Summary: In Treasured, Leigh McLeroy considers tangible reminders of God’s active presence and guides readers in discovering evidence in their own lives of His attentive love.
“The idea for the book came from a cigar box filled with odds and ends of my grandfather’s life that arrived a few months after his death. Sifting through the objects in the box, I experienced him in a fresh new way. This made me wonder what treasures might be tucked away in Scripture that could frame God for me in an equally intimate, tangible way. This process also helped me uncover my own “treasures” of my walk with the Lord: objects that remind me of my history with Him and His faithfulness to me,” says McLeroy.
Drawn from the pages of Scripture, the author considers twelve such treasures and personalizes their meaning for readers, such as a green olive branch that offers proof of God’s “new every morning” mercy and a scarlet cord that demonstrates His willingness to adopt “strays” of every sort.
Weaving these treasures together with scenes from her personal history, Leigh McLeroy invites readers to discover God’s heart for them and embrace their unique role in His redemptive story. Treasured offers readers a guided experience of God’s love and character and invites them to consider their own treasures that point to their part in God’s ongoing story.
Author's Bio: Leigh McLeroy is the author of The Beautiful Ache and The Sacred Ordinary. An avid collector and recorder of everyday moments, words, and wonders, Leigh’s keen eye for God’s presence in ordinary life infuses her writing and living with a deep, insistent joy. A frequent conference and event speaker, the author makes her home in Houston , Texas , and posts often on www.leighmcleroy.com and www.wednesdaywords.com.
My Review: I enjoyed discovering each treasure described in this book which points to God's character such as The God Who Covers Me, The God Who Provides, The God Who Includes, The God Who Speaks, etc. I appreciate the author's transparency and passion for God and His Word. I can relate to her because I, too, have collected objects and recorded words (poems, journals, blogs) that remind me of God's love, grace, mercy, provision, protection, and faithfulness. God told the Israelites many times not to forget what He has done and they were to tell their children and grandchildren of God's deeds. Likewise, it is important for us to never forget what He has done in our lives. Different "treasures" can help keep our memories alive and help us tell the generations after us the story (God's story) that goes with each "treasure". Ultimately, after reading this book, you will realize (if not already) that you are truly treasured by God! This book includes guide for personal reflection and group discussion. Treasured is quite a treasure in itself :).
Summary: In God Gave Us Love, Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, and the young polar bear begins to ask questions like why must we love others . . . even the seemingly unlovable? Why is it easier to love those we like? Where does love come from? And why does God love her so much?
Grampa Bear patiently addresses each one of Little Cub’s curiosities by explaining the different kinds of love we can share: the love between friends, the love between families, the love between moms and dads, and the love for God.
He also assured Little Cub that because of the love God has given her through his Son, there’s nothing she can do to make God love her any more or any less. Through Grampa Bear’s encouraging Little Cub to love others with a “God-sized love,” children will be inspired to love others and to be patient, gentle and kind, so that in every way, they too can demonstrate God’s love.
Author's Bio: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Love follows in Lisa’s classic tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She lives in Colorado , with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.
My Review: God Gave Us Love is a lovely book. Grampa Bear lovingly explains to Little Cub about different kinds of love in a way that is easy for kids to understand. I like the story and the beautiful illustrations. I'm glad Grampa teaches Little Cub that God is the One who gives us love. He also encourages Little Cub to choose to love others even when he doesn't feel like loving them and to trust (have faith) that God is always with us even though we can't see/touch/feel Him. Grampa points out that God shows us His love in many ways; you have to read the book to find out the different ways. This book will interest your little ones who are often curious and like to ask questions like Little Cub and help them embrace God's love. Throughout the book, Little Cub calls his grandfather "Grampa" except on one page he calls him "Grandpa" (I think it's a little oversight). Nevertheless, this is a sweet book for you to cuddle and read with your little cubs.
Summary: In God Gave Us Christmas, as Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear has something on her mind: “Who invented Christmas?” she asks. “Is God more important than Santa?”
Her questions reflect the confusion of so many children during the holiday season. And this heartwarming story takes them on a wonderful journey of discovery—right to the heart of Christmas.
Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns that God loves her and everyone— polar bear, moose, or human—so much that he gave us Jesus, the very best gift of all.
