Provoking Others

Leighton and I minister in the teen department at our church. It's such a fun group filled with energy and excitement. And, oh, the potential! On Sundays, he works with the high school guys, while I'm with the junior high girls. Every now and then though, our youth pastor keeps everyone together for the Sunday School lesson instead of splitting into groups after announcements and a game like normal.  

It was one of those days when the Scripture jumped out at me.

In the class, our youth pastor encouraged the teenagers to live godly lives. Totally what you would expect in a church atmosphere, right? Unfortunately, teens (adults, children, anyone) can get caught up in the things of the world. I think teenagers, especially, struggle with this. They are going through changes, dealing with peer pressure, worrying about the future. It can be difficult to take a stand, even in a church or Christian school. Talking about the Bible and spiritual things should be commonplace, while crude jokes and inappropriate language should be admonished--not only by adults, but their peers as well. 

As he was reading in Hebrews 10, verse 24 jumped out at me, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."

Provoke.

I generally think of provoking in a negative sense.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, 

but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. ~ Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. ~ Colossians 3:21

The Bible is filled with verses of provoked to anger, provoked to wrath, provoked to jealousy. In fact, 76 times the word provoked is used. All of them use it toward a negative reaction. All, but one.

provoke, verb

1. to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.)
2. to stir up purposely
3. to provide the needed stimulus for

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.

We should be striving to live godly lives ourselves, of course, but more than that, we should be purposely stirring up others to live right, too. Encouraging. Persuading. Prodding. 

Provoking. 

I think of provoking as a sibling who loves to poke at another, whether with words or actions--constantly being an annoyance until the innocent brother or sister gets frustrated. That child is not deterred by anything, but stays persistent until he achieves his goal of making the other person shout in response. And then he laughs. 

I have two kids who think this kind of provoking is an enjoyable game (as long as they are the ones harassing, ha). And while it is not a fun experience for most, it is profitable for the zealous provoker who is rewarded for his efforts with a change in attitude from the one he is irritating.

That's how we should be as Christians. 

Oh, I'm not saying we need to be annoying and overbearing and rude, but we need that same tenacity toward other Christians. Just like a provoker keeps prodding until he gets the response he's looking for, we should have that same commitment to encouraging Christians to live right 

The verses that sandwich number 24 build on that truth:

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hold fast the profession . . . provoke unto love and good works . . . not forsaking . . exhorting one another.

Let's stir each other up for Christ! If you see someone struggling, help them. If you find one going down a dangerous path, give advice. Encourage. Guide. Pray. Love.

Point others to Christ.

You can still influence people during this time of social distancing, maybe even more so now. Check in with your friends. Remind them that you love them. Ask what they've been reading in their Bible. Encourage them to use this time to draw closer to God.

We may not be able to meet in the church building right now, but we can still be a blessing, we can still do right, we can still minister, we can still love.

Let's provoke--call forth, stir up--unto love and to good works.

Venturing with God in Congo

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Reading is a priority in our home, so we are always excited to receive books to review. And while I enjoying getting lost in a good picture book with my little ones, true accounts are what is near and dear to my heart, especially stories about missionaries. These servants who have sacrificed all in service to their Lord are examples to us all. Their testimonies are inspiring and their dedication is to be emulated.

I couldn't wait to head to the heart of the jungle in Venturing with God in Congo from Conjurske Publications.

Conjurske Publications is a distribution company whose mission is "to reprint the greatest Christian literature from the past several centuries and present it to Christians across the globe today." Because preserving the essence of historical literature is vital, they exclusively sell full texts and make spelling and grammatical changes only when necessary. The believe also in not only the quality of the writing, but the beauty of the physical book, as well, as they produce striking covers that catch the eye and beg to be read. Their titles cover everything from biography to encouragement to poetry to short stories and more.

Venturing with God in Congo relates the stories of the Champlin family while they ministered in Congo in the mid 1900s. This collection of short stories document how the family was used to influence a sinful people as they lived as "jungle rats" in the heart of Africa. Their house, made of mud and sticks with dirt floors, was much different than the amenities that we take for granted in the States. The Champlins (Darrell, Louise, and their three children) lived as the natives lived, ate what the people ate. They were able to influence the Congolese people in a great way because they became one with them in many areas.

