Book Review~The Delusion

About the Book:
By March of Owen Edmonds’s senior year, eleven students at Masonville High School have committed suicide. Amid the media frenzy and chaos, Owen tries to remain levelheaded—until he endures his own near-death experience and wakes to a distressing new reality.

The people around him suddenly appear to be shackled and enslaved.

Owen frantically seeks a cure for what he thinks are crazed hallucinations, but his delusions become even more sinister. An army of hideous, towering beings, unseen by anyone but Owen, are preying on his girlfriend and classmates, provoking them to self-destruction.

Owen eventually arrives at a mind-bending conclusion: he’s not imagining the evil—everyone else is blind to its reality. He must warn and rescue those he loves . . . but this proves to be no simple mission. Will he be able to convince anyone to believe him before it’s too late?

Owen’s heart-pounding journey through truth and delusion will force him to reconsider everything he believes. He both longs for and fears the answers to questions that are quickly becoming too dangerous to ignore.

What I Thought: 

The Delusion: We All Have Our Demons was a little different from the types of book I usually read. I found it very suspenseful and exciting. Spiritual warfare was the main topic, and many heavy topics are included. Recommended as a Young Adult book, as a parent I would be very careful letting my teen read The Delusion because of the subject matter. The chains and shackles were such a great representation of all the baggage we carry. 

Author Laura Gallier is a talented writer who I  look forward to reading more from. Her website is www.lauragallier.com . 

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

Children's Book Review~Wow!: The Good News in Four Words

Wow!: The Good News in Four Words is a 30 page hardcover (with dust jacket) intended for children ages 4-8. It was written by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Annabel Tempest. I was immediately intrigued by the cute, colorful illustrations and the concept of sharing the Gospel with children using these four words:
*Wow-Creation
*Uh-oh-Sin, broken world
*Ahh-Eternal life through Jesus
*Wow-Grow and share the good news of Jesus to others.

In this adorable book, children learn the basics of the gospel in rhyme. Each page has only a few sentences and the print is easy to read, making it a good book for early readers. The rhyming was done very well, and I was amazed at how much information was covered, in a fun way for kids to understand.

Here is my grandson Daniel, 6, reading Wow!: The Good News in Four Words. He enjoyed having me read it to him, and he even tried to sound out some words on his own. He loved the rhyming and shouting out the four key words throughout the story. Even if we aren't reading the book, he enjoys just looking at the colorful pictures featuring Jesus, people, and animals. There is so much to look at on the pages, you could probably find something new each time you read the story! At the back of the book are suggested Bible verses correlating to each of the four words.

I highly recommend Wow!:The Good News in Four Words for the young child in your life. I think it would make a wonderful gift. You can find more information and purchase your own copy at Tyndale House Publishers.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~The Divide

About the Book (from the back cover):
 In this gripping conclusion to The Alliance, nearly six months have passed since Leora Ebersole's Old Order Mennonite community fled to the mountains for refuge after an attack destroyed the power grid and altered life as they knew it. Since then, Leora has watched and waited for news of Moses Hughes, the young Englischer pilot who held off invading looters long enough for everyone to escape. Unsure Moses even survived, Leora has begun to warm to the affections of Jabil Snyder, who has courted her patiently. But she struggles to see herself as the bishop's wife, especially when she learns that Moses is alive and has now joined a local militia.

An unexpected encounter in the woods deepens Leora's crisis, as does a terrifying new threat that brings Moses' militia into the community's shaky alliance with the few Englischers left among them. When long-held beliefs are once again put to the test, Leora wrestles with the divide between having faith and taking action. Just how much will her shifting landscape change her?

What I Thought:  
The Alliance was a book I really enjoyed. I'm a big fan of Amish/Mennonite fiction, but the storyline of the EMP made the book something completely different from anything I've read before. The Divide was just as enjoyable as The Alliance, and the change of setting, up in the remote mountains, made it really fascinating.

Author Jolina Petersheim is a talented storyteller. She was able to pack so much into this story! So many emotions, conflict, romance, and just plain survival. The Divide is the kind of book you just don't want to put down-riveting. Faith and God are the main themes the story revolves around, and the characters struggle with trusting God to see them through. I highly recommend this book, but suggest you read The Alliance first. 

