Imagine this. You have a teenager. A boy. You’re homeschooling. Your son is on the autism spectrum. Your husband is a man’s man; a high-school football coach. Tyson is not exactly the son that he expected, and he’s basically checked out. And all Tyson wants down deep is his dad’s approval.

So Tyson decides he wants to go to public school. And not just any school, his dad’s school. When he’s out on the football field one day watching his dad at work, he sees a runner on the school track, and immediately decides to join in and run. See, Tyson saw a news story featuring the town’s mayor reporting that the town was going to host a marathon that would ‘put the town on the map’, and Tyson decides he’s just the one to win the marathon. Tyson doesn’t give a thought to the fact that he’s not a runner. He doesn’t let it get him down that he’s bullied, even though he’s spectacularly brilliant.

The runner that Tyson befriends, Aklilu, just happens to be a winning runner, and agrees to train Tyson. So what happens? You’ll have to go see this heartwarming movie to see if Tyson wins or places, if his father can come to terms with the son he has, and what happens with Tyson’s school experience. I’ll tell you this; it’s a feel-good movie that the whole family will enjoy with an overarching theme of never giving up, no matter what life deals.

And get this! Four-time Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams recorded If You Believe, an original song, just for Tyson’s Run.

Take a look at the trailer, and buy your tickets here today!

That’s not all! How about a $20 Amazon giveaway to one special reader? Enter the contest here – it’s quick and easy.

Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Here’s the deal: you’ve been married for awhile and you have become mom, wife, chauffeur, cook, laundress, therapist, and who knows what else. Those feelings you had for hubby at the beginning of your relationship? Just a mere wisp of a thought…maybe. No time for that, right? But you kinda miss it. Guess what? You can get it back!

That’s what this book is about: getting it back. One day those kids are going to grow up and move out (if you’re doing it right) and you don’t want to be in the position of looking at a stranger across the dinner table thinking, “Now, who are you again?” Putting some work into your marriage is not only valuable, it’s fun!

The Flirtation Experiment is a roadmap that will guide you step by step into getting that magic back into your marriage. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but the payoff is totally worth it.

From popular Christian voices Lisa Jacobson and Phylicia Masonheimer, The Flirtation Experiment inspires you to strengthen your marriage with a fun, unexpected approach that leads to the depth, richness, and closeness you desire.

 After reading The Flirtation Experiment, wives will…

• be filled with hope and encouragement for how they can make a powerful, positive change in their marriages,
• become empowered to pursue their husbands romantically,
• understand the Bible invites women to be proactive in their marriages,
• be motivated to consistently love in creative ways, and
• forge closeness and intimacy in their marriages.

Download the first two chapters FREE at this link. Or just go for it and buy the book for yourself. This would also make a great Valentine’s gift for someone special.

Even better – I’m giving a copy away! Just leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about your hubby. The giveaway is for US winners only and you must enter by February 19th.

Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own. I received the product in exchange for this review and post.

Redeeming Love was the first book of author Francine Rivers’ that I read. I fell in love with her story and writing style. I was captivated and couldn’t put it down. And now it’s a movie! And trust me, it is a must see! It’s going to be out this Friday, June 21!

Both my hubby and and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this story come to life on the screen. The actors drew us in from the first scene. The story is life-changing, and shows us just how amazing God is in His acceptance of us with our messy, screwed up lives. Sometimes we feel like the character Angel – unlovable and undeserving of anything good. But this movie shows you that even though we may not be deserving, God offers us unmerited love, grace and favor. You will walk away from this movie impacted by the sheer enormity of the creator’s love for you.

Here’s the synopsis: REDEEMING LOVE is a powerful story of relentless love and perseverance as a young couple’s relationship clashes with the harsh realities of the California Gold Rush of 1850. Angel expects only pain from those around her. Sold into prostitution as a child, Angel survives with hatred towards herself and the men that use her. She meets Michael Hosea, a farmer who believes God wants Angel to be his wife. Dire circumstances force Angel to accept his proposal, but when Michael defies her bitter expectations, her wounded heart be-gins to mend. As Angel encounters a love unlike anything she ever experienced, feelings of unworthiness and shame cause her to run from a life she doesn’t think she deserves. As Michael sets out to find her, Angel discovers there is no brokenness that love can’t heal.

