This Picture Book Makes a Wonderful Gift

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

No, I’m not writing picture books now. But my friend has!

This is my friend whose daughter was the inspiration for the developmentally challenged sister of Ginny, the heroine in my first published book, Deep Cover.  

I was so excited to receive Jesus, Let’s Talk as a gift to share with my grandchildren.

The book was created to help children, early readers, and people with developmental differences enjoy the sweet basics of conversation with Jesus. This natural approach to prayer is truly inspiring.

The colorful photographs of children and young people were specifically chosen to celebrate that the fingerprints of God are on all people, all around the world.

The book also highlights key words using American Sign Language. This allows little ones who are not yet talking, or those who experience hearing impairment to express themselves, as well as those who simply want to have fun learning new ways to communicate.

My grandchildren (ages 0 to 6) are captivated by the photographs of real children and love to learn the “signs” for the words depicted on each page.

Our two-year-old, who usually rapidly turns to the next page before I can finish reading the one we’re on, didn’t do that with this book. He studied each picture, attempted the sign language I taught him from the page and listened to the simple prayers. They are wonderful examples of how to pray and demonstrate how to view ourselves through God’s eyes.

The pictures were also a springboard to interesting discussions with our four- and six-year-olds about the challenges some children and families face.

 

The author is Lisa Jamieson who, alongside her husband, parents a grown daughter with special needs and is a national disability ministry leader. She is also a speaker and the author of Finding Glory in the Thorns and related Bible study materials. Jesus, Let’s Talk is her first children’s book.

The photographer is Ann L. Hinrichs who serves missionaries worldwide, while enjoying the arts as a musician, worship leader, voice teacher, and international photographer.

This book would be a wonderful gift to any parents or grandparents of young children, or children with special needs, or to the children themselves. It would also be an excellent resource for Sunday School classes and in the primary classroom of Christian schools.  

I highly recommend it.

SaveSave

When Stories Save Lives…

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

This past week I read a special Love Inspired novel, one I hope will both help transform lives and save them. I love stories that give me insight into the struggles that people around me are facing and how I might encourage or help them.

Lakeside Family by Lisa Jordan is such a book. It’s a fabulous romance, too, which is why I chose it to launch our new season of conversations about characters. So many great questions are raised by this book that I had a difficult time settling on just one. So…

I’ve invited Lisa Jordan to stop by on Wednesday to share with us the inspiration and research that went into creating her characters.

Now… on to our discussion.

Well, first, some background on the story:

The one man she never wanted to see again is the only one who can save her daughter’s life.

In the space of a minute, Nick Brennan learns he has a nine-year-old daughter— and that she desperately needs his help. All this time, his high school sweetheart, single mother Josie Peretti, thought he knew about their child. And that he just didn’t care about the ill little girl—or Josie, the woman he’s never forgotten. But Nick made a long-ago promise never to forsake his family the way his father did. A promise he vows to make good on now… if only Josie will bless him with a second chance.

Josie’s daughter has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. Nick is no stranger to tragedy, either. His brother suffers from a brain injury–a condition Nick blames himself for.

I feel overwhelmed just thinking about coping with such situations, yet many face much worse on a daily basis. So here’s my 3-part question: 

When you feel your circumstances overshadowing your hope, how do you respond? What strengthens your faith? What are some practical ways we can help those who are caught in such deep waters? 

P.S. Are you facing difficult circumstances or know someone who is? I also highly recommend the non-fiction book Finding Glory in the Thorns and the ministry of Walk Right In.

They recently started a Facebook page where people can share their Glory Stories–how you are seeing God’s presence and power in your life. These stories serve to encourage and reassure all of us that God is working among us.  They are inspirational.  Most of all, Glory Stories bring our attentions and affections on HIM.