Book Review~In All Things

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing a Bible study called In All Things: A Nine-Week Devotional Bible Study On Unshakeable Joy, by Melissa B. Kruger. Joy is something we all strive for our entire lives, and unshakeable joy is even better! This Bible Study uses the book of Philippians to learn how to  have unshakeable joy.

Included in the book is an Introduction, the nine weeks of study, a study guide for group use (although this is fine to do by yourself), the book of Philippians (handy to have right there for your use), acknowledgements and notes. The nine weeks of study are titled:

1. We Need More Than a Spiritual Experience: Joy in Salvation-Acts 7-16
2. A Shared Joy: Joy in True Fellowship-Philippians 1:1-11
3. Unshakeable: Joy in Christ's Lordship-Philippians 1:12-30
4. The More of Becoming Less: Joy in Humility-Philippians 2:1-11
5. With Hearts Set Free: Joy in Obedience- Philippians 2:12-30
6. A Friend Like No Other: Joy in Knowing Christ-Philippians 3:1-11
7. Something Better is Coming: Joy in Heaven-Philippians 3:12-4:1
8. A Heart at Peace: Joy in the Inner Life-Philippians 4:2-9
9. Upside-Down Living: Joy in Giving-Philippians 4:10-23

For the most part, each week is broken down like this: Day 1-Observation, Days 2 and 3-Interpretation, Day 4-Application, and Day 5-Devotional. Each day contains reading and questions to answer.

I enjoyed In All Things and would definitely recommend it. I think it would also make a great group study so that you could discuss your answers with others.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review & Author Kindle Fire Giveaway~Eden The Animals' Parable

Book Description:
"Ask the animals,  and they will teach you." Job 12:7
In this beautifully inspired retelling of the Gospels, we see Jesus and his disciples in the Holy Land through the eyes of the animals-especially his intrepid and loyal dog, Eden. With a wise, old donkey, innocent lambs, and legions of curious field mice-the animals follow their master's journey across Galilee and onto Jerusalem, rapt with awe and wonder and bearing great tidings-even if they don't fully comprehend the divine events they witness. Simple, clear, and spiritually profound, Eden is for readers of all ages, this artful retelling is captivating, moving, and alive with the joy you felt the first time you opened the Bible. 

About the Author:

Keith Korman is a literary agent and novelist. Over the years he has represented many nationally-known writers of fiction and non-fiction at his family's literary agency, Raines &Raines. The idea for Eden first came to him as a child when he saw the little calf jump across the stable in the prelude to William Wyler's Ben Hur. And he's been thinking about it ever since.

Links: 

You can learn more about Eden and purchase your own copy here: https://www.edentheanimalsparable.com/book/

There is also a Facebook page for Eden: The Animals' Parable.   

More reviews are available at Litfuse.

My Thoughts: 

Eden: The Animals Parable was a delightful book to read. I really wasn't sure what to expect when I received it. It was a bit slow to start, but once the character Eden the dog was introduced, it all came together for me. I loved reading the gospel through the animals perspectives-although I know it was fiction, it gave me a fresh look at a story I already knew. The illustrations by Lisa Paris were beautiful. I think Eden would be a great book for an older child to read, as well as adults.

 Author Kindle Fire Giveaway!!

Return to the story of Jesus and read it from a new perspective in Keith Korman's Eden: The Animals' Parable. In this beautifully inspired retelling of the Gospels, we see Jesus and his disciples in the Holy Land through the eyes of the animals-especially his intrepid and loyal dog, Eden. Simple, clear, and spiritually profound, Eden is for readers of all ages, this artful retelling is captivating, moving, and alive with the joy you felt the first time you opened the Bible.

Settle in for some winter reading and enter to win a copy of Keith's book and a Kindle Fire!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Eden
• A Kindle Fire

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on January 24. The winner will be announced January 25 on Keith's blog.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of  this book free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review~Parables

About the Book: "The Parables of Jesus are more than teaching tools. They are the secret keys to the mysteries of God's Kingdom. Many assume that Jesus told parables to make His teaching easy, accessible, and comfortable in order to reach the widest possible audience.

The reality is Jesus spoke in parables to unbelievers not to make the truth clear, but to hide it from them as judgement. The parables were symbols of our Lord's condemnation on those who had rejected His clear teaching."


Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through The Stories Jesus Told by John MacArthur is broken down into the following chapters:

Introduction (Sloppy Thinking About the Parables, Why Parables, and Some Definitions and Details)
1. One Ominous Day in Galilee
2. A Lesson About Receiving the Word
3. A Lesson About the Cost of Discipleship
4. A Lesson About Justice and Grace
5. A Lesson About Neighborly Love
6. A Lesson About Justification by Faith
7. A Lesson About Faithfulness
8. A Lesson About Serpentine Wisdom
9. A Lesson About Heaven and Hell
10. A Lesson About Persistence in Prayer
Acknowledgements
Appendix (Storied Truth, Objective Meaning in Narrative, Stories as Effective Vehicles for Truth, The Wealth of Truth in Jesus' Parables, Stories and Propositions)
Notes
Index
Scripture Index
About the Author

About the Author: 

John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, president of the Master's College and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. In more than four decades of ministry, John has written dozens of bestselling books, including The MacArthur Study Bible, The Gospel According to Jesus, and Slave. He lives in Los Angeles.

What I Thought: 

I was excited to read this book because the parables have always interested me. I have always thought of them as short stories that help the reader understand a point.  I had never thought of parables the way the author explains, as hiding the truth from unbelievers. In Parables, author John MacArthur does an excellent job of breaking down and explaining each parable, and linking them to others. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to understand the parables more deeply, and I also think it would make an excellent gift.  There is also a workbook that you can purchase in addition to the book.You can find Parables at numerous online book stores, including Amazon. 

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.  

Product Review~Bible Learning Cards (Preschool)

Its never too early to start learning! These Preschool Bible Learning Cards are a wonderful way to start your little ones learning the word of God. There are twenty 5 x 7 flashcards in each boxed set. The flashcards are sturdy, glossy, and have bright colored illustrations to catch your toddler's eye. Each card has a bible verse and a discussion starter, with pictures on both sides of the card.

The cards are color-coded into four categories, with a handy ring clip to keep them together.  The categories included in the preschool set are: Love, Play, Learn, and Grow. My Grandson, 4, really has been enjoying looking at the cards and talking about them.

There are two other sets of Bible Learning Cards for children age 4-11 and 6-13. They are Children's Cards (4-11) and Courage and Comfort Cards (6-13).

Here is a video with more information:






Company Bio:

Words2remember4kids is based on the idea of getting children and parents to learn encouraging, comforting and classic Bible verses through illustrations and discussion starters on large flash cards. These cards are great for every day use around the house and in the car. We are a small company, with Vicky Enright as the illustrator, and Kristen Smith, who has her Masters of Divinity who helps with the verses and discussion starters. Our company is located in the Boston area.

Website: http://www.words2remember4kids.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/words4kids

 

You can order your own set of Bible Learning Cards at the website   http://www.words2remember4kids.com/

 

*Disclosure 
I received a free copy of this product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

Book Review~Pass It On

I just finished reading a new book by authors Jim Burns and Jeremy Lee titled Pass It On: Building a Legacy of Faith for Your Children through Practical and Memorable Experiences.

About the Book: "Parents often experience a “freak out” moment when they realize their children’s view of God will primarily come from what they learn at home.

Most parents spend more time helping their kids succeed at academics or athletics than infusing shared spiritual experiences into the rhythm of everyday family life.
While the idea of strategically passing down our faith can seem intimidating, the annual Rites of Passage Experiences contained in Pass It On make it easy for your family to celebrate milestones from kindergarten through high school graduation. Forever change the direction of your family’s spiritual legacy . . . starting now!"

Pass It On is written in three parts: Part 1 is Setting it Up, explaining to the parent the what and why of a Rite of Passage Experience. Part 2 is the Rites of Passage Experiences themselves, one for each grade Kindergarten through 12th grade. Part 3 is Finishing Strong, wrapping up and reviewing what you've learned. 

You can read more reviews here.  You can purchase your own copy of Pass It On at David C. Cook Publishing. 

About the Authors: 

 
Jim Burns is president of HomeWord and executive director of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University. He has more than 1.5 million resources in print and a radio broadcast heard on 800 stations a day. Jim resides in Southern California with his wife Cathy and their three daughters.

Connect with Jim online: website, Twitter, Facebook

 Jeremy Lee is the founder of ParentMinistry.Net, a subscription-based service for children and youth ministry workers. He was on the writing team for the Simple Truth Bible from Group Publishing and the Ignite Study Bible from Thomas Nelson Publishers. Jeremy lives in Nashville with his wife and children.

