Bible Review and Giveaway for the Adventure Bible - Polar Exploration Edition!!

ABOUT THIS BIBLE:

This Bible is for children (as it says on the cover - #1 Bible for Kids) and it has so much wonderful information inside including:

Full-color images of polar animals, arctic outposts, and icy landscapes throughout make learning about the Bible even more engaging

Life in Bible Times—Articles and illustrations describe what life was like in ancient days

Words to Treasure—Highlights great verses to memorize

Complete text of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible

Dictionary/concordance for looking up tricky words

Color map section to help locate places in the Bible

MY REVIEW:

I absolutely love this Bible! It's such an interactive Bible with so much that will encourage children to read and enjoy it.  It's filled with wonderful pictures that will make your child smile. I love the penguins, polar bears and other cute polar animals used throughout - they are adorable and eye-catching! The translation used for this Bible is the NIV which makes it easier for children to read, enjoy and understand.

I also like that the text is easy on the eyes to read and not too small. I had no trouble reading the text and I can't read really small text any longer. I think this is a huge plus as children don't really like small text either.

One of my favorite things are the "Word to Treasure" squares throughout the Bible that pick special Scriptures from the pages you're on. This would be a good way to encourage children to memorize Scriptures. They are not long passages so they would be easy for a child to memorize.

Another favorite part of this Bible are the full page color pictures that ask questions or give your child more information about a topic.  For instance, there is on on Scriptures to look up if you're feeling a certain way and another one about Getting To Know Jesus and His Life. These put into one page important information that your child can refer to.  There are full color maps in the back as well so that they can look to see where the certain stories are taking place or see where Jesus was.

Here are some pictures of the inside of the Bible for you to see. You can click on the pictures to see them larger.

This is such a wonderful Bible and I love it! I think a child would love it, too! I've really enjoyed going through it and reading it and I love all the information inside. It's just a wonderful Bible all the way around and I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This Bible was provided to me by FlyBy Promotions.  I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

GIVEAWAY!!!

The publisher of this Bible has graciously given a copy for me to give away to one of my readers! This would make a wonderful Christmas present for a child and to enter, please follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
I will choose a winner on Saturday, December 1, 2018. Make sure I can contact you by email. If you're signed in to google, I will be able to contact you via your comment. If you leave a comment anonymously, please make sure to leave your email in the comment. If I can't contact you, I'll have to chose another winner.

This giveaway is open to US only.

Blessings - Julie

Book Review and Giveaway - Ruth Redeeming the Darkness

ABOUT THE BOOK:

An in-depth, gospel-centered bible study on how Christ redeems even the worst forms of darkness lurking within and around us.

RUTH: Redeeming The Darkness uses God`s truth to touch our daily realities:

Fractured relationships
Processing feelings of bitterness, confusion, and doubt
All-in Christianity
Our response to the faithfulness and sovereignty of God
Have you ever felt like God has left you? Struggled with feelings of bitterness or doubt? Hopelessness? Ruth’s message is not presented as a five-point sermon, but as a spectacular, romantic drama. Its story woos us into relationship with its characters and storyline, yet is also true, living history. This workbook-style bible study approach tackles important life topics including fractured relationships, all-in Christianity, God`s faithful devotion, and rightly processing bitterness and doubt.

Ruth is unlike any other book of the bible because words like love story and theatrical are accurate descriptors of its text alongside being historical, and gospel-centred. She’s small enough in her four chapters to rest as a cute hardback on your coffee table, yet profound enough to explode hope and redemption into your darkest pain and everyday frustrations. It is not only magnificent because of its breath-taking storyline between a man and a woman, but because God sovereignly orchestrated and sealed it within the scriptural canon so that we can experience Him as the ultimate lover of our souls. Ultimately, Ruth conveys the love story of Christ coming to redeem His people. Christ is coming for you. The host has ripped your ticket for Ruth’s next performance and you’ll be sitting front row centre as His guest of honor. Come expectantly and settle into your seat prayerfully. The orchestra is cued, and the curtain is pulling back for Act 1…

Can God be kind and all-powerful when the world is filled with despair?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea Thom is a wife, mom to three great kids, and a therapist. Known for being both deeply reflective yet quick-witted, she`s the parent on the sidelines yelling a little too loud for the home team, but also the one who loves to curl up with a good book and a hot cup of tea on a rainy day…or any day. She loves. Her family and friends – the whole messy lot of them. She loves unexpected belly laughs. Putting on warm clothes straight from the dryer. The colour blue. Efficiency. Reason. Tidy cupboards. Easter. Quietly gleaning through scripture’s pages at night before exhaustion folds her into her pillow. That`s a special space – it`s just Jesus and her there – – a hallowed, secret union that is theirs alone. She wants to live with eternity in mind and be consumed with what she’ll be enjoying forever – Jesus. That’s why she loves God’s word so much. Jesus is the only trustworthy One to offer real hope and redemption for our eternal futures and everyday realities.

MY REVIEW:

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Ruth. I love the story of redemption and true love as it really gives us a real picture of God's true and abiding love for us.

In this study, Andrea gives us a good background and has us studying not only Ruth but the relevant books that give us more information.  I really liked this as I think it's helpful to understand what came before and the background of the people we're reading about.

I liked the questions that had me digging deeper and the Scriptures that gave me a good foundation. It was an easy study to do and would be great in a group setting. The author gives a lot of help at the end of the book for doing a group with the study so that is really helpful.

Overall, I think it was a good study.  It wasn't overwhelming yet it helped me to grow in my understanding of Ruth.  I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Celebrate Lit. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.



ANDREA'S GUEST POST:

The Bible is not a book about God, it is God actually speaking! In fact, throughout history, Scripture is the primary and most trusted way that Christ reveals Himself to the world. Ever notice how our experiences become more powerful when understanding runs alongside the experience? A sports match is more exciting to watch when we know the rules of play. The theatre is more captivating when we comprehend the dialogue. Music can impact us more deeply when the sweep of the notes collide with lyrics that we actually grasp. The power of our experience of Jesus is connected to the depth of our understanding about who He actually is!

No matter what you’re like or who you are, the same Jesus who spoke creation to life wants to speak life into your circumstances now through His Word. Pursuing biblical depth is not just reserved for the academically elite who are into that sort of thing. We consume food to survive, but we consume His Word to truly live! So grab some friends to join your Bible study journey because the pursuit of truth through His Word is essential, doable, and awesome. Come – just as you authentically are – and prepare to meet Jesus for who He actually is…

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Hope Your Heart Needs

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Understanding God's character and how he loves us changed Holley Gerth's life in beautiful, powerful ways. She realized that the hope, joy, peace, and purpose we all long for can be found in his heart. Knowing who God is and the ways he cares for us empowers us to overcome the restlessness and stress we all tend to feel in this busy, overwhelming world.

Whether you're going through a hard time or simply dealing with the everyday challenges of life, you'll find encouragement, hope, and new strength on these pages. With Holley's help, you'll discover that "the God who scattered stars like diamonds across the velvet of the universe, the keeper of every sparrow, the maker of us all is inviting us to draw closer to him. . . . He is what we've been searching for all along."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Holley Gerth is a bestselling author, licensed counselor, certified life coach, and speaker. She loves connecting with the hearts of women through her popular blog and books like Fiercehearted and You're Already Amazing. She's also cofounder of (in)courage and a partner with DaySpring. Holley lives with her husband, Mark, in the South. Hang out with her at www.holleygerth.com

MY REVIEW:

As always, Holley Gerth speaks to my heart and soothes my mind with her Biblical words of comfort.

This book has 52 encouraging devotionals that you could either do once a week, to last out the year, or do one a day (which I am doing) to help you remember who you are in God.  Each day starts with a Scripture and then the devotional is written from Holley's heart to yours. She encourages, uplifts, and makes you feel as though you are talking to your best friend over coffee. Finally, there is a promise of who God is for us in our lives.

Holley has experienced the same type of heart-aches that all of us do and she shares how God has given her strength during the hard times. I love that she reminds us that it's okay not to be okay all the time but that God is with us through it all.

I highly recommend this devotional, as I have all of Holley's books. She never disappoints and she always keeps things true to the Word of God. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Revell.  I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.



Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Into the Deep by Lauren Gaskill

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Develop enduring faith for the turbulent waters of life.

Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee sunny skies and smooth sailing. In fact, the waters of life are often tumultuous, crashing over us. Sometimes we can feel that we’re drowning in a sea of confusion, division, frustration, complacency, or disillusionment. We need more than a shallow faith to survive these deep waters.

Into the Deep is an invitation to dive headfirst into a life of courageous faith. With endearing warmth and authenticity, Lauren Gaskill shares how she and others have learned to swim with Jesus in the deep waters of life—facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and chronic illness—only to discover a more authentic, enduring faith that cannot be shaken by circumstances. In addition to examining the character of God and the lives of women and men of the Bible who chose to dive deeper with God, she provides practical examples and tools that help us take our faith to the next level by learning to make decisions by faith alone, control our reactions to overwhelming situations, and live a life rooted in love.

Get ready to exchange fear and frustration for the boldness, courage, and holy confidence that lead to a life of deep faith and joy!

READ AN EXCERPT BY GOING HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lauren Gaskill is an author, speaker and host of the Finding Joy podcast and Finding Joy Ladies Night Out events. After being diagnosed with an incurable connective tissue disorder, Lauren made it her life mission to encourage others to fight for faith and find joy — no matter what life’s circumstances might bring.

Gaskill is a storyteller who believes stories are powerful and loves how God uses them for His good. She writes and speaks to motivate and inspire others to experience abundant life in Christ. She is particularly passionate about encouraging women to fight for faith and go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. Gaskill also writes and speaks about what it looks like to walk with Jesus through pain and suffering.

She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Find her online at LaurenGaskillInspires.com or on Facebook (lauren.gaskill.inspires), Twitter (lauren_inspires) and Instagram (lauren_inspires).

MY REVIEW:

This book touched my heart and my soul in a much needed place. I really love how Lauren shares so openly and honestly about her life's struggles and let's us know it's okay that we have struggled, too.  What I really love, though, is that she encourages us to move forward with the love and strength of God. She gives us the words of wisdom from Scripture to help us not just know God but believe in Him. There's a huge difference, as she points out, in knowing there is a God and believing in Him. Believing Him and what He says about our lives changes everything.

Lauren has dealt with chronic illness and knowing this, helped me to practice what she teaches in my own life. It's not easy to deal with these things yet Lauren shares how when she started to believe God, He was able to work in her life in very deep ways.

I also loved how she shared about fear and how, through God, we can have a secure faith. This is something I think all of us need in our lives when things get difficult. Since Lauren was a swimmer, she uses the metaphor of water a lot and the deep end of things. How hard it is when we find the deep waters coming over our head as the hard struggles become too much. However, she shows how God will use those deep waters to grow us, and He will keep us above the deep waters in our faith.

This book was so very helpful to me and it's one that I will re-read again and again, especially when I need that extra boost of faith. I love that she keeps this book Biblical and it's filled with the truth of God's Word. I really love this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Audra Tours and Abingdon Press. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - In Too Deep

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When the Carrington County Sheriff's Office dive team is called in to recover a body from a submerged car, they aren't prepared to find an encrypted laptop--or an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the dead accountant.

Adam turns to his friend Dr. Sabrina Fleming to recover the files from the laptop. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the investigation becomes. When evidence implicates members of Adam's own family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case.

The truth could set hundreds free--but someone is willing to do whatever it takes to silence anyone who threatens to reveal their secrets.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Beneath the Surface, Hidden Legacy, and Covert Justice, winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She's passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don't make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

MY REVIEW:

This book had me up late in the night reading! It has everything I love in a book - a mystery I couldn't figure out and wonderful characters that I really cared about that tried to live out their faith in real, tangible ways.

When a woman is found in the river dead, she has a message to Adam Campbell from beyond the grave that has everyone on edge and in fear for their lives. Adam is a dive team member of the Carrington County Sheriff's Office and he is working with Dr. Sabrina Fleming to figure out what message the woman in the river has left behind on her computers and other technology. They are working close on this situation and becoming more and more attached to each other.

There is so much action to this book with one scary incident after another. I was never sure who was behind it all. I thought I knew who the bad guy was but I was totally wrong and I loved that I was! It was really a very complex story with lots of twists and turns I never expected.  I also enjoyed knowing more about how the diving team works with law enforcement. There is a nice romantic story line along with the mystery so I enjoyed that, too. The faith aspect was very realistic and I enjoyed how they depended on God in their lives.

This is one of the best books I've read this year! It kept me intrigued from the first to last page and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great mystery/romance. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It's a must read for those quiet nights by the fire or cuddled up in bed.

*This book was provided to me by Revell. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.



Blessings - Julie

A Birthday Blast - Part Two

I had such a lovely birthday this year and it was so amazing, I had to make it into two posts! If you didn't read the first part, you can read more about it HERE.

So to continue, I wanted to really celebrate with my family and so we went out for my birthday dinner on Saturday. I chose my favorite restaurant, Olive Garden, and it was quite lovely. I had my favorite meal, Seafood Fettuccine, and they are always so sweet to give the birthday girl a free dessert so I chose the Apple Fritter. We all had delicious meals and I was serenaded by the wait staff with Happy Birthday.  Now, when I was younger, I absolutely abhorred having the attention of having others sing Happy Birthday to me, especially in a restaurant. However, now? I love it as I think it's important and exciting to celebrate my birthday to the fullest. 😊

After our dinner we went to do a little Christmas window shopping together and had a fun time looking at Christmas trees, decorations and all those fun things.

My gifts were so special this year and I received some things that will be treasured for the rest of my life.  First, I received the new Illustrating Bible!

This Bible is so amazing because it's coil bound and has large margins for decorating and writing on.

It comes in a lovely box that I can keep it in and it will be a keepsake for myself and my family. 

Then I received the 100 days of Bible promises journal.

Again, this is something that I will use to grow my relationship with God and also decorate and it will be a keepsake.

Finally, I received an Illustrating Bible kit! It has so many gorgeous elements in it like washi tape, stickers, die cutouts and more! I'll use it for both my Bible and my journal.

Here I'm holding the sweet note that my son had Day Spring send me with my gifts. I thought that was so sweet of him to do that. Here's a closeup of the kit - you can see a lot of the cute elements in there.

I had such a fun birthday spending it with my favorite people. I will remember this birthday as one of my best just because of the special time I had and for the thoughtful gifts that will enrich my life so much. Again, I am SO blessed!

Blessings - Julie

Book/Journal Review - Illuminate Your Story Journal - The Illustrated Word - Faith & Lettering Journal

I am reviewing three different journals on this post. I am doing this because all of them work so well together and I think it's actually something you might want to purchase together. These are all the Ellie Claire journals and they are high quality and beautiful! So let's get started with the first journal....

ILLUMINATE YOUR STORY:

This is such a wonderful journal because it teaches you step by step how to create beautiful illuminated letters that will enhance your Bible journaling or any type of artwork where you will use lettering. I loved the instructions because they were so easy to follow. I actually took this one to my doctor office appointments to work on while waiting and it was great! I was able to follow each step and learned how to make several gorgeous letters that I will definitely use in my new Illustrating Bible.

The paper quality is wonderful! I was able to use my permanent black fine liner in the book and did not see any shadowing on the next page. I used my art makers as well as my watercolor markers in this book and the paper held up really well with all these things.

I started out using pencil to learn the letters then went over them with the black fine liner and then used my art and watercolor markers to enhance the letters with color. I love how I was able to make each one my own yet they looks so beautiful because of the great instruction! There are also some blank pages for practice or for actually journaling. I absolutely LOVE this journal and am having so much fun working through the letters then using what I've learned in my artwork. It's especially special for my Bible! I highly recommend this journal and give it 5 out of 5 stars.


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FAITH & LETTERING JOURNAL:

The next journal is the Faith and Lettering Journal. This journal teaches you how to do lettering as well as banners, and flourishes. There are many color pictures to give you an idea of how to put different elements together and I loved having these ideas. There are several fonts to learn as well as some practice pages that you can trace and learn to do the lettering and flourishes that way.

I love all blank pages that are lined or dot printed for practicing my lettering or writing out Scriptures or anything that is on my heart.

The paper is very high quality and I was able to use my watercolor pens as well as my makers and fine liner black felt tipped maker without ruining the paper or having bleed through. I liked that I could use my art supplies and actually have the journal withstand all my work inside.

I have really wanted to learn to do lettering for my Bible journaling and artwork and this book taught me exactly what I needed to know to do beautiful lettering and other flourishes. I had so much fun playing with this book, coloring in the different pictures and creating my own lettering. I LOVED this book and would definitely recommend it if you're wanting to learn lettering and have a journal to practice in that will be a keepsake! I give this journal 5 out of 5 stars.

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THE ILLUSTRATED WORD:

This final journal is like a gorgeous piece of artwork! Inside you'll find beautiful pages that you can color. These pieces are so intricate and amazing that you will feel like you've created a piece of artwork from long ago that belong in a museum. Each and every one of these pictures are just amazing! In fact, each drawing is based on a work of art that they show in a smaller square so you can have an idea of how it looks when it's done. Of course, you don't have to adhere to the colors they used in the original artwork but can make them your very own! It's your choice of how you want to color in your pictures.Some have Scripture as a part of the picture and some are just amazing pictures that will stir your heart and inspire you.

I really love all the blank pages inside this book for either writing in or creating my own artwork on. The paper is high quality and I was able to use not just regular pens inside but makers as well as my watercolor pens. I had no bleed through and the paper handled the watercolor pens very well without a lot of wrinkling or pulping of the paper.

I could definitely see using this journal as a place to write my Scriptures or make notes regarding my Bible reading.  I think what I will mostly use it for, though, is my artwork inspired by my Bible reading. The journal is really perfectly made for doing artwork in!

I love this journal and it's something I will always treasure. I can highly recommend it for it's high quality papers, drawings to color in, and for inspiration. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.


*All of these journal were provided to me by Worthy Publishing. I received a copy of these books to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading, drawing and writing in these journals.

