A Bug Collection DVD Box Set ~ Vol. 3

By Max Lucado

A Bug Collection ~ Vol. 3 is a boxed set containing 3 DVDs from the Max Lucado Hermie & Friends Series. The DVDs are beautifully animated with memorable characters that are consistent on each DVD. Each DVD is a story with a biblical message that children can relate to. 

The three topics addressed in this set are Prayer, in "Milo the Manis Who Wouldn't Pray;" Behaving, in "Buzby and the Grumble Bees;" and Getting Along, in "Hailey and Bailey's Silly Fight."

Each story begins and ends with Max Lucado and Hermie the catepillar having a discussion about the problem/theme in the upcoming story.  I think the animated portion of the DVD would hold a child's attention, but younger children may get restless during the initial exchange between Lucado and Hermie on repeated viewings.  Each DVD also contain bonus materials including a read-a-long story book, games, sing-a-longs, information of the making of the movie, trailers, ect. and additional materials like games, coloring pages, wallpaper, and screensavers that can be accessed on a computer.

Though children will like these characters and parents will find the message of the videos appropriate, I was a little disappointed with all the "talking" between Max Lucado and Hermie.  The games on the computer portion of the DVD  were trial versions without much instruction and once again long introductions diminishing my desire to try to play them. Overall, this DVD set was good, but did not overwhelm me. 

I received a complementary copy of this DVD set free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review blogger 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.”

 



Deeper into the Word ~ New Testament

by Keri Kent

Words are important. They convey thoughts and bring understanding. But words sometimes can take on a richer meaning if you know the background or original meaning of the word. This is especially important when the words were originally written in another language or in an earlier period of time as in the case of the New Testament. In her book, Deeper into the Word, Keri Kent takes 100 of the most important words in the New Testament and does a word study that explains in more detail each word including it's original Greek form, biblical passages to give examples of it's usage, as well as background information for it's use in biblical times. These things, along with commentary gives the reader a better understanding of the word in a New Testament context.

This book can be used as a reference book to aid in the study of the New Testament. The words are listed alphabetically so users can easily find a word they are looking for. The research and writing style is academic, but not overly indepth so it is easily understood by those who have no knowledge of Greek. This book can be used as a catalist for further study. Keri also includes, in the Appendix, a list of helpful websites available if further study is desired. The book also lends itself to devotional readings if the reader chooses to take one word a day to meditate on.

Overall I found the book to be a helpful resource as one chooses to go deeper into the Word as the title suggests.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Faith of Ronald Reagan by Mary Beth Brown

In her book, The Faith of Ronald Reagan, Mary Beth Brown painted a beautiful portrait of our 40th President and the faith he possessed. This book takes the reader on a journey from the small town of Tampico, Illinois where Ronald Reagan was born, to Dixon, Illinois where he was raised, all the way through to his career in the movie industry and then on to the White House. Throughout his life there were twists and turns and ups and downs, but through it all, Reagan saw the hand of God leading and directing him to God’s higher purpose. He was yielded to his God, and God used him.

Brown uses quotes from President Reagan’s autobiographies, and speeches along with interviews from those closest to him, including his wife Nancy, and his children, to tell his incredible story of faith which began with the influence of his mother Nelle and continued through to the “sunset of his life.” The Faith of Ronald Reagan was a testimony of his life, but also the testimony of the faithful God he served.

From the first page, to the very last, I was captivated by a man who I had heard so much about but never really knew until now. Brown's style of writing was easy to read and it portrayed Reagan's life in a way that most secular history books would not. I was inspired by Ronald Reagan’s life of faith and how God used this humble man for greatness because his life was yielded to Him. 

The book concluded with the five eulogies give at his memorial service on June 11, 2004 by his son Michael Reagan, George Herbert Bush, his daughter Patti Davis, Margaret Thatcher, and George W. Bush. Each person shared his or her personal experience with President Reagan. Though the stories shared were different, the underlying theme was the same. Ronald Reagan was a humble, kind, man of faith whose main purpose was to honor his Lord. I highly recommend this book.

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.”

Walls by Ryan Rush

Walls divide. Walls separate. Walls can be built, but walls can also be broken through.  That is exactly what Ryan Rush wants people to know.  People need to realize that they do not have to remain stuck behind the walls that have been erected in their lives -- walls that keep them from experiencing all that God intends for them to know and experience.

