Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll

The dvd kit did finally arrive, and it was well worth the wait!
Mark and Grace delve into a musky water area and come out nice and clean: no mudd at all!
Its a great pearl of a find because there are questions we need answered, but who to ask? Its fairly easy to make a preacher blush, and theres no reason to make them think they are being picked on, after all, the role of pastor is political one...and there is a reason sex ed is not taught in schools!! A pastors world can be just as political!
With this book, a pastor has a leg to stand on and what author could hope for more than to give a preacher a hand!! lol its a great kit!!

I requested the Real Marriage dvd study kit on December 7th. Today is December21st and it has not arrived so i must assume that the product is not yet ready or lost in transit.
I have reviewed many books for Booksneeze and indeed, believe it is the best reviews program in existance but it has never taken this long to receive the product. Additionally it was only available for one day : that leads me to think it is not ready yet.
I was looking forward to reading Marks work because back when I enjoyed facebook, I would read many of his daily vespers. mark is a preacher in Kentucky, and he will respond to feedback about his writing.
Hopefully someday this product will arrive and I will have the pleasure of posting a review...but 2 weeks is as long as I can wait for arrival of material.

Review of a Derek Prince Ministry book 2011

I spent the first 6 chapters with a raised eyebrow because the book seemed at that point to be a book written for the wealthy class to make them feel good about their money. The middle section of the book, was more focused on helping people to understand Gods promise and His love. The last section of the book, really pulled it through and made it a winner. Hitting the nail on the head, the book drives home the plain and simple truth: the reason there are Gods people in need is because other of Gods people who have an abundance are not sharing that abundance. The book talks about the manna falling from the sky and about Gods people picking it up and some had more than they needed and some less but when they put it all together every one had all they wanted.
I think thats the key for us and so does the book.
I refer to it as the book and not the author because the author died a few years back in 2003. The Ministry of the author post humously published the book from the authors unpublished manuscript works and collection of notes.

What the book lacks, is a sound collective voice that all authors leave on every page but I will tell you this: it is one of the best books I have read in a very long time and I review books for 4 different publishers and do a little book writing myself.
What I loved about this book, what made it a rich source of inspiration for me was the way it guides the reader into understanding that we are Temples for God and as such, we house the Holy Spirit inside of us. That means a lot of different things to me. Many times in my life when I am reading the Bible I am amazed because I feel like I am there watching the events unfold. Not liek I am watching a movie or reading or hearing about events that I can picture but rather as Iam there watching, experiencing the events myself.
I now have come to a rich understanding of why: because the Holy Spirit was there and is alive inside of me and all I am is Him. So of course I feel like I was there when I read the Bible.
I had often wondered why I always had felt that way. I knew it was something to do with God. This book opened my eyes: thats a precious gift from God for reading it through to the end.
Also, the book makes a great case for tithing: its really not an option its an act of obedience and a show of faith.
This book is a great gift for a fast holiday read. I easily read it in a leisure 2 day read. I give it 5 out of 5 stars!

I received a free copy of this book from Chosen Books, inexchange for a review.

A Year With Jesus by R.P. Nettelhorst

While this is a great resource for making your walk with God feel closer, it is the last time I agree to review a devotional book because it is not fair to the author for anyone to push through the book in a week ( I read it in 3 days) and then write a review or give an opinion on it when it was written to be SLOWLY ABSORBED OVER THE PERIOD OF A YEAR AND INGESTED GRADUALLY.
That being said, I give this book 5 stars.
It is physically attractive and well put together. It has sections broken down as follows:

Love and Hate

Truths and Lies

Arrogance and Humility

Friends and Enemies

Belief and Disbelief

Patience and Impatience

Deserved and Undeserved

Good and Evil

Fidelity and Treachery

Life and Death

One of the finest features is that it begins on Day 1 : not "January 1st". Any day that you pick it up can be your first day.
The author, R.P. Nettelhorst, writes in a style similar to Tim Lahaya. It is a book filled with the words of Jesus, and then accompanied with a brief, daily narrative designed to walk the reader slowly, one day at a time, down a year long journey with God to help us get to know God better.
You can not rush a friendship : they take time, sometimes years to build. The times between 2 friends will not always be good but they will always be.
Friendships that are meant to be will endure past the hard times.
A friendship with God is the same way. There are times when we think God has turned His back on us and we dont want to talk to Him. That can happen with any friendship.

