IGNITED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT by Ivy Adjivon

IGNITED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT by Ivy Adjivon is a testimony of the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Believer, the authors. In sharing her personal testimony the author is able to validate the necessity of the Holy Spirit.
This is a short book, 28 pages in total, which means the author gets straight to the point without a lot of unnecessary filler. Much of the book involves a conversation Ivy Adjivon had with the Holy Spirit that points out how important He is in our life. IGNITED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT is a quick and easy to read booklet that is worth reading.

I recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WESTWIND BOOK MARKETING. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

SEWING: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MASTERING SEWING... by Jessica Pickens

I am a sewer, not a great one but good enough. I don’t like most of the clothing styles available in the stores today: skirts are too short and tops are boo revealing. I chose to download this book with the very long title because I need to make my own clothing and I watn to be better at making them.
I think this book is almost perfect, it is just what a person needs except graphics. SEWING: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MASTERING SEWING FOR BEGINNERS IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS! By Jessica Pickens is a step by step manual for creating your own wardrobe starting with understanding the tools for sewing.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover instructions on how to create your own patterns for shirts and pants. To me this is the added bonus not the final Bonus Chapter: Knitting for Beginners.
Though this book is great for newbies, it is also beneficial to the casual / hobby sewer such as myself. I recommend it.

JEWELRY WITH A CAUSE- VISION BIJOU

”Most impressive; that was my first response when I saw what a group of people could do with larimar. What is larimar?   It is a unique crystallized mineral, pectolite which normally has white to grayish color. Larimar also called “Stefilia’s Stone” is unique because of it’s shades of blue coloring.  VISION BIJOU was created to take this rare stone and present it to the world in the form of jewelry.  What the craftsman have been able to do with this stone is, in my opinion “most impressive.”

VISION BIJOU is the internet based outlet where you and your friends can purchase the various items offered. I must warn you: each piece though similar in design, because it is natural stone, has it’s own personality to it. No two pieces are exactly alike.

VISION BIJOU is jewelry with a cause; there is a purpose for the sale of the jewelry that goes beyond capitalism. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) of the profit  goes to supporting families in the poverty ridden Dominican Republic; the cost of supplies, shipping and handling are the ONLY adjustments made. It is safe to assume that without VISION BIJOU the workers would be unemployed.

Like other churches around the world VISION CHURCH MIAMI reaches out into the community. One church in particular is IGLESIA VISION SANTO DOMINICO, the home of VISION BIJOU.

 Understanding the poverty cycle the leadership at VISION CHURCH MIAMI chose to do more than just pay the expenses associated with supporting a church.  Under the leadership of Pastor Mathias Grehn the church sponsored (paid for) the development of a jewelry making business which has become a job creator and a much needed source of income for the community. As the jewelry sales increase there will be a need to bring on more workers. Those originally trained will become the trainers, this is how you break the cycle of poverty.

Not only is IGLESIAVISION SANTO DOMINICO feeding the souls of men and women in a very poor part of the Dominican Republic it is also strengthening the family by alleviating the stress associated with poverty. VISION BIJOU is jewelry with a cause and the cause is worth supporting.

As I was researching larimar for this post I came across a company that sells something similar (for a profit without a cause) for three times the amount offered via VISION BIJOU. I happen to know a new shipment of jewelry recently came in to the office; it is always WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.  

VISION BIJOU is jewelry with a cause. 

CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW: IF HE HAD NOT COME by David Nicholson

Technically “IF HE HAD NOT COME” is a children’s book however the message is for everyone. IF HE HAD NOT COME originally told by Nan Weeks and reintroduced by David Nicholson is a story that ask the question: What would happen if Jesus had not come?
IF HE HAD NOT COME begins on Christmas Eve the day before the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus but without the birth of our Lord and Savior there is no Christmas Day. Not only that there can be no Christianity which means there are no churches or the activities that the church does.
The simplicity of the book facilitates a great meditation of John 15:22 which is supported by the six discussion questions presented at the end of the story. As a parent or Children’s church teacher they are excellent questions to help point out to the young that Christmas is not about gifts. These questions are great even for adults and for more mature Believers there are more questions that take you deeper into the meaning of Christmas.
The book concludes with the Gospel Message and the steps to salvation something needed by all young and old.
I recommend this book and suggest that it is read not only during the Christmas season but whenever you think about Christ.  Marsha L Randolph

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

BELIEVE KID'S EDITION by Randy Frazee General Editor

Think- Act- Be, these are the responses every Christian should have when studying God’s word. BELIEVE KIDS’ EDITION by Randy Frazee is a Bible study for young children using the NIV Bible translation, recommended age 8-12.
My grandson (age 7) has the BELIEVE storybook edition and my granddaughter (age 11) has the BELIEVE student edition I approached this book review thinking about how they would receive the information as it was presented.
Unlike most Bible commentaries and study guides BELIEVE focuses on application of the word. The reader is encouraged to think about what he or she has read, consider how to respond or act to what was read and apply what was learned in his or her life.  This book makes a great introduction to faith and Bible study because it matches Old Covenant Scripture with New Covenant Scripture. Upon completion of BELIEVE KID’S EDITION young people will understand why it is important to follow Jesus.
I have reviewed each of the BELIEVE books: Storybook, Kid’s Edition, Student Edition and the adult version, I think I enjoyed the student’s edition the most though I appreciated the value of each. There is something very appropriate about the presentation of the material as well as the order in which it was presented. I am amazed at the amount of information that was presented though the book is less than 1/4 the size of a Bible (Kid’s Edition is 210 pages)
Any of these books including BELIEVE Kids’ Edition would be great to use for Bible Study at home and in your church. I recommend this book.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

BELIEVE STUDENT EDITION Randy Frazee

Randy Freeze is the General Editor of a series of books that tell the story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelations using selections from the New International Version of the Bible. BELIEVE STUDENT EDITION is specifically written for young people (this copy is going to my 10 year old granddaughter) to develop a foundational knowledge of Christianity.
There are three sectional concepts: Think- Act- Be which are taught in each of the “Believe” Bible commentary / study guides. Each chapter that falls under the concept introduces a Bible truth which is age appropriate. For example: Chapter 13 “Act” discusses Bible study. In each chapter has: Key Question; Key Idea; Key Verse; Text which includes Bible verses from Old and New Testament; and concludes with What We Believe.
The order in which information is presented makes perfect sense and I am confident that anyone, young or old, reading this book will have a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian.This book can be read independently by either a novice or a person that has read the Bible before. It can also be used in church as part of the Bible Study curriculum.
I have reviewed the adult version of Believe- “BELIEVE LIVING THE STORY OF THE BIBLE TO BECOME LIKE JESUS”; The children’s version: “BELIEVE STORYBOOK”  and now this one ‘BELIEVE STUDENT EDITION, I like each. If you are not a fan of the NIV Bible you may not enjoy this book however the advantage of having anyone read BELIEVE STUDENT EDITION is to get him or her interested in reading the Bible.
I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing each of the BELIEVE books.  Marsha L Randolph

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: JULIETTE & RYO by Peter Philipp

In my opinion JULIETTE & RYO by Peter Philipp is a girl book, of course in this politically correct world many will argue “There is no such thing!”. As with most children’s books I read this one with my eight year old grandson, by the second page he was tired of reading it and by the time I finished the book he was half-listening to the story. (Truth is I don’t think he was listening at all.)
This book has dreams and dragons and fairies there are caves and rescues and all the excitement a good story should have. As I read it I kept thinking of the children’s game “Candy Land”
Overall the story is well written and for little girls (and some boys) who like fairy stories this will be a good read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”