The Voice

I just finished reading The Voice, New Testament by Ecclesia Bible Society. I have to be honest that it took me so long to read this book. I started out trying to compare scripture to other translations. That proved to be hard. I kept wondering why some very memorable scripture were taken so out of original context. It read very much like a story, quite lyrical and in a whole new light than ever read before. For someone who does not know the bible this might be an easy read for them. I feel the contributors of this book were under the direction of God. I found it to be just a bit too liberal for me. I thank Book sneeze for the chance to review this book.

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

"As Silver Refined"

Kay Arthur's new book is compelling and thought provoking, just like her others.  She never disappoints her readers.  "As Silver Refined" is answer's to life's disappointments.  I thought it was very interesting that she begin the book back in ancient days in a Judean village.  There she takes us through the process of refining silver in the fire. It was a very interesting process and made me realize her thoughts that we are His precious treasure.  I really liked how she said we should turn our disappointments into His Appointments. It's hard to do but a good thought pattern to get in.  It helped me to see that you must face regrets over the past to forgive and forget. This is one book I will keep and read over and over again.  To have victory over Discouragement we must be Strong and Courageous.  I recommend this book to everyone, the author addresses many things we all face.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 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."

Close Enough To Hear God Breathe

Close Enough To Hear God Breathe by Greg Paul.  The story of divine intimacy.  I really wanted this book to be good, but to be totally honest it was not.  It seemed more like the life story of the author with some scripture thrown in.  Mr. Paul  is a pastor of Sanctuary in Toronto.  It is a ministry where they help drug addicts, homeless, and other troubled people.  Some of the stories in the book were moving and thought worthy.  When he speaks of the death of his father was the only thing I could relate to.  The author talks of sailing and drinking wine, his divorce, and his children.  When he talks of his daughter, Rachel when she was small felt real to me.  In one chapter “Erotica” he describes the Song Of Solomon in an extremely sensual way.  I made me very uncomfortable.  I think it’s more about love.  Another part made me uneasy was when he talked about going to eat with a wedding party after a wedding.  He said he watched the bride and groom as the ate and talked with family knowing they just wanted to get out of their and consummate their marriage.  Kinda creepy for a pastor, I think.  The book jumps around with no flow.  It was a hard read.  It was small and could have been read in just a few hours.  It took me almost a week, never being able to enjoy it.  I appreciate the chance to read the book and give my honest review, but I would not recommend this book.

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

Harvest of Grace

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall.  This was the first book I had read by this author so I was not familiar with the Ada’s House Novel series.   I have read books about the Amish people before. 

This is a love story of Sylvia and Aaron.  Sylvia is the oldest  of her sisters and helps her dad run their farm.  She is a very hard worker and loves taking care of the cows.  Sylvia gets her heart broken when her beau marries her younger sister.  Later her sister has twins and becomes sick, she moves in the take care of her sister and the babies.  Old feelings arise and she finds herself sharing a kiss with her sisters husband.  She knows this is a sin and goes to her father and asks to leave the farm.  At first he will not let her go but later let’s her go, she is told she must give up her share of the farm she has worked so hard for as well as have no contact with her family.  I thought this was to harsh, but maybe a custom.

She goes to work a few hours away on the Blank farm.  The Blank’s are older and need help to try and get the farm to make some money.  Their daughter was killed a few years back and their son Aaron has been away at rehab for a year.  Upon Aaron’s return he wants his parents to sell the farm, pay off debts and move with him to a town and run an appliance store.  It was nice that Aaron gave God all the credit in his recovery.   Sylvia wants them to keep the farm and give her a chance in making it successful.  As they work together on the farm a relationship develops as well as problems.  There are many other good characters in the book with struggles and the author gives you a glimpse of their lives and their faith .  I think I would like to read other books in the series to know more about the other characters.  I recommend this book to anyone who likes stories of strong Christian Amish women.     

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 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."