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

The Polygamist's Daughter

About the Book: 
My father had thirteen wives and more than fifty children...This is the haunting memoir of Anna LeBaron, daughter of the notorious polygamist and murderer Ervil LeBaron. Ervil's criminal activity kept Anna and her siblings constantly on the run from the FBI. Often starving, the children lived in a perpetual state of fear-and despite their numbers, Anna always felt alone. Would she ever find a place she truly belonged? Would she ever be anything other than the polygamist's daughter?

Filled with murder, fear, and betrayal, The Polygamist's Daughter is the harrowing, heart-wrenching story of a fatherless girl and her unwavering search fro love, faith, and a place to call home.

What I Thought: 
I've always found polygamy a fascinating topic, and living in Utah, I probably hear and see more about it than if I lived in another state. Once I started The Polygamist's Daughter, I couldn't put it down.  Anna LeBaron tells the riveting story of her childhood in a polygamist cult. I honestly couldn't believe what this poor woman went through. The neglect and abuse that she accepted as normal life was horrifying.  It was hard to wrap my mind around the fact that adults could treat children like this. Even though Anna was always surrounded by many siblings and mothers, she felt alone and unloved. Her escape from the cult was inspiring.

Along with her amazing memoir, The Polygamist's Daughter has many pictures from her childhood, and a Q & A with the author. I highly recommend this book.

*Disclosure: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~The Sisters of Sugarcreek

About the Book (back cover):
   Devastated by a deadly fire that took the lives of their loved ones...
Lydia Gruber, a young Amish widow, faces an uncertain future. Without support or skills, how will she survive?

With the loss of her beloved Aunt, Jessica Holtz inherits Rose's Knit One Quilt Two Cottage. Though determined to keep the shop open, she doesn't know the first thing about knitting and quilting and begins to see her aunt's dream slip through her fingers.

Liz Cannon lost not only her dear friend Rose, but her partner in the Secret Stitches Society-dedicated to delivering anonymous gifts of hope to troubled folks. She and Jessica decide to keep the society going, choosing Lydia for their first mission.

The three women form an unlikely friendship in the aftermath of tragedy. As they walk together through triumph and heartbreak-through grief and new chances at love-they begin to discover that with friends by your side, a stitch of hope can be found anywhere.

About the Author: 

Cathy Liggett is the American Christian Fiction Writers' prestigious Carol award-winning author of Beaded Hope, her debut women's fictional novel, which was also nominated Best Inspirational Novel by Romantic Time's Reviewers' Choice Awards. Besides women's fiction, she also enjoys writing sweet romances. Cathy and her husband live in southwest Ohio. Visit her website at www.cathyliggett.com

What I Thought: 
I read a lot of Amish fiction, but I have never read anything by author Cathy Liggett. I found her book The Sisters of Sugarcreek to be a refreshing change from often somewhat predictable storylines. In this story, the Amish and Englisch worlds are intertwined, with two Englisch and one Amish woman becoming great friends. The themes throughout the book are kindness and faith. No matter what trials they are going through in their own lives, the Secret Sisters work to bring hope to those who are going through rough times. It was uplifting to read all the examples of women helping each other, even women who don't know each other.

The side stories of what is going on in each of the three women's lives were all interesting. While working to bring joy to others, they are each going through their own trials. The characters were fun and likeable, and easy to relate to. There are discussion questions at the back of the book. I think The Sisters of Sugarcreek would be a great book club book, and would be enjoyable for most women.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Zacchaeus and Jesus

Zacchaeus and Jesus is a 48-page hardcover children's book written by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Lisa Manuzak. The book is from the Flipside Stories series, published by Tyndale Kids, a division of Tyndale House Publishers. The suggested age range is 3-8.

Zacchaeus and Jesus is a special book, because it is two books in one! Half of the book is the story of them meeting from  Zacchaeus' point of view, then you flip the book over and...

...now it is the same story, but from Jesus' point of view. This is great to help kids learn that there are two sides to every story. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the print is large and easy for beginning readers. My grandson thinks Zacchaeus and Jesus is so much fun to read, and requests it often for his bedtime story. Here are Daniel (5) and Daisy (5 months), reading:

I would love to get the other books in the Flipside Stories series for my grandson to enjoy! You can purchase your own copy of Zacchaeus and Jesus at Tyndale.

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

Book Review~365 Pocket Morning Prayers

365 Pocket Morning Prayers: Strength and Joy to Begin Each Day was written by David R. Veerman and published by Tyndale Momentum, part of Tyndale House Publishers. It is 4x6, with a leather-like finish, embossed with a palm tree and birds on the cover. It is 316 pages long, with a topical index at the end of the book.

