Christian faith

“The Machine” by Bill Myers

August 12, 2014 by Amy

Book Summary: When their mother dies, twin siblings Jake and Jennifer are forced to move to Israel with their seldom seen archaeologist dad. When their father creates a machine that points to the truth, the twins are in for the adventure of a lifetime. They soon discover how all things will work together for good to all those who love God.

I absolutely LOVE the premise of this story. The idea that the very rocks will call out and praise God is Biblical – but if they could share what they have ‘seen,’ can you imagine the stories that they could tell? I’m only a so-so sci fi fan, but this was really well done. The tech details were explained enough to be intriguing but were not bogged down in technicalities. I can completely see how this book would be interesting for the 10-14 year-olds it’s geared towards.

The life lessons learned were quite valuable, too. Jennifer had only a face-value faith at the beginning of the story, and her brother had his own set of issues, but through time, friends, and circumstances, they began to make their faith their own. Just as importantly, they saw the value of it – and were willing to put themselves on the line to protect it. By the end of the story Jennifer is showing the reader just how important it is not to compromise on one’s values. We need more of these examples in our culture today!

The plot was full of adventure, with those life lessons mingled in. I think that this unique combination would be action-packed enough for a tween boy but touchy-feely enough for a girl of the same age, and that brings us to another important point.

The Machine comes with valuable information for families tucked in at the end. This is a great feature – just because our kids can read on their own doesn’t mean that they have to. This would make a fun read-aloud for the whole family or as a starting place for a wonderful family discussion.

The only aspect of this story that I was not thrilled about was the crush that one character has on another. While nothing is discussed beyond whether ‘to-date-or-not-to-date’ and flirtatious looks, I just don’t think that the story had to go there. Do we really need to have our ten-year-olds debating the merits of dating? Or is this the perfect way to talk about it in a safe, fun way? I don’t know – my kids aren’t that old yet, and so for now, we just don’t go there.

All in all, The Machine is a zany, comical, adventurous novel that teaches great lessons at the same time. It’s a keeper.

I received a free copy of The Machine in exchange for an honest review.

“Invasion” by Jon S. Lewis

August 12, 2014 by Amy

Colt McAlister moves in with his grandpa after his parents’ fatal accident,, but he soon finds that life in Arizona is even different than he expects. Suddenly nothing is what it seems – from motorcycles that fly to supposed alien invasions. With his best friends in tow, he struggles to solve the mystery of his parents’ accident and to find the truth behind Trident Biotech. Is this worldwide leader of electronics really manned by a group of aliens – and if so, can Colt stop them from killing all human life on Earth?

This book is surprisingly well written. The fantasy elements are detailed and complete, creating an entirely new world inside the story. The plot built in intensity and culminated in a series of events that perfectly resolved the issues of this story and opened possibilities for the next book (which I can’t wait to read).

With the main character being a sixteen-year-old boy and the massive amounts of hand-to-hand combat, technical details, and just plain gross stuff, this book will thrill teen boys.

That aside, I did have one problem with this story. As a Christian fiction book, it is definitely heavy on the fiction and light on the Christian. Colt does know Christians and attends church, but he is not a believer himself, and none of them try to explain anything to him. The alien aspect of the book is woven so seamlessly into history and the details of the story that it may be confusing for some people who wonder what the Bible says about aliens. Having a disclosure-type statement somewhere in the book may clarify these issues for those people who are not clear on what the Bible has to say bout them.

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

“Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me” by Melody Carlson

August 12, 2014 by Amy

Diary of a Teenage Girl Series, Caitlin #1: Becoming Me -
By: Melody Carlson

Sixteen-year-old Caitlin O’Conner seems like your stereotypical “good-girl.” But are appearances always true? Caitlin’s experiences may surprise you. With separated parents, a a sudden ‘in’ with the popular crowd, invitations to unsupervised parties and dates with the most sought-after boys in school, Caitlin has a myriad of choices to make.

Chronicling a full semester of Caitlin’s life, this book walks the reader through many decisions and their consequences facing teens today – including faith, trust, popularity, the value of money, purity, alcohol, and divorce. Honest but not graphic, this book forces the reader to question her own stance on these important issues.

