Purchased and inscribed 48 children's Bibles from CPH / May long weekend in these parts

Bible story books from here.
Concordia Publishing House kindly did not charge for shipping at this volume purchase.

Spring 2014 / "One in Christ" Preschool curriculum endorsement, CPH

Outside, there are some leaves wanting to come out, now--ever so tentatively.  The Mother's Day glory of leafing out trees did not materialize this year due to cool temperatures.  At least the afternoon was warm enough to sit out, soak up a little sun while revving up the BarBQ with the family.  It was nice enough to be very grateful and happy.





(I'm joking.  It wasn't like the picture.)

I can give thanks that I've had a good winter with paid employment, volunteer involvement and trying out new exercises, (though I did complain about the Yoga, the other day).

Leading the Seniors Community Choir has been a very great joy.  Conducting is the most fun I have ever had, in terms of work or music.  I have learned so many songs which are the Seniors' favorites, but brand new to me.  Teaching Preschool is also fun, though busy and sometimes draining.  You are forever knee-deep in beautiful books and stories, in props and sound effects, and craft material, continually gazing into the cute, fresh faces, though regularly some with running noses.  Both activities have been a great excuse to keep buying books and toys.  The downside is that my little house really is now fully stuffed to the rafters.  It looks like it is time for a garage sale of all the items I have not used since we moved here.

While talking about this, I would recommend this one resource, however, for Preschool teaching. It was an excellent purchase.  It is a new series from Concordia Publishing House (2013).  Series A is for younger Preschoolers and Series B is for older Preschoolers.  The books are laid out wonderfully survey-able with color-coding on colored pages, well illustrated and completely current in theory.  If I could have made only one purchase, I would have gone to the Concordia Series.  The information is linked below.

The ideas are well grouped under themes and Bible stories and work well.  This saves much time and headache and adds variety to the planning.  Top marks in my books for this One in Christ series. If you do not have much background, you can just purchase this and get going.  Of course, nowadays, we also have the internet, which is a fantastic help.

https://www.cph.org/t-topic-OneinChrist-PreB.aspx

Music purchases

The seniors' community choir I have begun leading has been great  fun so far.  I am needing to learn many songs that it seems everyone knows but that I have never heard before--never, never, ever.  One of them is, for example:  "Tenderly he watches over me." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aj2OUE4sPU

Where have these songs been all of my life? -- Anyhow.  I also ordered all the Reader's Digest collections, used from sellers at Amazon, such as this one.  The Reader's Digest books are quite recommendable on several fronts:  the arrangements are very good and relatively easy without losing art, the books are sturdy and large with spiral binding.  I am happy to expand my library with this collection of, I think, eight books. They are cheap to buy used but the shipping costs.

I also bought some other collections such as one of Disney songs, and it has brought joy already, too.  Someone was visiting my house, someone who does not go to church and whom I have never heard sing before (except for the national anthem) and we sang the Disney songs, and it turns out the voice and the performance were stellar!  It is kind of nice to see that one can sing together with people who don't sing hymns and you thought who don't sing at all.  It's a good start.  From there one can branch into different directions.

Then, I splurged some more and bought warm-up discs from Susan Anders.  I LOVE them.
http://www.susananders.com/home.cfm  All the warm ups are done with songs such as "The Lion sleeps tonight"  and "Wade in the Water." There is great singing method combined with fun songs.  Very motivating and enjoyable.  (Thank you, Susan Anders!)

While I am confessing, I should say, I also sent away for book A of Concordia's new Hymn Prelude Book series.  It will take 5 years to complete the new series.  There will be 12 books at $50.00, each.  That makes $600.00 by the time we are done, if we live this long.  Ouch!  https://www.cph.org/p-20257-hymn-prelude-library-lutheran-service-book-vol-1-a.aspx

The latest CPH order

My newest package of books from CPH arrived last week.

One of the books I ordered was the "My First Hymnal".  It is a beautiful book with lovely illustrations.  If I had children at the house still, I would use it every day.  Absolutely.  I am thinking we are on the right track here with this book, but have felt for a long time that we almost, also, need a graded curriculum and accompanying audio CD's.

