Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent (Days 5-11 Thoughts)

Deeply Loved: 40 Ways in 40 Days to Experience the Heart of Jesus by Keri Wyatt Kent

I have begun absorbing myself in this book, because I want to make a change in my life with Jesus.  I want to experience Jesus’s love in a way I never have before.

I have read and studied these seven chapters twice a day in case there is something I need to pay attention to during the day. 

Here is what I learned from these chapters.

“Day 5: Waking”

• I need to always wake up in the morning and pray and ask Jesus to be with me in the day.
• I need to ask myself how I when I wake up.

“Day 6: Through the Day”

• I need to set up times throughout the day to pray. 
• I need to do it at least three times a day.

“Day 7: Prayer of Adoration”

• I need to use some verses from Psalms to help with prayers of adoration, like Psalm 8.
• I need to tell God He is all-knowing, all-powerful, loving, and merciful.

“Day 8: Companion”

• I need to find a person to grow spiritually deeper with. 
• I need to look at three different people.
• I need to pray for them.
• I need to visit with them and invite the right one.

“Day 9: Alone”

• I need to be still and quiet with Jesus for an hour, no technology.
• Is it hard, because I could be missing something?
• What is it like?

“Day 10: Quiet”

• I need to do things in silence without the radio.
• Knowing how to be quiet will help me become a better listener.

“Day 11: Meditate on the Promise of God”

• I need to read and meditate on John 14.
• I need to keep reading these verses.
• They will help me be happy and be confident in my life with Jesus.
• My favorite one is verse 27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” (NIV)

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth 
Published by- Abingdon Press 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 200
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4267-4481-5

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent for free from Abingdon Press. 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. All links were current when posted.

The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

Genre- Teen Fiction

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 336

Age Group- Young Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72439-1, link to the book on Zondervan

Inspired by the story, “Snow White,” the reader learns of Sophie who is spending a lifetime cooking and cleaning for the evil Duchess Ermengard.  A young man, Gabehart, comes for the seventeen-year-old girl, because he believes she is betrothed to his brother.  Sophie doesn’t believe him at first, but she comes to believe him and trust him, and they flee to the Cottage of the Seven.  Will Sophie and Gabehart stay safe?  Will Sophie love Gabehart’s brother?

About the author- Melanie Dickerson lives in Alabama with her husband and two daughters. She has a bachelors degree in special education of the hearing impaired and has been a teacher and missionary. Her book, The Healer’s Apprentice, was a winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book.

Go here for my review of The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Go here for my review of The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson.

My thoughts- Many little girl’s enjoy reading the story of “Snow White” and pretending to be her.  Now teens have their own version and Melanie Dickerson did a wonderful job.  This story is sophisticated, romantic, and shows the importance of believing in God no matter what.

All of the characters were well developed and I loved them, disliked them, and cried with them.  My favorite character was Gabehart.  He was foolish to leave his family home to search for Sophie, but he showed dedication to her and his brother.  I felt sorry for the evil Duchess Ermengard, because she was against all and never loved or respected God.  I wish that there had been more time to try to turn her toward God.

I thought this book was well written and I would recommend it to all teen girls.  Please find a copy to read today.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson for free from Zondervan.  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.  All links were current when posted.

Interrupted: Life Beyond Words by Rachel Coker

Interrupted by Rachel Coker

Genre- Teen Fiction

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 256

Age Group- Young Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72810-8, link to the book on Zondervan

Allie loses her mother to cancer when she is fourteen and is sent to Maine where she lives with her adopted mother and sister.  Allie is so bitter that she retreats into a journal where she writes to her mother about her new life and her Christian mother.  Sam, a childhood friend, comes back into her life and Allie is forced to deal with the past in a new way.  Will Allie accept Sam and the Christian life she has been fighting so much?

About the author- Rachel Coker, a sixteen-year-old homeschool student, currently lives with her parents and two sisters in Virginia.  She has helped her parents with a family-run Christian book business.  She was given a year of lessons with a professional writing Coach when she was eleven.  Her other book from Zondervan is Chasing Jupiter.  Her blog is www.rachelcoker.wordpress.com

Go here for my review of Chasing Jupiter .

My thoughts- Life is not always fair.  It certainly wasn’t fair for Allie, but I wish that she had reacted differently to her adopted mother.  It took almost the whole book for Allie to accept Beatrice as her mother.  I’m so glad that her heart of stone was brought up in prayer by Beatrice and was over heard by Allie.  Allie had spent so much time believing she didn’t need God and that Beatrice didn’t love her.

I thought Rachel Coker did a good job with character development.  I really enjoyed Beatrice and Irene.  I felt sorry for Sam.  I’m glad he was so patient and kind to Allie and how he came to see her later in life.

Rachel Coker wrote a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to you.  Please pick up a copy today.  Remember to tell your public library if you liked it, so they can get a copy for others to read.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Interrupted: Life Beyond Words by Rachel Coker for free from Zondervan.  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.  All links were current when posted.

Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent (Days 1-4 Thoughts)

Deeply Loved: 40 Ways in 40 Days to Experience the Heart of Jesus by Keri Wyatt Kent

I have begun absorbing myself in this book, because I want to make a change in my life with Jesus.  I want to experience Jesus’s love in a way I never have before.

I have read and studied the first four chapters twice a day in case there is something I need to pay attention to during the day. 

Here is what I learned from these chapters.

“Chapter 1: An Only Child”

• God is always saying, “I sure do love R…”

“Chapter Two: Walking with the Jews”

• Pretend Jesus is with me all day long
• He gives me peace and security
• He helps me know what to do with my children and how to face challenges from them and what I shouldn’t and should watch, read, etc.

“Chapter Three: Slow Down”

• Can I slow the pace of my life?  My family doesn’t participate in a lot of activities outside of the house.  We could work on spending less time with technology.

“Chapter 4: Review of the Day”

Where did I see God?

• I saw God in my daughter’s church class and when I talked with one of the mother’s there.
• I saw God with my children’s kindness towards each other.
• I saw God when my husband made special heart shapes pizzas for the children’s supper.
• God helped me to feel happy and energized today.

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth 
Published by- Abingdon Press 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 200
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4267-4481-5

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent for free from Abingdon Press. 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. All links were current when posted.

Renee of France by Simonetta Carr

Renee of France (Bitesize Biographies) by Simonetta Carr

Genre- Christian / Nonfiction

Published by- Evangelical Press

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 128

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $11.99, ISBN: 978-0852349090

Little is known today of Renee of France, but she was a part of the Reformation.  She corresponded with John Calvin and that was not taken well by her husband, the Duke of Ferrara or the pope.  

About the author- Simonetta Carr currently lives in San Diego with her husband and family.  She was born in Italy and has lived in different cultures.  She has home-schooled her eight children.  Simonetta Carr was born in Italy and has translated the works of Christian authors into Italian.

My thoughts- I thought this book had some interesting insights about two individuals I have heard of but never really studied.  I am very curious to know more about the relationship that John Calvin and Renee had, after reading the book.  Why did he write her so much?

I liked parts of the introduction because Simonetta Carr was honest and said that the book doesn’t give a definitive answer, gives a brief look at Renee’s life, and is based on the correspondence of Renee and John Calvin.  The timeline was helpful for me to understand what happened and when.

I learned that Renee was smart and loyal to helping the Protestants who needed help.  I was disappointed to learn that she couldn’t stick with her convictions.  She wanted to make both the Roman Catholics and Protestants happy.

I would recommend this book for recreational reading and those in the older high school grades.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Renee of France by Simonetta Carr for free from Cross Focused Reviews. 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. All links were current when posted.

Parenting on Your Knees by Vicki Tiede

Parenting on Your Knees: Prayers and Practical Guidance for the Preschool Years by Vicki Tiede

Genre- Christian / Nonfiction

Published by- Pix-N-Pens

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 188

Age Group- Adult (Parents of Preschoolers)

Description of book- Kindle, list price $0.99, ISBN: 1938092295

This book uses humor, Bible verses and information to show parents of preschoolers the tools and knowledge on how to parent and pray when you may not have a lot of time.  You will pray for your child’s behavior, social skills, character, development, and spiritual growth.  You will also find hope and encouragement.

Please go here to listen to an interview with Vicki Tiede by Shaun Tabatt- http://biblegeekgonewild.com/2013/02/01/author-talks-episode-9-vicki-tiede/.

About the author- Vicki Tiede currently lives in Minnesota and is a wife, homeschooling mom, and is the coordinator of women’s ministries in her church.  She wants to show women God’s grace and faithfulness through scripture.  Her humor is enjoyed by her audiences.

 

 

My thoughts- Parenting can be very difficult.  I thought Vicki Tiede did a wonderful job of making it easier to parent a preschooler.  My children are past that stage in their lives, but I wish I had had a book like this when my kids were young.

There was so much humor and she covers every subject from discipline to toilet training to social skills.  I could even find tips to help me with my children at their current ages.

I also enjoyed the extras- the prayers at the end of each chapter, recommended books for children, and recommended books for parents.  As parents we need all the support we can get.  Books can help us and our children.  The most important part though is prayer.  It is the way we reach God.  With God we can be a peaceful family.

I recommend this book to families of young children and those who care for young children.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Parenting on Your Knees by Vicki Tiede for free from Cross Focused Reviews. 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. All links were current when posted.

Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven

Alone Yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom by Tracy Leininger Craven

Genre- Juvenile Fiction / General

Published by- ZonderKidz (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 160

Age Group- 8 and up

Description of book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-73053-8

The year is 1755, the French Indian War.  Barbara and Regina Leininger, 12 and 9, are captured during the Penn’s Creek Massacre by Allegheny warriors.

The Allegheny warriors take the girls to one of their villages.  It is at this point in time that Barbara and Regina are separated.

For the next four years Barbara and a friend, Maria, live with the Allegheny people and their way of life; including their ways of worship.  Eventually Barbara, Maria, and two others escape and make it safely to Fort Pitt.

Will they be able to find their families again?  Will Regina return to the civilized world?

About the author- Tracy Leininger Craven spends a lot of time with her husband and three children outdoors.  She enjoys history and the telling of real-life stories in her historical fiction books.

 

 

 

My thoughts- Tracy Leininger Craven writes on page 149, “…that those reading this book will be encouraged to run the race of life with undaunted faith and endurance-drawing strength from the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ.”  And that is exactly what I intend to do.  If Regina and Barbara could make it through all the hardships of being captured by the Allegheny warriors, then our simple problems of today, like broken electronics, shouldn’t be such a issue.

I really admire Tracy Leininger Craven’s dedication to the telling of her family’s story.  She has stuck with the telling of the story since she wrote the first draft at the age of nine.  It is fun to read stories that have been years in the making.

I liked the portrayal of the kindness of some of the Allegheny Indians, the map in the front, and the parts of the hymn “Alone Yet Not Alone.”

I recommend this book to everyone.  I am looking forward to seeing the movie which is anticipated to open in 2013.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Alone Yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom by Tracy Leininger Craven for free from DJC Communications. 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. All links were current when posted.

Cake by Joyce Magnin

 Cake: Love, Chickens, and a Taste of Peculiar by Joyce Magnin and illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov

Genre- Juvenile Fiction / Family / General

Published by- ZonderKidz (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- 9 and up

Description of book- hardback, list price $14.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-73333-1

 

Wilma Sue is a foster child and her new foster parents are Ruth and Naomi, retired missionary sisters. Wilma Sue is in for some surprises and new friends.

One of Naomi’s talents is baking special cakes for people who need them.  Wilma Sue goes along for the delivery and sees  some strange things.  She thought she saw Mrs. Snipplesmith’s chair rise off the floor!

Wilma Sue makes a new friend, Penny.  She wants to make Penny a special cake.  Will the cake turn out right?  What tragedy happens to the chickens?  Will Wilma Sue have a permanent home?

About the author- Joyce Magnin has three children, one son-in-law, and three grandsons.  She currently lives in Pennsylvania with one of her sons.  She enjoys music, baseball, needle arts, and more.  She is the author of the Bright Pond novels.  Her website is- www.joycemagnin.blogspot.com.

 

 

 

My thoughts- When I read a description of this book it said, “Mary Poppins meets Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.”  I was excited.  I like those stories.  After having finished the book, I disagree with the statement.  I really don’t see parts of those stories in this book. 

I liked this book though.  Joyce Magnin did a wonderful job of telling the story from Wilma Sue’s point-of-view.  I have never spent much time thinking about what it would be like to be a foster child.  Wilma Sue’s private thoughts and her notebook led me to believe how much uncertainty there can be in a foster child’s life.  Many people need to read this book to learn about the foster child system and how there can be love and hope for the children when they reach the right family.

The illustrations were a nice surprise.  I think all readers will enjoy the pictures that represent Wilma Sue’s new life.

I highly recommend this fast-paced special book with Wilma Sue, Ruth, Naomi, Penny, the chickens, and more.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Cake: Love, Chickens, and a Taste of the Peculiar by Joyce Magnin  for free from DJC Communications. 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. All links were current when posted.

Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker

Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker

Genre- Teen Fiction

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- 13 and up

Description of book- hardback, list price $15.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-73293-8

Scarlett Blaine is growing up in 1960’s Georgia.  It isn’t easy for her; with her sister’s struggles, her brother’s unique behavior, and her parents’ financial problems.

Since Cliff is so unique he gets left out and teased.  Scarlett loves him greatly and when he asks for a rocket to Jupiter for his birthday, she works to make it happen.  To raise the money needed to build the rocket she decides to make and sell peach pies.  Cliff and Scarlett become friends with the peach farmer’s son, Frank.  Frank helps them make the rocket.

Everything is going well for all of them until Cliff has an accident.  Will Cliff recover from the accident?  Will Scarlett gain trust in God?

About the author- Rachel Coker, a sixteen-year-old homeschool student, currently lives with her parents and two sisters in Virginia.  She has helped her parents with a family-run Christian book business.  She was given a year of lessons with a professional writing Coach when she was eleven.  Her other book from Zondervan was Interrupted.  Her blog is www.rachelcoker.wordpress.com.

 

My thoughts- I enjoy reading books by both young authors and those who have been homeschooled, because I don’t see it very often and they are truly talented.  Rachel Coker doesn’t disappoint.  I felt as if I were there in Georgia with Scarlett and her family.

One thing I would have liked was more references to Scarlett’s and Cliff’s ages.  I kept forgetting how old Cliff was.  I thought he was much older than ten.  Rachel Coker did a very good job with describing Scarlett and how much respect she had for Cliff and that is what tricked me into thinking he was so much older.

Scarlett’s love for her family, no matter how eccentric, is very admirable.  She is an inspiration to me to be kind to all people.  It shouldn’t matter how eccentric they are or what they do.  It takes a talented author to inspire the reader to do more in life. 

I would recommend this book to all young adult readers.  Adults can gain from reading this book too.  It would be a book for discussion groups.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker for free from DJC Communications. 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. All links were current when posted.