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.”