That is the benefit of this book: to help you establish and understand that what we have with God IS a friendship.
If you will invest your time in this book, I believe that it will help you to grow closer to God; help you to see the connection between the Divine and us - us who are created in His image. Sometimes, we forget Who's we are.

I received this book from Book Sneeze in exchange for posting a review. If you think that in anyway influenced my opinion, I encourage you to read through my past reviews.

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.

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.

Nearing Home by Billy Graham

I would read anything by Billy Graham and enjoy it. He is one of my favorite writers and I sure hope he puts on another crusade in Charlotte NC as I will jump at the chance to attend. You can always count on Rev. Graham to show you the direction that you should be turned in to see the light when it crosses that horizon we call faith.
In this particular book, he speaks to the older crowd and talks about things important to them to help them keep their focus on God for instance will planning and having financial matters in order - not for the sake of so doing but he says to help keep you focused on God and not distracted by worrying about the matters to which you have attended to for yourself.
This book would be very well suited for older adults as it seems to speak directly to their life options and needs. If you have a grandparent keep inmind that Christmas is right around the corner and consider this a great gift opportunity!!
I received this book free of charge through the Book Sneeze Program but that did not influence my opinion.

No Wonder They Call Him The Savior by Max Lucado

No Wonder They Call Him The Savior By Max Lucado

You can never go worng with Lucado; every book is packed full of inspiration and hope and of how every day people are far more special than we realize.
Hope can be found in the most unlikely of places and that is the focus of this book.
Look out and up and down and inside; hope is everywhere because of Jesus.
If you are in need of a little inspiration or if your hope meter is a bit low give Max a try; this is a great book and would make a groovy Christmas present!!!

Stuck DVD Based Study by Jennie Allen

Stuck, a dvd based biblical study for women by Jennie Allen is worth every penny!

You will solid get your monies worth out of this kit! It is a wonderful project for a womens bible study group packed full of methods to get your life unstuck and back on track with Gods will.
We all see our future when we are young and its an easy soar to the top because we know our hearts are right with God but the devil creeps inside our minds and pollutes our thinking and the next thing you know our minds are no longer where they should be and our soaring glides lower and lower until we are barely above sea level and we can no longer see what God intended.
I can not stress enough how beneificial this kit is and what a wonderful bible study it will make if you are looking to put together a womens devotional bible study group.

When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado

When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado

Lucado has been my favorite author from the moment I read the first Lucado book. You can always count on him to be inspirational and motivational and I love that about a writer.
This book deals with everyday people and how we often fail to understand our own good fortune as we are loved and adored by the creator of the Universe!
God knows everything about us, even has the hairs on our heads numbered and best of all God desires a personal friendship with us all.
It is pretty heavy duty stuff to realize that the Creator of everything wants to be pals with us! Kinda helps those tough times to seem a lot less important.
God will call you out, all you have to do is have the courage or desire or whatever you want to call it: to have an open will to respond to Gods calling. He always gives back way more than He gets.
I highly recommend this book to anyone inneed of motivation or whos spirits have been running a little low lately. Heck, Id reccommend any Lucado book for any occassion; hes simply my favorite.
I have a permenant collection of books (most of what I read I give away) and every Lucado book I have has earned a spot on that permanent collection. I have bought more Lucado books as gifts than anyother writer because he is simply the best motivational writer I have found and he uses Biblical verses to bring home his messages.
When God Whispers Your Name is a great book for anyone who needs a little boost. It is full of short stories about every day people and how we are not nearly as mundane as our lives lead us to feel because we dont stop and realize that God has us in His heart!

