{Mosaic Reviews} How Do We Know God is Really There?

I thought it would be interesting to ask my kids this question individually without hearing each other's responses...

 

Elijah, age 10: "The Bible tells me about God.  God answers my prayers.  I feel his protection and presence."

 

Luke, age 9: "God talks to me through prayer.  The Bible tells me about Him.  I feel his love and protection."

 

Isaac, age 6: "I just believe.  I feel God with me, like if I'm scared, I can just pray."

 

Sadie, age 3: "My Sunday School teacher tells me about God.  Mommy prays with me."

 

 

We were given an opportunity to read How Do We Know God is Really There?, a picture book written by Melissa Cain Travis and published by Apologia.  In this book, we meet a boy, Thomas, and his father who enjoy spending time together before bedtime in their backyard tree house.  It is a special time where they catch up on the events of their days.  Often Thomas's dad brings along his telescope and they search for planets and stars. 

 

One night, after stargazing, Thomas asks his dad how we can know God is out there.  He questions whether or not there is proof that God exists.  Thomas's dad answers his questions by talking about the findings of Edwin Hubble in regard to the galaxies of the universe. Using scientific fact, he guides Thomas to realize the truth and proof of God's existence through a question and answer style of conversation.  Thomas's dad tells him that the more he learns about the universe, the more evidence he'll have to believe in our Creator God.

 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."  Psalm 19:1

 

 

I appreciated the conversational tone of this book.  Thomas's dad wasn't simply telling Thomas what to believe, but was guiding their discussion by challenging him to think and discover the answer about God's existence on his own.

 

The words spoken by Thomas's dad are somewhat sophisticated as an adult would speak and Thomas answers as a child would - in simple words that younger children can understand.  They go back and forth with Thomas's dad stating a fact or making a point, then Thomas restating it more simply.  This type of conversation allows young readers to understand the logic behind the scientific evidence.  It helps this mama understand as well!  He, he!!!

 

Beyond the content, the book appears to be quite well made with a hardcover and thick, semi-glossy pages.  The font is easy to read and each page has colorful illustrations that especially enhance the scientific portions of the text. 

 

I would love to see more books of this nature in the future - taking some of the "big" questions and answering them one by one in separate picture books. 

 

If you are interested in purchasing this book, reading a sample from the book, or learning about other materials by Apologia, please visit their website for pricing and other information!



 

{Project 365} Day 23: Unglued

Every Wednesday from 1:00pm - 2:00pm, I sit in our van during piano lessons.  I read (yes, one can concentrate even with four loud children in such a small place), pass out snacks to keep my children quiet in said small place, write and make lists, call my mom or text friends for a quick "hello", and occasionally work on schoolwork if I'm feeling especially behind that day.

 

 

{Project365}: capturing this life - one photo (or so) every day for one year

 

I started reading Unglued before Christmas but had to put it down.  I knew it was going to hurt like Aslan's claws tearing into my flesh.  This book dives deep into an issue I've battled hard for about six years - one that I feel creeping up on me everyday recently as I allow pressures to mount while desperately trying to stuff them down. 

 

You see, I didn't know I was a "screamer" until our third son was born.  Frustration, inadequacies, tiredness, trying to control yet feeling completely out of control, things not going perfectly, stress, and a million other emotions welling up inside me to the boiling point.  And then I'd explode all over. 

 

Yuck. 

 

It was a mess. 

 

I was a mess. 

 

Than along came my Titus 2 mentor - not knowing the depth of my struggle - and she began speaking words straight to my heart.  Words of love, mercy, grace, and the need for repentance and reliance on the Lord. 

 

And my heart began to change.  The Lord was making me new. 

 

The Lord is making me new. 

 

Praise God.

 

I need reminders of this sort all the time.  Unglued will be my reminder for this present season.  I'm dying to read it and scared at seeing my sinful ugliness afresh.

 

"Progress.  Just make progress.  It's okay to have setbacks and the need for do-overs.  It's okay to draw a line in the sand and start over again - and again.  Just make sure you're moving the line forward.  Move forward.  Take baby steps, but at least take steps that keep you from being stuck.  Then change will come.  And it will be good."  (Unglued, pg. 14-15)

Reading Basket

Once upon a time, a box came in the mail.  Inside was a large book called "Large Family Logistics" and a little book called "Loving the Little Years."  So funny.  At least to Mike and I...

