This is one of those children's books that you will want to read to your children every day. And one that they will request you to read!!
Not only is the message of love and acceptance and uniqueness made clear in this lovely story...but the artwork is wonderful as well!!
This would be a great gift for a new parent, expectant parent, or just for your child!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris
I bought the sequel to Do Hard Things at my teenage son's request. I read the entire book in a day! What an encouragement to young people these two brothers are!
Within a day of completing this book, my son had formulated a plan of how to raise money to help a child in Ethiopia that he and his youth group are sponsoring. He had talked it out, worked it out, prayed about it and taken action. He stepped out in faith. He got up in front of a large group of people and spoke about it (this was a major step for him because he really does not like public speaking at all!). These two young men have started a movement among teens that I hope does not ever stop...one that shows them that you are not too young for the Lord to use you for His glory!
Within a day of completing this book, my son had formulated a plan of how to raise money to help a child in Ethiopia that he and his youth group are sponsoring. He had talked it out, worked it out, prayed about it and taken action. He stepped out in faith. He got up in front of a large group of people and spoke about it (this was a major step for him because he really does not like public speaking at all!). These two young men have started a movement among teens that I hope does not ever stop...one that shows them that you are not too young for the Lord to use you for His glory!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Energize Your Faith!
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick
The subtitle to this book is "What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible". The author is a young man who pastors Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC which has been named one of the fastest growing churches in the nation.
The main theme of the book is based on the story of Joshua in the book of Joshua, chapter 10 in the Bible. This is the time when Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still so that the Israelites could defeat their enemy in battle and God did this...He delayed the going down of the sun for about a day. The author doesn't go into the details of the proof that this happened, however, I have read many accounts of a missing amount of time in history and how this would account for that time.
What the author does focus on is the audacious faith of Joshua in asking the Lord to do the impossible. He then develops this theme into reminding us as Christians that we have access to that very same God who is able to do miraculous things, who controls time, who created the sun and the moon and the earth.
I believe the author does a very good job of balancing this subject. It could easily have turned into a "do this and this will happen" type book, or be focused on what we "do" as to how God answers us. Furtick is sure to consistently turn the focus to the Lord and His power and strength and that it is not a "If...Then" type of faith we are to have. But he does bring up some wonderful things to think about, pray about and study as far as understanding the very nature of God and living a life of faith based on that understanding.
This book is very inspirational...but the author says he doesn't want it to stop at being "inspirational". He gives many examples in the Bible and in present day life of faith that has accomplished great things for God. Again, I want to bring to light the fact that he does not make one feel that the reason some of your prayers are not answered is because you do not have enough faith. There are things that we do not understand because we can not see the whole picture as God does, and sometimes our prayers are answered in ways we do not expect, or even do not want. But all is for His glory. I liked the statement he makes that it is not our faith that accomplishes miracles but God's faithfulness. We are only able to have faith because of God's faithfulness to us.
I believe this book can be tender to start a fire of faith in the hearts of believers who have backed down from demonstrating faith in God's ability. I found the writer's style of writing to be modern day language, easy to understand and clear. I will be suggesting this book for reading to many of my church family. Thank you, Pastor Furtick, for being willing to tackle the task of writing about our God of possibilities from such an energizing perspective!
The subtitle to this book is "What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible". The author is a young man who pastors Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC which has been named one of the fastest growing churches in the nation.
The main theme of the book is based on the story of Joshua in the book of Joshua, chapter 10 in the Bible. This is the time when Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still so that the Israelites could defeat their enemy in battle and God did this...He delayed the going down of the sun for about a day. The author doesn't go into the details of the proof that this happened, however, I have read many accounts of a missing amount of time in history and how this would account for that time.
What the author does focus on is the audacious faith of Joshua in asking the Lord to do the impossible. He then develops this theme into reminding us as Christians that we have access to that very same God who is able to do miraculous things, who controls time, who created the sun and the moon and the earth.
I believe the author does a very good job of balancing this subject. It could easily have turned into a "do this and this will happen" type book, or be focused on what we "do" as to how God answers us. Furtick is sure to consistently turn the focus to the Lord and His power and strength and that it is not a "If...Then" type of faith we are to have. But he does bring up some wonderful things to think about, pray about and study as far as understanding the very nature of God and living a life of faith based on that understanding.
This book is very inspirational...but the author says he doesn't want it to stop at being "inspirational". He gives many examples in the Bible and in present day life of faith that has accomplished great things for God. Again, I want to bring to light the fact that he does not make one feel that the reason some of your prayers are not answered is because you do not have enough faith. There are things that we do not understand because we can not see the whole picture as God does, and sometimes our prayers are answered in ways we do not expect, or even do not want. But all is for His glory. I liked the statement he makes that it is not our faith that accomplishes miracles but God's faithfulness. We are only able to have faith because of God's faithfulness to us.
I believe this book can be tender to start a fire of faith in the hearts of believers who have backed down from demonstrating faith in God's ability. I found the writer's style of writing to be modern day language, easy to understand and clear. I will be suggesting this book for reading to many of my church family. Thank you, Pastor Furtick, for being willing to tackle the task of writing about our God of possibilities from such an energizing perspective!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The Truth of the Matter
The Truth of the Matter by Andrew Klavan
Being the third in a series called The Homelanders, I wondered if I would be able to follow the story. Much to my satisfaction, I was. The author does an excellent job of preparing readers to jump into this book having read or not read any of the others. Klavan is an excellent story teller and develops his characters extremely well. This book would appeal especially to teenage boys because of the action and suspense that goes into the story.
