101 Bible Adventures: The Ultimate Quest for Truth! by Carolyn Larsen

Author Carolyn Larsen wrote an amazingly concise yet powerful book for children of all ages. This paperback gem of a book appealed to me firstly because of the organization of each chapter. I have read many children's devotional books in which the lessons taught are chock full of cuteness but lack depth and application.

Application is what I believe most lacking in our churches in general. And so, to witness a book for children that included application in each chapter was refreshing, to say the least. I first viewed the Table of Contents for an overall assessment of topics. Old and New Testament selections with the key verse and main Truth presented was listed.

Each chapter listed a What's Up section, the key verse, Scripture mentioned, the story in an easy to understand telling, a cartoon, and a Now What? section. This book featured the New Living Translation version of the Bible.
On a negative note, I would have liked to have seen more visuals in each chapter. The cartoon characters and their commentary was helpful, but for a younger child, I felt more pictures would have been beneficial. Since the cartoons were black and white, having a slightly larger picture for younger children to color would have been a nice touch.


I truly enjoyed reviewing 101 Bible Adventures: The Ultimate Quest for Truth! by Carolyn Larsen. This world needs more of this type of resource to help teach and guide our His children to not only discover the Truth of the Bible but to also be able to allow the Word to apply to their own lives, thus changing the next generation. To God be the glory!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com/.

Samaritan's Purse Presents Three Hearts

A joyfest from start to finish! Billy Graham's granddaughter Cissie Graham Lynch was co-host with another woman. Together they led the charge to bring two boys from Mongolia to America for heart surgery (and to share Jesus Christ.) However, both ladies in the spirit of "ask and you shall receive" asked for a third child to have the blessing of having her broken heart healed.

The third child was clearly my favorite! She was a little girl with a huge amount of energy. My favorite scene in the DVD was when she saw running water for the first time. She stood on a little child's stool and just kept splashing water on her face over and over. I will never forget seeing the joy on her face. Childlike innocence is something we all need more of and so to take that in was beyond words!

I was informed that these three mothers according to Buddhist culture, were generally an unemotional group. That was the case when the film first showed the family in Mongolia when they were picking up the children to bring them to America. However, when everyone returned to Mongolia, emotions flew off the screen and could have hit me smack in the face. What changed was not only the physically healed hearts, but the hearts and souls of the mothers and two sons. They accepted Jesus as a result of living with the host families and seeing the host families living their lives for Jesus. I truly did applaud as Jesus was shared not only in Word but in deed as well. That leading by examples speaks volumes and all five of the Mongolians got it. They were not forced into leaving their Buddhist idols and culture, but clearly the Holy Spirit pulled all of their heart strings. A lovefest!

Interesting scenes were Mongolian bowling, Buddhist idols (in what looked like a dollhouse.) Also all the mothers felt their children were "glowing"and happy just before going into surgery. I smiled because I wondered if they realized part of that happiness may have been the anesthesia. But God used a donkey, so we know the peace they had in their children being happy before surgery may have helped them to trust God and the people surrounding them. The Mongolians went to America because they had nowhere else to turn. In the end, their children were healed and they returned to their native land with a newfound faith.

Criticisms I had which were minor. I am not particularly fond of subtitles. I know there was a need for subtitles throughout this film, but I would have appreciated the scenes shot in Mongolia to be a bit slower. I say this because I was intriqued by the culture and the surroundings and I found myself a bit frustrated trying to read all the subtitles and see the people and the background. Being a perfectionist at heart, I could not help but notice there was a fly on the camera lense in the lawnmoving scene. I know that is really being picky, but I was watching the film on my back patio and I started to get up to swat my flat screen (smile.) God's humor is always unexpected!

I cannot speak highly enough about Three Hearts! I have so many friends I plan on lending this annointed surprise. The joy I experienced was inexplicable. Three Hearts is a treasure!

For more information visit http://www.threeheartsmovie.com/
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

A Love Story: How God Pursued Me and Found Me by Samantha Ryan Chandler

This title is currently being reviewed. Please check back soon. For a sneak peek please visit Samantha Ryan Chandler's website http://www.samantharyanchandler.com/Samantha_Ryan_Chandler/Home.html

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com/.

Then Sings My Soul Book 3 By Robert Morgan

I requested this book to review with one question in mind, "How could Book 3 be any better than Book 2?"  Book 3 in Then Sings My Soul is not better, but just as special and just as amazing as the previous songbook.

This book, the same as the previous book, has the tattered thick songbook pages which are unevenly seen upon immediate inspection. This splicing of the pages was a nice touch to a classicly-inspired work. However, book 3 is quite different in its format. There are divisions in topic: Biblical Hymns, Medieval Hymns, English Hymns, Contemporary Praise (my favorite), Ancient Hymns, German Hymns, and Gospel Songs. I learned some new words also - one of which is "hymnody"!

My favorite section in this book was Part 4 Hymning in Private and Public. I truly believe this section, located at the very end, is a gem for the true music lover who has gleaned much throughout the book and just cannot put the book down. A nice ending to a wonderfully annointed work, Part 4 spoke to me as an encouraging, hopeful beginning to something extra special in the world of music.

