Thursday, March 31, 2011
First Crocheted Purse!!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Sacred Journey
I will start with the best thoughts I had about the book, The Sacred Journey. The writing makes me think...it challenged me not only intellectually but also spiritually. There are no answers, only observations and appeals to yearnings I have to admit I have had. A yearning to be a hobo, not in a bad way, but a dependent way. This book if you make it through it, will shake and jar you. This could be good or it could be bad.
The editor and author tell us that the book may be offensive. I feel that I can truthfully say it was offensive to me. Alongside that offense was a question of why did it offend me? I think it was the easy acceptance of the author that a spiritual pilgrimage could include alcohol and cannibis and throwing caution to the wind in your choice of companions in life. I cannot say I would recommend this book to anyone, in particular young people or those in typical mainstream Christian churches (which the author seems to have issues with).
I found the book to be filled with stories, points, quotes from non-Christian religions that support the author's premise that a physical spiritual journey is necessary to move into a lifetime of following Jesus. There were many things I agreed with and many I didn't.
I believe this book will lead a person into areas of thinking that are different from the norm of a typical Christian. It would be a great discussion book and it does have a study guide in the back. These questions do focus on living life with fresh eyes and open mind.
The references to literature and history may make the book hard to follow if you have not studied at a college level. I have a college degree and still needed my dictionary for many of the words.
I thought , "I hate this book" all the way to page 32. Then I began to see it as a book that "could" be used to spur me into deeper thinking. However, if you are looking for an inspirational easy read...this is not it.
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.”
The editor and author tell us that the book may be offensive. I feel that I can truthfully say it was offensive to me. Alongside that offense was a question of why did it offend me? I think it was the easy acceptance of the author that a spiritual pilgrimage could include alcohol and cannibis and throwing caution to the wind in your choice of companions in life. I cannot say I would recommend this book to anyone, in particular young people or those in typical mainstream Christian churches (which the author seems to have issues with).
I found the book to be filled with stories, points, quotes from non-Christian religions that support the author's premise that a physical spiritual journey is necessary to move into a lifetime of following Jesus. There were many things I agreed with and many I didn't.
I believe this book will lead a person into areas of thinking that are different from the norm of a typical Christian. It would be a great discussion book and it does have a study guide in the back. These questions do focus on living life with fresh eyes and open mind.
The references to literature and history may make the book hard to follow if you have not studied at a college level. I have a college degree and still needed my dictionary for many of the words.
I thought , "I hate this book" all the way to page 32. Then I began to see it as a book that "could" be used to spur me into deeper thinking. However, if you are looking for an inspirational easy read...this is not it.
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.”
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Book Hub Club Giveaway!!!
In honor of Tyndale launching its new book club enewsletter they are running a 30 day giveaway on their website. The Book Club Hub Newsletter will be an email newsletter geared towards people who are in or are running book clubs. It will feature suggestions, discussion guides and great ideas for your book clubs.
To enter the giveaway you just need to visit the contest page and click on the book you’d like to sign up to win. You can even go back and sign up for both books. Each day is a new giveaway so you can return to the site each day and try to win. Every few days the books change, so check back!
Here is the link to sign up for the book giveaway!
Tyndale Book Giveaway
To enter the giveaway you just need to visit the contest page and click on the book you’d like to sign up to win. You can even go back and sign up for both books. Each day is a new giveaway so you can return to the site each day and try to win. Every few days the books change, so check back!
Here is the link to sign up for the book giveaway!
Tyndale Book Giveaway
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Cause Within You
Finding purpose and meaning in life is an almost universal pursuit and is harder for some than for others. This book is not a "how to" manual for being happy and fulfilled. Although if you take to heart the way Barnett points to being a servant of Jesus Christ and loving others through serving them, I've no doubt you will find fulfillment.