Blessings - Julie

DVD Review - Hillsong Kids, Can You Believe It?

ABOUT THE DVD:

Hillsong believes that teaching children to love God and others takes place in both the home and in the church. For this reason they seek to partner with parents (the greatest teachers of all!) and with church pastors and leaders, equipping them with great resources. Through fun experiences, meaningful music and ministry that encourages kids to participate, Hillsong Kids presents Jesus Christ and His Church in a relevant way, creating moments which children will never forget.

“Can You Believe It!? - Songs of Truth” is both a question and a challenge... a statement of gratitude to a loving God and an invitation to explore the very foundations of faith. Classic songs like “My Best Friend”, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” and “What A Beautiful Name” join brand new declarations of faith such as “As The World Shakes” & “Heaven Is Our Home”. We pray that this collection of fun and vibrant songs, help children around the world to declare biblical truths about God’s love and grace for them.

MY REVIEW:

This is a really fun DVD that brings worship to life for children. You'll recognize a lot of these songs as favorite Hillsong worship songs. They are geared toward children, though, and it encourages them to sing along and get to know the Lord through the words of these worship songs.

As a rule, I really don't enjoy hearing children CD's or DVD's but this DVD is so well done and I found myself singing along while watching. The children really do a beautiful job and there is definitely a feeling of worship from them. My favorite song from Hillsong right now is Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) and they do such a lovely job of singing it.

Here's a little sample about the DVD.

This would be a wonderful gift for any child or grandchild. Perfect stocking-stuffer! You could pop this into the DVD player at any time while your child is cleaning or as a fun time with your child and their friends. I think it would also be great for the children's church situation or in any group setting.

I really enjoyed this DVD and I love that it encourages children to worship God! It would be great for any child. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*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.



Blessings - Julie

A Birthday Blast

I had the most wonderful birthday! In fact, my family made it last for about 5 days! On my birthday, my son surprised me with these two gifts.

The Christopher Robin movie on DVD...

He and I have a love for things Pooh Bear so this will be a special event for us to watch together.

Then he gave me this!

I'm sure you can guess why I received this and why I love it so much!! I am beyond thrilled!

My hubby and I had a lovely lunch and then went out and did a little window shopping for Christmas. I was looking for a couple craft items at Hobby Lobby, too, so we did that as well.

One of the fun things I found that I just had to have was this!

I think my husband was shocked that I fell in love with this. lol  I am a huge fan of the Wonder Woman movie and this reminded me so much of that. I'm going to use it for 2019 and think big and set good Wonder Woman goals. 😁  Here's a little closer picture of the set. It has so many lovely things in it.

Since my birthday was on a weekday when my son has to work, we decided to save the bigger celebration for the weekend. I decided to make my own cake this year. When I was young, my grandmother and mother would make delicious chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I haven't made one for years and really thought it would be wonderful. It was. It isn't fancy but what it makes up for beauty, it more than makes up for in yumminess!

The recipe for the chocolate frosting has never been written down but it's in my head. I bit of this and that and it becomes the most amazing frosting ever.

I will continue more about my birthday next time. Suffice to say I am so blessed and so spoiled by my family.

Blessings - Julue

Book Review - The Sparkle Effect

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Former Miss USA Kristen Dalton Wolfe helps inspires women to believe that positive identity transformation and fulfillment in life is possible in Christ.

The world is waiting to experience the gifts of each and every daughter of the King. But how do these women rise to their calling when so commonly burdened by insecurity, discouragement, or lack of self-belief? THE SPARKLE EFFECT is a guide to the total, positive identity transformation that is possible in Christ. It will empower women with the confidence to achieve their biggest dreams and live fulfilled like never before. Once readers stop wasting time trying to meet worldly standards of beauty and success, stop feeling unworthy, and stop hiding in the shadows of their lives, they’ll be open to claim their divine destinies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristen Dalton Wolfe is a former Miss USA and the founder of SheIsMore.com, an inspirational online magazine that impacts hundreds of thousands of readers a month. She leads a women’s ministry, She Gathers which hosts weekly meetings, monthly gatherings, annual retreats and conferences. Kristen is also a faith based personal success coach. She and her husband Kris are motivational speakers and live in Los Angeles with their daughter, Aurora.

MY REVIEW:

This is such an inspiring book! I loved how she encouraged us to sparkle as ourselves and the way God made us. So many of us feel like we need to be different than we are or change things about ourselves to be like someone else when we would be far better off being the best us we can be.

I love how Kristen shares so openly and honestly about her life and the things she herself has been through or thought. She makes you feel like you're sitting with a friend and she's pointing out the great things about you. She encourages us to use our gifts and not be someone we're not.

