Reviews by Teresa Konopka
Read and Share: The Story of Easter
On 3/16 Teresa Konopka wrote: "The Story of Easter" by Gwen Ellis and illustrated by Steve Smallman is a delightful children's book in the Read and Share collection. It tells the story of Easter in easy to understand terms, with plenty of pictures for little ones to look at. Some Bible verses are even given (reference, not exact ... "The Story of Easter" by Gwen Ellis
Isaac Newton
On 2/24 Teresa Konopka wrote: "Isaac Newton" by Mitch Stokes is part of the Christian Encounters series. It aims to explore the lives of grandiosely brilliant and influential Christians. Written in prose form, this book reads like a mix between a novel and a biography; it feel like historical fiction but is far too accurate to ... "Isaac Newton" by Mitch Stokes
Beautiful Things Happen When A Woman Trusts God
On 2/15 Teresa Konopka wrote: "Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God" by Sheila Walsh is a painstakingly beautiful book. It starts out with Walsh's personal problems with trusting God. With brutal honesty, she reveals how she went in a psychiatric ward when her seemingly perfect life came crashing down around her. There ... "Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God" by Sheila Walsh
Revolve 2010
On 2/3 Teresa Konopka wrote: "Revolve 2010: The Complete New Testament" is a great Biblezine for girls. Basically what that is a the Bible in the form of a magazine. The text is translated into easy to understand terms, and there are ever modern day colloquialisms inserted. There are parts on the top of the page where Biblical ... "Revolve 2010"
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
On 1/23 Teresa Konopka wrote: "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller has an interesting back story. One of Miller's memoirs ("Blue Like Jazz") sold many copies, and he was approached by filmmakers to turn the book into a movie. After much back-and-forth discussion, they made it clear that he would have to fabricate ... "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller
The Gospel According to Lost
On 1/8 Teresa Konopka wrote: "The Gospel According to Lost" by Sean Seay is a riveting read. It dives deep into the jungle that is Lost and does not even come up for a breather. The book briefly explains the concept of the show, its philosophical heritage, and its cultural repercussions. Subsequently, chapters are devoted to ... "The Gospel According to Lost" by Sean Seay
Jesus Lives
On 12/5 Teresa Konopka wrote: "Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in Your Life" by Sarah Young is a tranquil gift book. There are close to 200 mini-devotionals that can either be read on a day-to-day basis or just in one sitting. Each one has a description on the left page akin to God speaking to the reader. This is comforting and not ... "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young
The Tallest of Smalls
On 10/26 Teresa Konopka wrote: "The Tallest of Smalls" by Max Lucado and Illustrated by Maria Monescillo is a marvel of a children's book. It takes place in its own little town that--albeit unusual--is not too far off for little ones to grasp. In Smallsville, the townspeople are tiny and await a time each day when they get the opportunity ... "The Tallest of Smalls" by Max Lucado and Illustrated by Maria Monescillo
Redefining Beautiful
On 9/26 Teresa Konopka wrote: "Redefining Beautiful: What God Sees When God Sees You" by Jenna Lucado is a self-help book for young girls. It revolves around the notion of self esteem. Topics range from health and beauty to self-mutilation, bulimia, and--yes--boys. Each chapter starts off with a story. Then, there is an explanation ... "Redefining Beautiful" by Jenna Lucado
Fearless
On 9/8 Teresa Konopka wrote: “Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear” by Max Lucado is an unconventionally good book. Delving deep into controversially contemporary topics, Lucado takes a literary plunge akin to the one plastered on the cover. Hard fiscal times, control issues, mental projections, natural disasters, terrorism ... "Fearless" by Max Lucado
The Expanded Bible
On 8/28 Teresa Konopka wrote: The Expanded Bible: New Testament is a modern study Bible for young readers. It focuses on the New Testament and reads left to right like a book. There are side columns for notes that explain concepts to readers and make connections from other Biblical quotations. Some words are inserted with brackets ... The Expanded Bible: New Testament
The Jesus Book
On 8/8 Teresa Konopka wrote: "The Jesus Book: The Ultimate Who, What, When, Where, and Why Book" by Stephen Elkins is a great book. This is great for children who want to know about Jesus but are too young to tackle the Bible. Under 100 pages with large print, bright colors, and artistic pictures, this will not seem as daunting ... "The Jesus Book" by Stephen Elkins
What's He Really Thinking?
