Moment by Moment: A Review AND Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for your entries!  I'll post a winner sometime tomorrow.  Don't forget to head on over to CarlaMacLachlan.com for an excerpt of the book AND to check out the awesome Buy1,Give1 special going on this week (with free shipping).

If you're anything like me, you have moments of sheer frustration, as your child (or niece/nephew, or student, or neighborhood kid)  asks "Why?" for the umpteenth time, ignores a direct instruction, or looks at you blankly as though the simplest request has been one request too many that day.

If you're like me, you find no comfort in hearing certain phrases come out of your mouth, whether in desperation, or for lack of anything better to say.  It might be "because I said so" or "because I'm the [mom] and you're the kid" or "no more questions, you're driving me crazy" or even "I'm so tired of you [committing this certain act of disobedience or annoyance]."

I earnestly desire to be a good mom, but I make mistakes, I get frustrated, and there are days I know that I'm leaning wholly on my own abilities (which are lacking). I do all this even though I know I should be leaning instead on the One who has given me this calling and the three (almost four) wonderful blessings who are in my care.

I don't want to compartmentalize my faith in its own pretty little church "box" and still flounder as a parent.  Instead of passing on our culture's pattern of making faith just another aspect of life, I want to raise children who value biblical truth above all else and can apply it to every aspect of life.

That's why I'm really excited about this new book, Parenting Moment by Moment, by Carla MacLachlan.

Carla MacLachlan is one of a few ladies the Lord has used greatly to mentor me over the years.  I love her dearly, but I must tell you that what makes her most winsome and precious to me is not so much her personality, her image, her status, or her ability to make me feel better about myself.  The Lord has equipped Carla with a fierce love for Him and His Word.  She is gifted at being able to ask loving questions that pierce right to the spiritual heart of a matter.  She encourages like no one else I know because her basis for encouragement is Scripture and its principles.  I can depend on her advice, not because it's "hers" or it's clever or convenient, but because her words point to God's.

What I love about this book:

• its format:  Devotional reading.  I've read some really helpful Biblical Parenting books, but I struggle to complete them.  The stream of "Mama!" calls and tyranny of urgent tasks at home limits my reading time during this stage of life.  Parenting Moment by Moment has a brief daily entry which is clear, concise, and biblical.  Additional Scripture is included for me to meditate on at the end of each entry.
• its divisions:  Spiritual Stages.  While physical ages are typical sections in parenting books and they could certainly apply here as well, readers are encouraged to approach the sections with Spiritual Development in mind.  Parents of Elementary Students need not skip ahead and worry they'll be playing catch-up or that it's too late.
• its focus:  the standard of absolute truth.  No matter what different stages of parenting or types of personalities exist amongst my kiddos, I can stand securely and confidently on God's Word. No more "because I said so"-- now my reasons for expectations and my methods for training are based on God's infinite wisdom and loving discipline.
• its effect:  I too am trained.  I'm equipped to better communicate truth to my kids.  I grow in my own knowledge and understanding of Scripture.  I become a parent who honors God and trains my children to recognize and follow God's plan.

I am pleased to give away a copy of this book!  Here's how to enter:
1.  You get 1 (one) entry for posting a favorite Bible verse.
2.  You get another entry (one) if you follow @mbmministries on Twitter and/or "like" Moment By Moment Ministries on Facebook and comment here a second time saying which you followed/liked.

One comment series per family please!   You have until 11:59 pm Central time NEXT Wednesday, December 1st, to enter.  The randomly selected winner shall be proclaimed the following day.

Bonus!  Go to Carla's website, where you can download a free excerpt from the book!

I bet I can get your feet a tappin'

*I was going to use an online random number generator, but I've decided to do it in a fun photography way. Check Friday for the results!*
****Giveaway is now closed.  Please check back soon for the winners' names to be announced! Thanks for participating!****

I was so excited when Sovereign Grace Music announced their next Kids release.  If you remember, I listed their previous one, To Be Like Jesus, as one of my McFavorites.

Here's where having a husband who is obsessed with having a smartphone comes in handy:

1. I get cool phone hand-me-downs.
2. When I'm stuck in the car between locations (like during a piano lesson), I can check email/google reader/etc.
3. About a month ago, I just happened to see a just-posted Facebook post by the gals of GirlTalk, announcing the CD's availability and that they were giving away 10 copies of the new album!
4. Even though I NEVER win ANYTHING, I can now eat my words, because I was fortunate due to timing and technology  to be one of the winners!!!

The Sovereign Grace Music site offers song previews and has this to say about the newest album:

The book of Proverbs tells us what it means to be wise. Being wise is more than just knowing a lot or being smart. It involves things like fearing the Lord, listening to others, loving God’s Word, having a joyful heart, being generous, not hiding our sin, working hard, and telling the truth.

One of the ways we become wise is by spending time with people who are wiser than us. That’s what it means to “walk with the wise”.

