Life Lessons - March 8, 2017

 

MEMORY (3/8/2017) ~ Audrey is trying to walk around while holding 2 pacifiers, her sippy cup, a bracelet, a Hot Wheels car, and her teddy bear. Every now and then, she drops part of her load...and cries as she tries to pick it all up.

When she decides to let me help, there are smiles and giggles. Sometimes there is even a little dancing!

The lesson to be learned is--- don't try to carry more than you can handle...and a friend can make your burdens lighter. This works with physical burdens as well as the emotional burdens we bear.

Most of all, remember that God is available 24 hours per day, every day. He answers when we turn to the Lord. Read more biblereasons.com/burdens

 

Rejoice when you can help others just as I loved every moment of assisting my little princess👑 with her toddler problems.

The Wonder of Creation - Louie Giglio

The Wonder of Creation by Louie Giglio with Tama Fortner is a fascinating book of devotions about God and science that is sure to delight elementary-aged children. The engaging illustrations by Nicola Anderson and striking photography in this fun and informative book highlight each of the 100 devotions. The book features a scientific fact or an easy activity for exploring faith, a short Bible verse, and a closing prayer.

Readers of the book will explore
• Animals--from honeyguide birds to flying snakes to white rhinos
• Space--from black holes to volcanic moons to gamma-ray bursts
• People--from optical illusions to brain freezes to our immune systems
• Earth--from rainbow rivers to blue lava to flowing
glaciers
• And much, much more!

I enjoyed reading through The Wonder of Creation. It was informative, and focused on the incredible world that God created for us to enjoy. The devotions fit with the scientific facts perfectly, and the short prayer is an extra connection to God to tie it all together. Younger readers will need more help, but the parental involvement actually makes Devotion Time even more special and memorable. I highly recommend it for a child, but even moreso as a book for a family to read together. Get a copy now: BUY the BOOK

GIVEAWAY: Enter to win 1 copy of The Wonder of Creation when you post #WonderOfCreationMIN in a comment. The deadline is Dec 5, 2021.

Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own. I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.

LINKS
Indescribable Kids

Amazon 

Download the free Parent Discussion Guide HERE

Show Me the Father

 

The first documentary by the Kendrick Brothers, SHOW ME THE FATHER, is a compelling and heartfelt peek into the stories and private lives of some well-known men, including Dr. Tony Evans, Jim Daly (Focus on the Family), Deland McCullough, Sherman Smith, Stephen Kendrick, and Alex Kendrick. These men share insights into their relationships with their own fathers, what it means to be a father, and, ultimately, the importance of God the Father in all aspects of life. Take a look at the trailer below:

Show Me the Father opens in theaters on September 10th and is definitely worth seeing, especially as a family. I was able to view the film early and was highly impressed with the film's content and production. I wasn't familiar with all of the men interviewed, but each had something vital to share. Each unique father story invites you to examine how you view your earthly father and how this affects your relationship with God. The documentary brings both familiar and new perspectives about how the relationship (or lack of) with your father makes a tremendous impact on your relationship with your dad, your children, others... and with God.

The movie definitely is not just for men. A girl's relationship with her daddy has an impact, too. Many women have said that their initial view of God has much in common with their view of their father. After viewing the film, this may open much-needed conversations. Gather your family, men's groups, marriage classes and make this an event to remember! You can get tickets at showmethefathermovie.com

GIVEAWAY!! I'm giving away 2 tickets to the movie, via Fandango, for opening weekend, Sept 10-12, 2021. The winner will be notified via email. Prize must be claimed within 24 hours. Enter using #showmethefather in comments. Deadline is Sept. 6, 2021.

Note: This giveaway is limited to US residents only.

Disclosure: Thanks to Sony Pictures for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I received a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. However, opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#ShowMeTheFather #ShowMeTheFatherMIN
#MomentumInfluencerNetwork

LINKS:

• Website
• Tickets
• Group Tickets
• Instagram
• Facebook
• IMDb
• The Heart of the Movie 
• Audience Reactions 
• The Blessing 

God's Great Love For You - Rick Warren

God’s Great Love for You, by bestselling author and pastor Rick Warren, is a story that lets children know that God's love is with them everywhere and all of the time. With simple sentences, and winsome illustrations by Chris Saunders, a child is assured that she is always surrounded by God's great love.

