“Smack Dab in the Middle of God’s Love” is a new book by Brennan Manning and John Blase, published by Thomas Nelson publishers. It tells the story of a couple in the small Mexican village of Hopi. While Willie Juan and Ana couldn’t have children of their own, their home is always full of neighborhood children with lots of laughter and love. The book tells of what happened one day while they were all enjoying a beautiful evening and Ana’s most delicious sopapillas and Willie Juan asked a curious question.
“Little friends, someday, when you are in heaven, what do you think Abba (God) will ask you?”
As they talk about question and each of their answers, they learn how much God loves each of us and that we are all smack-dab in the middle of His love.
Disclosure: 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.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Hermie & Friends: Hermie, a Common Caterpillar
Max Lucados’ books are always uplifting and this one is no different – with a special message for each one of us. “Hermie & Friends: Hermie, a Common Caterpillar” is a children’s book in a new, easy to read format. The story is engaging, with colorful illustrations.
For those who have read or seen any of the DVDs in the series, you will remember that Hermie is a plain, common, green caterpillar. As he goes through his days, he sees other special gifts each of his friends seem to have, all that is except for him and his caterpillar friend, Wormie. At night before bed, he asks God, “Why did you make us so common?” To which God lovingly replies “Don’t worry. I love you just the way you are and I’m not finished with you yet.” I don’t want to steal the end of the story here, but suffice it to say, in time he sees the wonderful plan God has for them both!
This is a great inspirational book and wonderful way to help explain to little ones the beautiful truth that God loves each one of us just the way we are and that He's always working in our lives. And in most cases He’s not finished with us yet! He has begun a good work in us and He will finish it. It was a great reminder for me, and I can’t wait to share it with the little ones in my family.
Disclosure: 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.
For those who have read or seen any of the DVDs in the series, you will remember that Hermie is a plain, common, green caterpillar. As he goes through his days, he sees other special gifts each of his friends seem to have, all that is except for him and his caterpillar friend, Wormie. At night before bed, he asks God, “Why did you make us so common?” To which God lovingly replies “Don’t worry. I love you just the way you are and I’m not finished with you yet.” I don’t want to steal the end of the story here, but suffice it to say, in time he sees the wonderful plan God has for them both!
This is a great inspirational book and wonderful way to help explain to little ones the beautiful truth that God loves each one of us just the way we are and that He's always working in our lives. And in most cases He’s not finished with us yet! He has begun a good work in us and He will finish it. It was a great reminder for me, and I can’t wait to share it with the little ones in my family.
Disclosure: 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.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Fresh-Brewed Life
As one who enjoys an inviting cup of coffee each morning upon waking, just the title of Nicole Johnson’s book “Fresh Brewed Life” caught my attention. I love the way it’s set up, easy to read and savor, but yet goes down into your soul and invigorates you. “Fresh Brewed Life” is divided into 10 wonderful chapters covering the following themes:
Introduction: Taking Your First Sip
Chapter 1 Surrender to God
Chapter 2 Encounter Your Journal
Chapter 3 Listen to Your Longings
Chapter 4 Embrace Your Beauty
Chapter 5 Interview Your Anger
Chapter 6 Savor Your Sexuality
Chapter 7 Celebrate Your Friendships
Chapter 8 Change Your World
Chapter 9 Enrich Your Relationships
Chapter 10 Enjoy Your Freedom
Epilogue: Good to the Last Drop
Discussion Questions
Each chapter has it’s own sections as well, which makes it easy to pick up and enjoy whether you have 5 minutes to read a short passage, or enough time to enjoy a full chapter. Being one who enjoys sayings and quotations, I’ve enjoyed reading new ones here, sprinkled throughout on the topics of the chapters.
Disclosure: 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.
Introduction: Taking Your First Sip
Chapter 1 Surrender to God
Chapter 2 Encounter Your Journal
Chapter 3 Listen to Your Longings
Chapter 4 Embrace Your Beauty
Chapter 5 Interview Your Anger
Chapter 6 Savor Your Sexuality
Chapter 7 Celebrate Your Friendships
Chapter 8 Change Your World
Chapter 9 Enrich Your Relationships
Chapter 10 Enjoy Your Freedom
Epilogue: Good to the Last Drop
Discussion Questions
Each chapter has it’s own sections as well, which makes it easy to pick up and enjoy whether you have 5 minutes to read a short passage, or enough time to enjoy a full chapter. Being one who enjoys sayings and quotations, I’ve enjoyed reading new ones here, sprinkled throughout on the topics of the chapters.
Disclosure: 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.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Don't Check Your Brains at the Door
“Don't Check Your Brains at the Door” by Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler presents apologetic ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand mini-devotional and has questions/references at the end of each chapter. It covers general knowledge about false religions, cults, and other things that get thrown at you during your life as a Christian.
Following is the book description:
“Seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30—both evangelical and mainline—who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23, according to the survey by LifeWay Research.” (USA Today)
Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door gives teens answers that make sense, even for the toughest of questions. Internationally known defender of the faith Josh McDowell and co-author Bob Hostetler offer clarity laced with humor to expose common myths about God, the Bible, religion, and life to show how Christianity stands up to the test of fact and reason. Teens will be better equipped to stick with their faith as they begin to understand why they believe and why it’s important to make a lifetime commitment to Christ and the church.
