Confessions of a Prodigal Son ~ Review

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this DVD by Family Christian in exchange for an honest review. This post may also contain affiliate links.

Growing up, I always loved hearing the story of the prodigal son. So, when I first heard that there was a movie being made about the prodigal son, I started checking it out. It looked like it was going to be a great movie, so I added it to my to buy list. Also, I found out that this was written by a homeschooled young man whose mother just happened to be Sally Clarkson. I love Sally Clarkson!

About the movie:
Confessions of a Prodigal Son is about a son who wants to leave his parents and live life on his own. His parents agree and give him some money. He then has to prove he can manage on his own for two years before receiving the rest of his money from his parents. He runs around with the wrong crowd. He friends a beautiful girl who is on her own journey to find answers.

My Review:
I loved this movie! Although the acting is sometimes not great and some parts may have moved a little slow, this movie was great overall. I really wish they would have shown more at the end when the prodigal son returns to his family because I feel that is the most important part of the story. This movie was great at portraying a modern day prodigal and would be great to show to high school students or above. I was hoping it would be more family friendly, but I am going to wait to show this to my children until they are a little older. Overall I give this movie 4 stars!

Watch the trailer below and go buy yourself a copy from Family Christian:

The Action Bible ~ Review and $25 Family Christian Giveaway

*Disclaimer: I received a free  copy of  The Action Bible  from Family Christian in exchange for an honest review. This post may also contain affiliate links.*

My children love reading through comic books. I was very happy to be picked to review The Action Bible from Family Christian. I had never seen one of these before and was surprised at how big it is. This book has over 700 pages of stories from the Bible in chronological order. It is a nice hardcover book and has beautiful colorful illustrations on each page that go along with the story.

My boys, ages 13 and 11, were the ones most interested in this book from our family. They loved reading through each story and loved all of the pictures.  This Bible is not a traditional Bible and I think that is what drew my boys to reading through this. Yes, we read through the Bible each night during devotions, but The Action Bible has brought the stories to life through the illustrations.  

I highly recommend The Action Bible to anyone that has children. Right now it is on sale for $13.49 (originally $26.99). I have a giveaway for a $25 certificate from Family Christian. Enter using the rafflecopter below.


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Prize will be sent out by Family Christian. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.

Lucado Treasury Of Bedtime Prayers ~ Book Review

*Disclaimer: I received a free  copy of  Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers  from Family Christian in exchange for an honest review. This post may also contain affiliate links.*

I remember as a child reading from a treasury of prayer book as a child. I don't remember what prayer book, but I do remember the poems and prayers in that book. I was given the opportunity to review Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers by Max and Denalyn Lucado.

I want my children to remember the prayers and poems we read before bedtime each night when they are older and have children of their own. This book is a nice hardcover book that your child will treasure forever. The poems and prayers have colorful illustrations along with them. There is also a ribbon bookmark to keep your place or to keep your favorite poem. These prayers, poems, and verses are not just for bedtime though. There are prayers for several holidays, prayers for meals, morning prayers, and more.

I read this book with my daughters, ages 9 and almost 4. My nine year old still likes being read to and enjoyed the illustrations and poems. My 4 year old loved the poems and prayers and would keep asking for more each night.

I really liked that this book had a note to the parents in the front that explained why we should teach our children to pray. The illustrations were colorful and the poems, prayers, and verses were just the right length to keep their attention right before bed (even if my younger daughter did want to keep reading the whole book).

One of our favorite poems is as follows:

For Everything!
Thank You, God, for doodlebugs that roll in a ball.
Thank You for the forts we build out in the hall.
Thank You for rain and snow and days in the sun.
Thank You for bikes and trikes and pink bubblegum,
Thank You for music and toys and bells that ring.
Thank You, God, Yes, thank You, God, for everything!

Be sure to get your copy today from Family Christian.

Growing Your Faith ~ 7th Grade Devotional Book Review

*Disclaimer: I received a free  copy of  7th Grade Devotional~ Growing Your Faith  from Family Christian in exchange for an honest review. This post may also contain affiliate links.*

I am always trying to find a good devotional for my 7th grade son. I've wanted to find something that doesn't take a lot of time and something that is geared for his age group. Enter the 30 Day Devotional: 7th Grade by Lars Rood. Family Christian offered this devotional to us to try it out. 

About the devotional:
This 30-day devotional for seventh grade students offers helpful guidance on dealing with and understanding yourself and others as you grow in your faith. Each devotion includes a Think About section, a God Thought, and an Active section that encourages you to apply key truths in the devotion. The book also features interactive elements to talk through pieces of this with friends, family, youth leaders and other adults.

