by Kimberly | Feb 29, 2016 | Books, mothering, parenting
A new book for mommas is coming out. So funny that there is never a shortage for new books for tired mom’s who never find the time to read all the books.
I had high hopes for this one, Hope Unfolding, by Becky Thompson, and I love the cover and get real talk.
But, I want a book more centered on the gospel, less centered on story and example. When I listen to a sermon I want gospel truth mixed w a little personal story or joke. In this book, while saying good stuff and offering tired mommas hope only found in Jesus, it is more personal story mixed with a little gospel.
Just out of properbalance,in my opinion, and that’s what Blogging for Books gave me the book to do…write an honest review.
by Kimberly | Feb 12, 2016 | Books, parenting
One of the biggest delights I get as a mommy to littles is their “wow” or the “oooooh” when they see new things. Or how they exclaim “the lions” when they know we are going to the zoo. Or when my little is watching How To Train Your Dragon and he pretends he is a dinosaur breathing fire.
Their little imaginations are fantastic.
And I want to help them be adventurers with their imaginations. So, we color, and read, and watch cartoons to help them learn to see new worlds. We go to the zoo to help them learn about animals. We go to parks to play with friends who might not look exactly like us.
I want to take them to see the world…some day. But until then maybe we can just pray for missionaries who are serving Jesus around the world. And eat guacamole with the hopes of going Mexico one day (wait, that may be a dream of mine to return to the country that gives me my favorite appetizer).
The new book that Tommy Nelson sent me – just in time for Valentine’s Day – is all about you, your little love, and the many adventurers you will have. Here are some examples from the book and how you can do them in your own home or with your own little love:
“Stars shimmer in the sky” – when we leave the gym and if it is dark, we look at the sky and try to find the moon. Maybe we’ll see some stars. I want to tell them how God created all we see and he created them for his glory and our good.
“What happy paths we’ll take” – getting out and getting physical activity is not only fun but also healthy. There are several trails around our city and we like exploring them and finding sticks, rock, leaves, and bugs (I have boys, right?).
“Our friends will tag along.” – This is a great one to start insisting to your children that the friends they make will influence them. This is an important message in the Proverbs.
“We’ll look at mirrored faces” – We go to a local pond and look in the water. We waive at ourselves. This is a good point to make: our outward countenance should reflect what is in our heart. Like the songs says, I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart…”
“We’ll smell the pretty roses.” – This would be a good investment: teach your children to love on others by simple acts of kindness – like bringing flowers to widows in your neighborhood or church, or to single mothers (especially this time of year), or bring donuts! Yum. Just teach them to be a blessing to others – even with a homemade card. Some friends were watching our boys yesterday and my boys delivered homemade valentines when they returned to our house. What a sweet gesture.
“We fold our hands to pray.” – Our littler boy – when we go to pray at the dinner table, bows his head and folds his hands. That’s the cutest little clasp. But, I love it, so sweet. I pray that he will grow up to love Jesus with all his heart, even more than he loves cookies and balls.
God has a great adventure awaiting your child. Help them see it. What is something you like doing with your toddler to help them be on an adventure. Answer this question and I’ll a book to give away to one winner. Will pick it on Sunday!
by Kimberly | Dec 20, 2015 | Books, mothering, parenting, Shepherding Children
Oh, sweet mommas – this post is especially for the mommas out there – and you don’t have to have toddlers to understand this post. Maybe all of your kids are teenagers, or are married and raising babies of their own – or maybe you have a few younger than mine and are still living in sleepless nights because of newborns or sleep regression.
Just as the very word of God spoke all of creation into being, and the word of God is written down for us so we may be changed into His image, the word of God also breathes life into the every day of my mothering – right now which is a highly emotional 3 year old we are seeking to potty train and a speedy 2 year old who loves to jump off everything he can climb.
Two examples for you from the last 24 hours. It was a long afternoon as I fought for my 2 year old to take a nap. I knew he was tired and just didn’t want to miss out on anything. Finally 90 minutes after scheduled nap time, he finally went down for 90 minutes. Then, by the time my husband walked in the door at 635 from his job, I was so done. He immediately took over, gave them a bath, put them to bed (which was a 2.5 hour struggle with one of them), and told me to go do something, anything, other than being with the kids. I went in and took a long hot shower which is one of my favorite things to do in the winter (I know I’m not helping the water conservation society). As I was standing there praying, confessing my anger and entitlement, I was reminded of a verse in James that my husband spent a whole year on our first year of marriage: James 4:1-4 which basically says the reason you are arguing and upset is because you are fighting to get what you want because you are idolizing something and not keeping God God in your life and heart. Yup. I was struggling all day because I didn’t get what I wanted from my sons. I wanted quiet – I didn’t get much of that all day. I wanted obedience – but my sons are sinners and not prone to obey so I shouldn’t expect them to do it. I was crying in the shower, even as the hot water ran down my cheeks and increased my need for an aging-skin moisturizer – God was restoring my soul with the work of the Word.
