Where Has The Time Gone?

I looked at my blog today and was shocked to see that my last post was on September 17th! We have been happily busy over here in the "No Idle Bread" household and I must say that God is good. Here is a bit of an update . . .



My children have been working diligently at their school work and chores around the house. They are really reading everything they get their hands on! LOL I usually try to read a few chapters ahead of them if it's a book I even read yet. But I can barely stay ahead of them! According to the kids, they are having fun and I am blessed by that. Here are some books we've been reading. . .

 

 

 

 

 

My little baby boy is a few days shy of 10 months old and WOW has time flown by! He is trying so desperately to walk. My 3 older children didn't walk until after their 1st birthdays, and none of them crawled. This little guy, on the other hand, is crawling EVERYWHERE, pulling up on EVERYTHING and is even climbing the stairs!!! He definitely keeps me on my toes. :o)

The weather has changed and fall is certainly in the air. I've decorated my home for the season--I love fall! It is my favorite season--pumpkin spice, candles, apples, baking, orange/red leaves, my favorite tea. . .just a few things I usually enjoy about this season. Some things I haven't yet delved into like I've wanted (such as baking and apple picking), but hopefully I will soon.



I've been crocheting a fall wrap to wear this year and I'm just about finished with it (see below). I also hope to soon crochet a few toys for my girls as Christmas presents (teacups, pastries, dolls, etc.).







My dear Husband is also doing well. Often us Moms talk alot about home and children, but hubby is special, too! ;o) He's been working so hard and I am encouraging him to take a vacation. I am so blessed to have a man who works hard to provide for his family. But, I have to remind him that God approves of rest when we need it, and that taking a break isn't being lazy. My sweetheart, he knows that and he's working on it! (LOL)



Well, I hope to have more to share in the coming days. . .





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Book Review: KJV Bride's Bible





The KJV Bride's Bible totes a very pretty, feminine, lacy pattern on the cover, similar to what you'd find on a wedding dress. (The photo above is much darker than the actual pattern. It's more of a beige/champagne print on white and reminds me of my grandmother's wall paper!) It comes in a gift box that reads, "God's Word for Your Wedding Day," and has several pages in the front to mark the bride's special day. There are lines to fill in with the wedding date, names of bride and groom, attendants and so forth. There are also pages where photographs can be attached.



This Bible is a standard King Jame's Version of the Bible, with the words of Christ in red. In the front there's the Table of Contents, as well as each book listed alphabetically. In the back of the Bible, there is a concordance, followed by 7 biblical maps. This Bible does not have a lot of bells and whistles, such as commentaries or time lines. It's plain and simple.



But, what is great about this Bible is it's size--it's about as big as my hand. It is small and compact and that is great for a mom carrying a purse, a diaper bag, and a baby into the church on Sunday morning! That is the main reason why I chose the Bible. I know that I can tuck it into my purse and take it anywhere with me. It is very lightweight and compared to my current "go-to-church" Bible, it's a feather. I love the convenience it offers because of its size.



The only thing I would change about it is the font size. It's pretty small and well, a larger font would be nice. At any rate, great choice if you're looking for a sweet gift for a bride or you want a smaller Bible to carry to church or Bible study.







Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the
publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review
bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>
: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in
Advertising.”

READ MORE - Book Review: KJV Bride's Bible

Book Review: Angels Are For Real by Judith Macnutt

I was intrigued by this book because of the subject matter: angels. In this book, the author seeks to affirm that angels are real and were created and appointed by God to carry out His purpose. She offers further clarification about angels on what they are like, what their duties are, and what types of angels exist.



Often times, people misunderstand angels and their purpose. There's a tendency to attach whimsical ideas to what angels are. . .you know, flying around with little halos or with a bow and arrow or with a magical wand. The author seeks to offer the reader a Biblical approach to understanding the angels and the truth of their existence.



I really appreciate the intent of this book and I think it is appropriate subject matter that Christians must understand. With that being said, I think the author offered too many personal and "eye-witness" accounts. I would have preferred that she give more thorough Biblical accounts and explanations concerning angels, given the already "fantasy-like" ideas many people in our society have of them. I do think that personal experiences are important and many of them valid, but I think greater credibility on this subject should be based on the Bible.



