New Bible Care

I thought I should write a post on new Bible Care.  We have received some new Bibles (either getting them free, or buying some new ones for people at the church).  Did you know, that out of 10 Bibles, only 1 had something in there about caring for your new Bible??  And that was in a Children's Bible, at the very back!!  It didn't have as detailed instructions, as what I'm going to pass along. 

I love to see very old Bibles, that are looking a little worn, that have special thoughts and writings in them, maybe even tear stains.  I have recently seen an old Bible, with the binding breaking.  So, what can we do to protect our investment, and to properly care for God's Word?

I got these tips off the Thomas Nelson website.  My notes are in parentheses.  :)

If you get a new Bible, the first thing you need to do, is:

Carefully open it by placing the spine of the Bible on a flat surface.  Open both the front and back covers and, with light pressure, run your fingers up and down as close to the binding as possible.  Continue this process by pulling back a few pages at a time as you work your way to the center of the Bible. (Yes, I knew this, and have always done it.  But, I am finding out that many people do not know this, hence, the reason for writing this post.)

If pages are stuck together, carefully rub the pages between your thumb and index finger to release them. (Nice little tip, huh?)

To protect the spine of your Bible, do not bend the cover backward around the spine.  This can cause the pages to fall out and break the binding.  (I have seen preachers do this.  Then they claim they have worn out many Bibles.)

To further protect the binding, do not carry bulletins, notes, pens, etc. inside the pages of your Bible as this can weaken the binding over time. (Oops!  I am guilty of this!  I carry notes and bulletins inside.)

The pages inside the Bible are generally thin.  Therefore, it is best not to use highlighters or felt tipped markers to take notes or underline passages.  Despite the fact that these writing utensils are often marked as "no bleed through" they will still be visible on the other side of the page.  It is best to use either a ball point pen or pencil. (This one I will probably still break, depending on which Bible I am using, as I like my highlighters!  But, on some Bibles, with especially fine India paper, I use just a pen.  If the highlighter bleeds through too much, I just use a pen.  But, some Bibles have thicker paper, and a highlighter is just fine.  Notice.  A toddler and a permanent marker are not a good mix.  They may see you underlining certain passages, and try their own form of marking.  It tends to be unreadable.  So, keep toddlers away from permanent markers, and your Bible, if you want to keep the pages whole, as in, not ripped out.)

Protect your Bible from excessive heat or direct sunlight.  Prolonged exposure will lead to fading and/or curling of the pages.  Also, keep your Bible away from moisture to prevent the page edges from peeling, streaking, or spotting.  (Don't leave it in the car, it gets excessively hot, and cold out there!)

To clean your Bible, it is recommended that you use a lightly damp cloth.  Do not use detergents or packaged Bible cleaning products.  (Yep, the Bible book store will try to sell you this.  It is not needed.  Trust me!  I've raised 10 children, and just a damp cloth will clean any cover of any toddler smudges.  It will not remove permanent marker marks, as aforementioned.)

The best way to preserve the supple condition of your leather Bible is to handle it. The natural oils from your hand keep the leather from cracking or becoming stiff. If you decide to purchase a
Bible cover, remember to remove it and handle the leather cover occasionally.  (In other words, READ YOUR BIBLE!!  This not only helps the Bible, it also helps you!  I have kept mine in a Bible cover, and didn't know that I need to take it out periodically to handle it, to keep it soft, and prevent cracking, etc.)

So, I hope these tips will help you take the best possible care of your Bible.

Blessings!

Book Review: KJV Note-Taker's Bible

From the publisher:

"Finally, a Bible that has plenty of room for taking notes during public or private worship, small-group fellowships, or any other time or place you feel the need to make comments on the Bible. No more cramped writing in tiny margins—the KJV Note-Taker’s Bible makes it easy to stay organized and neat. Personalize the text of God's Word to your life as never before, and treasure this record of your spiritual journey. Includes the complete text of the classic King James Version.
Features:

• Deluxe wide margins for note takers
• Complete King James Version text
• Double-column text for easy reading
• Words of Christ in red letter"

 My thoughts:
This is a very basic Bible.  A no-frills Bible, if you will.  It does have larger margins, but only on the side, as well as the bottom of the page, for a total of 2 margins.  The print is a bit smaller than my regular study Bible.  It does have a limited concordance in the back, and no maps. 

