I know this book is for women and is about women but I have read other Christian books for women too. My spirit was troubled during the reading of this book. The focus did not seem to me to be on anything really...only on making women feel powerful and strong and beautiful. THere are many books out there in the world today that do this same thing...many with the goddess theme. It was almost as though this book was reworking that theme but throwing in references to God and Jesus and Scriptures to sort of support what the author wanted to get across. It was a bit more feministic in nature than I like. I am sure the author is quite entertaining as a speaker. There were many good stories of her life and her dreams and her insights but I just did not get the whole book.
At one point she writes that she wants the book to awaken the readers not just be a how-to book. But to awaken someone would need more than is in this book.
I did learn a lot about lions which was interesting. I just felt like the focus should have or could have been more glorifying to the Lord and less focusing on us as women or the author and her visions.
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.”
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Goodbye Bad Dreams
The Dream Quilt is not only a favorite of my children's but is one of my favorites as well. We all have bad dreams sometimes and I remember well as a child waking up crying and leaving the lights on and sleeping uneasily the rest of the night. If this book had been around when I was a child, I think my bad creams would have vanished!
The writer shares a loving story of a little boy troubled by bad dreams until his mother brings out the Dream Quilt her mother gave her. She tells him the story behind the quilt and each night tucks him under the quilt, seals him with a kiss and sends him off to Dreamland.
When the quilt needs some repairs, the little boy is worried that the bad dreams might come back. But his mother explains to him that it isn't the quilt that keeps him safe and gives him security...it is God. What a wonderful lesson to share with our children...how God can help when life is scary to us.
Not only is the story well written and loving, but the illustrations are superb! We read this one over and over again, and I plan on purchasing more (if I can find them!) to give as gifts at baby showers!
You can purchase this book used [here][1] . I believe there are a few new copies too but at very expensive costs.
What really needs to happen is a re-release of this book! I know it would sell many, many copies!
[1]: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Quilt-Celeste-Ryan/dp/1578562236/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295018145&sr=1-1/"The Dream Quilt"
The writer shares a loving story of a little boy troubled by bad dreams until his mother brings out the Dream Quilt her mother gave her. She tells him the story behind the quilt and each night tucks him under the quilt, seals him with a kiss and sends him off to Dreamland.
When the quilt needs some repairs, the little boy is worried that the bad dreams might come back. But his mother explains to him that it isn't the quilt that keeps him safe and gives him security...it is God. What a wonderful lesson to share with our children...how God can help when life is scary to us.
Not only is the story well written and loving, but the illustrations are superb! We read this one over and over again, and I plan on purchasing more (if I can find them!) to give as gifts at baby showers!
You can purchase this book used [here][1] . I believe there are a few new copies too but at very expensive costs.
What really needs to happen is a re-release of this book! I know it would sell many, many copies!
[1]: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Quilt-Celeste-Ryan/dp/1578562236/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295018145&sr=1-1/"The Dream Quilt"
Monday, January 3, 2011
Animal Lovers...this book is for you!
Blind Hope by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher is a story about an unwanted dog and the woman who rescued her and how that woman was rescued by this dog.
The author runs a horse rescue center in Oregon called Crystal Peaks Youth Center and works with disadvantaged youth as well, ministering to the spirits of the young people while caring for the horses. Laurie is one of the team leaders at the Center and this book is the telling of her true story. The friendship between the two women is evident throughout the book and adds a cozy quality to the story. I felt as if I was a third person listening in on the many conversations.
Laurie shares her story of how she decided to rescue a dog (she didn't have room for a horse) and how that dog was not anything at all like what she had imagined. But because of a committment she continued with her project of caring for this dog, Mia, and learned that love comes in strange packages. Mia has many health problems from coming from the home she was rescued from and one of those leads to blindness. This struggle for Laurie in trying to live with a blind dog and decide how to determine if her quality of life was good enough to keep her alive is one that many pet owners can relate to.
The writing of this is almost journal like. We read of how Mia ends up being the one who is the rescuer of Laurie by teaching her of love and life lessons.
I thought this was one of the few feel good true stories out there and I enjoyed reading it. It comes with a range of emotions and several surprises! If you are someone who loves animals or know someone who does, this book is sure to be a hit with you.
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.”
The author runs a horse rescue center in Oregon called Crystal Peaks Youth Center and works with disadvantaged youth as well, ministering to the spirits of the young people while caring for the horses. Laurie is one of the team leaders at the Center and this book is the telling of her true story. The friendship between the two women is evident throughout the book and adds a cozy quality to the story. I felt as if I was a third person listening in on the many conversations.
