Artists and Authors--Learning Character Through Drawing (GIVEAWAY)

I was excited when I learned I would get to review Artists and Authors by Eternal Encouragement. I had already purchased the book earlier this year with plans to use it for mija during the school year. I just pulled it out earlier than I had planned (thanks to my moving strategy). I decided the best way to review it was to use it!

Let me tell you a little about it first. It's a little spiral-bound book that allows your child to draw a picture that goes along with each little devotional written by Lorrie Flem. It can be done daily or as you see fit. 
It covers:

• 24 character traits
• The Fruits of the Spirit
• The Ten Commandments
• Five Holidays

Each page doesn't take much time at all which is really nice for a younger child. The spiral-binding makes it lay flat which makes it much easier to read and especially to draw! 

What also makes it nice is that each page can be dated, so you can end up keeping it as, well, a keepsake.  You'll definitely want to do so. Let me show you why.

One lesson deals with how big God is. Lorrie mentions how the Bible says that God uses the Earth as a footstool and instructs the child to draw a picture of God using the Earth as a footstool. Here's what mija drew:

How could you not love it!!  It's God's foot resting on the Earth!! She even put continents and oceans on the Earth! LOVE IT!

I decided to let mija write her own review. Here is what she wrote.

I like to draw. That is why I like this. I think it's cool!

There is also a counterpart book entitled Authors and Artists. For that book, they write a little bit about the small lesson. It's recommended more for ages 7 and up.

I wanted to mention it because Mrs. Flem is giving away one of each on her blog Randy's Rib.

Here are the links to the giveaways.

Artists and Authors Giveaway

Authors and Artists Giveaway

Remember, Authors is the one the child writes. Artists is the one the child draws. Enter for both because I know you'll want them both!

Although I had already purchased my own copy earlier this year, I did receive a copy for free in exchange for my honest review.

A Cup Brimful of Water--speaking out of the abundance of your heart

My pastor is an expository preacher which basically means he preaches straight through a book of a Bible instead of topically. It's a big blessing because you can see Scripture in the context of which it was written which is the way it was made to be read if you think about it. 
After all, when you read a book or a letter, do you start in the middle, jump to a sentence at the beginning, read the end of another book....etc.? It's probably why I like to teach history in order, too!
Anyway, knowing what my pastor is going to preach on next Sunday allows me to review that passage ahead of time. That's why this passage is really standing out to me this week!

For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45 ESV emphasis mine)

This is so convicting. What comes out of my mouth when I haven't run it through my "spiritual" filter before I speak it? I'm not going to tell you, but obviously it's something I need to work on or I wouldn't be writing about it! It reminds me of a quote from Amy Carmichael:
If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.
Sometimes when I'm jolted, I'm not very sweet.

What am I doing to work on it? I'm working on filling my heart with more good than bad. I'm reading the Word more. I'm reading godly books more. I'm listening to audio sermons, Scripture on CD, and Christian music more. AND I'm talking to myself more and listening to myself less. Unfortunately, when we listen to ourselves, it's usually grumbling or negative, so in this case, being slow to listen and quick to speak the truth is a good thing!


Give me some ideas. What do you do to be brimful of sweet water, so don't spill even one drop of bitter water?

Guidlines for Children by Jim Elliff

Guidelines for Children
Written by Jim Elliff
Submitted by Corina Hallam (from my church's ladies email)

RULE # 1
WE ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH.

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight." Proverbs 12:22

"A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin." Proverbs 26:28

(New Jerusalem) "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." Revelation 21:27

RULE #2
WHAT WE HAVE BELONGS TO GOD AND IS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND USED ONLY IN WAYS WHICH HONOR HIM.

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? Luke 16: 10-11

We share our things with others and give to everyone who asks of us.
When we open something, we close it.
When we turn on something, we turn it off.
When we take something out, we put it away.
We do not make unnecessary work for others.

RULE #3
WHEN WE HAVE WORK TO DO WE DO IT WITHOUT COMPLAINING.

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality." Colossians 3:23-25

RULE #4
WE CONSIDER OTHERS AS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OURSELVES.

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4

We don't hurt anyone with unkind words or deeds. If we do, even accidentally, we say, "I'm sorry."
We listen to others and look at them when they speak.
We don't disturb others by being too loud.
When can I be loud? --at a sports event, in a big open field or yard
We ask permission to use something belonging to someone else.
We greet others with a smile when we meet them.
We comfort someone when he is sad or hurt.
We rejoice with someone when he is happy.

RULE #5
WE SHOW RESPECT FOR OUR PARENTS AND OTHER ADULTS.

• What are the signs of disrespect to your parents and other adults?
• Knowingly disobeying
• Making fun of them
• Not speaking when they greet you
• Making threatening statements, rude or hurtful remarks
• Yelling for them to come to you when it not an emergency
• Grumbling about decisions they make
• Being ungrateful for something they do for you or give you
• Complaining about what they have given you to eat
• Talking back
• Objecting, mocking, correcting, questioning, or giving unasked-for explanations are all signs of disrespect.
• Speaking in an irreverent way or in anger.
• Saying to your parents or an adult, "I'll do it in a minute" or "just wait."
• Pushing for something after being told "no."
• Treating a discipline lightly.
• Not listening when you are being spoken to.
• Entering into a closed room of an adult without knocking or quietly asking
• Sighing, shrugging the shoulders, or giving a sour look when told to do something

RULE #6
WHEN WE DISOBEY OR FORGET ANY OF THE RULES, WE WILLINGLY ACCEPT THE DISCIPLINE AND THE INSTRUCTION THAT THE LORD GIVES.

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.... Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:5b-6,
11

An adaptation for our family from a list by Greg and Sono Harris, Christian Life Workshops