Usborne Cloth Books for Your Youngest Little Readers

It is never too early to begin teaching your child to love books.  If your child loves books, he or she will love reading.  If your child loves reading, he or she will build a foundation on which he or she will enjoy a lifetime of learning.  Usborne cloth books are perfect for the youngest of little learners.

Your baby or young toddler will enjoy the tactile touches and sounds of crinkly soft books.  Usborne Cloth books are great for tummy time.  They make great travel companions too!  Some of these books have snap carry handles attached.  Your baby will enjoy the rattle handles and teether attachments.  Explore oceans and leaves with the Little Friends books and play with the rattle handles of the Hello Baby books.

Puppet loves will love the poppet books!

Usborne Cloth Books

Crinkle Pets 

Meet Cat, Tortoise, Dog, and Goldfish, then flip to the other side to see them all together at home. 

Age	0 years and up
Size	4 3/4 x 4 3/4
Pages	8pp
Series	Crinkle Animals
Author	Teresa Bellón

Crinkle Jungle

Meet Parrot, Lion, Elephant, and Crocodile on one side, and find them all in the jungle scene on the other side. 

Age	0 years and up
Size	4 3/4 x 4 3/4
Pages	8pp
Series	Crinkle Animals
Author	Teresa Bellón

Little Fox

Say hello to Little Fox, playing and hiding among the woodland trees.

Age	0-2 years
Size	4 3/4 x 4 3/4
Pages	6
Series	Hello, Little Ones!
Author	Susie Brooks, Ill. by Christine Gore

Little Lion

Say hello to Little Lion, leaping and playing in the jungle.  

Age	0-2 years
Size	4 3/4 x 4 3/4
Pages	6
Series	Hello, Little Ones!
Author	Susie Brooks, Ill. by Christine Gore

Little Waves

Dive in to meet ocean friends as they splish-splash and swish-swish. A snap carry handle makes it easy to take this book along with you!  

Age	1-3 years
Size	7 x 6 1/2
Pages	10pp
Series	Little Friends
Author	Susie Brooks, Ill. by Wendy Kendall

Little Leaves

Meet animal friends as they flitter-flutter and munch, crunch. A snap carry handle makes it easy to take this book along with you! 

Age	1-3 years
Size	7 x 6 1/2
Pages	10pp
Series	Little Friends
Author	Susie Brooks, Ill. by Wendy Kendall

Hello Baby!  Rainbow Colors

Filled with colorful characters and paired with rattle handles, these cuddly cloth concept books for the very young are perfect for travel time, tummy time, or any time!

Who is red and who is green? Find out with the cozy friends.

Age	0-2 years
Size	8 1/2 x 5 1/4
Pages	6
Series	Hello, Baby!

Hello Baby!  Spots and Stripes

Who is spotted? Who is striped? Find out with these cozy animal friends.

Age	0-2
Size	5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Pages	6
Series	Hello, Baby!
Author	Lie Kobayashi

 Hello Baby!  Day and Night

Say good morning and good night to all the cozy friends.

Age	0-2 years
Size	8 1/2 x 5 1/4
Pages	6
Series	Hello, Baby!

Hello Baby!  Buzz, Buzz

Hello, Baby! Buzz, Buzz is a cloth concept book for the very young that is perfect to “chew” on.

Age	0-2
Size	5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Pages	6
Series	Hello, Baby!
Author	Lie Kobayashi

 Happy Puppy

Follow the prompts in the story and make the puppy chase, bark, yawn, and settle down to sleep.

Series: Poppets
These clever boxes house an adorable hand puppet, story book and cuddly toy – all in one! Make the puppy and kitten come alive as you follow the prompts in the story to purr, yap… and sleep.

Age	0-3
Size	Book: 4 1/2 x 5 1/2; Package: 7 3/4 x 8
Pages	6
Series	Poppets
Author	Sally Garland

Cuddly Kitty

Kitty loves to dance and drink and snuggle. Follow the prompts in the story to make her come alive!

Age	0-3
Size	Book: 4 1/2 x 5 1/2; Package: 7 3/4 x 8
Pages	6
Series	Poppets
Author	Sally Garland

Hush-A-Bye Bunny

This charming two-sided cloth book combines a variety of touch-and-feel fabrics with a gentle, rhyming text, making it the perfect book for night and day, sleep and play.

Series: Hush-a-Bye
These charming two-sided cloth books combine a variety of touch-and-feel fabrics with gentle, rhyming text.

