Quetion of the week #4

Do you prefer reading Bibles in paperback, hardback, or leather?

• For the most part, I like leather best. It holds up longer and is just a more comfortable feel in my hands. I do own all types though. When I worked at the thrift store, I would purchase any that would have been thrown out. I just couldn't see throwing out a perfectly good Bible because the person loved it enough to write notes in the margins or highlight passages.

Do you prefer red letter or black letter?

• I've not given much thought to the red letter/black letter idea. I guess for me, it would depend on the type size and font. I have very poor vision. I like a dark, bold, larger type. That's my only preference.

Do you have a favorite translation of the Bible? Why? What is it that you love?

• I don't really have a "favorite" I use the NIV a lot, because my favorite study Bible is NIV. However, I have found that I also enjoy the NASB and NKJV as well. I prefer something in a "modern" language. I did not grow up in a Christian home, reading the Bible. I have a hard time wrapping my head about the KJV, though there are many passages that I have memorized in King James. There are also passages that just plain sound better in King James. When I'm teaching the kids in Sunday School and Children's Church, I use the NIrV, because my kids are usually four to six years old. So, you see, I use many translations, and I love them all!

Do you prefer reading text-only Bibles? Or do you prefer reading study Bibles?

• For the most part, I enjoy a good study Bible. If I'm just looking up a passage, I use the text only. I also use the text only in my children's classes. But, for my daily readings, I use a study Bible, that way I can look up the notes while I'm reading to capture some insight I may have missed before.

Do you have a favorite study Bible?

• I do. My favorite is the Life in the Spirit study Bible. I purchased this when we started our current church five years ago. This poor Bible has been through so much since that it's actually falling apart. My dear husband has repaired it three times for me. It now sits on my nightstand to keep it from further damage.
  

Quetion of the week #3

Which Bible character do you identify with most? Is there one that you can really relate to and understand? What is it about the story or character that gets to you?

Sarah comes to mind. Let's read Genesis Chapter 18 (NKJV)

1 Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.”
They said, “Do as you have said.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.
9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”
So he said, “Here, in the tent.”
10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.”
(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
13 And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid.
And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

Why do I relate to this? Because as a human, I, too often, forget that the LORD is in charge of all things. In my opinion, here Sarah is thinking only as a human. She was well past the age of child-bearing, so her human thoughts told her bearing a son was impossible. How would I react if I were in my nineties and someone told me I was to bear a son soon? I would guess the same way. She then denied her disbelief, being afraid of the consequences. It's pretty easy sitting her now, knowing what we know to wonder how she could have laughed at this thought and not immediately believe, and scorn her for lying about it too. However, one must really put themselves in others shoes before they judge. I believe I would have reacted the same, in both circumstances.

What's great about this, is that then, and now, the Lord looks pasts our very faults, and blesses us. Sarah may have scoffed at the thought of having a child in her old age, but the Lord blessed her with Isaac, and that son began a great nation. I may forget that the Lord can do all things when I'm wallowing in guilt or worry, but the Lord is faithful and provides my every need.

Then Sings My Soul - Hillsong Kids

This week I'm going with one we've done in Children's Church in the past. Since our DVD player quit, we haven't been able to do any of our HillSong Kids, but time's coming when we will!
Enjoy! I actually love Hillsong Kids, but then I'm a big kid at heart!

Last week it was all about goals. This week is slightly related to that. It's about plans--Bible reading plans to be exact. Do you need a plan to stay on track? Do you find reading plans helpful? Or are they more of a hindrance to you? Do you have a plan B? In other words, do you have it worked out what you're going to do when you fall behind, forget, get frustrated, get bored, etc.? (There are a dozen excuses why it might happen.) Do you see this as an all or nothing proposition?


Do you need a plan to stay on track?

• No, I don't need a plan to stay on track. I usually have a specific book I'm reading/studying. Right now I'm in the book of Hebrews.

Do you find reading plans helpful? Or are they more of a hindrance to you?

• I find the plans more of a hindrance to me. I know they have a wonderful purpose, but if I miss a day, I find myself spending so much time beating myself up over it, that I loose focus on what I was doing before.

Do you have a plan B? In other words, do you have it worked out what you're going to do when you fall behind, forget, get frustrated, get bored, etc.? (There are a dozen excuses why it might happen.) Do you see this as an all or nothing proposition?

