40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood by: Sarah Humphrey

40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood: Devotions and Coloring Book to Nourish Mom (Abingdon Press, August 2016)

Nourishment for a mother’s soul through 40 days of devotion and . . . doodling! 

Wouldn’t it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions—an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:

—Self-acceptance
—Self-care
—Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations
—Generosity
—Presence
—Forgiveness

In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

Learn more and purchase a copy.

I've done some of the mandala coloring pages, but have never had my own coloring book.  This 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood is an excellent book- in that you can search your soul and calm your mind just getting away with God in prayer and coloring.  The devotions themselves aren't long; however, each devotional has a coloring page.  It would definitely take several settings to complete if you are a mom that is in great demand.  The coloring might even have to be a project for nap time or quite mommy minutes.  However, they aren't too overwhelmingly detailed.  Some have some have scripture verses others are just pictures. 

The devotionals are on the modern, new-age side and geared for mommies that is for sure.  How can you go wrong with meditating on God's Word and spending time relaxing and coloring. 

Often considered a dreamer and silly heart, Sarah Humphrey uses inspiration from her most beloved career, motherhood, to fuel her passion for writing, creative movement and teaching. She has and is authoring several books and children’s books. Sarah currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three beautiful, bouncy kids.

Kosmo's Christmas Delivery.....

Kosmo's Christmas Delivery

The 10 Myths of Teen Dating by Daniel Anderson and Jacquelyn Anderson

The 10 Myths of Teen Dating: Truths Your Daughter Needs to Know to Date Smart, Avoid Disaster, and Protect Her Future (David C Cook, September 2016)

There’s no greater moment of panic in a parent’s life than when their daughter begins to date.
Due to their lack of knowledge about the world their teens face coupled with the scant dating information they received as teens, many parents feel ill-equipped to guide their daughters through the minefield that is teen dating.

And by the same token, teenage girls crave information about dating and relationships. And left to their own devices, many will develop their own assumptions about dating by talking to their friends or watching the latest TV shows and movies. But that will only lead them down a path toward heartbreak.

So how do you engage your daughter in discussions about dating, relationships, and her future happiness? Expert educator Daniel Anderson and his twenty something daughter, Jacquelyn, help you navigate the biggest dating myths, including: the myth that a boyfriend will make your daughter happy, that she should trust her feelings, or that sex will enhance her relationship. Combining the latest scientific research with poignant personal stories, as well as proven truths and practical application, The 10 Myths of Teen Dating will equip you to teach your daughter how to date smart for today . . . and tomorrow.

The 10 Myths of Teen Dating by Daniel and Jacquelyn Anderson is full of practical information for boys as well as girls.  It is an excellent resource to have at your fingertips and something you'll reach for again and again.  This book is very easy to read and digest.  The personal stories are easy to relate to.  At the end of each chapter there are reflection questions as well as discussion questions.  This book would be a good addition to anyone's library. 

Daniel Anderson is a former college All-American basketball player, an expert educator, and a father of two grown daughters and a son. As a veteran high school teacher in the public school system, Daniel was troubled by how his students approached dating and relationships. He and his daughter, Jacquelyn Anderson—a twenty something and also a high school teacher—decided to address this need by equipping parents with "The 10 Myths of Teen Dating," their first book together. Daniel and Jacquelyn both make their home in Portland, Oregon.

The Art of Blissful Parentin by Sharon Ballantine

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for The Art of Blissful Parenting by Sharon Ballantine. The blast will run October 24 - October 26, 2016.

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About the Book

 

Title: The Art of Blissful Parenting | Author: Sharon Ballantine | Genre: Parenting Number of Pages: 190 | Publisher: Balboa Press | Publication Date: November 24, 2015

Book Description: What if you had the ideal relationship with your children? This book is for every parent that wants to have a powerful bond with their kids. Parents have the opportunity for newfound freedom and joy when they teach their children about their Internal Guidance System. Tools and guidance are offered in this book for exacting the art of blissful parenting by practicing alignment. It's fun and easy to work with the Universe and a short lesson in the Law of Attraction is part of this script. Parents-live and also teach your children how to manifest what they want by thinking in a more positive way and deliberately creating their lives.

