SRKindredSpirits

I love this little book.  In researching the Gospels and rereading Jesus conversations, Carl Medearis concluded that Jesus’ conversations had an average length of only 42 seconds. These short discussions showed the impact Jesus’ words had on the many hearts he touched. God does not ask for Christians to be polished public speakers before spreading His gospel. What God does require of us is that we faithfully witness His truth to others in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.  This book concisely teaches the reader how to interact with others in a loving and kind way. Sections include: Be Kind, Be Present, Be Brave, and Be Jesus. Topics addressed include: Do Something Small, Breathe Deep, Say Something Crazy, and Do My Words Match My Actions. The book is designed with short & to-the-point dialogue that does not overwhelm the reader. I like how the author looks at conversations in somewhat of a different light than we might normally expect.  Shari

Like nearly every growing teen, I have struggled with acne. Although mine is thankfully not severe, it hit a definite peak between the ages of 14 and 16. I had tried different facial cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, way too many questionable DIY concoctions (which did more harm than good), and even a medicated cream, to try to tame this bothersome side affect of puberty. Every night I would exfoliate like crazy, apply at least 3 different products, and every morning I would wake up with the same lack of results. None of them seemed to work, which, of course, drove me to use them even more religiously…  At that time, it seemed like a wise solution. It wasn’t. As my acne worsened, my confidence dwindled, but I eventually discovered the life-changing power of liquid foundation and concealer… only, I lacked the knowhow to use it, and the end result  made me look like  a cake-faced oompa loompa... from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Not the best lo

I am not a preacher. However, I am an ordained minister and have a license to legally perform marriages in the state of Indiana. Ok... you can quit laughing now!!! The above statement is true. I even have a certificate to prove it!  My currant bible is 23 years old. I've had it since I was young and it is falling apart. I love my Bible and I have tons of notes in it and things highlighted so I can easily  find things. The only problem with it besides falling apart, is that it has giant print and is huge and heavy to carry around.  A few months ago, I bought a Holman Reference Bible, which I like the size and the lettering print style. However it is cheaply made and the pages are extremely thin. There's also not much room in it to write notes.  So when I saw this Bible, I thought that I would give it a try. I wish that I wouldn't have. The Bible has no room for writing - not even a small margin. The text is not easy to read. It has no references. The th

“Mice and pigs, chickens and cows- Squeak, oink, cheap and moo... Oh, the animals God has made! And, Hey, He made me too! Night night, God. ” As the big moon rises, the jungle settles in for the night.  All around, jaguars, lemurs, and monkeys cuddle close and say, “Night night!”   These little board books are absolutely adorable. Night Night, Farm and Night Night, Jungle are amazing books that incorporates both learning about animals and a love for God.  I love how God is woven within these bedtime stories. A wonderful way to begin a prayer for little ones. It's the perfect end before dreams begin. The stories come alive with the illustrations that are bright and colorful.  If I had to give it a critique, it would be that I wish there was more touch and feel in the Night Night Farm Book. But, all in all, these are both adorable little books and will make a cute gift for my brand new  niece or nephew that will be arriving in a few months. Dis

I absolutely love flowers. I think they are beautiful and if they smell heavenly than that is just icing on the cake. I love having a bouquet of fresh cut flowers on my table to look at, every day. They just make me smile. Flowers are my love language. Since I got that off my chest....  Martha's Flowers is a truly a beautiful book. The first surprise about this book is it's size! This is certainly a coffee table book in size, quality, heaviness, durability, and photos.  What pleased me most about this book is that these aren't rare or difficult to grow flowers, but rather the old fashioned garden flowers most gardeners will already have growing in their gardens; roses, peonies, lilacs, hydrangeas, etc. However seeing them so artfully, elegantly, and dare I say simply arranged, is nothing short of inspiring! Each flower/bush has a dedicated section with a story from Martha then specific, detailed directions regarding growing them and suggestions with

Anyone that has followed my blog any length of time knows how much we try to live a clutter free life. That being said, I'm always on the look out for different approaches of getting rid of more stuff... (my long term goal is to get our stuff down to fit inside a 20x30 ft cabin that the hubby and I would like to build and live in after the kids are grown.) But even in our current house, I love having a clutter free home and with living on a hobby farm and 3 kids, we are always bringing in stuff, so there is always things to get rid of. I will just put this out there.... I am a huge Joshua Becker fan and have read all his books. But I also enjoy reading different peoples approaches to decluttering and minimalism; like the Kon Marie Method ,  Courtney Carver's Project 333 , or  The Minimalists    so I was excited to read Dana White's  step by step approach, using the 5 steps. Step 1: Trash Step 2: Easy Stuff Step 3: Duh Clutter Step 4: Ask the Declutt

This is such a cute little book full of lots of information! I liked everything about it.... but then I like everything about plants and flowers, so I guess it' only right to like this book! The author did a great job. There is lots of info on anything from personalizing your window box, adding grow lights, to pruning the plants and watering. I liked all the different kind of examples given:  - the sand box - the rain forest - the herb garden - the woodlands - the salad bar - the window bog and more.... The pictures are beautiful. I loved that the title is stamped into the front of the book and that the cover pages look like this: If you love flowers, plants, or gardening - you will love this little book! Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through a  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Why does every study bible have to be so huge??? I mean, I know that it has alot of information crammed into one book that has to be big enough print to read, but for the love of all small people, it'd be nice to have a good study bible that didn't weigh as much as we do..... I really wish this was a KJV Study Bible.... but other than that I love this bible study book.  Features include:  The full text of the New King James Version (NKJV) translation  In depth book introductions that include an outline and information on authorship, background, structure, themes, and a map, a timeline, or both  Verse-by-verse study notes with the unique focus of revealing nuances from the original biblical languages for modern readers  Informative contributions by respected scholars and best-selling authors including Charles Stanley, Randy Alcorn, and Ed Stetzer, among others  Over 100 innovative full color infographics, comprehensive timelines and informative

Somehow, I missed that this book was for men when I requested it for a review.  I loved the quotes -  "Make your mistakes full speed." "Always fall forward." "There are worse things than dying." And although I think a man would enjoy this book much more than myself, it does have some pretty good lessons for everyday life regardless of who you are.  I put this book on my hubby nightstand for him to read. In Always Fall Forward, join the Coach's son, Todd Gerelds, as he reflects on fifty-two of his dad's most formative "coachisms." From "Your stance is critical" to "One play at a time," you, too, will start hearing the strong and encouraging voice of the Coach when life hits you hard. Packed with life application, Always Fall Forward challenges you each week to live the way the Coach lived--grounded in faith and willing to stand up for what he believed--no matter the cost. Disclosure: I rec

Trade Your Cares for Calm By: Max Lucado I loved this little book! The size, the design, the words.... it did not disappoint! If you’re trembling on a tightrope of fear and worry, get ready for the best trade ever: your cares for God’s calm. What if faith, not fear, could be your default reaction to circumstances? Imagine being able to walk away from worry, conquer the need to control, get rid of guilt, and end if-only thinking. That’s God’s offer. He wants to exchange your burdens for an abundance of mercy, gratitude, and trust. To replace striving and stress with a faith-filled life in which you’ll see God’s goodness, feel calm in chaos, and find peace through prayer. Author Max Lucado understands what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by anxiety. Through unforgettable stories and biblical wisdom, he offers powerful tools and scripture to help you manage your fears and worries and give our cares and anxiety to God. Disclosure: I received this book free fro

Zen Camera By: David Ulrich Now, that we all have a camera in our pocket and are taking photographs and sharing them all over social media, this book helps you to become more fully in the present moment and to be able to find your own authentic vision by  creating your own masterpiece .  Zen Camera teaches mindful attention through the medium of photography and cultivates a personal development and awareness for its readers to look at their own photographs in a totally different way. This book reminds us that with even just an cell phone camera in hand, we can capture the stunning world around us. The photographs are exquisite, and the stories are inspiring. This book makes you want to get outside and start  immediately.    Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through a  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Hello Mornings is an inspiring book that is based upon a really simple 3-minute, 3-step routine that helps you begin your day by focusing on God first – then establishing your plans for the day – then doing something healthy. While Kat offers specific steps to get you started, she also provides workbook style guidance – with space for journaling. I love how the verse Psalm 1 43:8 was the center for this book and for a morning routine. I have come to love this verse over the last few weeks. I really appreciated how Kat Lee focuses on the "why" of developing a morning routine, which is to serve the Lord better through focusing on Him first thing, making a plan to be effective for Him that day, and developing healthy habits so we have enough energy to serve the Lord well.   All that said, I'm a little bummed about this book. While I love the idea of a 3 minute morning, the book contradicts itself by at the same time wanting you to add in much more than 3 m

Honestly, I'm confused with this book. I've heard such good things about this book.... how it  shows you to step into faith conversations with honesty, transparency, and integrity. And w hile I agree with the book, it was hard for me to stay focused and just didn't do anything for me. I do believe that people do want to really talk about God, and we need to remember that we are not selling something, but rather inviting people into a relationship with their Creator and that is not a process to rush or take lightly.  Yes, the eternal destiny of our family and friends should be important to us, but we have to relax and let God do the work. For me personally, the book didn't do anything to help me with talking about God to others or show me truths I already didn't know. I was disappointed. To comply with regulations by the FTC, the publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

The 30 Days To Peace A One-Month Creative Journal is a little book that features writing and drawing prompts, along with peace related quotes throughout the book. This journal is a way for you to unwind and find peace amidst our busy lives and is perfect for this time of year when the hustle and bustle of the holidays have you stressed to the max. Even though the book is small, there is plenty of space to express yourself. If you are not into drawing, you can create a collage or include photographs. The only down side is that the pages are thin and if you color with markers (I use fine point ones), the marker bleeds through to the next page, which ruins what you have written. Also, I am not a fan of the colors on the cover. To comply with regulations by the FTC, the publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

I love watching 'Fixer Upper' and just about any show on HGTV!  TV personality Chip Gaines' Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff gives us a transparent look into his life - Gaines shares his successes and his failures. He's incredibly honest about his shortcomings...  In this book, he shares many successes and failures he has in starting many businesses, growing relationships with those he works with, life as a husband, and father. He is a man of faith and hard work ethics. To comply with regulations by the FTC, the publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

He Holds My Hand: Experiencing God's Presence...  By: Carol Kent To be honest, I was rather dissapointed in this devotional book. This is not a traditional book of devotions. Ms. Kent has used the format of writing as if she is God speaking to the reader. That was a turn off for me. In the Introduction, the author shares her deeply personal story and how her family's life drastically changed, however, she never goes on to include what her thought process was during that difficult situation, as the synopsis leads you to believe!  This book contains 365 daily devotions. Each daily devotional includes the title, quote, devotional text, and scripture verse.  The one and only thing that I did like about the book was the following quote: "My goal is not to provide all the answers to your tough questions, but to remind you that God holds your hand--in every situation. At His right hand there are eternal pleasure (Psalm 16:11), even in the middle of

 Know Who You Are, Live Like It Matters by Tim Tebow This is a great book for homeschool students age 11 - 14. Tim will guide you through thirty-six weeks of lessons, each based on a key Scripture, to discover who you are. You will also have the opportunity to write down your thoughts, feelings, and ideas on topics such as: building godly character, maintaining great relationships, standing out from the crowd, and doing things that matter in the big picture. Throughout the book, there is one subtle theme: You can make a difference, even though you're a teenager.  I really like how Tim is able to talk to teenagers in a way that speaks to them with authority and wisdom, without treating them like children. He can speak their language and still be an authority figure.  Get ready to live bigger than ever before…with your faith and identity secured in a God who loves you beyond measure! I received this book in exchange of an honest review.

A Well-Crafted Home: Inspiration and 60 Projects for Personalizing Your Space  By: Janet Crowther  Being a crafter (and a somewhat of a good one) I am very disappointed in this book.  There is nothing classy in this book that I would want to have in my home. I like my home to look like Joanna Gaines decorated it, not put together by odds and ends a teen could make. Sorry, but there are better ideas available on Pinterest . Don't waste your money on this book. I received this book in exchange of an honest review.

Why I Didn't Rebel By Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach I have followed Sheila Wray Gregoire's blog To Love Honor and Vacuum for years now, so when I found out her daughter Rebecca was writing a book, I knew I wanted to read it.  I love this book. I think the most important thing you can do as a parent is to communicate and teach your kids respect, and right from wrong, when they are young. I feel that the ideas in this book are how we are trying to raise our kids. My oldest daughter, Faith, is 16 yrs old, and although she has made a few mistakes, she is a great kid and I'm really proud to be her mom. She also read the book, so I thought I'd include her take on it too: "The methods that Rebecca describes in her book as having been raised by are roughly the same as those of my own childhood (minus the hot-tub... for that, I'm a bit jealous). I feel that my parents are doing a great job raising my siblings and I, and I'm very grateful for the clos

The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot (63 stories) monument in St. Louis Missouri.  The Gateway Arch weighs 43,226 tons and the foundations are about 60 feet deep.Clad in stainless steel and built in the form of a weighted catenary arch (catenary means it is the shape a free-hanging chain takes when held at both ends), it is the world's tallest arch, the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere, and Missouri's tallest accessible building. Built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States, and officially dedicated to "the American people," it is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and has become an internationally recognized symbol of St. Louis, as well as a popular tourist destination. The Arch was designed by architect Eero Saarinen in 1947; construction began on February 12, 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965, for $13 million. Thanks to hundreds of workers, the Arch was completed within budget and w