Picture of the Week!- October 14, 2013

Having fun watching nature!

40 Days of Grace by Rich Miller (Review)

40 Days of Grace: Discovering God’s Liberating Love

By Rich Miller

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Bible Study / Nonfiction / Christian Living

Published by- Monarch Books

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 256

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $13.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-443-0

Do you have a hard time believing the grace that God has given you?  Forty days of Bible studies are available in 40 Days of Grace, by Rich Miller.  Divided into six weeks this book contains sections on:

• “Amazing Grace”
• “Canceling the Guilt Trip”
• “From Disgrace to Grace”
• “From Fear to Faith”
• “The Power of Humility”
• ‘The “Grace-Rest” Life’

Be entertained and informed while learning how to live a grace-filled life.

About the Author-

Rich Miller currently lives with his wife in North Carolina.  They have four adult children.  He has authored and co-authored 25 books and discipleship manuals.  He has worked with Freedom in Christ Ministries since 1993.

My thoughts-

I thought this book was very engaging and a joy to read.  I learned about the grace God has given us and how we shouldn’t feel guilty about it or our past. 

I liked the titles for both the week and for the daily studies, because now I can go back to the studies when I need encouragement.  I also liked the set-up of each daily study.  I would read the study, then the extras, “A Thought to Chew On,” A Truth to Remember,” “A Question to Mull Over,” and “Talking it Over with God.” 

I plan on sharing this book with friends and family.  Rich Miller has shown us that we all need to know the grace that God has given us.  I highly recommend this book.  Pick up a copy at your favorite book provider (or store) today!

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received 40 Days of Grace: Discovering God’s Liberating Love by Rich Miller for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

George Washington: True Patriot from YWAM Publishing (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received George Washington: True Patriot, by Janet & Geoff Benge, from YWAM Publishing for review purposes.

Product Link:

George Washington: True Patriot
George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide

Vendor Contact Information: YWAM Publishing

Age Appeal: 10 and up

Format: George Washington: True Patriot (224 pages in paperback, Kindle, or Nook), George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide (64 pages in paperback only)

Price: $6.99 for George Washington: True Patriot, $7.49 for the George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide

Are you looking for a readable book and unit study to help your children learn more about one of our Founding Fathers, George Washington?

Look no further than George Washington: True Patriot and George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide.  The book contains George Washington’s life from his childhood to his military campaigns to his death.  The unit study contains many different activities, like key quotes, field trip ideas, chapter questions, and more.

Our Experience:

B and C love history, especially American history.  I was excited to be able to bring them a book and unit study about George Washington.  We have studied him before, but we have not studied him in the detail that this book enabled us to.

We spent a lot of time reading this book.  It was a lot longer than I thought it would be, but it was very informational and fun to read.  After we read each chapter I would ask B and C the chapter questions.  I waited until we finished reading the book to work on the other activities.  We worked on the art activities, made a display of items relating to George Washington, and more.

I Liked:

• B and C really enjoyed the book.  They were always wanting me to read more.
• B and C had fun with the art activities and making a display of items relating to George Washington.
• I liked the detail of the book.  The children were able to learn a lot about George Washington.
• The unit study contained a lot of activities that we were able to do.  There were a lot of activities left that we will be able to do them when the children are older.

I Disliked:

• I disliked nothing!

What B (boy, age nine, officially in fourth grade) Liked and Disliked:

It was a good story if you would like to learn about George Washington.  I liked the part about George Washington and Lafayette.  The unit study was also pretty fun.  It would be good for kids my age and older.

What C (girl, age seven, officially in second grade) Liked and Disliked:

I liked the book.  It was a very, very good story.  It would be good for kids my age and older.

Dad’s Call:

I enjoyed Heroes of History George Washington: True Patriot. It's an e-book that is written for ages 10 and up, not because of any graphic battles or other scenes but simply because some of the themes would be a little difficult for younger child to comprehend.  It is an easy read that provides details of George Washington's life from his early childhood to the time after he was President of the United States.

Janet & Geoff Benge did a wonderful job of detailing George Washington's life that keeps the reader wanting more.  The happy times of George's early childhood to the difficult and trying times of the Revolutionary War to diplomatic issues of being president.  Janet & Geoff cover all the major events of Washington's life and that's what makes this a great place to start learning about our first president for our children.

Dad did not have time to look at the George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide.

Mama highly recommends George Washington: True Patriot from YWAM Publishing! 

Zondervan’s KJV Homeschool Mom’s Bible (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received Zondervan’s KJV Homeschool Mom’s Bible for review purposes.

Product Link: KJV - http://zondervan.com/9780310431473

Vendor Contact Information: Zondervan

Age Appeal: Adult (Homeschool Moms)

Format: hardback book (ISBN: 978-0-310-43147-3)

Price: $34.99

Zondervan’s KJV Homeschool Mom’s Bible has 365 daily devotions written by Janet Tatman, who has more than 25 years of homeschooling experience.  Some subjects included are rest, money, pride, and many more.  There is a forward written by Vickie Farris, author and homeschool mom.  At the end of the Bible is a Topical Index.