Connect with Jeremy online: website, Twitter, Facebook

What I Thought: I wish Pass It On had come out about 20 years ago, just about the time my oldest was kindergarten age.  What a great resource for parents!  I know personally how much my children treasure any traditions we have set, whether they are goofy or serious. They are so proud to tell their friends what we do for special occasions that might be a little (or a lot) different. Pass It On gives a Rite of Passage for each year.  You don't have to stick to the authors' suggestions for which grade to do each one, so even if you are starting later in your child's years you can go back and cover some of the Rites of Passage you missed. My youngest son is about to turn 13, and I am looking forward to incorporating several of the Rites of Passage into his childhood.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Children's Book Review~Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times & Author Kindle Giveaway

Treasury of Bible Stories: Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times, written and illustrated by Kelly Pulley, is part of the Magnificent Tales series, which are rhyming Bible stories with clever art and clear lessons for the entire family to enjoy.  I've always believed that children will retain more information if they are entertained and drawn into something, and this book accomplishes that. 

Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times is a 351 page hardcover with bright, colorful, engaging illustrations on every page.  The small amount of text on the pages make it perfect for beginning readers.  Although this book is aimed toward 4-8 year olds, I believe younger and older children would enjoy it as well.  My grandson Daniel (3) and son Chad (11) both have enjoyed several stories in the book.  The fun illustrations are their favorite. 

There are twenty Bible stories in Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times, from 'Tricked by a Snake' (Adam and Eve) to 'He Has Risen' (The Resurrection).  The stories all rhyme, which makes reading them aloud especially fun!




Read more reviews of Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times here.  You can purchase your own copy at the author's website. 

Part of the Magnificent Tales series, Treasury of Bible Stories: Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times will delight children ages 4–8 with rhyming Bible stories pairing spiritual truths with playful illustrations.

Enter the Rhythmical Rhymes Kindle Giveaway 9/15 – 10/12.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• Treasury of Bible Stories by Kelly Pulley

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 12th. Winner will be announced October 13th at Kelly's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Kelly's blog on the 13th to see if you won!

 

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~Faith: Joseph's Story by Sandra Lea Hardage

I've always enjoyed studying individual people from the Bible in-depth.  I was immediately drawn to the beautifully illustrated cover of Faith: Joseph's Story, A Novel and Christian Bible Study by Sandra Lea Hardage.  Joseph's story is one of perseverance through horrible experiences.  At the tender age of 17, Joseph was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery.  Later, he was falsely accused of a crime and put in prison.  Through it all, he remained faithful to God's plan for his life and emerged victorious.  What a great lesson for us all.

Faith Joseph's Story is written from Joseph's point of view, as if her were narrating.  I really enjoyed that it was written this way! There are nine chapters after the Preface, Acknowledgements, and Introduction:
Chapter 1: Family Life
Chapter 2: Sold into Slavery
Chapter 3: In Potiphar's House
Chapter 4: Prison Life
Chapter 5: Pharaoh's Dream
Chapter 6: Joseph and His Brothers
Chapter 7: Back to Egypt
Chapter 8: The Final Test
Chapter 9: Blessings and Forgiveness

The remainder of the book is packed with great information: an Epilogue, Becoming a Christian, a 75-page Bible Study with a Leader's Guide, and Joseph's Story Poem. 

Learn more about author Sandra Lea Hardage at http://sandrahardage.com/.  She can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.  She was sweet enough to sign my book personally, and sent me a very nice note that I appreciated. 

You can purchase your own copy of Faith Joseph's Story at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

*Disclosure: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Children's Book Review~99 Stories From the Bible

 

Teaching my kids (and grandkids) about the Bible is important to me. I was thrilled when I received 99 Stories from the Bible, written by Juliet David and illustrated by Elina Ellis.  It is a beautifully illustrated 196 page hardback.  There are adorable color illustrations on every page that immediately attracted my son and grandson.  The 99 stories included in the book each span two pages, and there are stories from both the Old and New Testaments.  The type size and wording is perfect for younger readers too.

My grandson Daniel (2) is in love with 99 Stories from the Bible!  You can tell in the picture above, even though he can't read yet, the beautifully detailed illustrations have him captivated.  I look forward to reading this book to Daniel and future grandkids over the years.  This would also make a wonderful gift, with a presentation page in the front. 

