Three Hearts

Cissie Graham Lynch, Franklin Graham's daughter, has just begun an internship with a branch of Samaritan's Purse, Children's Heart Project.  Hundreds of children in Mongolia are awaiting medical help and will die without it.  In this film, three children are chosen to receive the surgeries they so desperately need and travel to the United States where they are welcomed into homes and receive the gift of life. Along with their medical needs, they each have a need for a Savior, having been raised Buddhist.  In some ways, their lives are saved in several ways, both medically and spiritually as the Gospel is shared with them repeatedly during their seven week stay in the states.

I must admit that, when this film first started, I was a bit disappointed.  My family looks forward to weekend movies together and this was our Saturday night choice.  However, that disappointment didn't last long at all.  Just like the children and their mothers wove their lives together with their host families, I felt drawn in and became part of their lives.  I could feel their mother's pain as they watched their children being wheeled into surgery, knowing the risks involved and that they may never see their child alive again.  I could feel the joy when one of them prayed to receive Christ as if it were someone I had known for years.  It was a wonderful reminder of the preciousness of live, the awesome privilege I have of growing up in a country that is Godly, and the need to reach out to those who doing have at their disposal the wealth of advantages I have living in the United.  States.  This film left me thankful and wanting to do more to save these children all over the world who need both physical and spiritual healing.

I receive this DVD free from the publisher and was not in any way obligated to share a positive review.

God Gave Us Love

In a sturdy board book, just the right size for toddlers, Grampa Bear shares God's love with Little Cub and how it is God's desire that we share His love with everyone even when we don't feel like it.  Grampa explains that showing love to others is like showing them just a little bit of God's love.  Grampa Bear is quick to add that nothing we can do can separate us from the love of God and then shares how much God loves us by sending His son.  Just like Little Bear is loved and oh so special to God, little ones who read this book will sense that same feeling of being loved and treasured by God.

The colorful simple watercolor illustrations by Laura J. Bryant are eye catching and add to the pleasure of the short story. While the board book will be a nice addition to any child's library, I do feel that the concepts of loving the unlovely and the different kinds of love spoken about in the book (Mom and Dad kind of love, loving the unlovely) may be a bit over the heads of those children who will be reading a board book.  However, the other side of me says that it is never too early to begin instilling these thoughts and concepts into our little one's heads. This book is also available in hardcover which may be the format I would choose due to the depth of the concepts as mentioned.  Having not read the other books in the series, I am going to find a way to do so.  Thank you, Lisa Bergren for providing God centered reading material for our children that allow them to begin to learn the nature of God.

The book was provided to me free for the purpose of an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to provide a positive review.

Unlocked

I have just read a book that brought about every emotion I have--laughter, tears, anger.....Holden Harris is locked inside the world of autism.  Every day is the same with the same routine which includes watching a movie of his childhood.  He hasn't touched or spoken to his parents since he was three.  However, his world begins to change when he responds to the music of his High School's production of Beauty and the Beast  starring his childhood friend, Ella whom he also hasn't seen since he was three years old.   Even locked in his own world, Ella understands Holden more than anyone has since he was diagnosed.  Does Ella hold the key of bringing a sense of "normalcy" to Holden's life?

Thank you, Karen Kingsbury, for yet another touching story.  I must say I have never read a Kingsbury book that I didn't love and Unlocked is no exception.  If you are a teacher or the parent of an autistic child, this is a must read. 

Sweeter Than Birdsong

Kate longs to flee from her parents, a mother who is difficult and controlling and a father who is prone to drunkeness.  Her path away takes her to Otterbein College where she is training to teach but is painfully shy and therefore has great difficulty speaking in front of an audiene which is a basis requirement for graduation.  However, her escape does not invoving marrying or as she puts it, going from one prison to another.  Her mother, however, has plans which differ from Kate's so she is determined not to wait around and allow her mother to ruin her life.

Ben Hanby is also a student at Otterbein and is known as a musical genius. When Ben hold auditions for his musicale, Kate sees the audition as an open door and a cover for her escape.  However, there is more to Ben than Kate realizes.  

