Book Review: Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado

Moms, if you're looking for a sweet present for your child that you can read at bedtime, grab this book.  I always buy my child a new book each year for their birthday.  I try to find a book that says how I'm feeling about them that year.  Needless to say, I'm going to have to buy another copy of this book!

Max Lucado talks about how God made us and we are very special to Him.  He then relates it to the relationship between the parent and the child.  He shows the child how a parent's love for their child grows daily.  He ends the book by telling the child that not only is our home a special place for us to live, but so is Heaven, which God created, as well.

I loved the illustrations in this book and thought that it was a beautiful book: both story-wise and illustrations.  Both of my children enjoyed reading this book with us.

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I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Hello, Hollywood by Janice Thompson

Girls, I have another recommendation for you!  You've got to read this book.  It has not only romance, but humor as well.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and found myself laughing out loud in certain parts.

28-year-old Athena Pappas is the main writer in one of the most popular television sitcom shows, Stars Collide.  Athena is able to be funny, but when the show hires another man, Stephen Cosse, to help write on the show, her job starts to feel a little unsafe.  You see, Stephen is a Vegas comedian....who might be slightly funnier than Athena because it comes a bit more naturally to him than it does to her.  Considering that these two are always focused on the little details, what will happen when these two start to feel attraction towards each other?  Just how far will they go to "script" our their love life?!  You can start to imagine how this might go! 

This is a book that is definitely worth reading.  I'm going to have to go and check out her first book in the series now.

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Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. 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: The Story of Noah's Ark: Storybook and Wall Clings

This book came just in time for us for our preschool Bible time.  We were studying about Noah's Ark and this book fit perfectly.  They book is very colorful and tells the story of Noah and the Ark and the animals.  I loved the wall clings because it gave something for my son to do while I read and then he was able to retell the story back to me. 

If you have a child in your life, this would make a wonderful present.  The wall clings are moveable and come off the wall easily and never makes a mark.  They fit back on the pages easily as well.  In fact, my son liked putting them back because it was like a puzzle to him...to make sure they were back where they came from!

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I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange or my honest opinion.

Book Review: The World-Tilting Gospel by Dan Phillips

What comes to your mind when I say one word: Christianity?  I'll be the first to admit that I'm not content with the Christianity of today.  A lot of compromise has gone on that goes against the Word of God.  Bible teachers are preaching in a way to make people more comfortable, watering down the word so that no one gets their feelings hurt or walks away from the church.  I love going to churches where the pastor shares the Word without abandon.  Let God do the talking...not a bunch of opinions. 

That's exactly why I like this book.  Dan compares the Christians of the first generation with those of today.  The Christians of the early church abandoned EVERYTHING to follow Christ.  They didn't let mockery or persecution stop them.  Why in the world were they more effective in teaching God's Word than us, who have the world at our fingertips when it comes to the internet and other "more effective" ways to reach the world?  But Phillips' book comes with a warning: Embrace a biblical worldview---and hang on tight.

I think all should read this book.  It's not comforting, but it was very interesting.  Christianity isn't about being comfortable or about taking a little of this and a little of that and forming a Christianity that we're comfortable with.  If you want the Gospel, you have to take the whole Gospel.  That's exactly what is seen throughout this book.  Very good book to read at this time when churches everywhere seem to be struggling with staying devoted to the truth of God and not the opinion of man.

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I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.

Refreshed

I had a wonderful past two days that I'll share more about later.  I'll sum it up by saying that I was with 2 wonderful friends and was so encouraged in my journey through motherhood.  I was forced to spend the entire day with nothing taking my attention away from my kids.  It was great!  I'm so thankful for the opportunity we had to go camping.  Like I said, I'll share more about that later, along with pictures.  This post is mostly to say that I feel refreshed.  I feel like my vision for my family and for my children is more clear.  I see the strengths and weaknesses of both my children AND myself more clearly.  I found out that I am apparently more patient than I thought I was.  We talked a lot about judgment from others (whether it's based on food, nursing, bottle feeding, etc.) when we really do want the best for our family and that mommy guilt others give when we leave our children to keep our marriages strong.  We were reminded how important it was for us to keep our husbands 2nd and our children 3rd.  We got to see God's beautiful creation and spend all day out in it playing with our kids.  I can't believe how much better I feel after having been cut off from the world for a few days.  It was REALLY nice!  I'd highly recommend all moms take a trip with their kids where it's you and them and no house to clean, no work to do, no phones or emails to answer to.  Refreshment.  That was just what my family needed.

Book Review: From the Garden to the City by John Dyer

"I'm attached to my phone."  "I spend way too much time on the computer."  "Just text me."  "Facebook me."  "Love my Ipod.  I have music at my fingertips all the time."  "My husband and I sit in the same room on the same couch and we IM each other."  I can honestly say that I've heard someone say one of these comments or I myself have been guilty of these thoughts.  For a while, I have thought a lot about technology and the fact that it is good and I like it.  However, with all of these new things coming out, I find myself adapting and becoming more reliant on technology.  At times, I get lost in blogs because I want to know more about these people who write them, whether they are my friends or blogs that I just enjoy reading or gathering information from.

