Stuck – Jennie Allen

We are often so stuck in invisible struggles in our hearts and minds, we barely have space for God. These deep struggles, these stuck places, are familiar to every one of us: brokenness, anger, discontentment, fear, and sadness. Stuck takes on these struggles within us so that we can encounter God. Because until we recognize that we are stuck and in need of God, we will miss what He has for us.

Jennie Allen's Bible studies are designed to draw women close to God and to each other. These shorter studies dig deep quickly, creating experiential conversations and allowing women to wrestle with Scripture in a deep and authentic way throughout the week.

This set includes 8 DVD’s, a study Guide with story-driven teaching, scripture study, and short five-day-per-week lessons.  Also Leader's Guide for facilitating group study, conversation cards help to facilitate more spontaneous and authentic conversation and promotional resources for churchwide campaign.

This set was truly amazing and helpful.  The DVD’s are both thought provoking and inspirational.  This set has really helped me to make more time in my days for God and to praise His glory.  I have truly been able to pay more attention and see more clearly the great gifts that God has in store for me each day.

Ascent from Darkness – Michael Leehan

A life of difficulty and disappointment set 33-three year old Michael Leehan up for the worst decision of his life-to make a deal with the Devil to follow and serve him. Practicing the dark arts that include ritualistic cuttings and blood sacrifices, while fine tuning his manipulation and control skills, Michael launched into a twenty year downward spiral that included job loss and detachment from loved ones, and even jail time.

But God had another plan that included a group of Christian men to love him and pray for him-even when it became evident his assignment from Satan was to kill their pastor, Craig Groeschel.

The life Michael Leehan lives today is an incredible testimony of the transforming power of God's mercy and grace, but is also a wakeup call to the church to be fully aware of the spiritual war that is going on all around them, and to the ultimate battle for their souls.

"I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26:18

Ascent from Darkness is a great testimony into the amazing work of God, and how everyone, even those most far from God can see his light and be accepted into his Kingdom.  This book is a reminder to anyone who is struggling with any issue, how amazing God is and how much he loves his creation.

why god wont go away

The rise of the new atheism, which includes the manifestos of Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, has created a public willingness in today's marketplace to talk about God and religion. Yet the debate up to this point has focused largely on rebutting the new atheist critique of Christianity. Why God Won't God Away moves into new territory by challenging the new atheism on its own grounds. Chapters include discussion on: What is the new atheism, the problem of religion, The problem of human nature, Believing only what can be proved, Dealing with imagined worlds and myths, The new humanism and the new enlightenment, Violence and dogmatism.  This book is written by a theology professor and Christian apologist who not only has a best-selling book rebutting the new atheist critique of Christianity but has debated Richard Dawkins in Oxford, Christopher Hitchens in Washington, and Daniel Dennett in London.

This was a great book, with many challenging thoughts.  If you are a reader who enjoys being challenged by ideas and thought than, Why God Won’t Go Away is the book.  I highly recommend it, and wish you happy ready as you struggle with the ideas and critiques that Alistair McGrath presents.

Surviving Your Serengeti- Stefan Swanepoel

As a brutal business environment meets a soft economy, business leaders and managers are looking for sources of both inspiration and survival. This compelling new fable offers a riveting tale of life in Africa's Serengeti and what lessons it holds for today's beleaguered business people and struggling society.
            The 1.5 million wildebeest rely on stubborn endurance and support from the herd to survive; the alligator is opportunistic; the cheetah ruthlessly effective; the giraffe embodies grace, the lion a master strategist, the mongoose is a risk-taker, the elephant is an excellent communicator.

This book was truly an amazing and quick read.  It arrived in the mail around 3pm and I just opened to cover to read the introduction to get a feel for a book.  3 and half hours later, I was done and seriously reflecting on the lessons taught in the book. 

We all have things in our lives we need to work on and this book can open your eyes to some of your strengths and weaknesses.  It has given me a lot of think about and to work on in my own life.  I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in better themselves as a person and wishes to have better interacts with people around them.

the seraph seal

The Seraph Seal- Leonard Sweet

An epic tale of good and evil based on the four horsemen of the Apocalypse found in the book of Revelation.

Using the four horsemen of the Apocalypse to symbolize the four Gospels, four transcendentals, and four forces of the universe (air, water, earth, and fire), Sweet and Wagner weave a fast-paced, end-times tale of good vs. evil and the promise of a new dawn for humanity.

