If you are looking for a devotional book to use with your small children, this could be what you've been looking for. 100 Read & Sing Devotions, created by Stephen Elkins, is filled with colorful child friendly illustrations and daily devotions which include a short scripture verse that you and your child can memorize, a prayer, and a brief devotional narrative. Each devotion is accompanied by a classic children's song which is included on the two CDs which come with the book and reinforces the Biblical truth of the day's devotional. The songs, performed by children, are easy to learn and will hide God's word in your child's heart. Your child will learn about creation, worship trusting God, Jesus' life and ministry, and more.
Nothing is more special than sharing your faith with your child. However, reading stories straight from your own Bible for them might be a bit frustrating for young ones to understand. The languuage used in this devotional is simple to understand yet does not compromise God's word. No devotion exceeds two pages in length, including the illustration, prayer, and scripture, so your little one doesn't lose interest. Use this book as a springboard for further discussion as you tell your child stories about how God has been real to you. "100 Devotions is an important way to establish a lifetime relationship with God." I would recommend this book for ages 3 - 8. It would also make a wonderful gift.
I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest opinion of the product.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Mercy Come Morning
Krista Mueller left her home in New Mexico years ago leaving behind a past love, Dane, and a mother who seemed to care little about her. She has a successful life as a college history professor in Colorado which she loves. However, when Krista's mother, who has suffered from Alzheimer's for over ten years nears the end of her life, she is called home for her final days. Here, Krista begins to discover who her mother really was through notes written in a book of Christmas carols used as a journal and letters hidden in storage. Krista also discovers that her feelings for Dane may not be as deeply buried as she once believed. Having felt neglected and unacceptable all these years, can Krista open her heart to her mother as well as accept the friendship Dane offers?
Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a story of healing and second chances. The present day story is interspersed with flashbacks of days in Krista's childhood, some with her loving grandparents and some with memories of her mother. Although a quick read, I do feel that anyone who is dealing with or has dealt with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia would enjoy this book. I could almost picture my own grandmother who suffered from the disease in Charlotte. The characters are well developed for the length and believable. The picture Ms. Bergman paints of Taos, New Mexico almost makes you feel as if you are visiting there yourself.
This book was received from Waterbrook Multnomah as a preview copy in exchange for my honest opinion about the book.
Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a story of healing and second chances. The present day story is interspersed with flashbacks of days in Krista's childhood, some with her loving grandparents and some with memories of her mother. Although a quick read, I do feel that anyone who is dealing with or has dealt with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia would enjoy this book. I could almost picture my own grandmother who suffered from the disease in Charlotte. The characters are well developed for the length and believable. The picture Ms. Bergman paints of Taos, New Mexico almost makes you feel as if you are visiting there yourself.
This book was received from Waterbrook Multnomah as a preview copy in exchange for my honest opinion about the book.
Monday, August 8, 2011
The Harvest of Grace
Sylvia Fisher undoubtedly loves Elam. But unlike most Amish women, she has her own ideas regarding what brings her happiness and she is uncertain that she can fit into the mold of being an Old Order Amish housewife. When Elam proposes, Sylvia hesitates a bit too long which leads to a terrible betrayal by him as well as by her closest sister, Beckie. That betrayal doesn't change the love and attraction she feels towards Elam. Hurt beyond words, Sylvia leaves her home and family to help another Amish family on their dairy farm. The farm owners., the Blands, are still grieving over the recent death of their daughter and are at the brink of losing their land.
Sylvia has helped the Blands heal emotionally and the farm is on the road to making a profit which will help pay off some of the loans. The Blands do have one surviving child, Aaron, who left home to get help with his alcohol addiction. When Aaron returns home, he comes with the news that he has made a downpayment on an Amish appliance store and wishes his parents to sell their failing farm and move with him in order to have an easier life. Can his father ever trust him again since he left without a word and his parents knew nothing of his addiction before he left? Will Sylvia stand in the way of his plans to sell the farm? Will either of them ever find the peace and forgiveness they long for?
