The Winner Is...

The winner of the Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition is aprilfresh31! 

April, please email me with your contact info within three days and I will send it out right away!  My email is abubblingbrook [at] gmail [dot] com.

And, a big thank you to everyone who participated in our 1st birthday celebration :)  I can hardly believe it's been one year!

           Warmly,




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Seeking The One Who Really Loves



[image credit]

I want to know more of Him, His Word, His truth, His love. 

His truth - born of love and proven by our love toward each other.  

 Truth that has been discovered by spending time with Him as He teaches me how to grow in love.  

I must spend the time; invest it into my relationship with Him, with others, with His church.

Time spent in prayer, in conversation, in intimacy.  Time hungry for Him, desiring Him, pursuing Him and His kingdom.  Memorizing Him and His likes and dislikes.  Reading His Word.  Singing His praises.  Serving Him by serving others. Offering my heart and surrendering everything I am, even my way of thinking, my mind. 
   
I want to be bathed in His presence daily, in His Word, fragrant prayers ever on my lips, learning to lean and growing in love, prepared to share truth as He leads.
 
And may each of you, dear mamas, find truth born of love - His love - when you visit here as well.  May your time here be well spent.  May you find little treasures of truth and love here that inspire you to live deeper, fuller, closer to Him.  May your families be richer for it.
 
May we hear Him louder than the cries of our flesh or the culture around us.  

Precious mamas, I pray that each of you experiences His unfailing love, daily, as you continually seek Him.
 
            Warmly,
 

***We are celebrating our 1st birthday this week and giving away the Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition, which includes a full audio CD set... won't you celebrate with us and enter to win?***

[also shared at Women Living Well Wednesday, Raising Homemakers, {Titus2}sdays, and Gratituesday] If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook via email - it's free!

"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so must you love one another.  By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:34-35 

It's Our 1st Birthday, and We're Giving Away the Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition!

It's our 1st birthday!

As I'm writing this, it's mid-February, and it was just about this time last year Like a Bubbling Brook was born.  We are still in the beginning stages, but are very excited that we've made it to the one year mark... and that has happened mostly because of the precious mamas who visit here who have encouraged us with kind words, thoughtful comments, and sweet emails.  You all have been such a blessing!

To celebrate, we are giving away the award-winning Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition to one of you -  yes, the edition that includes the storybook AND the audio CDs, pefect for listening to at home or on the road.  It's written by the very talented Sally Lloyd-Jones, beautifully illustrated by Jago, and narrated on audio by David Suchet.  It has won both the Moonbeam Award Gold Medal and the Mom's Choice Award.

Here's what people are saying about the Jesus Storybook Bible:

"I would urge not just families with young children to get this book, but every Christian--from pew warmers, to ministry leaders, seminarians and even theologians!" - Dr. Tim Keller, NY

"The Jesus Storybook Bible is unlike any other storybook. True, that's to be expected when you combine the mesmerizing illustrations of Jago and the award-winning writing of Sally Lloyd-Jones, a Brit with an uncanny knack for storytelling. Not only is each story as vividly illustrated as it is portrayed, but also each tale is telling one Big Story---the Story of Jesus." - More to Life Magazine

It would make a special gift for your children or for a child dear to your heart.

To enter to win one deluxe edition, which includes the storybook, full audio CD set, and carrying case, leave a comment in the comment section below.

For additional entries, subscribe to LABB via email (and confirm the follow-up email), follow via Facebook, follow via our NEW twitter page, or share this giveaway on your Facebook page, Twitter, or your blog (each counts as 2 entries, leave 2 comments for each).  Be sure to leave an email or a way for me to contact you if you win!

*Open to U.S. participants only. Giveaway ends this Friday at midnight.  Winner will be announced Saturday and will have three days to respond.

Thank you for sharing our birthday celebration with us!  We're so glad you are here!

