Heaven is for Real for Kids - Review

Heaven is for Real for Kids - A little boy’s astounding story of his trip to heaven and back

"During an emergency operation at three years old, Colton Burpo had an experience that few people have in this life; he was able to see Jesus and visit heaven.  Colton now shares his experience with children so they, too, can have comfort, joy, and wonder of knowing that heaven is indeed for real and that Jesus really, really loves them!" 

Heaven is for Real for Kids is a beautifully illustrated book told by Colton Burpo to his parents, Todd and Sonja Burpo.  The story is simply Colton's recollection of heaven.  He is carried to heaven by an angel, meets Jesus, and sees the beauty only heaven could hold.  He describes the people, the angels, the animals, and the throne.  On each page there is a bible verse that corresponds to the story. 
There is an introductory letter to parents for teaching their children about heaven,a question and answer page, and a prayer you can pray with your child about what you just read.  The book is for ages 4-8.

I read the book both to my own kids and my preschool class.  My students had many questions about the pictures and what was going on in them.  They were very interested in the angels, as we are memorizing an angel finger play for the Christmas program coming up. 

Scarlett, my three year old, liked the pictures of the animals the best.  When asked what she was most excited about in heaven, she said she was excited to just go to heaven with God.  Lexi, my 6 year old said, "I would get to see all my cousins and grandmas and grandpas that had died."  Emma, age 8, said, "To be with God and my family members I have never met before."  I had Lexi draw a picture of what she thought heaven would look like.  Scarlett did one of the coloring pages that is linked below.

 

You can see a few pages on the Flipbook HERE.
Download Coloring Sheets HERE.
Watch the book trailer HERE.

I received a complimentary hardback copy of this book from the publisher through Tommy Nelson Mommy. 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.

A Woman's Guide to Fasting - Book Review

A Woman's Guide to Fasting by Lisa E. Nelson is an excellent resource for anyone who has the spiritual discipline of fasting on their heart or mind. It opened my eyes to what fasting is and what it is not, and the real reasons you may be called to do it.  It is all based in scripture and leads you to many verses to ponder about fasting.  Jesus is the main focus, as He should be.

Much practical advice is given for both short and long fasts.  Mrs. Nelson does not claim to give medical advice, only shares from her own experience, which are many.  She prepares you for what to expect before, during, and after a fast physically and spiritually.   She shares her own successes and failures.  Although there is much information she gives it at a personal level. 

I strongly recommend this book if you have been thinking about fasting.  I'm not sure it only has to be for women, as the principles are applicable for both men and women. 

Lisa says, "True biblical fasting is not about the external act of not eating; it is about the internal work of the heart seeking hard after God."  There is nothing more beautiful than wanting to know God and seeking Him.

Ephesians 3:14-19

 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family  in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

The Runner's Devotional Review

I had the chance to review The Runner’s Devotional: Inspiration and Motivation for Life’s Journey…On and Off the Road, by Dave Veerman and Dana Niesluchowski.  The book is a weekly devotional that starts with a short story with bible verse tie-in about a running topic, a story about a runner and her/his race (biblical tie-in) and result (how the topic and the runner relates biblically).  There is then another story about a different runner.  The Think It Through section presents some questions and On Running is strictly running advice.  Lines for journaling and a running log end each week's devotion.  There is a schedule that suggests how to divide up the sections for a reading each day of the week.   Training plans for 5K, 10K, half and full marathons are included.

The stories are inspirational, advice is solid and would be enjoyed by runners of all abilities.  If you are a runner looking for a light devotional and running log, this is a nice tool.

Disclaimer: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

100 Read & Sing Devotions

My children love music and we find it is one of the best ways for them to learn any subject matter.  We learned the books of the Bible, the state capitals, several full length plays (they also are in theater) and once they learn the song, it is not forgotten.  When I received 100 Devotions, 100 Bible Songs, created by Stephen Elkins and illustrated by Tim O'Connor, I realized it would be a hit with our family.  What better way to learn of God's ways than through song?

Fully expecting 100 short songs containing short verses, I am pleasantly surprised that the songs corresponding to the devotional topic are full length songs, some old, some new.  The book comes with 2 CDs containing them all.  There are many old favorites; "All Creatures of Our God and King", "Jesus Loves Me", "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", the list goes on and on.  There are even some new songs we picked up right away.