Carlson describes Caitlin as a sincere, somewhat shallow, but basically typical teen from today. She gets good grades, has a solid friendship, and has the strong support of her family behind her, and yet she is seriously tempted by many things on which her footing was previously stable. Carlson shows how simple it is to allow our convictions to be swallowed up by our circumstances – and for that, this is a must-read for teen girls today.

To read an excerpt from Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me, click here.

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

“Anomaly” by Krista McGee

August 12, 2014 by Amy

Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won’t threaten their lives again.

But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli’s secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music.

She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods.

As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along.

Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out . . .

I absolutely loved the last Krista McGee novel that I read, so I was a bit disappointed with the opening of this one. The premise feels very much like Lois Lowry’s The Giver or even Ted Dekker’s Mortal series. You know, planned community in which all emotion and sensual information is erased and science rules …

except that’s where the similarity ends.

Anomaly focuses less on the main character’s rebellion of the ruling scientific regime and more on each person’s innate longing to know our Creator. McGee has crafted an intense blend of science and faith that will fascinate even the most reluctant science fiction or fantasy reader. Anomaly is both and neither at the same time – because while the premise may be futuristic and technological, truth resounds within its pages.

We are created to Love.
We are planned with a purpose.
We are not all the same – and those differences are in accordance to the above purpose.
We are not meant to be in control, and rather than being scary, this can be a freeing discovery.

Anomaly is a perfect teen read. It would make a fantastic book club book or discussion diving board for those angst-filled teen years when one is trying to figure out one’s purpose, place, and how to live with zits.

That early similarity to The Giver? It remains, lingering in the background, throughout the major action in the plot – but McGee ultimately does it better. Not only does she add depth and meaning where it was missing in the first, but she throws in a surprise twist that totally blindsided me – and will have me scanning the newly-released book lists in watch for the sequel.

If you want to read other reviews from this blog hop, click here. You can purchase your own copy here.

When Krista McGee isn’t living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of “Anomaly”, “First Date”, “Starring Me”, and “Right Where I Belong”.

Connect with Krista at http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com.

I received a free copy of Anomaly from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Dark Halo” by Shannon Dittemore

August 12, 2014 by Amy

I’ve always enjoyed a good sci fi story.

In the past my favorite have been time travel stories. There’s just something about the idea of people being able to visit the Wild West or the Revolution or go back to make a difference somewhere that’s always fascinated me.

Dark Halo, Angel Eyes Series #3 -
By: Shannon Dittemore

My new sci fi favorite isn’t about time travel, though, but realm travel. It’s the third and final installment in the Angel Eyes series, and it’s a fascinating look at what might happen if we had the eyes of angels – if we could see those heavenly bodies that God promises are all around us.

If we could see that, what might it look like? What sort of spiritual battles are being waged all around us that we might never see? I feel sure that theologians have whole parties where they debate that question, but Dittemore put an even more interesting spin on it – she made the sole human owner of that special vision a teenage girl in love with the orphan charge of an angel.

Doesn’t get much more exciting – except when that handsome charge has been kidnapped by Satan, and that beautiful all-seeing girl decides to go get him back.

That’s the premise of this story, and is a wonderful read. I couldn’t put it down – I was completely drawn into the spiritual battle between demon Damien and the angels surrounding Stratus. There was an extra layer of sub-plots in this book that weren’t present in the first, showing just how skillful a writer Dittemore is and just how well-planned the entire series is.

I think this series would make a great teen book club choice. Obviously it’s more than one book, but it’s important to read all three to get the full scope of just who angels are and who we are in turn. I think that there are great debating options that arise from this plot and the potential to go back to the Bible and research just what it says about angels and their duties is huge. In-depth discussions could really spring from this book.

Throughout the entire book, Dittemore’s writing style and ideas reminded me of Ted Dekker’s Circle series. Not in any way has she incorporated his ideas, but her translation of the spiritual into a physical outcome is an idea that Dekker has used. If Dittemore keeps this up, she’ll definitely be rivaling Dekker for the top sci spots on the best seller’s lists.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Angel Eyes” by Shannon Dittemore

August 12, 2014 by Amy

About the book:

Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . .Angel Eyes.

