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The Heart-Shaped Life Daily Devotional: Choosing a Life of Steadfast Love One Day at a Time by Karen Moore is a wonderful devotion book. One page is specific to each day of the year. I have found this book to be a beautiful love centered reflection of God and His will for our lives.
This is a 365 day devotional, plus it has one for Leap Year, February 29. Each day has a title, a Scripture verse, then the devotional, and ending with a short prayer. Each devotional is centered around love how God fits into our lives and our hearts.
The colors of the cover and the inside are beautiful and eye-catching. There is a ribbon bookmark as well, which is a nice touch. In the back of the devotional is a scripture index for the texts used in the devotional. I felt the devotions did a great job having thought provoking devotions that can be read quickly for the busy individual, but leave the reader thinking about them throughout the day. Each devotion is relevant and inspiring.
Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a 365 day devotional, plus it has one for Leap Year, February 29. Each day has a title, a Scripture verse, then the devotional, and ending with a short prayer. Each devotional is centered around love how God fits into our lives and our hearts.
The colors of the cover and the inside are beautiful and eye-catching. There is a ribbon bookmark as well, which is a nice touch. In the back of the devotional is a scripture index for the texts used in the devotional. I felt the devotions did a great job having thought provoking devotions that can be read quickly for the busy individual, but leave the reader thinking about them throughout the day. Each devotion is relevant and inspiring.
Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in Movies
Jul 16, 2019
An absolute joy from start to finish
Into the Spider-Verse is nothing short of excellent.
The animation style is beautiful, quirky, packed with colour, and doesn't let go of your attention until the credits have finished rolling.
The assembled voice cast are all great, and compliment the emotion and humour felt throughout.
The humour in question is flawless...every joke and humourous beat land perfectly. It's a funny movie, as well as carrying along a powerful message about growing up, and realising that you're not alone.
The storyline is pretty crazy, and as it deals with multiple dimensions, there's a chance to pull in some fun characters from the comic world, including Peni Parker, Spider-Ham, Spider Gwen, and Spider-Man Noir (hilarious btw). It's definitely out there, but it works very well.
Miles' universe, where the movie takes place, is a setting that allows the writers to take free reign, tinkering with classic villains we know and love, making this a Spider-Man movie worth seeing for fans old and new.
Possibly the best Spider-Man movie yet (maybe in a par with Far From Home).
End note - the post credit scene is just the best thing ever.
The animation style is beautiful, quirky, packed with colour, and doesn't let go of your attention until the credits have finished rolling.
The assembled voice cast are all great, and compliment the emotion and humour felt throughout.
The humour in question is flawless...every joke and humourous beat land perfectly. It's a funny movie, as well as carrying along a powerful message about growing up, and realising that you're not alone.
The storyline is pretty crazy, and as it deals with multiple dimensions, there's a chance to pull in some fun characters from the comic world, including Peni Parker, Spider-Ham, Spider Gwen, and Spider-Man Noir (hilarious btw). It's definitely out there, but it works very well.
Miles' universe, where the movie takes place, is a setting that allows the writers to take free reign, tinkering with classic villains we know and love, making this a Spider-Man movie worth seeing for fans old and new.
Possibly the best Spider-Man movie yet (maybe in a par with Far From Home).
End note - the post credit scene is just the best thing ever.