Based on an authentic historical family from Westerville, Ohio, Sweeter Than Birdsong is a historical fiction book that brings in a number of elements from music to romance to historical events that shaped our nation.  While I do wish I had read the first book in the Saddler's Legacy series prior to reading this one, the story line was pretty easy to pick up on.  If you are a music lover or simply enjoy a historical romance, Ms. Elliott has written a thoughtful story about standing up for your beliefs and doing something about the injustices in the world, not just accepting them.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Then Sings My Soul: Book 3

Perhaps you have listened to and sung hymns your entire life.  They may even evoke some very pleasant memories of your childhood or days gone by.  But do you have any idea the story behind the authors and composers of those hymns? 

In the last of a series of three volumes, Robert Morgan shares with the reader the lives of those who wrote the songs that, for centuries, have graced our worship services and served to lift up and admonish worshipers of the living God.  Along with the story behind the song, a printing of the music is included. Unlike the previous volumes, book 3 opens with a roughly fifty page history of hymnody including Biblical,  ancient, medieval, German, English, and American hymns as well as more current contemporary praise and worship music.   I must admit, even having been in church my entire life, there were a number of songs I had never heard of.  Mr. Morgan closes this book with suggesting ways to use hymns in your own life and worship such as memorizing, praying, quoting, meditating, and starting each day with a hymn.  He challenges each of us to embrace some of the new songs and yet not allow the old hymns of our faith "fade away".

If you are a lover of church music, there is nothing not to love about this book.  I already owned book one and jumped at the opportunity to own this volume.  Even the pages are rugged at the edge which make it seem old and well-loved.  I have not doubt that, after you read this book, the words of your best-loved hymns such as Victory in Jesus, Grace Greater Than All Our Sin,  Shout to the Lord, He Touched Me, and In Christ Alone will mean more than ever before.  You may want to consider using this book as a devotional and uncover the treasure of one hymn a day.

I did receive this book from Thomas Nelson publishers in exchange for an honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review.

What a Son Needs From His Dad

Our children are imitators of everything they see and hear but especially of us as their parents.  A bit scary, huh?  It sure makes me wonder if I've passed on to my children everything they are going to need to serve the Lord the way they should during their teen and adult years.  The outside world longs to get ahold of our kids.  As a parent, we must be there for and with them in order to counteract what the world is telling them.  We must be intentional about entering into conversations and providing examples which will create the pattern for Godly lifestyles.  Our relationship with our children sets the stage for the relationships they will have with their own children and families.

Michael O'Donnell in What a Son Needs From His Dad encourages us to do just that. Among other topics, he delves into how to instill in your child the integrity, self-discipline and motivation to be successful in whatever career he chooses, learning how to enjoy life--both you and your child, and helping your child choose the right friends.  O'Donnell even helps out with huge task of sharing the birds and bees with your son.  Be aware that you may find some controversial thoughts in this chapter.

Along with each chapter, Mr. O'Donnell provides several questions which would make easy discussion starters for a group of fathers who are looking for a book study that will give them tools to be better dads or for the reader to help them think through the reading and apply it to their life.  While obviously written for dads, the principles laid out in this text are very applicable to both parents.  The book can easily be read in a day but I would encourage you to take time to digest each chapter.  While I think fathers of children ages 2 through 18 would benefit the most from reading this book, it is never too early of late to provide a Godly example of manhood to those you have influence on in your life.

I did receive this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Everything Romance

If ever there was a romance "handbook", this is it.  From scripture and prayers to short stories, poems, and quotes to recipes and trivia--this book has it all!   You'll even find inexpensive but meaningful date ideas. Whether you are married or dating, you'll find all sorts of ideas to show that special someone that you care.  And there is a wonderful index to find that idea you may have read about days ago but can't seem to find the page.  Written by David Bordon and Tom Winters, this book makes a great gift idea for Valentine's Day or any day you want to celebrate your love for one another.

This book is easy and fun to read.  One of my favorite date night ideas was trying to find the best cookies in town--going to all the local places that sell cookies and rating them trying to find your favorite.  What fun!  And you don't have to spend a fortune!  And, have you ever wondered what the top 100 most romantic movies were or what the guidelines are for romance in the digital age or how to make lip-smackin' spicy lime popcorn?  Look no further than this book.

I received this book from Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.