Hugs & Kisses, God {Giveaway}

Hugs & Kisses, God by Allia Zobel Nolan is a cute lift-the-flap picture book published by Zonderkids.

When the email came asking if I wanted to review Hugs & Kisses, God I thought it looked like a good book to read during the Valentine season when we're talking are reading about love. Turns out, I was right.

The book is a quick read and the flaps are very simple for little hands to open. Odd numbered pages fold over, creating one large flap that you lift to reveal different ways children can express their love to God.

The author uses rhyming text to teach children various ways they can express their love to God, as well as ways God expresses his love to us through creation. The book is intended for young children, maybe ages 2-5.

I like that Hugs & Kisses, God teaches children that they can talk to God about anything and everything and to find him throughout their day.

For example, on one page we read:

"Daddy walks me to my day school. On the way, we get a thrill. 'Hugs and kisses, God,' I whisper, 'for those daisies on the hill." 

What a sweet way to remind us that God created the daises and that we should enjoy them.

I read this book aloud with my children and their response was favorable. I think my too big guys are too old but my girlie (5 yrs.) liked the verses and illustrations. My 3 year old son liked lifting the flaps.

Here's the best part! Zonderkids has kindly offered an additional copy to give to one Stephanie's Mommy Brain reader!

To enter leave a comment on this blog post. Be sure to include your email address so I can notify you when you win. For additional entries subscribe to Stephanie's Mommy Brain and like my Facebook page. Entries must be received by February 15, 2012.


Disclaimer: All book title links are affiliate links. I appreciate your support for Stephanie's Mommy Brain.

5 Creative Ways to Teach the Christmas Nativity Story to Children

"I guess I don't really understand what Christmas is all about. Can anyone tell me what the true meaning of Christmas is?"

"I can, Charlie Brown," Linus said. Then he stepped to the front of the stage, and he quietly told the story of Christmas, the day the baby Jesus was born." -A Charlie Brown Christmas

I spend a lot of time each December teaching my children the story of the birth of Jesus. As Christians, the story is important to our faith so I really want my children to know and understand what happened.

To help them remember the story I have used 5 creative methods (as in, not reading the Bible) to tell the story.

Nativity Finger Puppets for Elementary Students

My oldest son (age 8) is starting to think the Little People are kind of babyish. Thankfully he still thinks our finger puppets are fun.

We bought our set when he was a baby, which is a good thing because good ol' Amazon has finally failed me. A thorough search of the internet has not produced a single place where you can buy our set, but there are plenty of other finger puppet Nativities you can purchase.

I like using the finger puppets because they are unusual and fun for little hands. They also require audience participation since my 10 fingers are not adequate for all the characters in our reenactments!


Story Blocks for Visual Learners

Years ago I purchased Bible Storytelling Blocks. Nine blocks are used to tell 6 different biblical stories. Each block has one illustration for each of the stories.

You can use the blocks in a bunch of different ways. Children can put the blocks in their box like a puzzle. You can hold up each block for kids to describe the part of the story they see. Or you can tell the story and hold up the corresponding block.

Bible Storytelling Blocks are especially wonderful for visual learners who need to SEE what they are being told.

Side note: There only seem to be 3 sets of the storytelling blocks I own available on Amazon, so I don't think they are produced any more. Keep your eyes open for them at used curriculum sales and Goodwill!

Homemade Christmas Play

Last year we spent an early Christmas with my husband's family. My mother-in-law organized all seven of the grandchildren to put on a homemade Christmas play. She bought costumes but you could easily make them.

My kids loved putting on a play! Well, the 3 big kids did. Sam wasn't so sure about his role as the donkey but he looked really adorable.

Little People for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Children learn by repeating what they've been told during play time. That's why the Little People Christmas Story Nativity Scene is so perfect.

Our set (the manager scene, wise men, and shepherds) live in a basket by our Christmas tree. My children pull the basket out almost everyday and reenact the Christmas story with the sturdy plastic figures.

