Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The world presents us with new dangers each day, but we can find peace when we trust God to deliver us home safely.  And he also saves us from the threats we can't see, the negative influences we face in a corrupt world.  When and where the world invades our lives with hazardous thoughts and dangerous influences, Craig Groeschel shines the light of truth into the darkness, inviting readers to enjoy freedom from the bonds of culture.  To be washed in the waters of holiness.  To engage this world without ingesting deadly toxins that endanger the soul.  Jesus calls followers to a radically different lifestyle than the impure culture of moral ambiguity we see around us.  Soul Detox challenges readers to embrace this new life and shows them how to live it abundantly.

MY THOUGHTS:

Today's culture is proving that our physical bodies are enduring more and more toxins through our foods, vaccinations, water, air, etc. However, the toxins we should be most concerned with are those of the spiritual realm...what toxins we are pouring into our lives spiritually.  As parents, we struggle with how to raise our children to be "in the world but not of it" and show them the beauty of being "washed in the waters of holiness" like Groeschel writes about.  

I have always enjoyed reading Groeschel's writings and Soul Detox was just the same.  He writes in such a down-to-earth, easy to read yet totally challenging way that you come away convicted, inspired and determined by his writings.  Throughout this book, he weaves personal stories and this book shows how we are living in "one of the most spiritually poisonous times in history".  He covers topics like "Toxic Behaviors" (personal lies, false beliefs, lethal language & hidden sins), "Toxic Emotions" (bitterness/resentment, envy/comparision, anger/rage & fear/worry) and "Toxic Influences" (materialism, culture, unhealthy people & religion). Let me just tell you, the "Toxic Influences" chapters are powerful and every church in America needs to read those because too often we find our churches straddling the fence to be "people-pleasers" and not offend members rather than stand on the Word and openly preach against the toxic influences in our world today....and it's not just teenagers being influenced by these! 

This book would also make a wonderful small group Bible study or discussion group material.  There is lots of scripture reference throughout the book and practical application of how to take his writings and apply them to our individual lives today.  This is a book that will make you want to not only be more conscientious of what you are physically putting into your body but will make you want to do a "spiritual detox" as well.  Soul Detox is available through Zondervan.  In closing, I'll leave you with some food for thought from Groeschel's writing in this book:

"Everything that we allow into our minds, hearts, and lives—everything that we spend our time and money on—has an impact on how we grow, or don’t grow, spiritually. As the old computer adage reminds us: garbage in, garbage out. Just as we are what we eat physically, we are also what we consume spiritually. If we don’t monitor and adjust our diet accordingly, our souls are in danger of absorbing more and more lethal poison."

Disclaimer:  I was given an advance reading copy of this book from Zondervan for review purposes only.  No monetary compensation was received.  

Weekend of Books

Y'all know how much I love to read.  I can admit it....I'm a bookworm...and I married a bookworm because my husband loves to read just as much as I do.  Sadly, only 1 of our 3 children like to read so far but we are still working on fostering that love of reading in their lives too.  Over the course of this weekend, I am going to share great books with you.  It's going to be my "Weekend of Books" and there will be something for everyone. I'll have Christian books, college prep, homeschool material, mission-minded books, parenting books and more.  There will be 2 books featured today, Saturday & Sunday so check back often to see what we've read that we hope you might find useful too.  

And....don't forget to ENTER MY GIVEAWAY to win a great family-friendly movie!  

The Genesis Code Review & GIVEAWAY

We love family movie nights at our house and we try to pick Christian based films to watch together.  We are also a family that believes in the Creationist point of view and Biblical truths so I was really excited when I had the opportunity to review a family-friendly movie that combined Science and the Bible.

About The Genesis Code:

Kerry Wells (Kelsey Sanders), a college journalist and committed Christian with an effervescent personality, has been assigned to do a story on Blake Truman (Logan Bartholomew) the college’s newest and very popular hockey superstar. As a relationship between them begins to develop Kerry finds that Blake, who hides behind a tough and independent façade, is actually struggling through a difficult personal crisis and that he bears the cross of a secret he has kept hidden for years. Blake rebuffs Kerry’s suggestion that prayer might help ease his burden; he is convinced that modern science completely disproves the Bible, especially the opening verses of Genesis. Kerry — who is herself suddenly confronted with a challenge to her faith on another front — sets out to prove that science and Genesis are not in conflict and her quest leads to a startling revelation. Could it be that what science teaches us about creation and the Story as told in Genesis are both true!