Our Experience:

I was very interested in this style of Bible.  I have read Bibles with studies in them before and since I am a homeschool mom I thought this one would be perfect.  I would have a new Bible and Bible Study together. 

I had decided that I would read all of the daily readings, so I could give you the best review possible.  I did read them all and I can’t wait to read them again as part of my daily Bible study.  I also enjoyed having a topical index.  I can go back and pick the topic when I need specific encouragement.  I also have a list of my favorite devotions, so I can go back when I need to.

I also had Dad look at the Bible, so he could give his opinion from a dad’s point of view.

I Liked:

• I liked the description on the back of the Bible.  It described exactly what I found in the Bible.  I also thought the cover was pretty and eye-catching.
• I liked how much Janet Tatman put her heart and soul into this book.  Each day of the Bible study had her own personal experiences and I felt that I learned about her parenting and teaching styles.
• I liked how it could teach me about different ways to help my children grow as I teach them as a parent or a teacher.

I Disliked:

• I wish there would have been more scripture involvement with the Bible.  The first verse could have been one that the reader had to look up.
• I also wished sometimes that the personal stories had been finished, so I would have known how to deal with a similar situation.

What B (boy, age nine, officially in fourth grade) Liked and Disliked:

B did not take part in this review, because this Bible was for moms.

What C (girl, age seven, officially in second grade) Liked and Disliked:

C did not take part in this review, because this Bible was for moms.

Dad’s Call:

There is a growing trend to have bibles with devotionals or short one page articles using scripture to address a particular issue.  Janet Tatman has done this with The KJV Homeschool Mom's Bible.  The 365 devotionals (one a day) provide guidance, comfort, reassurance, and strength to Moms who homeschool.  This can be a big help when the day isn't going when the kids having an off day or even if the husband is off in his own little world not giving full support (or attention) to her.

The devotions address such topics as children, cheating, laziness, joy, rest, service, traditions, questions and more.  There is a topical index that alphabetically lists the many topics and tells you on which page or pages you can find them for quick look-ups.  Each devotional also has a prayer at the end and tells you the page number for where you can find the next day’s devotion.  This is a handy feature.

If you homeschool this would be a great addition to your library to support those facing the daily challenges of not only raising children but educating them as well. Janet Tatman did a fantastic job with The KJV Homeschool Mom's Bible. Get your copy today.

Mama highly recommends KJV Homeschool Mom’s Bible from Zondervan! 

Read Aloud Challenge- October 8, 2013

We have been having fun listening and reading to stories this past week.

I am having C read to me every day for twenty minutes.  She is currently reading Princess Posey and the Tiny Treasure, by Stephanie Greene, and illustrated by, Stephanie Roth Sisson.  She doesn’t like reading it to me though, so I might have to read it to myself and let her find the books she wants to read to me.

C has also been listening to CDs in her room.  She is listening to some of the Magic Tree House books this week.  I don’t think B is listening to anything in his room right now.  The three of us are listening to Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.  We have been listening to it when we drive places.

For fun we are reading Diary of a Real Payne Book 1: True Story, by Annie Tipton.  This book has the children begging for more.  The review will be coming between October 18-25, so tune in then.

I also read some pictures books to the children this week:

• When Stravinsky met Nijinsky by Lauren Stringer
• Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton by Meghan McCarthy (an awesome book)
• Thunderstorm by Arthur Geisert (another awesome book)
• Water in the Park: A book about water & the times of the day by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

We haven’t been reading aloud as much as I would like to, but it is an improvement over the summer.  Have a wonderful week.

Picture of the Week!- October 8, 2013

This is Buffalo Bill’s childhood home.  Do you know where it is located?

Read Aloud Challenge- October 1, 2013

We have been having fun listening and reading to stories this past week.

I am having C read to me every day for twenty minutes.  She is currently reading Princess Posey and the Tiny Treasure, by Stephanie Greene, and illustrated by, Stephanie Roth Sisson.  It is about a young girl, Posey, who gets a tiny stuffed pig who clips on her finger.  She takes it to school, where her teacher has to take it away, because of the consequences rule. 

C has also been listening to CDs in her room.  She is listening to some of the Boxcar Children this week.  I don’t think B is listening to anything in his room right now.  The three of us are listening to Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.  I wanted a good book to listen to while we eat instead of always watching television.  We haven’t been listening to it while we eat, but we have been listening to it when we drive around.

For fun we are reading Diary of a Real Payne Book 1: True Story, by Annie Tipton.  This book has the children begging for more.  The review will be coming between October 18-25, so tune in then.

We haven’t been reading aloud as much as I would like to, but it is an improvement over the summer.  Have a wonderful week.