BLOG REVIEW: The Story of King Jesus

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might, and these words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall TEACH them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.  And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.  And you shall write them on your doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9  (NASB)

This school year in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), we have been studying the Life of Moses.  Our study has taken us through the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and finally Deuteronomy.  I have been moved immensely by the WORD and these old testament books have profoundly impacted my daily thought life.  One of the recurring themes throughout these books is the importance of passing on faith in the ONE TRUE GOD to the next generation.  We have learned there were always consequences for not passing down their faith.

MY REVIEW:  We want the best for our children, don't we?  We want to see them blessed beyond all measure!  One of the best ways we can provide for our children is to share the FULL story of God's plan for redemption.  The Story of King Jesus does just that in a short, concise way with beautiful illustrations to captures a child's heart and mind.  I love that Ben Irwin scripts a book with such rich truth in a perfect amount of pages to read during one setting!  He quotes "God's redemptive tale can't be reduced to a few memory verses from Scripture.  It's not a formula or a plan or a prayer you recite.  It's a drama that you life, and it's woven throughout every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation."

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE our Jesus Storybook Bible and the other Bible storybooks we have, but you can't sit down and read the whole thing in one setting.  My experience is that preschoolers and early elementary kids don't have long attention spans, so something that is concise is perfect!  It is short enough that it can be read over and over again, with different parts of the story impacting the kids lives at different times.  The book is written in language that our kids can understand perfectly.  It also, focuses on Jesus as KING, which is so crucial because that is what transforms our life.  Overall this book is an excellent "launching point to explore the Bible together."  It has generated additional conversation with my oldest two children.  We discuss the pictures in the book, which then leads to additional bible teaching.

Ben encourages us as parents, "Show your children --- with your life and words -- that this is your story, and it can be theirs too."

One of my favorite lines is towards the end of the book ... "God gave us the King we needed."  Isn't that so true?  He didn't give us the type of King we wanted, because He knew that wouldn't be the best.  So often in my life, God gives me what I need and not what I want.  Thank heavens He knows better than I.  Jesus is God's Best and because of His sacrifice, we have the opportunity to once again be in a restored relationship with God.  And that my friends is GRACE!


Question to ponder: What has God given you recently that is what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANTED?  


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

His Strength ....

One of my dear friends wrote this poem and I thought it was so good I wanted to share as an encouragement to the women in my life ... 

To the Mom who would give anything for just ONE night of sleep
To the Mom who has volunteered for more than four activities in one week
The new Mom of two who feels defeated
The Mom of a teenager...and also a toddler
To you, the Mom taking care of your parents and your family and your neighbor and...

HE WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH

To the woman that can't look at her own reflection in the mirror
The woman that feels guilt taking time for herself
The woman whose marriage is crumbling
To you, the woman that keeps a smile on her face through despair

HE WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH

In the moments that you have never felt more alone
The moments you feel like a failure as a mom, a spouse, a friend
Moments of regret and shame

HE WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH

For the days that you know you did your best
The days that you took time for yourself
Days when you slept through the night for the first time in...months
Days when your toddler actually let her daddy put her to sleep
The days that you thank God for the patience you didn't know you had
For the days that you smiled and gave thanks for chaos
Days that are renewed and that give you new breath

HE GAVE YOU STRENGTH

~By: Jennifer Mobley

When have you felt the Lord's strength and provision in your life recently?  

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: ACTION BIBLE

"People don't usually think of God like this, but God is the original action hero.  Everyone is so impressed when Superman blows a car over with his breath, yet God created the whole universe with His breath.  Superman may save the day with his strength, but Jesus saved the whole world with His death ... The action you read about in these 750 pages is nothing compared to the action that will occur once you put this book down.  How will you answer God's call to action?"  (Doug Mauss, General Editor)

With an introduction like that, don't you want to pick up a copy of "The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Plan?"  The Action Bible is an excellent source for supplemental Bible story reading with your children!  It contains the major stories of the Bible (215 of them) starting in Genesis and ending with Revelation.   

Internationally recognized artist Sergio Cariello has created attention-holding illustrations marked by rich coloring, dramatic shading and lighting, bold and energetic designs, and emotionally charged figures.  Of note, Sergio worked for Marvel and DC Comics.

