The God Bless America: A Devotional Journal for Patriots, is so much more than simply a journal. It's a place to record your thoughts, a place to be creative and color, a place to make notes, a place to study God's word more deeply, and a place to self-reflect on your devotion and patriotism for America. It's available for just $14.95 at Amazon.com.

I was actually born in England, and I came to the United States with my American father, my British mother, and my American siblings when I was a preschooler. I was not a natural-born U.S. citizen but instead a naturalized citizen with dual citizenship between England and the United States. I think perhaps because of that, I have probably considered the honor of my American citizenship a bit more than those who were born with it. That's why I was so interested in trying out this unique product!

I received this journal right around Independence Day, so it was at a time when I was mentally prepared to reflect upon my thoughts and feelings about America a bit more than usual. I found myself opening it at bedtime and using it to record scriptures, to color the beautiful patriotic and historical illustrations with colored pencils, and to write down my thoughts. My young 8-year old son even snuggled with me a few times and asked if he could color it with me. This is a child who rarely colors! But there's just something about this journal that draws you in. 

This journal also contains historical quotations, lyrics to patriotic songs, excerpts of historical documents like the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, quotations from famous people in our nation's history, and even some poetry.

As I spend more and more time with this journal, I realize that it's so thoughtfully put together. It gives me a warm feeling to read the selected lines, put down whatever comes to mind, and see the correlation between scripture and the things that have made America the great country that it is and hopefully will continue to be in the future. Our founding fathers clearly kept in mind the intentions of our Creator as they sought to make this land and its people free and doing His will.

But truly, it can be used however you see fit. There's no right or wrong way to use it. Simply allow it to inspire you and take you wherever that leads you, whether that means writing, drawing, coloring, stapling in momentos, or anything else that seems to spark your imagination.

I believe this journal would be a very thoughtful gift for a friend or family member, or even for yourself. Using it is a great way to reflect and spend some quiet time thinking about our God and our nation and how the two should ultimately always be tied together if our country is to continue to thrive and prosper.

-Product review by Kelly Burgess, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October, 2016