One Call Away -A Memoir

I have to admit that once I started reading this book I could not hardly put it down.  Brenda is married to Kurt Warner who was an NFL quarter back that is now retired.  I know it takes alot for a person to be as honest about details of their like like she was.  Not judging her but at times she seemed alittle stuck on her self.  She mentions that she was always know as the "pretty one" more than a few times.  I know she had to have strong faith to endure some of the hardships that she faced but at times wondered if she would really put God first what would of been the outcome.  She and her first husband have a son Zack who is left disabled after an accident under the father's care.  When she is eight months pregnant with her daughter he has an affair.  Having a troubled marriage any way she leaves him.  She shares her struggles being a single mom, the death of her parents in a tornado, and believe it or not coping with being famous and a millionaire, as well as the miscarriages of two babies.  There were a few times when I was left hangin on story lines that didn't finish.  Like her grandmother, Chach.  She was mentioned but you never  knew what happened to her.  I also wondered about the first two children's father, but at the end she did fill us in on the children's relationship now with him.   The pictures that were added were  a nice touch to the story, I found myself looking either forward or back at them often.  I am glad that she does speak out about her faith as mentioned.  I was alittle disappointed  at the lack of references to God and His Holy Word.  She and Kurt have a foundation called "First Things First".  Together they do wonderful things like furnishing homes for low income single mothers and rock babies who have no one to love them.  The most touching part of the book  for me was when she held Daniel into the arms of Jesus.   I would recommend this book to anyone who needs encouragement to go on when times get difficult.

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

Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love

Smack-Dab in the Middle of God’s Love by Brennan Manning and John Blasé is a wonderful children’s book.  The illustration by Nicole Tadgell is beautiful. 

As soon as I opened the book and saw the pretty hummingbirds I new I would like this book, and I did.  The catchier phrase “smack-dab” is one to grab children’s attention.  I have three grandchildren and can’t wait to read it to them.   I can just hear them repeating the phrase over and over.  The story takes place in a little Mexican village.  It tells you about a couple, Juan and Ana who have no children of their own but their home was always filed with neighborhood children.  I like how the children in the book are from all nationalities.  Ana makes sopapillas for the children and you can almost taste them as you read.  Juan and Ana talk to the children about “Abba” in heaven and ask them questions. Like what he will ask them when they get to heaven.  The children’s responses are dead on.  It opens the children up for them to explain God’s love to them and just how much of it he has for all of them.  This book is very good at explaining the love of Christ to children.

It would be a nice addition to any home or library.

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

" Enemies Of The Heart"

I have just read Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley.  I loved this book!  Do you ever do something or think something and wonder where did that come from?  The author explains this so well.. Jeremiah 17:9 (esv)  The Heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick;who can understand it?

This book will cause you to take a deep look at your own heart.  What is inside will eventually come out, sometimes not in a good way.  He gently reminds us that we are a work in progress and God has not completed us yet.  We all have heart work to be done.  We are told to watch over and guard our heart many times in the bible.  Why?  Because our lives....words and behaviors come from the heart.  We all have some good and some bad, and eventually comes out in words and deeds.

The author points out that there are four primary enemies of the heart- life blocking agents that become lodged in our hearts, poisoning our relationships, our faith and our character.  They gain strength in secrecy and darkness, and left to their own the grow in power.  These forces lose their power when exposed to light, the light of truth.  He explains how guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy are the source of practically every conflict and relational wound you’ve experienced.  At first I thought I really didn’t have a problem with any of these, but as read deeper I realized I did.  Through scripture and stories I was able to see where some issues I have had in the past was rooted in one of these four.  He explains how Guilt says, “I owe you”.  Anger says, “You owe me”.  Greed says, “I owe me”.  And Jealousy says, “God owes me”.   Andy Stanley made all of the statements come true.   I urge every Christian to read this book, it would be really good for a new Christian so they can steer clear of the dangers.  This book gives you the tools and power to confront, forgive, and celebrate.   




