Tag: books

Book Reviews

Scarlett’s Spectacles Book Review

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Book review for Scarlett’s Spectacles

Author:  Janet Surette

Illustrated by:  Shane Crampton

I received this book from B&H Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

The opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Description from back of the book

Young Scarlett has been wearing her grumbly glasses, which make for a grouchy girl and a gloomy day. But when Mom encourages her to look through her glad glasses instead, Scarlett finds a brighter day and a happy heart as she chooses to see all of God’s good gifts.

This delightful story encourages young readers to put down their own “grumbly glasses” and make the cheerful choice to see each day with a grateful heart!

Janet-SuretteThe author, Janet Surette is mother to Taylor the Strong, Avery the Good, and Scarlett the Loud. Janet combines the skills of being a Christian speaker, author, and blogger with the wisdom of motherhood to produce winsome messages that engage parents and children alike through rhyme, compelling imagery, and a bit of spunk that crafts timeless messages into memorable resources that instruct and delight. You can learn more about Janet at janetsurette.com

This is the first review I have done for a children’s book.

Today there is a growing selection of high-quality Children’s books with Christian themes. This category has been expanding in recent years and I’m thrilled to see the number of choices available.

Scarlett’s Spectacles is a very sturdy board book designed to be read over and over. Scarlett discovers the joy a good attitude brings after following her Mom’s advice. Each day is a new opportunity to make a cheerful choice!

The story is wonderful and so are the charming illustrations!

Whimsical fun with a serious message 🙂 

I loved reading Scarlett’s Spectacles and hope to see more from Janet Surette and Shane Crampton in the future.

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I received this book from B&H Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

The opinions expressed here are completely my own.

 

 

Whimsical fun

Bible, books, Jesus

First Week of October

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If you missed it, please read last week’s blog post Fall Changes

Welcome to October!

I know that some parts of the United States have experienced snowstorms this week. That’s hard for me to imagine because here in Virginia, we are continuing to have temperatures in the 90s each day. The weather forecasters are saying that we will have a beautiful weekend with temperatures dropping into the 70s beginning on Friday! So I’m looking forward to enjoying some outdoor activities on Saturday.

This is the first week of the new Fall schedule. Here’s what was posted on the Facebook Page.

Monday

Question of the Week

Question of the Week

Please leave your answer in the comments below or answer on the Facebook page.

Wednesday

David Crowder Live: How He Loves & After All (Holy)

We will end the week with the topic of books tomorrow. But you can participate today 🙂

Friday

What will you be reading this weekend_ (1)

Please don’t leave yet.

Take a moment to share your answers below.

This new Fall schedule is incomplete without your participation ♥

  • Who is your favorite person from the New Testament other than Jesus?
  • what will you be reading this weekend?

First Week of October

As always any comments or questions are welcome. If you would rather your comment not be posted you have the option of sending a private EMAIL

I hope you are walking every day with King Jesus. He invites you to come with Him today. Need to know more about this invitation?

Visit the following link >>> The Good News

 

 

Uncategorized

Fall Changes

everydaywiththeking

A few leaves are beginning to turn, hummingbirds are starting their migration, and Fall allergies are in full force. But with daily temperatures still in the 90s, it certainly doesn’t feel like Fall where I live in Virginia. The arrival of the Fall season seems hardly noticeable, yet it is happening. Summer is gradually slipping away even while it feels as if it’s never going to leave.

Fall changes are coming

This season of natural change seems like a perfect time to introduce something new to the blog and Facebook page.

You can expect to see more activity, especially on the Facebook page. The following is the new Fall schedule starting on Monday, September 30th.

 Every Day with the King Facebook Page weekly schedule

Each week there will be a question posted on Monday. You can share your answer in the comment section found under the question any time during the entire week.

Wednesdays are going to be little surprises. There could be a video, a devotional thought, an excerpt from a Bible study, or something else.

Thursday is still the day you will usually find the new blog post.

On Fridays, the focus will be all about books.

  • Monday          – weekly question
  • Wednesday     – surprise
  • Thursday         -blog post
  • Friday              – about books

Some of what is posted on the Facebook page will also appear in a weekly email sent to those who are subscribed to this blog in addition to the regular blog post.

You will be able to participate by commenting. If you want to interact on the Facebook page you will be able to do so on the scheduled days. Of course, you could even jump in on both blog and Facebook 🙂

If you don’t want to miss anything you will need to make sure that you’re subscribed to this blog and following the Facebook page.

Hopefully, many readers will be interested to participate in these new activities.

