The Bible Bee Family Discipline Challenge

At times, it can feel overwhelming and intimidating to think about providing Biblical learning at home.  We often think we are unqualified, too busy, or that our kids won't listen.  But, we miss the greatest gift as parents if we don't disciple our kids.  Deuteronomy 6:7 is clear about our responsibility to teach our children God's Truth, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

The Bible Bee Family Discipleship Challenge provides a way to get resources and encouragement as you study with your children.  The Challenge is created by The National Bible Bee and it's ministry partners. 

Step 1:  Register your family for The National Bible Bee.  You'll receive a box on June 1st filled with everything you need to complete the challenge.  The National Bible Bee begins June 1st as contestants learn to inductively study a designated book of the Bible through the Bible Bee’s exclusive “Sword Studies” and memorize Scripture with the help of their Bible Memory cards.

Step 2:  Complete the 12-weeks of study and participate in a local Bible Bee Celebration Day near you on August 25th.

Step 3 (Optional):  If possible, report how your family is enjoying studying the Word together during the summer.  It can be a quick post on The Bible Bee Facebook page, a tweet, or a post on your blog (email us a link to your post).  Just make sure you use the hashtag #BibleBee--that way we can be inspired by each other's progress through the summer.

Prizes:  The Bible Bee comes with an amazing list of prizes for those that compete on at Nationals (visit www.biblebeescholarship.com to see the details). But, there are opportunities to win family discipleship resources throughout the summer by keeping us updated on your progress (as described above).  We have amazing gifts from our ministry parters your family including: Seeds Family Worship,Christian Focus Publications, Franklin Springs Family Media,FamilyLife, Vision Video, Worthy Publishing, Well-Versed Living, and more!

BOOK REVIEW: Every Day A Friday by Joel Osteen

Every Day A Friday:  How to be Happier 7 Days a Week

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (Sep 13 2011)
• Language: English
• 
  

The title comes from research that shows people are happiest on Fridays. 

Pastor Joel Osteen writes how we can generate this level of contentment and joy every day of the week.

Known as a man who maintains a constant positive outlook in spite of circumstances, Osteen has described this message as a core theme of his ministry. Combining his personal experiences with scriptural insights and principles for true happiness, he shows readers how every day can hold the same promise and opportunities for pure joy that they experience at five o'clock on Friday.

Joel Osteen is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Listed by several sources as America's largest and fastest-growing congregation, Lakewood Church has approximately 45,000 adult attendees every week. Millions more watch Joel's messages as they are broadcast on national and international television networks. He resides in Houston with his wife, Victoria, and their children. 

You can visit his website at www.joelosteen.com

Every Day A Friday was an inspirational read, filled with many uplifting and encouraging quotes in order to emphasize the positives in your life.  I found it motivational in many apsects as the author uses many positive key words to keep the reader focused, as well as, sharing many biblical passages to back the claims made throughout the pages.

I enjoyed reading the anecdotes from the bible as well as from Joel's own life experience, it added a nice blend of fact which inspires to give you the whole picture on how your life can change with a few simple techniques.

The book is compiled into seven areas that everyone should focus on in order to change their lives from the negative into the positive.  With chapters like "Don't Give Away Your Power", "Know What To Ignore", "Laugh Often" as well as many others, you will find something to enhance your own personal power with.  You will find something useful to use as a guidepost for creating yourselves a better life.

The book is written in a clear, concise and friendly manner without any pretentiousness or over-compensating bearing.  I would give this a four out of five stars and believe everyone should read this at least once in their lives, especially those who are lost and confused and looking for a positive solution to their misery and depression.

"God promises that when you praise, you will be raised!"

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

BOOK REVIEW: The Star-Crossed Saga: Protostar by Braxton A. Cosby

The Star-Crossed Saga:  Protostar is a YA Romantic Christian Science Fiction.

Civil war is approaching the Torrian Alliance as they strive to kill the "star-children" in order to suppress the evil spreading amongst the galaxy.  Prince William has been ordered by his father, King Gregario, to hunt down a female star-child in order to restore honour and faith to his family.

When William meets seventeen year old Sydney, the star-child, he becomes to learn that she isn't an evil entity and falls in love with her.  They spend much time getting to know one another until the Alliance sends out another party to deal with Sydney.  Without her death, life as William knows it will end and order must be made to right in the Alliances view.

I found the The Star-Crossed Saga to be an okay read.  I wasn't overly fond of the characters and couldn't really relate to them.  I found them to be stiff, overly formal and more often than not, the dialogue fell flat.

I did like Sydney and found her the only focus in the story worthy of reading.  I thought her innocence was a delightful asset to the plot, as she has no clue how she affects others off planet.  I liked how she interacted with the other characters she comes into contact with.

I also enjoyed the back story of the plot, how and why this occurs was an interesting read and was befitting of the story.  I also liked how the author was able to keep from the reader realizing who was actually doing good and who were the evil ones.   He managed to keep the intrigue interesting which also helps keep the story moving forward.

I thought William to be a dry, a tad boring and way too formal for my liking.  I just couldn't connect with him or his plight.  I found his dialogue dull and several times I had to put the book down in order to return. 

I did like the blend of romance with the science fiction but thought there was more emphasis on the love story than science fiction so any diehard sci-fi fans are not going to enjoy this book as much, unless you like romance novels, then you will find this blend to be intriguing.  Author, Braxton A. Crosby, calls this Sci-Fance, though I think Sci-Mance is more in tune to the story. 

I would give The Star-Crossed Saga:  Protostar a three out of five stars.  I can see potential in the author if he loosens up his dialogue a bit and finds a way to express his descriptives in a more flowing manner.  I found the story lacked the momentum it needed to really flourish however, I would definitely give this a chance and look forward to more from Braxton A. Crosby, his potential is there with a bit more experience under his belt!

SYNOPSIS:
It Starts With Choice!

What would you choose: love or irrefutable duty?

On the brink of Civil War, the Torrian Alliance continues with its mission to obliterate Star-children across the universe in order to suppress an intergalactic evil. Following the recommendations of his Council, King Gregorio Derry has agreed to send his only son on a mission to restore honor to his family. Bounty Hunter Prince William Derry has crossed thousands of light-years to planet Earth, in order to fulfill this age old prophetic practice. The quiet days of Madisonburg, Tennessee are officially over as Sydney Elaine now knows the full meaning of the phrase Be careful what you wish for when she is confronted by this strange visitor. As an unforeseeable event delays his assassination, William decides to study his target more closely and begins to form a connection with Sydney that challenges his inner being. But this conflict is the least of his problems, as a conspiracy back on his home planet Fabricius threatens the lives of those he loves and his father s royal legacy. Along with that, he must unravel a hidden menace here on Earth that seeks to secure a vested interest that threatens both his and Sydney s safety. Will William be able to complete his mission or will he choose love, sacrificing everything he stands for?

 

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

New Living Translation Bible Giveaway on FaceBook~!!

We wanted to let you know about a great giveaway happening over at the New Living Translation Facebook page

Starting on November 29^th until December 24^th at the New Living Translation Facebook page they're giving away lots of great prizes and something free for you just for singing up.

By visiting the giveaway entry page (located on the NLT Facebook page, the link is under the profile picture) and entering your name and e-mail address you'll be entered to win the following prizes:

• One random person each day will win a Life Application Study Bible Family Pack (Guys Life Application Study Bible hc, Girls Life Application Study Bible hc, Student's Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible Large Print hc).
• One Random person each week will win an Apple iPad 2!

Everyone that signs up gets a free download copy of the Life Application Bible Study – Book of Luke!