Thursday, August 13, 2015
Reservations for Two by Hillary Manton Lodge
This is Book 2 in a series. It does carry on from the 1st book, so you really need to read it in order. Juliette and Neil continue their romance while they find letters from her grandmother back in 1040s. This is a book that has a lot of mention of Italy/France and chefs since this is Juliette’s background. Each chapter begins with a quote about food. At the end of each chapter is a fancy recipe. This book was a little more difficult to read than the first. She doesn’t start reading her Grandma’s letters until midway through the books. I don’t think I could recommend this book, but if you read the 1st book, you need to read this book to see how the relationship goes. I love the cover of the book. It’s cute like the book. "I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."
The Plans I Have For You
By Amy Parker
This is a great children's book!
It is a fun read like God is talking to YOU! He has big plans for YOU and YOU and YOU! He put all you need inside your skin, you just have to find your purpose, and be the hands and feet of Jesus! My 6 and 2 year old love this book. I hear, "again! Read Again!" The pictures are very colorful and vibrant. It shows you all the many different things you could be in the pictures of the pages. It is a more rectangular book. I don't see the paper cover lasting long, but the hardback book itself is just as brightly colored and really all that is needed for the book. Jeremiah 29:11 has been my favorite verse, so I look forward to reading this book continually for my children. Thank you for this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Disclosure of Material Connection: 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. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
This is a great children's book!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Are you taking advantage of this brief life?
My Pastor just finished a Tick Tock sermon, which really hit home. Below are the verses that go with this sermon.
We have 3 ways that we waste time: 1. We have no plan for the future – We should spend time to prepare our life to live righteously and to imitate God. 2. We simply exist in the present. Are we seeking God while we exist? 3. Live in the past – do you live in the past? Or do you need to learn from it and move on! Don’t keep looking back!
We are only given a certain amount of days, hours, and minutes on this Earth. The verses below will really show us how numbered our days are. Do we seek God and use every opportunity given? We should look for opportunities in our youth, while our body is still young and able!
“We must realize that in this brief life, we have a door of opportunity.” “In order for us to grow in wisdom, we must constantly be reminded of how brief our time on this earth will be.” “We must constantly remember our Creator before the door to life’s opportunities is closed.” - Beck Payne
This sermon really hits home for my family. My dear brother-in-law is fighting for his life at 35. My sister is standing by her husband and giving her all to him at age 31. Do you think in their teenage years they would see this coming? My heart breaks for both of them. We never know how short of a time God has for our life, the heartaches we will experience, or those we will touch by living for God. We can either make the best of each day – Honor God by helping those that are hurting, stopping to see/hear the beauty of God’s world, working to bring the joy of God to others.
Daily I want to embrace the beauty of the sky, the laugh of my children, the love of my family, and really anything that brings a smile to my face. Our time is so numbered on this Earth. I want to teach my children to look for the best in life. Always try to reach out and help people even if it is just a smile or opening a door for someone, etc.
PSALM: 39:4-9
LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Ecclesiastes 11
5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb,[c] so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.
8 When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.
9 Young people,[d] it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10 So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.
12:1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
Ephesians 5New Living Translation (NLT)
5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
Living by the Spirit’s Power
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do
We have 3 ways that we waste time: 1. We have no plan for the future – We should spend time to prepare our life to live righteously and to imitate God. 2. We simply exist in the present. Are we seeking God while we exist? 3. Live in the past – do you live in the past? Or do you need to learn from it and move on! Don’t keep looking back!
We are only given a certain amount of days, hours, and minutes on this Earth. The verses below will really show us how numbered our days are. Do we seek God and use every opportunity given? We should look for opportunities in our youth, while our body is still young and able!
“We must realize that in this brief life, we have a door of opportunity.” “In order for us to grow in wisdom, we must constantly be reminded of how brief our time on this earth will be.” “We must constantly remember our Creator before the door to life’s opportunities is closed.” - Beck Payne
This sermon really hits home for my family. My dear brother-in-law is fighting for his life at 35. My sister is standing by her husband and giving her all to him at age 31. Do you think in their teenage years they would see this coming? My heart breaks for both of them. We never know how short of a time God has for our life, the heartaches we will experience, or those we will touch by living for God. We can either make the best of each day – Honor God by helping those that are hurting, stopping to see/hear the beauty of God’s world, working to bring the joy of God to others.
