Gramar Workbook, An Intro to Advanced Grammar (Review)

Grammar Workbook, An Intro to Advanced Grammar,  came at a great time. My daughter, who can rattle off historical facts like nobody's business, struggles with grammar, and needs some extra help in that area. Although not a large book, Grammar Workbook is packed with a lot of information. I would have preferred the explanation of each new concept to be explained a bit more simply and more in depth, but I was able to walk my daughter through it with a bit of my own tweaking, and it worked. She hasn't completed the book yet, but I feel confident that it will help her to gain confidence in this subject. 

I recommend Grammar Workbook for review or extra practice, but not as a stand alone curriculum. It is available at a very reasonable price at Amazon.com.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own. 

Owls, Our Most Charming Bird

I adore owls. My kids adore owls. Besides, they are so, like, IN right now. But really, I love them. So cute, so fluffy, and, according to this book, everything from "adorable" to "a monstrosity".

This little book is absolutely charming. Along with a simple and beautiful watercolor painting of each species, there is a short, informative write-up that is both quirky and educational. The species are separated into groups based on habitat. Owls, Our Most Charming Bird was a hit with my kids, too. My daughter is already trying to copy the illustrations.

4 out of 5 stars from me.

More about the book: 

An enchanting illustrated guide to owl species of the world.

The owl is one of nature’s most captivating creatures. In this enchanting guide, artist Matt Sewell brings to life fifty species from around the world. From the adorable Eurasian Pygmy Owl, small enough to fit in your pocket, to the Great Gray Owl, celebrated for its size and elegance—these charming illustrations are sure to delight anyone intrigued by these wise and wonderful animals.


Available on Amazon.com and bookstores everywhere. 

Thank you to Blogging for Books for my review copy!

Fletch Adventures!

Who doesn't love loggerhead sea turtles? What's not to love? Keep reading to find out how one mom is using one of these special creatures to teach children about the environment.

Everyone loves the beach. The beauty, the serenity of the ocean.... But keeping it beautiful is our job. Litter is more than a pet peeve or an eyesore. It can be dangerous. I can't bring myself to watch videos of what our careless acts do to marine life, and honestly, I don't want my kids to see it. But I do want them to be aware of it, and to know what they can do to solve the problem. Enter Fletch! Fletch is a loggerhead sea turtle who shows a young girl, Tierney, "the importance of keeping the beach and ocean clean during a day filled with fun, friendships and surprises."

The story of Fletch's Adventures comes in two formats: a chapter book, aimed at ages 6-11, and a picture book for smaller kiddos. The illustrations are fun and colorful, and the text very easy to read. My 10-year-old daughter, who is a reluctant reader, read the whole book in about an hour. That's a record for her, I think!  In the back of the each book is a certificate, with a place to write your child's name, awarded for "pledging to 'Keep it Clean' and to be a voice for all animals by encouraging others to do the same." It's signed by Fletch "himself". ;)

You can find out more about the books and order them here: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fletchadventures/?fref=ts
Website: http://www.fletchadventures.com

At the website, you'll also find some really cute stuff to go along with the books, like t-shirts and temporary tattoos! (My son is sporting a tattoo right now.)

About the author: 

Fletch Adventures was written by Jennifer Cochran, an environmental educator that saw a need for a book with a true conservation message that was still fun for kids to enjoy. Jennifer lives in South Florida with her husband, Lee and her daughter, Madison. Jennifer is active in environmental, conservation & wildlife education throughout South Florida.

"I truly hope you enjoy these books as much as I have enjoyed creating them!"...

Jennifer Cochran

About the Illustrator: 

"Robert Schilling is a freelance illustrator based in Florida. Robert studied at The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, where he practiced more traditional techniques of art and started to develop his style. Soon after he attended FZD School of Design in Singapore, where he learned the process of designing for games and film. Currently he's back in the states and works as a freelancer, working on projects that span from board games to children's books."

To check out more of Robbie's work go to http://schillingconcepts.blogspot.com/

A BIG thank you to Jennifer Cochran for sending me the books to review! 

52 Little Lessons from a Christmas Carol, by Bob Welch

I reviewed 52 Little Life Lessons from Les Miserable, and I loved it! I had already planned to buy 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol, so I was excited to see it on the list of titles up for review. I wasn't disappointed by this little book!

