The Grumble Free Year: Twelve Months, Eleven Family Members, and One Impossible Goal by Trisha Goyer

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

The Goyer home--with two parents, eight kids, and one eighty-eight-year-old grandmother with dementia--is never without noise, mess, activity, and, often, complaining. And it's not just the kids grumbling. After adding seven children in less than six years through adoption, the Goyer family decided to move out of survival-mode and into unity- and growth-mode. They decided to tackle the impossible: a grumble-free year.

With grade-schoolers, teenagers, and a grandmother who believes children should be seen and not heard, plenty of room exists for flunking the challenge. Add to that seven children being homeschooled together in close quarters, and what could possibly go awry?

In The Grumble-Free Year, the Goyers invite readers into their journey as they go complaint-free and discover what it looks like to develop hearts of gratitude. They share their plans, successes, failures, and all the lessons they learn along the way, offering real-life action steps based in scripture so that readers get not just a front-row seat to the action but also an opportunity to take the challenge themselves and uncover hearts that are truly thankful.

My thoughts-

I have read a lot of Tricia Goyer's fiction works over the last several years and even a few of her non-fiction books. I always seems to enjoy what she writes so I jump at the chance to read whatever I see by her. I felt this book got off to a slow start, but that is because the grumble free year at the Goyer house also got off to a slow start- which makes sense in such a large family, even my family of 5 would take a while to get used to such a big change. We are wired to be negative so we have to fight those urges to get to a place to be positive. I thought the book gave some great advice on how to be more positive, how to complain less, and how to takes life's punches as they come in a better way than just always focusing on the bad of difficult situations. I appreciate the Goyers letting us learn from their year long project and their willingness to be open about their struggles to get there. I enjoyed the discussions questions at the end of each chapter. I recommend this book to anyone looking to be more positive. 

The Bathsheba Battle: Finding Hope When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn by Natalie Chambers Snapp

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Has your life ever taken an unexpected turn, leaving you feeling hurt and stuck?  In The Bathsheba Battle, Natalie Chambers Snapp helps women find healing and hope when things haven’t gone as they had planned. Bathsheba, typically misrepresented as an adulteress, is one of the most misunderstood women in the Bible. Despite an unexpected turn in her life, which resulted in tragic circumstances beyond her control, there are glimmers of hope in her story. By studying her life, readers will find healing from their own painful pasts and hope for living the free and full lives God intends.

My thoughts-

I know when many people think of life taking an "unexpected turn" they probably immediately think of death, but it can  also be anything from going through a divorce, an unplanned pregnancy, or a number of other things. I don't think anyone in this life is immune from going through something unexpected that may make you feel worn down, and defeated. The Bathsheba Battle is the perfect study for someone going through an unexpected season of life, someone who might need some healing. I have had several unexpected things going on in my life over the last year and I think I am just now processing all of them so I have been in kind of a bad place. This study gave me hope. This study lifted me up. This study modeled strong women who dealt with pain and suffereing and turned it into stronger faith in God. The main study is about Bathsheba but many other women heroes are briefly mentioned in these pages. I read this book alone, but it is also set up to be done in a group Bible study. There are fabulous verses at the end of each section to meditate on and study, as well as a prayer and  discussion questions. I recommend this book to literally any Christian woman, but particularly Bible study groups. 

Blessings for the Morning by Susie Larson (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

A Blessing a Day from Popular Author and Radio Host 
This beautiful devotional gift book is for readers who want to start their day with a reminder of God's love and purpose for them. So often we wake up worried about our to-do lists and responsibilities and need a reminder of how God feels about us and who we are in him. Several years ago Susie began posting daily blessings on Facebook, and since then thousands have responded and forwarded the blessings along to others. 
The blessings take only moments to read, but are packed with biblical promise and perspective. Along with a blessing, each day's spread also includes a related Scripture to point readers back to God's timeless truth.

