Monday, July 27, 2009

Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set


Summary

Now the entire New Testament is ready for the Wired Generation.

Today’s youth ingest media at a faster rate than any previous generation. And they can’t get enough! The Word of Promise: Next Generation - New Testament is the perfect way for young multi-taskers to absorb Scripture. This ambitious recording makes the Word accessible to more kids than ever before.

Starring a Hollywood-level cast of young talent including Cody Linley (Hanna Montana, Dancing with the Stars) as Jesus, AnnaSophia Robb (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Mary Magdalene, Jordin Sparks (American Idol Winner) as Elizabeth, Cobin Bleu (High School Musical) as Peter, Alyson Stoner (Cheaper by the Dozen) as Martha, and narrated by Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings). The project includes informative book introductions by author Max Lucado and his daughter, Jenna Lucado, who is a speaker on the Revolve® Tour.

The Word of Promise: Next Generation is much more than just a word-for-word reading: it’s an all-star cast performing audio drama with a rich original score and Hollywood special effects. When Jesus walks on the water, kids will feel like they’re in the boat. When Peter waits in the courtyard during the Lord’s trial, the fire will crackle. The ambient sounds of the Holy land, the breath-taking musical score, the world-class young actors and the timeless Word of Promise all combine to deliver an unparalleled achievement.

Set includes 24 hours of audio drama on 3 mp3 CDs and a bonus 75 minute Behind-the-Scenes DVD featuring interviews with the actors.


What I have to Say...
Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set is such a great idea for today’s young generation. The famous cast who gave their voices to this project includes Cody Linley, Corbin Bleu and Jordin Sparks with introductions done by Jenna Lucado (yes, Max Lucado’s daughter). WOP is a 24 hour audio drama on three mp3 CDs, which I found perfect to load right onto my iPod, and a behind-the-scenes DVD. One thing I learned, this being my first experience with any audio book, is that audio books are not for me. I simply do not use my iPod enough, so I wasn’t taking full advantage of this audio set. It is easier for me to sit down and read a book than to sit down and listen to my iPod. However, I think this is brilliant, as most teens have their mp3 players permanently attached to their bodies! I did love to listen to a chapter right before bed, the background sound mixed with the voices and my eyes closed made me feel as if I was there. Having my eyes closed gave me the full affect and made the stories real to me. I definitely recommend this set.

I review for Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers
This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson

Friday, July 24, 2009

"A Perfect Mess" by Lisa Harper


To order book go to:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307457882&ref=externallink_wbp_aperfectmess_sec_0526_01

Summary:
Caught up in the self-imposed pressure to do and be all the things they think a Christian woman ought to do and be, countless women are working desperately to convince everyone, including God, that they have it all together. Few have any idea that the Creator of the universe looks at them with delight even when they yell at the dog, drive a minivan littered with French fries, or think bad words about that rude clerk at the store.



A Perfect Mess offers hope to every woman who yearns for a vibrant relationship with God but worries she isn’t good enough or doesn’t do enough to merit His affection. With characteristic authenticity, speaker and author Lisa Harper shares poignant stories from her own imperfect life to showcase the real-life relevancy of the Bible in the lives of modern women.



As she guides readers on a story-driven journey through selected Psalms, they will be inspired to experience for themselves how God’s incomparable love transforms the messiness of life into a gorgeous work of grace.

Author bio:
Lisa Harper is a master storyteller whose lively approach connects the dots between the Bible era and modern life. She is a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker whose upcoming appearances include the national Women of Faith Conferences. A veteran of numerous radio and television programs and the author of several books, she also is a regular columnist for Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Lisa recently completed a master’s of theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She makes her home outside Nashville .



What I Have to Say
In A Perfect Mess, Lisa Harper, tells a story about a great Christian leader who at first was “much more interested in ideas than individuals.” I walk away from this book thinking maybe she should have paid a little more attention to those words she wrote. Right before that she tells how she is convinced that it is rare to find a happy skinny woman, but isn’t that an attack at an individual? Why is that woman skinny? Maybe she just has a really good metabolism, or maybe she is sick and you are seriously giving her a hard time about that? If you read this Ms. Harper please don’t take offense to that and start coming up with ways of how to attack me as another story you tell about a book reviewer suggests. Someone close to me recently was very ill and everyone called her anorexic, while she was fighting death and Crohn’s disease. Unfortunately those two stories really stuck out to me, because the rest of the book is actually a very insightful look into Psalms. The informational inserts where extremely interesting though sometimes the placement was distracting. However, I would recommend this book to any Christian.

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group