I really like that my preschooler can play with Baby Jesus and the Angels while my ceramic Nativity set from Thailand stays safely out of reach!

A Charlie Brown Christmas Movie

I would have never thought to use a secular video to teach my children a Bible story. But one day my oldest son (age 8) just started quoting the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus. When I asked him where he'd learned the verses he said from our Charlie Brown DVD. Imagine my surprise!

Linus quotes the verses from the book of Luke after Charlie Brown asks if anyone can tell him the true meaning of Christmas. After watching the video a few times all of my children could quote pieces of Linus' monologue.
It's definitely not a traditional way of memorizing the story of Jesus' birth but it sure is fun!

I hope that my children could answer Charlie Brown's question like Linus did. I want them to understand the real meaning of Christmas isn't "peace on Earth" but that Jesus was born on that day so he could die for our sins. Using these various methods have helped my children remember and understand the Nativity story.

What are some creative ways you teach the Christmas story to your children?

Click here to subscribe to Stephanie's Mommy Brain and receive the 30 Days of Christmas Activities and Books posts in your favorite reader or by email as they are published.

The ADVENTure of Christmas

If you can only purchase one new book this year I recommend you make it The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel.

According to the cover The ADVENTure of Christmas is a Mom's guide to "helping children find Jesus in our holiday traditions."

The book does that and more. Each of the 25 chapters provides a devotional, 1-2 related kids' activities and a "teachable moments" section.

The teachable moments are simple conversation starters to help you discuss the tradition with your child.

In all honesty, most of the activities are too advanced for my children (currently ages 3-8) to do. But I think every mom should own this book because it inspires creativity and togetherness.

Remember our candy cane reindeer (an activity found in The ADVENTure of Christmas)? My children couldn't make their reindeer completely on their own so we worked on it together. They glued on the red pom-pom noses while I did the rest. If you asked my kids, THEY made the reindeer, and I'm OK with that.

We had fun together and made a sweet memory, all inspired by The ADVENTure of Christmas.

Click here to subscribe to Stephanie's Mommy Brain and receive the 30 Days of Christmas Activities and Books posts in your favorite reader or by email as they are published.

Our Jesse Tree Journey 2011

"Instead of tucking back Advent calendar flaps, we'll do it this way: we'll wait for the Christ like Zaccheus on the top limb, and we'll read the stories of the Old Testament, the whole pageantry of mankind, from Adam to the Messiah, each story pointing to the coming promise, the incredibly impossible gift, the Glorious Christ.

After each reading of another promise fulfilled, we'll hang the ornament of each story on the branches of a tree, our very own Jesse Tree, a testament to our covenant-keeping, people-passionate God, whose love unfolds like an endless gift down through thousands of years." Quoted from A Jesus Advent Celebration: A Jesse Tree Journey by Ann Voskamp at aholyexperience.com

This is our first year to use Ann's Jesse tree devotionals and ornaments. I'm excited about it and so are my children. The devotionals will help us remember all month that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Last night I printed the devotional portion and placed it in a folder. I also printed the ornaments on white card stock and then cut and glued them for ornaments. I'm looking forward to our Jesse Tree Journey.

You can have a Jesse Tree Journey, as well. Visit A Holy Experience and follow the instructions at the end of the post to download your own FREE copy.

How do you prepare for Jesus' birthday on Christmas?

Click here to subscribe to Stephanie's Mommy Brain and receive the 30 Days of Christmas Activities and Books posts in your favorite reader or by email as they are published.

Easter and Lent Children's Activities

Creating family memories, especially around holidays, is a major part of a mom's job description.  That's why I'm spending time this week planning a few activities, decorations and meals to help my family remember our Easter celebration.
 
These are a few of the resources I'm using as I plan for the next 40 days:

Lenten Calendar for Kids by Catholic Icing

I found this great countdown calendar at Catholic Icing.  I really like the way it looks like a game board and that you are sort of traveling on a journey to Easter.