Luther, the graphic novel is amazing with tons of details but not information overload.  I would highly recommend it.  Must have, especially at $9.99.   http://www.cph.org/p-18390-luther-echoes-of-the-hammer.aspx

I also checked out another size of Lutheran Study Bible to see how I like its type and feel, but now that I use my laptop for many things, I think I might get the e-version for myself.

The Story Bible  is a very large book with a huge number of engaging illustrations.  Someone I shared it with thought it was similar to a coffee table book.  Well, yes, the pictures caught me first, too.  But there are also other features such as highlighting related vocabulary, questions about the story and a prayer.  Very nice work.  Children's Bibles, I have often found in the past, are books that adults who are not well versed in Bible stories can use to familiarize themselves with the many characters and events.   So this Bible could work really well for an entire family.

So much for now.

Let's go shopping at CPH

Lutheran Study Bible/ Pink and Blue

This is my third try at the Lutheran Study Bible because of the availability of various sizes and paper thicknesses.  I LIKE THIS ONE!-- This one, I can read with the glasses off by sticking it closer to the eyes.  It is really soft and flexible but durable on the outside--very nice feel.  This one you can cuddle with on the sofa, in the bed or take with you.  

It still would be difficult to underline or write notes.  But you can't have everything.  

Plus--it's pink and brown!  I like the funky look.  Kind of enjoyable.  One could have a his and her's in the house by going blue and pink.  You could give a set to a couple.  I ordered mine from CPH here.  

What's really nice is, you can have an instant devotion.  You have your reading and you can read the Law Gospel section below, or read something from the introduction to the particular book, and voila.  The commentary is very good and as has been shown the best you can get in a study Bible.  Very cool!

Of Conferences and Books

The Love Life 5 Conference was fabulous.  Our speakers were excellent.  I'd like to write about it some time.  I am probably in charge of uploading videos and audio files, which at the moment I haven't a clue how to do.

I also want to report that between the conference and my congregation I was able to place (sell, give away, lend out) 11 books, that weekend:  three Giertz'es ("To Live with Christ"), two "Faith Alone. 365 days with Luther", two "Evening and Morning" CD's, one book on "Joy" by Harrison, one Veith's "Spirituality of the Cross", and one "Lutheran Book of Prayer" and one of the new book with study guide of the "Large Catechism".   I have not yet been able to place a hymnal, of which I have a stack now, being on sale and all that, which surprises me.  Someone asked me about the "Treasury of Daily Prayer" and I talked it up;  she will buy three on-line and give them as Christmas presents.  (Great idea!)

(I pray all will find blessed use.)

Just one more thing.  In terms of books and people knowing about them, owning them and using them--when I was in Washington, the congregation I visited had this little case in its fellowship hall.  Another great idea!

More good books

Here is something else we can order. On SPECIAL til the end of the month.

The CPH order came already!

The books came yesterday! In record speed--less than three weeks, to the boonies, no less.  $500.00 Canadian.  My poor husband;  I am hard to keep.

They should last a while. Two things will be gone by tonight. I don't think, I'll let them pay for it.

Put in an order with CPH-- "Hymnal in every Home" Sale

Noticing that my stock of books is low in some areas, I took advantage of the sale of hymnals at CPH, today.  Below, see all that I have left.

The Book of Concords were once a box of 10 on sale.  The Large Catechisms were once a box of 20.  There are still quite a few, but I was hoping we would use them with the study guide in church, (maybe this will happen, but excellent for individual and family study, too).

So, seeing that there are no hymnals left, I ordered ten of them, and noting that there are no "Through Faith Alone" devotion books, I ordered six (one of my favorite books, altogether), and seeing that there is only one Small Catechism with Explanations, I ordered six, also.  With shipping, this is still an expensive order and will take at least four weeks to get here, maybe six.  Alas, but we are unspeakably greatful for such excellent resources.  Thank you CPH!

I would like some more Treasury's, too, but I will wait for when they are on sale, again.  I have gone through about 15 of them. I also should get some of Gene Veith's books, next.

People ask me what I do with them.  Besides enjoying them myself or with my husband, when appropriate, I sell them for what I paid for them.  Most of the time, I give them as presents for occasions or no occasions, or for having had a conversation of spiritual nature with someone. 

On a slightly different note, for our daily devotion, another picture I took this morning from my old German hymnal.

It says:  "It is God's pleasure and honor, that he wants to give much."