Each day/prayer is a different topic, with scripture included using New Living Translation. The prayers are in sets of seven for a week, with the 6th and 7th days (representing the weekend) shorter than the others. You can read one each day for an entire year, or go to the index at the back and choose your topic for the day. The author states in his introduction, "The prayer itself may involve praise, confession, or challenge, all with the purpose of drawing you closer to God."

I have been enjoying 365 Pocket Morning Prayers. It is compact enough to keep in my bag and pull out while waiting in line to pick my son up from school. I have not been reading the prayers chronologically, but have been picking a topic from the index each day. Each prayer is short enough to read quickly, but deep enough to make an impact on my day. I found them interesting and relevant to today's world.

You can purchase your own copy of 365 Morning Prayers at Tyndale.

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

Review~Gratitude-A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal is a gorgeous 6x8 hardcover book to color and journal in.  It is 110 pages long, with 40 needs-based prayers covering a variety of topics. There are over 100 designs to color, with lots of room to write and/or sketch. There are prompts, or you can do your own thing.

Here is an example of a page ready to color and journal:

There are also some pages already with color that have space to journal or doodle on:

Here is a page that I colored with colored pencils:

I am not an artistic person, but I love pretty things! Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal is beautiful!!! I love it, and think it would make a wonderful gift. The size is smaller (6x8), so it fits great in a purse or bag. It is very sturdy, and the pages are nice and thick. I have really enjoyed the positivity of all the topics, and the plentiful scripture throughout.

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal is part of Tyndale's Living Expressions Collection. Click on the link to see the beautiful collection and purchase your own! You will be glad you did.

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

Book Review~The Alliance

About the Book:
The Alliance, written by Jolina Petersheim, was published by Tyndale House Publishers, and is 384 pages long. ISBN 978-1496402219

Leora Ebersole is a young woman who is part of an Old Order Mennonite community.  She has had a rough life, and has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders caring for her siblings. One day, a small plane crashed into the field near her house. She and other community members rush to pull out the pilot, Moses Hughes. At the same time outside their community, cars came to a stop, and there was no more electricity or cell phones. Moses explained to the Pacifist community that he believes an EMP has occurred, and the community is at risk from outsiders wanting their food stores.

In the days that followed, although from two different worlds, Moses and Leora become closer, to the dismay of the Mennonites close to Leora. As their lives become more and more dangerous, their backgrounds seem to matter less, and it is just a matter of survival.  As an Old Order Mennonite, Leora and others must come to terms with deciding what lengths they would go to to protect their loved ones.


About the Author:

Jolina Petersheim is the bestselling author of The Midwife and The Outcast, which Library Journal called "outstanding . . . fresh and inspirational" in a starred review and named one of the best books of 2013. Her writing has been featured in venues as varied as radio programs, nonfiction books, and numerous online and print publications such as Reader's Digest, Writer's Digest, and Today's Christian Woman. Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but now live on a solar-powered farm in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin with their young daughters. Follow Jolina and her blog at jolinapetersheim.com

What I Thought: 

If I could give The Alliance more than five stars, I would! It was an amazing story that kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. Actually, I'm still on the edge of my seat because there is a sequel that hopefully comes out soon.  I love Amish and Mennonite fiction, as well as apocalyptic stories, so this was a great combination of the two. It was not like any other story I have read before. The characters Leora and Moses were wonderfully developed and I felt like I was feeling their turmoil along with them. The story makes you wonder how far you would go to protect your loved ones. I highly recommend The Alliance!

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

Book Review~Having a Martha Home the Mary Way

As a wife and mother, it seems a constant struggle to keep the house clean. It feels like a losing battle most days. I would love to have my home spotless 24/7, but I know that is not realistic for a busy, functioning family with kids and pets. In her book Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul, author Sarah Mae helps readers tackle their homes cleanliness one day at a time, while nourishing their souls with stories and scripture.

After an introduction into Gentle Homemaking, explaining Martha and Mary, and the author telling her story, there is a chapter on how to use the book, explaining the Martha Challenges and Mary Challenges. The Martha Challenges are for those who aren't natural cleaners, and breaks down cleaning tasks into smaller, doable steps. The Mary Challenges invite you to read a scripture and ponder different aspects of your life.

Each day has a scripture, a story/lesson, a Mary Challenge with plenty of room to write your responses down, and a Martha Challenge for the day. I found the Mary Challenges very thought provoking, and the Mary challenges were totally doable. At the back of the book are some extra tips to help you. The most important thing I took away from Having a Martha Home the Mary Way is that cleaning the house is about more than just cleaning. It's not about everything looking perfect, it is about creating a peaceful, comfortable retreat for those you love. I want my home to be the place my family looks forward to coming home to.  If I'm stressed about cleaning, I will not be creating the warm environment for my family. 

Having a Martha Home the Mary Way is a great read for those with cleaning challenges and those without. Inside its pages are great reminders of why we, as wives and mothers, do what we do.

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

Book Review~The Daniel Fast for Weight Loss

The Daniel Fast for Weight Loss, by Susan Gregory, explains what the Daniel Fast is and gives devotions and recipes to go along with it. This isn't another diet-it is a lifestyle change. The Daniel Fast is a plant-based fast that usually lasts 21 days.  It is a way to become closer to God and lose weight.

This book helps you with The Daniel Fast both spiritually and physically from preparing for it up to after the fast. Meal planning and preparation is discussed, and many original recipes are included. There is a 21 day devotional included to go along with your fast.

I found this book very helpful-I had never heard of The Daniel Fast before. Author Susan Gregory is known as an expert on the fast, and has other books published on The Daniel Fast.  Some of the recipes looked wonderful, but there were many I wouldn't see myself making, especially those with tofu. This book is very informative, with plenty of scripture references. It is definitely about healing your relationship with God as well as with food.

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

Children's Book Review~M is for Manger

M is for Manger is a beautiful hardcover book written by Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley.  The illustrator is Claire Keay, and the book is published by Tyndale House Publishers.  It is 8"x8" and 64 pages. 

M is for Manger goes chronologically and alphabetically through the story of the birth of Jesus. Each letter in the alphabet has a pair of pages, side by side.  The page on the left hand side shows the letter, the word it represents,and a drawing appropriate for what the letter represents. On the right page is a few sentences explaining the story and a corresponding scripture. Several different Bible translations are used.

Here is my grandson Daniel, 4, reading M is for Manger. He loves this book. It has just enough content to be meaningful, but not too much that he gets overwhelmed and doesn't want to finish the book. The illustrations are beautiful-both children and adults will appreciate them.  M is for Manger would make a wonderful gift-there is a presentation page in front for gift giving. I plan to keep this book in our Christmas box to pull out each year for our grandchildren.

You can purchase your own copy of M is for Manger at Tyndale House Publishers.

*I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~On Shifting Sand

One of my favorite book series of all time is the Sister Wife series by author Allison Pittman. I was excited to read her latest release, On Shifting Sand.  I quickly realized that this book was very different from the other series, but not in a negative way-just a different style.  On Shifting Sand is a beautifully written, haunting story of a desperate woman.

About the Book: Set during the historic Dust Bowl during the 1930s, Nola Merrill is drying up, inside and out. She married young to her pastor husband, a righteous man, and they have two children.  Nola suffered a sad childhood with her angry father, and wants to be a good mother, wife, and Christian.  The devastation their small town has had has left everyone hungry and poor.  Her husband busy with his pastoral duties, Nola feels isolated.  That all changes when an old friend of her husbands, a disabled war veteran, arrives needing shelter.  He gives Nola attention, and she is faced with betraying her husband, her children, and her God.

What I Thought: On Shifting Sand was hard for me to get into at first, but ended up being a wonderful story. It is written in the main character's voice, and so the reader reads her thoughts and feelings.  Nola is a tormented woman, wanting to do what's right but so beaten down she gives in to temptation. The story is full of love, temptation, forgiveness, and learning to trust God. I knew nothing about the Dust Bowl before I read this story, and it peaked my interest in that time in history.  I am looking forward to researching it further. I highly recommend On Shifting Sand by Allison Pittman.

I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review. 

Children's Book Review~Surprise at Yorktown

Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey have released book #15 in The Imagination Station series.  Surprise at Yorktown, by Marriane Hering and Nancy I. Sanders, is published by Tyndale House Publishing.  The paperback is 135 pages, with black and white illustrations throughout the book.  It is a perfect Elementary School  age chapter book. 

In this installment of the popular series, cousins Patrick and Beth continue their adventures through history.  They find themselves in 1781, witnessing the Battle of Yorktown.  They meet James Armistead, a courier, and find themselves escaping enemy camp, surviving cannonball attacks and storms, and must warn George Washington that the future of the country is at stake!

