InspiredbyFaithandScience

Coming Soon !

2011-07-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

Joshua's Journeys: Follow stories from Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua as the Israelites travel from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. Third in the series:

Genesis People

Exodus Tales

Joshua's Journeys

Storyteller Psalms

Bible Story Books

2010-04-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

Middle-school readers for book-lovers of all ages...
children’s sermons, children’s church, Sunday school,
family devotion, read at home, read aloud, read alone…

Genesis People:

Imagine global warming bringing on the flood. Imagine volcanic eruptions round Sodom and Gomorrah. Imagine the feelings of everyday children as they watched events unfold. And now let your children imagine it too. Bible people are just like you and me. The Bible world is the same world we study in science and history. The mysteries are truly miraculous. And only God knows all the answers. Three minute read-aloud stories; 30-second prayers; and a final “Did you know?” section that might surprise even the most hardened skeptic. Genesis People, for real people who just might end up reading the real Bible.

Exodus Tales:

How did it feel to see the river turn to blood? What did manna taste like? Why didn't the children burn themselves on the column of fire and smoke? Let your children keep asking questions as you tell them simple stories of long ago.

Storyteller Psalms:

Ideal for children's sermons and children's church, this set of 150 4-minute stories contains a "parables" for each of the Bible's 150 psalms. Contemporary, historical, realistic, scientific and fantastical, there's something for everyone in this collection.

Bible Gift Books

2010-04-26T03:36:00.000-07:00

Variously described as "Cliff Notes to the Bible," "seasonal calendars," "the Big Book in Little Pieces," etc., these Bible gift books are designed for easy reading. Each story is precisely 100 words (a drabble), and each is illustrated with original full-color pictures. Written and illustrated by Sheila Deeth, with Bible references for every tale, these books can be read any time of year, or can be used to make each season special.

Christmas! Genesis to Revelation in 100 words a day
Easter! Creation to Salvation in 100 words a day
Thanksgiving! From Eden to Eternity in 100 words a day
Revelation! Easter to Pentecost in 100 words a day

Put the whole Bible back in to Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving or Pentecost.
(And yes, you'll need the whole Bible to understand Revelation!)

Bible Picture Books

2010-04-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

Let your beginning readers learn numbers and colors, while introducing them to the timeless story of the Holy Bible. Unique color-coding for color words and numbers aids reading and comprehension. Bible colors, from creation to the ark to the Temple to the Holy City: Bible numbers from zero to infinity:

A Bible Book of Colors
A Bible Book of Numbers

Two books to read and reread and treasure together.

And coming soon:

A Bible Book of Laws

Reviews of Thanksgiving! From Eden to Eternity in 100 words a day

2010-03-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

All reviews posted with permission.

Thanksgiving is a time when we all give thanks for the things we have whether no matter how large or how small. The most precious gift I feel to give thanks for is good health and of course the love of your family and friends.

Words are powerful. They can encourage your to soar or they can make you feel sad. They can tear you apart when they are meant to be mean or cruel or they can redeem you when you repent or say you are sorry. Whether it is one word or a thousand it does not matter as long as the messenger sends it and the recipient understands and gets it.

In her book Thanksgiving! From Eden to Eternity in 100 Words a day author Sheila Deeth reaches out to young people of all ages to help them understand the true meaning of giving thanks and the wonders of the Bible by creating a 30 day calendar for the month of November with each day bearing the name of something important that happened when God decided to create this beautiful world for us to live in.

Each story is 100 words that capture the reader’s attention from the first sentence. For children this book will help teach them many lessons taught in the Bible in a way that they will not only enjoy learning but make them hunger for more.

Starting with the Creation of the world on the first day of the month and explaining how God created the sun, the moon, nature and more the author draws you in and captures and envelopes your mind to help answer those questions you might never have answered. Ending each story in her unique way a special thank you to God for the lesson he taught in the story that was read. Answering questions like why we live by God’s Laws to how we learned to share God’s meal and embrace his wisdom, this book is filled with lessons that can fill hours in every Sunday sermon or Sunday school class.