Brielle went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake.

Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.

A realm that only angels and demons-and Brielle-can perceive.

Angel Eyes is the kind of Christian book that our young adults will be excited to read. It’s action-packed, full of mystery, and not blind to the emotional drama experienced by teens every day. A reader of Angel Eyes will see that it’s okay to have doubts and questions – it’s okay not to have all the answers – and that that’s when faith steps in – and you don’t have to understand that perfectly, either.

Brielle is the perfect main character. She’s attractive, draws your sympathy, and you want to cheer her on to greatness, yet she has a problem that she can’t solve. Because she is so much like the girl next door, you can identify with her, and that makes all the difference in this story. Like Brielle, so many of us are so completely self-absorbed as teenagers that we don’t notice the spiritual aspect of our world, and that’s the beauty of this book – it opens our eyes to the possibilities that could be happening all around us.

I’m not saying that an angel’s going to toss you his halo tomorrow, but we do know that there are battles being waged for us, all around us, that we cannot see. This is my very favorite aspect of Angel Eyes: that it reminds us that our world doesn’t stop with what we can see; it only begins there.

I cannot wait for the next installment in this series. Angels, demons, secrets, mysteries, faith, relics, romance, real life? Yes, please.

I received a free copy of Angel Eyes in exchange for an honest review.

You can read other reviews on this bloggy tour here.

Shannon is a wife and mother. A sister. A daughter. A friend. She was raised in Northern California by her parents-pastors of their local church and constant figures of inspiration.

As a youth, Shannon traveled with an award-winning performing arts team, excelling on stage and in the classroom. As a young adult, she attended Portland Bible College, continued acting, and worked with an outreach team targeting inner-city kids in the Portland-Metropolitan area.

It was in Portland that she met her husband, Matt. They were married in 2002. Soon after, they took the reins of the youth ministry at Living Way Community Church in Roseville, California where they continue to serve in that capacity. In October of 2004, their son Justus was born, followed by their daughter Jazlyn, born in 2008.

Find out more at www.shannondittemore.com.

“Tales of the Not Forgotten” by Beth Guckenberger

August 12, 2014 by Amy

Tales of the Not Forgotten is a set of stories of children from five different countries written by missionary Beth Guckenberger. Each one features a child facing an impossible situation when God shows Himself in a big way. The publisher describes the book this way:

Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to faraway lands and unknown faces. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver writing endings you’d never imagine!

Joel dares to ask for what he can’t have. Seraphina sacrifices what she can’t afford to give. Ibrahim looks for an answer buried out of reach. Christiana, saved by a mission, searches for her own.

These are the tales of the ones the world doesn’t see . . . the tales of the not forgotten.
In this collection of four real-life stories written for preteens, a compelling storyteller paints a picture of God’s dynamic movement in four foreign cultures, inspiring children to trust that God is weaving a story in their lives as well.

This resource will shrink the macro picture down to approachable, individual stories of real children and teach about fundamental survival issues. The stories address some of the challenging questions that kids have and weave God’s promises to orphans into each one.

The Tales of the Not Forgotten Leader’s Guide is a 6-session kids’ missions resource (sold separately) that walks adults through an easy-to-follow guide for making the abstract real and for designing an action plan to help others.

Preteens will be challenged to answer the questions:How do I pray? What can I give? Where can I go? Who will I serve?

The stories in this book are amazing. I’ve always loved reading about how God works things out in just the perfect way, as only He can, but when He shows up for children who have so little, the stories can be difficult to read. The cover of the book contains a warning under the author’s name that states that “These stories may change the way you see the world,” and it’s true. I read this book on a lazy afternoon while watching my children play with friends, and I kept thinking that they were all going to wonder why I was crying over a book on a gorgeous summer’s day. After reading these stories, it’s difficult to see the world as ‘out there’ instead of ‘next door’ and impossible not to want to help more children like these.