The extra margin space does not give me enough room to write in, though.  You can add a couple of words for clarification in the margins, and that might be fine if you are just hearing random sermons.  Right now, our pastor is going through the book of Revelation, and there just isn't enough room to write just a couple small words in the margins.  I assigned  the column closest to the left or right side of the page for the closest margin, and the inner column assigned to the bottom margin.  Then, I use stars and asterisks (and in different colors) to be able to find my clarification in the appropriate margin. 

This is neither here, nor there, but upon flipping through the pages of the Bible, there is a blue tint.  It's not too distracting, but it's not a pure white page. 

It has been very sturdy, being carried back and forth to church, as well as being used in our daily family devotions.

So, if I had to decide which Bible to use, this would be nice in a small study, but not in-depth expository preaching. 

I received this hard cover KJV Note-Takers Bible free, from Book Look Bloggers, for my honest review.  The opinions were my own.  :)
 

An Unexpected Phone Call

(This actually happened on December 28, 2013.)

Three days after Christmas, Jon (who was 21 at the time), Dan (17) and Andrew (15) went to a nearby ski resort.  They were going to be snowboarding, and getting all prepped, and ready so they could go snowboarding again on December 31st, which was to be Jon's 22nd birthday. 

            My husband Rick, who is a Pastor, and I were home with the two little boys, just lounging around, and waiting till later in the afternoon, when Rick had to officiate for a funeral.

            A little after noon, we received a call from Jon, who said we needed to get to the hospital right away.  His phone was cutting out, because of the location of where they were.  He said that they had only gone down one run, the bunny hill, and were standing in line for the ski lift, when Dan fell to the ground.  He was in cardiac arrest, and he quit breathing.  Dan has always been very healthy, and there are no heart problems in the family.  I never thought we would receive a phone call like this—maybe a broken leg, but not that my son’s heart had stopped.

            There was a man nearby, who, at first glance, thought Dan was goofing off.  Then, he realized Dan was dying.  He kicked off his skis and began administering CPR.  He also called for someone to get an AED.  They brought the AED, and it registered that Dan needed a shock.  It brought Dan back, and he needed a few more CPR compressions.  Dan doesn't remember waking up until he was on the ambulance, although the paramedics say he moaned while on the ground.

            He was hospitalized for 5 days, during which, they ran numerous tests.  Everything turned out negative.  Because they don't know the reason for his sudden cardiac arrest, they put a defibrillator in.  He still has more upcoming tests, and lots of doctor and cardiologist visits ahead.

            The doctors and nurses kept asking Rick and I to leave the room, so they could talk to Dan alone.  During these talks, they kept asking him if he took drugs, drank alcohol or energy drinks, or smoked.  Dan said no.  Then, they would let us back in.  Now, I understand when they need to ask these questions, but it was over and over and over.  The one nurse took me aside privately and said she could tell Dan had never used drugs, and she was apologetic for having to ask.  So, I told them to run a drug test on Dan, so that we could put that behind us, once and for all, and then the doctors could be looking for the real reason why his heart stopped.  So, they did the drug test, and found out we were right, the drug test was negative.  :)

            God is still using our story!  The hospital PR lady tracked us down in the hospital and said she had heard about the story, and was hoping that we would grant an interview with a couple TV stations, and then we could meet Dan's rescuers.  We talked it over with Dan, and prayed about it, and Dan was the one who said we should do it, and that we could give the glory to God.  When we got to the board room it was packed with lots of video cameras, still cameras and lot of recording devices.  It was way bigger than we had ever imagined!  We gave our testimony, and each of us gave God the credit.  Yes, the media did edit out a lot of what we said, but the message went out.

            So many miracles took place!!  First--the boys were originally going to go to a different ski resort, in the night time hours.  I do not think this other resort had the AED.  Second--God had Dan in the right place--we are so grateful he wasn't coming down a slope, which would have delayed medical help, or, even being on the ski lift--he would have fallen out.  I shudder to think of either of these scenarios.  Third--there was a man nearby who knew CPR, and overcame some obstacles (he has PTSD), and helped save our son.  Shane, the man who gave Dan CPR, was not planning on going skiing, but his father talked him into taking his two girls for the first time that day.  There were 7,000 people at the ski resort, and Dan collapsed right where God wanted him.  Fourth--Dan collapsed right outside the window of where the AED was!!  Fifth--at the time of when Dan collapsed, there was an ambulance already on its way!!!  They thought an elderly man was having a heart attack, and had called for an ambulance for him, but found out he wasn't, and so diverted the ambulance for Dan--Dan was only on the ground 10 minutes till he was in the ambulance.  This is amazing--if you saw how far the ambulance had to come to get to the ski resort.

            The cardiac doctor stated that only 2-12% of cardiac arrest patients, outside of a hospital setting, survive.  Dan is doing much better than just having survived—there are no ill effects, there could have been brain damage, etc.  We believe Satan wanted to destroy Dan’s life, but God said no because of the hedge.   We are so blessed!!! 

            We have found this to be an incredible witnessing opportunity because none of us are guaranteed another year, another week, another breath.  This moment might be the last we have.  Dan was always very healthy, as a young child, and as a young man.  That is why this news is so shocking.  So many people may say--"Let me live my life, and when I'm older, or more set, or _____, THEN I will give my heart to the Lord."  In Dan's case, he had NO warning--no feeling of weakness, no sense that he was going to collapse.  Dan almost died that day, but, he was revived--by God having special people in just the right place.  

 Dan with his rescuers

Dan in hospital, right before he receives the defibrillator/pace maker

 

Blessings!

Another Crown for a Grandmother!

We have been pretty busy around here.  Watching grandchildren, so their parents can have a date night.  Or watching grandchildren, so their parents can go to the hospital to have their newest sibling, plus having another grandchild, so they can go to work.  Then, we headed into Thanksgiving week.  Whew.  We are bushed!  But blessed.

We had the whole family over for Thanksgiving, even if it was just for a little while.  I was excited to get a picture of our complete family--that is 4 generations!!

Also, my daughter-in-law asked me if I would take pictures of the newborn baby!  How fun!!  I immediately started to research different poses, and how to do it.  She also added her input.  So, after most of the family left, we started in with the pictures.  How cute are they?  This is Adel:

And my favorite picture:

The Bible says, "Children's children are the crown of old men".  We now have 6 crowns.  :)



Blessings!

Review: NKJV Adventure Bible for Kids

This is a beautiful Bible!!  I love the bold, bright colors on the cover, as well as inside the Bible.  The different articles in the Bible are fun to read.  Here are some of the features:

• Life in Bible Times—Articles and illustrations describe what life was like in ancient days
• People in Bible Times—Articles offer close-up looks at amazing people of the Bible
• Let’s Live It!—Hands-on activities help kids apply biblical truths to their life
• Did You Know?—Interesting facts help kids understand God's Word
• Words to Treasure—Great verses to memorize
• Book introductions, a concordance, and 8 pages of full-color maps
• Available in Italian Duo-Tone and durable hardcover editions

The only thing I'm not sure about, whether I like, is the NKJV.  We are a KJV family, and I was under the understanding that they only removed the thee's and thou's.  It is more than that.  We love the KJV, and read out of it regularly as a family.  But, if I couldn't get a KJV, and I had to choose between a NKJV, or NIV, it would hands down be NKJV.  It is so hard finding a kids bible in the King James Version, but this Adventure Bible, in the New King James Version, comes in a close second.

I gave this Bible to our 11 year old son.  He does read out of this in the morning Bible reading times.  That is when we notice the differences.  I do know that he loves this Bible, and will read out of it, just for fun!  I'm happy to have him in God's Word!!!  He enjoys all the little extras included in this Bible.

One thing I like, is that it has a small paragraph on how to care for the Bible.  I don't think many people know how to care for a new Bible.  Each new Bible needs to have the binding loosened, by pressing on a small section of pages at a time.  This helps Bibles to last.  I just wish this information was at the beginning of the Bible, and not right before the maps.  :)

I received this hardcover NKJV Adventure Bible free, from Book Look Bloggers, for my honest review.  The opinions were my own.  :)

My thoughts on MLM Essential Oils

A little history on me, first.

Years ago, I had hosted a "party" in my home, selling some goods, what it is, doesn't matter.  Well, afterwards, I just didn't feel right about it.  I really thought that I had taken advantage of my friends.  I mean, I've been to parties, that you just feel uncomfortable, and feel pressured into buying stuff to "help your friend out."  So, I called each of my friends soon after the party.  I told them that I was sorry to take advantage of their friendship like that, and if they wanted, they could cancel their order.  Let's just say, I had a very good party.  So, each one had the chance to cancel their order.  Do you know, every single one of them canceled their order!  Their comments were: "We were just trying to help you get the stuff you wanted", and, "it was fun, but I really didn't need any of that."  I made a commitment not to get involved in a MLM system again.  So, no, I have not hosted any parties.  I have on occasion, gone to some, and, on occasion I have purchased some items (I  LOVE Sol-U-Mel!!  That stuff is AMAZING!!--no, I am not paid to say that).  But, recently, I went to a class to teach you about Essential Oils.

