Jonah & The Great Big Fish

"God told Jonah to obey, said, 'Go to Nineveh this day.' But, stubborn Jonah fled instead. Didn’t do just what God said." Jonah’s disobedience landed him inside a big fish! And there he had time to think and pray. Children will feel the waves and hear the splash as Jonah sinks “down and down and down” into the belly of the fish. This story serves as an excellent reminder of how important it is to listen to God.

 

My son absolutely loved this book! He understood the story completely at 3 years old, better than if I read it from scripture to him. The rhyming words were so simple and easy for him to understand. The illustrations were so colorful and vibrant. Great job throughout. I will be looking for more books by this author for sure!

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

NIV Fast Facts Bible

A Bible that points out interesting facts and challenges the reader to dig deeper into God’s Word.

The NIV Fast Facts Bible is designed to creatively engage Bible readers who have a passion for finding out interesting facts about the Bible. It features unique Bible book introductions that point to fascinating details that can be found in each of the Bible's 66 books. At the end of each book is a full page of intriguing questions that will drive readers back into the text to discover the answers for themselves. Includes the complete text of the NIV, the world's bestselling modern English translation.

Love the facts at the beginning of each chapter and the questions at the end! I lent my Mother this Bible to prepare lessons for her Sunday School class. The questions and answers taught me things I never knew about the Bible. If you are a factoid person I highly recommend this version of the Bible. Although I found the Book & Binding to be flimsy and I feel because this will be referred back to often, it's not durable. But other than that, well put together. Some people have said the facts are useless but it's definitely a conversation starter. Really, how man people know how many words are in Genesis? 

Provided by book look bloggers in exchange for an honest review

Plain Faith A True Story of Tragedy, Loss and Leaving the Amish By Ora-Jay and Irene Eash

This is the true story of Ora-Jay and Irene Eash, Amish farmers from northwest Montana whose lives changed in an instant when a semi-truck struck the family buggy, killing their two young daughters.

After the accident, the couple turned to their Amish community for comfort, but they remained haunted by the thought that they might not see their girls again in heaven. Would their deeds be good enough? Eventually Ora-Jay and Irene learned that grace—not works—was enough to ensure their place in eternity. But with that knowledge came the realization that they could no longer live in an Amish community that didn’t share this precious belief. Could they sever their connection to the Amish family they loved?

This is the story of their journey to the hope that is heaven, a hope stronger than the loss of children, family, and a way of life. Fans of Amish fiction will appreciate such a real-life look into the Amish community, co-written by bestselling author Tricia Goyer, and readers of all kinds will resonate with this tale of courage, resilience, and the redemption found in the grace of Jesus.

I never knew there was so much difference between the Amish and Christian Faith.  This book is one families question of their beliefs, after tragedy strikes. I love how as a reader we get to look closely in on the amish lifestyle, I never thought they could be swayed from their beliefs, but when God is calling your heart to something else, this is one story of tragedy, heartbreak, families torn. 

I did enjoy this book, but it seemed this family endured so much and I never knew the Amish could be so negative and shun their own because they didn't do exactly as they said. Seems a hard road to trod

Book provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review

It's A God Thing

Some things in life have no earthly explanation.

Miracles are not reserved for the characters in the Old and New Testaments; they happen to everyday people.

Series creator Don Jacobson and K-LOVE Radio have joined together to produce one of the most remarkable collections of modern-day miracles ever compiled. From angel appearances in hospital rooms to a mother saved from a would-be assailant in Hyde Park, from a young autistic girl becoming a beautiful ballerina overnight to a young backpacker who walked away from a terrorist attack, It's a God Thing presents some of the most amazing stories of God's hand on our lives.

Be motivated as never before to look for and witness the incredible ways that God is interacting in your life and the lives of those around you.

Love short stories, especially ones that have a big impact with such little words. I loved this book from beginning to end and even though it was all separate short stories I found I couldn't put it down because I wanted to see what God was up to next in lives of everyday people! Such a good read!!

Book provided in exchange for an honest review

The Sinners Garden By William Sirls

In the small Lake Erie township of Benning, someone is at work cultivating a supernatural garden …
Andy Kemp’s young life has been as ravaged as his scarred face. Disfigured by an abusive father, the teenager hides behind his books and an impenetrable wall of cynicism and anger.
As Andy’s mother struggles to reconnect with him, his Uncle Rip returns transformed from a stint in prison and wants to be a mentor to the reclusive boy, doing everything he can to help end Andy’s pain. When Andy begins hearing strange music through his iPod and making near-prophetic announcements, Rip is convinced that what Andy is hearing is the voice of God.
Elsewhere, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering in one of the poorest homes in town. She soon realizes that the masked prowler has left thousands of dollars in gift cards from a local grocery store.
As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive “Summer Santa,” Andy and Rip discover an enormous and well-kept garden of wildflowers that seems to have grown overnight at an abandoned steel mill.
Soon, they realize who the gardener is, and a spree of miracles transfigures this small town from a place of hopelessness into a place of healing and beauty.

This book sucked me in right from the beginning. The suspense, mystery and action started right out of the gate. The prologue adds much to the story as a whole and we see why Andy is the way he is. Although I felt like slapping Andy several times, my heart also ached for everything he had to go through. This book is a fine example of God's grace and mercy and we see from someone such as Rip that God is no respector of persons. Sirls incorporates great Christian values on forgiveness. Great read!

Once-A-Day Country Faith 56 Reflections from Today's Leading Country Music Stars

Pour yourself a fresh, cold glass of sweet tea and ease into your favorite chair with a copy of the Once-A-Day Country Faith. You’ll enjoy a front row seat to an intimate look at your favorite country stars as they discuss the personal significance of their favorite Bible passage. With contributions from 56 of today’s top country artists, the Once-A-Day Country Faith includes the Bible passage that tops each of their charts as well as the reasons why this part of scripture is so valuable to them. After reading Country Faith, you’ll be inspired to identify the Bible passage that’s most meaningful to you. You’ll also listen to your favorite country artists in a whole new way.

 

I love God & country music! So there was no doubt in my mind that I would love this book. Great reflections on scriptures from the word of God and what particular passages means to different people. First I was a little taken aback that they would re reference the same verses over and over but then reading the different individuals take on the verse, I understand more clearly now that each verse meant something different to each person.

Great read!

 

I got this from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review

Forgiveness By Matthew West

Whether giving or receiving, forgiveness is the key toward true healing and blessing.

God says there are no limits to forgiveness toward others or ourselves. And when Matthew West set out on a journey asking people to share their true life stories, Renée shared about how she chose to forgive the drunk driver who hit and killed her daughter.

This remarkable story and others like it bring peace and healing to the one needing and the ones giving forgiveness. Fifty powerful stories share forgiveness through divorce, betrayal, addiction, abandonment, death, and more. Each story ties into the promises of God’s faithfulness and healing, and ends with the story of God’s ultimate forgiveness through the message of salvation.

I think forgiveness is something we all struggle with. How do we forgive and forget when someone hurts us so bad? How can we put it all behind? This book is broken up into 4 sections and backed with scriptural references. This book shows us how it's important that we forgive others if we want our Heavenly Father to show the same compassion to us. Sometimes we think we're the only ones going through certain situations or no one has to endure what we do, but after reading some of the stories in this book, made me realize someone else always got it worse, our situation isn't so bad afterall!