It's a cute book and I especially love the illustrations. I do disagree with the age range recommendation, though. It is much too simple for 7 and 8 year old children, so I would suggest it for 6 year old and under. My great-grandchildren are all under 3 right now, and this seems more suitable as a bedtime story book for them. The very short sentences are a better fit for their attention spans. The main character is also female, so I don't think the boys will like this one quite as much as girls. Of course, that is not true each time, but I still would have preferred a mix of characters. Still, a good book to introduce the love of God to wee ones.

GIVEAWAY: To enter for a chance to win a copy of God's Great Love For You, leave a comment on this blog or as a comment on a social media post. Deadline to enter is end of day, Friday, November 17, 2017.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

God Made You Nose to Toes - Leslie Parrot

God Made You Nose to Toes, by well-known author and family therapist, Leslie Parrot, is a padded boardbook designed to explain to toddlers that God created each part of their body to help them enjoy their surroundings. With the help of a colorful toucan, rhymes are given to express that God made each part for a reason. Delightful animals are incorporated through the story via the talents of illustrator Estelle Corke. The book, published by Zondervan, is 8.38" x 8.38" and has 18 pages.

I wasn't blown away by the book, but I did think it was cute. More importantly, it has been handled a lot by a 16 months old who is loving the pictures. Also, the book is still completely intact. She is too young to sit still as I read it, but has grabbed it to look at several times. As she gets older we can spend more time on the words and the lesson to be taught. I believe she will enjoy learning more about her fingers, knees, nose, toes, etc., and that God created her to enjoy life and because He loves her very much. Between both of us, I would say the book is not quite a five for me, but not completely a 4...perhaps a 4.45.

I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers at no cost to myself. However, my thoughts and opinions are my own. 

NIV Holy Bible for Girls, Journal Edition

The NIV Holy Bible for Girls, Journal Edition is a hard cover Bible with an attached elastic closure. Features include:

• Lines on each page for journaling and notes
• Thick paper perfect for any writing utensil
• A presentation page for gift giving
• A “How to Use This Bible” page to get started on the right foot
• Ribbon marker
• The complete text of the bestselling New International Version (NIV)

This Bible has a visually appealing turquoise cover (other colors are available) with designs and an attached pink elastic closure. I think it is very attractive and my 15 month old great-granddaughter, raced to pick it up, while exclaiming, "Ooooooh." The outside cover is the least important part of a Bible, but I think it is good to have a book that immediately attracts someone. It has a hard cover, which makes it a bit heavy, but I love the durability and the way it is bound.

The NIV translation is fairly easy to read and understand for most people, and is a very popular version. The print is a little small for me, but should be great for the average reader. However, I have no issue with the print size due to the room given on each page for journaling or note-taking. Not only is there room to make notes, but there are lines to make it easier. This Bible is intended for girls 8 and up, so I really like that it encourages making notes from an early age. The pages aren't too thin, but I encourage using colored pencils rather than highlighters to help avoid bleed through. 

As a first "grown-up" Bible for a girl, this is an excellent one. It is also suitable for teens and women, though, so don't let the "for girls" mislead you if you want to get this Bible for yourself. I do miss having maps and a concordance, but my personal preference is a study Bible. However, I do recommend the NIV Holy Bible for Girls, Journal Edition, especially if you like to jot down notes about a particular passage as you read it.

Thanks to Handlebar Marketing for providing me with a copy for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

The Complete Jewish Study Bible

The Complete Jewish Study Bible by Hendrickson strives to help both Christian

and Jewish followers connect with the Jewish roots of our faith. The previous edition was translated by David H. Stern with this updated version containing new introductions by Rabbi Barry Rubin. With these introductions, additional material about Jewish customs and feasts, and a translation of some names from English to Hebrew, this helps the reader to connect deeper.