You can print the PDF or you can save it to your computer.  Counting down the 40 days to Easter, rather than using dates, makes the calendar reusable each year.

~~~~~

Lent Activities for the Family by Miiko Gibson

This is also a PDF you can save to your computer and print.

Gibson is a protestant and briefly, but respectfully, explains what Lent is.  The remainder of the e-book is comprised of ideas for activities to do as a family during Lent.

One of my favorite ideas is "#20. We can have 'new life' in Jesus! Do something crafty like make a tissue or coffee
filter butterfly. Or draw a butterfly and paint or color it. Look up 2 Corinthians
5:17."

I haven't decided yet which of these activities we'll do.  Gibson suggests printing them all on cardstock, placing in a bowl and randomly drawing each day.  With my little guys I feel the need to prepare things ahead of time but if my kids were older I might do that.

 ~~~~~

Resurrection Eggs by FamilyLife

Whether you buy this pre-made product or collect items to put in plastic eggs, this idea is fantastic for teaching children the events leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus.

I'll use these eggs a couple of times a week to discuss the Easter story so that my kids are familiar with it.  I'm also leaving them out in a basket as a part of our Spring/Easter decorations.

~~~~~

Monica at the Homespun Heart has a post FULL of ideas as well as another PDF to download or print.

I'm definitely using some of her ideas.  I especially like the way she links each activity to a specific verse.  She has another fun idea to hang a names of Jesus garland.  I can't use that one this year but I'm filing it away for the future!

~~~~~

I followed Monica's links to Mustard Seeds who had linked to Celebrated Family for an idea to remind children of Jesus' wounds.  On Good Friday you draw a red dot on the child's palm and write his name across the dot.

This will go along beautifully with the verse I plan to memorize in April with my children.

It says, "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that bought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

~~~~~

I also plan to make an Easter coloring book for each child using free online printables.  You can find a plethora (don't you just love that word?) of printables at the following links:

• Catholic Icing
• Apples 4 the Teacher - Christian Easter, page 2, page 3
• FamilyLife - Resurrection Eggs Activity Book PDF includes MANY coloring pages

~~~~~

All holidays come with special food so we will have the traditional chocolate bunnies, Cadbury Eggs and maybe a bunny cake.  This year I want to try Resurrection Cookies and Resurrection Rolls.  I think my kids will enjoy making AND eating them.

Are these ideas new to you or traditions at your house?  Do you have an Easter or Lent tradition that I missed?

Easter Memories

Easter.

The word brings a variety of memories to my mind.  New spring dresses with white dress shoes.  Eating ham dinners.  Dyeing eggs.  Hunting Easter eggs.  Cadbury Eggs.  Chocolate bunnies.  And sunrise services at church.

Photo credit: jarrodtrainque

All the things a good Southern protestant girlie excitedly anticipates each year!  Well, maybe not the sunrise service but I did look forward to going out for breakfast afterward!

I vividly remember one Easter down South as a young teenager.  The holiday  came in early March that year and snow had fallen overnight.  That alone was unusual for Arkansas!  But not the end of our excitement!

After the sunrise service we returned home to move our dog from the carport to the backyard before heading out to get breakfast.  My younger brother and the dog had a routine for this.  Stephen opened the carport door, the dog ran through the kitchen, around the kitchen table once and then shot straight out the sliding glass door into the backyard.  Only this time Stephen didn't get the door open in time.  And Dusty, the dog, ran smack into the glass door.

Have you ever tried to coax a yellow lab with a bleeding nose out from under a bed while wearing a brand new Easter dress?  No?  I really don't recommend it.

I also have a few New England Easter memories.

Lent and Easter in Rhode Island were quite a shock to my Southern sensibilities.  First of all, who wants to wear a new lightweight spring dress when it's 40* outside?!  And forget wearing open-toed dress shoes with the new dress.  I'll take boots, if you please! 

Photo Credit: On the White Line

One Ash Wednesday in particular stands out in my memory.  I had JUST finished reading the latest book in the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye.  (If you aren't familiar with the series, it is a fictionalized account of the "End Times.")  In the book, God placed a smudge-like image on each Christian's forehead.  The image was ONLY visible to other Christians.

