iShine Bible

I loved getting this little pink and ruby red pocket sized Bible in the mail! The iShine Bible is made for tweens. There is also a grey and yellow version for boys.

The NLT is a version that I did not grow up with, but I think it's great for tweens to be able to understand the content a little better. It's not a philosopher's version but the point is to get tweens to READ the Bible :)

This Bible also offers QR codes for free music downloads and url links to podcasts and online discussions. I really appreciate the time and thought put into this Bible to make it relevant with the technology that is out there for everyone today.

A minor issue I have is actually not about the Bible. I personally do not like the pictures listed on the online retailers websites to sell this Bible. It seems too busy. As a consumer you might know understand that the white part on the front with the word "shine" and the teenager on the front is NOT on the Bible. It's a cardboard sleeve. The actual Bible is an imitation leather in fun colors of pink/red and grey/yellow.

Some of you know that I only have boys and are wondering why I got a pink and red Bible to review... I know a tween girl that will be getting my copy as a gift :)

I received this book free from Tyndale as part of their 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thirty One Days of Drawing Near to God

Ruth Myers is a familiar name to me so I decided to go ahead and pick this book up and see what it's about! Thirty One Days of Drawing Near to God is a handy little monthly devotional. She takes each day and has a topic with scripture to go along with it. She also gives her thoughts on the topic. What I like about this is that it's a small book and it's not overwhelming when you look at it. It is a feasible chunk of time required to complete the devotional.

While I believe there are many other devotionals out there that would allow the same type of stimulation to the reader, this is also a great one to add to the bunch. It is not a jaw dropping experience, but it keeps you in the Word while studying the book. If this topic peaks your interest, you will enjoy this devotional.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Lead. Serve. Love. 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus

I am wary of books that seem to be the "simple" way to "live like Jesus". I decided to step out of my normal thinking and read the book "Lead. Serve. Love. 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus".

Gregory Lang has amazingly put together a simple book with a lot of depth. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but follow my train of thought for a second. For instance "#96 Study the Word". I agree, but those three words alone don't change my life. However it being listed so simply will draw more people in than 18 pages written on the subject. The next paragraph is simple and to the point about how Scripture is inspired and how important it is to Study the Word. It is to the point. Want to know more? He lists for each of his 100 points scripture verses written out with the references to back up his point. I really like how he has it laid out! Not only for a new Christian or someone interested in learning more about God, but those that have been Christians for a long time. It's also a great reference tool when have discussions with others about what the Bible says on certain topics.

I really enjoyed this handy book. My only complaint is I wish I had gotten it in print rather than on my Kindle so I could thumb through it :) Gregory Lang has a blog you can follow, along with links to follow him on Facebook and Twitter. The book also has it's own page on Facebook.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com 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."

A Conversation with God

A Conversation with God: If You Could Ask God Anything What Would It Be?

The title made me really interested! Alton Gansky is the author of over 40 books including this book.

There are 55 questions and some of them are excellent! However some just made me say "huh?" Like question #10: “Is nature the sixty-seventh book of the Bible?”. Really?? If I made a list of the top 1,000 questions I have for God, that question would never be on my list!

There is a fine line for a book to either be helpful and guide people towards Christ or elevate themselves to the pedestal as if they are God. I don't believe the author in any way was trying to say they know everything. However, I don't feel all the questions were answered very well. The most helpful part of this book is the scriptures attached to the questions.

I don't think this book would make anyone lose their faith, but I don't think this will bring anyone to a relationship with God. It's an ok book, but not a homerun.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com 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.”

A Bug Collection DVD Set

We were so excited when our copy of A Bug Collection DVD boxed set came in the mail. It's volume three. My boys could not wait to watch an episode just based on the packaging, but had to wait until the next day to sit down with it.

The episode of "Milo, the Mantis that Wouldn't Pray" is my boy's favorite. It brings humor into the situation, but points Milo towards the importance of prayer. I appreciate this episode so much because you can't get this placed in cartoon form on PBS!

