Family Devotional Bible
I remember it all very well. Looking back on my childhood years, I recall this big shelf of books. Lots and lots of books! And there I sat looking through them all to find the one that would keep my attention. What captivated me was this rather large, beige book that felt like it had a leather cover. There was a picture of Jesus on the front, and my little eyes marveled at the man before me. At that age, knee high to a grasshopper, I thought that was truly a picture of Jesus right there on the cover. I remember staring into His beautiful eyes before running my fingers along the corner of the cover and opening the Good Book. Page after page was filled with scriptures, of course, but my, oh my, the pictures within this book that almost told the story all by themselves. I was mesmerized by each and every story with pictures to go along with it!
Fast forward all of these years later, and I am almost reliving the moment. This time, it is through my youngest daughter.
When the mail lady pulled up in our driveway honking the horn, I knew she had a package for us. The only one I was expecting at that point was the one containing the ESV Family Devotional Bible by Crossway. I thanked the mail lady, and we had a brief conversation before she pulled away to continue her route. My daughter sat on the burgundy wrought iron bench in the front of our house looking out over our flowerbed. We have bird feeders and a bird bath out here, and that is one of our absolute favorite spots in the entire yard! As I walked toward her, she couldn’t help but see the package in my arms. Curiosity killed the cat as she asked, “What’s that?!” We typically always have to play the Close-Your-Eyes-And-Hold-Out-Your-Hand-For-A-Big-Surprise-Game. As I placed the bible in her hands, she opened her eyes, immediately widened them as she said, “Wow!” I smiled as she began to thumb through the first few pages.
That was all it took. She was hooked! Just like I was as a little girl when I discovered our family bible with illustrations!
I wondered if she would just look through the bible that day and put it aside, but much to my delight, she didn’t! When we went on a trip the next week, she carried this bible with her! As we drove along, she would read the stories out of the bible, look at the pictures, and then quiz us on the story line. Some of the stories from the bibles we could remember well while others would take some brushing up on our end to recall all that happened. She was so happy to take the opportunity to refresh our memory as she read aloud parts of the stories to us.
This Family Devotional Bible has become a favorite in our household with our little girl. If you have little ones yourself, we encourage you to enter our giveaway below!
Special thanks to FlyBy Productions/Propeller for allowing us to participate in this giveaway. I did receive a free sample of this product, but the opinions expressed are mine and were not influenced by this opportunity to review the bible.
The Winds of Change
As Winter slowly fades and flowers emerge indicating Spring has arrived, the winds of change blow in our lives in other ways as well.
Sometimes things happen that we do not understand. Maybe we’re not meant to understand each and every thing but are to, instead, trust that God has a plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of this!
There are times when we’re left with our head spinning questioning motives behind individuals that seemed to have made a sudden change in their lives. They say or do things seemingly out of characteristic for them, but then we ask ourselves if we ever really knew the true person that they were on the inside. People are so good at faking it to get what they want, and often times, they take advantage of innocent souls that just want to love and be loved in this life.
Have you encountered a wolf in sheep’s clothing that has come into your life? I think if we’re honest, we all have at one point or another, and this encounter has left us shaking our heads. How can a person proclaim to be one way, yet their actions scream that they are the complete opposite? It is true that actions speak louder than words.
Some may say that we’re the fool for allowing this person back into our lives, but who wouldn’t want a second chance if they screwed up royally the first time? God forgives us, so shouldn’t we also extend that forgiveness to others? What is tricky here is trying to determine who is genuine and true, and who is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. We don’t always know the answer to this until the truth is revealed later down the road. Yet, we still aren’t the fools because of our forgiving nature. They are because they continue on in their foolish ways. One day it will all catch up with them. God doesn’t like ugly, and evil will not EVER win! God will make sure of it!
