Flyby Review: Awaken Love - The Song

Have you ever read the book of the Song of Solomon with your spouse?  Or do you avoid it like the plague?  Who on earth decided that book should be part of the Bible, anyway??!!

Believe it or not, God wants us to have a good relationship with our spouse, sexually and otherwise.  He created it all!  In Awaken Love - The Song, Kyle and Desirae Idleman take couples through the Song of Solomon together.  Why was Solomon's beloved insecure?  Have you ever felt that way?  What did Solomon do to calm her vulnerability and to become intimate with her?  No, the devotional is not X-rated, but it is for married couples. The information contained in it is not exactly earth-shattering, but studying it together can help you and your spouse become more intimate and awaken the love in your marriage.  I highly recommend the couple's devotional Awaken Love - The Song, by Kyle and Desirae Idleman.

The Song Couple’s Devotional is a 6-week book for couples that can help awaken love in their marriage. With daily relationship insights and prayer points drawn from the Song of Solomon, this devotional will help couples grow in their relationship with God and one another. 

Inspired by the Song of Solomon, The Song is both a full-length movie and resource for churches to explore God’s plan for relationships, love and marriage.

About the author:

Kyle Idleman is the Teaching Pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, the fourth-largest church in America. Author of the award-winning and bestselling book, not a fan., and presenter of eight of City on a Hill’s curriculum series, he regularly speaks at conferences and events around the world. Kyle and his wife DesiRae have four children.

 Thanks for reading and have a great day!

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Flyby Review: Susie's Hope

This month I had the privilege of reviewing the DVD Susie's Hope.  This movie, based on a true story, tells the powerful story of Donna Lawrence, who survived a vicious pit-bull attack, and Susie, a part-pit-bull who survived an attack by a human, who found healing in each other.  Susie's former master had beaten her, poured lighter fluid on her, and set her on fire.  Donna, with the help of her husband and her best friend, sought and achieved stricter punishments for animal abusers in the state of North Carolina.  The ensuing law was aptly named "Susie's Law." 

For the most part, I enjoyed Susie's Hope.  The story is compelling and emotional.  The actors did an excellent job of portraying their characters.  I liked the way parts of the action were shown through Susie's eyes.  Animal lovers are sure to enjoy finding this DVD in their stocking.  There were parts I found hard to swallow, and it is hard to say how much they were based on truth and how much was changed for dramatic effect.  There were places where it seemed our protagonist was placing the love of animals above her human relationships and her marriage.  Thankfully, her husband was a strong and compassionate man, but I had a hard time seeing the marriage take second place as if this behavior was condoned.  If this is the way it really happened, I do not say this in judgement of any of the characters.  I cannot imagine surviving the kind of attack that Donna Lawrence experienced, and I'm sure the road to healing was not an easy one.  I also say this as an avid dog lover myself with two excessively spoiled pooches of my own!

The film is not rated, but I would caution parents to view it first before sharing it with children.  I am allowing my children to see it, but the portrayal of the abuse Susie suffered and of Donna's attack - while not overly graphic in the movie - could be disturbing for children.  There was no excessive use of bad language or anything inappropriate in the movie, and the message that God gave us dominion over the animals with the expectation that we will be good stewards of what He has given us is a good one for any age.

Of course, you may enter here to win your own copy of the Susie's Hope DVD! Simply leave a comment here or on my Facebook page to enter the drawing, which will be held on Tuesday, December 16.  Tell me your favorite pet anecdote, or just say "hi"!

Here is some more information about Susie's Hope:

About the movie: Run time 105 minutes

Based on the true story that successfully passed Susie’s Law in North Carolina, which seeks stricter punishment for animal abusers, Susie’s Hope brings to life the inspirational relationship between pit bull attack survivor Donna Lawrence and Susie, a pit bull-mix puppy found beaten, burned and left for dead. Recognizing reflect and abuse were to blame for the tragic attack that nearly claimed her life 10 months earlier, Donna resumes the battered animal and accepts her as family. Together, they learn to heal, love and forgive as thyey lead a historic effort to seek justice and protection, not only for Susie, but all animals. Starring Emmanuelle Vaguer (40 Days and 40 Nights), Burgess Jenkins (Remember The Titans) and Andrea Powell (Ender’s Game, The Twighlight: Breaking Dawn Saga: Part 2), Susie’s Hope is an incredible story of love, loss and redemption.

Watch and share the  Susie’s Hope  trailer  here !

About Susie:

Susie was found nearly dead in Greenfield Park in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 20, 2009. Just a puppy, Susie had licked the face of her owner’s newborn baby. Her owner became violent—she was beaten so severely her jaw was broken. That wasn’t enough, though. She was then set on fire and left for dead. Incredibly and against all odds Susie survived. Donna Lawrence adopted her two months later. Susie is now a trained therapy dog and event won the American Humane Association’s American Hero Dog this year!

Check out and share Susie’s Hero Dog Award Video here!

This website  is a GREAT resource for all things Susie / Susie’s Hope related

Thanks for reading!

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Cyber Monday: Freebie & Discounts!

Christmas Riddles & Word Scrambles: This week's Kindle freebie from

Knowledge Box Central! 

Sign up for our newsletter and weekly freebie at

http://forms.aweber.com/form/22/1265944422.htm!

Download here:

Christmas Riddles & Word Scrambles

See full newsletter with CYBER MONDAY DEALS and freebie here!

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Happy Cyber Monday!  :-)

INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE!!

INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE!!

My first book, Amazing Animals by Design, is being clearanced to make room for new items after Christmas. Makes a great Christmas gift! Right now, get a signed copy for:
Hardcover: $9.99 (normally $14.99)
Paperback: $5.99 (normally $8.99)
Shipping: $2 paperback, $4 hardcover, I'll let you know the exact amount if you order multiple copies.

Send a message to debrahaagen (at) gmail (dot) com if you'd like to order, and I will send you a paypal invoice.

Thank you!

Write-your-own Thanksgiving Poetry Notebook FREE on Kindle!

This week's Knowledge@Kindle Freebie! Download and share!

Write-your-own Thanksgiving Poetry

Learn how to write nine different types of poems for Thanksgiving, and make a poetry notebook your family will treasure!

This notebook is suitable for printing or for using as a guide to make a notebook with your own paper if printing is not available.

Join our newsletter for weekly freebies at http://forms.aweber.com/form/22/1265944422.htm.

Happy Writing!  :-)

Flyby Review: Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas

So there’s this new movie called Kirk Cameron’s: Saving Christmas that is coming to select theaters November 14 for two weeks only! 

GO SEE THIS MOVIE THIS WEEKEND!

We've all gotten tired of people telling us not to say "Merry Christmas" because it is offensive, right?  But does all the stuff we do to celebrate have anything to do with Christmas, anyway?  You've heard the arguments - the Church turned a pagan holiday into Christmas so they would have an excuse to celebrate it, the symbols are all pagan symbols, yada, yada, yada.  When I was a kid, our church building did not have a Christmas tree in it for several years because some of the members objected that it was a pagan symbol.

Now, some of you adamantly believe that we should not let all these symbols and material things get into our Christmas celebration, and that is fine.  Each family must do what they feel their faith has led them to do.  The fact is, however, that many of our Christmas symbols DID come about for Christian reasons that have everything to do with glorifying Christ.

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 says,

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." 

Holidays were originally given to the people by God as "Holy-Days," for the purpose of slowing down for a time, celebrating, and teaching their children the things about God they might forget over time.  Christmas is no different.  So visit Kirk Cameron at his sister's Christmas party and explore the origins of some of our favorite traditions.

In the review below this one, we talked about a children's video answering some of the same questions.  This one is for all ages, children through adults, and there's a lot of fun and humor along the way.  Unlike a straight documentary, this movie kept my interest from start to finish, and I will admit that although I have studied these things quite a bit before, I learned a few new things myself from this one.

I loved everything about this movie, from the characters to the sets.  There's a fabulous fireplace-and-Christmas tree scene where Kirk sits at the beginning of the movie.  I want to go there for my family Christmas pictures this year!!  We don't really believe there's any hot chocolate in that mug he swings around, but hot chocolate is always a nice touch!

 I'm not going to lie - part of the reason I wanted to review this movie, and why I liked it, is that Kirk Cameron is in it!  I liked him in  Growing Pains before I ever knew what his stand was, and with every project he does, I like him and admire him more.  I was privileged to participate in a teleconference with him and the other reviewers, and I love his passion for sharing not only Truth but the Joy of the Lord.  It was fun seeing his sister, Bridgette, in the movie with him.  (Hint, that's not really his brother-in-law, though - "Christian" is Darren Doane, director and co-writer of the movie.)