Bob Welch takes a story already filled with meaning and makes it even more meaningful. In each chapter, an excerpt is given, along with a scriptural tie-in, which I found especially helpful. One thing I enjoy about this author is his sense of humor. This is an easy, enjoyable, inspiring and fun read. I highly recommend this book, and I'm eager to read more from this author.

5 out of 5 stars.

More info: 

Gold Medallion Award-winner Bob Welch crafts 52 nuggets of Bible-based wisdom from one of the most popular novels of all time, A Christmas Carol. 

• “For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.”
• “No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.”
• “God bless us, every one.”

The lessons and stories from the beloved novel A Christmas Carol point to bedrock values we all share. Award-winning author Bob Welch takes readers deeper into the nuances of this classic by Charles Dickens. From the miserliness of Scrooge to the innocence of Tiny Tim, 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol will inspire readers to live for what really matters, not only at Christmas, but all year long.

About the Author:

Bob Welch is the author of 12 books, an award-winning columnist, a speaker, and an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Oregon in Eugene. His articles have been published in inspirational books, including the popular “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.

224 pages, hardcover. 

Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for my free review copy, received in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Instant Happy Journal (Review)

What an adorable little book! Perfect size, perfect design--yep--I'm in love with this little gem! There isn't a whole lot of writing space, but this isn't a regular journal. There is a page for each day with either an inspirational saying, a question, a writing prompt and more, and space to record your thoughts. There is a yellow silk ribbon marker, adding to the charm of the journal. This little book is a perfect gift, for a friend or for yourself!

5 out of 5 stars from me. Get one, or more! :)

More about the book from Amazon:

Brighten your day with this colorful journal from happiness expert Karen Salmansohn. Jam-packed with 365 “happiness prompters” including motivational quotes, scientific studies, and thought-provoking questions, this journal amps up your ability to notice (and create!) moments of joy and gratitude in your life—one day at a time.

368 pages. 


I received this book from Blogging for Books in return for my honest review. 

Fun DVD Giveaway!

With Star Wars in the news so much these days, it's kinda cool that I get to offer to you a giveaway of a kids' DVD that sort of plays off of Star Wars and Star Trek! Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is from the creator of Veggie Tales, Phil Vischer. so it's as corny, funny, cute, and full of lessons from the Bible as you'd expect. I turned it on for my kiddos and, as I figured, my 7-year-old son was thrilled, while my three older daughters groaned and begged to watch something else. As it played, however, two of my girls, ages 10 and 13 wound up laughing along with my son (while rolling their eyes to let me know that they were definitely too old to watch it....;) ) It got a definite "YES" vote from my son. 

About the movie:

Buck Denver has a simple dream - to save the galaxy.  Working for the Galactic Mission Board, Buck dreams of carrying God's love to every corner of the Milky Way!  Except he doesn't have a starship.  Or a crew.  Or even a captain's license.  He just needs a chance.  But when that chance comes and Buck finds himself leading a real mission into deep space, things don't go at ALL like he imagined!  If he's doing what God wants him to do, why is everything going wrong?  From VeggieTales® and What's in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer, Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything - even our dreams! 

Run time: Approximately 40 minutes

Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is a must-see for all ages, from VeggieTales creator PHIL VISCHER! Kids will enjoy Buck Denver's latest adventure with his friends from What's In the Bible? and parents will appreciate the humorous nods to Star Wars and Star Trek.  More importantly, Phil Vischer's gifted teaching delivers a clear message to kids and adults about God's love and purpose for our lives.  Galaxy Buck communicates important Biblical truths that will add to everyone's faith foundation, whether a life-long Christian or a new creation in Christ.

For some fun stuff related to the movie, and to enter a giveaway for Galaxy Buck Space Training Kit, check out these links! 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

OFFICIAL TRAILER

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

INSTAGRAM

HEY, YOU GUYS! One of you will win a copy of the DVD! This would make a great Christmas gift, by the way. To enter, simply comment below! That's it! Oh, and please share! Giveaway ends Wednesday, October 28th, at 5:00 pm. 

And the winner is...Ruth Distad! Congratulations, Ruth!