That’s where the leader’s guide comes in. The leader’s guide is absolutely perfect. Somehow I missed the boat and expected a video-like teaching series that could be part of a study, but what the CD actually contains is so much better. It’s not a DVD at all but a data CD that contains everything you would need to turn this book into a series of mission lessons for kids. It is a simple set of Word documents set up in a systematic hierarchy containing skits, memory verses, pictures of real kids to serve as visuals, recipes, math problems, activities to send home for families to use, and simple mission projects that the kids can do to take action within their own communities. With this guide, you won’t need to search for ice breakers, printables, or ways to involve families, because it’s all here. The research and planning has been done for you, so you can gather your children and begin. It’s truly perfect for young youth groups, homeschool groups, Sunday School classes, etc.

That’s exactly what we’re going to do. I knew after reading this book that it would be great to share these stories with my family for a few reasons: they make great lessons of God’s faithfulness, and as a homeschooling family, the format of the book is wonderful. Each story is a separate chapter, and notes are spread throughout the book disguised as postcards and stamps that define foreign words and terms and help clarify customs that we might not understand. In this way the book itself is very educational, but combined with the lessons and activities in the leader’s guide, it’s a complete class. After sharing this information with my pastor, we’re meeting today to determine how we might use this resource best within our church. I’m excited that our children will be doing this with their friends, but if that hadn’t worked out, we’d be doing it at home as a family. Guckenberger has made it that easy – and it’s that important, too.

I read many great books, and some stick in my head for a long time afterwards. Some I’m eager to share with my friends and family because I don’t want them to miss such a great read, but never before have I had plans to share a book with so many others within days of turning the last page. As the cover states, your worldview will change as you read this book, but you also can’t help but want to be a a part of someone else’s story – to have a hand in helping them see that the God of the Universe has not forgotten them.

This book will show you how.

For more other reviews about Tales of the Not Forgotten, visit the blog hop here. To go ahead and purchase your own copy of this book, click here.

Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries (based in Cincinnati, OH) which communicates a lifestyle of service by sharing the love of Christ and serving God through service to others. Back2Back Ministries connects willing workers to open hearts through international and local ministry opportunities. Their ministry is currently caring and providing for orphan children and needy people in Mexico, Nigeria, India and most recently, Haiti.

Beth travels and speaks regularly at women’s and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services. Her topics include orphan care, missions, parenting, marriage/intimacy, and faith. Her story-telling style captures audiences, and she draws from her field experience as a missionary and parent for illustrations to biblical concepts. In addition to her latest release, Tales of the Not Forgotten (Standard Publishing 2012), Beth has writtenRelentless Hope (Standard, 2011) and Reckless Faith (Zondervan, 2008).

The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico where they have hosted thousands of guests on their ministry campus. Between biological, foster, and adopted additions to their family, Beth and Todd are raising nine children.

Learn how you can join Beth in ministry at www.bethguckenberger.com or www.back2backministries.org.

I received a free copy of Tales of the Not Forgotten from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Princess Stories” by Carolyn Larsen

August 12, 2014 by Amy

Every little girl wants to be a princess, and this book operates under the theory that each one is – a daughter of the King Himself. A devotional book in story format, author Carolyn Larsen tells the stories of nearly 30 women from the Bible. She begins each story with an original Mirror, mirror poem and then tells that person’s basic story, written from a first person perspective. Each chapter is two to three pages in length (in large typeface) and is followed by a Bible verse, a prayer, and three discussion questions, one of which focuses on the verse specifically. The best part is that each ‘princess’ is chosen for a different character trait, so that throughout the course of the book nearly 30 traits are explained, including those of wisdom, peacefulness, faithfulness, and bravery, just to name a few.

The last chapter of the book focuses on on Psalm 139 and the uniqueness with which God has created each one of us. Larsen explains how God has created each little girl to be special and how they, too, can be God’s princesses!

This book is pink and purple and a little girl’s dream! The artwork is colorful and glittery and though animated in many places, it draws in the viewer with the attractive and colorful pictures. There are also drawings that are meant to be of the Bible characters and the readers, as well, and the readers are depicted as little girls of many different nationalities.

