The Armor of God Bible Study by Priscilla Shirer (B&H/Lifeway Bloggers)

  I recently joined the B&H/Lifeway Bloggers Team, and am so happy that I get a chance to review Priscilla Shirer's newest bible study; The Armor of God.   In my opinion, Priscilla Shirer is one of the most gifted bible study teachers in today's Christian circles.  I have completed three of Priscilla's previous bible studies, and have seen her in person a couple of times at her conferences.  When I heard that Priscilla was working on a bible study about the "Armor of God" I knew it would be one I would want to complete.  B&H/Lifeway Bloggers have given me a complimentary copy of Priscilla's study, and I in turn agreed to write this review.

 The Armor of God is a DVD based study, but one can go through it without watching the DVD sessions.  However, I would always suggest finding a way to view the DVD footage as well.  There are precious nuggets of insight that you will gain through watching the DVD sessions that you might miss if you just went through the book alone.  You can download the video sessions from the Lifeway website, or find a group/Church that have purchased the Leader Kit with the DVDs included.   The study is set up to work through it in 6 weeks, but you may choose your own pace.

  As the title states, this study is about the "Armor of God" taken from Ephesians 6:10-19 from the Bible.  Priscilla teaches about the pieces of the "Armor of God" every week, but gives attention on the first week to the enemy of a Christ follower's soul; Satan.  Priscilla walks her participants through a very strategic plan to defeat Satan through the power of Jesus by using specific prayer strategies, based on Scripture.  Priscilla shows how we can put on each piece of the "Armor of God".

  Included in Priscilla's study are sections titled, "Digging Deeper" (where we can dig a little deeper :) and a section on "Prayer Strategies" where she gives her readers a specific way to pray.  In the back of the book,  Priscilla added some tear out cards that can be personalized by individuals with their own prayer strategies This study is so well constructed, and so packed full of information that will help you to go deeper with God through Prayer and the reading and understanding of His Word.

  I highly recommend this study for women, but I know that men would also benefit from this study as well.  Go and purchase it today, or find a group that is going through it and join in.  Thanks B&H/Lifeway Bloggers for this wonderful resource.

The Word of Promise New Testament (Audiobook) Review

 My latest review is of the "Word of Promise New Testament (Audiobook) in the NKJV translation.  I received the product complimentary from Book Look Bloggers, and in turn I agreed to write this unbiased review.  I love this resource and I give the highest rating I can...5 out of 5 stars.

 Why do I love it so much?  The first reason is that it helps the Bible come to life.  This resource doesn't replace reading the bible, but offers another way for people to engage with the Bible.  This audiobook is not just one actor reading the New Testament word for word, but a scripted dramatization of the NKJV bible.  One of the things that sets this resource apart is that it features a star-studded cast of actors.  Some of the actors featured are Jim Caviezel (actor from Passion of the Christ) as Jesus, Stacy Keach as Paul, Louis Gossett Jr. as John, and many others.

  Another reason I love this resource is the beautiful music and realistic sound effects that are in the background as you listen to the bible being read (acted out).  It truly helps to connect you to what was going on at the time.  I love to listen to the "Word of Promise NT" in my car.  It is great for those times when I am in the car for longer periods of time.  It would be awesome to listen to these CDS in the car on a road trip.

 This resource is great for all ages and stages of life.  I highly recommend this resource, and it is well worth the price to own it.  Thank you Book Look Bloggers for giving it to me to review.

 

Blogging for Books Review : Lazarus Awakening

 My latest review is of the book, "Lazarus Awakening" by Joanna Weaver.  Joanna is the best selling author of "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" which has sold more than one million copies...Wow!  "Lazarus Awakening" is her third book in her Bethany (Mary, Martha, Lazarus) trilogy.  I received the book complimentary from Blogging for Books, and in return  I agreed to write this review.

   "Lazarus Awakening" was written to shatter spiritual formulas for performance -driven faith, by clearing a path to sweet intimacy with Jesus (paraphrased from the back of the book).  I so need to hear a message like this as my own life has been performance driven to please Jesus,  instead of just receiving the love that He has already freely given me.  Joanna shares with her readers about her own struggle to believe that Jesus truly loved her, and how she finally started to believe that truth.

   This book is a wealth of knowledge and addresses many topics that Christians struggle with today.  Topics such as identifying strongholds, our identity in Jesus Christ, and helping others become free in Christ.  The book also includes a study guide that can be used to turn this book into a bible study that you could go through with a small or large group.