Most of all, wisdom is believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and rose from the dead so that we could be forgiven and follow Him. That kind of wisdom is more important than anything in the world.

“For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” (Proverbs 8:11)

When we got the album in the mail, both kids begged to listen over and over.  Best of all, however, was that Caleb (who likes to commandeer the lyrics like his mama) read through as he listened eagerly to the lively songs.  He proceeded to interject with some very introspective comments like, "Mama, this song talks about how because of Jesus, we don't have to hide because of our sin.  But I feel like hiding my sin sometimes."  Then later, "This song is All Ears.  Sometimes I'm not 'all ears' when I should be listening to you and Daddy."

I love when my kids hear Truth and learn about/show their need to apply it!  I get to see the Holy Spirit working on their hearts.  That also leads to great discipleship moments.  The intended audience is kids 6 yrs and up, but Anna and Abby are loving it as well!  The songs are well done, and I even find myself singing them when we're not listening to the CD.

Are you still reading?  Bear with me just a moment longer:
We loved To Be Like Jesus so much that we got 2 copies... one for each of our oldest kiddos.  We love Walking with the Wise now as well!  Since I won my copy, I thought I'd give some away!

 I have two brand new copies of Walking with the Wise to give away! 

All you have to do to be eligible is to leave me a comment below with your favorite wise saying/Bible verse. Two commenters will be chosen randomly (not based on the substance of the comment or any other factor), and I'll announce the winners Thursday evening, August 5!

The giveaway will close Thursday, August 5, at 4 p.m. Central Time.
(one comment per reader, please.  It would not be wise to try to gain extra entries...ahem.  This contest is open to all readers, new or established, and does not discriminate based on whether or not you are a parent!)

Please know that Sovereign Grace Music has no idea who I am, nor have I been asked to review or promote their album!  I'm giving these away because we're so excited about the album!

McFavorites

I mentioned one of our favorite kids' CDs here, and I just discovered it's on SALE!  That's right, discounted from its normal $16, you can now purchase it for $12.  I have NO idea how long the sale will last, but head on over to Sovereign Grace Music's site and check it out!  (There are other titles on sale as well.)  I believe iTunes carries it, but I don't know if the sale applies there.





As always on McFavorites, I have not been asked to post, nor have I been compensated  for, this review or recommendation.

McFavorites

One of the sites I follow for current events is The Big Picture by The Boston Globe.

This is a compilation site of many high resolution licensed and public domain photos from photojournalists around the world.

While discernment may be necessary on some of the topics (cultural festivals can be immodest and disasters and war are brutal) and captions (every once in a while some of the photographers have an evident social/political agenda), most of the images from all sorts of events and occasions are excellent and moving.  Many are beautiful, many are gritty, and, though some are initially blacked out (earthquake victims, etc.) for the squeamish, they are generally really good depictions of the state of things.

Because I don't have rights to the pictures and don't want to violate copyrights, I won't post the photos (rats!), but I have linked to the original post topic, and each caption links separately to the individual picture being described. I highly recommend clicking on the two small captions... these are strikingly great photos!

Scenes from Afghanistan

U.S. Marines from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, protect an Afghan man and his child after Taliban fighters opened fire in the town of Marjah, in Nad Ali district, Helmand province, February 13, 2010. (REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic)

Vancouver Olympics

Megan Sweeney of The United States descends the track during the Luge Women's Singles on day 5 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Sliding Centre on February 16, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

If you use a feed reader (like Google Reader or Feed Burner, for example), you can subscribe to this site and get new posts via the web or email.  I love being able to see past my own little community and culture, and prayerfully reflect on happenings and the realization that it's "not all about me" and that even in the midst of hurt, our God is sovereign and completely in control.

McFavorites

remember, I'm not being paid or compensated in any way for these products/companies I mention in McFavorites
I received a great little gift for my birthday/Christmas this year!  Scott's mom introduced me to Scentsy.

I love for my house to smell good.  With 3 kiddos, a husband, and a multitude of diapers (for the little ones, not the husband), accomplishing that can be next to impossible.  Not to mention the lingering bacon smell that lasted 3 days after I cooked it... love bacon, but don't want to smell it every time I walk in my house.

Candles are a no-go with kids.  I've tried plug-in types, but they're generally too strong or I forget about it after I plug it in and rediscover it WAY after it's dried out.

I usually stick with my Lavender and Vanilla Febreze spray.  Not as much anymore, though!

Scentsy is a company that sells flameless candles (wax scent bars, really) that are melted in a warmer using a low-watt bulb.  The cool thing is (pun intended), the wax really doesn't get all that hot. 

They have gobs and gobs of scents from which to choose, ranging from strong outdoorsy scents to light, fresh scents, to flowery scents, to yummy scents.

It's simple really, you just grab the scent bar carton, separate however many blocks you want to melt, and plop them in the removable warming dish. 

