Book Reviews

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Cold Case Christianity

Does God Exist?

 J. Warner Wallace is a homicide detective and an author.  A self proclaimed atheist turned Christian,  due to the factual evidence, he could not discredit.  A born again Christian to the point, he defends the faith in God,  by running a website, answering questions pertaining to the Christian faith.  Cold Case Christianity, is also written by Wallace, a book putting the scriptures through the scrutiny only a homicide detective can do.
   This book is written from
a homicide Detective point of view.  Each question starts with the specifics of an old case, the names and places have been changed.  Techniques that are  used to solve a homicide case, are explained, used, and defined.  After each case is portrayed,  the same techniques used for that case are used for the questions of scriptures. A wide variety of topics is covered including was Jesus really resurrected from the grave,  is there a God and how do we know, and is the Bible true.  This book definitely goes in depth, taking in consideration any questions of doubt and disbelief.
   I found this book to be informative, many subjects were covered in depth.  I liked the fact that each area in question was looked from both the point of view of a non-believer and a believer.  I think this book would of been more enjoyable if the crime scene scenarios were left out.  This is definitely a good book to read, to help others learn how to defend what they believe.  I did not like the parts stating some of the bible is not true, or has been added on at another time. Overall I found this book to be informative and nonbiased.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher David C. Cook and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.  I want to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.    

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

gods at War

Who Do You Worship

Who do you worship?  Before you answer this question, know what the definition of worship is, and what or who can be considered a god, not a God.  Are you sure you have not, and are not, breaking the first commandment?  Thou shall have no other gods before me- Exodus 20:3, anything less is called idolatry.  Those who believe they have not and will not break this commandment, need to first read the book gods at War, by Kyle Idleman.   Surprisingly, most people are breaking the first,  and most reinforced commandment of the Bible, every day.
   Idolatry can be defined as "anything that becomes the purpose or driving force of your life", is summed up as idolatry.  There are many gods taking first place, where God should be, and no other.  According to Idelman, some examples of gods are money, pornography, entertainment, overeating, success, and romance. Every one of these things is not sinful on its own, unless they are worshiped, put before our Lord.   Even "goals can become gods, when we begin to serve and sacrifice for them." Learning to identify the false gods,   can eliminate them by taking them captive, as they should be.  "Sin doesn't just spring up out of nowhere, it is usually grown where some kind of seed has been planted.  The Lord our God, should be the only one in life that is number one in all we do and feel.
 Gods of wars, conveys  the areas in  life that may be taking gods place in our hearts.  Examples, from others personal experiences are included.  Sin is ever increasing, so learning to take "every thought" captive. Idleman helps  us see  the  false gods,  that can be put in front of the Lord.  God should be number one in our lives.  There should never be anything or one, that should be put in front of or beside our God.  Remember our God is a jealous God, as he should be.  He made us, loves us, and gave us his son, because we mean that much to him.  To be a true follower, all gods should be put behind God.
   I found this book to be enjoyable and insightful.  The author, I felt, does well by using testimonies  of others situations.  Scriptures were stated, to back up all the important points.  This is the second book, I have read by this author.  I find his books to be easy to follow, concise, and inspirational.  I had a hard time putting down this book, once I started it.  This is the second book, that I found enjoyable by this author.  Not a Fan is also a great book, written by Kyle Idleman.  I  look forward, to hopefully more to come in the future.
   I would like to thank Booksneeze, netgalley,  the publisher Zondervan,  and the author Kyle Idleman.  I appreciate the complimentary copy of this book, to read and review.  All of the opinions expressed are mine and have not had any cohesion from an outside source
.http://www.godsatwar.com/
 

