A Bible to Keep, A Bible to Teach, a really good Bible to Learn from…December 16, 2010

I think I have become a Lucado fan, somewhat.  His book “Out Live Your Life” calmed my hesitant thoughts, this “Life Lessons Study Bible” won me over.  What a fantastic resource! This Bible reads more like a lesson plan, or a daily devotional – very easy on the eyes, has applicable life lessons that I know everyone can relate to, and is just downright inspired.  The Bible text itself is broken down making it a very easy read, with easy spacing and bold headers.  Very nice!  Lucado’s side header thoughts (he calls them ‘life lessons’) are surprisingly good.  You can make this more into a personal Bible study....I know this Bible will be a part of mine.  Excellent!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program.

Daily nuggets of American History…what a treasure!...December 6, 2010.

What an absolute treasure of a book!!  For each day of the year you can read about a significant event in history. Following that, you can read about other significant historical events that occurred on that same date in other years, cleverly called “American History Parade”.  Authors William Bennett and John Gribb have clearly done their research, and have given their readers a gift of history knowledge.  This is a truly inspirational book with fascinating details of our great country that everyone should know and enjoy!  The book also includes the facts of how our Constitution was written, as well as a copy of the Constitution and its amendments. This incredible book includes prayers, poems and significant information about each State in our great nation.

There has never been a time more important for patriotism to be renewed in the heart of the American people. This almanac is sure to inspire both patriotism as well as gratefulness unto God for allowing us to enjoy the freedom so unique to the United States. I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough! There should be a copy in every home in America!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program.

How could the Bible be a disappointment? – sorry, this one is…October 8, 2010

This “3D Bible for Children” claims to be the first Bible translated especially for children – specifically the 3^rd Grade reading level.  I saw the preview of the 3D pictures, and thought ‘hmmmm, yeah that probably is updated to today’s world of 3D art….interesting’.  I am in a place in my life right now where I just can’t get enough of the Holy Bible, so I excitedly ordered this version – expecting lots of cool pictures, easy to understand and a sturdy-rugged package to hold up to young children.  I was proven wrong on all expectations when I received the book.

1. This Bible has flimsy card-stock paper covers (I was hoping for hardcover), and actually arrived to me already broken in with bent corners and a couple of tears – that was just from the mail!  Imagine what a week with a 3^rd grader could do!  Certainly not durable enough to withstand a life through one’s grade school years.
2. The writing was not easy to read, the type-set was very tight and the words close together.  For a 3^rd grader starting out with reading “big books” such as this, I could see how it would be very frustrating to the point of abandonment of the book.
3. Probably the most important is the translation.  I first jumped to Psalm 23.  Personally, I think the writers could have left well enough alone, but I get the idea of bringing it down to a child’s level of understanding.  However, leaving out the intensity of “Yea though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” and minimizing it to “Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid” loses it for me.  Reading some more choice verses, I become even more disappointed.  Genesis 4:1 reads from this children’s bible as:  “Adam had sexual relations with his wife Eve…”.  This certainly is inappropriate for 3^rd grade reading.
4. Finally, the pictures.  Quite frankly, I found some of the art interpretations downright spooky.  The 3D art is sparse, and they are placed randomly within the book – not following the stories in the Bible.  This is confusing.

I would not buy this for a young child.  The Bible is such a sacred, beautiful book, but I get the sense that God’s Holy Word is diminished with this version.  Disappointing.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program.

Yes, SEEDS OF TURMOIL....but JESUS is in control!, September 23, 2010

Wow, what an amazing book.  My husband and I often watch the news (over the years) and have commented as to why all the craziness over in the Middle East?   Why all the uproar over tiny little nation, Israel?  Yes, I know that Israel is God’s Promised Land, but the book opened my eyes to the very beginning of the turmoil.  I watch the news differently, now.  I watch in awe of my Lord, and from the very beginning – with Abraham and Sarai (Sarah), He kept His covenant promise.  I appreciate how the author of “Seeds of Turmoil”, Bryant Wright, backs up his statements with verses from the Bible.  It is interesting, since I have read this book, my time in the Bible and listening to {Word of Promise} audio Bible in my car, God’s Word has come even more alive for me.  “Seeds of Turmoil” is an excellent brick for my foundation, and I so appreciate Mr. Wright’s spotlight on this subject.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program.

Surprising, Inspiring, Challenging - Requires ACTION!, September 9, 2010

“A first day.  A final day.  And a few thousand in between.  You’ve been given an honest-to-goodness human life.  You’ve been given your life.  It’s not enough for you to do well.  You want to do good.  You want your life to matter.  You want to live in such a way that the world will be glad you did.

