Scripture to Song: Hide 'Em in Your Heart Vol. 2

Hide Em In Your Heart Vol 2

Lead Vocalist: Steve Green

Created by Frank and Betsy Hernandez

Arranged by Fletch Wiley and Frank Hernandez

Appropriate for:

Infants, Toddlers, and Elementary Ages

After borrowing this resource from a friend, my husband and I have found it to be a fantastic resource for filling our home with scripture. The writers use direct quotes from the Bible as the lyrics to these short and catchy songs. While some children's music I have heard has been contrived or corny, these tunes are each unique in length and style. Most importantly they share the truths from scripture in a upbeat and memorable way.

The songs include:
Think On These Things (Phil. 4:8),  All Things Work Together For Good (Rom. 8:28),
A Joyful Heart (Pro. 17:22), God Loves A Cheerful Giver (2 Cor. 9:7), Train Up A Child (Pro. 22:6), and sixteen others. Another think I enjoy about the collection is the use of children in accompaniment to Steve Green. What an encouragement and testamony of grace to have children praising our Lord and Savior!

My daughter, husband, and I have only been listening to the CD for about a week and already we are singing and humming the tunes on our own. In fact just the other night we were discussing the state of the "American Family" and how we could protect our family. One of the songs/verses came to mind (Train Up A Child) and we were able to meditate on the wisdom of God rather than worry.

It has been a blessing to hide God's word in our hearts in such an enjoyable and memorable way! I hope and pray that you will be able to treasure God's word by hiding it in your heart!

"May the living and enduring Word of God bring life to all who listen" ~Steve Green

Sidenote: I say both volume 1 and 2 of Hide 'Em In Your Heart on Amazon for about $16 including shipping and handling. Hide Em in Your Heart Vol 1 & 2

Treasures of the Snow: A Must Read

Treasures of the Snow

Written by Patricia St.John

Apropriate for Ages
12 and up for independant reading
6 and up to be read aloud

I can vaguely remember reading this book as a child and so before doing a review I wanted to reread it. Let me tell you it was so much better than I remember it being. I finished it in three days!

The story is set in the mountains of Switzerland in a small village where Annette and her younger brother Dani live. One morning on the way to school Annette and Lucian, a nearby neighbor, run into each other (literally). Annette is enraged that she will be late for school and both become bitter and angry toward each other. Lucian decides to "get back" at Annette by taunting Dani which leads to a tragic acident. Annette determines that Lucian will be her enemy and finds every way possible to hurt and embarass him for what he had done.

Meanwhile Lucian learns to live with the guilt and pain. He befriends an old man farther up the mountain who teaches him to whittle. Lucian trys to make things right between himself and Annette and Dani but nothing seems to help. After getting to know the old man a little more Lucian tells of his sin and pain from the terrible accident. Eventually the man shares his own story of great sin and the pain that followed. Speaking of his sin to Lucian his says,
            "But through the lives and the words of my master and wife, I too have come to believe in the love and mercy of God and the forgiveness of sins."

He continues,
                   " You tell me there is no way to start again, but you are wrong. ... But I believe that God has forgiven me, and am spending my days woring to give back what I owe, and striving to become what God meant me to be. It is all I can do -- it is all anyone can do. Our past we must leave to God."

The old man's speach sparks something within Lucian that comes to completion later in the book. Lucian decides for now he can't fix what he has done but maybe he will get a chance to do something great.

Annette begins to realize that the bitterness she is holding inside is hurting not only Lucian but people she loves dearly. Amidst all her emotions she continue to hear her grandmother speak of love and forgiveness that can only be found in Christ Jesus. One evening when in a desperate situation she decides to let all the anger go and accept the sacrifice Christ made for her. She can not love Him and hate Lucian at the same time. At a later time she becomes tempted to allow hate a place in her heart. This is her grandmother's wisdom,
            "Everyday of your life ugly, angry, selfish thoughts will knock at the door and try to get in again. Don't try to push them back yourself; ask the Lord Jesus to meet them with His love. Think about the love of Jesus all you can. Read about the love of Jesus every day in your Bible -- and if you keep your heart full of it there just won't be room for those thoughts to stay."

I am going to stop here before I give too much away. Will Annette and Lucian reconcile? Will Lucian make up for the tragic accident he caused? You may already have an idea of the answers to these questions but the way Patricia St. John describes it brings out the biblical truths in such eye opening ways. While we may not have such extreme situations in our lives it is easy to let sin creep in and take over our thinking. The quote above says is simply, emersing yourself in Jesus is the best way to fight the desires of the flesh.

The theme of forgiveness is weaved within every chapter as you see both Annette and Lucian struggle to overcome their sins and learn to treasure the sweet love of Jesus.

Just So You Know: There is one chapter (Chap. 13) that mentions the old man's sins of gambling and drinking. I did not feel that it was excessive or out of place but wanted you to know so it didn't come as a surprise.

Treasures of the Snow (Patricia St. John Books)

God is Everywhere

God is Everywhere
God Is Everywhere (Learn about God)

Written By: Carine Mackenzie

Illustrated By Derek Matthews

Appropriate for age: Infant - 3 years old

I became aware of this series (Learn About God) while serving in nursery at church. It is a great set of books for teaching the characteristics of God, using everyday situations young children may encounter. This book in particular focuses in on God's Omnipresence.

Each page of text begins with the phrase, "God is everywhere" followed by a simple and practical example of how/when God is with us.

It covers everything from God's presence when we play, sleep, and worship to the concepts that we can never hide from God and he will never leave us. What I love most about this book/series is the different scripture quote on each page. The everyday life example is supported by the scripture reference. 

Here is an example of a page from the book:

"God is everywhere 

He is with us when we are in trouble and feel unhappy.

When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. Isaiah 43:2"

Right now my daughter is engaged by the bright and bold illustrations that display situations in which God is present. I hope that as she grows we will be able teach her to treasure the truth of God's words embedded into this book. Each page can act as a springboard for discussion about God's omnipresence in a child's life. While this topic (omnipresence) is a difficult one to grasp for young children it is foundational to their understanding of who God is. Mackenzie does a great job conveying the topic at a level young children can begin to grasp.