Thursday, September 12, 2019

Children’s Book Scavenger Hunt: Stop #7

Welcome to the Christian Children’s Book Scavenger Hunt! 

If you are just joining us, please begin >>> HERE <<< to collect the clues in order, so you’ll be in the running to win one of three sets of books and a children’s Kindle Fire! The hunt runs from 9/13 at noon Mountain time until 9/15 at midnight Mountain. This contest is open to international entrants.



In this set of books, you'll find Night Night Devotions: 90 Devotions for Bedtime, with hundreds of pages of Virginia Allyn’s gorgeous illustrations and the sweet Night Night sentiments on which this series has been built. Night Night Bible Stories released in March, and in October, Night Night Devotions will release. BUT the winner will receive a signed copy before it even releases!

Pre-order here!

In each of these books, we hope you find the perfect way to send your littles off to sleep, feeling cozy and oh-so loved by the God who made them. Of course, you don’t have to use my books to teach your littles about God or to spend time with Him. If you’re one of those parents who knows the importance of daily time with God, but you’re not sure how to add one more thing into your day, here are:

7 Simple Ways to Spend Time Daily with God

1. Make your Bible a priority. I know the right answer is, “Of course, the Bible is a priority!” But if I rewind to when I had toddlers, there would have been little evidence of it. Over the years, however, I’ve formed a habit of starting my day with my Bible, and it has made all the difference.

2. Listen to Christian music. You can now find rap, reggae, R&B, southern rock, gospel, pop, rock, and metal—all sung by Christian artists. There are silly songs and straight Scripture set to wonderful melodies. And when you’re stuck in a situation that needs a little wisdom or a ray of light, you’ll be surprised by how often those lyrics will stream through your head (or your kiddo’s head!)—at precisely the right time.

3. Make prayer a habit. Meals and bedtime. Check. But are there other opportunities to make prayer a habit? For instance, we’ve started praying every morning on the way to school. It’s only three or four sentences, but it places the school day in God’s hands and sets our eyes on things above right from the get-go.

4. Have a mealtime devo. Whether you read from a devotional at the dining room table or a Bible verse on your phone at the ballpark, use this time with a captive audience to infuse Scripture into your family’s day. Jesus used mealtime as an opportunity to share and process biblical truths—we can too!

5. Pray over your home. When I worked at our church bookstore, I regularly saw my pastor’s mom walk through mumbling. She wasn’t lost—she was praying over our entire church! When it’s naptime or the kids are at school, walk through and pray over each room of your home. It will make a difference that everyone can feel!

6. Enjoy nature. Observe the design of a butterfly’s wing. Look for shapes in the clouds. Take all the photos of rainbows and sunsets. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” When you walk outside, you can marvel in worship without ever saying a word.

7. Be thankful. I know: it’s not always easy. But when we model this for our kids (“Thank You, God, for the money to fix this flat tire!”), we are equipping them with a powerful weapon against the doldrums of this world, a weapon of light that could quite literally save their lives.

Listen, I know your days are jam-packed with lessons and appointments and meals and laundry. But I have seen for myself how these simple little habits can transform lives. I have (shockingly) found myself quoting Scripture rather than nagging. I have felt overwhelming hope at the end of a draining day. And most importantly, I have seen the faith of my own family grow. Is there anything more worthwhile than that?


For a chance to win a BUNCH of resources to help your family spend time with God, HERE'S YOUR SCAVENGER HUNT CLUE: spell 

NEXT STOP: Head over to Pam Halter’s site to read her post and collect the next clue in the hunt!

As an added BONUS, anyone who comments on this post will be entered to win a copy of Night Night Bible Stories to go with your copy of Night Night Devotions that you ARE GOING TO WIN! Right? Right. Comment below and HAVE FUN! 
UPDATE: Sarah Taylor, you are the winner! Email your mailing address! 

45 comments:

Belinda Clemons said...

I love this type of scavenger hunt

Wifey said...

Great suggestions, thanks!

Wifey said...

Great suggestions, thanks!

Mainelybrooks said...

