Category Archives: Book Review

Be You. Do Good. – Book Review

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bookEveryone who wants to make a difference during the time they have on this earth should read this book!  This is not just another self-help book.  Using the life stories of many people, some famous, others not, and his own experiences, Golden shows how to build a life, a career, a ministry, that focuses outwardly, on others.  In the Forward to this book, Bob Goff says, “…not only is God up to something here and something now, but God’s instrument of choice happens to be you.  If you’re feeling flattered, you should be.  As unlikely as it seems, God has chosen you and me to be  divine agents in the world today.  When you own that, everything changes.” (pg. 12)

The basic premise is to take one step at a time, some small, some large, in pursuit of your personal passion, your calling, always working toward God’s plan for you.  Many throw their hands up to heaven, begging God to tell them what to do.  Golden says God has given you a specific talent and skill set for His purpose.  To discover that one must ask such  questions as, “What do you want me to do? What are you good at? What makes you come alive?” (pg. 89)  He will give you a word, an inkling, a thought, an affirmation that you can know with certainty He wants you to pursue.

The concept that resonates and runs throughout this book is that of bahora bahora.  These are the Rwandan words for ‘little by little’.  It’s all about not rushing through life.  It’s about taking the time to build relationships with God, one another, and the world around us.  Slowly and carefully.

“Little by little we become more holy.”

 “Little by little we craft lyrics to entire songs.”

“Little by little we become proficient at our callings.”

(pg. 12)

I highly recommend you take a small step a read this book, cover-to-cover.  It could by the one small thing you need to discover God’s purpose for your life.

You can learn more about Golden and Be You, Do Good at http://www.BeYouDoGood.com.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Baker Books/a division of Baker Publishing Group.  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 FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

 

 

 

Amazing

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YAA_LifeGrowth_Guide_Cover_1024x1024Have you ever picked up a book to read that spoke to you right where you are?  I recently received a copy of Holley Gerth’s Life Growth Guide and that’s exactly what happened.  I had been wanting to find a book that I could walk through, step-by-step, a series of questions, that would help me discover the person I knew God knows me to be. This book definitely fit that criteria.

This book is designed to align with the book You’re Already Amazing.  It also has a series of videos that fit with the scope of the study.  It is full of questions that demand a response so that you can get to the heart of who you were designed to be and what God’s purpose is for your life.  These are not simple, yes/no questions.  They are designed to move smoothly toward discovering the ‘real’ you.

In learning about my skills, strengths, and styles I discovered parts of myself that I really hadn’t given much thought too.  Here are some quotes and thoughts that stood out to me…

God’s voice needs to be the loudest ‘voice’ we hear.

“All of the roles we have in this life are temporary.  Who God made you is eternal. (pg. 66)

There’s nothing God and I can’t do together!

It’s OK not to tolerate bullying or belittling behavior from other people.  It’s best to say, “When you are ready to speak or act differently we can move on.”

Knowing who I am and using that for God’s glory allows me to thrive.

“God doesn’t want you to be like anyone but Jesus…” (pg. 110)

Think smaller!  Turn large projects into smaller segments.

“A purposeful existence never happens by accident.” (pg. 134)

One of my favorite parts of this book is when Ms. Gerth says it’s OK to use an unlined journal in which to write your to-do list.  I must say I totally related to that.  I’m a circle, bubbles, and odd angles kind of girl and the concept really resonated with me.  I’m going to go out and find a blank page journal.

All in all this study was worth every minute of the time it took to work through.  I can hardly wait to share it with other women.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

I received a copy of this book and the accompanying DVD in return for my review from Holley Gerth/Revell Books/Baker Publishing. I receive no other remuneration. The words you have read here are totally my own thoughts.

 

Abba’s Child | Book Review

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Abba's ChildDo you wonder about God’s personal love for us?  Do you have a background of little to no love as a child and have always been searching for it?  Are you a perfectionist with thoughts of I’m just not good enough?  This book might be for you.

