Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski

About the Book:

Dragon Seed (New Growth Press, June 2017)

An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background.

Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book—a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family’s history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you’ll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions!

This page-turning, young adult fiction story invites older children and teens into the real-life struggles of Nick. But it also ushers them into an imaginative exploration of the life of the young man Jesus saved as he wandered through the tombs. Best-selling author Marty Machowski uses both stories to introduce the reality of spiritual warfare and how its shadows affect and change us.

Machowski, a trusted teacher for children of all ages, presents a thoroughly biblical view of spiritual warfare that emphasizes the importance of humility and dangers of pride. Teens will be drawn to the story of Nick and his struggles and will learn, as they read, to also identify the shadows in their own life and turn from them. While the biblical teaching is evident throughout the narrative of Dragon Seed, Machowski also includes a twelve-lesson Bible study at the end of the book to help teens ground their understanding of spiritual warfare on biblical principles.

Youth pastors, leaders, and parents will also want to explore with teens the small group study at the end of the book with its unique take on spiritual warfare that emphasizes the biblical theme of humility. This is a perfect book to read with a group and discuss together the implications of Nick’s struggles for their lives.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the Author:

 

 Marty Machowski is the Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for over 25 years. Marty leads Promise Kingdom, the children's ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is the author of a systematic theology for children entitled "The Ology," "Long Story Short," "Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God," "The Gospel Story Sunday School Curriculum" and the companion "Gospel Story Children's Bible." He and his wife, Lois, and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania area.

Margie’s Comments:

While Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski was written for older children and teens, I loved this book and found it difficult to put down! What a unique way to get a good look at Jesus and who He is and what He did while He was on the earth in man’s form!

Nick is a teen who is struggling against his mother’s good intentions and desires for him. When he fights her decision, she hands him the book and asks him to read it while he is isolated in his room. With nothing else to do, he reads the book. And he, too, finds it difficult to put down. There’s a surprise for him in the reading, but at the end he is ready to listen to the Lord as Lord of his life.

The author finished the book with a twelve-day devotional. These are based on Scripture and on the principles of spiritual warfare

brought out in the story. It’s a good reinforcement to children and teens to see where in Scripture these principles are upheld.

If anyone has a teenager at home (maybe more than one) they are struggling with spiritually, I highly recommend this book for your teen(s) to read. Read it yourself, then have your teen read it. Sooner or later it will lead to some great discussions because of the content.

(I was sent an ebook free from the publisher and the publicity group in exchange for an honest review.)

Experiencing God through His Names by Sheryl Giesbrecht

About the Book

Experiencing God Through His Names (Bold Vision Books, June 2016)

What’s in a name?

Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person’s character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God’s attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. In Experiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God’s character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

 About the Author

Sheryl Giesbrecht has written three books, hundreds of articles, blogs, and columns. A nationally syndicated radio host, Sheryl is a sought after inspirational speaker who facilitates leadership training for thousands internationally.

Margie’s Comments:

It has been over 20 years ago now when my mom challenged me to begin a study on the names of God. I didn’t know then it would become a lifelong study, but I’m always grateful for another book that brings another layer to that study. Sheryl Geisbrecht’s book Experiencing God through His Names is a good one to add to my list. I’ve enjoyed reading this small devotional book. Sheryl takes thirty-one names for God and writes a short devotional for each one. Including her own personal experiences helps to add verisimilitude to each name and gives the reader a modern context for each ancient yet eternal name. If you’ve never done a study on the names of God, this would be a good place to start.

Sword Study Series, 2 Timothy

If you have tried to study the Bible together as a family, you are painfully aware that it has been impossible to find a study that suits every age level in your family . . . until now. The Sword Study series from the Shelby Kennedy Foundation is now available to help you and your family become students of the Word together. The Sword Study series includes materials for everyone from ages 4 to 104.

Organized into different levels according to age, each study provides in-depth material from the same book of the Bible. Each study book is synchronized to cover the same truths at the same time but with graphics and learning tools appropriate for the age group.

• Level 1, for ages 4-7, is an activity book with coloring, drawing, matching and other fun learning tools.
• Level 2, for ages 7-10, contains light reading, fill-in-the-blank, and application sections.
• Level 3, for ages 11-14, involves more investigation and questions for the student to answer.
• Level 4, for teens and adults, steps up the reading and the depth of study including the definition of several Greek or Hebrew terms.
• Level 5 is for the parent or study leader with guidance and background to lead a group of all ages.
  

The Sword Study series, originally created for competitors in The Shelby Kennedy Foundation's National Bible Bee, is now available to everyone for the first time. Families no longer have to compete in the Bible Bee to establish family discipleship in the home with this one-of-a-kind study.  The Sword Study available now is II Timothy. I John is also available to the public and I Peter is scheduled for release in the fall of 2013. A new study is scheduled to be released each year. For more information visit www.swordstudy.org.    

 

About the Shelby Kennedy Foundation
The Shelby Kennedy Foundation exists to help families strengthen their personal relationship with the Lord.  They do this by coming along side parents as they disciple their children through in-depth study of the Word of God, Scripture memory and prayer. For more information visit www.swordstudy.org.   