Our Thoughts:

The Genesis Code does an amazing job of creating discussions with your children about Science vs. the Bible.  Since the entire movie is focused on this area, there is a lot of technical Scientific terms thrown around that may be over your child's head and a few scenes where they are discussing how both Science and the Bible could be true in given areas.  This movie does a great job of balancing both Evolution and Creation too and teaches a lot about both world viewpoints.  There were a few parts of the movie we found a little "slow" but overall, I really enjoyed this movie.  Oh, and the ending....well, I'm not going to spoil it for you but it is dynamic and I bet you'll be reaching for a Kleenex before the credits!  Being that there is no sex, violence or bad language, The Genesis Code is definitely a family-friendly movie and a great one to open up discussions on Science vs. the Bible.  ENTER BELOW TO WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF THIS DVD!

Summer Bucket List & "Thrill Points"

Summer has officially begun and we decided to join The Happy Family Movement's "Summer Bucket List Challenge" (their on Facebook too).  I believe we will have a much more fun summer if we are intentional with some of the things we choose to do...plus, it reminds us to make memories each day with the kids as well....which is something we parents can often forget in our busy days!  So we gathered in the living room yesterday and created our very first bucket list ever....our "Summer Bucket List 2012".  

I found the cutest way to create our summer bucket list thanks to Sunny Vegan.  She has the cutest page that you can download and print and then either write in your list or I saved the photo and edited it in PicMonkey with our tasks and our family name.  It turned out super cute and best of all, it was FREE!  So what did our family decide to do this summer??  Well, here's our Summer Bucket List......

Hike at Hurricane Creek Park

Have Family Game Night

Go fishing

Play putt-putt golf

Visit a nursing home

Fun with sidewalk chalk

Storytime at the library

Go to the drive-in movies

Study about Pirates

Swim at the grandparents pool

Eat a cupcake from Frostings Bakery

Go to the movie theater

Visit the Smoky Mountains

Picnic at the park

Swim at the Hartselle Pool

Play with water guns

Study about dangerous animals

Watch fireworks on July 4th

Swim at David's uncle's pool

Play with bubbles

Go on a nature scavenger hunt

Make an art project each week in June

Go tent camping

Have a lemonade stand

Swim at Hanceville pool

Catch fireflies in a jar

Go to a VBS

Have a full day with Kindle privileges (our son's idea)

Go on a neighborhood bike ride

Go bowling

Make an art project each week in July

Go on a sunset walk

Read a mystery book

Study about the earth

Swim at my cousin's pool

Go to the farmer's market

Watch the sunset as a family

Go canoeing

Bike ride at the college beside our house

Have a water "war" 

Then last night, I went in the girls room to tuck them in and discovered they had created their own "Summer Thrill Points" chart just like Judy Moody did in the movie "Judy Moody & the Not Bummer Summer".  I have to admit, it was pretty hysterical to read some of their dares.....go close to a bee (they've all been stung by one before), ride the dog (I'm sure our Great Pyrenees will love this one), catch more than 2 fireflies (obviously we don't have many in our yard), etc.  So it appears our kids are going to have a "Not Bummer Summer" one way or the other...ha! 

Leave me some "comment love"

SO WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER PLANS????

"Must-Have" Homeschool Items

Many Little Blessings is hosting 10 weeks of writing about homeschool topics (along with other members of the iHomeschool Network) during the Top Ten Tuesdays.  This week, the topic is "Top 10 'Must-Have' Homeschool Items".  I loved this topic and decided to share my Top 10 list of homeschool items with you.

THE BIBLE ~ We try to begin and end every day with the Word.  We are currently using "Long Story Short" in the mornings with the kids and ending the day with the Jesus Storybook Bible.  The kids are also using Positive Action Bible curriculum in homeschooling as well.  

A PENCIL POUCH ~ We purchased each of the kids a monogrammed pencil pouch from Thirty-One and they have loved it.  Inside they are to keep their scissors, glue sticks, pencil sharpener, erasers, Crayola twistables (which we love!) and sometimes even little toys as you can tell by the picture above.  Plus, if we need to take our schooling on the road all their supplies are in one pouch.  

HOLE PUNCH ~  With the age of pdf files and downloadable homeschooling materials, a 3-hole punch is necessary for us.  I also use it to put their work into their binders as well.  

BINDERS ~ We use 3-ring binders for each child to keep their work for the week organized and easily accessible.  I use 5 tab dividers for each day of the week and then I put the work they have to complete that day inside that tab.  I also include any test they need to be studying for as well as their weekly Scripture memory verse.  Again, if we need to take schooling on the road they can grab their pencil pouch and binder and they are ready to go!  

MAPS ~ In our kitchen (which also is our homeschool area) we have a wall of maps.  We have a world map, a US map and a Prayer Map of America.  Not only are these great in their educational studies but I can't tell you how many times we've found them sitting on bar stools by the maps playing games with each other.  Who can find New York the fastest?  What's the capital of Hawaii?  Where is Peru?, etc.  

