Take Back Your Life

I am usually leery of recommending devotionals.  Not only are they a highly personal item, but there are just so many variances of belief out there that I usually steer clear of unwanted controversy.  Trust me, the threat is real. But when I saw FlyBy offering up for review the timing was perfect.  We are in the middle of a pandemic as you know, daily struggles are at an all time high for many, and we just completed a move to a town in which we know a total of four people.

 

 

Here's the funny thing.  When the devo came in, my 13 year old son took one look a the cover and said, "Hey, I know him!"  

What?!

Good thing his memory is better than mine.  It seems Levi Lusko, author of Take Back Your Life, A 40 Day Devotional,spoke at a youth conference my son attended a year ago in Phoenix.  He loved him!  

I can see why!

Take Back Your Life, A 40 Day Devotional is a 40 day, hard back, interactive devotional intended to challenge and inspire you to live your life as God intended.  While filled with current pop culture references and side stories, it is also filled with plenty of scripture and inspiration that come right from the word.

It may not be at a PhD theological level, but it is written from a heart that obviously wants to reach souls for Christ and challenge them to run hard after God!

That includes-

•   putting social media aside
•   taking a good hard look at yourself
•   asking yourself what God has made you for
•   putting prayer first
  
•   and more!

Each day's devotion, 3-4 pages long, ends with a short prayer. Following that is a section called Breathe, Think, Live.  Here you will find thought provoking questions, challenges, and tasks for you to complete.  This section, Lusko says, is to "allow God to speak to you" rather than simply reading to check off boxes.  I don't know about you, but I am often tempted to skip application sections.  This time around, I have forced myself to carefully consider each question and then pray for the Lord to open my eyes to what He has for me.

I am only a few weeks in to Take Back Your Life, but I have already seen some changes in my daily life and attitude, and look forward to my reading each morning!  I highly recommend this great little book, and would even consider using it in your family devotion time!  Let's face it, I read half of it to them anyway! The thought provoking questions at the end of each day would be great conversation starters or even good journal prompts for older kids to adults.   

For kids ages 8-14, you can download a 4 day devotional just for them.  It even includes lunch box notes for you to print out and encourage them with!

About Levi- Levi Lusko is the founder and lead pastor of Fresh Life Church, located in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, and Utah. He is the bestselling author of Through the Eyes of a Lion, Swipe Right, and I Declare War. Levi also travels the world speaking about Jesus. He and his wife, Jennie, have one son, Lennox, and four daughters: Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in heaven.

 

 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC and HCCP for providing this book for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Who Doesn't Need to be Rescued?

The Captain Sun Adventures has a new book out called Rescue Me! What Superheroes Can Teach Us About the Power of Faith, by Bryce Morgan and we have had the opportunity to review it these past few weeks.  This 34 page, paperback book is part comic book/graphic novel and part kids' devotional.  It is written at a middle school level, but can be used as a fun read aloud for a family or  in a Sunday school group situation.

With eight chapters of full color pictures, Rescue Me! will keep the interest of your most reluctant reader.  Comic books just seem to do that, don't they?  Rescue Me! introduces a superhero named Captain Sun who is searching for the recent darkness in his city.  Enter Black-Out, the evil villain who has come to "snuff out the light."  What follows is a battle of good and evil where ultimately (spoiler alert) good wins out in an unexpected way.

What makes this book different from your average comic book is the fact that it is much like an allegory of our ultimate hero- Jesus.

 From Bryce-

"So have fun with Captain Sun, but have faith in the Hero of Heroes: Jesus."

Following each chapter is a "study page" written as if from a newspaper.  There you will find a lesson tied to the chapter just read, slowly outlining the central themes of faith in Christ in simple terms that a younger child can understand.  On each lesson page you will also find a question to get their mind active.  For example- If you could have one super power, what would it be?  Why?  Each lesson also ends with a scripture verse and reference.

At the end of the book you will also find "questions to think about", two for each chapter.  

How we used this and what did we think?

As usual, as soon as this book hit our mailbox my son, age 11, (6th grade) took off with it.  This kiddo loves books, but his new favorite thing is definitely graphic novels.  Honestly, he read it in about 30 minutes!  He did admit he skipped the lesson pages the first time through because he wanted to see what happened in the end, but I did convince him to go back and read it a second time, slowing down enough to take in the lesson pages.  We have since gone back again and talked about what he read in each chapter and the discussed the questions together.  It was interesting to see what details he picked upon and those he did not.

I also imagine this would be a fun book to use with a group, reading a chapter a week, and then using the questions as a spring board to some great discussion.  

One of my favorite chapters is Chapter 4 when POWER is discussed.  In the lesson, Bryce talks to kids about how God has given us power as well- the power to love and obey God.  It's not power that simple comes from imagination, but from a God whom loves us.  What a great truth for kids!

I also love that this book stops after each chapter with a lesson, allowing a child to slow down with their reading and absorb what they are learning.  The questions are a great way to help a parent engage their children in a conversation, which, let's face it, is often a challenge with kids this age.

Colby's favorite parts, of course, are the battles!  BOYS!   He did also say he liked how Captain Sun taught not to fear darkness because Jesus was our light.  Hearing that thrilled this momma's heart as fear is something my son has struggled with in the past.  

