Our mission as an evangelical Christian publisher is to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 13 May 2008 10:12:00 -0500 Tue, 13 May 2008 10:12:00 -0500 The Kregel staff had a great time at three homeschool shows this spring! Here are some pictures from our travels: In Duluth, Minnesota: In Lansing, Michigan: (browsing the Kregel books) (picture of Hollie, ducking from the picture :) In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: (Penny--our exhibitor friend across the aisle, Miranda, and Amy) Thanks for visiting with us! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/531492/ Tue, 13 May 2008 10:12:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/531492/ Kregel Publications is excited to exhibit at next week's INCH (Information Network for Christian Homes) show in Lansing, Michigan. Here are some pictures from last year's show, featuring the author of Beginning with God: My Very Own Devotional (Steve Barclift): At this year's show, we'll have opportunities for giveaways, great deals, and more! Be sure to stop by our booth and say "hi" to the Kregel staff! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/520900/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:22:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/520900/ A Look Inside God's Special Book Do you ever feel like you're not very important? Most of us do at times. But we shouldn't. One day some people brought their children to Jesus so they could touch Him and be blessed by Him. But Jesus' followers told these people to stop bothering Jesus by bringing their children to Him. They said He was too busy to use His time that way. How do you think Jesus felt about this when He found out? Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children." (The Youth Bible) Jesus received the children, put His hands on them, and prayed for each one. No one had any more doubts about how important children are to God! Find this story in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18. This excerpt was taken from Beginning with God by Steve Barclift. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/512596/ Tue, 8 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/512596/ In this powerful new sequel to Across the Wide River, the Rankin home is still a beacon of freedom on the Underground Railroad. Johnny, the seventh of thirteen children in the Rankin family, is growing up quickly and in 1837 is eager to take on the same responsibilities as the rest of his family. But Johnny's father and his brother Lowry think Johnny is too young and too hotheaded to help with something as important and secretive as the Underground Railroad. Johnny understands the need for secrecy, but sometimes the secret is just too good to keep to himself! This engaging novel for young adults offers a further glimpse into a dark period of America's past, and profiles the courageous and godly people who helped bring about its end. Click here for more info about the book. About the author: During her childhood, Stephanie Reed's family would often pass through Ripley on their way to her grandparents' home. The signs she read there about the Rankin house were what prompted her to write Across the Wide River and The Light Across the River. After working for nearly a decade with the Dayton Metro Library, Stephanie is now a volunteer spotter for the National Weather Service. She lives with her husband and two children in Dublin, Ohio. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/501003/ Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:19:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/501003/ Calling all soon-to-be college students! College can be a fantastic experience, but there's so much to prepare for! Author and speaker Jonathan Morrow knows all about the college scene, and wants to help out new students. Here's some great advice: There I was, standing in the parking lot looking up at my dorm. I had finally arrived . . . at college that is. And after filling out a pile of paperwork, I was the proud owner of a key that would cost me $15 to replace if lost—but it was to my own room. I walked in and was greeted by the sweet smell of industrial strength disinfectant, cinderblock walls painted pale blue, a metallic bunk bed, and a yellowing bathroom that four sets of roommates would share. Along with my roommate, Dave, this was home my first year of college. My first week of school was kind of a blur. Everything was new and I was nervous! Not only did I have to find out where to eat (and quickly learn what not to eat), I had to find my mailbox and sign up for a parking sticker. (My conspiracy theory is that universities fund their budgets by the revenue from all of the parking fines they make students pay—so be careful where and in which direction you park!) Every kind of club and organization imaginable had tables set up all over campus. There were banners, fliers, welcome parties, and lots of free food. There were signs for rush week (fraternities and sororities) and progressive dinners at local churches and ministries. It was a buffet of activity. Within a couple of weeks, Dave and I had met a great group of Christian friends; we all ended up walking