Inspired by Hope

Children's Book Review: Jesus Loves Me, A Sing-Along Book illustrated by Gynux

Book Description:

Read or sing along with your little one’s favorite song! Jesus Loves Me pairs sweet, snuggly illustrations with the text of the familiar children’s song. This newest board book in the beloved Sing-Along series also features a padded cover perfect for little hands, and is sure to delight children and parents alike.

My Thoughts:
I love sharing Jesus' love through nature. Jesus Loves Me, Sing-Along does just that as we follow the creatures of the woods singing about their love for Jesus. The fun-loving animals in this sweet book will bring smiles to little readers. Gynux illustrations are cheerful and colorful as they show the animals joining together. The soft, padded cover is sturdy for little hands, and the board pages will endure many readings. I'll be sharing this with my granddaughter who loves to sing this song. 5 stars!

Life is Not a Checklist

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I like lists. I have, for as long as I've put pen to paper. On my desk at work, a pad of lined paper rests between me and my computer. I use the notes I jot down to prompt me to complete tasks I've been given. At the top, I've written the typical things I do each week, plus the emergency phone numbers for the college. Under that, I list projects, reminders, social media needs, and anything else I should remember. By the end of the week, I've checked off finished items, made addendums, and recorded new ideas. Without my notes, there's a great chance I'd forget to do something important at work.

As much as I like lists, I can't live my life by checking off boxes. Organization works wonders for a project. But not so much for life. Living life is more about prompts, nudges, crossroads, inspiration, and endurance. Life in Christ includes hope, conviction, the nudgings of the Holy Spirit, opportunities to serve, and unexpected joy. I've seen a cartoon that depicts life in two boxes. What we think life might be, a straight line from point A to point B. Or what life really is, a squiggly line that curves every which way from point A to point B. There have been stretches in my life when I've tried to live off of a check list, trying to get from A to B with the least resistance. Each time God has had other plans.

If you're a parent, take time to play with your kids. If your children are teens, hang out with them. 

If you're married, date your spouse. 

If you're single enjoy the adventure God's given you.   

If you work outside the home, stop and ask your co-worker how their day is going. 

Take the walk, pet the dog, smell the flowers.

My point--God has plans for me. If my head is focused on a list all the time, I'm going to miss out. I want to live like the Thessalonians who were prompted by love and inspired by hope. 

Not Even Solomon

Love a Rainy Day?

Saturday morning-

I heard the rain.

The rhythm-

the beat

of my heart on the window.

Oh, to be a Bird

Matthew 6:25-27
 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

The gold finches and house finches visit the feeder beside our porch. We hung it at the beginning of spring and have been blessed with fluttery visitors ever since. After work, I often sit in my Adirondack chair, camera in hand, hoping to catch a photo of these sweet beauties. If you're a fan of gold finches, you've noticed that the male bird's feathers dull with winter. This mechanism of molting hides him from predators. With spring, his plumage returns to a bright yellow to attract his mate. I am amazed how God takes care of the tiniest details of his creation.

Finches love to eat thistle and milkweed. Even though I enjoy having them at my feeder, they don't depend on me for food. God takes care of them. He supplies their need. How much more does he do for me? And why do I worry? I read the other day that worry causes stress and anxiety, but concern results in action/prayer. Worry blows circumstances up to ridiculous proportion. While prayer offers peace and guidance. Jesus is telling us to stop worrying about the basics and keep our minds on the spiritual. Eat what we have, wear what we have and be more concerned about our souls. Feed on spiritual food and grow in him. Praise God he values us!

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

What a Joy to be Daughters of the King

On Saturday morning I attended a Princess tea party with my daughter and granddaughter. When each guest arrived, two princes graciously opened the door and gave a royal bow. 

Inside the hostesses had created a little princess's dream.

Each table, set with crystal tea cups and lovely centerpieces, welcomed visitors. The breakfast table was spread with quiches, donuts, cheese and crackers, sweet treats and more. Attentive young ladies served tea and lemonade.

To top off the morning, Ariel and Cinderella sang songs and told stories to the excited little girls.

I enjoyed seeing delight in the little princesses as they enjoyed games, crafts, and fun.

This lovely event was put on by Empower Youth.

You may believe a princess is only found in fairy tales. That they live in castles and ride in fancy carriages. 

But I want all little girls to know they have a future as a princess.

Each one can become part of a royal family—God's royal family.

Each young lady has the opportunity to be a daughter of the King. The most spectacular of all Kings. As a daughter of the King, each girl, young lady, and woman can honor her 

Father by showing compassion and love to everyone.

You see, the true qualities of a princess are not outward beauty or perfect manners and speech.

The true qualities of a real princess are found in Galatians 5:22— love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

A princess who wears such lovely traits is a princess indeed.