The God Puzzle by Valerie Ackermann

The God Puzzle is a wonderfully done resource book geared towards kids ages 7-12. This book is great for daily devotionals either for the child alone, or to be done as a family. The truths of the Bible are presented in a way that is fun for children and makes it easy to remember what they have learned.

Each chapter focuses on a topic from "Who is God?" to "What are we looking forward to?" The chapters are well designed, very colorful and engaging activities. There are specific Bible verses to work on and could be used for memorization.  For younger children, some adult help is needed, but easily adapted in a family group.

This is a devotional which definitely has the child in mind. I think every Christian family has the desire to see their children desire a relationship with Christ, and The God Puzzle is a great tool to get them there.

Here is a fun interview with Valerie Ackermann where you can see more of where her heart is in teaching children...Enjoy!

You can purchase the book HERE



Q: Whom was The God Puzzle created for?

The God Puzzle was designed to equip any parent, regardless of background, to teach their children about God and the Christian faith in a way that combines deeply Biblical and ordered lessons with complete ease of use on behalf of the parents. It is a resource to bring quality Bible learning into ANY parents’ hands, even if they know nothing about the Bible or Christianity. In fact, a parent who knows very little can learn right along with their child. It also makes sure the longtime Christian parents actually teach what their children need to know to understand their faith.

It is my heart is to reach the Christian parents who are not satisfied with what they are teaching their kids at home or who bounce around from one devotional to the next, struggling with knowing everything their kids are supposed to understand and/or how to teach it. I hope to connect with both the new believers and the ones who’ve grown up in the church their whole life who want their kids to know God through Jesus Christ and the important aspects of the Christian faith.

Q: Why do parents need a Bible study program they can use within the home?

As a full-time children’s ministry director, I feel the church has invested too much into programs within the church doors and not enough into resources parents can use at home where most faith learning and observation takes place. Somehow throughout the past 200 years, faith-learning has been taken over almost entirely by church programs, leaving most parents feeling inadequate or without resources to teach their children. Well-meaning parents think their children are getting all the Bible education they need at Sunday school, and the truth is only about 10 percent of faith-learning happens in church programs.

While equipping their own programs, the church has made mostly weak devotionals available for parents to use within the home where kids spend most of their time. On the other hand, few parents have the time, knowledge or resources to use some of the good-quality materials available out there that are mostly utilized by homeschooling families. I find parents are hungry for something they will actually use and is easy, yet affordable.

Kids from Christian homes are scoring badly on Bible-college entrance exams because what we have been doing isn’t working. Not only that, but too many kids are walking away from the faith when they reach young adulthood.

Q: What encouragement do you give parents who are intimidated about teaching their kids about faith?

I see too many parents in the church frustrated at their time with their kids teaching them about God. It shouldn’t be that way. Teaching about God is not only for parents who are gifted teachers, or homeschoolers, or pastors’ kids — it is for EVERY parent even if he or she is very new to the faith. It is our job as a church to equip these parents with a book that is deep, yet simple, affordable and engaging, and requires no prep or background in the faith to get through. That is what I set out to do with The God Puzzle.

Q: How is The God Puzzle structured to be used?

Parents can work through The God Puzzle with their kids at whatever pace works for them. It’s something easy enough for a child, yet deep and structured as a theology textbook is. Faith should be able to be explained in terms a child can understand, and that’s what I have set out to do with this book. The workbook is interactive, and each lesson requires a personal response to the truths presented. No preparation is required, and only a Bible and pencil are needed.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are always my own and may differ from others.

Related by Chance, Family by Choice by Deb DeArmond

Book Summary (from AMAZON)

The caricatures are everywhere, the jokes are inexhaustible, and the stereotypes fill the screens. From Marie Barone (Everyone Loves Raymond) to Viola Fields (Monster-in-Law) to Internet sites and social media pages like ihatemyinlaws.com and a Facebook page for ihatemymotherinlaw there is no shortage of examples of the caustic relationships that can develop between the two women in a man’s life.