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Finding God in the Dark

Sifting the Soul

Disappointment can bring about feelings of doubt.  Doubt that the Good Lord, who made us, gave us life, knew us before we were even born, and will love us for eternity does not take care of our needs.  In the Book Finding God in the Dark, by Ted Kluck and Ronnie Martin, they share some of  their  experiences; feelings of abandonment, anger, grief, and hopelessness in God.  Its not just a book about despair, its the realisation, God loves us so much, he will sift us,  to bring us closer to him.  We may not always understand at the moments during lifes trials the whys,  but later we may be grateful for those difficult  moments.
   Ted,  Kluck, has written for ESPN, Sports Spectum, and Christianity Today.  Awarded  book of the year for Christianity of Today.  He is a husband and father of two adopted boys and has been in a Christian band.  This author conveys emotion well through his writings. I was in literal  tears at one point, when he described the heart ache of loosing his father and the adoption of the sister to one of his sons. He, according to this book, has gained much but also lost a lot in his life.  Sharing his retrospect on the grace God has granted  him during not just the good but also the bad areas in his life.  Mr Kluck finds that to truly find the heart of God, we need to give up idols, some that are even hidden to us.  Being sifted of his sins during the good, brought about his great relationship with the Lord.
   I found this book at times to be heart breaking and inspirational.  I also found it to be difficult to read at times, being two different writers, therefore two different forms of writing.  I loved the way he did not sugar coat his feelings of anger, sadness, and utter loss.  This book did well in relating the relationships of our idols versus the  true relationship we gain with God, when we put them out of our lives.  This is the second book I have read by this writer, and look forward to future writings in the future.   I would like to thank netgalley, the authors Ted Kluck and Ronnie Martin, and also the publisher Baker Publishing Group,  for allowing me to read and review this book.  All of the opinions in this review, are  mine and have not been influenced by any other source. 

Friday, March 29, 2013

Heaven Here and Now

Look around

   Heaven Here and Now is a Christian based book by David McLaughlan.  One day we who believe in Christ,  will be in heaven.   
What a glorious day that will be!  This book is not about when we get to heaven, but how to enjoy the glimpses of heaven here on earth.  Bits of the Lords graciousness, and heaven sent gifts are all around us, taking the time to see them is the trick. 
   This book was filled with a large amount of mini short stories recognizing the true spirit of the Holy Spirit alive and working in this day and now, here and now.  With as many stories as this author has included in this book, you can be certain there is one if not may you will be able to relate to.  Life is full of goodness if we stop to enjoy those moments.  Life gets in the way, but true happiness is just a glimpse away, depending on whose eyes your are looking through.  As the saying goes, this book will help you to stop and smell the roses in others and your own lives.
   I found this book to be uplifting.  I loved the fact their were such a wide variety of true examples in this book.  This is not a teach you how to change, or find new ways to live type of book.  But it is a self help book, because it helps you see what is and has been right in front of our eyes.  The one thing I found frustrating was the author, did not seem to have a straight forward outline for this book.  The organization seemed chaotic, rambling, and out of sequence to me, anyway.  But all in all, its a great feel good, change your day, change your outlook book.
   Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing Inc., the author David McLaughlan, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.  All of this review is based solely on this writers opinion. 
 


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits

HABITS CAN BE A DISTANT MEMORY

   Making Good Habits, Breaking Bad Habits is a book written by Joyce Meyer. This is a self help book, written in from a Christian perspective, for those with the desire to change problematic parts of their life.  Joyce Meyer is a  Charismatic Christian author and speaker.  I look forward to her weekly, daily TV broadcasts along with reading her books.  She also is a speaker at women conferences, radio programs, and is the leader and founder, along with her husband Dave, of Joyce Meyer Ministries.  Mrs. Meyers teaches bad habits can be a distant memory of the past.
   "Habits are learned things we do through repetition and eventually do either unconsciously or with little effort."  Joyce Meyer teaches instead of working on the bad habits in our lives it helps to work on developing good habits.  We eventually replace the bad habits with the good habits with less focus on the negative and more on the positives in our lives.  Some of issues assisted with in this learning is stopping procrastination, put God first in all we do, being decisive in decision making, becoming and staying physically and emotionally healthy, being faithful, striving for excellence in all one does, being responsible, generosity, stopping the hurrying hurdle, self pity, temperament, addiction, being confident, adding value to others and self discipline.  I don't know about you, but there is plenty in this list worth reading this book for, I need to work on!
   Joyce Meyer believes to change a habit one needs to start with one habit at a time.  True change takes 30 days of repetition for something to become a changed habit.  Begin each journey by prayer, nothing is accomplished without God's glorious help.  She believes developing a support system with others, putting up signs to remind us, and inviting the Holy Spirit is the best way to accomplish our goals.  Keep your words and thoughts positive towards what you are working on, and going to change.  Celebrate and rejoice in the good days you accomplish and shake off your mistakes and disappointments, go right back to working on your destination.    Above all never give up, we are able to accomplish all with Christ...Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 
   I found this book, as with all of Joyce Meyers books,  to be a great read.  Many of the things she discusses I do need to work on in my life, and find this book to not only be helpful towards breaking my bad habits but positive encouragement to progress towards becoming the person I want to be.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who feels they are alone and cant change, who desires a change, and to those looking to become a better person.  I will be using the advice in this book to change many areas in my life and those who read it will find they will to. 
Thanks to FaithWords Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege to review this book.  I was not paid or enticed in anyway for my review.  This review is my own thoughts, without the influence of anyone or anything. 
   "Watch your thoughts for they become words, watch your words for they become actions, watch your actions for they become habits, watch your actions for they become character, watch your character for it becomes your destiny- Anonymous"



Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Pew Sisters

WE All Have Trials

   Pew Sisters,  by Katie Schuermann, is a 12 week Bible Study.  Small Groups  and individuals both, will be enlightened by these  teachings.  Each week starts out with a Bible verse, followed by a short story, a hymn to  medicate on, a prayer to accompany that weeks teaching, before some insightful questions, ending with a summery of the story including the rationales for the questions.  Each lesson is based on a difficult situation women can deal with in their life.
   Have you suffered from someone else's sins, brought into your life, angry and unforgiving?  "Forgiveness is not a feeling, it is a gift that is given to you regardless of how you feel."  Praying for guidance and emotions needed to forgive, is just one of the learned lessons in this study guide.  Pray and then "tell satin to go to hell", I love that line!  Other subjects covered are depression, grieving, anxiety, sickness, low self esteem, loss of  talent, worry, children are God's gifts, and not judging others.  There are other lessons within a lesson also that can be obtained it you spend the time to really study with this book.  You will find the answers to the questions to each chapter in the back of the book, not answered from the author but by the  authors Preacher Pastor McGuire.  Not only does each lesson relate to one's life but it also shows how to give comfort to our "Pew Sisters", our sisters in Christ, who struggle and need our shoulders to lean on.
   I found this book to be insightful, not only for my own daily needs, but to help support others who are also in need.  I liked the set up of the lessons, and enjoyed the hymns that went along with each chapter.  I can find many ways to use this material now, in my daily life for me and for others I care for.  Each subject is a quick read, with lots of knowledge to be obtained, all followed up with scriptures and where to find them in the Bible.  I would recommend this book to my other Sisters in Christ, not only for their daily lives but to support our other sisters in the body. 

 
  


Worry Wart

Worry No More

   Worry Wart is a children's book by Lisa Kildahl , is an amazing book, according to my son.   Worrying is all that Chloe, the main character, does all the time until she figures out why not to worry.   I liked the graphics of the book, they were vibrant and colorful.  The pictures all looked as if they were made out of clay.  Overall, I would recommend this book to ages 3-9 years of age.  I would recommend this book for children who struggle with worrying.  My son doesn't worry much, but he still found this book to be entertaining. 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Bad Girls of the Bible

Women of the Bible are Boring!


     Yep, women of the Bible, how boring a subject is that?  My thoughts, summed up totally, until I made the wonderful discovery of Liz Curtis Higgs book, Bad Girls of the Bible.  I had the pleasure of shopping at my favorite mall aka thrift store.   Excitingly, found this book, by God intervention I feet.  I would of never read it, except it was cheap and I love a good bargain. 
     Reading is a passion of mine, the expense my husband doesn't agree with.  The first place to see when shopping for me, is the book isle.  My opinion has been changed regarding women and the bible since finishing this book.  Liz Curtis Higgs was able to bring these women alive and show what how entertaining and realistic to our times as they ever were in Bible days.  If you are interested in a good romance, thriller, drama, or soap opera, ,this book is for you!
     Liz Curtis Higgs is able to bring Eve, Potiphar's Wife, Lots Wife, Delilah, Sapphira, Rehab, Jazebel,  and Michael into the here and now as was there and then.  I was so surprised to see that our sinful desires are no match,  or new for the biblical world.  The Biblical women could of made a better soap opera then our generation ever thought of making, with a sold out crowd.  I never knew how exciting the bible really could be until I picked up this book.
     I would highly recommend this book, it kept me glued from page one.   I devoured this book in a day.  I can say this was the book that lead to my quest for new enlightenment in my Christian faith.  Liz Curtis Higgs has a way of bringing you into these women's lives with humor and reality.  If you want a book to enlighten your life, keep you up late into the night reading, and make a difference, pick up this book and enjoy!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

What is your Favorite Christian Book, and why, excluding the Bible ?