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

The Time Garden, a Magical Journey, by Daria Song

Adult coloring books are all the rage right now, and why not? Coloring is fun and helps to relieve stress. It's about time that someone designed some coloring books for us "big kids". ;) The Time Garden is marketed to middle school aged children and up, but is perfectly suitable for kids and adults of all ages. It is exquisitely  done! The dust jacket is actually like a heavy duty coloring page, with beautiful, metallic text and scattered metallic leaves. The story, explained in more detail below, is what you make of it, which is nice, and stirs the rusty imagination.

I wasn't drawn to a lot of the pages, unfortunately. While some were imaginative, very detailed,  and "artsy", others were rather sparse and seemed monotonous to color. This was a disappointment, but I still enjoy the book. The Time Garden would make a great gift, especially for patients in the hospital, those who are home bound, or for anyone. 

This book gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

More about the book:

A dazzlingly beautiful coloring book for all ages, The Time Garden will sweep you away into a whimsical cuckoo clock–inspired world, created in intricate pen and ink by the internationally best-selling Korean artist Daria Song. 

Journey through the doors of a mysterious cuckoo clock into its inky innerworkings to discover a magical land of clock gears, rooftops, starry skies, and giant flying owls—all ready for you to customize with whatever colors you can dream up.

Cuckoo . . . cuckoo . . . cuckoo . . . When the clock strikes midnight, you’ll wonder, was it all a dream?

The Time Garden features extra-thick craft paper, ideal for non bleed-through coloring, and the jacketed cover with flaps is removable and colorable. Special gold-foil stamping on the cover and spine and a To/From page make it perfect for gifting to adults and kids alike.

Then, explore the magical world outside the clock through the eyes of a fairy in the sequel, The Time Chamber: A Magical Story and Coloring Book! 

Paperback
Published by Watson-Guptill
Sep 01, 2015 | 80 Pages | 9-13/16 x 9-13/16 | Middle Grade (10 and up)


More about Daria Song: 


DARIA SONG is an author and artist with a master’s degree in fiber arts from the Ewha Womans University Graduate School of Fine Arts. Winner of the Kyung Hyang Arts Contest, Song has exhibited at numerous galleries and museums in Korea, Singapore, Turkey, and Hong Kong. She is a lecturer at the Kaywon School of Arts and her illustrations can be found in Amore Pacific and SK Planet. She spent five years of her childhood in San Francisco before returning to Korea, and the sense of wonder and mystery that comes from living in a far-off place inspired her internationally best-selling adult coloring book, The Time Garden.



Thank you to Blogging for Books for my review copy. 

Our Man in Charleston (Britain's Secret Agent in the Civil War South)

This beautifully bound book will take you back to early Charleston, when the city, according to this author, was anything but beautiful: it was hot, dirty, disease-ridden, and reeking with the stench of slavery, and Robert Bunch called it "home" as he worked tirelessly to bring an end to one of the greatest evils ever known. 

I am ashamed to admit it, but I still don't know the truth of the origins of the Civil War. Was slavery really the root cause? According to this book, it was, and the attitudes and practices of the day were even more despicable than I knew.

I must admit that this book wasn't exactly what I had expected. I found it a little exhausting to read because there were so many names, places, and dates that I couldn't keep up. I felt like I was cramming for a history exam! Still, I did learn much about a critical time in our nation's history. As "mentally stretching" as it was to read, I felt myself drawn to it again and again. A more intellectual reader might enjoy it a lot more than I did. *sheepish smirk*  

4 out of 5 stars.

Available at Amazon.com.Amazon.com

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

The Colson Way: Loving Your Neighbor and Living With Faith in a Hostile World

Charles "Chuck" Colson was no superhero. No saint. But he was a born again believer, dedicated and willing to work to spread the gospel to people who are forgotten. He saw a need, and worked to meet it as the founder of both Prison Fellowship International and Angel Tree.

I remember hearing Chuck Colson's Breakpoint several times, and I had, of course, heard about the Watergate Scandal and Colson's involvement, but I knew very little, nothing, actually, about the man. Owen Strachan gives a snapshot of Chuck Colson and his faith that made me truly appreciate this man and his work. 

The Colson Way offers to "show Christians a way of living a public faith with conviction and generosity toward all." And it delivers. It's an easy read and one that I plan to reference again and again. The emphasis on being a witness in our culture, being effective and relative, is a message that is sorely needed and all too rare these days. 

I was inspired by this book, and I highly recommend it. 

5 out of 5 stars.  

Book Description

A leading young theologian and public intellectual shows how the life and legacy of Chuck Colson can equip Christians to live a bold and loving faith in the public square.

