Monday, November 21, 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Healing is a Choice by S Arterburn



I received this book free from BookSneeze inexchange for posting a review.
The author is a preacher who also hosts a self-help talk show on the radio - he is divorced and remarried.
It seems from this book he would make a good marriage counselor. It is the only book by S. Arterburn that I have read.
Because the workbook is integrated into the book it is a little over 450 pages but the print is large and it uses regular words so it is a smooth read.
One thing that made me snicker was when he spoke about 2 Corinthians 7:8-11..about how Paul had written a letter that he regetted writing at first but later was glad he had written it because the intended audience actually took his words to heart and made some improvements. The writer also said that when we tell people the truth about themselves they will often shut us out and isolate us and treat us as if we have something bad when actually we have tried to help them; he tells this story to make the point of the letting people know that healing is a choice and thats why Jesus asked the paralized man if he wanted to be healed.
The book offers ways for a person who has been in an abusive relationship to realize that they can recover and then encourages them to understand that they need a group, a friend and a professional in some cases to heal.
One of the nice features is the built in workbook and also he ends each chaper by offering a prayer that the reader can offer up to God and also he ends the chapters with a song that has meaningful lyrics to help uplift the readers spirit.
If you enjoy Rick Warren, you will likely enjoy this writer.
"God will make the best of the worst if you let Him" was one of the things he said on page240.
"The bigger the challenge the more God can do with it, even when the worst outcome occurs." He said a few pages later.
He goes through 10 concepts: connect with other people, feel your emotions, investigate your issues, heal your future, help your life, embrace life, forgive, take risks, serve and persever.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Lucado Inspirational Reader by Max Lucado - A great Christmas gift!!!



Max Lucado does it again, hitting another home run with his latest book! It is important to realize that this book is a bit different from all of his previous books because it is a compilation of his best quotes and ancedotes from at least 25 of his books.
It contains 27 chapters packed with inspirational words from as I said, at least 25 of his previous books.
It is the perfect book for an end table, night stand or bathroom caddy. Anyone between the ages of 40-70 would consider this a treasured Christmas gift!!!
You might be thinking that you dont need a compilation of his work, especially if like me, you have read most of his books but its a tad bit different than you might expect. Each chapter builds and drives home a topic; using words of inspiration and examples from other works the writer has published.
It is highly inspirational and honestly, I give it 5 stars. Lucado never fails to impress by inspiration.
The only thing that took me back, was that on the inside of the back cover it stated that Lucado has over 100 million works in print. Well, I am a big Lucado fan, and if he has anywhere near that number, it is a LOT of book markers and refrigerator magnets.
You can never go wrong with a Lucado book, its a worth while investment into helping you keep your mind where it should be: next to your heart and soul.