Saturday, October 31, 2020

Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas

Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas
Jesus Came for Me introduces toddlers and
preschoolers to the story of Jesus’s birth

Bright lights, cookies, presents, and Santa Claus. That’s usually what young children think of when it comes to Christmas. However, it’s important for them to learn what we really celebrate December 25. This year families with toddlers and preschoolers can introduce their children to the real reason for the season with Jesus Came for Me: The True Story of Christmas (New Growth Press/October 19, 2020) written by Jared Kennedy and illustrated by Trish Mahoney.

Every Christmas, we celebrate the coming of the Messiah, but what does that mean for the youngest members of the family? Jesus Came for Me helps little ones learn about the birth of Christ in a personal, memorable way. Created for children ages two to five, this beautifully illustrated board book begins with the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth to Zechariah and ends with the visit of the wise men. They will learn that Jesus is always present, and he helps us believe and wait for him.

“We celebrate that Jesus came for us on Christmas. Jesus, our great God, was born as a little baby. We should share this good news and great joy with all people—including your child,” says Kennedy. “One of the best ways to teach young preschoolers about Christmas is to start early. Start telling the story of Christmas at the beginning of Advent season. As your kids get older, have them act out the events of Luke 2. Maybe the most important thing you can do is to show your kids the impact of Christmas by giving them your time, presence, love, and joy.”

Part of the Beginner’s Gospel Story series (which includes The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and Jesus Rose for Me: The True Story of Easter), this conversational book simply tells the story of how Jesus came to Earth. It includes simple reflection questions to encourage family or Bible class conversations. Because of the compelling content and modern, vivid illustrations, children will live in the joy of the greatest truth of all: Jesus is with us!

“When your young children or grandchildren snuggle close this Christmas, you’ll want to have this beautifully illustrated board book close at hand,” recommends pastor and author Champ Thornton. “Jesus Came for Me will remind them of the greatest Christmas gift ever. With the freshness and clarity that we’ve come to expect from this acclaimed children’s author, Jared Kennedy brings the story of Jesus’s birth close to heart and home.”

Centering the holiday season on Jesus doesn’t mean removing all popular activities from the schedule. Kennedy encourages, “Watch that Christmas special again. Set aside times to look a Christmas lights with your family. Bake some Christmas cookies! Do all of these activities as a family and with your church community. And let your kids hear you sing those Christmas carols with joy in your heart because your Savior has come!”

Jesus Came for Me
by Jared Kennedy, Illustrated by Trish Mahoney
October 19, 2020 / Board book / Retail Price: $11.99
Print ISBN 978-1-645070-49-8
Religion / Christian Ministry/ Children

About the author

Jared Kennedy, MDiv, ThM, is the co-founder and managing editor of Gospel-Centered Family, a ministry that helps churches and families share Jesus with the next generation. He also serves as the Children’s and Family Ministry Strategist for the Sojourn Network, and is an adjunct professor at Boyce College.

He is the author of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible, Are You Close to God?, Jesus Rose for Me, Jesus Came for Me, and God Made Me for Worship. He has also helped to develop two VBS programs, Proof Pirates and Clap Your Hands, Stomp Your Feet.

Kennedy blogs regularly at Gospel Centered Family and contributes to The Gospel Coalition, ERLC and He Reads Truth. He and his wife, Megan, have three daughters.

Read more from Jared Kennedy at gospelcenteredfamily.com. He can also be found on Twitter (@jaredskennedy).

Trish Mahoney is a graphic designer and illustrator in Seattle where she runs The Mahoney Studio with her husband, Patrick, also a designer and illustrator. They have two children—both budding artists too. Trish illustrated The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible and is also the illustrator for the God Made Me series.