The story is about a young man in his late teens who has lost his memory of the past year. He is searching for a man who can help him to remember. He knows that he was sent to prison for the murder of his best friend, that he escaped from prison and became a member of a terrorist group, but he cannot help feeling that he is not that kind of person. He finds the man who can clear things up for him but is unsure if he is a friend or enemy. Throughout his confusion, he depends on the Lord to get him through.
The applicablilty to today's world and the weaving of faith in God into the story made this a wonderful read in my opinion. I won't spoil the story for you by telling you how it ends. I can assure you if you pick this book up and start reading, you will have a difficult time putting it down again for several hours!! Loved it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Being the third in a series called The Homelanders, I wondered if I would be able to follow the story. Much to my satisfaction, I was. The author does an excellent job of preparing readers to jump into this book having read or not read any of the others. Klavan is an excellent story teller and develops his characters extremely well. This book would appeal especially to teenage boys because of the action and suspense that goes into the story.
The story is about a young man in his late teens who has lost his memory of the past year. He is searching for a man who can help him to remember. He knows that he was sent to prison for the murder of his best friend, that he escaped from prison and became a member of a terrorist group, but he cannot help feeling that he is not that kind of person. He finds the man who can clear things up for him but is unsure if he is a friend or enemy. Throughout his confusion, he depends on the Lord to get him through.
The applicablilty to today's world and the weaving of faith in God into the story made this a wonderful read in my opinion. I won't spoil the story for you by telling you how it ends. I can assure you if you pick this book up and start reading, you will have a difficult time putting it down again for several hours!! Loved it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Ragamuffin Gospel
This was a book recommended to me during my second round of going to college by a fellow student. I found Manning to be a wonderful writer who is eager to share what he has learned from our Lord and Savior with others so that they too can realize what grace truly means.
For me, this book came at a time in my life when I was doing battle against my own ideals and my own failures as a Christian. I understood that I am saved by grace but I did not fully embrace that and still felt much guilt. Ragamuffin Gospel clarified the grace of Jesus Christ for me.
I recommend it for Christians and non-Christians, anyone who has experienced broken spirit, contrite heart, and failures within. Jesus did what He did for you and me "while we were still sinners". He didn't place any requirements on being saved...we do not have to become "good enough" to be saved. It is by grace through faith alone...and this book emphasizes that fact.
A wonderful encouraging reminder.
For me, this book came at a time in my life when I was doing battle against my own ideals and my own failures as a Christian. I understood that I am saved by grace but I did not fully embrace that and still felt much guilt. Ragamuffin Gospel clarified the grace of Jesus Christ for me.
I recommend it for Christians and non-Christians, anyone who has experienced broken spirit, contrite heart, and failures within. Jesus did what He did for you and me "while we were still sinners". He didn't place any requirements on being saved...we do not have to become "good enough" to be saved. It is by grace through faith alone...and this book emphasizes that fact.
A wonderful encouraging reminder.
Friday, November 12, 2010
The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb
The American Patriot’s Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T. E. Cribb is one of the finest books I have seen in the subject of the history of America. I love the way it is laid out into daily readings that are easily manageable. Each day also has a list of happenings on that day in years previous. In between each month are special sections that make this book even more valuable: Flags of the Revolutionary War, The History of the Stars and Stripes, Flag Etiquette, The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Famous Addresses, Poems and Songs of American Patriotism, and more.
Although this is laid out in the format of a devotional reading it does not have Bible readings assigned to each day. It’s focus is on readings about America. However, after reading through this book, you come away feeling as if you have peered into the way the Lord built America through many of His faithful servants in our history.
The book itself is hardbound with pages that are pleasant to the touch. The feel of the book is weighty and magnificent. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history of America. It is perfect for teachers to use as a supplemental text and I plan to do so in my homeschool.
I have only the highest praise for this book. It is a reminder of what it means to be an American and to be proud of that fact but not in a boasting way…in a grateful way. The principles our forefathers built this nation on are what made it strong and to remind ourselves of those principles by reading this book may help us to be pushed back into that direction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Although this is laid out in the format of a devotional reading it does not have Bible readings assigned to each day. It’s focus is on readings about America. However, after reading through this book, you come away feeling as if you have peered into the way the Lord built America through many of His faithful servants in our history.
The book itself is hardbound with pages that are pleasant to the touch. The feel of the book is weighty and magnificent. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history of America. It is perfect for teachers to use as a supplemental text and I plan to do so in my homeschool.
I have only the highest praise for this book. It is a reminder of what it means to be an American and to be proud of that fact but not in a boasting way…in a grateful way. The principles our forefathers built this nation on are what made it strong and to remind ourselves of those principles by reading this book may help us to be pushed back into that direction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com
Monday, November 1, 2010
Bob the Builder
Eli loved going to the Noah's Ark Party as Bob the Builder this year! We had such fun with our friends!!
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