Daily I want to embrace the beauty of the sky, the laugh of my children, the love of my family, and really anything that brings a smile to my face. Our time is so numbered on this Earth. I want to teach my children to look for the best in life. Always try to reach out and help people even if it is just a smile or opening a door for someone, etc.
PSALM: 39:4-9
LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Ecclesiastes 11
5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb,[c] so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.
8 When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.
9 Young people,[d] it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10 So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.
12:1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
Ephesians 5New Living Translation (NLT)
5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
Living by the Spirit’s Power
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Jesus Calling for Little Ones
By Sarah Young
This is a good size book for toddlers – easy to hold, great pictures, and a short word like Jesus is talking to them! I love the pictures. They will give your children something to look at while they listen to how Jesus loves them, protects them, and knows everything about them. I’m so proud to be able to add this to my child’s reading library. This would make an awesome baby gift or birthday gift addition. I recommend this book for all children, especially ages 2 to 5. Disclosure of Material Connection: 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. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Monday, July 20, 2015
Bad guys, God & Jesus in 1, and Have you tried to Comet lately? - my 6 yr old
NIGHTTIME CONVERSATIONS WITH A 6 YEAR OLD ~~
At the end of his nighttime prayer: “Dear God, please make the bad people that will change good and to love you, and please hurry and just send the other bad guys to hell, Amen.”
Then after prayer, he asked was Jesus and God one person. I said well God was in heaven and sent a part of him to Earth to have Jesus be his son. They say Jesus sits next to God in Heaven. But a part of God is in Jesus. I explained it is confusing how people talk about it, but we will understand when we get to heaven. So I just know Jesus stands on our side to help us get into Heaven b/c we aren’t perfect people, but with Jesus we are forgiven. He said well I wonder how it is in Heaven when Jesus gets on God’s nerves and they fight or argue? I explained they don’t. Jesus is perfect and helps God. He thought for awhile and said, “I really still think God and Jesus are one person.” Later he said, “You think they are like an ugly dragon with 2 heads, but of course they aren’t ugly.”
THE NEXT MORNING>>>>
On our way to school, I was talking about how we needed rain to wash away whatever was messing with our allergies. I told him growing up, we sang a song at church called “Send Down The Rain Lord.” I started singing it.. “Send down the rain Lord, We need your rain Lord, Send down that Holy Ghost rain.” AND I immediately heard – MOM YOU just called GOD a GHOST!!! So why not go to the 3rd area of God. Well son, people call the part of God that Jesus left with us down here on Earth the Holy Spirit. “Yes I know that, Why did you call him a ghost!” I explained another way to say the Holy Spirit is the Holy Ghost. “SO we have a GHOST living in us!?” I knew his little brain was busy… I told him that is a little of God’s love that lives in all of us that helps others see Jesus in us.
“Oh!! So that is what bad people can see that makes them want to love Jesus too?” Yes. “So I can say really nice stuff to bad people, they will see God’s love, and it will make them turn good?” So we talked about how you can help others, tell them Jesus loves them, or just be really sweet to them so they can see Jesus in us. Per him, “That is called COMET! When you do things that other people see Jesus in you! You know like the stuff with planets, but different!”
Of course then the conversation quickly went to what size are planets. I told him that I had seen a picture of Pluto on the news last week, but they say it isn’t a planet. He informs me it was, but too many asteroids hit it and made it too small to be a planet. Wow, 6 year olds sure know things. Ha!
At the end of his nighttime prayer: “Dear God, please make the bad people that will change good and to love you, and please hurry and just send the other bad guys to hell, Amen.”
Then after prayer, he asked was Jesus and God one person. I said well God was in heaven and sent a part of him to Earth to have Jesus be his son. They say Jesus sits next to God in Heaven. But a part of God is in Jesus. I explained it is confusing how people talk about it, but we will understand when we get to heaven. So I just know Jesus stands on our side to help us get into Heaven b/c we aren’t perfect people, but with Jesus we are forgiven. He said well I wonder how it is in Heaven when Jesus gets on God’s nerves and they fight or argue? I explained they don’t. Jesus is perfect and helps God. He thought for awhile and said, “I really still think God and Jesus are one person.” Later he said, “You think they are like an ugly dragon with 2 heads, but of course they aren’t ugly.”