I know, it sounds like a chic flick. Au contraire! This story is based on the story of Hosea in the Bible. It happened. And the man in your life will identify with Michael’s ability to love this woman who God told him to marry. No special someone in your life? Take your friends! They will thank you…

Don’t take my word for it. Take a look at this trailer:

You can buy your tickets by clicking here.

This movie does have some mild language and adult themes. It’s PG13, so be advised before taking your kids.

Many thanks to Universal for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Now that the kids are back in school, whether in person, virtual school or home school, it’s probably time for some new reading material. Nothing gets a kid excited about reading more than getting a shiny new book to explore. We were sent a selection of these great new books and it’s hard to choose a favorite. From fun pop-up books, to beautiful illustrations, these books are both fun and educational. Which one would your kids like best? Don’t forget – the holidays are just around the corner (yes, I said it )

Where is Everyone? by Tom Schamp

 A toaster, a refrigerator, a sink, a bed, a car. Most kids can recognize these and other things that are part of their everyday lives. Leave it to Tom Schamp to imagine a different way of seeing them. As kids pore over  these brightly colored and highly detailed pictures they’ll be delighted to discover a monkey on a surfboard and an elephant in a bowler hat— all inhabiting the same shapes they recognize in their homes. Each whimsical  illustration offers a chance to explore, discuss, and giggle at the unexpected. Every page will encourage kids to think creatively and differently about the world around them and the possibilities that lie hidden in the  things we see every day.

When I See Red by Britta Teckentrup

The heroine of this beautifully illustrated story feels her anger like a storm in a dark forest. It sweeps her away, and she thunders and howls. She pours down her emotions like sheets of rain; rage surges like a wind whipping angry waves. Her anger takes her on a wild ride.

Appropriate for a wide variety of ages, this book illustrates many aspects of anger that are often hard to articulate— how overwhelming it is, how isolating, even scary. But it also shows anger to be a source of power and an agent for change. Teckentrup’s impactful, boldly colored paintings skillfully evoke the way intense anger can take us on an emotional journey, one that can be both exhausting and affirming. This beautiful tribute to one girl’s experience of anger offers readers the opportunity to make sense of, and talk about their own feelings of rage in a time when that kind of understanding is more important than ever.

The Weather Pop-Up Book by Maike Biederstaedt

 In her hugely successful books Creatures of the Deep and What’s in the Egg?, as well as her enormously popular series of greeting cards for the Museum of Modern Art, Maike Biederstaedt has  established herself as one of the preeminent paper artists working today. Now Biederstaedt takes book engineering to new heights as she immerses readers in five electrifying weather scenarios. As each spread unfolds, a meticulously designed landscape emerges—a freighter balances like a nutshell between high waves in the sea; a tornado takes terrifying aim at a truck trying to outrun it; a rain-spewing storm cloud towers like a skyscraper over a farm house. Nature’s delicate beauty emerges in the intricate shapes of a snowflake and in the luminous arc of a rainbow. Each page features an informative description of its weather event and the book closes with sobering commentary on the effects of climate change. A wondrous introduction to weather for budding climatologists, this is also an artistic tour de force that collectors will treasure.

Is There Life on Your Nose? by Christian Bortslap

Germs, microbes, bacteria—these days those words are fraught with fear and uncertainty. But they’re not all bad. In fact, most of them make life and nature possible. Christian Borstlap’s playful, boldly colored illustrations and cheerful text will help kids understand that microbes are everywhere—in our noses and tummies, in the food we eat, in the air we breathe. From the world’s largest organism in Oregon’s Blue Mountains, to the bacteria that started life on earth; from microbes that help recycle plastic, to yeast that makes bread taste good—this book shows the incredible diversity of these tiny beings and how they affect every aspect of our lives. Borstlap uses both science and humor to demystify a potentially scary subject, and closes with double-page spreads that are packed with information to satisfy the most curious readers.