My Review: Mama Bear takes Little Cub on an adventure to find God and see how He gave us Christmas. I like the idea that Mama Bear tries to show her Little Cub God's presence by pointing out His handiwork; however, I don't like the wording such as "That is God, Little Cub." when Little Cub asked, "What is that?" (referring to the glacier broken off). God's creation is not the same as God. I'm afraid that some kids may get confused. Another thing I don't like is that the author still talks about Santa Claus when she tries to help kids celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Thankfully, she does mention in the book that "Jesus is the best present of all. And God would've given us that present, even if it was only for you."
~The above three books were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Few days ago my husband and I visited a Park, the largest green area within the city. It is hilly and mostly covered in evergreens. It has several man-made lakes where you can do fishing and boating. It is also a beautiful place for biking and hiking. We are just taking the opportunity to enjoy our time together since he has less teaching schedules right now. When I was still working I haven’t had the chance to visit parks because of my busy schedule.
My life then was house, work and church, I felt guilty when I wasn’t doing anything. I think most of the Christians right now feel that way, especially those who are workers in the church. They feel guilty doing something other than the activities in the church.
One of the man-made lakes
Or maybe when we see our Pastors taking their Sabbatical leave we accuse them of just wasting their time. We are giving our tithes and offerings and they are getting their allowance from our tithes, they should do their work and not waste their time by going out of town or out of the country. Sometimes we have that way of thinking I was once like that; thank God He changed my mind. For me if there is someone who deserves rest and relaxation it must be a Pastor, a missionary and a worker in the church.
my first time to ride a bicycle-it's a two seater bicycle
Hey, don’t feel guilty when you are doing things other than church activities or your work. It is not sin to travel, it is not sin to go to the beach, it is not sin to enjoy and relax. It is not sin to enjoy the fruits of your work.
no parents or nanny around, i just saw one teacher supervising these little kids, yes they respect their teachers so much, that's one thing i noticed.
Hello everyone. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone. Now I have my Christmas template up, but all I did was change the pictures a bit. I also have a playlist that is only for this Christmas template. This means that, the good LORD willing, after Christmas I will take the playlist down. like my Christmas playlist, so that is why I put it up.
Writing of templates, I have a few templates made up for Christmas. The nativity one I did has already been claimed*grins*, but I have one of Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Charlie Brown, and a Barbie in a Christmas Carol. The good LORD willing, I might make a few more, but if anyone would like one of these templates, please let me know.
For what I have been reading, it has been the Dragonkeeper chronicles. It took me about two months to read the first book*gasps*. I finished it last weekend, and then it took me only a few days to read the second book. Now I am on page one hundred and something on the third book. I like this series, and it is the omly thing I am reading. Though, I have this book on the Von Trapp family(The Sound of Music) which I need to read.
Oh, and if anyone would like the read Thimble, you can read it here.
Nothing else much going on. I pray you have a great week in the LORD, and GOD bless you,
The Reading Maid
How can you prove God to someone who doesn’t believe in the bible? What is the visible thing that people can see in your life that makes them consider and think that what you believe might be the right one? It’s LOVE, they may not believe the bible but if they can see and feel the love you have for them, you may bring them to Christ.
I’ve read about Christians who suffered persecutions, they were tortured, imprisoned, beaten yet they were able to love their persecutors. Because of the love they have shown, many believed in Jesus Christ, they were able to bring to Christ their torturers.
“A flower if you bruise it under your feet, rewards you by giving you its perfume, likewise Christians tortured by the Communists, rewarded their torturers by love. We brought many of our jailers to Christ. And we are dominated by one desire, to give communists who have made us suffer the best we have the salvation which comes from our Jesus Christ” Richard Wumbrand-Founder of the Voice of the Martyrs. Spent fourteen years in a Communist Prison in Romania-1940,’50s ‘60s
But how can we love others if we cannot even love our brothers and sisters in Christ?
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sin”
Hello everyone!!!! Yesterday I went to the Auburn vs. Alabama game!!!! WAR EAGLE!!!! It was my first Auburn game (acually going to the stadium, I mean) and it was A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if we lost, it was still fun!!! We even got to go to Cracker Barrell afterward to eat supper!!!