So, here I go driving down the road, still thinking about the book, when I pass a Catholic church where people were leaving a service.  And they all had SMUDGES ON THEIR FOREHEADS!  I may or may not have freaked out a little and checked the mirror to see if I had a smudge on my forehead.

And when I didn't see one, I may or may not have continued to freak out, just a little.

Whether it's biting into a rich Cadbury Egg, taping a broken glass door, or fearing I missed the Second Coming, one thing's for sure - Easter evokes a lot of memories for me!


Come back tomorrow when I'll be sharing how I'm creating new Easter memories with my children this year.


What memories of Easter or Lent do you have?

Proverbs 19:21 :: Siesta Scripture Memory Team

This year I am participating in the scripture memory challenge on Beth Moore's blog.  The rules are here.  The first verse post is here.

Here is my 4th verse:

"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail."

- Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)      

1 Corinthians 6:12 -- Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 3

This year I am participating in the scripture memory challenge on Beth Moore's blog.  The rules are here.  The first verse post is here.

Here is my third verse:

"Everything is permissable for me - but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissable for me - but I will not be mastered by anything."

- 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)

How are you doing with your scripture memory work this year?

Proverbs15:1 -- Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 2

This year I am participating in the scripture memory challenge on Beth Moore's blog.

Basically you memorize 2 verses a month and post them in her comments on the 1st and 15th of each month.  I think this is a great way to memorize Bible verses together.

Will you join us?  The rules are here.  The first verse post is here.

Here is my second verse:

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."  

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV, NASB)

Are you memorizing scripture this year?  What system do you use?

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team :: Verse 1

This year I am participating in the scripture memory challenge on Beth Moore's blog.

Basically you memorize 2 verses a month and post them in her comments on the 1st and 15th of each month.  I think this is a great way to memorize Bible verses together.

Will you join us?  The rules are here.  The first verse post is here.

My first verse is:

"But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."  Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)

Home Made Christmas Play

"Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you."

"I am the Lord's Servant,' Mary answered."

Joseph traveled to Nazareth on a donkey with Mary, who was expecting a child.

There was no room for them in the inn.

"She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger."

Merry Christmas!!!

Women's Ministry in the Local Church (book giveaway)

Women's Ministry in the Local Church by J. Lignon Duncan and Susan Hunt.  Crossway Books, 2006.

In September, I will be participating in a book review/ discussion panel with 3 other bloggers at Offering Hospitality.

I have only read the introduction but am already excited and challenged by this book.  I hope you will read along with us and share you responses in the comments at Offering Hospitality!

One way you can read along with us is by winning the copy graciously donated by Crossway Books.  Go to Offering Hospitality HERE, comment and you're entered in the drawing.

To make sure there is no confusion, I am closing the comments on this post.  Good luck!!

Disclosure:  My copy of Women's Ministry in the Local Church was provided by Crossway Books.

Announcement!

I have an announcement to make.

{clearing throat}

Effective immediately, I am a staff writer at Offering Hospitality, a blog for the purpose of inspiring, encouraging and instructing women in the practice of biblical hospitality.

{And you all thought I was going to announce a pregnancy, didn't you?!}

How did I get this position?

Over a year ago I began reading book reviews at 5 Minutes for Books.  I really enjoyed the posts of one particular reviewer (Carrie) and followed the links to her blog (Reading to Know).  Throughout this year, she and I have developed an on-line friendship and know that we are going to have a lot of fun when we finally meet in person!

A couple of weeks ago Carrie and I were emailing about her other blog (Offering Hospitality) and I offered her a few suggestions.  She asked if I wanted to join her team and become a staff writer for the blog.  And the rest, as they say, is history!

When will I be writing at Offering Hospitality?

I have committed to writing 3 posts a month for July and August and 1 post a month during the school year.  There may be more during the school year (such as November when I've agreed to host a book review/club) but I'll have to gage my involvement once September arrives and I've started teaching a 2nd grader, Kindergartener and preschooler; all while keeping a 2 year old out of trouble! 

