Thursday, September 25, 2014

Angelic!

5 Stars
REVIEW: God Gave Us Angels by Lisa Tawn Bergren & Laura J. Bryant

I am an animal lover, and Laura J.  Bryant’s art is stunning. Each page could be framed art.

The story line is instructional—teachy, but not preachy, as the Little Cub asks Papa Bear about angels. And what child (or adult for that matter!) isn’t fascinated by angels?

Throughout the brightly-colored, high-quality book, young readers learn more about God’s amazing messengers, and how much God loves us.

“What do angels do all day, Papa?” Little Cub asks.
Papa Bear: “Angels live to serve God...”
Amen.
And a good message for us Christians, as well.

This children’s book is the latest in the “God Gave Us” series by the author and illustrator. For more information about the author and illustrator, visit http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=239365


*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Message to self: An OK read

3 Stars
REVIEW: Be the Message by Kerry & Chris Shook

What is your life message?
Be the Message is meant to help you discover your God-given “message” and direct you how to live it out.

The book is divided into four parts: 1) Transforming your words into a life message, 2) Discovering your unique life message, 3) Understanding the message that confounds the world, and 4) Taking your life message to the world around you. And at the end of each chapter are three to four questions that ask you to reflect on the chapter, as well as ideas to help you live out what you just read.

As a pastor who gives a “message” every week, I loved the title and concept of the book. But overall it was just okay for me—nothing truly sensational. A few nice concepts I took away from the book, however, included how we as Christians are the living Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, how we should have a “holy disturbance” for something in which we are willing to stand up and fight for the Lord, and how we need to reach out and touch life instead of just watching it pass by.


*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Sweet, Sincere, Scriptural

4 STARS
REVIEW: My Princesses Book: Learn to Be Brave by Stephanie Rische and Heather Heyworth and My Princesses Book: Learn to Share by Amie Carlson and Heather Heyworth

Both of My Princesses books—Learn to Be Brave and Learn to Share are darling! They are sweet, sincere, and Scriptural. These are books I want to read to my precious nieces.

My Princesses: Learn to Be Brave uses the Scripture story of Esther to practically teach children about standing up for what is right as two girls deal with a bully.

My Princesses: Learn to Share uses the Scripture story of the fishes and loaves to practically teach children about sharing as two little girls argue over a dress.

As a pastor, I love the practical application of the Scripture lessons in these storybooks, and hope to incorporate these into children’s messages at my church!


*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of these books for my unbiased review.