God . . . and stuff. Everything in the universe falls into one of these two categories. Which is more important to you? (It’s not a trick question.) In Unstuff: Making Room in Your Life for What Really Matters, popular authors Hayley and Michael DiMarco take a close look at what’s in your wallet, your heart, your house, and your mind to reveal the pleasures and perils of stuff—and the joy, peace, and freedom that comes from learning to live with less.
In this real-life look at “how it’s done,” the DiMarcos take an uncomfortably close look at the cost of their love affair with stuff. They start by Unstuffing their house—getting rid of anything they don’t need by giving away, selling, or throwing out items that only add to their love for more. Then, kicking it up a notch, this family of three travels across the country with nothing more than they can fit in a motor home . . . and discovers that the really important stuff goes with them.
This book is 6 sections full of ideas and personal stories from the authors as to how they experienced a releasing of their stuff. These sections include:
"Wallet Stuff" which includes work, paying bills, shopping, and all things financial.
"Mind Stuff" talks about instant gratification, depression, drama, worrying about what others think.
"Body Stuff" is all about eating and weight issues and fatigue.
"Love Stuff" delves into sexual addiction, being selfish or lonely, and how giving can replace love.
"Worship Stuff" includes wanting to be comfortable, not praying, reading the Word or just being lazy.
"Future Stuff" talks about avoiding certain triggers, living within your means and learning to rest.
Disclaimer: Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in order to facilitate an honest review. Others may or may not have the same experience(s) with this book and/or company.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Booksneeze:Voices of the Faithful
Product Description
A 366-day devotional with inspiring stories from the front lines of faith.
"A willingness to go is all they have in common," says Beth Moore, speaking of her friends on the front lines who are spreading the gospel around the world and with whom she collaborated to create this book. This brilliant, 366-day devotional features incredible stories of God's faithfulness in the face of uncertainty and danger, written by hundreds of missionaries worldwide.
With a foreword by International Mission Board president Jerry Rankin and an introduction by Beth, this volume also includes advice on how to hear God's voice, pray for missionaries, and understand the church's and individual's role in missions
Beth Moore compiles this set of short inspirational readings (one for every day). Each reading is one page. The objective is that you read the short essay, all of which are based on Bible verses, and contemplate the teaching throughout the day.
The essays are arranged by subject. Each month has a different theme. February - the word of God. March - prayer. Etc. Each month's essays are preceded by comments by Beth Moore.
Some of the essays are very inspiring. It takes a couple of minutes to do the daily reading, but one can contemplate it during your daily commute or throughout the entire day. Some of these messages are that good.
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."
A 366-day devotional with inspiring stories from the front lines of faith.
"A willingness to go is all they have in common," says Beth Moore, speaking of her friends on the front lines who are spreading the gospel around the world and with whom she collaborated to create this book. This brilliant, 366-day devotional features incredible stories of God's faithfulness in the face of uncertainty and danger, written by hundreds of missionaries worldwide.
With a foreword by International Mission Board president Jerry Rankin and an introduction by Beth, this volume also includes advice on how to hear God's voice, pray for missionaries, and understand the church's and individual's role in missions
Beth Moore compiles this set of short inspirational readings (one for every day). Each reading is one page. The objective is that you read the short essay, all of which are based on Bible verses, and contemplate the teaching throughout the day.
The essays are arranged by subject. Each month has a different theme. February - the word of God. March - prayer. Etc. Each month's essays are preceded by comments by Beth Moore.
Some of the essays are very inspiring. It takes a couple of minutes to do the daily reading, but one can contemplate it during your daily commute or throughout the entire day. Some of these messages are that good.
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."
Blogging for Books review: If God is Good
From Publishers Weekly
The crossover fiction and nonfiction author of the half-million–selling Heaven throws down a heavy response to a spate of recent bestselling atheism books. Because the main argument of atheists against the existence of God is suffering in the world, Alcorn lays out a weighty and classically reasoned argument to the problem of suffering in this thoroughly modern book. His biggest trump card is that atheists were hardly the first to ask about suffering and evil. Ancient writers did, and the fact that the Bible raises the problem of evil gives us full permission to do so. Evil and suffering are addressed in tandem but approached differently. Evil comes from human rebellion or sin, and suffering is a secondary evil brought on by that primary evil. By granting free will to humanity, God allows for an eternal good that humans don't always see now but will experience in the life to come if faithful. Not academic but well-reasoned, Alcorn may not convince atheists, but apart from them readership is wide open. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
This is a solid, thought-provoking, and well-written book.
If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil deals with the prime questions people ask today:
Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? And then, how can there be a God if suffering and evil exist?
The book is laid out well, I would suggest if you are going to take the journey through this book which will be on my top ten list, I would use it as a devotional, reading a chapter a day for each section is short enough to read in one sitting.
Alcorn deals with this tough subject using God's Word as his textbook and real life examples of people he knows and has interviewed. He never minimizes the evil, suffering and hurt of those he uses as illustrations, but sees them as heroes of the faith who have clung to God in the midst of deepest valleys.
Some section titles include Understanding the Problem of Evil and Suffering, The Origin of Evil..., Proposed Solutions..., Living Meaningfully in Suffering, Why Does God Allow Suffering?
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing
The crossover fiction and nonfiction author of the half-million–selling Heaven throws down a heavy response to a spate of recent bestselling atheism books. Because the main argument of atheists against the existence of God is suffering in the world, Alcorn lays out a weighty and classically reasoned argument to the problem of suffering in this thoroughly modern book. His biggest trump card is that atheists were hardly the first to ask about suffering and evil. Ancient writers did, and the fact that the Bible raises the problem of evil gives us full permission to do so. Evil and suffering are addressed in tandem but approached differently. Evil comes from human rebellion or sin, and suffering is a secondary evil brought on by that primary evil. By granting free will to humanity, God allows for an eternal good that humans don't always see now but will experience in the life to come if faithful. Not academic but well-reasoned, Alcorn may not convince atheists, but apart from them readership is wide open. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
This is a solid, thought-provoking, and well-written book.
If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil deals with the prime questions people ask today:
Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? And then, how can there be a God if suffering and evil exist?
The book is laid out well, I would suggest if you are going to take the journey through this book which will be on my top ten list, I would use it as a devotional, reading a chapter a day for each section is short enough to read in one sitting.
Alcorn deals with this tough subject using God's Word as his textbook and real life examples of people he knows and has interviewed. He never minimizes the evil, suffering and hurt of those he uses as illustrations, but sees them as heroes of the faith who have clung to God in the midst of deepest valleys.
Some section titles include Understanding the Problem of Evil and Suffering, The Origin of Evil..., Proposed Solutions..., Living Meaningfully in Suffering, Why Does God Allow Suffering?
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing
Monday, December 6, 2010
B&B Book Review: It's No Secret
Product Description
Are you tired of life as usual? Ready to trade your everyday issues and emotional hang-ups for a life of greater intimacy and fulfillment?
Then it's time you join Rachel Olsen and discover some God-sized secrets to successful living.
Rachel's writing is lighthearted and fun. But she's serious about helping you uncover biblical secrets to energize your spiritual life and relationships. This book will help you:
* Handle petty conflicts and criticism with grace
* Overcome the competitive urges that leave you lonely
* Grow spiritually despite life's setbacks
* Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability
* Uncover a surprising means to worshiping God amidst your busy schedule
* Discover how to make what you give away ultimately return to you
* Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
You'll explore twelve principals from scripture, and delve into the Bible yourself with end-of-chapter studies. So grab your Bible, your coffee cup, a copy of It's No Secret, and a girlfriend and come discover twelve secrets the world doesn't know that every woman should.
About the Author
Rachel Olsen's passion is helping woman see and savor God afresh. She is a popular national women's speaker, a staffer with Proverbs 31 Ministries, and a communication instructor at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Rachel is also general editor of God's Purpose for Every Woman. She and her husband raise two children and enjoy life in a beach town.
Coffee.
Chocolate.
Your closest friends.
This is a great bible study to work alone, but if you are looking for that next bible study for your ladies group, this is it.
What I like about this is that it addresses everyday topics that as women and as followers of Christ, we continually encounter such as issues of competition, true versus false humilty, gossip, just finding times, among the many topics that are touched and are daily struggles for a Sister of Christ.