through college together. Within another couple of weeks, I had pledged and “de-pledged” a fraternity. God had other plans in that area that would unfold in my junior year. Looking back now, I clearly see God’s providence at work from the first day. An example: I was helping a friend from my home church in Knoxville move into an apartment. This divine appointment changed my life. In the course of unloading a moving truck with some other people, I met Rich—a guy who just happened to be the newly appointed campus director of Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) at my school. We hit it off right away, and he invited me to a cookout at his house the following night. Several of us went, and the rest is history. From that small group of students and staff we launched CCC on our campus. Rich became a mentor to me throughout college and one of my best friends. He taught me how to study God’s Word for myself; we studied 2 Timothy and it is still my favorite book of the Bible. God used CCC more than anything else in college to shape my life and provide me opportunities to serve, lead, and grow. It was through Crusade that I discovered I wanted to spend my life investing in the lives of others (2 Tim. 2:2). And my training in CCC inspired me to pledge a fraternity my junior year and be a part of launching a ministry to fraternities and sororities. This by itself was incredibly rewarding, but it was also through this “Greek” ministry that I met my future wife. I could go on. But my main point is this: you may think and feel at times that college is a random series of classes, events, and relationships. You may not even be at the college you wanted to attend. Regardless of the situation, I assure you that God is at work. If you yield to His will, you can be confident that He will lead you in the way you should go. Remember, He has good plans for you (Jer. 29:11; Eph. 2:10)! Three Pieces of Wisdom There are many important lessons to learn during college, but I think these three will be especially helpful in the beginning. 1. You are not alone. It will be tempting to think that you are the only one who has ever felt “this way” or struggled with “that” in college. Not true! College can be lonely and overwhelming at times, but this is the reason that life is a team sport: we need each other. Good friends are essential in college! Moreover, as a son or daughter of God, you have the sure promise that your heavenly Father will never leave or forsake you (Matt. 28:20). Hang in there and stay faithful by leaning on God and the solid friends in your life. 2. With freedom comes responsibility. College is great! Finally you are not under the all-seeing eyes of parents. There are no curfews, and no one will make you do your homework or eat your vegetables. You don’t even have to scrub the toilet or wash dishes if you don’t want to (though I’d advise against this particular expression of liberty). What will you do with this newfound freedom? Will you define freedom as living any way you want, or will you define it as the opportunity to live how you ought to live? College is not like golf; there are no mulligans. Your free choices have real consequences. If you don’t study or go to class, you’ll fail. If you don’t take care of your body, you will be sick much of the time. If you break the law, you will have to deal with the consequences. So enjoy your newfound freedom—I sure did—but be responsible in your decisions. What you sow now, you reap later. 3. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Take college seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Like everyone else, you will have your moments of wanting to go crawl under a rock and hide out of embarrassment and awkwardness. Many situations will feel like they are the end of the world; they aren’t. You are going to have some bad days. It’s kind of like a rite of passage. If you can’t laugh in the moment, you will definitely laugh later! Two Survival Tips Here are two other survival tips—free of charge. First, pick your roommates carefully. I was blessed with great roommates in college. They were Christians who encouraged me and held me accountable. We hung out together all the time and laughed a lot. I wouldn’t have made it without them! Sure we got on each other’s nerves at times, but that’s par for the course when spending that much time with someone. If you can help it, make sure you are in a good roommate situation; you want an encouraging and safe place to come home to at the end of the day. Second, find your academic advisor and the financial aid office ASAP. This is critical. You want to graduate someday, right? Well, to ensure that, make certain you are taking the right classes in the right order. There are few worse feelings than heading into your last semester and finding out you still have twenty-four credits left to take! Also, make sure that your advisor is knowledgeable in your program’s course requirements. I have heard numerous stories of advisors who didn’t have a clue about the academic programs—they were assigned the job of advising because they lacked seniority within the department. If they look uncertain, seek out a second opinion! As far as financial aid, you’ll figure out soon enough how expensive college is. You might qualify for some financial aid. So find the financial aid office early and turn in your paperwork on time. I have known several people who lost out on thousands of dollars in financial aid because they forgot to turn in a form by the deadline. You can read more of Jonathan's great advice in his new book, Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower's Guide for the Journey, which encourages students to consider and engage the issues they will face in the dorm, on campus, and in the college classroom. Click here for more information. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/497795/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:25:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/497795/ Life in Bible Times Cymbals are rhythm instruments made of metal. Hitting the metal pieces together makes a very loud sound. In Bible times, cymbals were played when people praised God at the Temple. Cymbals were played at the beginning or ending of a song or when people weren't singing. Why do you think cymbals weren't played while people were singing? "David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals." —2 Samuel 6:5 You can make your own cymbals! Here's what you need: • Felt• Ruler• Scissors• Permanent felt-tip pens FOR EACH CHILD: • Two 9-inch tinfoil pie pans• 4 paper fasteners PREPARATION BY GROWN-UPS: • Cut felt into 2 x 5 inch strips, 2 for each child WHAT TO DO • Use felt-tip markers to decorate your cymbals (pie pans)• Use paper fasteners to fix felt handles to the backs of the cymbals• Hold cymbals by handles and clash them together to play This great craft idea is taken from Bible Crafts #2: Musical Instruments, Writing, Baskets and Mats. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/490194/ Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/490194/ Greetings! We are so excited to announce the release of Pilgrim's Progress: The Game. This new board game lets players share the adventures and perils of Christian as he sets out on the journey of his life. On the road he meets terrifying monsters, horrible giants, a cruel judge, and raging lions. But Christian also makes good friends and, at last, reaches his journey's end-the Celestial City. Players can follow Christian's story not only through the game, but also in the eighty-page storybook included to help children learn about this John Bunyan classic. A wonderful supplement to your Pilgrim's Progress studies! Here's what the game looks like set up: For children age 5 and up. For more information about Pilgrim's Progress: The Game, click here. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/485252/ Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:48:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/485252/ An excerpt from Celebrate Simply by Nancy Twigg (Kregel Publications, 2006). It’s ironic that our modern Valentine’s Day celebrations are so far removed from the original purpose and intent of this special day. Today, Saint Valentine’s Day is a time to remember our sweethearts and celebrate romantic love. While there’s nothing wrong with this focus on romance, this kind of celebration is very different from how the holiday began. At its inception, February 14 was set aside to remember two Christian men, both named Valentine, who were martyred for their faith. Church tradition holds that one of these two Valentines was a bishop executed for converting a Roman family to Christianity. The other Valentine was a priest jailed for aiding persecuted Christians. During his time in jail, he reportedly healed the jail keeper’s daughter of her blindness. Legend holds that the night before his execution, Saint Valentine wrote the young lady a note of affection and signed it, Your Valentine. Honoring Christian martyrs is a far cry from wining and dining the object of your affection. Pope Gelasius founded Saint Valentine’s Day in 496 to give Christian significance to a pagan festival. He would probably roll over in his grave if he knew that modern celebrations are more about fluff than faith. Be My Simple Valentine When you hear the words Valentine’s Day, what images immediately come to mind? Bouquets of red or pink flowers? Foil boxes filled with delicious chocolates? Romantic cards containing sentimental words? Most likely, at least one of these images comes to you. But how about this one: money? Even the concept of honoring the one you love has been soiled by this dirty, five-letter word that, when spoken, hurls you from the fantasy world of passion and delight back to the everyday reality of budgeting and making ends meet. Whether we like it or not, money is an integral part of how the Valentine’s Day game is played. Every year, lovers everywhere spend millions of dollars on tangible symbols of their deepest affections. Is this bad? Am I trying to take all the fun out of February 14? Not at all. If it weren’t for all the media hype and blatant reminders everywhere you turn, some poor spouses might never receive tokens of their partners’ love. Because of the hectic pace at which so many of us live, we often neglect one of the most basic tasks of strengthening and maintaining