The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall is the third in the Ada's House series, preceded by The Hope of Refuge and The Bridge of Peace. Although The Harvest of Grace begins the story of Sylvia and Aaron, the stories of the main characters from the two preceding novels are continued in this novel. As a reader new to this series, I was thankful that Ms. Woodsmall had written a brief synopsis of the two prior novels at the beginning of this installment and a glossary of characters at the end. Without those, I would have found it impossible to keep all the characters straight since there are multiple stories being told throughout the novel with all the charcters being intertwined through friendship.
I did enjoy this Amish fiction series but I do recommend reading them in order. Having read the third one first, I won't go back to read the other two because I already know the "rest of the story". As usual, Ms. Woodsmall does an excellent job of developing believable multi-faceted characters. The Harvest of Grace will be available on August 9, 2011 from your local christian bookstore, christianbooks.com (on August 23), and amazon.com.
Sylvia has helped the Blands heal emotionally and the farm is on the road to making a profit which will help pay off some of the loans. The Blands do have one surviving child, Aaron, who left home to get help with his alcohol addiction. When Aaron returns home, he comes with the news that he has made a downpayment on an Amish appliance store and wishes his parents to sell their failing farm and move with him in order to have an easier life. Can his father ever trust him again since he left without a word and his parents knew nothing of his addiction before he left? Will Sylvia stand in the way of his plans to sell the farm? Will either of them ever find the peace and forgiveness they long for?
The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall is the third in the Ada's House series, preceded by The Hope of Refuge and The Bridge of Peace. Although The Harvest of Grace begins the story of Sylvia and Aaron, the stories of the main characters from the two preceding novels are continued in this novel. As a reader new to this series, I was thankful that Ms. Woodsmall had written a brief synopsis of the two prior novels at the beginning of this installment and a glossary of characters at the end. Without those, I would have found it impossible to keep all the characters straight since there are multiple stories being told throughout the novel with all the charcters being intertwined through friendship.
I did enjoy this Amish fiction series but I do recommend reading them in order. Having read the third one first, I won't go back to read the other two because I already know the "rest of the story". As usual, Ms. Woodsmall does an excellent job of developing believable multi-faceted characters. The Harvest of Grace will be available on August 9, 2011 from your local christian bookstore, christianbooks.com (on August 23), and amazon.com.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Don't Check Your Brains At the Door
Do you ever wonder why you believe what you believe? Is it because your parents believed it? Your Sunday School teacher taught it to you? Your pastor told you it was true? If you can answer "yes" to any of those questions, this book might be what you're looking for. Josh McDowell, internationally known speaker and author of more than 130 books and Bob Hostetler, author and pastor, discuss 42 common myths pertaining to God, Jesus, the Bible, the resurrection, religion and Christianity,and life and happiness. Along with each myth, McDowell and Hostetler convey a real life example and then lead the reader to discover what the Bible has to say about the myth. At the close of each "chapter", a section entitled "Brain Food" is included which encourages the reader to dig into the Bible with short scripture texts and answer a question or two about what you have read. Each chapter is short, easy to read, and could very well be used as a devotion with older children and young teens.
When I ordered Don't Check Your Brains At The Door, I was anticipating a book similar to what this is but I did expect the book to address some of the more difficult and challenging questions I might get from my 16 and 18 year old. Way too many of my beliefs stem from what my parents taught me and now those are the types of questions my children are asking such as "Why does skin color or differences in faith or denomination matter when you choose your spouse?" or "Why should I dress up to go to church? Does God care what I wear?". Did I expect too much from one book? Perhaps. McDowell and Hostetler do address some very prevalent world opinions but I do feel that this book is best suited for children from the ages of 10 to 16, younger children if done alongside an adult. After reading, your child will have a better understanding of why they believe as they do and be able to defend his/her beliefs.
When I ordered Don't Check Your Brains At The Door, I was anticipating a book similar to what this is but I did expect the book to address some of the more difficult and challenging questions I might get from my 16 and 18 year old. Way too many of my beliefs stem from what my parents taught me and now those are the types of questions my children are asking such as "Why does skin color or differences in faith or denomination matter when you choose your spouse?" or "Why should I dress up to go to church? Does God care what I wear?". Did I expect too much from one book? Perhaps. McDowell and Hostetler do address some very prevalent world opinions but I do feel that this book is best suited for children from the ages of 10 to 16, younger children if done alongside an adult. After reading, your child will have a better understanding of why they believe as they do and be able to defend his/her beliefs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)