cross-posted from Life in a Shoe, because it applies here too. Just out of curiosity, is there anybody who reads this blog and does not read my other one?

I've noticed a lot of visitors find my blog by searching for CBD coupon codes. Yes, I'm nosy like that. I like to check my stats frequently and I try to keep a current coupon code in my sidebar.
I'm also more than happy to help y'all use those coupon codes. I'm helpful like that. I'm just an all-around nice person, right?
Here are a few of our favorites to help you fill your shopping cart. Most or all of these are items that we own and use regularly.
All are chosen not just for quality but also for value; although Christian Book Distributors strongly discourages posting prices, I will say that I consider each of the items below to be an extraordinary value!

Bible/reference

• KJV narrated by Alexander Scourby on 62 CDs
  - Mr. Scourby has the incredible ability to make the old KJ sound new and fresh and perfectly comprehensible.
• NKJV narrated by Stephen Johnston on 2 CDs in MP3 format - If you have trouble keeping track of 62 CDs, try keeping track of just 2. The price is much nicer too; about the price of a single CD.
• ESV Reformation Study Bible - not cheap but the notes and commentary are well worth the price! Try it in hardback for durability or leather for classic beauty. Each of our 4 oldest has one of these now.
  
• Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible--with CD-ROM - if I had to choose just one reference for Bible study, this would be it. No question about it.
• Matthew Henry's Commentary - the first set of commentaries that Hubby and I ever bought, and the one that my dad always sent me to when I had a question for him.
  

School/educational

• Mystery of History, Volume 1
• Bob Books
  
• Timechart of Biblical History - this is a definite WOW! An incredible reference tool that everyone will love for a price that can't be beat. I consider this a must-have for homeschoolers.
• Spectrum Math - my math program of choice for the younger set. Cheap and thoroughly adequate without being overwhelming for either mom or student.
  
• Saxon Math - not cheap, but non-consumable and highly recommended
• COFA: Childhood of Famous Americans series - our children have loved each of these titles and are highly motivated to learn more about each famous person's life.
• Kent Hovind's 7 DVD Creation Series - entertaining and informative lectures on Creation science with great appeal for the whole family!
  

Fiction, fun & games

• The Chronicles of Narnia, Limited Edition: Focus on the Family Radio Theatre - Audiodrama on CD - This is only very slightly abridged and extremely well done. Perfect for keeping the whole family entranced on a long road trip! 19 CDs, about 21 hours if my memory serves correctly. But don't take my word for it, because my memory rarely serves.
  
• SET: The Family Game of Visual Perception: How many games give a young child a fighting chance when playing with an adult without relying entirely upon "luck"? We have owned and loved Set for many years. An added bonus: the manufacturer replaces individual cards for next-to-nothing. Very handy in a game that is sure to be loved by the entire family!
  
• Gears!Gears!Gears!- the noise drove me to get rid of these when we moved into The Shoe, but the girls still look back on them with fondness. We'll have to get more someday, when I experience another bout of temporary insanity. You might be insane if you buy these, but your kids will love you forever.
  

Music

• Go to the Ant by Judy Rogers
• Celtic Hymns, 3-CD Set
  
• Gifts: 50 Beautiful Mandolin Favorites, 3 CD Set
• How Sweet The Sound: 50 Violin Hymns, 3 CD Set
  
• Sing Unto The Lord: The Psalms of David for Daily Living, 3-CD Set
  
• Music bargains: more 3-CD boxed sets for less than the price of a single CD
  

Still don't see what you want? Search:

Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher

Thank you for using my links. Our family greatly appreciates the commissions from CBD!

Labels: audio, Bible, books, coupons/deals, homeschooling, music

Each month, our church learns to sing a new Psalm in 4 part harmony. Hubby sings bass, and the girls and I sing alto. If the tune is familiar, a few of the girls sing soprano so that we can do 3 part harmony at home. At least in theory...like many great plans, it's easier said than done.
Last month we learned Psalm 42 and Hubby set off on an Internet search for a downloadable version of the Psalm Of The Month so we could listen and become familiar with the tune.
He struck Internet gold: not only did he find a very nicely done version of Psalm 42, but also several albums of good Christian music, chock full of Scripture and sound doctrine, with just a touch of humor here and there. Check out the lyrics to Rats to see just I mean (or download a sample here).
The clincher was the album titled "Memorials," a subject near and dear to Hubby's heart and a frequent topic of family worship in our home.
Read Hubby's more complete review of Jamie Sol's music, or go right to Mr. Sol's website.

