Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Rasmus and the Vagabond *Book review* + Giveaway


Rasmus and the Vagabond is very popular in Sweden with the title Rasmus pa Luffen. This is just one of the timeless classics written by author Astrid Lindgren. I'm sure you heard of Pippi Longstocking.

About the Book
After running away from an orphanage, nine-year-old Rasmus finds the world a cold and unfriendly place until he befriends an extraordinary tramp called Paradise Oscar. Together they meet more adventure than they ever imagined, solve a mystery, and catch the culprits.
Rasmus dreams of finding a family and a home someday. But when he does, will he be able to part with his new friend and life on the road?

I had the pleasure of reading this story, originally written in 1956, to my children. Rasmus lives in an orphanage and has his daily chores. He hides from Miss Hawk whenever he can. He's not a bad boy, but he does get bored with the same old day-to-day. His little friend Gunnar says they always pick the girls with the curly hair. That leaves Rasmus a little distraught. He begins his plans to run away from the orphanage. 
He eventually runs into Paradise Oscar and the adventures begin.

Such a great book for your family's library.

About the Author



Astrid Lindgren, the creator of Pippi Longstocking, Emil, and dozens of other world-famous characters, has thrilled three generations of children with her storytelling. She is the only children’s author with a literary prize, a theme park, a museum, a satellite, and a minor planet named in her honor. (After this last honor, she suggested changing her name to “Asteroid Lindgren.”) A jury appointed by Swedish Radio’s Culture Department to elect the “Author of the Millennium” voted Astrid Lindgren second after William Shakespeare. She was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal and heaps of other awards and honors.

GIVEAWAY TIME

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. Valid in US & Canada ONLY

Friday, February 6, 2015

Roadmap Genesis *Movie Review* + Giveaway



About The Film

Roadmap Genesis is a film documentary that makes the case that the Book of Genesis is a roadmap containing guideposts on how to live a productive, fruitful, and fulfilling life that will help our society lift itself out of its current decline and return it to prosperity, promise, and accomplishment.

When Filmmaker Nolan Leibovitz found himself at a crossroads in his life, he knew he had to choose between continuing to make the Hollywood suspense thrillers that were his livelihood and trying to make the world a better place for his new young family. After much struggle, he found his answer in the Book of Genesis.
He decided to combine his love of the Book of Genesis with his passion for filmmaking and set out to travel the United States, interviewing clergy and public figures in order to build an undeniable argument about the continued importance of the Book of Genesis as guiding force in our Judeo-Christian country.

Roadmap Genesis invites Americans of all faiths to engage in a dialogue about the relevance of the Bible in the modern age. Lebovitz traveled across the United States. Through interviews ranging from Gov. Mike Huckabee of Fox News Channel to Rabbi David Wolpe, from Alan Dershowitz to the Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Francis George, from Erick Stakelbeck of the Christian Broadcasting Network to Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, and many, many more, Nolan explores the rules that God has set forth to help us maintain a successful and working society. 

The whole time I'm watching this documentary I'm shaking my head at the way the world is today, and nodding my head about all the truths these men and women were sharing about the Book of Genesis and how it is still relevant today. 

One of the gentlemen in the film stated that Genesis means more when we are the creator, like when we have children. It is all relevant today when you read it with that approach. There is a whole new perspective on the words written down. We should all use Genesis as our roadmap!


Lebovitz touches on topics that are valid in today's society such as faith, family, environmental issues, racism, and our relationship with God and the people around us.

This would be a great video for pastors to share with their congregations. I really enjoyed this film.

Don't forget the #RGChallenge

GIVEAWAY TIME
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. ONLY IN US & CANADA

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

TEAM US Marriage Together *Book Review* + Giveaway


The truth is I saw it had a forward by Gary Chapman whose books I love. That's originally what got my nose in the book. It was hard to get into at first because my mind is always scattered, but with a deadline approaching I had to do some of my fancy speed reading while still getting that knowledge into my brain. Such wonderful information packed into this semi-quick read. I love the title....TEAM US...That's what marriage is...a team!