One aspect in which they refused to adapt to the national lifestyle was the practice of animism. The Champlin's sole purpose in going to this foreign field was to take the life-changing gospel of Christ to a lost people. Superstitions were abundant with the worship of evil spirits while talismans and fetishes were commonplace. Over time, the Champlins watched the fear of the bekadji (evil spirits) diminish as the love of God filled the hearts of the people. How amazing to witness the salvation of even the witch doctors! Of course, they experienced many hardships during that time, as well. Darrell relates stories of tracking down a rogue elephant, coming face-to-face with a 17-foot python, being flipped in a boat by enormous hippos, getting chased by an African boar, being mauled by a leopard, not to mention enduring the hardships of the weather and terrain. There are also stories of people being threatened with a spear, having a close call with death because of appendicitis, being stoned by angry villagers, observing the horrific practices of "becoming a man," witnessing the miraculous change of the people's own "Apostle Paul," and being a part of helping people see the Light in a dark world. It is evident that the Champlins loved these people, and they in return respected the missionaries and their God.

Darrell's writing is easy-going and conversational. Because he initially wrote the stories as individual accounts, not as a whole book, there is some redundancy of facts. The introduction and beginning chapters are a bit slow, but the book does increase in interest. There are also jokes woven throughout that went over the heads of my kids--he refers to the jungle as shopping at the "hardware store" since everything these used for building they found in nature, talks about "upholstered pews" when the bark was left on the log benches, and jokes of having an agreement with the bicycles because "they would carry us where we could, and we would carry them where they couldn't carry us" as the terrain changed along their paths. There is a pronunciation guide for Lingala in the beginning of the book as he incorporated the native language when he could. 

I used this book as a read aloud with my kids ranging from 5-14 years old. While the vast majority of it was appropriate, there were portions that I skipped or felt that might not be fitting for young kids. It was mentioned many times that the people lived practically naked, but there was also a statement about "nubile young women . . . proudly proclaiming their impending adulthood," a detailed description of a birth, and and explanation of it being rare for a girl to be a virgin still at 13 years old, among other things. 

The Champlins' memoir is awe-inspiring and convicting. The hard cover book has a soft, vibrant cover and 290 pages. There are nearly 50 stories broken into short chapters, making it easy to pick up even if you have only a few minutes to read. Each chapter ends with a Bible verse and its application. There is also a photo gallery of black and white pictures in the center of the book.

It is obvious that the Champlins loved their Lord and were greatly used by Him. Even though Darrell has since graduated to Heaven, he is still being used by God through this testimonial of Venturing with God in Congo.

"The two solutions were, of course, to have faith in God and have common sense--in that order."

~ Darrell Champlin

You can connect with Cojurske Publications on their website and Facebook.

You can read more reviews of Venturing with God in Congo on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Trust and Obey

It's not unusual to hear Nicholas singing. In the car. In the house. In the bathroom. In the store. He has always loved music, and while dancing is a fun pastime, singing is a passion. 

He spent an entire day recently singing "Trust and Obey," or at least singing his version of the classic song: 

Trust and obey 

When you don't get your way, 

Just trust and obey.

There's something very sweet and precious hearing your 4-year-old singing a hymn. And, of course, it is always adorable when little ones change words. But as I was silently chuckling listening to his cute rendition, I really thought about what he was saying.

Trust and obey 

When you don't get your way, 

Just trust and obey.

When you don't get your way. 

How easy it is to say those words when everything is going great. It's easy to say you trust God when you're "on the mountaintop." Sometimes we're guilty of singing the words with out mouths, but not with our hearts. Yes, we know we need to trust God and obey Him, but is it real to us when we're going through a trial? Do we still live it when everything seems to be going wrong? Trust and obey, not only when life is good, but when the hard times come, as well.

It was precious hearing that sweet, little melody coming from his lips. And just like God as our heavenly Father wants our trust and obedience, we desire the same from our children. I want my 4-year-old to trust me and obey me even when he doesn't get his way. I am wiser and understand more than he does. He doesn't always understand the dangers involved or what I am protecting him from. He doesn't realize that I'm training him for his future and there's so much more to the situation than simply that one thing I won't allow him to do.

He doesn't need to understand, but he needs to trust and obey. How much more does that lesson apply to our Father guiding us? 

