I just had a chance to read “Stained Glass Hearts: Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective”, a new book by Patsy Clairmont which I have really enjoyed and it has touched me deeply.
The book’s product description says the following:
Much like stained glass, life's broken pieces become the prism through which God's grace shines most brightly and beautifully.
"Life is no doubt full of difficulties, but it is also filled with promise and possibility," says best-selling author and WOF speaker Patsy Clairmont. In Stained Glass Hearts Clairmont guides readers to view the difficult experiences of life through the lens of God's grace. Using art as a theme, and likening people to stained glass windows, she shares that it's when we're surrounded by darkness that His healing light shines most brightly within us. Encouraging women to step back and see life from this new perspective, Patsy offers help and hope for the dark places of life.
Along with character studies of women in Scripture, and modern-day, relatable stories, each chapter includes:
• Chalice-memorable quotes
• Mosaic-recommended music
• Spires-scriptures and readings
• Litany-sample prayers
Some of my thoughts:
We all live them. Difficult times, the ups and downs in life when we find it hard to see what side is up and what is down, or what good could ever come from it. But it from times such as these that God can take the broken pieces of our lives and make it into something wonderful, a masterpiece. As the beautiful hymn puts it so beautifully,
Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and stife
But he made something beautiful of my life
Through stories and personal illustrations, Patsy Clairmont helps to remind of this, how God takes what seem like broken pieces of our shattered hopes and dreams and can make them into something beautiful – like a stained glass window!
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, August 2, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Fresh-Brewed Life
I’ve just been reading Nicole Johnson’s welcoming book, “Fresh Brewed Life”. With heart and soul opening thoughts and truths, it wakes us to the wonderful, beauty, joy and love in and around us. Here are a few lines that have stood out to me:
“To take pleasure in coffee and benefit from all it has to offer, it must be savored, not merely consumed.” (And may I add, so it is with life, and this is what I feel she is trying to help each of us do.)
“Because the life part is not quite as simple as the coffee part, we’ll spend the rest of the book exploring how our lives can become fresh brewed. You’re invited to begin stirring your soul to wake up the slumbering parts and throw out the two-day-old, stale stuff in the bottom of the glass carafe.”
“Fresh-Brewed Life is a journey of awakenings: to God, as we learn to respond to his compelling love for us; to ourselves, as we recognize our true identity and it illuminates us from the inside out; to others, as we relate in new and healthy ways that bring joy and peace.”
I especially enjoyed the chapter on journaling. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but always thought it was too late to start. The way it was present made it so inviting, it encouraged me to start and that it’s never too late. The chapters have questions scattered throughout as thoughts for jotting down in your journal to react and reflect on. Through journaling, we are encouraged to “ live life and not just let it pass us by, to think about life and the things going on around us”.
As a last note for those who may not be full aware, “Fresh Brewed Life” is written especially for women, from a Christian perspective.
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.
“To take pleasure in coffee and benefit from all it has to offer, it must be savored, not merely consumed.” (And may I add, so it is with life, and this is what I feel she is trying to help each of us do.)
“Because the life part is not quite as simple as the coffee part, we’ll spend the rest of the book exploring how our lives can become fresh brewed. You’re invited to begin stirring your soul to wake up the slumbering parts and throw out the two-day-old, stale stuff in the bottom of the glass carafe.”
“Fresh-Brewed Life is a journey of awakenings: to God, as we learn to respond to his compelling love for us; to ourselves, as we recognize our true identity and it illuminates us from the inside out; to others, as we relate in new and healthy ways that bring joy and peace.”
I especially enjoyed the chapter on journaling. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but always thought it was too late to start. The way it was present made it so inviting, it encouraged me to start and that it’s never too late. The chapters have questions scattered throughout as thoughts for jotting down in your journal to react and reflect on. Through journaling, we are encouraged to “ live life and not just let it pass us by, to think about life and the things going on around us”.
As a last note for those who may not be full aware, “Fresh Brewed Life” is written especially for women, from a Christian perspective.
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
I just received “Don't Check Your Brains at the Door” by Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler to receive as a part of Thomas Nelson’s Book Sneeze Program.
The book consists of forty-two chapters in six general topics dealing with common myths of the Christian faith on the topics of:
• God
• Jesus
• The Bible
• The Resurrection
• Religion and Christianity
• Life and Happiness
The book is geared to teens and a good start for them on this topic. The chapters grab the reader's attention and relate the idea well, ending with a section called "Brain Food", encouraging us to look in our Bibles and study the ideas a bit more in-depth for ourselves.
This is a good basic apologetics book with good information about the historical evidences of Jesus and His Resurrection. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to see what my teens reaction is to it as well!
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 book consists of forty-two chapters in six general topics dealing with common myths of the Christian faith on the topics of:
• God
• Jesus
• The Bible
• The Resurrection
• Religion and Christianity
• Life and Happiness
The book is geared to teens and a good start for them on this topic. The chapters grab the reader's attention and relate the idea well, ending with a section called "Brain Food", encouraging us to look in our Bibles and study the ideas a bit more in-depth for ourselves.
This is a good basic apologetics book with good information about the historical evidences of Jesus and His Resurrection. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to see what my teens reaction is to it as well!
