Archive for Biblical history
The Heavens Declare!
Posted by: | CommentsCovering Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Physiology and Earth Science, has left little time to really get into Astronomy – the scientific study of the individual celestial bodies and of the universe as a whole. I know there’s a Biblical purpose for which the Sun, Moon and Stars were created, “…to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.” Genesis 1:14
In Junior High School I did an illustrated report on constellations. I took over the huge bulletin board in the back of the classroom, used thumb tacks and white string, on a black background, and mapped the stars in our night sky. My report briefly touched on names, history and origin. I’ve enjoyed the Moon and Stars countless times since then, but I have not counted their worth.
Psalm 19:1-2 says, “The Heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays His handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals His greatness.” Based on this verse alone, there is so much more than warmth from the Sun, and pretty lights in the sky at night. I want my children to be able to recognize God’s handiwork, and intelligently acknowledge His greatness. We need to learn how to observe the sky.
“It is said that every home in early America owned a (Holy) Bible, a copy of [John Bunyan's] Pilgrim’s Progress, and the current annual astronomical almanack,” writes Jay Ryan, author of The Classical Astronomy.
In his Celestial Almanack, February, 2012, Vol. 1, Number 2 you’ll find:
an Astronomical Calendar
Signs of the Seasons
* The Sun’s Declination
Seasonal Skies – Evening
*The Great Constellation Orion
*The N, E, and W Horizons
Dance of the Planets
*Jupiter and Venus Approach
*The Motion of Jupiter and Venus
*Superior Planets – Mars, Saturn
We love Jay’s style of teaching!
Blessings,
Penny
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
“Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”
Posted by: | Comments“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go…”
Click to find more Seuss
Where to go? Where to go? How to get there – do you know? Bright Ideas Press has WonderMaps that’ll get you there in a blink and two snaps!
The creative potential just boggles the mind. There’s nearly a map for every thing-a-ma-kind!
This brand new program, available as a download or CD, is a “customizable collection of over 350 different maps.”
Click the graphic, to find everything under the WonderMaps category…
60+ maps of the world
60+ maps of the USA
125+ historical maps, including 25 Biblical maps
plus
The complete map sets from The Mystery of History Vols. 1-3 and All American History Vols. 1 & 2
WonderMaps is teacher, parent and student friendly.
The video below will give you a better idea of all that WonderMaps has to offer -
Contact:
Bright Ideas Press
P.O. Box 333
Cheswold, DE 19936
877.492.8081 or email – contact@BrightIdeasPress.com
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We like it! It’s true! $49.95 – for me or for you. I really must say, though I’d rather not, we found an error on a map, maybe two, maybe more. Made corrections, changed directions, and didn’t keep score. Saint Paul isn’t happy that Minneapolis would dare, to take the title of capital heir. The mappers will fix it, of this I’m quite sure, too much confusion for Minnesotan’s to endure.
Reviews by The Crew, you can read them with ease. Click the banner to see what they think, if you please.
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. I also have no affiliation with Dr. Seuss, Seussville, or the Dr. Seuss & Friends Book Club and receive no compensation for references to them. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your support and encouragement… PK
Do you understand?
Posted by: | CommentsThe Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids is meant as a guide to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend, and generally, make understanding the Bible easier AND that’s exactly what it does.
This is a stunning, 209 pages plus, hard cover book! 750 Bible words.
-Definitions and pronunciation guides for those words that you find yourself mumbling or stumbling over, because you’re not quite sure how to say them. Like these entries:
- “Gennesaret, Sea of (gih NESS uh ret) Also known as Sea of Galilee or Sea of Tiberias. Jesus calmed a storm on this lake, and with Jesus’ help, Peter walked on water on this lake. Luke 5:1″ and
- “World – 1.) Planet Earth. 2.) In the Bible world often means the people who live on Planet Earth. In John 3:16, Jesus said, “God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son,” to all the humans in the world. 3.) The Bible also uses world to describe evil and people who do not know Jesus as Savior and choose to do wrong. Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 2:20.”
-Charts and illustrations. Among many, you’ll find:
Insects of the Bible
- Birds in the Bible;
- Food in Bible Times, and
- Names of God, with the reference, meaning and English name
Elohim ~ Genesis 1:1 ~ Powerful God ~ God
Jehovah Jireh ~ Genesis 22:14 ~ The Lord provides ~ The Lord will provide
Yahweh ~ Exodus 3:14 ~ Israel’s Covenant God ~ I AM
and more.
-500 vibrant, color photographs, from the likes of Israel Museum, Jerusalem; Joseph A Calloway Archaeological Museum, Kentucky; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Biblical Illustrator photographers – Bob Schatz, Ken Touchton; even NASA.
Moses leads the Israelites across the Red Sea on dry ground.
-Numerous maps and reconstructions, reinforcing that “Bible stories are true and happened in real places.”
Reconstruction of the City of Corinth
Map of Egypt: Land of The Nile
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids is kid-friendly without compromise. I reference the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-17. In this dictionary, they are worded in a way that a child can understand without changing God’s meaning.
- Do not have other gods besides the One True God.
- Do not make an idol to worship.
- Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
- Keep the sabbath day holy.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- Do not murder.
- Keep your marriage promises.
- Do not steal.
- Do not lie.
- Do not want things that belong to someone else.
And… I can put off having to explain the nitty-gritty of adultery and coveting your neighbors anything, until they’re older.
B and H Publishing has a PDF sampler of this book you can download.
This is an outstanding resource for $14.99. I was blessed that LifeWay Christian Stores gave me a copy for this review. “LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention is one of the world’s largest providers of Christian products and services…” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids is available at LifeWay Christian Stores, your local bookstore, online and through the publisher.
Making the language of the Bible more accessible and understandable to young hearts and minds is a worthy investment, with the possibility of eternal dividends. Compiled with ages 5 – 10 in mind, I found it beneficial for all ages.
Shop online or
Find a LifeWay Christian Store near you.
phone: 1.800.448.8032
Click the TOS banner below for additional reviews of Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids.
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Foundlings, Book One of The Peleg Chronicles
Posted by: | CommentsZoe and Sozo Publishing. Have you heard of them?
I hadn’t heard of this publishing company until I received Foundlings, for review. It is written by Matthew Christian Harding and the encapsulated story of his life, his testimony, could be a book, in itself. God’s love, mercy, grace, acceptance and forgiveness are evident. He is the father of four, and with his wife’s encouragement, bedtime stories became… The Peleg Chronicles.
The publisher recommends this book for ages 10 and up. Foundlings is a work of historical fiction, set in the time of Peleg (Genesis 11), after the Tower of Babel dispersion. The author’s view is that of a young earth creationist. Godly heroes and adventurers: Lord McDougal and Thiery; evil Dragon Priests, vivid Beasts and man-sized Lyftfloga, find their way across the pages. Scripture is woven seamlessly throughout this story of good versus evil.
I started reading Foundlings aloud, to all but my youngest child. 232 pages with no illustrations. We noticed that from an artistic point of view, the character’s physical descriptions (apart from McDougal and a couple of others) are sparse. Spiritually, though, it is clear who is good and who is bad. Evil is portrayed as evil and not good, not fun, not something to delve into yourself.
*Mr. Harding’s, “Lord McDougal”, comes off the page by my son’s hand.
One of my daughters said, “It’s great that someone finally wrote a book with a fantasy-feel that I can enjoy reading. I’ve always believed dragons and dinosaurs walked with man. Foundlings meets God’s approval, in my opinion, because, just as the publisher claims, it isn’t filled with magic, humanism or evolution. All in all, a good read without the junk!”
Another one said, “It’s an interesting idea for a book, but not a genre I’d choose to read. Just too much fantasy for my taste and too many odd-named characters. Instead of walking, half the time, I felt like I was tripping and stumbling through it.”
I wasn’t far into Foundlings when I changed the rating to a PG-13. Therefore, my recommendation is for older teens and adults. It does contain visible, Biblical principles of truth, courage, faith and love, among others. I think it leans a little heavy and graphic in other areas. I know, much of this story is based on historical account, but I don’t see the need for this measure of dark detail in my young children’s fiction.
On the other hand, I know there is a market of youth and adults that read of spells and incantations, dungeons and dragons, vampires and more, without pause. This is not a description of Foundlings, but… this good book may be a tool to reach hearts with The Truth. It opens discussion and opportunity for presentation of The Gospel.
I encourage you to read the other TOS Crew reviews , since we come from many different points of view. Follow your personal standard and form your own opinion, before you give it to your child or as a gift.
*This is another son’s illustration. A Lyftfloga, as described by the author.
If you decide this book will fit your family, you can order here, online, through the mail or bookstore. It is $11.95. Paladins, Book Two of The Peleg Chronicles has already been published and is also available for $11.95. Foundlings ends with a cliff-hanger and moves right into Paladins. The third book in this series is anticipated in May of 2011.
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Blessings,