My favorite story The Tower of Babel teaches children that they are not the only ones that argue and have misunderstandings. It ends with thanking God for the gifts of all our different languages and cultures. I love that. We need to learn to understand our differences and embrace the cultures of others to have a better way of living in this world as friends. In the story Abraham’s Sons we learn the meaning of forgiveness and healing and hope. Every story, every one hundred words are so powerful and so inspiring you have to read this book with your family and children.

Each of the lessons learned and the thank yous at the end of each story really help to bring to light the true meaning of Thanksgiving and more. I love the story about the Ten Commandments and how Moses returned with the gift of law from God. I love the story about Esther and how she became queen. You need to read this book to find out more. But as the author so aptly puts it on the last page. The Restoration and the world and its beauty are restored. If everyone would put aside their differences and remember the wonders that God created for us and the laws and wisdom to learn what is safe and what will harm more and us: We might truly eliminate hate and wars and the mean. Thank you God for giving us all that you have and thank you Sheila Deeth for writing this book to remind us of how lucky we are.
Fran Lewis
author of the Bertha Series of books
www.gabina49@wordpress.com
www.myspace.com/hotauntiebertha

Reviews of Easter! Creation to Salvation in 100 words a day

2010-03-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

All reviews posted with permission.

This book is a must for Sunday school teachers, children, teenagers, and all of those seeking answers to so many of life’s myriad questions. Highlighted by wonderful color illustrations, Sheila Deeth has captured verses from the Bible and given them new life. Every page teaches us a lesson, asks us to question and correct our ways, and finally leads us to follow the good road. An excellent gift and a book you’ll want as a part of your permanent library.
Ann B. Keller
Author of BRIGGEN, The Devil's Crescent and Crenellations
Available through Amazon.com and Lulu.com

This clever little book takes the reader on a quick trip thru Old and New Testaments from the creation in Genesis to Easter Sunday as revealed by St. John. The language is concise yet colorful, cleverly executed in exactly 100 words (a drabble) per entry, each of 47 days. The stories reveal lessons applicable to modern living. Some are so modern, if you aren't familiar with certain Bible stories, you might not realize the reference. But Bible references are given for each drabble, so they can be looked up for those who want to know the Old or New Testament source. The illustrations for each day,every page are little gems of art in themselves, cleverly drawn by the author using a computer mouse. Knowing her method contributed to my enjoyment of the little book. Good for adults and teens, and for parents to read to children under 10, with some explanation probably needed.
Siobhan Harkin

Reviews of Christas! Genesis to Revelation in 100 words a day

2010-03-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

All reviews posted with permission.

Sheila Deeth leads us into Christmas with Genesis and so many Old Testament stories, lovingly illustrated and told in a style that all can understand. The reader is brought into the lush and beautiful garden of Eden, through Babylon, to the tales of Joseph and Moses, on into the promised land, the land of milk and honey, where a wandering people found a home and David became king. How incredible it must have been for young Mary to be visited by a light that was neither angel nor man, for Joseph to bring his very pregnant wife to Bethlehem and there, bring forth the Christ child, the new light of the world. This is the perfect accompaniment for Sunday school lessons and for youth seeking answers in the Bible’s teachings.
Ann B. Keller
Author of BRIGGEN, The Devil's Crescent and Crenellations
Available through Amazon.com and Lulu.com

It starts with how the planets and the earth came to be and the questions of a child as to why the fruit of a tree was forbidden. It continues with the story of Noah and how Joseph was sold and how he was welcomed home.

The importance of the ten commandments, the slaying of Goliath and David crowned as King of Israel and the plight of Daniel help enlighten the reader and help them learn more about the book of Genesis and the eventual birth of the Christ child by Mary in Bethlehem as her husband Joseph brings her there creating a new light in our world.

Reading about the destruction of the Temple and the questions asked by the children of the grandfather and his complaints help make the story more enjoyable for children to love and read. Stories 28-31 tell what finally happens to the child and his fate. The thirty- first story of the last day of December as this book is also a calendar of 31 days of events that helped create our world using the December Calendar days. I love the ending where God says that he is not a symbol and wants to be called by his name.

