Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God by William R. Osborne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A through study on the blessing of God. How many times have you heard or even said God has blessed me with family, home, good health, job, and friends. The list can go on. However, if we compare the blessings or lack of blessings can it change our view of God. This is why this study is so important to Christians to have a biblical understanding of what blessings are and what they are not.
Divine blessings are what draws us near to God and an understanding of who He is. The study incorporates the blessing of the trinity as well. In honesty the blessings I listed above are blessings that we experience but a true blessings in light of the Kingdom of God. As Christians, we need to be reminded to seek the giver thru the gift and not the gift. In other words, what can I get from God if I do this and that. It only leads to bitterness and despair. Having a construed understanding of blessings can lead to destructive emotions and more away from God than what blessings are designed for.
What a blessing this book is! Highly recommend.
A special thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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5 stars
We Were the Lucky Ones by: Georgia Hunter
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The inspiring story of the survival of the Kurc family during World War II Poland. I love to read about 2 or 3 books on World War II. Reading to many at one time takes away the humanity of their story. It easy to become desensitized when we are faced with the same story time after time. We miss the horror, the crime, and the cruelty of it all. The Kurc’s family was unique because it shared each family member’s perspective and at times ended the chapter with what was going on in the war from what we know of it today.
I am not going to do a run down on each family member because I would be writing my own book and not very well if I did so I will only say that the courage and the love that this family had in not giving up was incredible. I did learn more about the Jewish people in general which I gravitate towards, the Polish history – the total destruction of Poland and how they have come back to the world tells the grit of the people. In one particular sibling Addy- his story was different since he left France before the war took hold. He was able to escape to South America which took almost a year from start to finish.
With the author’s words and passion for this family, you know it is personal. I just did not know which one of the siblings she was related to of if she was even related. I had hoped she was because it means more. I was happy to hear about how the author came to this story and what it did mean to her and what it should mean to the rest of the world. It is truly a story that should be made into a movie. I hope you will be encouraged if you have not to read this one. So worth it.
A special thank you to Penquin Group and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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Elinor Wonders Why: The Seed of an Idea by: Jorge Cham
Elinor Wonders Why: The Seed of an Idea by Jorge Cham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Elinor and her school friends discover that great inventions have been inspired by nature. Ari comes to school with a new watch that makes a noise when it strapped to his wrist. The friends try to discover why this happens and if they can find other things that do the same thing.
Another adventure with Elinor and her friends that will encourage critical thinking and wonder.
A great resource for young readers.
A special thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni
One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have read several books on this series of Tracy Crosswhite. Tracy has made some transitions in her career and now she has landed on cold cases. Having a young daughter, and supportive husband, gives her some flexibility. One of the things that I enjoy in this series, nothing is forgotten. Co-workers, informants, and cases. Tracy has one of those personalities that she needs to find the truth. Because her need for the truth, she sees the black and white and lets the evidence lead her. Tracy is now working on a case that was given to her to possible fail. She is working with the original detective Nolasco that has been haunted by this case for 30 years and who also hostile towards Tracy. The tension drives the case and with the tension that an anniversary date of the last murder. A killer is still on the loose who seemed to be a few steps ahead of the case. A series of killings that started with prostitutes’ and ended with the murder of middle class women. Tracy is concerned with the reopening of the case, more killings will come. Who will the killer strike.
Tracy does not have much to go on. A mark on the victims and no known common variables. With her hostile partner, together they begin to fit the pieces that were missed 30 years ago. She knows if she can find out what message the killer was making, she is confident they will find the killer.
Enjoyed unravelling the clues and the strong character of Tracy. Always a little redemption in each case. Great read.
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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Other Words for Nonno by: Dave Cameron
Other Words for Nonno by Dave Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Maybe was a word that kept another word hidden. Sometimes that word was yes, but often it was no.
Jill and Nonno liked to play with words. It was fun for both of them. A day came when Nonno started losing his words and Jill felt the sting of losing a part of Nonno. A sweet story of empathy and the power of words.
Children will like this story and the “making up of words” is always a fun way to play. Between young and old, it is a way to connect.
A special thank you to KidsPress and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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Adventures with Cali and Odin by: Freddy Jaramillo
Adventures with Cali and Odin by Freddy Jaramillo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 19:14.
There are times when we will make bad choices again, but that is okay, because we were not made to be perfect. We were created to honor, serve, and love God. Jesus came to be perfect for us because He knew that we could not. So God sent down His Son Jesus, to be our helper.