During his life, Chuck Colson was the preeminent evangelical in American public life. He dedicated himself to public witness in the mold of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce, creating and leading efforts such as Prison Fellowship, Angel Tree, Breakpoint, and the Centurions program. He worked tirelessly on behalf of humanity because he believed that all people needed help to flourish. He knew the importance of working practically to advance truth and justice in public. And he knew that to be courageous-and to speak and act courageously in line with Scripture-was by definition to be loving.

Chuck Colson's life reveals there is no division between truth and love, between embracing biblical guidance and loving our neighbor. The Colson Way uses the legacy and wisdom of Colson to show Christians a way of living in a public square increasingly hostile to evangelical conviction.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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.”

The Bridge Builder: The Life And Continuing Legacy of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein GIVEAWAY!

I've always believed that the Bible teaches that the Jews are God's chosen people, and that Israel is their promised homeland. I've always been taught that we are to stand with Israel; to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.... " (Psalm 122:6;  When I read of how Israel came to be, and the miraculous birth of that tiny nation and hear of the miraculous way that it has survived, I feel deep emotion. However, I blush to admit that I know very little about Jewish beliefs and way of life. I did already know that Christians and Jews don't exactly see eye to eye, and that the name of Jesus is taboo, but that's pretty much the extent of my "knowledge".

The Bridge Builder is a fascinating read about one man who is attempting to bring about a mutual understanding between Christians and evangelicals. Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein is described as a complex, hard working man whose desire to better the lives of his people is his consuming passion. As an evangelical, obviously I don't agree with the rabbi's religious views, but I do appreciate what he has done and is doing, and I hope that his efforts continue to bear much fruit. 

The bridge builder included eye opening details about historical events, as well as insights into how Jews view Christians, and especially the way they feel about efforts to evangelize. I still feel pretty clueless about the Jewish beliefs and views, but reading this book increased my desire to learn more. 

A quote I found particularly enlightening:

"The question is how Christians ought to {witness}; whether they'll bang us over the head with the gospel (as was done with catastrophic results over the centuries) or sensitively present this ' good news' and then let God and the Holy Spirit bring about whatever change God will." p. 103

The Bridge Builder gets 4 out of 5 stars from me. 

Enter to Win!

One of my readers will win a copy of this book! To enter, simply leave a comment here or under the giveaway post on my Facebook page. That's it! :) 

About Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein:

Founder and President of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and Goodwill Ambassador for the State of Israel, Rabbi Eckstein has devoted more than 35 years to building bridges of understanding between Christians and Jews and broad support for the State of Israel.  He is recognized as the world's leading Jewish authority on evangelical Christians.  Rabbi Eckstein received Orthodox Rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University in New York.  He holds master's degrees from Yeshiva University and Columbia University, where he also completed studies for his doctorate.  Rabbi Eckstein has served on the faculties of Columbia University, Chicago Theological Seminary, and Northern Baptist Seminary.  He currently serves on the executive committee of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.  

About the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews:

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein to promote understanding between Jews and Christians and build broad support for Israel and other shared concerns.  Their ministry's vision is that Jews and Christians will reverse their 2,000-year history of discord and replace it with a relationship marked by dialogue, respect, and cooperation.  Among the many things they do as an organization, they also create materials for teaching about the significance of connecting Israel and Christianity through such resources as A Woman of Valor: Celebrating The Proverbs 31 Women In Our Lives, A Man Of Faith: Reflections On Godly Leadership From The Ancient Shepherds Of Israel (both devotionals by Rabbi Eckstein), and Seven Fruits of Israel: Recipes And Devotions From The Holy Land (by Yael Eckstein).

About the book and the author:

Hardcover; 272 pages

Zev Chafets is the bestselling author of fourteen books of fiction, media criticism, and social and political commentary.  He has been a frequent contributor to the New York Times Magazine and is a former columnist for the New York Daily News. 

Thanks to FlyBy Promotions for my copy of The Bridge Builder, and for the giveaway copy.   

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Hiding in the Light

                                 

I first heard of Rifqa Bary when a video clip of her interview with Pat Roberston (link below) came up in my daughter's newsfeed. My heart went out to her--I couldn't iamgine my faith costing me so much; couldn't imagine living in fear that my own father would put me to death. 