We calculated dates and times, as the author states, neglected wisdom and love. Once again numbers play an important part in her books as it does in the ending of the last story: 7 for God’s plan, 2 for trust, 3 for God, 4 for earth, 10 for man and 12 for the chosen.

Thank you Sheila for giving us another reason to embrace the words of God and understand Genesis to the Revelation in 100 words a day.
Fran Lewis
author of the Bertha Series of books
www.gabina49@wordpress.com
www.myspace.com/hotauntiebertha

Reviews of A Bible Book of Numbers

2010-03-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

All reviews posted with permission.

This is special book of numbers that starts with the number zero and works its way up infinity. Just how this happens you will learn by reading this great book.

Starting with Zero our author reminds us before there was God there was nothing? Instead of her usual lesson learned created questions that children might want answered after reading the short explanation about the number or chapter heading and its meaning. The number one reminds us that there is one God and there will always be only one and that he is everywhere and in everything. Two people to look after his garden but since they broke it cannot live there anymore. Questions children might ask as to why this happened and more follow this. The explanation as to why and how God made the world in 6 days and rests of the seventh are followed by questions that remind us that even though he is resting on the seventh day the author lets us know he is always watching over us. Why ten is a good counting number and that God made the ten commandments for his people is a great way to help children learn more about God’s laws and the questions that follow support that and explain the meaning of the commandments in simple terms for children to understand.

But, my favorite two numbers were 11 and 12, which brings people together and explains the love God has for Jewish people and for those who believe in Jesus. I love the way the author describes why God had special people to help mend the world in one day and how it helped bring everyone together. But, the biggest number and the one that goes on and on forever is the last one Infinity, which tells how much God, loves us and he will forever. Thank you Sheila we all love this book and you for writing it.
Fran Lewis
author of the Bertha Series of books
www.gabina49@wordpress.com
www.myspace.com/hotauntiebertha

Reviews of A Bible Book of Colors

2010-03-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

All reviews posted with permission.

What a great way to teach children colors and the understanding at the same time. How we came to have darkness and how God created light and the rain and wet gray earth. Each page teaches the meaning behind a color and the significance that color plays in the creation of our world and its meaning. God lived with the people in the light until they disobeyed him and had to once again live in the dark. This tells the reader that the colors are gift from God and you need to earn them and listen and obey him to have the light. But, when God restored the colors after sending in a flood to do away with the darkness, he created the most beautiful of all sights: A Rainbow. I love rainbows and the colors are so perfect: Red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, and purple. A rainbow to remind us that he loves us. But, when she tells how he gave the priests medallions and twelve precious jewels and their descriptions how brilliant of the author to explain the meanings behind these precious gifts and more. God lived in the middle of his temple and gave his people light but those on the outside lived in darkness and were not part of his temple. So God created made a world that will be his city and his temple with streets lined of God and the walls filled with all of the precious stones and jewels that he has created. This amazing book teaches not only the meaning of the creation but colors and living in the light of God forever.
Fran Lewis
author of the Bertha Series of books
www.gabina49@wordpress.com
www.myspace.com/hotauntiebertha

Reviews of Genesis People

2010-03-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

All reviews posted with permission.

How I wish I had found Genesis People when my boys were young! I searched in vain for Bible stories which were explained simply without being simplistic and “tinny”. Sheila Deeth captures the individuals in Genesis in a way that honors the minor characters as well as the well-known “heroes”. I imagined my boys identifying the children described in her story of Tower of Babel, while also becoming fascinated with her implied ramifications. I used each page as a devotional, often thinking, “Does Genesis really say that?” Being drawn to look up the text, I found that Deeth shed light on aspects of the passage which I never noticed before. Finally, her prayers pull the stories into the present and quietly place the focus on God’s everlasting love which spans from creation to today.
Ginna Vickory
St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church

I am in awe of author Sheila Deeth's storytelling talent of creating fact-based stories capable of entertaining both the young and old alike. She enlivens Biblical characters and events with rich knowledge and insight, enticing the reader to read more. Imaginative and praiseworthy.
Joyce Bergstrom
St. Pius X Catholic Church

