Author: jlschock

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu is a devotional for the Advent season. The book has 4 chapters, one for each week of Advent The chapters include Hope, Preparation, Joy, and Love. Each chapter is split up into seven sections: An over view, five daily devotionals and activities for the week. Each devotional has a reading, a challenge, a prayer and scripture references. The activities range from family fun to service oriented projects. There is bonus online content in the activities section to get printable activitiy sheets and other resources.

This book was a little smaller than I expected but is packed full of information and resources to help the reader celebrate Advent.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for ideas to help in their Advent celebration.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review from the publisher through the Moody Blogger Review Program. http://www.mpnewsroom.com/content/blogger-review-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.”

From the Back Cover:

My Review:

This book was hard for me to get into but I soon found this book to be insightful and packed full of stories and examples of how Christianity should be different from the world. This book has seven chapters with many subchapters. There is an introduction in the front and a note section in the back with references listed.  Each chapter has “For Your Consideration” section where four questions are listed to further think about each chapter. In chapter one, the author describes in length what an eccentric Christian is and why it is so important. Chapter two is about the Weird Cities Movement. I love the story of the Euclid Square shopping mall in Cleveland.  Chapter three has quite a bit of Scripture explaining how “Jesus was the Original Weirdo” Chapter four explains the history of Christianity and how it differs from today. Chapter five is about how to stay weird as a Christian. Chapter six talks about making it normal to be weird. Chapter seven closes the book with a recap of the book.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in Christianity as a whole or Christians who need encouragement to live our Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network. http://www.tyndaleblognetwork.com/ 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 Description:

The pink Sequin Sparkle and Change Bible is sure to be a hit with girls! This fabulous material is on everything from pillows to t-shirts. The “mermaid” sequins change color right before your eyes. Girls will love the design and will want to carry the Sequin Sparkle and Change Bible everywhere!

This Sequin Sparkle and Change Bible features a cover with pink sequins that change color depending on which way your child swipes. It’s double the fun! It’s perfect for kids ages 6 to 10 to take to Sunday school, read with the family, or study on their own.

The ICB, the first Bible translation created specifically for children, is easy for children to read and understand with a third-grade reading level and is typeset in a large, readable font. The Bible text is set in ten-point type, with bold in-text subject heads that help kids easily find the passages they are looking for. Also included are boldface words that correspond with a dictionary and concordance entry to explain word definitions. A great new feature in this updated setting is more than 300 key verses that are highlighted throughout the Bible for kids to read and learn. The beautifully illustrated insert pages are in a style that children love and will delight their imaginations, including topics such as:

A Bible timeline
A presentation page
A place to keep favorite Bible verses
Bible maps
Articles on topics such as how Jesus loves them, knowing Jesus better, and how to pray, etc.
Your little girl will love her Sequin Sparkle and Change Bible!

My Review:

Everyone is in love with the recent sequin flip color change fad. The pink Sequin Sparkle and Change Bible uses the fad to get children’s attentions. This cover draws everyone in the house to play with the cover. My kids all love the cover. But as a Bible, I’m not as impressed. The pages are very thin so you can easily read the print on the other side. Thin pages are hard for readers especially young readers because they have a hard-enough time deciphering the words on the page in front of them let alone trying to block out the backwards writing from the other side. There is key verse highlighting throughout the book which is helpful but the highlighted color is grey. The full color pages that are in this book are nice but not enough of them. My daughter loves this Bible because it has the awesome cover and Its about God and Jesus. I am happy for the opportunity to review the book with my daughter. This Bible contains a dictionary, a short concordance, a list of God’s promises and a list of popular memory verses.

I recommend this Bible for children 10 and younger because older than 10 or so should have a study Bible. This Bible is very basic inside.

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.”