Our family went through a big "when you don't get your way" experience this year. Our hearts were broken and it was not an easy time. Through all the tears and heartache and uncertainty though, we knew God had a plan. All we could do was trust Him and obey His leading. Even now, there are times when we wonder why. Why did it happen the way it did? Why did we have to go through that? What were we supposed to learn from it? The pain isn't raw anymore, but we still don't understand. And we may never know why! God doesn't agree to explain the reasoning; He promises to guide our path.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. ~ Psalm 37:23

I am reminded of the story of Abraham and Isaac. I get teary-eyed every time I read the passage in Genesis or hear a message about it. The thought of sacrificing your child! And yet, Abraham was obedient and God sent him a ram instead. There is also the story of Job and how he lost everything and the many trials Joseph experienced.

Those situations don't make sense in our human minds. Those men were trusting and obeying! And every step was ordered by God.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, 

and my thoughts than your thoughts. ~ Isaiah 55:8-9  

We may never learn why God leads us through certain situations, but we know He has a plan for our lives.

So even when we don't get our way or when God guides our path one way and then seemingly detours our life in a new direction, we can be confident in His love and care for us. Trust and obey.

Just trust and obey.

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

More Secrets of the Hidden Scrolls

Our family was thrilled to review the next two books in the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series! We've been following the adventures of these WorthyKids Books since the beginning--from Creation to the Flood to leaving Egypt to the Battle of Jericho and now to meeting David and Daniel in these new books. We were ready to hear the lion's roar as soon as we opened the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Shepherd's Stone (Book 5) and the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Lion's Roar (Book 6). 

WorthyKids of the Hachette Book group is a Christian publishing company in Tennessee. They partner with authors whose content are characterized by talent, creativity, and compelling ideas. They create colorful, interactive books for children, but their other imprints include products for adults too, like journals, devotionals, inspirational books, and much more.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls was written by Mike (M. J.) Thomas. When he couldn't find any books to teach his son about the Bible in a fun and imaginative way, he decided to create his own series. The books combine biblical accuracy with adventure and imagination. The main characters are named after his son, his niece, and his dog.

Though these are stand-alone stories, they all take place while Peter and Mary are staying with their great-uncle for a month. There is a prologue in each book that explains that Great-Uncle Solomon was an archaeologist who collected treasures from around the world. He even introduced them to his greatest discovery of all--the Legend of the Hidden Scrolls. These ancient scrolls sent the siblings back in time to events in the Bible to decode secret messages and learn truths found in God's Word.

While playing ball in the house in the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Shepherd's Stone, Peter knocked an ominous suit of armor, causing the sword to crash to the floor. Mary tried to reattach it, but the glove fell off and exposed a rolled up paper. The kids realized it was a map of Great-Uncle Solomon's house. The map showed rooms they had never seen before. The Royal Room, circled in red, caught their attention and sparked their interest.

Inside the room, the pair found a truly royal room--a throne, paintings of kings and queens, jewels, and crowns. Great-Uncle Solomon told them about Israel's kings and that "God doesn't look on the outside. God looks at the heart." The lion roared and the siblings were off on another adventure.

The kids found themselves whisked away to a grassy hilltop surrounded by sheep. Before they knew it, they were being chased by wolves. Just before the pack attacked their dog, a boy slung rocks into the sides of the wolves and scared them away.

Peter and Mary had traveled back to the time of David. They befriended him and his family, searched for a lost sheep, and accompanied him while he took food to his brothers on the battlefield. They learned to have courage during scary times and to trust God during dangerous times, like when they nearly fell down a cliff and were almost attacked by a bear. The siblings watched David stand up against Goliath  when no one else would, because he had faith that God would deliver him. By the end, the kids had found their own courage, stood up against the Soldier of Darkness, and solved the scroll.

Book 6, the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Lion's Roar, Mary and Peter found a large statue of a lion while playing hide-and-seek with their uncle. They learned about his archaeology dig, looked at a map of ancient Babylon, and reassembled old tiles into a mosaic picture before rushing off on their next adventure.

The pair found themselves high in a ziggurat temple. As they were exploring, they stumbled upon a large statue of a man. The haughty High Priest of Babylon and his insufferable raven, found them and required the kids to bow to the false god. When they refused because they worship only the one true God, the High Priest ordered his guards to throw them in the dungeon. Just then, a mighty wind swirled through the temple, blowing out the candles and knocking over the guards. The angel Michael appeared, drew his flaming sword, and rescued the kids.

After their escape, they spent the night in the Hanging Gardens. In the morning, they befriended a girl named Hannah and went to her house to hide from the guards. They went on a wild chariot ride while being chased by the High Priest. They escaped again at the last second.

