10 Minutes in the Word: John by Zondervan

Like all of Zondervan’s gift books, 10 Minutes in the Word: John makes a crisp, handsome gift and boasts the same high quality of writing, insight, and publishing that Zondervan is known for.

This small, red and gold hardcover book is a welcoming devotional, emitting an aura of solitude and serenity. The simplicity of it—ample white space evoking contemplation, and no pictures—emits an aura of solitude. It has a presentation page and cloth bookmark. The book contains 46 devotionals. Each devotional includes approximately 10 verses to read and one or two of those typed out, a 1-2 page devotional thought, a prayer, and words and questions for reflection. This book would work equally well for solitary or group devotions.

One of this devotional book’s best features is that it makes the reader open his Bible. Each entry gives the reader a few Psalms to read. The reader is given an excerpt in the book but must open his Bible to read all of the verses.

Theologian D.A. Carson writes, “John is simple enough for a child to read and complex enough to tax the mental powers of the greatest minds.” This devotional urges readers to shun self-absorption and to seek God’s face. Readers hear messages of dependence and of thirst being quenched. Reminders that love for God should motivate how we treat others.  

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The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Maxwell Leadership Bible: Lessons in Leadership from The Word of God by John C. Maxwell, Third Edition

The Maxwell Leadership Bible: Lessons in Leadership from The Word of God by John C. Maxwell, Third Edition, is tastefully and richly themed in navy, white, and gold to appeal to both men and women.

It is a substantial, hardcover Bible, New International Version. It is completed by a presentation page for giving and a cloth bookmark.

The book begins with notes from the author—reminding and encouraging all readers that they are leaders in their spheres. Maxwell prompts his readers to look to the Bible—the ultimate leadership Book—for leadership guidance.

The font is a new “easy-to-read comfort print,” which I actually didn’t find easy to read but rather a bit disjointed. That is my only critique of the Bible.

Each book of the Bible begins with an Introduction and sidebars including “God’s Role in Ruth,” “Leaders in Ruth,”  “Other People of Influence in Ruth,” and “Lessons in Leadership” (ex. God will accomplish his purpose through unlikely people [a Moabite woman!]). Also included are “Leadership Highlights in Ruth” (ex. Generosity: Boaz giving without keeping score).

Also featured in the books of the Bible are sections titled “Profile in Leadership.” In Ruth, Boaz is featured as a “model of kindness and spiritual leadership” because he greets his servants with the words “The Lord be with you!”

At the end of the Bible, there are ample resources for study, all leadership focused. There are “Leadership Laws,” each coinciding with stories and verses and characters, and similarly there are “Leadership Qualities” and “Leadership Issues,” and so many more, all building off the Bible and Maxwell’s leadership studies and lessons.

This Bible is fraught with resources for personal and group study, and I highly recommend it to any leader—which is anyone.

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The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

Devotions from the Beach by Thomas Nelson

After reading only the first of 100 devotionals in Devotions from the Beach, I could picture a beach-loving lady lounging under an umbrella amidst a sandy summer breeze, this book in hand, being drawn to her Creator. 

Published by Thomas Nelson, within the hardcovers of this book are one-page devotionals with a verse and a one-page prayer, accompanied by a full-page, full-color beach-themed photo: a child jumping in waves, a lighthouse, waves, a seashell, and more.

Written for women, this book’s tone is one of agreeable contemplation. Jumping through waves can be futile on one’s own, but when friends link arms they overpower the wave. Just as whales call to each other across the ocean, our hearts call to each other to join in communion with God. Just as a sun shower interrupts a beach day, so does a friend’s inconvenient phone call interrupt our day—but we must answer and be a friend. 

The devotions touch on common aspects and stressors in a woman’s life: friendship, paying bills, unwarranted changes, striving for perfection, and more. The devotions address these commonalities and then point readers to God and his solution, peace, and calm. 

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

Stop-and-Go Devotional: 52 Devotions for Busy Families by Diane Stortz

Diane Stortz knows her audience: busy families with kids ages 3-8. Stop-and-Go Devotional: 52 Devotions for Busy Families, will become a go-to book that gets excited for family devotion time.

The 52 devotions go beyond the standard Bible stories to include Ruth and Boaz, Elijah and the ravens, Namaan’s cleansing, King Josiah leading the people back to the Lord, and more. The stories have catchy, unexpected names such as “Afloat on a Boat,” “Road Trip,” “Jacob’s Camping Adventure,” and “A Baby, a Basket, and a Big Sister.” While many Bible-story anthologies end with Jesus’ resurrection, this one goes farther, including “Breakfast on the Beach,” “Best Dressed” (story of Dorcas), and so many more!

