Monday, December 30, 2019

a Bible study focusing on Ruth

Image result for the gospel-centered life in the bible ruthRuth is one of my favorite books and characters in the Bible.  This is also a book of the Bible that I feel like I learn something new every time I heard a sermon focusing on it.  I felt the same way while working through the Bible study: "Ruth: redemption for the broken," part of the gospel-centered life in the Bible study series.  This Bible study works through the story beginning with life falling apart for Ruth and Naomi as their husbands are dead, but then blessings occur, plans are made and the ending with a wedding. Each lesson focuses on a specific aspect of the story and I love the readings that are included and the discussion prompts.  I enjoyed working through this on my own, but I am really hoping to be able to work through this as part of a group as there is so much that can come from group discussion and learning.  My favorite chapter is the third focusing on grace.  The lists and comparisons of a lifestyle of receiving grace and a lifestyle of giving grace really stood out to me while reading.  I highly recommend this study!

*Thanks to the New Growth Press for the complimentary copy of this book.*

a Jonah Bible study

Image result for the gospel-centered life in the bible jonah"Jonah: grace for sinners and saints" Bible study which is part of the gospel-centered life in the Bible study series is a great Bible study for those wanting to delve deep into the book and character of Jonah. 
Jonah is someone that we grow up learning about, how he disobeyed God and was swallowed by a fish.  However, there is so much more to that story and during college and even in more recent years I have heard sermons focusing on Jonah and have heard things that I had never thought about or realized.  Working through study book had me saying that over and over again.  There are aspects of Jonah's life and story that I have not really though about much.  Also, the application of his story is eye-opening and it is a good reminder of God being in charge and the importance of us repenting when we have sinned and done wrong.  I love how this study is set up as the chapters/lessons are relatively short and very specific so that it is really delved into and addressed thoroughly.  Each lesson consists of a reading, reflection section, a discussion section and so much to think about and apply personally.  This study can be used individually or in a group setting.  Upon completing this study I felt like I learned so much thought about what other books of the Bible I may want to work through next to see what I can learn that may have not stood out to me earlier. 

*Thanks to New Growth Press for the complimentary copy of this book.*

"don't blame the mud"

Don't Blame the Mud: Only Jesus Makes Us Clean
"Don't Blame the Mud: only Jesus makes us clean" is such a fun book that has a wonderful message!  My kids loved this book and I love the lesson that they were learning while reading it.
Max, like most boys and honestly girls as well, knows that he is supposed to keep his school clothes clean; however he cannot help himself when he is walking home from school and sees the mud.  The mud that he decided to walk through in a kind of maze.  Thinking he can sneak in and have his parents from finding out does not work as the mud leaves tracks and while Max is able to clean off some of the mud, not all of it will come out as it leaves a mark or stain.  This illustrated how the sin inside of us leaves a stain and cannot be completely cleaned by us alone, but only through Jesus cleansing our hearts after we believe on Him.
The author, Marty Machowski, does an incredible job with presenting this story and presenting the message in a way that is easily understood by children and enjoyable to read so that children want to read this book.  I love the illustrations as they are very well done and go along well with the text.  I highly recommend this book!

*Thanks to New Growth Press via Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book.*

Monday, December 16, 2019

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls

The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls is such a wonderful edition for the girl in your life.  As soon as this Bible arrived in the mail, my 11 year-old began paging through it and exclaiming over the verses that were printed in the margins and all ready to be colored.  I love that this edition has extra wide margins that provide great space for girls to color and write in.  Also, the paper is thick so that it does not leak through, that is my most favorite feature!  Being that this Bible is the NIV edition, it is easier for kids and teens to read and understand than some other editions and the pretty cover draws them to it.  I love seeing my daughter spending time coloring and learning the verses that have been made into art.  I highly recommend this Bible! 




No two verses are styled the same as you can see here!: 





 “I received a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls from Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) for this review. This post is sponsored by Zondervan.”

Saturday, December 7, 2019

"Heart of a Royal" blog tour~


Heart of a Royal FB Banner

About the Book

Heart of a Royal cover
Book: Heart Of A Royal
Author: Hannah Currie
Genre:  Young Adult/Royalty

Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever. With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna’s presence as companion is no longer required and, like it or not, she must return to the birthright which should have been hers – that of a commoner. But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. When the truths she’s based her life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust, both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with?  

