"The Voice, New Testament"

Recently, I had the chance to review "The Voice, New Testament", a step into the story of scripture. Upon looking at the book it is hard to tell what the difference between this bible and all of the rest would really be, but difference there is. This bible is written in story form, almost as if you were reading a play. It announces who the speaker is and then what they are speaking. There are also special sections throughout which delve deeper into what is going on during that particular section and even defines some situations and words for the reader.

I have to honestly say that I have enjoyed reading from this bible, it is easy to read and to follow. There have been a few times just lately, when I found myself stumped by the scripture lessons for the week and ran to this bible for some inspiration and found just that. It places familar verses in a new light, and it is easier to draw a mental picture of what was taking place when you can see who is speaking the words you are reading.

I would for sure recommend this to anyone who is wanting to the read the bible, but finding the more traditional versions hard to read. It also would be good for younger readers who might have trouble reading for more wordy translations.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.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

"Heaven is for Real, for kids" by Colton Burpo

As an adult I have read "Heaven is for Real" and thought it was amazing, so I jumped at the chance to read the kid version to my 4 year old. This is the story of Colton who while undergoing surgery travels to Heaven and meets all kind of people including Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit and many others. Colton tells his children readers what he saw and what he felt. The pictures that accompanied those descriptions were amazing and really helped to tell the story.

I think this book was very well thought out it can be read to a smaller child, and to an older child as well. To bridge this gap there are Bible verses to accompany the story, which reinforce what Colton is telling the reader. In fact, I thought of taking it to some individuals I know who are reaching the end of their life, because I think everyone could benefit from this refreshing story!

The end of the book also had some question and answers, which I thought would be very helpful. I read this book to my son just before bed, but I can imagine that when he gets up in the morning he will have some questions, I think these couple of pages could be a really great asset for any parent. I would recommend this book to all people, not just children, but it is a great way to teach our children about heaven and about our Lord. Awesome book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.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

"Where Has Oprah Taken Us?", by Stephen Mansfield

"Where Has Oprah Taken Us?" a book by Stephen Mansfield takes the reader through Oprah's sometimes tumultous life and sometimes glorified life. As we travel through her life we begin to understand where she came from and how she traveled away from her faith during her lifetime. The author introduces the reader to the kind of "faith" Oprah has brought in front of her audience over the years, and even gives the reader an in depth evaluation of each of her spiritual guides.

The book was a fast read, especially during the story of her life and how she came to fall away from the church into this "new age religion" she now extols to the country. I have to tell you that I watched the Oprah show from time to time, and I was completely in the dark about her faith, which the author states many people are unaware of. It became pretty clearly that while she portrays herself as a Christian she is by no stretch of the imagination a Christian. I was shocked to find out that she mostly follows the practices of Hinduism, but that really she kind of molds all different kinds of faith together into whatever suites her at the time.

I found this book quite enlightening, and engaging. A must read for anyone who is both a Christian and a fan of Oprah. From this book I would say being both could be a danergous thing! Though the author is obviously writing from a somewhat biased opinion, that of a Christian, he does a great job of keeping his opinions to himself while he writes, unless it is in a special section, where he then makes his very personal comments. Comments that I very much enjoyed considering. Overall, I would recommend this book, it is an eye opening experience.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.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.”

Kristin

The Stuff little Towns are made of!

Its been some exciting times around these parts, well for some it might seem ordinary,but for those soaking up time with their children exciting is what these times have been! So without further ado MY children! First up Colton enjoying a photo op inside the Mercy Air Ambulance! He is usually so shy, so I was pretty proud he let one of the pilots hoist him up there so he could look around and so I could snap this memorable picture. This was during our annual firemen's feed, they give firetruck rides and we eat lots of hamburgers and hot dogs!

Next up my boys doing what they do best these days! Play tractors! They love to play farm, and currently have some corn from the fields that they load and unload into every wagon and trailer they can get their grubby little hands on!

This was taken on the first day of school for Colton. He started 4 year old preschool which means he goes half of a day every single day of the week. You might notice that he is in the same outfit in every picture?!? Apparently, its my favorite shirt! This shot was taken as Carson and I were getting ready to walk him down the lane to catch the school bus for the first time! That's right our little one rides the bus every morning to school and afterwards rides it to the babysitter. He is getting so big!