Writing with spiritual stimulation from true Bible stories, Deeth exercises “holy imagination” and takes us on a journey with fresh insights into biblical characters, their original surroundings and God’s heart for his people and the whole of creation. When you finish, you are glad that these stories are your and my beginnings because God is a part of them and we want to hear more. Deeth helps us see that God has always been among us as the primary player from earliest beginnings.
Carl Leep, Pastor
Oak Hills Christian Reformed Church

I wished I had had something like these stories to read to my Sunday School children when teaching them years ago. I think they would have understood the verses better and had fun with your imaginative mind and stories. Your stories are very descriptive and quite interesting. They have given me a little different perspective on things, or should I say, even view, which allows me to visualize what life may have been like back then.
Gina Carn

The people of Genesis come alive in Sheila Deeth's retelling of their stories. Children will enjoy hearing or reading for themselves her thoroughly researched and creative writing. The brief prayer following each story adds meaning and beauty.
Corinne Bosch
Church Librarian and former teacher

These stories help our children know the truth, with no need to shrink back from questions. Especially now, in our time, we need these accounts of what may be our own ancestral history, whether by blood or by adoption.
Candace Weber
church musician and piano teacher

Sheila Deeth catches the imagination of her young readers, not with fairy tale or myth like stories, but with stories of real life and real people. The ancient "Genesis People" emerge with possible emotions, thoughts and actions that "round out" the lives of people we thought we knew. Adults will also see with new eyes and understanding.
Myrna De Mots
preschool teacher

In 'Genesis People', author Sheila Deeth places the lives and actions of biblical characters into clear and proper perspective, as she succeeds in revealing the element of humanity that is sometimes overlooked in scripture. The stories are very well written and thoughtful, and reflect the author's in-depth understanding of the Bible.

Naturally Ms. Deeth begins with the tale of Creation; how God's will and Word was the source of everything before and after the earth was spoken into existence; and that of all God's creations, mankind was at the heart of His intentions. About this Ms. Deeth writes: "When everything was ready, God made his final creature, the one that he'd been planning on right from the start."
G. B. Rodriguez
Author of Vengeance: The Wrath of Angels

Imagine a group of children sitting mesmerized when learning about the Creation of the World. How amazing that would be! Imagine the same children listening and asking questions as they hear the stories for the first time in the Book of Genesis told in a unique and exciting manner. Imagine your child or your Sunday School Bible class asking questions and wanting to hear and learn more. Why imagine it! Read Genesis People by Sheila Deeth and your child will not only listen but want to hear more and more. Imagine your child wanting to read these stories over and over again. I did.

For any child that has trouble reading the Bible and any parent who wants to stimulate an interest in learning about the book of Genesis this book is perfect. Each story is written in the form of a fairytale explaining and telling about some famous and not so famous people in the first book of the Bible.

These stories are well written, they hold the reader's interest and they are factual and yet entertaining. Reading about how the serpent tricked Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden fruit and blaming it on Eve was one way to foster a discussion as to why bad things happen and why we have to hunt or buy our food.

Reading about Rachel and Leah the two sisters who married the same man and the problems it caused and how it hurt their relationship and the downfall of Cain and Abel reminded the reader that arguments happen in families today and relationships between brothers and brothers and sisters and sisters are precious and yet fragile.

Each of the short stories teaches a lesson in values, morals and believing in one God. The descriptions of the land and those who abused their wealth and power teaches us that no one is immune from God's power and decisions.

I loved the story of the Tower Builders and how the town wanted to build a tower up to heaven and all of the trouble that caused in the village and among the people. Sounds like real life where people can't seem to get along and live in the same country because of their differences in beliefs and religious ideals.

Every story teaches a different lesson in life. Every story can be read separately or in groups when speaking about the same person. These are great for Sunday School discussions with both adults and children. These stories are great for children in schools that teach religion and want the students to write a response of their own or perhaps a letter to the person in that story telling what they think they should have done instead of what they did if it was not the right thing or followed their trust in God.