The Book of Labyrinths and Mazes by Silke Vry and illustrated by Finn Dean
This brilliant book on mazes and labyrinths in history and the modern world encourages young readers to really think about why these puzzles are so appealing. Filled with photographs, drawings, artwork, illustrations, and puzzles, it takes a thematic approach to these enigmatic works. Why are we sometimes afraid to get lost—and why does the idea excite us? How do mazes and labyrinths figure in history and mythology? What can nature tell us about humankind’s obsession with lines, spirals, and patterns? Along the way children will learn about the labyrinth designed by Daedalus for King Minos in the ancient city of Crete; the mystery of the Hemet Maze Stone in southern California; and the magnificent labyrinth at the Cathedral of Chartres. They are encouraged to trace their fingers along a labyrinth to experience its soothing effect, to solve maze-related number puzzles, and to create their own mazes and labyrinths. Packed with fun facts and engaging ideas, this book will help children understand why mazes and labyrinths are so popular, while inspiring them to identify and create these fascinating puzzles in their own world.

The Day Time Stopped by Flavia Ruotolo

One afternoon in Italy, a little girl is about to take a bite of her delicious popsicle when time . . . stops. At that very moment, across the planet, people and animals are frozen in action— captured by this book’s warm, quirky illustrations and clever, time-stamped captions. A penguin hatches in South Georgia; a little girl gets a haircut in Brazil; a family sits down to breakfast in California; a tiger falls asleep in Bangladesh; a boy’s football ball gets stuck in a tree in Cape Verde. The sheer enormity of planet Earth can be impossible for young kids to grasp. Here, in this playful introduction to time zones, hemispheres, and life in different climates, kids will identify with all the ordinary things going on at the same time in our extraordinary world.

I Saw a Beautiful Woodpecker by Michał Skibiński and illustrated by Ala Bankroft

It is the summer of 1939 in Warsaw, Poland and Michal is an eight- year-old boy just finishing his school year. In order to improve his handwriting, Michal’s teacher gives him a simple assignment: keep a journal, writing one sentence a day. Eighty years later, Michal’s diary has been gorgeously illustrated with beautifully atmospheric paintings. Eloquent in its simplicity, the journal is a remarkable artifact that captures the innocence of childhood and the trauma of war. The journal starts out with a typical boy’s observations: “July 15: I went to a stream with my brother and teacher.” “July 23: I found a caterpillar.” However over the course of weeks, menacing details emerge. “July 27: A plane was circling over Anin.” “September 1: The war has begun.” “September 3: I hid from planes.” “September 14: Warsaw is bravely defending itself.” These haunting entries are interspersed with visits from relatives, a soccer game, a trip to a park, an ice cream cone. Photographs of pages from Michal’s diary enhance the poignancy of this simple record—an ordinary holiday interrupted by war; a life changed forever by an extraordinary moment in history.

MICHAŁ SKIBIŃSKI was 8 years old and a schoolboy at Warsaw Primary school when he wrote this diary in the summer 1939. Today he lives in a retirement house for elderly priests. ALA BANKROFT is a painter, photographer and film animator living in Warsaw, Poland.

I recently had the opportunity to take a look at three new King James Version (KJV) Bibles from Holman. Now let’s be clear…I’m not reviewing God’s Holy Word but the rather the physical books.

Let’s first look at what the ‘King James Version’ is:

For over 400 years, the King James Version has been the trusted translation for millions of believers, capturing the majesty of God’s Word and shaping the worship of generations.

Since 1611, Christians have turned to the King James Version of the Bible for a faithful and beautiful rendering of God’s Word. Its rich tradition has guided generations of pastors, authors, and scholars, while its reverent language continues to shape our words today.

The KJV was translated in the beginning of the 1600s. The scholars translating it were among the top scholars of their day, and most were deeply familiar with literature and poetry as well as with theology and ancient languages. They were also intent on creating a translation that would last for generations, so they avoided recent changes to the language, often using words and phrases that sounded formal even then to ensure the dignity and longevity of the translation.

Learn more here.

The first one is the KJV Study Bible in bonded leather. This is a beautiful Bible. It’s the kind of Bible that you fall in love with and it becomes a family heirloom. It feels good in your hands. This version has 16,000 study notes and the words of Christ in red. It’s also full color. I can easily see this becoming my favorite Bible. More info about this stunning Bible here.

