ESV Men's Devotional Bible {A Review and Giveaway}

I had the opportunity to review a brand new devotional Bible from Crossway Books, the ESV Men's Devotional Bible. 

You may think it a bit strange that I am reviewing a men's devotional Bible. Just to set your mind at ease, I am not the one who reviewed the Bible. My husband was blessed to receive it and you can read his thoughts below. He has guest posted on my blog a time or two in the past. Please welcome back my loving hubby, Harold.

Let me tell you how awesome God is.  First of all. I haven't carried a Bible in a very, very long time.  I did download a Bible in a year app onto my tablet, and I had a Holy Bible app on my phone that I would use occasionally but neither was used as much as they should have been. It's not that I don't believe the Bible is an important and integral part of the Christian faith.  It's because I gave up understanding what was inside.  I would sit and listen to preacher after preacher tell me that if I just read the Bible regularly I'll understand it.  Guess who has two thumbs and never understood it??? This guy.

So.  How awesome is God?  I was sitting at work one night and I had a few minutes to myself and I began thinking about how no matter what I did and what I tried I couldn't put all the pieces of the Bible together in a way that made sense.  I had even tried one of those 900 pound study Bibles with about a gazillion cross references for each verse that were supposed to explain it all.  Didn't work.  It just confused me more.  I was also thinking about the number of people who had said to me " I don't understand it, so I don't believe."

Scary stuff.  And kind of a depressing way to spend a night at work.

But, God is awesome.  My wife was contacted about a review and giveaway opportunity for the ESV Men's Devotional Bible from Crossway: a not for profit ministry.  Now, obviously my wife isn't a man so SHE couldn't write this review, but I could.  If I was interested.  After pondering it, trying to tell myself that it would end up like all the other tries, I felt a tug on my heart to try one last time.

Let me tell you I'm so glad I did.  This is the Bible I've been looking for my whole Christian life.  It's almost as if God told them to make this especially for me.  How awesome is that?

Each book starts with a one page introduction.  They go over some background information and the key elements to be found in the chapter.  It also serves to help us (men) know how to tie it in with our daily walk.

Throughout the text of the Bible there are 365 devotions.  Coincidentally, there are 365 days in most years.   These devotionals are spread throughout the text of the Bible and, here's the best part, they are located RIGHT NEXT TO the scriptures they are talking about. It's like God has provided me with my own personal tutor to say "Hey.  Let me explain something to you while you read this."  I'm not frustrated anymore.  And that's a good thing.

As men, we are charged by God to be leaders.  Leaders in our home, Leaders in our church, and leaders in society.  The ESV Men's Devotional Bible is a wonderful tool to help equip us for that task. This Bible will be used in my household for years to come.

About the ESV Men's Devotional Bible:

Our world presents daily distractions that can easily displace Christ as the center of a man's heart and life.  The goal of the ESV Men's Devotional Bible is to strengthen and encourage men through the life-giving Word of God and sound devotional content aimed at nurturing godliness.  With 365 theologically rich and gospel-centered devotions drawn directly from the Bible, this all-new resource was created under the editorial oversight of Dr. Sam Storms with contributions from over fifty Christian leaders.  Introductions orient men to each book of the Bible, exploring its unique contribution to a man's walk with God.  Thoughtful and instructive articles address the importance of sound doctrine, life in the local church, leadership, the heart, calling, and a host of other relevant issues for today.  The Men's Devotional Bible will strengthen men in their walk with Christ, helping them apply the gospel and the truths of God's Word in their homes, churches, and workplaces. 

Features:

- 365 brand-new devotions

- Brand new book introductions

- 14 brand-new articles

- Dictionary of key terms

- Ribbon marker

- Smyth-sewn binding

- Lifetime guarantee on TruTone edition

- Packaging: slipcase (TruTone), L-card (HC), permanent slipcase (Cloth over Board) 

Retail Price: $34.99

About Crossway:

The purpose of Crossway has been, from its founding as a not-for-profit ministry in 1938, to publish gospel-centered, Bible-centered content that will honor our Savior and serve his Church.   They seek to help people understand the massive implications of the gospel and the truth of God's Word, for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God. 

You can find Crossway Books at the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

AMAZON 

Now here's the best part.  I have been given the opportunity to offer up one of these Bibles as a giveaway!!  Just enter below and you too may have a copy of this wonderfully organized Bible.  

All you need to do is enter in the Rafflecopter form below. 

There are only 2 simple mandatory entries, with the remainder of the entries being optional. 

Remember, you do not have to do the extra entries, but they will increase your odds of winning. 

This giveaway is open to US residents 18 and over. 

The giveaway runs November 20th through November 28th 2015.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!

 By entering the giveaway, you understand and agree that your contact information will be shared with the sponsor.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"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 a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Throwback Thursday Blog-Style #74: November 19, 2015

Welcome back to... 

I know, I know, Throwback Thursday seems to be all about sharing pictures from the past, great memories that mean something to you, that you would like to share with others. At least that is how it appears to me. Throwback Thursday wasn't something I was participating in, and then I came up with an idea.

I thought it would be great fun and a help to my blog to share old content, but not just any old content. Each week I will share an old blog post from a previous year, any year, BUT it has to be from the current week (for example, something I've posted around November 19th, from any previous year)  I will go in, edit the post if needed, add a pinnable image if I don't already have one, and share it on Facebook.

I have reviewed some great products in the past (and continue to do so). I thought it would be a neat idea to choose review posts this year and highlight some of these great products again.

Would you like to join in? You do not need to edit your past post in any way, you don't need to create a pinnable image, though it couldn't hurt, in fact it will help your blog traffic to add quality pinnable images to your posts.

Just go into your archives, choose a favorite post from this current week from any previous year, and link it up below. (If you don't have anything from this current week, it is still okay to link up with a post from a previous year around this time.)

I will be pinning posts to my appropriate Pinterest boards and will be randomly selecting a Featured Throwback Thursday post to share next week. Just a note, I will be sharing a picture from your post if you are selected as the featured post, but I will link back to your post. I will ALWAYS give credit and link back. By linking up you are giving me permission to use your picture in the post. 

Here is my Throwback Thursday post:

Originally posted November 17th, 2014
Jammin' Fun Workouts with the Magic Moves Jammin' Gym

Here is this week's randomly selected

Featured Throwback Thursday:

Gypsy Road shared:

A Lego Thanksgiving

To participate, link up below. It would be great if you could visit several of the other posts that have linked up. Stop by, comment, and pin images so we can help each other.

If you would like to help spread the news:

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Happy Throwback Thursday!

An InLinkz Link-up

Wordless Wednesday: November 18, 2015 (w/linky) - Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Looking forward to seeing your Wordless (or not so wordless) Wednesday posts this week.

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An InLinkz Link-up

FREE One Year Math Curriculum Offer From A+ Interactive Math

A couple of months ago I shared about a wonderful offer from A+ Interactive Math. Their new program was being offered for only $12 per month and you could even get 3 months for free. I was even allowed to bring you a giveaway for a full year of this curriculum.

Well, things have gotten even better. They are now offering a whole year of math for FREE! Not only that, this new program includes Video Lessons with the Automatically Graded Worksheets and Tests.

I don't know about you, but I find it difficult to find time to sit down and explain math to my older children while trying to keep the younger children occupied. The video lessons would be such a blessing. Also, being a one-income family we are on quite a tight budget and anytime I can find quality resources for free, I admit, I jump at the chance.

If you are anything like me I have a feeling you will appreciate this offer from A+ Interactive Math. This program can do most of the work for you, from the teaching of the lessons to the grading and tracking of your child's lessons. There are video lessons with step-by-step lessons, plus the worksheets and tests have step-by-step solutions. I'm sort of assuming here, but if these video lessons are the same as the ones I have reviewed in the past, they have great animations that help to keep the children focused. They are eye-catching, colorful, and engaging. The Interactive Review helps to identify and close learning gaps. If you would like to learn more about A+ Interactive Math, I invite you to check out my review from earlier in the year. This is not the same program that is being offered for free; however, it will give you an idea of how the video lessons and other features work.

Did I mention they are offering this for FREE!!!! A whole year for FREE!!!!

This includes Video Lessons and Interactive Review, Curriculum eBook (lessons in PDF 

format) and Worksheets & Tests that are Graded and Tracked by the program automatically.

A Quick NOTE from A+ Interactive Math:

The FREE offer is for those who have NOT had a chance to use this wonderful math program 

for your homeschool journey. If you have already used this math curriculum (or one of our 

similar programs), you may not qualify for this free offer, however, we will be happy to offer 

you 60% discount if you would like to purchase one.

This is a Limited Time Offer 

NO Credit Card Needed!

You get a lot with this Math program – ALL FREE:

* Video Lessons with Interactive Review
* Curriculum eBook
* Worksheets & Tests - Already generated for you (online or print PDF)
* Parent can generate and assign worksheets & tests (optional)
* Students complete worksheets online or offline (printed PDF)
* Step-by-Step Solution to each problem
* Automatic Grading & Tracking (HUGE Time SAVER)
* Easy to read reports
* Plenty of practice to master math concepts

Why this new program and what’s so GREAT about it?

Most homeschool moms spend a minimum of 2 to 3 hours for each child homeschooling Math. 

This program can give you most of that time back with Video Lessons, Interactive Review, 

Worksheets, Tests, Step-by-step solutions and automatic Grading & Tracking. 

ALL this makes this a complete and ONLY math curriculum you will need – 

ALL this for FREE!

To find out more about this great FREE OFFER, stop by their blog.

You can also click here to go directly to the page to claim your free offer. 

Please let them know that Tots and Me...Growing Up Together sent you. 

(There is a spot on the sign up form to note the referring site.)

Disclaimer: I did not receive anything from A+ Interactive Math in exchange for this blog post. I just wanted to 

share this wonderful offer with fellow homeschool families who may be looking for a way to make ends meet. 

Littles Learning Link Up: November 17, 2015 Thankful Turkey Placemats

 Each month you will find:

• A seasonal round-up (toward the beginning of the month)
• A guest post featuring crafts, activities, tips, snack ideas or other early childhood topics. (toward the end of the month)
• Posts where I share what I have been up to with my preschoolers and/or early elementary children.

Each week, I will host a link up, where you can share either what you have been up to recently, or old posts that may go with the theme.  Feel free to link up more than one post.

Each week I will continue to feature a couple of posts from those that have been linked up. 

I hope you will continue to share your wonderful posts, and I hope you will find something new to try with your child(ren).

It would be great for everyone to stop by and visit the other linked-up posts as well. Check them out, leave some comments, pin those that interest you. Let's make this a real party and socialize with each other.

What have we been up to?

A couple of weeks ago we made Thankful Turkey Placemats in our homeschool co-op preschool class. I had remembered that the children had made something similar a while back when we still went to Story Time. I have seen lots of different versions of Thanksgiving Placemats and I thought it would be fun for the children to make one on our last day of co-op for the fall session. This is my take, meshing together different ideas I have seen. I loved the idea of adding a Bible verse.

Thankful Turkey Placemats

I traced each child's hand on brown paper and cut out two for each child.

Then they glued their hands on a piece of construction paper. They used markers to decorate their turkeys. They were to color the fingers as tail feathers, and then add an eye, beak, wattle, wing, and legs.

They were also able to decorate the placemat background. Then I added the Bible verse, Psalm 7:17, adding their name in the beginning. 

______________"will give thanks to the Lord." Psalm 7:17

They were laminated by using clear contact paper on the back and front.

Now onto:

Littles Learning Link Up Features

On my last Littles Learning Link Up post, there were 31 wonderful posts linked up! 

I will be picking one randomly selected post to share, plus the top clicked-on post.  

Don't forget to stop by other posts that are linked up. See what catches your eye, stop by, pin the post to a relevant board, and perhaps leave a comment to let the author of the blog know you have been by for a visit. I know I appreciate others commenting and letting me know they have read my posts, so I am sure others do too.

This week's Randomly Selected Post is: 

Kim from The Resourceful Mama shared Santa Says Game for Christmas Parties {Free Printable}.

Here are the top clicked-on posts:

1- Lisa from Syncopated Mama shared Thanksgiving Decorations to Make With Your Little Turkey.

2- Katie from A Little Pinch of Perfect shared Painted Paper Plate Turkey Craft.

3. Nicole from Mama of Many Blessings shared Light Table Activity.

Don't miss this giveaway!