THE NEXT MORNING>>>>
On our way to school, I was talking about how we needed rain to wash away whatever was messing with our allergies. I told him growing up, we sang a song at church called “Send Down The Rain Lord.” I started singing it.. “Send down the rain Lord, We need your rain Lord, Send down that Holy Ghost rain.” AND I immediately heard – MOM YOU just called GOD a GHOST!!! So why not go to the 3rd area of God. Well son, people call the part of God that Jesus left with us down here on Earth the Holy Spirit. “Yes I know that, Why did you call him a ghost!” I explained another way to say the Holy Spirit is the Holy Ghost. “SO we have a GHOST living in us!?” I knew his little brain was busy… I told him that is a little of God’s love that lives in all of us that helps others see Jesus in us.
“Oh!! So that is what bad people can see that makes them want to love Jesus too?” Yes. “So I can say really nice stuff to bad people, they will see God’s love, and it will make them turn good?” So we talked about how you can help others, tell them Jesus loves them, or just be really sweet to them so they can see Jesus in us. Per him, “That is called COMET! When you do things that other people see Jesus in you! You know like the stuff with planets, but different!”
Of course then the conversation quickly went to what size are planets. I told him that I had seen a picture of Pluto on the news last week, but they say it isn’t a planet. He informs me it was, but too many asteroids hit it and made it too small to be a planet. Wow, 6 year olds sure know things. Ha!
Monday, July 13, 2015
Her Brother’s Keeper by Beth Wiseman
I would most definitely recommend this book to everyone! Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers
Thursday, July 9, 2015
I’m Happy for You {Sort OF … Not Really}
I’m Happy for You {Sort OF … Not Really}
Finding Contentment in a Culture Of Comparison
By Kay Wills Wyma
I just loved the title of this book with the picture of the fish. Once I started reading I learned this is coming from a mom and she has a normal life that she is letting us look into. This book is full of truths that we need to recognize as women, moms, and just being us. It is an easy read as she tells certain experiences that she and her kids have had. She isn’t telling you this is how things should be done, this is more of just encouraging you on life’s journey as we do life together. There a lot of life stories and a lot of great quotes. Here are just a few: “OCD Obsessive Comparison Disorder; Comparison is the thief of Joy ~ Theodore Roosevelt; If you take comparison, change 2 letters you get compassion… “ We are on this journey together and we are not alone in our crazy comparisons and thoughts. This book is mainly to let you know you aren’t alone and try to encourage you. I would recommend it to a mom that has a chance to read. The back has discussion questions for a group of chapters. This would be a great mom book reading club book. The world is all about how we look and compare ourselves to each other. As moms I bet we all look at social media and see everyone portraying the happy life and all is good. I have really enjoyed the NoJealousJuly pics that some of my church members have started to show that they aren’t perfect. We need more of that! We all have our faults, but we need to look deep to see who God created us to be.. not what he created others to be. And if you get discouraged, try to change the Comparison into Compassion and go do something nice for someone! I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this honest review.
By Kay Wills Wyma
I just loved the title of this book with the picture of the fish. Once I started reading I learned this is coming from a mom and she has a normal life that she is letting us look into. This book is full of truths that we need to recognize as women, moms, and just being us. It is an easy read as she tells certain experiences that she and her kids have had. She isn’t telling you this is how things should be done, this is more of just encouraging you on life’s journey as we do life together. There a lot of life stories and a lot of great quotes. Here are just a few: “OCD Obsessive Comparison Disorder; Comparison is the thief of Joy ~ Theodore Roosevelt; If you take comparison, change 2 letters you get compassion… “ We are on this journey together and we are not alone in our crazy comparisons and thoughts. This book is mainly to let you know you aren’t alone and try to encourage you. I would recommend it to a mom that has a chance to read. The back has discussion questions for a group of chapters. This would be a great mom book reading club book. The world is all about how we look and compare ourselves to each other. As moms I bet we all look at social media and see everyone portraying the happy life and all is good. I have really enjoyed the NoJealousJuly pics that some of my church members have started to show that they aren’t perfect. We need more of that! We all have our faults, but we need to look deep to see who God created us to be.. not what he created others to be. And if you get discouraged, try to change the Comparison into Compassion and go do something nice for someone! I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this honest review.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)