September’s Quick Reviews (Children’s Book Edition)

A mix bag of the new from The Good Book Company and last year’s release from New Growth Press which are all dripping with awesomeness!

What Are Hands For? and What Are Mouths For? (Abbey Wedgeworth and Emma Randall, The Good Book Company)

Basically the two books have the same content. I like how the story flows into something basic, to something moral, then about Jesus,the gospel and finally, Christian living powered by the Holy Spirit. I enjoy it and I can say this is a “complete”, not just big in moral or focus on just this part of the Christian experience, but the author really had it balanced for your children’s reading pleasure.

My Top 50 Albums and EP’s of 2023

Happy New Year! It’s a bit late to greet you that because I had a month long sabbatical from my blog to give way to family, work, church, ministry related activities and the holidays. I had to slow down and reflect. But I’m still here and still blogging. So I want to offer my first post (sort of) a list of some of my jams last year.

There are lots of good music last year that my list got long. Some in the list are debut releases from new artists that offer fresh and exciting tunes. Some had released albums in the past but I find their new stuff worth leading an ear. The music styles and genres in this list are diverse, so there are plenty to choose from. Artist collaborations abound giving added flavor to songs that are already superb.

8 Favorite Quotes From The Book “Handel’s Messiah” (Gregory S. Athnos, Cascade Books)

I’m thankful to God for helping me finish the biblical counseling classes last Saturday. I have fellowship with pastors from different churches around the Batangas province and made some friends along the way. I’m thankful for the sponsor church from the US for letting us stream the teachings. Locally, Christ Steward’s Fellowship pastored by Celso Namuco hosted our weekly classes providing us the venue, the work book and coffee. It’s such a blessing and honor to be part of the sessions and I’m looking forward to Phase 2. May God bless us all as we bring what we have learned to our churches and help believers as they live for Christ.

Anyway, here’s some of my favorite quotes from the book Handel’s Messiah: A New View of Its Musical and Spiritual Architecture authored by Gregory Athnos published by Cascade Books an imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers. If you enjoy these quotes, you can buy a copy by clicking this link.

“..it is important to realize that the “Hallelujah Chorus” is a paean of praise in response to the defeat of God’s enemies. It follows the previous movements where God overpowered and destroyed those who stood against his Messiah. It is not a hymn of thanksgiving for the birth of Messiah. It is a hymn of “triumph, war cries, victory, hallelujahs, and rejoicing.” As such, it is the only response capable of bringing comfort to those who suffered under persecution wrought by the enemies that stood against the kingdom of our Lord.”

(Videos) Unboxing Evangelistic Graduation Gifts for My Daughter and Her Classmates

It’s graduation season and as parents, it will be our first time to experience it as (other than ourselves) our daughter moves up from kindergarten to Grade 1. It has been a year of helping her along with her auntie and a tutor as she learned how to read and write. We thank God that those fruits of labor (with much prayers) for our only child are now a reality. We want this milestone to be memorable by being there as she goes on stage and by giving her gifts. And only for her but for her classmates too. Seeing them and their parents when I picked up my daughter after school, gave me some insights from them as I interact and observe them. I believe this is a evangelistic opportunity that we shouldn’t miss.

Children’s Book Review: New and May Release of The Good Book Company

Let’s focus on a fresh batch of children’s books that are very unique and interesting. If you like what you read, pick up the books by clicking on the title.

The Songs of A Warrior (Katy Morgan) -This is a re-telling of the story of two kings, Saul and David. I have been exposed to re-tellings on the story of David, but this is just a nice one. I like the earlier chapters which give a solid and raw narrative of Saul’s humble beginnings and till his ascension to the throne. I enjoyed that a lot. However, as for the succeeding chapters and with the author’s unnecessary time jumps to the story, I got lost on what this book’s endgame is about.

Comicbook Review: “Displaced #1” (Brannon Hollingsworth and Duh Dude)

Summary: In Displaced #1, a coach potato got into a some sort of space war and he discovers he is fated to save the multiverse. The problem is that he doesn’t know how and what the heck is going on!

(Interview) Sharmaine Saraspi of Guilt, Grace, Gratitude

You know the T-shirts, hoodies and the mugs. Now let’s get to know the person behind these merchs. Sharmaine Saraspi of Guilt, Grace, Gratitude talks about her recent merch booth over Pilgrim Theological Conference, how she started GGG, and being creative for God’s glory.

Hi Sharmaine. Saw some photos of you and your booth at the Pilgrim Theological Conference. So how was the experience being there with your merchs?

It is actually refreshing and I am truly grateful to finally set up a merch booth again after 3 years of the pandemic.

There are lots of Reformed brethren there and I think they like what you put out through Guilt, Grace, Gratitude. What’s the feeling of being recognized and being able to see folks wearing your t-shirts?

I’m actually shy because I’ve been trying to sell the merch while keeping a low profile since I started back in 2018, but I eventually made friends on social media (got exposed hahaha)  and was referred to by them, so eventually I got used to it.

(Interview) March Vargas of Cherish Christ

This new year, I’ll start with March. Yes, March. March Vargas that is. This Christian content creator has videos on YouTube and Facebook that teaches biblical topics. But it’s done (sometimes) in a funny and entertaining way. If you want to know more about her, check this interview out.

Hi March. Please kindly tell us something about yourself and how you got saved?

Hi! Thanks for having me. 🙂 I was raised in a Roman Catholic family. When one of my sisters became a Christian, she shared the gospel with me and started bringing me to her local church. I was in 1st year high school back then. As I was learning more about the Bible, I was realizing more and more how I have fallen short from the standards of God. But although I was eager to start following Christ, the desires of my flesh prevailed. I loved my sins more and I couldn’t get myself to surrender my life to Him.

Children’s Book Review: “I See Jesus” (Nancy Guthrie and Jenny Blake)

We all know that the Bible is one book made up of two parts, the Old and New Testaments. However, it seems that we view the Bible in terms of those two parts. That both are different in many ways. Sometimes we think that we see two different Gods in those divisions. We sometimes think the God in the OT is an angry one and in NT we see Him as a God of love.

But the truth is, the Bible has one redemptive narrative that keeps both OT and NT intact. These stories point not just to a big picture but a big person. That person is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are not left alone even our kids on how this truth can be understood. The Bible gives us details on this. In this latest book from Bible teacher, Nancy Guthrie, the Bible uses a bridge for the Old Testament stories to Christ. The Bible calls it a shadow.

(Author Interview) Hannah R. Hess, author of “The First Skyrider”

The second serving of the very delectable Christian YA fiction, Dark Star is out. So bite into The First Skyrider and savor the fantastic journey of Cairn to greatness.

This is the second part of my interview with H. R. Hess. You can read the first part here that covers reading fiction and her first book, Dark Star. On this last installment, we talk about writing and The First Skyrider.

Hello Hannah! Please tell us how you got into writing fiction?

Hi, and thanks so much for interviewing me.

I have been making up stories for as long as I can remember, and reading them too. I think as young as eight I decided I wanted to be a writer. I kept writing in my spare time all through university, and when I was raising my three children. Once my youngest started school I decided to take a serious shot at being published. I tried a couple of publishers first, before deciding to release my first novel independently. Very shortly after, I got picked up by Reformation Lightning, a new imprint for Christian YA fiction.