11 But he answered them, ``He who made me well was the one who said to me, `Pick up your pallet and walk.'"

12 They asked him, ``Who is the man who said to you, `Pick up your pallet and walk'?"

13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.

14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, ``Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."

15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.

17 But He answered them, ``My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working."

18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, ``Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

20 ``For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel.

21 ``For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

22 ``For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,

23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

24 ``Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN AND RECEIVE ETERNAL LIVE

One-Year-Old Milestones: From Wobbly Walker to Mini-Explorer!

Hold onto your hats, parents, because your little miracle is officially 12 months old! Remember that tiny bundle you brought home? Now they're a mini explorer, jabbering away, pulling themselves up, and maybe even taking those first wobbly steps.

It's an exciting (and sometimes exhausting!) time, but what exactly should you expect during this whirlwind year? Let's dive into the fascinating world of 12-month-old milestones!

12 Month-Old Growth and Development:

• Height and Weight: Every little sprout grows differently, but typically at 12 months, your munchkin could be around 28-32 inches tall and weigh 20-24 pounds.
• Dietary Milestones: Most little foodies transition to 3 meals and 2-3 snacks daily. They're mastering finger foods, experimenting with utensils, and discovering exciting new flavors. Don't forget the ever-important celebration of messy mealtimes!

Social and Emotional Milestones:

• Peek-a-Boo Pro: This timeless game helps develop memory and anticipation. Hide behind a blanket, under a pillow – anywhere! Surprise and delight your little one.
• Kissing Bandit: Expect smooches, pats, and maybe even the occasional drool-covered hug! Nurture their affection and respond with warm cuddles.
• Separation Anxiety: It's common for babies to become upset when their favorite grown-up leaves the room. Offer comfort objects, practice short separations gradually, and shower them with love upon your return.

12-Month-Old Cognitive Milestones:

• Object Permanence Master: They understand that toys still exist even when hidden! Play hide-and-seek (watch out for flying stuffed animals!).
• Cause-and-Effect Champion: Dropping toys to hear them clatter, pushing buttons to see lights – it's all about learning how the world works. Provide safe and stimulating toys to experiment with.
• Monkey See, Monkey Do: They're natural mimics! Make silly faces, sing songs, and encourage their attempts to copy you.

12-Month-Old Language and Communication Milestones:

• Babbling Bonanza: Their babbling becomes more speech-like, with consonant sounds and even recognizable words popping up. Talk to them often, respond to their babbles, and sing songs together. ️
• Understanding Whiz: They might recognize simple words like "no," "bath," or "mama." Use clear, short sentences and repeat words often.
• Pointing Picasso: Gestures like pointing and reaching become their way of expressing needs and wants. Respond to their cues and help them name objects they point to.

12-Month-Old Speech Milestones:

• First Words Festival: Between 12-18 months, many babies say their first words like "mama" or "dada." Don't worry if yours takes longer – every child develops at their own pace.
• Name Recognition Rockstar: They might recognize their own name and familiar names of family members. Say their name often and point to them when saying it. (Yes, some babies call their parents "doggo" at this age – embrace the chaos!)

12-Month-Old Movement Milestones:

• Cruising Champion: Holding onto furniture, they explore their surroundings like tiny adventurers, building balance and coordination. Offer safe spaces for their cruising journeys. ⛵️
• Standing Ovation: They might be able to pull themselves up to stand independently for short periods. Provide sturdy furniture for them to practice on and cheer them on!
• Walking on Sunshine: Some little explorers might even take their first wobbly steps – a monumental achievement! Encourage them with applause and a safe environment to explore. Remember, walking takes time and practice!

12-Month-Old Sleep Milestones:

• Sleeping Beauty (Sometimes): Most babies sleep for 11-12 hours at night, with one or two wake-ups. Stick to a consistent bedtime routine and create a calming sleep environment.
• Naptime Ninja: Two naps, each lasting 1-2 hours, are typical. Be flexible with nap times as needed, but maintain a consistent nap routine.

12-Month-Old Play Milestones:

• Pretend Play Powerhouse: They start pretending to do things they see adults do, like feeding a doll or talking on a toy phone. Encourage imaginative play with simple props. ‍‍‍
• Building Block Bonanza: Stacking blocks helps develop hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Provide safe, colorful blocks for them to build their mini empires.
• Texture Time: They love exploring different textures like blankets, toys, and even food (though maybe limit the food

 More next time!

🧨✨ Why Do People Of African Descent Cut A Boy's Hair At Age 2+? 🎆🎇

 

Why Do Vincentians And Other People Of African Descent Cut A Boy's Hair At Age 2+?

. A tradition that Vincentian people grew up with and still continue today is growing the hair of a male child. The child's hair would be plaited or braided until he is about two plus. When the boy reaches that age, the hair is cut flat.

Why do people cut the boy's hair?

Do you have any ideas?

Biblical Inference for people cutting boys' hair at age 2

Samson in the Bible may provide an example of people cutting their sons' hair at age 2. Samson's hair was never cut from birth but was allowed to grow into seven long locks (Judges 1:: 13 & 19).

This practice infers that the hair of Jewish men was cut at some point in time to differentiate males from females.

All Jewish men in the bible days wore locks

All Jewish men in the bible wore their hair in locks, but not as long as the women. They would grow their hair longer during the vow of the Nazarite - Numbers 6: 5.

Solomon wore his hair in locks - Songs of Solomon 6: 11.

The priests wore their hair in locks and would trim them like all other males -Ezekiel 44 20.

God carried Ezekiel around by his locks (fringes or tassels)- Ezekiel 8: 3.

Absalom the son of David had very heavy locks which he would poll (cut, trim or clip) once a year. His hair weighed about 5 pounds - 2 Samuel 14: 26.