My thoughts-

Blessings for the Morning is such a beautiful book. Not only are there great Bible verses with accompanying passages of encouragement, there are also beautiful pictures to go with them. Here is one example-

There is a great variety of beautiful pictures! That alone would help kick start my morning in a positive way, but the pictures with verses and the text together can be very positive. You can read the passages in order or if you need encouragement in a particular area, there is a great table of contents in the front that will point you in the right direction. Blessings for the Morning is the perfect book to leave on your nightstand and reach for first thing in the morning!

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My Name is Paul (Movie Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the movie via Edify Media in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the movie-

Caught between The Way and The World, Paul blinded by hate and intent on destruction is determined to find and kill Peter the enemy of his Leader. However, a terrible accident and a miraculous discovery where he learns to live and love the way.

My thoughts-

The story of Paul is easily one of the most interesting and uplifting journeys in the Bible. For someone to go from being a murdering non-believer to one of the most prominent sharers of the word in just a brief amount of time is astounding, but that is our God for ya. "My Name is Paul" is a modern day re-telling of Paul's story, in a post-apocalyptic world. I thought it was interesting to watch a sort of mash up of Paul's story and the end times, especially in this time when so many people are interested in dystopian stories. This movie was full of action and was very intense to watch at times. There was a little bit of comic relief thrown in here and there which I was thankful for, but the tone overall is serious. I thought Andrew Roth did a wonderful job playing both sides of Paul. At the beginning of the movie, he is absolutely believable as a hate filled murderer, but after he is blinded on the road he is equally believable as a servant of God bent on sharing the truth and being useful anyway good sees fit. This movie was a very good representation of how Paul's change of heart took place. I think that it was also a good picture of what a post-apocalyptic world would look like and some of the situations that could likely happen then as well. I think anyone interested in the Bible and Paul's story, would find this to be an interesting in seeing this end times portrayal of his story. I would recommend "My Name is Paul" pretty much to any Christian and anyone interested in end times or Biblical based stories.

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About Word Entertainment-

A leader in the music industry for over 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Switchfoot and We As Human and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Music Publications & Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.

"My Name is Paul" will be available to purchase on DVD at Christian retail stores nationwide on April 8, 2014. You can pre-order the movie at Amazon.com.

Bash and the Pirate Pig (Book Review) + Giveaway!

*Disclosure- I received a free copy of the book from the publisher via Flyby Promotions in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the Book:

Bash and the Pirate Pig, by Burton Cole, is the story of a cranky city kid named Raymond "Beamer" Boxby who must spend summer vacation at his younger cousin, Bash's, farm. 

Beamer prefers air conditioning and video games. He can't see what good can come of this so-called country fun that includes riding cows, river rafting with a pig, or playing with skunks. 

But hang tight, Beamer, because Bash's zany adventures with his "Fishin' and Farmin' book" (The Bible) just might lead to the coolest discovery of all.

My thoughts:

Raymond is what I would call a typical kid these days. His idea of a good time is being indoors, doing something mindless like playing video games. His parents decide to send him off to his aunt and uncle's house for summer vacation. This means he has to spend his summer with his younger cousin. On a farm. He is less than thrilled, but once he gets there and goes on some adventures with younger cousin Bash, he actually finds that he enjoys himself on the farm and in the presence of his cousin. He also learns some pretty valuable lessons through Bash and even comes to make a really important decision in his life.

Overall, I thought this was a cute book. I like the Biblical lessons presented through adventurous Bash who refers to it as "The Farmin' & Fishin' Book", a cute way for a little guy to think of the Bible. I liked seeing Raymond begin to like where he was and who he was with after being so against it in the beginning. I did cringe almost every time the word "stupid" showed up in the book. I felt like it was overdone, but I do think that it can be a teaching moment for us parents to our kids about having a good attitude and using appropriate language. A really neat feature of this book is the discussion questions in the back of the book called "Parent Connection" meant to get parents and kids talking with one another about the book and about the Bible. This is a good way to open up a discussion with your child and see their thoughts on the book on what they might have learned in the process of reading it. I also really enjoyed the playful and animated illustrations by the very talented Tom Bancroft. I would recommend this book to middle to upper grade elementary age kids, who I think would enjoy it the most.