Then, you flip on the rotating switch part-way down the cord and get ready for the scent to fill the room.  I have mine up high and out of reach on our bar/counter, but the wax cools so quickly out of the dish that I don't think it would cause any harm to Caleb or Anna if they were to jostle it.  (Common sense caution still encouraged)

Check it out:

I have a few scents, and so far my favorites are Cutiepie Cupcake (sweet clementines, yellow cake batter, vanilla, and sugary icing), Sugar (lemon drops and cotton candy), and Coconut Lemongrass.  Skinny Dippin' (light scent of green apples with melon and pear) and Camu Camu (mandarin, camu camu, and passionfruit) are fun too!

The thing I like best is that all you have to do in order to switch scents is pour the warm wax back into the plastic case to cool, then after a quick swipe with a Kleenex, the dish is ready for new cubes!

Thanks, Nanny, for the delightful gift!

McFavorites

Scott always lovingly says that I'm a nerd (he's right), that I love to gather [useless] information, and that I like to be "in the know".

He's mostly right. I do love to gather information! I feel like passing it along might help someone, whether it's current events/issues, our faith, or just a dandy little product I've discovered that we love for its efficiency or quality.

So, here we go! I'm not advocating products on behalf of anyone, so if I mention a company/publisher/etc, they'll have no idea who I am.

Can I just say that I love quality kids music that teaches Biblical Truth?  We gave this to Anna for Christmas, and while its target audience is more kids Caleb's age and up, she is already learning some of the songs.  This album focuses on the "fruits" that living a Christ-centered life will produce:  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.  Each "fruit" has a song, with a couple of others thrown in.  We. Love. This. Album!  Click the picture above to go to the Sovereign Grace Music site and listen to samples!

Sunday School Answer

You've heard the running jokes about "Sunday School Answers." There's even the one about the little boy...

The Sunday School Teacher asks the children to figure out the answer to a riddle:
What is gray, has a bushy tail, and collects nuts?
No one answers at first. Then, a boy raises his hand and, in frustration, answers,
"It sure sounds like a squirrel, but I'm gonna say Jesus."

Have you ever noticed how we segment out Bible stories, retelling the favorite ones, celebrating the heroes, and going over rules we find? Personally, I have loved learning from Scripture, but only in my college/adult years has it truly "clicked" for me that there is a common thread that runs through the tapestry of all of the beloved stories and even the difficult parts to read (Leviticus, anyone? :) ) There is a bigger picture to all of this than just a recounting of history, religion, and morality.

Caleb and Anna both received children's Bibles from our church when we participated in Family Dedication services after their respective births. Caleb loves hearing the paraphrased stories of true, real, historical heroes of the faith. Now, however, I've stumbled across something that I think will still encourage him to discover Scripture's stories all while pointing him to the One to which all of its stories reference, directly or indirectly.
I even find myself with misty eyes as I rediscover how all of the stories in the Word "whisper His name," and as I remember that this is not just a compilation of true stories, but the active work of the Living, Loving God who was willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to restore and redeem us, His creation, for His glory, if we will believe in and follow His Son.

Here a couple of excerpts from The Jesus Storybook Bible written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, published by Zondervan:

from "A Giant Staircase to Heaven" about the tower of Babel:

After that, people scattered all over the world (which is how we ended up with so many different languages to this day).

You see, God knew, however high they reached, however hard they tried, people could never get back to heaven by themselves. People didn't need a staircase; they needed a Rescuer. Because the way back to heaven wasn't a staircase; it was a Person.

People could never reach up to Heaven, so Heaven would have to come down to them.

And, one day, it would.

from "The Girl No One Wanted" about Leah and Jacob and Rachel:

Now when Leah knew that God loved her, in her heart, suddenly it didn't matter anymore whether her husband loved her the best, or if she was the prettiest. Someone had chosen her, someone did love her-- with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love...

...

...One of Leah's children's children's children would be a prince -- the Prince of Heaven -- God's Son.

This Prince would love God's people. They wouldn't need to be beautiful for him to love them. He would love them with all of his heart. And they would be beautiful because he loved them.

Like Leah.

from "God's Messenger" about Jonah and the Whale:

Many years later, God was going to send another Messenger with the same wonderful message. Like Jonah, he would spend three days in utter darkness.

But this Messenger would be God's own Son. He would be called "The Word" because he himself would be God's Message. God's Message translated into our own language. Everything God wanted to say to the whold world -- in a Person.

I'd recommend that every home have a copy (or borrow one from a library!)... even if you don't have kiddos! What a refreshing reminder for all of us!

You can click on the picture above to visit the publisher's website, or you can likely find it in the children's section of your local Christian book store, but I found my copy at WalMart!

Grace on the Silver Screen

Well, in a move that is completely unlike our normal pattern of life, we found a baby sitter and went to the movies tonight. We caught the prime-time, opening night showing of Amazing Grace, which is the story of William Wilberforce, who lived (and lived out his faith) in the 1700s in England. I would highly recommend this movie. Our showing here in MO was sold out! See it! See it!

Here is the trailer, if you haven't seen it on TV yet...