Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain By Paul Meier M.D. and David Livingstone Henderson M.D.

Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain by Paul Meier M.D. and David Livingstone Henderson M.D. is a good book to begin your journey to healing of your past.  Instead of running away from the hurts, instead the authors teach you how to stand and face what you've been through, embrace it and use it as a gift from God to change your life and possibly the lives of others who are hurting too.

Though through God I have had a huge break through in my struggles with depression and anxiety, this book offered some good tools to put in place to help when we get stuck in the past.  Though not all of the solutions work for me, that doesn't mean they won't work for you.  It's worth a read if your looking to turn your life around and become a Godly person who listens to what God wants us to learn instead of running away from it or living in the past.

Book Description: 

A revolutionary approach to dealing with life's challenges that guides readers in how to face them and to recognize them as gifts from God.
At one time or another everyone finds themselves questioning, "Does God still love me? Is there a purpose for all this pain?" Drs. Meier and Henderson teach readers how to face painful struggles head-on in a way that allows them to grow and mature emotionally and spiritually. In this timely book they explore the seven most common life challenges:

* Injustice
* Rejection
* Loneliness
* Loss
* Discipline
* Failure
* Death

In addition they offer the three reasons we often miss the gifts these challenges can be. This unique approach to an age-old problem will encourage and challenge readers to grow through their struggles instead of wasting energy trying to avoid them altogether.

**Thomas Nelson sent me a free copy of Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain By Paul Meier M.D. and David Livingstone Henderson M.D.** 

Treasured and "God Gave Us..." Blog Tour

I received three beautiful books from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group that I wanted to share with my readers.  I believe that time is precious and we should read books that uplift us spiritually and emotionally.  These three books did just that, plus gave me a way to share God with my little ones.

The first book I received is called Treasured by Leigh McLeroy.  An absolutely beautiful book that I enjoyed picking up and reading when I had a few moments of spare time. 

Summary of the book:   Cigar boxes. Refrigerator doors. Scrapbooks and sock drawers and top shelves. These are the places we store our treasures–the keepsakes that tell the story of whom and what we’ve loved, how we’ve lived, and what matters most to us.

God is a collector, too, whose treasures are tucked securely into the pages of his book: a golden bell here, an olive leaf there, a scarlet thread, a blood-stained cloth, a few grains of barley. Each of these saved artifacts reveals a facet of his heart and tells the story of a Father whose most precious possession is…us.

In Treasured, Leigh McLeroy considers tangible reminders of God’s active presence and guides us in discovering evidence in our own lives of his attentive love.

The next two books, God gave us Love and God gave us Christmas by Lisa T. Bergren were so sweet!  A Grandpa polar bear and his grandson talk about how God gives us such precious gifts like friends and love.

About God gave us Love:  As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.

In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because…

“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”

This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”

ABOUT THIS BOOK: As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder…

“Who invented Christmas?”

Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that…
Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

These two childrens' books are a perfect Christmas gift to any little one that may be in your family or that you know. Click on the book titles and you can see all the places you can purchase these books!

God Bless!

Michelle 

These books were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Look what Sprout sent me!

VID00002
Originally uploaded by nmgills

I've been doing some reviews for Sprout and the new programs they are offering and the other day I got a box in the mail from them! They sent me a FLip video camera! Here is a little video of my son playing basketball! Check out Sprout's online site and see what channel they are on in your neighborhood!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your day be blessed and filled with God's joy!

MckLinky Giveaway Blog Hop!

Its that time again!  MckLinky Giveaway Blog Hop!  Be sure and enter to win one of four great childrens books here at Lollypops and Lizards!  The giveaway ends TONIGHT!!!!! then head over to some other blogs to see what you can win!!!!

MckLinky Giveaway Blog Hop-11/13

Pretty Please Press Review

This Giveaway is now closed!

Because there were only 2 entries for the books I did the winner choice differently!  

First Place:  Joannof10 get's first choice of TWO books!

