Psalms For Little Hearts

Psalms for Little Hearts written by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Cee Biscoe is a rhyming paraphrase of 25 of the best-loved Psalms.

Features:

• 25 rhyming Psalms are written just for your little one
• Topical table of contents helps you find the right Psalm for every occasion
• Beautiful, kid-friendly, four-color illustrations throughout make Scripture accessible
• Scripture from the original Psalms bring you and your child back to the Bible

My Review: A small but powerful package that is sure to delight any child in your life. I love the size (5.5 x 6.625) because it is perfect to hold in one hand while cuddling one of my great-grandkids in my lap. The kids love looking at the pictures (and I do too!) but still listen to what I am reading to them. This is wonderful for both morning devotions and bedtime prayers. The selected Psalms focus on Joy, Hope, and Praise; these are perfect for teaching our little ones about the love God has for them and why we praise Him. Whether using snippets from each chapter or using a whole Psalm... this book can be used for years. It is adaptable to use with toddlers on up to children who can read it for themselves. I highly recommend it!

 

DISCLAIMER: Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. I was not asked to give a positive interview and all opinions are my own.

 

Buy the Book

Tyndale Kids

Dandi Daley Mackall  

Cee Biscoe

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!

A Heart Like His by Beth Moore

We all go through times when we feel insignificant or times when we feel certain that we have experienced a degree of failure from which there is no return. This is not a reality we experience alone, but is one that a man after God’s heart experienced as well.

In “A Heart Like His,” Beth Moore looks at this bond of mutual love and admiration between a man who was not unlike any of us and the one true God who is all good and all powerful. The book is an exploration of David’s incredible life, drawing spiritual insights from a man who boldly fulfilled his divine destiny not merely by what he did, but who he loved and served.

Bringing lessons from David’s life to bear on your own, this picture of a man who loved and followed God will help you to serve with a heart focused on Him no matter the circumstance. (from the publisher)

I've never read a Beth Moore book I did not love, and this one is no exception. A Heart Like His follows the life of David from a teenaged shepherd to his final breath as the king of Israel. Using 9 different Psalms David wrote, Beth provides the history of what David was going through during that time. It is so easy to place his story into a few Sunday School stories that often gloss over certain details of his life, and forget that he was a man who had great victories, but also made many mistakes. I have never fought a giant, but I wept with David for his loss (and in remembrance of my own) when his infant son died. Reading of his many failures, mistakes, and sins is such a clear message that God can and will forgive when we seek His forgiveness. I laughed, I cried, I sympathized, I was appalled, but I learned new truths or was at least reminded of lessons I had forgotten.

This was written in a format that allows a straight read through but, it is encouraged that you read the Scripture in your own Bible for a deeper understanding. My complaint with the book is that it left me wanting to go even more indepth on the life of David. However, at the back of the book is an excerpt from Beth's 11 session dvd study on the life of David. Hopefully, I will have a chance to go through it soon. In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially anyone who feels that they have failed God, family, and friends too many times. 

Vitals:

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
ISBN: 9781433677168
Page count: 336 Pages

USD: $14.99
Publication date: May 2012
Genre: NON-FICTION/Christian

 I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed 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."

A Deeper Kind Of Calm

This 4 week Bible Study is a follow-up to Calm My Anxious Heart, and is a wonderful guide to help a person deal with the trials and disappointments faced throughout a life time. The 4 Psalms used show how to REMEMBER what God has done in the past, to HIDE in His presence, to CLING to Him, and to PRAISE Him for what we cannot see. Most people can immediately come up with a time in their life that can be described as a "Valley Of Weeping", and this book provides instructions as you travel through that valley yourself, or as you encourage a friend who is struggling.

As a person who has gone through several valleys of this type, I can endorse this book as one very beneficial to anyone struggling with heartbreak or depression. The chapters are not very long, and the studies themselves allow each individual to reflect on the what the Psalmist is saying and how it could pertain to her individual situation. It is also set up to be used in either a small group setting or as a study you can do on your own. This makes it perfect for both the woman who needs to share her feelings with a group or for the one who needs to deal with the raw emotions alone first. This is certainly a book that will remain on my bookshelves for future needs.

Disclosure Of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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."