Rifqa tells her story with intense joy and hope, her deep faith shining through even the darkest moments. God is so real to her--you can feel it in every word. From the "Presence" she sensed as a small girl in Sri Lanka, through her her discovery of Jesus and her experience of meeting Christians, her conversion, her secret-keeping, escape, and the eventual court battle for her freedom and her very life, I was glued to every page. This book unlike so many autobiographies, is well written and intensely interesting. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Video: Rifqa Bary Interview

Facebook: Rifqa Bary's Author Page

More about Hiding in the Light:

“After four years of hiding my faith from my family, I knew that it was time. I wrote with shaky hands, ‘Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I refuse to deny him….’ There was no turning back now. I had to get out of that house if I wanted to live. Was this worth risking everything for? Yes.”

Rifqa Bary grew up in a devout Muslim home, obediently following her parents’ orders to practice the rituals of Islam. But God was calling her to freedom and love. He was calling her to true faith. He was calling her to give up everything.

Leaving Islam for Christianity cost her more than she imagined

but gave more than she could have dreamed.

Hiding in the Light is the story of Rifqa’s remarkable spiritual journey from Islam to Christianity. It is also the untold story of how she ran from her father’s threats to find refuge with strangers in Florida, only to face a controversial court case that reached national headlines. Most of all, it is the story of a young girl who made life-changing sacrifices to follow Jesus—and who inspires us to do the same.

More about Rifqa Bary here.  

Thank you to Blogging for Books for my review copy.

Standing Tall--On One Leg

It's one of a parent's worst nightmares...their child being diagnosed with cancer. Joel was an athletic 16 year old in seemingly great health before his diagnosis and the subsequent amputation of his leg. In Standing Tall, Joel's mother, Kathy, tells the story from a mother's point of view, with Joel's input. Kathy relates her heartache and the trials of the entire family during Joel's incredibly difficult battle with cancer, as well as Joel's faith, courage, and the the way their community stepped in to support them.

Osteocarcoma, a childhood cancer, took the life of a dear friend of ours just one year and a half ago. Because of this, Joel's story was even more poignant to me.

3 out of 5 stars.

More about the book:

Book Description

When Joel Soukup was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 16, the diagnosis changed him and his family forever. This family traveled down an unknown path and emerged from their journey in a way they never expected. Read how this young patient and his family handled the devastating diagnosis with strength, love and faith in God.

About the Author

Kathy Soukup was born and raised in Minnesota and resides near the town of Pine River. She and her husband, Verdale, have raised three sons and now have six grandchildren. Kathy continued to work, mostly part time, during the years her sons were growing up. She now enjoys spending more time enjoying outdoor activities, as well as quilting, gardening, cooking, visiting with friends and neighbors, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Joel Soukup grew up in northern Minnesota near the town of Pine River. He is the youngest of three boys. Joel is attending college at St. Cloud State University in central Minnesota and will soon receive his degree in community psychology. He hopes to use his education and experience to help others who have been handed an unforeseen, life-altering diagnosis such as the one he received at the age of sixteen. When he is not busy with school, he enjoys outdoor activities and sports, hanging out with friends, watching movies, listening to music (especially attending concerts), and rebuilding motorcycles with his brother

Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for my review copy.

Anything--The Prayer That Unlocked My God And My Soul

Have you ever asked yourself, "Is this it? Is this what God wanted when He called me to serve Him?" Have you ever wondered what would happen if you prayed, "Anything, God. I'll do anything"? I have. It's a scary thought, isn't it? But why?

Jennie Allen and her husband prayed this prayer. They committed everything, anything to God. Jennie writes about that process, their prayer, and the results in Anything, the Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul. 

Honestly, I believe that every christian will get to this place of surrender, not just a chosen few. What "anything" looks like, and the process involved, will be different for each individual, but the desire to give a God everything, to live completely submitted to Him, is the heartbeat of every true child of God. 

This book was a bit of a struggle for me. Here are my pros and cons:

Pros:

1. There are some really deep thoughts in here. Stuff like this:

        "We love our earth. We love our people. We love our stuff. We love our schedules. We          love our short lives here. And God is saying, Look up. This is going fast. Your life          here is barely a breath. There is more. Way more. 

        Time is almost gone. Our lives are spent well on Him and whatever stories He has              written for us. What are we really so afraid of losing? 

