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{Book Review & Giveaway} “Love Letters from God”

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

This is one resource that I could not wait to share with you.  The title alone was enough to capture my attention.

About the book:
 
 Love Letters from God
Official Website: www.glenysnellist.com
For children ages 4-8
 
“I had so much fun making the world! But do you know the very best thing I made? It was you!”
 
What child doesn’t love to receive mail?  In this heartwarming lift-the-flap picture book, children can open and read their own personal mail from God as they experience some of the best-loved stories of the Bible.  As each captivating story unfolds, children will eagerly await the opportunity to open the envelope and read God’s message of love written especially for them. They will also delight in the final envelope that encourages them to write their own personal letter to God.
What I Liked:

This storybook is unlike any other I’ve ever read – and I have read quite a few.  Each beautifully illustrated story begins by using very kid-friendly language to explain Bible truths. Each story ends with a related Bible verse (from the very kid-friendly New International Reader’s Version) that is a promise from God and a love letter from God to the child.  I love that the love letter begins with Dear ________ to personalize to the child reading it.

Even the title of the Bible stories were unique, such as “Noah Needs His Nails (Noah’s Ark) and “The Lions Who Lost Their Lunch (Daniel in the Lions’ Den).  And as crazy as it seems, I love the book’s size.  It’s perfect for an older child to read on their own as well as the perfect size for a parent to read to their child – the child would have no problem seeing the pictures or opening the love letter flap.

What I Think Was Missing:

In my opinion, nothing was missing.

My Recommendation:

This book should be part of your family’s storybook library.  Glenys has graciously offered to give a copy away to one of my readers.  Enter to win a copy by emailing me at kidminspiration@gmail.com.  Deadline to enter is 11:59pm Monday, January 26th.

Watch the video: 

About the author:
 Glenys Nellist headshot
Glenys Nellist was born and raised in a little village in northern England.  Her stories and poems have been published in children’s magazines where her writing reflects a deep passion for bringing the Bible to life for young children.  Glenys lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, David. For more information, visit www.glenysnellist.com.

 

 

 

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Finding Joy in the Mundaneness of Ministry

Kathie Phillips

 

Over time, things can become very routine.  We wake up at the same time everyday, brush our teeth (and if you’re like me, you only buy one brand of toothpaste), drink coffee from the same cup, take the same route to work everyday…you get my drift. We don’t even have to think about it – we just do it, sometimes so well, we could do it with our eyes closed.

If you’re in any type of ministry, you very well know that certain aspects of your job can become routine after a while, too.  You know…doing the same things over and over because Sunday (or Wednesday or Friday) is always coming and there are things that need to be done so that ministry can happen.

Some of my responsibilities occur like clockwork.  Here is what is typically found on my to-do list every week:

Sunday:  Game time! All of my weekly prep pays off today!

Monday:  Edit curriculum for upcoming lessons; catch up on email from the weekend; follow-up with notes from Sunday; work on bigger-picture projects; writing

Tuesday:  Email lessons to leaders; handle email; staff prayer; Children’s Ministry staff meeting; return phone calls

Wednesday: Director-Level staff meeting; staff prayer; paperwork

Thursday: Final prep for Sunday; meetings with our family meeting team; staff prayer

Give or take other duties, depending on the time of year, these are almost always on my to-do list.  Do I love my job?  You bet! Can my job tasks become routine? You bet!

“Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” (Colossians 3:17, The Message)

So how can we find joy in the mundaneness of ministry?

1. Recognize that joy is a choice.  Most of us don’t wake up joyful, especially if our day’s to-do list is long.  So you need to choose joy.  Choose to see each day (and its tasks) as a gift from God.  Choose to live joyfully in the calling God has placed on your life.

2. Realize that ministry means hard work.  Ministry doesn’t just happen.  It takes a process of steps to get from point A to point B.  That oftentimes means long hours preparing for ministry to happen and doing tasks that we might not like to do.

3. Shift your lens.  Think about all of the children and families who walk through the doors of your church each week.  Think about the opportunities you have to help them know, love and follow Jesus.

The work order you put in to have your facility cleaned helps families feel their child is in good, safe and sanitary hands.

The copies you make (or have made) will bring the day’s lesson into focus for many children.

The lessons you edit help ensure that the important things are taught.

The craft supplies you shop for and gather will help children will allow them a tangible reminder of God’s love for them.

The ideas you pin on Pinterest help you present God’s Word as creatively as you can so that each child learns in the ways that suit them best.

The time you spend designing a cool graphic for your communications will help draw families to information.

The emails and phone calls you made helps prepare your volunteers and lets them know you are there for them.

The meetings you attend remind you that as a team, you are all working together for the Kingdom of God.

The crumbs you sweep off of the floor reminded you that children love snack time!

The time you spend in prayer helps you remember the reason why you serve.  It’s about Him, not you.

Join the conversation: What helps you find joy in the mundaneness of ministry?

10 Inspiring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

In recent months, there has been a heightened sense of racial tension and discussions here in the United States as a result of the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

Today, we honor the life & legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was a man whose heart’s desire was that people would not be judged based on the color of their skin.  This is my prayer, too.

Until then, let’s not shy away from having these important discussions about race relations.  After all, we were all made in God’s image, right? (Genesis 1:27)

10 Inspiring #MLK Quotes

Martin Luther King, Jr. statue in Washington, DC
Martin Luther King, Jr. statue in Washington, DC

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”

{From the Archives} Dream Big!

Kathie Phillips
Updated 1/8/15: Earlier this week, I talked about goals and waiting for God to reveal His plan for you if your list of goals for 2015 was empty.  [You can read that post here.]
With that being said, I thought I’d share an archived post from a few years ago that talked about dreaming big.  The original post follows.  I wanted to share some quotes about goal-setting that I think tie in nicely to this post.  They are from blogger Michael Hyatt.
“For a goal to matter, it has to stretch us. That means that it has to stand somewhere outside our comfort zone. If you know exactly how to attain the goal, it’s probably not far enough.” 
“For a goal to be meaningful its attainment should lie somewhere outside our comfort zone—in the discomfort zone. You’ll know you’re there when you start feeling emotions we normally consider negative, things like fear and doubt.  Trying to work it all out in advance through detailed planning is just a fancy way of procrastination. ” 
“As we try to set goals that are challenging but still realistic, it’s important to remember what goals are for in the first place. They are about getting things done, yes. But it’s more than that. A goal is not just about what you accomplish.
It’s about what you become.” 
Archived post starts here
Years ago, I was told that I dream too big.  After the initial shock, I began to wonder:  Is there such a thing?  What if I dreamt too small–or not at all?  Would I have had the experiences of being awed by what only God could do?  I am not saying that a person should live in a fantasy world.  But I do believe that dreams help us not stay in a comfortable place, confined by thinking that keeps us in a box.  God has a plan and purpose for us; dreams remind us that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).  Go ahead–dream big!
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish more than we might ask or think.”  Ephesians 3:20, NLT
So what are you dreaming about?  What’s stopping you from dreaming big?
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