relationships. The immense media focus on Valentine’s Day, commercialized as it may be, does serve as a reminder to express our affection and gratitude to the people who share our lives. Expressing devotion to your loved one is good; blowing your budget on expensive flowers that soon wilt or a pricey dinner that lasts only a few hours is not so good. Note the key words here are “blowing your budget.” Please understand that I am not criticizing anyone who has the available resources and chooses to use them for these kinds of gifts. The problem comes when money that should be used for savings or paying off debt is used for temporary pleasures. Most of us would agree that such gift giving does nothing to simplify and enrich the quality of our lives. This kind of spending, in fact, accomplishes just the opposite. Money worries only add to the pressure to work harder and earn more. Besides, if your budget is tight and both of you know it, your partner may find it difficult to enjoy an extravagant gift. Another problem with this kind of celebration is when it’s done not out of love, but because the participants feel pressure to celebrate by spending. If traditional Valentine’s Day gifts don’t mean anything to you, why should you feel obliged to give them or to act overjoyed when you receive them? Simplifying this celebration means finding ways to honor your loved one that reflect what is meaningful to both of you. We’ve seen that traditional ways of celebrating are not necessarily the best. But are there ways to show honor to your sweetie without doing damage to your budget? Is it possible to cut through the commercialism and express your love simply and sincerely? The answer to both of these questions is a resounding yes! You’re probably smiling right now, in fact, as you remember some special token given to you, or that you’ve given to your loved one, during times when money was tight. You probably know from personal experience that with a little thought and creativity, you can express your love in ways that are far superior to a quick stop by the florist on the way home from work. Let’s face it. Anyone can shell out a lot of money for a gift without much thought. But how many people can give thoughtful gifts without shelling out a lot of money? Giving that kind of gift takes time, effort, and a certain ingenuity many people are either unable or unwilling to put forth. When the effort is taken, however, the result is a heartwarming gift that is remembered for many years to come. A friend, whose name is also Nancy, once told me about a time when she and her husband had very little money. Their anniversary was approaching, and she knew there wasn’t even enough to buy an anniversary card. She decided to surprise her husband with a homemade card. She went to gather the construction paper, glue, and markers to make the card, but couldn’t find the supplies in their usual place. When she went looking, she found her husband busily using them to make a homemade card for her! Even though the incident happened many years ago, my friend still had a certain sparkle in her eyes and glow on her face when she told me this story that conveyed how special the memory was to her. Her husband had given her the gift of his time and earnestly desired to please her. His simple gift was not costly, but it was definitely priceless to Nancy. Simplifying does not mean you scrimp on the generous outpouring of your love. Instead, you express that love in ways that reflect your values. Candy, flowers, dining out—there’s nothing wrong with these things except that retailers have much to gain from convincing you that no Valentine’s Day is complete without them. By putting your creativity to work, you can bypass the traditional route and give an eloquent expression of your love that won’t drain your budget. About the Author Nancy Twigg is a self-employed author, freelance writer, Christian speaker, and homeschooling mom. Besides self-publishing two books and having an active speaking ministry, she edits an online newspaper, freelances, exercises, and still has time to shop for bargains at yard sales and thrift stores. Nancy lives with her husband and daughter in Knoxville, TN. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/480728/ Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:40:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/480728/ Read the beginning of the story "There's Nothing to Do!" in the post from February 5, 2008! Let’s Rehearse a Bible Verse Be kind and loving to each other. —Ephesians 4:32 Check Your Head for What You’ve Read 1. What did Mother suggest Elaina do so she wouldn’t be bored anymore? 2. How did Joy and Elaina help their mother with their cookie-baking project? 3. When we do good things for other people, we make them happy. Who else is made happy? A Look Inside God’s Special Book One day some of Jesus’ friends had a dinner for Him. Martha fixed the food. But Mary did something that surprised everyone: she poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, then wiped His feet with her long hair. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would later betray Jesus, complained about what Mary had done. He said she should have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. But Jesus said Mary was right to have done this special thing for Him, because He wouldn’t be with them much longer. If we wait to do nice things for people, we may never get the chance to do them! Find this story in John 12. When You Pray, Day by Day
