These books were provided for review by the WaterBrookMultnomah Publishing Group. The book above is the sweetest children's book I think I have ever had the opportunity to read. I am always trying to speak to my children about the concept of love and Jesus and this book explained it perfectly. Unlike many other books I have read for children this was was all about Jesus and I absolutely love that. The focus is Jesus. My children were so excited about this and they were saying, "aww." all throughout it. This was such a blessing to get to review. If you have young ones and want to explain God's love to them then you should get this one. To view it on the publishers website or purchase go here.
Now as much as I loved the first book I have to say this one I equally loved. I am so impressed by how Jesus is the center of this book as well. This was a precious adventure that a mother bear and her cub went on to discover the true meaning of Christmas. It explained how we can see God in so many things and that Jesus is the real focus and meaning for the season. LOVED it. I know these both will be read over and over as family favorites. My girls just adored it. The pictures in both are also wonderful. You couldn't ask for more. Just good stuff. To view or buy a copy from the publisher go here.
Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain was provided to me free by Thomas Nelson for book review. This title is about exactly what the title states. If you live long you will sooner or later experience some sort of pain. This book teaches you how to have a Godly perspective on it. It is divided into categories also so you can read about what is relevant to your life at the moment.
I loved this title. I am sure it will be one that I will pick up and read again and again. It was very encouraging and full of information to get your mind focused on the right thing in the midst of your pain. I personally can say that being in the middle of a trial of my own that this book was helpful.
One of the best thoughts from this book was the "no pain, no gain statement". When we work out we expect to get in better. We expect that it will be painful so we endure it for a time to accomplish the end result we desire. Trials are no different but do this same thing with us. When we are in pain or trials they grow us up to be more like Christ. That was a revolutionary thought for me. It was a good read and I left the book feeling stronger and more able to endure what I am currently in the middle of.
To get a copy of the book from the publisher you can go here. For a copy from Amazon go here.
The little girl who wondered aimlessly around the world finally landed herself into a kingdom that deeply cared for those who belonged to it--Even to the point of discipline. It amazed her at the long suffering love that was shown to one another. Yet that love wasn't exclusive to that kingdom but reached out to others as well.
The little girl watched for awhile because it was so hard to believe this type of kingdom actually existed. She observed that it wasn't a perfect kingdom, no not at all. Yet it was intentional in its actions toward others.The love she observed and received (though she was a foreigner) was a beautiful thing. The people excepted her as their own.
The little girl cautiously became a part of this kingdom little by little. She was afraid though because of all the beating she endured on her other journeys. She didn't receive beatings here. She could be exactly who her King created her to be. Yet she still had walls up of her own. The King gently started using the people of that kingdom to help her break down those walls and learn to trust again.
She knows the journey will be hard and will have bumps. There will be challenges and difficulties in relationships but she found a place to settle. A place where the King can do great works that He has already prepared. The works He will bring to completion. The King sees, the King smiles.
Please pray for a fellow sister in Christ. Join by going to www.be-a-voice.net.
Asia Bibi, a 37-year-old Pakistani woman from the village of Ittanwali, was arrested by police on Friday, June 19, and faces possible blasphemy charges. Asia is the wife of 50-year-old Ashiq Masih, and their family is one of only three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500 families.
Many of the local women work on the farm of Muslim landowner Muhammad Idrees, including Asia. During their work many of the Muslim women have pressured Asia to renounce Christianity and accept Islam. In June, the pressure became especially strong.
On Friday, June 19, there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith, with the Muslim women telling Asia about Islam. Asia responded by telling them about her faith in Christ. Asia told the Muslim women Christ had died on the cross for our sins, then asked them what Mohammed had done for them, according to VOM sources. She told them Jesus is alive, but Mohammed is dead. “Our Christ is the true prophet of God,” she reportedly told them, “and yours is not true.”
Upon hearing this response the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia Bibi. Then some men came and took her and locked her in a room. They announced from mosque loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and being paraded through the village on a donkey. Local Christians informed the police, who took Asia into custody before the Muslims could carry out their plan. She is currently being held at the police station in Nankana city. Christians there urged the police not to file blasphemy charges, but police claimed that they must go forward due to pressure from local Muslim leaders.
The Voice of the Martyrs urges Christians around the world to pray for Asia Bibi and her family. Further, we call on the Pakistani government to insure that the rights of Christians like Asia are protected.
Oh I was devastated when you did indeed sell out to the common world view of the media and relationships. I wrote you a letter earlier thanking you for not selling out but I was premature in my writing.
Your show would be as equally viewed if you chose not to kiss someone. I know you are just acting but there are tons of little girls looking up to you. You are not an idol but you have been put into a position of influence. That is a God-given gift. You need to use it wisely.
You all wear your purity rings. Purity is so important and a HUGE part of that is guarding your hearts. Your kiss is special and really it would mean a lot more if you saved it for your future wife. That is true purity.
I am just trying to encourage you in this. The more you compromise to the standard of the world the easier it will be to continue down that path. I am writing you from experience not judgment. I hope you reconsider your future actions because little eyes are watching. As for me as a parent of those little eyes it is my charge to protect and guard them. So, I must now add your show to my growing list of shows that need previewed before allowed to be seen in my house.