About The Book

What are you agreeing to when you say "I Do"?
When a couple promises "I do," they agree to more than just a shared last name, a joint bank account, and no more dateless nights. This husband and wife duo forms a new team. "Life Together" becomes their mantra. Nothing can come between them. At least, that's the plan.

But then real life sets in. With it comes disappointments and frustrations. If the couple isn't intentional in their day-to-day interactions, that once enthusiastic "we" can slowly revert to "you" and "me." Before long, the couple's left wondering what happened to their team spirit.

Team Us: Marriage Together offers couples practical ways to cultivate and strengthen unity in their marriages. The author shares from her own marriage as she presents couples with realistic ideas on how to foster cooperation, deepen commitment and exercise grace on a daily basis.

This isn't your typical "therapeutic" marriage book. It's filled with insight, humor, and relatable circumstances. I love the little blurbs on the pages by husband Ted. It's great to have the hubby's input when speaking about marriage. We are wired differently, after all. What comes to mind after reading this book is DO NOT GIVE UP! With God, all things are possible, including a lasting marriage when you think all hope is lost. IT'S NOT!!! You are a team! Sure, we don't agree on everything and it takes work. A LOT OF WORK!! It also takes the whole team! Not just the wife changing how she treats situations and frustrations. It's important for the husband to be intentional in his day-to-day interactions with his wife as well. 

My husband and I were friends for 4 years before we even got married. Which means I was loved and pursued, but also "one of the guys" if you know what I mean. We are great friends still, but I've had to remind him in the past that I am his wife too! Heck, he should be feeling pretty blessed that God gave me to him. OK, maybe that's a little overboard ;). But he should! 

I really loved the chapter about conflict. I am like the author there...I avoid at all costs. We used to be so proud of ourselves in the early years of our marriage because we got along too well! Never an argument or disagreement. He would give in and let me be right and vice versa. Well, some years later I realized how unhealthy our marriage was. We NEVER dealt with things that bothered us because we wanted to be that couple that was always happy :). We worked through it, but I can tell you that I hate confrontation still. I shared with a friend that sometimes I get so upset that I get emotional and the tears fall and maybe I just don't want to appear weak in his eyes. Not that I would, but in my mind that's what I think. Or maybe it's because I grew up in a family of yellers. My parents fought and ended up divorced. Maybe some of that is branded into my mind. I really need to give that to God if that's the case. God's giving me the guts to be stronger when it comes to conflict resolution in person. I have a wonderful husband and I wouldn't want to trade him for the world. God is helping us and we are growing in His knowledge every day.

Read The 5 Love Languages...both of you. Discover what your love languages are so you can be successful with your intentional living and loving. That's a great starting point.

This book also touches on being a team when children are added to the equation. Life really does change when you add a couple miniature humans to your everyday routine. 

We must remember that our marriage is not a Hollywood movie. We don't have a prewritten script that will make everything instantly better. It takes real work. We have choices to make every day. My husband and I came from divorced families so from the very beginning we told each other that no matter what we are together forever. When you take out that option it's like you HAVE to work it out because there are no other options. I know I would not be married if God hadn't placed this man in my life. I had a rough upbringing and I despised all the lying, cheating, evil men that roamed the earth. When I gave my life to Christ He changed me and delivered me from those crazy thoughts. So yeah, I'm grateful for the guy He gave me. I need to be careful, not to take advantage of him though. We know we're stuck together, but it's not OK for us to get complacent either. 


"Team Us" Official Book Trailer from Ashleigh Slater on Vimeo.

"Finishing your marriage story well is definitely within your reach, no matter what your history tells you"



Geez Louise! This book brought up so many things! I recommend it to everyone! I'm going to stop rambling and you need to enter this giveaway!

About The Author
Ashleigh Slater is a writer and editor passionate about seeing marriages at every stage thrive. As the founder and editor of the popular webzine Ungrind and a regular contributor at Start Marriage Right and www.iBelieve.com, The Time-Warp Wife, and For the Family, she unites the power of a good story with biblical truth and practical application to encourage couples. She has almost 20 years of writing experience and a master's degree in communication. Ashleigh and her husband, Ted, have been married for more than a decade. They have four daughters and reside in Atlanta, GA. Check out her blog HERE

GIVEAWAY TIME
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.