Age	0-3
Size	5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Pages	6
Series	Hush-a-Bye

Hush-A-Bye Owl

First cloth books for baby – cuddle, read, share and learn. The ribbon loop makes it easy to link to carseat.

This charming two-sided cloth book combines a variety of touch-and-feel fabrics with a gentle, rhyming text, making it the perfect book for night and day, sleep and play.

Age	0-3
Size	5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Pages	6
Series	Hush-a-Bye

 Hush-A-Bye Rabbit

This adorable two-sided bunny cloth book combines a variety of touch-and-feel textures with a sweet, rhyme for the perfect “I love you.”

Age	0-3
Size	5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Pages	6
Series	Hush-a-bye
Author	Susie Brooks; Illustrated by Aless Baylis

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Jabez (Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series)

Jabez is the last Bible character we are covering in our Ordinary Heroes of the Bible series at my church.  This series is intended to show us that we don't have to be famous, rich, or powerful for God to use us.  Throughout the Bible, God used ordinary people to accomplish His purposes.  Billy Graham was admired by thousands as is his son, Franklin.  There are many well grounded pastors and teachers who have done a lot of wonderful things.  God has used and will continue to use them, but He has a purpose for you and me too.  He wants to use you and me, ordinary people, to bring others to Him.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon on Jabez.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Jabez | November 24, 2019 | Pastor Rick Hermann from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

Our Scripture text for today is 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore him with pain.” Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested. - 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Those verses are famously known as "The Prayer of Jabez."
  

God doesn't answer prayers that we don't pray.  God wants us to ask for our heart's desires.

Jabez means "pain."  Even so, Jabez was more honorable than his brothers.  He was a man of bold faith.  He lived about the time of the Exodus.

What can we learn from Jabez?

1.  Are you allowing your pain to define you or refine you? 

We all experience pain.  Jesus experienced pain.  Sometimes, life is painful.  Do we let it define us?  It's how we respond that is important.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4

Pain is part of our human existence.  Allow your pain to shape you into the person God wants you to be.  Allow your pain to act as a warning signal calling you to prayer.  Don't define yourself as a victim.  Don't blame others.  Own your situation.

2.  Are you asking for man's blessing or God's blessing?

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. - 1 John 2:15

Jabez asked for God's blessing.

Jabez asked for more responsibility.  

As humans, we tend to want more blessings but not more responsibility.  Often the two are synonymous.  Jabez asked for more of God and less of himself.

3.  If you could pray for your future reality, what would you pray for?

Would you pray for more responsibility?  Would you pray for more of God and less of yourself?  A bigger home?  Nicer car?  Healthy children?  More money?  More opportunities to spread the gospel to others?

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. - Philippians 3:7-9

Jesus is the one who gives us hope.  He is the only one who can fill the void in your life.  

Do you need a relationship with Jesus?  

 

Find all posts in the Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series here.

Love Your Neighbors (Love Where You Live Series)

We know the Bible tells us to love our neighbors, but who are our neighbors?  I grew up in the pre-social media age.  Our neighbors were the people who lived next to us in our neighbors.  It was that simple.  Today, the definition of the word "neighbor" has changed a bit.  Vocabulary.com defines "neighbor" as "a nearby person or thing."  That's a pretty general definition.  In our current "everything is instant" culture, even people are as near as your phone or computer screen.  We can see someone face-to-face almost anytime we want with a few clicks of a few buttons or keys.  Therefore, our neighbors extend beyond the people who live right next to you.  My pastor's first sermon in his new series (Love Where You Live) is titled, "Love Your Neighbors."  Let's learn how to love our neighbors like the Lord tells us to love them.

Image Credit:  Picmonkey

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Love Your Neighbors.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Loving Our Neighbors | January 5, 2019 | Pastor Jeff Crook from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

Love Your Neighbors

The past is a nice place to visit, but a terrible place to live.  We need to let go of past grudges and move forward into the future.

See your world with clear vision.  Learn to love the people around you because God has brought them into your path.  He has placed you where you are so you can love the people where you are.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  There is no other commandment greater than these. - Mark 12:30-31

Love the Lord with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself.

Loving God flows into loving others.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

It is possible to reach even your most difficult neighbors because you have the authority of Christ.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. - Acts 1:8

Start where you are.  Love where you are first.  People like Billy Graham are great and wonderful with huge platforms and God uses them to reach large numbers of people, but God uses people like you and me to reach people face-to-face, one person at a time too.

Who is your neighbor?  Your neighbors are the people who live near you but they are also any people who God places in your path.  