Please comment below or EMAIL

Seasons change but in every season, Jesus Christ is always the same, yesterday, today and forever. (see Hebrews 13:8)

 

Fall changes are coming

Every day with the King through every Season!

 

 

Book Reviews

Remember God Book Review

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Book review for Remember God

Author:  Annie F. Downs

I received this book from B&H Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

The opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Description from back of the book

I know God is loving; I know He is good; I believe He is big and powerful. But sometimes I wonder if He is really kind— really deeply always kind.

Is He?

Christians love to talk about how God is in control, but that’s harder to grasp when things aren’t going like you thought they would, when your life looks quite different than you imagined.

For centuries, God’s people have been building altars to Him—to remind themselves and the people around them of His work. His goodness. His kindness. Stacks of stones. Altars. Temples. Cathedrals. Why? Because they believed God and wanted to remember Him.

In the back of my mind, God reminds me that He is the same trustworthy God—the One who always finishes the stories he starts. And this is my story—of wrestling with our God who gives a limp and a blessing. A God who is always kind even when my circumstances feel the opposite. God is who He says He is. He is kinder than you imagine. In a world where it is easy to forget who He is, we will not. We will remember God.

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Let me start by saying this book was not at all what I was expecting.

Remember God strays far from the goal stated in the description. This is the first Annie Downs book I have read and will likely be the last.

There is a certain casual style that appeals to many but not to me especially when dealing with such important subjects. This book seems very self-focused and immature. Mostly I just don’t see how reading Remember God will provide what you need if you are struggling with truly perplexing questions in life.

If I had never read anything on the subject I might feel a little different than I do about this book. However, I’ve read some absolutely terrific writing on the subject over the years.

Below are books that I highly recommend

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Questions or comments?

Please leave a comment below or email me Lynn@everydaywiththeking.com

 

 

 

 

books, Jesus

Plan For Difficult Times

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Your life might be going well right now or you might be in the middle of a mess. As someone has said we are usually in a difficult time, just coming out of one or about to enter a difficult season. Sooner or later problems, pain, hard times and loss are sure to come your way. Because many of us tend to procrastinate about so much in life, we are often caught by surprise when painful events barge into our lives.

How about preparing a go-to formula to help us during the inevitable hard times?

Let’s look at an approach to painful times that may be helpful in any season.

In her book “Though the Mountains Shake“, Amy Carmichael tells about her meeting Andrew Murray while they were both in England during the year 1895. She shares her impression of him and how he handled a painful time he experienced.

The following is taken from Amy Carmichael’s writing about Andrew Murray.

“I knew that his books were very good. Not that I had read one of them, but a neat row of them, dressed in sober grey, lived in my mother’s room, and she and everybody said how good they were. Was he as good as his books? He was better; for there was not only goodness, there was a delicious dry humor, dauntless courage, and the gentleness and simplicity of a dear child. And he was very loving.”

“Then something painful happened. This is how he met it: He was quiet for a while with his Lord, then he wrote these words for himself”

First He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.

Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child.

Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last, in His good time He can bring me out again–how and when He knows.

Let me say I am here,

  1. By God’s appointment
  2. In His keeeping
  3. Under His training
  4. For His time

I am sure that Andrew Murray still felt the pain but he knew where to look for help and Who to trust to bring him through. Trusting in Jesus is the only way.

It is a mystery perhaps, but when we are at the lowest places we may sense the nearness of Jesus more keenly than at any other time. I know I have.

Jesus knows well all our sorrows in all seasons. See Isaiah 53:3-5 and Hebrews 4:14-15

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. See John 14

Plan For Difficult Times (1)

Do you have a plan for the painful times?

Please leave a comment below.

You can also send me an email Lynn@everydaywiththeking.com

 

Live every day with the King!

 

 

 

 

books, Goals

Bring The Books

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If you’ve read the blog post – Social Media  you may find yourself with a renewed interest in books and other activities that you enjoyed before the smartphone takeover.

Randy Alcorn recently wrote about why we should be reading more. He gives a little challenge that I hope you will decide to try.

“PLEASE turn off the television and open a great book and begin to read. Tell yourself you will read a minimum of ten minutes before watching something or looking at a device. I guarantee you that if you do this every day, some days you will never turn on the TV. An hour or two will go by and you’ll realize how much better reading is than watching.”  – Randy Alcorn

Read the entire post from Randy Alcorn – Make Reading a Priority—and Let Books Change You—in the Coming Year

Here are a few suggestions

Many websites and blogs have a recommended reading page. Do you have some favorite authors? Author websites often have a page with links to reading resources. LifeWay has a separate new website devoted to cultivating a greater love of books – LifeWay.books 

Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.   – Paul

– 2 Timothy 4:13

We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure time, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterward you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, “Bring the books” — join in the cry.