        Much thanks,





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Personal Reading Goals For The First Quarter Of 2011



[photo credit]

When I was a child, much of our quiet time in the evenings was spent playing family games or reading books.  I remember spending countless hours sitting on my bedroom floor, my back flat against the sideboards of my old and very high wooden bed, with my knees drawn up and a book propped on them.  Nothing was too long or too difficult for me back then; I loved to read, and was good at it. 

As a mama, I still appreciate a well-written book, but now I find myself searching out ones that will help me grow and will ultimately add value to my family or spiritual life.  And, although I read quite often, this year I desire to be accountable, scheduled, and more intentional with my reading. 

I'm hoping to read a minimum of two books per month in 2011, with the exception of this first quarter since I am reading my Bible through and it is requiring a significant time commitment. 


My Reading Goals for 1st Quarter of 2011:

*Read through the entire Bible - I'm using my ESV Bible along with the 90 day reading plan that I shared in this post.

*Read Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl - I began this one already and am really looking forward to getting further along in it!

*Read What Did You Expect: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage by Paul Tripp - My husband is reading this book now and has really been enjoying it.  We'll be going through this one together.

*Read Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt - I'm hoping for some inspiring words regarding the process of learning and possibly tools for homeschooling in this one.  I love the subtitle of the book: "The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life."  Doesn't it sound like a wonderful resource?  Have you read this one already?

And, if I finish ahead of schedule, I may begin Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours or perhaps Organizing Your Day and attempt to get a head start on the second quarter :)

For some of my absolutely favorite books of all time, be sure to visit the Bubbling Brook store.

What books are you reading this year, ladies?  Do you have any recommendations for me?

            Warmly,


*Shared at {Titus2}sdays and Domestically Divine


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Commit to Bible Reading in 2011, and Five Tips to Help You Begin

"The Bible was written not to be studied, but to change our lives."

- Dr. Howard Hendricks

On Monday, I shared my heart about the importance of reading the Bible, and I asked if you'd join me in making an increased commitment to Bible reading in 2011.

Today, I'd like to share something with you that made reading the Bible from cover to cover much easier for my husband and I, and that is the 90 Day Bible:

 One year it took me four months to complete this Bible, and another year it took me six months.  Some actually do complete it in the advertised 90 days, but sometimes being a mama means that days aren't perfectly planned out. By reading only twelve pages a day, it is possible complete this entire Bible in 90 days.  Most days, I can read the twelve pages in about 45 minutes time.  I usually do it in the morning, but you can break it up and do six pages in the morning and six pages at night, or whatever works for you. If you don't want to purchase the Bible, you can find a similar reading plan available here and here, and you can simply print it from your computer (for free) and use it with your own Bible. The objective is to read the Bible. Some will complain that reading it through this quickly doesn't give you a chance to really study it, absorb it, meditate on it.  I know.  I've heard the arguments, and I beg to differ.  I enjoy the "big picture" aspect of reading it through this way, and then pausing to study in more detail when I come across an intriguing passage. Reading the Bible through, whether you're reading it in 90 days, one year, or five years, will change you.  Period. You will learn and you will grow; you will become a student of the Word and not merely a spectator.  You will be a participant in the Word and no longer a passive observer.  You will discover firsthand the truths that He has revealed in His Word.  Your spiritual life will grow and mature.  You will begin to crave that special time in the Word each morning! Five Tips To Help You Begin: 1.  Choose a reading plan, and then set a time aside each day to read.  Do not say that you will read here and there as you can find the time.... the time will never come.   2. Commit to waking 45 minutes earlier each morning, and set your alarm.  3.  Get the coffee or tea ready the night before so it's easier to grab a cup and stumble over to the armchair.   4.  Do not do a "quick" check of your email before you complete your day's reading, and don't open Facebook, either.  Stay focused!  No computer time until you are done! 5.  If you are unable to finish your reading goal that morning (perhaps the children awoke earlier than normal), then commit to finishing the reading during naptime or just before bed.  Don't put it off until the next day; it will quickly become overwhelming. In twenty years, will you still be wishing you had done it?  Or will you make this year the year? I'm praying for you - I know you can do it!  Warmly, 

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When Your Bible Is Dusty



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"Dusty bibles lead to dirty lives."