The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook, the best book Ive read in a long time!

A Book by Jeff Kinley, The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook, slaying the living dead within -
No doubt the best book Ive read in a long time, and an incredible work of fiction!
I have never been a great fan of fiction, perfering instead to read the truth, instead of something made up in someones imagination...but this book had a lot of potential for me because ilove a good zombie movie.
Just like the author, I think we are the living dead and we fail to realize it! Think zombies understand what they are? Not a chance and even with the Bible, we still fail to see what we are!
If you want to give a great gift to a sci-fi reader or fiction lover or even dare I say, horror reader this is the book you want.
Most people leave the truth behind in pursuit of money and fame; the book will entertain the reader and return their focus on God.
Its one of those books iwill keep on my permanent book case. I read at least 25 to 40 books a year and have for over 20 years. My permanent collection is less that 50 books and this book has earned a spot at the top.

The Bone House

I have read Lawhead before and he is a wonderful writer. This book has every element to keep those teenage readers on the edge of their seats!
The Bone House is the second book in the Bright Empire series. Read The Skin Map first. There is a cast of characters and summary of The Skin Map at the beginning of The Bone House, but you realy do need to read them in order.
This second book in the 5 book series is all over the map, no pun intended but seems to focus on England and Egypt.
The hardest part about the book was how slowly it reads. It has taken me several weeks to read this book, whereas I normally read through a book in a day or two.
Let me stress again that book one, The Skin Map has to read prior to reading The Bone House or you wont be able to get into the story line at all.
It has far more sci-fi aspects than the first book, so I enjoyed that but at the same time it really jumps around alot and without announcement - still, it does not take away from or necessarily distract a great deal from the story.
It is a wonderful Christian written series for teen readers and I think it is shapping up into a great use of time! I give him 4 out of 5 stars!!

The Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado

Lucado has written another outstanding book! Every young person needs to read this book. Its the best self discovery tool Ive ever seen and Ive seen plenty of professional models....fyi: Lucado includes a professionally drafted model as a standalone guide in the back of the book. Its more like half of the book and it is the tool used to help you discover what your God given gifts are so that you can start using them right away and be set free from the common life.
In a nutshell, the cure is to praise God and to find your sweat spot: that place where what you love to do and what you do successfully overlap and then pinpoint your gift and use it to glorify God.
This is one of Lucados master piece books! Far better than Fearless.
It is filled with hope and information and a lot of comedy (I love comedy).
Everyone needs to read this book, especially the teenagers.
If you have been considering a WALK program of study for your church I reccommend this book. Like all great Lucado books, there is a study guide in the very back of the book. As I said, the self exploration guide is also inside.
This book is a wonderful treasure, I so love Lucado!!

The Final Hour By Andrew Klavan

If you enjoy crime and suspense novels, this series is a must read.
The story centers around a teenage boy who despite feeling like hes always alone, struggles to do the right thing. He finds himself in jail at which time he recalls memory that a terrorist attack will soon occur. Having noone to help him, noone to turn to, he must find a way to save millions of people from dieing.
This is a dificult book to review wihout giving away what happens. The real focus I think, is of a boy who is constantly facing struggles and how he copes seems to be the real plot line.
If you would like to read some work by this author but dont have the time to commit to a series there is another avenue you can chose.This author has another book just out called Crazy Dangerous. It is not part of a series and is a one book story.