**I received a free copy of this book from
Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review. All the opinons expressed were my
own.**

READ MORE - Book Review: Angels Are For Real by Judith Macnutt

Book Review: Unashamed to Bear His Name by R. T. Kendall

Let me just say, I was sold on the title alone, for that is the way I seek to live my life--unashamed of my faith in Jesus Christ.



This author seeks to explain why believers should not mind bearing the stigma of being called a Christian. Often times in our society, Christians are mocked, accused of being "old-fashioned" and ridiculed for living our lives according to our faith in Jesus. This author says embrace the stigma. Welcome it, for suffering for Christ brings glory God. We can rest assured that someone is watching the ways we deal with the stigma, and that "someone" may be led to God through us.



As far as the writing style goes, I felt like the author's point was clearly made early on in the book, and that a good portion of the the book reiterated many of the same ideas. This isn't necessarily bad, but just something that I noticed. For example, the author delves into embracing more specific stigmas such as: being called a Christian, believing that hell is an actual place, the power of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus born of the virgin Mary.



In addition to embracing the stigma of Christianity, the author also branches off to discuss other topics such as the Jewish community accepting or rejecting Jesus as Messiah, the outward expressions of the Holy Spirit, and witnessing to others, including those practicing other faiths (Jews and Muslims).



Overall, this book was an interesting read. I found it refreshing to read a book that encourages us to not be ashamed of our faith in Jesus.



**I received a free copy of this book from
Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review. All the opinons expressed were my
own.**

READ MORE - Book Review: Unashamed to Bear His Name by R. T. Kendall

Book Review: Big Book of History

This review has been a LONG time coming, but finally it's here!!!

Click HERE to take a peek inside!

My children and I have thoroughly enjoyed using this book in our history lessons. This book is actually a timeline that folds out to the length of 15 feet!! Or, if it's not exactly convenient to have all 15 feet of its goodness open at one time, you can flip through it page by page.

This timeline incorporates biblical history, world events, inventions/technology, and civilizations/empires, showing that history unfolds as one big story. It begins with Creation and ends with the election of President Obama. The timeline is color coded, indicating Christian events versus secular. In addition to the timeline, there are charts, fun facts, maps and lots and lots of color pictures. Although my children and I have been piecing together a timeline of our own, this has been great as a reference to reinforce and review information.

Any time your child pulls out a "school" book to read it on their own, you know that it's definitely a keeper, and one I would recommend.

***Bonus: There's a Teacher's Guide available that offers activities and questions to help you utilize the Big Book of History with your children. Click HERE for a free download of the Teacher's Guide, or of course you can purchase a copy as well.***

READ MORE - Book Review: Big Book of History

Book Review: The World of Animals by Martin Walters & Jinny Johnson

My children have always enjoyed a good book about animals, reading through on their own and then sharing with me the things they've learned. This book is no exception. It is full of lots of colorful pictures and many facts about specific animals and animal groupings.



My daughter and I have used the book to supplement her science lesson. She is studying Life Sciences and we are working our way through animals that are of interest to her. This book came in handy as opposed to making another library trip or me pulling information from the Internet. When I asked my girls what they thought of the book, the both said they liked it and that they would like to look through it on their own. They told me that they "wish the words were bigger" and that "they should have alphabetized the animals; that would make it easier to find the one we want."



As a Christian mommy, the thing I love most about this book is that it begins this way: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. . . " (Genesis 1:1). The introductory pages teach that God is the Creator of all life and that He designed animals as part of His creation. It explains how God intricately designed animals as part of His purpose and His plan for creation. I think that is simply awesome to find this in a children's science book, Scriptural references and all.



In part, I agree with my daughters, it would be easier if the animals were presented in alphabetical order. However, since it isn't alphabetized, it gives my girls good practice with using an index! So, I think it works out well. :o)



 I received this book free from New Leaf
Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

READ MORE - Book Review: The World of Animals by Martin Walters & Jinny Johnson

Book Review: The Family Illustrated Bible, Designed by Sally Tagholm

The Family Illustrated Bible is a wonderful book to have on hand. My children and I have used it for morning devotion, as well as a supplement to our history lessons. My children have taken this Bible off on their own to read through some of the stories. It is beautifully illustrated with many drawings, sketches, and actual pictures.



Unlike other family or children's Bibles, this one has a very extensive spread of Old Testament and New Testament stories. Although it is not a complete Bible, it comes pretty close by comparison. I appreciate that because it allows my children to dig deeper into God's word, witnessing His faithfulness to other people from the bible besides those that they are most familiar with. For each story, the Scripture source is given, so the children know exactly where to find in their own Bibles. There are also charts, historical references, and even modern photographs throughout the book.



