Amy Grant's new Christmas CD-review and giveaway!

Good morning!  I've got another fabulous review for you today with a chance for you to win your own copy of this CD.  Amy Grant has released another CD-this time full of Christmas favorites, and a few originals.  Amy's warm-toned-voice has been nice to listen to this holiday season as I've been making preparations around the house.  On of my favorites on this new CD is her duet with Vince Gill on track 9: "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

The other thing that I like about this CD is the variety of styles and sounds mixed in the hymns like "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Joy to the World".  And then listening to some of her original songs like "Tennessee Christmas" and "Melancholy Christmas" puts a new spin on songs that are great to listen to as I wrap gifts to this season.

If you'd like to listen to a song or two off her CD, check out this YouTube link of "To Be Together":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUpIwK5Bxn8

If you'd like to buy your own copy, here's where you can find it (or I've also seen it at some of our local Christian book stores including Mardel and Family Christian):

http://smarturl.it/TNChristmasAlbum?IQid=flyby

If you would like the chance to win a copy of this CD, please leave me a comment below with either one of your favorite Christmas songs, artists, or albums.  I've got too many favorites to list (and my Christmas music ranges from Classical to Rock to Contemporary Christian).  I'll be drawing a winner in one week, November 10th!

Also for fun, Amy Grant is asking for you to send pictures or videos of your loved ones being surprised this holiday season.  The ones that are chosen will be used as part of a compilation video that Amy will share.  If you want to do this, post to her social media outlets with the hashtag #TNChristmasSurprise!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Christmas Love Letters from God

I've got another book review for you-just in time for Christmas!  Author Glenys Nellist and Illustrator Rachel Clowes created this book filled with seven Bible stories of the Christmas story.  Even though this book might be younger than my 9-year old, she still liked reading it, and lifting the flaps at the end of each mini Bible story!  I liked reading the letters from God at the end of each Bible story and filling in my daughter's name.  It was almost as if God was speaking the words directly to her.  I also liked the illustrations.  My daughter said that she thought it was designed to look kind of like a scrapbook-very unique!

For more information, check out these links:
Zondervan Website
Amazon
YouTube

If you would would like a copy of this book for your family's library, leave me a comment on this post telling me one of your favorite Christmas traditions, OR one of your favorite Christmas stories you like to read.  I will randomly be choosing a winner on November 30th.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

The Afters "Live on Forever" CD review

I am SO excited to share some new music with you tonight.  The Afters have been a Contemporary Christian band for a while.  In fact, Nick and I went to see them in concert at a small church in Derby before we had our kiddos (so at least 10 years ago!).  I loved their new music, which I felt was very "radio-friendly" and almost all of the songs had super catchy melodies.  One of my favorites is track #4 "Time of My Life".

I also asked Nick what he thought about the music, and he was a little bummed that they weren't as "rockin'" as they used to be, but said that the music was still good.  Gabrielle said she liked it too!  So in my opinion, it's a huge win when most of our family likes to listen to the same music!

If you would like to check out The Afters for yourself, here are a bunch of ways to do it:

Get Connected with The Afters:

Official website: www.theafters.com

twitter.com/theafters

facebook.com/theafters

instagram.com/theaftersofficial

Music Videos:

Battles (Official Lyric Video)

https://youtu.be/MQJWT017Jwc

Live On Forever (Official Music Video)

https://youtu.be/OdS7EWMNrWc

If you would like a chance to win this CD for your own music collection, please leave a note below and let me know what one of your favorite Christian songs/bands is at the moment.  I will draw a winner in one week (on September 30th).  

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

The Biggest Story review

I wanted to let you know about a new audio book and the coordinating animated short film of The Biggest Story, written by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark (for children ages 5-12).

I love that this story starts with creation and within 30 minutes, children have heard the redemptive story of God's love throughout the entire Bible!  The illustrations in the DVD are beautiful, and while this is not a cartoon-type movie, I think it would be a wonderful tool for young moms to have for their kids at home, as well as ministries within the church.  Each "chapter" of the story is only a few minutes long, so it would definitely be a great video for teachers to have in Sunday School classes as well!

Here is a snapshot of one of the illustrations in the DVD:

Here are a few links for you to check it out for yourself:

The Animated Short Film: https://www.amazon.com/Biggest-Story-Animated-Short-Film/dp/1433554801/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1470077304&sr=8-3&keywords=biggest+story+dvd

The Audio Book: https://www.amazon.com/Biggest-Story-Audio-Book-CD/dp/1433554798/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470077385&sr=8-1&keywords=biggest+story+cd

If you would like to win a copy of these for yourself, just leave me a message on this blog post, and I will enter you into the drawing.  I will plan to pick a winner a week from today, on September 21st.  