• When I did a reading plan, my plan B was to jump right in and get caught up immediately, no ifs. ands, or buts. That didn't work. I would get so frustrated I would give up and start over. That ends up with too much of one part and not enough of the rest. I also tried just pacing myself, and catching up when I could. That does not work with my perfectionistic personality. Now, I read/study at a certain part of the day, not a specific time. When I first get up and before I go to bed is all I "require" of myself. Extra time in the day is just bonus food!
• I'm definitely more of an all or nothing personality. Thankfully, my husband keeps me grounded, just as I keep him grounded. The Lord has truly blessed us in this area!

Thanks again to Becky at Operation Actually Read Bible!

Then Sings My Soul - Amy Grant

Operation Actually Read Bible

Becky from Operation actually read the Bible is going to pose a weekly question. (I'm actually a week behind, but better late than never right? LOL )
Are you a goal setter? Do you set goals for yourself? How often? Yearly? Monthly? Weekly? Daily? If you don't meet your goals, do you beat yourself up about it? How do you stay motivated and on task? Do you have goals about your Bible reading? Why or why not?

• Are you a goal setter? Some-what: I have certain things I do on certain days to keep a schedule, other wise I loose track of time and accomplish nothing.
• Do you set goals for yourself? Yes and No. I have goals on what days to clean what room. Sometimes I do a good job, sometimes I gloss over. I set a daily goal at work to make it through the day without exploding at one of the younger crowd that does not know how to speak a full sentence without a cuss word. I make a daily goal to tell my husband love him as many times as I can. Otherwise, no, I don't.
• How often? Yearly? Monthly? Weekly? Daily? As you can see, I'm more of a day to day person. Tomorrow has enough worry without me adding to it. Now, don't think I don't put any thought into the future, I know when my bills are due, birthdays coming up, etc. But, basically, I stay grounded in the present.
• If you don't meet your goals, do you beat yourself up about it? Unfortunately, yes. This leans more towards my goals of reading my Bible more often. Forgetting a certain thing I wanted to pray about because I forgot to write it down.
• How do you stay motivated and on task? I write things down, and ask my husband to remind me of important things. If something is not written down, I will probably forget. I have a yearly planner on my computer desk with everything written down, day by day.
• Do you have goals about your Bible reading? Why or why not? Again, yes and no. I have goals to read more than I did the day before. I don't set specific goals, like read three chapters, or an entire book. I tried this before, and I failed, a lot. Then I beat myself up, a lot. There is nothing that will make the enemy happier than to come between a person and their Bible reading/study time and between them and their prayer time. I quit letting the enemy have a foothold in that department. Now I keep a Bible on my coffee table and my nightstand, as well as one in my Jeep. That way, when I sit down either to relax in the living room, or when I'm getting cozy in bed, my Bible is right there, and it says "Hey, lets get together!" When I'm stuck waiting somewhere in my car, I have one there too. So, my only "goal" in Bible reading is to have one convenient so I can grab and read at a moments notice.
  

The Cell Phone VS. The Bible

I found this on a blog and thought it was very neat. Take a minute to read and ponder the following words. It is very cool.

The Cell Phone VS. The Bible

Ever wonder who at would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses and pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What if we gave to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go… hmm, where is my Bible?
Oh and one more thing.
Unlike our cell phones, we have to worry about being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
Makes you stop and think “where are my priorities?”
AND, no dropped calls.

I'm moving....

Well, sort of...
I'm splitting this blog into two different blogs. This one should be for my updates to family and friends, as well as for my "thinking out loud" sessions. So, I've started another blog just for contests, giveaways, and, eventually, reviews.

Here's the new link:

Sherrylinn's List


I hope this will be more organized and less confusing (at least for me LOL)

"Little Blessings" new book and giveaway

Questions From Little Hearts by Kathleen Long Bostrom will be released in February from Tyndale Kids!

Quoting Felicia from her review:
" It starts off with sweet poetry of a child asking questions to God. Then the same sweet poetry answers in the voice of God! What I love most about this book is at the end of every question asked and answered there is a section that explains where the answers are in the Bible! It is founded on the truths of the Bible which is extremely important when you are reaching out to young impressionable hearts!"