I recently reviewed 3 of the books in the Ladybug Girl children's book series by David Soman and Jacky Davis.  We received the entire set and just love them.  I was allowed to offer a giveaway for 3 of the books (including the newly released Super Fun Edition of the original Ladybug Girl book). Don't miss your chance to enter for your chance to win. Giveaway ends November 22nd and is open to US residents only. 

You can find the review and giveaway post here.

Join the Party!

I would love to have you join in this week! What sort of activities do you do with your young children? Do you have some favorite activities you would like to share? I invite you to link up below. I will be pinning posts on one of my relevant boards, and I would love to feature some of the activities each week from what is linked up.

Please know I may share a picture from your post and link back to it, along with sharing how we used your idea in our school time. By linking up you are giving me permission to use a picture from your post. I will ALWAYS give credit and link back. Additionally, if you choose to try out any of the ideas with your child, please make sure you give credit where credit is due.

Linky will be open through Monday night, to give me time to check out all the posts and get the Features organized. Please take the time to visit some of the other wonderful posts linked up.

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An InLinkz Link-up

Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up- November 17, 2015

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Welcome to Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up with your hosts Karen @ Tots and Me, Emily @ Emily Reviews, Shelly @ The Attic Girl, and Rena @ An Ordinary Housewife.

So glad you could join us as we share our giveaways on  Tuesday's Giveaway Link Ups. 

This link up will be posted Monday at 7 PM est. and run all week long! Make sure you stop in as often as you can to list your latest giveaways.

Here is how to use the Giveaway Link Up

1. Post your reviews and/or giveaways, as many as you have, be sure to add the end date (family friendly please)

2. Help spread the word about the giveaway link up by grabbing our button, Tweeting or posting on Facebook. (Not mandatory- but it helps get more exposure to your giveaways as well!)

3. Take a moment to enter any giveaway that strikes an interest to you!

If you would  like to follow the  hostesses, we will gladly follow you back! Simply leave us a message to do so.

Featured Giveaways

Set of 3 Ladybug Girl books US only Ends 11/22

VTech Flipsies Sandy's House & Ocean Cruiser Play Set US only Ends 12/1

Thank you for linking up with Karen @ Tots and Me, Emily @ Emily Reviews, Shelly @ The Attic Girl, and Rena @ An Ordinary Housewife.

An InLinkz Link-up

Schoolhouse Review Crew Favorites 2015

Last week I posted my last review for the 2015 Crew year. It was a busy week. For some strange reason I chose to sign up for 3 Crew reviews that were due one right after the other. And then to top it off, I had another non-Crew review that needed posted. Yes, I was exhausted.  However, we were so blessed to have received these products, along with all the other products we reviewed this past year. All in all, that comes to 31 wonderful products reviewed for the Schoolhouse Review Crew in 2015.

Besides posting my final review last week, I also had some wonderful news. I have been accepted back for the 2016 Crew Year! From what has been hinted at, it looks like 2016 will be another amazing year.

Before we move on, we had one last Crew responsibility to fulfill before our end-of-year break. It was time to vote for our favorite Crew items, this is known as The Blue Ribbon Awards.  I have to tell you, this was quite the difficult task. We loved SO MANY of the products we received this year. Below you will find the winners in all of the many categories. If we reviewed the product that won, the link will lead to my review. If we didn't review that product, the link will direct you to the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog post.

Favorite Reading Curriculum: Reading Kingdom
Favorite Writing Curriculum: Institute for Excellence in Writing
Favorite Vocabulary Program: Dynamic Literacy
Favorite Spelling Program: Institute for Excellence in Writing: Phonetic Zoo
Favorite Grammar Program: Institute for Excellence in Writing: Fix-It! Grammar
Favorite Penmanship Program: CursiveLogic
Favorite Literature Curriculum: Progeny Press

Out of these Language Arts products, we used 4 of them. Though Reading Kingdom wasn't my favorite, Hannah had voted for it as she loved that it was teaching her to read. Personally, I voted for First Start Reading from Memoria Press. I had voted for Dynamic Literacy (which was used by Tabitha) and CursiveLogic (which was used by Amelia). Tabitha is using Phonetic Zoo; however, I had actually voted for the other spelling program we used this year. Amelia is using Alpha Omega's Horizons Spelling and Vocabulary which I do really did like just a bit more.

