Tag: devotionals

The Wonder of Creation {Review and Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips

I’m reviewing another devotional for kids – this time, it’s science-themed!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Well-known for his powerful messages about science and the Bible, Louie Giglio has a passion for inspiring kids to notice, enjoy, and be in awe of God’s creation. In The Wonder of Creation, children will find new delight in God’s creativity with 100 devotions that explore:

  • Animals–from honeyguide birds to flying snakes to white rhinos
  • Space–from black holes to volcanic moons to gamma-ray bursts
  • People–from optical illusions to brain freezes to our immune systems
  • Earth–from rainbow rivers to blue lava to flowing glaciers

And much, much more!

With engaging illustrations and striking photography, this fun and informative book is ideal for children ages 6–10. Each of the 100 devotions features a scientific fact or an easy activity for exploring faith, a short Bible verse, and a closing prayer. With a brightly embossed cover and a ribbon bookmark, The Wonder of Creation:

  • Is ideal for science-loving kids, Bible-loving kids, and any child ready to go deeper in faith.
  • Continues a well-loved devotional series that has sold more than half a million copies.
  • Makes a great addition to a homeschool STEM curriculum or a bedtime reading routine.

As kids dive into this awe-inspiring devotional, they’ll be amazed at the many wonders God has made!

MY THOUGHTS

As I have reviewed several devotionals for elementary-age children recently, one thing I’m noticing is that the themes are really broad enough to capture the attention of a wider range of readers. It seems like there’s a thematic devotional for kids to suit many different interests. This is a great way to engage kids who may not like to read or who may like to read material that isn’t too ‘churchy’.

I also love that the book comes with a downloadable parent discussion guide to help parents facilitate faith conversations at home.

If you have a science lover in your life, this is a resource you should check out and recommend!

ENTER TO WIN

Enter to win a copy of The Wonder of Creation by emailing me at kidminspiration@gmail.com. All entries should be received by 11:59 pm on Monday, December 6, 2021. One winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 and notified by email.

Disclosure:
Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing this product/product information for review.  Opinions are 100% my own.  I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.

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Great Resources for Lent

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

This Wednesday, February 18th, is the first day of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, is the time when we mark the time when Jesus is sent into the wilderness.  While there, He prayed and prepared for what was ahead of Him.  Likewise, the season of Lent can be presented to children as a time to pause, pray and prepare for what lies ahead of us.  Each year, we provide our church families with a family friendly devotional to encourage faith conversations at home during this time.

If you are looking for materials for your family or for yourself, here are a few I’d recommend.

FAMILY RESOURCES

A Sense of the Resurrection

Blogger Amanda White, who wrote the popular Advent devotional Truth in the Tinsel, has written a resource for Lent.  A Sense of the Resurrection contains 12 fun, hands-on, easy, meaningful activities to help your kids come face to face with the Easter story.

Sense of the resurrection image

 

Family Lenten Practices Calendar

This free downloadable calendar written by blogger Traci Smith shares either a prayer, service or fasting activity each day.  The activities can be adapted for children of all ages.  In addition, she offers an adult calendar for purchase.

lentenpracticescalendar20151Holy Week Devotional

According to the What’s In the Bible? website, this devotional contains an 8-day family Bible reading and devotional plan designed to guide your family into a deeper understanding of the days of Holy Week and prepare your hearts to celebrate on Resurrection Sunday!

Each day includes 1-2 short Bible readings and a conversation-starting discussion guide, as well as a coloring page that illustrates the day’s Bible story. The Holy Week Devotional Download Pack will engage your kids in discussion, prayer and creative expression in the week leading up to Easter.

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RESOURCES JUST FOR YOU

Bible Gateway

Bible Gateway offers a free devotional delivered straight to your inbox.  Get more details here.

Margaret Feinberg

Join author Margaret Feinberg as she reads through the Gospels this Lenten season.

margaret feinberg lent challenge 2015

{Throwback Thursday}:”10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love & Marriage”

Kathie Phillips

This post originally posted on February 14, 2014.

Well, today is Valentine’s Day, a day when love is shared, boxed chocolates are enjoyed and roses are ridiculously over-priced.  Don’t get me wrong – when my husband & I were dating, I wanted all of the ‘outward’ expressions of love.  Now that we’ve been married for 18 years, I appreciate love more throughout the year than just focused on the day you’re supposed to show it.

One way I appreciate the love my husband and I share is through our date nights.  Over the years, our date nights have evolved.  As newlyweds, Friday nights and all-day Saturday were our date days.  When children came along, our date days became “meet you on the couch after we put the children to bed”.  As the children got older and our calendars became more jam-packed, carving out time together would include breakfasts, lunches, dinners, coffee or weekends away.  We just wanted to be together, to talk, to look into each other’s eyes as well as each other’s hearts and listen to each other.  In my book, date nights (or days) are non-negotiable.