I can only speak from the Christian point of view, so I do want to say upfront that this Bible is better for those who are familiar with the Bible and have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the history of our heritage. A beginner or new believer may get a little lost despite the excellent English to Hebrew translations provided both with the names and in footnotes throughout the Bible. A serious scholar will love it! This Bible provides a greater depth of understanding about traditions that may be unknown, therefore, a new richness is uncovered as new insights are discovered. I love that I can expand my knowledge as I pursue my study of God's Word. I want to apply His word to my life today, and it helps to understand what was going on during the time these words were first written or revealed to mankind. There are also additional color-coded articles and maps provided.

Not only is the book "heavy" with the depth of knowledge, it weighs more than the Bible I normally use. The one I have is a hard cover and I love the outward appearance of it. It is a beautiful addition to your library---but do not just leave it sitting. This is a book that needs used frequently. The print is very easily read, but my one issue is that there is no room to write notes on all of the pages. For both Christians and Jews (especially Messianic) who want to learn more of our shared heritage, while studying God's Word, I do recommend The Complete Jewish Study Bible.

  Learn more at:
Product Page: hendrickson.com/content/complete-jewish-study-bible
Website: hendrickson.com
Twitter: twitter.com/hendricksonpub
Facebook: facebook.com/thecompletejewishstudybible

Disclaimer: I'm a part of the CWA Review Crew and I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself in exchange for my honest opinion.

Resting and Trusting in God

'This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.'  ~ Isaiah 30:15

This verse popped up tonight as I was researching something that had nothing to do with anything from Scripture. Actually, I was doing a quick Math calculation, and was puzzled to see Scripture popping up. But, curiosity got the best of it, so I looked it up.

Immediately, I was struck by how it tied in with something that was been in my thoughts lately. Actually, several things have been on my mind due to issues that our facing our nation, and our world, and many are being brought to the forefront with a political twist added. I have struggled with frustration, rage, and even feelings of hopelessness as I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the hatred that has become social media. Even the ever-present kitten pictures and videos bring opinions and comments from joy to vile utterances.

A certain Bible verse has also been in my news feed a lot lately--- 'Be still and know that I am God.' ~ Psalm 46:10. I said, somewhat jokingly, to someone that God must really be trying to get me to pay attention. Of course, I have only paid attention superficially. Just now, I looked up the verse (I always forget the "address" of verses), and was struck even more by the portion of the verse that is rarely included: "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." So, the full Scripture is even closer to what has troubled me so much.

The current political season, filled with more animosity than ever, is dividing us radically...and with a hypocrisy that truly baffles me. I don't have a candidate I fully trust and support, but I will choose the one who seems more likely to choose wise advisors and is not as vocal in support of practices that I find evil. I cannot make others turn (or return) to God, but I can continue to pray and show kindness and love...and sometimes, merely shake the dirt off my feet (Matthew 10:14; Luke 9:5) and move on. Yes, I do believe that we are told to speak when a brother or sister in Christ strays, but not to rebuke those who are not believers. Does this mean to be silent about my opinion? No! That makes no sense. But, I can avoid name-calling, foul language, and hatred, or, more to the point, not allow others doing so to change me and my attitude.

The important thing to remember is---I do have a God I fully trust. I can rest in Him and have the confidence that He has all in control. No matter who wins or what happens as a result of this election, God will be triumphant!

The Biggest Story DVD and CD by Kevin DeYoung

The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden by Kevin DeYoung is the overall message of the Bible written for children with pivotal stories and characters highlighted. Starting with the disobedience and promise that demonstrate the promise of Jesus on to his birth, death, resurrection, and the availability of the Holy Spirit for all believers. In Genesis, God promises that there ill be a "Snake Crusher" who will eventually restore God's people to the same relationship He had with Adam and Eve in the Garden. This review, however, is about the DVD and Audio Book available.

The Animated Short Film: Using Don Clark's colorful illustrations from the hardcover of The Biggest Story, the animated short film is visually colorful enough to attract the attention of children as DeYoung uses a variety of highlights to connect Scripture’s message about God’s plan to redeem his rebellious people.

