Gossip (Day 1 of 7)

• Loose lips sink ships. 
• Hung by the tongue. 
• Open mouth; insert foot.

There are so many phrases that describe the dangers of not having control of your mouth and the things you say. Gossip is no exception.

Gossip is one of those things that is so easy to justify especially if we have been hurt.

Here are two basic principles for gossip: Those that gossip to you will also gossip about you. And, if you are not a part of the solution, you shouldn't be talking.

Is God really that concerned about gossip? Does He really care about what we say? Take a look at God's Word to learn how to use your words!

Proverbs 16:28 "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends."

God's Peace (Day 4 of 4)

Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

TALKING TO GOD
Steady, steadfast, unwavering, firm, reliable, solid — these words describe who God is. Tell God as you pray how you appreciate Him for these characteristics.

DIVING IN
Prepare two shallow baking pans filled with sand: one damp and firmly packed, the other loose and dry. Roll a toy car or marble across each type of sand. The goal is to see which type of sand allows the object to roll farther.

GOING DEEPER
Just as it's easier to roll things across firm sand, a firm faith makes it easier for you as you go through the good and bad things in life. Faith brings a lot of blessings, including peace. Psalm 29:11 says, "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." But when you don't trust God, you have faith similar to loose sand; you get bogged down and have trouble getting through the hard things in life. That's why you need to pray for God to draw you closer to Him and to build your faith in Him.

TALKING TO EACH OTHER

• Describe a time when your faith has grown. What helped you grow in your faith?
• How have you felt God's peace? What did it feel like?
• God is the author of peace and every good thing. Have you asked Him for more faith? Have you asked Him for His peace?

God's Peace (Day 3 of 4)

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

TALKING TO GOD
Ask God for forgiveness if you've hurt the feelings of someone in your family or have been unkind. Then thank God for your relationships with your family and friends.

DIVING IN
Use bright colors to draw a picture of a home with sunshine and birds outside and with cake, presents and a family inside. Then use dark colors to draw a second home with storm clouds and lightning outside and siblings upset with each other on the inside. Compare the pictures. Talk about why one is more peaceful.

GOING DEEPER
Families are made up of people with different personalities and emotions. Sometimes family members feel happy, and other times they feel angry. How a person is feeling should not change a family's peaceful home. Romans 12:18 says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." This mention of everyone includes the members of your family. Getting along with those in your family may seem like a lot of work some days. But Proverbs 17:1 says that a peaceful home is a true treasure, something worth working for. "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."

TALKING TO EACH OTHER

• How should you act toward family members?
• What can you do to be a peacemaker in the family when someone is angry or upset?
• How can God's peace fill your home, even when you disagree with one another?

KJ-52 feat. Trevor McNevan - "Let's Go" music video

When I become a Cincinnati Red, this will be the song they play as I walk up to the plate.

God's Peace (Day 2 of 4)

Isaiah 32:17 "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."

TALKING TO GOD
Tell God what you love about His Word, the Bible. Tell Him why you like a certain verse or story, and thank Him for it.

DIVING IN
With Mom or Dad standing close by, try walking around the room wearing snowshoes, swim fins or shoes that are way too big. How far can you go without stumbling or wobbling? Do you think a rule that we shouldn't wear these things in the house would be a good idea?

GOING DEEPER
Consider Psalm 119:165: "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." God promises you a giant helping of peace when you do what His Word says. Following God's rules helps you make fewer mistakes, and you no longer have to worry about "stumbling" or getting hurt because of bad decisions. Living according to God's Word allows his peace to rule your heart. Whew! For a reminder of what God's Word says, review Psalm 18:30, 19:8, and 33:4.

TALKING TO EACH OTHER

• Think about a rule that you follow, such as walking in the crosswalk or not running in the hallway at school. Are you more likely to get hurt when you follow the rules or when you don't follow them?
• When have you felt peaceful because you obeyed God's Word?
• How can you get God's peace back after you've goofed up?

God's Peace (Day 1 of 4)

Psalms 4:8: "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."

TALKING TO GOD
What things keep you safe every day? Being safe gives a feeling of peace. Thank God for things that keep you safe — seat belts, locks on doors, parents, police, fire fighters and even smoke alarms.

DIVING IN
Who or what might scream if you burn your toast or oatmeal? (you, your mom or dad, and the smoke alarm)

GOING DEEPER
In the old days, people were warned of a fire when someone in the street twirled a wooden rattle. People who were asleep, however, sometimes didn't hear the rattle. Now houses and other buildings have small plastic boxes with batteries that warn when there is a fire. You can sleep peacefully without worrying you won't hear a rattle in the street. God gives you an even better kind of peace that helps you feel safe all the time. Jesus said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

TALKING TO EACH OTHER

• What things are you afraid of?
• When you're scared, how can you remember that God wants to give you His peace?
• How can you enjoy more of God's peace today?