Each two-page devotional has a short story, Bible verse, prayer for the day, and a few lines from the song.  Clear references to find to the corresponding song on the CD are found on each page.  The illustrations are colorful and expressive.  My girls are eager to do a devotion each day and like to listen to the CDs while they play. If you are looking for a devotional for young children or even just a Christian Children’s music CD, this does not disappoint. 
This book was sent to me by the Thomas Nelson Publishing company through their BookSneeze program in exchange for a honest review.

Great Creation vs Evolution Book

I had the chance to read It Couldn't Just Happen: Knowing the Truth about God's Awesome Creation by Lawrence O. Richards.  I have read many other books dealing with creation vs. evolution and this one truly excels in presenting information in a clear way that builds upon many aspects of scientific thinking. 

The book is broken up into 5 parts; “Earth in Our Universe”, “How Life Began”, “Evidence from Living Things”, “Humanity in God’s Nature”, and “The Book That Didn’t Just Happen”, each with several chapters.  The first four parts explore the scientific behind the theories.  At the end of each chapter there is a Just For Fun section that gives the reader five questions or projects to reinforce the subject matter.  The fifth part, “The Book That Didn’t Just Happen”, discusses the historical accuracy of the bible, it’s supernatural origin, the deity of Jesus, and what the Bible teaches about creation.

Written for children, it is an excellent way to work through the conflicting theories when studying with your child.  Whichever theory you believe, you should know as much as possible about both theories.  Too many times people argue for their view with an ignorance of the other side.  There is plenty of information to get a clear picture of both.  Look at the evidence, then decide for yourself. 

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 255vf: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

When God Created My Toes Book Review

When God Created My Toes, by Dandi Daley Mackall , is written from a child's point of view exploring all the things that went into their own creation. With messy hands and a concentrated look, the child ask, "When God created my hands; Did my fingers snap? Did he help me clap? Did we cheer for angel bands when God created my hands?" Children will see that God created every aspect of them in a perfect way. The actions show how God delights in each child and lets them use their bodies to explore the world around them. The book is beautifully illustrated by David Hohn with both fun, rough sketches (my favorite) and colorful pictures that convey so much emotion.

My children enjoyed this book and my littlest one had me read it over and over. The rhymes are cute and make the book fun to read.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through Blogging for Books.

Plain, Plain

I was excited to read The Whole Bible Story; Every That Happens in the Bible in Plain English by Dr. William H. Marty but was disappointed once I got into it. Although it is a good resource it was not an exciting read. Dr. Marty states that it has very little commentary and is not a paraphrase (i.e. The Message). He is telling only the facts. Knowing his purpose, he has achieved this. There is no doubt that Dr. Marty knows his stuff and it is written so it is easily understood. I was expecting something different that was not the intent of the author. It is not written to take the place of Bible reading and would be a good book for someone not familiar with the Bible who otherwise may have a hard time reading the Bible from cover to cover.

The chapters are made up of major themes told in biblical order with sub chapters of different stories, each starting with the main characters and setting. A few maps are included.

I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House Publishing. 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.”

A Good Way

The One-Day Way, by Chantel Hobbs is so simple but so correct. It doesn’t matter what you did yesterday or what you plan on doing tomorrow to make your life better. The choices you make right now are what is going to make you successful. We usually make lofty long term weight loss goals, where we should be seeing our goals achieved one day at a time.

Chantel was overweight at one time and when she finally reached her breaking point she was able to break the bad habits and make new ones. First you must deconstruct what unhealthy habits you have acquired and the way of thinking that led to this path. Next, a vision needs to be created on what you want to look like on the inside and outside. From there you will build your new mind set on the levels of faith, food, and fitness. Chantel guides you through these steps quickly and easily.

Two things that really make this book different are the first day fast and the daily challenges. She points out, like everyone should know, by consuming fewer calories than you burn, and exercise is essential for heart health and core strength. Not rocket science. The first day fast is used to let the dust settle, give you a clear mind and let you focus on spiritual strength. She does not advocate fasting for weight loss but rather to regain perspective. She also advises a one meal fast each week. The daily challenges are great for competitive people and those who need to see successes each day and right away. They can be food challenges, such as going the day without sweets, or eating only veggies for snacks. Examples of daily faith and fitness challenges are also included.

Meal plans for weight loss (1,400 to 1,600 calories) and maintenance (2,000 calories) are included and are made up of meals that are easy, readily available, and inexpensive. A strength-training workout is included that uses minimal equipment (medicine ball and resistance band).
The book is a good resource for someone trying to loose weight without a fad diet, which means you really need to change your habits and work at it! There is no magic solution, The One-Day Way produces lasting results by taking you back to the basics.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through Blogging for Books.