Chapters are brief, with study questions that will really have you digging into your Bible to explore and examine Biblical truths and stories and how they apply today as they have applied throughout the ages.
These are short studies that are good for a thirty minute study if you're doing it alone or for hour(s) discussions for a group of girlfriends whose gather together and sure to touch, encouraged and challenged.
Please note: I received this book free from B & B Media Group, which has a program designed for book reviews by bloggers. The opinions that I have expressed in this review are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. For more details about the B & B Media Group, please view their websites:
Are you tired of life as usual? Ready to trade your everyday issues and emotional hang-ups for a life of greater intimacy and fulfillment?
Then it's time you join Rachel Olsen and discover some God-sized secrets to successful living.
Rachel's writing is lighthearted and fun. But she's serious about helping you uncover biblical secrets to energize your spiritual life and relationships. This book will help you:
* Handle petty conflicts and criticism with grace
* Overcome the competitive urges that leave you lonely
* Grow spiritually despite life's setbacks
* Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability
* Uncover a surprising means to worshiping God amidst your busy schedule
* Discover how to make what you give away ultimately return to you
* Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
You'll explore twelve principals from scripture, and delve into the Bible yourself with end-of-chapter studies. So grab your Bible, your coffee cup, a copy of It's No Secret, and a girlfriend and come discover twelve secrets the world doesn't know that every woman should.
About the Author
Rachel Olsen's passion is helping woman see and savor God afresh. She is a popular national women's speaker, a staffer with Proverbs 31 Ministries, and a communication instructor at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Rachel is also general editor of God's Purpose for Every Woman. She and her husband raise two children and enjoy life in a beach town.
Coffee.
Chocolate.
Your closest friends.
This is a great bible study to work alone, but if you are looking for that next bible study for your ladies group, this is it.
What I like about this is that it addresses everyday topics that as women and as followers of Christ, we continually encounter such as issues of competition, true versus false humilty, gossip, just finding times, among the many topics that are touched and are daily struggles for a Sister of Christ.
Chapters are brief, with study questions that will really have you digging into your Bible to explore and examine Biblical truths and stories and how they apply today as they have applied throughout the ages.
These are short studies that are good for a thirty minute study if you're doing it alone or for hour(s) discussions for a group of girlfriends whose gather together and sure to touch, encouraged and challenged.
Please note: I received this book free from B & B Media Group, which has a program designed for book reviews by bloggers. The opinions that I have expressed in this review are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. For more details about the B & B Media Group, please view their websites:
B&B Book Review- The Life Book
https://www.thelifebook.com/start-a-project.php
This is an incredible movement created to get the book into the hands of high schoolers and others where it generally isn't allowed.
BRING THE LIFE BOOK MOVEMENT TO YOUR AREA
Our mission is to help local churches and youth ministries give the free gift of God's Word to Every High School student in your local high school(s).
We are now scheduling The Life Book Saturations for 2010. Apply early because we have a limited number of openings.
If your church or youth ministry would like to consider being the Lead Church for The Life Book Movement for your high school(s), details are below:
What is required?
A passionate and committed point person (preferably a pastor or youth leader).
Ability and willingness to bring together a small team of caring adults to make the project a success.
Ability and willingness to involve other area churches and youth ministries in your local Life Book Project.
Commitment to regular communication with our Director of Saturations and the local churches and/or youth ministries involved.
Commitment to see the project through from beginning to end.
Action Steps:
Fill out the application below.
Speak with our Director of Saturations (He will call you)
Commit to be the Saturation Leader
Learn More...
WHAT IS THE LIFE BOOK MOVEMENT? WHO IS THE LEADERSHIP TEAM?
Founded by The Gideons International as an innovative strategy to reach high school students with God's Word, The Life Book Movement works through churches and their students to saturate high schools with God's Word. The Life Book Movement is best described as a week-long mission trip in which high school students get the opportunity to offer the gift of The LIfe Book to their classmates during school.
The Life Book’s unique design engages searching high school students with the truth of God’s Word as they are introduced to Jesus Christ. Using an interactive format with honest student comments and real-life questions in the margins, readers are drawn into the only story that can change their lives forever.