The most interesting part to me of this book was reading about Barnett's cause...The Dream Center...and the service he provides to the poor, homeless, broken people of the Los Angeles area. I loved reading the testimonies of those whose lives were changed because of Barnett's love for the Lord and love for people.
At the end of each chapter is a "What I've Learned" section where his main points are laid out clear and simple. There is a study guide in the back to use either personally or with a small group.
Several main points really stood out to me...
- You will encounter the urge to quit; always be prepared to give it one more day. Pursuing a cause is difficult but worth it.
- God wants you to know the cause He has for you so ask Him to reveal it, and sometimes your cause will emerge out of your pain and hardship.
-God's dreams for you are always bigger and better than your dreams for you.
--God's cause relates to helping and serving
This book is full of great encouraging thoughts and I would suggest it for anyone...Christian, non-Christian, male, female, successful, broken. It is the type of book you will pick up again and again. Barnett's message of "Don't focus on success; focus on God and others" is the kind of thing the world needs to hear. We need to focus on people and how to serve God through serving people's needs.
It is wonderful to see someone totally committed to God with the kind of faith and focus Barnett has. He is humble at the same time, admitting to his own struggles and failures. God has used Barnett to change lives and God can use you and me in this same way...right where we are now...right at this moment. Ask Him to show you how.
The most interesting part to me of this book was reading about Barnett's cause...The Dream Center...and the service he provides to the poor, homeless, broken people of the Los Angeles area. I loved reading the testimonies of those whose lives were changed because of Barnett's love for the Lord and love for people.
At the end of each chapter is a "What I've Learned" section where his main points are laid out clear and simple. There is a study guide in the back to use either personally or with a small group.
Several main points really stood out to me...
- You will encounter the urge to quit; always be prepared to give it one more day. Pursuing a cause is difficult but worth it.
- God wants you to know the cause He has for you so ask Him to reveal it, and sometimes your cause will emerge out of your pain and hardship.
-God's dreams for you are always bigger and better than your dreams for you.
--God's cause relates to helping and serving
This book is full of great encouraging thoughts and I would suggest it for anyone...Christian, non-Christian, male, female, successful, broken. It is the type of book you will pick up again and again. Barnett's message of "Don't focus on success; focus on God and others" is the kind of thing the world needs to hear. We need to focus on people and how to serve God through serving people's needs.
It is wonderful to see someone totally committed to God with the kind of faith and focus Barnett has. He is humble at the same time, admitting to his own struggles and failures. God has used Barnett to change lives and God can use you and me in this same way...right where we are now...right at this moment. Ask Him to show you how.
Thirty One Days of Drawing Near to God
I thought I would read this small book as a devotional each day. After reading the forward and the first chapter, I kept reading and reading because it was like a long cool drink of water in the desert. This book focuses our attention on the love of God, something we as Christians know but (as for me) perhaps do not spend enough time thinking about.
God's love for us is uncomparable to any earthly love we have ever experienced. We all have a deep desire and need for love that can only be filled by Him.
This book reminds us with clarity and Scripture of how our Lord feels about us, which is a wonderful encouragement.
The week I read this book two people dear to me were grieving over the deaths of loved ones. I think this book would make an excellent token of sympathy. The love of God fulfills and never disappoints. His love for us is personal, deep and eternal. This little book is a perfect reminder of that.
I received this book free to review from Waterbrook Press and have not been obligated to provide a positive review.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Multnomah Publishers. 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.”
God's love for us is uncomparable to any earthly love we have ever experienced. We all have a deep desire and need for love that can only be filled by Him.
This book reminds us with clarity and Scripture of how our Lord feels about us, which is a wonderful encouragement.
The week I read this book two people dear to me were grieving over the deaths of loved ones. I think this book would make an excellent token of sympathy. The love of God fulfills and never disappoints. His love for us is personal, deep and eternal. This little book is a perfect reminder of that.
I received this book free to review from Waterbrook Press and have not been obligated to provide a positive review.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Multnomah Publishers. 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.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)