Ah, but we live and learn. We aren’t sorry for the chances that we gave, we just feel sorry for the individuals who blow it time and time again not realizing what they are losing in the process. Not only are they missing out on an awesome individual that would have done anything in the world for them, but they are letting the entire world know with their actions alone that they are not trustworthy, lack morals, values, and aren’t a person of integrity or good character. Honestly, in the end, we feel sorry for them. After all, you are only as good as your word. We remember when, in the good ole days, your word was your bond. Now, it seems to be all lip service, and they could care less who they use or step on along the way.
Rise up, Children of God, and put on your armor; the armor of God. In the world we’re living in today, we truly need it! When lives are not valued any longer and individuals seem to sink to lower levels, we scratch our heads and wonder what will happen with this generation that feels they are “entitled” and no one can touch them. They say and do things yet aren’t accountable for their actions. The parents that should be disciplining them are the ones teaching them by their bad example. The children grow up seeing parents lie and cheat on each other, often time being their alibi or covering for their parent’s indiscretions. Is it truly any wonder that they turn out the way they do then? Or what about the teens drinking, doing drugs, “vaping,” having sex in the backseat of their cars on the side of the road? Parents don’t seem to think their kids can do any wrong, and if you point it out to them, oh they’ll just cover for the little brats anyway. Right is right and WRONG is wrong!
It’s a sad world we’re living in. And I ask that you join me in prayer for this entire nation! We need God – not just on Sunday mornings when one occasionally wishes to step foot into a church or when they are in trouble and only then think to pray to God. We need God in our daily lives and heart. We need Him in the homes with Godly parents teaching and raising up Godly children who will be our leaders one day. We need people with high morals and values leading the way. Not what we have today with moral decay. It is scary to think of the graduating class this May with some so called “adults” that lack morals, values, integrity and have the character of a lowly snake in the grass.
We need God in the schools – in the classrooms – and we need God in the White House running this Nation!! What happened to “One Nation Under God?!”
God has been taken out of so many things, and yet we wonder why the world is in the shape that it’s in today. Plain and simple, we need more of God and less of the worldly influence.
Rise up, Parents, and raise children that will lead us all straight to the foot of the cross; to Jesus!
He is the only one that can truly save us all.
Mental Health Month
The entire month of May is Mental Health Month. This is a great opportunity to remind everyone that it is okay not to be okay!
As I thought about this topic, I did a little research as to when it first originated. Much to my surprise, I discovered that May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949. I had NO idea! Did you?
During this month, advocates and activists seek to draw attention and awareness to the mental health issues that touch people’s lives all across this nation.
Did you realize that as many as one in five Americans are affected by mental illness? Neither did I!
I’d say it’s time for us to wake up and realize that people are hurting. Some hide it so well behind the many masks that they wear, but deep down inside, they are in great turmoil! The vast majority are suffering in silence, afraid to speak out for fear of the stigma attached to those with mental illnesses.
When a mental illness is left untreated, the person soon begins to have suicidal thoughts. They are consumed with feelings of hopelessness. This is when we need to be screaming from the roof tops that HELP IS AVAILABLE!!
Sadly, there is a large number that do not seek treatment. The harsh realization is that more people die by suicide than automobile accidents! Does that not shock you and shake you to your very core? It’s time to CHANGE that!
It breaks my heart to think of those suffering in silence, plagued with darkness, feeling as if the only way out is to take their own lives. They’re so afraid of the shame and humiliation they will feel or their family members will feel if they seek help. Yet, asking for help is the bravest thing they could possibly do!!
Will you join me in breaking the silence? Will you join in support for tearing down all the negatives that society has some how placed on those with a mental illness?
No one asks to be mentally ill. NO ONE!
Here at Light Love Hope, we have such compassion for each and every person that has ever struggled with mental health issues.
Please, if you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help. We need you to know that help is available, and there are proven methods in dealing with mental illness. You do not have to fear being judged any longer. Help is available, and we encourage you to find a mental healthcare professional in your area to discuss options that are available for you.
If you, a loved one, or a valued friend are feeling suicidal, please reach out for support. You can start here, if you feel you cannot ask for help from those around you. Please go the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention where help is available now!
Your life matters!
