The Pleasure of His Company by Dutch Sheets

From the Garden of Eden, man walked and talked with God. We as human beings were designed for relationship and fellowship with an Almighty God. In his book, The Pleasure of His Company, Dutch Sheets encourages his readers to seek and enjoy the Presence of God, through all their life's circumstances. Each and every day, God is there and wants them to enjoy His company.

The book has thirty short chapters which makes it ideal for a month long devotional book. Each stand alone chapter begins with an illustrative story that relates to the portion of Scripture the author uses to reveal a little more about the character of God. Each chapter ends with a "prayer" based on verses which are notated at the end of the prayer. I liked that a lot.

Overall it was an enjoyable book to read. The style is conversation-like, honest, and very casual, (at times, maybe a little "too casual" for me), but at the end of each chapter, I desired to be a little closer to the Lord. I saw God's grace, help, restoration, and His desire to be in my company too. It reminded me that God is not only a stern, disciplining Father, but one who loves unconditionally and mutually delights in being with us.  Our reward is the pleasure of His company!

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess -- by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess, written by Sheri Rose Shepherd, is a delightful little book that summarizes 37 well loved Bible stories from both the Old and New Testament.  The book begins with the story of creation, and ends with Jesus' resurrection. Each Bible story is only a couple of paragraphs in length and begins with the Bible reference and a verse from that chapter. Sheri uses the New Living Translation which makes it easier for a child to understand. Each story concludes with a "Princess Prayer" and a "Princess Jewel" as moments of child-appropriate application. This book also has a "love letter" from God and the "salvation prayer" at the very end. What a wonderful way to show the child that these are more than just stories. They are God's personal words of love to us.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Shelley Dieterichs. The colorful pictures illustrated the Bible Stories perfectly and with all the added details on each page, will definitely capture the attention of little girls. I couldn't wait to turn the page to see what was next!

I would highly recommend this precious Bible Story book if you have a "little princess" in your life. You will definitely enjoy reading it together and then talking about how she can apply what you've just read to her life right now.  Whether you are reading it to a toddler or preschooler, or an early elementary child is reading it for herself, she will come to understand that she truly is a princess -- God's princess!

 

And now, thanks to Tyndale Publishers, you can enter to win a princess themed prize package. Click here to enter!  Contest ends February 23, so enter soon!

 I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.


 

Restless Bible Study DVD by Jennie Allen

I had the opportunity to preview the video sessions for Jennie Allen's new Bible Study, Restless. This DVD consists of 8 video sessions which are each about 20 minutes in length. Jennie teaches about how God weaves His story through our lives. Each of us is a unique creation of God, and He desires for us to find our purpose, even if right now it's just in the mundane. After we discover what he has for us, we need to run with all we have to accomplish His purposes.

The Bible Study is based on the life of Joseph. The video sessions mention Joseph occasionally, but he is not the focus of the teaching portion. I think I was at a disadvantage not having the book or study guide to do along side the DVD. Maybe it would have tied things together better.

Jennie Allen is passionate about what she teaches. She is speaking in front of a small group of women in each session which makes it more personal. The videos were shot in a contemporary style. Each one starts with a couple of women trying to answer a random question about themselves. They begin to answer and it cuts to another woman who also begins to answer it. Overall, I felt the topics were good and the videos were well done, but at times the delivery seemed a little dramatic, but hey, I'm on the "older side" now!

The subtitle of Restless is: "Because You Were Made for More." Through this Bible Study, Jennie wants you to understand that we need to look for the "threads" of our life to see how God is weaving them together. Then we can discover what we are meant to do. We were made for more than a lot of us are settling for.

I believe younger women will relate to the study and enjoy it's contemporary feel and style. I think the material is useful, but not necessarily deep, though my opinion of that might change if I did it along side the workbook.

I thought the study was good, but I was hoping to like the videos more.

I received a complimentary copy of this DVD from the blogger program "BookLook" in exchange for my honest review.

Ask and You Shall Receive

It's almost here. There are only two more weeks until Christmas! With all the ice we've had over the last five days, many people are frantically trying to figure out how they will get their last minute shopping done. I'm one of those people, not only because of the ice, but because my children still haven't given me a lot of ideas. I want to know what they need -- even what they want, but they just can't seem to come up with much.

I guess in one way, that's a good thing. They are not greedy kids. They are content with what they have. They would just as soon receive a little money so they can put it toward things they may need through the year. But I still want to buy them gifts that will excite them -- like the Digimon toy that had Daniel jumping up and down and screaming when he was seven.