And this book was included as well...I'm sure there will some crossover on the dazzling gift of grace to self, hubby, children, and others...



Draw-It-Up Tote

I purchased a new sewing book Sewing School and it is perfect for learning the basics of hand sewing. It is intended for children and the projects are obviously for children, but adults with little sewing experience could certainly learn a lot from this book.

While I didn't necessarily intend to use this book with my boys, they browsed the pages and found these drawstring bags. They were practically begging me to let them make one of their own. Oh, the things they were imagining their bags could hold...tools, marbles, 5 smooth stones (if you're David from the Bible), weapons, flashlights and books for bedtime, bathroom stuff, and so on.

Daddy protested a little, but the boys had their hearts set on it...so I promised we would use "boy" fabric! Elijah and Luke did a great job sticking with it to complete their bags. Isaac did a great job being patient and watching mama sew his bag to show the bigger boys how to do it. That is, after he did a few stitches and sewed it to my bedspread! Ha, ha!

The totes turned out great and the boys were so pleased with their effort. After all, even boys need to know how to fix some stitches here and there in life, right?! And they have not done a single girly thing with the bags since they were finished!

The bonus for me is that we completed an "art project" for school today, too!!!

Isaac kissing his bag because he loves it so much...silly boy!

Kindred Spirits and Transformed Lives

Doing this battle of life as a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mom, and a homeschooling teacher along with several kindred spirits with whom I am blessed enough to claim friendship. I am at a different place than each of them though in most cases not that far removed - one has grown children, two don't homeschool, one has fewer children, one has more, one has the same. The common bond that seals our friendship is our heart's desire to surrender our lives to the living Christ, the one whose strength is made perfect in our weakness. Not one of those ladies would claim to have it all together and yet I see them as some of the strongest Christian ladies I know.


They are real. They inspire me. They challenge and lovingly correct me. They pray with and for me.


I trust them with my heart, my deepest feelings and ugliness. I find no judgement, no rejection. I find love. I find encouragement. I am safe. True Christ-likeness.


I had a conversation with one of those friends today and was reminded of an analogy from C.S. Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader that really struck me as it pertains to my own heart issues of sin, of becoming more Christ-like. I can do what God asks of me - to fellowship with Him, to pray, to read Scripture, but the real heart change comes when I allow Christ to scrape and scratch out the ugliness in my heart, my sin. It hurts so much but after it's all done...transformation!!!


In the book, Eustace, a rather ornery, complaining, very unlikeable sort, has been magically turned into a dragon wearing a constricting golden arm cuff. He has no way of turning back into a boy except for the help of Aslan, the lion. Aslan tells him that he must undress, so Eustace figures out that like a snake sheds its skin, maybe he can shed his scales. So he starts scraping and scratching. Much to his delight, he sheds one layer but as he looks down, there is another layer. He does this three times and each time there is another layer to peel off.

So Aslan says, " '...you will have to let me undress you.'

I was afraid of his claws, I can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now. So I just lay flat down on my back to let him do it. The very first tear he made was so deep that I though it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt...

...then he caught hold of me - I didn't like it very much for I was very tender underneath now that I'd no skin on - and threw me into the water. It smarted like anything but only for a moment. After that it became perfectly delicious and as soon as I started swimming and splashing I found that all the pain had gone from my arm. And then I saw why. I'd turned into a boy again."

WOW! Compare this fictional story to a real, transformed life in Christ!!! Double WOW!!!


I'm thankful in this new year for the complete Chronicles of Narnia book series to feed my addiction (he, he!) but mostly for kindred spirits and an expectancy to see real change and transformation in my own life and my friend's lives. It might be difficult, but we're in it together with Christ!!!

Celebrating Advent

Celebrating Advent this year. Being intentional with our time and activities. Choosing to not let the CHRISTmas season fly by in a flash of wrapping paper, chaos, earthly concerns, shopping, selfishness, and Santa.

Taking time each morning to be quiet and remember the history of our Christian faith...WHO created us...WHO holds us all together...WHO loves us with an everlasting love...WHO we are called to honor and glorify...

