Transforming Church in Rural America

Transforming Church in Rural America

by Shannon O’Dell

This book isn’t just a catchy title, Shannon O’Dell wants us to pick out the rocks in our field of ministry.

Book Review: You were made to make a difference! by Max Lucado & Jenna Lucado Bishop

You were made to make a difference 
by Max Lucado & Jenna Lucado Bishop with Natalie Gillespie

Book Review: No Girls Allowed by Jayce O'Neal

No Girls Allowed by Jayce O’Neal, Illustrated by Arrolynn Weiderhold

My 9 year old son liked this devotional book for boys.  When I told his the title was No Girls Allowed he took great delight in making sure his sisters left the room.

Book Review: The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John MacArthur

Finally an author who re-awakens us back to the basic understanding that Jesus didn’t tolerate sin, period. He wasn’t wishy washy in how He dealt with people who were in sin.  He didn’t adjust His agenda to soften the message.   Society would like us to believe that Jesus was accepting of all faiths.  Parts of the evangelical world are more concerned about us getting along than about what the bible has to say.  Sin is sin, Jesus never offered us a second way to heaven.  He was and is the only way.   Jesus wasn’t always a “nice” guy.  He didn’t waste time with scolding the chief hypocrites of His day in private sessions.  He boldly confronted them whenever and wherever He was.  John MacArthur reminds us that Jesus wasn’t a wimpy timid person.  He was bold, He confronted sinners and He loved them through it all.
I feel that every Christian from teens to adults should read The Jesus You Can’t Ignore to be reminded, no… re-awakened to the fact that we shouldn’t be timid in our faith, we should not try to look for common ground between faiths.  Lukewarm is not an option.
Since this was the first time I had ever read a book by John MacArthur, I was a bit leery because I was told repeatedly that it could be a dry read.  At times I found John MacArthur’s writing a challenge to read.  I did need to use a dictionary to learn the meaning of a word at one point.  But I wouldn’t want Mr. MacArthur to simplify his text.  His rich language compelled me to keep reading, learning and finally acknowledges that I too had been lulled to sleep by socialites’ desire that everyone would just get along.  The Jesus You Can’t Ignore presents a strong, spiritual message which I wish was proclaimed from more pulpits which claim to share the good news.  I now look forward to reading more books by John MacArthur.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

Book Review: Still House Pond

Still House Pond by Jan Watson

This thrilling piece of fiction takes place in 1896.  Still House Pond tells the tale of a blended family, Copper the mother is the local midwife who is often pulled from her large family to care for others.  Through a unique set of circumstances the parents believe their daughter has been terribly hurt or worse due to a train accident.

Each member struggles to grow in their faith in the Lord.

I would recommend this book for adolescent young ladies to adults. I don’t feel that a clear message was presented to the reader on how to grow their own faith.  That being said, this is a fiction novel and it’s purpose is to entertain, and it certainly did.  The suspenseful surprise keep me quickly turning pages and I certainly couldn’t put it down.  I was glad to see that even though this book was really about the women in the story, the men’s parts were written in such a way to not appear as weaklings, other than the villain. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends to read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of reviewing this book. 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>

Book Review: A Girls Guide to Life by Katie Meier

 

 A girl’s guide to life by Katie Meier

         

          A girl’s guide to life is written for teenage girls.  The guide glosses over a variety of topics important to the pre-teen girl such as romance, sex and sexuality, peer pressure, your rights and guys.  Katie Meier exposes a “big myth” in each chapter and presents the girls with the “real deal” so they can face life confidently.

         

          I feel the information in the book is well written and a great stepping stone for mother’s and daughters to use as a starting point on how to become a young women.  I would love to see a small group of pre-teen mom’s and daughters working through this book together while they enjoyed pizza and facial scrubs.  Honestly, though my girls wouldn’t buy this book for themselves.  The layout of this book is boring, if my teen had flipped through it in the store, she would have put it back and that is unfortunate because I think she would have enjoyed it.  The book lacks pizzazz and eye candy like pretty graphics and funky fonts.  In an age where you have just seconds to grab a teen’s attention I feel this fails the test. 

          

          I do recommend parents to buy this book and challenge your pre-teen daughters to read it, but what would be even better is if Mom or Grandma would read it with them.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 Adverting".

