Take Fight! A Sisterchicks' Devotional

Take Flight!: A Sisterchicks' Devotional
by Robin Jones Gunn and Cindy Hannan

A devotional spin off of the popular Sisterchicks books, this book is easily read and enjoyed with or without knowledge of the series.  As a reader who has not read any of the Sisterchicks books, I was able to enjoy this devotional and to understand and appreciate it with no problem.

Broken into sections, this is a small devotional with 3-4 readings per section.  However, this creates a book easily used in a group study as well as personal, as it offers a quick dive into God's word through the witty writings of Gunn and Hannan.  Quick to read yet so full of fun, light yet thoughtful readings, this devotional is a perfect quick study.  Themed around the Sisterchicks, "a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you're being a brat.", each study contains quotes, insights from "Robin's Nest" and "Cindy's Perch", a bit of "Wit and Whimsy" in the form of a laugh or a smile, several scripture verses offering the reader opportunity to "Take a Closer Look" and a space to journal thoughts.

Well thought out and written, any woman will enjoy the journey through this devotional and gain insight and knowledge through the stories and scriptures.

You can find this book at Barnes and Noble or other booksellers nationwide.

I was provided a copy of this book to review through the Waterbrook Multnomah Blogging for Books program.  I was in no way compensated for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Thirty Days of Bible Study for Busy Mamas

Thirty Days of Bible Study for Busy Mamas: Colossians 3
by Pam Forster

As a mom in the middle of the toddler years, I relate to the title of busy mom.  Finding time for a shower alone, let alone time to read a book, is difficult to come by.  I had put aside the idea of an in-depth bible study on my own as something for the future.  Along came the opportunity to read this book, and my mind was changed.

Designed to be a quick 5 minute study, this book guides readers through the third chapter of the book of Colossians in a 30 day plan.  What seemed extreme to me at first - 30 days to read and study one chapter of the bible!? - soon became a welcome time alone.  Each of the 30 days has a focused set of verses, prompts.  With catch up days designed in the plan, which can also be used to dig deeper if one is caught up, there is tons of room for growth within this simple study.

The author is encouraging and draws the reader to fall into the Word, developing a deeper understanding of the reading while applying those words to life.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading and working through this study and would enjoy doing so again in a group setting. 

I highly recommend this book!

You can find a copy at Amazon.com or many other booksellers nationwide.

I was provided a copy of this book to review for free through the BookCrash program.  I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any way for this review.  All ideas expressed are my own.

Pray The Scriptures: A 40-Day Prayer Experience

Pray The Scriptures: A 40-Day Prayer Experience
by Kevin Johnson

Pray The Scriptures is a wonderful book to get life centered back on prayer and conversation with God.  Each chapter is centered around a scripture verse, which is broken down into segments, and the reader is guided through a reading of the scripture and given prompts to pray through each segment of the scripture.  Space is given for opportunity to write down the prayer if desired.

Intended to be a 40-day experience, this book is easily adapted for a weekly small group study.  This is a scripturally rooted resource for growth and development of a deeper prayer life.  Pray The Scriptures will lead the reader to a deeper understanding of the scriptures being read, making them more personal as one not only reads but ingests and soaks in the words.  Praying those promises and words back opens up new lines of conversation with God and provides a stepping stone for building a daily prayer life steeped in the Bible.

I really enjoyed exploring this book.  The idea of praying the scripture is very new to me, but I had heard so much about the concept that I was very intrigued.  I love having this resource to guide and get me started and feel prepared to step out and continue in praying the scripture with my daily readings.  I highly recommend this book!

Find it at Barnes and Noble or other booksellers nationwide.

I was provided a copy of this book for free to review by Bethany House Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated for this review.  All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

Freebies: May 17-June 21

I'm running WAY behind on posting my freebies - eek!  There have been some good ones over the past month :)

Entrepreneur magazine

Parenting and Parenting School Years magazines

Mrs. Cubbison's Free product coupon

Duncan Hines Frosting Creations

Boogie Wipes kit

Wholesome Sweetness sweetener sample pack

 Wafu Wasabi Edamame dressing sample from Swaggable

 Town and Country Magazine
Blooomberg Businesweek magazine
Free Entenman's product coupon

 Nature's Bounty bottle
Free Tai-Pei Asian Garden single serve product coupon

 Emergen-C sample kit from Smile.ly

 Wafu Japanese Vinaigrette sample from Swaggable
$5 McDonald's Arch Card from Klout

 Martha Stewart Living magazine
Better Homes and Gardens magazine
Tide Free & Gentle full size bottle for use and review through Expo's Tryology progam

 Family Fun magazine
Food Should Taste Good Multigrain chip sample
Fiber One Chocolate Chewy bar

 Betty Crocker Hershey's Cookies 'n' Crème cookie mix - full size
Bio True contact solution sample

 Parenting and Parenting School Years magazines
Mio Fit Berry Blast water enhancer

 Check out what I got for free on a recent shopping trip!: 4 free Langer's juice bottles, Red Gold tomatoes, 3 CVS body wash bottles, 2 Tai Pei Asian Garden products, Nivea lip product and a towel and wash cloth from JC Penney!!!

