Joyful Momma's Guide to Quiet Times in Loud Households by Kimberly Eddy

If you have kids, you have a loud household. If you are like me with 4 kids ages 5-12 underfoot; you to probably find it hard to spend special time alone with the Lord. Maybe you want to make sure you are raising them up in the Lord; then this book is for you. Find out how to make the most of your devotional time and teach your children how to love that special time with the Savior as well.                                  
This book is filled with Godly advice from a woman who understands a mothers busy schedule. A wonderful presentation of scripture verses and personal examples along; as well as a wonderful list of resources to help you make the most of your devotional life.
On a personal note, this book challenged and encouraged me as a mother. I want nothing more than my children to have a wonderful personal relationship with my Lord, but find it hard to fit my own time into my exhausting day. As parents we lead by example, how can a child learn if they have nothing to follow. I gained a world of information from this book and have already made a change in my personal time with Jesus. To share a few: reading my bible during the day so my children can visually see that time to spend in His word, posting memory verses around the house and many more(I don't want to spoil the book).
Please pick up a copy of this book and read it(http://joyfulmomma.com/). Spend time with the Lord and pass on a Godly heritage to your children. Our relationship with the Lord sets the tone for our life as well as the life of the ones we love.
Check out the authors site above, and check out some of her other books like
Momma's guide to Thriving on One income(I am currently reading this) and Joyful Momma's Guide to Shopping and Cooking Frugally.
*This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.
  
   

As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur

If you have ever faced disappointments in life this book is a must read. This book includes a 13 week study guide; so it is ideal for a group study,although it can be used individually as well. Filled with scripture, personal experiences and Godly advice this book helps those who may now be experiencing disappointments in life or are still dealing with previous ones.

Although I was deeply encouraged by this book, I was also convicted. Like many I have experienced some devastating disappointments in my lifetime. This book helped me to look at the source of those problems and how I can deal with them in the way God wants me to as a child of God. Subject matter includes past regrets, facing the pain, a call to courage, and more.

Please take the time to read this wonderful book, you won't be disappointed.

Heaven is for Real for kids by Colton Burpo

If you need a picture book to help you talk to your kids about heaven, this is it. Heaven is for Real for kids is a children's picture book based on New York Times bestseller Heaven is for Real. It contains Colton Burpo's perspective of his trip to heaven and back.

This book contained a beautiful picture of what heaven looks like, what we may do there and about the King himself. The illustrations are beautiful and peaceful and each page includes a correlating bible verse.

My children really enjoyed reading this book, and my son commented "that makes me want to go there". What a great tool to introduce heaven to small children and alleviate any fears about heaven.

* This book was given to me by Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

ESP Character Training by Kim Doebler

Every parent wants to raise a child with character. As a christian parent Godly character should be right up there on the top of our list for our children. ESP Character Training is a hands on resource to teach our children 9 main character traits. Using an explain, show and practice method this book gives you practical and easy methods and activities to teach each character. Each character chapter includes verses and ideas to teach these all important characters.

I absolutely loved this book. A book that actually gives you literal activities to teach these character traits; imagine that. There are numerous ideas throughout this book and they could easily be adapted to any age group. You don't have to be a parent to use this resource; this book would be idea for teachers, grandparents, Sunday school workers or any person working with children.

I only wish I would have had access to this resource years ago. We have already started using the ideas in the book to teach the first character. I think I might be learning something too, but don't tell my kids that.

My only question is, when is another book coming out to help me teach more Godly characters to my children?

*This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for my honest review. This book can be purchased at http://espcharactertraining.weebly.com/ . Also be sure to check out the link to the author's blog and you can contact her about coming to speak to your church or group about training your children in character.

Our Last Great Hope by Ronnie Floyd

Acts 1:8 "...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Mark 16:15 "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

How may times have you read these passages? So many it has become meaningless or mundane?

Floyd, an author and pastor has taken the words Great Commission to a whole new level. This book speaks to individuals as well as the church to our role and responsibility in the Great Commission. The author uses his own experiences, as well as biblical examples to awaken our desire in fulfilling God's plan for bringing people to Himself.

As a longtime christian, I have heard many sermons and read plenty of articles and books on soul-winning. This book is very direct, challenging and convicting. After reading this book, my desire for the Great Commission has changed (for the better). This book would make a great personal or group read. Very though provoking and soul searching questions can arise from such a read?

Christ's return grows nearer and so does heaven. There are so many who won't be going with us...the Great Commission...our last great hope.

*This book was sent to me by Book sneeze in exchange for my honest review.

The Victor by Marlayne Giron

BETRAYAL

LOVE

SACRIFICE

An allegory tale set in the days of knighthood, chivalry and adventure. The Victor retells the fall of Satan, God's love for mankind, sin entering the world, and Jesus' sacrifice for that sin. The use of characters such as the King, the prince, the adopted son, the betrothed, the seraphims,and the banished seraphims and followers; will draw you into this wonderful truth of God's undying love for his children.

I enjoyed this book, and found myself deeply enthralled into the life of the characters and what was happening to them. I could definitely compare this book to the biblical truth it conveyed and completely related to the characters who represented mankind.

I would strongly suggest getting the companion lesson plan to complement the book. It definitely gave me insight into the representation of each character and the themes throughout the book. The companion lesson plan would also be useful if you plan to use this in a school/homeschool, sunday school or book study environment.

I would caution adults not to use this with younger children; unless you plan to edit some of the content. Some of the fight passages can be kind of grossly detailed; as well as some inappropriate behavior from the evil characters.

Overall, a great allegorical look at sin, its effect on the lives of mankind and the wonderful sacrifice of our Lord and his eternal love.

Please go to www.thevictorbook.com to learn more.

*This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.

Desiring God DVD by John Piper

This was a very informative video that, as stated on the DVD cover, would be great for either individual study or small group/Sunday School class lesson. The speaker is very knowledgeable in Christian Hedonism and to his credit, was able to explain the concept in an understandable way. There was reference that this DVD was in response to a book also written by the speaker. While the book would have probably helped with the material, the notes and usage of the overhead in the video made the contents understandable and easy to follow. A great resource for personal christian living or group discussion.(reviewed by my husband)

*This DVD was sent to us by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for an honest review.