What a great idea....the scavenger hunt. I am a grandmother to one six year old boy and love to read to him, as I did to our two daughters. I also coordinate our church library where I have been adding to our children’s books. Your books look like excellent additions thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Julie Lavender said...

I enjoyed perusing your site, and your books are lovely! Thank you for the opportunity to take part in the scavenger hunt!!! What fun!!

Julie Lavender said...

Well, tried to leave a comment.... hopefully it showed up, but, thanks for letting me take part in the scavenger hunt! What fun!! Love your books!

Rachel said...

This is a fun giveaway-thanks!

Unknown said...

Great post! :)

Deborah Dumm said...

so cute

Amy said...

This looks like a fantastic book! Thanks for the chances to win!

Lucy Reynolds said...

Thank you so much for the chance.

Sarah F. said...

Um, yes please!!

Sarah F. said...

Um, yes please!!

Jane said...

Great tips for how to spend time with God. Sounds like a great devotional book for families.

arletta said...

I'm always on the lookout for good Christian kid's books and this hunt has given me some great new choices. Thanks.

Aud said...

This looks like a great book to read to my classroom as they lay down for nap time!!

Emily G. said...

Thanks for writing books like this that help us parents to nurture a love for Christ in our kids!

Emily G. said...

Thanks for writing books like this that help us parents to nurture a love for Christ in our kids!

CassFinchum said...

That looks like such a fun book for my two littles!

multiplemeyers said...

Great ideas for how we can make time with God part of our day and our kids' day! Thank you!

Stephanie H. said...

I really love your seven ways to help us praise God every day. I also believe doing these daily helps to assure us that we are never alone!

Amy G. said...

Both books look so cute! I'm sure my nieces and nephews would love them!

kaisquared said...

Great list of simple ways!

Deborah Dumm said...

Sounds great

Rachel T. T. said...

Thank you for writing this book and hosting the giveaway.

Janice D. Green said...

Great suggestions for drawing near to God. We set the example for our children, and without regular contact with God, our example will be lacking.

Anonymous said...

This looks like such a sweet book. I think it's so important to give our children and grandchildren a faith based foundation.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Merry

beeghly said...

awww would love for sunday school!

Anonymous said...

These book sounds all sound wonderful!
Martha T.
CRPRAIRIE1@imonmail(dot)com

Dawn Crawford said...

Great book to read to a grandchild.

margie said...

I love doing these scavenger hunts and this is the 1st one I have done for children's books...I have 22 grandchildren and 2 of them live with me...they would love this prize...but win or lose, we are a family of avid readers...Thanks for your participation!!!!

desdemona said...

Oh my goodness my granddaughter and soon to be future second granddaughter would love this book...actually both books. It was so nice to find your site.

jas_mich said...

So great!

jas_mich said...

Thanks for the chance to win!

desdemona said...

I will comment again as I already did but it's not showing up. My granddaughter would love this wonderful book!

Unknown said...

Great advice, though I’ve done much of the above sporadically, I know there is tremendous value in growing these as habits. Thanks for the post!

Alisha said...

❤️

Sherri Myers said...

Your book sounds very nice and the pictures are cute. :)

Lindsie said...

Hello Amy, I've come via the Scavenger Hunt. Your post really resonated with me. I love the idea of praying through the rooms of your home and will definitely try to implement that in my day.
Your ideas were really helpful. Thank you for sharing. I'm also really interested in checking out your books now.
You are on my list!
Thanks
Lindsie

Lia said...

such a wonderful thing! thanks for your generosity!

Gail H. said...

Reading bedtime stories is essential to instilling a love of reading to children.

Susanne said...

My kids love Bible stories!

SARAH TAYLOR said...

THANK YOU FOR THIS AMAZING SCAVENGER HUNT it is so awesome!

Halen said...

What beautiful illustrations. And I like your suggestions, from routines and readings to the reminder that our prayers have power in our homes. Thank you!

Amy Parker said...

SARAH TAYLOR!!! You are the winner of Night Night Bible Stories! Please email your mailing address to amy@amyparkerbooks.com.

Thank you all for entering!
Amy