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The Part-Time Vegan Cookbook Review - Cuban Black Beans, Sweet Potatoes, and Rice

I try to incorporate meatless dishes into my menu plan so was very excited to be able to review the cookbook, The Part-Time Vegan: 201 Yummy Recipes That Put the FUN in Flexitarian by Cherise Grifoni. I read cookbooks like novels and this one was is well written and funny so it was a joy to read. The first chapter is entitled, Veganism 101 and gives a background on the vegan lifestyle and ingredients that are typical in the vegan pantry.

The chapters are broken down into Dips and Appetizers, Easy Breakfasts, Salad Dressings, Salads, Super Soups, Vegetable Dishes, Rice, Pasta Dishes, Grains, Tofu, Seitan, TVP, and Tempeh, and Dinner Plans (which plans your meal of appetizer, main course, and dessert), and Desserts. As I went through I had several recipes in each category that I bookmarked to try (I have even used TVP before so that chapter wasn't completely out of my mindset....although I'm not really on board with the Tofu, Seitan and Tempeh, which you could do a little meaty substitutions here).

I can't wait to try the Homemade Tahini, Easy Breakfast Blackberry Bread Pudding, Cranberry Apple Stuffing, Pumpkin Cream Pasta, Easy Garlic Quinoa, and Raw to Die for Apple Pie with Berry Topping (among MANY others). Most recipes are very easy to make and easy to substitute out ingredients you don't have.

I am not interested in a vegan diet but know that many of the recipes in this cookbook will become family favorites. I recommend this to anyone trying to get more veggies into their diets. You will not be disappointed!

Here is the first recipe I tried from the cookbook. Amazing! Healthy! Incredibly easy!

This book was sent to me by the Thomas Nelson Publishing company through their BookSneeze program in exchange for honest review.




Cuban Black Beans, Sweet Potatoes, and Rice
Serves 4


3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 grande sweet potatoes, chopped small
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained
2 cups brown rice, cooked
1/4 cup vegetable broth (I used chicken broth because that is what I had, I know, not vegan and also used 1 and 1/2 cups......it was burning to the bottom of the pan)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 Tablespoon lime juice (I used 2 to 3 Tablespoons)
splash hot sauce

1. In a large pot set on medium-high, saute the garlic and onions in the olive oil for about 3 minutes.

2. Lower the heat to medium low. Add all other ingredients except the lime juice and hot sauce. Simmer, covered, for 25 minutes.

3. Add in lime and hot sauce and serve while still all warm and steamy.

Max On Life - Book Review

Max On Life is a collection of questions about God, grace, conflicts, prayer, romance, children, work, money, heaven, hell and everything in between, received and answered by Max Lucado. There are big questions that are simply answered, all backed by scripture. The book is broken up into 7 topics; hope, hurt, help, him/her, home, haves/have-nots, and hereafter. There is a topical index, scripture index, and a recommended reading list to address specific struggles more specifically. An addendum is included that addresses would-be writers.

No matter what stage you are in life or what level you are in your Christina walk, whether you are contemplating deep theology or looking at everyday events, this book is beneficial. If you are a new Christian it has many questions about faith. If you are a new mom it addresses some parental concerns you may be having. It gives good insight if you have lost a loved one and are struggling with your relationship with God. Not only does it deal with your questions it is a great resource to help people around you.

Some of the questions that caught my interest were:

More than anything in the world I want to be a good mom to my kids. How can I be the mom God wanted me to be?

The seven-year-old son of our neighbors died last week. They are devastated. So are we. What can we tell them?

Why should we pray for help when God already has a plan? He’s going to do His will anyways, so what difference does it make…..

I am a fan of the way Max Lucado writes, with lots of stories and anecdotes. He doesn’t claim to have the end-all answers to these tough questions but can back up everything he is teaching with scriptural references. I would recommend this book and will certainly use it as a reference in the future.

*This book was sent to me by the Thomas Nelson Publishing company through their BookSneeze program in exchange for honest review.

Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life

“Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life” is the subtitle for Nick Vujicic's appropriately named book Life Without Limits. Born without arms and legs Nick proves more able than most people. By not letting imperfect circumstance dictate his worth, Nick uses the gifts given to him to live a life without limits. He points to God as the reason for his successes and says, "If you have the desire and passion to do something, and it's within God's will, you will achieve it." Most inspirational speakers leave out the part about God's will. You can't. It's the most important part!

