I’ve been reading through one of R.P. Nettelhorst’s recent books entitled “A Year with Jesus” and have been thoroughly enjoying it. One of the first things that caught my attention is a quote by William Barclay on one of the first pages that says, “Jesus is not a figure in a book; He is a living presence.” That’s how I feel and especially like finding things that help keep that living presence alive in my life.
There is a page for each day with a short passage taken from the words of Jesus in the New Testament, followed by a few short paragraphs that give extra explanation, information or thoughts based on the selection of scripture.
I like how “A Year with Jesus” brings out new and different things from the Bible, new treasures for me, things I wasn’t aware of before. Some of them may be small details, but give the verse or passage life and a whole new meaning. In some ways you can say that the Bible is a simple book, simple words, but at the same time so deep, so meaningful, true and powerful.
This has been a wonderful addition to my devotional reading and something I look forward to reading each day.
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, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Christmas Note
I just received “The Christmas Note”, Donna VanLiere’s new, inspirational novel. While it’s a fairly simple, sweet, easy to read book – the truth is, once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down until I had read cover to cover. The same author who brought us several other heartwarming Christmas stories such as “The Christmas Shoes” has done it again in adding this to her wonderful collection.
I think one of the main things that touched me from the book, was the reminder of there being so many around us in each of little worlds, and how we can truly make it a better place through being open to the little possibilities our way. And while I know this is a novel, I have lived these types of experiences myself to know they really do happen.
I think this is a wonderful book, one that can be shared with the whole family, and I can see sitting down in front of a warm fire this Christmas season with a hot cup of chocolate in one hand and “The Christmas Note” in another as I read a chapter at a time with my family.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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 think one of the main things that touched me from the book, was the reminder of there being so many around us in each of little worlds, and how we can truly make it a better place through being open to the little possibilities our way. And while I know this is a novel, I have lived these types of experiences myself to know they really do happen.
I think this is a wonderful book, one that can be shared with the whole family, and I can see sitting down in front of a warm fire this Christmas season with a hot cup of chocolate in one hand and “The Christmas Note” in another as I read a chapter at a time with my family.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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, October 4, 2011
Thank You, God, For Loving Me
Max Lucado is back again with another adorable book for little ones in the form of a board book. This time its Little Hermie in “Thank You, God, For Loving Me”, a wonderful way for little ones to learn about God’s love for them in a format of a short, easy to read book with cute illustrations.
In this book, Little Hermie and his baby bug garden friends teach little ones about God’s love for them. I’ve read these books with my little nephews and nieces and it’s been a hit with them.
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.
In this book, Little Hermie and his baby bug garden friends teach little ones about God’s love for them. I’ve read these books with my little nephews and nieces and it’s been a hit with them.
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, September 27, 2011
Thank You, God, for Blessing Me
I just got a new book in the mail “Thank You, God, for blessing me”, a new children’s book from Max Lucado with illustrations by Frank Endersby. And all I can say is that it’s just adorable! I had seen and heard a few of the Hermie stories over the years, and this past year have become more familiar with them.
Of course it’s one thing to say that I have enjoyed them, but the true test is what the kids think of them. Well, I have a granddaughter and quite a few nephews and nieces that I’ve read them with and they are quite a hit! I have a little book shelf we refer to when they come over for a visit, and they have come to love each of the stories, the pictures and illustrations and all they contain. This new one is no different.
It’s a “Read to Me – Little Hermie” book, a small board book made for little ones. And while I haven’t had a chance to read it with my little ones yet, I think the way it introduces them to prayer, counting our blessings and giving thanks for them is great. I really enjoy anything along these lines that makes it simple, fun and easy to pass on some of these things to our little ones.
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.
Of course it’s one thing to say that I have enjoyed them, but the true test is what the kids think of them. Well, I have a granddaughter and quite a few nephews and nieces that I’ve read them with and they are quite a hit! I have a little book shelf we refer to when they come over for a visit, and they have come to love each of the stories, the pictures and illustrations and all they contain. This new one is no different.