God’s love (and grace) has nothing to do with not living up to your own or other’s expectations.  It is simple in its complexity.  It has little, to nothing, to do with you/me and everything to do with the One who forgave every complex bit of ourselves on the cross.  We are so wrapped up in what we think is expected that we choose to lay the burden on others and of course the media.  He loves us and He wants us to converse (i.e., pray) with Him without judging ourselves or letting others judge us.

This book is really about understanding the characteristics that are not particularly valued in our society.  Love, gentleness, lowliness, humility, sharing, tenderness, caring and more.  We have grown up thinking self-sufficiency is of the utmost importance not realizing that the far more important concept (to use an overused cliché) is to ‘let go and let God’.

Forgiveness is another of the characteristics that is not valued.  The book goes into great detail on this subject.  It is impossible to be considered Abba’s Child if we do not learn to forgive.  Whether it is a personal affront, abuse, a legacy of racism, or any other sin against us Jesus says to forgive just like we would be expected to be forgiven.

Abba’s Child is an excellent study in understanding how love, grace, and forgiveness work together.  I highly recommend this book.  It should be read by and on the bookshelves of every believer.

One last thought…Let yourselves be loved!

A copy of this book was provided for me by Tyndale Blog Review Network/NavPress.  No other remuneration was received.  The thoughts and ideas in this review are entirely my own and are based totally on the book.  If you click on the book picture it will take you to NavPress where you can purchase the book. (I am not an affiliate of this company and receive nothing from them for this option.)

Book Review – New Testament Breakthrough Version

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Have you ever wondered why there are so many words in the Bible that seem to mean the same thing but when applied to the passage it doesn’t mean what you think you should?  The author of this translation spent more than 30 years carefully researching word meanings and applying that this work.  His work comes from the fact that the Bible was translated over 600 years ago and the words used then are not the same as they are now.  Word meanings change over time and with that it becomes difficult to know what a word meant 600 years ago and how it applies to life today.  If you want to check this out head over to http://www.breakthroughversion.com and check out the comparison charts.  They are informative and give an excellent picture of how the author researched to make this a usable resource.

With that said let me say that I, personally, believe in the total inerrancy of the Word.  I believe that it is and was totally ‘God-breathed’ as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16.  I also believe it is totally our responsibility, as believers, to check out any passage or translation that does not ‘ring true’ for us with all the resources we have.  So when I had a question about a passage I went to my Key Word Hebrew-Greek Study Bible, any or all of the commentary’s I could find, a variety of other study Bibles, and did on-line research when necessary.  Guess what?  I never found a time when this translation was inaccurate or not applicable.

I received a copy of this Bible from Breakthrough Bible Publishing for the sole purpose of reading and review. The thoughts and comments in this review are totally my own and influenced only by my personal and life experiences.  I have spent the past 6 months using this translation in teaching, study and worship experiences.  It has shed light on some passages and taken me to new thoughts on things I already thought I knew.  It is an excellent resource for any Bible teacher and I am delighted to add it to my library and highly recommend it for yours.

Check out the Blog Hops tab above to see where I’m sharing this post.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

Book Review

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A Church Compromised, The Danger of Compromise by Janet Basurto

51V4CSFfbTL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_Yes, the Church is compromised by commonly held beliefs like the Bible was written so long ago that it doesn’t hold true in our society and I’m a good person and good people go to heaven and since Hell doesn’t exist there probably isn’t a heaven or vice-versa.  I had really expected to see a book of ways those who are Believers could turn the Church around to a greater understanding of the Word and how it applies to the Believer’s life.

Mrs. Basurto does a very fine job of using scripture to define her decidedly hard core beliefs.  Does that make her wrong?  Of course not.  I fully believe that the Word is totally inerrant and that to believe one part is to believe the whole thing, just as she does.  She lays out an excellent argument for really looking into the scripture for the answers to such current issues as abortion, murder, sex before marriage, lust, homosexuality, persecution and much more.

However, what bothered me most about this book was the need for some serious editing.  I find it quite difficult to take an author seriously who has not checked for spelling, grammar, word usage, and accurate Biblical quotes.

I was provided a copy of this book by Revival Waves of Glory Books and Publishing to give my personal opinion and honest review.