Doodles In The Margin

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.”

Book description:

How to be a hero when you’re feeling anything but super

Despite all the superhero hype, the problems and pain in our world aren’t going away. In fact, it often feels like the threats just keep coming. But the good news is that God has placed you here for such a time as this. And the even better news? You don’t have to get rid of your anxiety, debt, speech impediment, extra weight, health issues, disability—or any other weakness—to be used by God. What this world actually needs is less-than-super people making small but significant differences in their own corners of the world.

Through inspiring stories from the Bible and his own life, Dan Stanford demonstrates that with God availability is more important than ability. Losing the Cape is an invitation to start making the world a better place through your ordinary, everyday presence.

My Review:

Losing the Cape by Dan Stanford is an encouraging book about how our originate life is the life of a superhero because of Christ’s power in us. Dan Stanford’s experience comes from his family and the stories of them. He talks a lot about his wife and how her response to her own circumstances encourages him.

I would encourage this book to anyone who needs to see how Christ can shine through their circumstances.

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:

I always have, and I always will, pray for you.

Before you were my little one, I prayed for you. As you grow, there will never be a time that I won’t cover you in prayer, because I love you so.

This cherished story, which has sold more than 165,000 copies, creates the perfect moment to wrap your little one securely in the love of a parent and of God.

My Review:

I prayed for You by Jean Fishcer is a wonderful bedtime story book. It goes through the day of a child and explains how the mom prays through the day. Its a great book for moms as well as children because it teaches moms how to pray and it teaches children how God is with them in everything they do. This would be a great book for new moms or dads.

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.”

Book Description:

The Woman’s Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. Special features designed to speak to a woman’s heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman’s identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom. Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, The Woman’s Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Since the publication of the first edition of The Woman’s Study Bible under the editorial guidance of Dorothy Kelley Patterson and Rhonda Harrington Kelley, this landmark study Bible has sold over 1.5 million copies.

My Review:

The Womens Study Bible is a fantastic resource for individual and group study. The Woman’s Study Bible is filled with charts and notes that help any Bible study. I reviewed the e-book version. The NIV translation is used for this book. I know many studies that everyone bought this specific Bible just because of the charts and notes. The resources in the back are also helpful. I honestly wish they made a men’s version. This is a great Bible.

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.”

Book Description

31 Days of Fun, Satire, and Deeper Meaning of the Godly Beard!

Is there a connection between hairiness and holiness? Some would say a hearty “Yes!” In fact, the world is in the middle of a beard mania. Events like Movember and Decembeard are becoming global movements and manly sites are appearing all over the internet. Is this just another fad? And what does it say that so many of the most famous Christian communicators have or did have a beard?

Throughout history, Christian men have gloried in male pattern magnificence. Saint Benedict of Nursia wore a superb double forker. The benevolently-bushed Euthymius wouldn’t allow clean-shaven monks to enter his Judean Desert monastery. St. Francis of Assisi had a beard, and now there’s a Pope named after him. He’s clean-shaven, but we’re praying for him.

Of all the great Christian men who wore beards, none stands so highly as the headless martyr Sir Thomas More. On the day of his beheading, the tufted knight supposedly positioned his beard away from his soon-to-be-severed neck, saying: “My beard has not been guilty of treason, and it would be an injustice to punish it.”

But of course, Bearded Gospel Men is about far more than beards – it’s about manliness and godliness. Through this 31-day devotional, men are inspired to rise to a higher calling. The humor and facial hair is the perfect means to have a broader conversation about living a faithful life.

So, let’s study some of these famous Bearded Gospel Men!

My Review:

The Bearded Gospel follows the modern devotional format with a verse, a reading, a contemplation and prayer for each devotion. Each devotion ranges from about 2-5 pages in length. But what really sets this book apart is the pictures and quotes and beard related commentaries throughout the book. Surprisingly, this book had me quite intrigued. I would recommend this book to anyone that adores their beard or knows someone that loves their beard. This book is a fascinating read and its a devotional too!!!