What others are saying

“Children will really enjoy this book! Jesus Came for Me recounts the Christmas-season stories in such a simple, satisfying, and memorable way. Kids will ask for it to be read over and over again. Along with these wonderful stories are beautiful illustrations that capture the drama of Jesus coming into the world as its Savior. A delightful book!”
~ Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; elder at Sojourn Church East; author of 50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith

“This book is a welcomed addition to our family’s library. Being beautifully illustrated and thoroughly gospel-focused, I am so thankful to be able to share the message of Jesus’s incarnation with our children through this fantastic work. Our toddlers hang on every word and can easily remember these rich stories that point us to the One who came to rescue us all.”
~ Jason Thacker, Editor, Creative Director, and Chair of Research in Technology Ethics for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

Friday, October 30, 2020

Finding Her Christmas Family (Golden Grove, 3)

Finding Her Christmas Family

(Golden Grove, 3)

Mass Market Paperback – EBOOK

September 29, 2020

by Ruth Logan Herne (Author)

Mass Market Paperback : 224 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1335488442
Publisher : Love Inspired;

Her Christmas list has three new names…

She’s the last living relative these girls have…

But he’s the only family they’ve ever known.

Just in time for Christmas, Sarah Brown has located her long-lost family: her late sister and orphaned triplet nieces. Now she intends to claim custody of the little girls. But one person stands in the way—their guardian, Detective Renzo Calloway. As the triplets draw them closer, building a family together might just bring Renzo and Sarah everything they ever wanted.

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Marilyn's thoughts: A touching and heartwarming story filled with family drama, small town life, triplet girls with their own unique personalities and a faith message of God’s amazing grace, love and hope. Traveling back to Golden Grove with Renzo’s and Sarah’s story will delight readers this Christmas season. There were ups and downs to overcome as the Calloway family and Sarah both had a goal for the triplets. A beautiful story that will remain with the reader showing that God’s ways are higher than one’s own even when there’s been great pain in discovery the past.

I purchased this book at a local store, as I enjoy books by Ruth Logan Herne that includes a small town setting with families and children along with a lovely faith message interwoven. Thus, I was under no obligation to write a review but have shared my own opinion.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Softly Blows the Bugle (The Amish of Weaver's Creek)

Softly Blows the Bugle

(The Amish of Weaver's Creek)

Paperback – hardcover, ebook

October 20, 2020

by Jan Drexler (Author)

Paperback : 320 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0800729332
Publisher : Revell

Welcome back to the Amish community at Weaver's Creek, where the bonds of family and faith bind up the brokenhearted.

When Elizabeth Kaufman received the news of her husband's death at the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863, she felt only relief. She determined that she would never be at the mercy of any man again, even if it meant not having a family of her own. Then along came Aaron Zook . . .

Despite the severity of his injuries, Aaron has resolved to move west and leave the pain of the past behind him. He never imagined that the Amish way of life his grandfather had rejected long ago would be so enticing. That, and a certain widow he can't get out of his mind.

Yet, even in a simple community, life has a way of getting complicated. Aaron soon finds that while he may have left the battlefield behind, there is another fight he must win--the one for the heart of the woman he loves.

Marilyn's thoughts: This is a masterful historical Amish story filled with charming and flaw characters that capture me from the opening. Elizabeth Kaufman past has not been easy, but when her brother arrives home after the war with Aaron Zook new and old thoughts surface. Solomon Mast arrived in Weaver’s Creek with strong determination to accomplish his goal for land by marrying Elizabeth brought more turmoil. .

There’s a suspense element to this picturesque, touching, and winsome story by Drexler. The unexpected happenings, a caring community, family connections, budding romance, faith and letting go of the past made this a winsome historical read. I was right in the midst of all the scenes, dialogues and undercurrent tension arising. Jan Drexler’s characters were dimensional with true to life challenges through the story with all they faced after the war. I appreciate how she brought in the struggles of previous slaves and how the Amish viewed them added even more depth to the story.

