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Showing posts from September, 2018

Books of the New Testament

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Books of the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Acts and the Letters to the Romans First and Second Corinthians, Galatians and Ephesians Philippians, Colossians First and Second Thessalonians First and Second Timothy, Titus and Philemon Hebrews, James First and Second Peter First and Second and Third John Jude and Revelation

I don't think I'll be able to keep up with all of these!

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I think these Dr. Seuss canvases are going to fly out of the booth, and I'll be struggling to keep up!

The juggler

I hope no one judges my social media and blogging abilities by my own accounts lately. My poor social media accounts are sad, and I'm back posting here like no one's business. Do as I say, not as I do, right? I promise, it's not because I'm lazy. It's because I'm juggling!

Parenting First Aid

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Parenting Kneeling Down, Not Standing Up Weary parents can find peace in the midst of parenting trials by trusting in a God who promises to partner with them. In today’s world of insta-porn on electronic devices, the ease of access to drugs, and the ever-increasing blurring of sexuality, families are assaulted with an unprecedented level of trials and challenges. Parents are faced with disappointment and overwhelming trials. They often blame themselves when their children struggle and don’t recognize that God often allows trials to help parents lean on and trust him. Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged by best-selling author Marty Machowski (New Growth Press/September 24, 2018) is designed to point parents back to God. His goal is to encourage overwhelmed parents with the Bible passages that encouraged him when he experienced trials as a parent. “The best advice I can give parents in a major trial is don’t give up, and don’t allow the enemy to discoura

The simple joys of time with family

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Darla Weaver shares a year in the life of her Old Order Mennonite Family Darla Weaver grew up the oldest of nine children in a five-bedroom farmhouse her parents still live in to this day. The house was always brimming with life and laughter, and some inevitable sadness. All the children grew up, and the five sisters eventually all had their weddings there at the house. Home held a special place in the hearts of all of them, especially the sisters, and still does to this day. No matter how busy life becomes with raising children, chores and work, everything is set aside one day a week. Once a week Darla Weaver hitches up her spirited mare, bundles her children into the buggy, and drives six miles to the farm where she grew up. There she gathers with her four sisters and their children for a day with their mother. In Gathering of Sisters : A Year with My Old Order Mennonite Family (Herald Press/September 25, 2018/ISBN:

Parenting by Faith and Freedom

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Parenting by faith instead of formula starts with establishing a mindset rather than a model In a social media-driven world, parents are faced with temptations to compare their own families to images and descriptions of the “ideal” family. Parenting books are quick to provide formulas and a “one-size-fits-all” approach to parenting choices, but each family has its own story—and God is writing it. Child Proof: Parenting by Faith Not Formula (New Growth Press/September 24, 2018) by Julie Lowe challenges parents to rely on wisdom and Scripture to get to know the needs of their own home and to uniquely and wisely apply biblical principles to their own family lives. Just as God models individual, personal, and fatherly care to each of his children, Lowe encourages parents to do the same for their children through biblical wisdom, love, self-sacrifice, and commitment to godliness. As an experienced counselor of children and families (with seventeen years of experience he

Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms "Take a Day for Mom" giveaway

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No one is immune to stress, least of all moms. That’s why Debora M. Coty, author of the best-selling Too Blessed to be Stressed series decided it was time to write an edition specifically addressing the stresses and needs in the daily life of moms. In Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms (Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing) , Deb offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help frazzled moms of all ages hear God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos. To celebrate the release of Too Blessed to Be Stressed for Moms and to bless a mom that needs to de-stress, Deb is giving away a $75 VISA Cash Card to “Take a Day for Mom.” The card can be used by a mom for a day of pampering or just getting away and enjoying a day to herself. Do you need a day away or know a mom that does? (Is that a trick question?) Then, enter the giveaway and share it with all your friends. (Another little secret… You don’t have t

Jesus Loves Me

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Jesus Loves Me Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong, They are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so! Jesus love me he who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so! Jesus loves me he will stay Close beside me all the way, He’s prepared a home for me, And some day His face I’ll see. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so! Jesus take this heart of mine, Make it pure and wholly thine; On the cross you died for me, I will try to live for Thee. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so!