That's a round about way of saying it depends.  Make sure you subscribe to Offering Hospitality so you don't miss any of my posts!

Why am I writing at Offering Hospitality?

Because I have a dream to one day be a published author and speaker.  There.  I've actually said it in a public forum. (Please don't laugh!)

But, I don't want to write and speak about just anything.  As I said in my O.H. about page, my goal is to encourage and inspire women (from a Christian world view) as they invest time and energy in their families, homes and relationships.

I believe that writing for Offering Hospitality (O.H.) will provide me with opportunities to:  improve my writing, delve into topics I don't normally discuss here at SMB, and increase the number of women in my on-line community.

How will this impact Stephanie's Mommy Brain?

I don't foresee there being much of an impact.  I will continue to write at SMB as usual; though there might be occasions when I point you to one of my posts at O.H.

In conclusion, I am VERY excited about being a staff writer for Offering Hospitality!!  Thank you, Carrie, for this opportunity to be a member of your team.  I can't wait to see what great things are going to happen as we work together!!

Seeds Family Worship Giveaway

Edited:  Congratulations Wherever HE Leads We'll Go for winning the CD giveaway!!

Since becoming a mom 7 years ago, I have searched for children's CDs with Bible verses set to music.  I wanted music enjoyable enough for ME to listen to (repeatedly) but also engage my children. I hadn't found such a CD in my search but then...

Ellie received one in August as a birthday present!

We have listened to Seeds of Courage all year and LOVE it!  In fact, this is one of the few children's CDs that stays in my van.  We've sung along while running errands, taking a day trip to the New England Aquarium, and driving to meet friends for a Maple Sugaring tour. 

The music is grown-up enough for this mom to enjoy but catchy enough for children to like also.  The lyrics are 100% Bible verses and the entire verse is used in the song, not just a couple of phrases put together.

You can listen to the Seeds Family Worship CDs anytime by visiting their website.  But I think once you listen you'll want to add their music to your collection at home!

The great folks at Seeds Family Worship have given me two ways for you to own your own copy of their music:

1.  Win a copy of Seeds of Faith by telling me which song you enjoyed most from the on-line player.  (I really like song #6 on Seeds of Faith.)  The winner will be chosen the morning of May 19th and notified by email.

2.  Purchase a CD (not clearance items) from their store for 20% off by using the discount code STEPHANIESMOMMYBRAIN. This code is good until October 9, 2010.

I look forward to hearing what you think about these CDs in the comments!

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of "Seeds of Faith" but it in no way influenced my opinion of Seeds Family Worship or this review.  I truly believe they have great music that everyone should own.  Also, when 10 CDs have been purchased using the STEPHANIESMOMMYBRAIN code I will receive another free CD.

A Road Trip to Delaware

Spring finally came to Rhode Island last week.  Sunny.  Warm.  Beautiful!  And then it promptly went away and left a rainy, muddy mess.  Such is life in New England.

I have a few things I really want to tell you about!

First, I spent part of this past weekend in Delaware.  Without my family.  Shocking isn't it?  My husband kindly agreed to let me drive to Delaware with my friend Amy.  I've not been that far away from my family since Will was born almost 7 years ago.  This was HUGE!

Anyway, Friday morning Amy and I loaded up in her car and headed South to her parents' home.  Friday night and Saturday morning we attended a Fresh Grounded Faith Conference by Jennifer Rothschild and Kathy Troccoli.  It was just what I needed - the teaching, the conversations, and the time away.

I'm still processing and am sure I'll be writing more about the weekend in a few weeks.

The second thing I want to tell you is about this great blog I've been reading/ participating in since January.  Wendy Pope is a speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries and writes/ vlogs at Experiencing the Real Meaning of Free.

Wendy is leading her readers through the Bible in one year (Chronological, NLT version).  Monday through Friday she posts a short teaching about that days reading and then those who've also read share their insights in the comments.