Don't worry we aren't haters. We love you dearly as brothers in the Lord. We are praying for your decisions and the impact you could have for the Lord in today's world.
When joy embraces pain contentment comes. A quiet surrender the world cannot understand.
This lesson can only be learned in the classroom of life. God does not change. God is good. He never leaves or forsakes us. God is what sustains us. When the world looks at the joy contained in the face of pain it cannot understand because it is not a natural thing. It is that of a supernatural power that comes from Christ alone. If you are going through a rough time and do not know what to do, have you considered a relationship with Christ? He is the only thing that brings peace in the midst of any trial. If you want to talk about this further let me know.
"Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die." ~John 12:30-33
Right before these verses above, Jesus is talking about His end and said to the Father, "Father, glorify your name!"
Then out loud from Heaven God spoke for everyone to hear, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." Some of the people there thought it was thunder others though and angel spoke but we know from the text it was God. Can you imagine the God of the universe speaking out loud for a crowd of us to hear Him all at the same time? That is amazing.
Now look to the text I posted above in John 12:30-33. Jesus tells us why and what is up. He was telling them how men and women would come to Jesus and what kind of death He would die which we know is death on a cross. He was nailed to this object and lifted up to hang there until He slowly died.
But there are some other amazing treasures through the word that point to this place. I will point out two today that really stirred my heart about how God's word is perfect and complete.
Take a journey to the Old Testament with me. The children of Israel are again complaining after God has provided for them over and over again. When that happens again this is what God does.
Numbers 21:6-9 states, "Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
God had the power to take away those snakes upon repentance but He chose instead to give them a snake on a pole to look at for the cure. He left the snakes with them. Have you ever been in a situation where you just wish God would take it away? Sometimes He chooses not to. Sometimes we have to walk through things but God is always there to get us through if we keep our eyes on Him. That was what was meant in creating the snake on the pole. Unfortunately sometime later the children of Israel chose to worship it. Probably after the harmful snakes were gone. This snake on a pole was to represent their need for keeping their eyes on Jesus to come. Here is how we know.
We also are bitten by the poisonous sting of sin. We need a way to take it away from us lest we die. Just as a poisonous snake bite can kill you. God provided that cure through Jesus. John 3:14-15 states, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
Isn't it amazing how God's word fits together perfectly? Let us keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the only true healer. Any problem in life He can get us through if we keep our eyes on Him. Our circumstances may not change but He never leaves or forsakes us. He is our hope.
Father thank you for your rich word full of treasures! I am amazed by it day by day. Lord open our eyes to see you and know you better each day. Guide us in the right way and help us to keep our eyes on you lest we turn to complaining. We love you. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Zondervan sent me a free copy of this book for my agreement in reviewing this book.
This book was about a very interesting journey that the author took over a period of a year. Just take a second to look at the beard on his book cover picture. That was just one interesting part of the journey. I found the book very thought-provoking. It continually challenged my heart and how I viewed others.
The book also gave me great insight into what living like Jesus was like under all the traditional Jewish customs of the times. Doing something like that today would be very difficult as Ed finds out. It is a great privilege to be living in the period of grace and not the law.
Though I am not sure I agree with everything Ed wrote in his book it was still his personal journey. It gave me some things to continue to ponder through. The journey in my eyes was a very admirable thing for him to do and I deeply respect the journey he undertook.
As a personal side note there were a couple of sections that ministered deeply to my heart about God and Jesus and illness. God used Ed to minister to those places in need through his journey and insights. I have disclosed my various health battles through these years and Ed is a man on his own tough journey. He did inspire me deeply.
To get your own copy from Amazon go here. Check out Ed's website here. To see what others are saying go here.
Today I am over at Radical Revolution, the teen ministry for Proverbs 31, Go over and check it out. Looking for relevant spiritual growth material for young girls, check us out. Here.
To my sweet man, I know we started out way rough. Rougher than most. We had all odds stacked against us. We were not meant to last. But through Christ and His most amazing grace we have made it this far. I adore you. I respect you and would not want anyone else leading our family.
Though we were not sure if we would make it so many times, I can honestly say I am thankful. I got to have a front row seat and be a participant of God's amazing redemptive work. I got to see how trash could really be refined into treasure. I got to see miracles take place before my eyes. I would not be who I am today without you.
Thank you for sticking through it with me. Life is hard but we have each other with God at the center and with that we cannot fail. Thank you for being the vehicle that God used to teach me true and lasting love of the unconditional form. I am blessed beyond measure by you. I love you!
Now as much as I loved the first book I have to say this one I equally loved. I am so impressed by how Jesus is the center of this book as well. This was a precious adventure that a mother bear and her cub went on to discover the true meaning of Christmas. It explained how we can see God in so many things and that Jesus is the real focus and meaning for the season. LOVED it. I know these both will be read over and over as family favorites. My girls just adored it. The pictures in both are also wonderful. You couldn't ask for more. Just good stuff.
