Psalm 51:10

"Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me."

Psalm 51:10

"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from sin"

Psalm 51:2

"You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."

Matthew 23:25-26

Our last craft of the summer was a really fun craft and a pertinent message I think. First I read Psalm 51:2 and Psalm 51:10. We talked about how God forgives us of our sins and our record is washed clean. I used the illustration of our heart being like a dry earse board with all our sins written down. And when we confess and ask forgiveness, God cleans our board off, and we have a clean heart.

Then, I read Matthew 23:25-26 and explained how Jesus was upset with the religious leaders because they only were concered about their appearance and not concerned about their hearts. I've been trying to impress upon my girls lately that beauty comes from the inside, and I think this verse speaks to that. We talked about how it doesn't matter how beautiful you are on the outside if your heart is full of selfishness or pride or defiance. If your heart is beautiful, then all of you is beautiful.

Then we made soap! I had bought a soap-making kit at Michael's with my 40% off coupon. It was pretty self explanatory and quite easy, and the girls were able to participate in every step. We made 4 bars of soap. Whenever the girls use the soap to wash their hands or body, I will encourage them to think about how Jesus washes their sin away, or about how the cleanlisness of their hearts is what really matters.