Book Review: "God Gave Us So Much" by Lisa Tawn Bergren

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "God Gave Us So Much" by Lisa Tawn Mergren from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their book review program for bloggers. This book is a limited-edition three-book treasury that includes the books "God Gave Us the World," "God Gave Us Love," and "God Gave Us Heaven." These stories follow a little polar bear and her curiosity about the world around her. As she journeys through the Arctic North Pole she is helped along by her Mama, Papa, and Grampa Bear to find the answers to her important questions. These stories share with children the beauty of God's creation and how much He loves us. With beautiful and colorful illustrations by Laura J. Bryant, children will be captured by the stories. The three stories show and teach children about the diversity in our world, the wonderful gift of love, and the beauty of heaven. My children were both engaged in these stories and were so excited to hear them several times. I would recommend this book and the others in this series as a wonderful way to teach your children about the love of God.

Book Review: "Voices of the Faithful" by Beth Moore

I recently received a complimentary copy of "Voices of the Faithful" by Beth Moore and friends who put their lives on the line for God from Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of the Booksneeze book review program. The opinions listed below are my honest opinion of the book.

We live in a country where persecution is not an everyday occurrence; however, this is not true for many Christians living around the world. This book is filled with 366 daily readings with encouraging stories of faith, strength, and hope. These are stories of Christians worldwide who are living the life Christ called us to and they are devoted only to Him. I have read these daily devotions since receiving the book and I love how it has a short daily story for every day of the year. These stories have already encouraged my heart and also convicted me to do more for the Lord. We live in such a comfortable society and this book challenges you to live more and do more for the Lord when you see how these Christians are challenged every day to live for Christ. Wonderful devotion book to add to your daily quiet time with the Lord.

Book Review: "Coming Back Stronger" by Drew Brees

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the hidden power of adversity" by Drew Brees with Chris Fabry from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review program.

This book tells the story of Drew Brees and how having such a positive attitude and really make a difference. When Drew Brees suffered a horrible shoulder injury that could have ended his career for good, people questioned whether he would ever play again. Through drive and determination he pushed through that obstacle in his life and was able to play as a quarterback again. Then in 2005, Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans in utter ruin when over 80 percent of the city was left damaged and under water. People everywhere questioned whether New Orleans could ever rebuild and get back on its feet again. That is when Drew Brees signed on to play as quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Through is drive, determination, faith, and encouragement he lead the Saints to their first ever Super Bowl title. This story is a wonderful true story of hope and that you can always get up after being "knocked to the ground." It's a story of heart and determination that I really enjoyed reading. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially if you have a Saints fan in your midst!!

Book Review: "Under the Overpass" by Mike Yankoski

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America" by Mike Yankoski as part of the book review program through WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. The opinions below are my honest opinion of the book.

Would you give up everything in your life just to experience how others live their lives? That is exactly what Mike Yankoski and his friend Sam decided to do when they gave up their upper-middle class life to live the lifestyle of the homeless. For five months they experienced the homeless life in six different major cities. They experienced hunger, depression, exhaustion, and many other issues along their journey. This book also contains a foreward by Francis Chan and an updated bonus chapter that the author wrote five years after his experience.

This story is truly inspiring and challenging. It made me focus on the people around me and those who I don't see just because they don't live like me. Jesus ministered to the lowly and poor and we are called to do the same. I would highly recommend this book as the story itself is very intriguing but the challenge is great. We need to look outside of our comfort zones and reach out to those less fortunate than us.

Book Review: "Hatteras Girl" by Alice J. Wisler

I recently received the book "Hatteras Girl" by Alice J. Wisler from Bethany House Publishers as a complimentary copy for their book review program. The opinions are my honest opinion of the book.

In this story by Alice J. Wisler, Jackie Donovan has two dreams in life. She wishes to reopen the old Bailey House, a bed and breakfast place, and also meet the man of her dreams. She lives with her best friend who has a young boy that Jackie often cares for while her friend is at work. Jackie is a writer for the local magazine of the North Carolina outer banks, "Lighthouse Views." She interviews local business owners and interviews Davis Erickson, a local realtor. She falls for his charming ways and good looks and discovers he is the grandson of the Baileys who ran the old bed and breakfast that she dreams of owning. Davis works out a "deal" with her to rent with the option to buy the place. Her long time friend, Buck, ends up telling her the truth about Davis and how he is a horrible landlord. She discovers that she is actually in love with Buck and he helps her to get the bed and breakfast on its feet while making sure Davis pays for it all.

This is a great story about love, hope, and faith. Jackie's friend suffers many trials throughout the book and it is a great example of what a strong friendship can do in helping others through hard times. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading another of Alice J. Wisler's novels.

Book Review: "Then Sings My Soul" by Robert J. Morgan

I was recently sent a complimentary copy of the book "Then Sings My Soul: Special Edition" by Robert J. Morgan from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of the Booksneeze book review program. The opinions listed below are my honest opinion of the book.

In "Then Sings My Soul," Robert J. Morgan has compiled many favorite Christmas, Easter, and other famous hymns and the stories about how the writers of these wonderful songs came to write them. The book is beautifully done and each page has the actual song on one side and then the story of the writer's life and how they came to write the song. It is a wonderful inside look at many favorite songs sung in churches and around the world today. I found it inspiring to read the stories behind the songs I have sung for years. It makes the songs mean so much more when you hear the background of how the words and music came about. The words really come alive to you after hearing how these songs of praise to our Lord were written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves music and wishes to know more about the hymns we sing. It is a wonderful teaching tool you could use in Sunday School or other areas as well. I will keep this book for years to come to share with others the meanings of all the wonderful songs we sing around the holidays and all year long.

Book Tour and Review: "Run to Overcome" by Meb Keflezighi

I recently received the book "Run to Overcome" by Meb Keflezighi with Dick Patrick as a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their bookreview program. This book is the wonderful, true story of Meb Keflezighi who started as a young boy in the midst of a war between his country of Eritrea and Ethiopia. He lived in poverty, but his family raised them to believe and trust in God, to work very hard, and to never give up no matter what. Meb's father left for Italy in order to work to bring his family to join him later. This was a hard time for Meb's family and especially his mother. They were reunited in Italy and then through God ordained circumstances were finally able to come to the United States. Meb had never heard of running as a sport until he arrived in the USA. Not knowing any English he had to work very hard in school and eventually went to UCLA. He ran in high school and discovered his God given talent for running. He ran and won many races throughout his years in high school and college and then his career turned professional. He won the silver medal in Athens. One of his biggest accomplishments was winning the New York City Marathon in 2009. He continues running and has a wife and three little girls who support him.



The part of this book that I loved was just how Meb never gave up his faith and trust in God no matter what. He had injuries that prevented him from participating in the Beijing Olympics and had several close running friends that passed away. He never once gave up and he fought back to win the NYC marathon. My favorite part of Meb's story is that he encourages his readers and fans to persevere no matter what and give everything your best and then you will be "running to win." A wonderful story and I am now a Meb fan and hope to see how he will do in his next marathon run on November 7th in NYC.



If you are interested in learning more and possibly winning a copy of this book head on over to the Run to Overcome website where from November 1 through March 31 they are giving away one signed book per day. There will also be chances to win other prizes monthly. You can go there to learn more about Meb and his amazing journey of running and his faith through it all.

Meb Keflezighi