Disclosure of Material Connection: Multnomah Publishers sent me a free copy of this book as part of their bloggers book review 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.”

Rumors Of God

Rumors Of God by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson

This book is about two men from Australia who are on fire for the Lord.  I could feel their desire for everyone who read the book to understand God’s mercy and grace.  I felt the book was biased on the prayer of the prophet Habakkuk.  The stories that were told were so inspiring.  And many were so down to earth and real.  “Letting God Deal With Our Sin” was so funny I laughed out loud.  Jon used a story about potty training his two year old daughter  when talking about bringing our sin to God rather than dealing with it ones self.  Not to give it all away, but I will say how true it is that when we try to take things into our own hands, we mess it up.

Many old bible stories are repeated with new light to them, like Jonah.  The way the writes told it was really good.  There are a lot of historical accounts in the book which I enjoyed.  I learned things I did not know, or maybe just forgot, either way I found them interesting.  For example:  The Assyrians very very mean people, they forced the Jewish women to marry them and give birth to their children.  This generation was disowned and despised by both groups, particularly the Jews.  This half-breed people group became known as the Samaritans.

There are lots of good and documented quotes in the book, like “ Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that” by Martin Luther King Jr.

I liked being reminded that we are to have the mind of Christ.  To be his hands and feet. To love the unloved and the hurting.  This book has challenged me to do that.

This book is a short easy read and packed full of the power of our Mighty God.  I would recommend it to any who loves the Lord or is ready for a change.  

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.”

Fierce Beauty

I have just finished reading Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder.  The book was full of wonderful stories.  Most of them left you wanting to know more.  Which she left you little notes at the end of the chapter to let you know which of her other book you could fine more on, which I thought was nice.  The whole meaning of the book was to realize that women are more than just beauty on the outside.  She beckons the reader to realize their own strength within, that which we are given by Christ.   

The author loses her parents in an accident at a very early age.  She and her two sisters go to love with their maternal grandmother.  I loved the stories of her “Mimi”.  She was a strong person to put aside her grief in the death of her daughter to devote her life in raising her granddaughters.  God uses the author’s tragic experience as a young girl to touch other hurting children.

I really related to the author in the aspect that she and her husband run a ranch for injured and abused horses.  She tells stories about the children who come and learn to care for the horses as a way to heal their sometime troubled souls. The real meat of the book wants you to learn through her stories how to transform, surrender, and serve your King.  I feel she gets this across to the reader.  At times it drags, but all in all a good read.     

Lillies In Moonlight

I just finished” Lilies in Moonlight” by Allison Pittman.  It is the first by this author and won’t be the last.  I really enjoyed her pure and wholesome tale of a historical romance.  The novel is a love story about Lilly, a flapper from the roaring 50’s and Cullen, a baseball player who was injured in the war.  Cullen is a Christian man of wealth where Lilly is a non believer who grew up poor and with a single mother who showed her no love.  Cullen’s mother Betty Ruth takes Lilly in and shows her love and acceptance   Betty Ruth who is slipping into dementia is a most wonderful character and perfect example of a true woman of God. 

At first Lilly is untrusting and defensive of any help.  She has been used by so many people in her past.  Cullen is unsure of her motives and worried that she is out to hurt his mother.  As time goes on, with a few very exciting adventures for the group a love and trust develops. 

Miles, the long time family chauffeur and Eugenie the maid provide lots of interesting thought in this book.  I really liked the way they were portrayed during the era that was not so kind to people of lower social standing.

Lilies in Moonlight have lots of scripture in it, and conversations about the bible and God.  It was very refreshing and easy to read.  Once I started I didn’t want to put it down. If you are looking for a sweet easy read this book is for you.  I look forward to reading more books by Allison Pittman. 

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Waterbrook Multnomah, as a member of their Blogging For Books program. All opinions expressed are my own and I have not been compensated in any other manner***