A COMPUTER ~ Not only is this good for them to learn to write reports, how to type correctly and efficiently but also there are so many great educational websites out there for them to utilize as well.  There are reading programs, Math games, geography games, educational video sites and more for them to use to reinforce what they are learning in homeschool.  While we aren't using these yet, there are some great homeschool curriculums offered online or through CD-ROM's as well. 

A PRINTER ~  Not only is a printer necessary to print out pdf files but we also use it to print the kids weekly chore charts, extra handwriting practice pages for Wyatt, coloring sheets and fun activities, etc.  Also, with the eBooks and pdf files you can get for homeschooling, if you have a printer you can print out the pages you need when you need them instead of having to go to a store and print the whole book.  We didn't invest in an expensive printer either and it works great.  We love our HP Deskjet 6840! 

An iPad ~ While it is not a necessity for everyone we absolutely love ours. We've loaded it with tons of FREE educational apps, paid for a few great ones (like The Elements), streamed Netflix on it and even put a few fun kid games and board games.  David & I even love to play against each other in Scrabble and Battleship on the iPad.  It also makes a great item for them to play with when we are traveling (as we don't have a DVD player in our vehicle) and it gives them hours of fun and lots of educational learning in the process.

NETFLIX ~ We do not have cable/satellite in our home but we love paying $7.99 a month to watch Netflix. We do not do the DVD by mail option and simply use it to stream videos.  There is a plethora of educational videos, documentaries, biographies, etc. on Netflix as well as lots of TV shows, kids programs (LeapFrog, Word World, Disney shows, etc).  Right now our 7 year old is watching every season of "Man vs. Wild" on Netflix and learning things that could benefit him later in life.  Our girls recently watched "God of Wonders" and were fascinated by this program and loved it.  I highly recommend Netflix if you don't have cable/satellite and if you do, you should saving money each month and choosing Netflix instead.  

A BIG DOSE OF PATIENCE ~ My family will tell you Patience is not my greatest virtue.  However, I've learned through homeschooling that it is a daily necessity.  Your days are not always going to go like planned, your child may struggle with a topic you thought they'd catch on easily, something may break that you need, an unexpected phone call may alter the course of your day, your kids may wake up whiny and fuss with each other all morning, etc.  Patience is a homeschooling Mother's best friend & I pray daily for God to give it to me and to give it to me in overflowing amounts because Lord knows, I'm going to need it!  

JOIN THE FUN....LEAVE A COMMENT 

& TELL YOUR "MUST-HAVE" HOMESCHOOL ITEM(S)!

Dive Into Your Imagination {TOS Review}

We are family that loves studying about animals.  I personally do not like going out in the ocean but I have always been fascinated by the creatures that call the ocean home. I used to think I might want to be a marine biologist or someone like Jacques Cousteau until I realized I'd have to go IN the ocean on either of those jobs...ha!  Our children love getting in the ocean, snorkeling and learning about it.  As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, we recently had the chance to "Dive Into Diversity" with Annie Crawley's Dive Into Your Imagination series.  

In the "Dive Into Diversity" DVD you will get to journey under the sea and learn how ocean creatures depend on each other for survival.  Explore the depths of the ocean and learn what happens at night.  Take a ride to a depth of 1500 feet in the deep sea with a submarine pilot.  Learn what eating ice cream and brushing your teeth have in common.  Why do crabs have claws?  What can grow 3 feet in just one day?  

Dive Into Diversity is 44 minutes of beautiful ocean cinematography that was filmed by Annie Crawley, a cinematographer, educator and motivational speaker.  The DVD is divided into the following chapters:  

Crusty Crustaceans  • Night Diving • Coral Reef Living • Be A Submarine Pilot • Swim in a Kelp Forest • Sea Animals with Backbones •  Diversity • Invertebrates of the Sea

Our Experience:  Wow, Wow, Wow!!  This is not just an educational video but it is a DVD we have watched over and over.  I promise we see something new every time we watch it.  Not only do all 3 kids (ages 7, 8 & 11) like it but so do I.  The quality of this video is right up there with Discovery Channel and I would dare say National Geographic quality.  It is narrated in very soothing voice and the background sounds do not overpower the narration making it easy to listen and learn at the same time.  This DVD series is sponsored by Save Our Seas and throughout the video it teaches how to care for the ocean and that environment as well as take care of the seas and the animals which call it home.  

Educator Guides:  We were blessed to also receive the Educators Guide to accompany this particular DVD.  It came with 2 different levels (Pre-K/Kindergarten and 1st-3rd grades).  We used the 1st-3rd grade Educator Guide and it contained over 300 pages of materials...yes 300 pages!  The Educator Guides give you the following resources to accompany each chapter on the DVD:

1. Character education and imagination play for your students.
2. A set of student questions correlating to the lessons designed to prompt discussion and enhance learning during video and multi-media viewing.
3. Ideas and support materials you can use to build learning centers in your classroom which combine science with other core subjects.
4. A glossary of scientific terms, eco-tips and websites for educator content support.
5. Suggested book lists and extension activities that can be used to bring an ocean of imagination flooding into your class.