Favorite History Curriculum: Home School in the Woods
Favorite History Supplement: Heirloom Audio Productions: In Freedom's Cause
Favorite Science Curriculum: Visual Learning Systems
Favorite Science Supplement: Ann McCallum Books: Eat Your Science Homework
Favorite Math Curriculum: CTC Math
Favorite Math Supplement: SimplyFun

History, Science, and Math wrap up the rest of the "core" curriculum categories. Out of the 6 winners above, we used 2 of them, though I only voted for 1. We have enjoyed all of the Heirloom Audio Productions we have reviewed. This year we reviewed both In Freedom's Cause and With Lee In Virginia. However, my favorite History supplement was not either of these audio dramas. We have really enjoyed the book I just posted my review for: Ann McCallum Books: Eat Your U.S. History Homework. I did vote for SimplyFun though, as we really did enjoy playing Expanders.

Favorite Christian Education Curriculum: Grapevine Studies
Favorite Christian Education Supplement: Brinkman Adventures
Favorite Foreign Language Curriculum: Middlebury Interactive Language
Favorite Fine Arts Product: Maestro Classics
Favorite Elective Curriculum: Apologia Educational Ministries: Field Trip Journal
Favorite Audio Drama: Brinkman Adventures
Favorite  Video: FishFlix.com

Out of all the elective resources above, we reviewed all 6 of them. Most of the above did receive our vote. I did vote for Brinkman Adventures; however, I only did so in the "Favorite Audio Drama" category. And we really enjoyed Do You Believe? from FishFlix. However, it was such a toss up for me for favorite video. I also enjoyed Indoctrination, which we reviewed earlier in the year. I ended up voting for Indoctrination as it was a very powerful documentary that I feel is very important in this day and age. 

Favorite Preschool Product: La La Logic
Favorite Elementary Product: Star Toaster
Favorite Middle School Product: The Critical Thinking Co
Favorite High School Product: Writing with Sharon Watson
Favorite College or College-Prep Product: Freedom Project Education
Favorite Parent Product: Koru Naturals
Favorite Planning Product: Apologia Educational Ministries: The Ultimate Homeschool Planner

Of the above resources, we only reviewed 2 of them. In fact, I was only eligible to vote in 4 of the categories as I only have young children. La La Logic did receive our vote as we feel it is a wonderful resource for young children. Unfortunately, I have such sensitive skin, that I was unable to vote for Koru Naturals, though it received raving reviews from most of my fellow reviewers. 

Best Resource I Didn't Know I Needed: Homeschool Planet
Best Online Resource: Super Teacher Worksheets
Best e-Product: Home School in the Woods
Just for Fun: USAopoly
Kids' Choice: La La Logic
Teens' Choice: YWAM Publishing
All Around Crew Favorite: Institute for Excellence in Writing

In this final grouping of winners, we reviewed 5 of the resources.  Homeschool Planet is a wonderful online planner, and I voted for it in the earlier category of "Favorite Planning Product." I love Super Teacher Worksheets. There are so many amazing worksheets that I have been using with the children. However, remember I said it was hard make choices? Well, it was a bit of a toss up between Super Teacher Worksheets and La La Logic, and La La Logic won out. We all absolutely loved playing Tapple and Wonky from USAopoly, and I was glad to see it had won. I actually had voted for YWAM in the History/Social Studies Curriculum, we just didn't have a vote in the "Teen's Choice" category.

I would like to take a moment to highlight our families all around favorites. 

Harold loves getting on the computer to use La La Logic. 

Hannah surprised me by picking Reading Kingdom as her favorite product. I didn't realize she was enjoying it so much. She loves that it is teaching her to read.

Amelia chose USAopoly. We all did enjoying playing both Tapple and Wonky though. 

Tabitha also surprised me in voting for Middlebury Interactive Languages. I knew she was enjoying learning French, I just didn't realize she enjoyed it that much. I was thrilled to learn that this had blessed her this year. 

My all around favorite from the 2015 Crew year has got to be Indoctrination. I actually voted for it in a few other categories. It is a wonderful resource and I was quite surprised that it didn't win in any category. 

Don't forget to check out the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to see what my fellow Crew Mates have to share about their favorites.