I would recommend this book to families with children of all ages. Even if your child is not old enough to read or to sit still through some of the longer stories, the pictures alone are worth your time. They will be sure to spark conversation!



I received this book free from New Leaf Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

READ MORE - Book Review: The Family Illustrated Bible, Designed by Sally Tagholm

Book Review: The Expanded Bible

I was pleased to get this Bible to review. I got it with my Husband in mind, because he wanted a different study Bible for his morning quiet time.



After reading through a few of my favorite passages, I must say that I like this Bible pretty well. The translation is based on a variation of the New Century Version of the Bible, making it easy to follow along. Since it is also a study Bible, there are many comments, notes, and references added for clarity. However, these notations are given within the text, rather than being compiled and listed below the text itself. At first I thought this would be a distraction from the reading, but it is quite the opposite. It is helpful not to have to "hold my place" while I fish through the notes below.



Another thing I enjoyed about the Expanded Bible is that it has an extensive introduction, so that the reader is able to understand the notations that are made throughout the text. It gives a clear example of each type of notation that is made, allowing the reader to become familiar with this style. There is also a subject index in the back that lists major events or topics of the Bible, and the Scriptural reference for them. Here is an example of a well-known passage of Scripture:

Psalm 23

 ¹ The Lord is my shepherd;

I have everything I need [will lack nothing].

² He lets me rest [makes me lie down] in green pastures.

He leads me to calm [quiet]water.

³ He gives me new strength [renews my soul].

He leads me on paths that are right [righteous; or straight]

       for the good [sake] of his name [reputation].

⁴ Even if I walk through a very dark valley [or the shadow of death],

I will not be afraid [fear no evil],

because you are with me.

Your rod and your shepherd's staff comfort me.



⁵ You prepare a meal [table] for me

in front [the presence] of my enemies.

You pour oil of blessing on my head [anoint my head with oil; oil was a means of refreshment in a hot, dry environment];

       you fill my cup to overflowing [make my cup overflow; a cup of blessing].

⁶ Surely your goodness and love [loyalty; mercy] will be with [pursue; follow] me

all my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord forever [for length of days].

*Italics are my own to show the difference between Biblical text and the notation.

There are just a few minor things that I did not care for in this Bible. There is no concordance in the back, which I am accustomed to using to look up passages of Scripture. This Bible also lacks time lines and maps, which I feel are important keys in gaining further insight and depth about the things of the Bible. However, I still would certainly recommend this Bible as an additional tool of reading and reference.



I received this book free from the publisher
through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. 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

READ MORE - Book Review: The Expanded Bible

Book Review: Heroes & Villains of the Bible, compiled by Tama Fortner

I just have to say, my children and I really like this book!



This book presents the Bible's heroes and its villains. It shows children that the biggest difference between a godly hero and a villain lies in the choices they made. And just like the people in the Bible, we face choices each day as well--will we follow God, even when it's difficult?



At the end of person's story, there is a small "lesson" for children to read. It helps them to apply the gist of the story to their own lives, showing them the ways they can live their lives for God. When reading this book, children will realize that true heroes are not perfect, but are those that choose to serve God.



Each person's story is an excerpt from the International Children's Bible, so that children are actually reading Bible text. Also, each story is very nicely illustrated. . .that is one of the first things my daughter said, "Mommy, I really like the pictures!" Although the pictures are beautiful, I wish they portrayed a bit more cultural diversity and accuracy.



My daughters and I have enjoyed reading about familiar heroes and villains, and also reading about those that aren't as familiar. We will continue to use this book during Bible devotions, history for school, and also for free reading time. Great book!



I received this book free from the publisher
through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. 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.

READ MORE - Book Review: Heroes & Villains of the Bible, compiled by Tama Fortner

Book Review: Hermie a Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado

This is of course a children's book about a caterpillar named Hermie. Hermie is a "believer" and he knows that God loves him. However, he wonders why God didn't make him special. The ladybug has spots, the ant is strong, and the snail has his very own portable house. But Hermie feels so ordinary. Throughout the story, God is there, faithfully reassuring Hermie that He loves him, and that He is not finished with him yet. . .



