Circling Through This Life

This giveaway has ended. Book Title: The First Christmas Author: Keith Christopher Illustrator: Christine Kornacki Publisher: Ideals Children’s Books Format: Hardcover, 32 pages Price: $16.99 Recommended Ages: Kids ages 4-8 but in my opinion enjoyable for all ages! As soon as I pulled the book out of the packaging, I was in love!  This beautiful, hardcover book, written in rhyme captures the attention of both adult and child. It can be a quick easy read or you can slow down and savor each page. About The First Christmas Night The First Christmas Night is a beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus on that joyous night in Bethlehem so long ago. The poem begins with the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and winds though Christ’s birth, the angels’ appearance to the shepherds, and the visit by the Wise Men.  The simple, yet elegant, verses will appeal to little ones and are accompanied by the rich acrylic illustrations of Christine Kornacki. About the Aut...

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.” My family loves history. We love books. We love reading books about history. I have always loved hearing and reading stories of the colonists and pioneers who built our country. When I saw that Alone Yet Not Alone was a novelization of real event in the family history of the author, I was eager to read it and share it with my family. Alone Yet Not Alone tells the story of Barbara and her sister Regina; how they were kidnapped yet did not lose faith.  Barbara draws her courage and her strength from her Christian Faith and does not lose sight of her goal...

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned below 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."   I love baseball.  I love the music of Casting Crowns.  I love a "feel good” family movie.  It was a “no-brainer” to respond the email to say “Yes, I would like to review the movie Ring the Bell.” Rob Decker isn’t just any sports agent.  He’s also the President and CEO of his own agency. He’s at the top of his game and he’s picked out the next baseball superstar. There’s just one small problem. Shawn wants to go college. He doesn’t want to go straight to the big leagues. Other agents from other agencies have tried to sign Shawn but faile...

I enjoyed John Ratzenberger years ago on Cheers and more recently my family has loved his voice work in the Disney Pixar movies, so I was excited to see his name as the Woodcarver is this new DVD from Faith &Family Films available from Christian Cinema. About this movie :”Matthew Stevenson is a troubled kid from a broken home. When he vandalizes the local church to get back at his parents, Matthew has to repair the damage to the church to avoid criminal charges. While working at the church, he meets Ernest (John Ratzenberger), an accomplished wood carver who created the intricate woodwork decoration that Matthew destroyed. Ernest has become something of a hermit, but reluctantly comes out of reclusion to help repair the church. Now Ernest and Matthew must work together to preserve the church's beautiful antiquity, and along the way, they also manage to restore their faith in God and in life.” I have a nearly 13 year old daughter who is going through the “contrary stage”.  You k...

A couple of weeks ago I received an email asking if I would be interested in reviewing A Mile in His Shoes .  I clicked on the link to watch a preview for this true baseball story and knew that I had to request it! About Mile in His Shoes: From the director of Angels In the Outfield comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book The Legend of Mickey Tussler . This movie has received the Dove Seal from the Dove foundation. I agree that this is a family movie. I am very sensitive when watching movies.  At least one scene caused some discomfort. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to shout-“no, don’t go. It’s a trap.  You’ll get hurt.” I was a little (ok more than a little) worried about how much violence we would see.  But the scene was handled so well that we saw only a hint. We knew what was going to happen but we did not have to see it.  We...

Recently my family and I watched a new Christmas movie. Christmas Lodge is a G-rated family movie appropriate even for the little ones. Here is the official Synopsis :   Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Chris...

*********This Giveaway has ended*************   Award winning Rebecca St. James is an internationally successful entertainer who also writes best selling books.  For more information about Rebecca St. James you can visit Rebecca St. James . About What Is He Thinking??   In WHAT IS HE THINKING??, Rebecca interviews a range of men from high-profile types to the guys next door, men that every woman can relate to. Although the interviews focus on single guys ages 20-35, Rebecca also includes words of wisdom from older mentors she respects who have been successfully married for years, people like her dad, life coach, and pastor. The men share their thoughts on topics like how women can respect themselves and the men in their lives, modesty, purity, taking it slow, friendship, letting guys lead, and more. This book gives them the floor to say what they would really like women to know. The men respond candidly to questions such as: What is the most attractive qual...

This past week I’ve been listening to a pre-release of Jeremy Riddle’s new album, Furious.   I started listening at the end of a not so good day and found that the music was soothing for my soul.  This is contemporary worship music not just contemporary Christian rock.  Though I don’t care for contemporary worship music in my corporate worship at church, I do enjoy listening to it for myself.  Like a private prayer, if you will.   Listening to Jeremy Riddle allowed me to focus on God, gave me a kind of connection while I washed dishes or chopped veggies or just played on my computer.  After a very stressful day, I found Furious to be just what I needed.  I felt the tension leave my body as I closed my eyes and listened to the music. I think my favorite song is “Love Came Down” it starts with “If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear Your voice, I’ll hold on to what is true though I cannot see.”   The chorus begins “ Love came down an...