Let's start by saying that, yes, I could use some more prayer walking in my life. I need more of both, the exercise and the praying. I'm not always faithful with either of them. I requested this book from WaterBrook Multnomah publishing hoping that it would give me the motivation that I was lacking. Unfortunately, at this point, it doesn't seemed to have worked out that way for me.
I enjoyed this book. The author gave very good and sound advice. As a health care professional, I often find myself critical of books that promote an exercise program. They either are to hard for the average person or they just give unrealistic pictures of success. This book has kept it real. It doesn't claim to be the be all, end all of programs. It just claims to be a great way to get healthy and grow closer to God.
I think this is a great book for those out there that are just needing a little push. It teaches you that small changes over time lead to big results. It also shows the reader that through God, all things are possible, even (gasp) weight loss.
The only problem I had with the book is that it seems like a no brainer. Do you really need to read a book about praying while you walk? I know that's just my jaded persona coming out. Sometimes it's the obvious things that are the easiest to overlook.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review
Friday, July 8, 2011
Book Review: "A Place Called Blessing" by John Trent, PhD with Annette Smith
"A Place Called Blessing" is a fiction story based on the non-fiction book "The Blessing" by the same author. Since I've not read "The Blessing," I had no preconceived notion about what this book was going to contain. What I found was a wonderful story of redemption, forgiveness, strength, & hope.
The story centers around a young man named Josh. It follows Josh through his troubled childhood and into his adult life. If gives a very clear picture of why we should never judge a book by it's cover. You never know what is going on inside of a person or what has driven them to be the way that they are to others. It shows us, in story form, how important one person can be in another persons life. You could be the lifeline that a stranger or acquaintance clings.
I found that this story also made me think about all the things in life that seem like coincidences but in reality are part of God's plan. I've had a few of those moments that seem like impossible realities. Those times when you just sit back and say "no way!" Those are times that we need to seize and explore. They are gifts from above.
This is a great book to spend a day reading. You'll find yourself uplifted and motivated to be a blessing to others.
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.”
The story centers around a young man named Josh. It follows Josh through his troubled childhood and into his adult life. If gives a very clear picture of why we should never judge a book by it's cover. You never know what is going on inside of a person or what has driven them to be the way that they are to others. It shows us, in story form, how important one person can be in another persons life. You could be the lifeline that a stranger or acquaintance clings.
I found that this story also made me think about all the things in life that seem like coincidences but in reality are part of God's plan. I've had a few of those moments that seem like impossible realities. Those times when you just sit back and say "no way!" Those are times that we need to seize and explore. They are gifts from above.
This is a great book to spend a day reading. You'll find yourself uplifted and motivated to be a blessing to others.
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.”
Friday, June 17, 2011
Book Review: "You Were Born For This" by Bruce Wilkinson with David Kopp
I'll come out and say that I was a fan of "The Prayer of Jabez" book by Mr. Wilkinson. I didn't think that is was some miracle prayer that was going to solve all my life's problems. I did like how it made me more focused on the opportunities God puts before me each day to expand his kingdom. This title from Mr. Wilkinson is right along the same line.
I really have enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to being more willing to be a conduit of God's power. That sounds kind of cheesy when I read it back but it's true. This book points out that we have to be a willing participant in God's plans for us. It's that whole free-will thing.
This book's main premise is that God wants to perform miracles on Earth everyday. God uses the Spirit to make these miracles happen. Where is the Spirit located? In each of us. Thus, we need to be willing to follow the Spirit and be used by God to deliver miracles. The trouble, he points out, is that people have stopped listening and following the nudges and directions that God gives us. We rationalize those feelings as silly, of no consequence, or not needed. We tend to think that God only wants to perform the crazy big miracles like we read about in the Bible. That just doesn't seem to be true. God wants to let us know that he cares about the little things, that to us, as individuals, will be a miracle.
I read one negative review about this book. It said that the author was trying to make the readers turn God into their own personal genie. I totally disagree with this. I think that he is trying to get each of us to listen to the Spirit of God and act on what we feel. He gives specific advice on how to better listen but never gave me the impression that it was the ONLY way to be an active listener.
To sum it up, I enjoyed this book. I liked the message. I think that for those out there that need a reminder of how and why to listen to the Spirit, this is a great read.
I was sent this book by Waterbrook Multnomah publishing group for my honest review
I really have enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to being more willing to be a conduit of God's power. That sounds kind of cheesy when I read it back but it's true. This book points out that we have to be a willing participant in God's plans for us. It's that whole free-will thing.
This book's main premise is that God wants to perform miracles on Earth everyday. God uses the Spirit to make these miracles happen. Where is the Spirit located? In each of us. Thus, we need to be willing to follow the Spirit and be used by God to deliver miracles. The trouble, he points out, is that people have stopped listening and following the nudges and directions that God gives us. We rationalize those feelings as silly, of no consequence, or not needed. We tend to think that God only wants to perform the crazy big miracles like we read about in the Bible. That just doesn't seem to be true. God wants to let us know that he cares about the little things, that to us, as individuals, will be a miracle.
I read one negative review about this book. It said that the author was trying to make the readers turn God into their own personal genie. I totally disagree with this. I think that he is trying to get each of us to listen to the Spirit of God and act on what we feel. He gives specific advice on how to better listen but never gave me the impression that it was the ONLY way to be an active listener.
To sum it up, I enjoyed this book. I liked the message. I think that for those out there that need a reminder of how and why to listen to the Spirit, this is a great read.