John Dyer talks about how technology can affect our relationship with God.  He talks about how technology is great at making large groups of people do things that they probably wouldn't do as individuals.  He warns about social networking and how powerful it can be in our lives.  I think many of us can attest to that.  I mean, I (and many of my friends) have had to cut down on computer time because it was eating away into their productive time.  I know you've heard people say that they are addicted to Facebook.  Dyer brings awareness about how social networking changes our culture, whether good or bad.

I enjoyed the chapter where he discusses how God can operate both through and against technology if He so chooses.  It was a good reminder that technology can have the tendency to rob us of our precious time that God intended for us to use in a different way.  This sometimes happens without us knowing it.  He shares that the nature of technology is to transform.  Think about it.  That's usually a sales pitch..."it'll transform the way you spend your time."  "It'll make you more productive."  "It'll change your life."  The question is: How will we let it transform us?  Will we let it control us or will we control it?  What kind of limits do we need to set for ourselves?  When does technology become a problem?

I never thought about technology in relationship to the Bible and God before.  I enjoyed the correlations Dyer made and thought that it was very interesting.  If you want to understand this correlation more, check out this book.

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I received this book free rom Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Book Review: Thank You, God, for Loving Me by Max Lucado

This is a cute little board book that is perfect for small children.  I love the reminder that it gives to kids that we should be thankful to God for all He has done for us.  Max writes a rhyming story with Hermie gracing the pages throughout the book.  Not only does Hermie remind us to be thankful, but he also reminds us of all that God does for us, such as guiding us or helping us make the right decisions.

This book is perfect for any child, particularly a child that is between 0-2 years old.  My youngest child is 16 months old and she has carried this book around the house looking at it's bright colors.  It's short enough that she doesn't lose her attention in the book, either, and holds up well when it makes her way into her mouth.

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I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Fearless Swimmer

B is fearless when it comes to the water.  That's one reason that we're going to try to do swimming lessons this winter/spring.  I took his floats off one day in the pool and decided to try to let him swim on his own.  I thought that if he started to sink, then he'd be scared and wouldn't jump in without us.  Nope.  He didn't care!  He likes to put his face in the water and swim by breathing how you normally would when you're swimming.  He also likes to jump off anything...boats, diving boards, the side, a raft, truly anything.  I have one picture (if I can ever find it) of him hanging on to a basketball goal at Uncle M's house.  He likes to have Daddy T lift him up so he can hold on to it and then he falls into the pool when he lets go.  I love my fearless boy, but there are many times I wish he was fearful!  I have to work with him on having a healthy fear of certain things.  I love this little boy!

Book Review: Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan

Catharine Olsen leaves Holland to become a mail order bride to a man in Wyoming.  When she shows up, Peter Anderson is glad that she's there.  However, Catharine just might have forgotten to tell him one thing.  Oh, it's a small thing.  Only that her two sisters were coming along with her.  The perfect way to start a marriage!  Peter may be a bit frustrated, but he recovers quickly and is glad that she's all she seemed to be in her letters.  He's kind to her, patient, and truly seems to love her.  Just because Peter loves her as his wife doesn't mean that all of his family is thrilled that he's taken this route in finding a wife.  His mother certainly doesn't hide her feelings for Catharine and sets out to do all she can to ruin their marriage.  Catharine is terrified that with enough prying by her mother-in-law, some of Catharine's deepest secrets and a past that she'd rather have concealed. 

With several stories weaved throughout the main story, it makes for a wonderful book that is hard to put down.  It's a book that seems to draw you in from page 1.  I've never read anything by Maggie Brendan but I definitely plan to now.  I can't wait until the second book comes out in this series.  I'm sure it will be even better than this one!

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I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55

Book Review: Walk Strong, Look Up by Chantel Hobbs

So, what gets you through those tough runs or those long walks during your exercise time?  What thoughts circle your head?  For me, I use my run as a time to thank God for my health and His creation.  When I focus on the parts of my body that are working overtime, I try to thank Him for allowing me the opportunity to run when some people are so sick that they can't even get out of bed.  I use that time to simply thank Him for all I see while I run.  If I'm burdened over someone or something, I also use that time to lift that up to Him, as well.  If I'm running near the high school, I also remember to pray for my therapy clients and my children who will one day be at that age, as well as any kids I work with that I know are in school.

This book is combining exercise with God.  Too often, we separate these when in all honesty, exercise provides the perfect time to spend with God in conversation with Him.  Chantel Hobbs lays out a walking plan (for those who need somewhere to start), but also pairs it with things you are to meditate on each week.  It's a month long process with each day spelled out for you.  Packed in the pages are recipes, nutrition information and answers to some of the most asked questions.

Chantel Hobbs is a motivational speaker, a life coach, personal trainer, marathon runner, wife, and mother of four.  She's been featured on many magazines, television shows, and radio programs.  If you're looking for something to help change up your exercise routine, give it a try.  If you're looking at getting into exercise and have no idea where to start, start with this book.

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I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55