Finding out dream is such a wonderful part of this book! So many of us aren't sure what our dream is or we may feel like our dream is too big or silly.  Kristen encourages us to live our dream - to go for that thing that makes our heart happy and excited. This helped me so much!

This is a book that I will re-read many times to encourage me and keep me focused on my dreams and living a sparkle-filled life! How exciting to live a life of joy and sparkle!

This book is for every woman! Yes, it would have been nice to have read this when I was younger but we're never too old to spark and shine for Jesus or to live our dream! I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Hachette Books. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Praying With Jane

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The charm of Jane Austen and her novels has been enjoyed for over 200 years by readers around the world. Much has been written about her fascinating life, yet little is known about Jane's spiritual side. In this lovely 31-day devotional, you will get an in-depth look at Miss Austen's vibrant, steadfast prayer and faith life. Her intimate relationship with the Father comes to life through her exquisite prayers, touching biographical anecdotes, intimate excerpts from family letters and memoirs, and illuminating scenes from her novels.

Spiritual insights and Scripture references shed light on the profound meaning behind Miss Austen's prayers and the enduring truths they contain. Each day ends with a key Bible verse and invitation to "pray with Jane," helping to ignite and deepen your own vibrant relationship with the Father.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Dodge fell in love with books while listening to her mother read--in their home, at the doctor's office, in the car, and even in the middle of the night when she had the chicken pox! With a children's author for a grandmother and elementary school teachers for parents, she grew up in a world filled with books and peopled by literary characters.

Today, Rachel is a college English instructor, author, blogger, and speaker. With a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Southern California and an M.A. in English Literature from California State University, Sacramento, she teaches writing and literature classes and speaks at libraries, teas, and literary groups about Jane Austen, her life, and her novels. She is also a regular contributor to the popular Jane Austen's World blog.

Rachel is passionate about telling stories that bring God glory. Her goal is to elevate Jesus through writing in order to encourage others to grow closer to God through prayer and Bible study. She enjoys exploring the intersection of faith and fiction in her own writing and is happiest when reading or writing.

Rachel makes her home in California with her husband and children. She loves old houses and architecture, beautiful gardens, anything British (including period dramas!), spending time with her family, attending church, mentoring young adults, and exploring new worlds through reading and writing.

MY REVIEW:

This book touched my heart in so many ways! My love for God and my love for Jane Austen is met with a lovely book filled with Scripture and wonderful quotes from the Jane Austen books.

The cover of this book is so beautiful and the inside even more so with it's beautiful writing and faith-filled pages. I really liked the introduction and how Rachel gives us a glimpse into the heart of Jane. Then there are three beautiful prayers written by Jane Austen dispersed throughout the book. These prayers touched my heart so much! Her eloquent words and reverence for God are so beautiful!

However, it is Rachel's writing that really drew me in and inspired me. She writes not only about Jane and her writing, but brings it all together with Scripture in a wonderful way. This book touches my woman's heart and gives me a longing for God and His Word. I love a book that makes my quiet time with God more meaningful.

I love that this book focuses on prayer. Each day starts with a beautiful quote then a devotional focusing on Jane, her faith, and Scripture. We then have an invitation to pray, then a final prayer for the day. Each day then has a Scripture that focuses on what we have read and learned. Prayer is the main focus on this book and that is so important and has made a real difference in my quiet time prayers.

I love this book, as I'm sure you can tell. This is a wonderful book for any woman looking for a deeper prayer life and, for the Jane Austen fan, this book is a must have! I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by the author.  I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.



Blessings - Julie

Book Review - The Words of Christ

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A beautiful gift book--from the Church's early illuminated manuscript tradition--featuring the words and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Here are the pure moral principles Christ taught us. His words from the New Testament are the more important than ever.

As we seek truth, justice, compassion, and love amid disruption and uncertainty, we turn to the words of Christ for guidance. The words of Jesus give us direction and purpose. In times of turmoil and rapid change, their clarity and force provide comfort, strength and peace.

THE WORDS OF CHRIST is divided into ten sections, each from a significant portion of the New Testament: My Father's House, Galilee, Sermon on the Mount, The Seeds Are Cast, The Wider Travels, The Last Journey, The Last Week, Betrayal, Crucifixion, and The Last Words.

Designed and illustrated by artist Judy Pelikan, she ornaments each page with the flora and fauna of the Holy Land. She adopts the tradition of manuscript "illumination," introduced in the Middle Ages when it was employed to enlighten - shed light on - sacred texts.

MY REVIEW:

This book is absolutely gorgeous! It's a small book but it's so beautifully done and each and every page is such a lovely, peaceful reminder of the words of Jesus.

