Perfect Christmas Gift, Use With An Advent Calendar: Peace on Earth by Mary Engelbreit

This book I received from Booksneeze in exchange only for an honest review would make a lovely and perfect Christmas gift, or could even be used as readings for an Advent calendar: Peace on Earth by Mary Engelbreit Christmas Collection by Zonderkidz.

My first impression of the book was its quality.  In a day and age of electronic readers, this is a hardcover book that feels solid to hold.  It's pages are filled with colorful and amazing illustrations in Mary Engelbreit style.

The pictures are absolutely beautiful!  Mary Engelbreit didn't hold anything back and her illustrations purely send this book beyond expectations.

To accompany the pictures, there are classic poems, song lyrics to Christmas carols and excerpts from the biblical account of Jesus and his birth.

If you use some creativity in breaking apart the writings, you could even use the book to correspond with an Advent calendar, as I counted 24 readings to share.  Here's how the Advent calendar break down could look:

Dec. 1 - Introduction page - Born In A Stable

Dec. 2 - Christina Rossetti poem, Love

Dec. 3 - The First Noel and beautiful picture of lion, with words, "Peace on earth"

Dec. 4 - Beautiful picture with words, "Look to the beauty..."

Dec. 5 - The Gospel of St .Luke 

Dec. 6 - Beautiful picture of mother and child with the words, "Day of Light"

Dec. 7 - Robert Herrick poem

Dec. 8 - Left-hand page, beginning, "Friendly Beasts"

Dec. 9 - Right-hand page, beginning with "I said the Rooster,"

Dec. 10 - Silent Night

Dec. 11 - A Child's Christmas Eve Dream

Dec. 12 - "What means the glory round our feet..."

Dec. 13 - The Maji

Dec. 14 - Don't Waste the Miracle

Dec. 15 - Another Boy (4-pages)

Dec. 16 - Angels We Have Heard on High

Dec. 17 - Rejoice  (words with picture)

Dec. 18 - The Lamb

Dec. 19 - All Things Bright and Beautiful

Dec. 20 - God MAde So Many Different Kinds of People Why Would He Allow Only One Way to Serve Him?

Dec. 21 - Let There Be Peace on Earth

Dec. 22 - Lullay, My Liking

Dec. 23 - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) - Read last entry, "May the blessed light be on you..."

More Than a Bucket List Review

You've probably heard of a bucket list - The real or imagined list of items of things we wish to accomplish before we, well...kick the bucket.  Making a list is one thing, actually doing them is another.

Some of us dream big and know every last detailed experience we want to enjoy before we die.  Then, there are others of us who are left with a blank slate and absolutely no idea what to fill it with.  That's where "More Than a Bucket List" comes in handy.

"More Than a Bucket List" is an amazing e-book that I had the opportunity to review through Booksneeze.com.  I received a free download of the book in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion of the book.

The book is compiled and divided based upon themes.  It mixes in scripture and personal stories.

Read the book from cover to cover, or select a topic and head straight to that section to get some ideas for how to practically fulfill your dreams.  Some of the topics include:

Pursue Laughter

Rediscover What’s Important

Live with Strength

Be a Better Boss

Live Faithfully

Memorize the ‘Serenity Prayer’

And, my personal favorite - Find Every Bon Bon on the Planet

You will find the book to include more than just a long list of suggested ideas to check off your bucket list.

Each section presents a straight-talk, down-to-earth encouragement toward fulfilling that particular goal.  There are also scriptures throughout and personal real-life challenges to meet.  There are also quotes from famous, and maybe even some not-so-famous, people to inspire you to go to the next step.

I reviewed the e-book version, so the blank pages at the end of the book only served to stir my imagination as to how I would fill them if they were the paper version of the blank pages of lists.

If you are looking to make your mark in life and want to start checking off items from your bucket list, this book gives you tons of ideas.

Max Lucado's 'Thank You, God, For Blessing Me' Read 2 Me Hermie Review

A new little board book perfect for bedtime story telling!  This adorable book is a sweet way to put your toddler/preschooler to sleep.  Mom and Dad just might be counting their blessings too, as they read this "'Read 2 Me Little Hermie" book to their child.

The book, perfect for little hands, is based on the full-length story of Hermie (a caterpillar who discovers God has a lot more in store for him than met the eye).  With amazingly sweet illustrations, your child is sure to fall in love with this little caterpillar.  But, what makes the story even more endearing is the fact that the little green creature recounts all the things he's thankful for - While still in his worm-like state.  He has not even transitioned into becoming a beautiful butterfly.  Yet, he discovers many things he is already thankful for right there in his garden.