Deb DeArmond and her three daughters-in-law have conducted their own exhaustive research into the status of the women-in-law relationship. Their research, which incorporated online surveys, interviews, and discussions, included asking about the faith factor in the relationships they studied. Of the respondents, nearly 90 percent claimed they were Christians, and 79 percent said their faith was foundational and guided their actions and decisions. As discouraging as it may be, the numbers of those they surveyed who reported that their women-in-law relationships were “bad” were nearly identical to those in a survey conducted by a popular secular website that recorded no statistics on faith.

Beyond the statistics and their analysis, Deb brings to this book more than thirty years working with adults to improve communications and deal constructively with conflict. Aside from her research and her professional expertise, perhaps the most important asset Deb brings to this work is her own relationship with her three daughters-in-law that is so obviously and unusually positive that she—and they—are often asked to explain the secret of the relationships they share.

This practical and unapologetically scriptural book covers issues of personal perceptions, strained communication, the roles of sons and fathers in the relationship’s success, how to begin these relationships on the right foot, and the necessity of trust and love. Deb’s one motivating objective is to help womenin- law move from women who are simply related to strong and confident members of a truly spiritual family.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. When I first saw I could review this, I was excited. I know from personal experience how miserable a bad Mother/Daugher in Law relationship can be. My MIL has always been difficult and has on many occasions tried to get in between me and my husband. 

I have a son, and I know that's not the type of relationship I want with my future daughter in law.

I think this is a book that needs to be read multiple times to catch everything it has to offer. I love the assessments at the end of chapters. You can't just read this book and forget it, you really have to dig deep and assess where you are and what you want out of it. 

There are action steps which allow discussion and thought provoking realizations. I think every mom should read this book, especially mom's of boys because there is something different about that when it comes to marriage and letting go. 

So much wisdom in learning how to change the stereotypes of this relationship and turn it into something amazing. 

I encourage you to check this book out and let others know about it also. You can find it HERE.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal giveaway!

  

What an exciting time this is! Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal is here! This will be a wonderful addition to your reading and learning time.

The Home School Adventure Co. Launch Team is excited to help celebrate the release of the Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal with a special giveaway filled with books that will compliment your classical studies, as well as a couple of special surprises.  

The best news is that there will be two winners, each receiving a very valuable prize package!  

We would like to thank the following friends for their generous sponsorship of this giveaway! Be sure to stop by their websites to say thank you!

Institute for Excellence in Writing
Nancy Pearcey
Trivium Pursuit
Bright Ideas Press
Raising Real Men

Here are the prize packages you could win! 

Prize Package #1

Our first prize package contains all of the print resources from Home School Adventure Co., as well as wonderful books, curriculum, and even a marriage retreat. This prize package, sponsored by the Institute for Excellence in Writing, Nancy Pearcey, and Trivium Pursuit, has a value of $500!

Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal $28.95
Philosophy Adventure - Pre-Socratics Complete Set $89.95
Philippians in 28 Weeks ESV $28.95
The Wise Woman with Literaray Analysis Journal Questions $28.95

IEW Teaching Writing/Student Writing Value Pack (Winner's Choice of Levels A, B, or C) $249

The Soul of Science $11.99
Total Truth $25.00
Saving Leonardo $26.99

Teaching the Trivium Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style $20.40
The Fallacy Detective $22
The Thinking Toolbox $22

Prize Package #2

Our second prize package is filled with all of the resources offered at Home School Adventure Co. in their downloadable editions, as well as a set of all 3 volumes of The Mystery of History by Linda Hobar. This prize package, sponsored by Bright Ideas Press and Raising Real Men, has a value of $300! 

Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal Download $18.95
Philosophy Adventure - Pre-Socratics Digital Download $39.95
Philippians in 28 Weeks ESV Download $14.95
The Wise Woman with Literary Analysis Journal Questions Download $14.95

The Mystery of History, Volume I $49.95
The Mystery of History Volume II $49.95
The Mystery of History Volume III $59.95

My Beloved and My Friend book and Marriage Retreat Online $45
Pollyanna Audio Book Download $18

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below. Residents of the U.S., age 18 and older please.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just One More Thing Before You Leave Home by David Gudgel

Just One More Thing Before You Leave Home, is a practical way to find peace in the stressful and emotional time of getting your child ready to leave home. David Gudgel has provided us with 30 topics to cover with our children to prepare them for the future.

David Gudgel gives examples that have been personally tried by his family and gives encouragement of how it works and what to do and not do.

Each topic provides a section to read, scripture which goes along with the topic, and a section which gives help with how to approach the discussions and examples of what you can do.

I felt like the book had some great words and covered each topic well. As a mom of a teenager, I found myself reading it differently knowing my own child has just a few years left at home. It really brought home truth to me. I feel it will be of great encouragement to parents and teens.

Some of the topics it covers are relationships, finances, careers,spiritual truths and practical tips. All very important for the teen to learn. I think this book is great for helping families to take the time to sit down and really focus on what's happening and making time for teens to share what's in their hearts also. A great communication starter.

I encourage all parents of teens to read this book. Don't wait for the last moment, start as they get started in high school as a way to look at life at that time, and then read again as they get closer to send off. I feel the topics are that important. I can't wait to really sit down with my son and savoring the time with him as we go through this book.

You can purchase this book here at  amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book from in order to do my review. All my reviews are honest and are my own opinion.

"Beloved” iPad Mini Giveaway from Robin Lee Hatcher!

This will be a great Giveaway! You can come back on Nov 4th for my full review of the book!



Robin Lee Hatcher is celebrating the release of her latest novel, Beloved, with an iPad Mini giveaway! 

 
  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 15th. Winner will be announced November 16th at Robin's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Robin's blog on the 16th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)!

A Walk Through The Dark by Eva Piper

A Walk Through The Dark is a story of faith, trust and learning to rely completely on God.  This book is a companion book to her husband's book titled "90 Minutes in Heaven". If you haven't read that book, I suggest you do. It's also amazing! The two books can be read in any order.

In this book, Eva Piper has learned the hard way how things can change in a matter of minutes. One day she is a teacher, mother and wife going through daily life. The next day, her husband is injured in a horrible car accident and life is turned upside down.  Eva finds herself completely out of control. She finds the only way to survive is to put all her trust in her loving God. Her life already focused, her instincts take over. God speaks to her heart that things will be okay, and she trusts that. What she doesn't realize at the time is how long it will take to get to there and how hard the road will be. She faces situations which in hindsight make sense, but at the time are hard to accept.

Eva has to become the decision maker in what are the hardest times she has dealt with. Through the struggles she learns confidence in handling situations, which allow her to share with others and others to share with her. She finds a part of herself she never realized was there.

I can't imagine someone going through such trying times without the foundation resting on God. Eva Piper is a strong example of what a wife is supposed to be and what she should do. Love unconditionally. I find her to be a great inspiration with a wonderful testimony.

Although everyone struggles with different things, what she teaches us is how our faith deepens when we only have our faith. At times when we have no idea what to do, God shows us.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. I guarantee you will not read this and come out unchanged.

Disclosure: I received a free print copy of this book from www.booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review. My reviews are my own opinion and may differ from others.

Devotions frorm Exodus (Part 1) by Nicole Halbrooks Vaughn

I was excited to learn that I'd have the opportunity to check out another of Nicole Halbrooks Vaughn's devotionals. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the devotion from Genesis(review on blog) and was sure this one would have the same feel to it. I was not disappointed.

The Devotion from Exodus part 1 is filled with wonderful descriptions of each of the chapters.  The basic structure of the book is similar to Genesis. Each chapter is full of relevant material helping to bring the Bible to life. There are personalized prayers throughout which allows us to draw closer to God and gives us a starting block for our own prayer life.

This book takes us from Israel's bondage to their freedom in God. Learn how important this freedom is.

What is truly inspiring in this devotional is how it helps to open our eyes to details we might otherwise overlook. Instead of just glossing over the chapters with superficial information, this devotional really digs deep into the truth of Exodus and brings it to us clearly. I found myself learning things I never knew before. I especially enjoyed the focus on Moses's mom. The story of Moses is one most people have heard many times, but here we see more on what Moses's mom was like and her true part in the story.

This book is a great way to spend time in the word, and realize the truths in the Bible. You do not want to miss out on this!

Here is a direct line to where you can find the ebook now at Tate Publishing!


Disclosure: I received a free ebook copy of the book in exchange for a review. My reviews are always honest and are my own opinions.

Your Daily Bible Verse by Rachelle Ayala

Another great book by Rachelle Ayala. For my previous post by her, search in my March archives under the title " Hidden Under her Heart ". For me, I wake up and plan on spending time in the word, and have the desire to do just that...then life gets in the way. What I really liked in this book, were the daily reminders. There is a verse for every day of the year. Each verse corresponds to the month and day that you are on.

For example, on February 8th, the verse is Ephesians 2:8 : For by Grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Every day you have a different verse you can memorize.  Do you want a special verse on a certain day? Maybe for a Birthday, or a day to remember? This book is perfect.. It's easy to find the day and the verse to go with it.

The verses might not always be what you would choose for a certain date, but they are always a starting point and can help lead you to search the Bible for more verses.  All verses are in the King James Version. For me, I prefer a different version without the "ye" and "thou" but that's just me:)

I highly encourage you to get this book. While it's not a devotion with stories or anything, It is definitely worthwhile to have. It would make a great gift for someone, or a way for not only you, but maybe a family memorization time.

You can find the authors blog at: http://www.rachelleayala.com
Like her Facebook page at : http://www.facebook.com/rachelleayalawriter     

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Romance of Grace by Jim McNeely

I was really looking forward to reading this book! I was interested to see what he would say, and how he would address this topic.  We learn from this book that grace can not be commanded or forced. We have to choose for ourselves to accept the grace given us. He starts out with relating the topic to both parables from the Bible, and to current movies and such. I feel this was a great way to introduce us to his thought process. It was great also for someone who might be new to the concept of Grace and might need help understanding.

We find that real grace happens when we stop focusing on the power of the forbidden, and our true desire is for God.  God loves us no matter what, and more than we can imagine. We see throughout this book that it isn't our love, but Christ's love. Jim McNeely does a great job explaining each topic carefully and in a way that anyone can understand. He explains through examples about law and the difference between being moral and good. We have an innate desire to sacrifice and he does a wonderful job relating this to grace.

The book is written well and is clear and easy to understand. He includes Bible Verses throughout each chapter to lead you to the truth found in the Bible. At the end of each chapter, the reader is provided with discussion questions meant to draw you closer in, and get you to think about what you have read.
I love that he speaks truth, and allows us, as the reader, the chance to discover this truth for ourselves.

Whether  you are a Christian or not, there is a lot of great information and direction for leading you closer in a relationship with Christ. It will strengthen your relationship and remind you of what grace really is.

We have a giveaway for starbucks card here :The Romance of Grace by Jim McNeely Description and Giveaway!


Disclosure:  I received an ebook copy of Romance of Grace in order to do this review. No other compensation was given. My reviews are always my honest opinion and may differ from others.

The Romance of Grace by Jim McNeely Description and Giveaway!

Here is a great way to spend quality time with God. Learn to fall in love with him and learn how he sees us! Amazing book, Life-Changing!




Here is the book information.

First, the Amazon link: www.amazon.com/The-Romance-of-Grace-ebook/dp/B00BD9HLAY Author: Jim McNeely
Blog: www.thereforenow.com
Twitter: @jwmcneely
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thereforenow
Book title: The Romance of Grace.
Book Description: What if God sees us the way a man sees a woman he is infatuated with, and His main question is not how to make us moral but rather how to get us to fall in love with Him? In The Romance of Grace, Jim McNeely explores Bible passages that tell us what God really wants for us and what His love means. This is the love of a God who chose to give His life for ours, even carefully retaining His scars into the throne room of heaven and telling us in His very body, "I have gone to great lengths and great costs to say that I forsook all comforts for the love of you." Join Jim in his exploration of life in God's unconditional, redeeming, amazing grace.


