Book Review: Limitless Life

Limitless Life

By

Derwin L. Gray

I had just written a blog post on my other blog Tender Hearts about being mislabeled and then I saw this book on Booksneeze! It felt like for sure this was the right book to read and I was right. There were parts of this book that were hard for me to read or get through, but most of what I didn't like about it was format or placement of different things. The content of the book was great. 

We are all given labels. From other people. From ourselves. We let these labels stick to us and they effect our lives sometimes on a daily basis. This book goes through so many different labels that we or others may give us and works through them. Often times giving reasons why we have these labels. Why we allow them to hold onto us. Why they at times can be a comfort to us. Then what labels from God we can take to replace the negative ones with. 

One of my favorite parts of the book was the keys to each new label. They were so practical, Biblical and helpful. I also loved the end of each chapter...Transformation Moment. It included a section Head, Heart and Hands. Head includes a passage of scripture to go along with the label. Heart is a prayer to help you start your conversation with God. Hands is something active that you can do to help you get rid of that specific label.

Highly recommended book. 

 I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://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 

Book Review: Downside Up

Book Review

Dowside Up

Transform Rejection Into Your Golden Opportunity

Rejection is a part of every woman's life. You could say that it's true for men also, but it seem to be an area that is more prominent with women. When I saw this book on the list to review I was so excited. I love getting the books in the mail and this one had me almost giddy. I loved the idea of the book and I loved the cover. It screamed me.

I loved that the book really took time to focus on different areas of rejection and how you could really take these things turn them around and use them to grow from any situation. I felt that writing in the book was sincere, honest and well thought out. I was a little dissapointed by the ends of the chapters. Seems like a funny thing to say, but I dislike books that basically summarize everything at the end of each chapter. It makes me feel as if there was really no reason to just have read that chapter. I could have just read the last page and saved myself a bit of time.

I did however enjoy the application type material at the end of each chapter. Bible verses, quotes and plans of action are a great way to take what you learn and apply it to your daily life. I think this book would be really great for small groups or Bible study groups.


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://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 

Book Review: Outreach and the Artist

Book Review

Outreach and the Artist

Sharing the Gospel with the Arts

By

Con Campbell

I saw the cover of this book and I immediately judged a book by it's cover. I just knew this book was for me. It really spoke to me as an artist and I knew that it would inspire me to reach out of my comfort zone to really use my art in a new way. I was so right!

I was worried for a bit when I started to read. The author is a jazz player and it seemed as if the book was going to be all about jazz. In away it is, but he makes sure to tell you to adapt the book to your own form of art. That it's not just a book about jazz, but more just sharing his own experiences. I have found that this book has really broken me out of my mold of just using my art and aiming it towards Christians. I guess really there is nothing wrong with that, but how much more could I accomplish if I aimed it to both Christians and non-Christians.

I also enjoyed the stories of Christian artist in different industries. Their stories of how they got there and how they use their art to minister to others. It was a nice way to break up the book a bit and get you to start thinking about your own book. This is one book I would highly recommend to anyone involved or wanting to be involved in the arts.

 I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://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 

Book Review: Unexpected Love

Unexpected Love

God's Heart Revealed in Jesus' Conversations with Women

By

Julie Coleman

I love when books are mainly focused for women. It means that I typically should be able to understand the book on a bit of a deeper level. I also love books that really hit the subject of God's love for us. It's such a deep love and there is always something new we can learn. 

This book didn't hit me in the right place, but I can't give it a bad review. I think at times I just look for books that go deeper and I would highly suggest this book for women who are maybe new believers or just beginning their journey. I have to say for me I didn't really feel that it was deep enough and a lot of what was said in the book were basic things that I had already known or learned. 

The writing in this book is beautiful and will strike a good chord with most women. She does a great job of really showing the love and tenderness of God through the conversations Jesus had with many different women. If you question God's love...if you have a hard time accepting his love...if you desire to know more about God's love I highly recommend this book. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 

Book Review: Heaven's Lessons

Heaven's Lessons

Ten Things I Learned About God When I Died

By

Steve Sjogren

This book is a lovely mix of stories and experiences. Things that the author has learned since his NDE (near death experience) about God and spiritual life. Like many of us Steve had put God in a box and after his NDE God taught him a ton about who He is as our Father. I must say I was a little disappointed...

Perhaps I had my expectations set a bit too high or something. I am not really sure. I just came away from reading this book not entirely sure what to categorize it as or what rating to give it. I felt as if he would be hitting on a great topic one second and then "Oh and one time...I was at this place...and this happened." That is not a quote from the book...just how it felt at times.

I wonder if reading his other book about his NDE would be helpful before reading this one. I think part of it was that I am so interested in the Spiritual realm that I thought this would be great and I would be imersed in the book soaking up all he had to teach. I kept waiting for something huge that only someone having a NDE would be able to teach. I guess I came away from this learning that sometimes it takes trials in our lives to teach us a lesson and some people it takes a NDE. We all learn our lessons in different ways.

Jesus Freak...TEST

We watched this...

And then this...

Then my husband asked my girls which one they liked best. One replied with the first one and I started to question their taste in music. I could tell my oldest was having problems choosing so I helped just a little, nudging her in the right direction..."Toby Mac is in the 2nd one!"

"I like the 2nd one!"

That's right. Toby Mac will convince even my 8 year old! 

Book Review: Dirty GOd

Book Review

Dirty God

Jesus in the Trenches

by

Johnnie Moore

 



It takes a lot for me to read a book in a sort amount of time. The times it has happened are pretty rare, and my husband was impressed with how fast I read Dirty God. It was amazing to me too! There was something about this book I just couldn't put down. Moore did a great job of sharing stories and Biblical accounts to share his point of view. I was really drawn to God's grace through this book. Perhaps it came just at the right time for this people pleaser to hear these words.

I often think to myself that God's grace is amazing, but it's just too good to be true. He must want something more from me than just to accept it. I often find myself bending over backwards to make people happy. I never like to have people upset with me. It's just how I am. This book really reached out to me and helped to see the truth I have always known and helped me really experience what I have always heard.
"He doesn't simply tolerate out need for second and third chances; he doesn't begrudgingly make a way for our repentance. Instead, he takes pleasure in helping us "turn our hearts back again." He will move mountains and call down fire and trust us one more time, even when our track record would make any sensible person do the opposite."

Maybe it's because I have been longing to live in this kind of life. A life where I am fully alive in God's grace and fully giving it to others. I want to live a life where others start to wonder why I act this way and the only possible answer is God.

I love that Moore gives good practical ways that we can take it and use this in our lives. He talks about getting God's grace and then talks about how we should turn around and give that same grace out to others.

"Most of the time, grace is most evident in the small things and in everyday moments. It's evident in how we respond in the office when someone treats us unjustly. It's visible in the little decisions we make when faced with an opportunity to serve ourselves or someone else. It's evident in the practice of virtues like hospitality, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. It's visible when we run upon someone in need at the most inopportune moment, or at times when we have every reason in the world to retaliate and, instead, we turn the other cheek.
But on occasion, in a rare and probably difficult moment, grace must rise to a higher place. It must exhibit itself in a more extravagant form, a form more akin to the way in which grace waged war against sin on the cross."

I read the story of the Amish school girls who were killed and the way the Amish community poured out grace on the killers family. I thought to myself I want that, yet I find it difficult to give grace in the small things. This book has challenged me to change the way I see grace. To change the way I receive it from God and the way that I give it out to others. Highly recommend this book to everyone!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com &lt;http://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