Who lives with you?  Your spouse, kids, a parent, a grandparent?  a dorm roommate?  Someone else?  Do the people who live with you know Jesus?  Do the people who live with you know you know Jesus?  

Don't let difficult people keep you from sharing Jesus with them because according to Acts 1:8, it is not you but the power of the Holy Spirit who reaches them.

2020 Focus:  Love where you live by continuing to bless and and love your family and friends.  Create a "love where you live" culture by discipling your church family to make a gospel impact in the community by using your resources, influence, and voice.

Who lives around you?  Only 10% of people can name one of their neighbors and only 1% has had a meaningful conversation with one.  (The Art of Neighboring)
We have gone from front porches to privacy fences.  We have many connections on social media but we have only shallow relationships and those relationships are growing less and less meaningful.

Our culture has changed but God has not changed.

We can't love our neighbors if we don't know who they are.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. - Romans 12:10-13

This kind of hospitality as described in Romans 12:10-13 is not and option or a spiritual gift.  It is a command that we are all supposed to obey.  

Jesus came to serve and to save.  He was focused on building relationships. 

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. - Luke 19:10

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, "Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" - Luke 7:34

A meal is a good way to build a relationship.  People don't care how much you know (about Jesus, the Bible, or God) until they know how much you care (about them).

Our current culture has us somewhat afraid of people we don't know, but if we get to know them, we won't fear them.  

Who lives in you?  This is the most important question because if God lives in you, then you will love your neighbors.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11

As we move forward in this new year, we will not go alone.  If we want God to do something new, we need to get to know new people.   

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Read all other posts in the Love Where You Live Series here.

Andrew (Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series)

Welcome to the third installment of our Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series.  Today, we will read about Andrew.  This post is a summary of part of a series of sermons delivered by my pastor at my church.  You are invited to watch, listen and worship with us here.

Andrew | November 17, 2019 | Pastor Jeff Crook from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

Our Scripture text for today is John 1:35-42.

God isn't looking for clout, influence, and power.  He is looking for ordinary people like you and me.  Prominence doesn't mean significance.  In Scripture, Andrew is always bringing people to Jesus.  If you are a person of significance with money and power, this doesn't mean that God will not use you.  It just means that He is not looking for those things.  He is looking at your heart.  It is believed that Andrew preached the gospel from the cross for two days.  He was apparently stoned and crucified.

Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). - John 1:35-42

Andrew brought his brother to Jesus.  Why bring people to Jesus?

1.  You want what is best for them.

The devil wants you to think that your family and friends don't want you to talk to them about Jesus.  Compare that to what God wants for them.  The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy.  Jesus comes so that you can have life more abundantly.

One of the names for Jesus is Lamb of God.

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29

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 And he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” - John 1:36

We need to be more like Andrew.  We should want the best for our loved ones.  They need forgiveness just like you and me.

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23 

They need a Savior.  Sin separates us, destroys us, and locks us up.

Another name for Jesus is Messiah. 

He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). - John 1:41

We need a relationship with God.  Everyone you know needs forgiveness and freedom.

2.  You care about them.

Sadly, we generally lack a care and concern for people.

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:35

We need to pray for God to give us a genuine love for people.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. - Romans 1:16

We need to get past ourselves and take the gospel to people.

Do you have a hurting loved one?  They need to hear the gospel of Jesus.  They also need prayer.  Tell them you will pray for them and make sure you do pray for them.  Ask God to work in his or her heart.  

Divine appointments await you.  When a person's heart is prepared, God will place a willing messenger in his or her path.  The more you ask God to give you a love for people, the more He will give you a love for people.

3.  Jesus cares about them.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” - John 1:47-48

Jesus saw Nathaniel before Philip saw him.  The Lord wants you to come to Him.  He wants others to come to Him.  He wants to heal your marriage, set you free from addiction, etc.  He doesn't want your past to define you.  He wants your past to refine you.

Find all posts in the Heroes of the Bible Series here.

 The Answers in Genesis 2020 Event Calendar

Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry based in Petersburg, Kentucky.  The Answers in Genesis ministry is dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They answer questions about the Bible, especially the book of Genesis, about key cultural issues such as but not limited to creation, evolution, science, and the age of the earth.  Answers in Genesis is continually releasing news topic related to Biblical apologetics.  They have two incredible museums.  My family has been to the Creation Museum twice and the Ark Encounter once last summer.  If you are interested in attending one or any number of several events throughout the year, here is the Answers in Genesis 2020 Event Calendar as of January 9, 2020.