The only critique I would have for this movie?  Lose the winter beard, Kirk!  :-)

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOSiZIgZ2JQCheck out the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SavingChristmasMovieOfficial website: http://www.savingchristmas.com 

"Join me, and my family, and together let’s put Christ back into Christmas. We’ll dive head first into all of the joy, the dancing, the celebration, the feasting, the imagination and traditions that glorify the true reason for the season.” - Kirk Cameron 

“Saving Christmas is a wonderful defense of Christmas traditions and is quite educational. Candy and I also enjoyed some good laughs. I pray that God will use it to His glory.” 

Happy Movie-Watching! 

Flyby Review: Why Do We Call It Christmas DVD

I have been privileged to review three items from Flyby Promotions in a short period of time, so I am bringing you all three reviews today.  There are some giveaways and Christmas gift ideas, so don't miss anything!  These reviews are getting me in the Christmas spirit a little early!

My kids really enjoyed the What's In The Bible DVD Series: Why Do We Call It Christmas DVD.

Hmmm, why do we call it Christmas?  Why do we decorate a Christmas tree?  Who was Saint Nicholas?  Do your kids know the answers to these questions and the origins of other Christmas traditions?  Would you like a fun way to teach them?

Some story books and DVDs endeavor to answer one or more of these questions with a story, but in this DVD, they are all tackled in an informative yet entertaining manner by intrepid newsman Buck Denver, who is having a Christmas party!

Created by VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer, newsman Buck Denver's job is to teach kids about the Bible.  If you love Veggie Tales, you'll love Buck Denver.  With the humor and Biblical accuracy we loved in Veggie Tales, he informs, educates, and entertains using modern computer technology interspersed with all the media WE loved as children:  big-mouth puppets, flannel graph, and popsicle-stick puppets to name a few.  There's even a purple sock monkey!  The artwork and music are not quite the caliber of the Veggie Tales videos, but that did not stop my 9yo from loving Buck Denver!

I highly recommend Buck Denver in Why Do We Call It Christmas? for anyone with children 10 & under.

About the movie: Approx. 60 minutesCutting down trees? Hanging stockings? Santa Claus? What do any of these have to do with Jesus' birthday?  More than you'd think! 
Join VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer along with intrepid newsman Buck Denver and all his friends on an amazing journey into the world's most popular holiday! Sure, you know the Christmas story. But do you know the story of Christmas? Don't miss the whimsical, educational, Christmical party to end all Christmas parties as Buck Denver Asks … Why Do We Call It Christmas? Contains the following topics:-Where do we get the word Christmas?-When was Jesus born?
-What do Christmas trees have to do with Jesus?
-Who is St. Nicholas?
-What is Hanukkah?
-Who is Emmanuel?
-Luke 2 Story
Official Website: Click here!
DVD Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkQOWkvE_VY

And yes, of course, we are giving away a copy of this DVD, too!  Enter enough giveaways, and you might have some of your Christmas shopping done!  Post here or on my Facebook page with a Christmas symbol or tradition about which you would like to know the origin.  The drawing will be held on Thursday, November 20.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Check out all the Buck Denver: What's in the Bible DVDS:

Happy Movie-Watching!

This post contains affiliate links.

 

Flyby Review: Noah Wordless Picture Book

I have been privileged to review three items from Flyby Promotions in a short period of time, so I am bringing you all three reviews today.  There are some giveaways and Christmas gift ideas, so don't miss anything!

First, I received a beautiful, hardcover, 64-paged, absolutely stunning picture book of the story of Noah.

The story of Noah and the Ark was always a fun one in Sunday School when I was a child.  Marching the animals up the ramp into the boat on the flannel graph, then adding the waves and pretending to make the boat sail on top of them.  It was just a fun Bible story.

