Saturday, May 22, 2010

The Jesus Series Read and Share Bible DVD, Life and Miracles

This DVD did not hold my almost five year old son’s attention for very long. He started out very intent on watching it, but I think the stories jumped around way too much and ended up being confusing for him. The 30 minute time frame is too short to try and touch on Jesus’ life and miracles. I felt like too many stories were being told way too quickly. If the whole thirty minutes had focused on one or two miracles or specific topics, it would have been easier to follow. I found myself repeatedly having to explain to my son what was going on and why. The animation is good though, and I could see it being more entertaining for an older child who has more background knowledge of these stories and perhaps wouldn’t get confused by the lack of details presented. Overall a good DVD with a great message that would benefit from a more focused approach. I received this DVD, in exchange for a fair and honest review, from Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program.

Monday, May 17, 2010

God's Promises for Boys by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker



Cute little book full of God’s word for little boys. This is a very attractive, hardcover book . The illustrations are colorful and eye catching, making it easier to keep the attention of little ones. I like that the book is organized by subjects that make it easy to apply scripture to many given topics. Some of the headings are “God’s promises when you need help”, “God wants you to count your blessings”, and “God’s promises about Jesus; He is your friend”. Each topic starts out with a little rhyme and then includes 3-4 bible verses that coincide with that particular promise. The verses are out of the International Children’s Bible, and are very understandable while still being true to the Word of God. The text is age appropriate for about ages four and up as a read aloud, however, I wouldn’t expect a very young child to be able to read this on there own. Because each topic can be read in as little as five minutes, this would make a great bedtime book. Each topic is illustrated, which is a plus for most children. The pages are high quality and glossy, making it a nice gift book as well. Very nice! I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an unbiased review.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Dad's Bible

Dad’s Bible is a great resource for any father. While it is not an in depth study bible, it is full of insights and practical information for dads. The translation ,(NCV),is very user friendly and easy to read. The print is a good size, and the overall quality of this bible is good. Some of the special features include “walking in authority” articles to guide dads in using the authority God has given them, “passing it on” articles about how to continue and help strengthen the faith of future generations, “building your children” articles about strengthening your own children’s walk with God, and “dad’s in the bible” highlighting the stories of biblical fathers. In addition, there is a helpful question and answer section in the back to assist dads in responding to kid’s tough biblical questions. Overall a nice looking and helpful everyday bible that would make a great gift for Dad. I received this copy free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an impartial, honest review.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Mind Your Mortgage by Robert J. Bernabe

This is a must read for anyone in the market for a new mortgage, anyone looking to refinance an existing mortgage, or anyone who thinks they ever will be. I wish I had this to read before I committed to a mortgage because it is honest and insightful. There is so much great information in this book, and it takes you from the very first steps (before you ever walk into a bank), right through to how and why you should pay off your mortgage. With the rampant excessive consumerism that has led our country to financial crisis, it is imperative that we educate ourselves about one of the biggest debts most people will ever take on. I know I personally feel bombarded with messages that communicate that I should buy, buy, buy….even those things I can not afford. It is so easy to get sucked into that mentality, and find yourself drowning in debt. And the really sad part is that the “things” that put us in debt fail to provide any level of joy or comfort that could ever compare to the level of stress that living in debt causes. The author of this book is a voice of wisdom in this culture of excess. He provides both basic information on mortgage loans, as well as up to date details particular to the crisis we are currently in. If you already have a mortgage, this book provides great advise and practical tips on how to pay your mortgage off in the most financially intelligent way possible. If you want to be in control of your mortgage instead of feeling like it has control over you, this book will help. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for a fair and impartial review.

Embracing Your Second Calling by Dale Hanson Bourke


Using Biblical lessons and stories, Dale Hanson Bourke has written a useful and insightful book on purpose and passion. Particularly, this book addresses Christian women who are in the changing years of life when children have grown up and women are left wondering “what’s next”. In our society, this is a time when it’s easy to be made to feel as if the best and most important part of a woman’s life if over. However, the author details why, according to God’s Word, this couldn’t be further from the truth. I love the Biblical references that are used throughout the book. Most especially I find this book practical in that the author has included reflection questions throughout that make it easy to apply the material. My favorite practical application is the “act” boxes scattered about the text that call on the reader to actually do something, such as “let someone go ahead of you in line”, and “if you can afford to, sponsor a child through World Vision”. I think with these kinds of books it can be easy to read the material, but sometimes difficult to figure out ways to actually apply it. However, this author makes that application very easy. A great book full of truly practical ways for women in their “second half of life” to find and embrace God’s purpose for them. I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for a honest and impartial review.