Working through local churches, The Life Book Movement provides free copies of The Life Book to Christian students to give to classmates during school. Because it is legal for students to distribute religious literature in public schools, this unique approach provides an opportunity for churches and youth ministries to get God’s Word in the hands of every student in every high school they serve.
With Saturations scheduled throughout the United States, the end goal is to eventually place God’s Word in the hands of 17.5 million high school students
WHAT IS A SATURATION WEEK?
One week where all the Christian students from local churches hand out The Life Book at their local high schools.
The Life Book Movement is simply a week-long mission trip for high school students to their schools.
HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?
Click HERE to view our online application. We are currently looking for Saturation Leaders for Fall 2010.
All I can say is get involved- buy some books and pass them around.
This is an incredible movement created to get the book into the hands of high schoolers and others where it generally isn't allowed.
BRING THE LIFE BOOK MOVEMENT TO YOUR AREA
Our mission is to help local churches and youth ministries give the free gift of God's Word to Every High School student in your local high school(s).
We are now scheduling The Life Book Saturations for 2010. Apply early because we have a limited number of openings.
If your church or youth ministry would like to consider being the Lead Church for The Life Book Movement for your high school(s), details are below:
What is required?
A passionate and committed point person (preferably a pastor or youth leader).
Ability and willingness to bring together a small team of caring adults to make the project a success.
Ability and willingness to involve other area churches and youth ministries in your local Life Book Project.
Commitment to regular communication with our Director of Saturations and the local churches and/or youth ministries involved.
Commitment to see the project through from beginning to end.
Action Steps:
Fill out the application below.
Speak with our Director of Saturations (He will call you)
Commit to be the Saturation Leader
Learn More...
WHAT IS THE LIFE BOOK MOVEMENT? WHO IS THE LEADERSHIP TEAM?
Founded by The Gideons International as an innovative strategy to reach high school students with God's Word, The Life Book Movement works through churches and their students to saturate high schools with God's Word. The Life Book Movement is best described as a week-long mission trip in which high school students get the opportunity to offer the gift of The LIfe Book to their classmates during school.
The Life Book’s unique design engages searching high school students with the truth of God’s Word as they are introduced to Jesus Christ. Using an interactive format with honest student comments and real-life questions in the margins, readers are drawn into the only story that can change their lives forever.
Working through local churches, The Life Book Movement provides free copies of The Life Book to Christian students to give to classmates during school. Because it is legal for students to distribute religious literature in public schools, this unique approach provides an opportunity for churches and youth ministries to get God’s Word in the hands of every student in every high school they serve.
With Saturations scheduled throughout the United States, the end goal is to eventually place God’s Word in the hands of 17.5 million high school students
WHAT IS A SATURATION WEEK?
One week where all the Christian students from local churches hand out The Life Book at their local high schools.
The Life Book Movement is simply a week-long mission trip for high school students to their schools.
HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?
Click HERE to view our online application. We are currently looking for Saturation Leaders for Fall 2010.
All I can say is get involved- buy some books and pass them around.
B&B Book review: It's Your Call
Product Description
Discover God’s calling for your life ...
Few spiritual concepts have fascinated and confused people more than understanding God’s calling for their life. Is it primarily about a job or a role? It is precise or general? Is a calling only reserved for those who work in professional ministry?
The truth is actually amazingly profound: What we are supposed to do is what we most want to do.
This is a guide for discovering God’s design and destiny for your life. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in ministry, Gary Barkalow shares how you can:
Live alert and oriented to the voice and choreography of God.
Discover and interpret the voice of your own story.
Discern the strategic assault against your calling.
Recognize God’s intentional training in your life’s journey.
Most of all, you’ll be inspired to let the glory of your life touch the world around you.