Once again, WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!! (plays Auburn theme song)
Becky
A cold wind blew in through the open window. They both shivered. Chloe got up and tried to close it, but when she began to slide it down, she heard a little sound like “ow!”. Surprised, she called out the window, “Did anyone say anything?” “I did,” a girl whined. “Who said that?” “Me— a poor little orphan gell.” Chloe sighed heavily, but told her to come in. The orphan flew in through the window, like she was riding the wind. “Now, that was rude of you, Chloe, to shut the window on me. You wanted to squish me!” “No, I didn’t. I didn’t know you were there.” “Well, there are more of us. Two more, actually. There is me, a gentleman with some eggs, and a man with a hunched back.” Chloe had mixed feelings of excitement, nervousness, and annoyance. She glanced at the maid again, and watched the two other figures float through the window. They each landed on the bed. The man with the eggs stood on the far left, the orphan took her place to his right, and the maiden rushed over to the far right. The hunchback surveyed all this and then walked up to Chloe. He looked sharply into her eyes. “Mees Chloe, it’s good to see you again.” “Well, um, thank you, sir. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” “No! You must have forgoaten that I’m me, not you!” “So I’m me, and you’re you?” “No! Just, just nevermind that. Mees Chloe, do you know why I’m back?” Chloe exchanged glances with the young maiden. The brilliant maid shook her head ‘no’, and also forming the word with her mouth. Chloe nodded in return, smiling sweetly. Stifling a giggle, the maid smiled back. To the hunchback Chloe turned her eyes again. She replied that she didn’t know why he was back. “Thees ees the best part of the night now. You get to peek your geeft.” “Do you mean only one, sir?” “Yes, I do, mees. But eet’s not like you think.” She looked slightly bewildered. “What do you mean,” she asked, “it’s not like I think? What’s like I think? The gift, or choosing one? Please explain, sir.” He squinched his eyes up, rubbing his hands together. “I mean what I said.” Chloe tried to cut in, but he finished, “You wheel see when you do.” The orphan girl, the old gentleman, and the resplendent maid looked at her all at once. She didn’t quite like all these people staring at her, especially the orphan and the hunchback. Chloe couldn’t understand what she was supposed to do. She might have waited for the old hunchback to give direction, but he said nothing. She hoped anyone might say something. Not a word was spoken. Finally, Chloe decided something needed to be done. She asked any, or all, of the people what she was to do now. Grinning, the hunchback commanded each visitor to lay their gift down upon the bed. First came the old gentleman. Gingerly, he laid the egg basket down on her bed. As Chloe looked into it, she giggled quietly, remembering how he had talked about the white and brown ones. Next came the orphan child. Holding her scruffy dog in her arms, she fakely smiled at Chloe. She threw the tattered blue sheet down, and it landed in a heap next to the basket. The golden maiden twirled as she gently placed the flowering branch near the other two gifts. to be continued. 
Happy Thanksgiving!
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalms 100:4
I pray you have a great week in the LORD, and GOD bless you,
The Reading Maid
Hey everyone,
I am busy with my first website called The Battle Cry.
It's basically coming back to Christ as Christians.
I am going to have a page for articles written and I want to know if any of you are interested.
Topics like:
Faith
Compassion
and the such.
Along with book and movie reviews with a biblical look at them
If any of you are interested please email: hannahnut@yahoo.com
Thank you and I hope to hear more topics suggested!
-Hannah
I thank God for the warm weather today, I honestly prayed for it. I have been hiding in our bed, covered with a thick quilt because the weather is too cold for me to bear. Even while reading my bible I still need to hide inside it. It’s my second winter here, the first one was last year which I stayed in northern China, the weather there is much colder though but I only stayed for less than a month. This time, it’s different coz I’ll be staying here for the whole winter. My country has a tropical climate and is usually hot and humid; my body is still adjusting with the weather, especially my skin. Since I came here, I’ve got a problem with my skin but thank God it’s healed now, for the first time in my life, I’ve got a lot of pimples. It’s good I have a caring husband who keeps on telling me “I am beautiful” even though sometimes when I look at the mirror I feel little discourage with my look. So far my husband is very much supportive with my adjustment. It’s funny when I was in my country I’ve been looking forward for this winter but now that I’m into it, I miss the hot and humid climate.
Yesterday I was saddened to know that our friend’s wife passed away, I know that she’s with the Lord now. My heart goes for the husband and their son. Yes, somehow I have this question in mind, she’s too young to die, and she has a son, why? I don't have the answer but one thing I know, God’s wisdom is perfect. Please pray for strength for James as he goes through with this trial.
Deuteronomy 29:29b “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us”
Fried Donkey Meat
Fried Cicada
Few weeks ago a friend of ours invited us to dine out in a Shangdong Restaurant, these are some of the food they ordered. It was our first time to taste these things. The taste??? it's hard to describe.