The next one is the KJV Ultrathin. This one is also a gorgeous Bible and easily fits into my purse. It’s perfect if you want to take God’s word with you everywhere you go. I think this one would be a perfect graduation gift! It also has a concordance and full-color maps. This one will go with me anywhere! It also fits perfectly in a backpack, tote bag, computer bag or suitcase. More info here.

And finally, this fabulous kid’s version: One Big Story Bible. This Bible is awesome, mostly because it’s the King James Version that we love, but has all kinds of colorful pictures and there are introductions for every book of the Bible that kids can easily understand. Not only that, there’s a downloadable app that literally makes illustrations jump off the page. Your kids will learn the Bible in an interactive and fascinating format that will keep them intrigued. Learn more here.

No matter which one of these you choose (or all three!), you can’t go wrong. Need help choosing? Visit this ‘Find Your Bible‘ tool.

Okay – two things: let’s be clear; I’m not reviewing the Bible. I think God is a perfect author. I’m just sharing my thoughts about this particular Bible. Secondly, I was provided a complimentary copy so that I could share my thoughts with you.

I have always wanted to visit the Holy Land and we’ve never traveled there. Truth be told, Mr. Coupondipity is a little bit hesitant to visit anywhere in this region. Me? I’d go in a heartbeat. The history and beginning of my Christian faith is based in the Holy Land. And that’s why I love this Bible. There are so many fascinating elements in this Bible, from the photos, to the images, maps and illustrations. This is the CSB (Christian Standard Bible) translation.

Here’s more info:

The CSB Holy Land Illustrated Bible is a visually immersive Bible reading experience featuring over 1,200 images, maps, and illustrations to provide greater insight and understanding of the people, places, and events of scripture. Book-specific introductions provide the setting and circumstances of writing for each book, and every image includes a descriptive caption to help better understand what is pictured.

Features include:

• 1,200+ images, maps, and illustrations
• 275 full-length commentary articles
• 40+ “Digging Deeper” call-outs

I could totally get lost in the photos. It really transports you there where so many historical events took place. Another thing I really like is how easy to read the text is. It’s very clear and legible.

Take a look at this video overview:

You can get a copy for yourself by clicking here. Or how about this? The publisher has graciously agreed to allow me to give one of these away! Just head over to our Facebook page here, and tell me what you’re most thankful for.

Okay – I have two disclaimers here. First, I received this Bible to review and share my thoughts with you, my readers. Second, this Bible is for young girls, and I think us “older” girls will love it, too!!

So first of all, it comes in a beautiful gift box. And when you open the box, you’ll find the Bible, a set of coloring markers and some stickers. How fun is that?

What can you expect? This beautiful set includes the following:

• Four colored pencils
• Six sheets of stickers designed for girls
• Thick white paper for writing and doodling
• Lined, wide margins for notes and reflections
• Satin ribbon marker
• Beautifully debossed and screen-printed cover
• Exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface in a readable 8-point print size

I’m one of those people who would love to do Bible journaling with super cool graphics. But the problem is that a I don’t have talent in this area. But with this set? No worries. Just simply color in the verses on the pages.

Also, I love the fact that the text is larger and easy to read. That’s not important for teenagers, but for those of us who are “older”? It’s awesome!

If you’re looking for a great gift for a teen or any other woman in your life, this would be perfect!

I received a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls Gift Set from Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) for this review.  This post is sponsored by Zondervan.

Some of you have kids who are back in school, and if not already, they’re soon to start!

National Geographic Kids is helping to make learning fun!

Check out these great books:

Chock-full of puzzles, optical illusions, cranial challenges, and information on the latest research in neuroscience, this awesome activity book helps you discover even more about your amazing brain! It’s kid-friendly fun, based on the National Geographic hit television show, Brain Games.

Mummies, pyramids, pharaohs, King Tut! Kids everywhere are fascinated by the wonders of ancient Egypt, and this colorful reference book is jam-packed with 1,000 fascinating facts. And now you can clip a digital coupon for an extra $5 off over on Amazon.

Unlock ancient puzzles and secrets introduced via supercool codes and ciphers in this companion book to the new Explorer Academy series.

The new fifth edition of National Geographic’s award-winning atlas is more fascinating and fact-filled than ever! It’s the definitive atlas for middle and high-school students to explore and use in the classroom, college prep, and at home.