I would like to see another story with the Weaver’s Creek characters in the future. The Amish of Weaver’s Creek series is filled with historical events of the Civil War and post war era that makes this series a true authentic read with the gifted storytelling by Drexler.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was under no obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own sincere thoughts.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The Blended Quilt

Paperback – ebook, audio

November 1, 2020

by Jean Brunstetter (Author), Wanda E. Brunstetter (Author)

Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1643526010
Publisher : Shiloh Run Press

Will pursuing Sadie’s dreams mean leaving a romance behind?

Sadie Kuhns has a lot happening in her life. She is creating a unique quilt by blending a traditional Amish pattern with a Hawaiian pattern as a tribute to her time spent in the islands, and she is working on a self-published book. But her relationship with Wyman Kauffman has stagnated after six months of courtship. He can’t seem to commit to a profession that would secure a future, and he is jealous of the time Sadie gives to her own pursuits. Is there really any reason to drag this courtship out? Only time will tell in this new novel from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.

Marilyn's thoughts: This Amish story is unusual as it intertwine a lot of the English world into the story. Sadie’s love for quilts gave way to an idea of blending her Amish heritage and her trip to Hawaii into a quilt. After all, her one close friend Mandy lived in Hawaii and Sadie’s dream was to return there one day. There were plenty of twists and turns with Sadie’s relationship with Wyman, as he had a tendency to be irresponsible if he was considering marriage. The ups and downs Sadie experienced after an inheritance from her namesake aunt, brought new challenges as well as the connection to an Englischer that could assist her with her dream of publishing a book. Will Sadie be able to find what she really wanted in life after having a taste of being exposed to the English world?

The Blended Quilt can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend readers read the Hawaiian Quilt series to have a better background of the characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was no obligation to post a review. I have shared my own opinion.

Night Fall (Nighthawk Security)

Night Fall

(Nighthawk Security #1)

Paperback – ebook

November 4, 2020

by Susan Sleeman (Author)

Paperback : 324 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1949009552
Publisher : Edge of Your Seat Books, Inc.

She faces dangerous situations all the time...

Olympic downhill skier Harper Young knows what it's like to look danger in the face. After all, she does it every time she races down a ski slope. She's fine with that danger and even excels under the pressure, winning Olympic gold. And as a governor's daughter, she's familiar with receiving threats from the general public. But when a stalker turns his sights on her, she has zero skills to protect herself.

But she has no idea what lurks in the shadows.

Former Navy SEAL and ATF Agent, Aiden Byrd of Nighthawk Security is well versed in protection skills and knows the dangers she faces. Problem is, there's an instant attraction between Aiden and Harper, and Aiden has to fight to remain professional. As the stalker grows bolder and tries to end Harper's life, Aiden's only hope in keeping her safe is to deny his feelings. Something that borders on impossible.

My thoughts (lvh): NIGHT FALL is the heart-pounding beginning of Ms. Sleeman's new series and it is a page-turner. Both Harper and Aiden are super strong, determined characters, tackling life head-on. The attraction is instant....sending them both running scared.

Who-dun-it seems to be figured out early, but their is an unexpected twist or two. Romantic suspense readers will not want to miss this exciting new book.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Monday, October 26, 2020

All of the Parts of Worship Tell the Gospel Story

All of the Parts of Worship Tell the Gospel Story
God Made Me for Worship helps kids understand
each movement of a church service

Understanding the different parts of a worship service can be confusing for any young child. One minute everyone is singing loudly, the next everyone is sitting and listening quietly. Sometimes the adults know something that should be said out loud, like, “Thanks be to God!” How did they know what to say? What is communion all about? And why does the pastor raise his hands and pray at the end of the service?

Using the vision of Isaiah 6, God Made Me for Worship: Helping Children Understand Church (New Growth Press/October 12, 2020) by Jared Kennedy focuses on teaching kids about the key liturgical movements in a worship gathering, including the call to worship, praise and adoration, confession, assurance and passing the peace, ministry of the Word and sacraments, and benediction and sending.

