Wednesday Worship: Welcome Home

You're never far
I will be where you are
And when you come to me
I will open my arms.

Welcome home, you.
I know you by name...

I remember going home on a college break or driving 12 hrs from Cincinnati to New York when I was single and living alone, just to see my mom. No matter what time I arrived--and I was good for 6 or 7 am--I was always welcomed with a hug, a kiss and a smile.

There's no place like home.

Oh, to be welcomed by the Master to the home He has prepared and waiting for me!

I envision my heavenly home not much differently than my old home. Yes, the streets will be paved with gold and all that. But I imagine something evoking those same feelings as that little home with a tiny front porch, the smell of good food cooking and happy, familiar faces.

Warmth. Safety. Caring. Encouragement. Love.

What do you think of when you think of your heavenly home?

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: Blessings

Do you feel blessed, truly blessed?

If you're not having your best of days or seasons, do you still feel blessed?

In the midst of good times, it's easy to count your blessings.  In troubled times, the blessings are no less  apparent.  We simply have to look beyond ourselves and our circumstances to see them.

What are you thanking God for today? How has He blessed you of late?

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

NIV Boys Bible from Zonderkidz

NIV Boys Bible

Zonderkidz; Special edition (March 6, 2012)

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson of The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION

Getting into a routine of reading the Bible can be challenging for anyone, but trying to keep the attention of pre-teen boys is especially difficult. So now there is a Bible especially developed for them. The NIV Boys Bible is designed with boys ages 9 to 12 in mind. Fun in-text features help boys dig deep into the Word and learn about amazing people, facts and stories of the Bible. The NIV Boys Bible will help boys grow into the young men God wants them to be. It will appeal to boys and cause them to desire to spend time in the Word with its unique features such as:


* Introductions to each book of the Bible


* Hundreds of highlighted verses worth memorizing


* What's the Big Deal?-Need-to-know biblical stories and people


* Check It Out-Interesting and fun facts about Bible times and characters


* Grossology-Gross and gory stuff they never knew was in the Bible


* Makin' It Real-Help for applying Bible stories to their everyday lives


This Bible includes the full text of the New International Version, the most popular Bible translation in the world, and 12 color tip-in pages introducing content that shows boys how they can grow to be like Jesus. Each book of the Bible has activities that make God's Word more relevant than ever. It is jam-packed with customized content and artwork that really makes the Bible stand out.


Product Details:
List Price: $27.99
Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 1504 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz; Special edition (March 6, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310723086
ISBN-13: 978-0310723080:

AND NOW...A SAMPLE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO VIEW THEM LARGER:

A  MOTHER AND SON'S REVIEW

"It's good."

That's about what my son said.  He's nearly 10 years old, square in the target market for the NIV Boys Bible.  Sometimes he talks a lot; other times, like now, he's a man of few words.

But it's what he didn't say...

I showed him the Bible, about which he was excited.  "For me?"  "Yes, but I have to review it first."  "I'll tell you," he replied, as he took the Bible from my hands.

I haven't had a chance to do much with it since.

He keeps it beside his bed, this after carrying it in his backpack for a week.  If Daddy tells him it's reading time, he's as likely to pick it up as he is whatever current YA fantasy or middle grade boy-who-gets-into-trouble-but-he's-really-a-great-kid book he's currently reading.

I watched a few times as he pulled the NIV Boys Bible out of his backpack, turned to a few pages and read them.  His initiative.  One day, he said, "I read from Genesis today, about creation."

"And what did you learn?"

We proceeded to discuss what he'd learned from reading the Bible for himself versus what he knew from church, from Daddy and I telling him or thought he knew from who knows what sources.

He's a natural reader, so it's not uncommon to see him with his head buried in a book.  (He comes by it honest, gets it from his momma.)  Seeing his head buried in God's Word warms my heart.

Aside from being written on a level young boys can comprehend, the NIV Boys Bible has age-appropriate factoids, discussion questions and other resources, things a parent will appreciate and that hopefully keep the boys interested.

But what matters most is that the boy is reading it.

The NIV Boys Bible is a keeper.

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: A Song of Strength

Hold on and wait just a little while,
Bring a song of strength in the midnight,
Touch our lives with Your loving hands,
Hold on...

Sometimes we think of holding on as hanging in there.  But I'd like you to consider another possible interpretation.  

One of my favorite things to do when I was a little girl was to walk while holding my father's hand.  His hand was so much larger, it engulfed mine.  It was weathered but strong, and I never wanted to let go.  I felt safe.  Protected.  Sure.  

Thinking of God the Father and me as one of his precious daughters, I'm holding on to His hand.  Not letting go.  Allowing Him to lead and to protect me.

Are you holding on?

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

My Redeemer Lives

He Is Risen!

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia