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~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.  

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.

Book Review and Giveaway~Whit's End Mealtime Devotions

Focus on the Family has a new family devotional out-Whit's End Mealtime Devotions from Adventures in Odyssey.  It was written by John Avery Whittaker, with help from Crystal Bowman and Tricia Goyer.  This devotional contains " 90 faith-building ideas your kids will eat up!"

Included in the book are 64 Any Day Mealtime Devotions, 15 Holiday Devotions, and 11 Theme Devotions.  The devotions are catchy, fun topics, like I Spy and King on the Mountain in the Any Day Devotions, April Fools Day: Who's a Fool in the Holiday Devotions, and Search for Treasure in the Theme Devotions.

Each devotion is just one page, and is broken down into five courses:
*Mealtime Prayer-a fresh way to bless your food
*Appetizer-a fun question or activity to 'whet' your appetite
*Main Course-an object lesson; the 'meat' of the lesson
*Table Talk-questions to spark interesting discussions
*Vitamins and Minerals-a Bible verse that relates to the day's reading and discussion

My family has really enjoyed Whit's End Mealtime Devotions. At first I was concerned it might be balked at by the young adult children we have, as it certainly looks geared for younger kids.  But, it was the perfect fit for our family. We have a big age range (from 10-21) in our kids, and these were topics everyone (Mom and Dad included) could relate to and discuss.

 I really like that these devotions are not too long-we've tried some family devotions that just get too long, and we end up losing the attention of the youngest.  Also it's not just Dad reading a long section of the Bible and teaching about it. These devotions are lively questions and topics that everyone can chime in on!

I think mealtimes as a family are so important. If you are looking for a fun devotional for your family to do at mealtimes(or anytime, really), check out Whit's End Mealtime Devotions.



GIVEAWAY!!!

Tyndale House Publishers is offering one of my readers their own copy of Whit's End Mealtime Devotions!!


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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.”

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~I Am That I Am

I Am That I Am by Judy Azar LeBlanc
ISBN: 9781936746101
Published by Crosslink Publishing

I Am That I Am: Tracing the Footprints of God is a valuable resource to have in your home library.  It is 492 pages of bible verses, biblical facts, and commentary by biblical scholars. Included are all eight covenants of God, summaries of over forty-five of Jesus' parables, descriptions of over fifty divine miracles, and traces over fifty divine names and titles reflecting God.  There are commentaries throughout I Am That I Am by over seventy-five renowned bible scholars, as well as helpful maps and tables. 

The bulk of the book is broken down into four main parts:
*God's Covenants with Humanity
*The Parabolic Ministry of Christ
*The Miraculous Healing Ministry of the Great I Am That I Am through Jesus
*Names and Titles of the Great I Am That I Am

I Am That I Am : Tracing the Footprints of God is a very full, large book, and I must admit that I was intimidated at first.  But now I can say I am so glad that I read it!  It was inspirational to read all of the parables one after the other.  The in-depth insights by scholars were helpful.  I Am That I Am is definitely a book I personally recommend reading!

Purchase I Am That I Am on Amazon.

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, 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~Apologia Who is my Neighbor?

Apologia Educational Ministries is one of my favorite homeschooling resources.  This company produces quality, Christian products that I have never been disappointed with.  I was happy to review Who is my Neighbor, the third in a four-book series titled What we Believe. Although this is the third in the series, I believe you could pick it up and use it without having gone through the previous two books in the series.

Apologia teamed with Summit Ministries to create the What we Believe series, a bible curriculum designed to teach your children the essential beliefs of the Christian faith.  The series is for ages 6-14, and is written at about a 5th grade level.
The titles in the series are:
*Who is God?
*Who am I?
*Who is my Neighbor?
*What on Earth can I Do?  (not yet released, expected to be released in 2012)

Who is my Neighbor? contains eight lessons:
*Does Anyone Really Need Me?
*How Can I Make a Difference?
*Who is My Neighbor?
*Why Did God Make Families?
*What Can I Do For My Country?
*Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
*Who is God's Family?
*Why Does the Church Need Me?
Each lesson is full of information, activities, stories, and scripture.  This is a hardback book with full-color pictures.  The price for the book is $39.

You can also purchase a beautiful Notebooking Journal for $24.  This spiral-bound journal corresponds to the lessons in the book, and would make a wonderful keepsake of what your child has learned.

Also available for $8 is a 64-page Coloring Book.  The coloring book would be a great addition to the study for younger children listening along as well. 
At the Apologia website, you can take a look at all the products available, as well as learn a little more about the company.  There are parent resources and sample lessons available as well.  Once again, I was thoroughly impressed by an Apologia product.  I love the way the book is written to the student in a conversational tone.  Chad (9yo) enjoyed the stories and pictures very much, and I plan on going through this series again in a few years.  It would be a great study for the entire family. 




*Disclosure: I received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Curriculum Review~God's Great Covenant

We've recently begun using a great bible course for children, written by Claire A. Larsen and published by Classical Academic Press.  It's called God's Great Covenant and is intended for 4th grade and up, but I have been using it with my 3rd grader with success.  There are two old testament courses available for 2nd-3rd grade and up, but the course we are using is God's Great Covenant New Testament 1: The Gospels. 

Using stories, worksheets, memory verses, devotional guides, quizzes, maps, and a little boy named Simon, children will follow the story of Jesus, the Messiah and King, as He is born and fulfills all God’s promises. 36 weekly chapters are included in four themed units:
*Jesus, the Son of Man
*Jesus, God's Servant
*Jesus, the Messiah
*Jesus, the Son of God
Here is a look at a sample worksheet:

The student book is consumable, and is written in slightly larger writing perfect for younger students.  Click here for a sample from the student book.

God's Great Covenant New Testament 1 student edition is $26.95.  There is also a Teacher's edition available for $29.95, which includes the entire student text plus answer keys and additional information. For only $9.95, you can also purchase an audio file of all the readings from the book.  The best deal, to save 15%, is to purchase the New Testament bundle for $56.95, which includes the three products mentioned above. 

I am really impressed with this curriculum, and can see using it as a family bible study as well as during school lessons.  It is thorough, well laid-out, and rooted in scripture.  I look forward to ordering the Old Testament studies as well.  Classical Academic Press has many products you might be interested in. 

To read more TOS crew reviews of this product, click here.

*Disclaimer: I received God's Great Covenant: New Testament 1 in exchange for my honest review.