30 Days to Understanding the Bible

Do you want to learn more about the Bible, but get overwhelmed with remembering so many people, places, etc.? Another excuse for not doing more Bible study is you have little time for digging deeper. 30 Days to Understanding the Bible is an easy-to-use guide to learning that Bible... and can take only 15 minutes per day. In one month, you'll learn the Bible's key people, events, and doctrines.

Dr. Max Anders, the author of over 25 books, has taught on the college and seminary level and is a veteran pastor. Max was also one of the original team members with Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. He provides resources and discipleship strategies at MaxAnders.com to help people grow spiritually.

The book is divided into 7 sections with many illustrations and self-tests throughout the book. Some of the features include:

• The “Arc of Bible History” to help you visualize the Bible’s overarching themes
• The “Story of the Bible” summarizing Genesis through Revelation in just a few pages
• The core beliefs of the Christian faith, focusing on the teachings that have united Christians for the last 2,000 years
• A 13-week plan that provides teacher’s with a very creative and effective tool for teaching the Bible in 30 days
• Fan-favorite bonus content, previously removed, now restored from the original edition

My Review: I am thoroughly enjoying the book... and learning from it. I sometimes forget the context of a Scripture or the timeline. I still felt a bit of trepidation when I saw the book, but the first chapter put me at ease. I got all of the test answers correct, so that gave me a bit more confidence. Of course, it does become more challenging as you progress, but the structure of the book really helps. In the past, I have given up, even when using the chronological method of reading my Bible, so this way of following a plan is very useful. I definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand the Bible better.
   

GIVEAWAY!! I will be selecting one winner to receive a copy of 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Dr. Max Anders. The deadline to enter the giveaway drawing is 11 pm CST, January 26, 2019. Simply post #Biblein30Days in the comments section of this blog or one of my shared social media posts about the giveaway.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. The winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Buy link: http://bit.ly/30DaystoUnderstandingtheBible
Official Website: http://www.biblein30days.com

Can You Believe It? - Hillsong Kids

'Can You Believe It!? - Songs of Truth' is both a question and a challenge... a statement of gratitude to a loving God and an invitation to explore the very foundations of faith. Classic songs like 'My Best Friend', 'Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)' and 'What A Beautiful Name' join brand new declarations of faith such as 'As The World Shakes' & 'Heaven Is Our Home'. We pray that this collection of fun and vibrant songs, help children around the world to declare biblical truths about God's love and grace for them. (Amazon Editorial Review)

My Review: This Hillsong Kids DVD is a mixture of music, interviews, teaching moments and humor. Meant to explain the message of the Bible and the importance of church, topics included are the Bible, Church, living for God, and your need for a Savior. The material seems more suitable for elementary school children (7 - 11 years old). Of course, the music is wonderful for all age groups. I preferred the more well-known songs like "Oceans" and "What A Beautiful Name," but there were others that were enjoyable. I'm not a fan of some of the more upbeat pop type that would be more appealing to a child... but this is meant to be for children.

To be honest, I would have loved this as a CD or even if it had a 'Music Only' option on the DVD. Some parts of the adult interactions simply did not work for me, and the more teachable moments, while good, are not something I would listen to repeatedly. For a classroom setting, this is great, but I can't imagine wanting to hear the entire DVD frequently. Overall excellent material but not something I would watch often. The children in my life are all preschoolers and they lost interest whenever the music stopped also. So, definitely consider the age of the child when purchasing this product.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Spirit of God Illustrated Bible

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible brings to life more than 40 Bible stories that help readers understand that God’s Spirit has been with us since the beginning of time and continues to be with us today. From the glory of creation through the powerful letters of Paul, God’s Spirit is living in his people. Old and New Testament stories such as Adam and Eve, Abraham, Joseph, the Baptism of Jesus, and Pentecost come alive with dramatic illustrations by Fernando Juarez and moving text by Doris Rikkers. With a cover that sparkles and shines with foil, this is a special storybook Bible that will appeal to both children and parents alike. (Publisher's Description) 

MY REVIEW: This hardcover book is sturdy for a child's use and is filled with words of faith to help a child grow stronger spiritually. Each Bible story included has an emphasis on the Holy Spirit. I honestly don't remember seeing a children's book that is devoted to God - The Holy Spirit and I am very pleased with the contents of the book. Of course, there are many stories that children may already be familiar with, but there are so that are not taught frequently in children's church. 

The book is recommended for children 4 - 8 years old, and I agree that is a suitable age group. But, since all of my great-grandkids are younger than four, I edited to a shorter version while reading a story. This is still a solid foundation for them until they are old enough to sit still for the actual story in the book. They are simplified, but so were the stories I was taught in Sunday School 50+ years ago. My main quibble would be in calling it a Bible, but we also have toddler "Bible" board books in the house. The little ones are happy to have their own "Bibles" and they certainly are not prepared for the adult versions.