I've heard this - read this - a dozen times or more.  To me, it's one of those thoughtful, impacting little nuggets that makes reading a whole book just to stumble upon it, well... worth it.

Sometimes the book I'm reading may not be spectacular, but there's one thought in it that changes the way I think, and this is one of those thoughts.  It convicts me.

Is your Bible dusty?  Is is reflected in the way you live?  In your relationship with Him?  With others?

Ouch.

As my dear husband and I begin planning next year's Bible reading, I stumble upon this, from Dr. Hendrick's book Living by the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible:

"You see, a lot of people nowadays are making all kinds of claims about what the Bible supposedly teaches - claims that are simply not true.  A closer inspection of Scripture reveals that the Bible doesn't, in fact, teach what they say it does.  Likewise, there are a lot of things that the Bible does teach that many people don't even know about, because the truths are deemphasized or ignored altogether."

Dear friend, beautiful mama, do you know what the Bible teaches?  Have you read it for yourself?  Studied it?  Poured over it? 

Have you felt His love, His story in it?

Have your tears ever washed over its pages?

It is for you.

Many of us want a word from God, but not the Word of God.  We may own a Bible, but the Bible does not own us, it's not in us, not in our hearts and minds.

If you were without face-to-face communications with your husband for many years, and he carefully wrote you a book out of His  tremendous love for you, and you longed to be reunited with him again someday, wouldn't you read that book over and over again, savoring every sentence? 

Surely you would.  How could you not?

"Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." - 1 Peter 2:2

Later this week, I'll share some tips and a tool that we use in reading our Bible through, cover to cover.  We've done it in years past, and plan to do it again this upcoming year. 

Would you prayerfully consider reading the Bible through with us in 2011?  Or perhaps at least one testament? 

It will change you.


   In Passionate Pursuit,



{You can read part two of this post here.}



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Spending Mornings With The One Who Made Them

We are an active family.

We love to be outdoors enjoying God's beautiful creations, and that works well for us, because my little men have quite a bit of energy.

But, lately I have been feeling a bit pricked in my heart about how my little ones spend their wee hours of the morning.  With all of their energy, they want to just get up and GO.  Busy play and much to-do, right from the start.

Although we have devotional time together as a family in the evenings, perhaps now is the time to inspire our six-year-old to pause in the mornings and pray, to read the Word, to spend quiet time with THE Creator of all these beautiful places we enjoy.

So this morning, when my sleepy-eyed little man bounded into the living room just shy of 6 a.m., this mama prompted him to sit with his children's bible and peruse.  As his reading improves, we'll become more disciplined in blocks of time for specific passage readings and study.

Are your children spending morning-time in prayer and the Word?  At what age did you begin to encourage it?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments section.


           Warmly,


{Also shared at Finer Things Friday}

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A Gift from my Mother and an Heirloom for my Children: My RL Allan Bible

Over the summer, my sweet mama ordered the most beautiful bible as a birthday gift for me, one that I have admired for quite some time ~ it looks slightly antiqued; Victorian, perhaps ~ and is bound with a fantastic goatskin leather ~

It has been on back-order ever since she placed the order, finally arriving last week.  I jumped and twirled in sheer joy when my father brought it over that day!  Yes, I was quite a sight, I am sure :)

It is my intent to use this as my "carry around" bible, to church and bible study, etc ~

Made in Scotland by a small family owned company (and distributed by Evangelical Bible in the USA), R.L. Allan pays superior attention to detail, crafting bibles that easily become heirlooms within families.  This particular bible was printed at Oxford University Press, on India paper ~

This is my second R.L. Allen bible (my other, the Reader's ESV, I use for morning reading) and it will be a joy to pass these on to my children one day, well-marked and tenderly worn, with all the richness and care than a mama can possibly pass down a bible with ~

I especially love the full yapp that my bible has; not only is the full yapp especially elegant, it also serves to protect the gilded pages inside.

This bible will be treasured for years to come; not only because it is the inspired word of my loving Lord, not only because of its enduring elegance and craftsmanship, but because it was a thoughtful gift from my precious mother.