As I grew older and studied more, I began to realize that the story of Noah was a pivotal one in the Old Testament.  It is one of the stories that many people say is simply not possible, and therefore the Bible must not be true.  Over the recent decades, however, more and more research has shown that the story is very possible.  And if it is possible, then it is even more likely that it is true.  Why?  Because it is unlikely that someone in ancient times would write a false story about something that did not happen that could be proven to be so possible in modern times.  Is that confusing?  Take the measurements of the Ark given in Genesis 6.  It has been demonstrated in recent times that not only could two each of all the known species of animals at the time fit into a vessel of that size along with eight people, but also that a vessel of those proportions would be excellent at navigating the tsunami-sized waves it was sure to encounter.  Now, if someone who had never built an ark of such a size, nor sailed it through enormous waves, nor loaded it with pairs of every known species of animal, were writing a fictional story for children, is it likely or even possible that the dimensions would be so fitting?

If, then, this incredible story is true, it is so much more likely that the entire Bible is true and literal.  And if it is true, what did it look like?  What did the ark look like?  What did the earth and its cities look like before the Flood?  What did the people look like?  What did Noah look like?  Noah was 500 years old when he started to build the Ark, and it took him 100 years to build it!!  I am in my fourth decade, and I've got to tell you that the responsibility of building a colossal structure on which my family's lives depended when I was past my fourth century would be a little intimidating!

In the wordless picture book Noah, Mark Ludy has asked these questions and has given us his own artistic interpretation.  "A picture is worth a thousand words," and he has given us an artistic novel demonstrating how these things may have appeared.  The beautiful illustrations have enriched my appreciation of the story and have made me look at some things in a different way.  He has used his outstanding, God-given talent to bring this amazing story to life for us.

My kids and I love this book.  Its interest spans all ages.  I'd love to have one for every story in the Bible!  It is lovely to keep on your school shelf or your coffee table.

I highly recommend Noah, by Mark Ludy.  It would also look lovely under the Christmas tree!

A hundred years before the Great Flood, a man named Noah came home talking crazy. God wanted him to build the biggest ship the world had ever seen. The future of humanity depended on it. How would his wife respond? What would the neighbors think? Was it even feasible?
This lavish reimagining of one of the greatest stories of all time will fascinate children and adults alike. Nuanced and playful, yet meticulous in following the biblical narrative, Mark Ludy’s world-class art digs deeper than the Sunday-school tale of cuddly animals, exploring noah’s relationship with his family, the natural world, God - and a formidable engineering challenge.
Immerse yourself in this stunning wordless epic. Whatever your age, you’ll never read this story in the same way again.
Bonus: Find Squeakers the mouse on every page! 

About the author:
Mark Ludy has written or illustrated eight children’s books including The Farmer, The Flower Man, The Grump, When I Was  a Boy I Dreamed, When I Was a Girl I Dreamed, and Jujo the Youngest Tribesman. When he’s not immersed in his sketchbooks, you’ll find him in schools promoting art and literacy. He lives in Colorado with his wife, daughter, and two sons.
Mark’s website: http://www.markludy.com  

Official NOAH website: http://www.plough.com/en/ebooks/n/noah

In addition, I have a lovely copy of Noah to give away!  Comment here or on my Facebook page with the name of your favorite picture book to enter the drawing, which will be held next Wednesday, November 19!

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

For more information on the story of Noah and the Ark and its modern-day research, see:

Genesis 5:32-10:1

The Creation Museum

The Theory of Intelligent Design Lapbook & Unit Study

Also, if you'd like to use the picture book Noah as a Christmas gift, you may want to pair it with one of these for hours of fun:

Happy Picture-booking!

This post contains affiliate links.

 

Kindle Freebie and Newsletter

This week's Kindle freebie from Knowledge Box Central. Download and share!  :-)

See this week's Newsletter here:

http://archive.aweber.com/awlist3621765/DSTJ1/h/Knowledge_Kindle_Birthday.htm

Sign up for the newsletter to see the new FREEBIE and deals every week:

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Happy Homeschooling!

The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Click article for larger view.

Read online Week of 11/3 here.

Kindle FREEBIE of the Week!

Kindle Freebie this week, available Monday-Friday. Download and share!

U.S. National Memorials Flash Cards

If you missed last week's freebie, the U.S. National Monuments Flash Cards, 

it is available at the below link for $1.99:

U.S. National Monuments Flash Cards

Please note:  these flash card sets do not contain a comprehensive 

list of all the U.S. Monuments and Memorials.