I have taken a few pictures for you to get an inside view.  I used the crucifixion pictures as we are getting close to our Resurrection Sunday celebration!  Can you feel the emotion that must have been felt by those along the street as Jesus walked by?   The look on Jesus' face in this picture takes my breath away.  He knew what was ahead of him ... down that long road ...

Another shot of Jesus with the thief on the cross.  The close up of the crown of thorns on his head.  

MY REVIEW:  The Action Bible is a comic-book style picture Bible for children ages 5-8.  I would imagine that older children would also enjoy this as well!  The stories are in chronological order and shown in the appropriate setting.  Since I have been studying Genesis this year in BSF, I looked through intently at the pictures of Genesis and was very impressed with Sergio's illustrations.  The characters ages are depicted correctly as are the emotions.      

As I mentioned above, this is an excellent supplement to your child's actual Bible.  As with most children's Bibles, the stories are "based on" the actual scripture verses.  The author includes the specific chapters (sometimes verses) under the title.  For example when Jacob's sons are reunited, "Family Reunion Based on Genesis 45-47."  When the pictures are "based on" the actual Bible, one must remember it is somewhat subject to the author and illustrators interpretation.  You will find commentary, extra-Biblical comments, and other information in the stories.  Once again, you find this with most children's Bibles.    

As one reviewer said it so clearly, "The Bible came across as a continuous historical account of God relating to man with a redemptive plan in action (rather than as disconnected morality tales about heroes of the past).  

Most of you know, my little guy is only 18 months old, so he wasn't a candidate for a review for this Bible.  My 4 year old daughter LOVED looking at the pictures!  The first day she sat for over 45 minutes flipping through the pages!  I have a friend who has two sons, ages 5 and 8, so I thought they would be the perfect candidates to review this book.  Both sons were THRILLED to see The Action Bible sitting on their coffee table when they arrived home from school.  They recognized it from other kids at church!  They both couldn't put it down.  The 5 year old was really drawn to the illustrations, however some of the content his mother had to simplify.  However, the 8 year old was the perfect age to fully enjoy this book.  His mother said it was the "perfect reading level and content for my 3rd grader.  It was a great way to draw kids (especially little boys) into the stories of the Bible."  I also had her review the devotional and she really enjoyed it.  Her 3rd grader really was able to find practical application from the lesson.  The lessons were perfect length and had a great learning format.  

My husband and I both feel that as long as parents don't shy away from teaching the actual Bible, The Action Bible is a great supplemental overview book for kids.  It teaches them how to appreciate the Bible as a whole as well as God's redemptive story that He has planned from the VERY BEGINNING of time!  The Action Bible is probably the most complete and comprehensive picture Bible.  It will draw them in by its "fun" nature, so as a parent you don't have to "make" them read their Bible.  It helps relate true Bible stories with what they currently enjoy in life: super heros and action heros!  It also will teach them that their faith is to be ACTIVE, not passive!  How many adults don't realize this truth?    

If you are interested in other resources, check out the devotional and the handbook.  Both are incredible resources!  The devotional works well with The Action Bible, but also could be used as a stand-alone resource.  I think the devotional would be perfect for your 7-9 year old!  The practical application is fantastic!  

Also, check out their WEBPAGE and find free coloring pages, BATTLE GOLIATH (game), see samples of the artwork, as well as watch the Action Bible Trailer!

WIN IT: You have an awesome opportunity to win your OWN copy of The Action Bible.

Please leave a comment below of any memories you have reading a Children's Bible or why you think your son/daughter would enjoy this Bible.  Also, please make sure to leave your EMAIL address so I can contact you if you win!

This giveaway is open to the US and will end on Monday April 1st at 8am. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

She just melts my heart!

Since Jackson was born, I have been singing this one song to him over and over again before each nap and at bedtime!  Last month, Sophia was laying on the ground outside of Jackson's room (the door was cracked open), and she heard me sing to him!  I didn't tell her that I saw her outside the room.  The next night I asked her what song she wanted me to sing to her before bed and she responded "Jackson's song please."  From that point on, this song has become a staple in our bedtime routine!  I had no idea she knew all the words until we were driving in the car on the way home from preschool yesterday!  I wanted to snap a video last night to capture this memory for the future!!