Amazon | Balboa Press | Barnes & Noble

What others are saying...

"This book is filled with amazing tools for any adult who wants to sharpen the innate gifts of the children in their lives and support them in developing and following their internal guidance. Beautifully and thoughtfully written with clear practical exercises to allow you to put into practice what you have read." - Debbie (Amazon Reviewer)

"The Art of Blissful Parenting offers readers a refreshing, out-of-the-box approach to raising happy children. Sharon offers practical tools and tips for teaching kids how to thrive by using the law of attraction and following their internal guidance system." - (Amazon Reviewer)

"This is a fascinating book for anyone who wants to raise confident, independent children. The author presents her unique ideas in a thoughtful and insightful way" - Cheryl (Amazon Reviewer)

About the Author: Sharon Ballantine

 

Sharon Ballantine is a Parenting Coach and certified Law of Attraction Life Coach. She has successfully raised three children and is the author a new book "The Art of Blissful Parenting."

Sharon is the founder of "The Ballantine Parenting Institute," her online parenting program.

Ballantine is a sought after speaker, and was host to her own Internet TV Show with Conscious Evolution Media Network from 2013-2014. The platform of The Sharon Ballantine TV Show featured a conversation with passionate spiritually minded guests. Sharon also had her own column with Beliefnet.com "Parenting on Purpose."

Sharon was interviewed on TV, February 15, 2016 for her new book release, "The Art of Blissful Parenting" on KING 5 New Day Northwest, a live daytime talk show in Seattle. Ballantine has been interviewed on several radio shows including Blog Talk Radio in Los Angeles, Chat with Women radio show in Seattle and Conscious Evolution Media Internet TV in Denver. Her interview with Hay House Radio will air by summer '16.

Sharon's website is SharonBallantine.com which features weekly teaching blogs, podcasts and slideshows. You can see her educational videos on her YouTube channel, Sharon Ballantine.

Sharon lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Jay.

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Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice. Giveaway ends: November 7, 11:59 pm, 2016
Open to: Internationally.
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Sharon Ballantine and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

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Lions Can't Eat Spaghetti by Bethany Ramos

Inside the Book

Title: LIONS CAN’T EAT SPAGHETTI
Author: Bethany Ramos
Publisher: 4RV Publishing
Pages: 50
Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Christopher finds a kitten on his doorstep, which, to his surprise, grows up into a lion! Since Christopher already loves his pet, he tries to introduce him to his everyday life, much to the horror of his friends, family, and neighbors.

Lions Can’t Eat Spaghetti is a lighthearted children’s book for ages 3 to 6 that celebrates the special bond that all children have with animals.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

I enjoyed reading this book.This is a cute book for little ones as they see the cat progress and grow each page for them to predict what might the cat become or what might happen to the cat, etc. As a teacher I look for these types of books to help the students gain the comprehension skills needed.  Cute book loved it. 

Bethany Ramos is a children’s book author, editor, and blogger. She is a regular contributor to SheKnows.com. Bethany’s first children’s book, Lions Can’t Eat Spaghetti, was published through 4RV Publishing in 2016. Her second children’s book, There’s a Bumbie Under My Bed, was published by Saturn’s Moon Press, also in 2016. Her first chick lit novel, 5 Stages of Grief, was published by Black Opal Books in 2011; her second chick lit novel, Adventure to Love, was published by Soul Mate Publishing in 2013. Bethany works as Editor in Chief for Naturally Healthy Publications.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

A free ecopy of this book was provided by.....

Experiencing God through His Names by Sheryl Giesbrecht

Experiencing God Through His Names (Bold Vision Books, June 2016)

What’s in a name? 

Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person’s character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God’s attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. In Experiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God’s character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?

Experiencing God through His Names by Sheryl Giesbrecht is an excellent devotional to use to study Names for God.  Giesbrecht focuses on names and attributes of God.  Now that the holidays are creeping upon us what better time to dig into the names of God. This devotional helps the reader focus on God and who He is.  This book will help the reader become more acquainted with God and who He truly is.  This book would be a useful tool to a deeper study if you'd like to take the name study and dig deeper.  Excellent book to give as a gift during the holiday season.