It is great to have books that entertain children, but how much better is it when those books teach them as well?  I can think of no other lesson I would want my child to learn than they are loved by God!  Such a sweet life lesson from Rescue Me! What Superheroes Can Teach Us About the Power of Faith.

ESV Men's Devotional Bible - Review and Giveaway

I know, I know, a Bible review again!  I told you I have a slight obsession with Bibles.  I also happen to really love being able to give them away! (Giveaway at the end of this post!)  There are so many styles to choose from, so many versions to read, and so many features to look for.

 I love the smell of a new Bible that has been opened for the first time and the hope of new beginnings as you start with Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth." I also love the look of an old, faithful Bible that has been loved - with it's crinkled pages, sermon notes, prayer requests and personal thoughts jotted in the margins.  It is like visiting a close friend.

Did you know that the Bible is the best selling book of all time?  I may be the one driving that number up these days! Haha!

And this one!  The ESV Men's Devotional Bible published by Crossway is another one of my new favorites.  Make no mistake, the Bible is for everyone.  You do not need fancy fonts, tons of maps, or leather covers - God's Word is sufficient.

But sometimes it is nice to find a Bible that just seems to suit you, like the wallet you never want to throw away or that one shirt you continue to wear even though it is worn to the bare threads.  I think the ESV Men's Devotional Bible will be that Bible for the special man in your life.  Yes, it is for men. With its black slip cover and hard cover as well, it is a manly looking Bible. More importantly, there are 365 devotions written by men for men.  These devotions, based solely on God's word, are meant to inspire and strengthen men in their walk with Christ.  Each short devotion, one for each day of the year, applies the Gospel to important areas in a man's life- homes, work, churches and workplaces.

  Other features include-

  - Brand new book introductions- These each have background information, Key theme and how the book pertains to a man's heart

  - 14 brand-new articles- These 1-2 page articles cover topics from doubt to fathering to life in the local church.  They would make a great jump start to a men's prayer or accountability group.

  - Dictionary of key terms

  - Ribbon marker

  - Smyth-sewn binding

  - Lifetime guarantee on TruTone edition

  - Packaging: slipcase (TruTone), L-card (HC), permanent slipcase (Cloth over Board) 

Retail Price: $34.99

From a few men I know that have had a chance to look through this Bible-

"Relevant teaching information every guy should know!"

"Great layout, easy to read format."
"The articles are well thought-out and written."

If you would like to have the opportunity to win your own copy of the ESV Men's Devotional Bible, just leave a comment here and tell us who you would bless with this Bible if you win.  Don't worry, we will keep the secret! ;)

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Blessings,

All Things Homeschool

Ahhhh, homeschooling.  The simple life of sweet kids, total obedience, a love of learning, neat houses, choir music in the background, pets that never need to be cleaned up after, giggles and laughter all of the time.  You know - perfection!

Nope.  Not even one day.  At least not in this house!

Don't get me wrong, I love homeschooling and I would not change what we do and why we do it for one second, but perfect days?  Nope. Well, not here anyway!

The reality is that just like you, whether you homeschool or not, our days are often hectic. Sometimes there are tears.  Occasionally there are misunderstandings.  And most of the time there is a mom in the background who can feel pretty understaffed and overworked.

Thankfully, there is a God who knows and understands that.  And loves us just the same.

Thankfully, I have a friend who has a heart for homeschooling mothers that knows that too and wrote a devotional just for us!

Jan Burt is the author of All Things Homeschool- 180 Devotions for Homeschooling Mothers.  Jan and I met a few years ago when she was on the Old Schoolhouse Review Crew with me.  She has since moved on to other endeavors but I am blessed to have been able to remain in contact with her and call her friend.  She graciously allowed me to review her newest book so I could tell you all about it.

Let me first tell you up front that I adore this woman.  Many of you that know us will remember that we had a very difficult time watching our oldest go away to a college that was a two days drive from us.  We knew she needed to spread her wings and grow, but it did not make it any easier.  It was hard, friends. I mourned for her like I never thought possible, it was just that bad.  It was then that Jan stepped boldly into my life and asked if she could pray for me as well as for Ashton.  And pray she did.  Her messages of heartfelt encouragement held me close and I never doubted that there was this sweet gal who had never met me in person covering me in prayer daily.  It spoke so boldly to me that I now try hard to do the same for people I know who are struggling.  I know those prayers got us through some pretty dark times and I cannot even begin to tell you how much that simple act of friendship across the miles spoke God's love into my heart.  A fellow mom who understood kept pointing me to the One who understood!

 I assure you, it is with that same love that Jan writes All Things Homeschool.  This beautiful devotion consists of 36 weeks of devotions for the homeschooling mom- to lift, encourage, and speak words of truth into your heart.  Each week is broken into 5 days, clearly marked and easy to follow. I have found that beginning my day with it, usually reading at breakfast, is a great way to get myself in the right frame of mind to do the job that God has currently given me.  Make no mistake, if you are homeschooling, it is where God has you!  Full of scripture and the truth of God's word, Jan's book will encourage you to delight in the task at hand and to cling tightly to the One who has given you that task.  As a homeschooling mom of five with 20 years of experience, Jan knows what you need and how to tell it to you.  Deeply tied to scripture yet easy to understand and read in a few minutes, this is one of the best devotionals for homeschooling moms I have read.

What better way to start the day than with a friend, a prayer, and God!

Thank you Jan!

Blessings,