Book Review: "Don't Check Your Brains at the Door" by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "Don't Check Your Brains at the Door" by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of the Booksneeze book review program. The opinions listed below are my honest opinion of the book.

In this wonderful book from Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler, they write about how you can know what you believe about your faith and also to know why it is true. It is written mainly for teens in today's society; however, I enjoyed this book in reminding myself why I believe certain things. The authors take an approach of exposing certain myths that teens may believe or hear about their faith. They back up how the myths are not true with Scriptures from God's Word. They use humor as well to relate to today's teens which is wonderful. I also love that at the end of the chapters it causes you to dig deeper by looking up Scriptures to look farther into the lesson they have taught. I mainly requested this book to review because we are the teen leaders at our church and I thought it would be a good resource to have. I am also going to keep it for when my children are older and have questions about their faith or when their peers may challenge their faith.

Book Review: "The Blessing" by John Trent, Ph.D. and Gary Smalley

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance" by John Trent, Ph.D. and Gary Smalley from Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of the Booksneeze book review team. The opinions listed below are my honest opinion of the book.

All children long for the feeling of approval and unconditional love from their parents. In this book, this is what John Trent, Ph.D. and Gary Smalley call the gift of "the blessing." This book as won many awards including the ECPA Medallion of Excellence Christian Book Award. More than one million copies have been sold. This book is a wonderful book to keep in any parents' library to remind them of how important it is to give their children this gift. Trent and Smalley lists five essential elements to the blessing: meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment. This book gives parents great advice on how to prepare children not only for their future relationships, but also their relationship with God. This updated edition also gives exercises, questions, and links for online resources for parents. I would recommend this book to every parent.

Book Review: "Bad Girls of the Bible" by Liz Curtis Higgs

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "Bad Girls of the Bible and What we can Learn from Them" by Liz Curtis Higgs from Water Brook Multnomah as part of their book review program. The opinions listed below are my honest opinion of the book.

In the book, "Bad Girls of the Bible and what we can learn from them," Liz Curtis Higgs takes women on a Bible study of ten women of the Bible. She writes in a way that women can relate to these women of the Bible days. She explains how Eve had food issues, Lot's wife could not let go of her past, and many other stories of how we can relate to these women in our lives today. She also tells of the Sinful Woman and Rahab and how they left their histories behind to prove that these so called "bad girls" could have a wonderful and hopeful future. This book is divided into ten chapters and includes questions at the end of each chapter and also includes a study guide at the end. This would make a wonderful ten week session Bible study for a women's small group study. I feel that this book is well written and really shows how the women in the Bible struggled with many of the same things women today struggle with and how we have hope in Jesus and can learn from their mistakes so we don't fall into the same sins.

Book Review: "Love: Written in Stone" by Philip Carlson, MD

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "love: Written in Stone: Finding God's Grace in the Boundaries He Sets" by Philip Carlson, MD from Bethany House Publishers as part of their book review program. The opinions below are my honest opinion of the book.

This book is written by a physician in Pasadena who is also the senior pastor of a church. The book talks about different subjects in life from nutrition and family relationships to the environment. He answers the basic question of whether or not God wants us to be happy and live the good life. Some people look at the Bible and see nothing but rules and legalism, but Philip uses scripture to back up why our God does want us to live a happy and fulfilled life. He gives a basic outline for following God's guidelines to bring about wellness in our lives. I enjoyed the book considering it was written by a doctor who is taught to look at scientific research as evidence for believing something. I like how he uses scripture to back up what he is saying. It isn't just another self help book, but one based on God's Word.

Book Review: "Desert Gift" by Sally John

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "Desert Gift" by Sally John as part of the Tyndale Publishers Book review program. The opinions listed below are my honest opinion of the book.

This is the story of Jillian Galloway, an author and speaker on the subject of marriage. Her first book is a huge success and she is on many radio shows and speaking events. She encourages many women in their marriages and speaks and writes mostly on how to communicate with your husband. The sad thing is her husband of 24 years decides to give her some terrible news right before they are supposed to leave on a trip together to promote her book: He wants a divorce. She is in shambles and tries to continue promoting her book while inside feeling like a hypocrite. She is staying with her sister and brother-in-law and trying to figure out this news. The story is one of hope in the Lord even in our times of troubles. She must lean on Him to help her through this. This is another wonderful book by Sally John. I have read others and they never disappoint!!

Book Review: "Money Secrets of the Amish" by Lorilee Craker

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "Money Secrets of the Amish: Finding True Abundance in Simplicity, Sharing, and Saving" by Lorilee Craker from Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of the Booksneeze book review program. The opinions listed below are my honest opinion of the book.

Today's economic recession has effected everyone in some way or another. Lorilee Craker had some income issues as well and noticed that the Amish people were still thriving and surviving in this recession. She did research and found great pointers and ideas from this recession-proof people that we can all learn from. In this book, she talks about how we need to "use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without; rethink your gift giving; repurpose, recycle, and reuse; and eat like royalty for a peasant's pittance." I really enjoyed this book and I think we can all learn some great financial principles from the Amish people. My favorite chapter was "Operation De-spoil the Kids." I feel like my kids are so blessed and they don't even know it. They always seem to say, "I want this toy." I enjoyed the pointers to help raise thankful and content children in today's "give me what I want" society. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in ways to save money and be more resourceful with what you have.

CD Review "Women of Faith Worhip: rejoice"

I recently received a complimentary copy of "Women of Faith Worship: rejoice" CD from the Booksneeze team to review. The opinions below are my honest opinions about the CD.

Whenever I got the chance to choose to review this CD I was excited. I have always enjoyed the books and music from the Women of Faith line of products. I put the CD in to listen to it right away and have not stopped listening to it since. This is a worship group of women who sound fantastic and give a wonderful sense of worship. I love the songs on this CD and they put my mind and heart in a state of worship. There are 10 songs on the CD including "Great is Thy Faithfulness" which is one of my favorite hymns. This CD would make a wonderful addition to any CD collection and is great for helping focus on the Lord.