Christina Will Review It: 03/01/11

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Max Lucado's Hermie & Friends: A Bug Collection DVD Box Set

A Bug Collection consists includes 3 Complete DVDs. Disc 1 was so relatable! Milo in "Milo The Mantis Who Wouldn't Pray" does everything he can think of to hear from God. The storyline is comical but sad because we do relate to his struggle with not being willing to wait on God to answer our prayers. I realized halfway through the story that every character had perfectly white teeth and and a tongue. Also each face including the eyes moved and expressed human emotions. Fantastic!

The second disc included Buzby who is an Elvis impersonator and also a Spelling Bee. Quite clever as no doubt kids will learn to spell new words as they watch this program. Buzby's sister Bar-bee asks him to "babee sit" her "misbeeving" children. A dramatic transformation takes place in the children's "beehavior." So cute!

Victoria Jackson does an excellent job in conveying Buzby's niece as a spoiled bee. "Behave in the Beehive" is a song the bees sing and it is quite catchy. The music in the entire collection was great. There are extras after each program that follow the credits in which the characters talk and interact with each other. There is an actual Spelling Bee which had me in stitches!

The characters throughout are all bugs with the exception of a big blue turtle that obviously is never automatically included in the lives of the bugs. God is mentioned on all three discs, however on the third disc Max Lucado mentions Jesus. I enjoyed the teaching time with Max Lucado and Hermie the catepillar.

I was reminded of how Mr. Rogers in "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" would interact with the characters in his show. I smiled because this interaction I have not seen before in a Christian program. Yes, we all know "Sesame Street" as a fabulous way to interact and allow the children to watch an adult without losing their attention just because an adult is involved.

My favorite program in the collection was "Hailey & Bailey's Silly Fight" on Disc three. Hailey & Bailey are twin sister beatles who cannot unite on a feeding program they devised. An actual bug food fight ensues. Eventually, the twins come together and someone shouts, "It feels good to help other bugs!" My one criticism which I hammer often in these children's products is it would have been great to see not only a mother beetle with the daughters but a father beatle involved. It would have been a thumbs up for the traditional family.

Followed by the last story we watch Hermie the catepillar play the role of "Goldilocks" but by a different name. "Hermilocks" is explained as a popular "buggy tale." Girl beatle power wins in the end. The lesson of the story? Proverbs 1:10 is explained. A great takeaway to an even greater collection which will no doubt inspire and teach many generations.

Children will respect parents, obey those in authority and learn to spell. They may however, never swat a fly or allow a bee to be destroyed. This DVD set is the result of the wonderful writing of Max Lucado. His willingness to ponder the things of God with a catepillar named Hermie opens wide the gate for godly living.

A DVD Collection with Biblical value for all ages. Well done!
For more information please visit Thomas Nelson Product Page.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Money & Marriage by Matt Bell

Money & Marriage (subtitled A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples) by Matt Bell is a great tool not just for those planning to become married but also for those already married and finagling their way through all things financial (which is all of us marrieds!) It is never too late to begin a "Cash Flow Plan vs. Budget". The author reminded us that we must look toward financial freedom in a different way than we may have previously viewed money management. He presented this topic from a biblical aspect.

Starting in Chapter One, statistics were given and pages upon pages of questions asked the reader to take an inventory of their financial situation. The questions could be overwhelming but for the later chapters, which allowed the reader to easily discover solutions. Easy-to-understand plans with resources to help financial stewardship were presented.

Pages 39&40 Mr. Bell shared his personal account of inheriting $60K and how though he squandered the money, he learned a valuable lesson from the experience. The definition of "consume" was sobering. I won't look at money quite the same way after reading about wasteful spending and how we can all do much better with our money.

Chapter Four was fascinating as it gave four distinct categories in which people land in regard to spending. I easily discovered I was a 'phleg" but could not quite place my husband in a category. This chapter was interesting as I never realized personality played a part in money management .

There were so many helpful downloadable monthly cash flow plans and numerous website helps. I would be confident in contacting the author for future consulting or help if I did not have someone to aid me in that area currently. The "Know Your Stuff" website was amazing!

However, the best advice in the entire book was found on page 144. DINKhood has changed my life. Also, the discussion of prenups quite interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the use of Scripture throughout as well as the case studies and personal accounts of the author and his wife.

Money & Marriage would be an excellent engagement gift or even a wedding gift. The subject of money is often overlooked and it does not have to be. This is an excellent tool which includes God. It is never too late to get serious about financial stewardship. Certainly implementing the concepts in this book will help married couples get on the same financial page!

Check out a sample chapter. Buy it today!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Practice of Godliness Small-Group Curriculum by Jerry Bridges

This Bible study book is for small groups or for personal Bible Study. The format allows for a 12-week schedule if you do one chapter per week.

The process:

1. Read the chapter

2. Look up the Scripture

3. Answer questions about the session topics

4. Dive into personal application = write down what God has revealed to you and prayerfully consider how to allow the Word to change you.

In the "Before You Begin" section, Mr. Bridges reminds the reader that the goal of any Bible Study is this, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 Wisdom as we can have head knowledge all day long but if the head knowledge does not make it's way to our heart and change us from the inside out - our studies will just be lessons done but not become life changing.

Here is just one example of Mr. Bridges' sharing of godliness from page 13, "It is sad that many Christians do not have this aura of godliness about them. They may be very talented and personable, or very busy in the Lord's work, or even apparently successful in some avenues of Christian service, and still not be godly. Why? Because they are not devoted to God. They may be devoted to a vision or to a ministry, or to their own reputation as a Christian, but not to God.

Godliness is more than Christian character; it is Christian character that springs from a devotion to God. But it is also true that devotion to God always results in godly character. As we study the three essential elements of devotion in the next chapter, we will see that all of them, individually and collectively, must express themselves in a life that is pleasing to God. So the definition of godliness we will use in this book is devotion to God that results in a life that is pleasing to Him."

My favorite chapter was Chapter Twelve. In the section titled "Love Reaches Out" this section particularly caught my attention, "Often in our teaching on love, we stress - and rightly so - that biblical love is not emotions or feelings but attitudes and actions that seek the best interests of the other person, regardless of how we feel toward him. W.E. Vine says, for example, "Christian love....is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered." The chapter goes on with the biblical explanation of 1 Corinthians 13 with the incorporation of emotions and how emotions come into play with love. Very interesting and helpful in understanding love from God's perspective!

Undoubtedly, this is a book that will be written in, reviewed, dog eared and brought out time and time again to review and receive wisdom and guidance. This study guide must be accompanied by a Bible as the Bible is the foundation upon which this book was written.

I enjoyed reviewing The Practice of Godliness and will refer to it often. For more information or to purchase please visit the NavPress website .