BLOG REVIEW: The Story of King Jesus

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might, and these words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall TEACH them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.  And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.  And you shall write them on your doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9  (NASB)

This school year in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), we have been studying the Life of Moses.  Our study has taken us through the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and finally Deuteronomy.  I have been moved immensely by the WORD and these old testament books have profoundly impacted my daily thought life.  One of the recurring themes throughout these books is the importance of passing on faith in the ONE TRUE GOD to the next generation.  We have learned there were always consequences for not passing down their faith.

MY REVIEW:  We want the best for our children, don't we?  We want to see them blessed beyond all measure!  One of the best ways we can provide for our children is to share the FULL story of God's plan for redemption.  The Story of King Jesus does just that in a short, concise way with beautiful illustrations to captures a child's heart and mind.  I love that Ben Irwin scripts a book with such rich truth in a perfect amount of pages to read during one setting!  He quotes "God's redemptive tale can't be reduced to a few memory verses from Scripture.  It's not a formula or a plan or a prayer you recite.  It's a drama that you life, and it's woven throughout every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation."

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE our Jesus Storybook Bible and the other Bible storybooks we have, but you can't sit down and read the whole thing in one setting.  My experience is that preschoolers and early elementary kids don't have long attention spans, so something that is concise is perfect!  It is short enough that it can be read over and over again, with different parts of the story impacting the kids lives at different times.  The book is written in language that our kids can understand perfectly.  It also, focuses on Jesus as KING, which is so crucial because that is what transforms our life.  Overall this book is an excellent "launching point to explore the Bible together."  It has generated additional conversation with my oldest two children.  We discuss the pictures in the book, which then leads to additional bible teaching.

Ben encourages us as parents, "Show your children --- with your life and words -- that this is your story, and it can be theirs too."

One of my favorite lines is towards the end of the book ... "God gave us the King we needed."  Isn't that so true?  He didn't give us the type of King we wanted, because He knew that wouldn't be the best.  So often in my life, God gives me what I need and not what I want.  Thank heavens He knows better than I.  Jesus is God's Best and because of His sacrifice, we have the opportunity to once again be in a restored relationship with God.  And that my friends is GRACE!


Question to ponder: What has God given you recently that is what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANTED?  


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Blog Review: Treasury of Bible Stories

"God made Adam a beautiful place to call home, 

a garden with flowers and trees.

The garden of Eden had plants of all kinds

that swayed in the warm, gentle breeze.

There were tropical trees that had blankets of blooms; 

some had fruit that was tasty and sweet.

There were apples and oranges, bananas and pears

and cherries for Adam to eat."

Once again, I have the privilege to work alongside of David C Cook publishing to introduce one of their newest books: Treasury of Bible Stories: Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times.   This 351 page book is a collection of 20 of the most common Bible stories geared towards preschoolers and early elementary children, but fun for the whole family.  This is a storybook Bible perfect for kids who are too old for toddler Bibles, but too young for complete Bibles.  Its lyrical stories will make your whole family laugh!  The illustrations are extremely clever and colorful!

The back cover describes it perfectly, "Magnificent Tales are rhyming Bible stories with clever art and clear lessons the whole family will enjoy.  The stories and illustrations are so engaging that you won't grow tired of reading a Magnificent Tale night after night!  From "The Salty Tale of Noah's Ark" to "The Lasting Story of the Last Supper," the rhyming tales in this book remind us that God loves His people -- in the Bible and today!"

My Review:  The Treasury of Bible Stories is a beautifully illustrated storybook geared towards children ages 4-8.  The rhyming stories pair great spiritual truths with attractive and fun-filled illustrations!  It is the perfect book to read aloud to your little ones because of the fun rhymes!  I found Sophia laughing at each story with the many plays on words.  The rhyming helps the children commit the stories and spiritual lessons learned to memory!  

Sophia really enjoyed "God's Bigger Plan: The Beautiful Story of Queen Esther" as well as "The Good Neighbor: The Parable of the Good Samaritan."  Of course Jackson's favorite story was "Every Beast Times Two: The Salty Tale of Noah's Ark" since he is obsessed with every animal known to man!  He also enjoyed "The Biggest and Toughest: The Story of David's Big Faith."

Both kids truly enjoyed the illustrations!  Kelly Pulley, the illustrator, has a unique and clever style, which distinguishes this book from the many children's Bible storybooks available!  It is pleasing and quite engaging to the eye.  I also felt that the language/word combinations used made it very easy for the children to understand the story and the lesson behind it.  This is ideal for teaching such young ones the spiritual truths from the scriptures.

Overall, I was very impressed with this treasury and am very thankful that we have it in our personal library!!

I will close with a section from my favorite story, "He Has Risen!  The Magnificent Story of the Resurrection."

"So Jesus hung out with His friends for a while,

till the day that He left with a wave and a smile.

He said, "I must return to My Father above, 

You must preach to the world about God's endless love.

You must preach the good news.

You must tell all creation,

and preach of salvation from sin to each nation."

Then He held out His hands and He lifted them high

and He blessed all His friends as He rose in the sky."  

The next time you are in the Christian bookstore, please check out this book!  It would make a great gift for a child's birthday or Christmas!  Give the gift of truth and love! :)

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Review and Giveaway: "Deny Yourself " by Lisa Chan

New film helps women navigate an “all about me” society selflessly

"If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me." Matthew 16:24

How often have we read over this scripture without even considering what it truly means?  What does it even look like (in a practical sense) to deny yourself and take up your cross?

Lisa Chan answers these questions in her second DVD of the True Beauty series.  You may recall my review of her Be Still late last year.  In the same video format, she examines this very question.

Here are a few thoughts from the DVD:

"We want to feel total acceptance and love from God, but we don't like talking about laying down our lives and denying ourselves to follow after Christ."

Our culture is extremely self-indulgent and has a "I want it all mentality" ...  How do we live out our Christian life while all of this "self" focus is in our face?

Jesus stretched out his arms, endured the cross, and separation from God and yet we don't want to forgive someone that has really hurt us in life.  Rather we want God to forgive our sins while we hold a grudge against the other.

Denying yourself gives you freedom and allows you to experience true joy in Christ.

Push through selfishness, push through fear. He came to give us the abundant life, but we must be willing to seek Him with all that we have.

MY REVIEW:  I really enjoyed this second installment in the True Beauty series.  Lisa has a very poetic way to share the scriptures and relate it to our life.  Her DVD's bring such peace while I am watching and listening.  It very calming to my "hurried" soul!  She tackles a hard scripture, yet allows the listener to seek from within to answer the question for themselves.  Lisa has included another personal reflection guide with her DVD.  In my opinion, this reflection guide allows you to get the most out of the lessons learned in the DVD.  She proposes many good questions that take soul searching and personal reflection.  These are the types of questions that will force us to grow as Christians.

Here are a few good questions ... (without giving them all away!)

What message from the world have you bought into that makes the cost of following Christ seem so overwhelming?

When did you last follow Christ to the point of denying yourself?

Have you missed out on anything while you were busy following God?  Was it worth the cost? Would you do it again if given the same chance?

I hope you will take the time to consider these questions and search for answers within your soul.

One final challenging thought she suggested is this, "Many want the salvation Christ offers, without the submission that comes with it."   Are you one of the many?

WATCH IT:
Watch the trailer: HERE
Watch Lisa: HERE discussing God is Better
Watch Irene: HERE discussing The Simplicity of the Word

BUY IT: HERE

WIN IT:  David C Cook publishers have graciously offered up a copy of the new DENY YOURSELF DVD and Reflection Guide to one Go Long! Go Green! reader.   Please leave a comment below with a way that you have found you have denied yourself to follow Christ OR if you regret choosing your "self" over following Christ!  Please include your name and email address in your comment.

It is encouraging to one another to see practical ways we can "deny ourselves" and follow HIM!!

This giveaway is open to ALL and will end on Sunday at April 14th at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: ACTION BIBLE

"People don't usually think of God like this, but God is the original action hero.  Everyone is so impressed when Superman blows a car over with his breath, yet God created the whole universe with His breath.  Superman may save the day with his strength, but Jesus saved the whole world with His death ... The action you read about in these 750 pages is nothing compared to the action that will occur once you put this book down.  How will you answer God's call to action?"  (Doug Mauss, General Editor)

With an introduction like that, don't you want to pick up a copy of "The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Plan?"  The Action Bible is an excellent source for supplemental Bible story reading with your children!  It contains the major stories of the Bible (215 of them) starting in Genesis and ending with Revelation.   