*********************************************



I must say that as soon as I received this book in the mail and opened the package, my children wanted to read it right away. The book is very beautifully illustrated and is written for what it calls a "level two reader, for children learning to read on their own." While my son fits this category best, my daughters (8yrs and 6yrs) wanted to read the book and they both enjoyed it. My oldest daughter was pleased because Hermie finds out why he is special.



As the mom, I enjoyed the way Hermie was unashamed of his faith in God. I also liked the way it showed Hermie's uncertainties, what he struggles with. So many times, the enemy would have us believe that we are the only ones facing a rough time, but that simply isn't true. It shows children that we all have "storms" in life and I like the way Hermie continues to cast his cares on God. Ultimately, the lesson learned in this story is that God loves each of us, just the way we are. If we continue to trust in Him and pay close attention, we will see the special gift God has given us. A great lesson for children to learn!



I received this book free from the publisher
through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. 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.

READ MORE - Book Review: Hermie a Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado

Book Review: 100 Read & Sing Devotions, 100 Bible Songs by Stephen Elkins

This is my family's second Bible book by this publisher/author. Needless to say, my kids LOVE it!



There are 100 short devotions for children. Each devotion has a corresponding hymn or Bible song (on 2 CD's) to reinforce the message of the devotion. Also, each devotion comes with a memory verse.



We are using this as a devotional before we get our school day started. However, instead of reading a new devotion each day, we take the idea of one devotion and spread through our school week. The devotions themselves are relatively short and I really want to make sure my children are grasping God's Word before we move on to the next topic. So, I post that devotion's memory verse up on the wall for my children to learn through out the week. One day we read the devotion, the next day we review the memory verse and listen to the corresponding song. On other days, we read Scripture passages that compliment the devotion. This just reinforces the main idea and helps it to stick, so to speak.



While this book does not delve into the Word of God as much as I'd hoped, it has been good to use as a guide for our daily devotional/Bible time. It's given me some structure on what we'll cover each day. My children also like the pictures and love to listen to the Bible songs. I would recommend this to use alone for daily family devotions with younger children (2-5yrs) or as a guide for family devotions for older children (6-9yrs). Either way, it's been a blessing to our family.



I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. 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.

READ MORE - Book Review: 100 Read & Sing Devotions, 100 Bible Songs by Stephen Elkins

Book Review: Love You More by Jennifer Grant

Love You More is a truly heart-warming, heart-felt detailing of a mother's story of adopting her daughter. I chose to read this book because my father adopted me as his own daughter. My adoption came by way of a simultaneous love story between the love my dad had for my mother and the compassion he had for me as his child. It wasn't through the more common process of adoption, with an agency, mounds of paperwork, in home visits and the like. That was the part I was curious about, along with the love and the bond that develops between the adoptive parents and the child.



In her book, Mrs. Grant details all the specifics, the highs and the lows. She talks about the importance of her faith in God during the process and how He placed in her heart the desire to adopt a child. She vividly recounts her mistakes, her victories, her insecurities, her passion, her fears, her hopes. . .quite simply, the love she has for her adopted daughter.





If there is any criticism at all for this book, it would be that the author's writing style is a bit jumpy. Although her story-telling generally starts from the beginning and goes to the end, she jumps around a lot in place and in time. She will abruptly flash back to her childhood to explain a thought, idea, or situation and then may flash forward to after the adoption has taken place. I believe it is just her way of telling her story, however it can be difficult to follow all of the tangents.





I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who is adopted, has adopted, or is considering adoption. What I learned from the book is that there is so much more to adoption than the notion that you want to help "make a difference" and "save at least one child" from heartache or poverty. It is so much more than that.



I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book
review blogger's program. 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.

READ MORE - Book Review: Love You More by Jennifer Grant

Book Review: There's No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe

Griffin Sharpe is the twelve-year old son of a minister. He has the God-given ability to notice everything about the people he meets, the places he's been, and the things he's seen, even down to the tiniest of details. Griffin is sure that God has a plan for him and he prays that he can use his talents for good.



Griffin hopes to do some good when his parents send him to England to visit his uncle for the entire summer. He's never met his uncle before and is excited to find out that he shares the same address as the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Could his uncle be the great Sherlock Holmes?



Griffin finds that his uncle, a small-time struggling detective, lives in the apartment below Sherlock Holmes. And to make matters worse, Griffin's uncle is less than pleased at his arrival. While trying to figure out how to make the best of the long summer ahead, Griffin happens upon a strange and mysterious case. Griffin's faith in God is unwavering, but his uncle is skeptical. Will the mysterious case bring the two of them together?

