Children's Book Review: Questions and Answers for Kids By Scott Bowen

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FOR KIDS
A Three-Year Journal for Kids with Inspirational Bible Verses

By: Scott Bowen

Published: February 18, 2018

Publisher: Freely Give Co

Non-Fiction/Journal

If you asked an eight-year-old if they would want to live with their parents after college, I bet you would get a totally different answer looking back ten years later. That is the joy of keeping journals with your kids and I have a truly awesome one to share with you today. I am bummed that my kids are too old for this book because I would have LOVED creating this journal with them. This journal offers pages for each day with space for three years of recording answers to specific questions for that day. As your children grow, their answers will change and it would be fun to go through the previous years' answers with them. This journal would be a great activity for dinner-time or bedtime. Or maybe your family has a breakfast time devotion before the kids head off to school, then this would work for that time as well.  You could even ask the day's question in the morning so the kids have all day to think about their answer and then complete the journal at bedtime.

Author Scott Bowen created this journal as a way to get his eight-year-old son to talk more about his day at the dinner table. I think this book would work best for children 7-11, depending on the maturity of your kids.

Each page offers plenty of space for your child's answer to the question. For example, a couple questions are "What is your favorite family memory from last month?" and "What car would you like to drive for one day?". Then at the bottom of each page is a Bible verse that goes along with the question of the day. If your child doesn't have an idea of what to answer, then you could come back to it the next day after they've had time to think about it or create your own questions that are maybe a follow up to the prior day's question.

A ribbon bookmark is attached so that you can easily find the page you are on.  The pages are a heavy paper so they won't easily rip and the book is a hardcover to protect it over the three-year use. This journal allows families to create lasting memories with their children and watch their interests change over the years in the journal. The Bible verse on each page offers an opportunity for more conversation about the lesson it may be teaching and the illustrations on the page will make your child laugh and maybe help them come up with some ideas for answers.

This would make an excellent gift for your child's or grandchildren's Easter basket. What better way to encourage conversation and build memories with your child than through a personalized daily journal that parents or grandparents and child can complete together.

Photo provided by the publisher

To purchase a copy of QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR KIDS, click the photo below:



The publisher Freely Give Co offers gift baskets for all occasions perfect for new moms, birthdays, appreciation, and weddings. Check out their website, HERE.

I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama's regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children's and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.


Thanks to the publisher for sending this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. 

Book Review: Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah

EVERY VALLEY
Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah

Forward by: Albert L Blackwell

Compiled by: Jessica Miller Kelley

Published: September 26, 2014

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press

Non-Fiction/Christian/Devotional

It has been years since I have heard Handel's Messiah or seen it performed live. It is one of the most beautiful musical and spiritual pieces I have ever heard. Listening to Handel's Messiah is part of many Christmas traditions and one I have enjoyed listening to the last few weeks.

EVERY VALLEY gives readers a more in depth look at the scriptures and offers insights into the history of the readings. Each movement offers a reflection on the verses the music is based on. You will understand why the music reaches highs and lows and the basis for the lyrics.

You can read it while listening to Handel's Messiah or read each chapter daily as you work your way through Advent. There are forty reflections with forty being an important biblical number. Forty is the maximum number of days in the Advent and Christmas seasons combined. This allows the book to be read through the start of Advent and continued through the twelfth day of Christmas. You could also read through before or after listening to a performance of Messiah. There isn't a better way to reflect on the real reason for the Christmas season than by reading and listening to God's word. You will never hear the Messiah the same way again.

Since the Advent and Christmas season can be hectic, stressful, and for some a difficult time, readers can find comfort in the Scripture, reflections and the music. Reading and hearing the assurance of God's promises can offer a hope and a calm like nothing else can.

I found many of the reflections on the movements interesting and once listening after reading the scripture background, I understood the meaning behind the movement even more. In fact, from Movement 11, I realized the correlation between Advent beginning during the darkest time of our year and how our days get shorter and shorter only to reverse right before Christmas. Our sunlight hours begin to lengthen and remind us that Jesus has come to be our light, leading us out of darkness.

If you are looking for a way to connect with Christ during this Christmas season, I highly recommend EVERY VALLEY as a way to dig deeper and appreciate Handel's Messiah even more.

Just this weekend, my mom sent me this amazing video of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. This video from the small Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska. It was a school computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages in the area. Much to the villagers' shock, over a million and a half people have viewed it.




To purchase a copy of EVERY VALLEY, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ebook copy for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

Book Review: Past Tense By Shawn Kilgarlin

PAST TENSE
365 Daily Tools for Putting Stress Behind You - for Good!

