Because He Lives

Because He Lives
by Jennifer Flanders

Just in time for Easter, a new book enters the scene, set to prepare hearts and minds for the Easter season.  In her devotional journal, Jennifer Flanders has designed a unique experience to guide readers through the life of Christ in order to better explore what Jesus gave in his sacrifice on the Cross. Beginning with a study of the prophecies foretelling his birth, walking through His birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection, this is a book filled with opportunity to learn, grow and reflect. 

This book has options for all readers.  There are blank pages for journaling, drawing or whatever you choose.  There are plenty of black and white historic images scattered througout to enhance the thoughts as well as offere those who enjoy coloring the chance to do so.  Every page is scripture based and offers the chance to incorporate a Bible study into the experience, whether by simply reading the verse, taking time to reflect and journal about it, or dive deeper into it.

The artwork in the book is pretty, but not exactly my taste.  I would have liked to see some pages with just plain design work, not necessarily a person or scene.  The images with people are very religious feeling, what I would equate to old texts, which does make it feel a little dated.  Change up some of the pictures and I would love it even more.

I have enjoyed exploring this journal and beginning to use it in preparation for Easter.  With 15 main sections, each with many pages, there is a lot to do and this could be a resource that could be used from Christmas forward to Easter.  I have enjoyed coloring some of the pictures, done some hand lettering in open spaces, done a bit of journaling, some scripture study and sometimes just left the page untouched aside from my eyes.  I love that there are so many options within the pages of this book.  It is not just a journal, or just a coloring book, but a variety book, and therefore more widely marketable.

I can see this being a useful tool for study groups as well as individual use.  I've even had some fun allowing my children to help me fill some of the spaces.  I find this book well done!

You can find a copy of this book here

* I was provided a complimentary copy of this book through Book Crash in exchange for my review.

30 Days to Understanding the Bible Review and Giveaway

30 Days to Understanding the Bible

by Max Anders

The thirtieth anniversary release of this book has hit bookshelves and continues to offer readers a wealth of learning and information.  A simple-to-use guide, anyone can pick up this book and quickly and easily learn key information to the Bible in 15 minutes or less each day.  Written by a veteran pastor and author of over 25 books, this bestseller of his has been a recommended book for Bible Teachers and pastors for years already.

Until I had the opportunity to review this book, I had no idea it existed, but I wish I had!  Between the very simple covers are a world of helpful information.  Whether the reader is a new Christian or has been a believer for over 30 years, this is a resource every Christian should own and read.

Each chapter is short and written in easy to understand language - no big words or scholarly ideas.  Designed to be a 30 day read, in 15 minutes or less, a chapter can be read.  Each chapter has a main idea with a break down of information, memorization tips, reviews throughout the chapter and loads of explanation to make the information click.  Broken down into 7 sections, each section then covers vital pieces to help the reader grasp the information.  For example, section one covers the Old Testament, so the 14 chapters contained within cover only Old Testament ideas and key pieces to the Bible, such as the structure of the Bible, geography, the main eras of the Old Testament and special books.  Other sections cover the New Testament, the Ten Great Doctrines, a nano summary, a section on how to master the Bible, a teaching plan and bonus chapters.

I found the information very easy to understand and learn.  With the repetition throughout and the opportunities to write in the book and practice, the information I would have previously found boring, like the main eras of the Old Testament, who they were about and where they took place, it now sticks in my brain and I can understand better and also answer questions I could not before, though I have read the bible through a couple of times and attended church my entire life.  This is information my fact-remembering, Christian-schooled husband knows without having to think that has always made me feel inferior.  Now I feel like I know things I should, and without hours of Bible class lectures and tests.

I have chosen to read the book a bit slower than each day, stretching the read past 30 days, re-reading the chapter a few times over to really absorb and learn the information.  There are so many options and possibilities as to how to use this book, that whether you do a straight 30 days or make it a weekly study, there is no way you can't learn something.

I highly recommend this book to all believers.  It is a key resource.  Even to those who think they know much about the Bible, there is much to still be learned and understood.  The writing style is easy to understand, the work load is light, the reading is pleasing and the results are fast.  A key resource to own and use!

Buy link: http://bit.ly/30DaystoUnderstandingtheBible

Promo video link:  https://youtu.be/6J8xqfbsGBM

Official website:  http://www.biblein30days.com

#Biblein30Days  #FlyBy

Giveaway

Thanks to FlyBy promotions, I have the opportunity to give a copy away to one of my readers.  Like or comment to enter, winner will be drawn at random on Monday, January 21st.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification."