These one-page, brightly illustrated (by digital illustrator Hannah Marks) devotions are certainly tailored to busy families, and actually reading the text will engage kids as they can cuddle up next to mom and dad and read colorful text, highlighted onomatopoeia, and follow along with the quips of dialogue that keep the stories rolling. Every page is brightly colored and illustrated—the pictures and the text. Following the one-page devotionals (the Red “Stop and Read” sections) are two more sections: Yellow “Think and Talk” which includes two questions such as “What do you think Jesus and Zaccheus talked about when they ate together?” and a prayer. And “Green Means Go!” which includes a game (e.g. playing Follow the Leader after reading about Moses and the Exodus; or to sit outside with eyes closed after reading about Samuel, and listening to all of the different sounds), a Bible verse, and words to Remember such as “God can do anything” and “God hears our prayers.”

This book is, above all, engaging. The stories chosen, the titles given them, the color, the illustrations, the games, the questions, verses, and prayers—it’s all so quick, so fun, and so meaningful.

http://booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9781400203048

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

“Night Night Bible Stories: 30 Stories for Bedtime” by Amy Parker and illustrated by Virginia Allyn

Yes!!! This is the perfect nighttime book for fans of Parker and Allyn and for newcomers! My one year old listens intently to the “Night Night” books, and I’m so excited to have something more directly focused on God to read to him at night (and in the day!). 

Besides the vibrant yet gentle illustrations, what makes the “Night Night” books ones to turn to night after night? The calm cadence and rhythmic tone of Parker’s poetic prose. “Night Night Bible Stories: 30 Stories for Bedtime” by Amy Parker and illustrated by Virginia Allyn is easy to read, but far from simple. Each story–including everything from Jonah to Queen Esther to Balaam to Elizabeth and Mary to John’s Revelation–will captivate adults and children because of their detail and melody. Parker’s use of onomatopoeia and dialogue enhance the familiar stories, brining fresh perspective to adults and introducing lots to think about for little ones. 

Each of the 30 story is a few pages long—enough to do the story justice without rambling—and includes full-page color and illustrations. Brilliance shines from every page—in the writing and the pictures! Beneath the title of each story is the Bible book and chapter that the story comes from so readers can read more if they choose to. 

My favorite aspect of this book: twice in each story, Parker includes a short rhyme, set apart in a larger text and colored font. Some examples include “Go, go, Moses, you know what you should do. Go, go Moses—God will be with you!”, “Follow, follow Me! I have good news today! Follow, follow Me! I’ll show you the way!”, and “Don’t worry, Joseph! Didn’t you know? God is with you wherever you go!” Kids’ names could easily be inserted for the Bible characters’ names. These rhymes could also be used as Memory Verses for kids! Each story ends with a prayer and a gentle night night: “Night night, Joseph, who dreamed so big, who chose to trust, who chose to forgive.”

This book is the perfect size to hold in your hands while also holding a little one. Not too big. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it. The length of the stories, the cadence of the stories, the rhymes, and the illustrations all work together to create a go-to bedtime tradition. 

http://booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9781400203048

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

Memory Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home by Jessica Smartt

Memory Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home by Jessica Smartt is a gift to mothers. Thank you for writing this, Jessica!

This book encourages moms to go the extra mile: to iron the cloth napkins and put flowers on the table (not every day) because our husbands and children are our most treasured people, and creating special moments for our most special people creates memories and solidifies bonds that will last.

Smartt gets it. When I read her passage about “When Church Is Hard” and she described the mom of young children with shoulders sagging and tears running down her face, she was describing me at church a few weeks ago—wondering if it was worth it. And of course it is. Smartt reminds her readers that church is worth it. Special family meals are worth it. Holiday traditions are worth it. Celebrating milestone is worth it. The extra effort to treasure our families in life’s small moments are all so very worth it.

I absolutely love this book and will read and reference it again and again. Jessica Smartt is a refreshed and balanced mom. Many books for moms assume that their audience is harried, frazzled, and annoyed by their kids. Smartt writes to an audience who believes raising kids is a blessing and a privilege and who recognizes the importance of putting energy in the right places—the places of lasting impact.

Smartt encourages moms to create moments, days, and years that embrace their children in a healthy hug.

http://booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9781400203048

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.