To live such a life, Nick pinpoints several necessary attributes: a powerful sense of purpose, hope so strong it cannot be diminished, faith in God and infinite possibilities through His will, love and self-acceptance, attitude with altitude, a courageous spirit, willingness to change, a trusting heart, hunger for opportunities, the ability to assess risks and to laugh at life, and a mission to serve others first. The part most often holding people back is finding their purpose. Nick tells a good story about finding his purpose and challenges the reader to take responsibility and then take action. Each of us possesses a gift worth giving to others to make the world a little more like heaven. Nick finds his purpose as an amazingly inspirational speaker and writer and does just that. He has story after story of how people come to accept themselves and accept God's love because of his example.

By the end of the book the message can get a little redundant; however, the truth remains. Everybody that needs a little more hope or a little more focus to achieve what God wants of them will benefit from this book. I am looking forward to my children reading it and sharing their thoughts with me. It is an easy and enjoyable read.

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Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. The opinions of this review are my own and were not influenced by the company or author.

God's Promises Devotional Journal Review

God's Promises Devotional Journal: 365 Days of Experiencing the Lord's Blessings compiled by Jack Countryman is such a thoughtful collection of short daily devotions from over 20 Christian authors such as Anne Graham Lotz, Max Lucado, and Billy Graham. Each day the devotion starts with a Bible verse, contains an excerpt from a book by a Christian author and then asks question to ponder and room for journaling.

The Bible verses and readings go well together bringing encouragement and inspiration. It always frustrates me when a devotional lists a verse that cannot be obviously applied to the lesson. The questions to think about have challenged me to really look at my life and how I am applying God’s promises to it. There are some tough questions.

It is a beautiful hard covered book with the pages just as appealing. I really like the room given for journaling. I write in almost every non-fiction book I read, sometimes to the point of taking over. This gives me plenty of room for thoughts. It would make a great gift for someone interested in making devotions and reflection part of their routine. I would recommend this book for a light devotional. If you are looking for a devotional to get you further into God's word, I would keep looking.

*This book was sent to me by the Thomas Nelson Publishing company through their BookSneeze program in exchange for honest review.

What a Collection!

This book is an absolute gem!  Aiden Wilson Tozer was a pastor and author.  I just love this description of him, "Tozer combined the power of God and the power of words to nourish hungry souls, pierce human hearts, and draw earthbound minds toward God".   From the Library of A. W. Tozer: Selections From Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey by James Stuart Bell is “full of almost 200 selections from men and women whose writings were instrumental in Tozer’s intellectual and spiritual formation. The highlighted writers are some of the most famous and influential minds in the history of Christianity, and the excerpts provided for you represent the pinnacle of their achievements.”


That description is a lot to live up to but in this case it is true. The readings are divided into eight chapters each with a different theme from Tozer’s life. Each reading is short but completely focused and mostly intense. There is John Wesley’s “Covenant Prayer”, a portion of Charles Spurgeon’s sermon “How to Read the Bible”, Martin Luther’s “An Introduction to Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Francois Fenelon’s “Maxims of the Saints” - all great stuff. This is no light reading but readings that will challenge you. Readings that will make you think beyond what you have thought before. It is a compilation in which great treasures will be found.

I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House Publishing. 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.”

Indivisible - A Book Review

Kristen Heitmann weaves an intriguing tale in her book, Indivisible.  In the touristy town of Redford, Colorado lives Police Chief Jonah Westfall and his many internal conflicts, revealed piece by piece throughout the story.  Tia Manning is part of Jonah’s past but it takes awhile to figure out just how they relate but the angst they have towards one another is obvious.  The two are the main force in the book and present a relationship that you need to read further and further to figure out.  There is unrest among the authorities in the town when a pair of raccoons are found mutilated.  Although it’s fairly obvious pretty early on who is responsible for this, it doesn’t make the story any less enjoyable.  The characters and their storylines are well developed so even at the end you want to know more about them or what takes place next.  I was sad to come to the end.  I will be reading more from Kristen Heitmann.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Puljols: More Than the Game - Book Reivew

Since he is one of my favorite players, I found myself extremely happy to read Pujols: More Than the Game by authors Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth. Anyone having the opportunity to see Albert Pujols play will be amazed by the sheer athleticism on display. To find out there is a deeper, spiritual side to this man proves to be inspirational.