About the Author:

Burton Cole is a Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist with thirty years of experience and more than fifty humor writing awards to his credit. He grew up on a farm in northeast Ohio and attended a small-town church with a slew of cousins and buddies. That same boyhood inspires his colorful stories today. 

About the Illustrator: 

Tom Bancroft has more than twenty years of experience in the animation and illustration industry and worked with Disney on films including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Aladdin. Other clients have included DC Comics and Big Idea Productions.

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Broken Wings (Angel Eyes #2) by Shannon Dittemore Book Review

About the book:

Giant angels with metal wings and visible song. A blind demon restored from the pit of darkness. And a girl who has never felt more broken.

Brielle sees the world as it really is: a place where the Celestial exists side by side with human reality. But in the aftermath of a supernatural showdown, her life begins to crumble. Her boyfriend, Jake, is keeping something from her—something important. Her overprotective father has started drinking again. He’s dating a much younger woman who makes Brielle’s skin crawl, and he’s downright hostile toward Jake. Haunting nightmares keep Brielle from sleeping, and flashes of Celestial vision keep her off kilter.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s been targeted. The Prince of Darkness himself has heard of the boy with healing in his hands and of the girl who sees through the Terrestrial Veil. When he plucks the blind demon, Damien, from the fiery chasm and sends him back to Earth with new eyes, the stage is set for a cataclysmic battle of good versus evil.

Then Brielle unearths the truth about her mother’s death and she must question everything she ever thought was true.

Brielle has no choice. She knows evil forces are converging and will soon rain their terror down upon the town of Stratus. She must master the weapons she’s been given. She must fight.

But can she fly with broken wings?

*Disclosure- I was provided a complimentary copy of Broken Wings from the publisher via Book Sneeze. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.
My thoughts:

Last year I feel in love when I was able to debut Shannon Dittemore's debut novel Angel Eyes. I was impressed by the great writing and also the new spin on paranormal fiction featuring angels and demons. I was even more excited to find out that Angel Eyes was to be a trilogy and could barely contain myself waiting for Broken Wings to come out!  That day finally arrived and here I am again impatient for August for the final book in the triology, Dark Halo. I can not wait to see how this series ends!

Broken Wings picks up where Angel Eyes had left off. Main characters Brielle and Jake have graduated from high school and survived some pretty intense stuff (I don't want to be too detailed and spoil the first book for anyone who has yet to read it) In the second novel, Brielle's dad has begun seeing someone new named Olivia, who has Brielle on edge...is it because her dad hasn't been serious with anyone for as long as she can remember and she is jealous or does she have good reason to be weary? Brielle's dad has also become a regular drinker adding more stress to Brielle's already pretty crazy life. The Halo that Jake gave her is not taming her nightmares as they once did. What does this mean? Broken Wings is full of questions and characters and interweaving of stories that I think will be concluded in the final novel of the trilogy. Sometimes the books in the middle of these series can be somewhat boring and drawn out, but not Broken Wings. Dittemere's writing style is just so inviting and addicting. She knows how to keep the reader turning those pages. The writing is so descriptive and vibrant that I constantly keep catching myself thinking I would love to watch this trilogy unfold  in a series of movies. I can only hope that it happens! I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys paranormal fiction or the young adult genre. It will not disappoint.

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Lead Your Family Like Jesus Book Review & Blog Tour + Chance to win an iPad!

About the book:

Does your family need an event planner to get organized? A psychologist to calm the drama? A playground monitor to halththe hair-pulling? When it comes to family leadership, what your children really need is...you, acting like Jesus.

Sound scary? Let Ken Blanchard, best-selling author of The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus, show how to become more like your ultimate role model, the Son of God. Joined by veteran parents and authors Phil Hodges and Tricia Goyer, legendary mentor Blanchard explains how every family member benefits when parents taket he reins as servant-leaders. 

Lead Your Family Like Jesus reveals twelve priceless parenting principles based on the Savior's life and teachings- from "Say Yes to the Best and No to the Rest" to "Know the Difference Between a Crisis and a Bump in the Road." You'll discover how your heart, head, hands and habits work together as you serve your way to a truly Christ-centered family.

What would Jesus Do? Found out by gaining strength and joy in following His example at home.


My thoughts:

There are books on parenting that have great ideas and that offer a few good principles to take and make your own, but I have never picked up a book on parenting that has spoken too me as much as Lead Your Family Like Jesus. That makes sense, of course, as Jesus and how He lived His life is the way we should all strive to live our own lives and raise our kids to do the same. I had a hard time putting this book down and, highlighter in hand, I managed to highlight at least over half of what the book had to offer. Lead Your Family Like Jesus touches on everything from comparing yourself to other parents (and maybe missing out on some great friendships in the process!) to over-scheduling and not spending enough time on our families and everything in between. The book is divided into four sections: The Heart, The Head, The Hands, and The Habits. In each of the four sections the 3 authors (and veteran parents) offer their perspectives, as well as offer little snippits of parents and situations and "a ha" moments they have had. Having more than one perspective in the book, coupled with Biblical principles and the Pause and Reflect questions at the end of each chapter, really brought it together for me. While I found that all 3 authors points were things that I could resonate with, I felt like, as a mother, Trisha Goyer's sections of the book spoke to me the most. I like that there was both a male and female point of view, making this a great book for both moms and dads alike. I have been applying principles from the book with my three little ones since I began reading it and I can definitely feel a huge difference in our house. Where things were once tense a lot of the time (with my very spirited 5 year old) things are now a lot calmer. I have a long way to go, but I am so happy to have such a good guide book to help me a long the way as a mom. I know I will be reaching for this book often and for years to come.

*Disclosure- I received a free copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus for being part of the Litfuse Blog Tour. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About The Authors:

Ken Blanchard Leadership expert and author of over 50 books, including the New York Times bestseller, The One-Minute Manager; cofounder of Lead Like Jesus; and coauthor of Lead Like Jesus; Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time.

To learn more about Ken visit www.kenblanchard.com

Phil Hodges A human resource and industrial relations manager in corporate America for 36 years with Xerox Corporation and U.S. Steel, co- founder of Lead Like Jesus; co-author of five books, including The Servant Leader and Leadership by the Book with Bill Hybels.

To learn more about Phil visit www.leadlikejesus.com

Tricia Goyer Bestselling author of more than 30 novels, nine nonfiction books, and more than three hundred articles for national publications; 2003 "Writer of the Year" at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference; popular blog writer, speaker, and radio host 

To learn more about Tricia visit www.triciagoyer.com. 

Lead Your Family Like Jesus is available for purchase on Amazon.com

Your Chance to Win an iPad!

Celebrate the release of Lead Your Family Like Jesus with Tricia by entering her iPad Mini Giveaway and RSVPing for the Lead, Momma Lead LIVE Webcast Event (with MomLife Today's Tracey Eyster) on April 16th.

  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Tricia Goyer library 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 15th. Winner will be announced at the "Lead, Momma Lead" Live Webcast Event on April 16th. Connect with authors and everyday moms, Tricia Goyer and Tracey Eyster, for an evening of sharing and perspective-changing encouragement for leading your family. Tricia and Tracey will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus and join Tricia and Tracey on the evening of April 16th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 16th!

New 10 Part Bible Mini Series to Air on History Channel (Sunday nights beginning March 3) + Win a Giftcard to Walmart!