The project I've wanted to do for a long time

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I can't tell you how long ago I saw some Dr. Seuss quotes on Pinterest and wanted to make something similar. I've had a supply of canvases for almost two years now, just waiting for me to do something. A couple of weeks ago I found some Seuss books at an estate sale that were falling apart and ready for me to disassemble. Admittedly, I was a little nervous how my first attempt at Modge Podge on a canvas was going to go, but I was very, very pleased with how the pages went down. Here's my first attempt, and I will have more soon! (Update: I posted this on Facebook at 1:30 AM when I finished it. At 1:45 AM after I took a shower, it was sold!)

For all the farmers, ranchers and FFA'ers

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Because we are working it to have something for everyone, we've brought out the farm animals!  The Houston event we are doing is to raise money for the FFA, so instead of the baseball team, drill team or band, we're trying to load up on other things. What do you think?

Calling all bloggers! Sign-up to review Into the Deep by Lauren Gaskill!

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Into the Deep: Diving into a Life of Courageous Faith Lauren Gaskill A bingdon Press Tour dates: November 6 - 20 CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP or SCROLL DOWN to the form! About the book: How do we live with less fear and more faith when the deep waters of life come crashing over us? Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee sunny skies and smooth sailing. In fact, the waters of life are often tumultuous, crashing over us. Sometimes we can feel that we’re drowning in a sea of confusion, division, frustration, complacency, or disillusionment. We need more than a shallow faith to survive these deep waters. Into the Deep  is an invitation to dive headfirst into a life of courageous faith. With endearing warmth and authenticity, Lauren Gaskill shares how she and others have learned to swim with Jesus in the deep waters of life—facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and chronic illness—only to discover a more authentic, enduring faith that cannot be shaken by circumstances. Laure

Hope in the Midst of Great Pain

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Lindsey Dennis shares story of incredible loss to reveal a hope greater than our dreams Lindsey R. Dennis and her husband, Kevin, had only been married a few months when they found out they were pregnant. Excited and hopeful about the new life she was carrying and the future of their family, they were devastated to learn at their 20-week ultrasound that the baby would not live due to a fatal diagnosis. They would relive their grief again as they buried their second daughter fourteen months after their first. In Buried Dreams: From Devastating Lost to Unimaginable Hope (Abingdon Press) , Dennis shares not only her story of grief and loss, but how to live out a hope that is greater than our dreams. Through the crushing of their hopes and dreams, the Dennises came to know the kind of resurrection hope that can rise from the grave. This experience of infant loss revealed how sorrow and suffering are instruments in the hands of God to forge a greater joy and hope than o

Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity

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Scripture informs parents and caretakers on how to celebrate ethnic diversity for the beauty and glory of God. In today’s racially-charged culture, racism, bigotry, and ethnic pride have manifested themselves in more ways than one, distorting God’s purposeful design of ethnic diversity. Both historically and in the present day, children have learned these social sins from family members, media, or peers. Christian hip-hop artist Shai Linne is inviting parents and caregivers to see how the gospel offers a new way, not just for adults, but for children too. Through his beautifully illustrated children’s book, God Made Me and You: Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity (New Growth Press/September 17, 2018), Linne challenges parents and caregivers to put on the mind of Christ, learning and living out a kingdom perspective of ethnic diversity through countercultural, biblical views that don’t just happen but, rather, are taught. Through a lyrical, rhyming style

Despite attacks against it, the Bible has survived the ages

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Part 1 of an interview with Rod Gragg, Author of The Word: The History of the Bible and How It Came to Us Recent polling data reports that a copy of the Bible can be found today in 90 percent of American homes. Although much has changed in the world around us, the Bible remains the most popular book in all the world. “ Throughout eons of human history, men and women have sought to live according to the Bible, and countless numbers have given their lives for it,” award-winning author and historian Rod Gragg observes. “Why has the Bible been so revered? How did it come to us? And why have billions of believers through the ages considered it to be inspired by God?” These are a few of the questions explored in his latest book, The Word: The History of The Bible and How it Came to Us (WND Books). Q: You’ve written many history books on a variety of topics. What let you to write a history of the Bible? Before being a historian, I’m a Christian, so I have deep respect a