My son, who is 12 years old, enjoyed Surprise at Yorktown.  It was full of action, which is what definitely kept his attention throughout the story!  I think it is great that he is learning history while he is enjoying a book! 

I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Children's Book Review~Captured on the High Seas

The Imagination Station book series is a Focus on The Family resource, published by Tyndale Publishing.  Captured on the High Seas is the 14th book in the series.  It is 130 pages long, with black and white illustrations.  At the back of the book are puzzles and questions to answer about the story. 

In Captured on the High Seas, cousins Patrick and Beth find themselves at sea on an American ship in the year 1781.  They make friends with a 15-year-old boy named James.  While at sea, they run into many problems, including a fight with the British!  They also have lots of adventure, and learn about our history. 

My kids all loved The Magic Treehouse series, so I was excited to discover the Imagination Station series as they are similar in many ways.  I love that I don't have to worry about the content my kids are reading-these are clean, wholesome stories.  Also, they appeal to boys and girls alike.  Stories like Captured on the High Seas and the entire Imagination Station series are the kind of books that catch a child's attention at such a critical stage, and makes them become lifelong readers!  I look forward to having my 11-year-old son read more of the series.  I wish Imagination Station books were around when my now adult kids were young!  They would have devoured them!

To learn more about Captured on the High Seas and the Imagination Station series, visit www.theimaginationstation.com . 

*Disclosure: I received this book free from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Book Review~Echoes of an Angel

Echoes of an Angel is an amazing true story of the life of Ben Underwood, who lost both eyes at the young age of two.  Ben's family was poor, and his mother struggled to survive with her children.  However, Ben's mother Aquanetta (who is the author along with Chris Macias) was strong, and she was determined that  her son would have as normal of a  life as possible.  Through her determination and strong faith in God, as well as some wonderful friends, family, and teachers, Ben achieved more than anyone thought possible. 

Ben never used a cane-but he did ride a scooter, play video games, and did pretty much everything other children did.  Ben used echolocation-'seeing' through the reflection of sound waves.  He had a strong faith, and amazed everyone who heard of him.  He appeared on numerous shows, including Oprah.  Though unfortunately his life was cut short by cancer, he left quite a mark on this world. 

Echoes of an Angel was a wonderful reminder of putting our faith in God and watching what He can do!  The book contains pictures and a Discussion Guide.  You can learn more about the book, including links for purchasing a copy, at www.Tyndale.com . 

*Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with theFederal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review~Whit's End Mealtime Devotions-The Second Helping

It's almost the New Year, a great time to start a new family devotional!  Back in April, I reviewed Whit's End Mealtime Devotions.  You can read that review here.  It was a great devotional to do with our kids and as a family. 

Now, there is a new edition-Whit's End Mealtime Devotions-The Second Helping.  This book is written by John Avery Whittaker, and comes from Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey series, a wonderful resource for families who are wanting to teach their children Bible fundamentals.  The Second Helping has 90 devotions-you could do one a day over 90 days, or spread them out to last longer. Of course there is lots of scripture verses in each devotion.  Each devotion includes:
*Mealtime Prayer-a fresh way to bless your food
*Appetizer-a fun question or activity
*Main Course-an object lesson or thought to chew on
*Table Talk-questions to spark interesting discussions
*Vitamins and Minerals-a creative way to thank God for your time together or a reminder that God provides all we need

My family loves Mealtime Devotions-The Second Helping!  It is short and sweet, but packed with knowledge!  There are great questions and activities to spark discussions among the family.  The entire family, from age 11 to 46, learns and enjoys with these devotions.  We have not been using the book every day, but try for two to three times a week.   My youngest son, age 11, enjoys the Appetizer activities the most. 

If you'd like to check out the first chapter of the book, you can download it at http://goo.gl/XUVHBs.  For more information and to purchase your own copy, visit the Tyndale House product page.

*Disclosure: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review~The One Year Book of Amish Peace

If you've ever read any of my book reviews of Amish Fiction, you know Tricia Goyer is one of my favorite authors.  I've had the wonderful opportunity to get to know her better by being on her launch team last year too.  Tricia has written a One Year devotional published by Tyndale, The One Year Book of Amish Peace-Hearing God's Voice in the Simple Things.