The siblings learned that Hannah's grandfather was Shadrach. They got to hear of his account in the fiery furnace firsthand and learned of God's great power. They then met Daniel, learned about a plot against him, and witnessed him continue to trust in God. The two got to see the see the lions face-to-face and how God protected them all. They learned that God is in control before they found themselves back in Great-Uncle Solomon's house. 

These are cute little stories, right around 120 pages each, perfect for ages 6-9, and a quick read. They are fiction books, for sure, but filled with much biblical truth. One thing that I found fascinating this time was that book 6 portrayed Daniel as an elderly man. I've grown up in church my whole life--Sunday School, AWANA, even graduated from the Christian school--and every picture has always shown a young man. Of course, I stopped reading to my kids right then and did a little research. We learned that Daniel was somewhere around 80 years old when he was thrown into the lions' den. Eighty! Once I read the timeline of events, instead of relying on images, it made sense. That's why I talked about my issues with The Great Escape. Images are powerful. These books are more than entertainment.


Here's what my kids had to say:

I like that they're Bible stories.

Mary and I are a lot alike. I think it's cool that she's always reading.

I like figuring out the scrolls.

I like reading about the Bible stories.

We use these books as family read-alouds, but my kids love to reread them by themselves. I appreciate that they are whimsical, but teach kids about the power of God through the stories in the Bible. We can't wait to see what happens next.

The newest adventure awaits in book 7, The King Is Born. Three winners will receive signed copies of the entire set of the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls! These would make a great gift. You can enter by clicking on the graphic below. 

You can can connect with WorthyKids on the following social media site:

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You can read more reviews of these books on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

The Heart Changer

If you know our family, you know how important reading is to us. We read many books each week for both personal and educational reasons, so it is a blessing when we receive a new one to review. My daughter, especially, is a voracious reader. She's 11 years old now, and though she still enjoys reading cute picture books to her little brothers, she devours a good chapter book by herself.

It can be tricky to find books that have quality writing and literature for her age level. Often, the stories include themes and topics that are either too mature or too crude. I was excited to hand her a paperback copy of The Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio, Author as it meets my requirements for the middle grade level.

Jarm Del Boccio is a world traveler with a background in elementary and high school education and school librarian. Her passion is to make Scripture and history come alive by developing the backstory of key characters. Her debut novel, The Heart Changer, was inspired by II Kings 5 and focuses on the "little maid" that waited on Naaman's wife. Though the Bible doesn't tell us anything else about this girl, we know that she trusted in the healing powers of Jehovah and was instrumental in helping others trust in the true God. Jarm has taken this girl and has given her not only a name, but a story, as well. 

The story begins in the midst of battle as the village of Shunem was ransacked by Syrian warriors. Twelve-year-old Miriam, tried to hide, but was captured by one of the soldiers and taken far away from her family. Mile after mile she walked. Captive. Her muscles screamed in pain and with each step her heart hardened a little more.

Exhausted, sore, and bitter, she arrived in her new home days later. Everything was different--the sites, the smells, the food, the people. She wondered how the Almighty could allow this to happen. But as she watched the other captives chained and put on the auction block as she herself was claimed by the commander of all of the Syrian armies, she felt a flicker of hope in her situation. 

Miriam felt many conflicting emotions as she struggled to settle into this strange place. Torn between needing love and hating those who put her in this situation confused her all the more. Yet through it all, her captors were kind and she knew that the Almighty had a perfect plan. God chipped away at her bitter heart and though she missed her family and worried about their safety, she desired to do her best. When she learned that her master was plagued with leprosy, she played a vital roll in his healing. More than his physical restoration though, Miriam herself experienced a spiritual healing as her own heart began to heal and she fully trusted in the One who made all things.

My girl grabbed the book the day we received it in the mail and headed to her room. A little over an hour later, she handed it back to me. Her only complaint? That she didn't get to use the bookmark that was sent with it. There's no need for a bookmark when you read the entire book in one sitting!

After she described it briefly, here is what she said about it:

"I really liked it! It was a good book. I like that it was based on the Bible."

I also read the book in just over an hour. At less than 120 pages and written for 7-12 year olds, it is a quick, but powerful read. Jarm has done a lovely job filling in the gaps of what could have been that little maid's life. I find it helpful to put myself in a character's place when reading the Bible--imagining how they felt, what experiences would have influenced their decisions, what components would have shaped their perspective. Understanding the details, especially of a culture so very different from our own, truly helps the Bible become more alive and real. The Heart Changer does exactly that.