Doesn't it just melt your heart?

Women of Faith Conference

This past weekend I had the chance to volunteer at the Women of Faith conference in Indianapolis with World Vision.  This conference came at a very needed time in my life.  Life over the past 4-6 months (even past 11 months) has really just been in the "survival" mode.  Nate's been working lots of extra hours trying to meet deadlines, we are at the end of a busy summer, and I am so ready for life to become grounded and more structured again.  I also am looking forward to jumping back into routine structured bible study with my new BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) group.

The WOF (Women of Faith) conference helped me to actually take 1 1/2 days to focus on me (for once), and gave me a chance to quietly listen to what God wanted to tell me!  You other mamas can totally relate when I say, "quietly," RIGHT?   I really enjoyed all of the WOF team, but appreciated 2 of the speakers the most!   My favorite was Kelly Minter.  She is new to the WOF team and is an incredible asset!  She spoke with such humility, realness, and honesty.  I felt I had known her for years and she was telling me some of her hardest struggles!  Her vunerability with the audience allowed me (and many others) to really relate to what she was saying.  She has a new bible study book out on Nehemiah and I can't wait to pick it up.  She talked about the fact God is a God of second chances and He is in the business of rebuilding us as a Christian people.  We as women need God's healing hand to "rebuild the broken places of our lives and we can only do that through the power and presence of God."  She talked about the rubble at the bottom that causes so much hangup in our lives.  We MUST deal with the rubble before we can rebuild our "walls."

I was also deeply touched by Brenda Warner 's testimony on Saturday.  She shared about the undesired "calls" she has received throughout her life, but how God's faithfulness continued to bring her through.  I seriously cried during her whole 30 min presentation.  I didn't have enough Kleenex's to keep my eyes dry!  I really want to get her book, One Call Away, to learn about God's faithfulness in the midst of much PAIN!  She was an incredible speaker and very vulnerable with the audience.  I really appreciate that about a speaker!

Mark Lowry, singer/songwriter of "Mary Did You Know?," also provided much needed laughter on Friday night!  I laughed so hard through his whole act.  He is a very talented man with an incredible heart for the Lord.  I would love to see him again!!!

Finally, my last FAVORITE part of the WOF conference was watching Mandisa perform!  Wow, that girl has got some major CHOPS!  This was one of the best Christian concerts I have ever been to!  She rocked the house and actually had FUN singing and performing!  You could tell she believed every word she was singing and found JOY in her music.  I can't WAIT to get her CD!!   She did an awesome job telling about each song and how it "came to be."  I really appreciate when artists tell you the history of the song because I feel it is more relational and meaningful!  If you are looking for something for your Christmas Wish List, her CD needs to be one of your items!!  Check out this live video of her singing Good Morning!   She is going to be on GMA this morning with Toby Mac singing this song in 45 minutes!!

While I was working at WOF, I had the chance to help World Vision get more child sponsorship's.  It was a great experience!  For $35 a month, you can support a child in almost any country in the world.  The best part about World Vision is 86% of the $35 monthly sponsorship goes DIRECTLY to that child!  We were told it is the most of any child sponsorship program!  The other 14% is for admin, stuff like the WOF conference etc.  Isn't that awesome???  Please pray and ask God if you should pursue sponsoring a child?  I have sponsored one since 2003 and LOVE receiving letters from her and would love to meet her someday!

All in all the WOF was a great experience, however, I wished that each of the main speakers sessions would have been as "deep" as Kelly Minters.  She taught from Scripture and intertwined her personal testimony throughout it.  I know the other women that spoke have TONS of wisdom and knowledge, as they are poured over God's word for many years.  I just wished they would have shared more in depth stuff with us!

Did you attend WOF?  If so, what were your thoughts?








 

The many faces of Jackson at 11 months and my rants about govt inefficiency!

Last Wednesday I turned 11 months old!  Yay, such a big boy!!  Always willing to smile at the camera for me ... his sister, well, not so much!!

Chillin' with mommy!

How about a side-view mom?  

"I just can't take all the paparazzi flashes!"

How big is Jackson, "So BIG" -- this is his response

Yeah, not sure what he is doing but cute, isn't? 