Sheryl Giesbrecht has written three books, hundreds of articles, blogs, and columns. A nationally syndicated radio host, Sheryl is a sought after inspirational speaker who facilitates leadership training for thousands internationally.

A Mother's Love Can Conquer Any Fear by Subhash Kommuru

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the children's picture book written by Subhash Kommuru and illustrated by Sujata Kommuru, De Dana Dan (Hindi Edition). The blast will run October 12 - October 14, 2016.

About the Book

Title: De Dana Dan (A Mother's Love Can Conquer Any Fear) | Author: Subhash Kommuru Illustrator: Sujata Kommuru | Genre: Children's Multicultural Adventure | Number of Pages: 44 Publisher: Kommuru Books | Publication Date: July 7, 2015 | Language: Hindi

English Book Description: Shastriji is a wise old chicken who always has an answer for "How...." until comes the vile crow Kaalia, who is up to no good. Shastriji's ideas to deal with Kaalia backfires one after the other. Is Kalia‛s tyranny going to end? What if the right question is not "How" but "Why?" The story becomes a tribute to motherhood when a mother's love overcomes all odds and propels Ganga to do something that dazzles everyone in Anand Nagar. As in the very best of children's literature, the gentle humor appeals to a younger audience while adults appreciate more subtle touches. Action and suspense cut through the age gap without obscuring the important moral lesson of the story. Mesmerizing illustrations, rendered with love by Sujata Kommuru, capture every nuance of the tale in great detail and every character has been very carefully portrayed and designed.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Watch the Book Video

About the Author & Illustrator

Subhash and Sujata an Award winning Children's author(s), hail from India and have been Honored for Excellence by Mom's Choice Awards. 

They migrated to the United States along with their memories of childhood and youth. Now that they are parents, just like every immigrant they crave to introduce their child to the culture and values of their upbringing. Yet it is challenging to teach something while you are in the midst of adjusting to a different culture yourself. 

Subhash and Sujata both work in different disciplines and have different styles and backgrounds, but it is the upbringing of their son that brings them on the same page. That exact place where they meet is captured and reflected in their stories, where Subhash can express in words, and Sujata can illustrate them beautifully. Where he puts it in black and white, she adds color to it. You get the idea!

These stories are their attempt to share a glimpse of their childhood days with their son. He is their inspiration to write short stories that have meaning to them and provide teaching in some shape or form.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice. Giveaway ends: October 26, 11:59 pm, 2016 Open to: Internationally. How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Subhash Kummuru and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com. 

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Download Your Free How-To Guide for Bring Your Bible to School Day

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are preparing for Hurricane Matthew to hit. For students in hurricane-affected states who are facing school closures but still want to participate in Bring Your Bible to School Day, the alternate date is Thursday, October 20.

This brings about a good point: Any day can be a day you organize your friends to bring your Bibles to school together!

By signing up during the month of October for Bring Your Bible to School Day (even if you missed the official celebration), you can download a free how-to guide for teens, parents, pastors, and elementary students. It's full of helpful information that will help you organize a day to take a stand for religious freedom and bring your Bible to school with your fellow classmates.

(Sign-ups must be received by midnight (MT), Oct. 7, in order to be automatically entered into the Newsboys giveaway.)

Plus Bring Your Bible to School Comes to Adventures in Odyssey

 

Getting used to a new school isn’t easy, especially for someone as paranoid as Buddy Norman. In “A Predicament of Biblical Proportions” he envisions wacky worst-case encounters with townsfolk who seem like mobsters, snoops and fairy-tale tyrants—until he gets to know them. He’s also a little confused about Bring Your Bible to School Day. What’s it about? Should he participate? See Odyssey through Buddy’s eyes in this witty celebration of religious freedom.

Listen to this story through a two-week trial only on the Odyssey Adventure Club.

Jesus and the Beanstalk by: Lori Stanley Roeleveld

Jesus and the Beanstalk: Overcoming Your Giants and Living a Fruitful Life (Abingdon Press, September 2016)

What if a fairy tale and ten Bible verses could free you to live an effective, fruitful life in Christ?