**********************************



This children's book is targeted for ages 9-12. My 8 year-old daughter and I both read this book and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a wholesome read for children who are ready to tackle a good novel. I was pleased with the story line and it was well-written. There's mystery and suspense, action and adventure, however the main character is unashamedly a Christian and is outspoken about his faith. That is encouraging to me, as a mom, to find interesting books that speak to my children about their faith in God. I thought it was a great book and would definitely recommend it.





I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. 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.

READ MORE - Book Review: There's No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe

Book Review: The Whole Bible Story by Dr. William H. Marty



The Whole Bible Story: Everything that Happens in the Bible in Plain English

  I was a bit leery of reading this book initially. I thought, "Why does the Bible need to be retold?" With so many translations of God's Word, I really didn't think it was necessary. What drew me in was part of the review on the back cover that states it is "A Bible story book for grown-ups." For some reason, that intrigued me, so I gave it a try.



In the table of contents, the author lists the Scriptural references for each story he retells. I think that is great, but could have been better placed within the text--just as a matter of convenience. Instead of turning back and forth to the table of contents, the reader would be able to see the Scriptural reference along with the text for easier comparison and study.



Upon reading this book, I must say that it is very easy to read, with very simple language use.  I also liked that it piqued my interest in things I had not noticed in the Bible before. In my mission to double check the author's accuracy in retelling the Bible, I picked up on interesting facts about people, places, and events. For example, I did not realize that part of the earth's flooding came from the oceans and seas being opened up, and not just from the rain from heaven. This book pointed out that fact. The Bible says:

"And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth.

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month,

on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up,

and the windows of heaven were opened." -Genesis 7:10-11

With that said, however, I did not like the author's inaccuracy of the sequence of events and historical facts. Not only is the Bible God's Word for our lives, but it also an amazing source of historical information and should be treated respectfully for both reasons. For example, the author states, "When Hagar gave birth to her son, Abraham named him Ishmael. Abraham was eighty" (p. 26). However, that is not completely correct. "Abraham" was still "Abram" at the time and the Bible says:

"So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.

Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram."

-Genesis 16:15-16.

For some, this may not be a deal-breaker. But for me, it is. Throughout the book, I found errors like this, and it just does not sit well with me.

Overall, I probably would not recommend this book. I do not think the author has any bad intentions whatsoever with retelling the story of the Bible. Honestly, I really do think he means well. However, we must be careful to be as accurate as possible when retelling any portion of the Bible, in whatever way we tell it. (Side note: this makes me rethink some of those colorful, children's story Bible's for my kiddos!)

The book was given to me by Bethany House in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

READ MORE - Book Review: The Whole Bible Story by Dr. William H. Marty

Book Review: When Sparrows Fall by Meg Mosley

This book was very interesting to read. I know that's a pretty vague description, but it was....interesting.



Meg Mosley tells the tale of Miranda Hanford, who is a widowed mother of 6 children, living in the country, back roads of Slades Creek, Georgia. She was wife to a controlling husband, and also belongs to a church with a controlling pastor. She is an extremely conservative, homeschooling mother, who is overly cautious and protective of her children. When her pastor, Mason Chandler, tells the congregation that it is God's will to relocate the church and its members to another state, Miranda is adamant about staying.



The problem, however, is that she feels threatened by what her pastor could do to her, because he knows her darkest secrets. She feels trapped. In her distress she has a terrible accident, and reaches out for help from her estranged, half-brother-in-law, Jack Hanford. Jack comes to her aid and assists with the children. His love and concern about Miranda and her children grows, but is it enough to protect her from the fear of her pastor?



************************************************



The story line is intriguing in many ways. For instance, I wanted to know how Miranda was managing 6 children by herself. I wanted to understand how she came to marry someone who wanted to control her. I wanted to find out why she believed the things she does, what her story is. And  of course I wanted to know why on earth she belongs to a church whose pastor is domineering. Many of these answers unfold at a steady pace. Others, however, are painfully slow in being revealed. The author does a great job of developing the characters, including all 6 of the children. I felt like I could see the characters in my mind and that I got to know them while reading this book.



