Book Review: Then Sings My Soul, Special Edition

Because I really enjoyed the original Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan, I was very excited to receive the special edition from Booksneeze sometime in November. Obviously, it has taken me a long time to review this one, for many reasons. For one thing, my husband stole it for December sermon preparation. I can see how it would be very good for that purpose.

But really, I'm having a hard time reviewing because I was disappointed. I liked the original so much, and I was sad to find that 76 of the 150 songs in this "special edition" were exactly the same songs AND entries as in the earlier edition. I expected a little overlap in the songs, especially since the first one had a few Christmas and Easter hymns in it already. But over half of the book is exactly the same as the first. Granted, the additions to this edition (sorry) are good songs- great holiday hymns and some of the old standards that we sang in my small Baptist church growing up. I was a little concerned about the "patriotic" section, but that is based on my own opinion of the blurring lines between Christianity and Nationalism. Basically, my biggest disappointment was that there wasn't enough NEW stuff.

That being said, if you don't already own a copy of the first one, Then Sings My Soul: Special Edition is a great book with lots of amazing and inspiring insight to the origin of some of our favorite hymns. If you do, be prepared for some de ja vu.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Review: Adventures in Booga Booga Land

This was the first time I requested a Dvd from the Booksneeze blogger program. I hoped it would provide something fun and new for my girls to watch on their recent trip to Ohio. I was not disappointed.

I have to be honest. I'm not usually a fan of "Christian subculture" movies or cartoons (Veggietales being the major exception). Sometimes it seems that the church is trying to do the same thing as mainstream media, just with a smaller budget. And this Dvd was not high-budget by any means. Truthfully, I don't know if I would have bought this at my local Christian bookstore before viewing it with my girls. But now, I'd absolutely buy another Booga Booga Land video.

Not only does it completely crack up my kiddos (even the 50th time) but it also presents three parables of Jesus in a way they'll understand and remember. However, the application is minimal- it's more of an illustration or a conversation starter for parents. This isn't a complaint, just a disclaimer. It doesn't break things down as well as the previously mentioned cucumber and tomato. But that's what moms are for, right?

This Dvd has three different stories, conveying three different parables: the workers in the vineyard, the wise and foolish builders, and the lamp hidden under a bowl. The main characters, Marty the monkey and Gerard the giraffe, are likable and funny. The content and music is a little silly, but not overly obnoxious as cartoons go. My only complaint is the cartoon violence- it's a little reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote or Yosemite Sam (Marty is a little accident-prone). For my kids, it is absolutely hilarious, but to me it is a little unnecessary and just a cheap way to keep the laughs coming.

Still, if they are laughing and learning truths from Scripture, I can't complain. And it's MUCH better than Spongebob! Just kidding... sort of.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Book Review: Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, adapted by Tama Fortner

First, can I just say how excited I was that my newest free Booksneeze selection came so quickly? And since this one was a daily devotional, I was able to read through it and get a great feel for it without reading it in its entirety. (Since they don't require this of their reviews for Bibles, I'm hoping/assuming the same applies for a year-round devotional format).

I was hoping this devotional book, Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids would be a little more age appropriate for my five-year-old, because it is very hard to find "deeper" stuff for beginning readers. I'd say this book is more for older elementary school aged children, or perhaps even middle-schoolers. It would depend on the maturity level and spiritual depth of the child.

Each devotion (one for every day of the calendar year) has a scripture verse at the top and then a few paragraphs to illustrate, explain or apply the verse. At the bottom there is a small "Read on your own" bubble with more scripture for further reading. I liked the themes I read: casting worries on God, praising in the midst of a hard day, dreaming big but realizing God's plans are even bigger, etc. The devotions seem to be a little more personal, a little deeper, than many I've seen for children. I really like this about it. But one way in which this was accomplished was by writing the devotion from God, in first person.

Let me be clear: I believe God can and does speak to and through people all the time. And I think someone writing a devotional book for people of any age should be inspired to do so. I also found nothing questionable or in disagreement with scripture in Sarah Young's content. And truth be told, as far as interpretation of Scripture goes I'm not very conservative. But I still struggle with the implied authority her words achieved by writing as if it is God speaking. I think it might be confusing for kids to discern between scripture and devotion. It also reminds me a bit of something like "Conversations with God," and I am just not comfortable with people writing what they hear God speak to them and publishing it for others. Even if their word from God really was just that, it was theirs. Again, everything Ms. Young writes is solid, scripture-inspired and true, and she writes in her introduction that "the Bible is the only perfect word of God." I do not think it is her intention to put words in God's mouth or speak with God's authority, but rather to help kids to hear "Jesus Calling" in their own lives, speaking directly to them. My concern is that kids might be confused by this, especially if another book comes along not as thoughtful or scriptural as Ms. Young's.

I'm debating whether or not I'm going to hang on to this book for when my girls get older. I really like the messages, but I'd definitely have to be sure they understood who (or Who) wrote which parts. I want my girls to grow up with a love for God, His Word, and people. And I want them to question things and understand (eventually) that we don't all agree and that there are many people out there saying stuff for Jesus that I don't think He would ever say. I pray they learn to discern the difference and to find wise people and writings to help them grow, to seek Him and to try to live lives abiding in and sharing His love.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”