Raised in the Dominican Republic, son of a famous baseball pitcher, Albert desired to be like his father and play baseball. He emerged as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport; however, that is not the real story. Albert Pujols and his family live to glorify Christ. According to Pujols, baseball is his platform for sharing the Gospel.

A significant part of the biography occurs when the authors address the question, “what does it mean to be a hero to your own family?”

According to Pujol’s wife Dee Dee, “being a hero means fidelity, honesty, abiding love, and friendship. To his children, being a hero means time, talk and taking interest.”

The authors take the reader from Pujol’s humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic to his first ten years as a major league player. The journey is interspersed with stories from the game itself creating more than enough interest for the sports fan; however, the real story is the Pujol’s family and their devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a baseball fan I found the book delightful, as a Christian, I found the book inspirational.

I received this book free from the publisher through BookSneeze, and am not required to post a positive review.

Can't Wait to See After 40 Days!

I think our family prays a lot. We pray at meals, before going to school, before bed, whenever we see emergency vehicles on their way to help, when in need, when rejoicing, and whenever else the spirit leads us. Since the girls have been born prayer has been a huge part of our lives. I never thought we were missing an important prayer, praying together as a couple.

Couples Who Pray: The Most Intimate Act Between a Man and a Woman by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt is a great reminder of the benefits of prayer. Rushnell and DuArt use enjoyable stories of real-life couples whose relationships have been greatly enhanced by the simple, yet intimate, act of prayer. They give simple instructions on how to pray together, present the 40 Day Prayer Challenge following it up with six steps to a happy marriage. There are surveys for both the husband and the wife and another appendix with 40 Bible passages that can be incorporated in daily prayers. The verses are a helpful tool and easy way to bring Bible study into the marriage relationship.

I would recommend this book to other couples who currently do not pray together. The chapter about the devil wanting nothing more than seeing marriages fail is excellent. There is a real battle and the devil IS trying to destroy marriage. However; I am skeptical about their view of prayer as it relates to money and tithing. Prosperity theology is not sound theology. “The more you give to God, the more He will give to you.” is very misleading in a chapter about money. There are some good things in the money chapter, but the praying about money and expecting to receive it, is not. All the stories show the financial abundance God bestows on those who pray about finances but money is not always the answer He gives.

I received this book free from the publisher through BookSneeze, and am not required to post a positive review.

Hope, Help & Healing for Eating Disorders - Book Review

In our society being thin is big business; however, it is also socially acceptable to eat for comfort and not for nourishment, the resultant eating disorders are becoming a huge problem. There is so much pressure to look the part and so much temptation to overindulge. Hope, Help & Healing for Eating Disorders; A Whole-Person Approach to Treatment of Anorexia, Bulimia, and Disordered Eating, by Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, gives an approach that is more than only behavior modification. The book defines disordered eating as, “When eating occurs when what you eat is more about how you feel emotionally than what you need physically. Food is disconnected from physical health and tied to emotional need.” Dr. Jantz reaches out to those who can no longer deny their lives are consumed with food, either as an enemy or as a friend.

Dr. Jantz acknowledges his method is not a quick fix but a life-long process dealing with emotional, intellectual, relational, physical, and spiritual health. Each chapter provides a “Food For Thought” section, including in-depth journaling questions looking at all of the aspects of life. After the questions there is a section dealing what was written and then talking about the spiritual view. This spiritual section can be much more involved because, without God’s help, people are likely to fall back into old patterns. If the process is treated as behavior modification, it will not work.

The book touches on many issues that may help, but not the book alone. Knowing eating disorders, or disordered eating, form from trying to take control of one’s own life, trying to do it your way proves quite the revelation. It cannot be done alone. There must outside intervention. The book gets the reader started down that path; however, meaningful relationships focused on healing must be included.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Convicted?

“What’s your definition of a Christian? Is it broad enough to encompass the drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes and broken people of the world? Jesus said He came to heal the sick. Drug addicts are messed up just the same as liars are messed up, just the same as all humans are messed up. We all need Jesus. We all struggle with sin in our lives.” In Under the Overpass, author Mike Yankoski and buddy Sam Purvis enter the world of homelessness after Mike feels convicted of never having a moment where he fully needs to lean on Christ. He decides to follow the calling to step out of his comfortable, middle-class upbringing, and be content with nothing but God.