I am so excited about a new mini series that is going to begin airing on The History Channel tomorrow, get your DVR's ready everyone! Executive Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett will bring us a 10 part mini series called The Bible. There are so many reasons to be excited about this show! It is always wonderful to see the Bible come to life before our eyes on film or in television and this series promises breathtaking beauty as far as the locales go and wonderful acting from the cast of character. The Bible mini series also promises to be full of wonderful visual affects as we go through the Bible from Genesis to Revolution. I can not wait to see this programming, it is exciting to see shows about the Bible on mainstream television! I will definitely watch this entire series and record it on my dvr so I can watch them again, because I know I will want to!

The Bible Mini Series begins March 3, 2013 (tomorrow!) on the History Channel! What Bible Story will you most look forward to seeing come alive on your television screen?

Check out the fun app below. You can look at clips from the show and take a fun Bible scene quiz! After you check out the app, look below it in this blog post for the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win a $15 giftcard to Walmart!
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VeggieTales The Little House That Stood Review & Giveaway

I remember the first time I watched VeggiesTales many years ago, long before I met my husband or even thought about having children of my own. It was in youth group at church on a Wednesday night and none of us could get enough of the Silly Songs with Larry segment of the show. I knew right away that one day when I had kids of my own, I would want to watch this wonderful, entertaining and best of all Faith based children's show with them.

Now that I do have my own kids, we definitely watch our fair share of Bob, Larry and friends, so I was beyond excited to have the opportunity to review the newest offering from VeggieTales- The Little House That Stood. This movie is about making good choices, a lesson we all need to be reminded of every now and then, adults and kids alike. The first story interweaves the Biblical parable of the wise man building his house upon the rock with the beloved children's classic The 3 Little Pigs. All three of my kids were excited to see the pigs make an appearance and they loved all of the catchy songs this VeggieTales offering was filled with. I loved the great lesson that no matter what we build our house out of, without a firm foundation, it is useless. And of course, this is also a great lesson in having a firm foundation for our lives as well (our faith in God).

Between the two episodes, there was a Silly Songs with Larry segment called "Happy Toothday" in which he sings an ode to his lone tooth. It's cute and silly as per usual. The next episode of VeggieTales on this dvd was just two cute and followed the theme of making good choices. Humpty Dumpty is the main character and mayor of a town of many chidlren's stories characters. My 5 year old daughter was most excited to see Goldilocks and the 3 bears in this episode and I really enjoyed the way some of these children's stories were woven together for the purpose of the lesson. It was pretty clever!

We enjoyed this VeggieTales DVD very much and look forward to watching it many more times in the future! Check out the trailer below!


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VeggieTales: The Little House That Stood Still will be available on March 5, 2013...in just a few days! Enter below for your chance to win your own copy of the DVD below via the Rafflecopter.

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.

Etched...Upon My Heart by Jill Kelly Review + Giveaway

About the book: Our lives are made up of moments. Some we hope to remember forever and some we long to forget. But it's the tapestry of these moments that come together to write the story God is telling in each of our lives.

In Etched...Upon My Heart, Jill Kelly shares some of the unforgettable moments in her life- some sorrowful, others filled with joy-as a "living epistle" to her daughters. Kelly's raw and honest replections provide encouragement and inspiration for women and mothers who long to pass on hard-won knowledge of God's stedfast love and healing grace to their children.

As she writes, "God will break our hearts, but He will hold the pieces. He will cradle us and redeem every tear we cry." Although great personal pain informs these pages, Kelly's story is ultamtely one of forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope. Through the moments in time that Jill Kelly recounts, you will recognize the daily reality and eternal value of God's plan for your own life.