Our world is constantly changing and this refreshed atlas from the map experts at National Geographic captures the state of the planet with colorful maps, easy-to-grasp stats, and lots of fun facts–the perfect reference for young kids and students.

Picture this. You’re living in a country where the throne is passed to the son of the King when the king dies. In this case, the King dies in an accident, the son is only 12 years old and autistic. He’s also very susceptible to the influence of others. This is not going to turn out well.

Now let’s add a bit more. There’s a beautiful little girl who is brought to the city and she becomes a companion to the boy king. She’s the only one who can calm him and interact with him in a positive way. But as a child herself, she is also susceptible to the influence of others, and unfortunately, the relatives that she lives with include an evil sorceress who makes this young girl believe that learning the dark arts is the best way to get ahead in life. She learns all she can learn under the tutelage of this evil woman, and believing in it herself, exposes this evil to the boy king, who trusts her implicitly.

As the boy grows and matures, he commits vile and evil acts, even to the point of torturing and murdering his own grandfather, relatives and friends.

It sounds like fiction, but much of this story is possible. Isaiah’s Legacy weaves the story of King Hezekiah’s heir to the throne, King Manasseh. The girl in the story, Shulle, is thoroughly convinced that the notion of God is fiction, and that the people of Jerusalem should be freed from their “chains” of worshiping Yahweh. And she convinces Manasseh of this. Eventually they marry and Manasseh’s wicked reign continues, even after Shulle becomes convicted that she was wrong about Yahweh all along.

There are twists and turns and friendships that are puzzling. Will Manasseh ever see the truth and end his reign of evil? Or will he die in his own misery? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

And let me just tell you, I couldn’t put this book down. Mesu Andrews is one of my very favorite authors. Anytime she publishes a new book, it’s first on my list. If you haven’t yet discovered her work, you’re in for a treat if you enjoy Biblical Fiction. Visit her page here.

There’s only one Bible that I consider to be the truth, but reading different translations of that Bible can oftentimes aid in understanding our faith.

Just in time for Father’s Day, Lifeway Christian Resources, just last month, has published the CSB (Christian Standard Bible) He Reads Truth Bible.

This Bible is absolutely beautiful and would be a special and meaningful gift for a Father, son, pastor, or friend. It comes beautifully bound and available in Evergreen or Charcoal cloth over board, brown genuine leather, or black leathertouch.

The CSB He Reads Truth Bible includes robust, well-crafted theological extras to draw the reader back to Scripture, increase biblical literacy, and foster a growing affection for God and His Word. Color coded by genre, each book of the Bible features detailed book introductions, a reading plan with supplemental passages for deeper understanding, and full-color maps, charts, and timelines by the He Reads Truth team. In addition, the CSB He Reads Truth Bible features 66 key verses, artfully lettered to aid in Scripture memorization. This Bible invites every man to count himself as part of the He Reads Truth community of “Men in the Word of God every day.”

Features include: 66 hand-lettered key verses, 17 full-color timelines, 21 maps, 122 charts (including infographics and lists), and 4 illustrations, reading plans for every book of the Bible, one-year Bible reading plan, detailed book introductions, key verse list, smyth-sewn binding, two colored ribbon markers, and wide margins for journaling and note taking.

The CSB He Reads Truth Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

Each book has a custom reading plan and an outline. The reading plans include supplementary passages for added context and deeper understanding. The outlines are included to help you see the structure of each book. Also, because each literary style should be approached differently, they have color-coded the various genres to make them easy to locate and identify.

He Reads Truth is a worldwide community of men who read God’s Word together every day. Founded in 2015, He Reads Truth invites men to engage Scripture through daily reading plans and devotionals written by a vibrant community of contributors. The He Reads Truth Bible offers the community’s favorite Bible engagement and study tools, all in one place.

Take a look at this short video that will tell you more about the He Reads Truth Bible:

Check out more about the Bible here:

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Buy One!

Or even better, win one! The great folks at Lifeway Christian Resources and LEV3L Digital are offering one Coupondipity reader the opportunity to win one of these beautiful Bibles. Just go to the Coupondipity Facebook page here, and tell me who you want to win it for!