The story of Lot was my favorite. Not listening to what God said cost Sarah her life. Many of these stories had the people moving from place to place because God told them to. Many had to deal with being a second wife, or not the most important child in the family.

Potiphar had to learn just how greedy his wife was and that she really did not love him, just his wealth. There are so many issues that are written about in each of these great stories that relate to the world not just during the creation but today as well.

The best part of each story was the ending where the author restates the purpose of the story by thanking God for what they learned and what he did for them to keep them safe and more.

As Sheila states "In the beginning God created people to be his friends. But, first we had to learn to be friends. We learned friends value each other. They listen to each other and care for each other.
Thank you God for choosing us and letting us know that you love us.
Thank you Sheila for writing these amazing stories that are not only informative, fun to read but also inspiring.
Fran Lewis
author of the Bertha Series of books
www.gabina49@wordpress.com
www.myspace.com/hotauntiebertha

What IF...Studies: Inspired by Faith and Science

2010-03-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

Who am I?

Follow my BIBLE STUDY BLOG to see what I'm working on...

I am a Catholic, Methodist, Church of England, Free Evangelical, Presbyterian (USA), Christian reformed Christian, so maybe I should just call myself a mongrel. But I am a very committed Christian. I'm also a rather well-qualified mathematician, with a particular interest in mathematical astronomy. I like science. I like history. And I sincerely believe God speaks to us through them both as well as through the Bible. If any of the three seem to disagree with each other, I'm convinced we need to look more closely at them all.

The aim of my Bible Studies:

To keep the emphasis on the Bible. To remember God’s word is always more important than my interpretation.

To be ready to encourage people to read the Bible and hear God’s word, rather than risk them rejecting what God says because of man’s word. My interpretation may be valuable to me, but it’s God’s word that might make a difference to my neighbor.

To know what the Bible says, even if it’s not what I think it ought to say.

Click here for a free download of What IFS: Genesis

here for a free download of What IFS: Exodus

here for What IFS: Christmas

and here for What IFS: Easter

FREE STUFF

2010-03-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for What IFS: Easter: a seven-week Bible study guide for Lent and Holy Week, Inspired by Faith and Science. Use on its own, or together with the Easter calendar book, Easter: Creation to Salvation in 100 words a day, available from http://stores.lulu.com/sdeeth.

Click HERE for What IFS: Christmas: A five-week Bible study guide for Advent and the Christmas Season, Inspired by Faith and Science. Use on its own, or together with the Christmas calendar book, Christmas: Genesis to Revelation in 100 words a day, available from http://stores.lulu.com/sdeeth.

Click HERE for What IFS: Genesis: A nine-week Bible study guide to Genesis, Inspired by Faith and Science.
Use on its own, or together with the stories in Genesis People, available from http://stores.lulu.com/sdeeth.

Click HERE for What IFS: Exodus: A nine-week Bible study guide to Exodus, Inspired by Faith and Science.

Click HERE for Christmas! Decoded: A 31-question Bible study guide for the Christmas season - one question and answer for every day in December - companion book to Christmas! Genesis to Revelation in 100 words a day, available from http://stores.lulu.com/sdeeth.

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Reviews of Inspired by Faith and Science books

2010-03-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

If you've written a review of one of my books and would like me to include it here, please let me know. I love hearing from readers.

All quotes from reviews used with permission.

CHILDREN'S STORIES

Excerpts from reviews of Genesis People:
Imagine a group of children sitting mesmerized when learning about the Creation of the World. (Fran Lewis, author of the Bertha Series of books)
How I wish I had found Genesis People when my boys were young! (Ginna Vickory)
I think they would have understood the verses better and had fun (Gina Carn)
Adults will also see with new eyes and understanding. (Myrna De Mots, preschool teacher)
...fact-based stories capable of entertaining both the young and old alike. (Joyce Bergstrom)
Writing with spiritual stimulation from true Bible stories, Deeth exercises “holy imagination” and takes us on a journey with fresh insights into biblical characters, their original surroundings and God’s heart for his people and the whole of creation. (Carl Leep, Pastor, Oak Hills Christian Reformed Church)
...thoroughly researched and creative writing. (Corinne Bosch)
The stories are very well written and thoughtful, and reflect the author's in-depth understanding of the Bible. G. B. Rodriguez, Author of Vengeance: The Wrath of Angels
Especially now, in our time, we need these accounts of what may be our own ancestral history, whether by blood or by adoption. (Candace Weber, church musician and piano teacher)
more