Second Place:  The Bookworm will receive the other two books!

Watch your email! 

About the company:


Pretty Please Press was created with the idea that reading to your children will help establish good communication between parents and children.  Many education and parenting experts stress that reading to or with children is one of the most important things parents can do to make sure kids stay on the right track.  Reading together during elementary school years helps parents and children bond as a family.  Opening up lines of communication with kids early in life will encourage them to talk to you later, when big “character issues” arise.   In addition, we provide free educational downloads including Vocabulary Building Cards, Concept Building Cards, and Character Building Lesson Plans. 

My Review: 


I'm a HUGE fan of reading to my children! Pretty Please Press offered to send me their books to review and to giveaway!  They sent me four books, Pynx (cover art at the top), Bella Basset Ballerina, The Scritchy Little Twitchell Sisters, and Kick Block Punch.  These books are very colorful and eye catching.  The twinks loved them and actually sat and let me read through almost all of the books.  


Here are the book descriptions:


Pynx-

Written and illustrated by Jeffrey Greene

In a distant galaxy, on a very colorful planet, a brilliant purple Pynx settles into her new home in the jungle. But her noisy arrival upsets the other fanciful creatures who are already living there quite happily. When the Pynx expands her family with dozens of new babies, her neighbors are very upset. The very vocal Pynx has had this problem before, but this time, with a little luck, she finds a real home. This is a story about being tolerant, learning to appreciate differences, and about finding ways to communicate.

Bella Basset Ballerina-By Laura Aimee Garn

Illustrated by Valerie Sokolova

Bella Basset is a pup when her mother takes her to see the famous Royal Borzoi Ballet for the first time. At the ballet, a dream is born: Bella wants to become a dancer! But in Bella's world, only Borzois can dance, so she has many obstacles to overcome before she can realize her dream. This is a story about dedication and perseverance, which may give children (and grown-ups) the inspiration to pursue their dreams.

The Scritchy Little Twitchell Sisters

By Laura Aimee Garn
Illustrated by Erik Brooks

Lavinia and Emmeline Twitchell look like perfect little angels, but their behavior is anything but angelic! They squabble constantly, and their poor parents suffer in a noisy, divided household. When the girls are "discovered" by a creative vaudeville producer, their spectacular fights become entertainment, and they are launched on a glamorous career. Battles may be part of growing up with a sister, but it helps to look at them with humor. The Twitchell Sisters demonstrate that someday the fights may yield to understanding and appreciation.

Kick Block Punch

Written and illustrated by Jacquie Hann

Sam arrives at his first karate class all ready to receive his black belt. To his surprise, he has a lot to learn about karate, and there are many other belts to earn before he attains the rank of black belt. With the help of his patient instructor, he learns how to work hard toward his goal and to master this new skill. This story shows that patience and practice are important when we are approaching a new challenge.

Want to buy these fabulous books?  Pretty Please Press gives 20% off the cover price when you purchase through them.  They also offer Buy 3 books and get 1 free!  Pretty cool!

Want to win it?  Alrighty, Pretty Please Press sent me an extra copy of each of these titles to giveaway!  There will be 4 (four) Winners that will recieve one book each!  Once the winners are chosen, I will let Turbo and Diva pull the names out of a hat to choose who get's what book.

Open to U.S. Citizens only

Required Entry:  You must do this entry before any other entry counts!

Go to Pretty Please Press and sign up for their mailing list.

Additional ways to win:

• Become a follower of Lollypops and Lizards. 1 Entry
  
• Add my Lollypops and Lizards button to your blog and give me the link. 1 Entry
  
• Enter my keychain giveaway that ends this Friday, November 13th. 1 Entry
  
• Become a follower of my other blog Faith on Fire.  1 Entry
  
• Follow Lollypops and Lizards on Twitter.  1 Entry
  
• Blog about this giveaway on your blog.  Leave me a comment with the direct link to the post.  5 Entries!
  

Giveaway will end Friday, November 20th, 2009 at Midnite CST.