There is also a PDF teacher's guide (half way down the page, click on the white box with text). The guide is a simple 12-page accompaniment to the book. There are questions to get the reader thinking, including

If you were taken from your home, what would you miss the most?

Do you think it was wrong of Miriam to light the candles to Adara's god?

What character did you relate to the most? Why?

Would Miriam have influenced Naaman for good if she would have shown hate instead of forgiveness?

There are also prompts to research the setting further. What happened to people with leprosy, why Israel was taken into captivity, the distance between Israel and Syria, what the landscape was like are all things that would have played a roll in the story. Learning more details will help the reader understand the situations better. There are additional activities, helpful studies and devotionals, and even a few authentic Syrian recipes. The guide also includes some fun aspects like a brief interview with the author and some "favorites" of the main character.

The Heart Changer is a beautiful story to teach about forgiveness and faith. Even when our path leads us a way that seems painful, we can trust that God is guiding each step.

Jarm Del Boccio, Author has a talent for making a small character with a big roll come to life. I'm excited to see whose story she chooses to write next.

You can connect with Jarm Del Boccio on the following social media sites:
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Head to the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of this book.

Big Bible Science

My kids will happily spend their days experimenting with supplies, observing reactions, and investigating scientific data. It is no surprise that they are excited to review science-related materials and explore how the world around them works. Christian Focus recently sent us a book that perfectly speaks to our hands-on approach to learning called Big Bible Science.

Christian Focus has been producing books since the early 1970s. Their mission, "staying faithful" to God and His Word and "reaching out" to the world with the gospel of Christ, is made manifest through the resources they publish. From their Bible studies to their biographies to their children's books, and everything in between, the books point readers to God and the Bible. Their materials are written by authors all over the world and have been translated into over 70 languages.

Since we are big science-loving, hands-on learners, we have used many science and experiment books over the years. Big Bible Science, written by Erin Lee Green, is unique from everything else I have seen.  Rather than simply teaching scientific concepts and observing laws and theories through experimentation, this book demonstrates how God designed the world and all of its scientific aspects. It highlights various Bible stories that coincide with science facts and incorporates many other Scripture references. The book uses a version different from our own, so we keep a Bible with us during our lessons to read.

This paperback book contains just shy of 100 pages of fun. The pages are thick, glossy, and filled with bold colors and images. There are photographs, clip-art, and sketches that complement the written text. The book begins with an introduction explaining the importance of introducing kids to new concepts and all about a biblical worldview of creation. There are also pages with teaching tips, safety protocols, a list of activities and the adult-assistance needed, and other miscellaneous information. There is a page dedicated to the explanation of notebooking and the importance of keeping a scientific journal along with detailed directions to do so.

Big Bible Science covers 21 topics:

• Gravity
• Newton's First Law of Motion
• Newton's Second Law of Motion
• Newton's Third Law of Motion
• Coefficient of Friction
• Static Electricity
• Acids and Bases
• Combustion Reactions
• Plant Requirements
• Lunar Craters
• Water Cycle
• Angle of the Sun's Ray
• Basic Animal Classification
• Animal Classification: Zoo Trip
• Nervous System
• Muscles
• Bones
• Respiratory System
• Circulatory System
• Digestive System
• Urinary System

The science topic are divided into chapters/experiments. Each chapter follows the same format:

• Objective -- a brief explanation of the learning goal for the chapter
• Materials -- a list of needed supplies
• The Big Idea -- the scientific explanation; ties in a biblical perspective and memory verse
• Activities -- scientific demonstrations, games, and experiments
• Apply It -- ideas to find examples of the lesson in the real world; reinforces key aspects of scientific and biblical principles
• Go Beyond -- challenges and experiments for deeper study    

I have been using this course as a group activity with 4 of my children (ages 11, 9, 7, 4). I love reading through the Big Idea sections with them. My favorite part of homeschooling is the time we learn together--expounding on a topic, gaining a glimpse into their minds, and learning and growing together. Not only do these sections teach my little ones scientific concepts, but also incorporate biblical stories and truths into the lessons. We've discussed how Zacchaeus accepted Jesus and related it to Newton's First Law of Motion, the goodness of God's creation and Psalm 34:8 through acids and bases, how adding good habits and character traits to our lives is similar to Newton's Third Law, and more.

