March 1...YES!

Going by the temperature you can tell it is still Winter around here but all the birdsong sings of Spring soon to come. I can't wait :) I love Spring! We have been preparing for Student Convention for the last few weeks so school has been slow. We will be hitting the books again full force when we return . We leave Sunday morning and return next Saturday. Hopefully warm weather will greet us when we get back. We long to get outside and do some nature study. We have fallen behind in our Outdoor Hour Challenges. The kids are also tossing ideas around about what they want to do for their lapbooks. I have been pondering too. Next school year will begin a new season for me. My oldest DD will graduate this year. It will seem strange to me to go back to just schooling 2, unless DS Tman decides he wants to return home for school. Tman and BabyGirl are both looking into getting jobs. When did they grow up? Did it happen when I blinked? You know what I mean... don't you? Are any of you dreading the "empty nest"?
Be sure to come back later this week. I will be posting another book review and I will be having a giveaway. Blessing! ~ Nikki

Where Is God ( Dr. John Townsend) ~ Book Review

Where Is God? ~ Dr. John Townsend

In this book Dr. Townsend writes about many areas and instances in our lives where we might ask the question, “Where is God?” At one time all of us have asked ourselves that question.  It seems like in our darkest times we can’t seem to see God near us. These are the times though that we need to feel God near us. Dr. Townsend uses many great scripture references to illustrate his points on finding God during the rough patches of our lives. My favorite part of the book is when he uses the story of his young son and his wife in the dentist office. His son was unable to use heavy doses of medication to numb him during a root canal. So his mother had to hold down his arms and keep him from thrashing around during the procedure; all the while crying because her child had to go through this trial. It was a necessary thing for him. Dr. Townsend makes the point that God sometimes has to let us go through things that are very painful, yet necessary. All the time though He has His hands on us, holding us as we go through this period that helps to grow our faith. We have a God that is involved with us. He loves us beyond our own imaginings. This is a wonderful book. You can purchase it here: www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Hear No Evil Book Review

Summary:

A collection of wise, compelling, and often uproariously funny essays built around the experience of music as a transformational element in a moment of truth, Hear No Evil mines Matthew Paul Turner’s humorous memories of his evangelical youth and invites readers to groove along on his journey.

From attending forbidden contemporary Christian concerts to moving to “ Music City ” Nashville , Hear No Evil chronicles Turner’s “life soundtrack” which morphs seamlessly into the stories of people, places, and experiences that have taught the music-editor-turned-author some new things about God, forced him out of his comfort zone, and introduced him to a fresh view of grace along the way.

If you’ve ever had the opening bars of a song transport you back in time or remind you of a pivotal spiritual moment, Matthew Paul Turner’s honest—and frequently hilarious—musings will strike a chord. Straight forward and amusing, Hear No Evil is an exploration of a life of faith lived to a personal soundtrack.

Cover art:

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

purchase this book at RandomHouse.com:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074723

My review:

I would like to be able to tell you that this was a great book and that I enjoyed reading it. However, to be totally honest the best part (and my personal favorite) of this book was the end. Because that meant it was over. I highly suggest if you are an Independent  Fundamental Baptist; don't read this book. I'm sure he might not have wanted it to seem this way (but then again maybe he did) but it seemed to me like most of the book was about him "bashing" that faith. He grew up in an IFB church. Tie that in with the trip to the bar to have a beer with his "Christian" (very loosely using that term) buddy; this book really did not set well with me. And before anyone starts in with the "its ok for Christians to consume alcohol" bit; I just want you to know... I don't agree and I will not debate the subject. (Not what this blog is for) So for my part I did not like this book. You on the other hand might read it and get a completely different outlook on it. So feel free to purchase it through the link above. Blessings ~ Nikki

Toodles got the job PTL!

Toodles got the job PTL! For now it is only part time but may become full time later. We are so excited! Thanks to all who prayed :) Blessings! ~ Nikki

Love And War : Finding The Marriage You've Dreamed About ~ Book Review

Summary:

What the Eldredge bestsellers Wild at Heart did for men, and Captivating did for women, LOVE & WAR will do for married couples everywhere. John and Stasi Eldredge have contributed the quintessential works on Christian spirituality through the experience of men and the experience of women and now they turn their focus to the incredible dynamic between those two forces.