My Review:
I really enjoyed reading this book and love that is a start of a series as I cannot wait to read more by this author and hopefully some of these characters!  Life a Royal fascinates me as it is so fairy tale like, it makes me feel like a little girl again and loving the princess movies and way of life.  
"Heart of a Royal" did not disappoint in any way.  Mackenna has lived a life of royalty, but without the title as she has lived as a companion to the princess.  However, this chapter of her life is over.  Prince Thoraben and Kenna are both amazing main characters and I loved their journeys of personal growth, and their journeys and growth in faith and trust.  This story flowed so nicely with a few twists and turns that kept me anxiously turning the pages all the way to the end.  I am looking forward to book #2 in this series!  





Click here to get your copy!
   

About the Author

Hannah currie
Aussie author, Hannah Currie, loves God, family, people (in small numbers, let’s not go crazy here!) and writing. She and her husband live with their three adorable kids in sunny Queensland, where it really is beautiful one day and perfect the next. Except, maybe, during heatwaves. They’re not so fun. She loves to connect with readers at www.hannahcurrie.com.  

More from Hannah

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by royalty. Real ones like Queen Elizabeth II, who is such an incredible woman and a total hero of mine (not to mention, as a proud Australian and member of the Commonwealth, my monarch) but also the not-so-real ones. Those found in fairytales. Romances. Narnia. I’m one of those people who blocks out an entire day to watch a royal wedding, sighs like a hopeless romantic through cheesy princess movies, reads just about any novel I find with a crown on the front and loves a full-spread photo souvenir magazine. I may have even written a short story starring a princess for an English assignment at school. More than once. [Side note, if you’re going to write a story about a princess who is totally adorable but can’t spell, don’t use a misspelled word as the title. It takes a lot of explaining to make sure the teacher knows you did it on purpose and doesn’t mark you down for it… sorry Ninth Grade English teacher!]. The glamor draws me in, the beautiful clothes, the history and romance of it all, but it’s the expectations they have on them which hold me there. Every title comes with a million expectations, whether or not they’re realistic. We expect royals, both real and fictional, to behave in a certain way. To be honourable (assuming they’re the good guys). To care for their people and put them first. To always be there. Yes, even to be beautiful. But what happens when they’re not? When they’re shy? Fight anxiety? Hate the spotlight? Are blemished in some way? What happens when what’s best for the people isn’t what’s best for them? Or when they make a mistake? Something which, for anyone else, would be easily fixed or glossed over but for a royal, gets written into the history books forever. Purely because of their title. Kenna, the main character in Heart of a Royal, never meant to be a princess. She wasn’t born into royalty, neither did she choose it. And yet, due to circumstances far beyond her control, there she is. Living in a palace. Part of that life. Very few of us are royalty but I think we all know how heavy expectations can be and the pain of being thrust into situations beyond our control. And yet, even in those moments and seasons, just like Kenna, we have choices. They might seem small, maybe even insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but they’re there. Who we put our trust in. What we do with the circumstances we’ve been given. Where we go from there. Heart of a Royal is as much my story as it is Kenna’s. No, I’m not a princess (thankfully!) but I have struggled through finding hope and purpose when life flies out of control and the expectations prove too much. And here’s what I’ve found – God is good. There is hope and God is good. I hope, through Kenna’s story, you are reminded of that too.

Blog Stops

CarpeDiem, November 28
Hebrews 12 Endurance, November 28
Hallie Reads, November 28
Emily Yager, November 29
Back Porch Reads, November 30
Mia Reads Blog, December 1
Bigreadersite , December 1
Kathleen Denly, December 2
Genesis 5020, December 2
She Lives To Read, December 2
Texas Book-aholic, December 2
Livin’ Lit, December 3
The Becca Files, December 4
Becka Jiménez , December 4
HookMeInABook, December 4
janicesbookreviews, December 4
Avid Reader Nurse, December 6
A Reader’s Brain, December 6
Moments, December 7
Remembrancy, December 8
Pause for Tales , December 8
All-of-a-kind Mom, December 10
Batya’s Bits, December 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour Hannah is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.