Draw the Circle – Mark Batterson

Taking a 40-day journey through Mark’s follow up book Draw The Circle will make us realize how much more we still have to learn about prayer! Draw The Circle is intended to be read slowly, with just one prayer thought each day for 40 days, allowing us to add another component to our prayer arsenal each day.
On the last page, Mark sums up the subject of prayer well when he writes—

Prayer is the difference between appointments and divine appointments. Prayer is the difference between good ideas and God-ideas. Prayer is the difference between the favor of God and the luck of the draw. Prayer is the difference between closed doors and open doors. Prayer is the difference between possible and impossible. Prayer is the difference between the best we can do and the best God can do.

Filed under: Book Review, book, circle, prayer

Live Second

This book contains 365 daily readings that challenge you to consider what life would look like if Jesus were first. This book is for anyone looking to discover meaning in life, your mission on this planet, or the cure to life’s difficulties. You do not need to believe in Jesus to start this journey, but I think you will be challenged by his message before you trek too far. I believe the power of his love, the vastness of his forgiveness, and the strength of his presence will inspire you to rethink your relationship with God.

Wherever you are, let this book take you one step further in your journey with God. I believe and hope this book will be more than a daily reading, that it will be a guidebook for travelers, a handbook for seekres, and a motivational manual for the uninspired. This book may not always soothe your soul, but I think it will always insire your reflection and challenge your daily routine.

Filed under: Book Review, devotional, I am second, live second

Wisdom Meets Passion

Wisdom Meets Passion When Generations Collide and Collaborate by Dan Miller and Jared Angaza

There is a unique clash between the wisdom of the Baby Boomer generation and the passion of Generation Y. According to Wisdom Meets Passion When Generations Collide and Collaborate, the question is not which is right, but rather how can the two work together?
By bringing these two voices to the issue, Wisdom Meets Passion takes readers through understanding the American Dream, the quest for security, and work that matters—regardless of age. Through candid storytelling, the authors uncover various generational approaches to work, money, success, and relationships, proving that it is possible to be both passionate and wise

Filed under: Book Review, passion, wisdom

The Reason by William Sirls

William Sirls in his new book, “The Reason” published by Thomas Nelson begins in a small town in Michigan, where the storm clouds begin gather over the small town, thunder shakes the sky, the lights inside the local church flicker right before going out. All is black as lightning slices the sky, striking the church’s large wooden cross catching it on fire and splintering it in two.

The Reason is a new novel, which wrestles with questions such as: Where is God when bad things happen? And does God ignore the prayers of the faithful? The answer each character receives is astounding and offers an unforgettable call to hope, to change, to only believe.

Sometimes all people need to stir up faith is a catalyst. In the case of this town in Michigan it is a lightning bolt that hits the church’s cross and sets it afire during a storm. This allegorical book doesn’t take a lot of work to decipher the meaning of most of its images but it is so worth it. “The Reason” is filled with great characters brought to life in the hands of a very skillful author. Each character comes alive on the pages and we care about every single one of them, even the not so nice ones. “The Reason” is a marvelous read full of atmosphere and details.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Filed under: Book Review, book rview, fiction, the reason, william sirls

Grieving God’s Way, the Path to Lasting Hope and Healing

“Grieving God’s Way, the Path to Lasting Hope and Healing,” by Margaret Brownley is a 90-day journey looking at grief. The author teamed up with Diantha Ain who wrote thoughtful, beautiful Haiku poems for each chapter.

It is written like a devotional book, one excerpt for each day for a total of ninety days. Since no way can really explain why, Grieving God’s way doesn’t attempt to answer the why, but it does give answers as to how to travel through grief.

Each day has verses from the Bible to meditate on, a Haiku poem, and practical ideas of things to do as you journey through grief. Beginning with explain what grieving is, to practical breathing lessons, to how to begin the healing process. The book is broken down into four sections to heal the entire being focusing on healing the grieving body, the grieving soul, the grieving heart and the grieving spirit.

This practical book is intended to help one on their own personal journey to grief as well as enable you to reach out to help those you know going through the grieving process.
The author says each person goes through grief at their own pace, and that it is not a process that you can “just get over it” and move on. It takes healing in all areas. The process of grief is not linear, and there is not a set amount of time that it will take for each person.

A list of helpful resources are included to enable you to find additional help in your journey towards healing.

Filed under: Book Review, grieving

Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock does it again with her thought provoking suspense novel The Covenant Child. The characters become so real you feel as if you could reach out and touch them. You want to help the two twin girls and right all the wrongs. This book will grab you from the beginning and keep you on your toes until the last page. Excellent book.
The children grew up thinking their step mom has abandoned them for money so they feel unloved and unwanted. Little did they know the sacrifices that were made throughout the years and how much they were loved and wanted.

Filed under: Book Review, coveant child, terri blackstock

The Searchers: A Quest for Faith in the Valley of Doubt

Joseph Loconte, author of The Searchers: A Quest for Faith in the Valley of Doubt, examines religion acknowledging disgraces plaguing Christianity. Every civilization is shaped by God seekers who are trying to understand the relationship between the natural and the supernatural; he asserts that this connection carries the hope of the supernatural: “They want to believe.” Laconte champions the notion that faith is a mystery and that is not an excuse to disbelieve. He helps the reader with cultural reference points. Whereas those of an older, more seasoned, cohort will have read the likes of this before, those of a generation who missed out on past authors will find the book relevant and compelling.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Filed under: Book Review

The Truth About the Lordship of Christ by John MacArthur

Noted author John MacArthur has once again delivered a message regarding love and hate in the Bible. Mr. MacArthur gets back to the original roots of real followers of Jesus being disciples and not just Christians.
The word used to describe Christians today often bears no resemblance to the one word Jesus wanted His followers to be known for. Challenge to change the name and reputation of Christianity by becoming a group of followers characterized by this one thing, love.

John 13:35 By THIS everyone will know that you are my DISCIPLES if you LOVE one another. Yes, we have to believe some things but people can’t see what you believe. They will know not by what we believe or behave but how well we love one another.
This book is a good book for those new in the faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Filed under: Book Review, Christ, Jesus, john macarthur, Lord, lordship

The Truth about Grace by John MacArthur

The Truth about Grace by John MacArthur

In a series of books about the fundamentals of the faith, John MacArthur explains the true meaning behind grace.

This small book (only 105 pages) expounds upon grace with a verse by verse study of what the Bible says about grace. Grace is one of the keys concepts for the believer to understand and live in his life for grace is not the license to sin but the ability to change in spite of our sin.

Filed under: Book Review, change, grace, john macarthur, key concepts, sin

The Truth about Forgiveness by John MacArthur

The Truth about Forgiveness by John MacArthur.

John MacArthur has compacted a whole volume of truth into just 114 pages. This small book is a quick read which can give us an overview about God’s forgiveness. In seven chapters, the book covers our need to be forgiven, how only God alone can forgive sin, how God’s forgiveness is undeserved, how God wants and acts to forgive, how God provides a way to forgiveness and finally how God wants us to forgive others. The Bible tells us to pray each day for forgiveness of our own sins as we forgive others so we need to know exactly what we are praying for, why we pray for it and why we need to give it to others. Forgiveness is one of the key elements of Christian growth.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Filed under: Book Review, Christian growth, forgiveness, john macarthur, truth