Blogs I Read - 5 Minutes for books (Berenstain Bears' digital book)

I subscribe to the blog 5 Minutes for Books. I enjoy their book reviews.  Today's post was about the Berenstain Bears' Bedtime Battle digital book. The book is an interactive book that can be read on Apple or Android devices.  


After I read their blog post,  I looked it up in the Android Market and downloaded the free book The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule (Lite Version).  I will probably buy the other books in the future. You can see all the books at Oceanhouse Media. Jasmine read this book on my phone.  She used all three options.  She chose to have the book read to her and she read it on her own.  You swipe the screen to turn the page.   She used the auto play option, but preferred the first two choices.  She liked turning the pages herself.  The options of "auto play" and "read to me" highlight the words as the story is read.

All Things for My Good

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28 (KJV)


If you have been in church at all, this scripture comes up.  We say it.  We memorize it, but do we believe it?   You may have been lied on, been a victim, had great sickness and suffered great disappointment. How can all things work together for good?  I know the "all things" that I do not like draw me closer to God.  I know that the scriptures that I have memorized become real to me when I struggle.  Songs that I know are sung with a determination to keep moving forward.


My dad had Alzheimer's and he was a wanderer.   He was missing at least 3 times.   The first time that he was missing, I remember singing over and over again to myself.   I was calmer than I thought I should have been, but Isaiah 26:3 became real.  God kept me in peace by thinking about Him.  This bad situation worked for my good because God proved Himself on my behalf before my dad was even found.   


There are many situations that will refine us.  Others will be drawn to Christ as we mature in Him.   That is the good!   The "all things" mature me and testify to others about God's greatness.


At Christianbook.com, is a free eBook called The Promise: God Works All Things Together for Your Good by Robert J. Morgan. The author's purpose is to show how this promise from God is true.  I have not read this book yet, but I decided to share it with you since it is free for a limited time.  If you want to buy the book in print then you can buy it from Christianbook.com or Amazon.com.

Smell the Aroma

I can smell the aroma of a Fresh-Brewed Life.   I am reading chapter one of this book by Nicole Johnson.  A coffee drinker can relate to this book right away because she talks about how coffee is not just a drink.  It is a welcome.  It is comfort.  I prefer tea, but I could almost taste the coffee after she was finished discussing the joys of coffee.  Johnson wants us to awaken to joy of a true relationship with God.  She wants us to savor our time with Him just as any true coffee drinker savors a fresh brewed cup of coffee.

I will offer this book in an upcoming giveaway so subscribe to my blog as a feed or by e-mail.  You can also "like" Melissa's Book Nook on Facebook to know when you can enter the giveaway.

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.  Psalms 34:8 KJV

Comfort in His Presence

When I heard that it might storm last night, I knew one of my kids would be knocking on my door in the middle of the night.  It is usually Jasmine and sometimes Jeremiah and never Madie.  I do not think Madie has waken up in the middle of the night since she was a newborn needing to be fed.  


In the middle of the night, thunder roared and the lightening flashed and Jasmine was knocking on my door as I predicted.   She was scared because of the storm and she could not sleep.  Playing music and the night light did not help her fall asleep.  She wanted me or her dad.  My husband and I both took turns keeping watch.   The storm continued and she only felt better when we were present.


Last night reminded me that the storms in my life can be endured when I am in the presence of God and my loved ones.  God does not always make my troubles leave immediately, but He did promise to never leave me alone.   Thank you, Lord!


Isaiah 43:1-3 
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel: “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by your name; You are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Kids' Educational Websites - sheppardsoftware.com & ixl.com

You might think I make my kids read a lot and I do, but I know they need more.  I like the following websites (www.sheppardsoftware.com and www.ixl.com) for helping me to add to what my kids learn in school.  


This summer, my kids have used the website Sheppard Software to play games to help them with Math, Language Arts and Geography.   If you go to the top of the page, you will see even more subjects than what we used.  The best part is that it is free!


My kids' favorites are Math Fruit Shoot, Math Man and the Parts of Speech Tutorial.

• Math fruit shoot gives you a math problem and you have to shoot the fruit with the right answer to score.
• Math Man looks like Pac-Man except you have to eat the dot with a question mark to get the math problem.  Then you have to eat the ghost with the right answer.  Do not eat the ghost with the wrong answer or else you will lose a turn.
• Parts of Speech tutorial made my kids laugh.  You have to pick a noun, adjective and a verb.  Your choice is animated for you at the end.  For example, you could pick to have an angry cloud sleeping or a sparkly girl flying.   A definition with examples is given each time your child picks their noun, adjective and verb.

I also like IXL website (www.ixl.com).  Children can practice their math skills.  It is for grades pre-K to the 8th grade.   Your child can practice 20 questions for free each day.  If you want more than what is offered for free then you have to pay $9.95 for the month or $79 for the year.   There is also a teachers rate which can be shared with the class or school.    If you or your school is not ready to purchase a membership then I would at least let your children answer 20 questions a day.  It can only help them get better at math.  

I would love to hear of any educational websites that you use with your family.  Let me know.  Thanks.

Marriage...The Long, Road Trip

I have been reading a lot this summer, but it has mostly been children’s books.   I am back to reading Sacred Marriage and I am still in chapter 1.  There is a lot to think about in this chapter.

Sacred Marriage suggests that marriage can become like a Midwest highway with long stretches of flat land.  The scenery does not change too often.  You’re asking “are we there yet”.  It has its moments of sameness that can lead to boredom.    After the thrill of the romance of dating and a beautiful wedding, you have the responsibilities of a home, job and children.   It may seem like you are not getting anywhere and a restlessness can take over.    

Couples make a choice during this time.  They may break up and try to create that excitement again with another partner.   They could stay in the relationship and treat their spouse like the enemy.  Or they could honor their commitment and continue on even when feelings say otherwise.   

I do not feel like doing the laundry, but it needs to be done so I can have clean clothes.  I do not feel like driving the school bus every day, but the kids have to get to school and I like getting a paycheck. J   I see where the author is trying to take me.  My feelings have their place, but they cannot rule.   I’m in my marriage for the long haul so I will read on!

What do you think?

Refurbished Nook Color at eBay

Have you ever wanted a Nook Color?  Here's your chance to buy a refurbished one for $179.99.  It is usually $249.  A top-rated seller who has 99.4% positive feedback is selling it.  I am not the seller...I wish.  My other dream is to be a top-rated seller on eBay.   Enough about me and check this out.  Click the link below.


Barnes & Noble NOOK Color 8GB, Wi-Fi, 7in Touchscreen - eBay (item 200637867345 end time Sep-09-11 07:59:36 PDT)