It’s a “Read to Me – Little Hermie” book, a small board book made for little ones. And while I haven’t had a chance to read it with my little ones yet, I think the way it introduces them to prayer, counting our blessings and giving thanks for them is great. I really enjoy anything along these lines that makes it simple, fun and easy to pass on some of these things to our little ones.
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, September 20, 2011
Close Enough to Hear God Breathe
I just finished reading “Close Enough to Hear God Breathe”, a new book by author Greg Paul and the first book I’ve read by him.
The book is quite well written, as he recounts and retells stories throughout, Bible stories as well as his own personal life stories and from his family. I felt the age old Bible stories I know by heart and am familiar with were not only brought to life, but I felt I was able to see and apply them in new and different ways than I have before. Through the stories, Bible verses and accounts, one of the main messages Greg Paul is bringing out is the great love God has for each of us personally and individually and how He longs for that close communion with us, for us to be close enough to hear His whispers. I deeply appreciate this in this day and age when there is so much going on around us and it can be easy for me to “forget” and to get caught up in the day to day.
I have enjoyed this book as an addition to my times of daily devotional and have been strengthen and encouraged by it.
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 is quite well written, as he recounts and retells stories throughout, Bible stories as well as his own personal life stories and from his family. I felt the age old Bible stories I know by heart and am familiar with were not only brought to life, but I felt I was able to see and apply them in new and different ways than I have before. Through the stories, Bible verses and accounts, one of the main messages Greg Paul is bringing out is the great love God has for each of us personally and individually and how He longs for that close communion with us, for us to be close enough to hear His whispers. I deeply appreciate this in this day and age when there is so much going on around us and it can be easy for me to “forget” and to get caught up in the day to day.
I have enjoyed this book as an addition to my times of daily devotional and have been strengthen and encouraged by it.
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.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Your 100 Day Prayer
In today’s world that goes so fast, it’s more and more a challenge to find a quiet time and place to come aside a while to spend with the Lord in prayer and communion. So whenever I find a book that stands out to me and speaks to me, helping to strengthen those precious moments, I jump at the chance of reading it. This is why, when I saw “Your 100 Day Prayer – The Transforming power of Actively Waiting on God” by John Snyde available from Thomas Nelson’s Book Sneeze program, I grabbed the chance at reviewing it.
In his book, John Snyde starts off with a short introduction on prayer and suggests the reader choose a specific prayer request that you are given space to write out in the book. The idea is to pray for that request every day for 100 days. The book comes with 100 short sections, one for each day. Starting with a Bible verse, it is followed by a short lesson from that scripture which all in all brings out beautiful truths and beauties. Then a short prayer assignment that goes along with the theme, and a few lines to jot down your progress for the day. All in all, a wonderful aid to boost anyone’s prayer life!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. But I should say from the start, this is not just a book to read through. As it says, it’s a 100 day journey – though of course the reader can choose to adapt and adjust accordingly. But I see the beauty of taking in a little at a time, a little each day as I feel in that way you get so much more out of it. Would I recommend it? Certainly!
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.
In his book, John Snyde starts off with a short introduction on prayer and suggests the reader choose a specific prayer request that you are given space to write out in the book. The idea is to pray for that request every day for 100 days. The book comes with 100 short sections, one for each day. Starting with a Bible verse, it is followed by a short lesson from that scripture which all in all brings out beautiful truths and beauties. Then a short prayer assignment that goes along with the theme, and a few lines to jot down your progress for the day. All in all, a wonderful aid to boost anyone’s prayer life!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. But I should say from the start, this is not just a book to read through. As it says, it’s a 100 day journey – though of course the reader can choose to adapt and adjust accordingly. But I see the beauty of taking in a little at a time, a little each day as I feel in that way you get so much more out of it. Would I recommend it? Certainly!
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
Stained Glass Hearts: Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective
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.
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.
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