Ask God: • to help you be alert for ways you can do special things for people—especially elderly people • to help you want to do acts of kindness today, because tomorrow may be too late. Thank God for making you happy when you do nice things for others. Something Fun for Everyone Home-baked items—such as cookies—make great gifts. And they can be quite easy to make (with the help of an adult!). Why not give the following recipe a try? Bake a batch of ginger snaps! Following the recipe below, make some cookies to share. These cookies look great and taste even better! Ingredients 3/4 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1 egg 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt Melt the shortening over low heat in a 3- or 4-quart saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat. Let it cool. Then add the sugar, molasses, and egg. Beat the mixture well. Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add this to the first mixture. Mix it well and chill in the refrigerator. Form the dough into one-inch diameter balls. Roll the balls in granulated sugar and place them two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake the cookies in a moderately hot oven (375º F) for eight to ten minutes. Remove them from the oven and let them cool. They’re ready to eat! Note: The elderly and shut-ins will appreciate your visit even more than your cookies! So plan to stay for a few minutes to talk with them. (This excerpt is taken from Beginning with God: My Very Own Devotional by Steve T. Barclift. For more information about this book and the author, click here.) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/476525/ Thu, 7 Feb 2008 14:57:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/476525/ Finding Joy in Helping Others (taken from Beginning with God: My Very Own Devotional by Steve T. Barclift) “Mommy, I’m bored,” said Elaina. “Why’s that, honey?” asked Mother. “It’s too cold and windy to go outside and play,” she answered.“And I can’t think of anything else to do.” Mother looked thoughtful for a minute. “Here’s an idea, Elaina,” said Mother. “One of the best ways to keep from being bored is to do something special for someone else. Why don’t we bake cookies for someone today?” ******** “That’s a good idea, Mommy!” answered Elaina. “When can we start?” “You, Joy, and I have the whole afternoon to ourselves,” said Mother. “Let’s start right now!” After they all put on aprons, Mother got together the cookie ingredients. The girls stood on chairs at the counter and watched as Mother broke an egg into a big mixing bowl. She added sugar and other things, then the girls took turns stirring the mixture. Next, the girls sifted in flour and the remaining ingredients. Mother laughed as a cloud of flour dust rose around Elaina and Joy. Even their eyebrows turned white! After they finished making the dough, Mother showed the girls how to roll it into little balls. They dipped the dough balls in sugar and put them in neat rows on a cookie sheet. “They smell yummy,” said Joy as the cookies baked. Through the oven window, they watched the balls of dough flatten out on the cookie sheet. Soon they had baked a big pile of warm cookies. Mother put some of them into a plastic container, then wrapped the container in kitchen towels and placed it into a basket. Wearing their heavy coats, hats, and mittens, Mother and the girls set off down the street. “Welcome, friends!” said Ralph White as he answered the knock at his door. “Come in before you catch your death of cold!” “What a wonderful surprise!” said Virginia White as she spread the cookies out on a plate. “Don’t they look delicious!” “They don’t just look good,” said Mr. White with a smile as he bit into a cookie. ******** “We helped Mommy make them,” said Elaina proudly. Ralph delighted the girls with stories about his and Virginia’s career as missionaries in Mexico. Before they knew it, they had visited with the Whites for more than an hour. “It’s time to go now, girls,” said Mother as she got up and put on her coat. “So soon?” asked Elaina. “I’m afraid so, honey,” answered Mother. “It will be getting dark soon.” “Thanks for the cookies. And God bless you all,” said Ralph White as Mother and the girls left. “This has been a really fun day,” said Elaina as they carefully made their way along the icy street. “We got to eat lots of cookies, too!” added Joy. “When we do nice things for other people, it not only makes them happy, it makes Jesus happy,” said Mother. “And that’s not all,” said Elaina. “It makes us happy too. Isn’t that right, Mommy?” Mother smiled. “Yes, honey,” she said. “It makes us happy too.” ******** Stay tuned later this week for some applicable Bible verses and activities to go along with this story! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/474853/ Tue, 5 Feb 2008 09:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Kregel/474853/