The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible

God’s Spirit is living among God’s people.

He always was, always is, and always will be.

These are the stories that tell about him and what he does.

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible, written by Doris Rikkers and illustrated by Fernando Juarez, presents over 40 Bible stories from the old and new testaments that show how God’s Spirit has been with his people from the beginning of time. Keep reading to learn more about this new release from ZonderKidz!

You can also enter to win a copy of The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible and other awesome kids' releases in a giveaway hosted by Read with Audra. Details below!

Would you like to win your own copy of

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible?

Win a children's book prize pack from Read with Audra!

The prize pack includes a copy of:

Spirit of God Illustrated Bible

Adventure Bible Book of Daring Deeds and Epic Creations

NIV Kids Visual Study Bible

Explorer's Bible Guide

Words to Love By

Love Letters from God 

Enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8b3c91bb1/

About the book:

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible brings to life more than 40 Bible stories that help readers understand that God’s Spirit has been with us since the beginning of time and continues to be with us today. From the glory of creation through the powerful letters of Paul, God’s Spirit is living in his people. Old and New Testament stories such as Adam and Eve, Abraham, Joseph, the Baptism of Jesus, and Pentecost come alive with dramatic illustrations by Fernando Juarez and moving text by Doris Rikkers. With a cover that sparkles and shines with foil, this is a special storybook Bible that will appeal to both children and parents alike.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

If I settle on the far side of the sea,

Even there your hand will guide me,

Your right hand will hold me fast.

~ Psalm 139: 7–10

About the author and illustrator:

Doris Wynbeek Rikkers is a freelance writer and editor who has written many bestselling children’s books and Bibles. Although she loves the ocean, she lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, surrounded by her books, her flower gardens, and her family and friends.

Spanish artist Fernando Juarez illustrates children’s books and also works as an art supervisor at the Madrid studio Ilion Animation. The company produces 3D feature films for children. Fernando has three kids himself, and if he has any time left after work and family, you might catch him playing guitar in a rock band.

My Thoughts:
 I love the premise of this Bible. Frances Chan has a book called The Forgotten God, about the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately that label is all too true today. The role of the Holy Spirit is so often overlooked or forgotten, and I believe that is especially true with kids. Some of the stories chosen for this Bible Story book are not necessarily the typical ones that you see in every other Kid's Picture Bible. They all focus on stories where the Holy Spirit is named as an active participant. 

 My one complaint is that I don't necessarily like that it seems the Spirit is depicted as smoke-like wisps across most of the pages. I feel like that takes away from who He is, and is inaccurate in that we do not always see smoke when the Holy Spirit is alive and working in and around us. 

What I love is that this Bible opens the door to wonderful conversation with your children about the Spirit's role in our everyday lives. It is an important topic to teach and nurture in your children. I know I want my children to know and be open to the Spirit's promptings and work as He counsels and equips us to love and follow Christ. 

Welcome to Kingdom Come Series Blog Tour and giveaway, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Dangerous to Know

I haven't finished this book yet. I started it yesterday and am 2/3rd of the way through. I have to admit that I am enjoying it. I am not a huge fan of the cover. I don't read a ton of straight romances and I find the image a little cheesy. My husband actually teased me about it; however the expression "don't judge a book by its cover" is valid here. If I had not been offered a copy to review, I may not have picked up this book and that would have been a mistake.

Now, since I haven't finished it yet, I can't vouch for a good ending, but I am crossing my fingers. Where I am now, poor Isabella Bankmill is surely headed for disaster. It is midnight and my book is still open on my lap. I had to set it aside to post my review because it was due today! 

Dangerous to Know is a quick read that stirs emotions and questions and has kept me turning pages. I am looking forward to seeing how Isabella handles the dilemma in which she finds herself. While I did find some of the relationships/feelings in the story seemed a little contrived, I am rooting for Izabella to make the right decision and rely on the Lord to lead her in that decision. I would recommend this book to others, probably giving in 3/5 stars, and I am planning to check out Megan Whitson Lee's other books via her website at www.meganwhitsonlee.com. 

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Giveaway!

Either my comments are not working or no one wants a copy of Charles Martin's A Long Way Gone. My guess is you already have it, because Martin is a fabulous author, and this book looks so good.

My new giveaway this week is Rachel Hauck's The Wedding Chapel! This is another one that sounded so good to me that I purchased in twice. Tells you something about me, doesn't it?

How many of you buy books from Ollie's? I have left that store a couple of times with no books and been devastated that I couldn't find any I wanted because usually I need extra time to reduce my stack to a manageable pile! Anyway, here is your chance to win a free brand new copy of The Wedding Chapel. Just comment below for a chance.