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 the publisher:

Have you ever looked into the faces of the people who call you “mom” and wondered what in the world you got yourself into?
If you’re like many Christian moms today, you’ve been reading the headlines and watching the rapid-fire changes in our culture with frustration and fear. Let’s face it: Moms today are facing questions that previous generations didn’t even see coming, and even our right to determine what is best for our own children is under fire. Popular speaker and blogger Heidi St. John (The Busy Mom) believes that today’s mothers need a special kind of strength. We need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We dare not rely on human strength for the battles we’re facing right now. In Becoming MomStrong, Heidi has a powerful message just for you—the mom in the midst of it all. Through encouragement, practical prayer points, and authentic “me-too” moments, Heidi equips you for a job that only you can do: to train your children to hear God’s voice and to walk in truth no matter where our culture is heading. God wants to use this generation of mothers to do something extraordinary:

• To be strong in the Lord
• To know who you are in Christ, and
• To impart that strength to your kids.

In other words, He wants you to be MomStrong! So if you’re feeling tired or inadequate today, get ready to find new strength as you join Heidi St. John in Becoming MomStrong.

My Review:

Becoming Mom Strong by Heidi St. John is a book for moms to encourage them through stories and scripture. This book is full of wisdom and urges moms to search Gods word in their journey to become better mothers. Heidi St. John gives helpful prayer points at the end of each chapter. Each story brings the reality of what being a real mom is like and brings encouragement. I suggest all moms or read this book.

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:

A Month of Sundays provides food for the body as well as the soul. It offers thirty-one weeks of delicious Sabbath meals along with reflections on the need for true Sabbath rest. This book will leave you feeling spiritually refreshed, reconnected with your Creator, and at peace with yourself.

My Review:

A Month of Sundays by Paula Hartman is a fabulous devotional and recipe book in one. I got this book to review mainly because of my interest in the recipes but as I read the book, I was impressed by the devotionals. This is a fantastic devotional book. I encourage you to buy a copy for yourself and be refreshed by this book as I have.

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 the Publisher:

Have you ever thought of Jesus as a lawyer?

It may sound odd, but at times in His ministry, Jesus wore his lawyer hat. When he defended the adulterous woman, when he argued from Scripture that the disciples were fine to pick grain on the Sabbath, and in other instances, Jesus insightfully applied to uphold justice and promote goodwill.

The legal aspects of Jesus’ ministry have long been obscured or misunderstood, particularly his interactions with and attitude toward the law and lawyers. Jesus’ desire in his day and ours is to use the law to secure the rights of people to hear the gospel and to set humanity free. In other words, to be the best citizens we can be, we need to follow in the footsteps of the greatest citizen who ever lived.

Jesus in the Courtroom covers topics like:

• Why we should care about the law
• Strategic involvement with the law
• How God has used the law to expand His kingdom
• What can happen when we partner with legal professionals
• How citizenship is part of discipleship
• Christian citizenship in matters like adoption, abortion, minimum wage, foster care, and schools

We are citizens of two kingdoms, but many of us duck and run when it comes to civil life. For anyone who cares about their community—parents, teachers, pastors, you name it—engagement with our legal system can play a huge role in the health of our communities and in cultivating a context where the gospel can flourish.

Jesus in the Courtroom will help us understand not only why we have failed to appreciate the legal aspect of Jesus’ life, but also to understand and cooperate with his legal ministry to us and through us. If we are going to be faithful “citizen disciples” in this challenging new world, we need to look anew at how Jesus taught, thought, and interacted with the legal establishment of his day. 

My Review:

If you are wanting to know about the legal authority of Jesus, this book is for you. This book goes into lengthy detail on our earthly legal system and God’s legal system. I was actually amazed at the depth that the author went into. Few people understand Jesus’ legal authority but many will learn through this book.

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.”