Rodney Barnes (472 KP) rated Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) in Movies
Apr 5, 2021
Godzilla Done Right
Contains spoilers, click to show
The latest installment of the monster verse was done very well. Like I have said before, I am a big Godzilla fan. I own every movie. Let me begin by telling the people the whine and complain about the human storyline to just shut up!! If you have watched any Godzilla movie, useless human storyline is a part of every Godzilla. But anyway, this movie is great. They make Kong a character you can identify with. You actually want Kong to win the big battle when it goes down. The organization Apex wants Kong to find the Hollow Earth so they can use the energy there for their own diabolical purposes. At the same time, Kong is actually going to his ancestral home. Meanwhile Godzilla is on a rampage because he senses Ghidorah in the form of a Mechanized Godzilla Apex has built. The two Titans have battle with Godzilla eventually winning the clash. Apex loses control of Mecha Godzilla because Ghidorah has taken over. Godzilla is almost beaten until Kong arrives. The two team up and take Mecha Godzilla down. A very well done movie. This is how a Godzilla movie is supposed to be done. I recommend giving this latest installment a watch
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Finding the Light of Jesus in Books
Feb 11, 2019
When I first started to read this book, I realized very quickly how simply written this book is. The first ten chapters read as if I were sitting in a therapy session with the author and she were talking to me. They are written without much emphasis on detail, and seemed to focus largely on how a person feels in regards to stress and depression. Though the author writes extensively on the light of Jesus, she does not quote a single Bible verse, though she attempts to paraphrase a few - without citations. The beginning and end of each of these ten chapters also contain a poem she wrote and calls prayers, though the poetry is badly written and has little resemblance to an actual prayer, in my opinion. Also scattered through the chapters are activities that the author recommends for the reader, such as journaling and answering questions.
The final chapter is actually a collection of prayers and reflections that the reader is supposed to follow over the course of seven days. This is followed by a section of "Conversations With Jesus" that focus on different topics such as anger, jealousy, being overwhelmed, and fear. This is followed by five pages in which she quotes a scripture from the New American Bible, and leaves a blank space for the reader to journal the answers to her questions about the scripture verse. This is followed by more of her prayers and a further 30 days of prayer and reflection.
Overall, the author presents a Jesus that is only concerned about a person's feelings, whom the author seems to believe that everyone has inside of him or her from birth. She further indicates that everyone goes to heaven, and Jesus' strongest quality is being a "light." No mention is made of the basic precepts of Bible-based Christianity, such as sin, salvation, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead she writes things that seem to contradict parts of scripture, such as stating that Jesus does not judge us and that we are the "light," as well as what I previously mentioned about everyone going to heaven. In the context of that paragraph, I almost expected the author to write that we are all Jesus. I also noticed while reading that nowhere does she ever refer to Him as Jesus Christ either. The entire book has a vague New Age feel, as many of the things Tuttle writes mimic the doctrine of a New Age Jesus.
The author, Cindy Tuttle, has a background of working in the mental health industry for more than twenty-five years. Based on what I have read in this book, I have no doubt that she is good at her job and finds great success with her patients, but I do not find this book of the same calibur.
The final chapter is actually a collection of prayers and reflections that the reader is supposed to follow over the course of seven days. This is followed by a section of "Conversations With Jesus" that focus on different topics such as anger, jealousy, being overwhelmed, and fear. This is followed by five pages in which she quotes a scripture from the New American Bible, and leaves a blank space for the reader to journal the answers to her questions about the scripture verse. This is followed by more of her prayers and a further 30 days of prayer and reflection.
Overall, the author presents a Jesus that is only concerned about a person's feelings, whom the author seems to believe that everyone has inside of him or her from birth. She further indicates that everyone goes to heaven, and Jesus' strongest quality is being a "light." No mention is made of the basic precepts of Bible-based Christianity, such as sin, salvation, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead she writes things that seem to contradict parts of scripture, such as stating that Jesus does not judge us and that we are the "light," as well as what I previously mentioned about everyone going to heaven. In the context of that paragraph, I almost expected the author to write that we are all Jesus. I also noticed while reading that nowhere does she ever refer to Him as Jesus Christ either. The entire book has a vague New Age feel, as many of the things Tuttle writes mimic the doctrine of a New Age Jesus.
The author, Cindy Tuttle, has a background of working in the mental health industry for more than twenty-five years. Based on what I have read in this book, I have no doubt that she is good at her job and finds great success with her patients, but I do not find this book of the same calibur.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated In Plain Sight: Seeing God's Signature throughout Creation in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rating: 4.5
As an artist, a writer, and a creator, God has left His fingerprints in His work. Look at an eyeball… now look at gold particles. Look at a cabbage leaf… now look at blood vessels. One of my favorite comparisons: The birth of a cell, a nebula in space. A cell is so small… a nebula is so big. Both are small or big to the point that we really can't wrap our minds around how small and big they are… and yet the similarities are striking.
