When Chicks Hatch is in Print! March 12, 2011

I’m so excited to share that my novel, When Chicks Hatch, was released to the public on February 22nd. You can order your copy here.  It will be also available on amazon and in kindle format.  I’m also working to have it on book store shelves. I’ll keep you posted on any progress with that.

When Chicks Hatch is a fun read and you’ll laugh plenty, but it also has some heavy themes like infertility, self-importance, marital struggles, and coping with the loss of a child to name a few. With all the opportunity to address these life changing issues, I think When Chicks Hatch would lends itself beautifully to a women’s book club. I hope that my book can be an encouragement to the women in your life facing hard issues.

I’ve set up a Facebook fan  page for When Chicks Hatch and I’m posting questions that will get you thinking deeper about the topics and themes from the book.  Hop over and check it out today.

If you choose to pick up my novel and give it a read, please don’t be shy. I want to hear from you.

Update On My Book: When Chicks Hatch July 5, 2010

I recently received my press release and publicity materials for When Chicks Hatch.  I’m working hard on the final edit and hoping that my novel will be in the hands of readers very soon.  Click the link below for more details.

When Chicks Hatch Media Kit

What’s In The Bible? March 28, 2010

A new video series has hit the market this month.  Phil Vischer, the creator of VeggieTales is pumped up about the new message of his series that centers on biblical theology presented at a child-friendly level.  The concept of What’s In The Bible? was God-driven.  It’s evidence that God is patient and He works things together for our good.

Check out Phil Vischer’s testimony about What’s In The Bible? and catch his vision to see a true understanding of the bible develop in the hearts and minds of children.

Watch the trailer for What’s In The Bible?

My family recently had the privilege of viewing an advanced copy of episodes 1 and 2.  Each of the episode combat  the educational problems of teaching the Bible in a format that pushes children to go deeper, while respecting the attention span of young children.

What can you expect from What’s In The Bible?

Adorable puppet characters tackle heavy questions like “What is the Bible?” “What’s it about?” and “Why should I care?”

You’ll meet quirky characters like Buck Denver the “Man of news”.  Buck Denver is the Anchor Man for Jelly News.  He has a wonderful segment titled Big Questions With Buck Denver.  In the segment he presents a montage of kid’s responses to tough questions.  I always enjoy the simple poignancy of a child’s answers.

Along with Buck Denver, children will meet Chuck Wagon.  He is a blue puppet from the Bible Belt who strums his guitar and explains the Bible in song.

Also, meet the Sunday School Lady.  She is a “professional” Sunday school teacher who travels with her magic flannel graph.  I love her!  She’s hilarious and a great throw back to the old school kid’s church.

Ian and Clive are twin explorer/ safari puppets that add humor, distract a little with silly elements, and ask just the right questions to keep kids focused.

Dr. Schniffenhousen is a scientist who looks at the surface of things while the Sunday School Lady jumps in and dives deeper.

Captain Pete the Pirate leads children through the history of the church.  He’s very informative.

Pastor Paul the puppet is on hand to answer some tricky questions.

Brother Louie is a jazzy theologian who loves scat.  He’s so cute!

Michael, Agnus, and Winnifred are peripheral characters that are viewing the show and making little comments along the way.  Michael is a little boy puppet who is a  passenger in his mom’s minivan watching the DVDs on a tv screen on his way to Grandma’s.  Agnus is a cynical old lady in pearls who is hanging out at home with her friend, Winnifred waiting for American Idol to come on.

The characters of What’s in the Bible each have funny and  engaging personalities that children are sure to love.

Children will learn about  how the Bible is made.  They’ll learn about the 66 books of the Bible using over 40 authors written over 1600 years.  The explanations of the Septuagint, Apocrypha and the differences between the Catholic and Protestant Bibles are handled in a very fair and neutral historical perspective.

Great questions are asked about what the bible is all about.

In Episode 1: In the Beginning children will learn how to listen to God’s voice and not others.  It covers creation and Genesis while explaining sin and how to avoid it.

Episode 2: Let My People Go! covers the topics of salvation, and redemption.  This episode also debunks some of the confusing myths about the bible presented in the DaVinci Code and other fictional accounts.   The plan of God’s rescue from our sin is laid out within the stories of the patriarchs.

I highly recommend What’s In The Bible? Phil Vischer is extraordinarily gifted at presenting the gospel to children.  Great job Phil!  Just stay away from the sew at home fabrics. 😉

Thanks for checking out my review.  Keep reading for some great freebies and a give away!

Click the link below to access free coloring pages!  Bust out the crayons and introduce your kids to Buck Denver. . . and friends!

What’s In The Bible Coloring Pages

If that’s not enough of a freebie, I have been given two gift certificates which I will be happy to send to two lucky readers!

The certificates may be redeemed at your local Christian bookstore for one free copy of What’s In The Bible? My winners will either receive a certificate for Episode 1: In The Beginning or Episode 2: Let My People Go!

How can you win?  Very simple.  Just comment on this post by six (Central Time) Monday, March 29th.  Please include your name, e-mail address, and the ages of your children.  *You do not have to include your child’s name (as this may be sensitive) just include age.  I will do a random drawing and announce my winner on Monday night.  Isn’t that simple?  Don’t miss out on the chance to win one of these great new DVDs!

To get more information please visit:

www.whatsinthebible.com

www.tyndale.com

www.jellytelly.com

This DVD was a complimentary product given to me in exchange for my honest review.

Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are March 22, 2010

 

Start Here Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are  by Alex and Brett Harris reads like a manual for their previous book, Do Hard Things.  Where the first book inspires teens to be more than society expects, Start Here continues the talk by examining ways to start doing hard things.  The book discusses some of the hurdles that one may face to get an idea going.

I was astounded and blessed by the wisdom that these young men share.

I’m no teenager, (I’m 30 in fact!), yet this book has inspired and convicted me.  Their cautions on pride really stepped on my toes.  I think fear of being wrongly proud has actually held me back in some of the hard things I’ve tried to do.  Now they have equipped me with a safeguard for my heart by examining and explaining how to handle pride when it rises up in you.

I was also very impressed with their views on the difference between business and fruitfulness.  Wow was I ever convicted!

What makes this book especially cool is that Alex and Brett share real life stories of teens that have taken the concept to Do Hard Things and applied it in their lives.  From these stories Alex and Brett build their foundation for Start Here. 

Readers will find practical advice, timely wisdom, a list of 100 suggestions of hard things to try, discussions for deeper study of each chapter, and a greater motivation to stay faithful to their God-given callings.

Start Here is an excellent book for teens, or anyone taking the mission to go deeper with God and do the things he calls them to with excellence.

Awesome book!  Check it out here.

This book was provide for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Beneath A Southern Sky February 26, 2010

Summary:

Beneath a Southern Sky by Deborah Raney 

 Daria Camfield is expecting her first child when her husband Nate is reported dead on the mission field. Devastated, she returns to the States and soon marries again. But two years later Nate is found alive in the jungle. How can Daria possibly choose between the two men who love her?

My Review:

Beneath A Southern Sky  had an interesting and emotional plot.  As a reader I tend to have a habit of immersing myself in the characters and placing myself in their shoes.  In this case it was a very hard place to be.  I struggled to read Beneath A Southern Sky because I just could not relate at all to the character’s mindset.  I not only disagreed with many of her choices and responses in this book, but felt downright angry at Daria Camfield/Hunter.  I felt that she was a character who didn’t really know herself.  She was led into things by the men in hr life and never really took control of her own identity.  I was frustrated and unable to truly get behind her as a reader.

I felt like the author was trying to steer me in a direction I didn’t really want to go.  If I believed the love of my life was dead only to find him alive I would not view it as a tragedy.  Daria’s decision to move on after Nate’s death was not my problem.  Love happens.  Often it comes unplanned, but at a time when it’s most needed. 

My issue was with her response upon hearing that Nate was alive.  Her choice to stay with Cole or return to Nate was immaterial, she saw his life as a tragedy.  I couldn’t understand that.  At the least she should have felt thankful for the miracle of his survival regardless of the obstacle or inconvenience it created for her personal life.  I just didn’t feel her compassion for Nate.  I also wasn’t pleased with the “romance” between Daria and Cole.  I just didn’t like him as a character at all.  He was mean, controlling, impatient with Daria’s daughter and just unlikable.  Cole also kept a very huge secret from Daria well into their marriage.  To me, that alone would have been a deal breaker.  I couldn’t root for them.

