The Jesus Bible, NIV

I received a complimentary copy of The Jesus Bible, NIV from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest and objective review. I can honestly say, I love this Bible and so does my 10 year old son.

This Bible is designed for kids ages 9-12 and it is definitely designed well for that age range. It is hardcover Bible which is great for kids to carry around without ripping it. The design is simple but “cool” for a kids Bible.

It includes several great features to help kids see Jesus throughout the Bible. There are 365 devotions included, each with a short prayer at the end. Each book of the Bible begins with an introduction to the book which tells kids how Jesus can be found in that book.

There are also application notes called “Live Like Jesus” to help kids apply Biblical truths in their own lives. I also really like the “Hints of the Savior/Jesus Revealed” sections. This section highlights promises and prophesies made about Jesus in the Old Testament and tell you where they are fulfilled in the New Testament.

I would highly recommend this Bible but what do I know, I’m not a 9-12 year old kid. My son however had this to say about it. “Mom, when you finish reviewing that Bible, I’m going to read it from Genesis all the way to the very end”!! That statement tells me all I really need to know about it. If it encourages my son to read the word and gets him excited about it, that’s all that matters to me!!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Goodreads Value and a Free Book Sample

A while back I decided that I was going to start reading more books than I had before. A friend of mine invited me to join goodreads. I joined just to see what it was and I did like seeing what other people were reading.

Beyond that, I really didn't see much value in it. That is until a few months ago. One of the first books I read (and posted on goodreads) was Redeemed: Embracing a Transformed Life, by Kerry Clarensau. I posted a book review on the book here on the blog if you would like to go back and read it. This book is truly a life changer if you let it sink in!

I also had read and posted on goodreads Love Revealed: Experiencing God's Authentic Love and Secrets: Transforming Your Life and Marriage both by Kerry Clarensau as well. Secrets I have not finished reading yet, but Love Revealed and Redeemed were read and rated on the site.

A few months ago, I was contacted through goodreads by someone who works at MyHealthyChurch which is the publisher for those books. She said that she had noticed my interest in those books and offered to send me The Jesus-Hearted Woman by Jodi Detrick to read and review for free as an e-book. That was a great deal for me because I was planning on reading it anyway. After I finish, I will post a review here of that book as well. That was enough for me to be convinced that goodreads was worth the effort.

After the first of the year, this same contact at MyHealthyChurch emailed me again and asked me if I was the blogger she had talked with previously about posting a sample of Redeemed on my blog. I told her that I was not the person she had talked with, however, I would love to do that if she was looking for others too also! She said that was great and sent me a pdf of the first chapter of the book.

So, if you are wondering about Redeemed here is your chance to read a sample of it. This sample includes the Forward, Introduction, and Chapter 1. Click on the image below to view the book sample.

I had my doubts about the value of goodreads, but I'm convinced now, it's worth the few minutes it takes to add the books you are reading and leave some ratings. Enjoy this sample and if you would like to purchase the book to read the rest of it, the information to do so is at the bottom of my previous book review.

UPDATE: January 21, 2014 - This book is only $1.99 through February 2 as an eBook!!

You’ll Get Through This by Max Lucado

At some time or another in life, we all will reach a point where we just aren’t sure if we are going to survive. Hard times that last over a long period of time can make us feel as though life will never get any better and things will always be hard. If you are going through a hard time in life, You’ll Get Through This by Max Lucado is a must read.

This book is a combination of the life of Joseph and Lucado’s real life experiences. He takes you on a journey through the life of Joseph, from being born the favorite and having it made, to being thrown into a pit, to coming out of the pit to be sold into slavery, to being thrown in prison and ultimately as second in command over all of Egypt.

Lucado strives to encourage us that we will survive the storms in life. As I was reading this book I thought of several different people in my own life as well as my own situations. This book literally has something in it for everyone whether you are dealing with job loss, divorce, health issues, or the death of a loved one. You name it, he covered it.

There are a few things that I really liked about this book. Lucado used one person from the Bible to draw his illustrations from. He didn’t skip from one story to another. The other thing I really liked about that was it gave me a chance to seriously dive into Joseph’s life. I learned things about Joseph I had not known before and by the end of the book could relate my life in today’s world to his. All of this while being encouraged that no matter what I’m facing, with God, I will get through it!

Before I finished the book I wrote my thoughts on a specific chapter of the book: Waiting While God Works. Feel free to return to that post for a little more information on that specific chapter.