I am learning a lot and would love for you to join me.  It's never to late to jump into reading the Bible.

Today Wendy challenged us to use the time leading up to Easter for the "Joshua Challenge."  This comes from Joshua 3:5, "Purify yourselves for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you."  In order to participate in this challenge I'm going to step away from the blog and Google Reader until Easter.

*** Edited to add:  I realized after this published that my reason for a bloggy vacation could be misunderstood.  By no means do I mean that blogs (writing or reading) are evil or something I need to "purify" myself from!  In this case purify just means to separate from.  Blogging takes up my time (mostly in the evenings) and for the next two weeks I want to use that time to pray, read books, and be with my family.  So I am "separating myself" from blogging.  I hope that's a little clearer.

So I'll talk to you again after Easter!

P.s. There's just over 5 weeks until my 5K race.  Please consider supporting me by sending a check to CompassionRun.com!  Thanks!!!

Living with Chronic Illness and Faith

This post is part of my Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis series.

I believe:

• God loves me.
• God created me for a purpose.
• God has a plan for me, which includes rheumatoid arthritis.
• my R.A. diagnosis did not take God by surprise.
• God can use this pain-filled disease for my best, if I allow Him to.
• praying for healing is OK.
• God can heal me this instant, or any instant in the last 10 years, but is choosing not to.
• my disease is not a punishment from God.
• God does not find joy or pleasure in my disease.
• God can handle my "why" questions, fears, anger, and frustrations.
• God wants me to tell Him my "why" questions, fears, anger, and frustrations.
• when I get to Heaven I'll have a new disease-free body!
• I may never understand the 'good' in my disease.

Do you have a chronic illness or some other overwhelming circumstance in your life today?  If you have a faith in God I recommend you also write down an "I believe" list.  I know it helps me when I feel overwhelmed.  

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." 

 - 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NASB)

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor do I pretend to be one on TV. This post is intended to tell my experiences NOT to serve as medical advice. If your symptoms sound similar, please consult a physician.

Disclaimer: I have not been asked by a pharmaceutical company or any related organizations to write these posts. I have not been compensated for these posts in anyway (including money, medication, or medical treatments).

Thanking God for the Puddles

For almost four years I have routinely found myself on hands and knees scrubbing the floor with a towel after one of my children failed to make it to the toilet in time.  I'm sorry to say that usually I'm scowling, issuing words of reproach, and am anything but thankful for the situation.

But this weekend was different.

Maybe it was because we had recently celebrated Thanksgiving. Maybe it was because we had recently visited with friends who had to make a really hard choice for the benefit of their daughter. Maybe it was because we had recently received letters from the children we sponsor through Compassion.

Whatever the reason was, as I toweled up a puddle of pee, one more time, instead of reproaches I found myself saying thanksgivings.

Thank you, God, that my daughter can learn to be potty trained.

Thank you, God, that my daughter is healthy and can make pu on the floor as she plays.

Thank you, God, that I have towels to wipe up the mess from the hard wood floor.

Thank you, God, that I have a floor to wipe.

Thank you, God, that I have a house that's warm and comfortable for my family.

Thank you, God, that we have food and never go hungry.
Thank you, God, that we have indoor plumbing.

Thank you, God, for all the blessings you have given me that I take for granted every day.

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 
Praise the LORD!"
                                                 - Psalm 150:6

Review: "If God is Good" by Randy Alcorn

Last month the folks at Random House sent me a copy of Randy Alcorn's new book, "If God is Good." Unfortunately I have been unable to find the time to read the book so (as per my agreement with them) I am posting the summary they sent me about the book.

Again, I have not read this book. I scanned through the table of contents and a couple of chapters. It SEEMS solid but I can't tell you for sure. So, please do not purchase it based on my recommendation. Check out other reviews to see if it's worth reading.

Here's the summary:

Every one of us will experience suffering. Many of us are experiencing it now. As we have seen in recent years, evil is real in our world, present and close to each one of us.

In such difficult times, suffering and evil beg questions about God--Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? And then, how can there be a God if suffering and evil exist?

These are ancient questions, but also modern ones as well. Atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and even former believers like Bart Ehrman answer the question simply: The existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God.

In this captivating new book, best-selling author Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief, and brings a fresh, realistic, and thoroughly biblical insight to the issues these important questions raise.

Alcorn offers insights from his conversations with men and women whose lives have been torn apart by suffering, and yet whose faith in God burns brighter than ever. He reveals the big picture of who God is and what God is doing in the world–now and forever. And he equips you to share your faith more clearly and genuinely in this world of pain and fear.

As he did in his best-selling book, Heaven, Randy Alcorn delves deep into a profound subject, and through compelling stories, provocative questions and answers, and keen biblical understanding, he brings assurance and hope to all.

The review book was provided by Random House, Inc. Follow the link to purchase "If God is Good."

Living as a Single Christian Woman - Guest Series

Last week our series, "Living as a Single Christian Woman," came to an end. I'm a little sad about that. Ann, Michelle, and Alicia did an amazing job writing on some very broad topics. I loved reading their wisdom every week and am encouraged that principles for living Godly lives are the same regardless of your marital status!

In case you missed the series or would like to go back through and read them again, here are the links to the individual posts:

Living as a Single Christian Woman:

Living as a Single Christian Woman by Ann
Falling in Love Takes Work by Michelle
A Life Defined by Contentment by Alicia

Learning
Life is Learning by Ann
6 Things Every Christian Woman Should Know by Michelle
Jesus on Learning by Alicia

Life
Dive In! by Ann
Life in All Its Fullness by Michelle
LIVE it Up!! by Alicia

Thank you, Ann, Michelle, and Alicia for writing these insightful posts. I love that 3 women with different backgrounds, different lifestyles and in different States wrote articles that are so cohesive. Might be because they all share the same Lord - Jesus.

If you have been inspired, encouraged or convicted by these posts please leave a comment! Also, visit each lady's blog for more of her writing (and don't forget to leave a comment to encourage her!).

LIVE it Up!! Guest Post Series.

Today we finish our series "Living as a Single Christian Woman," with a final guest post by Alicia from Experiencing Each Moment.


Our last topic is about LIFE:

Love-what a great chance you get to love! By love, I mean the sacrificial choice to put someone else before yourself.

• Maybe it’s being gentle to that co-worker that talks bad about you for no reason.
  
• Maybe it’s committing to 1 Sunday a month in your church preschool Sunday School class.
  
• Maybe it’s listening to your friend talk about the guy they’re excited about when you haven’t had a prospect in months.
  

Believe it or not, the day will come when you won’t feel like loving your husband. You’ll have to CHOOSE to, but it will come much easier if it’s already part of your life.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16

Integrity-this one is simple. Behave like everyone can see you because the only one who matters can. Make pleasing Him your only concern.

As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2

Venture (or adventure!)-In my single days, I traveled to 10 different countries. Since I’ve been married, I’ve been to 2, and since I’ve had kids? ZERO! And for 3 years as a single person I got paid to live there! Traveling may not be your idea of an adventure, but there has to be something that thrills you. Now’s the time to do it!

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

Eternity-Live life in light of eternity. You may actually have to spend some time each day (even 5 minutes) of contemplating what eternity is. We often think of eternity as the end cap to our life. Like it’s a book end! But eternity IS our home, IS our life, IS God’s plan for us. If you just think about it for a while, it really makes today’s issues blend in the background. Oh, those issues still exist, but they are overshadowed by the Glory of what’s to come!

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

My husband is in the Navy, and is currently deployed (has been during this whole series), and just yesterday I found out that his return date, which we kind of knew, has been scrapped. We now know nothing about the rest of his schedule. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it’s hard on me. And it’s going to break my son’s heart. But when my eyes are fixed on eternity I find it easier to love, easier to have integrity, and easier to accept this adventure.

Christian singles, LIVE it up!!!