By:  Shawn Kilgarlin

Published:  April 1, 2013

****

In this reader- and consumer-friendly, stress-beating, daily dose of relief book, Shawn Kilgarlin (with help from her husband Ron and crackerjack editor Skip Press) provides solutions to any triggered stress response that may darken your mind, from environmental and workplace stressors to daily events and unavoidable life changes. With sections for every season and pages for each day of the year, Past Tense is guaranteed to have something for everyone—even you. If you feel the need to stress, read this book first, and learn how to handle those worries immediately, or even set them aside forever!

Have you noticed a theme in my reading lately?  I've been reading books to help me handle stress and that "overwhelmed" feeling.  PAST TENSE is another book I highly recommend for those who feel like life is unraveling, like they will never catch up, that the world wants too much from you, and that you just can't handle any more stresses of life.

This book really covers it all.  With sections on handling your anger, your health, organization, marriage, family, and time management to name a few, I dare you to find a section that doesn't benefit you.  It even has a section for the new college student! It just might make an excellent graduation gift for someone you know.

While reading this, I marked so many pages that I realized this book was made for someone just like me.  A mom juggling a part-time job, a home, three kids and their crazy schedules, several volunteer obligations, church and family obligations and all the extra stuff that comes up....it can get pretty stressful and I can frequently feel overwhelmed.  I look forward to reading this book at a much slower pace, really reflecting and putting to use the tips offered each day.  I was delighted to see one of the earlier pages titled, "Let Go, Let God" which is something I try to do every day.  Other days titled "Control Your Tongue" and "Smile" were excellent reminders.

Another section that is related to friendship reminded me that "Moving On" and "Getting Rid of Toxic Friends" will go a long way towards relieving stress in your life.  Don't we all have that friend who continues to hurt your feelings or is a constant complainer???  Why do we allow them to continue to stress us out? This section gave powerful examples for handling just those situations.  

As a volunteer who finds it difficult to say No, "Saying Yes to Saying No" was music to my ears.  Next time I get asked to lead or chair or run something....I may actually be able to say NO and mean it! 

Each reading for the day begins with a quote, then covers the topic in a short devotion and ends with another quote or Scripture.  It is easily read in just a few minutes and could be read over the course of one page/day for a year, or just by focusing on each section as it applies to you throughout your days.  If you are a quote lover, like I am, you will enjoy all the life-lessons included from Mark Twain, Billy Crystal, Aristotle, Albert Einstein, Kenny Loggins, Regis Philbin, and so many more.

The only down-side for me is the size of the book.  Since I have an uncorrected proof and the final copy is not yet available I am not 100% sure on the final size.  But, according to Amazon, it states it will be 10x7x1 inches which is the size of the book I have.  It is large and heavy and not something I would carry around, but one I would leave on my night stand. Since the book is large, the print is also not so small that you need a magnifying glass to read, which I appreciate.

I really enjoyed the thought-provoking, current, and convicting lessons in this book and I am convinced you would also. I would love to see this as a Page-A-Day calendar in the future. How about 2014... anyone????

Shawn V. Kilgarlin is a writer, speaker, and Chief Operating Officer of Louisiana-based American Screening Corporation (ASC), a nationwide leader in drug testing products since 2004. In 2011, she was named a Cambridge Who’s Who Professional of the Year in Health Care Support. Ms. Kilgarlin’s husband (and co-author), Ron Kilgarlin is ASC’s CEO and an internationally recognized sales expert. Their company has helped over a million people deal with the plague of substance abuse. While unusually active in her industry and community, Ms. Kilgarlin’s true passions are writing and helping those in need. She is the author of the book God’s Love Letters: Overcoming Adversity. Past Tense is her second book.

Visit her website at http://www.americanscreeningcorp.com/Past-Tense-Shawn-Kilgarlin-P2955C216.aspx

Ron Kilgarlin is founder and Chief Executive Officer of American Screening Corporation. He no stranger to adversity, under extreme conditions, and with his father’s sound advice, he sold off an underperforming company. On January 2004, Ron started American Screening Corporation, in his parent’s sunroom.

Under his direction, 9 years later & with the help of his wife Shawn Kilgarlin, COO, ASC is now the #1 Rapid Drug Testing Company in the United States. In 2009 his company was awarded by GSA, a contract, to sell to federal government agencies. ASC is ISO 13485 Certified, specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of Rapid Drug & Point of Care Tests, serving US & International Clients, including Medical, Corrections, Retail, Direct Consumer, Commercial, & Government Markets. ASC has Free Sale Certificates in 27 foreign countries, Health Canada, Saudi FDA, & Iran OFAC license.

Ron is a drug testing expert helping over 1 million clients fight the plague of drug & alcohol addictions. Ron is an internationally recognized sales & internet marketing expert. He led the creations of www.americanscreeningcorp.com, which is the premiere website to purchase drug & health tests, with over 4000 products and growing.