The class was good--however, I did have some questions.  They tout their products as being 100% pure therapeutic oils, and the only place you can buy 100% pure products (not true!).  They also (almost) claim that EO's will cure any ailment you may have.  They tell you that the essential oils are so strong, that if you are going to add them to water and drink them, only buy a glass drinking bottle, because the EO will break down the plastic.  Then, just a bit later, they tell you that you can make your own cleaning products--just put water in a plastic spray bottle and add in your EO.  So--my question is--why will it break down one plastic bottle, but not another??  Why can you use it for cleaning, but not for drinking?  They had no answer.  :)  Next question, please??

So, sad to say, I did buy into their program.  I mean--look at all the benefits I would get.  Let me interject here--I did buy into the program--with the intent of never adding people under me.  I was going to stay the bottom rung forever.  I made a commitment years ago, remember?   And, I was desperate.  The children were dealing with some nasty stuff, and we were making hospital runs, and I was tired of them being sick.  PLUS!  Look at all the stuff you get!!  You get a diffuser (I do have to admit, I do like it, although the lid did break by just wiping it, which I am trying to contact the company about), 10 main essential oils, plus a reference guide.  Woo hoo!    Look at the money you are saving, right??  Well. . .  I'll get into that later.

So--Why am I so against the MLM Essential Oils??

 I do not like the New Age teaching you get from it.  i.e. the blend "Forgiveness" (this is from their catalog), "Forgiveness enhances the ability to forgive yourself and others while letting go of negative emotions, which is an important part of personal growth."  I'm sorry, but as a Christian, you do not need an Essential Oil to help you forgive!!!!  You need the help of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I will quote only 1 more from their catalog.  This is "Inner Child--stimulates memory response to help you connect with your authentic self and take steps toward finding emotional balance."  Excuse me??  As a Christian--this is the work of the Holy Spirit--NOT an Essential Oil.

If you read in the reference guide--it's even  WORSE  than the main catalog!!!  In the first few dozen pages, it goes into "Auricular Emotional Therapy Points".  I have a big problem with this!  Quoted from the book, "Bearing burdens of the world use release and valor".  This is on the ear.  Let me say, that, as a Christian, Jesus is the burden bearer, and we are to cast all our cares upon Him, because He cares for us.  And also, in Galatians, we are to bear one another's burdens.  And, if you are feeling guilty??  Use an oil!!  Let me repeat--as a Christian, if we are feeling guilty, the thing we need to do is repent!  Enough said.  I could go on and on. Ok.  I just have to do 1 more.  The reference guide says under depression, "Cleansing the flesh and blood of evil deities, use these oils Cedarwood, Myrrh."  Then it gives a history ""Breaking the lineage of iniquity.'  The ancient Egyptians believed that if they didn't clear the body and mind of negative influences before dying, they could not progress into the next life and return to this world to take up the body they had left in the tomb (resurrection)."  Do I really need to comment on this one???

Now, don't get me wrong--I do feel that Essential Oils are beneficial (when you drop off all the New Age - and some places say it is witchcraft - mumbo jumo).  I mean, look--when the high priests anointed people, it was with holy anointing oils.  And, when the children of Israel went into battle--they didn't bring a doctor along, I've heard they brought along herbal remedies.  So, if they were to just deal with physical problems, I would have no problem with it--just tell me what oil to use, if we have a sinus infection, or whatever.  BUT--when you are dealing with emotional problems--you either need to talk to Jesus, or in some cases, a counselor.

Also--I have seen Christians, who use EO's,  when they have an illness--rather than turning to our Lord Jesus, the Healer, turn to their essential oils, or to the reference manual, first.  We need to remember  He is more than able to heal, and we need to go to Him first!!  There is a place for doctors, and for essential oils--but Jesus should be our first go-to when something is wrong. Some people are using essential oils to replace Jesus in the healing business.