As you walk through this book, you may notice it has the rhythm of a child's poem or prayer book.  Why not turn it into a prayer your child can learn and recite by heart.  By the end of the story, your child will be counting her own little blessings.  Mom and dad might think of a blessing or two as well.  It's the perfect send off to dreamland, with a thankful heart!

I was able to review the book as part of the Booksneeze program.  I received a hard cover, board book in exchange for my thoughts on the book.  I have read it, fallen in love with it, and everything I have shared is 100% my opinion.

Making Bedtime More Peaceful with Night Night Blessings by Amy Parker

Lullabies, rocking, and a last-minute drink of water are all part of many household's nightly routine.  Sometimes our drinks of water go on for hours.  Is your bedtime routine all you thought it would be?  Ours is not always the way it played out when I dreamed of being a mom - when I was just a kid, and my babies were nothing but cloth dolls with open/shut eyes.  It's nice to, every so often, take a moment and snuggle up with a good bedtime story. 

Night Night Blessings, by Amy Parker, is a sweet addition to your child's bedtime.  Filled with comforting, and praise-filled thanksgiving; the book is written on a level a child will understand, and an adult will enjoy.  Illustrated by Marijan Ramljak, the pictures are colorful, yet soothing - perfect for drifting away into a good night of slumber.  How about sending her off into sweet dream land with a blessing, and a prayer - a soft reminder that God is carefully watching all night long.

The book is 16 pages of rhyme and beautifully childlike illustrations that help your child connect the words to her innocent world.  It's sure to calm any night-time fears lurking in the dark.  It is a peaceful reminder of the happy things in your child's life.

The book not only draws your child into a peaceful night of shut eye, but creates a sense of rhythm and rhyme, an attitude of gratitude, and reminds your child that God is in control.  Who could help but have a sweet night filled with happy dreams after hearing this story read, while snuggled up in the lap of mom or dad.

I had the opportunity to review the book as an eBook on my Mobipocket Reader (for the PC - I do not have a fancy Kindle or Nook).  I do have a laptop, and the book easily downloaded for my review, from the BookSneeze program.  I received the eBook free, in return for an honest review.

Fresh-Brewed Life Book Review

As a coffee lover, I liked the title of this book from the start.  But, I had no idea how rich it would be between the covers.  My life has changed for the better, thanks to Nicole Johnson's revised & expanded Fresh-Brewed Life book.  The book was provided to me to review from the Book Sneeze program, but the following is 100% my own opinion.

I loved the references to coffee, which the author intermixes cleverly.  Whether you are a coffee lover or not, this book will stimulate you to draw you into thought-provoking chapter after chapter.  Like sharing a good cup of coffee with a friend, you will discover truths that will change your life.  It, then, finishes off with study questions.  The book is not about coffee.  It's about enriching your life.  The questions could be used in a Bible Study group setting, or just for your own use.

The book was originally published 10 years ago, but has been revised and expanded as the author's life has been revised and expanded.  She shares it all, holding nothing back.  The book has inspired me to begin journaling.  It has also encouraged me to look deeper into aspects of my life to grow a deeper relationship with Christ and make the most of my talents.

From a call to surrender everything to God, to a deep talk about sexuality and beauty; this book will make you tap into your thought life as you align it to the desires of your God.

God's Love Letters to You Review

A personal love note from your creator sounds like an amazing idea, especially for the hopeless romantic. But, it's true! God hid love letters inside every book of the Holy Bible. Author Larry Crabb draws them out of 20 Old Testament books and 20 New Testament books for you to explore, reflect upon and change your life. Everyone needs a boost. Have you ever received a love letter from someone you also admire? If not, how were you left feeling after receiving a nice compliment from someone you respect? Best-selling author, Larry Crabb, shares a 40-Day Devotional Experience of Gods Love Letters to You.

The book, God's Love Letters to You is a book that should grace the book shelves of every Christian. It's written in the form of a devotional. The chapters are brief, yet deeply spiritually moving. The author covers an encouraging, "love letter" scripture form books in the Bible. I received this book as part of the Book Sneeze review program, but my review is 100% my own.

The author selects 40 days worth of devotions pulling from his book, 66 Love Letters, where he elaborates upon love notes from each of the books in the Bible. The devotional starts with a scripture from one of the books of the Bible, followed by a brief devotion and then offers points for you to reflect upon, and ends with a prayer. By the end of 40 days, you will fall deeply in love with your Savior.

