Thomas Nelson Debuts ‘The Garden Children’s Bible’ in Time for Easter!

Hello World,

As a new mother of one-year-old twins, I read children’s books to my girls every day! Although they cannot read yet, I want them to develop a love for words and introduce them to all of the adventures that unfold in books! But let’s face it, before my girls will understand the words and appreciate the adventures in their books, they are looking at the illustrations in the books! Obviously, I would love for the Bible to be a part of their reading repertoire as it is filled with beautiful words and amazing adventures. But without illustrations that appeal to children, I doubt that I could get them to pay attention. So when I received the opportunity to review The Garden Children’s Bible, I knew I had to do it!

Thomas Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, in partnership with award-winning illustrator, Butch Hartman, is pleased to announce the release of The Garden Children’s Bible. The Garden Children’s Bible is designed to help kids delight in God’s Word and start a firm—and fun—foundation for their faith! Based on the new animated “The Garden” series by Hartman (“Danny Phantom” & “The Fairly OddParents”), The Garden Children’s Bible invites kids to understand the gospel in an entertaining and truth-centered way as they read the Bible alongside stunning stories and Hartman’s signature illustrations.

“I took on the assignment of drawing The Garden Children’s Bible because of one word: legacy,” says Hartman. “Children will learn the word of God through reading and enjoying this Bible for years to come and, to me, there is no greater honor than that.”  

In this Bible, as in “The Garden” series, Hartman’s characters Lenny the Lion and Lucy the Lamb provide hundreds of application notes and helpful facts in clear, easy-to-understand language. More than 100 Bible story original illustrations, and five full-color comic strips from the animated series are included as well.

“We have deeply enjoyed our partnership with Butch Hartman. He’s a faithful Christian and his deep passion for helping children place their faith in Christ is infectious,” said Philip Nation, vice president and publisher of Bibles for Thomas Nelson. “I believe that The Garden Children’s Bible will be used to draw many children into a lifelong practice of reading the Bible.”

As a black mother, I appreciate that a black mother is illustrated within the Bible’s pages. To highlight Colossians 3:12-17, a black mother is featured. I also love the illustration for when Jesus is baptized, he looks so joyful as a glorious dove flies above his head! I appreciate the fierce illustration of Deborah, the woman judge. I want my girls to see strong women in the Bible and the illustration of Deborah will help them do just that. God is referred to as The Boss, which He most certainly is! I also love how at the beginning of every book in the Bible, there is a simple listing of who wrote it, when was it written, and why it was written. As a journalist who has been taught to always answer who, what, when, where, why and how, that simplicity appeals to me. I look forward to reading this Bible to my girls over the next few years as well as watching them eventually read it for themselves! I most certainly recommend that you get a copy or copies for the children in your lives, particularly at this time of the year: Easter.

Below are all of the specific details about what is offered in The Garden Children’s Bible, which is written in The International Children’s Bible® (ICB) translation.  This translation was created especially for children in the third grade and up and provides the ideal blend of readability and fidelity to the original meaning of the Scripture text.

  • Presentation Page – Personalize the Bible by recording a memory or note
  • Bible Book Introductions – Concise overviews highlight important events in each book
  • 300 Character Callouts – Sidebar notes presented by Lenny, Lucy, and “The Boss” bring emphasis to key Biblical concepts
  • Activity Endsheets – Activity pages at the front and back of the Bible
  • Full-color multi-page comic section based on the animated series
  • Bible Learning Lists – Names of God, Bible Verses to Memorize, Miracles of Jesus, Scripture Promises
  • End-of-page Cross-references – Find related passages quickly and easily
  • Topical Index and Dictionary – Kid-friendly tools teaching how to use the Bible
  • Miracles and Parables of Jesus – Charts create a quick reference to important events
  • 50 Scripture-based Prayers
  • Satin Ribbon Marker
  • 4 Pages of Full-color Maps
  • 10-Point Type Size
To buy a copy of The Garden Children’s Bible, click on THIS LINK for the FaithGateway Store!  I received my copy for free as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid, and this blog post serves as my honest review.
Any thoughts?