Coca Cola reusable tote bag and bottle koozie (from Coca Cola Share the Fiestahh contest)
$50 Bare Minerals gift card (from Diet Pepsi Love Every Sip contest)
Martha Stewart Living magazine
Free Wheat Thins coupon
Medjool Dates sample
Minties dog bone sample

Other freebies from the past month not pictured:
Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil sample
Full size dish soap (unlabeled) for use and review (through IPSOS I-Say Surveys)
10 Postage Stamps (Quad Reader's Club)
Desktop Engineer magazine
4 Free Langers Juice coupons
Dr. Scholl's for High Heels insoles (BzzAgent)

Prized!

Prized!  Your Journey as His Daughter

by Noelle Toscano

Geared toward teenage girls, this book is real and relatable, honest yet light and easy to read.  With 8 chapters, it is the perfect book to gift to a teen or young woman.  

Written as a memoir of sorts, by an author the same age as me, I found myself drawn in and soon wandering through my own childhood and teen years right along with the writer.  Each chapter is filled with insight, biblical references and positive and uplifting thoughts and inspiration for younger readers as they encounter stories that are relevant today.  Through the eyes of a woman in her 30's who has been brave enough to look back seriously at her teen years and the ever present need to be "prized", readers find a common place to connect and discover God's desire for his daughters, especially through the tumultuous teen years.

Even readers past the target age can find meaning and encouragement in reading this book.  A great reminder for moms of teen girls as they try to muddle through those years with grace as well as a fantastic guide for the teens themselves.  Prized! Is a wonderful presentation of Christ's love for us as his daughters and leads readers to consider themselves through His eyes, as treasured, beautifully made creations who are more deeply loved and desired than fathomable.  A highly recommended book for all teen and young women!

I received a copy of this book for free to review through the Book Crash program.  I was in no way compensated for this review nor was I required to write a positive review.  All thoughts are completely my own.

You can find this book at Barnes and Noble or other booksellers nationwide.

Freebies: May 11-17

The mailbox fun continues...

 

10 postage stamps from Quad Readers Club

FREE Nivea lip product coupon

3Nexcare Waterproof bandage sample

3 Lipton Natural tea bags

Parenting and Parenting School Years magazines
Entrepreneur magazine
Boogie Wipes samples
FREE Mrs. Cubison's product coupon
Natural Sweetener samples
12 Duncan Hines Frosting Creations packets

 Wafu Japanese Vinaigrette sample from Swaggable

Freebies: April 27 - May 10

Catching up...

Libman Microfiber Cleaning Pad and Ruffies trash bag sample

 Pull-Ups 2 pk and Schick Hydro razor

 Full pack of Pampers Baby Dry diapers from Expo for review and the game Sorry from an instant win game

 Desktop Engineering magazine, coupon for a FREE International Delight product, H&M onesie and Advil Allergy full size box from Smile.ly

6 boxes of cereal and a reusable shopping bag from Kashi, $25 Walgreens gift card and Suave Moroccan Infusion shampoo and conditioner samples

The Christian Alphabet

The Christian Alphabet: Teaching Children about Jesus, Prayer and the Bible

by Tracy Sands

As a Christian mom of two young children, this title appealed to me. When I received the book, I spent some time flipping through it and then again reading each page through before presenting it to my children. While I like the book, it took me some time to decide what my true opinion of this book is. I want to say I absolutely love it and that it is a book we will love to pieces in our home, I am not sure that is the case.

This book is filled with more than just the ABC's. Readers are led through the book by "Love, a dove from above". Each letter of the alphabet is presented with a picture, a promise in red, some discussion questions and thoughts, a Bible verse and a prayer. In the picture for each letter, ere are several smaller pictures for children to seek out, with each symbol explained in the back of the book. Illustrations for each letter are filled with symbols and images from the Christian faith. Hand drawn illustrations are colorful and filled with images.

I think my struggle to define my opinion of this book falls with the overwhelming amount of information in the book. It could be useful for a wide range of children, I suppose, from 2 to 12, but in that I struggle. Wi my little ones, there is so much above their heads, Nd as they grow, I foresee the book losing their interest as age will bring a deeper understanding, but a lesser desire for kid books. The true target audience age should be 7-10, but I fear by that age the book will have lost it's appeal as the alphabet has long been learned and may seem babyish.

Another area I struggled with the book was in the illustrations. They are very symbolic. For families in churches that rely on this, it is fantastic, but my children are seldom exposed to symbols of faith, being taught a more hands on active faith. This is neither right nor wrong, but can be daunting and overwhelming to families who are not familiar with symbols so heavily attached to faith.

Overall, I like the book for all of the content that encourages little ones to learn more about the Bible and ear faith while learning fundamental skills. I am all for young children and toddlers learning scripture - mine does, and I see no reason not to share this book with my children. I will just be doing so with the forethought to skip over certain parts that are less age appropriate and be prepared for questions that will likely arise.

You can find a copy at Barnes and Noble or other booksellers nationwide.

I was provided a free copy of this book through the Book Crash blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any way for my review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Freebies: April 20-26



Some fun freebies came to my mailbox this week! 