Published by Zonderkidz division of Zondervan, I will give it a 5 for being a good introduction to the Holy Spirit for the very young.

GIVEAWAY: You can win a copy of Spirit of God Illustrated Bible, courtesy of Propeller Consulting LLC & FlyBy Promotions, when you respond either on Blog Comments or Post Comments no later 11:59pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. Comment with #SpiritofGodBible.

LINKS:
Website
Sampler
Facebook
Twitter
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Pinterest

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. The winner is subject to eligibility verification.

When you share about Spirit of God Illustrated Bible, please use #SpiritofGodBible 
 

Hiding Place cd - Tori Kelly

Tori Kelly, a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter and 2016 Grammy Award nominee for Best New Artist, shares her passion for gospel music with Rhythm and Blues with this Kirk Franklin-produced CD. Hiding Place, named after a line in one of Tori's favorite Psalms, is filled with songs either co-written with Kirk Franklin or written by Franklin alone.

Never Alone (with Kirk Franklin)

My Review: Starting with “Masterpiece”(featuring hip-hop artist Lecrae), the album starts off enthusiastically. Tori's talent shines through (as does Lecrae's) but I confess that I prefer the slower ballads. "Help Us to Love" could be our nation's anthem right now and really spoke to my heart. Another hit is "Psalm 42," (which is one of my most favorite Psalms), so I was very pleased with Tori's rendition. And I was touched by "Questions." "Never Alone" with Kirk Franklin is excellent and the cd ended with the inspiring, "Soul's Anthem (It Is Well)."

Overall, a very good album. To be honest, the more I listen to the words, the more the cd resonates with me. I recommend it.

Purchase links are here:
Hiding Place - Tori Kelly

GIVEAWAY: I have 1 cd available for a giveaway, provided by Propeller Consulting. You must contact me by 9am Sept 15, 2018.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

ADORED: 365 Devotions for Young Women

Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women by Zondervan tackles tough topics girls face, from bullying and social media to friendships and dating, all the while showing readers how infinitely precious they are in God’s sight.

Each day contains a devotion that is relative to a young woman's life with room to journal for an even more personalized experience. Scripture is also included that is perfect for memorization, a starting point for daily Bible reading, or to simply remind the reader that the Bible still connects with our lives even hundreds of years later. Adored will resonate with girls searching for truth and guidance given with honesty and a touch of humor.

It's a wonderful gift for tweens, teens, and young women with it's compact size and beautiful, foiled cover, with two-color interior pages. The hard cover is durable and the pages are strongly bound (in my case, tested and proven by a curious 2 year old) to easily handle every day use. I also love that it does not have a specific date, making this a good gift for any time of the year AND you don't feel like you have to play catch-up (or simply abandon the book) if you miss a day or more. My only complaint was that it seemed like it would be a bit awkward to write in and I would like more space for journaling.

For a 7 day download, go to Zondervan - Adored devotional
Buy Adored at Christianbook.com/Adored-365

GIVEAWAY! Enter to win a copy for yourself or as a gift. Leave a comment on this blog post (or on the social media post where you found this by end of day December 7, 2017.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

#AdoredByGod
#FlyBy 

God's Great Love For You - Rick Warren

God’s Great Love for You, by bestselling author and pastor Rick Warren, is a story that lets children know that God's love is with them everywhere and all of the time. With simple sentences, and winsome illustrations by Chris Saunders, a child is assured that she is always surrounded by God's great love.

It's a cute book and I especially love the illustrations. I do disagree with the age range recommendation, though. It is much too simple for 7 and 8 year old children, so I would suggest it for 6 year old and under. My great-grandchildren are all under 3 right now, and this seems more suitable as a bedtime story book for them. The very short sentences are a better fit for their attention spans. The main character is also female, so I don't think the boys will like this one quite as much as girls. Of course, that is not true each time, but I still would have preferred a mix of characters. Still, a good book to introduce the love of God to wee ones.

GIVEAWAY: To enter for a chance to win a copy of God's Great Love For You, leave a comment on this blog or as a comment on a social media post. Deadline to enter is end of day, Friday, November 17, 2017.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug!

I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug!, written by Caroline B. Cooney, is a playful book about hugs, imagining the different ways to give or receive a hug through delightful rhymes and entertaining illustrations by Tim Warnes. 

Whether it’s a wriggly, wiggly bug hug, an enthusiastic knock over chairs dog hug, or a big bear, leaving you gasping for air, hug---this book is a lot of fun to read and have a special time of hugs and fun before bedtime.