Set in 2048, when planet Earth is suffering from the damaging effects of years of misuse and abuse, cultural history professor Paul Binder receives a mysterious letter that leads him to examine a lost 2nd-century Diatessaron manuscript. Ancient prophecies, cryptic letters, and strange events set him on a course to uncover the missing clues that could lead humanity into a new age. Each character embodies elements of the four horsemen in a race to save the world from total destruction. Layered with forgotten symbolism from the ancient, Jewish, and Christian traditions, the novel is a type of engaged fiction in which the main character's lost journal serves as a guide to the reader in interpreting clues and understanding the novel's conclusion.

            The Seraph Seal was an enjoyable book.  I would recommend it to Christian fiction fan, who also have an interest in symbolism and hidden meaning.  Great book. Great read.

Max on Life- Max Lucado

We have questions. Child-like inquiries. And deep, heavy ones.  In more than twenty-five years of writing and ministry, Max Lucado has been the receiving line for thousands of such questions. The questions come in letters, e-mails, even on Dunkin Donuts napkins. In Max on Life he offers thoughtful answers to more than 150 of the most pressing questions on topics ranging from hope to hurt, from home to the hereafter.  Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions-parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships-as well as to the profound: Is God really listening?  A special addendum includes Max's advice on writing and publishing.  Including topical and scriptural indexes and filled with classic Lucado encouragement and insight, Max on Life will quickly become a favorite resource for pastors and ministry leaders as well as new and mature believers.

            On the whole Max’s answers to the question covered seem logical and are clearly stated.  I am sure this is a resource I will refer to time and again over the course of my life.  I would recommend this book to everyone, and would hope that everyone read this book at some point in their life.  This would also be a great book to buy any new believer in Christ, to provide a framework of living a Christian life.

No Place like Holmes

When Griffin Sharpe is sent to stay with his uncle at 221 Baker Street, he is convinced he is going to stay with the famous Sherlock Holmes, which is perfect since he plans to use his ability to notice every tiny detail to become a detective one day. When he arrives at the home, he is saddened to learn that his uncle is really a cooky man with a strange knack for inventing astounding devices who lives in 221A while Sherlock Holmes lives in 221B. When Holmes is not available to take a case, Griffin and his uncle must step in and take the case, which takes them on an exciting journey for truth: both about the crime and their family. Will the two unlikely heroes save the day?

            This is a great book for young readers.  It is quick paced and filled with action and adventure.  At times Griffin seems a little whiney but he is a likeable character and eventually hero.  On the other hand, his uncle, who is rough around the ends and grumpy in the beginning, really turns into a soft hearted and likeable hero as well.  The underlying messages of the book also prove to be useful for young readers who are still developing their own identities. This will truly be a great fantasy series for kids to dive into and anticipate the next installments.

Jolt!- Phil Cooke

            Jolt by Phil Cooke is a wonderful book.  In this book Cooke helps people discover how to navigate today’s culture of disruption and actually use it to your advantage.  Cooke address issues such as: making better choices, and the freedom of accountability (to name just a few).  The key point of the book is not to predict the future, but to be ready for the changes that will come.  He teaches his readers how to change their direction, potential, and relationships in a way that will increase your self esteem and enthusiasm for life.

            Jolt! is an amazing book.  Cooke writing flows so smoothly you almost forget your reading at times.  The short sections keep readers engaged and help Cooke get right to the point of his message.  This book has really helped me to look at the world differently and has also helped to improve me as a person.  Even my friends have commented on the changes they have recently seen, and when I told them about this book, they all wanted to borrow it.  This is one of those books that once you pick it up, you just don’t want to put it down.  If you are ready to reevaluate your life, then get ready to Jolt!

The Little Red Book of Wisdom- Mark DeMoss

            The Little Red Book of Wisdom by Mark Demoss is one of those books that everyone should read, and own a copy of.  DeMoss offers insight into living wisely in a world that is always becoming more difficult.  The insight in this book provides readers with practical and everyday wisdom on ways to be successful.

            This was a fantastic book and enjoyed reading it very much.  It is one of the few books that I look forward to reading on a daily basis.  It was so engrossing I usually chose to read this over my homework.  This book challenged the way I thought about some things, and brought to my attention other topics I would not normally think of.  I loved that it made me think and really consider some of the practices in my own life.  I think this book has definitely made me a wiser person, with some advice that I can pass on to other.  I would recommend this book to anyone and everybody.  Anyone from any walk of life would find this book insightful.  I walked away with something from every chapter, and I am sure many readers will do the same. 