 

Bloomberg Businessweek and Family Fun Magazines and a coupon I won from The Entenman's sweepstakes for a free product ($4.49 value)

 A pouch for GoGo Squeez Applesauce from Swaggable

 Full size Ivory 2in1 soap from Influenster with coupons, A full size roll of Scott toilet paper with coupons and a coupon for a FREE Reeces Peanut Butter Cup candy that I won in an instant win game.

 A box from Johnsonville filled with goodies as part of their Johnson's Cajun Celebration

 And look what I got at the grocery store this week for FREE!

The Artist's Daughter

The Artist's Daughter

by Alexandra Kuykendall

 

I was blessed with the opportunity to read and review this new book for free through MOPS International.  I have truly enjoyed reading Alexandra's story and found it difficult to put down!

 

Alexandra's story is filled with adventure, heartbreak, struggle, and endurance.  In her story, there is something for every reader.  Beginning with her rambling childhood, meeting her father and facing a lifelong struggle for acceptance, to the present, the reader walks along Alexandra's side through her heartach and longing into the peace and grace God has provided her as a mother and successful writer and key piece of the MOPS International team.  Women of all stages will find ways to relate to her story and find encouragement and belonging. 

 

I found the chapters flowing so flawlessly and the story so engaging and easy to read that I struggled to put the book down at times.  This is truly an enjoyable book to read cover to cover and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to do so.  I am recommending this book to my mommy friends near and far - you will not be disappointed!

 

Find The Artist's Daughter at Barnes and Noble and other booksellers now!

Limitless: Devotions for a Ridiculously Good LIfe

 

Limitless: Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life
by Nick Vujicic

Yet another fantastic book written by the inspiring and encouraging Nick Vujicic.  This devotional is packed with 50 devotionals on the topics of hope, blessings, faith, passion, servanthood and so much more.  Each begins with a bible verse, contains a 2 page devotional with stories from Nick's life to offer encouragement and a Life application section to end in which Nick offers focus and ideas to apply what the reader has just absorbed.

I have thoroughly enjoyed each of Nick's books thus far, and was not disappointed when I opened this book.  Fantastic for a gift, it is also perfect for a little time of personal focus.  Full of positivity and real life that makes the reader consider who God is and how He cares for each of us and has a purpose that is different from any others, this is a fun devotional to read.  Straightforward, honest and down to earth yet entertaining and uplifting, it is an enjoyable read.

I highly recommend this book!

You can find a copy at Barnes and Noble .

I received a copy of this book for free to review through the WaterBrook Multnomah Blogging for Books program.  All thoughts expressed are my own, I was in no way compensated for my review or required to write a positive review.

Freebies: April 13-19

 Some fun freebies this week!

 

Children's Claritin Allergy from Smile.ly to try out and review and a Green Giant Multigrain Sweet Potato Chips sample

 A coupon for a FREE 8 oz Valspar paint sample and 3 bottles of got2b Powder Volumizer from BzzAgent to try and review

 4 Breathe Right Strips

 Entrepreneur magazine and a coupon for a FREE package of Oreos, which I won from an instant win game.

 And a sample of Folgers Fresh Breaks coffee

Freebies: April 6-12

 Coupon for Free Loreal Healthy Look Creme Color Hair Color ($8.99 value)

 Parenting School Years magazine, Fiber One Protein Caramel Nut bar

Kidz Bible audio mp3 cd, The Three Billy Goats Gruff book (Barefoot Books)

I also earned a $20 Amazon.com gift code from Harris Poll (survey company)!

Freebies: March 30- April 4

Lots of fun stuff in my mailbox this week!

 

Bloomberg Businessweek magazine, Gillette Fusion Proglide razor from Costco and G.U.M tongue brush and soft picks 40 pack.

 Atkins quick start kit with 3 bars and a coupon for a FREE box of General Mills cereal

 Gevalia Keurig cups

 Nexcare waterproof bandaids

 10 postage stamps from Quad Readers Club

 Excedrin 24 count, coupon for a FREE Twix candy bar and two $3 Pinecone Research checks for doing surveys.

Freebies: March 23-29

Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy 7 Day sample set

 Nescafe Memento packets and Band Angels bandaids

 Family Fun and 4 Wheel & Off-Road magazines, $3 check from Pinecone Research for a completed survey.

 

Freebies: March 16-22

It has been a week of awesomeness coming out of my mailbox!

 Venus razor, Parenting magazine and Bloomberg Businessweek magazine

 Imagination Library book and a book to review for MOPS - The Artist's Daughter

 Nievea lotion sample and 7th Heaven Detox Mud face mask from Swaggable

 $3 Pinecone Research check for doing a survey and Dove Deep Moisture sample

 iPod Shuffle!!!  I won from an Oreo instant win game - yay!!!

 Entrepreneur and 4 Wheel & Off-Road magazines

 Free Nivea lip care product coupon, Fiber One Protein bar and a buy 1 get 1 free Gilette razor coupon

 Flower seeds, child safety latches and a full size Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix packet

3 Carmex lip balm tubes I won from the Carmex weekly giveaway :)