Walking like Daniel: Its Not About Me by Max Lucado

Walking like Daniel: Its Not About Me by Max Lucado

Its Not About Me by Max Lucado

Lucado, is my favorite author so its just going to be a given that I enjoyed the book. That being said upfront, this work was not one of my favorites and not his finest. However, it is a great way to spend a rainy day and can easily be consumed in one evening spent alone in the easy chair with a window cracked wide enough to enjoy the sounds of rain drops bouncing offthe parched ground.
The Book of Isaiah seems to be the continuing focus of this Lucado work. And the resounding focus is great: center your life around focusing on Gods Glory and try to keep in mind that everything that happens does so forthe Glory of God and in return your trials will seem easier to bare.
But the work of satan is not for the Glory of God. So everything that happens cant be for Gods Glory...Id argue that it SHOULD be for Gods Glory.
Still Lucado has a style that I absolutely love and I hoard all of his books, and they will get top shelf on my bookcase as soon as I get one( having just moved into a new house, Ive found quite a few things I need to do and one of those things is definately to put up a 6 foot bookcase).
I like where Lucado, went with this work inspite of the fact that it was not one of my favorites. If we would realize that the universe revolves around God and not us then we would be happier in our place. One picture he painted was that of an orchestra where everyone played what they wanted to and diregarded the conductor and tryed to be the star on stage playing every solo - and noone was happy to be a part of that group. But as Christians, we can be proud to follow Jesus, and can be team players. The only thing that bothered me about his attitude is that everytime I hear it voiced its by someone who has everything and never by a struggling average person...with that in mind, maybe thats exactly what I need to write my next book about because I agree with Lucado, and Im sure a struggling person.
Id have to give this book 4 out of 5 stars because any Lucado, book is top of the line for inspiration and attitude.

The Quotable Rogue by Matt Lewis

I was bias before I read the book, being a palin fan for the last few years. I found it to be a wonderful use of time and insirational.

Story Engineering by Larry Brooks

Im going to go 4 out of 5 stars on this book. If you have any interest in writing a novel this is a good resource. the wuthor spends the first 40 pages trying to sell his formula. It is not the best resource Ive come across but it is one of the top 5.
His formula is simply to train yourself to put a character in that is motivated and driven and set him up to experience life changing events. Create reader empathy and give him hope. he completely outlines a process that will help a beginning writer to develop the necessary skills to write a successful book. he calls it a 6 step plan. A rose by anyother name would smell as sweet and every major book on how to write a book says the same things this books says but in a little different way.
Still, for a new writer this would be a great resource and I would highly recommend it.

Max On Life a wonderful BOOK!!!!!!!!

Lucado does it again. Hes long been my favorite writer, way before FEARLESS. Lucado simply puts things in a real life understandable way.
There were some things I did not feel completely happy with but I would take nothing away from him again; hes a wonderful writer and all of his books are golden.
This book would especially hit home for the unsaved reader who has unanswered questions about the Bible and life before we knew it.
You just cant go wrong with Lucado, and this book would make a wonderful gift. I keep all Lucado books and donate 90% of all other books I review but I wont let go of a Lucado.

Take Action Bible NKJV by Thomas Nelson Publishing

I do not like the format or added content of this bible. I expect a lot more inspirational content but its all just fluff in my opinion. Keep your money and buy a better quality like a Life Application Study Bible or a Chronological or Archeological bible.

What's He Really Thinking?

What's He Really Thinking?
How to Be a Relational Genius with the Man in Your Life
By Paula Rinehart


Boy, some women really think they know men: this book is as pitiful as it sounds! You cant lump men into a cluster and expect to know what they are thinking! If you want to know what a man is thinking, just ask him!
It is a well written book with some points and if a woman is the manipulative type, she would do to read this book, but its all just common sense stuff.

Fasting by mcKnight

Out of 5 stars, Id give this book 1. Leave it on the shelf and go get yourself a copy of Jensens book Fasting.
The author seems to spend the entire book saying that fasting is a response to grief. I dont need to sspend a day reading a book to know that we dont eat when we are upset.
Fasting is a deliberate action in my opinion to offer up a spiritual gift to God, the author McKnight takes away from the spiritual purpose while trying to spotlight it! Save your money and you dont need a long review; its just not a good read.