I was sent this book by Waterbrook Multnomah publishing group for my honest review
Book Review: "The Seraph Seal" by Lenoard Sweet and Lori Wagner
I was really excited when I was given this book to review. I love historical thrillers, under normal circumstances. I like how they weave real life into these fictional situations. This book seemed like it was going to fit right into this idea. It is set in the future, 2048, and the time for the Apocalypse is at hand.
The first part of this book was very interesting. It was an essay titled "Engaging the Apocalypse: A Nonfiction Essay on Scenarios and Semiotics for the 21st Century." That is quite a mouth full! Although it sounds daunting, it was the best part of the book. It talked about using things that are happening in our world today and using them to project/predict what may happen in the future. The purpose being, if we think about the "maybes" we will be better prepared if and when they become realities. I found this to be an interesting concept and enjoyed learning the scientific word for this process, semiotics.
The beginning also talks about the term engaged fiction. This concept deals with the idea that the reader should be an active participant in the story. Using this idea, the authors have added a rather large section at the back of the book with additional information. The reader is encouraged to use this information to develop their own theories and ideas for the story and the future of the real world. Again, very cool idea.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the actual story that the authors wrote. It just was so jumpy for me. I found it very hard to follow where I was in the story. I had trouble remembering who the secondary characters were and if they were good guys or bad guys. The main bad guy just seemed a bit to fantastical to me. Maybe I just don't know enough about Revelations to "get it," but it was just too much.
So, after having high hopes, I just didn't enjoy the story. I enjoyed the concept and ideas that went into the book but not the actual story. Oh well, I guess you can't enjoy every book out there.
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.”
The first part of this book was very interesting. It was an essay titled "Engaging the Apocalypse: A Nonfiction Essay on Scenarios and Semiotics for the 21st Century." That is quite a mouth full! Although it sounds daunting, it was the best part of the book. It talked about using things that are happening in our world today and using them to project/predict what may happen in the future. The purpose being, if we think about the "maybes" we will be better prepared if and when they become realities. I found this to be an interesting concept and enjoyed learning the scientific word for this process, semiotics.
The beginning also talks about the term engaged fiction. This concept deals with the idea that the reader should be an active participant in the story. Using this idea, the authors have added a rather large section at the back of the book with additional information. The reader is encouraged to use this information to develop their own theories and ideas for the story and the future of the real world. Again, very cool idea.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the actual story that the authors wrote. It just was so jumpy for me. I found it very hard to follow where I was in the story. I had trouble remembering who the secondary characters were and if they were good guys or bad guys. The main bad guy just seemed a bit to fantastical to me. Maybe I just don't know enough about Revelations to "get it," but it was just too much.
So, after having high hopes, I just didn't enjoy the story. I enjoyed the concept and ideas that went into the book but not the actual story. Oh well, I guess you can't enjoy every book out there.
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.”
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Book Review: Plain Wisdom by Cindy Woodsmall and Miriam Flaud
I really enjoyed the relationship between these two women from VERY different cultural backgrounds. It gives a good representation as to how even when we look very different on the outside, our inner thoughts and worries are very much the same. It also shows us that different people need different things for their lives to run smoothly. Ms. Woodsmall indicates that she can appreciate the simple, electronics free life of the Amish while not being willing to adjust her life to live that way. Her path in life lays on a different route.
If you are looking for a good summer read, go out and get a copy of "Plain Wisdom" by Cindy Woodsmall and Miriam Flaud. You will be much happier after you have read some of this book. It adds a little smile to your heart.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”. Please rate my review through the link below. Thank you!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Book Review: "The Corruptible" by Mark Mynheir
Ray is a former police detective that has been forced to retire due to health issues. He now owns his own private detective agency. He has a slew of friends that travel in and out of his circle of society. Each character is fully developed and understandable. There isn't any character that doesn't have a need or a place in the story.
There are a couple of things that are missing from this story. It is so well written that it is easy to over look these missing items. What is missing is gratuitous sex and bad language. I almost didn't mention this about the book except that the story isn't hurt in any way by the lack of these things. It also isn't done in a way to be noticeably absent. You know what I mean, those books that try soooo hard to be clean that it feels forced at stiff because of it. This does not happen in "The Corruptible." As a matter of fact, it wasn't until half way through the book that the thought even entered my mind that I hadn't read a single curse word. That is pretty impressive for a tough and gritty murder mystery.
I will be looking up the first Ray Quinn novel "The Night Watchman" to read in the near future. I recommend that you go out and give them a try, too.
Please take a moment to rank my review in the following box. As you can see, this is my first review for the Blogging For Books site and I could use your support. Thank you!
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I am a part of their Blogging for Books program.
Book Review: "MacArthur" by Mitchell Yockelson
“MacArthur” by Mitchell Yockelson is an in-depth look at the life of the famed general. It was a pretty good read. Since this is not my favorite type of topic, I admit to struggling through the book. I can’t imagine how hard it would have been to focus if this wasn’t as well written as it is.
I don’t think there is any information in this book that isn’t well known by MacArthur fans. For those, like myself, that only had an impression of General MacArthur from the television show M*A*S*H, it is a very informative book. It seems to deal more with the personality of the general, rather than the specific military maneuvers. I’m very glad about this. It gives you a real insight into some of the decisions that General MacArthur made during his career that from a cursory review don’t make much sense.
If you want a good general book about the life of General Douglas MacArthur this is the perfect book. If you want a detailed military account of the accomplishments of the legend, I’d look for something different.
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