40 Answers to Teens Questions

My first grandchild has hit puberty. He is sullen, unresponsive, and perpetually angry with rules and consequences. When I saw the preview of this resource, it looks like what we need to manage the turmoil and mood swings of this thirteen year old.  Forty Answers to Teens Questions, written by Dr. Gregory Lantz and his teenage son Gregg Jantz, Jr. The unique thing about this book is the notes to teenagers from Gregg Jr. and the experience of talking through his response to his dad’s advice. Some of the questions are on difficult issue like pornography, sex, girls and periods, changing the rules. As a psychologist Jantz understands the teen’s point of view. Each of the 40 questions has a parent’s note to encourage conversations between teens and parents and how to engage in different topics. Use these as opportunities to undertake this journey through puberty with your child and gift him with an easier rite of passage.  This resource was given to me by Rose Publishing for a fair and unbiased review.

The Book of Ruth, Hope Fulfilled in the Redeemer’s Grace

When I decided to do a bible study on Ruth, I remembered the sample lesson of Redeemed: Seeing the Messiah in the Book of Ruth, DVD Kit.  I reviewed the participants guide and the leader’s guide in July of 2016. Later I realized that Sam Nadler had written a companion book: The Book of Ruth, Hope Fulfilled in the Redeemer’s Grace. It is so in-depth and explains the power of grace that overflows, that satisfies, that restores and redeems. It also gives the flow of the book from the viewpoint of faithful Ruth, then Naomi shift from bitter to blessed, then Boaz as the bridegroom. Ruth, a short book in the Bible yet these thirteen chapters and 248 pages contain more than enough information to satisfy. Sam Nadler is a Jewish believer in Jesus and has a special investment in spreading the “Good News” to Jews and Gentiles alike. This book is an excellence resource to enhance my teaching as I use the Ruth PowerPoint and the DVD kit to show ladies the true kinsman redeemer our Lord Jesus Christ

Handling Stress Bible Study

June Hunt starts her study with a favorite scripture I share often in my ministry Matthew 11:28-30. We all long for rest and freedom from stress. My sister had driven 3 hours for a quick overnight stay to visit a cousin in rehab. Complications changed her plans dramatically and she was frustrated and stressed.  Stress is defined as pressure often self-induced, some negative and some positive. Hunt uses Abraham Lincoln and the Apostle Paul to show how the two men differed in handling their stress. Many lined sheets are included to ponder the reasons for our stress and how scripture can help us cope. Psalm 22 shows how David cried out to the Lord in his distress. Chapter 2 uses a traffic light to illustrate the four stages of stress from no light-“insufficient stress” to the color red light-“burnout.” I never thought about insufficient stress as causing lack of purpose and unproductive. This book seems more of a journal for pondering our own experiences with stress. Coincidentally, Hunt reveals a side of Lincoln that I had never discovered. Checklists for monitoring your stress are very helpful. Sessions 4-7 give causes for stress and the biblical solutions for stress. I can see this is a resource that could be used for self reflection as well as teaching. This book was given to me by Rose for an honest review.

Who I am in Christ

As I sit at my computer praying for wisdom to answer the questions of people seeking purpose in their life. I can see many verses in this pamphlet that will give lonely and hurting people a reason to keep on. So many people, women especially, see themselves through the reflection in the mirror. If they only knew where to find all these verses in the bible, it could make a difference. This compact 5.5 x 8.5 pamphlet could fit neatly in a bible or purse or glove compartment with 30 descriptions of your life in Christ. This would be great to buy in bulk and pass out to teenagers, divorcees, widows who are grieving for what they do not have. This resource tells them who they are! My teenage daughter for so long was trapped in trying to please friends and receive confirmation through others. Now as a mature Christian she knows her identity in Christ. It filled my heart with joy that she listed "Daughter of the King" on her Facebook profile. This resource was given to me for an honest review.

Grace and the Preacher

At 23 Grace feels like a spinster. Her uncle is retiring from the ministry and has sent for a young preacher who is exchanging letter with Grace. Can you fall in love with someone sight unseen? Well the town gossips have seen the change in Grace. But that is only half of the story. Theophil is dumped with his cousins after his grandmother dies. When they get out of jail, they are coming after him for not helping with the train robbery. Theophil meets the preacher while he is running. What a twist of circumstances. Kim Vogel is one of my favorite authors. Clean and wholesome with plenty of action.