This is the traditional "I have my bag on and I ready for my first day of school shot!"

There is so much more that we have been up to....we finally finished siding our house, and it does look amazing. We are adjusting to me working two jobs and sometimes having to put in some long hours and crazy hours for that matter, as well as getting used to mom doing HOMEWORK and going to school! CRAZY! We are managing and were looking forward to the pumpkin patch in a couple of weeks, halloween and even for school field trips. October might be busy but we're ready!

Kristin

"One Call Away" by Brenda Warner

I just finished the most amazing book! I have to tell everyone that I have not read a book this good since I read the "Twilight" series, because I seriously could not put it down. I read it in three days!

This book is the story of Brenda Warner's life, and if you thought from news coverage of her husband that you know who she is you are wrong. There are more layers and stories in this woman's life than I would have ever thought possible! I found myself crying many times throughout the story, and laughing along with her as well.

Her amazing faith and growth in that faith should be lesson to all of us, and a lesson that being a strong woman does not solve problems that you still need God and you can still make mistakes! This book will touch any mother's heart, but I think fans of Kurt Warner's or those who were not fans need to read it as well. It was an eye opening look inside the marines as well as the NFL! What made this book touch my heart even more was the fact that they are both from Iowa, and I have been to many of the places she talked about in this book, but even if you have never been to Iowa, Brenda is able to write in a way that it almost seems you are watching her life pass before you.

All in all one of the best books I have ever read, and I will recommend it to everyone I know!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.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.”

Women of Faith memories!

Can I just say God is good!! I feel so blessed to be able to represent Book Sneeze at the Women of Faith Conference. It was a blast, and I would not have been able to go had it not been for the generosity of Book Sneeze and Women of Faith.

Now on to my experience....we had 7th row seats! 7th row people I could actually see the speakers and performers without looking at a big tv shot of them! To get some perspective this first picture is from my 7th row seat! looking back at the audience! Its blurry, but I couldn't seem to make 1000 people sit still all at the same time.

The performer I was most looking forward to was Amy Grant! Big fan! She was amazing, very down to earth and told some amazing stories including one about her mother's death that was very powerful!
Now here is some more perspective from my seat to the stage! And it was a beautiful stage!
Did I mention that I not only one ticket but I won two! That's right I got to take along with me my good friend and fellow pastor Kim! We made another blogger take our picture infront of the stage and as you can see we have 4 minutes till break is over.
Here are all of the Book Sneeze bloggers posing for a picture. A lovely bunch of women!
Now to tell you about the conference! I had a blast the worship songs were amazing and got us all up and dancing! Mandisa (you might know her from a little show called American Idol) was awesome...there were many goose bumps during her performance. Then there were these dramas performed by a young women and they were even better than amazing....I have never cried so hard in public in my life. I thought maybe I was just an emotional wreck, but then when it ended you could see everyone reaching for their kleenexs!

Then there were the speakers! The speakers were inspirational! Patsy Clairmont gave listeners the courage to get out and do. Andy Anderson spoke with such enthusiasm and energy about so many things, but he told us to practice talking with a smile on our face, and read books even if you don't like to, it will make you better person.

Then Lisa talked about how lots of us have a burning desire to have a grownup friend, but we just don't know how to do it! I can tell you I cried during her talk as well, I am there folks, so if anyone wants to be my friend I need one! Oh and just cause Lisa told me so you better be imperfect, we don't want any perfect friends!

We also heard that we are enough for God and he is enough for us! Amen! Oh and from Marilyn Meberg that its ok to desire more as long as we can control our desires, because once we get to heaven we will have everything we need!

I feel like there was so much more, but this post is already long, but I can tell you that if you have been wondering if Women of Faith is worth it, it TOTALLY IS!!! I can't wait to go again.
Blessings,
Kristin

Women of Faith - Here I Come!

I am very excited to announce that I will be attending the Women of Faith Conference in Omaha one week from today! And I am even happier to announce that I will be attending free thanks to Book Sneeze! You can find links to both Women of Faith and Book Sneeze over there are the right! Go ahead and check them out - they are both awesome! Here is a little preview of what I will get to experience next week!



Not only do I get to attend, but I also get to bring a friend! We are both excited to get away and to live 2 days enjoying how great God is! I will post again when I return, hopefully with some pictures of us enjoying ourselves! God is great!
Kristin