Bengals Tecmo Super Bowl Season — Week 5

If you have been following StripeHype.com this week, you'll know that the Cincinnati Bengals were searching for their first win against Tom Brady. The Bengals have faced Brady as a starter four times and have come up short every time. Could the Bengals end the Brady streak this time in Paul Brown Stadium?

The Bengals started the day off with some good news as they welcomed back return specialist Brandon Tate who had been injured a few weeks back.

The Patriots would win the toss and choose to take the ball first. But their opening drive stalled out on third down thanks to a booming sack from Vontaze Burfict.

The Bengals would start their first drive on their own 20-yard line but quickly got into scoring position thanks to a 61-yard bomb from Andy Dalton to A.J. Green.

This would set up a 25-yard screen pass play to BenJarvus Green-Ellis for the touchdown and an early 7-0 lead for Cincinnati.

It wouldn't take long for Tom Brady and the Patriots to tie things up, however, as the quarterback led his team down the field deep into Bengal territory. Miraculously, Shane Vereen — who was fresh off wrist surgery — finished what Brady started with a classic sweep play and a touchdown score.

On the ensuing Bengal drive, a Donta Hightower sack of Dalton put the Bengals in a 3rd down and 24 situation.

Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden would play it conservative with another short pass to Green-Ellis, but "The Law Firm" made the most of it and barreled his way through the New England defense for a first down.

On the next play, Dalton found a wide-open Jermaine Gresham for a nice gain, but it would be all for not as he had the ball stripped from his hands, leading to a fumble recovery by the Patriot defense.

The Bengals defense would hang tough heading into halftime as the Patriots were forced to kick it away as time on the clock expired.

After two quarters of play, both teams' offenses had been relatively quiet with a score of 7-7. Dalton did have 111 yards in passing but most of that came from the 61-yard pass to Green.

The halftime show at Paul Brown Stadium featured an electric performance by the Ben-Gal Cheerleaders. They tossed out copies of their new 2013-14 calendar to some lucky Cincinnati fans.

The Bengals would get the ball first at the start of the third quarter. But any hopes of converting on third down were erased by a devastating Vince Wilfork sack.

And what is sure to be featured on the SportsCenter Not Top Ten, the Bengals and Patriots would exchange lost fumbles. Carlos Dunlap would recover the first fumble which was coughed up by a no-wrist Shane Vereen. But on the very next play, Green-Ellis would get stripped, giving the Patriots the possession once again.

The Patriots would get the ball into Bengal territory but another monstrous sack by Vontaze Burfict would force New England to go for a field goal.

Kicker Stephen Gostkowski would connect, giving the Patriots a 10-7 lead as the game headed into the final quarter of play.

The Bengals would once again end up with a 3rd and long situation on the next drive. Going deep, Dalton had Green wide open in the end zone but overthrew him. This would force Cincinnati to punt the ball away, leaving the defense with the task of keeping the game close late.

On this drive, there were no big sacks or forced fumbles by the Bengal defense unfortunately. Once the Patriots got to around midfield, Tom Brady found the courageous Shane Vereen down the sideline after a flea flicker play for the score.

And things would go from bad to worse on the kickoff return as Tate would reaggravate his previous injury and had to be carried off the field into the Bengal locker room.

Andy Dalton and the Bengal offense were left with only 1:48 to score 10 points against New England who had been solid on defense all day long.

Following several incomplete passes thrown by Dalton, the Bengals saw their fates sealed as another Donta Hightower sack would end the game and any hopes of a perfect Tecmo Super Bowl season for Cincinnati.

The final score in Cincinnati was the Patriots 17, the Bengals 7. With the loss, Cincinnati was still left searching for their first win against Tom Brady as he moved to 5-0 all-time against the Bengals. The Patriots were led by an inspiring performance from Shane Vereen who made four receptions for 76 yards and carried the ball six times for 35 yards.

The focus of the loss was all the early turnovers, and miscues in the passing game down the stretch. Dalton never really got things going with his receivers following their first drive. The QB said he made no excuses for his poor performance but Bengal fans can't help but wonder if his "bad" physical condition affected his play on the field.

With the loss, the Bengals fall to 4-1 and see their two-game lead cut in half thanks to a Cleveland victory over Buffalo.

Dalton and company will need to regroup as they head to Buffalo next week to take on a solid Bills squad led by  former Kentucky Wildcat Stevie Johnson.