Anger June Hunt

I cannot believe that I missed this pamphlet by June Hunt. Not so much that I am plagued by anger, (Since I dedicated my life to the work of the Lord, anger has not been an issue.) but as a school teacher and a church leader I encounter the anger of other who disagree with my methods or my ideas. People do not realize that anger is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die. Bitterness will ruin your health and your relationships. As a teacher I enjoy alliteration and this mini book is full of it. Realize your unresolved anger, (my daughter has a hard time forgiving) Revisit your root feeling,(is it pride, hurt, fear) Release, your right to be angry, (this is a big issue for women)Recognize your need to forgive, Rejoice in what God is teaching you, Restore your relationship, Receive God's love for you personally, Reflect Christ's Love. I especially found the comparisons of  forgiveness and reconciliation.

First Steps Together

What a beautiful book to behold. The bold colors and bright outlines around the Baby Bites and Toddler Tips is inviting. When I first agreed to review this book I thought it was similar to others I had seen and would be a simple little lesson that toddlers could understand, maybe a little activity or story. But this books seems like a How To-grow your own spiritual life in order to live it for your children. The last section of the book is “Modeling” in front of your children spiritual disciplines: modeling prayer, modeling giving, modeling honor and modeling service. How wonderful to show young parents how to model. This resource is full of personal stories and tales of leaning on God while learning how to parent. One of my favorite sections is the Trail Map getting to know God and listing his attribute. Each of the 52 devotions has a Meditate-on scripture; Anticipate-reflection questions; and Relate-sharing encouragement; Touch Point Activities featuring 12 different types. Some of my favorite Psalms are used in the meditations. Thank you Rose Publishing allowing me the privilege of reviewing this resource.

Bible Timelines and Overview Bible Insert

What a wealth of information in one compact resource! The fact that it fits in your bible makes it available and easy to assess a large amount of valuable information. As a bible study teacher, I have pages upon pages of study material scatter around with my laesrt teaching projects. The prophecies fulfilled by Jesus and the parables of Jesus are neatly contained in this bible insert. The various timelines are priceless to teachers and students alike. The Old Testament and World History timeline would have been invaluable when studying the book of Daniel. The New Testament and World History timeline shows dates of Paul’s journeys alongside coordinating dates of books written by other NT writers. This is phenomenal! I flipped from study bible chapter introductions to commentaries to find all this information handily packaged and ready for study. I cannot wait for this to be published and gift many of my friends with this insert. Rose Publishing asked me to preview this PDF for a fair and honest review.

Leaders Guide- Redeemed, Seeing the Messiah in the Book of Ruth

Redeemed, Seeing the Messiah in the Book of Ruth by Sam Nadler is splendidly done. The Leaders Guide is a necessary companion for the six DVD sessions or the Ruth PowerPoint program. Helpful hints for leading a bible study are timely and helpful. Each section begins with a title page with points: KNOW, READ, MEMORIZE, ASK, and KEY VERSE for each of the six sessions. This is also available in the participants guide. Instructions for the leader to establish Goals for the participants, and what preparation is needed before the teaching session are very useful. The viewers’ guide and discussion questions are included. The “Principles Gleaned” section in this leader guide is a great way to wrap up each session. Although this could be used for a diverse group, I plan to use this study for my Sunday Bible Study. The sessions are timed for an hour of time but I will be limited to a shorter time and the ladies can take home some of the questions to prepare for the next week. Thank you Rose for allowing me to review this product for free.

Redeemed, Seeing the Messiah in the Book of Ruth Participant Guide

Redeemed, Seeing the Messiah in the Book of Ruth by Sam Nadler is splendidly done. The Participant Guide is a wonderful accompaniment with session outlines, viewers guide to the DVD sessions, discussion and application questions and lined pages for note-taking. The sheets for each of the six sessions provide thought provoking questions and allow the participant to carry home lessons to ponder and study in depth.  Each session begins with a title page with points: KNOW, READ, MEMORIZE, ASK, and KEY VERSE. Excellent information in table form and charts highlights the Judges of Israel and the characters in Ruth as well as the Prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. Seeing Christ is the book of Ruth links the Old Testament to the New Testament. It is inspiring to see God work out His plan for Ruth a Moabite and outsider to produce share in the lineage of our Savior and King Jesus. Thank you Rose for allowing me to review this product for free.

Ruth PowerPoint

My pastor’s wife wants me to teach the book of Ruth for our next bible study. I had reviewed the several resources about Ruth. This PowerPoint presentation and its’ supplemental resources are just what I need. There is a helpful table explaining Hebrew meanings of the main characters names. This adds details that seem almost prophetic. The death of Naomi’s husband and her sons present a dilemma for a widow has no right to property. The cultural tradition requires Opal and Ruth to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi in her plight, but Naomi releases the women to return to their own families. The Hebrew word hesed means loving kindness and mercy, yet Ruth takes loyalty, compassion, and love beyond what is simply required. We can see the love of Christ in this story. The explanation of traditions and treatment of women in that culture gives insight to the difficult situation of Naomi and Ruth even more so than the trial of Job. Rose allowed me to review this resource for my honest opinion.