Do you have a bible that you intend to make a family heirloom?

            Warmly,



{Linked with Finer Things Friday}

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Studying the Word; Need Inspiration? {+Video}

This week, we are studying about the Word.  Why should I read it?  What should it mean to me?  What can I gain from it?

A couple of years ago, we found a wonderful video series by Dr. Howard Hendricks, the first being "Why Study the Bible?"

In this six minute video, Dr. Hendricks discusses three reasons for Bible study:

1. Bible study is essential for spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2)
2. Bible study is essential for spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:11-14)
3. Bible study is essential for spiritual effectiveness (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

If you are joining me for this week's Bible study, you may find this brief video inspiring.  You may also view the rest of the series here.

Looking for more?  I've also been inspired by Dr. Hendrick's book, Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible.

How have you been doing this week?  Any thoughts to share?

For those of you who are not joining in on our study, what you are reading in your Bible right now?  I'd love to hear about it.

In Passionate Pursuit,


(Isn't studying the Word a Finer Thing?)
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I'll Be Studying about the Word of God this Week; Will You Join Me?

I have been blessed with a very sweet husband.

He bought me a new bible.  For Mother's Day.  The one I've been dreaming about.  You know the one.  Turns out, it was in stock after all...

For the past month I've been running my fingers over its cover, perusing through the pages, smelling it, enjoying it.  I'm thankful for it and I treasure it.

He asked me what I'd been reading in it lately, and I felt ashamed to say that I'd been dancing around quite a bit ~ a portion here, a chapter over there.  No rhyme or reason.

This week, though, I've decided to focus on a simple inspirational study about the Word: what it is, what it should mean to me, how I should respond to it.

Would you care to join me in studying this week?

Here's what I'll be contemplating and using as a guide:

 The Bible is the Word of God ~

It is holy, inerrant, infallible, and completely authoritative. (Proverbs 30:5-6, John 17:17, Psalm 199:89)

It is profitable for teaching, reproving, correcting, and training me in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

It matures and equips me so that I am ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:17)

It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

It brings me stability during the storms in my life. (Matthew 7:24-27)

If I believe its truth, I can be set free.  (John 8:32)

If I hide it in my heart, I will be protected in times of temptation. (Psalm 199:11)

It is the powerful, living, discerning Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12)

It is the Sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:17)

It is sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold. (Psalm 19:10)

It is forever settled in heaven.  (2 Corinthians 13:7-8, Psalm 119:89)

It is absolutely true with no measure of error.  (John 17:17, Titus 1:2)

It is absolutely true about God.  (Romans 3:4, Romans 16:25-27, Colossians 1)

It is absolutely true about man.  (Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 8:4-6)

It is absolutely true about sin.  (Romans 3:23)

It is absolutely true about salvation (Acts 2, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9)

It is absolutely true about heaven and hell. (Revelation 21:8, Psalm 119:89)

That's it.  Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.  Will you join me?   From the comfort of your own home?

Please let me know if you are planning to participate by sharing your thoughts in the comment section.

UPDATE 6/3/10:  If you are late in joining us, that's just fine... you may also want to check out today's post for more inspiration.

      Truly,


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The R.L. Allan Reader's Reference Bible

(photo credits: Bible Design Blog)

Is it okay to covet if we're coveting a new Bible?

These are on backorder until August, but we'll be putting monies aside for one. My hubby is so sweet; he diligently researched, found this lovely Bible, and wants me to have one.  I haven't had a new Bible in several years. 

What do you think?  The tan is my favorite.

I really like the goat skin and the full-yapp option; see how the leather edges drape ever-so-nicely over the pages?

After this, I shouldn't need a new Bible for many years.  It's an heirloom I can pass down to my children.  A treasure from mama.

Looks like we'll be tweaking the budget for the next few months.  Anyone know of a coupon code for Evangelical Bible?

Read more about the R.L. Allan Reader's Reference Bible at Mark Bertrand's Bible Design Blog.