Get Your Story Straight

Get Your Story Straight: A Teen's Guide to Learning and Living the Gospel Paperback – October 13, 2015

by Kristen Hatton  (Author)

What's your story?

We all tell stories to each other---stories about what happened when we were kids, stories about last night, and stories where we dream about the future. Some stories are funny, some are amazing, others are sad, but they all have something in common---each of us is the hero of our own story. Our thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams take center stage. But when it's all about you, it's also all up to you. You have to make life work, find meaning, and hope for the best even when you mess up or things go badly wrong.

But what if we were made for something different? What if the main character in our life story isn't us, but it is the God who became like us and is now with us? What if being fully human means knowing him and growing to be like him? What if the way to be fully alive is to be caught up in Jesus's story?

This 52-week devotional book and small group resource is designed to help you live with Jesus in his gospel story---the good news that your sins are forgiven, your future is assured, and following him is the only meaningful way to live. No matter your age, where you live, who your family is, or what your past, God wants you to experience the freedom that comes in being secure in his love.

Divided into three parts, starting with creation, each section progressively explores the idea that the whole Bible is the unfolding story of Jesus. Through this grid, who Jesus is and why we need him will shape your understanding of freedom and grace and how you grow to be like him. This yearlong study for teenagers and young adults is designed for individual devotional times, but a small group discussion guided by a mentor would help participants to absorb and live out the truths of each week's teaching.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1i9Ccq4

About the author:

Kristen Hatton is a native Texan now putting roots down in Edmond, OK with her church-planter/pastor husband and their three children. With a public relations background from Southern Methodist University, Kristen has a wide array of professional experiences, none of which she counts as important as the job of being a "present" mom. Through leading a small group Bible study of teenagers, she has discovered her passion for teaching and writing about God's grace.

Find Kristen online: website, Twitter, Facebook

My Review; This book is a devotional and study guide for teens. Each day it provides several related scriptures to read with question following. It helps you think how the Word of God applies to your daily life. For an example in the book it ask the question, " What does it mean that Jesus is your whole "life"?"  It also encourages you to keep a journal about how you used these scriptures in your own life and journal your prayers is also encouraged.

I like how you can use this bible study guide for devotional time for the whole family. Of course I would strongly encourage the study guide as a gift for the teen in your life. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift!

I was given a copy of this book by Litfuse in exchange for my review.

The Photograph

by: Beverly Lewis

About

He studied the picture more closely, finding it curious that the young woman looked so boldly into the camera while wearing a white prayer Kapp shaped like a heart--the characteristic head covering for the Lancaster County Old Order Amish. 
Why would a devout girl have her picture taken?

When her sister Lily disappears only months after their widowed mother's passing, Eva Esch fears she has been wooed away from the People. Yet Lily's disappearance isn't Eva's only concern: She and her sisters must relocate once their older brother takes over the family farmhouse. Then Jed Stutzman, an Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Eden Valley with a photo of a Plain young woman. Eva feels powerfully drawn to the charming stranger--but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all. . . .

My Review:

The story revolves around 3 unmarried sisters who are uncertain about where they will end up after the death of both parents. The youngest son of the family is to inherit the family homestead. This means the sister will have to find new places to live or soon marry. The youngest of these three unexpectedly runaway leaving her family and community heart broken.

Meanwhile a young Amish man on the way by train to visit this community finds a book tucked in his seat. When he opens the book he finds a photo of a young Amish woman. Will this photo lead to the where about of the missing sister? What role will this young man play in the lives of these three sisters?
I always enjoy Beverly Lewis' books!

I received a copy of this book by Bethany House in exchange for my review.