Beloved Devotional and Giveaway

Beloved: 365 Devotions for Young Women

Written by Lindsay A. Franklin

If you are or have a young woman in your life, you area aware of the many pressures being faced by this age group today.  Its a broken world in which we live, and the influences affecting young people today are often scattered with poor options, poor role models, and false information.  It is so important for them to have safe, Godly people and resources to reach for.  Thankfully, companies like Zondervan continue to reach out with resources.  One of their latest, a devotional written just for young ladies, is a nice addition to the list of books available.

The "Beloved" devotional draws from Biblical women and their stories to help young women deepen their faith and grow in their relationship with Christ.  Women such as Ruth, Esther, Mary and Abigail appear in this book and help to cover topics such as inner beauty, friendship and other relationships, the future and more.  With 365 days, there is a devotion for each day of the year.  Each daily reading is accompanied by a scripture verse about a woman from the bible to whom readers can look to for inspiration and wisdom.  In addition to the scripture verse and devotional, there is a small area to journal.  This space offers 4 lines to write on, so it is not a big space, more a place to jot a thought or idea than to actually journal.

This devotional is definitely for the older end of young women.  There are very mature topic discussed, such as Tamar's story and the idea that there is healing after sexual trauma.  This is not a book for tweens.  However, for girls age 15 on, it has appropriate topics, encouragement, instruction and guidance from a Biblical viewpoint.  With a pink floral cover and embossing to make it shine, colorful edging on each page and a pink ribbon book mark, it is an attractive book that catches the eye. 

You can find a copy of this book here

Giveaway

You can win a copy of the book by commenting with your favorite Christmas song.  A winner will be drawn on Monday, November 26, 2018

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Ellie Claire Art Journals

I am so excited about the product I am currently reviewing.  I enjoy journaling, when I can squeeze in in, and have been trying the adult coloring books and even a little of the hand lettering on my own, So, when the opportunity came for me to be able to try the beautiful and amazing Art Journals from Ellie Claire, I jumped on it.

 I had not heard of Ellie Claire Journals before, but I was immediately impressed upon opening my box and very excited to dig in.

The "Illuminate Your Story" Journal

 This journal walks the user through the history of lettering and offers tutorials for each letter of the alphabet in a couple of different formats with room to practice.

 It also includes artistic elements often included in this historical art form.

 To add to the fun, there is a pocket at the back for keepsakes and a built in bookmark to keep your place as you go through the alphabet.

 The "Faith & Lettering" Journal

 This journal is all about taking time to hand letter verses and thoughts.  With practice pages to get the user started

 as well as blank pages intended for journaling however the writer chooses, artistically or otherwise.

 The "Illustrated Word" Journal

 This journal is created to be an illustrated Bible coloring journal.  There are blank pages for journaling, but also pages that can be colored, with the actual artwork displayed in full color.  It takes the adult coloring book to a new, spiritual and worshipful plane.

 These journals are sturdily constructed, and I love that they look aged and artful in themselves.  The covers are hard and thick, and the paper is a nice, quality, thick paper that does not bleed through, even with fountain style pens.

 The "Illuminate Your Story" and "Faith & Lettering" journals come with an elastic pen loop fixed to the binding for convenient storage of your chosen writing piece.  The instructions are very clear and easy to follow, with plenty of explanation for each technique, including historical background, examples and vivid images. 

Right now, my favorite by far is the "Faith & Lettering Journal".  I have loved diving into this journal, learning different styles of lettering and really finding the value in meditating on a verse as I spend the time working on each word one at a time, in an artful way.  Though not an artist by any fashion, I find I can make the words come alive and take meaning with some creativity and color.  Already, I have found myself putting two verses into memory from practicing and making my pen flow across the pages.

I have enjoyed digging into these journals and bragging about them to my friends.  They are a beautiful addition to the Bible study time at my house and have actually encouraged me to want to dig in more because they are so fun.  I am looking forward to filling them over the coming months.  I am also already planning to give them as gifts.

You can find these journals here:
Illuminate Your Story
Faith & Lettering
The Illustrated Word

* I received these journals for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

Forever With Jesus

Forever With Jesus
by Lee An Mancini
Illustrated by Dan Sharp

In Forever With Jesus, a group of fish children learn through spending time with their grandparents that Jesus loves them so much He died for their sins and has prepared a place for them in Heaven some day.  While visiting, they celebrate Grandma's birthday and have a family sleep over with cousins.  They learn during the visit that an older neighbor has passed away during the night, so they gather flowers and bring comfort to the family.  They talk about how there are no enemies or sadness in heaven, that it will be a happy place where they will forever be together with Jesus.