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
I just finished reviewing “Rumors of God - Experience the Kind of Faith You´ve Only Heard About” by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson as a part of Thomas Nelson’s book review program.
I feel one of the things the authors are trying to help remind us of, or for those who are not fully aware of, is to help us see through Bible passages how much more God has for each one of us in every area of our lives: our faith, our dreams, our life, and more. It’s easy to fall into ruts, and that includes our thinking as well, which is one reason I enjoy reading books of this sort – on the topic of faith – coming from another angle than the way I tend to see it. Books that help me think and reflect on my life, to see things from another angle, in a different way than I tend to see them and this has helped me to do just that in an easy to read format and not too deep or hard to grasp or understand.
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 one of the things the authors are trying to help remind us of, or for those who are not fully aware of, is to help us see through Bible passages how much more God has for each one of us in every area of our lives: our faith, our dreams, our life, and more. It’s easy to fall into ruts, and that includes our thinking as well, which is one reason I enjoy reading books of this sort – on the topic of faith – coming from another angle than the way I tend to see it. Books that help me think and reflect on my life, to see things from another angle, in a different way than I tend to see them and this has helped me to do just that in an easy to read format and not too deep or hard to grasp or understand.
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
I just received a copy of Dr. Larry Crab’s recent book, “God’s Love Letters to You – A 40-Day Devotional Experience”. I was very excited about the possibility of reviewing this book as I’m always on the lookout for good devotional books, something to add to daily reading. I enjoy Bible based devotional books, which usually help to bring out other angles of verses and stories which I had not thought of previously. I loved the idea, the concept of a Bible scripture, followed by a short reading, questions for meditation and reflection and a prayer.
To be honest, I was disappointed. From the sounds and looks of it, I expected something different, something better. In my opinion it felt a bit distant, formal, focusing a bit too much on the difficulties and struggles of life without more of the victory and joy of it all. It lacked the personal touch I had expected, especially from the title of God’s love letters to us. I feel it could have gone much farther in bringing out a wide variety of the spiritual beauties found throughout.
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.
To be honest, I was disappointed. From the sounds and looks of it, I expected something different, something better. In my opinion it felt a bit distant, formal, focusing a bit too much on the difficulties and struggles of life without more of the victory and joy of it all. It lacked the personal touch I had expected, especially from the title of God’s love letters to us. I feel it could have gone much farther in bringing out a wide variety of the spiritual beauties found throughout.
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
Cure for the Common Life
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this inspiring and motivating book by author Max Lucado. I presently find myself at a crossroads in my life and career so it has been especially helpful and applicable as I take time to think, pray and take stock of my life – past, present and future. To see what my personal dreams, hopes, desires and goals are.
I’ve been reading a number of books on finding your strengths, gifts and talents which have been very good and helpful But “The Cure for the Common Life” takes it one step further than many of the traditional books do. It gives it the spiritual and Bible based motivation which to me gives it that extra something that can make a wonderful difference!
I whole heartedly agree with Max, that it’s not just a matter of find a job or working to support your family. These are important, yes, but we were made to and CAN do so much more! We can fulfill our destiny by finding out what we were created for and to do. And by fulfilling this, the calling for my life, it gives so much more meaning to life to where it’s not just me, but my life can be used to God’s glory and in service to Him and 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’ve been reading a number of books on finding your strengths, gifts and talents which have been very good and helpful But “The Cure for the Common Life” takes it one step further than many of the traditional books do. It gives it the spiritual and Bible based motivation which to me gives it that extra something that can make a wonderful difference!
I whole heartedly agree with Max, that it’s not just a matter of find a job or working to support your family. These are important, yes, but we were made to and CAN do so much more! We can fulfill our destiny by finding out what we were created for and to do. And by fulfilling this, the calling for my life, it gives so much more meaning to life to where it’s not just me, but my life can be used to God’s glory and in service to Him and 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.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Blessing
“The Blessing” by By John Trent & Gary Smalley is an updated and revised version of their previously published book.
Being a mother of 3 and knowing there is always so much to learn in my parenting, I’m always on the lookout for good books on the topic so this book automatically caught my eye.
As we area already aware, children are begging for acknowledgement from us as their parents and this book gives a greater understanding of the most important thing a parent can give to their child. It ties in Christian values to modern psychology.
Some of the things we see Jesus show in the Gospels are, "a meaningful touch, a spoken message, expressing high value, special future and active commitment", attributes not easily lived, expressed or seen in this day and age, but oh so valuable.
I enjoyed reading this book and am more deliberate in my parenting and interaction with my children to help give them a solid foundation for their lives and future.
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.
Being a mother of 3 and knowing there is always so much to learn in my parenting, I’m always on the lookout for good books on the topic so this book automatically caught my eye.
As we area already aware, children are begging for acknowledgement from us as their parents and this book gives a greater understanding of the most important thing a parent can give to their child. It ties in Christian values to modern psychology.
Some of the things we see Jesus show in the Gospels are, "a meaningful touch, a spoken message, expressing high value, special future and active commitment", attributes not easily lived, expressed or seen in this day and age, but oh so valuable.
I enjoyed reading this book and am more deliberate in my parenting and interaction with my children to help give them a solid foundation for their lives and future.
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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