Gordon has created a beautiful book with 40 days of photographs and daily devotions, scripture verses, and some thought provoking questions. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through his thoughts and devotional guides. This book really opened my eyes to what was meant when God said that He had clearly exposed himself in creation, so that man had no excuse.
In Plain Sight was a joy to explore, and left me with a whole new way of looking at God's creation.
Recommendation: This book would be great for a family devotion, a small group, a Bible study, or an individual of any age. I would recommend keeping a notebook to answer the questions, and instead of reading the one verse in the text, read the paragraph or chapter that it came from, for the sake of keeping the verses in context.
As an artist, a writer, and a creator, God has left His fingerprints in His work. Look at an eyeball… now look at gold particles. Look at a cabbage leaf… now look at blood vessels. One of my favorite comparisons: The birth of a cell, a nebula in space. A cell is so small… a nebula is so big. Both are small or big to the point that we really can't wrap our minds around how small and big they are… and yet the similarities are striking.
Gordon has created a beautiful book with 40 days of photographs and daily devotions, scripture verses, and some thought provoking questions. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through his thoughts and devotional guides. This book really opened my eyes to what was meant when God said that He had clearly exposed himself in creation, so that man had no excuse.
In Plain Sight was a joy to explore, and left me with a whole new way of looking at God's creation.
Recommendation: This book would be great for a family devotion, a small group, a Bible study, or an individual of any age. I would recommend keeping a notebook to answer the questions, and instead of reading the one verse in the text, read the paragraph or chapter that it came from, for the sake of keeping the verses in context.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Morning in the Burned House in Books
Feb 11, 2019
Though I really cannot remember the last time I read a book of poetry, when I spotted this library discard by the well-respected Canadian author, Margaret Atwood, I could not resist. I was hooked with the first poem, as I felt that these words could have echoed from my own thoughts -- a feeling that continued with many more poems in this book. I also loved that she did not feel the need to make her poems rhyme or follow any specific rhythm. I believe the technical term is free verse. At any rate, it was much more freeing to read than the typical poetry I remember from my school days. I find myself also growing in respect for the author, as I think it is rather courageous to publish a book of poetry, even for an established author like Margaret Atwood. Poetry somehow feels more raw and closer to the heart of the author than a lengthy work of fiction. Though I have jotted down bits of poetry in private moments, I would not dare share most of it with anyone. Some of my favorites are "A Sad Child", "Red Fox", and "Helen of Try Does Counter Dancing", but I found something to like in every poem. I highly recommend this very enjoyable read, even if poetry is not your cup of tea.
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008080;"><strong>My Thoughts:</strong></span>
<span style="color: #008080;"><strong>Like Bibles, I can never get enough of Daily Devotionals. When this one came up to review, I was super happy. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The cover is super eye catching and the devotionals within are just what I need to read. </strong></span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008080;"><strong>Each day, there is a theme, a bible verse to accompany the theme, a devotional to read and then concludes with a prayer to say. I love that. I feel like my walk with God will improve with this devotional. The devotionals are wonderful and seem to be just what I need to hear/see. </strong></span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008080;"><strong>This is definitely worth high recommendations. Ms. Moore created a wonderful, 4 star daily devotional collection that I will use on a daily basis. I'll be sharing this with lots of my friends and family and I hope that you will too!</strong></span><a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/barbour-review-crew-review-the-heart-shaped-life-daily-devotional-by-karen-moore/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
<span style="color: #008080;"><strong>Like Bibles, I can never get enough of Daily Devotionals. When this one came up to review, I was super happy. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The cover is super eye catching and the devotionals within are just what I need to read. </strong></span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008080;"><strong>Each day, there is a theme, a bible verse to accompany the theme, a devotional to read and then concludes with a prayer to say. I love that. I feel like my walk with God will improve with this devotional. The devotionals are wonderful and seem to be just what I need to hear/see. </strong></span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008080;"><strong>This is definitely worth high recommendations. Ms. Moore created a wonderful, 4 star daily devotional collection that I will use on a daily basis. I'll be sharing this with lots of my friends and family and I hope that you will too!</strong></span><a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/barbour-review-crew-review-the-heart-shaped-life-daily-devotional-by-karen-moore/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in Movies
Jul 3, 2020
Amazingly Spectacular Again - 9/10
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a computer animated superhero film based off of the Spider-Man comics and movie franchise focusing on the Miles Morales/Spider-Man. Produced by Colombia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation, it's set in a shared multiverse, which has alternate universes, called, the "Spider-Verse". The movie was directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman from a screenplay by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman and story by Phil Lord. Starring Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfield, and Mahershala Ali.
