Father of Lights, DVD Review

     I started watching this DVD with an open mind and excited about them tell their stories. However, it wasn't long until I was disappointed with what I was seeing. While I agree there are many misconceptions out there about God, I did not agree at all the the conception they were trying to give. Yes, some of what they were saying was true... The Heavenly Father does love us unconditionally, but he did give some basic and very clear requirements if we want to be His children. (The 10 Commandments, for example.) This is the only DVD in the series that I have watched, so maybe they deal with that in some of the previous ones.

The part where they interviewed  those who were persecuted for their faith was pretty amazing and I enjoyed that a lot. Most of the DVD however I would not watch just on my own accord, but I did in order to do this review.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Tough Guys and Drama Queens

I wanted to read the book Tough Guys and Drama Queens, not because I have kids of my own, but I want to better understand how to relate to teens in today’s culture. While the book is mostly focused on the teen/parent relationship, you can pretty much apply the principles to any teen/authority figure relationship.

             I enjoyed the book and felt like the author, Mark Gregston, had some amazing things to say. I greatly admire what he is doing for the teens of today and I am sure he has helped many!  I wish that every parent or adult working with teens would read this book because the  culture now is not at all what it was like when the parents of today were teens.

            Some of the outlines he gave for introducing privileges and responsibility were very good…Issues such as when and how much Face Book, the whole cell phone issue, etc. The only place a really disagreed with him about was his stand on church…I did not agree with what he said about church attendance, etc.

 He gave many good tips about how to spend quality time with your teen and how to connect with them on things that mean a lot to them. In his book he gives tips on how to deal with confrontations in a positive not destructive manner and also “translates” for adults what goes on in a teens head so they can better grasp how they think.

It was a book that kept my interest and I enjoyed reading it. I am glad to have it in my library.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Book Sneeze book review 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

Simply Grilling

            I was excited to get my copy of Simply Grilling, by Jennifer Chandler, in the mail the other day!! It was so much fun to look through this lovely cook book. I especially enjoyed the first part where she goes into great detail to explain the art of grilling, both charcoal and gas, the differences in marinades, rubs, etc., and tips for mastering grilling meat. She even includes a section on your essential grilling gear.

             She then takes the main kinds of meat and dish types and talks about each one of them separately and then includes recipes. The one thing I really loved about her recipes is this… At the bottom of every recipe she has tips which are these: Cooking substitutes, Do-Ahead, Variations, Marinate, Suggested Sides, and Grill Pan. Which ever one of those applied to the specific recipe would always be listed at the bottom of the page. Also, there are lots of pictures, and I always enjoy those!

            There are several practical recipes, but some maybe not so practical for and every day meal. Her book is very easy to understand and the lay out very user friendly. I am very glad to have a copy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Book Sneeze book review 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

Giveaway: The 5 Love Languages of Children

     This week we are giving away another book, The 5 Love Languages of Children, by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell. Please leave a comment under the book review post {Click Here To Go To Post}Please include your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner. :) The give away ends Friday, April 13, 2012 @ 10:00pm. The winner will be drawn using a random number counter and I will announce the winner in a comment under the book review post.:)

The 5 Love Languages of Children

            I just finished reading an incredible book, The 5 Love Languages of Children. Even though I do not yet have any children, I learned so much from reading it. Everyone should read this book, whether you don’t yet have any children of your own, currently raising a family, or have grown children. There is something for everyone….

            In this book, Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell address the 5 basic love languages {physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service} and how they relate to children. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each language, and give suggestions on how to communicate them.

            They address discipline, learning, single parent families, marriage, and there is even a chapter for those whose children are grown.They also include the, Love Mystery Game, in the back of the book. It is a book that belongs on everyone’s library shelf!

                         Here is the link for the official book review, Click Here

Giveaway: A Perfect Pet for Peyton

     Everybody loves book, especially when they are free!! :) I am giving away a book, A Perfect Pet for Peyton, by Gary Chapman on my "book blog" all you have to do is comment on my book review post(Click Here) and you will be entered into the drawing. The giveaway will end March 31, 2012 at 10:00pm. I will announce the winner by commenting under the post.... Enjoy.:)

PS. I will be having another giveaway soon so.:)

A Perfect Pet for Peyton

     A Perfect Pet for Peyton is an amazing children's book by Gary Chapman, the Author of, The 5 Love Languages. It is a story about two twins, Peyton and Penny. On their birthday they go to the "Perfect Pet Pal Emporium" to pick out their perfect pet. The book is all about their day's adventures. The author uses those adventures and the different animals they see to teach Peyton and Penny about the 5 basic love languages {Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Physical Touch, and Acts of Service}.


     The book is full of colorful pictures and words, also, throughout the book are tons of interactive things to do with the child you are reading too. In the back of the book he goes over the  5 love languages and  gives questions you can ask to help your child discover their love language. I really enjoyed reading this book and think you will too.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or

                      services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it

                      on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally

                      and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance

                      with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the

                      Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Lucado Inspirational Reader

           What an amazing book! Every page was full of challenges and encouragement. The Lucado Inspirational Reader was composed of little excerpts taken from several of his books. For example, one chapter is called, Compassion, and he takes highlights from his other books that talk about this subject to make up that chapter.

            Some of the other topics mentioned in this book are Salvation, Spiritual Refreshment, Worship, Grace, and the Cross. I think it is a book that should be in every body’s personal library. It makes a wonderful devotional book!

            Two of my favorite chapters were Comfort, and The Cross. In the first one he does an outstanding job on talking about grief, facing out grief, and how God is our ultimate comfort. He also stresses the fact that God know how we feel.

            In the chapter about the Cross, it is almost as if he puts you there, and brings out that is was His devotion to us that nailed him to the tree.

 “So call it what you wish: An act of grace. A plan of redemption. A martyr’s sacrifice. But whatever you call it, don’t call it an accident. It was anything but that.”

Even though I do not agree with Lucado on every doctrinal issue, I believe his writings have great value and many things can be learned from him.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Book Sneeze book review 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