Book Review: Jesus Calling

I recently received the book " Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids" by Sarah Young.

Each day gives a scripture and also a suggestion of additional reading to do on your own that pertains to the daily devotion. These devotions are directed to the daily lives of the youth of today, and therefore easy for children to relate to. The encouraging words address such issues as dreaming, being a good winner, and never giving up.

I think that is a wonderful devotional for children 9-10, and up. I think even teenagers will relate well to the words of this book. It is very attuned to the daily difficulties that our youth are facing and gives them words to fall back on it troubling times. Often afraid to talk to parents or other adults, they can find encouragement in the pages of this book.

I think this wonderful book for parents to share with their children. A starting point for conversations, and full of encouraging words for parents to pass on to their child in any number of likely to fall upon situations.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Same Kind of Different as Me

Same Kind of Different as Me is a wonderful story of people from two different backgrounds who meet and change each other's lives. This true story is written as two men tell their stories. Ron Hall is a successful art dealer, and Denver Moore is a homeless, former slave. These two men meet when Ron Hall reluctantly accompanies his wife to a homeless shelter to volunteer.
This is an amazing story, at times it is hard to believe it is a true story. It is heartwarming, and at times a painful reminder of the culture of this countries past and present. This book is very inspiring. I would recommend it to anyone.
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.”

Book Review: The Butterfly Effect

I recently downloaded a copy of "The Butterfly Effect" by Andy Andrews. This is a short book with a powerful message. This short tale tells of the power of one persons actions, and how the effect of those actions can be felt for years to come. As I began to read this book, I found myself hooked from the beginning. I was flipping the pages as fast as I could read. With each decision we make, the world changes. This effect is shown throughout this book, each pages tells a story that precedes the last. Continuing backwards through history to find the root of the decision. It is amazing to think that if one person had not acted as they had, how are history would have changed.

This is an incredibly inspiring story. It has the potential to be life changing. I would like to have a small copy of this book to keep with me to remind me of the importance of every choice I make. Especially as a mom, our choices have the potential to effect not only what our children do with their lives, but the lives of their friends, and everyone they will eventually come into contact with.

Just amazing.


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.”

Summer Rain

Ninety-five degrees. Sweaty. Afternoon storm rolls in and the rain begins to fall. I can feel the heat rising from the earth and the cool breeze brought by the storm. As they mesh I lean my head back and begin to slip. As the rain covers my bare shoulders, I find myself far away. Breathing deeper I continue to slip, just a little farther, I am almost there. I know where I would be when I open my eyes if I could have just one wish. The water moves rapidly but I am whole again. Just for a second. I have no desire to leave the rain because I know where I will be when I open my eyes. There are no wishes come true here. Not today.

Hermie: Who Is In Charge Anyway? Book Review

I recently watched Hermie: Who Is In Charge Anyway? One of many DVD's in the series by Max Lucado. This video was about Freddie the Flea. He was feeling down because he did not think that he was special, and he did not know why God made him the way he was. Freddie takes a trip down memory lane as he remembers the wonderful things that his bug friends have done, and how each of them are special. This is a wonderful lesson for children because eventually Freddie discovers what makes him special, and that all God's Creatures are special. Although I thought the message was great, I did not especially care for the video because of the flashbacks. It was a little hard to follow having not seen ALL the previous videos in the series. My three year old son watched this video with me. He was easily distracted by the flashbacks, he was not very interested in continuing to watch. I love the characters and the messages of this series, and we will certainly watch more.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

Book Review

I recently received the book, God's Promises for boys. Here is my review.

God's Promises for Boys was written by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker. My son and I have been reading this book at bedtime. He really enjoys the pictures on each page, and the little poems at the beginning of each "Promise".

I also enjoy the poems and the pictures buy what I truly like about this book is the way it is divided up. It may be more appropriate for boys a little older than my three year old, I would say maybe first or second or third grade. The book is divided into seven sections, each section being broken down into a particular subject such as: "God's promises of help when... you don't feel important, or nothing is going right. Each promise has it's own poem and that poem is followed up by an excerpt from the bible to reinforce the promise. I think that for a young boy this could be a great reference. He can just flip through and find the appropriate section and find words of encouragement. Also a great reference for mothers and fathers as they encourage their children through the tough times that children face while growing up.

I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to any mom with a young boy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Counting my blessings.

Another long day in a series of very long days.

After being in the car with Lil Smooch and Lil Snug a little too long today, we stopped to eat at the local hot dog shop. It was nearly closing time and I really didn't want hot dogs. The shop doesn't have booster seats so I was holding Lil Snug in the booth while Lil Smooch was bouncing all over in the "Big Boy" chair on the other side of the table. Their daddy was ordering our hotdogs so he was no help of course. This is where I am reminded to count my blessings...

The store owner complimented both of my children. Stating how well Lil Smooch talks, and how smart he is, how beautiful Lil Snug is. (At this point I am still hung up on the fact that I promised spankings when we got home. Compliments of the bad behavior in the car.) I was sharing a drink with Lil Smooch and Lil Snug when the nice owner came to talk to my son again. She ended up taking him behind the counter and getting him a lemonade of his own, compliments of the shop. The young boy in the booth behind us shared his silly shaped rubberbands with Lil Smooch, and somehow, Lil Smooch ended up with one more hot dog. On the house. Oh yea, he got a sucker from her on the way out too.

This woman was so generous to us. She complimented my children when all I wanted to do was spank them and send them to bed. She reminded me how great my children are. I needed that.

Thank God for Strangers.

Thank God for Children.

Thank God for Reminders.