The Life

"The Life" is a small Bible type book.  Bible type as in it is excerpts/passages from the Gospels, Acts, James and 1 John.  It is to help a person get acquainted with God's story through the life of Jesus. 

If you have a teen or a friend who is just getting to know Jesus or has an interest, this is the "Bible" for them.  It is not overwhelming and is small enough to give and not feel like you are overpowering them with a 1000 page book. 

"The Life"  is presented in magazine form.  It has great illustrations, not cheesy ones, that will capture the attention of anyone.  It is like reading articles and not chapter after chapter.  For those of us who have a hard time when there is no references, this is not the case.  "The Life" has chapters and verses, so if you want to have them look at a certain passage, it is easy for you to reference and for them to find it. 

Some of the passages have challenging statements like, "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life. The choice is yours."  "The Life" is a great addition to your resources when encountering people who need Jesus. 

All the excerpts are from the New Living Translation.  So it is very reader and new believer friendly.  I highly recommend it.

Thank you Tyndale Publishing for letting me review this item.

Raising Boys by Design

Raising Boys by Design by Gregory L. Jantz and Michael Gurian is an amazing book.  I am having such a tough time getting through it, not because it isn't a good read, but because it is packed with so much good stuff.

As a mom of 3 girls and 1 boy - I see the difference between boys and girls every day.  This book helps me to realize I am not alone in the unique craziness of my boy.  Not only is it helping me understand my son, but also my husband.  Realizing that they are not like us girls, is key to helping both little boys and men be who God created them to be.

Any one who has boys, anyone who is married, anyone who wants to teach a parenting class - this book is for you!  Seriously, I highly highly recommend this book.  It is an easy read, not to heady and an application at the end of each chapter.  You won't be disappointed.  Pick it up!

Here is a sneak peak of the first chapter:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/sneak-peek-raising-boys-by-design-by-dr-gregory-l-jantz-and-michael-gurian/
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

101 Color and Sing Bible Stories

101 Color and Sing Bible Stories by Stephen Elkins is a great resource for parents and Sunday School Teachers.  It has great stories from the whole Bible.  Plus there are two CD's containing songs and a coloring page that goes along with that story.

If you don't have a lot of time or have little children then this is a great book for you.  I actually use it as a supplement and not as the main lesson, because I like to have a little more of the Bible Story in my lesson.  But if you have children under 2 this would be great, as it is basically an intro to the Bible.  It also would work as a devotional for little ones too.  A Bible Story, Coloring Page, and a song.  What a perfect small time with God.

If you are looking for something simple, yet packed with a lot of good stuff - this is the Book for you. The stories are simple, one paragraph, the coloring pages are nice and not cheesy and the songs are easy to learn and sing along with. I believe, you won't be disappointed. 

Thank you Tyndale House Publishing for letting me review this.

Bible Stories For His Beautiful Princess

Bible Stories For His Beautiful Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd is a wonderful sweet book for the young girl in your life.  I have purchased other devotionals for my older daughters but hadn't found one I liked for my 5 year old.  She isn't a reader yet, so I wanted something with pictures and simple devotions.  I didn't want something that was "dumbed" down but a book that would help her develop the habit of reading her Bible, thinking about it and praying.  Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess does just this.

Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess has 37 great "stories", which is more than a lot of Bible story books do.  Each story has a key verse (either from that passage or one that pertains to it), the story, a Princess Prayer and Princess Jewel (a key take away point from that story).  It is simple, beautiful and such a great tool to help your young girl grow in God.

If you are looking for a wonderful devotional to get your 3 to 7 year old.  This is the one.  This would make a great gift for your daughter, granddaughter, niece or little friend. 

Plus there is a drawing for a huge pack of princess items - enter here  http://www.tyndale.com/blog/?p=6012

Thank you Tyndale Publishing for letting me review this book.

Knowing God by Name a Devotional

I previously posted a review on a Devotional I wasn't totally sold on, this one is so different.  I love it.  Knowing God by Name is a devotional that is packed full of scripture, spiritual insights and challenge. 

Knowing God by Name is written by A Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure.  Three ladies that love the Lord, study His Word and apply it to their lives.  You don't feel like they are preaching to you or talking down to you but bringing you along on a journey to discover who Jesus is.

There are 8 weeks divided into 6 sections or days.  I have been not worrying about the weeks or days, but just going through it day by day.  5 days of each week are Bible Study about a different name of God, where they are found and what can be applied to our lives.  The 6th day is called "Now it is your turn."  A chance to remember what was taught and study more and apply it more.

I am enjoying reading each of the 3 ladies, different perspectives as each day is written by someone else.  It is a well rounded book, doesn't lag and really was what I was looking for.  I believe they really sought the Lord on what to say.  It is a book that can be used once, put down for awhile and read it again.  It can be a devotional, like I am doing, or a Bible Study in a small group.  It would be a great Bible study and I might lead one, sometime.

I love learning about the Names of God, revealing His character.  If you have a chance to pick this up, don't hesitate it is well worth it.

Sweet and Simple Moments with God

The One Year - Sweet and Simple Moments with God Devotional by Kim Newlen is not really my style.  It is a little "fluffy" for my taste.  I think it is a good devotional, not theologically wrong - but I like to dive deeper into God's word.  I like to have scripture to read and deep insights to think on.  But despite my personal taste, I believe this would be a great gift for someone who needs some encouragement and simple pick me up each day.  In fact, I already have someone in mind to give it to.

This book is a daily devotional, with a scripture, some womanly insights on this scripture and a fun application.  For example on April 10th the theme is Do You Need Rest?  and the scripture is Matthew 11:28.  The fun application is "Treat yourself to a few restful moments today.  Curl up on the couch with a favorite warm beverage and read through the psalms." 

Even despite my negative personal review.  I do believe that it is a good simple devotional, that many women will truly enjoy.  If you want a simple, good devotional that will challenge and encourage you - this is the book for you.

Thank you to Tyndale for letting me review this book.

Firsthand

Firsthand by Ryan and Josh Shook is a must read.   If you are in ministry, lead a small group, a youth pastor or even a parent - this book is a great one to read.  Ryan and Josh, brothers, talk about how as Pastor's kids they grew up having a faith but when they went to college and crisis of their own happened, they realized that their faith wasn't firm.  How do you have firsthand faith?  Faith that is not your parents, teachers, or someone else's but your own.

"It doesn't matter how real your parents' faith is, or anyone else's for that matter, if you don't develop a faith of your own.  A handed-down faith that you've never owned for yourself doesn't give meaning to your life...Hand-me-down faith may work when things are going well, but when pressures and problems hit, what you thought you believed will crumble."   pg. 5

8 chapters, including:  Why Firsthand Matters, Sick of Secrets, Real Faith, Real Change, and First Hand Community, bring you through the process of having "hand-me-down" faith and turning it into "firsthand" faith.  Each chapter has some letters and responses from real people, a Think About It, and a Might Try This section to help you apply what has been taught to your own life and pass it on to others.

As a pastor and a mom, I want my children to have a strong belief in Jesus Christ but I don't want it just to be something they put on because of me.  I want them to have a firsthand faith, a faith that withstand the test of time, trials and anything that this world gives to them.