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The Good Book for Kids: A NetGalley Review

May 26, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

One thing I desire for my children is that they want to learn the word of God on their own. I pray for their souls to hunger for His truth. As children this often just looks like enjoyment from going to church on Sundays. As they grow older it is important they spend time studying God’s Word alone. My oldest two already do this as a part of their homeschool studies and I appreciate the habit it is building. I am always looking for solid resources and The Good Book for Kids is exactly the kind of tool they can use!

This engaging title invites pre-teens and older to dive deeply into the Word of God for themselves. Larger passages are assigned for reading, there is some thoughtful devotion, and then there are questions intended for the reader to use to seek more about what is in the Scripture. The theology is solid while the writing is geared toward the correct audience. It is not simplified down in anyway, but written in what I like to call kid-speak. The author does not attempt to emphasize theological terminology, but rather just teach what truth is in the Word.

My oldest daughter has begun using this and told me just how much she has enjoyed it. I love that it contains a sweeping overview of the Bible so she can see how it all relates together. In addition to getting into the text of the Word, the author also seeks to give historical and cultural context to the Bible. This is incredibly important as we learn more about the Word of God. We must know the full context of the words written centuries ago.

I highly recommend this title to anyone with a child who is ready to study the Word of God more deeply.

Disclaimer: I received this title from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Light Up New York: A BookLook Blogger Review

May 24, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

We were delighted to have the chance to read Light Up New York, the next in the Glimmer Girls series by Natalie Grant! My middle daughter, Beth, is 9 and absolutely loves these books. They are a sweet, modern fiction series that points girls to Christ through their adventures.

The premise is about three sisters who travel around the world with their singer mother. It is modeled after Natalie Grant’s own family which is sweet. I know it is easiest to write what you know and she does this in a lovely way! They also have a nanny who is fun-loving and a little wacky.

I really like this series because so many of the books written for young girls these days focus on girl-power or getting back at someone. My girls see enough of that in real life without needing to read about it! I want my girls to engage with books which will lift up their spirits and encourage them. At the very least I do not want them to contradict the values we are teaching from God’s Word. This series does even more by continually pointing them back to Scripture and their parents to know how to deal with problems.

Here is what Beth has to say:

I like that it is a mystery and that it has three girls in it. I like that because there are three girls in our family. It was easy to read and fun. I would let my cousin read it because it has a mystery in it.

If you have girls ages 8-12 who are looking for fun chapter books, this is a great option for them!

Disclaimer: I received this title through BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Beautiful Word Devotional: A BookLook Blogger Review

May 24, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

Because of the grace and creativity of our Creator we can express our faith in a variety of ways. Not everyone enjoys writing. While it is encouraged to take notes during sermons, Bible studies, and personal quiet times, not everyone retains information that way the best. I encourage my daughters to use their church journals to write or draw pictures based on the sermon their daddy is preaching. They love this and I love seeing what they draw! There are times when their illustrations bear great insights for ones their age. The Beautiful Word Devotional is one way to help you creatively express while studying God’s Word.

I’m not personally into the drawing-inside-of-your-Bible craze. I’m somewhat artistic, but this has never appealed to me. Drawing what I’m learning in my faith, however, is appealing in many regards. It is a different way to engage with the Holy Spirit and if we believe all creativity comes from God, then this is a lovely way to express oneself.

This particular devotional correlates with a Bible by the same title. Just as with the Bible there is room for journaling or drawing on the sides of each page. I really like this option. The devotions are short and simple, focusing on one or two verses at a time. This is not what I would use for my only source for time with God, but on the days when I’m rushed or unable to spend my normal time this is an excellent option.

While I don’t draw in my Bible, the idea of artistically showing what God is teaching me is a fresh thought. So often we read through Scripture hurriedly. Using a devotion like this can be beneficial to force us to slow down and really ponder what we are reading.

As with many devotions, I would like there to be options for further reading. While I definitely see value in focusing on a short passage for the devotion, I like when I have handy references to see what else the Word has to say on the same topic.