Clearly, this book has not only inspired me to worship in a more meaningful way, but also to be able to share the amazing journeys of those who went before me, who also were touched and changed by hymns and Gospel music throughout the ages.

Buy it today for the music-lover in your life - - or for yourself. Music is here to stay and we will be singing all the time in Heaven so why not learn the words (and the stories behind the songs) now so you can be perfectly in sync with the angels and the children of God one day!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Love Food & Live Well by Chantel Hobbs

Subtitled Lose Weight, Get Fit & Taste Life at Its Very Best, this hardback gem reminded me that food is not the enemy! Our struggle is in understanding and abiding by moderation and focus on our Creator, God for discipline in our lifestyles.

Author Chantel Hobbs included Biblical accounts of people just like us, who struggled with their humanity. She offered hope and healing throughout the pages of this book. She had an inspiring, yet tough-as-nails attitude about meal preparation.

Her authority came first from God, then her knowledge of health, and then from her successful account of losing weight and keeping it off. Her dedication For the lost was special and relatable. And please do not skip to Chapter One but read the Introduction. Eye opening.I appreciated reading of the science behind the formula. I learned how to calculate my Basal Metabolic Rate and to use it as a starting point. Cheered as she mentioned about building lean muscle and making building lean muscle a priority. I am currently attempting to do this in a healthy way. I learned so much about calorie intake, and the balance of exercise and diet.

I plan on trying out her recipes as well as dusting off my big exercise ball and weights. The photos of her exercising were quite helpful and inspiring too. I needed a jump start to get my diet and exercise plan revved up before Jan 1 rolls around. I didn't need to wait until the New Year to make a resolution to eat better and lose a few pounds. Chantel Hobbs has inspired me to Love Food & Live Well! We only have one life. We need to make the most of it.

Gotta go. Got too much energy to sit here and type. My sneakers are screaming my name. Thanks Chantel, for a wonderful resource chock-full of ideas and positive points for living my life well! 

For a Sneak Peek: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/2011/06/21/sneak-peek-love-food-and-live-well-by-chantel-hobbs/

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah  Publishers as part of their Blogging For Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com/.

Irritated Eye Relief by Similasan

Thanks to Jan Rons, Assistant Controller at Similasan, I was able to review this Similasan product. I chose this product over the Computer Eye Drops because my CVS unfortunately did not carry all of Similisan's products.

I suffer from red, itchy, irritated eyes resulting from dust and mold allergies as well as from eye strain while working on the computer. I was glad I chose Irritated Eye Relief for this review because after using it, I do believe it is the very best product to "get the red out" of my eyes. I do believe it did triple duty: got the red out, eliminated the dry and grittiness and battled my itchy eyes due to seasonal allergies. I used this product twice daily. Once in the morning and once before going to bed.

I just recently realized the value of taking better care of my eyes and the pain and suffering which results when one ignores good eye health. Not a fun lesson to learn but one I will not soon forget. What drew me to Similisan at first was the fact that I got a stye in one eye. I googled so many natural  home remedies. I planned to use an eye product to reduce the pain and swelling as I treated my stye eye with a warm chamomile teabag three times per day (yes, it worked and I avoided the dreaded eye doctor with the tiny needle and big spotlight on his head).

I was shocked when I approached the pharmacist at the CVS to ask her if this product was the strongest for inflammation control when battling a stye. She told me to put the product down and go right to the doctor. I learned a lot that day. I learned that Similisan Stye Relief Drops are not meant to cure your stye. But my oh my did that product work in helping me to receive relief as I broke down the resistance of the stye.

Because I am and have been for awhile, a big advocate for natural products and home remedies when possible, I called Similasan to thank them for their product and to let them know that CVS was doing them a disservice by discouraging me from buying it and also for not being more open-minded to homeopathic, natural alternatives to health. Why carry a product or two that is homeopathic if your "expert" is just going to disrespect and discriminate against what it is designed to do? I thought Similisan deserved to know the treatment I was given at my particular CVS at the Fifth Avenue Shops in Boca Raton, Florida. No wonder so many in my neighborhood just go straight to Whole Foods. But it should not be like that as good natural health should be a choice in any drugstore. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Be Your Own Health Advocate

I hope and pray that as many more experience victory with home remedies and natural products such as Irritated Eye Relief that the big box stores in the US will support natural products as an alternative to western medicine. For that reason, I asked to receive a free product for review. I can say without any bias, that I wholeheartedly recommend these products not only for adults but children ages two and older as well.

The Irritated Eye Relief is a wonderful travel companion to remove environmental pollutants while traveling or going through your day. And unlike the Stye Relief Drops, this eye drop I did not see in the directions that they recommend using all the product within 30 days or discarding so you may want to keep one of these in your bathroom and one in your purse - just in case.

This company knows what they are doing. This Swiss company has been manufacturing homeopathic products for over 30 years. Check them out online www.similasanUSA.com. I plan to try all the products. After all, they say your eyes are the windows to your soul. Beautiful inside, beautiful outside. Why not? Natural, affordable and the best part of all - these drops work. Thank you Similasan!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free from Similisan Corporation USA for independent review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.