My thoughts: I found this book both heartbreaking and inspiring. Jill Kelly is wife to NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly and they have faced some heavy trials together, the biggest being the loss of their very young son Hunter. Kelly is open and real as can be opening her heart and sharing some of the most painful times she has been through and how God got her through it. I love the weaving of her personal stories with the chapters different focuses. The chapters are divided by different subjects,  Love, Suffering, Prayer, Forgiveness, Giving, Death, ect. Each chapter contains Kelly's personal story relating to the matter, as well as insight from the Bible relating to the subject. At the end of each chapter, there is a prayer relating to the subject as well as several Bible verses to encourage you and "Etch  Upon Your Heart. I like the way the book was laid out and felt just like Kelly said she wanted readers to feel at the beginning, like I was talking to a girlfriend over coffee. The thing I like about this book is how honest the author is about the things she talks about. She doesn't deny her struggles and she also talks about profound moments she has had spiritually. I felt it was a very well rounded book. I think this is a great book for a mother or any woman really. It's a reminder that we all face some big moments, sometimes big ugly moments, sometimes unbearably sad moments, sometimes joyous moments. Sometimes it good to be reminded we are never alone and even when we feel we are, God is working on our lives in that very moment.

About the Author: Jill Kelly is the wife of former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly. In September 1997, months after their infant son, Hunter, was diagnosed with a fatal disease called Krabbe Leukodustrophy, Jim and Jill founded the Hunter’s Hope Foundation. As chairman of the board of Hunter’s Hope, Jill helps children suffering from Leukodystrophy, and their families by raising awareness and research funds to fight this devastating disease. She and Jim live in Buffalo, NY, with their two daughters and three dogs. Hunter’s Hope Foundation can be found online at www.HuntersHope.org. Jill is also the author of Without A Word.

 

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Abel's Field DVD Review + Giveaway

About Abel's Field:

Left motherless by tragedy and abandoned by his father, high school senior Seth McArdle (Samuel Davis) faces enormous pressure as he strives to support his little sisters. At school, he endures the daily bullying of the football team. But fighting back only finds him singled out for punishment and assigned to an after-school work detail under the supervision of the reserved groundskeeper, Abel (SOUL SURFER’S Kevin Sorbo). Much to his surprise, Seth discovers that Abel may be the only one who truly understands his struggles. As dark times lure Seth toward desperate measures, the reluctant Abel may be the one person who can point him back toward the light.

My thoughts: I love a good drama. There is just something about a heart wrenching moving that just calls to be watched. I couldn't help but think throughout this movie that there are likely people going through the same situation as fictional character Seth in real life. I thought this was a great story about a 17 year old boy who was dealt a difficult hand in life and was definitely trying to take care of his sisters. His stubborn nature caused some strife that could have been avoided- when all he needed to do was ask for help. Still, I admire such a young guy trying to be the provider for his younger sisters. Seth also has trouble with members of the football team pushing him around which leads him to an after school job helping school janitor Abel in the field. Seth and Abel's relationship teaches them both great lessons about themselves and others. I thought it was a great movie overall. It wasn't too preachy, but it had easy to understand morals to the story. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great inspirational drama to watch.

Website: http://www.Abelsfield.com

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Abel's Field will be released by AFFIRM Films/Provident Films on January 22, 2013

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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

If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure by Sheri Rose Shepherd- Review

About the book (from the back cover)-

Do you find yourself constantly thinking about what should not eat, or the things you can not do? We've all been there, and it leaves us feeling deprivedand depressed. Instead of being energized by following Christ, we waste our days feeling bored and burned-out on our faith, while battling the guilt that comes from craving food and other things we enjoy.

In If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure, bestselling author and speaker Sheri Rose Shepard encourages you to embark on a new adventure with faith and food. She reveals the coaching tips that enabled her to lose over fifty pounds and keep them off, shares specific alternatives to common cravings, and offers fun recipes (for food and for life) in celebration of healthy meals and activities our God created for us to enjoy. It's time to let go of guilt, grab hold of grace, and recapture the life God craves for you to live!