What I'm not too fond of is the misperception this book may unintentionally give. It describes much about Miranda's conservative Christian views, her peculiar dress, her homeschooling practices, etc. While there is much reasoning given for her actions and even some changes in her behaviors, there are people who have such a negative view of conservative and/or homeschooling Christians. This might add fuel to the fire, so to speak. The other thing I was uncomfortable with was the love interest/relationship that develops between Miranda and Jack. There weren't really any inappropriate details given, however, I found it peculiar for a Miranda to fall in love with her brother-in-law.



At any rate, this book held my interest and I really wanted to know what happened in the end.



I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. All the opinions expressed were my own.

READ MORE - Book Review: When Sparrows Fall by Meg Mosley

Book Review: God's Wisdom for Mothers compiled by Jack Countryman



God's Wisdom for Mothers is a compilation of Scriptures on the topic of Wisdom. The Scriptures are categorized into areas that effect a mother's life. Some of the categories include The Crown of an Excellent Mother, God's Wisdom with Children, and God Walks with Mothers. All the Scriptures were taken from The New King Jame's version of the Bible.

My thoughts?

Well, for starters, I judged this book by its cover. . .my favorite color is purple and my favorite flowers are tulips. So, I selected this book, in part, because of its cover; its very pretty.

But, truth be told, I was slightly disappointed because I expecting more of a devotional type of book, something that would provide more of a study framework on wisdom. Instead, it simply lists Scripture after Scripture, with no explanations, stories, or insight. In that regard, I felt like this book was the same as me flipping to the back of my Bible and looking up "wisdom" in the concordance to find the same Scriptures that were complied into this book. It is not a bad book; it's just simply not what I expected.

So, if you are looking for a devotional, this may not be the book for you. However, if you are looking for a neat compilation of Scriptures on the subject of wisdom, then this is a great pick. I would recommend this as a gift book, maybe included in a gift basket for a baby shower or Mother's day. I would also recommend this as a nice accent for the coffee table or nightstand.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. 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.

READ MORE - Book Review: God's Wisdom for Mothers compiled by Jack Countryman

Book Review: Deeper into the Word by Keri Wyatt Kent

Deeper into the Word is a reflection of 100 words compiled from the New Testament. In this book, Keri Wyatt Kent attempts to give the reader a greater understanding of words the words she feels are most important in the New Testament scriptures. The author suggests that this book should be used, in conjunction with the Bible, in one of 3 ways: 1) as a reference tool, 2) a study guide for word studies, or 3) as daily devotional. With each word, the author gives scriptural references, along with historical information on the context in which the word was used.



What I like about this book is the root word information the author gives, explaining what the Greek word is and the different ways it is used (i.e. verb, noun, adjective). Greek is a language I would like to learn, so this was of interest to me. I also enjoyed the historical information the author gives, reminding us of the Biblical time and settings, who was involved and what was going at the time. She also ties in very relevant Old Testament scriptures and information to give the reader a better understanding of the word. Because of this, I would suggest using the book as a reference tool.



What I did not like about this book is that at times, some of the background information the author uses to help explain a word, is then left up to interpretation by the reader and may cause confusion. Take the word deacon, for example. She says that the Greek word for deacon (diakonos) is mostly translated as servant in the New Testament and this word was used to describe Phoebe in the Bible (Romans 16:1). She then poses questions, however, about whether or not Phoebe (as well as other women) may or may not have held the office of deacon in the early church. She does not give clear answers to the questions she poses and leaves room for debate and interpretation.



Overall, it is not a bad book. While I proably won't be using it regularly with my daily Bible study, it might come in handy for specific words of interest at some point.



**I received a free copy of this book from BethanyHouse in exchange for an honest review. All the opinons expressed were my own.**

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Book Review: The Beginning Reader's Bible



Illustrated by Marijke ten Cate

Compiled by Tama Fortner



The Beginning Reader's Bible is a great addition to our children's Bibles. It is wonderfully illustrated and contains stories from both the Old and New Testaments. It is written using actual Bible verses from the International Children's Bible translation, which makes it easier for children to read and understand. Under each story title is the book of the Bible that the story comes from, as well as the chapters and verses used. This is important because it encourages children to understand that these aren't simply stories, but actual passages of Scripture.