I LOVE this book! It is difficult to find devotional books which interest both of my children – a girl and a boy – and incorporate Bible stories, scripture, and questions at a level which will excite them and challenge them, but this book does it all!

My children are eager to read their ‘princess story’ each evening and want to answer the questions. They are excited to learn about each princess and anxious to relate the stories to their own lives. Even my son, who is rather princess-phobic, is excited to participate.

The stories are written in language that my first-grader, though a super reader, is able to read on her own, and she is happy to do so.

What more could a mommy want than to find her children huddled together around a Bible book, so ready for Bible time that they’ll begin on their own?

If you have young children, this is a book you’ll definitely want to add to your library.

I received a free copy of Princess Stories: Real Bible Stories of God’s Princesses from Tyndale House in exchange for an honest review.

Author, dramatist, and actress Carolyn Larsen has more than 30 books in print, including the popular The Little Girls Bible Storybook for Mothers and Daughters. She is the founder of the performing group Flashpoints, a group of five women who use drama and creative movement to inspire. Married to her husband for nearly 28 years, they have three grown children and live in Illinois.

“My First Handy Bible” Review

August 12, 2014 by Amy

My First Handy Bible: Timeless Bible Stories for Toddlers

When my kids were toddlers, we bought them toddler Bible story books that we were super excited about. We were sure that they’d love them and would want to keep them forever.

They rarely wanted to keep them past the first week.

My First Handy Bible isn’t like the others. This book they would’ve wanted to keep.

Unlike many other Bible storybooks, there are more than just three or four pages in this book. There are lots – and the chosen stories go beyond Noah and Abraham. Each page features a different Bible story, and a summary of the story is printed on each. Your children will meet both Old and New Testament characters and will learn why each one is so important.

The variety of stories in the book is not the only characteristic that makes it stand out. The illustrations are bold and bright, with big people, strong facial features, and dark lines. They are designed especially to catch and hold a toddler’s attention.

The last feature that makes the My First Handy Bible perfect for toddlers is the strong outside covering. It has a plastic handle on hinges, making it easy to carry from place to place. While the inside pages resemble regular board book pages but are thinner, the outside cover is thick and sturdy, with a magnetic clasp that keeps the book closed when in transport.

If you’re looking for a great storybook for toddlers, this is a great option!

I received a free copy of My First Handy Bible from B&B Media in exchange for an honest review.

“More Than Words” {Review}

August 12, 2014 by Amy

As Americans, as adults, as parents, we seem to spend most of our time being busy. There’s not a lot of time for being still, contemplative, or going over things we already know. I usually consider it good if I can find a bit of time for scripture and prayer in the early morning hours.

But a few years ago, during an online Bible study, I learned the value of definitions. Defining words was something I never would have considered to do during my quiet time unless I was encountering a new word, but it’s a really great way to think deeply about what a particular sentence or word is saying. Beyond the surface.

When I read scripture now I tend to focus on those singular words or phrases that jump off the page at me. Those are the words that my notes center around in my journal, that stick with me throughout the day, and that I end up praying about.

That’s why I think that the new devotional called More Than Words by Stephanie Eidson is so important. At this time of year, when so many people are talking about their ‘one word’ for the year and planning out how to live intentionally into 2014, More Than Words gives you the opportunity to prayerfully consider how each of the twenty words can be lived out. What does each word mean? Really mean, as in true definition, not a decent synonym tossed over your shoulder as you herd the kids out the door to basketball practice. If we truly considered these things on a regular basis, these words would change our lives.

That’s the goal of More Than Words. With a simple format structured around Bible study and prayer, More Than Words points you to twenty words found throughout the Bible. Though we toss these words around frequently, this book gives you the opportunity to slow down and think about them deeply.

More Than Words gives you lots of spaces to journal about each word’s definition, where it’s found in scripture, how you might apply this word to your life, and space for writing out prayer about the given word. The abundance of space means that you can write and draw to your heart’s content, and with words like ‘grace,’ ‘love,’ and ‘forgiveness,’ you’ll want to.

I received a free copy of More Than Words from Stephanie Eidson in exchange for an honest review.