Miles Morales, (Shameik Moore) is a normal regular teenager from Brooklyn, whose parents, police officer Jefferson Davis (Brian Tyree Henry) and nurse Rio Morales (Luna Lauren Velez); have enrolled him in a new school. He visits his estranged Uncle Aaron Davis (Mahershala Ali) to vent and deal with pressures of living up to his parents expectations and making friends at a new school. His Uncle Aaron takes him to blow off steam to an abandoned subway station where he can paint graffiti and Miles is unknowingly bitten by "the Spider-Man" spider. After discovering his new powers, he returns to the subway searching for the spider and uncovers a secret lab where Spider-Man is in battle with the Green Goblin and the Prowler. Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin, is using the lab to test a particle accelerator which Spider-Man says could destroy the city. During the battle Spider-Man finds Miles hiding and entrusts him with a USB drive, when things don't go as planned. And that's just the beginning.
This movie is a must see. If you haven't seen this movie you are definitely missing out. My only complaints would be some of the Spider-Man felt unnecessary; also the style of movie was very dynamic and hard to adjust to, particularly the opening/intro. Once you get past that it's totally fine. The writers created a clear and captivating plot that truly encompasses the struggle of the "Spider-Man" character; such as dealing with normal problems like school, girls, parents, and hero problems like adjusting to powers, bad guys, and saving the city. This movie was rated PG so was made for kids but has a message and themes where it can be enjoyed by all ages and doesn't feel like a kid movie. This movie has quite a few entertaining characters including some of the alternate version spider men like, Spider-Woman/Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfield), Peter Porker/Spider-Ham (John Mulaney), and Peter Parker/Spider-Man Noir (Nicolas Cage). Although light hearted and funny, this movie definitely touched on more serious issues like loss, death, betrayal, responsibility and finding one's self. Probably the best Spider-Man movie, undoubtedly the best since Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man. I give it a 9/10.
Miles Morales, (Shameik Moore) is a normal regular teenager from Brooklyn, whose parents, police officer Jefferson Davis (Brian Tyree Henry) and nurse Rio Morales (Luna Lauren Velez); have enrolled him in a new school. He visits his estranged Uncle Aaron Davis (Mahershala Ali) to vent and deal with pressures of living up to his parents expectations and making friends at a new school. His Uncle Aaron takes him to blow off steam to an abandoned subway station where he can paint graffiti and Miles is unknowingly bitten by "the Spider-Man" spider. After discovering his new powers, he returns to the subway searching for the spider and uncovers a secret lab where Spider-Man is in battle with the Green Goblin and the Prowler. Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin, is using the lab to test a particle accelerator which Spider-Man says could destroy the city. During the battle Spider-Man finds Miles hiding and entrusts him with a USB drive, when things don't go as planned. And that's just the beginning.
This movie is a must see. If you haven't seen this movie you are definitely missing out. My only complaints would be some of the Spider-Man felt unnecessary; also the style of movie was very dynamic and hard to adjust to, particularly the opening/intro. Once you get past that it's totally fine. The writers created a clear and captivating plot that truly encompasses the struggle of the "Spider-Man" character; such as dealing with normal problems like school, girls, parents, and hero problems like adjusting to powers, bad guys, and saving the city. This movie was rated PG so was made for kids but has a message and themes where it can be enjoyed by all ages and doesn't feel like a kid movie. This movie has quite a few entertaining characters including some of the alternate version spider men like, Spider-Woman/Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfield), Peter Porker/Spider-Ham (John Mulaney), and Peter Parker/Spider-Man Noir (Nicolas Cage). Although light hearted and funny, this movie definitely touched on more serious issues like loss, death, betrayal, responsibility and finding one's self. Probably the best Spider-Man movie, undoubtedly the best since Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man. I give it a 9/10.