I know the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus came to earth to ultimately go to the cross. I know Christmas is not about gifts, and Santa, and material things in life. But there is something about seeing the excitement and joy in a person's eyes when they unwrap a gift and get something they've been dreaming of or needing!

I had been thinking about these things this week and then I saw a video posted on Facebook this morning. It was something WestJet Airlines did for Christmas. Watch the video below for yourself:

 

There were many different reactions to what WestJet did. Some people commented about how terrible it was to promote commercialism at this time of year. Others saw it as a great marketing ploy. Still others saw the sheer delight it brought to children of all ages! I tended to be in that last group. (Though I did feel really bad for the guy who said all he really needed were socks and underwear -- but hey, that's somewhat of a tradition at our house too!)

That's when it hit me. We love and serve a "giving" God.  No, he's not "Santa Claus" who waits for us to sit on his lap and tell us all the grand and glorious things we want him to bring us, yet He is a God who desires to give us what we need (and even sometimes what we want, if it would be good for us). He did give us His best when He gave us His Son, Jesus!

We all have needs. Some of our greatest needs don't have anything to do with material things. We have emotional and spiritual needs that sometimes overwhelm us. Do we even take time to ask God to give us what we need for those situations? Do we settle for socks and underwear when He's willing to offer us a "spiritual" big screen TV? Do we really believe He can provide us everything we need to make it in this life?

Matthew 7:7-11 tells us:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"  

 

Notice, the child in this passage didn't ask his father for a fancy new car, or a home in the Hamptons. He asked for things he truly needed. Just as an earthly father meets the physical needs of his child, Jesus tells us that our Heavenly Father knows how to give good gifts to His children. He desires to meet our needs. I am as far as you can get from the health/wealth, name it and claim it gospel! This passages doesn't give us liberty to be greedy or selfish. I do not believe we are promised a life of luxury and ease. I've been to India and seen Christians who are persecuted and have nothing and yet are joyful! But I do know God is willing and able to give "good gifts" to His children.

                    Need Peace?    ASK!

 

                              Need Hope?    ASK!

 
                                             Need Joy?    ASK!

 

              Need Forgiveness?    ASK!

 



Ask and you will receive.  You don't receive because you don't ask!  Believe that you serve a good and gracious and giving God who desires to give good gifts to His children. Ask for what you need and who knows, He may just give you above and beyond what you could even ask or imagine! He's waiting to hear from you!

 

 

Are you willing to ask Him for what you need?

         

 

The Wayfinding Bible

I enjoy traveling. I like to go places I've never been before, but I also like returning to places that hold special memories. What I do not enjoy is getting lost on the way.  It's always helpful to have a GPS, map, or someone who has been there before, to help guide the way. In a sense, that is what the Wayfinding Bible is all about. As you venture out on your journey of faith, it is a resource to guide you as you make your way through the Bible.

The Wayfinding Bible is set up with three options for your Bible readings. You can choose the route you'd like to take. There are three options: The Flyover consists of 54 readings. It hits the highlights in the journey from Genesis to Revelation, and gives you a chronological overview of events in the Bible. If you prefer to go a little more in depth, you can take The Direct Route. This plan includes 215 readings and gives you a deeper perspective of how the Bible works together and offers more of the events and stories of the Bible giving you a greater understanding of God and events of the Bible. Finally, if you really want to get the most out of your Bible reading, you may choose The Scenic Route. This option contains 386 readings which takes you through well known and not so well known Bible passages and gives you the most comprehensive and complete journey through God's Word.

Each route is color coded at the top of the pages. You simply follow the route you've chosen throughout the Bible. Sometimes you will jump to another book, or flip back to where you once were, but it tells you exactly what page number your next reading will be on. As you complete your reading you are encouraged to read the "Observation Point" and "Exploration Point" which give you further information to think about - almost like devotional thought.

To make your journey even more interesting, there are helpful features throughout the Bible. There is an introduction to each book of the Bible to give you a general overview of the book, it's place on the biblical timeline, and also to show you how Jesus is seen in that particular book.  As you make your way through the readings, you will find other features like "Getting Your Bearings," which allow you to see exactly where you've been and where you are going, "Historical Markers," which give you further information about locations and fill in background information about the passage, "Scenic Overlooks," which give you an opportunity to pause and take the time to gain further insight about the location, history, people, and God's Word, and "Side Trips," which are topical studies. All these features enhance your understanding of Scripture and makes your time in God's Word even more interesting.