My kids' favorite part, by far, are the activities! Some of the chapters list a single experiment for the topic, while others offer many ideas to fully understand that concept. From driving toys cars through a masking-tape finish line to creating moon craters with balls and flour to classifying animals on a trip to the zoo to acting out the components of the blood, there is something to appeal to all little learners. Some of our favorite activities were sending balloons through the house attached to a straw on a string while learning about Newton's Third Law of Motion and tasting various foods found in our kitchen while learning about acids and bases. The activities are simple enough to be enjoyed by my 4-year-old but exciting enough to interest my 11-year-old, as well.

Another aspect of the book that I really appreciate is the mini biography section in the back. I require my kids to read a certain amount of their literature every week in a biography book. There is much you can learn while reading about people's lives. These brief accounts highlight various men who changed the world through their scientific advancements. Some of the 11 influential men that are included are Svante Arrhenius, Benjamin Franklin, Carolus Linnaeus, Leonardo da Vinci, and Lynn Townsend White, JR. 

Big Bible Science is a fantastic resource for learning detailed science concepts through the light of God's Word. Scientific facts, biblical truths, hands-on activities, short biographies--this book has it all.

You can connect with Christian Focus on the following social media sites:

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Some of my crewmates received other books from Christian Focus including a full biography about a Christian hymn writer and a couple cute ABC picture books that teach about God.

You can read those reviews on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Nothing

Some of the most precious times with my little ones have been cuddling on the couch and enjoying reading together. I always appreciate getting new books to review and share with them. My older ones have moved past the picture book stage and soak up novel after novel, but I still have a couple young ones that relish in the colorful pages and rhyming prose of children's books. The newest book in our collection, Nothing by Natalee Creech, was sent to us by WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. 

WorthyKids of the Hachette Book group is a Christian publishing company in Tennessee. They partner with authors whose content are characterized by talent, creativity, and compelling ideas. They create colorful, interactive books for children, but their other imprints include products for adults too, like journals, devotionals, inspirational books, and much more.

Sarcasm runs strong in our family, so you can imagine how many jokes have been made since receiving this book. Do you know what we got in the mail today? Nothing! Hey, I'm reading Nothing. Do you know where Nothing is? And despite our silly jokes, this book is not nothing, but filled with much truth. The full title, Nothing: Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love!, gives a better understanding of its content.

Natalee Creech is currently a librarian, but teaching for twelve years in South Korea taught her that poetry and songs helped her students understand better and faster. She began writing to help them learn. Her love of the Scriptures inspired her to bring Romans 8:38-39 to life through the pages of a book.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Can anything separate me from God's love? Natalee answers that question through an endearing story. She'll take your family on a journey from the high mountain down to the deep ocean, through a raging storm and across the calm dessert, on a hot air balloon and a train, and from your backyard all the way through outer space. She assures little ones that God loves them no matter where they are and what they do. Nothing can separate us from God's love.

The story is cute and well-written, but the full-page illustrations by Joseph Cowman really make the book something special. Not only are the characters adorable and whimsical, but there are unexpected details on every page that make not only the little ones giggle, but the mommy, too! There are mice sailing on a Cheese ship, an astronaut cat, a diving brown bear, and more. My kids and I love looking through the pictures at the various scenes and silly faces. 

After I read the book to my little guys, I explained that just like God loves them no matter where they go and no matter what they do, so does Mommy. We read the book again replacing God with Mommy each time. Can anything separate me from Mommy's love? No! The second version produced even more smiles and giggles. It's important our kids understand that we love them unconditionally, but even more than that, God loves them.

The book is approximately 8.75 x 9.5 inches, hardcover, and contains a jacket. The pages are full color and a nice combination of both bold and muted tones. There are around 30 pages, each with only a sentence or phrase, so it's a quick but powerful read.

Nothing by Natalee Creech is a joy to read. I love not only the message, but the fun way in which it's taught. Both the story and the illustrations are lovely. This is a wonderful way to teach kids the promise of God's love.

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You can read more reviews of this book on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Case Makers Academy

Have you ever wanted to be a detective? If so, this review is for you! My kids love mystery books. They enjoy gathering clues and trying to solve the case before the end of the story. It always makes me proud when they come running up to me shouting that they figured it out. They're paying attention to details and strengthening their critical thinking skills. But what if they could be learning so much more? 