The Audio Book: Written and narrated by author Kevin DeYoung, this tells the story of Eve being tempted by the snake, and of Adam also eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and then continues on the journey through the Bible, showing the many times God has connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.

I have mixed views on this one. I did love the bright colors, but sometimes it felt a little visually overwhelming. I did not always concentrate on the words. There were a few words that seemed a bit difficult for younger children to understand (for instance, "famine" is used several times and that is a concept all kids may not understand), but I am in favor of building a stronger vocabulary. You just may want to make sure the child watching (or listening to audio) understand what is being said. And, it may be useful to help a child understand that God still loved His people, despite being angry at actions. Of course the stories have to be simplified for children and there is a time constraint. While I do have a few issues, I do like both the DVD and CD and see them as good teaching tools for children, and this is definitely a conversation-opener to give your child a clearer explanation of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and how God has used others to perform His works and share the good news of Jesus and restore us to Him. Also, both CD and DVD include a brightly colored poster, suitable for framing. They are two-sided so that gives additional options.

I received a copy of these products from Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in exchange for a fair and honest review. "Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe by Max Lucado, with Candace Lee and Eric Newman is a Christian fiction book published by ThomasNelson that is delightfully reminiscent of films like It's A Wonderful Life or The Bishop's Wife.

Chelsea Chambers has recently had a very public split from her NFL superstar husband. She and their children return to their hometown in Texas to reopen the coffee shop left to her by her mother. Even with her incredible cupcakes, hard work, and determination, Higher Grounds Café is having too many set backs. In despair, she prays for a miracle.

An endearingly likeable, albeit clumsy, strangers shows up at her door, eager to help. Not long after, she gets a free trial for a most unusual internet deal. Users can only connect to one website...God.com. Higher Grounds is soon buzzing with new business eager to ask the one question they are allowed, but this creates as many problems as it solves. When Ryan returns, begging for another chance, Chelsea is certain that her world has been turned upside down once again. No matter how hard she tries, disasters keep arriving.

My Review: At first, I wasn't sure. I absolutely love Lucado's nonfiction books and find all of his children's books and DVDs absolutely delightful. This brand of fiction/fantasy was a bit different, but I found myself enjoying it more and more until I finally just relaxed and had fun with the adventure. It was a bit fluffy, so I would prefer a bit more indepth look at the characters in future books of this type, yet I really liked it enough to want to read more. This is a lighthearted book, in spite of touching on some harsh realities, that warms the heart and leaves a smile that grew more as I read. Great book for a couple of free hours or to take with you on vacation.

Read the first 3 chapters!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and all  opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Promise, or The Pros and Cons of Talking to God

"The Promise, or The Pros and Cons of Talking to God" (TouchPoint Press) by Sean Paul Murphy is his "true story of first faith and first love and how the two became almost fatally intertwined." As a Facebook friend, I had read bits and pieces of this on Sean's FB posts and on his blog, so I have long been intrigued to know more about this personal story. I had known his name for a while as the screenwriter of several faith-based films I have enjoyed. In fact, we "met" on Facebook due to a discussion about my favorite of his, Hidden Secrets. I knew I liked what he has written, and I have also learned I like and share several interests with him.

The book is an honest account of Sean's life and the love he had for a girl whom he believed would one day be his wife. Just as I do with his films, I laughed, I cried, I reconsidered my opinions on a few things. I usually come away from his movies with a deeper understanding of the views of another and make adjustments in my own beliefs---sometimes solidified, sometimes altered a bit. While I have also heard the Lord clearly speak to me, it has never been to the degree Sean experienced, and I was definitely intrigued to know more.

It was worth the journey to get the answer I wanted. Sean shared himself and his life, even to the point of a vulnerability few are capable of sharing, and made you feel like these are people you actually know yourself. He is just a few years younger than me, so it was also a bit of a walk down 'Memory Lane' for me with some of his interests. He is a very gifted story-teller with a talent for drawing the reader into his world. His faith is a large part of who he is and I love the way he expresses the relationship he has with God. His failures and frailties are expressed with the same honesty as the forgiveness received. I definitely recommend this book.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by the author, Sean Paul Murphy, for review. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I compensated for my review. The opinions in this review are my own.