Labels: audio, Bible, music

Just buy them. Trust me.

How's that for a review?
Ok, here's a little more detail for you.
Mr. Sarris (whom we have seen perform live: don't miss it if you ever have the chance!) does dramatic recitals of a wide variety of Scripture passages. When he performs live, his only props are his voice, body language and a long scarf. On his CDs, there are a few carefully chosen sound effects.
Mr. Sarris is an old-fashioned master story-teller, bringing to life the dramatic and amazing account of God's miraculous works. He uses the KJV or NIV, word for word. By varying just the speed and inflections of his voice, he can suggest multiple characters - never a silly falsetto.
His voice communicates all the emotions of each situation, helping listeners visualize the action of narrative passages.
One small caveat: like the Bible, there are some sexual situations. You can hear the longing in the voice of Potipher's wife. You can almost hear Judah wiggling his eyebrows when unknowingly propositions his daughter-in-law. But honestly, do you doubt that it happened like that?
Keeping that in mind, I would recommend these CDs for the entire family: our 2yo loves to listen and with the help of Mr. Sarris's expressive voice she can grasp much of the meaning of the KJV. Our 5, 6 and 8yo listen to them constantly. The 9, 11 and 13yo enjoy them.
And since these are Scripture (not just Bible stories for children) they are wonderful for adults as well.

Each CD is about 1 hour long and costs only $7.95. Shipping in free if you buy all 5 (do it! do it!).
And just so you know, I gain nothing by telling you all this - at least, no cash or freebies. I gain only the knowledge that God's Word is being spread ever more.
Well, unless a whole bunch of readers buy a whole bunch of CDs and tell Mr. Sarris that they heard about them here, and Mr. Sarris is overcome with gratitude and sends me a big fat surprise check...nah...but buy them anyway. Really.

Labels: audio, Bible, homeschooling

Jonathan Park Creation Audio Library (4 CD Albums) is comprised of 4 albums, each containing 12 stories. You also purchase albums individually on either CD or cassettes.
Here is Vision Forum's complete list.

We love this entire series! It plays like an exciting, old style radio program but is packed full of Creation science and solid Christian teaching. Listeners have fun learning - this is the goal of any educational program, and our children agree that the Jonathan Park series achieves that goal admirably.
The acting is very good, the sound effects are exciting, and the writing is top notch. This is one of those rare forms of entertainment that permits me to suffer morning sickness without guilt:
"Ugh...go listen to a Jonathan Park CD for science today, girls."

Labels: audio, homeschooling

We have these and love them, and can't wait for the delightful Serven family to produce more in the series!
O Sing a New Psalm and Songs of the Remnant each contain 10 Psalms sung 5 different ways: each of the 4 parts (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) are sung individually, then followed by all 4 together.
They sing all the verses as written in the Book of Psalms for Singing, and there is no instrumental music to confuse your ear as you learn.
One thing I really love about these CDs - and they don't mention this on the site - is that as you listen to each single part, you can hear the other 3 very faintly. This is, I assume, an unobtrusive way to familiarize you with the way that the parts blend and harmonize.
If your family aspires to learn to sing in parts, this is a wonderful way to get started!

Labels: audio, music

I love CBD! Not only do they carry great stuff at great prices, but they give me a nice little kickback when I can convince others to buy their goodies. :)If you like CBD and you like me, you can always use the search box in the sidebar to find items.
Now that everybody knows that, I've got to share a few great deals in the latest CBD catalogs:

• The Chronicles of Narnia, Limited Edition: Focus on the Family Radio Theatre - Audiodrama on CD by C.S. Lewis Retail Price: $49.97 CBD Catalog Price: $34.99
  We have and love this! 19 fully dramatized CDs cover all 7 books using faithful readings of the text, only ever-so-slightly abridged and not at all revised. This is a great price on one of the best Christian allegorical series ever written!
• The Princess and the Kiss Hardcover Retail Price: $12.99 CBD Catalog Price: $9.99 (matching color book: $1.50)
  We have this book and really like the underlying message: purity isn't just about sex. It's about saving your heart for your future husband. Directed at young girls, the subject is the preciousness of a Kiss, but I like what I see in this story when I read between the lines.
• Armor of God Board Game Retail Price: $13.99 CBD Catalog Price: $9.99
  The girls received this as a Christmas gift from my grandparents, and they have really enjoyed it. It's simple enough for ages 4 and up, but it really makes them think about the applications of Scripture in our day-to-day lives.
• NKJV hardcover Bible - everyone needs plenty of these, and this is our version of choice. The price is unbeatable, and the hardcover is perfect for a home with lots of children. This one is black, but they also have burgundy and navy.