Last fall, I received a copy of 10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love & Marriage by Peter & Heather Larson and David & Claudia Arp.  I thought I’d wait until Valentine’s Day to share my thoughts about it.  The book was released in September 2013 by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Book

The book’s purpose is to “help you connect faith, love and marriage in ways that result in a deeper spiritual connection.”  The book offers 10 great date night options, each with its own chapter within the book, outlining pre-date preparation, date night tips, and post-date spiritual application.

The date night options are:

  1. Connecting Faith and Love – You’ll talk about how connecting faith in your marriage can help you build a more loving, growing relationship.
  2. Appreciating Your Differences – You’ll talk about two key core values: acceptance & forgiveness.
  3. Experiencing God Together – You’ll talk about factors that bring you together spiritually as you worship God together.
  4. Getting Into the Word – You’ll be given simple tools to help you grow spiritually through studying the Bible together.
  5. Loving Your Closest Neighbor – You’ll talk about how to love and encourage your spouse.
  6. Talking Together With God – You’ll talk about how to overcome some of the obstacles to praying as a couple and practical ways to develop a meaningful prayer life together.
  7. Building Your Marriage on a Strong Foundation – You’ll talk about the importance of what the Bible calls leaving, cleaving and becoming one.
  8. Facing the Storms of Life Together – This date will help you talk about how to stay close and face the storms of life together.
  9. Guarding Your Heart Under God’s Canopy – You’ll look at what it means to have God’s sacred canopy over your marriage and how to guard your heart.
  10. Making Your Marriage a Lighthouse – You’ll be encouraged to talk about how you can continue to draw close spiritually and how your marriage can be a lighthouse to those around you.

What I Liked

If you notice what each date encourages, you’ll discover what I love about this book. It gets spouses talking to one another.  These dates make talking to each other a priority, and I love that.  And not just talking to fill time – but meaningful discussions. That’s a winner to me!

I also love that the book takes the guesswork out of what to talk about.  It’s so easy to talk about work, children, family and friends but being intentional and having guided spiritual conversations that will benefit your marriage is another winner for me.

What I Think Was Missing

I’m a pretty practical person, so I was expecting more practical ideas.  Maybe something like, “Over coffee, talk about…”  I wasn’t expecting that there would be ‘homework’ before and after the date.  This aspect might be a turn-off to some readers and might result in one of the spouses doing more prep-work than the other.

Also, my husband isn’t a big reader, so I’m not sure how practical that would be.  I would see myself as the primary date conversation facilitator, which would be extra work on my part.

My Recommendation

Overall, I think the book is a great read for marriage rookies and veterans alike.  If you’re looking to make your date night conversation more meaningful, then grab a copy of this book today!  Visit their website for more information.

Have you read 10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love & Marriage?  What were your thoughts?

Bethany House provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  No compensation was received.

{Book Review} “The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids”

Kathie Phillips

I love reviewing devotionals for kids!  But a devotional that is combined with Bible trivia?  I couldn’t resist.

Today, I’ll share my thoughts regarding The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids by Katrina Cassel.  The book was released in September 2013 by Tyndale House Publishers.

About the Book

“Have you ever wondered…How many days did God take to create the world and everything in it?  Where did Moses get water for the Israelites to drink?  Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem?  The answers are inside this devotional!  Learning about the Bible can be fun – especially with The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids.  Each devotion is based on a trivia question from the Bible.  The devotion explains the story around the question, gives the answer, and then shares what it means for you.  One question a day will open your eyes to biblical truths.  Learning about the Bible has never been so much fun!  Bonus: You can find out how much your family knows about the Bible!  Ask them the question of the day.”

What I Liked

The book contains 365 devotions, one for each day of the year.  Each devotional contains a creative title, trivia question, 3 possible answers, a brief devotional (which includes some modern-day examples), personal application points, the trivia question answer and the corresponding Bible passage.  The scripture passages were taken from the New Living Translation, which I think makes God’s Word easily understood by older elementary children and preteens.

Since the devotions weren’t topical, they were mostly chronologically from Genesis – Revelation.  Since the devotions were mostly chronological, I loved that the book highlights how the Bible is divided (Books of the Law, Books of History, etc.).  I also loved how a scripture index was included, making it easy to locate a particular scripture verse/passage.

What I Think Was Missing

I am a visual person, so having more color throughout the book, especially when trying to appeal to kids, would have been a plus.

My Recommendation

Overall, I think the book is a great option for older elementary children & preteens.  The content was solid and written in a relevant way.  I think adding trivia into a Bible reading and devotional will be well-received by kids, who might be able to teach their parents a thing or two!

Have you read The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids?  What were your thoughts?

Tyndale House Publishers provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.