The high quality paper within this book makes it a joy to hold and peruse. The illustrations are just beyond gorgeous! So much thought and time was taken with these beautiful illustrations and you feel as though you are reading text for ancient time. The text is very easy to read and each and every Scripture is a perfect addition to this book.

The drawings of butterflies, birds, flowers, and more add so much to this little volume. You just want to sit and read through this because it feels good to the soul. The words of Christ as so wonderful and you add the illustrations, and it's just a treasure!

I love this book and I think you will, too.  It would make a lovely gift and it is a wonderful addition to anyone's quiet time.  I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Hachette Book Group. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.



Blessings - Julie

Bible Review - Ancient Modern Bible - NKJV

ABOUT THE BIBLE:

Many things have changed in the last two-thousand years. The good news of Jesus Christ isn’t one of them. The NKJV Ancient-Modern Bible features all-new book introductions, articles, and commentary from voices both ancient and modern to help you experience the Word of God as never before. Read the Bible alongside Augustine, Luther, Graham, and others—and discover the rich wisdom of ages past and present, which is the rightful inheritance of every follower of Christ. The NKJV Ancient-Modern Bible is an opportunity for readers to experience the Word of God with fresh eyes, as members of the global and historical community of faith. This is a Bible two thousand years in the making.

MY REVIEW:

I absolutely love this Bible! It's in my favorite version - NKJV - and is packed with information.

I really like the commentaries throughout. They are written by men whose opinion I value like Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Henri Nouwen and more! They bring the historical aspects of the Bible alive and clarify Scripture for us.  There are several biographies of Bible teachers of the past that I really enjoyed reading. I hear the names of these men but don't always know too much about them. I found reading about their lives really interesting.

Another thing that is important to me now is having wide margins in my Bible so I can write notes and easily without having to try and write teeny-tiny. This Bible gives you the wide margins so you can enhance your Bible reading by making your own notations.

Another thing this Bible has that no other Bible I own has is beautiful artwork in the back. I really loved seeing the artwork done by great artists depicting stories in the Bible. I so enjoyed sitting and really looking at these works of art and finding all the beautiful details that made each one so gorgeous and unique.

There are wonderful full color maps, as well, which is important to me as I study. The paper quality for the Bible pages as well as the art and map pages is very nice. They can be handled over and over without worrying about damaging the pages.  It comes in a box that your Bible slides in and out of and this is another plus.

I really love this Bible and how it brings the Scripture alive for me with all the information inside. It's a beautiful Bible that would make a wonderful gift for someone or for yourself. I give this Bible 5 out of 5 stars.

*This Bible was provided to me by the BookLook Blogger program.   I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.



Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Susie, The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon

ABOUT THE BOOK:

While many Christians recognize the name of Charles H. Spurgeon, the beloved preacher and writer, few are familiar with the life and legacy of his wife, Susie.  Yet Susannah Spurgeon was an accomplished and devout woman of God who had a tremendous ministry in her own right, as well as in support of her husband. Even while dealing with serious health issues, she administered a book fund for poor pastors, edited and published her husband's sermons and other writings, led a pastor's aid ministry, wrote five books, made her home a hub of hospitality, and was instrumental in planting a church. And as her own writing attests, she was also a warm, charming, and fascinating woman.

Now, for the first time, Susie brings this vibrant woman's story to modern readers. Ray Rhodes Jr. examines Susannah's life, showing that she was not only the wife of London's most famous preacher, but also a woman who gave all she had in grateful service to the Lord.

Susie is an inspiring and encouraging account of a truly remarkable woman of faith that will delight Spurgeon devotees and fans of Christian biographies alike.

“I am writing in my husband's study, where he thought, and prayed, and wrote. Every inch of the place is sacred ground. Everything remains precisely as he left it. His books (now my most precious possessions), stand in shining rows upon the shelves, in exactly the order in which he placed them, and one might almost fancy the room was ready and waiting for its master. But oh! That empty chair! That great portrait over the door! The strange, solemn silence, which pervades the place now that he is no longer on earth! I kneel sometimes by his chair, and laying my head on the cushioned arms, which so long supported his dear form, I pour out my grief before the Lord, and tell Him again that though I am left alone, yet I know that 'He hath done all things well'…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ray Rhodes, Jr. serves as founding pastor of Grace Community Church of Dawsonville, GA and as president of Nourished in the Word Ministries. He has served four congregations over three decades of pastoral ministry and for fifteen years, he has led Nourished in the Word. Ray has published several books and holds theological degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is married to Lori and they are blessed with six daughters and four grandchildren. Ray has long been a Spurgeon enthusiast, and his doctoral thesis focused on the marriage and spirituality of Charles and Susannah Spurgeon.