Be the first to review Exodus Tales and Storyteller Psalms: released April 2010

PICTURE BOOKS

Excerpt from review of A Bible Book of Colors:
What a great way to teach children colors and the understanding at the same time. (Fran Lewis, author of the Bertha Series of books)
more

Excerpt from review of A Bible Book of Numbers:
...questions that children might want answered...explain the meaning...in simple terms for children to understand. (Fran Lewis, author of the Bertha Series of books)
more

SEASONAL BOOKS

Excerpt from review of Christmas! Genesis to Revelation in 100 words a day:
...lovingly illustrated and told in a style that all can understand...the perfect accompaniment for Sunday school lessons and for youth seeking answers in the Bible’s teachings. (Ann B. Keller, Author of BRIGGEN, The Devil's Crescent and Crenellations)
It starts with how the planets and the earth came to be and the questions of a child as to why the fruit of a tree was forbidden...a calendar of 31 days of events that helped create our world... (Fran Lewis, author of the Bertha Series of books)
more

Excerpt from review of Easter! Creation to Salvation in 100 words a day:
The language is concise yet colorful, cleverly executed in exactly 100 words (a drabble) per entry... (Siobhan Harkin)
This book is a must for Sunday school teachers, children, teenagers, and all of those seeking answers to so many of life’s myriad questions. (Ann B. Keller, Author of BRIGGEN, The Devil's Crescent and Crenellations)
more

Excerpts from review of Thanksgiving! From Eden to Eternity in 100 words a day:
...Sheila Deeth reaches out to young people of all ages to help them understand the true meaning of giving thanks and the wonders of the Bible...(Fran Lewis, author of the Bertha Series of books)
more

Be the first to review Revelation! From Easter to Pentecost in 100 words a day: released April 2010

2009-07-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

Scroll down for drabble calendars, children's story books and Bible picture books...

ILLUSTRATED DRABBLE CALENDAR/GIFT BOOKS

Christmas! Genesis to Revelation in 100 words a day.
Puts the whole Bible back into Christmas with an illustrated family devotional - familiar and not so familiar 100 word Bible stories for every day in December.

Easter! Creation to Salvation in 100 words a day.
Celebrate Lent with illustrated Bible stories and simple 100 word devotions for every day from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

Revelation! Easter to Pentecost in 100 words a day.
Re-read the story of the church and the world, and celebrate the birthday of the church.

Thanksgiving! From Eden to Eternity in 100 words a day.
Give thanks every day in November with illustrated stories from the Old Testament and one-sentence prayers. (Not specifically Christian)

CHILDREN'S STORIES

Genesis People:
3-minute read-aloud stories and 30-second prayers bring the Bible, science and history to life, based on familiar and not so familiar characters in the book of Genesis.

Exodus Tales:
More 3-minute read-aloud stories and 30-second prayers, based on events in the second book of the Bible.

Joshua's Journeys:
3-minute read-aloug stories and 30-second prayers, based on events from Exodus to Joshua in the Bible

Storyteller Psalms:
A collections of 150 4-minute read-aloud stories, contemporary, historical and fantasy tales based on the book of Psalms - ideal for children's sermons or family bed-time prayers.

PICTURE BOOKS

A Bible Book of Colors:
introduces beginning readers to colors through creation, the flood, and the Heavenly City of Revelation.

A Bible Book of Numbers:
introduces beginning readers to numbers through stories from the Bible. With color-coded number words to aid in comprehension.

A Bible Book of Laws:

introduces beginning readers and their older siblings to God's love and God's law through the Ten Commandments