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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Fire Prophet Review

Fire Prophet (Son of Angels) Description:

What if you could actually see angels and fallen angels engaging in battle—and you were expected to join the fight?
It’s been one year since Jonah Stone and his sister, Eliza, discovered that their mother is a nephilim, the product of a union between a human and a fallen angel, which makes them and their little brother, Jeremiah,quarterlings, or one-quarter angel. After embarking on an epic journey to rescue their mother and the other nephilim, who were kidnapped by fallen angels, the Stone kids have enjoyed a little peace and quiet.
But when Jonah and Eliza are attacked by fallen angels at school, they learn that quarterlings all over the world are being targeted, and separating them from their parents is the only way to keep them safe. The kids undergo special training to help them discover their own unique angelic gifts, which come in handy when they embark on a mission to find a mysterious prophet who they believe holds the key to Abaddon's defeat in a massive battle between good and evil.
Parents today are looking for fiction that makes Christianity and the Bible exciting for their kids. This series is the first Christian answer to Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the Kane Chronicles, the Secret Series, and other middle grade series packed with adventure, action, and supernatural fights. But the message is solidly scriptural in that God alone is always in control.

My Review:
You may remember way back in January when I reviewed the first book in this series Spirit Fighter.  (If not just click the title and go read it!)   Jerel Law seems to have found his stride in this book.  Jonah and Eliza are introduced to other quarterlings in this book and we learn that not all of them have made the decision to follow God.  All of the quarterlings begin training for the battle to come, the ultimate battle between good and evil.  Through this training we are introduced to a few more weapons, some unique gifts to particular people such as the belt of truth, and others include a weapon even us fully mortal followers have-prayer.

While I do find it unusual that the parents of this children would so easily leave them after being told they are in danger, but they trust the angels to do what is right.  It also clears the way for the Stone siblings to set off together and save the day with the help and guidance of Elohim.

There are many lessons to be learned in this installment, the power of truth, the power of prayer, that each of us are gifted differently and one gift is not better than another, that we can choose to be deceived-and choose to turn back, to name a few.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I would have to say that my 13 year old daughter did too since she finished it in just a few days.  Two thumbs up!

Friday, December 14, 2012

God Gave Us Christmas Review

God Gave Us Christmas Description:

As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… 

“Who invented Christmas?”
Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that…

Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

My Review:
Lisa's God Gave Us series is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  From God Gave Us You to God Gave Us Love and so many more I have fallen in love with the beautiful stories, gorgeous illustrations but mostly with the message included in each book - Every good and perfect thing comes from above.

In this installment of the series little cub has questions about Christmas, and Mama Bear takes him out on an adventure to discover what Christmas is really about.  From the beginning when Little Cub asks if God is more important than Santa I knew this would be a story that children could relate to, and when Mama answers, "Oh yes, much more important!" I knew that I would love it.

I like that this book doesn't dismiss Santa (keep in mind we have not told our daughter that Santa is real, we don't have presents from Santa on Christmas and he doesn't put candy in stockings in our house, but you can't escape this jolly old man in the US so my daughter has a casual belief in him) but it does get the point across that "Santa Claus reminds us about many good things like generosity and care.  But it is God and Jesus that we celebrate most come Christmas.  We always want to thank God for giving us Christmas."  Perfectly said! 


I also like that we are reminded that "Jesus is a present for everyone, grumpy or happy, mean or kind.  God gave us all Christmas."  Children can easily associate the concept of Santa bringing presents for good boys and girls with the gift of Jesus, and think He only came for the good boys and girls as well.  This opens the door for parents to talk to their children about how we are each imperfect, but God loves us so much He made a way for us to be with Him.

This book has been added to my Christmas reading collection, along with The Crippled Lamb and Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale.  


Thursday, December 6, 2012

Godwink Stories review

Godwink Stories: A Devotional Description:

Building on the themes in his popular book When God Winks, SQuire Rushnell shares real-life stories that are certain to uplift and encourage you.


The stories in this book reaffirm that godwinks happen to everyone. We just need to learn how to see them, allow them to unfold, and accept them as direct, person-to-person communications from God to each of us.
As you’ll see, those so-called coincidences that you’d been dismissing so easily really do mean something. And you need to pay attention. They are like unopened gifts that have been placed upon your doorstep.

You will be amazed to read how every joy, every hurt, and every worry that happens to you has already been written about in the Bible. Godwink Stories simply draws upon the parallel between the stories of real people and God’s wisdom in the scriptures.

Godwink Stories can be read in various ways. You can read the book cover to cover. Or follow along each week for a year. It’s also perfect to read for a pick-me-up story that fits your need of the day.

Whether you’re looking for encouragement in a time of need or a story that speaks of joy, there’s a godwink story just for you.
***
Godwink Stories offers weekly readings of godwinks and miracles to encourage and inspire you in every situation. These true stories— from ordinary people—provide:

  • Messages of “don’t give up”
  • Heartfelt need for love and guidance
  • Hope in the midst of medical crises
  • “Just in time” moments
  • Peace in times of sorrow
  • Tender love stories
  • Amazing answers to prayer
My Review:

This book is in response to When GOD Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life also written by Squire Rushnell.  Readers had read the first book and submitted their stories of when God winked at them.  Rushnell then gathered these stories and chose 52 of them to include in this book.  You can expect to read a Bible verse, and introduction to the theme, the submitted God Wink story, and then Rushnell's response.  Think Chicken Soup for the Soul with more Bible focus.

The stories are uplifting, including ones from Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel), Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusaders for Christ), and many from people just like you and me.  They are a great reminder that while He is the God of the universe, He also takes time for the small details as well; the little things that may mean nothing to the person that is standing beside you, but means everything to you.  Authentic, real moments with God shared by others to remind us that God truly is with us every minute of every day.

If you need a pick me up then this is the book for you!  A great gift for a friend as well!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Walking with Bilbo review

Walking with Bilbo: A Devotional Adventure through the Hobbit
Book Description:


The author of Walking with Frodo takes readers on an adventure of faith with this devotional that relates themes from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit to living the Christian life. Unlike the fateful quest Frodo was asked to carry out, Bilbo's journey came as an unexpected adventure. Readers will be reminded that God chooses us to be unlikely heroes in the adventure of life.

My Review:

This devotional is intended to span 22 days, which doesn't sound like much, but it packs a wollop in those days.  Arthur draws from  The Hobbit as a starting point and manages to include Scripture, real life examples and thought provoking questions that will cause you to really reflect on your relationship with Jesus.

While having read The Hobbit will make this a much more enjoyable devotional, it isn't really absolutely necessary.  The devotions simply take a scene or event in the story and use it as a starting point to reveal a Biblical truth, from the fact that we are chosen and selected by God, to the importance of honesty, to the fact that God never leaves us stranded, and what it takes to find our true identity.

This would be great to include with The Hobbit when gift giving, and it is also a great book to add to your own library.  Thanks to Tyndale for the opportunity to review it!