Reggie: You Can’t Change Your Past, but You Can Change Your Future – Reggie Dabbs & John Driver

Reggie: You Can’t Change Your Past, but You Can Change Your Future is a truly inspirational read.  Born to an unwed sixteen-year-old mother Reggie Dabbs overcame the odds to become a man who speaks to more than two million people every year.   The message Reggie portrays in the book, as well as his in his speaking is a simple one; while our past is gone and uncontrollable, we do possess the potential to change our future. 

            Reggie: You Can’t Change Your Past, but You Can Change Your Future is a truly inspirational book.  The way Reggie rose from being the result of a twenty dollar deal his mother made (to feed her other three children) to a man that speaks to two million people a year will inspire just about everyone.  This book was by far one of the most engrossing books I have ever picked up.  It grabbed me from the first chapter, and I did not put it down until I was finished.  I recommend this book to everyone.  This story is so well written and engrossing that even the slowest of readers would fly through this book.  Reggie was very thought provoking, and really made me think about life when I finally reached the end.

The Band That Played On - Steve Turner

            We all know the story of the Titanic, but the story most people do not know is the story of eight brave musicians who continued to play on while mass chaos ensued as the titanic sank.  On April 14^th 1912, at 23:40, just four days into her maiden voyage, that Titanic struck an iceberg and sank the following morning.  While the ship was sinking, 8 brave musicians began playing in the lounge, to calm passengers.  As the chaos moved to the deck, the band followed and continued playing.  Steve Turner does a great job of depicting the heroic acts of Wallace Hartley, John Wesley Woodward, John Fredrick Preston Clarke, Theodore Ronald Brailey, John Law Hume, Roger Marie Bricoux, Percy Cornelius Taylor and Georges Alexandre Krins on that fateful night in 1962.

            The Band That Played On is a very inspirational story.  The way these eight men sacrificed their lives to attempt to calm the mayhem that was swelling on the deck of the Titanic as it sank, is truly inspirational and an ultimate act of accepting the path that God set for them.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of the Titanic or interested in learning more about what happened the night the Titanic sank.  This also is a great story for anyone who enjoys reading about people who live their lives for Christ and seek to follow the path that He has for them.

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.”

Pujols: More than the Game - Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth

As a diehard baseball fan, I was excited to review Pujols: More Than the Game written by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth.  Never having heard of the authors, I was not expecting too much from the book, but as soon as I read the forward and first chapter, I was engrossed.  This book is a great story of a great man.  While I knew Albert Pujols was a Christian, I was fascinated with just how strongly devoted him and his family are.  This book is the perfect combination of Christianity and baseball. 

This book is very interesting, and read very quickly.  I finished the book just two days after I received it in the mail.  Pujols devotion in Christ is inspiring, and reading about his life and trials is a refreshing, and a great example of overcoming adversity to rising up in the strength of Christ.  The authors writing style is very quick paced and engaging.  Their writing holds readers attentions, and do not bog the narrative down with long unnecessary anecdotes.  I would recommend this book anyone who is interested in reading about the life of a devote Christian, or any baseball fan who has been amazed by the on field exploited of Albert Pujols in his first ten major league season and want to know more about his amazing life off the field.

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.”

Unto the Hills by Billy Graham

Unto The Hills by Billy Graham is an awesome daily devotional to start your day with.  Graham is a well respected preacher, and has put many of his insights in this devotional to share with his readers.  The book contains one devotional for everyday of the year, and each devotional contains a bible verse, teachings, and a daily prayer.  Each devotion is written is language that is easy to understand, and only takes a few minutes to read since each one is only a page long (or just slightly onto a second page).

            This book was highly interesting and a contagious read.  It had me eager to read every morning, and the messages always helped to relax me on even the most stressful days.  Graham’s teachings in the devotional really helped me to connect with my faith.  Graham’s teachings seem to be full of biblical truth, and insight on ways to become a more Godly Christian.  I would recommend this book to anyone searching for a daily devotional.  It is short, easy to read and understand, and thought provoking.  This would also be great for a new born again Christian who is looking for guidance, and insight on the Christian 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.”