Many people both young and old do not hold a Christian worldview because they have not been taught the foundational truths of God’s Word beginning in Genesis. Our dynamic speakers proclaim the truth and authority of the Bible amid growing compromise, anti-God rhetoric, and secular activism. In churches and conferences in the US and around the globe, we are committed to stand uncompromisingly on the Word of God from the very first verse and to relate the relevance of a literal Genesis to today’s world. - Answers in Genesis

2020 Mystery Island Vacation Bible School Workshop 

The Mystery Island Workshop will take place in the Creation Museum's Legacy Hall on January 25, 2020.  Participants will get the opportunity to get a sneak peak at the Mystery Island VBS program.  Answers in Genesis provides an overview of the Biblical content and various aspects of the program.  This workshop is a free event.  Parking at the museum is regularly $5.00 per car, but if you purchase a Mystery Island product, you can take advantage of free parking at the museum.

Foundations Conference Weekend Event at Dunamis Church in Australia

The Foundations Conference weekend event at Dunamis Church in Tanah Merah, QLD Australia features Ken Ham.  This event takes place January 31 & February 2, 2020.  Ken will speak on Friday night and again on Sunday morning.  This is another free event that will equip you to think Biblically about science, the age of the earth, racism, and more.

Answers for Women - Truth:  Uncovering the Lies We Believe

The Answers for Women event "Truth:  Uncovering the Lies We Believe" takes place at the Ark Encounter on March 27-28, 2020.  We live in a digital world where we are bombarded with "news" from all sorts of outlets.  Many of the articles we see on social media feeds and in emails come from non-reputable sources.  Fake news is not just media jargon.  It's a real problem which makes it more challenging to discern truths from lies.  At this event, women will dive deeply into God's Word to find truths to many of the questions raised due to our ever changing and morally faltering culture.  The more you know about God's Word, the better equipped you are to recognize truth and lies.

This event features several amazing speakers:  Ken Ham, Justin Peters, Dr. Georgia Purdom, Kay Arthur, Phil Johnson, Erin Benziger, Camille Cates, Amy Spreeman, and Sarah Mally.

Here are some of the questions that will be answered at the Truth event.

• Can we redefine holiness to make certain sins more acceptable?
• Can we pick and choose which parts of the Bible we accept as truth?
• Does saying a certain practice is “Christian” really make it so?
• Does the gospel message need to be updated with new and additional teachings about prosperity and judging others?
• Can we separate sinful desires from the actual act?
• Are out-of-context Bible verses appropriate as motivational encouragements?
• Is there power in positivity?

This event cost $149.95 but it also includes one ticket to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.

An Answers Easter Conference:  Climate Change - Physical and Spiritual

The Easter Conference on physical and spiritual climate change takes place at the Answers Center at the Ark Encounter from April 9 - April 12, 2020.  At this event, you will get answers to questions about climate change.  You'll learn from Ken Ham, Ray Comfort, Dr. Cal Beisner, and many more.  The conference will conclude with a sunrise service in the Answers Center with worship led by Michael O'Brien.  The event cost is $149.95 and it includes a ticket to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.  

Living Passages' South Africa Creation Safari Tour

Now this is one I would love to attend!  The Africa Creation Safari Tour takes place in Limpopo, South Africa.  You will interact with elephants in their natural habitat, walk with lions, and scout for hippos and rhinos.  You will enjoy opportunities to enjoy fishing, archery, and hunting.  You will also enjoy luxury accommodations, soak in a spa and/or enjoy a massage.  Buddy and Kay Davis will accompany the tour.  Buddy is a singer, song-writer, adventurer, and artist.  Buddy will deliver Biblical worldview teaching and you'll have the opportunity to serve on a mission trip.  This trip is guaranteed to make memories for a lifetime for the whole family.  The cost for this event is starts at $2,999 per person.  This price does NOT include airfare.  

The Bible & Sexuality:  Practical Answers for Today's World

The Bible and Sexuality event takes place at the Answers Center at the Ark  Encounter.  This conference is geared toward pastors and leaders but it is open to everyone.  It is scheduled for October 6-8, 2020.   The cost for this event is $149.99 and includes a ticket to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.  Speakers at this event are Ken Ham, Joe Owen, Dr. Georgia Purdom, Owen Strachan, and worship leader Michael O'Brien.  

To learn more about these events and even more Answers in Genesis events, go to the Answers website here.  You'll find more information about ticket pricing by visiting the page describing each event.  In many cases, you will see a phone number so that you can call to speak to someone about any questions you might have. 

If you get the opportunity to attend one or more of these events, I'd love for you to come back and tell us about your experiences in the comments below.

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