An Amish Christmas

This is the first Amish living novel I have read. This particular book is divided into four novellas by different authors. After reading these stories, I am going to do some research about the Amish and the way they celebrate Christmas. It sounds a bit different from our traditional celebration. I love that they include a glossary at the front of the book that describes different words they use in their vocabulary. Each novella tells a little about December in Lancaster County which is a grand month for everyone!

In the first story one of the characters tells her son (Seth), "A mother's love isn't earned. It's freely given. Don't ever forget that". The story tells about a once-prodigal son who has returned to his family and is searching for someone to start his own family with. You will have to read the book to find out if Seth finds his happy ending!

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

I am so excited when I find a new author I like. This is the first book I have read by author Donita K. Paul, and I am so excited to share it with you. She is from Colorado which is always a bonus in my eyes.

This is a magical tale of two people who are meant to be together. They have to go through a lot of stuff to find their fairy-tale ending. I love the metaphor of a Christian's relationship to Christ that the author portrays in this story.

"sometimes God gives us things we don't need. And the best of the gifts He gives us is someone to share all the silly and grand, frivolous and spectacular, sad and heartbreaking, joyous and exquisite moments of our lives" is my favorite quote from this book. I am reminded of all the gifts God has given me that I don't need or deserve. This is a great reminder at CHRISTmas for us all!

31 DAYS

I love the season of Advent. I love preparing for Christmas. I love getting excited with my kids about Christmas. I want my kids to remember that Christmas is really about Christ and not all about them. My boys are nine and five (twins), so I try to make it simple when it comes to advent. We light a candle and read a passage of scripture every night. When my boys get a little older, I will share this awesome book with them. This book is all about taking time out our busy lives to prepare room for Him. There is a simple passage to read every day in December, questions to discuss after reading, and Bible verses to emphasize each day's point.

In the words of the author, "The busyness of December can easily crowd out contemplation of the amazing reality of God's coming to live among us as one of us. I hope your family will overcome the empty busyness of this season and that in your home, every heart will prepare room for Jesus." Amen!

Have You Ever?

Have you ever....

::Had a really bad day?

::Been made fun of?

::Heard people whispering and knew they were whispering about you?

::Felt like giving up?

::Felt like your life really stinks?

::Come up with the short end of the stick?

::Felt hopeless?

If you answer "yes" to any of the above, I strongly urge you to get Nick Vujicic's book Life Without Limits and begin reading it right away. This book is a strong encouragement for people (like me) who think they have it really bad. When in fact, everyday is a miracle and a gift from God. It is a message full of hope and inspiration, something I need a daily dose of.

The thing I like best about this book is the way there are short passages that I can read a little at a time. Each passage is a lesson Nick has learned himself or from others he has met traveling across the world. This is an excellent life lesson in how we cannot control our circumstances, but we can control our reaction. That is what Nick has chosen to do with beauty and grace. An amazing man and an amazing book!

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review*

THE QUESTIONS CHRISTIANS HOPE NO ONE WILL ASK

If you are looking for a no-holds barred approach to topics that Christians like to dodge, this is the book for you. In this ten chapter book, areas are addressed and backed up with scripture, not just the author's opinion. The book can be a little preachy at times, but if you are reading this book for a reason, I believe it will help. Each chapter ends with a brief summary and discussion group questions. This would make an excellent small group study; I think the conversation could potentially be very interesting. The final chapter sums up the entire book, then gives ways to start asking other people questions to make them think!

The closing verse is Romans 1:16. I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. This is the premise of the answers to all the questions addressed in the book.

A YEAR WITH GOD

The best of all is, God is with us.

~John Wesley

If you are looking for an excellent devotional book, look no further. This is a top notch way to spend a year with God (like the title suggests). This book is jam packed with 365 days of devotions which includes a scripture passage to read and a small story to go with the reading. This would take maybe five minutes to read through each day, then you can spend the other 23 hours and 55 minutes reflecting on what you have read.

The main catagories are:

*Hope and Fear

*Love and Hate

*Perseverance and Quitting

*Faith and Doubt

*Loyalty and Betrayal

*Companionship and Isolation

*Mercy and Judgment

*Forgiveness and Anger

*Joy and Sadness

*Peace and Conflict

The best thing about this book is you can start anywhere and pick and choose from the topics in each category. I am excited about spending A Year With God!

BoogaBooga Land

My kids and I were given the opportunity to watch Adventures In BoogaBooga Land the other evening. I have a nine year old son and twin five year old sons, so getting all of them to sit down and watch a show is no little feat by any means. But this show did manage to capture their attention the entire time. And we all sang the catchy theme song for days after watching the show. The premise of the show is to show several Biblical parables in the life of Marty and Gerard. My five year olds enjoyed some of the silly scenes and in general enjoyed the shows. My nine year old watched the show with us and said, "okay....what does this have to do with God?!?" So the Biblical lesson is a bit on the subliminal side. After I explained it, he got it. All in all, we give this movie 3 thumbs up and 1 thumb down.

Now back to the song......new adventures in boogabooga land.......