Forensic Faith for Kids builds on those skills in popular mystery novels, but adds an even more important aspect. This book from David C Cook  and Case Makers Academy not only teaches investigative skills, but encourages kids--and adults alike--to apply them to Christianity.

J. Warner Wallace, the author of the book, is a real-life detective. He has been featured on multiple news networks and other crime-related television shows for his cold-case-solving abilities. He hasn't always been an advocate for Christianity though. In fact, he was once an atheist. He applied what he had learned as a detective to his investigation of the Bible. After finding overwhelming evidence, he was convinced that Jesus is the Son of God and started using his knowledge to persuade others.

J. Warner, along with his wife, Susie, have written a series of books that teaches kids investigation skills and how to use them to become better Christians. After proving that Jesus is God and that He created the universe, this third book teaches kids how to share the Truth of God with others and to be strong witnesses for Him.

Forensic Faith for Kids tells the story of a group of friends that are learning investigation skills as part of the Junior Detective Academy at the police department. In the beginning of the book, a few of the boys found a puppy with no owner in sight. During that time, some of the girls were surprised when a boy denied that Jesus is God and wondered how they could help him. The two mysteries weave together throughout the book as the group of friends gather clues and learn important details. The detective in charge of the Academy guides the kids, mentors them, and encourages them when the task feels daunting. Though he is there for direction, he never takes control of the cases. In the end, the kids solve both mysteries on their own using the skills that they had learned.

Because the authors want kids to become immersed in the story and put the various methods into practice, they wrote the book in present tense and second person format and made the reader a character. You are there to solve the mysteries. You are there to pick up clues. You are there to be an active participant in the story. It's not my favorite writing style, but it makes complete sense with the purpose of this book.

Each page of the book includes one or more visual extras.

• Pictures -- line art drawings that portray something from the story, can be a tiny square on the page, a large rectangle, or even fill the entire page.
• CSI Assignment -- a quick drill that reinforces a theme from the book, lists Bible verses with blanks to be filled in.
• Detective Definitions -- an explanation of words that are used and how they apply to Christians and in the story 
• A "Tool" for Your Detective Bag -- a tip and challenge to become better detectives 
• Dig Deep -- a gentle reminder to visit the website to enhance the training with the additional resources  

Your detective training continues with the Case Makers Academy. First, there is a collection of videos (the Wallaces are incredibly charming together in the intro clip and there's even a brief cameo of the dog from the story). There is a video to complement each chapter of the story in which the author explains what to expect and details to pay attention to.

There are additional resources for the chapters under each video. The training activity sheets are fun pages. They reinforce skills taught throughout the academy through activities such as word search, dot-to-dot, crossword puzzle, and more. The academy notebook sheets are a way to organize the main pieces of evidence from the story. Fill-in-the-blanks keep the reader engaged without feeling overwhelmed. The adult leader guide is a way to use the book with a small group. It references the full curriculum, includes the important concepts from each chapter, and lists good questions to ask the students.

It was no surprise to me that our family loved this book! We're partial to family read-alouds as it is, but the mystery aspect was a fun addition. My 10-year-old daughter guessed the ending during chapter 3. I wasn't quite convinced myself, but as we continued to read, we could see how her theory was falling into place. Each of us pointed out various details, and before the end, we knew she was right.

My plan was to work through one chapter a day by reading it, watching the video, and completing the pages. However, my kids begged me to continue, and since I'm a sucker for reading, I gave in multiple days. The book itself is 134 pages, so it can easily be read in a day or two on its own. To incorporate the additional training materials though, it's best to take your time.

This is one of my favorite parts of the book:

Once you know what you don't know, you're motivated to learn. Between the test 

and the task is a great opportunity to train.

   

Here's what my kids said about participating in the Case Makers Academy.

I like the puppy. 

My favorite part was solving the mystery.

It was really cool. The end when they solved it was my favorite part!

I like how the two mysteries were solved.

Critical thinking skills are important for everyone to have. I love that this book teaches kids how to think, rather than what to think. The book doesn't give all the answers, but instead teaches the process for the reader to research it for himself. The investigation skills that are taught are beneficial throughout life and especially important when questioning spiritual matters. One of my kids enjoyed Forensic Faith for Kids so much that he's asked multiple times to get the other books in the series. I think we'll be joining the Case Makers Academy again!  

  

You can connect with Case Makers Academy on Facebook.  

You can read more reviews of this book on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.