With refreshing openness that will grab readers from the first page, the Eldredges candidly discuss their own marriage and the insights they’ve gained from the challenges they faced. Each talks independently to the reader about what they’ve learned, giving their guidance personal immediacy and a balance between the male and female perspectives that has been absent from all previous books on this topic.   They begin LOVE & WAR with an obvious but necessary acknowledgement:  Marriage is fabulously hard.  They advise that the sooner we get the shame and confusion off our backs, the sooner we'll find our way through.

LOVE & WAR shows couples how to fight for their love and happiness, calling men and women to step into the great adventure God has waiting for them together. Walking alongside John and Stasi Eldredge, every couple can discover how their individual journeys are growing into a story of meaning much greater than anything they could do or be on their own.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Love and War is a good read for all married couples. The Eldredge's honesty about their own marriage can be a great encouragement. No matter how much we love each other, even as Christians, marriage can be a rough road to travel. Just knowing that your not alone in the struggle is a big help. They cover a lot of the major trials that married couples face. My favorite chapter is the one about the "little foxes". The small things that add up and steal our joy not only in each other and our marriage but they can damage the whole family and your personal relationship with Christ (my opinion anyway :) ) I think you will enjoy this book. Blessings! ~ Nikki

purchase the book online:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385529808

Internet again :)

PTL, we were able to pay off some debt and that allowed us to get our internet back on at home. Much easier to afford that bill without the other one. Things have been going good for us. School work has been going good between the bouts of sickness. We have more snow on the ground today and to be completely honest...I'm tired of it. Winter is ok until March gets in view . Then I long for Spring. I get tired of the cold and snow. I want to see things grow and play in the dirt :) My oldest two Blessings are preparing for Student Convention. They are competing in several different categories; including music , art, sports and drama. Tman is also competing in the preaching category ,**BIG SMILE**. I have been wanting to work ona lapbook for a while but our textbooks have to take precedence for the moment. Maybe in a few weeks we can work on one. I will be helping our Christian school prepare for competition by working with the kids in the dramas. Once that is said and done I will have more time to work on a lapbook. I might just let each one choose their own subject to lapbook about. I know Roosie has already made one shark lapbook but I bet she chooses to do another one. She is a shark fanatic. We actually took a notebook and made somewhat of a lapbook out of it. She would write info about a shark and then we would glue a picture beside it. On the next page she would do a drawing or I would print out a color sheet and after she finished it we would cut it out and glue it between two pages so that it made a popup. Pretty neat looking I think. Anyhow, I will be on here more often now and posting more so check back with me. I will also be doing my book reviews. i will be posting one later today as a matter of fact.I will also be having some great book giveaways over time so be sure to sign up for those. Toodles was asked to come in and submit a job application today so be praying about that for us. Thanks, Blessings! ~ Nikki

Angels Book Review

Angels

by Dr. David Jeremiah

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601422699&ref=externallink_mlt_Angels_sec_1208_01

Summary:  

What are angels? What is their role in God’s plan? Are they present? Do they appear? Do they give us personal insight about our work, our worship?

 

Many contemporary beliefs about angels are based on misconception and myth. Dr. David Jeremiah uses scripture to unveil the remarkable truth about these agents of heaven, and their role and work in our world—and lives.

 

More than 60,000 units of this powerful book have sold in two past editions. This repackage of the original 1996 paperback will surely capture the attention of readers of all ages who seek a broad and thorough survey of scripture that clearly separates fact from fiction as it relates to angels. The book will appeal to the thousands who follow Dr. Jeremiah’s books, and radio and TV broadcasts.

 

Relevant, little known biblical facts help readers sharpen their knowledge and sensitivities toward the spiritual reality of angels. Dr. Jeremiah’s enlightening findings are supported with illustrations and insights from Billy Graham, Corrie ten Boom, C.S. Lewis, and more.

I really enjoyed this book by Dr. David Jeremiah. So many people today do have the wrong ideas about angels and their position in God’s Creation. Dr. Jeremiah uses Scripture to lay out the truth about angels. They are a creation of God. They are His messengers and His warriors. They are not lovely ladies in glittering dresses or chubby babies in diapers. So if you are looking for information letting you know what angels really are and what they really do this book is for you. It is very informative yet easy to read. Blessings! ~ Nikki