The Amish are well-known for their simple, peaceful ways.  As much as I love the Amish and their lifestyle, I am not going to adopt their lifestyle.   But I can-we can-all learn from it.  In The One Year Book of Amish Peace, each calendar day has a topic-from Spring's Abundance to Your Walk, Your Testimony.  Next there is a Bible verse that goes along with the topic, and then there is the 'meat' of the topic, which can be personal stories or information about Amish customs.  At the end of the page is a relevant prayer.  At the beginning of each Season in the book is an Amish recipe-yum!

I'm really enjoying spending time each day reading The One Year book of Amish Peace.  For me it is a great combination-Bible study and Amish study!  Of course when you are done with each day's reading you can take it further and study the scripture verse more in-depth.  This devotional is a great way to remind us to slow down and keep life simple, to enjoy what God has given us. 

The One Year® Book of Amish Peace (Sampler)

About Tricia Goyer:

Tricia Goyer has written more than thirty-five books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and non- fiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts,Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.

Goyer’s fiction and non-fiction books have won awards from the American Christian Fiction Writers and Mt. Hermon Writers’ Conference. She is also a two-time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee.

Tricia has authored several books on family and parenting, as well as co-written with Max Lucado and Robin Jones Gunn. She collaborated with Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges for Lead Your Family Like Jesus, published by Focus on the Family/Tyndale.

Here are some Amish Recipes for you:

To learn more about The One Year Book of Amish Peace: Hearing God's Voice in the Simple Things, visit Tyndale.  To purchase, you can find the book at several retailers including Amazon and Christian Book.  Also check out Tricia Goyer's latest fiction book, A Christmas Gift for Rose.

*Disclosure: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Book Review~The Outcast

 

The Outcast is the story of Old Order Mennonite Rachel Stoltzfus, who is unmarried and pregnant.  Living with her twin sister and  her family, she is being shunned by her community and some family members.  Unwilling to tell who the father of  her child is, Rachel must leave her home alone.  As she struggles to forgive herself and others, secrets begin to be revealed that will affect an entire community. 

The Outcast is author Jolina Petersheim's first book, and I was impressed!  This was an emotionally moving story that I couldn't put down. There was such depth to the characters, especially twin sisters Rachel and Leah.  What was really interesting was how the book was written.  It was written from the perspective of two people-the main character Rachel, and also Amos King, Leah's father-in-law who had just passed away at the beginning of the story.  I enjoyed the way it was written, but a few times I got confused because I forgot whose perspective I was reading at the time.  There are discussion questions at the back of the book.



The Outcast is available at Amazon and other retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Christian Book Distributors.  You can learn more about the book at the Tyndale Website, including more reviews. Learn more about Jolina Petersheim at her website, http://www.jolinapetersheim.com/. 

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with theFederal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

ACTS Summer Challenge and Giveaway!!

 

The past few months, I've written a few posts about the ACTS Summer Challenge to Serve.  You can read more about it here.  How is your summer going?  Have you had opportunities to serve with your kids?  We have found that if you are looking for opportunities, you will find them!  My son has helped an elderly neighbor all summer, doing odd jobs and helping her.  He feels so good when he helps her, and he's learning valuable lessons.  I'm very proud of him!

For moms with kids in school, the most hectic months of the year are usually September and May. The end of the school year involves parties, playoffs, and final projects. The beginning of the year has moms and kids feeling overloaded with shopping trips, sign-ups, and new schedules.
Establishing healthy, positive routines is a tough job. Too often, music lessons, sports practices, and after-school clubs can overshadow the routines that build family and healthy habits—both physically and spiritually. 

One of the great new Adventures in Odyssey products released this year is 90 Devotions for Kids, aimed at kids 8 to 12.  This soft-cover book draws you in with illustrations, puzzles, and kid-friendly applications. It also includes a daily Bible verse, daily challenges, words of encouragement from different AIO characters, and more. Even if your kids aren’t already Adventures in Odyssey fans, they’ll enjoy these daily devotionals, and get to know the Odyssey crew along the way. 
This devotional, and the edition coming this fall (90 Devotions for Kids: Life Changing Values from the Book of Matthew) are great tools to help your kids put a regular pause in their day for Bible reading, prayer, and thoughts about God. If you start now—by the first day of school, you’ll already have a spiritual component scheduled into your kids’ routine. After that, everything else will hopefully just fall into line!

Download a Sample of 90 Devotions for Kids here.

Tyndale has generously offered one The Loose Screw reader their own copy of 90 Devotions for Kids!  Enter below:




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