About the Author
Gary Barkalow is the founder and director of The Noble Heart, a ministry with the express purpose of helping men and women find their life in God and their calling in this world. He has served in leadership positions at Ransomed Heart Ministries, Focus on the Family, and Campus Crusade for Christ. Through The Noble Heart, Gary speaks at conferences across the country and around the world. Gary and his wife, Leigh, reside in Colorado Springs with their four children. www.thenobleheart.com
over 20 years study on the part of the author. He calls you into the study with the likes of C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Oswald Chambers, Dallas Willard and many others. But don't come in expecting to "get it all" in 10 minutes. Come in with your journal in hand, a cup of your favorite beverage, and the understanding that you are going to be here awhile. Because you have been invited to join in a conversation that has been going on since creation. A conversation about life, and living. And that conversation requires commitment; but the rewards will be worth the investment.
Discover God’s calling for your life ...
Few spiritual concepts have fascinated and confused people more than understanding God’s calling for their life. Is it primarily about a job or a role? It is precise or general? Is a calling only reserved for those who work in professional ministry?
The truth is actually amazingly profound: What we are supposed to do is what we most want to do.
This is a guide for discovering God’s design and destiny for your life. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in ministry, Gary Barkalow shares how you can:
Live alert and oriented to the voice and choreography of God.
Discover and interpret the voice of your own story.
Discern the strategic assault against your calling.
Recognize God’s intentional training in your life’s journey.
Most of all, you’ll be inspired to let the glory of your life touch the world around you.
About the Author
Gary Barkalow is the founder and director of The Noble Heart, a ministry with the express purpose of helping men and women find their life in God and their calling in this world. He has served in leadership positions at Ransomed Heart Ministries, Focus on the Family, and Campus Crusade for Christ. Through The Noble Heart, Gary speaks at conferences across the country and around the world. Gary and his wife, Leigh, reside in Colorado Springs with their four children. www.thenobleheart.com
over 20 years study on the part of the author. He calls you into the study with the likes of C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Oswald Chambers, Dallas Willard and many others. But don't come in expecting to "get it all" in 10 minutes. Come in with your journal in hand, a cup of your favorite beverage, and the understanding that you are going to be here awhile. Because you have been invited to join in a conversation that has been going on since creation. A conversation about life, and living. And that conversation requires commitment; but the rewards will be worth the investment.
B&B Book Review: Baby Bible Christmas Story
Product Description
Christmas Bible stories made simple, interactive, and relevant for young children.
With a fresh look, The Baby Bible Christmas Storybook is an interactive and gentle-hearted way to discover and reinforce familiar Bible stories with very young children during the Christmas season.
Inside you will find:
• Simple actions and activities with Mom or Dad help tell Christmas Bible stories.
• Short story length allows for short attention spans.
• Actions and easy vocabulary works well for the small child (infancy through three years old).
• Short prayers at the end of each story help make the story relevant for little ones and teach them to pray.
The Baby Bible Christmas Storybook introduces your child to the Christmas story with bright, colorful pictures, simple prayers and suggested actions to bring the stories to life. The sixteen short stories bring parents and children together to learn the wonderful story of Christmas in an interactive manner.
I really enjoyed this Christmas storybook. The illustrations were wonderful and brought the Christmas story to life. They are bright, vivid and easy to see. My daughter was constantly pointing and naming objects, actions and places or animals. The book itself is unique because it gives suggested hand motions under each line in the story for parents to interact with their children
Christmas Bible stories made simple, interactive, and relevant for young children.
With a fresh look, The Baby Bible Christmas Storybook is an interactive and gentle-hearted way to discover and reinforce familiar Bible stories with very young children during the Christmas season.
Inside you will find:
• Simple actions and activities with Mom or Dad help tell Christmas Bible stories.
• Short story length allows for short attention spans.
• Actions and easy vocabulary works well for the small child (infancy through three years old).
• Short prayers at the end of each story help make the story relevant for little ones and teach them to pray.
The Baby Bible Christmas Storybook introduces your child to the Christmas story with bright, colorful pictures, simple prayers and suggested actions to bring the stories to life. The sixteen short stories bring parents and children together to learn the wonderful story of Christmas in an interactive manner.
I really enjoyed this Christmas storybook. The illustrations were wonderful and brought the Christmas story to life. They are bright, vivid and easy to see. My daughter was constantly pointing and naming objects, actions and places or animals. The book itself is unique because it gives suggested hand motions under each line in the story for parents to interact with their children
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