Author Bio: Jim McNeely is a teaching pastor and elder at Dakota Creek Christian Center in Blaine, Washington, where he lives with his wife, Betty, and their four sons. Formerly president of New Century Data, with clients such as Lockheed Martin and American Airlines, he now works as a programmer and database administrator in the health care industry.

  Top Endorsements: So often we turn our faith in Christ into a forcing mechanism, which doesn't work in any event; and if anything, produces disillusionment or hypocrisy. The Romance of Grace is a prophetic book. I believe that unless we heed its call, to put grace absolutely without condition and frontally as the be-all and end-all of the Good News, we will lose completely, and not just in “the eyes of the world” but in the failure of well-intentioned religious lives that tried to love and never knew how.
—Paul F. M. Zahl, author of Grace in Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life

 It is time, as Robert Farrar Capon put it, to get drunk on grace. Two hundred-proof, defiant grace. That's what you get here in Jim's book. You won’t see a list of qualifications, and you'll get no "footnotes."

What you’ll encounter is grace unmeasured, vast and free. It will frighten you and free you at the same time. —Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and author of Jesus + Nothing = Everything

 In The Romance of Grace we are confronted with a truth that we may have previously rejected. It seemed too easy to embrace. It lacked obligation on our part and contradicted accusations we have given credence to for the majority of our lives on earth. Yet herein lies the truth—
“Not that we loved God, but that God loved us.” This book will help to right the plumb line in your life. —David Collins, author of Out of the Box, founder of Canadian Food for the Hungry International


Date: 5/22 at 12:01am to June 7 at midnight
Location: USA residents only
Age: 18 yrs or older
Void where prohibited.

 Disclosure: Lost Island of Book Reviews is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Love2EncourageYou is not responsible for postal delivery errors once the prize has been safely shipped out at the post office. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.           a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Whisper Theory

The Whisper Theory

by Amber Swenson

Summary:

      Whisper Theory is a book that is part story, and part bible study. We follow the lives of three friends and roommates Meghan, Carol and Jeff. We learn about their college life, thoughts of the future, their remembering of the past, and the present difficulties mixed in. 

      Meghan is a Christian who is having a hard time living her convictions. Her roommates are not Christians and instead of her being able to witness positively to them, they pull Meghan in their direction of living life. She finds it difficult to stand firm in her faith, and finds herself dipping her toes in temptation and in love with the wrong person.     

       

      She deals with many circumstances and sins which lead her away from God. How far will she go, and how much will she have to suffer before she finds her way back to God and the relationship with him that she craves? You will learn this and more through reading the book.

Review:

    

      Initially, when I read the listing for this book to review, I found myself intrigued. I enjoy a good clean suspense book and that's what it looked like to me.  It was different than I expected, but still looked interesting.

      What I enjoyed about this book was how it included bible study questions after each chapter. The questions related to the previous chapter and allowed some in depth looks at the subject matter covered in the chapter. I liked how it gave direct links to what the Bible says about the topic. The questions were thought-provoking, and allowed time in the word.

      I felt like there were some parts of the story which were hard to follow. The story seemed to bounce around leaving sections confusing. I see it more as an informational story book rather than a work of fiction. There were many difficult subjects covered from sex, drinking, murder and more. In general it was handled well. To me I felt it focused somewhat too much on the actual sin details. I wish there had been more of seeing Meghan trying to live a Christian life instead of being so easily swayed to the world. I think more could have been done to show this.

      For me, the last few chapters were the best where we find redemption. I think this would be good for college age kids, who might be encountering the subjects and could learn from them.

     

      Overall, Whisper Theory is a worthwhile read. I felt by far the best part of the book was the bible study.

Disclosure:  I received a free ebook copy of Whisper Theory from booksneeze.com in order to do my review. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are honest and are my own. They may differ from others.