With 40 days of love-filled devotions, you're sure to discover at least one that speaks directly to you and your life situation. The book selects 20 Old Testament and 20 New Testament books from which it pulls God's message of deep love toward a variety of situations. Each devotion takes only a few minutes to read, and then as long as you choose to reflect and pray. It's a very small investment of your time for such a great return of love filling your heart.

The book would make an excellent gift for any occasion, especially a wedding, anniversary, or purity ring ceremony.

Time With God For Fathers - A Book Review

Fathers, get your cup of coffee ready!  A book has arrived that is aimed at you.  Time With God For Fathers by Jack Countryman is a devotional book designed to fit in with the frantic work pace fathers tend to keep.  In plenty of time for Father's Day, this book would make a perfect gift.  Filled with 90 short devotions that include a brief scripture and a description of that scripture as it applies to life as a dad.  Fathers are rushed.  Fathers are burdened with the responsibility of providing for their family.  Fathers are tired.  Fathers don't typically have enough time to sit down and read anything of substance at length.  Until now!


I had the privilege of reviewing this book through a program called BookSneeze where they provided me with a copy of the book in return for an honest review.  I found the book to be overall exciting because our culture seems to provide very little in support of fathers.  Unlike your typical devotional that provides a snippet for every day of the year, this book provides 90 short devotions that can be read in as little as 5-10 minutes depending on how long you want to meditate on what was written.  By providing only 90 devotions, this makes it possible to read through each one 4 times a year, or to concentrate only on those that speak directly to your situation.  The book also provides a reference section at the end that includes scriptures for crisis situations and scriptures directed specifically for life experiences fathers may encounter such as God's example for fathers, God's promises for fathers, God's responsibility for fathers and when and how God answers the prayers of a father.

I was thrilled to find that the book contains actual scriptures as some devotions only express little stories to uplift.  This book takes the actual scripture and explains it in a way that pertains to fathers.  The quick reference scripture guides in the back provide a chance for personal reflection and further study when there is time.  This book is a wonderful tool in the hands of any father who cares to keep his walk with God pure in how he approaches raising his children. 

My Review Of Sabbath by Dan B. Allender

The Fourth Commandment - The Sabbath!  Entering a day of rest, or just another set of rules to follow?  Or, is it just an ancient command made to the Jewish people?  These are questions I've had in my personal life in recent days.  They are also questions that Dan B. Allender addresses in his book, Sabbath.  Provided to me through Booksneeze.com, I had the privilege of reading and reviewing this book and having many questions I had about the Sabbath answered.  The book was a sheer delight to read.  Once I began to read this book, it literally drew me in and I was compelled to keep reading.  It took me less than a weekend to complete the nearly 200 pages.
 
Mr. Allender paints a picture of the Sabbath that leaves the reader wanting to climb inside and experience like a chalk drawing in the child's movie, Mary Poppins. By the end of the first section, I felt the passion propelling from the author's pen as he described how the Sabbath Day should be one the is embraced and enjoyed not just a mundane set of rules to follow out of duty, but in a celebration of a feast.  He expresses Sabbath as being a time to "taste and see that the Lord is good," through taking part in the joy of the Sabbath that only our creator can bestow.

The book describes more than just a grand idea of something that sounds too good to be true and impossible to attain.  He describes how to practice the Sabbath amidst interruptions and catastrophes of daily life.  He invites the reader to find out how God changes our mourning into joy as he talks through days of sorrow that come and how to experience a Sabbath rest through the sorrows.  He explains how it is in our sorrows and our despair that joy and abundance are allowed to bloom and come to fruition.

The author does address the issue of what actual day the Sabbath should be and stops short of a direct answer, leaving it up to the reader to decide.  While, I personally take God at face value and believe the Sabbath should be from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, I applaud the author in an attempt to invite all believers to partake in a Sabbath even if that day is not Friday sundown to Saturday sundown to another individual.  The importance of his book is to set a believer in the direction of considering keeping Commandment #4 as well as the other nine.

Even if you've never kept a Sabbath; by the end of the book, you will be longing for the next Sabbath Day where you can enjoy the fourth commandment of your God in the way it was intended.  The book is part of The Ancient Practices Series and now comes with a study guide which I did not review but sounds enticing to use in a group setting.

I give the book 5 stars out of 5.