Disclaimer: I received this title through BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Captain Absolutely from Focus on the Family: A TOS Crew Review

May 17, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

We are Adventures in Odyssey super-fans! I began listening to this wonderful series when I was a kid with my dad in the afternoons. When we got married I introduced my husband to the series and we began to collect the CD sets. Now our kids are huge fans and we listen to 2 or 3 episodes every day and often at night at bedtime. One of our absolute favorite characters is Wooton Bassett. He is both a mailman and comic book author. One of his main series is Captain Absolutely who defends truth, justice, and lots more truth! When I told the girls we were going to be reviewing an actual Captain Absolutely comic from Focus On The Family there were cheers and dancing all around! When this amazing comic arrived in the mail we had to make a plan as to who would read it first. Beth ended up with the privilege, but her sisters were looking over her shoulder! The comic itself is incredibly high quality. The sturdy cover and pages will enable your kids to read this over and over, which I think they will be doing because mine have! The combination of humor, adventure, and just plain fun make this already a well-read book in our house!

We have a few comics, but the girls pretty much stay to very mild ones, not action and adventure and definitely not super heroes. We are extremely cautious with what they view and read. So many modern comics have scantily clad characters and messages we don’t want our kids to absorb yet. This is a spectacular alternative to those! The illustrations are stunning and completely appropriate in every way. The bad guys do attack and have evil powers, but it is done in a very mild and as non-violently as possible in a super hero story. The story of how Captain Absolutely came to be is also included and I like the science-type way he gained his super abilities, but I won’t tell you how because I don’t want to spoil it!

All that being said, there is one thing which stands above the rest in this comic and that is the biblical world-view. It is not presented in a cheesy way, but just as part of who Captain Absolutely is. He is not perfect, but he always looks back to the Word of God for answers. What a wonderful lesson to teach my girls! Superhero stories are unrealistic, but the example of seeking the Scripture for answers and most importantly truth is exactly what I want my girls to learn. Anytime I can give them fictional heroes who emulate these values I’m totally on board. Here is what my girls had to say:
Rose (11): I loved that at the very end Wooton Bassett is in it. I also like that there are Bible verses in it. Beth (9): I liked that it had Bible verses and that it points things out to you. It explains things in the story so you understand. Grace (7): I like that it is from Adventures in Odyssey and I like all the characters!Whether you are already an Adventures in Odyssey fan as we are or if this is the first you’ve heard of it, you will want to take a look at this new title. You won’t be disappointed! Take a look at what my Crewmates had to say!

The Secret Bridge from Lamplighter Publishing: A TOS Crew Review

May 1, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

I love classic literature. My favorite authors growing up were writers of the classics. Much of what I read would have been considered advanced compared to what my peers were reading. I loved reading the dialog of bygone eras and exploring the significantly more complex sentence structures. I strive to push my girls in this direction as well with their reading for school. While I also enjoy modern literature and jump at the opportunity to learn about new authors I continue to circle back to the classics. I was excited to have the opportunity to read The Secret Bridge by Amy Le Feuvre from Lamplighter Publishing. Our family has enjoyed many of the dramatized stories from this company, but have never read any of their books. Before we get to the actual story I just have to comment on the beauty of this amazing piece of literature! When we opened up the package my girls exclaimed over the cover, how it looked, how it felt, and the color. The embossed design on the front drew me into the story before even opening the pages. I know the old saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover…” but this is not an accurate description for this novel! By all means, judge the novel by its cover. You won’t be disappointed!

The Secret Bridge {Lamplighter Publishing Reviews}

For this review I chose to read the book because my oldest daughter is 11 and is not yet interested in novels which involve romance. I think girls who are interested in light romance and are preteens or older would enjoy this. While this is not a book which I would consider heavily romantic as such, it does center around a young married couple, so I doubted my daughter would find this interesting yet. I certainly did not mind taking this one on myself! We follow our heroine, Bridgett Channing, as she begins a new life journey. We meet her in the opening as she is first introduced to her future-groom on a voyage. She is grieving her father’s death and Godfrey Bullingham is a kind distraction for her. I found myself cheering for them both as the story unfolded.

The wonderful thing about this novel is although the love of these two characters is integral to the story-line, the central theme of the novel is Bridgett’s search for God. She initially states she does not believe in God, yet her quest for God is the central, driving force of the story. Watching a fictional character seek the Lord when she had no desire to do so when we meet her is a beautiful thing. The author does a beautiful job of creating a natural growth and progression for Bridgett. I get the sense she fully understands the journey of one genuinely seeking the Lord.

While I enjoyed watching the author artfully weave the love story in a tasteful way, something many modern romances lack, the skillful way she tells Bridgett’s love story with God is masterful. This author clearly desired to honor the Lord with her writing and did so in a way which challenges us to seek God more fully ourselves. One of my favorite classic authors had this same goal in mind when she wrote and I am thrilled to find another author who strives to honor the Lord with her writing. This will definitely be on a list for my daughter when she is a bit older! See what my Crewmates have to say!