Book Review: Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson

          I have to confess that I squealed, yes squealed with delight when I learnt that I could review this book for my blog.  Then when my copy arrived I danced around the kitchen screeching, "It's here, it's here!" My children thought I had once again gone crazy.  I guess I have gone crazy because, I was crazy about Dr. Dobson's book "Bringing up Boys" and I'm even crazier about "Bringing up Girls".

Here is my review.

P.S: I cried while reading chapter 17 - you'll have to read it for yourself!

Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson

           Dr. James Dobson has once again written a wonderful parenting book about raising up our children, this time focusing on those unique creatures, our daughters.  With all the challenges our girls face it can be a daunting task to think about raising these unique creatures in a world filled with so many hurdles like peer pressure, drugs, and sex.  It’s calming to see through the storm our girls face, while being guided by the competent words of Dr. Dobson.  

I recommend this book for parents and grandparents to read and learn about what your precious little girl is facing and how to prepare her for this battle of her life.  The facts and figures in this book are easy to understand and solidify the need to take action on your daughter’s behalf.  I love how Dr. Dobson joins the medical, social and spiritual aspects of how a young girl grows.  Bringing up Girls is a must read, if you have a daughter.

To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, I need to mention that Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions I express however are my own. Thank you.

Book Review: A Girls Guide to Life by Katie Meier (Coming Soon!)

Here's the newest book I'll be reviewing! With two teenage daughters, one heading into her last year of high school, one starting high school this September it will be interesting to see how they each change and grow over this summer.  Perhaps I'll be able to get them to give their take on this book, too!

Book Review: Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

I thought this book would be just for men.  I was wrong! I feel this book should be part of a required reading list for women who are considering marriage.  I couldn’t understand why men didn’t seem to respond to church like women do.  After reading Wild at Heart I realized that men are forced to conform to an idea of worship that could very well be different to what I would enjoy.   I couldn’t understand my son’s desire to march in church, clap his hands too loud and jump up and down.  Apparently, he feels like he is worshiping God when he puts his whole body into it!  That’s the point.  Most Christian men are bored.  John Eldredge wants men to understand that they are supposed to be masculine.  They have a masculine heart, God gave them the desire to fight a battle and to find a beauty to rescue all the while searching for an adventure to live. I recommend this book for men to learn to be the Masculine Christian male that God intended them to be.  I also recommend this book for woman to learn that men are created different then woman spiritually, we need to acknowledge that in the church.  We need to bring Masculinity back into the church.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

Book Review: Winston Churchill by John Perry

Winston Churchill by John Perry

Winston Churchill is a biography and autobiography written in an easy to read, informative style. While reading you follow Winston Churchill’s life from childhood to his death. You will clearly learn how influential Churchill was in his country during multiple wars. I feel this book is appropriate for pre-teens to adults who wish to learn more about a dramatic historical figure whose life has ultimately affected our own.

As a teen I had never really learnt anything about Winston Churchill other than he had something to do with a war and the Queen. I wish I had been handed this biography / autobiography as a teen because the author writes in such a clear, concise manner while taking you on a fascinating historical lesson. This book has piqued my curiosity to learn more about this time period in history. I was amazed to learn that Churchill’s doctrine did not leave him determined on whether he’d make it to heaven when he died. He commented that he might make it to heaven or possibly reborn as a Chinese coolie.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to pre-teens and adults to read so that they also can learn more about this amazing time in history and learn more about an amazing hero. Winston Churchill - the man.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

Book Review: The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan, Illustrated by Renee Graef

The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan, Illustrated by Renee Graef

This is a delightful Children’s Book with a wonderful Easter theme. 

Katie’s family has befriended a next door neighbor called Mean Old Jack. Over time Katie and her brother learn that Jack isn’t so mean and they now call him Papa Jack. The children and Papa Jack pick flowers in his garden and work in his workshop together. 

Papa Jack decides to go with Katie to church one Easter Sunday and because of the kindness Katie and her family have shown Papa Jack he realizes that God’s love is even greater.  The Flowering Cross is a fine example of how building relationships with those who aren’t in the church is an important first step to showing them God’s love.

This book would be appropriate for children ages 4-9, however my 13 year old sat and listened to the story also and was interested in participating in the craft idea presented in the back of the book.

Renee Graef’s illustrations are bright and charming. This book is a welcomed addition to our family library. As a mother I loved the Faith Imprints ™ shared throughout the book and the scripture verses were simple enough for children to understand.  I would recommend this book to families with children who want to refocus what the Easter season is really about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”