God doesn’t call the qualified.  He qualifies the called.”  Wow.  Profound.

Max Lucado is a pro when it comes to creating visual imagery on paper.  He knows how to form the words to draw pictures in your mind, and does it well.  Sometimes to a fault, when the picture overtakes the meaning he was trying to get across.  I get it, tho.  For the most part, we are simple people who need pictures drawn to help us get the point.  Jesus did that in the form of parables.

I Cor. 1:26-27 – “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.”

Max asks “When does your heart break and your pulse race?  When you spot the homeless?  When you travel to the inner city?  Teenagers?  Drug addicts?  The elderly?  Or when you see the victims of sex trade in Cambodia?”  Amazing what happens when we get out of our shells.

Romans 12:6 – “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.”

I haven’t been a true fan of Max Lucado’s writings in the past, I thought that he just never wrote ‘meaty’ enough, and the constant useage of examples and stories gets dull and ineffective after a while.  So with that in mind, I started his latest book “Out Live Your Life” with a bit of trepidation.  His first chapter halted me in my steps.  The concept of “we are called by God” struck me hard.  It seems that the books that I have been reading lately are telling me that (The Boy Who Changed the World and The Butterfly Effect).  It could be that Thomas Nelson Publishing is trying to get a point across to its’ readers, and I’m getting it.  Our lives are short, and we have but a small window of opportunity while here.  Max encourages me to grap the opportunity and put into action what I know of the Bible’s teachings – that is to tell others about Christ’s dying love for them, and they do have a hope.  I have been challenged, and now will be obedient and act.  I hope every believer who reads this book will to.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program.

The Butterfly Effect - Press on toward the mark...Phillipians 3:14 Andy Andrews style, September 6, 2010

“When faced with the choice of doing nothing or doing something, I will always choose to act.”  That is the core message of “The Butterfly Effect” by Andy Andrews.  “Every single thing you do matters…to all of us”, as Mr. Andrews continues.  Mr. Andrews tells the whole story of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in the Battle of Gettysburg, which is inspirational.  Mr. Andrews continues the butterfly effect storyline with true examples of Norman Borlaug, Henry Wallace, George Washington Carver and Moses Carver – individuals covered in Andy Andrews’ book “The Boy Who Changed the World”.  The two books really go hand-in-hand.  The message rings true:  “Know that your actions cannot be hoarded, saved for later, or used selectively”.  “What you do with your life today matters forever”.

While Mr. Andrews’ message is an important one, it really would mean nothing without the message of the Lord.  Phillipians 3:14 takes it a step further:  “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Most definitely our aim should be to help others and change the world positively, but our goal is to live for Jesus.  Jesus calls us to help others.  “The Butterfly Effect” is a start, the Bible is the finish.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program.

You too can change your world..., September 6, 2010

At first glance, “The Boy Who Changed the World” is a feast for the eyes.  The illustrations engulf you and transport you to where the author, Andy Andrews, is.  The illustrator, Philip Hurst, is fantastic.  Bold colours, not too busy, but totally captures the essence of the story.  Definitely drawing in young children to stretch their imagination.

Now, on to the story.  I was very impressed with the direction of Mr. Andrews story.  In a world of ‘me me me’, it is so imperative that our children hear of ideas and ways to change the world by looking outside of theirs.  God gave us creative minds and a will, and how blessed we are when we help others.  Even grown-ups need to hear this story – it’s never too late.  The story is about Norman Borlaug, and Henry Wallace, and George Washington Carver, and Moses Carver, and the choices they made to change the world.   What is interesting and fascinating, is that the people who encouraged and guided these young children also had a part in changing the world.  The words we speak to others, mainly to our children, really do impact.  More than the message of “change the world” from this book, was “encourage your children, help them think outside of just themselves”.  Excellent book.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program.

FROZEN GRAPES! I think I could do this...., August 27, 2010

I was very excited to read this book.  Over three-fourths of the people I know in my little corner of the world struggle with food, myself being one.  I have never entertained the idea of a “quick fix”, so seeing something from a reputable book publishing company was very interesting to me.  Roger Wilson starts out his book “Let’s Do Lunch” with wise caution to consult with your physician before starting any diet regime.  I must say I am a little leery about ANY diet that does not incorporate some sort of exercise with it.  To be fair, Mr. Wilson doesn’t say not to exercise, he just says that his ‘program’ does not require it.  He goes on further to say that if you want to lose weight faster, then exercise along with his program is the way to do it.  Regardless, Mr. Wilson claims that his diet does not require exercise, pills, nothing to count, no special shakes, no portions to control, no meetings to attend, and you eat until you are full.  Sound too good to be true?  Mr. Wilson lays out a very easy plan, and it all starts with frozen grapes.  What I especially liked about “Let’s Do Lunch” is the 14-day sample menu plan guide at the end of his book.  I am someone who needs this type of aid to keep me on track. 