This is a special book that both entertains and lets a child feel safe, secure, and well loved. This is a ZonderKidz hardcover book, recommended for children between 4 and 8, but toddlers will enjoy it too---especially all of the hugs! It encourages interaction between parent (or grandparent) and child, and gives the child an opportunity to burn off a little energy before settling down to sleep. 

With Valentine's Day approaching, this would be a perfect gift for your special little Valentine.

Official Website -  http://bit.ly/2eBPnU6

Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/ZonderkidzTwitter -  https://twitter.com/Zonderkidz

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

GIVEAWAY: All entries must be made No Later Than February 7, 2017. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. The winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Amy Grant - Tennessee Christmas

Amy Grant has a new CD out in time for Christmas. Tennessee Christmas  is a collection of 13 songs that encompass the meaning of Christmas from a variety of moods and views. Just as the Christmas season is filled with many emotions, "Tennessee Christmas" has a little something for everyone. The album grew on me more as I listened to it a few times, but even my initial reaction was favorable. The songs range from the loneliness that some experience to the joy of being together with loved ones. There are also new songs amidst familiar classics and favorite hymns. This is the first time I have ever like "Christmas Don't Be Late" (sorry Chipmunks!) and I even liked the arrangement [of a song I normally dislike] "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Amy's husband, Vince Gill. The mixture of contemplative and light jazz music makes this album work well. I really loved what she did with "Joy to the World." This is one of my favorite Christmas songs, and I love it in a variety of arrangements; so while this slower version may not seem as "joyful" to some, there are times that this is exactly how I sing it at home. It reminds me that there is Hope. The final song, "O Come, All Ye Faithful" is a perfect reminder of the main reason we gather together on Christmas--- to celebrate the birth of Jesus, surrounded by the family and friends we treasure.

A sample from the album is "To Be Together."

Buy Tennessee Christmas: http://smarturl.it/TNChristmasAlbum?IQid=flyby
Like Amy Grant on Facebook: http://facebook.com/AmyGrant Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amygrant Subscribe to Amy’s VEVO Channel: http://smarturl.it/AmyVEVOSub Follow Amy on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/AmyGrantSpotify 

Amy's team is also asking for fans to upload any videos they may have of them surprising loved ones for the holidays to social media. Use the hashtag #TNChristmasSurprise! Your video may be part of a compilation video Amy will be posting across her social media platforms.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):   I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Bible Journaling Kit

Bible Journaling---making art in your Bible to create a more personal connection to Scripture and with God---has become more popular than ever. Have you tried it? Whether experienced at journaling or still considering it, this kit from Ellie Claire, a division of Worthy Publishing, is a fabulous collection of needed tools.

This Bible Journaling Kit comes complete with: 

• 4 sheets of word stickers
• 4 sheets alphabet stickers
• 24 tab stickers
• 8 colored pencil twists
• 1 journaling pen
• 1 pouch with adjustable strap
• 1 ruled page protector mat with tracing lines

If you are unused to writing in your Bible, or feeling intimidated by the prospect of creating Art, this kit is a perfect way to get started. Remember, this is for your spiritual journey and to help you to connect with God in a more personal way. This kit has all you need to get started! I know I have always liked to make notes or highlight passages that really speak to me. Going back through your Bible, you are then reminded of times that were especially meaningful.

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC/FlyBy Promotions for sending me this kit.

**There is also a link for free coloring pages---AND another chance to win a Bible Journaling Kit! EllieClaire/Worthy Publishing is also sponsoring a giveaway with FIVE winners!! Winners will be announced on Dec. 15, 2016.
Enter at Bible Journaling Kit Giveaway

Here are places you can get kits for yourself or as gifts:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Book-A-Million
• Christian Book

Also check out the Ellie Claire Gift & Paper Expressions on Facebook for more amazing products. 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

All Things Bright and Beautiful by Cecil Frances Alexander

"All Things Bright and Beautiful" was originally included in "Hymns For Little Children" by Cecil Frances Alexander, published in 1848. The poem went on to become a well-loved hymn known to Christians around the world.

This children's book, follows 3 children as they explore the world around them, discovering God's creation. With a couplet from the poem written on each set of 2 pages, it is a quick, easy read, but the joy of this 32 page hard cover children's book is the colorful illustrations by artist Katy Hudson of Middlesbrough, England. The parent and child can extend reading (and cuddle) time as they examine the illustrations, soaking in the details, and learning about each detail with a conversation ranging from the various animals, the stars, and even playing barefoot in a stream of water. Since this poem is also a hymn, it will help readers with word recognition since song memorization is a useful tool in learning. This oversized book is even useful as a display piece/room decoration to encourage reading and a love for books. 

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment no later than 11:59pm CDT on July 31, 2016 to be entered to win a copy of "All Things Bright and Beautiful."

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Amazon buy link 
Katy Hudson website


All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.