As I reviewed the Wayfinding Bible, I chose the Flyover Route. It hit the highlights, but also had to skip over some important biblical events, simply because of the limited number of readings. For someone new to Bible reading, this route may be less overwhelming, giving them the "basics" and pointing them ultimately to Christ.

With all the options included in this Bible, it may appear a little more confusing than it actually is. The best way to understand how this Bible works is to just use it!  Choose a route, follow the reading plan, and as you read through the Bible, pause and read the supplemental material found in the added features. I really liked how the book introductions showed how Jesus can be found in each book of the Bible. It was also helpful to read the background information about a location. The pictures, maps, and charts are all very colorful, which adds interest. The Bible uses the New Living Translation, which is a version that uses clear, contemporary English. This version is especially helpful for those who are new to the Bible.

Overall, I think the Wayfinding Bible can be a wonderful tool as you navigate through God's Word. The only real downside I would say would be the paperback cover, but it does come in a hardback version at a very affordable price. I would recommend this Bible for those new to the Word as well as for those who have been believers for some time. It could be a wonderful daily reading Bible for the new year!

Simply click here to see a short video about the Wayfinding Bible. It will help you see it in action!

I received this Bible through the Tyndale Blogger program in exchange for my personal, honest review.

Dangerous by Caleb Bislow

I am not a risk-taker.  I usually stay on the "safe side". Caleb Bislow, author of the book Dangerous, would be my polar opposite! Caleb started out as a youth pastor, but became a person on mission in some of the most "dark, dangerous, and despised" places in our world.  He metaphorically calls it ministering on the 13th floor -- a place people usually try to avoid. He shares stories about his journeys to places like the Congo, villages in Africa, Haiti, Guatemala, and red-light districts in Asia.

The book is not an easy or comfortable read. We are exposed to "darkness" in places where the light of Christ has not shined. We are exposed to the sin and suffering of people groups that have not heard the name of Jesus yet. We get a glimpse of prison life, prostitution, human trafficking, and yet we see that the truth of the gospel can reach into hopelessness and bring peace. We see a need for courageous men and women to step up to a challenge. We see a need for us to listen for the leading of the Spirit of God, and then move in the direction He leads.

I believe God has created certain people, like Caleb, to take these great risks, and "boldly go where no one has gone before" and to train others to do the same. He is very deliberate in letting people know they need to be prepared before they venture out. The appendices of the book lists various organizations along with their websites, that interested readers could find further information. If God calls you to this "dangerous" mission, then GO!  If He doesn't, then do what he HAS called you to do here, where you are!

The book challenged me to look at myself and see what God has in store for me beyond my comfort zone. We don't have to go to third-world countries to find some of the same sin and suffering.  We have a lot of the same problems here!  Am I willing to go across the street, or across my own city, state, or country to share the hope I have in Jesus?  That, to me, could also be considered a HUGE risk for someone like me!

  

Dangerous is a book that will inspire you to do SOMETHING for the cause of Christ. You may not board the next plane to India (or maybe you will!) but this book will make you at least think about it!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the Bethany House Blogger program. The opinions are my own.

Secrets to a Happy Life by Bill Giovannetti

Many people spend a great deal of their lives searching for “happiness” and never truly finding it.  They look to circumstances, possessions, or position in life hoping that the next “thing” will make them happy. Disappointment often follows.

In his book, Secrets to a Happy Life: Finding Satisfaction in Any Situation, author Bill Giovannetti, attempts to challenge his readers to look deeper as he describes the eleven secrets to a happy life. Truly happy people find their satisfaction in the deeper recesses of their soul and in their faith in God.  Giovannetti artfully weaves the biblical story of the life of Joseph through the book to illustrate how even when “bad things” happen,  a person can remain content, satisfied, and “happy” (or using a biblical term – joyful) throughout his life.

I found the book to be engaging, thoughtful, encouraging, and very practical.  Secrets to a Happy Life makes it clear that being “happy” is a choice. It all comes down to how we view our situation.  Not everything in life is good or easy.  The life of Joseph exemplifies that!  But like Joseph, we can find peace and joy even in the midst of chaos.  We can entrust our lives to a God who loves us unconditionally. We can anchor our soul in that. This book inspired me to look at situations differently and trust that God can work in and through any situation.  I can choose to be happy, or I can choose to be miserable. It’s my choice!

Each chapter concludes with a series of questions for reflection and discussion, making it a book that could be used in a small group study.  The questions help you process the information you just read and allows you apply it to your own life situations. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who would like to discover what true happiness is!

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