Being thankful for the many blessings we have been given...especially the free gift of eternal life with our Savior...

Praying for those in need, those who don't know our Savior...

Talking excitedly about the things we can share and give this season...

Enjoying candlelight in the morning grey from our Advent wreath as we count down the days until Jesus' birth...

Reading Advent Stories and Christmas stories...A Jesus Advent Celebration: Jesse Tree Journey and Jotham's Journey

Being together...

Mary Poppins

From Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

"If you are looking for Number Seventeen - and it is more than likely that you will be, for this book is all about that particular house - you will very soon find it. To begin with it is the smallest house in the Lane. And besides that, it is the only one that is rather dilapidated and needs a coat of paint. But Mr. Banks, who owns it, said to Mrs. Banks that she could have either a nice, clean, comfortable house or four children. But not both, for he couldn't afford it.

And after Mrs. Banks had given the matter some consideration she came to the conclusion that she would rather have Jane, who was the eldest, and Michael, who came next, and John and Barbara, who were twins and came last of all. So it was settled..."

Like Mrs. Banks, I'd take my four lovies a million times over than the biggest, nicest house on the block...

Reading Basket

I've always enjoyed posts where others share what is in their reading basket...here's mine.

1. Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson - Read with the boys, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well. The characters are unique and the illustrations are realistic and detailed. It tells the story of a group of animals (from their perspective) that have experienced years of hard times due to lazy folk and an uninhabited house. But the big news spreading around the Hill is that new folks are coming. The animals discuss their excitement and fears while everyone is hoping that the new folks are planting folks. It has been years since there was a garden on the Hill and the new folks could bring back the good times with their arrival. There is a jingle that Little Georgie makes up in his excitement over the new folks coming...we plunked it out on the piano and the boys absentmindedly hummed it for several days. We also listened to this on audio book and it was fabulous! The icing on the cake was finding a used copy at the Salvation Army for 39 cents after I knew it was a book I wanted to own!!!

2. Heaven at Home by Ginger Plowman - Just started reading this one after loving another book the author has written. Here's the back cover summary: "Just as Jesus is preparing a magnificent place for us in Heaven, we can prepare our homes to be a haven where spirits are renewed, dreams are nurtured, and the best of life is lived. Nestle your family into a warm and welcoming refuge by learning how to establish and enjoy a peaceful home."

3. Don't Make Me Count to Three! by Ginger Plowman - This is my second reading of this practical book on heart-oriented discipline while participating in a book study with other moms at my church. The author lays out scriptural truths and practical advice on how to reach issues of the heart (our sin nature) rather than focusing on outward behavior which is our society's norm today. This book is full of Biblical truth (reproof AND encouragement) and practical ideas all tempered with God's grace and mercy in raising our children. A must read for any parent (though the book is written to moms) who desires to reach their children's heart for Christ, to help them recognize and reconcile their sin nature, and to draw them into a closer parent/child relationship. This book will stay in my reading basket as a reference because I KNOW I need constant reminders of how to parent in a way that glorifies God, but also because the last chapter is a guide with scriptures of how to pray for our children.

4. The Railway Children by E. Nesbit - Reading with the boys and only a few chapters in. The story is about 3 siblings whose lives are turned upside down when they need to leave the comforts and frivolity of their city home for a completely different life in the country. The railway that runs close to their new cottage home is central to the remainder of the story - can't wait to see what adventures the children encounter.

5. The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise - I keep this as a ready reference for homeschooling. I'm reading over the sections for Kindergarten and 2nd grade and noting books or topics that we'll spend on extra reading time. I'm also checking for books in my library system to see what's available to borrow.

6. An Elm Creek Quilts Album by Jennifer Chiaverini - With three novels (numbers 4, 5 & 6) in this hefty book in the Elm Creek Quilts series, I find this frivolous reading just what I need right now. With many hours sitting and waiting before Sadie arrived and many hours sitting and nursing, I need something easy on the mind and easily interrupted with other demands of my day. Of course, it helps that this series is all about quilters and quilts. Inspiring even if it is fiction!

P.S. Don't you love how my books color coordinate - blues, greens, creamy yellows...I often notice little details like this...it must be the creative/quilter/wanna-be interior decorator in me!