Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan

Wonderfully worshipful!  This book, Then Sings My Soul, Special Edition by Robert J. Morgan contains the words and music to 150 Christian hymns, as well as a brief history of each hymn.  Most of the selected hymns are familiar to life-long church-goers (at least, to those over thirty years old....). 

As a member of a medium sized church, I fully enjoy the choruses we generally sing each week.  However, I've greatly missed the hymns of my childhood and after reading (and singing!) Morgan's book, I've realized why. Without telling me so, Morgan portrays the rich heritage and history we, as Christians, have in hymns!  As I read of the origins of some beloved songs of faith, I realized that my "fathers" have been singing some of these songs for hundreds of years before me!  The words of these very songs, that so encourage me and build my worship, did the same for the men and women  in generations before me!  I loved reading about how God impressed certain songs into the minds of their authors, so that the words flowed into a beautiful pattern without so much as an ounce of effort by the writer!  I enjoyed the testimonies written biographically by Morgan of some writers--their conversions and growth in Christ.  And, most of all, I love that I fell more and more in love with my Savior as I not only read the origins of each song, but spent hours singing and praising Him as I read through this wonderful worship book!  (However, it did take quite a bit longer for me to read this book since the four stanza hymns take a while to sing!) 

I am not a "music" person as far as talent goes, but I do love music.  This book made me long for the great songs of faith and heritage of my childhood.  I believe, now, that we've lost something in "giving up" these songs for the newer, more modern choruses.  I think I'll pass this book on to our worship leader at church and request page number 244 (Faith of our Fathers)!

Thanks, Thomas Nelson, for sending this book to me for free--it was a joy to read it!

The American Patriot's Almanac

The American Patriot's Almanac by William Bennett and John Cribb is a wonderful collection of historical moments, truly American inspirations, and slightly longer pieces of our history that every American should read.  It is an excellent book to read on a daily basis for the purpose of remembering the past and applying it to our present for our future.  It's a super resource for teaching kids important aspects of America and patriotism--to help them understand why they should love our nation.

It contains 365 brief, interesting selections--one for reading each day of the year.  These passages are short enough to share with older elementary aged kids through adults.  They are encouraging, inspiring, and cause the reader to be grateful to God and others!

Included in the book are important things every American should know or read--the Gettysburg address, the Emancipation Proclamation, The Constitution, etc.  There are poems by American poets, the lyrics to traditional, patriotic songs, and even America's top movies and quotes by Americans!  And a recurring theme throughout is the Christian heritage our forefathers established for us...something today's Americans too often forget!

I love this book and my kids do too.  I'm so excited to be able to share with them some of the unknown history that makes our nation great--and they love to hear it.  (My 6 year old often asks, "Can we read the America book now?"  ) 

Thanks, Thomas Nelson, for publishing this wonderful book and for sending to me to review!  One of my favorites!

Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids by Sarah Young

     This devotional book for kids is filled with a year's worth of devotions--one each day!  They are dated with the day of the year, but not the day of the week--so it can be used year after year (a great thing, in my opinion because God speaks to us in new ways from the same passage, many times!)
      The devotions contain a short scripture printed at the top and a one page message taken from the theme verse.  Scripture references follow for further study--a great thing for older children, especially!  I used the devotional book with my own four children and found the short verse and message appropriate for the kids aged five through ten (my three year old's attention span was much too short!)  I, as an adult, also really appreciated the messages and often found God speaking to my heart through them!
     The one thing I disliked about this book is that it is written from the first person--as if Jesus himself is speaking the words in the devotional thought.  This was really confusing for my kids, who kept asking if Jesus wrote this or said this.  It was difficult to explain that it was a woman who wrote it from the perspective of Jesus.  I ended up changing it to read from the third person point of view instead and this seemed to be much better understood (and I felt more comfortable with it, too, since they really are not the words of Jesus!)
     Overall, I enjoyed this book that Booksneeze sent to me to review!

William F. Buckley, by Jeremy Lott

Very interesting!  Lott follows the life of Buckley from childhood (briefly) through death.    I found the biography interesting and inspiring in some ways.  I didn't know much (any?) about William F. Buckley before reading this book.  I was inspired by his commitment to his faith (although this is a common theme throughout the book, it's not a very prominent theme, in my opinion.) and his beliefs--even in the face of opposition.  While his personal faith is not explored deeply--it is reflected in his willingness to voice truth even when it's not popular. 

I had hoped the book might be more in depth regarding Buckley's personal faith.  However, it focuses much on his political/ social views.  I do believe, however, that these are a reflection of his faith and one's political/social views are very much intertwined with one's faith, generally. 

Overall, I learned a lot about an interesting man and feel more inspired to speak the truth, myself, to those within my influence...even if it's not popular!