jan berenstain

Reader Favorites from February: Top 9 Blog Posts + other Posts of Note

 

Top 9 Posts from February

Ranked by reader traffic and feedback.

1. Remembering Jan Berenstain The original illustrator of the Berenstain Bears books, Jan Berenstein, has passed away. We share our personal memories of her.

2. Mothers: How You Could Get Published in the New NIV Mom's Devotional Bible This contest for moms who write is still open, but only until March 15, 2012!

3. How to Overcome Your Fear of Fasting If you've ever had interest in fasting but feel a little intimidated, I highly recommend this piece. An original guest post by author and nutrition expert Kristen Feola (@kristenfeola).

4. Four Simple Prayer Starters for a Stronger Marriage via Gary Thomas (@GaryLThomas). Prayers about getting more out of your marriage. Excerpt from Sacred Marriage DVD Group Study.

5. Tough Love: Jesus and 1 Corinthians 13 See what happens when we trade out the word "love" for "Jesus" in 1 Corinthians: "Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast…" A fascinating excerpt via Craig Blomberg's NIV Application Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians.

6. A Prayer Against Anger from Common Prayer Pocket Edition. Useful!

7. Spirit-filled Living vs. Just "Trying Harder" Jim Cymbala (@jimcymbala) reveals the important contrast between relying on ourselves and depending on the Spirit. Which do you do? Excerpt from his new book Spirit Rising.


8. When the Answer to Prayer is Bigger than Our Brain via Mark Batterson (@MarkBatterson). "The same God who hovered over the chaos at the beginning of time is hovering over your life, and you never know when His answer will reenter the atmosphere of your life…"

9. Why Not Risk? A Risk Analysis Tool + Case Study Ben Carson shares his method for making risky decisions, then applies the method to a case from his own life: Should he share his Christian faith in the workplace?

More Posts of Note

1. Discover WHO You are and WHOSE You Are A recap of Kary Oberbrunner's livechat on how to find your identity and purpose in Christ. I especially like Kary's "Secret Name" Test, which I recommend you check out in the post.

2. On Ash Wednesday – Remembering We're Dust A rich contemplative piece from Walt Wangerin, Jr.'s Lent devotional book, Reliving the Passion.

3. Pursuing a Manhood that's Honest, Strong, and … Weak? Author Wes Yoder on the essential ingredients of manhood. (They may not be what you think.)

4. God is With You, and He Doesn't Quit Feel like you're facing an impossible challenge? Find out how God was faithful to his people in helping Nehemiah rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Excerpt from Kristen Feola's (@kristenfeola) book The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast.

 

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Remembering Jan Berenstain

 

In remembrance of Jan Berenstain, 26 July 1923 – 24 February 2012.

Jan and Stan Berenstain

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Jan Berenstain. Her obvious love of family and life, children and reading … all are reflected in the artwork she has created for so many books over the years.

After working with Mike and Jan Berenstain for three years as an editor for the Berenstain Bears Living Lights series, I was finally able to meet Jan face-to-face this past fall. When I met Jan I was struck almost immediately by her vitality. Though petite in stature, Jan had a spirit and a smile as big as Mama Bear’s! I was pulled into her circle just as easily as most of us Berenstain Bear fans have been pulled into the Bear family and their stories and lessons. Listening to her relate memories of the early Berenstain Bear books and the story of the Bears and their development, and then later having the opportunity to watch as she painted a current project for the Living Lights series, I remember thinking that I was watching a children’s literature icon hard at work. Blessed with a marvelous sense of humor and artistic talent, Jan has brought to life characters that have become friends, family members, and favorite teachers for many of us readers over the past 50 years.

 

This is how I am going to remember Jan … a big smile and a hug, with paints smudging her fingertips … thinking in that sharp mind about the next action-filled, colorful scene on the next spread of the next book …

- Mary Hassinger, Acquisitions Editor, Zonderkidz

 

It has been a childhood dream and an adult privilege for me to work with Jan and Mike Berenstain over the years. I remember the first birthday card sent to Jan from our team and her response, “I love this year’s signed birthday card. Thanks! I’m beginning to understand why readers enjoy getting their books signed — it’s great!” Jan was a kid at heart. She will always be that bubbly person to me. The world is a better place because of Jan Berenstain.

- Annette Bourland, Publisher, Zonderkidz

Image: Jan & Stan Berenstain, via www.harpercollins.com.

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