"Questions From Little Hearts" is hardback and retails at $14.99. You will be able to purchase the book in February from Tyndale House Kids or your local Christian bookstore. But why wait....you can win one here for free!

Hurry on over to Go Graham Go! The giveaway ends January 14th at 11:59 pm!

Little Debbie 100 Calorie Sampler Box giveaway

Who doesn't love Little Debbie's? Seriously, these are among my favorites when it comes to junk food. I don't often indulge in them, being a diabetic, but when I do, I give the box to my hubby so I won't go overboard. Bargain Briana has (3) Debbie’s 100 Calorie Snacks Sampler Boxes to give to (3) lucky readers! The Sampler Boxes include a regular size box of each of the 8 Little Debbie’s 100 Calorie Snacks: Chocolate Cakes, Vanilla Cakes, Nutty Bar Singles, Nutty Bar PB Stix, Gingerbread Cookies, Marshmallow Treats, Triple Fudge Brownies, and Snow Puffs. (It is even shipped in a cute Little Debbie Box!)

There is also a link for a coupon towards your next purchase of Little Debbie's 100 Calorie Snacks, so hurry over to Bargain Briana's site and enter. Contest ends Saturday, January 10th around 8am EST .

Eco-me giveaway

Eco-me is giving 2 lucky readers of Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls a sampling products!

~Body Sugar Scrub Elements

~Baby Hoodies

~Diaper Pail Deodorizer Elements

~Baby Room Spray Elements

~Eco-Me Bags

"Eco-Me specializes in 100% natural do-it-yourself kits that are good for you and the environment, too.

We created a line of cleaning kits to help people make their own natural, non-toxic, chemical-free products. In March of 2005 my 36-year-old sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. How does a healthy, athletic, spiritual and nutritionally organic young woman face the challenges of breast cancer?

With no family history of this disease nor a lifestyle to promote it, could my sister’s breast cancer be linked to the pollutants in our environment or toxic chemicals in our homes?

Is it possible that by simply cleaning your home you are creating a toxic environment? Could the chemicals in products that line our shelves lead to life threatening health risks?

Why are we taking such risks in our homes and with our well-being?

The need to remove unnecessary chemicals from our homes led our search for completely natural and chemical-free products.

The only problem was finding the products. Most natural cleaners still use synthetic chemicals for colorants and add trace amounts of ammonia and harsh additives to their products. So we decided that if we wanted a truly natural product we would have to make it ourselves and a few months later Eco-Me was born."

You have until 9:00 PM EST, January 9, 2009 to enter. Click here now!

Carseat Blankie Give Away

If you're looking for a great baby shower gift or a soft and stylist blanket for your child's carseat look no further. Go to Carseat Blankies.



Better yet, win one! Head over to Giggles & Sugar Kisses and check out their great giveaway.

Enter to win the Seagate FreeAgent Xtreme 1 TB External Hard Drive

Here is some information on this external hard drive:

Sleek, big-capacity desktop storage with blazingly fast data transfer With its huge capacity and the fastest file transfer speeds today, the Seagate® FreeAgent™ XTreme storage solution helps you easily safeguard all your photos, music, videos, and documents and access them with maximum performance. Included, easy-to-use software helps keep your information safe and private with automatic data backup and encryption of your important files and folders. Environmentally smart utilities help save energy by putting your FreeAgent drive in sleep mode once it has been idle for 15 minutes. And you can take advantage of its flexibility to lie on its side or stand upright to maximize your workspace.

Count on the FreeAgent XTreme storage solution for quick access to super large files, added protection for all your content—and to look really good on your desk.

Highlights

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• Enjoy a sleek, modern design that offers the choice of horizontal or vertical orientation to complement your desktop environment.
• Easily protect your data with automatic backup software.
• Keep your important files and folders private with powerful software encryption technology.
• Sync content between your FreeAgent XTreme drive and other portable drives so you’ll always have your current file versions wherever you are.
• Get started quickly with pre-loaded soft ware. No CDs!
• Save energy with an environmentally smart utility that can put your drive in sleep mode once it has been idle for 15 minutes.
• Enjoy peace of mind with a 5-year limited warranty from the worldwide leader in storage solutions

Contest ends January 31, hurry over the The Dirty Shirt to enter!