My Review

The Mighty Reader Grade 1 Workbook by Heidi Cooley is a book of thirteen Bible stories with six days worth of reading and skills practice for each story. The Mighty Reader Workbook begins with a Reading Strategies Guide and Reading Skills Guide, then breaks the content into thirteen weeks with each week having six days. Each week is a different story and each day are skills to work on relating to the story. Stories include Noah and the Ark, Jonah and the Great Task, Joseph and the Colorful Coat, Moses and the Ten Plagues, David and Goliath, Three Friends in the Fiery Furnace, Daniel and the Lions, Queen Ester, Jesus is Born, Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree, Jesus Feeds the 5,000, Jesus and the Cross and Jesus and the Empty Tomb. Each story covers vocabulary, and reading skills such as comprehension and synonyms. The story is a page long about 5-6 short paragraphs in length. Each day had skill activities starting with reading the story and including skills like writing, circling words, filling in the blank questions, drawing pictures, and answering comprehension questions. The animal graphics throughout the book keep this book child friendly and visually appealing.

I suggest this book for early readers of readers that need extra review. It is a great parent/ child reading book. The activities keep the readers engaged without being overbearing or stressful.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BH/Lifeway Bloggers program. https://www.bhbloggers.com/ 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 Description:

Encounter the power of the word. Walk in the freedom God intends. Experience the Holy Spirit. For the NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Jack Hayford, founding pastor of The Church on the Way and chancellor of The King’s University, assembled a team of respected, Spirit-led scholars to produce this resource of solid biblical truth. Now in a full-color third edition with new contributors, it is even more dynamic. With over 2 million copies sold, the NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible continues to equip God’s people to live in his kingdom, exercise gifts of the spirit, and lay hold of God’s promises.

My Review:

This Bible is a fantastic study Bible. The soft leather is lovely. My daughter loves the smell of this version. I know that sounds weird but if you are reading a book especially as much as a Bible, you need to have a smell that you can tolerate and enjoy. It smells like new car mixed with new Bible. I love being able to review a Bible with a soft cover. The feel is so different than a hardcover. The pages stay open and the pages are not thin like most Bibles. There are many side notes with charts and maps throughout this version. The introduction to each book is quite extensive with a detailed outline. There is a “Truth in Action” section after each book explaining truths found in that book and how you can put that truth into action. I came across the section right before Revelation and was very amazed at how they covered “Dealing with the Last Things”. They explain how they aren’t choosing a side but give all the different views for the reader to make their own decision. There are keyword studies through out as well as prayers based on scripture. There are only a few maps in the maps section but there is a large selection of maps throughout the text which compensates for the lack in the back of this version. I really do not prefer the NKJV but this version has made me fall in love and consider using it as my daily Bible. If you can I would highly recommend buying the NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Leathersoft.

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.”

Product Description from Publisher:

Navigating the Friendship Maze is beloved author Michele Howe’s newest book. It will help women of all ages make thoughtful, prayerful choices about the friends they develop and nurture through life. In the Bible, the book of Proverbs makes frequent reference to the invaluable influence of godly individuals upon one’s life—In short, we become like those we spend the most time with! So Michele’s book will help women make wise decisions and cultivate the best friendships that they can.

Navigating the Friendship Maze contains stories of real women who have chosen wisely as well as some who have not; and will include discussions of the principles outlined. Each chapter explores various facets of friendship, such as the three types of friends every woman needs and practical ways to be a good friend. Each chapter also includes a Scripture reading, a brief prayer, and practical suggestions for women to follow.

Sample Chapters Include:
• Why Biblical Friendships Are Essential
• Frenemies or Friends?
• What to Look For in a Real Friend
• Knowing When to Let a Friendship Go
• Older, Wiser Mentor Friends
• Different Friends for Different Seasons
• Make Me Laugh, Let’s Have Fun Friends
• Exhort and Encourage (Speak the Word of Truth Out Loud and Often)
• Love Unconditionally (Accept Each Other’s Differences with Grace)
• Forgive Generously (Forgive Because We’ve Been Forgiven)

My Review:

Michele Howe’s book Navigating the Friendship Maze. Michele Howe’s book Navigating the Friendship Maze is a 30-chapter book helping women in their search for authentic friendship. There is an acknowledgements page and a three-page introduction and then the chapters are split up into three parts: Defining Biblical Friendship (Why They are Essential), The Kind of friendship Every Woman Needs, and How to Become a Friend Who Stays the Distance. The first ten chapters explains what biblical friendship is and what to look for and what to avoid when searching. The second part of the book explains what a woman needs in friendship. Michele describes different seasons and purposes of friendship. The third part of the book is about long-term friendships and how to sustain friendships through prayer, love, forgiveness, encouragement, vision, support, serving, celebration, healing and covenants. The book ends with a source section for quotations that the author used throughout the book. Each chapter includes a scripture verse, a quote from well known authors like Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Sheila Walsh, Lou Priolo, Paula Rinehart, Tim Lane, Max Lucado, David Jeremiah, Sarah Beckman, randy Alcorn and Oswald Chambers. The main part of the chapter is a three to four-page story most often about her own life experiences. Then there is a Take-away Action Thought section to encourage the reader by giving them simple advice. After the Take-away Action Thought section, each chapter has a prayer (My Heart’s Cry to You, O Lord) to engage the Lord in the readers friendship search and finishes with questions in the Focus on Friendship section.

Michele Howe’s book Navigating the Friendship Maze would be great for a small group setting or help for anyone teaching about biblical friendship. It would be a perfect addition to a church library. This book could also be used as a devotional. It has lots of wisdom for teenagers and young adults that can take advice from the authors experiences and hopefully avoid many bad friendship experiences in their own lives. The questions at the end of the chapter leaves the reader thinking about many points of friendship in their own lives and how the Lord is leading them.

I would suggest this book to anyone looking to improve their friendships or anyone helping others in their friendships. This book is essential in learning the biblical attributes of friendship and becoming a better person because we are most influenced by the people that are around us. Friendships have a big part of our lives.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Hendrickson Review Program. http://www.hendrickson.com/content/hendrickson-review-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.”

Description from Hendrickson Publishers

Christians and Messianic Jews who are interested in the rich spiritual traditions of their faith will be thrilled with this brand new study Bible. The Complete Jewish Study Bible pairs the updated text of The Complete Jewish Bible with extra study material, to help readers understand and connect with the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

The Complete Jewish Bible translation shows that the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, is a unified Jewish book meant for everyone—Jew and non-Jew alike. Translated by David H. Stern with new, updated introductions by Rabbi Barry Rubin, it has been a best-seller for over twenty years. This translation, combined with beautiful, modern design and helpful features, makes this an exquisite, one-of-a-kind Bible.

Unique to The Complete Jewish Study Bible are a number of helpful articles and notes to aid the reader in understanding the Jewish context for the Scriptures, both in the Tanakh (the Old Testament) and the B’rit Hadashah (the New Testament).

Features include:
– Twenty-five contributors (both Jewish and Christian), including John Fischer, Patrice Fischer, Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Rabbi Russell Resnik, and more
– Thirty-four topical articles ranging from topics such as the menorah (or “candelabra of God”) and repentance (t’shuvah) in the Bible, to Yeshua’s “Sermon on the Mount” and the Noachide Laws (the laws given by God to Noah and subsequent generations) and their applicability to Gentiles
– In addition to these topical articles and detailed study notes, there are twelve tracks or themes running throughout the Bible with 117 articles, covering topics such as Jewish Customs, the Names of God, Shabbat, and the Torah
– New Bible book introductions, written from a Jewish perspective
– Bottom-of-page notes to help readers understand the deeper meanings behind the Jewish text
– Sabbath and Holy Day Scripture readings
– Offers the original Hebrew names for people, places, and concepts

My Review:

If I would buy a study bible and even spend the extra money to get it bound in leather, this is the Bible I would get. The Complete Jewish Study Bible fascinates me. I first learned about the Complete Jewish Bible version when I came across the book Names and Titles of God by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson. http://www.jesuswalk.com/names-god/names-god.htm I also reviewed this book in an earlier post. I had no clue how Greek, Latin and English changed the names in the Bible and I found it fascinating how the Complete Jewish Study Bible was different from all the other bible versions that I knew. It took me some time to get adjusted to the names in the Complete Jewish Study Bible especially how the page headings have the names of the books in Hebrew on the left side and English on the right side. But after spending time in this version, I got accustomed to it. I was very happy for the glossary of Hebrew words into English and the glossary of English words into Hebrew in the back of this bible in the appendix. This bible has a small footnotes section that goes over some verses in more detail but it’s not overwhelming like many other versions. The introduction is a great help for people with no Jewish background. The introduction covers the topical articles that are found throughout the Complete Jewish Study Bible. There are 117 articles split up into twelve themes including Anti-Jewish Scriptural Interpretations, Covenants, Jewish Customs, Jewish-Gentile Relations, Messianic Prophecy, The Names of God, The Sabbath, Salvation and Atonement, The Holy Days of Isra’el, The Land of Isra’el, Torah, The Tabernacle (Mishkan). Each article is listed in the Appendix. The introduction covers a history of how the Complete Jewish Study Bible came to be along with other explanations such as translations and translators, The Bible, Contents of the Bible, Why the Bible is God’s Word, Jewish Tanakh verses Christian Old Testament, and Original Language Texts Underlying the Complete Jewish Bible. I could give a detailed review about what I learned in just the introduction of the Complete Jewish Study Bible. The Complete Jewish Study Bible introduction helps remind Christians that their faith is Jewish. The Appendix also covers an Index of Tanakh Passages Cited in the B’rit Hadashah, Scripture Readings for Shabbat and Festivals, Feasts & Fasts, Biographies of Rabbies and Sages, Contributors, Work Cited for Further Reading, About the Translator and Maps. Each book has a full color page for the introduction. The Complete Jewish Study Bible comes with two blue ribbons attached. My teenage daughter says that the book smell smells like a nice type of tea. She says that the book smell is a very important part of book review because you cannot enjoy a good book unless it has a good too. The pages are thin like most Bibles are. It would not be good for journaling with paint. You can see the type on the other side quite easily but it is not distracting while reading. I would like the pages to be slightly thicker but feel nice to the touch. I’m not fond of hardback Bibles because they do not wear well but I was given the hardback version to review but knowing the content, this is the bible I would want in a leather cover. I would highly suggest any one looking for a study bible and that is interested in the Jewish roots and history to buy The Complete Jewish Study Bible without hesitation in any cover they choose.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Hendrickson Review Program. http://www.hendrickson.com/content/hendrickson-review-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 Description:

God is the Creator, the Healer, our Savior, and our Friend. And it is through God’s names that we understand His character. Now little ones will understand how great our God is by learning His names and all the ways He cares for them.

Show your little one the character of God with I AM: The Names of God for Little Ones. Capturing the names and characteristics of God through short Bible stories, Scripture, and bright illustrations, I AM: The Names of God for Little Ones helps you learn about God in a way that will draw even the youngest child. Children will close the book feeling loved, protected, and secure in the arms of the great I AM.

Written by bestselling author Diane Stortz and illustrated by Diane Le Feyer, I AM: The Names of God for Little Ones is a great companion to the bestselling Bible storybook I AM.

My Review:

I was excited to review I Am: The Names if God for Little Ones by Diane Shortz. I have six children and I homeschool them all. I love to find children’s material that teach the nature of God. Finding this book brought excitement because I love teaching the nature and character of God. The names of God are important because they are simple but profound ways to learn the nature and character of God.

I Am: The Names if God for Little Ones by Diane Shortz is a children’s board book with a semi-soft cover. Each two-spread page has a name of God, two scriptures and a prayer. I absolutely love that the author uses the Hebrew Names for Creator (Elohim), God All-Powerful (El Shaddai), I Am (Jehovah), God Who Saves (El Moshaah), The Lord Will Provide ( Jehovah Jireh), The Lord Who Heals (Jehovah Rophe) and Teacher (Rabbi). When the book goes into New Testament names of God (Son of God, Teacher / Rabbi, Good Shepherd, Savior, Friend and King of Kings) only one of the names is in Hebrew. I wish the book would have included more Hebrew names like Adonai for Lord and Yeshua for Jesus.