Click here for more information and to purchase 99 Stories from the Bible.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Book Review~The God Puzzle

As a parent, I'm always looking for ways to help my son understand our Christian beliefs.  Understanding the Bible can be hard, even for adults.  The God Puzzle-How the Bible Fits Together to Reveal God as Your Greatest Treasure, is a wonderful resource for parents and Church teachers.  It presents the Bible as one seamless story, and shares deep truths in a way kids will understand. 

The God Puzzle was written by Valerie Ackermann, a children's ministry professional for many years. It is an easy to use workbook for ages 7-12, but I think it could be used for all ages, and would work as a family devotional as well.  There are 36 lessons on different topics, starting with Who is God? and ending with What are We Looking Forward To? 

Each lesson contains:
*Get the Facts-reading and answering questions about the lesson topic, puzzles, bible verses
*Read It-relevant Bible verses
*Talk About It-Questions to answer about the lesson topic
*Talk to God About It-Space and prompts to write a prayer letter to God. 

At the back of the book are three Appendixes-Books and Divisions of the Bible, The Names of God, and Where Do I Read in The Bible When I'm Feeling _______?.  All verses used in The God Puzzle are taken from NIV or ICB (International Children's Bible). 

I think The God Puzzle is a wonderful tool for parents.  All of the lessons point to Christ and having a personal relationship with him.  After finishing all of the lessons, a child would have a strong foundation in understanding the Bible.  We have not finished the entire book yet, but all the lessons we have finished have gone well and my son is learning a lot.  I like the way the lessons are laid out, and the flexibility in doing the lessons. The pictures are cute and colorful, and the type is just the right size.  I wish I would have had The God Puzzle for my two oldest, now adults. 

For more information on The God Puzzle and more resources, visit www.leadmetoGod.com You can also purchase your own copy at the website. For more reviews, click here. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review~The Gospel-Centered Woman

About the Book: 
"Understanding Biblical Womanhood through the Lens of the Gospel

Many Christian books written to women claim to present God's good instructions for their lives. Some expound on the value of marriage and children. Many extol the virtues of the Proverbs 31 wife. A good number teach the value of love, submission, and respect in Christian marriages. Though this book deals with these topics, The Gospel-Centered Woman addresses women from an entirely different perspective. The most important part of the Bible's instructions to women center around the gospel. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection brought about a seismic shift in our understanding of Scripture. After His resurrection, His disciples understood words written thousands of years before with a clarity they never had previously. The good news of Christ illuminates all other Scripture, including instructions to women. "

TheGospel-Centered Woman is divided into three sections, with chapters in each section. The sections are: 

1. Created in God's Image

2. Redeemed to Reflect God Once More

3.  Wisdom in the Tension

What I Thought: The Gospel-Centered Woman was different from any Women's Bible Study I've ever read.  It really focuses on the Bible and it's instructions to women, whether single or married, with or without children. The chapter that impacted me the most was Chapter 9, Wisdom from Proverbs 31.  The typical Proverbs 31 woman can make many women feel very inferior, and Wendy Alsup approaches it from a different, fresh perspective that opened my eyes to what is really important from this part of the Gospel. I think this book is a must-read for any age woman, and would make a great gift for a newly married woman.

 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/jgKJd   

Click here to learn more about The Gospel-Centered Woman and read more reviews.

Meet Wendy:  

  

Wendy Alsup is a wife, mom, and math teacher. She is the author of "Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives" and "By His Wounds You are Healed: How the Message of Ephesians Transforms a Woman's Identity". Find out more about Wendy at www.theologyforwomen.org.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Litfuse Publicity as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Book Review~David Sticker Book

The David Sticker Book (ISBN 9781859859315) is a fun new book by Karen Williamson, illustrated by Amanda Enright, and published by Candle Books, a part of Lion Hudson. This is a summarized story of David and Goliath for kids, with bright illustrations and FOUR pages full of reusable stickers!  Each page in the story has places for stickers.

 Chad is ten years old, and I wasn't sure if he would think a sticker book like this is too babyish.  Then it arrived, and oh boy did he get excited!  He set right to work applying the stickers (in his jammies, as you can see in the picture below).  He had so much fun, and has continued to pull it out and enjoy it.  Of course, for him the stickers were the important part, but to Mom the story was the important part.  I thought the story of David was written well for children, and kept him interested throughout.

David Sticker Book would make a great little gift, and is available at www.lionhudson.com



I received this book free from the publisher through the Kregel Publications book review program, which requires an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Schoolhouse Crew Review~God's Great Covenant OT1

Teaching my kids about the Bible is something I take seriously.  It's important to find good, quality, biblically sound materials to enhance their learning.  Classical Academic Press is a company that I trust and use when I  need quality educational materials that are in line with what I believe.  