One of my favorite things about this Bible are the tools and resources it provides. In the back of the Bible, for example, are things like well-known passages, Scripture memory verses, songs, charts, the books of the Bible, and most importantly, a Prayer of Salvation. We also enjoyed a section found in each story called "Do God's Word." It offers a practical way for children to apply what they read in their lives. For example, my children and I read "Nehemiah and the Broken-Down Wall." This is the story where Jerusalem's walls had been destroyed and Nehemiah came to help rebuild. The "Do God's Word" portion of the story says:

"The wall of Jerusalem surrounded and protected God's people. Prayer does the same thing. When you talk to God, you are surrounded and protected. Ask your parents if you can build a fort out of pillows and cushions. When you're done, hide in the middle and thank God for His protection."

So we did just that . . .



We are thoroughly enjoying The Beginning Reader's Bible. One of my daughters chose to take it with her to church last Sunday and we've used it for morning devotions. If I had to make any suggestions, I would recommend a different title. I chose this Bible with my son in mind, who is literally a "beginning reader." Although the text is easy to understand, it is far beyond the "beginning reading" stage.



I was expecting it to be written so that he could read it independently. Now I understand that the intent was not necessarily for those who are beginning to read, but more specifically to those who are new to reading the Bible. That might be a little confusing to some (or maybe not; it could just be me!). Even so, I was very pleasantly surprised!





I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. 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.

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Book Review: God Loves Me More Than That by Dandi Daley Mackall

This wonderful little children's book is based on a passage of Scripture in Ephesians which says:

". . . And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

-Ephesians 3:17-19

In this book, a little boy spends his day pondering the wonder of God's love. He discovers the measure of God's love by comparing it to things in the world around him, from a child's point of view. For example, it reads, "How much love does God have for me? More than the letters between A and Z. More than the bumbles in a bumble bee. God loves me more than that!" By the end of the book, the boy has greater appreciation of the love God has for him.

My children (ages 3, 5, and 7) got a kick out of this book when we read it today. The pictures are detailed and eye-catching. The words grabbed their attention, flowing smoothly in rhyme. I asked my children if they enjoyed the book and I received a resounding "YES"! I thought it was great, too. What I liked was that my kids walked away with vivid imagery and tactile examples of how great God's love is for them.

Beautifully written and well illustrated, I would recommend this book for elementary-aged children and younger.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for this review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Book Review: An Amish Love by Wiseman, Fuller, & Long

An Amish Love is a collection of 3 novellas, by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long. Each love story takes place in the quiet, Amish town of Paradise.



In the first story, "A Marriage of the Heart," Abigail Kauffman lost her mother when she was a small girl and lives with her father. She dreams of escaping the lonely life she leads and devises a plan to do so. Joseph Lambert has just been accepted into this Amish community after years of being away. He feels blessed to be welcomed back. These two hastily find themselves united in matrimony. . .will they learn the key to love?



The second novella, "What the Heart Sees," gives us Ellie Chupp, a very determined young woman, who also happens to be blind. After losing her sight in an accident, she fears that her disability will prevent her from ever marrying. Her good friend's brother, Christopher Miller, comes back to Paradise after a tragedy causes him to stay away for 5 years. Ellie helps Chris on his way to healing and Chris begins to see Ellie in a whole new way. . .



In the last story, "Healing Hearts," Naaman and Levina Lapp have been married for 35 years. Once all their children have grown up and "left the nest," Naaman leaves too, on a journey to "find himself." After being away for almost a year, Naaman humbly returns home. Levina is forced to deal with learning to trust her husband. Will they find love all over again?

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Let me begin by saying that although I do enjoy Christian fiction, I've never read any Amish romance before--or any other Amish literature for that matter. The reading overall was pleasant enough and did pique my interest in finding out what would happen to each of the couples. I learned many things about the Amish way of life, as the authors are careful to explain certain attitudes and behaviors through out the book. Also included was a glossary of Amish words and phrases, along with study guide, in case the book is used for a small group or book club. As an extra bonus (at least it was to me!), there were a few recipes in the back of the book that were mentioned in the stories. (I'll be trying a few of the recipes and if they're good, I'll let you know!)



Because each of the novellas had the same setting, the authors took great pangs to let the reader know that each character knew each other or were connected in some way. It almost seemed forced and unnatural, distracting from the story. The other thing that I wasn't too fond of was the predictability of each story. Each tale told of someone who'd left the community, only to return at some point, for one reason or the other.



Overall, it was a pleasant set of stories, very modest in tone. If Amish romances are included in your repertoire of books, then I think you will enjoy this one.







I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program in exchange for a review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

READ MORE - Book Review: An Amish Love by Wiseman, Fuller, & Long