I loved that the Educator Guides were non-consumable meaning I could choose which portions and pages I wanted to print and use rather than having to print all 300+ pages.  We have done some of the activity sheets, a few of the art/creative projects (such as glow-in-the-dark paintings), played trivia games with questions, etc. These Educator Guides contain so much information you could actually use them with more than just the DVD.  These are a wonderful resource and a huge asset to helping your child learn more after watching this program and also cover topics like literacy, geography, math, etc.  I should mention that these Educator Guides are written with a school setting in mind but they were pretty easy to adapt to a homeschool setting.  

Creation/Evolution:  These DVD's are not written from a Christian based perspective but there wasn't any content that out-right promoted evolution.  It is a lot less obvious than most educational programs we watch on National Geographic or Discovery Channel.  However, the Educator Guides are most certainly written from a secular humanist standpoint and they put a lot of emphasis on elevating the environment rather than the Creator (God).  If you are a Creationist family (like we are), then you will have to appropriately re-word a lot of the Educator Guides to fit those beliefs as they are not written from the Young Earth/Creationist/Bible-based beliefs.

Overall, we really enjoyed this DVD and would like to have the other 2 DVD's in this series.  We probably will not purchase the Educator Guides (since they don't align with our beliefs) but rather just watch and learn from the DVD's themselves.  Dive Into Your Imagination DVD's are priced at just $19.95 each.  You can also read about other Dive Into Your Imagination DVD's on the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.  

A note about the Educator Guides:  The guides are available (click for store at anniecrawley.com) as a printed version for $299 (for the whole set of them) or as individual PDFs for $69.95. As a special for the Homeschool Crew and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and followers, Annie Crawley of Dive Into Your Imagination will gift you a set of PDFs with purchase of the DVDs. When you place your DVD order, just let her know in the notes that you are a Homeschool Parent! VERY IMPORTANT:  Do not order the guides at the anniecrawley website.  Just make a note in the "comments" or "notes" section of your DVD order that you are a homeschool parent and want a copy of the guides.

Disclaimer:  I was given a copy of the DVD & Educator Guide mentioned above as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew for review purposes only.  No monetary compensation was received.  

And the Homeschool Crew Winners Are.......

As the end of the 2011-2012 TOS Homeschool Crew year draws near, The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew is presenting its yearly awards to our favorite vendors.  These awards are called the "Blue Ribbon Awards" and they are awarded based upon votes from the TOS Homeschool Crew members from reviews we have done throughout the year.  

While I didn't get to review every one of these products, for the ones I did review I am posting my own review of their product.  If I have not reviewed a product, I will give yo the TOS Crew link so you can read all the reviews from folks that did enjoy these products.  Each and every company is amazing and I am excited to get to share them you.  I am looking forward to another year as a TOS Homeschool Crew 2012-2013 member and can't wait to see what all new companies I am introduced to in the months to come.  So without further ado....here are the "Blue Ribbon Award Winners"

Favorite Reading Instruction Product:  Reading Eggs
Favorite Writing Product:  Write Shop
Favorite Language Arts Product: Progeny Press
Favorite Social Studies Product: TruthQuest History
Favorite Science Product: Amazing Science
Favorite Math Product: Math Mammoth
Favorite Online Math Product: Math Rider
Favorite Foreign Language Product: Visual Latin
Favorite Fine Arts Product: Artistic Pursuits
Favorite Christian Education Product:  Apologia: Who Am I?
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Favorite Preschool Product: Before Five in a Row
Favorite Elementary Product: All About Reading
Favorite Middle School Product:  Write with WORLD
Favorite High School Product: Excellence in Literature
Favorite College or College-Prep Product:  Excellence in Literature
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Best Online Resource:  Reading Eggs
Best e-Product: Heritage History
Best Homeschool Resource: Apologia: Educating the Wholehearted Child
Best Book, Novel, or Magazine: Apologia: How to Have a HEART for Your Kids
Best Children's Book: Amazing Animals by Design
Best Game or Toy: Northstar Games: Wits and Wagers and Say Anything
Best Hands-On Resource: Pitsco Education
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Best Resource I Didn't Know I Needed: eMeals
Best Customer Service: K5 Learning
Most Adaptable Resource: Creek Edge Press
Most Family-Oriented Resource: Northstar Games: Wits and Wagers and Say Anything

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Kids' Choice (favorite of CHILDREN ages 0-12):  Reading Eggs
Teens' Choice (favorite per the TEENAGERS): Pitsco Education
All Around Crew Favorite: Visual Latin