   I really liked this book, and would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to learn more about how much Jesus really loves him/her.  Jesus has called us to a full life in Him, and we need to take him up on that offer. Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave and He wants to raise His children from our so called "graves" too.

"Woodlawn" Prize Pack Giveaway

 Winner of Contest:  Tracie Johnson
I am so excited to announce this Giveaway because I am a huge supporter of Faith-based films!  Grace Hill Media has been so generous to offer my readers a chance to win a prize pack of resources based on the new film, "Woodlawn" coming to theaters next weekend.

 Here’s the quick synopsis: From Pure Flix (GOD’S NOT DEAD, DO YOU BELIEVE?), Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (THE BIBLE, SON OF GOD) and the Erwin Brothers (MOM’S NIGHT OUT, OCTOBER BABY) comes WOODLAWN, an exhilarating high school football drama and remarkable true story of how love and unity overcame racism and hate in early 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. Starring Academy Award winner Jon Voight, Sean Astin, Nic Bishop and newcomer Caleb Castille, WOODLAWN depicts the spiritual awakening that captured the hearts of a team and unified an entire city. (Description taken from Grace Hill Media)

 The prize pack includes 3 books based on the film 
-WOODLAWN, by Todd Geralds, on which the movie is based.
-TOUCHDOWN TONY, by Tony Nathan, the autobiography of the superstar player on whose life the film is based.
-WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, by Robert Noland, a 40-day devotional tied to the themes of the film.

The winner will also receive a "Woodlawn" t-shirt :)

All you have to do is leave a comment here on my blog or on my Facebook page.  I will draw a winner on the release date of the film (October 16th).  I will only be able to ship within the US. 

Check out the Movie Trailer Below

Blessings and make sure you go see the film on opening weekend!

#ArmorOfGodStudy

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  #ArmorOfGodStudy

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"Anything" (Jennie Allen) Book Review for BookLook Bloggers

   I was super excited to read Jennie Allen's newest book, "Anything".  Actually, it is an updated edition of her original book, "Anything",  with a brand new bible study included in the book.  I LOVE IT!   I was introduced to Jennie Allen about 4 years ago when I was given her first bible study, "Stuck".  Immediately,  I fell in love with her teaching style, and her contagious passion for Jesus.

 "Anything" (The Prayer that Unlocked my God and My Soul) tells the story of  what happened after Jennie and her husband prayed a simple, but courageous prayer, "God, we will do anything. Anything".    Jennie shares that the next morning she got up to her normal everyday routine, but she knew that something radical had changed in her heart.  She was totally surrendered, to God and would be willing to say yes to God's Will for her life whatever the cost.

  One of Jennie's passions is to equip and encourage the body of Christ to live a surrendered life to Jesus.  He is real, and He deserves our everything.  I don't want to share too many details about the book, because it is such a precious gem, and I don't want to spoil any of it for you through this review.  However, I will say that this book although easy to read, is not an easy read.  I believe God can use Jennie's book to awaken the soul of Christians to live surrendered lives. Courageous lives. Lives that will count for eternity's sake.

  The beauty of this little book is that it is also a bible study, and Jennie created teaching videos that to complement the book.  I cannot say enough good about this book, so go right away and purchase it, and gather a few of your friends to go through the book and bible study with you :)

Thank you BookLook Bloggers for giving me a complimentary copy of this book to review.

BookLook Bloggers: Henry Hodges Needs a Friend

 My latest review is of the book, "Henry Hodges Needs a Friend" written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Andy Andrews.  I do not normally review children's books, but the preschool teacher in me couldn't pass up the chance.  BookLook Bloggers sent me a complimentary copy, and I in turn agreed to write this review.

  First of all, I have to say that the book is beautiful.  The illustrations were done by Colleen Madden and they are just perfect for this book.  I love color, and this book is filled with all the colors of the rainbow.  I love the little details that Colleen adds to each page as it helps to tell the story of "Henry" and his search for his perfect friend.

  Andy Andrews tells the story of a lonely little boy, named Henry Hodges, and how his parents are going to find him a one of a kind friend (pet),  Henry imagines what kind of pet would be perfect for him.  A few examples of Henry's friends are a joke-telling beaver, a goldfish with antlers, and a cat that barks.  Again, you will love the illustrations of the animals that Henry imagines might be his perfect friend.

  I also love that the story is written with rhyming words on every page.  It reminds me of a Dr. Suess book, which I always find so enjoyable to read aloud.  This book is appropriate for younger children as it doesn't have a large amount of text, as well as for your young readers.  I highly recommend this book, and I hope to read it to my preschoolers very soon.