– Charles Spurgeon

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me._ - C.S. Lewis

Bring The Books!

Do you have a reading suggestion or a comment about books?

Please share ♥

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Reviews, books, Christmas, Corrie ten Boom

Christmas Books

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Sharing some favorite Christmas books today

 

A Christmas Carol 

by

Charles Dickens 

Christmas books (1)

 

God Is In The Manger

by

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Christmas books (3)

 

The Women of Christmas

by

Liz Curtis Higgs

Christmas books (2)

 

Corrie’s Christmas Memories

by

Corrie ten Boom

 

Christmas books (4)

Read more about → Corrie’s Christmas Memories

Please share your favorite Christmas books in the comments below

Christmas books

Book Reviews, books

Snowy Day Reading

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On Sunday the first snow storm of the season arrived!
The grocery store trip was completed the day before so no last-minute rush for supplies. I had everything needed to make my potato leek soup, plenty of cookies, coffee, logs for the fire, extra cat food and seed for the birds. What else could possibly be needed?

If you are a reader, you know that a book to read is as much a part of snow day preparation as the soup and the cookies… When the first snow began to fall it was time to choose. In my closet is a stack of to-read books and there are the Nook books on my tablet. But this time the choice of which book was easy because some time ago I’d set aside a particular book to read on a snow day.

 

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Description on back cover

I started reading as the snow was falling and quickly knew this was a perfect choice for snow day reading. As the storm continued I found myself involved in the story trying to solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and exploring hidden mysteries scattered through the pages.

We ended up getting more snow than was predicted resulting in an additional snow day on Monday. This worked out perfectly allowing me to finish the book.

The Book Of Hours was a very enjoyable read ♥

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Bonnie (photo above) loves reading time but was having a difficult time keeping her eyes open.

Have you read The Book Of Hours by Davis Bunn?

What book do you recommend for a snowy day read?

Please share in the comments below

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Book Reviews, books

Classic Hymns Book Review

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Book review for Classic Hymns: Read & Reflect with the Classics

Authors: B&H Editorial Staff

I received this book from B&H Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are completely my own.

 

  • This book is the latest in the Read & Reflect with the Classics series. Each of the books in the series is a different color but each has a classic fabric hardcover. Classic Hymns is a beautiful blue.  I have been using Classic Hymns during my daily devotional time for months. Packed within 234 pages are 90 hymns. That alone is reason to love it but there is more. All the words to each hymn are included along with the name of who wrote each hymn and who wrote the music. After reading each hymn you will find three sections.
  • Bible Study Questions
  • Personal Reflection Questions
  • Prayer

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If you love hymns, you will love this book. It is an ideal gift for anyone who appreciates hymns.

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Check it out along with the other books in the series at LifeWay

 

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Bible, Christmas, Corrie ten Boom

Corrie’s Christmas Memories

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Corrie ten Boom shared her thoughts and memories about Christmas in her book Corrie’s Christmas Memories. She loved to share about the birth of Jesus and the visit of the shepherds.

When I think of this story it makes me so happy. Do you know why? Because I know that the baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem for the whole world — also for you and me. You and I know much more than the shepherds — or even the Wise Men — knew. We know that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the whole world — also for your sins and mine. He will give us forgiveness when we tell Him of our sins. That is possible because Jesus not only died for us — He lives! He rose from the dead and has said I am with you till the end of the world. I believe it. I don’t understand it, but that does not matter. For at the same time He is with you and me, He is with the Father in heaven and there He pleads for us. Is that not a joy?

Jesus will come again, though not as a little baby but as a mighty King, who will make everything new.

The best is yet to come. We will see Him face-to-face.

But I won’t tell you more now. Would you like to know it all?

Then read the Bible!

Corrie ten Boom   from the book  Corrie’s Christmas Memories

corrie

 Do we know more than those for whom Christmas means only “Jingle Bells” and Santa Claus or who only prepare for Christmas by getting cards off at the right time and presents wrapped? They are trying to do their yearly duty, for they have done this ritual every year, afraid of what others will think if they don’t.

Christmas is not a duty! Jesus’ coming was a free gift to all of us. The only thing we can do is to prepare ourselves for His coming.

Christmas is a remembrance of His coming as a little baby. Let us be ready for that feast so that we can prepare others too.

What a joy to know Him, Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem, died at the cross for our sins, was resurrected, and is with us always unto the end of the world.

Let us do what the shepherds did, and tell everyone who will listen.

Corrie ten Boom  from the book Clippings from My Notebook

Merry Christmas!

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