MY REVIEW:

This is the most inspiring book! I had never read anything about Susannah Spurgeon before so had no idea about her life with Charles or her help in his ministry or anything about her own ministry.

This book is not a dry biography. It's a story brought alive by great writing and I was completely compelled by it. It is definitely a page turner and I really feel that I know these people in a deeper way. What was fascinating to me is that Susie was alive during the Victorian age - an era I have been heavily reading about lately. I thought about the restrictions put on women yet Susie never let these restrictions keep her from doing the work of Christ. She felt called to write and also had a book ministry where she would send her husband's books to other ministries about the country and also help them and their families in their ministries. She did this despite her own health and pain issues and continued even as a widow.

The love story between her and Charles is so sweet and tender. They did a lot of things together and she was his rock and encourager throughout their marriage and through his ministry. They were there for each other as they suffered with chronic illnesses and I was, personally, encouraged by this. In our society, we feel as though our worthiness comes from what we do but Susie showed me it's in living for Christ! Just as Susie took refuge in Christ through her illness, so can we. I was so encouraged by her example.

This is a wonderful book for everyone to read. It was inspiring and encouraging and just a great read about a very godly woman. I highly recommend it and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Moody Publishers. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.


Blessings - Julie

MyMagazine Sharing Network Snacks!

I received another wonderful package from the MyMagazine Sharing Network. This time I got the Kroger brand (which I love!) Mini Twist Pretzels and Gummi Worms.

I have bought both of these in the past and will continue to do so because they are both really good. I decided to do a little snack mix with the pretzels and put the gummi worms in their own little bowl for people to either add to their mix or not.

I found these amazing M & M's at my local Fry's grocery store and decided they would be the perfect add in for my snack mix.

Can I tell you how yummy these things are? They taste like a mini pumpkin pie inside the candy shell. Perfect combination with the pretzels. I also added in some regular chocolate M & M's that I found at Fry's.

The combination of the crunchy, salty mini twist pretzels and the sweet M & M's was perfect! I also arranged the Gummi Worms as if they were escaping the bowl.  lol  My whole family loved this snack mix I made and I will definitely make it again.

The Gummi Worms are always a hit because they are so soft and yummy. I really think the Kroger brand Gummi Worm is better than the brand name. They are always perfect and my family enjoys them a lot.

I can highly recommend the Kroger brand Mini Pretzel Twists and Gummi Worms. They are consistently delicious and a high quality product for a reasonable price.

*These Kroger Mini Twist Pretzels and Gummi Worms were a free sample provided to me by the MyMagazine Sharing Network.

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Hidden Peril

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The most dangerous enemy is the one who has nothing to lose

As teenagers, Kristin Dane and her two best friends took a vow to make the world a better place. Twenty years later, she's fulfilling that pledge through her fair trade shop that features products from around the world. All is well until, one by one, people connected to the shop begin dying.

Detective Luke Carter, new to the St. Louis PD, wants to know why. Before he can answer that question, however, the FBI weighs in and Kristin suddenly finds herself in the middle of international intrigue--and in the sights of the ruthless mastermind behind an ingenious and deadly scheme. Can this cold-blooded killer be stopped before more people die . . . including Kristin?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including One Perfect Spring, Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, and Pelican Point, as well as Dangerous Illusions and the Private Justice and Men of Valor suspense series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers' Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers' Choice, Booksellers' Best, Carols, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

MY REVIEW:

This is a really great book from one of my favorite authors, Irene Hannon. She always writes a wonderful story that draws you in and keeps you guessing.

Kristen is the owner of a shop that features products from around the world. The products help the people of different countries and give them a chance at a better life. One of the items she carries are candles from a Monastery from Syria. Suddenly, her shop and these candles become the center of a dangerous situation.

Luke Carter is the detective that is helping Kristen after the horrible events occur. Under no fault of her own, Kristen is in great danger and never sure what is going to happen next. In the midst of all these things, her parents are in an accident and she needs to deal with the strained relationship she has always had with them. It's all very stressful but we see Kristen relying on her faith in God to handle it all.

This book has everything that I love in it. A huge mystery with a really surprising ending, a thriller, and a sweet romance all rolled into one. I did figure out who was behind all the really bad stuff fairly early on, but the book is written so well, it didn't take away my enjoyment of reading to the end. There was so much going on, it kept me turning the page into the night (literally!).

If you love a good mystery/thriller, you're going to love this book. It's full of twists and surprising twists! I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Revell.   I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.


Blessings - Julie