Margie's Comments: I received all five books (levels of study) in the 2 Timothy study from Glass Road Public Relations in exchange for a review. (This posting was supposed to have happened September 9, but my Internet went down on the 6th and it has just been restored.) I'm very glad I signed up to be part of the blog tour/publicity for this great family oriented Bible study. I wish something like this would have been available when my children were growing up. I love how each age group is involved in active study of the Word of God, complete with age-appropriate worksheets, readings, and memorization. The 5th level I found most helpful for my own study of the Word and for preparing to lead a study with several age groups involved. I will definitely be keeping this in mind for possible use at our small church and for recommending to families who want a Bible study that will engage all age levels.

The Gospel-Centered Woman by Wendy Alsup

About The Gospel-Centered Woman: Understanding Biblical Womanhood through the Lens of the Gospel

Many Christian books written to women claim to present God's good instructions for their lives. Some expound on the value of marriage and children. Many extol the virtues of the Proverbs 31 wife. A good number teach the value of love, submission, and respect in Christian marriages. Though this book deals with these topics, The Gospel-Centered Woman addresses women from an entirely different perspective. The most important part of the Bible's instructions to women center around the gospel. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection brought about a seismic shift in our understanding of Scripture. After His resurrection, His disciples understood words written thousands of years before with a clarity they never had previously. The good news of Christ illuminates all other Scripture, including instructions to women.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/jgKJd          

Meet Wendy: 
 
Wendy Alsup is a wife, mom, and math teacher. She is the author of "Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives" and "By His Wounds You are Healed: How the Message of Ephesians Transforms a Woman's Identity."

Find out more about Wendy at
www.theologyforwomen.org.


Margie's Comments: The Gospel-Centered Woman by Wendy Alsup is an insightful look into true scriptural womanhood, not just the ideal so many want to hold up before us, but God's picture of what He created woman to be. I appreciate the author's dealing of this potentially touchy subject in today's world. She takes us to the very beginning and reminds us that we have been created in God's image for a specific purpose: Just as God is our helper in time of need, so are we to be to those He places in our lives, particularly to our husbands. Once we have learned that our identity comes from Jesus alone, we can move forward into learning from the examples the Lord gives us through Scripture. I appreciate the strong emphasis on Scripture, the logical manner in which the author presents her "arguments," and the room for reflection at the end of each chapter where the reader can journal her thoughts and/or prayers. At the end of the book are discussion questions to use in a small group setting or for the reader's personal meditation on the content of each chapter. I highly recommend this easy-to-read and comprehend study for women of any age and status. It will clear up many misconceptions our "post-modern" world has about the "proper" Christian woman, starting with the heart and moving to the externals.

[This book was provided to me free of charge through Litfuse Publicity for purposes of review.]

Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver

About the book: Lazarus Awakening
Getting God’s Love from Our Heads to Our Hearts

You believe that God loves the world…but sometimes you wonder if He truly loves you.

For many of us, moving the truth of God’s love from our heads to our hearts is a lifelong process. As we consider our inadequacies or grieve our shattered dreams, we find it difficult to believe that God cares for us personally.

In this life-giving book, Joanna Weaver shows you how to embrace the truth that Jesus loves you apart from anything you accomplish, apart from anything you bring. Just as He called Lazarus forth to new life, Jesus wants to free you to live fully in the light of His love, unbound from the graveclothes of fear, regret, and self-condemnation.

Love is calling your name.

Combining unforgettable real-life illustrations with unexpected biblical insights, Joanna Weaver invites you to experience a spiritual resurrection that will forever change your understanding of what it means to be the one Jesus loves. Bible study and Leader’s Guide available here. http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/books/lazarus-awakening/





Margie's Comments: Having taught the last two books at our Wednesday evening Bible studies, I'm very glad to see this new book from Joanna Weaver. In my first read-through, I found much to challenge me to grow in my walk with my beloved Savior, and much to reaffirm what He's already teaching me. I really appreciate Joanna's emphasis on the Word of God as necessary for spiritual growth. If you benefited from the studies in Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World or Having a Mary Spirit, you will benefit from Lazarus Awakening. If you struggle with the concept of God's intense and personal love for you as I have, then you will benefit from reading and studying Lazarus Awakening. 


About Joanna:
Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. These two books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into several languages including Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, German, Korean and more. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. Past appearances include: The Harvest Show, At Home Live With Chuck & Jenni, Midday Connection, HomeWord, and Janet Parschall’s America. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor’s wife. For more information about Joanna, please visit her website. www.joannaweaverbooks.com <http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/> .

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Lazarus-Awakening-Finding-Place-Heart/dp/0307444961/ref=sprightly-20

 

Joanna is celebrating the release of Lazarus Awakening with the Heart of God KINDLE Giveaway!

In Lazarus Awakening Joanna writes about getting God’s love from our heads to our hearts. We all know Jesus loved Mary – look how she worshiped. And we can understand why He loved Martha – after all, look how she served. But what about those of us who don’t know where we fit in the heart of God? Lazarus Awakening explores the tale of the third follower – Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus. We never hear him speak, we never see him serve. The only thing of any significance that Lazarus did was to die. And yet, the Bible is clear. Jesus loved Lazarus. And He loves you and me as well. Lazarus Awakening looks at different aspects of the story we find in John 11. We learn what it means to be a friend of God and begin recognizing the tombs we spend far too much time in. Find out more here.

 One grand prize winner will receive:

    * A Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi

    * Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World

    * Having A Mary Spirit

    * Lazarus Awakening

Joanna will also select two additional contest entrants to receive copies of her trilogy. Enter soon by clicking the icons below and then tell your friends. Hurry the contest ends April 16th. The winner will be announced on Joanna's blog on April 18th.