Last good book?

Love for Books

Hobbies. Most people have them, you know the things you like to do? The things you would rather be doing at any given moment. Many people enjoy reading. We all know the benefits of reading, improved vocabulary, opportunity to learn something new, time to use your imagination, and the list goes on. Bottom line, reading is good for you. Which is why you'll hear about those bookworms who attempt to read 52+ books a year. Well, that's not my intention. My intention is to simply read more. As time goes on, I hope to share with you some fantastic books I've loved.  So what's the last book you've read and enjoyed recently?

Prayer Circles, draw the circle

Draw the CircleThe 40 Day Prayer Challenge

By Mark Batterson
Published by Zondervan

Book Description

Do you pray as often and as boldly as you want to? There is a way to experience a deeper, more passionate, persistent, and intimate prayer life.

Drawing from forty days of true stories, Mark Batterson applies the principles of his New York Timesbestselling book The Circle Maker to teach us a new way to pray. As thousands of readers quickly became many tens of thousands, true stories of miraculous and inspiring answers to prayer began to pour in, and as those stories were shared, others were bolstered in their faith to pray with even more boldness.

In Draw the Circle, through forty true, faith-building stories of God’s answers to prayer, daily scriptures and prayer prompts, Batterson inspires you to pray and keep praying like never before. Begin a lifetime of watching God work. Believe in the God who can do all things. Experience the power of bold prayer and even bolder faith in Draw the Circle.

My Thoughts: 

This book drew me in, I found myself reading more than one chapter at a sitting. The short concise chapters made it an easy read. I was encouraged and challenged by the faith of the people in the stories the author shared. This book can challenge your prayer habits and perhaps help you change up your devotional time to become more productive and powerful. At times, I found myself rooting for the prayers that were prayed and found myself excited to hear how God answered those prayers, even it it was a not now answer. I too prayed a prayer and God answered with a challenge. The challenge is shared here on my other blog, 42kmfromhere

While I have not read Batterson's Book "The Circle Maker" Which this book is a spin-off devotional. Overall, I would recommend this book to someone looking at strengthening their prayer life and perhaps their faith.

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.”

Discover who your Jesus Is...

Jesus Is

Find a New Way to Be Human

By Judah Smith
Published by Thomas Nelson

Book Description

Jesus is ____. How would you finish that sentence?

The subject is there, and so is the verb, but what comes next? Your answer could shed light on the path to becoming who you were made to be.

In these pages, Judah Smith fills out that sentence again and again, each time further revealing the character of Jesus. He writes as if to a friend, illustrating the importance of Christ’s message to modern men and women. This is a book for new believers, for lifelong followers, and for the merely curious. Judah Smith shows us the Jesus that somber paintings and hymns fail to capture. With passion, humor, and conviction, he shows that Jesus is life. Jesus is grace. Jesus is your friend. Jesus is a new and better way to be human.

My Thoughts

The words Jesus, Grace, Faith... conjure up different meanings and feelings to everyone. Jack Hayford an American Pastor defines Grace as:  “Grace is God meeting us at our point of need in the Person of Jesus Christ.” 

In his Book, Judah Smith focuses on how Jesus Is your friend, is Grace, is Happy, is Here and is Alive. This book served as a great reminder that Jesus is a friend, is grace and so many other things. It also serves as an encouragement to look at Jesus and seek Jesus more.

I enjoyed this book and it was an easy read over the course of a weekend. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times as Judah shared some comical stories, while other moments found myself in tears has he shared touching stories.

Some of my favourite quotes from the book Judah Smith wrote:

(forgive the lack of page references, I read this book my iPad and page references change depending on the size of the font.

-  “I wonder what Jesus said in one short afternoon that changed a lifelong taker into a lavish giver.”

-  “Don’t allow the opinions of other people to shape your concept of him.”

-  “Get to know him for yourself, and let the goodness of God change you from the inside out.”

-  “The common denominator is that we all need help.”

-  “When we meet grace, it becomes the fuel of our faith.”

-  “Grace focuses on the abundant life Jesus freely gives us.”

Next Steps:

- Check out your local bookseller to find  the book for yourself, you may find yourself singing Michael Jackson’s song “Human Nature” as you read it. 

