by Kimberly | Dec 29, 2017 | Books
I have really fallen in love with reading to my boys. It is a sweet time on the couch or on their bed. We read chapter books or picture books.
But, I also let them pick out many of their own books at the library. They like to wander through the picture book section and find books that have dogs and fire trucks – at least for now.
I also like to get as many from this list. It is super helpful. I’ve not found we like them all, but it gives us new ideas and brings us new authors I wouldn’t have known about.
So, here are our favorites from December. We probably read over 60 picture books. These are our favorites because the boys picked these over and over.
Pirate Boy. I’ve read this so much the last two months. And it is mommy’s as heroes – so its a perfect one to read with your boys.
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild. My boys laughed at the animals wearing clothes. But, it talks about being who you are supposed to be. As believers, we don’t necessarily need to tell our boys to “be all that they can be” but we need to point them to God’s plan for their lives.
Can You Growl Like A Bear?
This was definitely the funnest book because they boys were acting out every animal in this book every time we read it!
Snowmen All Year: This is one we got from the RAR list. And the boys definitely loved it. Even if we didn’t see any snow this year.
Oliver Finds His Way. A bear and a journey. And talk of home.
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
A friend of mine gave us this book, after we read it all weekend our friends were here. So fun! Believe me!
by Kimberly | Dec 21, 2017 | Books
I heard recently that if we are believers we have to think about and do something about injustice in the world, because our God is a God of justice.
This world will never be perfect in justice – for that we get to wait for Heaven.
But, Cara Putman, works hard to bring out these thoughts of justice in family relationships and family messes in her book, Imperfect Justice. Being that I love legal thrillers in the movies and netflix, this was a good choice.
So, if you love justice, Christian fiction, and a well-written legal thriller, this would be a good book for you. And if you haven’t read the first book in the series, don’t worry – this one is a good stand alone.
Thanks Litfuse for this book. All thoughts are my own.
by Kimberly | Dec 14, 2017 | Books
I’ve read a lot of fiction this year. And mostly, I’m a non-fiction/biography person. But this year has taken up a lot of mind space and heart space, so when the heart work is heavy, I want to get lost in a good story. And if you choose the right fiction, you can still do heart work while reading an engaging story.
One of the genres I’ve been enjoying is Christian Amish Fiction. And the latest one was Seeds of Hope. I really enjoyed this. Going back and forth from English world to Amish world, Barbara Cameron weaves a good story with yes, a predictable end, but there are twists and turns along the way that you wouldn’t expect.
One of the things I love about Amish fiction is entering into a world that I don’t know much about it – but is still real. Dystopian books are very popular, but it is hard for me to get into those because they are so far from what is real now. Amish living actually is right now, just not where I live. So, it is interesting. Not ideal where everything always works out, but just a bit of change from my norm, city-life.
Thanks to Litfuse for this title. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Dec 14, 2017 | random
As I sit in a cozy local coffee shop in the heart of Augusta, having moved here almost 5 months ago, I think about all the times we’ve moved.
Since we’ve been married, 6+ years, we’ve moved quite a bit. Our stories and our moves have not all been our design, but we know that God writes beautiful stories. Ones that will help us be more of who He wants us to be.
And each church that has been a part of our journey in these 6 years of marriage and family life, has indeed had a lasting impact on my soul.
And if you are a church leader or even just a church member who loves their local church, you want new comers – new city dwellers to be able to find your church, so your church can be a tool that God can use to leave a lasting impact in individual’s lives and family’s lives (like mine.
And when we moved to our new home, we had connections. Coming from the ministry world, two seminary degrees under our belt, we knew people. But, what do you do if you don’t know anyone. Do you just google “church near me?”
Church leaders – do you want the unchurched to find your church? They may not come first to a great event near you – if they do, how will they hear about the event? Maybe they will hear about it from the neighbor who lives down the street? Maybe they won’t live near anyone who attends your church.
My friend William Wright has thought a lot about these questions: about church, church life and community, reaching the lost, how the digital age can be a help not a hindrance to your church, how your website speaks a lot for who you are as a church.
As a church in the 21st century, almost a complete digital age (really who uses the yellow pages anymore?) this is what William says: “Unfortunately, churches lag behind many times when it comes to technology. Many churches today do NOT understand that their front door has changed locations. When ANY person has ANY question on ANY subject they simply “Google it”. The same is true when it comes to looking for a new church home.”
We need to be ready to use tools that are within our reach – to reach out to the lost. Yes, relationships matter. And yes digital technology matters.
Digital Rocket is a great resource that you need to avail yourself to. Learn how “google it” can work for you.
by Kimberly | Dec 14, 2017 | Books
I’m always eager to get good books in my boys’ hands. And for boys, I can’t anticipate that they will love Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. Though they might. And I will read those books to them (or have them watch the movie.)
But, as they get older, they probably would like stories that contained adventure, battles, journeys, animals, and heroic tales.
The King’s Locket I think would be really good for young boys, a short chapter book that is an analogy of the themes in the Gospel story.
The story of a family dwelling in perfection.
The Fall of someone who wanted everything for himself.
The adoption of those outside the family.
The betrayal and hurt of going outside the realm of good.
The rescue that the Prince had to engage in to defeat the sinful presence.
The welcoming home celebration.
And even the groaning of all creation under the weight of the sin that crept into everything.
I loved the conclusion of this book: adoption, wholeness, celebration, glory, beauty, friendship. Just what the Heavenly Father anticipates for His adopted children. These things we may not experience here, especially in their fullness, but we can anticipate. And wait with eagerness. And teach our kids how to anticipate well.
Thanks to Jacob for passing this book to me. Your kids will like it – especially as a read aloud. It gives you opportunity to talk to your kids about biblical themes from a short chapter book filled with lovely illustrations. It would be good for a family read aloud and would capture even young readers.