The second example is from this morning: it was a long morning. I sat in the sanctuary during the sunday school hour, listening to my husband prep for CEve service, scanning through social media, getting encouraged from friends, and the tears were there all morning. Before the service, my husband sat down beside me, and just whispered in my ear the gospel: the God has a plan, Jesus is enough even when its hard, that His grace is sufficient. My tears were dripping on his new gray pants. I didn’t care. I hope they didn’t stain. The gospel is found in the Word. We must know the Word. We must have the Word spoken to us – to our souls – to our hurt and weary souls.
I got a book set in the mail this week from Tommy Nelson that helps adults and kids know key Scriptures in the Bible. How to know them, memorize them, live them out – so that the Word may be life-changing in whatever situation we find ourselves in. The Joshua Code and I Can Learn the Bible would be a great set for you to work through with your children in the new year. If you would like please just leave a post about anything – anything at all.
Happy Mothering.
by Kimberly | Oct 26, 2015 | Bible, Books, parenting, Shepherding Children
As a parent, I love both of my boys, but I long to see lasting change in their behavior and heart. But, I’ve realized in a very short period of time that I can’t change their hearts – only God can.
One of the ways that God changes hearts is by the Word of God. And it is very important as parents who love the Lord to help instill in our children a love for the Word. I know they won’t love the Word unless God saves them, but we can work on creating moments where they Word gets in them and the Word works in their hearts.
Tommy Nelson just put out a new study Bible for kids (8-12) and I think its awesome. They gave me this Bible as a part of Tommy Nelson Mommies and are giving you a chance to win won too! It is in the NKJV and that is readable and understandable while still sticking to the languages pretty well. It has bold colors and a style that pre-teens will like Easy thumb tabs built in to the pages so the books are easy to find. Has application points that are geared toward pre-teens. Has further study points throughout the Bible that will help kids learn more about God’s will for their lives.
The Bible is living and active and life-changing. Get it into your kids’ lives and hearts.
If you would like to win won, comment with your favorite verse that you like to pour into your pre-teens, or kids of any age.
by Kimberly | Oct 13, 2015 | parenting, Shepherding Children
My little little turned 2 today – at 830 this morning. He is full on with all of life – from his runs and hugs and drinking his juice to his temper tantrums.
So, I did a praynames for him a few weeks ago. Here is what is surrounding that given name of his:
Father
we take great delight in the wonderful son you gave us in young Sebastian.
We cling to the truth that you have made him in your image for your great glory.
As we watch him grow and jump and lead and love – I pray that you will take and use them to
bring glory to your great name in all the world.
We desire above all else for you to receive forever glory from his life.
I trust you that you will save him and give him a new heart of flesh – one that beats for you and you alone.
He desires closeness and companionship. I pray that he would grow in his friendship with you
through the Word, worship, and prayer.
I pray that he would develop close friendships with others who delight in you.
Yes Lord, I trust that you will develop his natural abilities and leadership into traits
that are used to shine Jesus in all the world.
And that one day he would be an exemplary husband and daddy
who shows the grace of Christ to his wife, his littles, his neighbors, and the world
for your great name!
Amen.
Little S – I love you. I’m glad you are ours. I pray that God would grip your heart little man. Happy 2nd!
by Kimberly | Oct 3, 2015 | Books, parenting, Shepherding Children
If there was one name that most of the world knew, both Christians and non-Christians, it would be Billy Graham.
Billy Graham, nearer to the end of his earthly life than at the beginning of it, has ministered to millions with the truth of the Gospel. He has no doubt had such an impact on so many children throughout his ministry. And now there is a devotional for grade school children that bears his name.
What I like about God’s Good News Bible Storybook is that variety of Bible stories included in it. There are some that aren’t included in other story books for children. I wonder how often people get to the battle of Jericho or David and Goliath and don’t know anything in the Bible after that until you get to the birth of Jesus.
In the stories you are given nicely illustrated photos which will especially help keep the attention of younger children, if you are attempting family devotions with a variety of ages of children (aren’t most of us?). In each, you are given the Bible passage, and I would encourage you to open up a real Bible and read it out of there with your children – and let them read it for themselves. And in most, you are given a short devotional from BIlly Graham – encouraging devotion to God and the telling of the Gospel.
This would be a great addition to your books for family devotions. Great for school age children.
If you would like to win a copy from Tommy Nelson (who sent me this book in exchange for this blog post and review, all opinions are my own), then all you have to do is answer the question: how would you like to encourage your kids in evangelism? Might be with their kids at school, or taking them on mission trips when they get older, or doing neighborhood activities that engage other kids with the gospel.
