Book Review: Jesus Lives by Sarah Young

Review: Jesus Lives

by Sarah Young

I was recently given the opportunity to review an attractive gift book devotional from Thomas Nelson Publishers entitled “Jesus Lives” by Sarah Young.  This 359-page book is compact in size, perfect for tucking in your bag to take wherever you go.  The presentation page in the front makes it the perfect from-the-heart gift.

More impressive than the physical attributes of this book is its content.  “Jesus Lives” contains 180 daily devotionals that speak straight to my heart.  The personal tone in which they are written makes me feel as if Jesus is speaking directly to me.  I am a homeschooling mom of five children so I don’t always have time to begin my day with a long quiet time, however I DO try and always start my day with something from His Word.  These short devotionals are perfect for that.  They are each followed with 3-4 related scriptures.  The devotionals are also indexed according to the books forty-six themes making it easy to find just what you need to bring you peace in the midst of your storm. 

If you need a short devotional to start your day, or a quick "pick me up" throughout your day, then I recommend "Jesus Lives".

Rollin' rollin' rollin'....

....with Christmas that is.  I spent most of October losing sleep concerned about how I was going to swing it all.  But now that the biggest part is done and it's not even Thanksgiving, I am feeling more relaxed.

Just a couple more purchases and I will have all shopping for the kids finished.  I think then I will only have My Prince Charming, my dad and my brother-in-law left. 

I even wrapped everything today that I already have.  The tree isn't up yet, but as soon as it is, there will be presents to go under it. 

AND, I am almost through addressing my Christmas cards.  I feel so ahead of the game!

I love being able to finish by early December and then being able to just sit back and enjoy.  So what about you?  Are you an early shopper or do you wait until the last minute? 

Don't know what you got....

....till it's gone.  Or at least gone for the day.  Yep, my kids all met me at the door and told me they MISSED ME today.  That was a good feeling.

I talked to My Prince Charming on the way home and I asked him had he read the blog post from last night.  He informed me he had not had time to read the blog because he had taught, cooked, done laundry, and played a board game with the kids.  I told him he would have had time if he'd skipped the board game, because I don't do that.

The funniest thing that happened today is that My Special Child, who undoubtedly heard the word "no" from his dad, got mad at him and told him he hated him and was ready for his momma to come home.  Which is so funny because, if you remember, yesterday he hated me. 

I told My Prince Charming that I am not sure why they missed ME so much, because he played a game with them and baked them brownies.  I don't do that.  He said they missed me because I am their momma. 

It's good to be loved like that.

One day at a time....

Where do I start?  Hmmm....well, today I had to make an SOS call to one of my good friends.  You see, My Special Child wanted to do something and I said that he could not.  So naturally that set him off into a mad fit.  He just hates that word.  Poor little darling.  Life is going to be a cruel surprise to him one day if he doesn't adapt to that word just a little better.  I was trying to stay calm and positive.  Nancy Thomas says that when dealing with RAD kids, our eyes should always reflect love.  That one can be tough for me.  I'm the mom with "The Look" and I expect said look to be responded too with obedience.  It doesn't work that way with him though.

So anyhoo, while trying to remain positive, "sweetums" decides that he hates me.  Oh well.  I was determined not to lose my cool.  So I called my friend Amy.  You see, Amy has this calm tone to her voice--unlike myself.  So I called, explained that I needed her to keep me from going over the edge and told her that Wal-Mart is going to have Blu-Ray players for $78 on Black Friday.  Yes I did.  Oh, and I put on a load of laundry.  And handled "sweetums".  Oh, and we also talked about this home warranty that she just found out about, which unfortunately is not offered in my zip code.  Not that it was a big surprise.  Not much of anything is offered here.  All while I continued to calmly handle "sweetums".

 The end result was that he did what I asked and he apologized to me for his behavior.  All to turn around and repeat his performance on the way out the door for church this evening.  But by God's grace, I remained calm through that one too.  One day at time......one day at a time.

I sure hope my friend knows what a lifeline she was for me this afternoon.  I told her I appreciated it and I meant every word of it.

Tomorrow, I have to take my daddy to the doctor in the Big City for his check-up.  My Prince Charming is taking off work to keep the kiddos.  And guess what?  They are going to have SCHOOL.  Remember having substitute teachers?  Did you ever have the school principal as your substitute?  They are.  I think my kids are really going to be glad to have me back.  They've already said so.

I just hope the principal does a load or two of laundry too.

Mustard Chicken and Skillet Roasted Potatoes....

Last night we had Mustard Chicken and Skillet Roasted Potatoes for dinner.  We only recently discovered this recipe.  We have tried it with both boneless and bone-in chicken pieces and both turned out nicely.

I came up with these potatoes last week.  We are definitely a 'meat and potatoes' family!  The beauty of these is that you can use whatever seasoning complements your main entree.  Last week I used blackened seasoning.  Tonight I decided to use onion soup mix.  I am thinking of trying them with Italian seasoning next.

Here's how I do it.

Skillet Roasted Potatoes

You will need:

• Enough red potatoes to feed your gang  (For us, it's this whole bag) 
• Coarse salt
• Chef's Black Pepper
• Olive oil
• Butter flavor Pam (yes, that's olive oil AND Pam)
• Your favorite seasoning

Cut the potatoes into chunks.  Place in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 10 minutes.  Heat a small amount of olive oil in a skillet on medium-high and add potatoes in layers.  Sprinkle potatoes with salt and pepper, toss to coat.  Spray potatoes with butter flavor Pam and toss again.  Add seasoning as desired and toss.  Turn heat to medium.  Stir often to prevent burning. 

Add your favorite entree, like Mustard Chicken maybe. 

 Enjoy!

Gray....

....is how it looks outside my window today.  It's kind of how I feel too.

This morning when I climbed out of bed, I knew I needed something to get me going.  As I was getting ready, this song kept playing in my head.  It is one of my current favorites.

Among The Thirsty - I'd Need A Savior
From the album Wonder
How many names can I use to explain the love of my Jesus,
the life that he gave and so many times will I praise you today.
I lift up my life ‘cause you’re always the same
And my offering to you I bring

Your name is Jesus. Your name is Jesus.
You’re the Wonderful, Counselor, my Friend.
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.

How many songs can I sing to proclaim your wondrous love and beauty so great?
What would I say if you brought down the rain and everyday
I walk through the pain my heart would still say…

Your name is Jesus. Your name is Jesus.
You’re the Wonderful, Counselor, my Friend.
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.

You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.
I’d need a Savior
I need you, Savior



I sat on the side of my bed and plugged my iPod in to listen to this song.  I grabbed my Bible and just opened it, trusting Him to give me what I needed.  I opened to this:

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

 ¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?  ² My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.
 ³ He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber;
 ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.
 ⁵ The LORD watches over you—
       the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
 ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.
 ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;
 ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

And I praised Him, being reminded that it is HE who gets me through my day.  I have had my share of rain that this song speaks of.  Yet I will praise Him.  Because He is Jesus.

Do you know him?

Free Current Events worksheet....

I just stumbled on a new website called Homeschooling Assistant.  This site is still under construction, but they already have several things to offer.  I am excited to watch it grow.

One interesting thing I found is this Current Events worksheet.  I am printing several of these to have on hand for use with my children.  Current events is something that is easy for me to let 'slide' just because I have not purposed to do it.  I think this worksheet will help me be more diligent in that area.

What about you?  Do you have any ideas to share about how you cover current events with your children?