We live in unsettling, challenging times. Everywhere we look, we see giant problems: giant obstacles to sharing faith, giant barriers to peaceful lives, giant strongholds of fear. But what if you knew eight small secrets to unlocking a strength big enough to overcome whatever obstacle life may bring?
Using allegory and a bit of humor, Jesus and the Beanstalk explores a passage in 2 Peter 1 to uncover eight truths that will help you unleash a larger-than-life faith:

—Faith
—Goodness
—Knowledge
—Self-control
—Perseverance
—Godliness
—Affection for others
—Love

In this creative, refreshing perspective on spiritual growth, you will discover an unyielding strength when you tap the power of a God who is stronger than any beanstalk and bigger than your biggest giants.

 Oh, what a powerful book resource Lori's book Jesus and the Beanstalk is.  This book came at the most needed time in my life.  It was a time when I was faced with one of life's giants.  It helped strengthen my faith, helping me persevere when I just wanted to crawl into a hole and give up as well as showed me how to show affection to others at a time that was hard to do so.  The small steps to slaying the giants were excellent, practical and exactly what I needed at the time.  Easy to use for reflection and enhanced the text greatly.  The questions were very thought provoking.  Many books that I've read with questions at the end of each chapter didn't seem to move me to action, but Roeleveld's questions caused me to take notice and do. Jesus and the Beanstalk teaches and inspires the reader.  

Lori Stanley Roeleveld is the author of "Running from a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus)" and "Red Pen Redemption." Her blog, LoriRoeleveld.com, was voted Top 100 Christian Blogs by Redeeming God.com and has enjoyed over 1.5 million views. Lori lives in Hope Valley, RI.

Itsy Bitsy Christmas by Max Lucado

I was quite surprised when I opened this chunky, board book.  My general thought a board book geared to preschoolers.  This book aimed at older 5+ readers. I work in an elementary school so lots of writing on a page scares young readers off.  However, it is an excellent book.  Just not what I was expecting for a board book.  The Christmas story is all through out the book to say the least.  They mice, Itsy and Bitsy go looking for the King; much to their surprise and all the other barn animals they find the King at the end of the day right in their stable home.  The pictures are big and bold and what you'd expect of a cardboard book.  Beautiful story and message.  A plus for the Christmas season, but don't let the board book fool ya.  Yes I'll add this to the church library. 

For more information about this book visit here.

Book Description

"The King has come! Even for a little one like me!"

Do you ever feel like you are too small or too ordinary? This is just how Itsy and Bitsy feel. When these two charming little mice hear that a King is coming to Bethlehem, they set off with great enthusiasm to find Him. Along the way, they are met with discouraging words telling them they are too little and unimportant for any king. Just when Itsy and Bitsy begin to believe they really aren't big enough for the new King, they learn that Christ the King has indeed come for everyone.

Crafted by bestselling author and master storyteller Max Lucado, Itsy Bitsy Christmas helps children understand God's great love and know that He sent His Son for all of us--little or big, young or old.

Time fro Bed, Sleepyhead by Gail Yerrill

 

This cozy children's book is beautifully written for ages 4- 8 year olds.  This book uses visual techniques to help youngsters drift off to sleep.  The mood is soft and lulling as well as the pictures are pastel and  whimsical.  This makes for a peaceful mood and helping young ones calm down and brings about a time of shutting down the brain from thinking.  However, there isn't any mention of God or the Bible in this book. There is no spiritual message in this book. It uses more hypnotic mood to help children drift to sleep.  It talks about sleep helping clean the brain.  It is just written from the author's experience with her own children and their bedtime routine.

For more information about this book visit here.

Book Description

Ten-time New York Times bestselling author and child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen teams up with artist Gail Yerrill to create a book that helps facilitate sleep. Time for Bed, Sleepyhead pairs whimsical illustrations with storytelling techniques to tire your child’s imagination in order to help them settle down at bedtime and fall asleep.

Read aloud the story of little bear and his friends as they have a big day at the beach, then return home to eat dinner, take their baths, and head to bed, falling gently to sleep alongside your little one.