- Join the conversation online. Fill in the blank of what/who you think Jesus is on the book's website.
 - Or follow the conversation on twitter with #JesusIs. 

  

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.”

Discover what you are chasing....through this 8 part DVD Study

Chase DVD-Based Study

By Jennie Allen
Published by Thomas Nelson

Product Description:
What are you chasing?

We’re all chasing after something, something that we think will make us happy—comfort, success, a bigger house, or someone’s approval. But if we are all honest, it feels like trying to catch the wind.

A man after God’s own heart… As David’s life weaves throughout the pages of Scripture, we see he was a man who spent his life chasing after God. Chase explores the events that defined David’s life and the Psalms that flowed out of those experiences. Through David’s example we’ll discover what God really wants from us.

The lessons in this study are simple yet deep and very interactive, offering Bible study, stories, and projects to dig into Scripture and deeply engage the mind and heart. God has carved out a space in each of us that only He can fill. So whether you are running from God or working your tail off to please Him, David’s journey will challenge your view of God.

God is invisible, and yet He is the only thing we can chase that won’t leave us feeling more empty.

Study Kit Tools:
Study. The study guide uses projects, stories, and Bible study to engage the mind and heart. There are seven weeks of Bible study and an introductory session for your group.

See. Eight short but deep videos provide a starting place for meeting God and for transparent conversations. Each video is 8-12 minutes long.

Ask. Conversation cards offer questions for spontaneous and authentic discussion time. You choose the questions that speak to you.

Lead. The leader’s guide prepares you to lead this study and encourages you along the way.

MY  THOUGHTS:
What I love about this product is it reaches out to different learners. Through the Study Guide participants can read/experience the material personally in the stories. In the See Videos, participants are gathered to a "starting" place for conversations to begin or continue. In the Ask Conversation Cards, they help prompt each person to share their experiences/opinions/beliefs. And the Leader's guide prepares the leader and helps each session move along easily even for the in-experienced small group leader.

The study asks you, "What are you chasing?" So often, we find ourselves caught up in the midst of EVERYTHING that is in our lives. Career, family, relationships, material possessions, meeting the expectations of others. Chase helped bring me back to the place I needed to be. Being more like David and chasing after God's heart.

So would I recommend Chase? Absolutely recommend this study. The workbook provides many thought provoking questions. That will help lead you to where you ought to be. 


Disclosure of Material Connection: 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 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.”

I am Second Review. A book by Doug Bender & Dave Sterrett

Publisher's Synopsis:
Countless stories. One incredible ending.
A major league baseball player. a Tennessee pastor. A reality TV star. a single mom. A multi-platinum rocker. What do these people have in common? They’ve all hit bottom. And none of them stayed there.

Famous or unfamiliar, these are the stories of real people who reached the end of their strength, the end of their control, and found the most surprising truths. It taught them not to rely on self or substance but to lean on the only completely reliable source of love, hope, and freedom: the God who created them. Shocking in their honesty, inspiring in their courage, these testimonies are critical reminders that no one is too far from God to find him.

Join these and thousands more who have discovered the lifechanging power in putting God first and proclaiming, “I am Second.”

My Thoughts:
Second? Isn't that just the first "loser?" Or is a second a measurement of time? In a world where coming in first matters, where being the first in line for a cool new gadget, where being an early adopter of new technology is the "cool" thing to do, why would I want to be second or make a bold statement such as I AM SECOND?

I AM Second is a collection of stories of people who have came to a place where they found it necessary to put God first and themselves second. Stories of "famous" and "ordinary people who made a decision and how that decision greatly changed their lives. These short stories are quick and easy to read yet challenging. Many made me consider my own actions in various circumstances.
 A great book to share with friends. One of my favourite features of the book is at the end of each chapter there are QR codes that you can scan with your smart phone (or iPod touch) to read more stories similar to the one printed in the book or to check out a video version of a similar story.  Still not sure? Check out one or all of the videos posted on the books site:  http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/#featured

 Since this book is comprised of short stories, it makes a great read for the beach. This book is definitely worth a second look. The stories will challenge you where you are regardless of your situation.

