The Blended Blog: The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival by Mike Berenstain

C.H. Spurgeon's Morning Devotional

Saturday April 5, 2025

"On Him they laid the cross, that He might bear it after Jesus."-Luke 23:26

    We see in Simon's carrying the cross a picture of the work of the Church throughout all generations; she is the cross-bearer after Jesus. Mark then, Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer. But let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that in our case, as in Simon's, it is not our cross, but Christ's cross which we carry. When you are molested for your piety; when your religion brings the trial of cruel mockings upon you, then remember it is not your cross, it is Christ's cross; and how delightful is it to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus!

    You carry the cross after Him. You have blessed company; your path is marked with the footprints of your Lord. The mark of His blood-red shoulder is upon that heavy burden. 'Tis His cross, and He goes before you as a shepherd goes before his sheep. Take up your cross daily, and follow Him.

    Do not forget, also, that you bear this cross in partnership. It is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the cross, and not the whole of it. That is very possible; Christ may have carried the heavier part, against the transverse beam, and Simon may have borne the lighter end. Certainly it is so with you; you do but carry the light end of the cross, Christ bore the heavier end.

    And remember, though Simon had to bear the cross for a very little while, it gave him lasting honour. Even so the cross we carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross, and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival by Mike Berenstain

A new addition to the bestselling Berenstain Bears' Living Lights series that teaches simple Christian truths to children (ages 5-10 year old).

In this newest addition to the Berenstain Bears Living Lights series, The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival, it’s autumn in Bear Country and the Chapel in the Woods is celebrating its first ever Harvest Festival.

Young readers (7-9 year old) will delight in joining the Bear family and all their friends as they gather at Farmer Ben’s farm for this new tradition filled with the fun of apple-picking, pumpkin patch wandering, hayrides, and more.

Just in time for the fall season a new Berenstain Bear book. You child will delight in this new fall themed book. I love Berenstain Bear books and the Christian truths they teach to children of all ages. This book is no different. The cubs learn to celebrate the blessings of the firstfruits. The messages is wonderful and this book will be going into our church library.

Get more information here.