I’ve enjoyed reading this book and feel it’s a good reference book which will help me in answering questions about the Bible, God, Jesus, and other areas of Christian faith.
Disclosure: 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.
Following is the book description:
“Seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30—both evangelical and mainline—who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23, according to the survey by LifeWay Research.” (USA Today)
Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door gives teens answers that make sense, even for the toughest of questions. Internationally known defender of the faith Josh McDowell and co-author Bob Hostetler offer clarity laced with humor to expose common myths about God, the Bible, religion, and life to show how Christianity stands up to the test of fact and reason. Teens will be better equipped to stick with their faith as they begin to understand why they believe and why it’s important to make a lifetime commitment to Christ and the church.
I’ve enjoyed reading this book and feel it’s a good reference book which will help me in answering questions about the Bible, God, Jesus, and other areas of Christian faith.
Disclosure: 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.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Rumors of God
“Rumors of God - Experience the Kind of Faith You´ve Only Heard About” by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson covers some of the basic beauties of Christ and our lives as His followers, reminding us to get back to the basics. These things can be easy to forget in today’s modern society, or those around us try to convince us is old fashioned or old hat, but they are still very much alive and real truths and realities and just a matter of us being willing to believe and follow.
The chapters in “Rumors of God” cover the following topics:
1. The Sculptor’s Shop Rumors of Abundant Life
2. Hostages of the Mind Rumors of Another Dream
3. The Great Reversal Rumors of Generosity
4. The Faith You’ve Only Heard About Rumors of Love
5. Getting the Gospel in Order Rumors of Grace
6. Giving Up Your Rights Rumors of Freedom
7. The Radical Individual Rumors of Commitment
8. Loving Beneath the Surface Rumors of Community
9. The Greenroom Rumors of Justice
10. Our Burning Revolution Rumors of Hope
There is also a Reading Group Guide, with thought provoking questions to go with the topics of each chapter of the book.
Disclosure: 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.
The chapters in “Rumors of God” cover the following topics:
1. The Sculptor’s Shop Rumors of Abundant Life
2. Hostages of the Mind Rumors of Another Dream
3. The Great Reversal Rumors of Generosity
4. The Faith You’ve Only Heard About Rumors of Love
5. Getting the Gospel in Order Rumors of Grace
6. Giving Up Your Rights Rumors of Freedom
7. The Radical Individual Rumors of Commitment
8. Loving Beneath the Surface Rumors of Community
9. The Greenroom Rumors of Justice
10. Our Burning Revolution Rumors of Hope
There is also a Reading Group Guide, with thought provoking questions to go with the topics of each chapter of the book.
Disclosure: 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.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
God's Love Letters to You
In “God’s Love Letters to You – A 40-Day Devotional Experience”, author Dr. Larry Crabb offers forty selected passages from one of his previous books, “66 Love Letter” for daily reading. The devotional reading for each day is based on a book of the Bible. It includes a Bible verse, followed by a short message based on the verse, a few thought provoking questions to help the reader pause to reflect on the words and then ends with a short prayer.
I was a bit disappointed overall, I expected something more. It did however give me good food for thought and helped me think of and reflect on different lessons that can be learned from the scriptures as I tried not to focus so much on the things I didn’t care for so much and used it more as a spring board.
One thing that would be good to be aware of is this book is for those who at least have a good overall Bible base and foundation to understand a bit of the background of where the verses and lessons are coming from.
Disclosure: 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 was a bit disappointed overall, I expected something more. It did however give me good food for thought and helped me think of and reflect on different lessons that can be learned from the scriptures as I tried not to focus so much on the things I didn’t care for so much and used it more as a spring board.
One thing that would be good to be aware of is this book is for those who at least have a good overall Bible base and foundation to understand a bit of the background of where the verses and lessons are coming from.
Disclosure: 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.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Blessing
“The Blessing” by By John Trent & Gary Smalley is an updated and revised version of their previously published book.
I feel a special something for books that help me dive more deeply into scripture and pull out precious treasures and gems.
I want to be one of those who communicates and transmits that unconditional love and acceptance to those around me and help to make a difference in their lives, to give value to them and their lives. This book helps to cement the importance of this more than ever and the effect it can have on them.
It is very informative and practical. It gives hands on ideas and examples so anyone can jump right in and bless those around them. I’m very excited about using and implementing some of the ideas in our home over the summer.
Reading this book also helped me to see my clearly how I have been blessed and received blessing from others and my responsibility to in turn be a blessing in the lives of others.
Disclosure: 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 feel a special something for books that help me dive more deeply into scripture and pull out precious treasures and gems.
I want to be one of those who communicates and transmits that unconditional love and acceptance to those around me and help to make a difference in their lives, to give value to them and their lives. This book helps to cement the importance of this more than ever and the effect it can have on them.
It is very informative and practical. It gives hands on ideas and examples so anyone can jump right in and bless those around them. I’m very excited about using and implementing some of the ideas in our home over the summer.
Reading this book also helped me to see my clearly how I have been blessed and received blessing from others and my responsibility to in turn be a blessing in the lives of others.
Disclosure: 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.
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