This is really a great read for anyone! Even if you aren’t in a low point in your life, you will take something away from this book. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255:“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Encouragement for Today by the Proverbs 31 Ministry Team

“Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Life features 100 daily readings that meet you where you are. Written by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team, authors Lysa TerKeurst, Renee Swope, Samantha Evilsizer, and more, share from the realities of everyday life – the highs and lows, the coffee spills, humorous stories, and tender moments.”

This quote is from the Proverbs 31 Ministries website regarding this book. This is such a true statement. Encouragement for Today is a great devotional book.

I love daily devotional books and here is why. I don’t have hours or even 30 minutes a day some days to sit down and read. I can find time to read a one or two page devotional though. While I do my best to fit in time to read the Word of God directly, devotionals sometimes focus my attention to one topic or issue and help me to search that out in the Word. I’m a bit scatterbrained at times so a little focus and a specific direction to think in helps me out!

I love the Proverbs 31 team and appreciate the work they do to help women grow in Christ!!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255:“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Downside Up by Tracey Mitchell

Rejection hits all of us at some point or another in life. I decided to read this book not expecting it to affect me much. I couldn’t really think of a time of outright rejection in my life. However, it became very clear, early on in this book that rejection takes on forms that we may not even think about. Just because a significant other hasn’t left you or your parents were always there for you, doesn’t mean you won’t feel the sting of rejection. “Downside Up” by Tracey Mitchell addresses rejection with a perspective of moving past it and using it to catapult you to the next level in life.

There are several practical aspects of this book that I love. Mitchell uses a quote at the beginning and several helpful sections at the end of each chapter. One great thing is a section called “Chapter Principles”. This is basically a summary of the main points of the chapter. Then there are “Words of Wisdom” which is an applicable Scripture reference and “Power Quote”. There is also a “Plan of Action” section which gives you a practical thing you can do to put into practice something relating to the chapter.

There are principles in this book that apply to everyone whether you feel rejected or not. Many sections of the book discuss fear, for example. We all have fears, and at times, those fears can affect our daily lives. So even if you don’t think that rejection affects you, you can still benefit from this book. The book is also full of stories of real people as well as Mitchell’s own life that show that there can be healing and wholeness on the other side of rejection.

If you need some encouragement and a little help looking at the glass as half full, pick up this book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255:“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Free Books!!

I stumbled across http://booksneeze.com/, a website that gives free Christian books to bloggers who are willing to read the books and write a book review. If you like to read and have a blog that meets their requirements, I highly recommend it.

You can choose between several books and can request e-book or hard copy. I requested a hard copy and received it within about a week. The requirements are that you have 90 days to read the book and post your review. Once you do, you can request another book.

I need to get off here and start reading!!

The Hiding Place

I have heard of Corrie Ten Boom throughout my life but had never read her story. I decided recently that I wanted to do that. The Hiding Place is the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family as they live their life doing what they believe is right. During World War II, Corrie and her family helped hide Jews from the Nazi’s in an attempt to help them escape the Nazi Concentration Camps. The Hiding Place is the story of this effort and what happened to them when they got caught by the Germans.

Two of the main characters in this book are Corrie Ten Boom and Betsie Ten Boom (Corrie’s sister). The relationship between Corrie and Betsie really intrigued me. While Corrie is the one we hear about the most, Betsie is the one who holds Corrie together and keeps her focused on the Lord and trusting in Him. Corrie tended to be the one to think through the logistics of how things were going to turn out while Betsie just trusted that God was going to handle everything.

Despite living through terrible conditions in Nazi Concentration Camps, Betsie continued to love others and forgive even those who did such horrible things to them. She showed a kind of love that most of us would not have the strength to. She saw even the German officers as people whom God created and loved.

This book was incredibly inspiring and completely worth the time to read. It makes me want to strive to be like Betsie in all situations. I highly recommend this book!

Redeemed!: Embracing a Transformed Life

Redeemed!: Embracing a Transformed Life

by Kerry Clarensau

In the past I have not been a huge reader so for me to sit down and read any book front to back is a huge deal! With Redeemed, it was easy! I highlighted and took away something from every single chapter even the one I didn't think would really apply to me. This book is full of encouragement and truth for every woman. It doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in, you need to read this book!

The end of each chapter includes a section of questions for group discussion if you are doing this as a group study. It also includes a daily reading, meditation, and prayer section for each chapter. This includes scripture, questions, and prayer starters for each day of the week relating to that chapter. I am truly excited about going back and doing these daily sections for each chapter.

After reading this book, I understand so much more about what it means to be redeemed as a lifestyle. What an amazing way to live life!!! Redemption is not a one-time experience but a daily blessing from the Lord as you walk through life side by side with your Redeemer!!

If you are interested in reading this book, you can get the Kindle version from Amazon.com. You can order the hardback book from myhealthychurch.com.