Friday's Fave Five #44

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-
1. My new prescription sunglasses. My old pair's frame was broken. It's nice to be able to see (I'm near-sighted), enjoy the outdoors (my eyes are very sensitive to sunlight), and look cool (bonus!) at the same time :).

2. My daughter, Alyssa's story, "Mixed Up" was published in Keys for Kids magazine (May/June Issue) which is devotional for kids published by CBH (Chidlren's Bible Hour) Ministries. Hers is on May 17.

3. My brand new vacuum cleaner. Our old one quit working/sucking.  This new one is lighter and it works very well.

4. Free Video Download from Answers in Genesis: The Ultimate Proof of Creation!

5. I entered a photo contest on Facebook ("What Makes You Happy?"). I need your votes. If you're on Facebook, please click here to go vote for my photo. Today is the last day for voting. Thanks so much!

Friday's Fave Five #41

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-
1. Congratulations to my 17 yo daughter, Alyssa! Her script submission to CSE's Creation Minute audio series has been accepted as a finalist for production! She received a $15 credit in their online store.

2. I finished reading Alyssa's novel manuscript. It's really good :). She hopes to get it published some day soon.

3. Our kids participated in worldmathsday (March 1st) and worldspellingday (March 3rd). They competed against kids around the world in real time. They did a great job at both math and spelling.

4. Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson with Tricia Goyer.  It is a heart-wrenching yet inspiring true story of a young woman who wanted to end her life but instead discovered life in Christ. Her failed suicide attempt turns into a story of hope and purposeful living for God! You can read and rate my review here. If you know anyone who is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please recommend this book to him/her.

5. My Pick-Your-Book Giveaway. The winner (randomly chosen) will get to pick a book of his/her choice from the list (10 great books to pick from such as Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado, Blue Like Play Dough by Tricia Goyer, The 7 Minute Life Daily Planner, etc.). The giveaway ends 3/13.

FIRST Wild Card Tour: God Gave Us the World

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Lisa Tawn Bergren

and the illustrator:

Laura J. Bryant

and the book:

God Gave Us The World

WaterBrook Press (January 11, 2011)

***Special thanks to Staci Carmichael, Marketing and Publicity Coordinator, Doubleday Religion / Waterbrook Multnomah / Divisions of Random House, Inc. for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Love follows in Lisa’s classic tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.


Visit the author's website.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Visit the illustrator's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $10.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (January 11, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400074487
ISBN-13: 978-1400074488

Also Available:

God Gave Us You
God Gave Us Two
God Gave Us Christmas
God Gave Us Heaven
God Gave Us Love
God Gave Us So Much – a limited three book treasury


AND NOW...THE FIRST FOUR PAGES...press the pictures to better view them:

MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW:
While visiting a museum exhibit, "Bears Around the World," Mama Bear helps Little Cub learn about the different kinds of bears living in different places around the world.  Surprised to see other kinds of bears that have strange diets like panda bears and sloth bears, Little Cub (who is a polar bear) begins to ask lots of questions.  God Gave Us the World is a cute, colorful book that teaches young kids about the awesome wonders of God's creation, the amazing abilities of God the Creator, His creativity, and our responsibility to take care of the earth/world which is God's gift to us. Kids will learn to appreciate the uniqueness of each bear/person and celebrate the beauty of our differences. The illustrations are fantastic. Beautiful details. I encourage you to also check out other books in the God Gave Us series (eg. God Gave Us You, God Gave Us Love, God Gave Us Christmas, etc.). They all are adorable. The books are geared towards children ages 3 to 8.

Download the coloring page here.

Why I Believe God Exists

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

This is a video my 17 year old daughter made explaining why she believes God exists (within 1 minute). It is an entry for the Always Ready contest by Creation Science Evangelism. I would really appreciate it if you'd vote for her here :)! You don't need to be on Facebook.  Just click "Vote Now".  You can vote once per day until Nov. 28th.  Thanks so much!  Soli Deo Gloria!

~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week.  Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Friday's Fave Five #27

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week include...
1. I had a great time at the Women's Conference at my church last Saturday.  The theme was "Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10).  The speaker was Georgene Rice.  She beautifully shared what a pure heart looks like according to God's Word.

2. I set up a page on Facebook called "Living for God".  All brothers and sisters in Christ are invited to join. I would love to see all Christ's followers around the world live radically for Him! To know Him more and to make Him known! Let's help encourage one another to live purposefully for God...to live and love like Jesus! Once you join, please click the discussions tab to participate in our current discussion. Please feel free to invite your friends to join, too.