Kansas City Pastor Carlton Funderburke Criticizes His Congregation For Not Buying Him a Watch, Calls Them ‘Poor, Broke, Busted and Disgusted…’

Hello World,

When I come across these types of stories, I have to remind myself there are scores of wonderful pastors throughout the country and the world who will never get recognized on a large platform but that does not mean they are not significant and not doing God’s work. Meanwhile, “pastors” such as Carlton Funderburke sully the cause of Christ by being wolves in sheep’s clothing and going viral for their shenanigans…

The latest wolf is Pastor Carlton Funderburke who is supposed to be the shepherd over Church at The Well in Kansas City, Missouri. However, earlier this month, he revealed his heart when he went slap off on his sheep about a doggone watch…See below…

In the clip, Pastor Funderburke says, “That’s how I know you’re still poor, broke, busted and disgusted because how you have been honoring me. I’m not worth your McDonald’s money. I’m not worth your Red Lobster money. I aine worth your St. John knit? Y’all can’t afford it no how. I aine worth your Louis Vuitton? I’m not worth your Prada? I’m not worth your Gucci?…You can buy a Movado watch in Sam’s! And y’all know I asked for one last year. Here it is the whole way in August, and I still aine got it! Y’all still aine saying nothin’! Let me kick down the doors and talk to my cheap sons and daughters! I don’t want to hear no more excuses about what you can’t afford. You can’t afford it because you don’t see the value here! Y’all hear from your pastor and father. I’m over y’all. I’m over your cheap expressions.”

Now based on how he framed his criticism as he mentioned what he didn’t get a year ago, I imagine it was the pastor’s anniversary and that he was expecting to be honored for his service by the congregation. As I’m a pastor’s daughter who has been to many pastor’s anniversary events over the years, I firmly believe the congregation should take the time to honor the pastor on at least a yearly basis. Being a pastor is not easy and everyone needs encouragement from time to time no matter the vocation. However, where Pastor Funderburke messed up was being flat out being materialistic…Although I’m not a labels person, I don’t see anything necessarily wrong with liking labels. Still, to expect his congregation to bless him with labels AND to state that out loud is just stupid. He needs to buy his own labels and accept that his congregation will honor him in the way that they have deemed fit…This is a rant that he should have saved for just his wife. We all get in our feelings sometimes, but what we do with those feelings demonstrates our heart AND character…And the fact is although some pastors are very wealthy, the vast majority are not…if Pastor Funderburke continues to feel this way, he should find another line of work where he is guaranteed enough money to afford McDonald’s, Red Lobster, St. John Knits, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci and Movado on his own…

Since this video has gone viral, an apology video has been released, see below…

I’m glad he apologized, but this is not the type of man who could be my shepherd, particularly at this time of history. The world has been fighting with COVID for two years and now monkeypox is on the horizon! A formula shortage threatened to leave many of the country’s babies starving. Gas prices are out of control. And here is the pastor wasting his saliva, spewing nonsense talking’ bout a Movado watch when he probably has a cell phone that can also function as watch! People come to church to be comforted not criticized over something so inconsequential…

Anywho, that’s all I have to say on this…

Any thoughts?

 

 

Gospel Music’s Israel Houghton & Former ‘The Real’ Co-Host Adrienne Bailon Have Their First Child Together…

Hello World,

I’ve always loved reporting baby news, but since my own babies were born earlier this year, I especially love reporting baby news now! After all of the fertility treatment (I’m a witness) Adrienne Bailon, former co-host of the new defunct television program “The Real,” received, Adrienne, who is 38 years old, is finally a mother…See her jubilant post below…

Ever James has his own IG account  @everjames although nothing has been posted yet…Additionally, Adrienne has a new tattoo dedicated to her son, which she revealed in her IG story…

While Ever James, born through a surrogate, is the first child of Adrienne and Israel, her husband does have children from a previous relationship…

Congrats to the happy couple! Welcome to the World Ever James!

Any thoughts?