Whether your church is currently able to meet in person as normal, has had to move services outside, or is meeting virtually, God Made Me for Worship will help children understand, and in turn, be able to better participate in worship regardless of the setting. This bright and colorful children’s book illustrated by Trish Mahoney celebrates how God reveals himself to his people in the movements of worship. All the parts of worship tell the story of the gospel, and since Jesus is the object of our worship, his story of redemption gives shape to our worship.

“I wrote this book to give parents a way to introduce their children to public worship. When you think of explaining a worship service, you might say something like, ‘First, we sing. Then, we listen to the sermon,’” Kennedy shares. “But most worship gatherings involve more than music and preaching. When the church gathers, we follow a rhythm—or liturgy—of call and response. It’s like a big game of follow the leader. We hear God speak and then we move in response to him.”

Kennedy guides parents to help their kids understand why we’re intentional about worship, encouraging them to engage—not just to manage behavior during a worship gathering, and invites children to respond to God along with the whole church body.

God Made Me for Worship is part of the God Made Me Series which equips parents to have important, impactful conversations with their children, helping them to grow in understanding of God, themselves, and others. Each book in the series contains a special section just for parents and caregivers that provides biblical guidance and offers additional information and resources for talking about the topic addressed in the story.

“The book as a whole is designed to teach kids how every part of a church worship service tells the story of the gospel. But God hasn’t just commanded us to worship him when we come to church,” Kennedy explains. “The Bible teaches us to praise the Lord during every part of our day. I’m really excited about how the special section at the end of God Made Me for Worship can be used to teach our kids to live fully worshipful lives not just on Sundays, but every day of their lives.”

Greg Brewton, Department Chair of Biblical Worship at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes, “Jared Kennedy has given us a great resource for churches and families to use with children. God Made Me for Worship is a wonderful way to introduce children to the biblical concepts of congregational worship. This is a much-needed book to help our children understand and participate as the church gathers for worship.”

God Made Me for Worship: Helping Children Understand Church
by Jared Kennedy, Illustrated by Trish Mahoney
October 12, 2020 / Hardback / Retail Price: $15.99
Print ISBN 978-1-645070-48-1
Religion / Christian Education/ Children

About the author

What others are saying

“Parents and grandparents who want to help children understand and enjoy corporate worship will be very grateful to Jared Kennedy for producing this book. In a delightfully simple and engaging way it answers hard questions about what we do when we gather together as God’s people. You could read and discuss this book together many times to unpack the biblical and pastoral wisdom it contains.”
~ David G. Peterson, Moore College, Sydney, Australia; author of Engaging with God and Encountering God Together

“This book is a creative way for parents to talk with their children about what we do when we gather in worship. Reading this book together in the family room or at the bedside can help prompt a child to ask, and answer, on Sunday, ‘Why are we here?’ and ‘What are we doing?’ as well as, most importantly, ‘Whose are we?’”
~ Russell Moore, President, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Grab the Baton—Run the Race by B J Bassett

Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Have you ever been in a relay race?

Although I don’t consider myself an athlete, others have passed the baton to me, and I must run the race. But I need to start at the beginning of my race with the people who influenced me.

First is my baby brother, Danny. Although he was eight years younger than me, we always shared a close relationship. He discovered writing while attending high school. Later, when he died while serving in the Army in Viet Nam, I felt like he passed the baton to me, and I picked up my pen, writing to encourage others.

Karen was another person who influenced my life. I met her in junior high school when I was the new kid, and she befriended me. She was popular, athletic, and smart. Karen wore an I Like Ike button before I even knew who Ike was. She died too young from cancer. I believe she passed me the baton to befriend others as she did me.

Lastly is my friend, Ruth, who passed away recently. Ruth was a mighty prayer warrior. I feel that she has also passed me the baton.

I’ve been left a responsibility by those who influenced my life. I only pray I grasp the baton and run the race before me.

There is a huge need for prayer warriors. Has someone passed on the baton to you? Will you grab it and run the race?