3. Last night, I attended the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” concert from my home (watching the live concert which was held in Texas on my computer).  It was wonderful!   This tour's goal is to make a difference for children by helping to raise up sponsors for 25,000 children through World Vision.  Max Lucado set the goal in honor of his 25th year of publishing in 2010; he is donating 100% of author royalties from all Outlive Your Life products to benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion. Max Lucado along with Michael W. Smith, Third Day, TobyMac, and Jason Gray are part of this tour.  Visit here to see if the tour will be near where you live.

4. Session 1 of Beginnings DVD can be watched here for free.  Eric Hovind presents a case to show that evolution has nothing to do with science.  Both creation and evolution are religions.

5. My family and I are passionately pro-life.  I love what Gianna Jessen shared in these 2 videos (Part I and Part II).  Please take time to watch them.  The message is so powerful and true!
Note: Please turn off my music playlist before starting the videos.

FIRST Wild Card Tour: That's Where God Is

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card authors are:

Dan and Ali Morrow

and the book:

That’s Where God Is

David C. Cook; New edition (August 1, 2010)

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Dan and Ali Morrow are parents of two wonderful daughters. When they’re not writing children’s books, they like to go on adventures around their Colorado home.

Visit the authors' website.



Product Details:

List Price: $12.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition (August 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1434764346
ISBN-13: 978-1434764348

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER (Click on the pictures to see them larger):

REVIEW:This is a lovely book that helps kids understand God's omnipresence and His revelation through creation. More importantly, it presents how children can have personal relationship with the Living God by inviting Him to live in their hearts. However, sin and need for repentance are not mentioned at all. Psalm 139:1-10 and a note from Lee Strobel (the real Grandpa from the story) are included at the end of the book.

Friday's Fave Five #10

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My fave five this week include:
1. Nice visit with a friend/sweet sister in Christ.  She and I went to a coffee shop.  We had a great time and before she left, we prayed for each other.

2. Taking a walk and taking pictures during my walks.  It's fun to exercise and enjoy God's creation at the same time.

3. Faithful Feet.  I am one of the nine contributors to this new international blog where we share and learn together what it means to be true followers of Christ and to walk faithfully in His steps.  My first article there is, "Don't Waste Your Life!"

4. Ultimate Blog Party 2010.  I'd like to invite y'all to visit my blog party post which includes a slideshow and a giveaway.  I've had fun blog-hopping and "meeting" new bloggers :).

5. Singing joyfully to the Lord.  I love singing hymns and praise/worship songs while my husband plays the piano.  What song(s) do you like to sing to the Lord?

Friday's Fave Five #5

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My fave five this week include:

1. Beautiful springy weather. Sunny..not too hot...not too cold...just right :). Dazzling daffodils brighten up our property. The magnolias are magnificent. I just can't help but rejoice in the Lord, our Creator who lovingly and generously gives us His beautiful creation to enjoy.

2. Biking. We had lots of fun biking in the beautiful weather.

3. Autism: The Musical, an inspirational documentary about five children with autism, their parents, and their acting coach who put together an original stage production, performed by autistic children. It's very interesting to watch; I could relate to and empathize with the parents because our 11 yo son has autism. Warning: there's some inappropriate language.

4. Listening to my kids recite Bible memory verses. My heart is bubbling with joy when I see my kids take delight in God's Word and help each other memorize the Scriptures. "I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11)

5. Hearing my kids shout out correct answers when watching Jeopardy. They are so well-rounded and smart. I think homeschooling and their love of learning/reading help a lot :).

Friday's Fave Five #1

This is my first time joining the Friday's Fave Five meme.  It is hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

My fave five this week:

1. God's unconditional, unfailing, everlasting love.
2. My one and only Valentine.  My husband is loving and romantic, kind and polite, funny and clever.  A rare gem/gentleman!
3. Celebrating Life Contest at Focus on the Family.  By signing up, you can win one of their prizes, which includes a free trip to Colorado Springs! So, support the message of Celebrating Life and win a cool prize...I love it :)!  The contest ends on Feb. 14th.
4. Free science DVDs for our homeschool.  I have not watched them yet but they look very interesting.  The negative thing is that they are probably based on evolutionary point of view.  I'm glad my children are  Biblically grounded on creation.
5. My fantastic giveaways:- Win a $50 Safeway gift card, Win a copy of Angels by Dr. David Jeremiah, Win one 18x24 poster print (to be made from your digital photo).

Thankful Thursday #6

 

This week...
1. I am thankful for God's protection over my brother.  Someone threw/dropped a brick onto his car while he was driving slowly through a residential area.  The brick caused the hood to flip up and crack the windshield.  My brother was shaken up but was not hurt. 

2. I am thankful for the warm fire (from our wood stove) that my husband makes in the evenings (when the weather is cold).  I find it very relaxing and cozy :).

