Scarborough Fair

 

ABC Find and Fit Puzzle

 

We are excited to introduce a NEW product from Timberdoodle, the ABC Find and Fit Puzzle. It will quickly become your child's favorite ABC puzzle. With a sturdy wooden base and some of the cutest animals and items to accompany each letter. A soft, bendable material is used for the letters. The puzzle not only helps children learn their alphabet but also enhances their fine motor skills as they fit each piece into its corresponding slot. Each letter is paired with a vibrantly illustrated animal or item, making the learning process engaging and fun. The soft, bendable letters are designed to be safe for little hands, ensuring hours of educational playtime. Puzzles like the ABC Find and Fit Puzzle aid in developing problem-solving skills as children figure out how to match each letter with its corresponding slot. They also enhance spatial awareness, as kids learn to recognize how shapes fit together. Additionally, puzzles promote patience and focus, encouraging children to concentrate and persist until they successfully complete the task. The ABC Find and Fit Puzzle is ideal for children aged 3 to 6 years old. It provides an excellent introduction to the alphabet for preschoolers and continues to challenge and engage kindergarteners as they refine their skills. This puzzle is perfect for early learners who are beginning to explore letters and sounds.

My 2 year old grandson absolutely loved this puzzle. He like that the letters were "squishy" which made it easier for him to get the letters in their places. 

This puzzle comes in a canvas zipper bag for easy storage and portability.  

I like the rich colors of the pictures. The vibrant colors of the pictures capture children's attention and make the learning experience more enjoyable. Bright hues help to stimulate visual perception, making it easier for children to remember and differentiate between letters and associated images. Additionally, colorful illustrations can spark curiosity and imagination, encouraging kids to engage more deeply with the puzzle. Colors can evoke emotional responses, and the rich, vibrant colors of the ABC Find and Fit Puzzle are no exception. These colors can create a sense of joy and excitement, making learning feel like a fun adventure rather than a chore. By associating positive emotions with educational activities, children are more likely to develop a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.

Help for the Hungry Soul

Help for the Hungry Soul ~ Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God's Word by Kristen Wetherell provides believers with that gentle nudge to open up and stay in God's Word. Sustenance is essential to our spiritual lives. The Word of God is the food that we eat as we grow in maturity, moving from milk to solid food. Some of us have a diminished appetite for God's Word, pushing our meals away, taking small, careless bites to satiate our curiosity.We can, however, increase our spiritual hunger. Our longing for God's Word increases as we enjoy its sweetness. There are resources available to us if we are hungry.

Wetherell's book provides the reader with morsels of God's Word to nourish our starving souls. What is your current appetite for the Bible? The eight encouraging chapters include:

1. Know Your Hungry Heart

2. Plead for a Holy Hunger

3. Don't Miss Jesus

4. Remember the Privilege

5. Feast with Your Church

6. Feed Yourself Creatively

7. Trust God's Nourishing Work

8. Embrace Your Hunger

Chapter 1 helps you know yourself better in order to discern how you might grow. In Chapter 2 we are reminded that God is the initiator of the impossible (Luke 1:37). We read in Chapter 3 that Jesus revealed everything about himself through the wonder of his Word. The whole Bible points to Jesus, for he is the point of the whole Bible. As we read Chapter 4, we realize what a gift God's Word is. A great deal of progress has been made in the literary world thanks to Johannes Gutenberg. What if God had not spoken? We are reminded of the importance of reading God's Word in Chapter 5. Many of us know what we should do, but choose to put other worldly things ahead of reading God's Word. Both individually and corporetely, we are challenged in Chapter 6 to dive into God's Word. We are living in a fast-paced world, with many responsibilities, commitments, and many things requiring our attention at any given time. Chapter 7 asks, Is it worth it to commit to scripture? As you engage in God's Word, more is taking place than you can see. Where do we go from here, Wetherell asks in Chapter 8. Especially in times of difficulty, how do we continue to pursue that which seems unfinished and imperfect in this life, namely the satisfying of our deepest hunger in Jesus and his nourishing word?

There is an encouraging testimony at the end of each chapter.

This is a book I highly recommend.

Last Chance Academy

I just got through reading Last Chance Academy by Debbi Michiko Florence. It's been a difficult time for Megumi, or Meg for short, since she lost her mother. As a result of her father's traveling for work, Meg does not get to spend much time with him. Because of her distaste for Aunt Vivian's house and her slipping grades, her father has decided Meg should transfer to a boarding school. This is Leland Chase Academy also known as Last Chance Academy. A total of 35 students in grades 6-12 attend the school.

One day, strange envelopes appear underneath the bedroom doors of her classmates. The invitation has not been received by everyone at the Academy. Meg is looking forward to this scavenger hunt since it promises a prize that is so valuable to her. In order to prevent her family from falling apart, she will do whatever it takes to win the prize, even if it means losing her friends. To move forward, the students must solve clues left by the Mastermind. In order to solve each clue, Meg realizes that she will need the help of her classmates.

She loves the idea of the scavenger hunt because her mother had done it with her when she was alive. Meg had a slight advantage over her classmates because of this. The Mastermind has such intimate knowledge of each student that it is freakishly scary.

To solve the last clue of the scavenger hunt, all four 7th year students will have to work together. Even after her best friend cast her aside after her mother died, Meg will learn she can trust others and have true friends. It was set up for only one individual to win, but now there were four. To outwit the Mastermind, what would the students do.

Christian Ethics

 

Christian Ethics – Living a Life That Is Pleasing to God by Wayne Grudem is an in-depth exploration answering the question, "What does the whole Bible teach us about which acts, attitudes, and personal character traits receive God's approval, and which do not?" The book is broken down into seven parts and forty-two chapters.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Protecting God's Honor

Part 3: Protecting Human Authority

Part 4: Protecting Human Life

Part 5: Protecting Marriage

Part 6: Protecting Property

Part 7: Protecting Purity of Heart

According to the author, studying ethical topics in a focused manner is more beneficial than simply reading through the Bible or studying individual passages. This book aims to improve understanding of ethics. Secondly, it transforms instinctive convictions into informed ethical convictions. As a third goal, the author aims to help Christians improve their ethical convictions from imprecise to accurate. Lastly, Christians with an incorrect understanding of biblical morals may learn to understand biblical ethical convictions.

In studying Christian ethics we should examine it with prayer, humility, reason, help from others, by collecting and understanding all relevant passages of scripture on a topic, and through rejoicing and praise. Studying ethics in parts allows for a structured and comprehensive understanding of complex moral principles. Breaking down ethical topics into manageable sections enables individuals to focus on specific areas, leading to deeper insights and more meaningful applications in daily life. Additionally, this methodical approach ensures that each aspect of ethical teaching is thoroughly explored and understood in the context of the broader biblical narrative.

Grudem states: "...the only satisfactory and ultimate basis for ethical standards is the eternal, unchanging moral character of God. Before anything else existed, God existed. He is."

There is no way to cover everything within this 1323 page book so I will highlight some of the subjects throughout the book.

Chapter 26 of the book asks, Why should we take care of our bodies? How should we think about sleep, vaccinations, organic foods, tattoos, and circumcision? Firstly, our bodies are not evil and are gifts from God. All changed as a result of the Fall. Death entered the world because of sin, but Christians have the joy of a resurrected body someday. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. As a result, we should care for our bodies and treat them as temples of the Holy Spirit. Every day, we should practice healthy habits, exercise, and sleep well. On vaccines the author says, "Vaccines are also part of 'nature' because they are made from products developed from nature. The whole world belongs to God, including all the ingredients for vaccines that he placed in the earth." I love what the author says about organic foods. Choice is up to each individual but it is not okay to "...assume that foods found in a 'natural state' unaffected by fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or genetic modifications, are more spiritual, more Christian, or more pleasing to God than foods that have been modified with modern agricultural research tools and methods." The only thing that I will say about circumcision is that it is no longer commanded by the New Covenant. You will find questions for personal application at the end of each chapter. There will be a list of any specific terms used within the chapter. The chapter concludes with a bibliography, other works, a literary memory passage, and a hymn.

The book also covers topics such as homosexuality and transgenderism, capital punishment, leadership in marriage, war, aging and death, alcohol and drugs, and poverty and wealth.

In terms of Christian ethics, this book is highly recommended for all Christians who are striving to live a life that is pleasing to God.

The Pilgrim's Progress

Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" tells the story of Christian, a pilgrim, and his journey to find salvation and the Celestial City. The journey of Christian begins in the City of Destruction, where he encounters many obstacles and people who are determined to lead him astray. Once Christian's journey begins, he will face challenges and individual enemies. They represent the many temptations that Christian must overcome. Each obstacle and character he encounters symbolizes spiritual struggles. For instance, the Slough of Despond represents the despair and doubt that can bog down one's faith. Characters like Faithful and Hopeful embody virtues that support and encourage perseverance. Likewise, Evangelist and Goodwill play pivotal roles in guiding Christian along his journey. Evangelist provides direction and encouragement, helping Christian to stay on the righteous path despite the many challenges he faces. Goodwill, on the other hand, offers protection and reassurance, reminding Christian of the importance of remaining steadfast in his quest for salvation. Through these allegorical elements, Bunyan illustrates the moral and spiritual trials of a Christian life, ultimately guiding readers toward enlightenment and redemption. Each obstacle and enemy Christian encounters symbolizes a specific sin or moral challenge that believers face in their own spiritual journeys. For instance, the Slough of Despond represents the feelings of despair and doubt that can weigh down a person’s faith. Similarly, Vanity Fair illustrates the distractions and temptations of worldly pleasures that can lead one away from the path of righteousness. As Christian progresses on his journey, he undergoes a profound transformation, shedding the burdens of sin and gaining spiritual insight. Through each trial, he learns valuable lessons about faith, perseverance, and the power of redemption. By the time he reaches the Celestial City, Christian emerges as a stronger, more enlightened individual, having overcome his weaknesses and deepened his relationship with God. Upon reaching the Celestial City, Christian experiences a profound sense of fulfillment and peace, having finally achieved his long-sought-after salvation. His burdens are completely lifted, and he is welcomed with open arms, signifying his triumph over sin and his unwavering faith. This ultimate transformation marks the culmination of his spiritual journey, where he is embraced by divine grace and eternal bliss.

This book features amazing artwork by Mike Wimmer. Wimmer's illustrations bring the story to life by vividly depicting the characters and settings, allowing readers to visualize Christian's journey with greater clarity and depth. The artwork adds an emotional layer to the narrative, highlighting the intensity of Christian's struggles and the beauty of his triumphs. Through detailed and expressive imagery, Wimmer enhances the reader's connection to the story, making the allegorical elements more impactful and memorable.

The Garden and the Glen

 

A beautiful story about finding a solution to a problem can be found in The Garden and the Glen. A buckeye tree stands on a farm with yellow flowers that bloom in spring. A buckeye tree is home to hundreds of yellow butterflies. A selfish yellow butterfly wants to take over the Queen's kingdom when she becomes sick, and turn everything yellow. Everything other than yellow was evicted from the beautiful garden. There was a brilliant blue butterfly who was forced out of the garden. As she flew, she came to a clearing with a pond. Fish, frogs, a bunny, a squirrel, a family of deer, and some beautiful orange daylilies were all there. Each of them described being forced out of the garden as well. Blue butterfly studied her friends. Each of them stood out because of their colors, shapes, and sizes. This is what makes them all unique. The story highlights the importance of diversity by showing how each creature's unique characteristics contribute to the beauty and richness of the world around them. When the garden is dominated by a single color, its vibrancy is lost, underscoring that true beauty lies in the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. By embracing diversity, the characters learn that their differences are strengths that can create a harmonious and thriving environment. It was their differences that made them beautiful. "We belong! We don't have to blend in to belong." You are now able to reach beyond yourself and help your friends, despite your differences. That's what makes belonging so special. In order to cope with fear, we hide or try to blend in. It means you do not need to change; you are accepted and welcome as you are. Empathy plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging among the diverse characters in the story. By understanding and appreciating each other's unique experiences and perspectives, the characters are able to connect on a deeper level, despite their differences. This mutual understanding allows them to build a community where everyone feels valued and accepted, reinforcing the idea that empathy is essential for creating an inclusive and supportive environment. Whenever you belong, you are never alone. There is an urgent need for the Queen to find the healing flower. The Queen was loved by the flower kingdom. As a result, they decided to help. In order to release the medicine flower's scent, the snapdragons told the daisies, the daisies told the buttercups, and the buttercups told the roses. When the blue butterfly fluttered her wings, the Queen interpreted this as a signal to come. The Queen confronted the evil yellow butterfly and forced him out of the garden for good. The daylily who befriended and protected the blue butterfly was the flower of healing. As a result of the Queen's healing, harmony in the garden was restored. It was through communication, friendship, and healing that the garden was saved and peace was restored.

 

Gaylord Ice