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"Would a Worm Go on a Walk?" book review

I got the opportunity to review a cute new children's book this month by Hannah Hall.  She asks questions about different creatures such as, "Would a rhino wear a raincoat?" and then she answers with, "NO! Rain doesn't bother him."  In the end, Hannah writes, "But each was formed on purpose by a wise Creator God."  This is a great book that gets the conversation started with kids that God has made each of us in a unique and individual way.  

If you would like the chance to win your own hardcover copy of this book that is geared towards kids 4-7 years old, please leave me a comment about one of the unique ways God has made you or one of your kids.  This giveaway will end July 10th!

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

New music from Phil Wickham--"Children of God"

I'm so excited that I've had the opportunity to review some new Christian music by an artist that we already loved.  I've really enjoyed listening to this CD while I've been doing some spring cleaning this week.  Nothing like having the window-cleaner-guy come wash my windows inside and out to bring a little extra shine to my house!  But, then that meant that I realized how dusty my blinds and curtains had gotten.  Anyway...I digress.

Phil Wickham has previously topped the charts with his song "This is Amazing Grace", which won multiple awards.  His new album, "Children of God" comes after Phil didn't know whether he was going to be able to ever sing again.  Doctors found a lesion on his vocal cord in 2014, and after removing it surgically, he spent a month in silence while he was healing.  Throughout this whole process, Phil heard God speaking words of peace into his life, and saying, "I'm your father.  You're my child.  Trust me."  He felt like he received a new passion for writing music, and that's where the heart of this new music stems from.

One of my favorite songs from this album was "Your Love Awakens Me".


I also loved the way he sang the traditional "Doxology" on the first track in a new way.  And, there were several others that I thought would be great songs to use in worship at our church.  My 9-year old daughter also listened to the music, and her favorite song is "The Secret Place" which Phil sings with Madison Cunningham.  Check out that song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEAbxX1YhGI

Here are some links so you can download this album for yourself:

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/PW-COGiTunes


Amazon: http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Amazon

Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Spotify

Mother & Son book reivew and giveaway

     I just finished reading a new book by author, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, PhD.  You may have heard of him, or even read one of his earlier books, including a chart-topper, "Love and Respect" for couples.  His new book, "Mother & Son: The Respect Effect" is focused on mothers showing their sons respect, because that is how males want to be treated.
     Dr. Eggerichs includes testimonials from many other mothers who have tried his idea of "Respect-Talk" and have had much success with their sons.  He writes examples to teach mothers like myself how to use less, "I love you" talk to our sons, and more "I honor you" or "I respect you".  I love the idea and the way it might have the power to change some of my son's negative behaviors just by switching out a few words, even though it might initially feel awkward.

     Here's a quote from page 43 of the book that I love:
     "I discipline you because I love you.  In fact, I discipline you because I believe in you and the man you are becoming.  Truth is, I discipline you as a way of honoring you.  This discipline helps you become more self-disciplined, and eventually my discipline will end.  You will be a disciplined, honorable man.  I am not disciplining you because I want to punish you.  I discipline you to put you back on the path that men of honor walk."
     I also really liked this statement from page 56:
     "Don't allow yourself to feel uncomfortable with the language of honor and respect.  Think of it as a recipe book with six ways to serve chicken.  Would you say, "Wow! They keep repeating the word chicken in ever recipe?"  Exactly!  They are recipes for chicken.  This book is a recipe for Respect-Talk.  It must be part of every verbal meal you give your son."

     SO, if you are as intrigued as I was when I first heard about this book, and would like a chance to win a copy for yourself, just leave me a comment on this blog post!  I'll pick a winner at random next week, Sunday, June 5th.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Under the Sea Holy Bible NIrV--giveaway!!!

I just finished checking out this new Bible, aimed towards kids, age 6-10 years old.  This is not a Bible-story book for toddlers or young children in my opinion.  It is a full Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  There are a 8 full-color pages tucked in throughout the Bible that look similar to this:

Very cute, right?!  Unfortunately, in my opinion, the pictures are a little young for a child who is old enough to read the whole Bible, and not just a picture Bible.  There aren't any other pictures or notes tucked in between the passages either to help kids understand what they have read.  And, for that reason, I'm not super excited about this Bible.  I don't think that our family has a NIrV version on our bookshelf though, so it will be good to keep as a reference for us.

Here are a few links if you would like more information:

Learn More: http://www.zondervan.com/under-the-sea-holy-bible-nirv

Buy Now at these major retailers:

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-the-sea-holy-bible-nirv-zondervan/1122293380?ean=9780310754046

Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sea-Holy-Bible-Nirv/48452341

Family Christian Stores: http://www.familychristian.com/catalog/product/view/id/361924/

If you would like a copy of this Bible for your own family, here's your chance to win one!!!  Just leave me a comment on this post and let me know what your family's favorite Bible is to read.  If you don't have a kids' Bible, and would still like to win this, please still leave me a comment!!!  The giveaway will close in 10 days, and I will draw a random winner.