"Buzzbee and the Grumblebees" is an episode about bee-having (haha). This is a common pre-school show subject, but the presentation and animation still held my children's interest. That makes it a winner in my book!

"Haily & Baily's Silly Fight" is an episode that is one of MY favorite as a mom. It's about getting along. I appreciate the encouragement for children not only to stop bickering, but work at loving one another and getting along.

We have watched these episodes more than one, and will be sharing with our friends!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com 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.”

Couples Who Pray

This is my first e-book review, and I think I like e-books! I had the chance to download or wait the 10-12 days for a hardcopy of the book. Don't get me wrong, I love the feeling of a book in my hand. However, I thought this could be a great e-book to keep on my iPhone. I downloaded the Kindle app and was on my way! (I'm thinking a Kindle or something similar might be my next electronic purchase...)

BACK TO MY REVIEW!!

I was able to review from Booksneeze Couples Who Pray: The Most Intimate Act Between a Man and a Woman. I really like the idea of being able to have this as an e-book for travel, or just convenience.

I think any books that will help couples read the Bible and pray together is wonderful! However, if you are couples that are long time Christians, I would skip this book. It's a good launching point, but does not get super deep.

I really do like the basic insights included in this book, but I would love to see it listed as a beginner type study. I think the basics are laid, and it would be a great book to see a more in depth study as a sequel.

I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for a completely honest review of the book.

The Beginning Reader's Bible

The Beginning Reader's Bible is such a wonderful Bible for my kids! I was shocked at how BIG it is! Not only is it 180 pages, but it's about 10 inches by 9 inches. That is quite a bit larger than most Children's Bibles.

I LOVE how the stories are told in the actual Bible verses. It shows each verse break, just like a regular Bible. The illustrations are very eye catching and not hokey looking. The stories are in Old Testament and New Testament order and highlight the main kid's stories in the Bible. The resources in the back of the book are so wonderful! I love the charts I can do with my kids, the memory verses list that is a verse from each story, the books of the Bible, Apostles, Tribes, songs and more. I think it appropriately ends with the Prayer of Salvation.

There are only two negatives in my eyes, which are quite minor. The first one is that it has a table of contents with page numbers to look up the stories or resources, however the entire book doesn't have any page numbers! The second is I don't tend to like the little prayer blurbs for the parents to do with the kids. I enjoy all the other helpful hints on the pages for parents, but the prayer ones are not for me. I'd rather do the prayers with my kids than read it, but that is my opinion. It did earn 4 out of 5 stars in my eyes just because it is missing the page numbers

The positives WAY outweigh the minor flaws and I would recommend this Bible highly for anyone looking for a Children's Bible.

I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for a completely honest review of the book.

Come Back Stronger

Come Back Stronger is a book I was not too sure about when I requested it to review for Tyndale. This is the true story about Drew Brees. I honestly had never heard of him because I am not a football fan, but I was interested to read about a possibly uplifting sports figure for today.

This book impressed me! I don't want to give away anything, so I'll just say to read it! You won't be sorry. I think this is a must read for any pre-teen and teenage boys that are showing signs of worshiping today's sports players.

I received this book free from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for a completely honest review of the book.

"Big Red" Holy Bible - Contemporary 3-D Art

I was excited for the Big Red Bible to come in the mail. I know it's a little above my boys age limit, but I knew with help they would have fun reading it.

I will start off and say... if you have any pre-teens that want this Bible, or anyone for that matter that wants this Bible, let them go for it! We need to not discourage anyone from wanting to read a Bible.

However, it was just not for this crowd. The pictures were only in certain parts of the Bible, not all the way through to go along with the chronological order of the Bible. We had to flip around, and most stories didn't have a picture. Also, they were a little too video-game looking for me. It actually looked almost freakishly too realistic!

It's a fine Bible, just not for us.

I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for a completely honest review of the book.