3. I am thankful for our harvest from the garden this year: corn, green beans, zucchini, Hungarian peppers, Thai peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  We also get blackberries and pears on our property.

4. I am thankful for hymns and their writers.  I'm so glad that the hymn writers shared their God-given talents with us.  Their lyrics are mostly Biblically based, God-centered, meaningful, giving praise to God with utmost reverence and humble adoration.  Some of my favorite hymns are Be Thou My Vision, I Surrender All, Amazing Grace, Jesus Paid It All, I Need Thee Every Hour, To God Be the Glory, He Lives, and May the Mind of Christ, My Savior.

5. I am thankful for God's marvelous creation.  I love the outdoors and love taking pictures.  My Father's World is one of my blogs where I post the photos that I've taken of His beautiful creation.  "I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders." Psalm 9:1

Without Excuse

Through His creation, we witness His love, power, majesty, glory, wisdom, creativity, nature, beauty, and excellency.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat." (Psalm 19:1-6) Psalm 19:4 is quoted in Romans: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.  But I ask: Did they not hear?  Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."" (Romans 10:17-18)

People are without excuse.  Creation points to the Creator.  The world is not only functional, but also beautiful.  The testimony of creation shouts out to the whole world loud and clear that God exists and that God's Word is true.  Sadly, some people continue to stubbornly cover their ears and their eyes.  I praise God, the Creator, for who He is and for what He does!  Let's take the time to ponder and worship our Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  May we never stop marveling at His wonders; may we never become numb or blind to His revelation of glory through His creation!

Previous WFW:
- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Brainwashed?

When I heard people accuse us Christians of being brainwashed, my first reaction was that we have been heartwashed, not brainwashed :). But then my next reaction was: maybe I want to be...maybe I am brainwashed because I want to have the mind of Christ! "The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile." Psalm 94:11 I don't want to think as the world thinks. I don't want to think as I (sinner living in the flesh) used to think. I am now a new creation. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 My old way of thinking and living has gone, being replaced with the new way of thinking and living according to God's standard.

I believe being heartwashed (repenting, asking Jesus to wash away all our sins, giving our heart to Him, being filled with His love and the Holy Spirit) is/should be followed by being brainwashed (having the mind and the attitudes of Christ, being filled with Philippians 4:8 kind of thoughts, knowing God as the Creator of the universe, meditating day and night on God's Word, choosing/protecting human life no matter how small or how old, putting others above ourselves, etc.) The ways of God are mostly opposite of the ways of this world. The world thinks:- earth came into existence out of the Big Bang, men evolved from apes, killing unborn babies is a matter of choice (exercising women's rights), looking out for ourselves is the wisest thing to do, a white lie is okay, sleeping around is acceptable, young people don't need to obey or listen to their parents because their peers' opinions are more important, the goal in life should be getting rich, successful, and/or famous, women can dress as seductively as they want because they own their body and nothing's wrong with enjoying their "power" over men (playing with their lust and their visual-sensitive mind), couples should get a divorce when they no longer love each other or they fall in love with someone else, or they discover that they are not compatible, etc. From now on, if I were to be accused of having been brainwashed, I would gladly take it as a compliment :)!

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

P.S. "Brainwashing" can be a very bad thing. Here I'm talking about the kind that is washed by only God's Word and His Holy Spirit. Being brainwashed by man-made religions, cults, false teachings, or anything that goes against God's Word is detrimental. You need to be aware of that and be like the Bereans (comparing everything to the Scriptures) so that you may be able to detect any lies immediately and won't be brainwashed the wrong way.

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

More Than Conquerors

"What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?  It is God who justifies.  Who is he that condemns?  Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:31-39

Powerful, isn't it?!  What awesome assurance and comfort it is to know that:-

1. God is on our side (we're permanently on the winning team)
2. God graciously gives us all things (according to His will)
3. God justifies us by His Son's blood (by His grace through faith, we have been set free from condemnation, the law of sin and (spiritual) death, and everlasting punishment)
4. Jesus is interceding for us (we've got the Best Advocate)
5. Nothing will ever be able to separate us from God's love (eternally guaranteed)!!!!!

We, Christ's followers, are to live fearless & victorious lives because we are more than conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ.  I am convinced.  Are you?

This week, I am again including a video because this song, I Belong (Words and Music by Mildred Rainey and Kathryn Scott, sung by Kathryn Scott) goes perfectly with my Bible verses today :).  Enjoy.
Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before you start the video.






Announcement:  My 16 year old daughter (with Dad's and Mom's support) just launched a quarterly Christ-centered online magazine for the whole family, More Than Conquerors.  You will find a variety of articles, a free book offer, and a fantastic DVD giveaway. Please stop by there when you get a chance.  Your comments and suggestions would greatly be appreciated!

Previous WFW:
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow