Be brave... Don't be afraid... Trust God... In ABC's Of Success..., wise, witty, whimsical characters transport readers through an entertaining educational journey, highlighting every letter of the alphabet. Sissy adapts illuminating illustrations to not only relate timeless, heart-felt, encouraging truths, but to reflect positive practices that help readers pursue "good success" in life. Accented with poignant poetic phrases, she stresses:
Brag about others; don't focus only on yourself. Happiness doesn't just automatically happen. Never be afraid to go it alone [because we never are...]. Jealousy and gossip can mentally drain you and arouse ugly feelings. Exercise to help lower stress levels and improve health. To have friends, be a friend. Remember... you are a part of God's magnificent universe. Being negative or positive affects you, as well as those around you. Choose to be positive. Do your part in Church, family and community. Use X-ray eyes to examine any deal that looks or sounds too good to be true. When possible, try to look and dress your best. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Discover and pursue your God-given purpose for life. Never stop learning, growing and loving others. ABC's of Success..., published by yOur Backyard Publishing, encourages readers of all ages that it's never too late to be brave, to face their fears, to trust God and to seek and find His perfect will and plan for life.
Jaxon & Dinosaurs: Sharing Time... Exploring Friends
Din-o-saur* means "terrible lizard," Some say that they would "roar." At times, friends may "roar" and mess up. But--friends help each other "be" better. They don't keep score.
- saur = Greek Word
Throughout Jaxon & Dinosaurs Sharing Time... Exploring Friends, an expressive, engaging, educational book for children of all ages, Michael Luther aka "Poppy," puts words in the mouths of dinosaurs to encourage readers to not only learn about dinosaurs but to nurture friends/friendships.
For example: Tyrannosaurus aka T-Rex (tyrant lizard) tie-RAN-oh-sore-us, says, "To have friends, you have to first be friendly. When you treat others the way you want to be treated, you become a true friend. T. Rex, a tyrannical (ferocious) dinosaur measured approximately 39 feet long and weighed almost seven tons. This dinosaur could bite with more force than any other terrestrial (one that lives on the ground) animal--ever.
In addition to featuring 11 dinosaurs plus Pteranodon and Leviathan, Jaxon & Dinosaurs Sharing Time... reminds readers:
Friendship isn't about who you've known the longest, it's about who walked into your life, said "I'm here for you," and proved it." Unknown
God did that for you.. for me... for yOur friends He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins so that "Whosoever" believes in Him may have eternal life. John 3:16
As MIchael struggles with writing due to a stroke in his past, he included the following prayer for readers:
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
"I HAVE TO THINK about that...." This notable response from Tyler, one of my grandsons, encouraged me to think more about the word that. I had asked Tyler, "What's your favorite Bible verse that shares something that Jesus said?" If someone had unexpectedly asked me my own question, I would also have likely needed time to think.
Reassuring words that Jesus Christ said, recorded in John 3:17, that God did not send Him, Jesus to condemn us, but to save those who believe in Him, comfort me. Believing in Jesus and trusting His Words frees and enlivens us. Tyler's response encouraged me to complete Jesus Said That.... I pray this book, which correlates Words Jesus said (in English, عربى & Española) with diverse traffic signs will encourage readers to not only read but also heed them--and get to know Him. Thinking about the fact Jesus came so we may have eternal life; that we may know Him, amazes me. The good news that Jesus, God's only begotten Son, died on the cross to free us from the penalty of sin; to secure eternal life for those who "believe in Him" amazes me. The fact that He lives today and calls us to trust Him; to be "born again;" to have a personal relationship with Him amazes me.
Our new birth brings us into the family that calls God, "Father." Even though Jesus no longer physically lives with us on this side of Heaven, He did not abandon us when He returned to His Heavenly home. Just as Jesus promised (recorded in John 14), He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide those who believe in Him. He left us His Words. Jesus, "the Way, the Truth and the Life," gives eternal life... to "whosoever" believes in Him.
Jesus Said That..