Also see our new Kindle ebooks from the Little House Lapbook series:

Little House in the Big Woods Lapbook: Plus FREE Printable Ebook

Little House on the Prairie Lapbook: Plus FREE Printable Ebook

Little House: On the Banks of Plum Creek Lapbook: Plus FREE Printable Ebook 

Little House: By the Shores of Silver Lake Lapbook: Plus FREE Printable Ebook

Happy Lapbooking!

Chick-Fil-A by Bean and Bailey

Football Friday by Dandelion Dust Designs

Cakes made by Carol Guest.

"Football Friday" available exclusively at ScrapTakeout.

Happy Scrapping!

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this kit in exchange for a layout.

Kindle FREEBIE!

This week's exclusive Kindle FREEBIE from Knowledge Box Central is U.S. National Monuments Flashcards.  It is free now through Saturday, November 1.  Next week's FREEBIE will be U.S. National Memorials Flashcards, and there will be two more in the series.  Keep checking back for the next three weeks to collect all four in the set!

Download and share!

U.S. National Monuments Flash Cards

New Dandelion Dust Designs Kits

I just want to share a few recent Dandelion Dust Designs kits:

Jump Into Fall (I LOVE the fall kits!!):

DDD Turns 3 Paper Pack:

Happy Trails:

Find these kits and more at Scrap Takeout!

Disclaimer:  I received free copies of these kits in exchange for layouts.

War Bundle & A Freebie

WARS Lapbook Bundle -  62% OFF - 1 Week ONLY! 439 pages - 11 Lapbooks for $20 !!   Infuse some hands-on fun into your history studies, and get a HUGE discount!  Take advantage of this TEMPORARY bundle at 62% off the regular price!  You get 11 Lapbooks that cover:   War of 1812 French & Indian War American Revolution Spanish American War American Civil War Korean War Vietnam War World War I World War II (package of 2 lapbooks for this one) and  The Holocaust Lapbook GET it NOW!   It will ONLY be available  for  ONE WEEK!!

Also, download our weekly FREEBIE!

Happy Lapbooking!

Flyby Review: Veggie Tales Beauty & the Beet

If you have not been reading my blog for very long, you may not realize that I've had a 21-year love affair with Veggie Tales, ever since I saw the first ones in 1993.  My husband and I had Veggie Tales videos and toys in our house before we ever had children (to be fair, we did teach preschoolers in Sunday School).  We passed our obsession onto our children, and now that the four of them range in age from 9-15, we still sit down as a family and watch every Veggie Tales story that comes out as soon as we can get our hands on it.

Beauty & the Beet did not disappoint!  The creators of Veggie Tales are getting back to their "roots" and creating delightful herbaceous characters to retell old favorite stories with a moral twist.

This brand-new VeggieTales musical premieres Oct. 14 and stars Kellie Pickler (American Idol, Dancing With the Stars), who brings her unmistakable voice to the role of Mirabelle, a sweet-potato singer whose family band is on the brink of superstardom. BEAUTY AND THE BEET blends the irresistible charm of VeggieTales with a heartfelt message about unconditional love. The DVD also includes Mac and Cheese, a giddy new “Silly Songs With Larry” segment in which Larry the Cucumber reveals the surprising and heretofore untold history of his family’s unexpected contributions to Italian cuisine. 

Mirabelle steals the show with her beautiful voice and sweet personality.  No, it's not a "kissing movie" (my kids always want to make sure of that!), but when Mirabelle finds a beastly beet who needs love, she shows it unconditionally.  What results is a happy ending for all!

Kellie Pickler's voice is perfect for Mirabelle, and "Mac and Cheese" is our new favorite silly song.  (Well, I don't know, it may not be able to beat "Belly Button"!)

Whether you have young children who have never met the Veggies, are long-time fans, or are grandparents with children thousands of miles away, pop some popcorn and get your healthy dose of Veggies this weekend!

For some more fun, I am having a giveaway!  Leave a comment here or on Facebook telling me your FAVORITE SILLY SONG to win your own free copy of Beauty & the Beet!  Drawing held Oct. 27, 2014.

Official Website:  http://veggietales.com/vtmain/

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is  subject to eligibility verification.

Can't get enough Veggie Tales?  

Watch for more Veggie Tales fun, coming to Netflix Thanksgiving Weekend!