No Easy Jesus: A Tyndlae Blog Network Review

April 28, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

I have a guest post review today! My husband was very excited to read and review No Easy Jesus by Jason Mitchell for Tyndale Blog Network. Here are his thoughts about this book.

As a pastor I am always looking for ways to help people in their walk with the Lord. I love to read books that will teach me something and encourage me in my pursuit of godliness. That is why I was excited about No Easy Jesus: How the Toughest Choices Lead to the Greatest Life.

Too often we are taught that when we begin a relationship with Jesus that our life will be better and that is true to some degree. But if by better we mean easy, then we are greatly mistaken. Life is full of tough choices and being a Christian can sometimes make those choices even harder.

Have you ever watched other Christians living fulfilled lives and think to yourself, “Why can’t I have what they have?” Sometimes we think that being fulfilled in the Christian life is only for a few elite Christians. The truth is Jesus wants you to live the greatest life possible.

One of the things I love about this book is the author’s openness and transparency. I felt I could relate to him. He talks about his struggles in life and how he has found that the secret to living the greatest life possible is a willingness to make the tough choices to follow Jesus each day. In the book, Jason Mitchell says, “It’s a clarion challenge to wake up each day and choose Jesus all over again; to make the tough, gritty choices that align your way with His and lead to true fullness of life. Because when you decided to follow Jesus, you didn’t sign up for what was easiest―you signed up for what was best.”

No Easy Jesus will challenge you to make the tough choices so that you can experience the best life possible. If you desire a deeper walk with Jesus than this book is a must read for you.

Disclaimer: I received this title in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review.

Drama Free: A Net Galley Book review

April 27, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

Drama…It seems like we can’t get away from it! There is drama in the news, drama in our neighborhoods, drama in our schools, drama in our churches…everywhere you turn, drama, drama, and more drama! Why is this? Why is everything around us extreme, over-the-top, and dramatic? I find social media to be a big culprit as is our me-first culture in general. I am personally annoyed by all the drama, but find I can easily succumb to the masses and dramatize my own insignificant life-situations. I don’t like it, but I do it just like everyone else.Drama Free by Cindi McMenamin is a biblical look at how to tame our own drama and how to deal with the drama around us.

I appreciate that the author gets right to the heart of things with Scripture from the start. She also helps point the reader to an understanding that when we are feeling overwhelmed by the emotions surrounding a situation the only place to begin is by going to God and His Word. In a world where we are told to drive out the drama with any number of distractions, confronting it head on with God’s help is a novel idea.

One of my favorite phrases came from chapter two where the author encourages us to trust God’s script for our lives. Here she says, “And that, my friend, is where peace is found: in accepting – and trusting – God’s script for our lives.” This is not advice given in most circles. Most of the time we are told it’s okay to dwell in the drama. We seek validity for our emotional upheavals without grace or peace. The reality for Christians should be very much the opposite. In the midst of the unexpected we should seek Him first, rely on His strength, and settle into His peace. We will still feel the emotions. They are not wrong to have, but they should not become the primary focus of our life and circumstance.

I highly recommend this book for women whether you find yourself in the midst of drama now, have ever experienced struggles, or think you might sometime in the future have difficulty struggling to cope. This is also a useful tool for those who are walking along with someone who is having a hard time with overwhelming emotions. The godly council given here is excellent.

Disclaimer: I was given this title through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Shepherd, Potter, Spy–and the Star Namer: A TOS Review Crew Review

April 4, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

Novels are always one of our favorite things to review! Rose in particular loves historical and biblical fiction. She was quite anxious to start reading Shepherd, Potter, Spy–and the Star Namer from Peggy Miracle Consolver – Author. Set during the time when Joshua led the Israelites to victory in Canaan, this novel has captured my daughters imagination. She has been reading 2 chapters a day and I keep catching her picking it up during other times! We love living history books and this fits beautifull right into that genre. While it is fictional, the historical information is abundant and extremely accurate. Don’t worry though, this is in no way a history text! The author has the ability to weave the historical facts surrounding her setting into the story so that it blends beautifully. So in addition to being a very enjoyable read, your children will be learning at the same time!

This is one of Rose’s favorite spots to read. Our Puppy Penny loves to cuddle with her while she reads on the beanbag chair! She had just started the book here. After reading the first couple of chapters she was already eager to read more. It is so important for authors to grab their audiences within the first few pages and she does this well!