There are three sections in the devotional which are as follows;
~ Owning your faith, shaping your faith
~ Maturing in mind, shaping your thoughts
~Maturing in body, shaping the whole you

How my son used this 30 day devotional:
My son used this book during his personal devotional time each day. He read through the little story for each devotion, read any scripture that accompanied the story, and answered the questions for the devotional. 

What my son thought about this devotional:
My son liked that the stories and passages were short and didn't take a lot of time. He also said that the questions the author asked made him think. I was able to look through the devotional before giving it to my son and I liked that the stories were written especially for middle school age children. The questions make them think (and open up to parents) and the passages are relevant to the stories.

This devotional is only $6.99 and available in store at this time (not online). 

I also have a giveaway for a $10 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate. Enter using the rafflecopter below. 



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Noah's Ark Veggie Tales ~ Review

*Disclaimer: I received a free screener copy of Veggie Tales ~ Noah's Ark from Family Christian in exchange for an honest review. This post may also contain affiliate links.*

I have been a Veggie Tales fan since I was in college. I love them and when my first son was born, I made sure to introduce him to Veggie Tales at a young age. Now all four of my children love Veggie Tales and have seen them all multiple times. When I had the chance to review the newest Veggie Tale, Noah's Ark, I was so excited.

About Noah's Ark:
Noah and his family together with a zoo full of animals take an adventure aboard an orange slice ark. After 40 days and nights of rain, everyone's faith has been tested, and they're ready to jump ship. Will they chart a new course, or will they remember to trust God's promises?

My (and my kids) Review:
Noah's Ark is the first video to introduce the new look of the veggies. My boys, who are now almost 13 and 11, said that they liked the story, but didn't like the new look of the veggies.
My girls, ages 9 and almost 4, loved this new Veggie Tales story. My almost 4 year old watched it one time and had some of the songs memorized. She loves Veggie Tales and has now watched this one at least 4 times.
I enjoyed Noah's Ark very much. They were able to tell this story in a fun and vivid way. The songs are catchy and even though the story was not the exact story from the Bible, it still told the truths children need to know. We all enjoyed watching the video and learning to trust God at all times.

Before Amen ~ Book Review

*This post may contain affiliate links. This is a sponsored post for Family Christian. All opinions are my own.*

In his book, Before Amen ~ The Power of a Simple Prayer, Max Lucado takes us through what he calls a pocket prayer. The pocket prayer is just twenty one words long, but simple enough to remember when praying throughout the day. Each chapter is devoted to a phrase in the prayer. Lucado explains each phrase through stories, Bible lessons, and every day situations.

What is the pocket prayer? It's a simple eight phrase prayer that everyone can easily remember.

Father...Lucado explains to us that in reality, this word, means Daddy. Even if we are just able to utter the words "Oh Father" in our prayer, our Father, God, will hear us and helps us. He already knows our needs.

As he goes through each phrase in the prayer, we learn something about that phrase and how it helps us when we whisper that phrase to God.

You are good...God is good all the time. We should trust him because he is good to us and takes care of us.

I need help...When we are in need of help, all we need to do is pray.

Heal me...Are you under the weather today? Are you waiting on some news from the doctor about some tests you had done? Pray this simple phrase for God's healing touch. "If Jesus heals you instantly, praise him. If you are still waiting for healing, trust him. Your suffering is your sermon."

Forgive me...When we confess our sins to God through prayer, he forgets our sins. We are to confess our sins throughout the day. God knows we are not perfect and he forgives and forgets each time.

They need help...What happens when you have friends or family going through a difficult time and you can't help? You just call their name to God and he will help them. "You are never more like Jesus than when you pray for others."

Thank you...We are to thank God for everything in our life. Even if we are dying from cancer, we are to thank God. Everyone can find at least one thing to be thankful for. Have you thanked God today?

In Jesus' Name...When Jesus speaks, the wind and the waves obey. Even Satan must obey Jesus. "Prayers offered in the name of Jesus have 'divine power to demolish strongholds' (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV)."

This book was a great book to read, especially right now at the beginning of the year. Prayer is something I can use some help with, I loved the pocket prayer idea and it is so easy to remember that I find myself praying more often for my needs, others needs, and just thanking God for all that he has done. I enjoyed reading this book on prayer. The book also includes a study guide at the end for each chapter. The study guide goes into more depth with scripture reading, memorizing scripture, and ideas to use for praying. There is also a prayer strengths guide at the end.





















About the author:
More than 120 million readers have found inspiration and encouragment in the writings of max Lucado. He serves the people of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife Denalyn, and a sweet but misbehaving mutt, Andy.

*DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL PROVIDED: I received a copy of this book from the Family Christian for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.*