A few items that we don't have yet, but would love to buy:

• Creation Globes - a simple, inexpensive nesting toy to teach the days of creation
• Mystery Museum - looks like a variation on the ever popular board game, Clue.
• Bible Trivia - the sample questions look challenging enough to make you think, but not impossibly obscure. There is also a version for younger children.
• Colorwash Bible Covers - these are too cute! Kids can color them, wash them and color again. And I love the saying: I'm a princess; my Father is the King of kings. There is also a Noah's Ark version.
• Celtic Lullabies on CD - need I say more?

If anyone has any of these items, I would love to hear about them. Are they as good as they sound?

Labels: audio, Bible, books

Today, the children are listening to The Pilgrim's Progress, a gift from my grandparents. They enjoy the story very much, but find it infinitely amusing that anyone would:

• doubt the impending doom of a city called "The City of Destruction."
• consider working as a servant for a man who promises to treat him well - a man who hails from "The City of Deceit."
• assume that he was on the right path just because a man named "Vain Confidence" assures him.
• follow a creepy stranger with a wheezy voice and a malicious chuckle who claims to know the way.
  

I have to say, though, I am tickled at the way they're devouring the story. They're on the last of 5 CDs, and will doubtless want to start over soon. No attention span problems in this house...at least, not with the children. Maybe I should listen in on the story.

Labels: audio

I received the following question from a reader:

I just started "Bible time" with my oldest (she is a toddler), meaning that I ask her to quietly sit in a spot at home with her Bible storybook and have time with God. I know she cannot comprehend much, but she is learning Scripture as we teach, and she knows she can pray to God anytime. I'm so excited about teaching her this wonderful time of her day! I'm getting her a little "lap desk" of her own and hope to get a special chair just for this time....Do you have any suggestions to things I can gradually incorporate into this time for her (and my other kids in the future)? She is a bit too young to get into audio stories, but any audio suggestions?

We are very leary of children's "Bibles" and Bible story books, as so many have uninspired details added. I think when we teach our children that the Bible is the Perfect, Infallible, Inspired Word of God, we need to avoid any confusion in their young minds by adding the uninspired words of men.
This is why we love the Children's Bible by Golden Press. The illustrations are beautiful and reverent, and it includes far more than the standard 50-odd stories; I believe it has nearly every narrative portion of the Bible. The language is very faithful to the text of the scriptures, only slightly simplified. I encourage our little ones to peruse the book, and let them choose selections for me (or an older child) to read to them.
If you're looking specifically for audio, you might want to take a look at Thy Word Creations. This is a set of word-for-word scripture memory songs sung by children, accompanied by books that illustrate the passage page by page. Selections include Isaiah 53, I Corinthians 13, Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Psalm 139, The Lord's Prayer, The Beatitudes, The Ten Commandments, and The Temptations of Jesus.
I would also encourage you to let your daughter see you having your time with God while she does so. It's a wonderful habit to start your day with scripture, but if our children are still asleep then seeing us spend time with God doesn't become a normal part of their day. I fall terribly short, but I want my children to SEE me read my Bible daily. They learn so much by our example!
I would love to see others' answers to the question above - please jump in if you have suggestions to share!

Labels: audio, Bible

We sing Scripture songs throughout the day, and listen to songs of Scripture on CD. Some favorites:

• Go To the Ant by Judy Rogers
• Sing A New Psalm by the Serven family
• Sing Unto the Lord: the Psalms of David for Daily Living

The girls are awakened nearly every morning by their father joyfully belting out, at the top of his lungs, "Arise my Soul, arise! Shake off thy guilty fears!..." He is especially joyful if he can purposely make his voice crack at the word, "guilty." This is a family tradition which the more mischievous children are already imitating, much to the chagrin of their sleepier sisters. Someday the sleepers will also see the joy in this.

Labels: audio