Paganfire (19 KP) rated LEGO Marvel Super Heroes in Video Games
Aug 10, 2017
Save the World LEGO Marvel Superheroes!
I've been playing this one for a couple of weeks now and have honestly enjoyed this entry in the LEGO-verse. Played about 50+ hours now and still have around 15 to 18% to do (don't have my game up or I'd give the exact percentage).
The story line itself is very engaging and it's own creature (in other words it is not following a movie or book, it is it's own stand alone story.) There are over 100 characters to gain throughout the story and free roam. Deadpool's Red Brick chapters were a delight if a bit simple.
Biggest complaint is the game mechanics where it comes to the races in the game. I've only managed a meager three or four of the twenty plus available and that is due to sheer luck. As of this moment I am not sure I will 100% this LEGO entry and it is totally due to the races.
Overall, even with the races being such a hassle, I've really enjoyed running around town as the various characters. They have the more common notable heroes and villains as well as some not so common characters (IE: Squirrel Girl). With the multitude of available characters very few overlap so it is very refreshing to actually have to use almost everyone for something (be it a maze, race, free play, etc).
The story line itself is very engaging and it's own creature (in other words it is not following a movie or book, it is it's own stand alone story.) There are over 100 characters to gain throughout the story and free roam. Deadpool's Red Brick chapters were a delight if a bit simple.
Biggest complaint is the game mechanics where it comes to the races in the game. I've only managed a meager three or four of the twenty plus available and that is due to sheer luck. As of this moment I am not sure I will 100% this LEGO entry and it is totally due to the races.
Overall, even with the races being such a hassle, I've really enjoyed running around town as the various characters. They have the more common notable heroes and villains as well as some not so common characters (IE: Squirrel Girl). With the multitude of available characters very few overlap so it is very refreshing to actually have to use almost everyone for something (be it a maze, race, free play, etc).
Louise (64 KP) rated The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York: A Yarn for the Strange at Heart in Books
Jul 2, 2018
"When you’re old and gray like me, and someone asks you for your story, what would you rather have – nothing at all or the story you lived through tonight?"
I really enjoyed this book, but found it somewhat predictable as I knew how the book was going to end . The artwork to this book was really good and I felt that it suited the story very well with limited colours being used. I found the font quite spooky but also difficult to see what words were written in parts.
There are 3 separate short stories that were intertwined within the book , two were written in verse and one was silent which I think I understood but it’s just pictures for you to interpret in your own way.
There were important messages throughout the book, such as being out of your comfort zone, bullies,sticking up for yourself and confidence.The different monsters in the book were very creepy and all shapes and sizes. This is definitely targeted for middle graders (8-12yrs), however can be enjoyed by all ages as there were references to Sean Connery and I don’t think there are going to be many kids knowing who he is (I may be worng)
This is the first book by Kory Merritt and would be interested in reading others.
Overall I rated this 3.5 stars out of 5.
For more check out louiselovesbooks.wordpress.com
I really enjoyed this book, but found it somewhat predictable as I knew how the book was going to end . The artwork to this book was really good and I felt that it suited the story very well with limited colours being used. I found the font quite spooky but also difficult to see what words were written in parts.
There are 3 separate short stories that were intertwined within the book , two were written in verse and one was silent which I think I understood but it’s just pictures for you to interpret in your own way.
There were important messages throughout the book, such as being out of your comfort zone, bullies,sticking up for yourself and confidence.The different monsters in the book were very creepy and all shapes and sizes. This is definitely targeted for middle graders (8-12yrs), however can be enjoyed by all ages as there were references to Sean Connery and I don’t think there are going to be many kids knowing who he is (I may be worng)
This is the first book by Kory Merritt and would be interested in reading others.
Overall I rated this 3.5 stars out of 5.
For more check out louiselovesbooks.wordpress.com