Ok.  Now to deal with the financial part of it.  I am not talking about my initial start up kit.  I will only talk about purchasing some of the oils that I do like, and use.  There is a blend of  Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Rosemary, Lemon, and Eucalyptus.  I really like that oil!!  But, my cost, in the catalog is over $30 for a 15 ml bottle.  I can get the same size bottle, 100% pure, therapeutic oil for $15 - from a Christian company!  Remember--the MLM company states that they have 100% pure EO.  Well, they are NOT the only ones.  There are other companies out there that have really good products, too, just less cost.  With the MLM company--I am providing income for all my upline (people above me).

So, it comes down to this--do I purchase over-priced products, from a company who pushes a LOT of New Age teaching; or am I to be a good steward of God's money, and buy a product, that is just as good, and only half the cost, from a Christian company??  I guess the ball is now in your court.  Which company would you support??

Blessings!

Why I homeschool

I was asked recently, "Why do you homeschool?"  I was shocked, as I haven't been asked that question in a LONG time!  LOL  And, I probably mumbled some unintelligible reply.  But, I have been musing over the question--why do we homeschool?  It's been 25 years ago, since Pastor and I decided to home educate the children.  No, it's not been easy.  Yes, there were days I wondered if I was doing the right thing.  But, with 7 children graduated, and seeing the fruit--it has been worth it all.  All the blood, sweat, and tears!!  And, only 3 children to go!

Home educating is a LOT of work--I mean really!!!  We have to do all the planning, preparation, grading, teaching, testing, and the list goes on. And on top of all the school work--we have all the housework, too--cooking, cleaning, and don't forget Mount Never Rest (aka laundry).  But--what else is more rewarding??  I LOVE teaching new readers--really!  It is so exciting for me, to see them learn how to read.  I have successfully taught 9 of the children how to read -- and it was a thrill each and every time.  I am still working with my son with Down Syndrome.  And--for the first time, he started to read words.  That was a thrill multiplied to an exponential degree!!!  Lots of work with him, but it is beginning to pay off.

Back to why do we home educate.  I guess what it really boils down to, is: We feel it is directed by God.  Deuteronomy 6:7 says, "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."  How else can you teach the things of God diligently in these 4 times in the day (when you get up, sitting in your house, on the way, and at night time), unless you are home educating?

I want my children to learn Godly character.  It seems to be lacking in this day and age.  I also want our children to be like Psalms 144:12 "That our sons may be as plants gown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace."

I want my children to learn science the right way-- I want them  to know that God made the world (and all that is therein), and it didn't just happen by chance, or evolution.

I want my children to learn history the correct way--that history is really His Story.  And, yes, the Holocaust really did happen.  And, yes, our Founding Fathers had it right when they penned the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

I want my children to learn the ways of God--to be able to bring their Bible to school (LOL), and to pray in school.  To learn why they are here (do you think they teach THAT in public school??).  That there is a loving God, who loved them so much, to give His only Son for each of us.

So, we are taking this time, of home education, to sharpen the arrows (Psalm 127:4) that He has given us--so that we can shoot them out into the world, and they would be straight, and hit their mark.  I want them to do great things for God.


Now, Home educating is NOT for everyone!!  LOL  And I know some people who home school,  who should NOT be home schooling.  :)  It is a lot of work.  Did I say that already??  But, it is amazing.  To see a child unlock the reading code, or understands a new math principle--it is so thrilling.  But, not only am I a teacher--I am a learner.  I am learning so many new things--things about my children, things about myself, as well as things in history (or science, or. . .) that I may have forgotten, or it wasn't taught.

Who knows my children, and their abilities, better than me?  I know their strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles better than anyone.  And, the children are NOT cookie cutter children!  One program of math, or phonics (or fill in the blank), may work well for one child, but, for another child--it may be sheer torture! Not only for that child, but also for me!!  I can not remember how many different math programs we have used through the years.  It's a lot.  Probably almost as many programs as I have children.  hee hee.  Would they get this flexibility from a public school?  Definitely not. I don't even think they would get it from a Christian school.   I can see what appeals to each child, and what would be the best way to go about getting them to understand each concept.  

I love to take Bible verses, and apply them to daily living.  What can we learn from 4 words in the Sermon on the Mount, "And seeing the multitudes"?  Well, we can learn about eyesight--myopia, and hyperopia.  Now--apply myopia to ourselves--myopia is nearsightedness, then it would be a me-vision, only concerned with myself.  And hyperopia is farsightedness, so that would be overlooking the needs of those around me.  Do I see as God sees?  How did Jesus see people?  How should I see people?  This is just a start.

Is home educating for you?  It is a calling.  If God has called you, He will equip you.

Blessings!