Here is the synopsis from Amazon: 

A lonely wedding chapel built as a tribute to lost love just might hold the long-awaited secret to hope and reconciliation.

For sixty years, the wedding chapel has stood silent and empty. Retired football hall-of-famer Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook built the chapel by hand, stone by stone, for his beautiful and beloved Collette Greer, whom he lost so many years ago. The chapel is a sanctuary for his memories, a monument to true love, and a testament to his survival of the deepest pain and loss.

Photographer Taylor Branson left her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, to make a new life for herself in New York. She had lots to run away from, not least of all a family history of broken promises and broken dreams. Love catches Taylor off guard when she falls for Jack Forester, a successful advertising executive, and their whirlwind romance leads to an elopement—then to second guesses. Jack, in spite of his very real love for Taylor, is battling his own demons and struggles to show her his true self and the depths of his love for her.

Taking a photography assignment in Heart’s Bend, Taylor is thrown back into a past of family secrets buried deep beneath the sands of time. When Taylor and Coach’s journeys collide, they each rediscover the heartbeat of their own dreams as they learn that the love they long to hold is well worth the wait.

The Hunter and the Valley of Death

I love allegories and symbolism in novels. I love digging deeper into the meaning behind the story and learning something new.

The Hunter and the Valley of Death is filled with symbolism. This is the first book in The Psalm Series and is based on Psalm 23. The Psalms themselves are rich with imagery and lyrical language, and Psalm 23 is one of the most well-loved chapters in the Bible. It is the perfect place to start a thought-provoking and challenging new series that will drive you straight back to the Bible.  I found images in this book that correlated with a number of different scriptures/stories outside of Psalm 23 as well.

The Hunter and the Valley of Death illustrates one's struggle with loss and God's faithfulness in spite of our unfaithfulness. It is a fast read with vivid images like our adoption as sons and daughters of the King, anointing heads and overflowing cups, resting beside still waters, a literal journey through the valley of death, and the King sacrificing Himself to save us.  Some connections required a brief explanation at the end of the book, others may still be waiting to be discovered during a second read through.

This book does its job by creating memorable images and drawing readers to the Word.  My only complaint is that I wanted a little more from both the story and the brief study at the end.
It releases July 2 in e-book format, but is available for pre-order now for only $0.99. The second installment is Psalm 137 by Mesu Andrews, followed by Psalm 42 by Carole Towriss. Both of these are $0.99 pre-order as well, and I am looking forward each of them.
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What to Read Next?

I literally have hundreds of books lining the wall of my basement, probably hundreds more ebooks waiting to be read on my kindle. But I thought I'd share my immediate TBR list! Here are the books I hope to read this summer:

 Can You See Anything Now? by Katherine James

 The Hunter and the Valley of Death by Brennan McPherson

 The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Freedom's Ring y Heidi Chiaveroli

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron 

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk

The Last Disciple by Hank Hanegraaf and Sigmund Brouwer

The Promise of Jesse Woods by Chris Fabry

Joanna A Story of Love and Betrayal by Gene Everett Weatherly

This is what I currently have planned to read next, but you will probably understand if I stray from this list some! Something new may catch my eye, or a different book may jump out of the shelf at me one day! Anyway, what are you reading now?

Giveaway Time!! Long Way Gone

I've been so excited to be able to read again and blog again that I've been buying books like crazy. It seems on my recent trips to Ollie's that I have purchased some doubles.  I really must want to read these books! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to host some giveaways!  This week's offering is Long Way Gone by Charles Martin.

From the back cover:
At the age of eighteen, musician and songwriter Cooper O'Connor took everything his father held dear and drove 1,200 miles from home to Nashville, his life riding on a six-string guitar and the bold wager that he had talent. But his wager soon proved foolish.  

Five years after losing everything, he falls in love with Daley Cross, an angelic voice in need of a song. But just as he realizes his love for Daley, Cooper faces a tragedy that threatens his life as well as his career. With nowhere to go, he returns home to the remote Colorado mountains, searching for answers about his father and his faith.   

When Daley shows up on his street corner twenty years later, he wonders if it's too late to tell her the truth about his past -- and if he is ready to face it himself.  

A radical retelling of the prodigal son story, Long Way Gone takes us from tent revivals to the Ryman Auditorium to the tender relationship between a broken man and the father who never stopped calling him home.  

We have so much to learn from the stories and parables of the Bibles. For a chance to win a new hardcover copy of Long Way Gone, comment with your favorite Bible story or verse! And don't forget to tell your friends to visit for a chance to win too! Winner will be posted here next week With more giveaways to come!