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson 

The Names of God Bible Review

The Names of God Bible Review

From the Publisher:

• Open the door to a more intimate relationship with God.
• Discover the Hebrew names of God within the biblical text
• Encounter God through prayers, promises, and devotional readings

Experience God's character more deeply by studying his names

One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know his names and titles as revealed in Scripture. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus uncovers the richness of God's character and love found in his names right within the Bible text.

The Names of God Bible restores more than 10,000 occurrences of specific names of God--like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay--to help readers connect with the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith and experience a deeper understanding of God's character. Perfect for personal study, prayer, and reflection, The Names of God Bible includes these special features:

• More than 10,000 names and titles of God restored to their Hebrew equivalent and printed in brown ink to stand out within the biblical text.
• Names of God reading paths lead readers to the next reference of the name so they can pray and study the names of God throughout Scripture.

Name Pages feature

• background information associated with the most important names and titles of God
• key Scripture passages in which the name is revealed
• devotional readings for each of the featured names
• specific Bible promises connected to each of the featured names 

Calling God by Name sidebars shed light on the relationship between biblical people and the specific names they called God.
 
My Thoughts:
This Bible is beautifully laid out. It is simple and easy to use, easy to read. This Bible is the God's Word Translation. It being different from the New Living Translation I normally read, it made the scriptures feel new, different. The introductions to each book, listed the Key Names of God for the chapter. It was nice to see them gathered and explained which made studying the names of God much easier. The featured I loved was the Names of God Reading Path System at the front of the bible. It listed the various names/titles of God and the first reference, as you go to that reference, in the margin, it gives you the verse where that particular name of God appears next. This helps make studying the names of God so much simpler. You should try it out. Check out the Names of God Bible at your nearest bookseller.


"Bible has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Love & Respect Experience Review, Book by: Emerson Eggerichs

The Love & Respect Experience

A Husband-Friendly Devotional that Wives Truly Love

Leathersoft

By Emerson Eggerichs

From the Publisher: 

A Devotional Unlike Any Other! Through the millions of products sold on Love & Respect, Emerson Eggerichs has transformed marriages around the world with his biblically based approach to understanding the love that she most desires and the respect that he desperately needs. Now, in this long-awaited release, Emerson has created an experience for couples that is effective, flexible and life-changing.

To build this couples devotional, Eggerichs has taken the top concerns that surfaced in a survey of thousands of couples and has developed 52 devotionals around the three cycles that are at the heart of Love and Respect. On one occasion the couple will be talking about how to stop the Crazy Cycle or keep it at bay. The very next devotional will talk about a concept built upon the Rewarded Cycle, which stresses the ultimate purpose for marriage. And the next may have both people talking about ways to use the Energizing Cycle in their efforts to love and respect each other.

Some may ask, “Why 52 and not 365, like other couples devotionals I have seen?” The author’s research shows that married couples don’t want to deal with that much material, that often.  Therefore, the specific devotionals, which can be done weekly or at any chosen pace, are specifically guided to what couples say they most need.  And this is a husband-friendly devotional, having been written and designed in such a way that the husband can feel comfortable in the entire process.

With this wealth of new material and video devotionals available online to support the product, The Love & Respect Experience will be indispensable to anyone wishing to better their marital relationship.

My Thoughts: 

Just picking this book up, you know it was designed for a man. The gorgeous two-toned leather-soft cover screams "PICK-ME-UP!" and "Read me!" Each of the 52 devotionals are the perfect length -- short! Definitely great for your non-avid, force me to read a book guy or simply for the busy couple. Each chapter begins with a bible verse, a short story, followed by a prayer and action points, the action points includes the page reference to check out the related discussion questions at the end of the book.

Chapter 11 shares an insight, I haven't been able to forget, "Her pink + his blue = God's Purple." You'll have to get the book to hear the whole story. While I may not be married yet. I do seek to be prepared once I am, the above equation is something I'll remember. This book would make a great present to any new couple.

Want to know more about the whole Love & Respect Experience, check out the author's blog: http://emersonandsarah.blogspot.com/ or check out the Love & Respect Website: http://loveandrespect.com/


Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson.