Knowing God by Name by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith and Mary Southerland

First let me say it is always more fun and interesting to read books by more than one author especially women. This was an 8 week 6 day devotional for women to get a more in depth study and relationship with a God. This book dives into who God is and how we as Christians can relate to him; thus invoking a more closer and personal relationship with the Father. Each devotional is based on one of God's names.  

Each devotion starts with an applicable verse, followed by devotional reading full of scripture ending with a prayer.  At first look I had the attitude of "another devotional about God we have the Bible and church isn't that enough". But this book gave me the opportunity that church doesn't allow...time to sit read and contemplate my relationship with my God. Each author took turns writing different devotions, so it was a refreshing and different insight every day. They were funny, real and encouraging. I appreciate their humor, candor and truth.

This book would be perfect for personal study or a group study.    

 

*This book was sent to me from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for my honest review.   

 

 

 



Seeking Christmas by Renee Robinson

 

I am all about family traditions; especially during Christmas. I wish I had been able to read this book before Christmas; but I will definitely incorporate all I have learned in Christmas 2014. This book is a short easy 41 page read. This is a series of family devotions and activities to bring you closer to each other and Jesus. This book is divided into 7 days(devotions) which could be used 7 days in row, 7 weeks or however your family wants to do it. Each devotion is divided into the following sections: Remember- section for adults to use to prompt discussion with child about favorite memories, Read-read aloud bible verses, Reflect-read aloud explanation and application of verse with questions, Research-read about history of holiday traditions, and Rejoice-activities for family to rejoice together in the Lord.
Don't forget to download and create corresponding ornaments at the website provided in the book.
Loved the simplicity yet structured layout of the book. Could be used for family members of all ages and could become a family tradition in and of itself.

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



My name is Erin:One girl's journey to discover who she is by Erin Davis

This book  part of the My name is Erin series is written by a teenager for your preteen or teenage girl. It is a small 76 page, easy to read book that includes pages to answer questions or write down thoughts.
This particular book answers the question why God made girls girls and boys boys, find out how to be a godly girl and what God's plan for women are.
I found this particulary interesting and necessary in a world where girls are saturated with feminism and equal roles. Although this has been a topic I have discussed with my own preteen daughter; this book just backed up everything I have been trying to tell her, and I think hearing it herself from another teen girl greatly impacted her.
Nothing is more disappointing for me , as a stay at home mother, to here girls all around me(church included), question why they are expected to be different from boys, why do we have to be discreet, chaste and so on.
If you have a preteen or teen daughter or know of one who may be asking questions of why God made them different; pick up this book and give it to them. Would make a wonderful individual gift or would be great to include in a bible study with teen girls.

*This book was sent to be by Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

The New Answers Book 4 by Ken Ham

Ken Ham never seems to disappoint me with his writing. My daughter(12 at the time) and I had the opportunity to read The Answers Book 1 a few years ago for her homeschool science and we loved it. Yet again Ken Ham has written a well constructed resource to answer questions on Creation/Evolution and the Bible.

This great book has 33 chapters with answers to over 30 different questions. If you have unanswered questions about creation/evolution, or if you have someone who is asking you the questions; this book through the use of the Bible can help you find those answers.

Full of scripture, scientific facts, charts, graphs, and pictures; what a great tool for any Christian to have. Learn why you believe what you do and be able to defend your faith.

This book has been a great addition to our homeschool science high school  curriculum. It has opened up many topics and questions within our family and helped me, as a parent, explain to my children our beliefs back up with the bible and science. I found chapter 6: Was Charles Darwin a Christian? to be the most interesting. I learned a lot I didn't know and realized some of the things I believed to be true weren't.

 

If you are a pastor, church worker, parent, teacher, student, or counselor; I would strongly encourage you to read this book and others in the series.     

 

*This book was sent to me my Master Books: A Division of New Leaf Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

All in 2 Night by Lynne Burgess

Need more time with your family? Everyone too busy to sit down to a good meal or just spend time talking? Everyone going their own ways with sports, music, work etc. This book is a perfect follow-up to Lynne's first book All in Night. It features 40 different outlines for an All in Night.
What is an all in night you may ask? I had the same question. The author developed All in Night when her family seemed to busy to stay connected to each other. They picked one night where they put aside for the family and did an activity of choice; basically a family night.
This is an old concept but the book gives you practical advice and ideas on how to do an All in Night and gives you over 40 different topics to include. The choice is up to your family what night and how many nights you choose to do it. You choose what activities to do. Each topic gives you ideas on how to discuss these Christian qualities, but it is up to you to decide how to present and implement these qualities based on your individual families.
There are a lot books on the market similar to this one; so for me it wasn't a stand out read. Although this book can be tailored to families of all ages; personally, I would recommend it for families with younger children.
If you are looking for ideas of Christian topics to teach your family and ways to bring everyone together; this book would be a good resource. But don't limit your self to the books topics. This All in Night ideas has  limitless potential; use it to your advantage.

*This book was sent to me by http://www.bookcrash.com/  in exchange for my honest review.

When Sorry Isn't Enough by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas

The book, When Sorry Isn’t Enough, definitely is a book to make you look at your approach to any relationship. Gary Chapman uses his research in The Five Languages of Apology to help define the different types of apologies that are given in five separate chapters. Each language chapter gives real life examples of the apology example from both of the authors and the end of the chapter will give example apology statements. There are also chapters about forgiveness, apologizing to self, and also a chapter titled “What If I Don’t Want to Apologize?”

 

Each chapter has a section at the end called “Talk About It” which can help the reader to personally reflect the content of the chapter. This little section could also be used in a little group study. The chapters were filled with impacting information, yet kept the attention of the reader. When Biblical references are used, both of the authors make sure all readers would be able to understand the context, even if someone was not aware the Bible story. The back of the book has examples of things to say when apologizing, and even things to NOT say when apologizing. There is even a little quiz at the end of the book so you can find out what type of language you apologize.

 

Because this book focuses on relationships between spouse, siblings, in-laws, parent-child relationships, friends, and co-workers, this book should be found in every home’s library.

 

*This book was sent to me by MP Newsroom in exchange for my honest review 

Chronicles of Dinosauria by Dave Woetzel

 

 

Did Dinosaurs actually live with man? Were they alive billions of years ago or thousands? What about all the legends about dragons and sea creatures, are they real? What does the Bible really say about these elusive creatures?

If you have ever asked yourself any of these questions then this book is something you definitely want to read. This 84 page book consist of 8 chapters: The creation and the dinosaurs, the flood and the dinosaurs, fossil evidence of dinosaurs and man, artistic evidence of dinosaurs and man, cryptozoology evidence of dinosaurs and man, biblical evidence of dinosaurs and man and apologetics and conclusion. Full of visual illustrations and historical and biblical evidence that man and dinosaurs existed together; this book is an archive of information and proof to discredit the evolution theory.

I think our favorite chapter was the artistic evidence of dinosaurs and man. I never really put it together before, but our worlds history is full of art related to these magnificent creatures....coincidence?...I think not. This book is considered juvenile fiction; my 4 children ages 7-13 enjoyed it immensely, the pictures were perfect for my boys who are completely visual and hands on learners and my daughter really enjoyed all the stories and legends. Even if you are not a child this book would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in dinosaurs. So teachers, parents, church leaders, scientists check this book out...you won't be disappointed.

 

Check out the book trailer http://youtu.be/uvPSQE6x4UA

 

*This book was sent to me by Master Books: New Leaf Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.