Often people think their problems and circumstances are the walls that hold them back, but Ryan Rush sees it differently.  He believes it's not the circumstances themselves, but rather the mind-set in those circumstances that really is the barrier.  Do we possess a mind-set of faith and belief in God's promises, or are we overcome by doubt, fear, anger, or resentment for example?  Those, Rush would say, are really the walls that need to be broken by using the promises of God that address those issues.  It's believing the truths of what God has said in His Word, that brings us through to the other side.

The author used the analogy of the Berlin Wall as well as his personal testimony of his experiences dealing with the difficult situations involved in raising a daughter who has special needs to illustrate his ideas. He directs his readers to focus on God's promises as they deal with life situations in order to be drawn to a closer relationship with God, rather than allowing walls to go up that will keep them from the very thing that would help them.

Personally, I felt the book was a little slow at the start, as he tried to explain exactly what the walls were not, but as I continued reading, I began to understand the point he was trying to make. He made mention, many times, about a website, http://www.faithbreakthroughs.com/, where more information and people's testimonials could be found, but I was a little disappointed with the limited information found there unless you registered (for free) and logged in, which I did not choose to do. Overall it was a fairly helpful book, though I wish there was bit more "practical" help in providing God's promises that relate to various walls people may be facing rather than continuously pointing the reader to the "testimonials" on the FaithBreakthroughs' website. It almost sounded like an infomercial at times!

If you are reading this book in a small group setting, there are discussion questions following each chapter for personalizing the concepts that were presented.

 
I was provided a free "advance reader copy" of this book from Tyndale Publishers in order to write this review.

Precious Moments Storybook Bible by Sam Butcher

The Precious Moments Storybook Bible, by Sam Butcher is a beautiful hardback book that can be used to introduce stories from the Bible to young children. The pastel illustrations using Precious Moments characters are an added treat.  The pictures, I believe, would capture a child's attention. This Storybook Bible is based on the International Children's Bible® so it is easily understood by children as it is being read to them, and would be equally easy to read by an elementary aged child.  Scripture references for each story are given under each title so children and their parents know where in the Bible this particular story can be found.

The book is divided into four sections: Favorite Bible Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom, More Stories of the Faith, and Songs and Prayers.  There is also a section in the front of the book, like in regular Bibles, to record family history and major spiritual events.

The Precious Moments Storybook Bible would be a delightful addition to your family library and a wonderful way to share God's Word with a child.

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.

The Mockingbird Parables by Matt Litton

The Mockingbird Parables, written by Matt Litton, is based on Harper Lee's classic book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Litton takes this masterpiece and gleans "parables" from its characters and life situations to instruct it's readers on the Christian faith.  The story of To Kill a Mockingbird had an impact on me that I didn't expect.  It's truths were clear and moved me.  However, I feel Matt Litton stretches things at times and other times falls a little flat in his attempt to take it's characters and assign them a biblical meaning.

Though I could appreciate what the author was trying to do, and found some merit in what he was saying, I didn't always agree with him theologically, and the "parables" didn't always capture my attention. On a positve note, the book was thought provoking as it points readers to consider how their lives should impact those around them, and how the Christian faith can and should be seen in every aspect of their lives and community. While Harper Lee's book inspired me to draw those moral and spiritual conclusions on my own, Litton's book seemed slightly more forced in designating Boo Radley as "God", or Scout Finch as portraying "The Role of Women in Ministry".  I feel the characters in the orginal book spoke for themselves.

Some may find this book interesting, but personally I don't believe To Kill a Mockingbird was intended to be a spritual allegory like C.S. Lewis', The Chronicles of Narnia, or Paul Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Captured by Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah

Captured by Grace, authored by Dr. David Jeremiah, did capture my heart. We hear so much about God’s grace, but perhaps never fully comprehend what a wonder it is. Once you are a recipient of God’s grace, you can do no less than extend that same that grace to others. Dr. Jeremiah weaves the stories of the lives of the Apostle Paul, and John Newton, with Newton’s most famous hymn, Amazing Grace, to produce a truly amazing picture of God’s grace. Though these two men lived centuries apart, they still had so much in common. A closer examination proves that we, today, also have much in common with both of them. We all need to experience and be captured by God’s grace.

The book is divided into three parts: Grace For The Past, Grace For The Present, and Grace For The Future. Each chapter focuses on a line of the hymn, Amazing Grace, and ends with a summation in devotional form called “Moments of Grace,” where Dr. Jeremiah allows you to personalize and put into action the thoughts of the chapter. Throughout the book one can see how God has pursued these men and sense how He still desires to pursue each of us and capture us by His grace.

I highly recommend this book as it made me appreciate the goodness and grace of God and reminded me that NO ONE is beyond God’s reach of grace.

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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