I had the chance to review the "Heaven Is For Real DVD-Based Conversation Kit," which I received for free through BookSneeze, a Thomas Nelson Publishing program that provides bloggers with free books in exchange for honest reviews.

I have not read the full book "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo, but this kit is designed so that small group participants do not need to have read the book. Our small group enjoyed this series, which consists of five 10-18 minute video sessions and a conversation guide. It goes into depth about how Colton's experience dying and going to heaven relates to what the Bible tells us about heaven.

The main complaint people had was that the sessions didn't really seem to fit with their titles. The content was interesting, just not necessarily what we were expecting each time.

Those who had read the book "Heaven is for Real" did express that they felt this series should have gone more in depth as to what Colton's experience was like in heaven. They thought it would have been more interesting if there was more content related to that.

50% off at Tumbling Tykes

If you live in the Capital District and have a little one, you may want to check out today's deal at CrowdSavings.com. You can get 4 passes to Tumbling Tykes in Latham, regularly a $28 value, for $14. This deal can only be purchased today, but the vouchers are good for 6 months. Make sure you select "Albany" in the drop down list of cities!

Book Review: Nelson's Biblical Cyclopedic Index

I recently received a copy of Nelson’s Biblical Cyclopedic Index from BookSneeze, a program that provides bloggers with free books in exchange for honest reviews. I was excited to receive my copy because this index contains everything – not only subjects, but people and places as well. Looking for information on Galilee? The meaning of the word is “circle, circuit”, and the references are listed under two categories: “A. History of” or “B. Christ’s contacts with”. How about your biblical namesake? Mine, Rebecca (or Rebekah) can be found in Genesis 22-27, with her burial being in Genesis 49. Her name means “loops of a rope”, and she is also mentioned by Paul in Romans 9:10.

Throughout the index, you will also find “word studies”. For instance, did you know that “law” and “instruction” are both translations of the same word? The word is the noun “torah”, which is also the term used for the first five books of the Old Testament. There is a whole explanation of how and why it is translated differently depending on context, all found in the “word study” for LAW.

If you have ever found yourself unsatisfied with the subject index at the back of your Bible, this book is definitely for you. It’s clear, concise, and informative, and it definitely lives up to the claim on the cover that it’s the “Best Bible Subject Index Ever”.

No Touch Thermometer $18 shipped!

If you've been searching for a no touch thermometer, you'll want to head over to kids.woot! before these sell out. Today only, they have the Kidz Med BV-1500 Thermofocus Baby NoTouch Thermometer & EZ Med Pacifier Medicine Dispenser for $12.99 plus $5 shipping. The thermometer alone is $38.99 on Amazon, so this is really a great deal. Reviews are mixed but mostly positive, and at this price it's at least worth trying out!

A yummy way to dispose of old candy canes!

You know those candy canes that are leftover after Christmas every year? The ones you find hiding in the back of a cabinet in late August? Personally, I always tuck them away with grand plans to use them as hot cocoa stirrers or something equally as cute but then forget about them.

This year, I was making a batch of chocolate chip cookies using my new favorite recipe, found on the Neiman Marcus website (yes, the ritzy department store). Anyway, after I had scooped about half the batch I had the brilliant idea to crush up the 5 or 6 candy canes sitting in a bowl on my table and throw them into the remaining dough. The result: my new favorite holiday/post holiday treat! I mean, peppermint and chocolate together - what's not to like?!

The only change I made to the recipe was that I used regular instant coffee granules in place of the espresso powder, which I did not have lying around. I would also suggest baking for 18 minutes instead of 20 if you prefer a chewier cookie. They came out pretty crunchy at 20 minutes, although placing them in a plastic storage bag along with a piece of bread remedied that overnight. I recommend enjoying this cookies warm (zap them in the microwave for a few seconds) with a lovely peppermint mocha or hot cocoa. Yum!

Book Review: Start! The Bible for New Believers (NKJV)

I recently received a copy of Start! The Bible for New Believers (New King James Version) through BookSneeze. If you’ve been following my blog, you probably already know that BookSneeze is a program that provides free books to bloggers in exchange for honest reviews.

The Start! Bible, edited by Greg Laurie, is specifically designed for new Christians and it has some great features, including introductions for every chapter and small sections titled Live, Learn, Know, and Grow throughout. As described on the back cover: Live messages focus on various aspects of salvation, Learn notes provide mini-commentaries on key passages for spiritual growth, Know articles expose the core beliefs of Christians, and Grow entries reveal the key disciplines of the Christian life. I found that these sections really enhanced the Bible reading experience and helped me to have a better understanding of the scriptures. Additionally, Start! begins with a short section about the plan of salvation, followed by Greg Laurie’s “Secrets to Spiritual Success”, both of which would be quite useful to a beginner and great refreshers for those of us who are not new to the faith. Rounding out the special features is, of course, an extensive topical index.

The language of the New King James Version is easier to understand than that of the old English found in KJV, although personally I still prefer the New International Version. However, aside from my own personal translation preferences, I think this really is a great Bible. As I hinted at earlier, despite being aimed at new believers Start! could also be quite useful to the seasoned Christian looking for a fresh perspective. The structure is similar to that of the NIV Study Bible, but it provides new insight in its chapter introductions and offers a lot of great hints on how to apply Biblical principles to your life in the Live, Learn, Know, and Grow messages. Whether you’re just starting out on your walk with Jesus or you’ve been getting to know Him for years, this Bible is definitely worth checking out.