My thoughts: 

I will admit that although I have heard of her, I have not read anything previously by Sheri Rose Shepherd. When I saw the title of this book, and then read the summary of what it was about, I knew it would have to be the first book I reviewed in 2013. Many of us want to begin the new year by trying to better ourselves in any amount of ways. I think the key to bettering ourselves in any type of way begins with examining our walk with God and improving it. I think after that, everything else we personally need to work on, will fall into place. Shepherd's book is definitely about practical ways to improve getting into the Word, improving our relationship with God and treating our body with respect by eating healthy foods and staying active. I like that she pairs these healthy things with Godly things (want that piece of chocolate? Eat it WHILE reading the word!! I would have never thought of that!) This book was meant to be read a little at a time, I think, but I could not put it down. I guess it really doesn't matter how you read it as long as it's message is clear. That faith, food and fun all go hand in hand, making all three a joyful experience. As a cookbook collector AND a health conscious eater, I also appreciate that the book is filled with over 100 healthy recipes. I can't even tell you how many pages I have dog-eared for the recipes that I can't wait to try. I would recommend this book to any woman looking for an encouraging, uplifting read and tons of fabulous new, healthy and tasty sounding recipes! I will be keeping my copy in the kitchen for easy access!

About the author:

Sheri Rose Shepherd is an award-winning author, Bible life coach, and humorist with over one million books sols help her identify with almost any woman's battle.She grew up in a broken home and was severly overweight as a teen; she also experienced depression, dyslexia, and an eating disorder. Through God's strength, Sheri Rose has become a bestselling author and popular speaker at events nationwide, including Women of Joy and Extraordinary Women. Her weekly video devotions will  be featured on Bible Gateway beginning in 2013

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*Disclosure- I received a complimentary copy of the above mentioned book through the publisher via the Tyndale Blog Network. I was not required to write a positive review and  all opinions states are 100% my own.

Where God Finds You by Anita Higman Book Review + Giveaway

About the book:

“Have you ever longed to crawl into the pages of the Bible? To walk on the Judean hills or feel the spray of the Red Sea? To know what it’s like to confront a king or pour perfume on a Savior’s feet?

 “In forty devotional tales, Where God Finds You breathes new life into ancient Bible characters. Through reflection on Scripture and prayer, you’ll discover a place in each of these lives of vulnerability, tenderness, truth and love – a place where you can find God….and where God finds you.”

My thoughts:

I was really excited to find out a devotional book like this existed. I have never seen one quite like this where the Biblical characters are brought to life through first person narratives of their stories. It feels so much more personal when you can really immerse yourself into someone's story by imagining how they might tell it. I really enjoyed that aspect of this devotional book and have really enjoyed reading each of the 40 stories presented. I also like that Higman follows up each of these narratives with the Bible passage they were taken from and that there are several thought provoking discussion questions as well. These stories are short and easy to follow, making them enjoyable to read and easy to get through. This is one devotional book that will definitely keep you coming back for more. I highly recommend this book to someone looking for a refreshing look into many people of the Bible. I hope that Higman writes more devotionals like this in the future, opening our eyes in a new way to even more of the stories we have read in our Bibles. I would recommend this book to small groups or the individual who just wants a view from a different sort of angle.

About the Author:

Anita Higman has over 30 books published for both adults and children and has six books due to come out over the next two years. She won the 2011 Reader's Choice Award and has also been honored by Barnes & Noble as an author of the month- Houston.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree that combines speech communication, psychology, and art from Southern Nazarene University, and she is a member of both  The Writer's View and American Christian Fiction Writers.

Other titles by Higman include Love Finds You in Humble Texas, Another Stab at Life, The Celestial Helix, and Big Book of Holidays and Holy Days.

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One reader will be blessed with a copy of Where God Finds You by Anita Higman. Enter via the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

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*Disclosure- I received a complimentary copy of Where God Finds you via  publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

The American Bible Challenge + Giveaway!

