Begging for Candy

Well, it's that time of year again...  Candy-begging season.  I haven't entirely broken my children of this habit, and it seems that being away from public school has not deterred them from their interest in dressing in costume and accosting the neighbours, demanding candy.  At least they're reasonable enough to wait until the day that most other kids participate in this same activity to start knocking on doors.

About ten days ago my husband bought a 90 count bag of Halloween candy.  It was gone before the week was done.  The ferocity with which we devoured that candy has me wondering what we'll do to handle the tonnes of candy I anticipate being hauled in on October 31.  To manage the previously purchased Halloween candy, I used it to bribe the kids.  Actually, it was the youngest's idea.

"Mom, maybe we could do like at Family Camp and get a candy every time we say a memory verse!"

I thought the little one was onto something.  "Sure!  That's a great idea!"

So the kids could earn one candy per day by reciting the memory verse.  The elder two children dutifully earned their piece of candy while it lasted.  The youngest, the one whose idea it was to do this, went without candy for three days.  He stubbornly refused to memorize the verse and recite it back, probably to make me miserable. Because he didn't get candy.  And that would make me miserable.  At least you would think so if you were seven.

So I ate his candy.

Anyway, I'm thinking that we'll do that this year.  The kids can earn up to two pieces of candy a day by memorizing and reciting back to me verses from the Bible.  So, I have these so far.  I'd love to hear your favourites so I can add them to the list.

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Proverbs 3:5,6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

1 John 4:7

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:11

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.