Their stories are ones I suspect many homeless people have but now are given a voice. They are hungry enough to eat out of trash cans, tired enough to sleep under an overpass in torrential rains, broke enough to panhandle for cash, but not downtrodden enough to see what Jesus puts before them. In each story is a glimmer of hope keeping them content on their journey. The people they encounter are in desperate situations but are in a place to teach Mike and Sam a view of the world they never encounter before. Through these relationships they see time and time again that God is faithful.

Mike and Sam learn following Jesus is hard. It is so much more than, “putting on a Christian acronym bracelet or a cross T-shirt.” You may not have the same calling as they do, but after reading this book you will have a different perspective on the plight of the homeless. You may choose to follow a different path of relying on God and reaching out to others. This book just may convict you. Are you willing to live your life abandoned to Him?

After reading this book several years ago my family has gotten involved feeding the homeless.  While there a many programs and groups that we could sign up with to help, we decided we would do it on our own as a family.  Every few months we gather supplies, pack lunches, and head downtown.  We spend the afternoon handing out things but more importantly, talking to folks.  It has been great for our kids to see that homeless people are PEOPLE.   And that even a few people can make a difference .  Last year our oldest daughter collected items for the homeless instead of gifts at her birthday party.  This is a lasting ministry for our family and am proud of our kids for making it their own ministry as well!

I received no compensation for this review.  I am also reviewing it over at Blogging for Books but did not receive the book from them.  You can find it at Amazon HERE or Barnes & Noble HERE.

Please go rate my review HERE!  It only takes a few seconds - really! Thank you!

Voices of the Faithful -Book 2 -Book Review

Voices of the Faithful - Book 2: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World is compiled by Kim P. Davis. This year long devotional includes a scripture, story, and prayer for each day. Kim Davis writes monthly introductions, such as prayer, divine appointments, the power of the story, and lessons from the young, setting up the topic covered by each entry for that month. These introductions provide a nice segue from month to month helping refocus on the readings. I like that it has indexes with both devotion titles by month and scriptural references. It also contains a great section about how to pray for international missionaries and groups. The book itself is very pretty and well laid out.

Although I liked reading the inspiring stories of the missionaries, it would have been nice to hear about each missionary and their specific call (maybe several devotions from the same person?). The stories left me wanting more information so I could better understand where the story was coming from and what specifically I could pray for in regard to that mission. I also prefer a devotional message that picks apart the verse it is highlighting and makes me think about it in depth.

I would recommend the book to someone looking for a very light devotional. I do think it would be a nice gift for someone thinking about going into the mission field. If you are looking for a devotional focused on challenging you to think about scripture, this is not the one.

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.”

The Club No One Wanted To Join - Book Review

I have to admit that I am pretty naïve about the financial world. I don’t follow financial news and don’t have investments that I keep up with. When I was asked to review The Club No One Wanted To Join; Madoff Victims In Their Own Words, I was intrigued. I had heard a very little about the Madoff Ponzi scheme and this was an opportunity to expand my horizons. I am very glad I read it. Not only did it show me what the Madoff scheme was all about, it showed me how little confidence we should have in any sort of investment. The books also came at a time that was relevant in this investigation. Recently an investor’s widow gave back a huge chunk of money (great news!) and unfortunately Madoff’s son didn’t think any of this was worth it and took his own life. I cannot imagine the grief that was all caused by the deceit and greediness by Bernie Madoff.

The victims were in this situation because, like all of us, wanted to invest for retirement. It was not greediness on their part, but security. I assume that not all investors were legitimate, but the stories in this book show that the vast majority were and had their life savings stole from them with no warning. I couldn’t believe the victims were being attacked and ridiculed because they “fell for” this scheme. Judgment by outside sources is harsh and not appropriate.

My biggest eye-opening is information about the way our financial system works (or has failed to work, in this case). The SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corp.) was created by congress to protect investors. If a brokerage firm failed, the SIPC was there to pay back the investors based on their last statement. THAT IS THEIR FUNCTION. Madoff was a SIPC member in good standing but SIPC will not pay back Madoff investors. Just won’t. What happens if our bank fails? The FDIC pays customers their last statement amount. What if they wouldn’t? No good reason, just won’t. Think about that. Madoff had been investigated by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and was found to be in compliance each time. How does that happen? How far up do the failures (or overlooking) go?

I learned a lot from the stories I read. I have compassion for those that are trying to rebuild new lives and hope that in the end they will recover their investments. I cannot get past the greed from one man that has deliberately destroyed other.

Proverbs 11:4-6
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free. 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.”