He also gives us so much in these beautiful books, words and songs.

Interesting stuff from CPH and Cyberbretheren

This morning's readings included some things from Paul McCain's blog.  He has a very nice day by day scripture summary of what happened on each day of Holy Week.  Have a look.  There is also a link to a tour through Jerusalem and where Jesus would have been.  I haven't tried it yet.  Maybe tomorrow.

His post today also deals with a campaign "a hymnal in every home". -- O, please, let there be a hymnal in every home.-- I do not understand how people cannot have a hymnal. -- We make such a big deal of our heritage of hymns and then we don't even have a hymnal or know any hymns by heart.-- !!!

While I am at it, let me also recommend another CPH product, which is my latest acquisition from them.  It's a 4 CD set titled:  "Heirs of the Reformation."  Currently on sale for $30.00.  You could get it together with your hymnal or give it to someone together with a hymnal.  There are about 45 hymns with tons of verses and professionally done.  The music is perfect and the singing--you can understand every word.  It is so very nice.  If you are going to get only one set of hymn CD's, get this one.


At night, we take up one hymn at a time, more or less in order on the CD, rather than by season, and get out the hymnal and sing along.  Well, I sing along and my husband meditates along sometimes voicing his deep approval or else complaining about a particular arrangement (he can be a little narrow but several are a little "artistic").

Also interesting to me was the discussion about this video.  The producer of the video also has a blog "Better than sacrifice."  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f61ZN60Miqs   is the address, since the video does not fit here.

Where there is a will there is a way, or How I read my big Lutheran Study Bible this Sunday

This is a way that worked for me for a while:  I lay on the sofa full length on my stomach and had the Bible propped up by the far end.  I got through Psalm 68, 69, 70 and 71 that way.  It probably was a good stretch for the lower back, also.  It's good for about 20 min. or so.

Also, another option is I can sit on the sofa with my feet on the table, the knees angled up and the Bible propped on my legs.  This is probably the most comfortable and allows for underlining.  (As M. Harrison said about the "At Home in the house of my Fathers" tome--you can keep wound dressings down like this.)

Or one could have special desk for it.  That might be worthwhile.  A nice Bible table and chair somewhere.  But that would look too pious.

I did enjoy the study notes to go with it and the law/gospel applications are very good.  No, they are not just very good, they are outstanding and extraordinarily helpful.  It's worth getting the LS Bible just for those.

About the "Lutheran Study Bible"

About the new Lutheran Study Bible:  I bought Martin one in the fall, the nice bonded leather one.  He had really wanted it, but it turned out that neither one of us was reading it. This was the problem.

The Lutheran Study Bible has significant amount of commentary per page, with the result that the volume of material is a little too much for a book you can comfortably read or hold in your hands.  I did get the magnifying glass with it.  Still the paper is too thin and flimsy for my liking.  You don't dare underline in it.  And what good is a book you can't underline in?  I ask you!

So with my last CPH order, I ordered a version of the Lutheran Study Bible that is not nicely bound in leather, but has larger print, thicker paper.  It weighs a lot and it quite a chunk of a book;  not something you take to bed with you or on a trip. So, now because of its size, it sits smack on the living room table from where it does not get budged, like a prized exhibit.  We have read it from there and finally discovered the wealth of material in it.  The commentary is superb.  It includes highly useful quotes, including abundant Luther quotes, as well as short prayers and applications to congregational life, etc.  Very nice.  You should have one.

So from the living room table, I'll read a little here and a little there with a little very useful commentary here and there.  But when I want to really cuddle with a Bible, it will be a different one. 

Reaching out to kids while there is no Sunday School

The "easy Easter crafts" came in the mail the other day.  Since we have no Sunday School kids at this point in the congregation I have figured out that these can be easily given away to all grandma's and aunts, ect. to do in their homes with the children that come on occasion, as well as to the dayhome providers one knows.

I gave four of this type of thing to one grandma, who then proceeded to pour out her heart to me about her extended family. I encouraged her to just be consistent in her witness and plant the seeds whenever she can, saying something about the Lord as she has opportunity.  One never knows when these seeds sprout.  All manner of seed only comes up only in its own or the Lord's time.

There are also these nail crosses, which were a little dangerously poky looking to me, but other women thought it was no concern.  Some took them to take to some teens who might think them very cool. 

Bottomline:  this is neither hard, nor expensive and you're still sharing the story.
(If anyone would like some, I have more. :))

We also have our basement ripped apart, which precludes Sunday School at this time.  Thanks to many, this is progressing, well, and will be so much more attractive when done.

Easy Easter "crafts"

Put in my first order with the Oriental Trading Company and spent $100.00 including shipping (30% of the order) on six different items times 24 each, so that's 144 items, or 70 cents per craft on average.  That's not too bad.

This is the kind of thing you can get: click here. I just searched for "Christian Easter", thus bypassing most of the Easter eggs.

As described before, Bethel holds a "craft" afternoon to bring in the young families from church and neighborhood, and described before, one can easily give these items away in which ever way one conceives.

Quote

We attended with a different Lutheran congregation the other week. In the bulletin was this little quote about the Bible, not attributed to anyone. Martin really wanted to keep it, so now it's here in this post. He can get it whenever he wants. He wants to copy this into a Lutheran Study Bible he has coming for an upcoming confirmation of a god-child.
The quote:

The Bible

This book contains: the mind of God, the state of mankind, way of salvation, the fate of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here heaven is open, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, established forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its contents.

I might not have said "practice it to be holy" as we are holy independent of our works and practice; yet it's not wrong because we are called to practice it.



While I was shopping at CPH, I also ordered the recording of the daily orders of prayer CD, which is new. I'm really looking forward to this one coming. Paul McCain has a post about this. Only $10.00.

Just some notes on a nice weekend.

Someone dear visited us and brought us a big poinsettia! Thank you! XO!

On Saturday, I went Bethel to see/participate in their Family Advent afternoon. What they do is this: the Sunday school kids and the pre-school kids come in with their families to do Christmas/Advent "crafts". (I put "crafts" in quotation marks, because gluing and coloring and sticking on, are not technically "crafts" in my book; but everyone is busy, and things look great for hanging up, when done. Some of these words of God hang in homes for a long time, no matter how little skill went into them.)

The crafts come from the Oriental Trading Company, where everything is pre-cut, etc., minimal work required. This way an afternoon such as this is quickly organized and cleanly executed (other than getting the glue and paint off the tables afterward; paper underneath would work.) This can really be done any time of year, getting differently themed "crafts". Easter is the other time that this family craft afternoon is held.

Lots of families came in even with the bad weather. There also was coffee, a story and a video. All in all, it took about 2 hours and everyone was happy. I bought some of the left-over crafts to use in Bruderheim next Sunday, if we have kids.

I also went to see an elderly person had finally got the entire flight/refugee story straight. It is amazing how you can know a person for so long, but not have this kind of significant story in perspective. Live and learn. It's a slow process with us.

And, I went to the Sing Along Messiah at Concordia, which was mostly fabulous. One piece did not hang together. Oh, well. Lovely soloists. Great choir. Lots of men. (Many choirs don't have enough men.) Nice reception. See the gingerbread choir.

Christian History Project, Byfield

We received an invitation to a fundraising event for the Christian History Project. The series of books, which appear in brand new edition about once per year will soon be complete, God willing. It has been a turbulent time for the producers with fire and near loss of precious materials. It appears plans are being made for video production for the Discovery Channel. How exciting!

Beginning with the Alberta History series and progressing to Christian History, hubby has purchased and devoured all the volumes.

They are attractive, glossy, lavishly illustrated, thoroughly researched and lovingly produced books. The research and production has been heavily supported by donations from sponsors and the public.

Information is available and purchasing is completed by phoning 1-888-234-4478 or by going to http://www.thechristians.ca/

We won't be going to the event because the Love Life conference is scheduled the day after. But perhaps someone else might go.

Bible in China/Bartimaeus

I was looking for pictures of the healing of Bartimaeus on the internet and came to this very nice site of the United Bible Society. There is some interesting information about the printing of Bibles in China. The 15 images are also great.

Now someone enlighten me. If the site is copyrighted, what can one do or not do? Anyone can download the images, videos, stories easily. However, one should not try to profit from it, sell any of it. That's what would make sense to me. Is that the gist of it?

Catechism with Explanations available online here

A quick google lets one find the entire Luther's Small Catechism with Explanations right here.