I would say this would be ideal for middle grades on up through high school, and even adults if you enjoy this genre! It is not a book for a struggling reader. All three of my daughters are reading several grade levels ahead. Rose is reading on a 10th/11th grade level and finding resources for her which are age appropriate and still engaging her at a level that will meet her ability can often be a challenge. This beautifully written book is completely safe and perfect for her as a pre-teen. A wonderful study guide is also available to use! In it are videos, deeper historical information, maps, and more. This resource would allow this to be a wonderful unit study for your family or a co-op setting. I could go on and on about this novel, but I’d also like to let you hear from Rose and her perspective of what she liked.

“I like this book tells the side of the story of the Canaanites, not just the Hebrews. They are the main characters of the story. There are a lot of books which tells the side of the story of God’s people and it is good to read it from the Canaanites perspective. I also like all of the history in it. It is well researched and makes a better story if it sticks to the facts that are true. I know it is a fiction book, but I like the history.” Digging deeper into the history of God’s Word through literature is an amazing adventure! Here is a message from the author about why she chose to write this novel.

Peggy Consolver – Author from Four Rivers Media on Vimeo.

Don’t forget to check out what my Crewmates had to say!

Berenstain Bears Easter Fun Sticker and Activity Book: A BookLook Blogger Review

March 23, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

Grace loves anything about this sweet bear family! I grew up reading their books from the library and it is fun to see my daughters enjoying them too! The recently published Sticker & Activity book series has been a huge hit with her!

She loves the stories, mazes, stickers, games, and more! With Easter coming it was fun to have this new book for her to use. She often likes to use these when we have our afternoon quiet time after lunch.

She tried a few different ways to color the black and white pages. We found that crayons didn’t lay down very much color, markers tended to smudge before they dried, but standard colored pencils were a perfect fit for the glossy pages!

Grace’s favorite part of this book was the stickers. She did have some trouble pulling them off the initial page and tore a few, but she didn’t get upset by this! I believe she completed all of the sticker pages before anything else. She also enjoyed coloring once we found a good medium to use.

There are Easter egg baskets, but the focus in this book is celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ! It is really exciting to have such a sweet book series which helps my daughter focus on the reason we celebrate every spring. Some of the events which are highlighted are Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, the women at the tomb, and the resurrection. The bear family attends church together and celebrates Easter as a family.

I highly recommend this for early elementary or preschool children who are celebrating Easter!

The Jesus Storybook Bible : A BookLook Blogger Review

March 23, 2017 Grace-Filled Writer

I was very excited to receive this special edition of The Jesus Storybook Bible to review. I have known about this Bible for several years, but we had never had opportunity to own it. After hearing rave reviews I couldn’t wait to see it!

Grace is 7 and is almost at the age where Bible story books are too young for her, but I’m thankful she isn’t there yet! She enjoyed looking at the pictures which are very unique. My older two girls thought the illustrations looked funny. The reality is they are drawn in more of a rustic style rather than being cartoonish or realistic. I personally like this style and the unique hand-crafted feel it gives to the pages.

We used the Bible for our evening devotions for a few weeks. Grace enjoyed cuddling up in my lap and wanted to help read the story much of the time. She also asked to take this Bible to church with her on Sundays and she liked reading it during the service. She is still young enough that I do not mind if she read a Bible book during the service if she is not listening to her daddy preach.

Here is a quote for 7-year-old Grace:
The pictures are my favorite part!

What I really liked about this particular book was how every story told points back to Jesus. This is how we are already teaching our girls about the Scripture. It is so wonderful when we have resources which also reflect this point of view. It also presents Scripture as historical, which is not always the case. Some lesser known stories are also included which is nice as well.

Parents should be aware that there is a lot of embellishment to the stories compared to how they are written in Scripture. I see this as the author taking come creative license to add what someone might have thought or said. This seems to be an attempt to retell the story in a fresh way. For the most part I think it is well done but there are a few instances which seem to steer a little too far from the original intent in God’s Word. My older girls in particular have spent a lot of time studying the Old Testament for school so as I was reading through some of the early Genesis accounts they burst into laughter at the way it was portrayed. This did not exactly lend itself to good discussions about what we were reading afterwards.

I’m not saying this is a bad resource, but to be aware that there is some creative license with regard to how some of the stories are portrayed and you may want to consider this before using it with your children.

Disclaimer: I received this title from BookLook in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.