Well, the countdown is on to his big 1st birthday ... 25 days!!  I can't believe how quickly time has FLOWN by this year!  I know a lot of it has to do with the fact I also have a preschooler around the house too!  Never a dull moment around here!

The other countdown is to Jackson deciding he is ready to crawl ... too bad I can't put a number of "DAYS" to that!  From conception (or even before conception), we as moms worry about our children!  It seems like each stage in life brings a new worry and stress!  A friend shared with me today that God is not up there clinching his fists and wondering what is going to happen next with our problems!  Thankfully He is an all-knowing and sovereign Lord who knows the future and how all of our problems are going to turn out!  Although, while going through these trials, it is always hard to remember this truth!  

I think the majority of my recent anxiety is due to the fact that when I recognize a problem and know the steps to take it, I like to jump on it.  I want to work to solve my problem ... the waiting is SO hard for me!!  Also, when the dr tells you month after month well-child check ... "Your son is just perfect ... he is right on track" then you are slapped in the face with the fact that something could be wrong .. milestones are being hit .. that is a lot to stomach as a parent.  (Disclaimer ... I know there could be WAY worse things and I am VERY THANKFUL for the blessing of 2 healthy children!)   When I put him on all 4's and he just screams his bloody head off ... you begin to wonder ... what else might be going on?  

Sophia was a late crawler (she crawled at 10 months and 3 weeks -- see, when you wait that long, you remember the EXACT day and week -- Nov 21st!).  Once Jackson's 10 month and 3 week birthday came and went ... I thought, anytime this week he will start crawling.  Well, that didn't happen and we made it to 11 months.  I called the pediatrician and asked her if we should wait till his 1 year apt to start therapy or if we should start the process.  She advised I contact 1st Steps and start the process to get physical therapy.  When I called 1st Steps, I had no IDEA how LONG of a process and INEFFICIENT process that it would be!   Don't even get me started on government process'!  Ughhhhhhhhh!

Would you like the timeline? 

Monday August 6th - Put in a call to 1st Steps, was told someone would call me in 2 days!

Tuesday August 7th 4pm - Received a call from my "intake coordinator" and we scheduled to meet Friday August 10th to start paperwork.

Friday August 10th - Met the intake coordinator (Super sweet!) and spent 30 min doing paperwork and she called someone and scheduled Jackson's PT/OT eval for the first available ... WAIT ... in 2 weeks.  

Friday August 24th - Supposed to be his PT/OT eval 

Wed August 29th - Supposed to have a mtg with the Service Coordinator (yes a 3rd person in the process) to write our plan.

READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?  Wait for it .... count the days ... 14!

Wed September 12th - The first possible/allowed date for PT.  This isn't even a guarantee if the PT doesn't have openings!  There is a FANTASTIC state law that mandates a 14 day waiting period b/w the plan written and the 1st mtg with the therapist!  And this makes sense b/c WHY???????  Oh yeah, it doesn't!!

(If anyone can fill me in on the reason behind this lovely 14 day waiting period, I would LOVE to know!)

All of these days would be further apart if I wasn't johnny-on-the-spot and being super eager and FLEXIBLE with scheduling and timing!!  

Isn't that UNBELIEVABLE???  It will take me (BEST CASE SCENARIO) 38 days to get a physical therapist IN MY HOUSE to even begin therapy????  My blood is just boiling typing this all out and seeing how INEFFICIENT this process is .... all I want my kid to do is crawl before his 1st birthday ... is that too much to ask???   It probably isn't going to happen, so I am not getting my hopes up!  At least you don't have to crawl to eat your first birthday cupcake!! Right?

Many have told me that maybe he will just walk and not crawl at all ... I know many kids have done that and turned out fine ... but I want him to crawl ... to meet each milestone ... according to many wise-medically trained experts ... crawling is a more important milestone compared to walking!  

I would be willing to pay more money to get this process to move faster .... nevertheless, glad I started it when I did!  Hindsight looking back, I should have started it at 10months!!  Mental note ... for the next baby ... oh wait ... no more babies for this mama!!

I am so thankful to have a SWEET SWEET friend that is going through a lot of the same stuff with her son!  She has been such a blessing to me and such an encouragement!!  JB thanks so much!!  She has shown me many exercises to start doing with Jackson before I can get some professional help!! 

Anyone have any good PT exercises to work with him?