Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! - A Book Review & a Giveaway

Written by Troy Schmidt
Illustrated by Cory Jones
$9.99
Release Date is May 1, 2013

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About the Book: 
Oh sure, we've all heard the story of Jonah and the Whale a hundred times. But have we heard it from the perspective of the whale who experienced that history-making event?

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! imagines how that great sea creature from the incident might tell his side of the story, helping kids ages 4 to 8 discover a creative way of learning about that guy who was supposed to go to Ninevah.

The "Parent Connection" feature (inside the book) will help moms and dads take the story further with scripture references and tips on how to talk with their children about what really happened.

About the Author: 
Troy Schmidt has writing and video production credits ranging from assignments with Disney (The Mickey Mouse Club) and Nickelodeon to Max Lucado's Hermie franchise. He is currently the lead writer for The American Bible Challenge hosted by Jeff Foxworthy on the Game Show Network. Troy and his wife have three sons.

The Series:  This is just the first in a series!  Other books available include Hey God, Can You Stop the Rain so I Can Get off Noah's Smelly Ark? and Hey God, I'm Having an Awful Vacation in Egypt Thanks to Moses!

Our Thoughts:

I shared this book with my 4 and 11 year old daughters.  The recommended age range is 4 to 8, but my 11 year old daughter was happy to join in on the fun with her little sister.  Of course the book was geared more towards my 4 year old, however both girls enjoyed the story... as did I.  

The book has delightful illustrations, witty humor, and tells an age-old story with a new twist... from the whale's point-of-view.   

The book stays true to the original event and reinforces the moral of the story - when God speaks, we should listen and act upon it.  This cute "whale of a tale" reminds us that God only asks us to trust Him.  Whatever He asks us to do, He asks that we trust Him.

 

Giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a copy of this book, courtesy of FlyBy Promotions.  Just leave a comment on or before May 15, 2013.  I will choose one comment at random.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Hold Them Close

This week, I seem to hear about the tragic loss of a child every time I turn around.  A child terminally ill with cancer.  A drowning.  A car accident.  An act of violence.  Some losses are from disease, some from accidents, and some... God helps us, were due to intentional acts of hate. 

With each loss, the pain bores a little deeper into my soul.  With each news report, my hearts breaks a little more.  So much sadness, so much loss.  I have prayed for their families; I have prayed for mine.  I have shed tears for their loss and their grief; I have shed tears because I love my family dearly and life is so fragile.

These tragedies remind me that each day that my family is together safe and sound is a gift.  Each night that my family returns home safely and sleeps peacefully under one roof is a blessing. It reminds me to hold my children close.  To hug them tight.  To keep them near and dear to my heart, where they always have been. 

There is no guarantee of tomorrow.  So I should live today with all of my heart. God has given me today, and I shouldn't waste it, shouldn't take it for granted.  Today isn't just another day... today is God's gift to my family.  Yesterday wasn't just another day; it was a gift to my family. 

These great losses have also reminded me about what really matters in life.  We, or at least I, am guilty of confusing my needs and my wants.  Too often we hear people saying, "I need new clothes." - "I need a bigger house." - "I need a vacation." - "I need this.. I need that."  But if we were to stop and think really long and hard about it, if we examined our hearts and our motives... would this really be the truth?  Do we really need these things?  Or are they just wants, and for the most part, very self-centered wants?  There are very few things that we truly need.  People have lived long, prosperous, productive lives in very small homes, wearing very old clothes, and never leaving their home state to "see the world."  The secret?  They were content.  ("But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:19 KJV)

God doesn't say that we can't wish, hope, and dream.  Yet, He does ask that we be content with right where we are and with just what we have.  Dream all you want; hope is a powerful thing.  Still, if those wishes never come true... if you never accomplish your dreams, will you still be content and happy?  Will you still feel blessed? Therein lies the difference.  Contentment.  ("Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," Philippians 4:11)

Tragic losses remind us to put things in perspective.  My family is home safely, clothed and fed, and in good health.  We are loved by God and by each other.  Our needs are met.  Everything else is just a "want."  What a blessing.  I am content.

This is our Time DVD - A Review and a Giveaway

This is Our Time DVD

 

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Trailer

About the movie:

The movie tells the interwoven stories of Luke (T.J. Dalrymple) and Alé (Erin Bethea), who marry right after school and move to India to serve as missionaries for Embrace A Village, a ministry that cares for those afflicted with leprosy and their families; aspiring financier Catherine (Kate Cobb), who joins a prestigious financial institution determined to make an impact on corporate America; Ryder (Matthew Florida), who lands an impressive job in social media and can’t wait to use the powerful medium for a greater good; and Ethan (Shawn-Caulin Young,) seemingly the odd man out, who struggles to find his God-given-purpose and feels sidelined by God.

“What they all come to learn is that it never really was their time,” Arnold said. “It always was, always is, God’s time.”

Giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a copy of this DVD, courtesy of FlyBy Promotions.  Just leave a comment on or before April 30, 2013.  I will choose one comment at random.

Our Thoughts:

I have enjoyed viewing several family-friendly Christian movies over the past few years.  It is always a pleasure to be able to sit down as a family and watch a movie without worrying about the content.  It also nice to watch movies with a purpose, a lesson...  to be reminded of God's promises, our purpose in life, etc.

So of course, when this movie came up for review, I volunteered.  This weekend, we sat down as a family to watch the This is Our Time DVD.  I can't say it was my favorite movie of all times... some of the acting was a little "off", the scenes jumped around a lot, and some things were a bit difficult to follow.  But the message was still there, coming through loud and clear.  As the above quote said, "It never really was their time.  It always was, always is, God's time."  God knows the plans He has for us; He knows what the future holds.  He has a plan... a plan we don't always understand, don't even always agree with.  The movie reminds us that God never promised it would be easy, and reminds us that for those who God has the greatest plans, it rarely is easy.  This movie is definitely a tear-jerker. 

The movie also focuses on a real organization called Embrace A Village, a ministry that cares for lepers and their families.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."