Illustrations are bright and cheery, the characters are inviting and friendly.  Through the use of familiar house items, the reader finds themselves in a fish house, doing regular things a family of people might do.  Hidden in the pictures are crosses that offer readers an opportunity to not only read the book but also search pages for hidden items.

I began reading this book not realizing that it introduced the death of a neighbor into the discussion about heaven and living with Jesus forever.  I should have screened the book before reading it to my children to be aware of that topic coming out.  We have discussed heaven and living forever with Jesus in our home with our children but having recently experienced the death of a friend who left children behind, our kids werent quite ready for that part of the book.  While it is important and part of life, I just wish I had been prepared for it, but that was on me, not the book.  Beyond that, it is a nice book to talk about heaven and living forever with Jesus, but I felt distracted by all of the other stuff going on in the book.  It was like there were a couple of different stories happening within the same story.  Probably not a book I will add to my shelves, it wasn't a hit with my crowd.

You can find this book here

* I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review as part of the Book Crash program.

It's a Jungle in Here

It's a Jungle in Here

Written and Illustrated by Kristie Wilde 

Another book in the Joyful Creation Series, this book follows suit and fits right in.  It is adorable in illustration, beautiful realistic images that are endearing and familiar.  The story leads the reader through the idea that God loves variety and talks about various different jungle creatures and the unique properties of those depicted, from size to color to camouflage.  Each page is simple in text and awash with illustration, drawing children in.  There is so much to look at on each page that the reader spends much longer than text requires.  

I loved the story for its content and simplicity as well as the beautiful images filling each page.  There was so much for me to talk about with my nature loving children.  We especially appreciated the index at the back with the name and picture of animals depicted in the story as well as a bit of information about them.  Also included are Bible verses supporting the creation story in relation to the animals.  

We enjoyed another of the Joyful Creation books and were glad to have the chance to review this one as well.  I recommend it for its fun and conversation opportunities as well as its beauty and simplicity.

You can find a copy of this book here

* I was provided a free copy of this book through the Book Crash program in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

The Star DVD Promotion

Each time a movie with Christian values and a Godly theme succeed in the big world of theater going movie consumers, I rejoice that the word of God is getting out there and maintain hope for the big world so riddled with pain and trouble.  Today, I rejoice in the success and new release of the movie "The Star" which was in theaters around Christmas.

 If you haven't seen "The Star" yet, you are missing out on a super cute re-telling of the Christmas story from a new and unique point of view.  My family had the opportunity to see it on Christmas Eve and enjoyed it thoroughly.  It is appropriate for even the littlest of children, with a rating of PG for some thematic elements,  but entertaining and engaging for the big ones and adults too!  A full length feature (86 minutes) with big name voice actors, such as Tracy Morgan, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Patricia Heaton and more, this film offers a whole lot of humor and a fresh perspective brings life the journey of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Christ in a brand new way.

Through the eyes of Bo, a spirited young donkey who finds plenty of ways to get into mischief with his friends, the Christmas story unfolds.  Along Bo's journey from stubborn will to a realization of the bigger picture, viewers see the story unfolding through the eyes of animals who take on funny characteristics and do silly things that keep children giggling.  Familiar and new songs run through the story and add content to the story. 

My children have been asking since viewing the move in theater when we can buy a copy so we can watch it again, so I am very excited about the release of the movie and am set to buy my copy this week!

The Facebook page has so much more information.  A live guided Bible Study is available simply by clicking on the post (link).  This takes you to messenger, where, when you give access, it opens up a chat box where you are given prompts to interact and receive video lessons over a few weeks.  This Bible Study is engaging and interactive, fun and a neat way to participate.

Additionally, there is tons of fun to be found on "The Star" disc/digital file itself.  At the website below, you will find information and promotional goodies like sneak peeks, release information, crafts and recipes, coloring and activity sheets, music and more.  You will also find details on the video bonus features, which includes sing along videos from Mariah Carey, Fifth Harmony, Kelsea Ballerini, A Great Big World and Kirk Franklin.  Additionally, there is a  "Faith All Year Round Children's Sermon" with Devon Franklin, which discusses the themes of the film and how to keep that spirit alive all year round.  Also among the bonus features is a recipe, a craft and a chance to meet the All-Star cast.

Website: http://sites.sonypictures.com/thestar/discanddigital/?hs308=TSR084D

#TheStarMovie
#FlyBy