Ron has recently accepted a position on the board, for the Louisiana Economic Development Council, as Ambassador, for executive’s considering expansion or relocation.

His love for writing started years ago as he kept a journal for self- improvement. His goal is to reach out, inspire, and connect with the world, sharing his personal stories of hardship, and researched studies on techniques for self-improvement.

While not working Ron enjoys spending time with his beloved family, traveling the open road, smoking fine cigars, reading, & writing.

To follow Shawn on Twitter, click HERE.

To follow Ron on Twitter, click HERE.

This review is part of a blog tour with www.pumpupyourbook.com.  I was provided a copy of this book for this review.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Unglued Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst

UNGLUED DEVOTIONAL
60 Days of Imperfect Progress

By: Lysa TerKeurst

Published: December 18, 2012

Nonfiction/Christian 




From Goodreads: This companion devotional to the bestselling book Unglued provides encouragement to help readers handle emotional struggles. Including a daily opening Scripture, Thought for the Day, devotion, and closing prayer, this book helps readers begin a 60-day journey in learning to positively process raw emotions, such as fear, anger, and regret.

Have you ever come unglued?  On your children? On your spouse?  Um, yeah, I have.  I'm certainly not perfect and sometimes life, chaos, hectic schedules, and stress can all exaggerate your feelings of helplessness.  Eventually become so irritated that you become someone you don't want to be.  

In this devotional, you take 60 days to read and force yourself to get at the source of your emotions.  This isn't easy work or light-hearted.  It is personal, convicting, merciful, and full of grace.  Through stories and scripture, you will look at how you react to situations and learn your weaknesses.  Then you can begin to focus on your new way of coping.  Daily prayer is also a must in this new way of life.

The thought for Day 60 summed it up well for me, "I want to be an uncommon calm in the midst of chaos and an example of peace for my kids in a world of pressure."  Yes, I want this and making the effort to have a calm home and smooth mornings are a priority.

I also appreciated the quiz that tests your reaction type.  It didn't surprise me that I am an Internal Processor/Internal Suppressor. It means I am a Stuffer that Builds Barriers and yet a Peacemaker.  Gosh, does that describe me to a T!  What I need to find is a balance of stuffing and exploding that helps manage my stress and emotions better.  I tend to stuff my frustrations until they end up overflowing like a volcano! Not a good way to live and not the kind of person anyone wants to be around.  This book offers tools, advice, and hope for handling your emotions.

If you feel like your emotions are on the edge, you are easily irritated, or quick to criticize, this book and it's companion UNGLUED may be just what you need.   Both the book UNGLUED and this devotional would make an excellent choice for a Bible Study or Women's group.  There is also a DVD available for study purposes.  Additional resources can be found at www.UngluedBook.com. 

Lysa TerKeurst is an author and national speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith.  She is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She is also the author of more than a dozen books including MADE TO CRAVE, a book to help deal with our food cravings. 

Check out www.LysaTerKeurst.com for more on her story as well as numerous freebies like a Teen Driver Contract and daily inspiration.  


If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, click the photo below:

Thanks to Booksneeze for sending a copy of this book.  This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. If you choose to purchase a copy of this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

2010 offers a fresh start

Happy New Year to you! Last year I made 10 resolutions and posted them on here. Looking over that post I for the most part kept 7 out of those 10 resolutions, which I don't think is too bad. This week I have been thinking a lot about what I want 2010 to look like for me. As I think about everything I want to improve, accomplish and change it all relates to one core principle. If I spend time with Jesus each and every day, the rest of my life will fall into place. In the past, any days that I start in prayer or in quiet time, those days have gone much smoother for me. It isn't possible for me to start every day with my own quiet time, but it is possible for me to set aside some time each day for Him. I truly believe that if I do this, the rest of the chaos, the stress, and the struggles will fall into place for me. So, my one and only New Years Resolution is to make Jesus part of every day and give Him some of my time. If I make him part of my life and give Him the glory and the control, the pressure is off of me. Wouldn't you like to join me in this adventure?

Two of the books I plan to use as devotionals this year are The One Year Women's Friendship Devotional by Cheri Heath and The Stained Glass Pickup: Glimpses of Gods Uncommon Wisdom by Cathy Messecar. The devotional I bought for myself and my best friend, Tammy last year. I really enjoyed reading it and plan to go through it again this year. Each day there is a story and a way to relate that to your life whether is has to do with your spouse, your faith, your finances, stress, etc. This year I gave it to my Sister-in-law for her birthday and look forward to sharing it with her! Each division ends with questions to ask yourself and forces you to go a little deeper. The other is a weekly devotional that I just won and look forward to reading those stories as well.

I hope 2010 is a year full of happiness and blessing for you and your family. I look forward to sharing my year with you.