This is a well written book.  The author does have a talent with words, but I failed to get behind her direction in this story.  I thought her characterization was also a  little weak.  Bottom line, I didn’t enjoy this book.  It isn’t a story I’d place on my list of books to recommend.  In the future I will look at other books written by Deborah Raney because she can weave a story.  Beneath A Southern Sky just wasn’t the story for me. 

You can find out more about Beneath A Southern Sky here.

Love and War February 13, 2010

Together, John and Stasi Elridge wrote an honest and brave depiction of Marriage.  Love and War is a unique look at marriage from the perspectives of the husband and the wife.  The authors share with the reader the challenges of marriage that they faced and they cleverly use their experiences to tie in biblical truths.

John and Stasi teach readers how to discern that there is an enemy that strives to stop love in all its forms.  They explain how to handle differences and accept our styles of relating.  They encourage readers to know their spouse’s life story with the goal of better understanding their spouse’s personality and to help explain their spouse’s reactions.  They explain their path to healing hurts of the past and becoming vulnerable and open.  This healing task allows for a deeper relationship and makes room for our genuine honesty, where we are how God designed us and not the people we hoped to reshape.  Love and War tackles issues like expectations and the pressures that we place on our marriage.    Readers learn to fight for their marriage.  Yes it’s hard, but it’s worth it.

Love and War is a book you’ll want to read, think about, and discuss as a couple.  The transparency in Love and War is refreshing and insightful. 

Learn more about Love and War at the Waterbrook Multnomah website.

Happy reading!

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

the Voice New Testament February 1, 2010

 The Voice New Testament is a new translation that uses  the careful input of biblical scholars and contributing writers.  Together they poured over the scriptures and created a translation that is modern in its readability without sacrificing the intelligence and literary richness of the Word of God.  The Voice New Testament includes devotional commentary and introductions to each book.

I began my review by reading Romans.  I was quickly hooked with the Voice translation.   The introduction was very well written and the flow of the book had a very personal feel without compromising God’s Word.  I usually read out of the New Living Translation because I have a hard time comprehending the King James Version.  To me, the Voice is a bit truer to traditional translations and I actually prefer it to the NLT.  This translation doesn’t dumb down the gospel or talk in slang.  It’s real and unforced.  It simplifies without doubting the reader’s intelligence.  I really enjoy reading this Bible. 

The Voice New Testament is printed in soft cover.  My copy had a huge flaw from the end of John to through Acts.  The typesetting is doubled and the pages were just too blurred to read.  Hopefully, not all copies were printed this way.  Flip through your copy before you buy and be sure.    

To find out more about the Voice visit Thomas Nelson.   

*As a member of BookSneeze, Thomas Nelson has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.  I am not paid for my review.  I offer my opinion freely and voluntarily.

Dug Down Deep January 20, 2010

In his latest book, Joshua Harris challenges the all too familiar habit of playing church and urges Christians to return to the rock of theological study that can make a walk with God more meaningful.

Dug Down Deep is a brave and successful attempt at proving the need for orthodoxy.  Joshua Harris delivers theology in language that is understandable and easily applied.  He provokes the habitual Christian to lay aside the title of “Christian” and dig deeper to the heart of what they believe about God. 

Joshua Harris explains that everyone has a concept of God, some theological perception that shapes how we view and respond to God.  He challenges readers to seek God’s word and flips our perceptions upside down to get to the truth of who God really is through carefull examination of scripture.  Does your idea of God match scripture?  

Dug Down Deep takes the fear out of studying theology.  It captures the real hunger for God to strip away our ideas and pour in His truth.  Joshua tackles big ideas and explains deep concepts in a style anyone can grasp.

I think Dug Down Deep would work well for teens, new believers, or solid christians seeking a more sincere faith.  Expect to be challenged and inspired. 

I really enjoyed the conversational tone of Dug Down Deep.  Without sacrificing the seriousness of the topic ,he broadens the audience for theological study and puts it in terms that anyone can grab hold of.  Joshua Harris wrote like a friend sitting down with his pals and explaining the heart of who God is and why any of it should matter to them.  He’s real and transparent which makes this a very readable study of theology.