Laurie shares her story of how she decided to rescue a dog (she didn't have room for a horse) and how that dog was not anything at all like what she had imagined. But because of a committment she continued with her project of caring for this dog, Mia, and learned that love comes in strange packages. Mia has many health problems from coming from the home she was rescued from and one of those leads to blindness. This struggle for Laurie in trying to live with a blind dog and decide how to determine if her quality of life was good enough to keep her alive is one that many pet owners can relate to.
The writing of this is almost journal like. We read of how Mia ends up being the one who is the rescuer of Laurie by teaching her of love and life lessons.
I thought this was one of the few feel good true stories out there and I enjoyed reading it. It comes with a range of emotions and several surprises! If you are someone who loves animals or know someone who does, this book is sure to be a hit with you.
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.”
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
A Bible to Give!
The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible is more than just a Bible. It's subtitle is Inspirational Applications for Living Your Faith. The version I reviewed is the New King James Version. What makes this Bible special is that throughout the Bible, relative to the passages you are reading, are "Life Lessons" which are divided into 5 parts: Situation, Observation, Inspiration, Application and Exploration. These are wonderful devotionals to use to help you understand how to apply the Bible to your life. It isn't so much a study Bible in the sense of studying the meaning of the words or the context or the history. It comes at studying the Bible more through how to apply it to life. This makes it an excellent Bible for new Christians or for those wanting to develop their faith in this way.
Also included are sections called Christ through the Bible which are helpful in seeing how Christ is foreshadowed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament.
Another section is New Life In Christ. These articles help walk you through salvation and discipleship.
There are "He Did This Just For You" verses which show what Jesus did for you.
There are "New Believer Studies" which answer a variety of hard questions new believers may have.
There is a two year reading program to inspire you in your daily readings, a "Where to Turn..." index and 30- day reading program that introduces you to key passages in the New Testament.
Another cool feature of this Bible is that it has a lifetime Guarantee through Thomas Nelson if you go online and register. It is a hardback Bible. The print is easily readable and the notes are not distracting to the Word, but add much in the form of devotionals. I would recommend this highly as a gift to someone who is a new Christian or who is studying the Bible for the first time, as well as to seasoned readers of the Word who enjoy Lucado's brilliant, simple style of writing.
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.”
Also included are sections called Christ through the Bible which are helpful in seeing how Christ is foreshadowed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament.
Another section is New Life In Christ. These articles help walk you through salvation and discipleship.
There are "He Did This Just For You" verses which show what Jesus did for you.
There are "New Believer Studies" which answer a variety of hard questions new believers may have.
There is a two year reading program to inspire you in your daily readings, a "Where to Turn..." index and 30- day reading program that introduces you to key passages in the New Testament.
Another cool feature of this Bible is that it has a lifetime Guarantee through Thomas Nelson if you go online and register. It is a hardback Bible. The print is easily readable and the notes are not distracting to the Word, but add much in the form of devotionals. I would recommend this highly as a gift to someone who is a new Christian or who is studying the Bible for the first time, as well as to seasoned readers of the Word who enjoy Lucado's brilliant, simple style of writing.
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.”
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Be Intolerant
In a world where tolerance is praised as the socially acceptable attitude to have towards everybody and everything we are reminded by the author that there are some things we should not tolerate.
We are taught by media, schools, professors, peers, politicians ...that there is no "truth". That everything is subjective. No right or wrong.
Yet, that in itself is a paradox...are we not being told that it is wrong to believe there is no right and wrong?? How could that be if there is no right or wrong??
This book does an excellent job laying it on the line...talking of topics that we should be intolerant of in a loving Christlike way because we love others...not because we want things our way...but because we care enough to want to warn others when a way is filled with danger, despite how politically incorrect we may be perceived as being.
I think this book is an excellent one for high school students and upwards in age to read and discuss ...a youth group would be an excellent forum but a family would be even better. This can also rekindle the flame of standing up for what you believe in, knowing the costs...not to yourself but to others. Highly recommend this one!!!
We are taught by media, schools, professors, peers, politicians ...that there is no "truth". That everything is subjective. No right or wrong.
Yet, that in itself is a paradox...are we not being told that it is wrong to believe there is no right and wrong?? How could that be if there is no right or wrong??
This book does an excellent job laying it on the line...talking of topics that we should be intolerant of in a loving Christlike way because we love others...not because we want things our way...but because we care enough to want to warn others when a way is filled with danger, despite how politically incorrect we may be perceived as being.
I think this book is an excellent one for high school students and upwards in age to read and discuss ...a youth group would be an excellent forum but a family would be even better. This can also rekindle the flame of standing up for what you believe in, knowing the costs...not to yourself but to others. Highly recommend this one!!!
God Gave Us you!
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!
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!
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!
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