CONCLUSION

I believe that boys' hair was grown in locks like Samson and other males. However, at age two, their hair could have been cut to relieve the weight and to distinguish them from females.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

Like and share what you know about this hair-cutting tradition in the comments below.

Interesting Reading

Black People In The Bible

 Jesus' Amazing Water-to-Wine Miracle! 🪄

Today we're talking about Jesus' amazing water-to-wine miracle! Have you ever heard of a party where the drinks suddenly disappeared? That's what happened at a super special wedding in a town called Cana, that Jesus attended with His mom and His disciples.

Everyone was celebrating the happy couple, the bride was shining like a star, and the food was yummy! But oh no, the grape juice wine ran out! The party helpers were in a panic, what would they do?

But guess who knew just what to do? Jesus! ✨ His mom told Him about the problem because she knew that He could help. She was right!

Although Jesus was not ready to do public miracles, He told the helpers to fill some BIG stone jars with water. Water at a party? Sounds strange, right?

But trust me, this was no ordinary water! When they poured it into the jars, something amazing happened! ✨ The water transformed into the most delicious wine everyone had ever tasted! It was a real-life superhero move!

The person in charge of the celebration chided the bridegroom for serving the best wine at the end. Never mind, they still had a great time!

Everyone laughed, cheered, and enjoyed the rest of the party thanks to Jesus' amazing power.

Remember, Jesus always wants to help people and make them happy, just like he did at the wedding. So whenever you feel lost or worried, remember that Jesus is always there, ready to work His miracles and make things wonderful!

 Jesus' Amazing Water-to-Wine Miracle! 🪄 - John 2: 1 - 11

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.

Jhn 2:2

Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.

Jhn 2:3

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”

Jhn 2:4

And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

Jhn 2:5

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Jhn 2:6

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

Jhn 2:7

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

Jhn 2:8

And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.

Jhn 2:9

When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom

Jhn 2:10

and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

Jhn 2:11

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Click here to download the story in PDF format for free

11-Month-Old Milestones: From Mini Explorer to Mini Communicator!

Your little one is officially 11 months old! It's an exciting time – they're crawling, babbling, reaching for everything, and maybe even taking their first wobbly steps.

But with so much development happening, you might be wondering: "What should my baby be doing now?" Buckle up, parents, because we're diving into the fascinating world of 11-month-old milestones!

Growth and Development:

• Height and Weight: Every baby grows at their own pace, but around 11 months, your little one might be between 27-31 inches tall and weigh 18-22 pounds.
• Dietary Milestones: Most babies are transitioning to 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day. They're mastering finger foods, practicing using utensils, and showing interest in a wider variety of flavors.

Social and Emotional Milestones:

• Playing Peek-a-Boo: This timeless game helps develop memory and anticipation.
• Showing Affection: Expect kisses, hugs, and lots of happy squeals! Encourage cuddling and positive interactions.
• Separation Anxiety: It's common for babies to become upset when their caregiver leaves. Offer comfort objects and practice short separations gradually.

Cognitive Milestones:

• Object Permanence: They understand that objects still exist even when they can't see them. Play hide-and-seek with their favorite toys!
• Cause-and-Effect: Dropping objects to hear them bounce or pushing buttons to see lights teaches them about cause and effect. Provide safe and stimulating toys.
• Mimicking: They love copying your actions and sounds. Make silly faces, sing songs, and encourage their attempts to imitate.

Language and Communication Milestones:

• Babbling: Their babbling becomes more speech-like, with vowel combinations and even consonants. Talk to them frequently and respond to their attempts to communicate.
• Understanding Simple Words and Phrases: They might understand "no," "bath," or "mama." Use simple, clear language and repeat words often.
• Pointing and Gesturing: They use pointing, reaching, and other gestures to express their needs and wants. Respond to their cues and help them name objects they point to.

Speech Milestones:

• First Words: Between 11-14 months, some babies say their first words like "mama" or "dada." Don't worry if yours takes longer – every child develops at their own pace.
• Understanding Names: They might recognize their own name and familiar names of family members. Use their name often and point to them when saying it.

Movement Milestones:

• Cruising: Holding onto furniture for support, they explore their surroundings, building balance and coordination. Offer safe spaces for them to cruise around.
• Pulling Up to Stand: They may be able to pull themselves up to stand independently for brief periods. Provide sturdy furniture for them to practice on.
• Taking Steps: Some babies might even take a few brave independent steps – encourage them with cheers and applause! Remember, walking safely takes time and practice.

Sleep Milestones:

• Sleeping Through the Night: Most babies sleep for 11-12 hours at night, with one or two wake-ups. Establish a consistent bedtime routine and stick to it.
• Napping: Two naps, each lasting 1-2 hours, are typical. Be flexible with nap times as needed, but maintain a consistent nap routine.

Play Milestones:

• Pretend Play: They start pretending to do things they see adults do, like feeding a doll or talking on a toy phone. Encourage imaginative play with simple props.
• Building Towers: Stacking blocks helps develop hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Provide large, colorful blocks for safe stacking fun.
• Exploring Textures: They love touching different textures like blankets, toys, and even food. Offer safe sensory exploration opportunities.

Strategies to Help Your Child Develop:

• Talk, sing, and read to your baby often.
• Provide them with plenty of safe and age-appropriate toys and activities.
• Encourage their exploration and curiosity.
• Respond to their communication attempts and celebrate their successes.
• Don't compare your baby to others – every child develops at their own pace.
• Most importantly, have fun and enjoy this special time with your little explorer!

Remember: This information is for general guidance only. If you have any concerns about your baby's development, talk to your pediatrician.

Share this article with other parents and spread the word about the amazing milestones of 11-month-olds!