Father, thank You for those You’ve put in my life that influenced me. I pray I’m worthy to grab the baton and run the race You’ve set before me. Amen.

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Legacy of Honor and #giveaway!!!!

About the Book

Book: Legacy of Honor

Author: Renae Brumbaugh Green

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: Nov, 2020

He’s been raised to carry on the legacy.

After her mother’s untimely death, Emma Monroe’s dreams to become a teacher are dashed. She takes a job as maid and cook at the local Stratton Ranch, where she endures humiliation and hardship in order to provide for her ailing father and younger brother. Only Riley Stratton, her childhood friend and heir to the Stratton fortune, sees her heart. When she’s asked to care for Skye, the young half-Indian girl most family members refuse to claim, Emma finally finds the purpose she craves.

Riley Stratton has it all, or so it seems. Growing up as the youngest son of the rich and powerful John Stratton, Riley stands to inherit a legacy of greatness in the Stratton Ranch. On the surface, his family looks like they have it all, but manipulation, deceit, and an ever-present quest for power leave him desperate for change. Yet his father has made it clear: do things the Stratton way, or face alienation and disinheritance.
As Riley and Emma choose between honor, dreams, and expectations—not to mention the love they can no longer deny—their first steps prove how quickly the situation can spin into danger. When their best efforts threaten the lives and hopes of those closest to them, it becomes clear the decisions they make will change the course of their lives forever.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Renae Brumbaugh Green is an ECPA Bestselling Author, award-winning humor columnist, and wannabe superhero. She lives in Texas with her handsome, country-boy husband, four nearly-perfect children and one nearly-perfect son-in-law, and far too many animals. When she’s not writing, Renae teaches online classes and tries to be rugged without chipping her nail polish.

More from Renae

I’ve been writing this book for more than a decade!

In 2008, my dear friend and writing mentor, Chip Ricks, shared a book idea with me. Loosely based on her own family history, she wanted to write a story about two brothers—one who chose to live for Christ, the other who didn’t. She wanted to follow that family through the generations, to show the impact of that one choice, on the people who came behind.

She just had one problem. Chip was a brilliant writer, but she wasn’t a fiction writer. “Will you help me write this book?”

Now, Chip was in her 80s at the time. She was a mother, a grandmother, to me in the faith. If she’d asked me to paint the moon pink, I’d have given it my best shot. For several years, Chip and I worked together on several versions of the book. We only ever got through the first few chapters, and we’d change our minds about the characters or the situations. Finally, one day she smiled at me. She said, “You know, Renae. This is your book. I know I whispered the idea to you, but I always wanted you to be the one to write it. I’m getting too old to work on this . . . please take it. It’s your story.”

Soon after, she moved across the country to live with her daughter. We stayed connected via phone calls and Facebook, until eventually, she stopped responding. We lost touch. I continued to write the book—Chip’s book. Now my book. I’d work on it a while, then put it away for several months, even a few years at one point. In 2017, I finished what would become the first final draft. I fiddled with it more, here and there, but I hung onto it until I met Misty Beller, my publisher at Wild Heart.

I submitted the book to her, and she accepted it, right away! Then the editor got hold of it. God bless Erin Taylor Young! She was brutal, in the best possible way. I spent weeks (months?) making the suggested changes, and each one made the book so much better. The day I turned in those final edits to my publisher, I opened up Facebook. There, on Chip’s FB page, was a note to all her friends.

From one of her children.

She’d gone to see her Heavenly Father.

I sat there, frozen, looking at my screen, big fat tears tracking my cheeks. How was it possible that on the day the book was complete, I learned of her death? She was so instrumental in my walk of faith, and in my path as a writer. It was almost like the Holy Spirit wanted me to know . . . this particular journey was now complete.

I hope you enjoy this book, book one in a trilogy, for it is very close to my heart. And I hope you learn from the actions of two brothers, so many years ago, that our choices have an impact on our own lives, and on the lives of those who follow us.

—Renae Brumbaugh Green