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Finally Free: Living Free and Loving Life



Written By: Kim Tabor
Copyright: 2011
Pages:76

 
I found this book while searching online for a free women's bible study.  Living free written by Kim tabor, was offered by Laura Rath at http://www.laurarath.blogspot.com/ .  Kim  tabor is married to Brian Tabor a preacher, in ministries.  They both run Tabor Ministries, offering women's conferences and retreat http://taborministries.org/.  What a blessing Kim Tabor has been with both her book, singing, and ministry.
 
Focus, Restoration, enjoyment, are choices she teaches to find freedom.  Satan plants seeds of doubt over our self esteem at an early age.  Seeing and finding these seeds takes using our spiritual  eyes.  We need to look through God's eyes, our spiritual eyes, not our human eyes. Restoration then can take place,  we find the broken pieces and put them before God and fix them.  Eventually, enjoyment comes and brings us joy.  Christian's were not meant to be miserable, we were meant to enjoy life to the abundant.  Enjoying one another, our lives, and most of all enjoying our relation ship with the one who made us.  God gave his son to die for us, he wants a loving relationship, we need to treat him as though he's our best friend, or we should anyway.  HCSB John 10:10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy.  I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. 
 
I found this book enlightening and enjoyable.  Once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down.  I will be looking for my seeds and filling those areas with God.  I would recommend this book highly.  God should be my best friend, he should be the first one not the last one I go to with troubles.  I am thankful for Kim, her husband, and all the other authors who put their time into helping the hurting and bringing our focus back were it belongs.

 
 


Monday, February 4, 2013

Blog Hopping

This website has been up and running for about one month now.  I am proud to say I have complete a book review for an online book for blog site.  Now, I am trying out blob hopping, I have seen some awesome sites that bloggers have put lots of time and effort into them.  But, this of course, has made mine look very newbie style.  So as you come through here the next couple of days, remember when you first started, leave a comment, a tip, leave any advice you think would help this newbie out!  Oh, and if you can see it in your heart to join my group, I promise it will be work in progress, you wont be disappointed to have joined.  Happy blog hopping!
I have tried to join everyone's blogs that I have hopped, bloggers should support their peers, were a special breed!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

The Gospel of Yes, by Mike Glenn

The Gospel of Yes is a book written by Mike Glenn. Being positive, and saying "yes" to everything regarding religion and  spiritual gifts appears to be the main purpose of this book.
 
The books seemed drawn out to me, and barley based in biblical scripture.  The scriptures that were quoted, Mr. Glenn, turned around to support his "yes" theory.
 
I agree, as the book states, religion should not make you miserable.  There is more then enough biblical scripture to support this.  Glenn continued to turn around biblical scripture for his own objectives.
Glenn is a preacher, who starts out the book with a dilemma.  He is frustrated with God, so he says he challenged the mighty Lord to speak to him.  After receiving his answer, the "Yes" Gospel is born.

I found this book to be very long, boring, and
misrepresentations of the subject matter. Being positive, doing what you can, keeping your sights on God, and always saying yes to your spiritual gifts is your purpose on earth and will make life great.    That seemed to be the gist of the story. Some scriptures were quoted throughout the book, but then turned around to support the yes theory.

Mike Glenn - The Gospel Of Yes Promotional Video


Monday, January 7, 2013

Blogging in the New Year

I have never been a blogger, matter of fact, I had no idea what "blogger" meant.  I accidently came across the definition, as I loving read through my favorite authors and book review web pages.  These writers have inspired me to try this myself, to give you a desire to blog for yourself and to surround you with the love I find with my reading.
I love to read all kinds of books, books are more interactive then staring at a TV screen.  Books cause you to use your mind and really digest what the content is and use your vivid mind to visualize what your reading. 
I'm starting out 2013, blogging books, ideas, free e-book sites, and any other ideas that come my way. 
Come on in, read a little or a lot, grab a free e-book while their available,  and give me your ideas in comments!
Happy 2013, lets read and enjoy together!

Starting out the New year with a Blog

new year resolution  # 1 read more. so I guess I'm gonna help other people with that as well. first off. I'm going to try to work on this as much as I can. I'm new at this so its gonna take me a little while to get used to it up and going. I love to read others book reviews so why not share mine with you.  I also have a great book collection of ebooks, most I have not spend a penny on.  I will post them as I find them, better hurry and get them before they are no longer free.  Since this is my very first blog site, I would love your input to make it an enjoyable site for you and I.  Happy reading!