Mr. Wilson’s “Let’s Do Lunch” does not dive into the underlying issues of why people eat to the point of obesity and out of control-ness.  There are a sea of other books that tackle that. “Let’s Do Lunch” assumes that you are aware of the issues, have dealt with or are dealing with them, and are ready to just eat better.  While I admit I have not applied Mr. Wilson’s program yet to my own life, I am eagerly anticipating the day when I will, and hopefully with the same results.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program.

Christian Confrontation at its' best - The Jesus You Can't Ignore, August 6, 2010

I have been blessed with reading and listening to God’s Word, as well as reading other books by author’s who have such a profound understanding of the will of God and of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

I recently finished reading John MacArthur’s book “The Jesus You Can’t Ignore” and must say it was a hard book to put down.  In a world of political correctness, it was refreshing to look at the subject most mainstream Christians tend to avoid: Christian Confrontation.  Best-selling author John MacArthur gives readers a fresh look at how Jesus addressed attacks against the truth.

The book does a great job of explaining the need for Christians to confront those in the world who need it.  MacArthur cuts right to the heart of the matter by looking solely at Christ’ example by looking at who he directly confronted in His ministry: the proud Pharisees and Sadducees.

In addition to providing solid examples and Scriptural support, MacArthur also spends a great deal of time explaining a lot of the history surrounding the environment of Jesus’ day.  After reading this book, I have a clearer understanding of the “Rules of Engagement” as well as a better understanding for the need for confrontation in some settings to provide growth.

I would highly recommend reading this book

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I love this devotional - Jesus Calling, June 27, 2010

A close friend of mine told me about this book. A quick glance through her copy, and reading the intro about how this little book came to be, caught my interest and I was excited to get my own copy. At first it seemed that each day was basically stating the same thing, nothing new or inspired. But as I have kept reading, I find my heart open to hearing what the Lord is trying to tell me. This book does NOT replace my Bible times, but is a great supplement, and a quick connection with the Lord. An excellent devotional.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Billy Graham must-read...., May 25, 2010

As Christians, we have been given the directive to live our lives wholly and holy, with our eyes open and on the “prize” that lies ahead, Heaven.  And with prophetic warning signs given to us, I believe we are living in the end times.  “Storm Warning” by Billy Graham, relates Revelation to the issues of current today.  This is a re-issue of the original release, brought up to-date after the devastating 9/11 events.  Throughout the book Graham talks about the many warning signs we have already seen and those to come warning of the Apocalypse. A chapter is dedicated to each of the following: the white horse, the red horse, the black horse, and the pale horse.  Graham connects many of the different natural disasters, wars and downfalls in our world with end time prophecies.  The book is a firm reminder that we need to be doing God’s will and reaching out to those that have not accepted or have not heard the Gospel. Graham points out that although we do not know the time, we do know it is coming and we have been warned, if we have read the Bible.  Billy Graham is a prophet, a Lover of God, and anything he writes I trust to be God-ordained.  I got this book, and 1-day later finished it – I simply could not put it down.  Excellent book that every Christian must read!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Right To Lead...The Right Way..., May 9, 2010

Having been not too familiar with John C. Maxwell's writings, I really had no expectations with this little book.  That said, "The Right To Lead" is not a 'heavy' in content book, but is filled with short little vignettes.  You don't have to be a CEO of a big company or an office manager to gain something from this book.  We all can learn a little bit about ourselves and how we handle situations from Mr. Maxwell.

The book is divided into seven appropriate sections, with each section dealing with a character (Action, Vision, Sacrifice, Risk, Determination, Service, and Integrity).  The sections are short and not too heavy, but definitely allows for thought and inner soul searching.  Gleaning from life examples of those who have gone before (i.e., US Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Nelson Mandela, Eric Liddell, Harriet Tubman), the stories are touching and thought-provoking for any person.  With sprinklings of poems, quotes, thoughts, and even Biblical references, Mr. Maxwell does get his points across.

While I personally thought "The Right to Lead" was not very "meaty" in content, the presentation of the book is attractive.  I was particularly touched by the poem titled "The Guy In The Glass" by Dale Wimbrow, which Mr. Maxwell included in his book.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”