I would recommend I Am: The Names if God for Little Ones by Diane Shortz for Preschoolers because it is a board book and the lack of detail. This book is a good book for introducing preschoolers to the names of God with some Scripture. I am happy to have this book to teach my littles.

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.”

From Publisher:

Discover the Secret to a Full Life

We live in a world of scarcity. We say, “I don’t have enough time… maybe when we have more money… if only I had a little more help…” But Scripture says if we have Jesus, we have enough.

In this 6-week study of Colossians, Asheritah Ciuciu leads readers to discover the life-altering importance of Jesus’ sufficiency and sovereignty. And you don’t need hours a day to enjoy this Bible Study. Each day’s study contains two paths:

• Snack on the Go: a bite-size morsel of truth to chew on throughout your busy day

• FEAST: a dig-deep guide to maximizing the “meat” you’re getting out of your Bible study

• PLUS! a supplemental “Serving and Leading” section that includes service challenges for making theory a reality

You can enjoy this study in whatever way works best for you. Discover the joy and freedom that abounds when we know deep in our hearts that Jesus truly is enough.

My Review:

Asheritah Ciuciu is a gifted author who takes a busy mom like me and helps her to study God’s Word. I got the book He Is Enough by Asheritah Ciuciu from Moody Publishers blogger program. At first, I honestly don’t know why I choose this book. It may have been the beautiful drawing of grapes on the cover or the expectation that this study would be as excellent as other Moody Publication studies that I’ve reviewed in the past. I know now that I got this book because God knew that I needed to read it. This book reminded me that Jesus is enough in my crazy busy life as a wife to a wonderful husband and mom of six fantastic kids. Asheritah Ciuciu reminded me that Jesus will meet you where you are. If three minutes is all you have then, Jesus will be enough. If you have time for an in-depth study then Jesus will be enough. In the book He Is Enough, Asheritah Ciuciu takes the reader through a six week study of Colossians in just that manner. She separates each day’s study into two sections: A Snack On The Go and Feast At The Table. A Snack On The Go is more like a devotional and only takes 3-5 minutes. Feast At The Table is a deep study that had many subsections. Focus On God has the reader open their Bible and read prayers and make them their own. Engage The Text breaks apart Colossians and has the reader journal scripture verses and observations as well as other questions pertaining to the study. Assess The Main Idea has questions about the audience the scripture is for and has you think about the core points of the section of scripture. Spark Transformation helps you focus of how the scripture applies to you and makes you like Jesus. Turn To God In Worship wraps the study in worship. This six week Bible study is one of the most intense, personal changing studies that I’ve gone through. The only studies that I would compare are by the same publisher.

If you want a Bible Study I highly suggest this study by Asheritah Ciuciu. It will bless you no matter how much time you have in your day to spend with God.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review from the publisher through the Moody Blogger Review Program. http://www.mpnewsroom.com/content/blogger-review-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 Description

The silly sheep in Bedtime Barn don’t want to go to bed! Will they ever tire out?

“I’m thirsty!” squeaks a little voice.

“Please leave on a light!”

“I’m still not tired!” one cries out.

“Let’s have a tickle fight!”

Go to sleep, sheep!

If your little ones insist they aren’t sleepy, make bedtime more fun by curling up with this playful story. Once the silly sheep hit the hay, your sleepyheads will realize that bedtime isn’t so bad.

My Review

Go To Sleep, Sheep is a board book illustrated by Sydney Hanson and published by Tommy Nelson Books. There is no author credited. The book is a nice thickness and decent size. The story is about a mama sheep and her little sheep nearing the evening. The sheep give all sorts of excuses just as kids do. The phrase “Go to sleep sheep!!” Repeats as each sheep gives excuses why to not sleep. Finally the sheep sleep and the mama sheep can get some rest too.

I would recommend this book to anyone who reads to young children. The book opens a lot of conversations such as obedience, recall of daily activities and if animals wear glasses.

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.”