On 7/28 Teresa Konopka wrote: "What's He Really Thinking? - How to be a Relational Genius with the Man in Your Life" by Paula Rinehart is a psychological book that delves into the male psyche. It discusses the main differences in how men think as compared to women. Central issues like conflict, respect, hurt, change, and expectations ... "What's He Really Thinking?" by Paula Rinehart
I Believe Bunny
On 7/7 Teresa Konopka wrote: "The I Believe Bunny" by Tosh Rabe is a cute children's book with a Christian twist. The book starts off with a Bible quotation, and the story works around it to teach a central message. In this particular book in the series, the bunny finds a fellow woodland creature in distress. He tries to help ... "The I Believe Bunny" by Tosh Rabe
Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl
On 6/24 Teresa Konopka wrote: "Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl:Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken Word" by N.D. Wilson is all over the place...and not necessarily in a bad way. Wilson's style of writing and rhetorical style make it idyll for atheists or just the faint of faith. The book reads like a dialog, almost as if the author is ... "Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl" by N.D. Wilson
100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs
On 6/15 Teresa Konopka wrote: “100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs” by Stephen Elkins is an interactive children’s biblical book. As the title suggests, there are 100 stories accompanied by 100 songs. The stories themselves consist of about a paragraph each. Also included is a short sentence or two synopsis, or adage, about ... “100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs” by Stephen Elkins
Jungle Jack's The Wackiest, Wildest, and Weirdest Animals in the World
On 6/9 Teresa Konopka wrote: “Jungle Jack's The Wackiest, Wildest, and Weirdest Animals in the World” by Jack Hanna is an amazing animal book for young and old readers alike. Thirty amazing animals are listed in the book. They include some exotic ones and some well known ones. This make it easy for readers to identify animals ... “The Wackiest, Wildest, and Weirdest Animals in the World” by Jack Hanna
God's Little Princess Devotional Bible
On 6/4 Teresa Konopka wrote: "God's Little Princess" by Sheila Walsh is a devotional Bible for girls. The structure of the book is fun. There are Bible verses, beauty tips (for both the inside and outside), words of advice, songs, plays that have roles for the reader and mother, and much more. Girls are encouraged to show kindness ... "God's Little Princess" By Sheila Walsh
Jesus Calling
On 5/27 Teresa Konopka wrote: "Jesus Calling: Devotions for Every Day of the Year" by Sarah Young is a calming book. The introduction discusses Young's personal journey with Jesus. It introduces the idea of a prayer journal and how God talks to each and every one of us. Every single day of the year is allotted its own page. ... "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young
The American Patriot's Bible
On 5/19 Teresa Konopka wrote: “The American Patriot’s Bible: The Word of God and the Shaping of America” is a fine book. The main Biblical verses written by God are enact. So, Christians that recall the verse from Deuteronomy about not adding to the Bible are relieved that the Bible itself is not altered. Dr. Richard G. ... “The American Patriot’s Bible: The Word of God and the Shaping of America"
The Principle of the Path
On 5/11 Teresa Konopka wrote: "The Principle of the Path: How to get from where you are to where you want to be" by Andy Stanley is a very engaging book. It tackles tough issues and provides reasonable solutions. While the book is geared towards Christians and focuses on God's guidance, the book is not all sunshine and lollipops. ... "The Principle of the Path" by Andy Stanley
In the Footsteps of Paul
On 5/1 Teresa Konopka wrote: "In the Footsteps of Paul: Experience the Journey that Changed the World" by Ken Duncan is a very practical book. It is composed by a world renowned photographer. Duncan writes his own words, but the vast majority of the text is Bible quotations and quotations from famous Christians (Billy Graham ... "In the Footsteps of Paul" by Ken Duncan
The Noticer
On 4/30 Teresa Konopka wrote: "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews is a great work of fiction. It is told through multiple perspectives around an elderly man called Jones. His race is unknown--each person sees him a different way, and he has other ethnic names. Anyway, Jones wanders around town fixing people's problems. As for the main ... "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews
His Name is Jesus
On 4/24 Teresa Konopka wrote: “His Name Is Jesus” by Max Lucado is a great book for all. It is comprised of five parts--the birth, mission, death, resurrection, and legacy of Jesus Christ. The sections are thoughtfully put together. Stories of the Bible about Jesus are put into today’s terms, hardly ever exceeding three ... “His Name Is Jesus” by Max Lucado
Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set
On 4/11 Teresa Konopka wrote: The Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set is quite a journey. With over twenty-three hours of audio and seventy-five minutes of DVD footage, this set is well worth it.Meant for young adults, this series can be heard by all. However, youngsters may be more attracted to the all-star cast ... The Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set