        Heaven feels far away, and we forget. But it is real...and it is coming."

2. Interesting stories are sprinkled throughout.

3. This book will convict you. 

5. The cover art is beautiful.  

6. Parts of this book were reminiscent of In His Steps

Cons:

1. There is no real flow. The writing seems disjointed and hard to follow. 

2. On page 30 depression, failed marriages, and fear are lumped in with sins. Maybe I misunderstood, but it didn't sit well with me. Here's the quote: "We have seen friends come out of hiding, confessing broken marriages, pornography addictions, depression, abuse, alcoholism, fear, even self righteousness, and they've been met with the restorative grace of God." 

3. Some of the terminology seemed to simplify God a bit, as if that could be done, and sounded a bit...irreverent? One statement even made Him sound nearly schizophrenic. 

4. On page 102, depression is once again mentioned in an almost accusatory tone, and I seemed to understand that, in her opinion, depression is one of the things that will weaken with full surrender to God. As someone who struggles with chronic depression, I can tell you that that isn't so. Not always, anyway. 

5. The book mentions "our glory". As in ours and God's. But we don't get any glory, and God doesn't want us to. It's all His. Always has been, always will be. 

6. On page 192: "God wants to go crazy through us." I'm not trying to nitpick...I'm really not...but it always bothers me when God is not spoken of with proper reverence. 

So there are more cons than pros for me, however, there is some important stuff here that people need to hear, so I do recommend this book with caution. 

3 out of 5 stars.

More about the book:

Book Description

What if you told God you would do anything . . . and he took you up on it?

In the years since the initial release of Anything, God continued to stretch Jennie Allen and her faith because of the courageous prayer of surrender that she and her husband, Zac, prayed, "God, we will do anything. Anything." Previously caught in the dizzying haze of worldly happiness and empty pursuits, Jennie went on to begin living out the adventure God had written for them-to include becoming the founder of IF: Gathering, an organization to gather, equip, and unleash the next generation to live out their purpose.

Anything is a prayer of surrender that will spark something. A prayer that will move you to stop chasing things that just make you feel happy and start living a surrendered life that matters.

This newly revised edition is updated throughout to include a new introduction and an in-depth Bible study component for those who have been wanting to lead a study on this topic.

Join Jennie on an adventure to discover your anything, those things that actually mean nothing until you know the God truly worth giving it all up for. And when you do, that will change everything.

About the Author

Jennie Allen is a passionate leader following God's call on her life to catalyze this generation to live what they believe. She is the author of Restless and the Bible studies Stuck and Chase, and is the founder and visionary of IF: Gathering. Jennie is married to her best friend, Zac, and they have been blessed with four children.

Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Walking With God in the Season of Motherhood

A lot of books, blogs, magazines, and Bible study materials are geared toward a specific season of motherhood, which leaves some moms feeling left out of the encouragement loop because they no longer have toddlers, they aren't struggling through the teen years, or they aren't caring for a special needs child. Melissa Kruger has written a Bible study that encompasses all seasons, and does it beautifully. 

Walking With God, an 11-week devotional Bible study, is written in a 5-day format. Each day includes a devotional reading, Bible reading (included in the book), and questions to ponder. The fifth day is a devotional that brings everything together and helps the reader reflect on the week's study. 

More about the book:

From Amazon:

Learn how God’s imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

Being a mom usually means being busy. Really busy. Whether you’re zipping from your children’s piano lessons to their next ballgame or nursing a baby while comforting a toddler, life is brimming with activities.  Yet one encounter can help shape every moment: time in the Word with Jesus. In Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, you’ll learn how to nourish your own heart, mind, and soul with the wisdom you need to become the mother you long to be.  
As you spend time with God through this eleven-week Bible study, you’ll gain life-shaping insights to help you…
·         Understand and pursue your purpose as a mother
·         Live out your true priorities
·         Entrust your child to God
·         Bear the fruit of the Spirit in your everyday interactions
·         Recover from Perfect Mom Syndrome (PMS)
Each week offers four days of study geared specifically to a mother’s concerns, with the Bible passages already printed out for your convenience. The fifth day is a warm-hearted devotional reading to help you reflect on and apply the truths you’ve learned. 
As your relationship with God deepens through prayer and studying His Word, you’ll discover how His imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

I recommend this book, no matter your season of motherhood. 

5 out of 5 stars.

 I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.