Cali and Odin are brother and sister and are learning valuable lessons that will deepen and live out their faith. Our siblings and family is the start of living out our faith in love. By serving and honoring our family with God as the center. A great conversation to have with our young children.
A special thank you to Christian Faith Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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Beatrice and Barb by: Kate Jenks Landry
Beatrice and Barb by Kate Jenks Landry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
To take care of the people you love, you have to know what they need.
What a sweet story! Beatrice always wanted a pet to love and take care of. However, mom was not to keen on the normal pets most kids have. Mom did decide on Barb (cactus) catchy name 🙂 . Beatrice loved on Barb and took care of her. However, Barb took a turn for the worst.
What does it mean to love and care for others is made simple when we know a few important facts. Kids and adults will love this priceless lesson.
A special thank you to Kids Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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Next Door by Deborah Kerbel
Next Door by Deborah Kerbel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A very inspiring wordless book on friendship and awareness. A series of pictures reflects a deaf boy who befriends a young girl from a different culture. Children do not have barriers. They tend to have barriers when they are made aware of those barriers. A simplistic lesson that tends to get complicated. It makes a great read for parents whose children are starting school to remind everyone to take down those barriers.
A special thank you to Kids Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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The Adventures of Jeff and Reed by: Jen Kennedy
The Adventures of Jeff and Reed by Jen Kennedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
To be honest anything that Boys Town Press publishes, I appreciate the intentional and thoughtful insights they give in how adults can help children thrive. The adventures of Jeff and Reed are two sixth graders with growing pains. For example, Jeff had to get a eye patch and how self-conscious he was because of it. How it affected his mood and how he responded to others. His friend Reed brought him to a realization because Reed has a birth mark on his face that he grew up with.
Another great life lesson is how children worry. Reed’s father was going overseas. Reed was so worried about things he could not control that he lashed out in a violent way. A counselor stepped in – was understanding but also Reed had to take responsibility of his emotions.
The last lesson was going into middle school. How the boys were confident in where they were and how their confidence was taken away in the unknown. Each of these lessons there was a path to take responsibility, to cope and to help others. Of course real life can have so many variables but this gives students food for thought. A place or person to think about going to when problems arise. Again well done Boy’s Town Press.
A special thank you to Boy’s Town Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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Voice of the Ancient by: Connilyn Cossette
Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love is nothing without sacrifice.
It takes a very special gift to take a historical account of the bible and bring it life so that we can understand the implications on how it applies to us today. There are warnings and promises in those implications. The background and setting is Israel. The people of Israel desiring a King like the other nations. God’s warning of that desire and His hand in selecting that King. The time period is important as well and speaks to our time. Israel had a identity crisis. The 12 tribes of Israel were scattered. They were worshipping other idols and they were vulnerable. They had drifted far from the word of God and the celebration of festivals that were a reminder of what God did.
Two families are central. Both come from different tribes and different parts of Israel. The story line sets the characters up very well. Avidan has a close knit family coming from the tribe of the Levites (the Levites were not given land but the duties of priest). His mother was Philistine so his looks were not the Hebrew brand. His father’s family all lived close. Avi played with his cousins and the favorite play was war. Defending their land and their God. When he reached the age of 18, he and his cousins witnessed the anointing of Saul from the prophet of Samuel. With this anointing, a battle was brewing and the boys dreamed of fighting for their people. Running away to meet Saul’s army, Avi realized that war was not for him. With his younger cousin following them, Avi knows that he must take his cousin back home.
Keziah the female counterpart is from the tribe of Manasseh. Her family life is contrasting to that of Avi. She has been put in isolation by her father and has been betrothed to a evil man. On the day of the wedding feast, she runs away with the help of her long time maid. Knowing two things. Her father is coward and the true identity of her mother. She is given instructions to run to the tribe of her mother’s that come from the family of Moses.
Avi and Keziah meet when Avi thinks Keziah is his long lost cousin. Keziah has made herself known as a slave boy and Avi knows the truth but keeps it himself to earn her trust. Together they both have a different mission. In getting to their goal, Avi tells the stories of the bible that have long been forgotten that Keziah finds herself hungry for. Avi finds himself enchanted by Keziah and a gift of story telling. Keziah falls for Avi in the kindness he has in searching for his cousin and finds her purpose in the truth about the God she feared.
I loved the characters but what I love most of all that God’s word still rings true. No matter what the culture says, the political environment, the chaos of the world. God will make himself known to his people. Their stories was a thread of how God’s kindness to us even in chaotic times. I am sure you will see the many parallels as well. Highly recommend.
A special thank you to Bethany House and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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