You can check out an excerpt here  to see what I mean.

Visit www.WaterBrookMultnomah.com for more information on Dug Down Deep.

Also, on a slightly unrelated side note, if you have teens I recommend checking out this site.  You’ll find tons there to encourage a teen to a deeper walk with God, as well as excellent Josh Harris videos and posts from Alex and Brett Harris.

*In compliance with the Federal Trade Commission Rules please note that Dug Down Deep was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

A Family Guide to the Bible October 14, 2009

A Family Guide to the Bible by Christin Ditchfield is a historic look at the making of the Bible as well as a brief book by book overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  Readers will learn about the authority and message of the Bible as well as how to study it and where to find important verses.

I think this book is more for older middle school children to enjoy with their families.  It can work with younger children if you pre-read each chapter and paraphrase to their understanding.

We were just learning about  the Guttenberg press when my review copy arrived.  It was great to be able to read to my daughter the impact the press had on the accessibility of the Bible. 

In homeschooling my children often have scriptures assigned for copywork.  This book provides wonderful lists of good scriptures for Christians to hide in their hearts.  I love the section on Verses to Help You Celebrate Holidays.  We are working on Thanksgiving scriptures right now.

There are also maps in the back of the book which are helpful.

With some preparation and a bit of reading ahead, this book would be a wonderful resource for teaching the purpose and history of the Bible to kids.  

You can find this book at www.crossway.org/blog

If God Is Good

Summary:  

Every one of us will experience suffering. Many of us are experiencing it now. As we have seen in recent years, evil is real in our world, present and close to each one of us. delves deep into a profound subject, and through compelling stories, provocative questions and answers, and keen biblical understanding, he brings assurance and hope to all.Alcorn, Randy

In such difficult times, suffering and evil beg questions about God–Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? And then, how can there be a God if suffering and evil exist?

These are ancient questions, but also modern ones as well. Atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and even former believers like Bart Ehrman answer the question simply: The existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God.

In this captivating new book, best-selling author Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief, and brings a fresh, realistic, and thoroughly biblical insight to the issues these important questions raise.

Alcorn offers insights from his conversations with men and women whose lives have been torn apart by suffering, and yet whose faith in God burns brighter than ever. He reveals the big picture of who God is and what God is doing in the world–now and forever. And he equips you to share your faith more clearly and genuinely in this world of pain and fear.

As he did in his best-selling book, Heaven

Author Bio:

Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspectives Ministries and a bestselling author. His novels include Deadline, Dominion, Edge of Eternity, Lord Foulgrin’s Letters, The Ishbane Conspiracy, and the Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written eighteen nonfiction books as well, including Heaven, The Treasure Principle, The Purity Principle, and The Grace and Truth Paradox. Randy and his wife, Nanci, live in Oregon and have two married daughters and four grandsons.

My Review:

Randy Alcorn takes a different approach to suffering in his book If God Is Good Faith In The Midst of Suffering and Evil.  Where many books on this topic tend to center around feeling, emotions and reaction Randy’s Book deals with logic.  He provides detailed scriptural evidence and anylitical thought to the problems that plague all of humanity. 

Sin is a real problem and to understand it is to understand pain on a much deeper level.  Randy writes about the root of sin from it’s very first occurance and provides a roadmap through scripture of sin’s effects and how to overcome them.  This book also tackles our confusion about God’s character that causes even christians to waver in their faith.  Problems and trials are hard to line up with the idea of a good God, but when you come to the last page of If God is Good you will understand God in a new way.  You’ll be ready to trust Him with your problems when they come.

One of my favorite spots in this book included Ch. 11 A Study: Bart Ehrman, a “Christian” who Lost His Faith.  This chapter was a rich and thought-provoking warning of the dangers in questioning God’s wisdom and goodness.  I was challenged by it.

I also love what Randy writes on Pg.488:

“Suffering is limited.  It could be far worse.

Suffering is temperal. It could last far longer.

Suffering, as we’ve seen, produces some desirable good.  It can make us better people, and it can reveal God’s character in ways that bring him glory and bring us good.”

Wow!

If you are facing a time of suffering, pain or trial I recommend checking out Randy Alcorn’s If God Is Good.

You can go here to purhase this book online.