Sean Paul Murphy is an award-winning screenwriter with fourteen produced feature film credits including the faith-based favorites “Hidden Secrets,” “Sarah’s Choice,” and “The Encounter.” Sean lives in Baltimore, Maryland. He is happily married with three step-daughters, and he can be found every Sunday morning playing guitar at his church.

Roadmap Genesis

Roadmap Genesis is a faith-based film documentary that explains how the Biblical Book of Genesis is a roadmap to how to live a productive life and is as relevant today as it was at the time it was written.

Filmmaker Nolan Lebovitz had already found Hollywood success when his film, Tortured (Laurence Fishbourne, James Cromwell), became a hit. When he married and became a father, though, his perspective on the message he wanted his life to present began to change. While pursuing a calling to become a rabbi, he had an epiphany about the relevance of Genesis in the lives of people and wanted to share this discovery with others. His experience with and passion for filmmaking was the obvious choice.

Lebovitz traveled across the United States interviewing experts and public figures, as well as "man in the street" questions to get an overall feel of the importance others place on the first book of the Bible and its significance today. Some of the more well known people interviewed are Governor Mike Huckabee, Rabbi David Wolpe, Alan Dershowitz, Cardinal Francis George, and Ken Ham.


This is a very well made documentary from the technical aspects and from the material content. Genesis is a book that is rich in stories and relationships with God and with others. The points Lebovitz discusses cover a wide range of topics that continue to impact our lives today: racism, environment, family, faith, relationships with others and our relationship with God. His interviews, ranging from devout believers to skeptics and scoffers, made this a far more interesting film than one which only presented one viewpoint. There is a wealth of material to draw from in Genesis, but Lebovitz has made a general film demonstrating how we can learn much from Genesis and apply it to our lives.

I enjoyed watching this on my own, but also believe it would make a great DVD to use for a Bible Study group. Many people today believe the Bible is outdated or merely an old-fashioned rule book that has become meaningless, and this documentary could be just the conversation starter needed to help others explore the whys and hows of using the Bible as a roadmap. What better place to start than, "In the beginning..."? You can get a copy of your own by clicking here to order.

Roadmap Genesis website
Roadmap Genesis on Facebook
@RoadmapGenesis on Twitter
Roadmap Genesis on Google+
Roadmap Genesis on YouTube

Disclosure: I saw a prescreening of Roadmap Genesis through the BuzzBlogger.net division of BuzzPlant in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Love Letter From God by P. K. Hallinan

Author P. K. Hallinan imagines what God might say in a letter written to a child in A Love Letter From God. As with his other books, the story is told in a simple rhyming style that is able to leave a profound message to children about who God is and the love He has for them. The same reassurances of God's love for us and the promises we cherish that He will never leave us are the theme of this story and one that a young child can easily understand. The easy to read prose, along with illustration by Laura Watson will make this book a favorite with your 3-8 year old. I loved the cutouts of various shapes, including hearts and stars, and that it is sturdy book (not as thick as a board book, but still heavy-duty) that will withstand numerous readings from a child. 

Be sure to check out this special offer!

For the month of January, every book from www.idealsbooks.com with the word “Love” in the title will be 20% off! Be sure to Search “LOVE2015” for a complete list of books.

Promotional Code to apply at check out is LOVE2015

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”  Deadline to enter is Sunday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 pm CST.

Ideals Publications publishes 20 to 25 new children’s titles a year, primarily for two- to eight-year-olds. Our backlist includes more than 400 titles, and we publish picture books, activity books, board books, and novelty and sound books covering a wide array of topics, such as Bible stories, holidays, early learning, history, family relationships, and values. Our bestselling titles include The Story of Christmas, The Story of Easter, Seaman’s Journal, How Do I Love You ?, My Daddy and I, and The Story of Jesus. Through our dedication to publishing high-quality and engaging books, we never forget our obligation to our littlest readers to help create those special moments with books.