Internationally recognized artist Sergio Cariello has created attention-holding illustrations marked by rich coloring, dramatic shading and lighting, bold and energetic designs, and emotionally charged figures.  Of note, Sergio worked for Marvel and DC Comics.

I have taken a few pictures for you to get an inside view.  I used the crucifixion pictures as we are getting close to our Resurrection Sunday celebration!  Can you feel the emotion that must have been felt by those along the street as Jesus walked by?   The look on Jesus' face in this picture takes my breath away.  He knew what was ahead of him ... down that long road ...

Another shot of Jesus with the thief on the cross.  The close up of the crown of thorns on his head.  

MY REVIEW:  The Action Bible is a comic-book style picture Bible for children ages 5-8.  I would imagine that older children would also enjoy this as well!  The stories are in chronological order and shown in the appropriate setting.  Since I have been studying Genesis this year in BSF, I looked through intently at the pictures of Genesis and was very impressed with Sergio's illustrations.  The characters ages are depicted correctly as are the emotions.      

As I mentioned above, this is an excellent supplement to your child's actual Bible.  As with most children's Bibles, the stories are "based on" the actual scripture verses.  The author includes the specific chapters (sometimes verses) under the title.  For example when Jacob's sons are reunited, "Family Reunion Based on Genesis 45-47."  When the pictures are "based on" the actual Bible, one must remember it is somewhat subject to the author and illustrators interpretation.  You will find commentary, extra-Biblical comments, and other information in the stories.  Once again, you find this with most children's Bibles.    

As one reviewer said it so clearly, "The Bible came across as a continuous historical account of God relating to man with a redemptive plan in action (rather than as disconnected morality tales about heroes of the past).  

Most of you know, my little guy is only 18 months old, so he wasn't a candidate for a review for this Bible.  My 4 year old daughter LOVED looking at the pictures!  The first day she sat for over 45 minutes flipping through the pages!  I have a friend who has two sons, ages 5 and 8, so I thought they would be the perfect candidates to review this book.  Both sons were THRILLED to see The Action Bible sitting on their coffee table when they arrived home from school.  They recognized it from other kids at church!  They both couldn't put it down.  The 5 year old was really drawn to the illustrations, however some of the content his mother had to simplify.  However, the 8 year old was the perfect age to fully enjoy this book.  His mother said it was the "perfect reading level and content for my 3rd grader.  It was a great way to draw kids (especially little boys) into the stories of the Bible."  I also had her review the devotional and she really enjoyed it.  Her 3rd grader really was able to find practical application from the lesson.  The lessons were perfect length and had a great learning format.  

My husband and I both feel that as long as parents don't shy away from teaching the actual Bible, The Action Bible is a great supplemental overview book for kids.  It teaches them how to appreciate the Bible as a whole as well as God's redemptive story that He has planned from the VERY BEGINNING of time!  The Action Bible is probably the most complete and comprehensive picture Bible.  It will draw them in by its "fun" nature, so as a parent you don't have to "make" them read their Bible.  It helps relate true Bible stories with what they currently enjoy in life: super heros and action heros!  It also will teach them that their faith is to be ACTIVE, not passive!  How many adults don't realize this truth?    

If you are interested in other resources, check out the devotional and the handbook.  Both are incredible resources!  The devotional works well with The Action Bible, but also could be used as a stand-alone resource.  I think the devotional would be perfect for your 7-9 year old!  The practical application is fantastic!  

Also, check out their WEBPAGE and find free coloring pages, BATTLE GOLIATH (game), see samples of the artwork, as well as watch the Action Bible Trailer!

WIN IT: You have an awesome opportunity to win your OWN copy of The Action Bible.

Please leave a comment below of any memories you have reading a Children's Bible or why you think your son/daughter would enjoy this Bible.  Also, please make sure to leave your EMAIL address so I can contact you if you win!

This giveaway is open to the US and will end on Monday April 1st at 8am. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.