There is a new game show premiering this week on The Game Show Network called The American Bible Challenge. I'm kind of excited at the prospect of this show. Not only will it be good to see a Bible related show on a mainstream network, it will be fun trying to answer the questions from home and learn more about the Bible in the process. Watch the video below for a glimpse behind the making of The American Bible Challenge and more background information on it's host, comedian Jeff Foxworthy. I think many people will be surprised to find out some of the stuff Foxworthy shares about his personal life (he's been attending a Bible study weekly with the same men for 15 years!) It looks like a great show and I love that the people are competing for money to help OTHER people. If anything, maybe this show will ignite a spark to help others.

It is sure to be fun and include humor as well with a comedian as the host. If you enjoyed Jeff Foxworthy on Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?, you will probably enjoy The American Bible Challenge!

About The American Bible Challenge
Comedian and author, Jeff Foxworthy hosts this studio-based game in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible. Utilizing current as well as historical references, questions will be drawn from the rich, dense narrative found in the world's best-selling book. The contestants will share their compelling back-stories and each team will be playing for a charitable organization. The American Bible Challenge is produced by RelativityREAL for GSN, with RelativityREAL’s Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) and Embassy Row’s Michael Davies ("The Newlywed Game," "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire") serving as Executive Producers on the project. Nick Stuart and Maura Dunbar of Odyssey Networks are Consulting Producers.

About Host: Jeff Foxworthy
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy® Award nominee and the best-selling author of 11 books. Widely known for his redneck jokes, his act goes beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature.

Below the behind the scenes video, there is a rafflelcopter form to enter the giveaway. One lucky reader will receive a American Bible Challenge t-shirt as well as a Zondervan NIV Quest Bible! 

The American Bible Challenge Premieres on Thursday, August 23 at 8/7c on Game Show Network.
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*Disclaimer- I was given the opportunity to do this giveaway through Flyby Promotions. No monetary exchange took place and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

Day Three Bath and Body Products Review

I am so excited to share this review with you about Day Three's bath and body products. Not only are their products free of harmful toxins, harsh chemicals and preservatives, Day Three is a company that is infused with Biblical principles. From the name of their company, to the use of only the purest ingredients from nature, down to the product labels that include and Bible verse and even have prayer listed as an ingredient, it is good to see a bath and body line share their faith through their products. This unique aspect lead me to want to try these products and I am so glad that I have!

I received a cleansing bar in Milk & Honey and I am in love with the scent. It just smells so good! I couldn't wait to try it. I used it to wash my face, which is a BIG deal for me because I have eczema and I don't normally use soap on my face. I knew that this bar of soap, made of such pure ingredients, would not irritate my very sensitive skin. It felt wonderful! I didn't feel like it irritated my skin at all. The goat milk used in these bars is really great for skin! I should also mention that these bars are pretty large at 4.5-5 oz each. They are currently on sale for $5! Well worth the price!

I also received a container of sugared body polish in brown sugar and fig. Day Three uses a blend of turbinado and raw cane sugars, essential oils and vitamin e to buff away your dead skin and leave you with a natural glow. I was so excited to use this product. Most exfoliating products that I have seen are not all natural and so I have never used any. I really loved the way this felt on my skin and look forward to seeing it help my skin stay radiant. I can definitely tell that it made my skin feel softer and I know after a few more uses, I will notice an even bigger difference in the appearance. . The sugared body polishes are on sale for $8 each and are available in many scents including milk & honey, brown sugar & fig, cherry almond, Good Tidings,  Anointed and many others.

I am really impressed with these products and the thought, love and prayer that goes in to them. The owner of this shop, Joy, is so sweet and always available to answer any questions you may have regarding these products. In addition to the body scrubs other products available from Day Three are-bubble bath, body butters, exfoliating scrubs and my favorite- Perfume oils! More to  come on that in a post all it's own very soon! These products would make a great addition to your beauty routine or would also make great gifts for the women and men in your lives. They even have male specific scents! Check out Day Three and tell Joy that Cristi's Reviews sent you!

*Disclaimer- I was provided the products pictured above in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.