Review: We Shall See God

Summary: No author in history has more material in print than Charles Spurgeon. During his lifetime, Spurgeon and his writings affected the world far and wide. Today, nearly 120 years after his death, countless people continue to have a passion for this London preacher, and more and more discover him every day. Some of Spurgeon’s most powerful sermons were those that he preached on the topic of Heaven. Up until now, however, very few of these sermons have been accessible to a mass audience. In what is sure to become an instant classic, best-selling author Randy Alcorn has compiled the most profound spiritual insights on the topic of eternity from these sermons and arranged them into an easily-accessible, highly inspirational devotional format complete with his own comments and devotional thoughts. Whether you are familiar with the works of Charles Spurgeon or not, you are in for a treat, as Alcorn invites you to sit at the feet of the Prince of Preachers and discover timeless pearls of wisdom from one of the greatest theological minds of all time.

My Thoughts and Review: This book is a treat for me, indeed! Charles Spurgeon and Randy Alcorn are two of my favorite Christian authors. I believe most Christians don't think much about heaven until they're old, dying, or losing their loved ones. But the Bible says, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4) Heaven is our permanent home and we should be storing up our treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). We Shall See God will help you set your hearts and minds on things above. Randy Alcorn selected, arranged, and edited 50 of Charles Spurgeon's Biblically insightful sermons preached on Heaven. At the end of each day/devotional section, Mr. Alcorn shares his comments. Although Charles Spurgeon suffered from chronic depression (most of his life), gout, arthritis, and liver disease, he faithfully served God and his Christ-exalting passion shone through and through. God gifted him much and he glorified God much. This is a wonderful book that helps readers ponder the hope of Heaven and shed their fear of death.

"Oh! Let us not live in this world as if we thought of staying here forever, but let us try to be like a pious Scotch minister who was very ill and, being asked by a friend whether he thought himself dying, answered, "Really, friend, I care not whether I am or not, for if I die, I shall be with God. And if I live, he will be with me." (p.54)

- You can read the first chapter here.

- Visit Eternal Perspective Ministries (Randy Alcorn's website) here.

- Connect with Randy Alcorn on Facebook here.

- Follow Randy Alcorn on Twitter here.

~ I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

FIRST Wild Card Tour: The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card authors are:

Donita K. Paul

and

Evangeline Denmark

and the illustrator:

Vincent Nguyen

and the book:

The Dragon and The Turtle Go on Safari

WaterBrook Press (January 11, 2011)

***Special thanks to Staci Carmichael, Marketing and Publicity Coordinator, Doubleday Religion / Waterbrook Multnomah / Divisions of Random House, Inc. for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

A former schoolteacher, Donita K. Paul is the best-selling author of the Dragon Keeper series, The Vanishing Sculptor, and Dragons of the Valley.

Visit the author's website.



Evangeline Denmark likes to turn bedtime stories into picture books. She lives in Colorado with her engineer husband, their two noisy boys, her author mom, and Willie, a cattle dog who tries to herd the entire family into one room.

Visit the author's website.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

Vincent Nguyen has illustrated numerous children's books and is also a part of the art departments for 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios.


Product Details:

List Price: $11.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (January 11, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 030744645X
ISBN-13: 978-0307446459

AND NOW...THE FIRST FOUR PAGES...press the pictures to better view them:

My Thoughts and Review:
Padraig the Dragon and Roger the Turtle are camping outside in the dark. They pretend to be "safari" explorers. Their imaginations run wild. Exaggeration accompanies their fear. However, their friendship and their compassion shine through and boost their courage. When I read the book to my son, I found it a little confusing in the beginning but it turned out to be a silly, fun book. Unfortunately, the authors use a few big words that young children may not understand. Moreover, the story seems long and thus doesn't hold children's attention very well. The illustrations are cute but mostly dark because the setting is nighttime. This book includes a bonus story (The Legend of Mount Sillymanborrow) and conversation starters for discussion with your child(ren).

Download the Roger the Turtle coloring template.
Download the Padraig the Dragon coloring template.
The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari Contest Rules (ends Feb. 11, 2011)
Creative Cakes Contest ends Feb. 28, 2011.

DVD Review and Giveaway: Really Woolly Kids Trusting in the Shepherd

This is a new DVD by DaySpring.  It features two stories about facing fear and learning to trust in Jesus, our Shepherd.  The theme verse for both stories is Psalm 23:4 (NLT), "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."

In the first story, "Gracie's Ewe Scout  Campout," Gracie, the six year old lamb, is scared of the darkness at night during her Ewe Scout's campout.  Her grandma teaches her and her friends about Psalm 23:4/the Shepherd's protection.  Grandma Tabitha is a hip grandma with an iPhone and is not shy about dancing :).  In the second story, "Jacob's New Friend," Jacob (Gracie's brother), the seven year old lamb, faces fear and anxiety because of a new huge kid in school whom he accidentally pounces on.  His dad wisely advises him to look on the bright side and reminds him that he needs not to be afraid because our Shepherd is with us to guide and protect us. 
 
My 9 year old boy and I watched the DVD together.  Both of us enjoyed it.  The theme song, "Fear Not" is catchy, but the intro sounds very similar to a song from Jonah (VeggieTales).  The extra features include outtakes, deleted scene, trivia questions, sing-along song, and online Family Adventures info.  This is a cute, fun DVD that helps children learn God's Word and apply it in their daily life.  It's geared towards ages 6-12 but I think some younger kids would enjoy it, too.

You can watch the "Fear Not" music video at http://www.reallywoollykids.com/ .

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Really-Woolly-Kids/120680907979250?ref=ts

GIVEAWAY: I was given an extra DVD which I would like to give away to one of my readers. This giveaway is open only to U.S. residents.

To Enter: Leave a comment here sharing what Bible verse(s) helps you deal with your fears or your child(ren)'s fears.  Make sure you leave your email address or blog address, too.

For extra entries: 1. Read any of my posts (besides this one) and come back to comment about it here.

2. Follow me on Twitter (treasuredbyGod) and tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment here letting me know.

Deadline: October 31st at midnight (Pacific time)

“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.”

God Is Good

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

God is indeed good all the time!  He never changes.  We can always trust Him.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"...Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews`3:5b-6, 8

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22

"There is a big difference between nice people and good people.  Nice people are loved by everyone whereas good people get nailed to crosses!  Jesus was not always 'nice' to people but He was always good to them; there is a big difference. God's actions in your lives may not always be pleasant or nice; however, they are always loving and good." (~Sean Nolan, p. 26, To Those Who Suffer)

Book Review: Fearless by Max Lucado

Format: Jacketed Hardcover
Size: 6.20 x 9.30 x 1.10
Page Count: 221
Retail Price: $24.99
ISBN: 9780849921391

I am thankful that my personality is not prone to anxiety and fear. I usually don't have to wrestle with worry. When problems arise, I pray for God's will, leave them in God's hands, and wait to see what comes next. I'm not saying that I have never been worried or afraid; it's just a rare occurrence for me. However, I still find Max Lucado's Fearless to be encouraging and insightful.  More importantly, it is Biblically sound..mostly. I inserted "mostly" because I think sometimes he exaggerates and he stretches (his interpretation of) the Scriptures too much/too far. I enjoyed reading the book and appreciated Mr. Lucado's sense of humor. He truly has a gift of teaching and writing; he has a way with words for sure.

This book covers many kinds of fears: fear of not mattering, fear of disappointing God (it’s a good thing that I know God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are deeper/stronger than anything I could have ever done and anything I may ever do in the future; otherwise, I would constantly be agonizing over this fear), fear of running out (worry whether you have enough), fear of not protecting my kids (probably the one that I can relate to most :)), fear of overwhelming challenges, fear of worst-case scenarios, fear of violence, fear of the coming winter (financial struggles), fear of life's final moments (aka death/dying), fear of what's next (fear of change), fear that God is not real (I was surprised to read that even Mr. Lucado himself has experienced doubt), fear of global calamity, and fear of God getting out of my box (if you don’t put God in a box in the first place, then you wouldn’t have this fear :)). I like the fact that he offers answers to each topic of fear with the Scriptures. I also like the discussion guide for each chapter at the end of the book. It includes many thought-provoking questions that will certainly spark a lively discussion in a group study.

Mr. Lucado challenges you to imagine your life without fear. Fear cripples us. Life without fear frees us. The author's theme is "If we trust God more, we can fear less." I would add: Trust God, in spite of fear. In this book, Mr. Lucado does not cover the area of anxiety disorders/panic attacks in some people (something that seems out of their control and beyond reasoning). These people keep trusting God but it does not help them fear less (unless the Lord heals/delivers them from their conditions).

"What can I fear?  Will it be death?  But you know that Christ is my life, and that I shall gain by death.  Will it be exile?  But the earth and all its fullness is the Lord's.  Will it be the loss of wealth?  But we have brought nothing into the world, and can carry nothing out.  Thus all the terrors of the world are contemptible in my eyes; and I smile at all its good things.  Poverty I do not fear; riches I do not sigh for.  Death I do not shrink from." ~Chrysostom (page 88 in Fearless)