As part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received these products from Classical Academic Press' God's Great Covenant: Old Testament 1, A Bible Course for Children:
God's Great Covenant Old Testament 1 Student Book $22.95
God's Great Covenant Old Testament 1 Teacher Book $24.95
God's Great Covenant Old Testament 1 Audio Files $9.95

God's Great Covenant Student Book, written by Claire A. Larsen,  is a large softcover book written at a 2nd grade level, and can be modified for older and younger students.  It covers the Bible chronologically from Genesis to Ruth.  There are 32 chapters, suggested to be completed one per week for the school year.  There are five themed units:
1. In the Beginning...God's Power (Genesis 1-11)
2. By the Patriarchs...God's Promises (Genesis 12-50)
3. Out of Egypt...God's Redemption (Exodus 1-34)
4. Through the Wilderness...God's Provision (Exodus -Deuteronomy)
5. In the Promised Land...God's Faithfulness (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Job)

Each chapter within the units has a theme, memory verse, stories, questions to answer, review worksheets, quizzes, puzzles, and more.  There are cute black and white illustrations throughout the book, and Appendixes and maps at the back of the book with a lot of helpful information.

The Teacher's Edition was so helpful. It has everything included in the Student Book with answers, plus additional facts and Children's Catechism questions.  The audio files are an MP3 download of the readings featured in God's Great Covenant: OT1.  This is a nice option to take a break from Mom or the child reading the stories.  Sample pages of each book and a suggested teaching schedule are available on the product pages.

Also available for purchase is the Old Testament Timeline and Map set for $36.95.  I did not review this, but can imagine it would be a great addition to the books. To save some money (aren't we all looking to do that these days??) consider purchasing the God's Great Covenant Old Testament One Bundle, which includes everything mentioned above (Timelines and Map Set too!) for only $79.95! This is nearly 15% savings.

What did Chad (age 10) and I think about this curriculum?  We love it, and I highly recommend it.  I had reviewed the New Testament 1 books last year and was so impressed, so I knew this would be a winner.  The stories are engaging and keep Chad's attention, and he loves the puzzles.  He really likes the cute black and white illustrations, and likes to use his colored pencils to give them color while I read the stories.  Even though Chad is in 4th grade, he is reading at an early 2nd grade level.  So, I do most of the reading.  In a few years when he is a stronger reader, I would like him to go through this book again on his own.  The Teacher's Edition is a gem-so full of facts, and I love the Catechism Questions.  The Appendixes are very helpful as well.  I especially liked Appendix D, which explains the Ten Commandments in a way kids can understand.  We are so pleased with God's Great Covenant OT1 that it is now our Bible Curriculum for the year!  I'm planning on purchasing the Old Testament 2 book next year.

You can find additional support at CAP's Facebook Page and their Student Support Site.  For more reviews of this product, click the Schoolhouse Crew banner below:



*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations. 

Review~Everyday Matters Bible for Women

Isn't this a beautiful cover for a Bible?  With the busy lives we women have today, it can be difficult to find time to read God's word daily.  Hendrickson Publishers has helped make this a bit easier for us with the Everyday Matters Bible for Women. I enjoy browsing the different Bibles out there, and this one is so pretty it just calls out for me to pick it up!  This is the New Living Translation, which I was not familiar with but enjoyed reading.  It is written in modern language. 

In my opinion, the best feature of this Bible is the 24 spiritual practices highlighted throughout with colorful icons.  Each spiritual practice is explored in four different types of articles:
*Everyday Matters
*Everyday Profiles
*Everyday Reflections
*Everyday Q&As
There are more than 300 articles and features focusing on these spiritual disciplines, contributed by many well-known Christian leaders and writers. Other special features include full-color printing throughout, book introductions, instructions on how to use this Bible in a Small Group study, index of spiritual practices, and resources for further reading. The Everyday Matters Bible for Women would be a wonderful way to spend time with the Lord daily, and would make a beautiful gift for women in your life. 

Purchase this Bible online at retailers such as Amazon and Christianbook.com.
To learn more, click on the following resources:
Everyday Matters on Publisher’s website: http://www.hendrickson.com
Everyday Matters on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverydayMattersBible
Everyday Matters on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/bibleforwomen

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.