God wrote the Bible - this is Lucado's version.

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible: Inspirational Applications for Living Your Faith
New King James Version

I love this Bible – Thank you so much Thomas Nelson! Book reviewing is the coolest program. This is a great New King James version of the Bible. It is hardcover with a book sleeve. The text is not written in columns, but just page width. The writing is black and the headings are maroon. On the outside margins of each page are Lucado's notes – titled Situation, Observation, Inspiration, Application, and Exploration. I will not hesitate to pass this book on to a friend. I already have a different study Bible, and although upgrading things we have is usually good, I disagree in this case. Keeping one Bible to take notes in over the years is so special (unless you want to compare various versions). Lucado is an amazing author and pastor – you will love this Bible.
Thanks Thomas Nelson.

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.”

Review from My Lovely Wife

I had to ask for a little help from my wife on this book!

An Amish Christmas
December in Lancaster County

Four Amish Christmas Novellas
Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Barbara Cameron & Kelly Long

Tucked away in this beautiful book are four short stories that take place in Amish country. Miriam and Seth find themselves in a relationship neither thought possible years before. Lydia finds true forgiveness and love for her past love. Sarah and Daniel “entertain” guests during a snowstorm. Anna is thankful for help from Asa just when needed.

Amish books are always so fun for me – the very different, simplistic lifestyle is so inviting! I really enjoyed reading about Christmas traditions & the friendships/families in Lancaster County. Each touching story made me cry.


Thanks Thomas Nelson!!

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.”

The Greatest Book on Earth!

START! The Bible for New Believers
General Editor: Greg Laurie
New King James Version

The Bible is so fun! With a dark orange cover and orange headers, this Bible is appealing to the eye and easy to read. Each book includes an introduction explaining the background, lessons to be learned, and a simple overview of what will be read. These make it simple to read and understand what we can learn and understand in each book! New believers will read how to Learn, Live, and Grow in their spiritual walk with special, basic additional text set aside in gray boxes. The advice or information is so great for new believers!

In the back of the Bible are additional tools. There is a plan of salvation, secrets to spiritual success, a section titled “Essentials: What every Christian needs to know about God and Jesus”, a topical index, and pages for personal notes.

This is a great Bible. The only downer is that the Bible is a paperback and the pages are “fragile”, as with most Bibles. I'm not great at being careful, so I would end up with torn pages and a mangled cover!


Thanks Thomas Nelson!!

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.”

Free Devotional

I Life Up My Soul
Devotions to Start Your Day With God
by Charles F. Stanley

Book description: Each day consists of a one page devotion, scripture reading, a key verse, and a few Biblical quotes. This book is very easy to read, has a beautiful cover (with no slip cover – I love it!), and has multiple pages at the end for reflection. It is a great devotional for adults that takes only minutes a day.

The devotions are fairly simplistic, but the messages are precise, clear, and meaningful. We all need to step back and evaluate the small things we do everyday and why we do them. I will leave this devotional at my desk at work and dive into it during short breaks!!

Thanks Thomas Nelson!!

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.”

Teach your Kids to Love Giving!

The King’s Christmas List
By Eldon Johnson
Illustrated by Bonnie Leick

In this lovely children’s book designed for children in early elementary school, Emma is invited to a special Birthday party for real King! The King sends her a special invitation and arranges a magical carriage ride. Since it’s a birthday party, Emma feels the need to give him a birthday present, and brings a beautiful cake she had made. On the way to the party Emma’s compassionate heart leads her to give her cake, cloak, and favorite teddy bear to those in need, which results in her showing up empty handed to the party, where the King, Jesus, teaches Emma about the value in gifts from the heart.

The goal of the book is to teach children about giving gifts to those in need, a mission we are called to by the ultimate King. There is a compelling page that shows how a little bit of money can help give food or water to others. I love this idea!!! We regularly give donations in others names, a concept that is hard for children. I hope this book teaches many kids about sharing in their own little ways.

I really liked this children’s book and will recommend it to others. The illustrations are beautiful and the story imaginative. I wish that the King would have been actually been referred to as Jesus or God. Biblical references are given, but to many the King could be anonymous. This book makes me want to write my own children’s book!!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Seeds of Turmoil: Booksneeze Review

Seeds of Turmoil
Bryant Wright

Seeds of Turmoil could have been titled “The Middle East Conflict...for Dummies”. Wright relates the present day problems in the middle east to Biblical events, namely Abraham and his lineages. In great detail Wright clearly describes Biblical stories from the Old Testament in a way that is easy to read and understand. Through the choices of one man, God shaped the course of history forever. In addition to slowly unfolding the story of Abraham and his family, Wright also gives basic insight into Judaism, Islam, and Christianity and their origins and beliefs.

I learned so much from this book, mainly because I do not love history or know much about it. Had I much background information on Old Testament history, this book would have been boring and reiterative. However, I highly recommend this for beginners curious about the conflict in the middle east and how it relates to God's will. You won't be disappointed.


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.”

Captured By Grace

Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God
by David Jeremiah

Grace is freely given, within reach, and available to all. David Jeremiah gives straight forward, Biblically based instructions on how to obtain the grace of God. If plagued by guilt or shame, Jeremiah reinforces your worth, explains the forgiveness offered through the death of Jesus Christ, and compels one to live debt free in God's glory.

This book was not for me. As a believer who already knows what grace is and how to obtain it, I thought that through this book I would be challenged to reexamine grace and reflect on it's power in my life. The second section, Grace for the Present, did present good information on analyzing our dangers, toils, and snares, and offered insight on why we undergo trials and the good that can come forth. Overall, I was not stimulated by this book – I thought it was dry and uninspiring. Although the writing was very well organized and presented, I am not sure I would recommend this book to others.


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 Girly Book

The Edge of the Divine by Sandi Patty

“Edge– the point at which something is likely to begin”. As Sandi Patty writes of her journey through bariatric surgery, she mediates on times in her life where an edge presented itself and she had to decide whether to jump or return to the familiar past. The book is full of short memories used to analyze how God has worked in Sandi's life, depict the changes she has been through, and share joyful life stories with her readers.

I have been listening to Sandi Patty with my family since I was a child! I really wanted to like this book, but I could not get into this book. It was hard to follow her train of thought and piece together what purpose she had for telling specific stories at certain points in the book. Often it seemed she went off on small tangents that did not relate to the main topic (the beginning and end of the chapters reflected the title of the chapter, but the middle was tangential and scattered).

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.”

Same Kind of Different As Me by Don Hall & Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent

Ron and Denver meet in a homeless shelter via Debbie, Ron's wife, a strong character who pushes the two into friendship. Denver gives us a glimpses of racism, sharecropping, homelessness, and grace, Ron's story tells of his experience from rags to riches, an affair followed by marriage renewal, and joy turned to deep sorrow and back into joy. An unusual friendship forms bonds the two vastly different characters – a deep friendship most of us only dream of.

Every chapter of this quick read provides life changing lessons. Lessons on friendship. Lessons on the forgiveness, love, and the bond of marriage. A history lesson on the bond on African Americans in the south. Lessons on judgment and compassion.

It was very hard to put down, made me laugh and cry, and showed the true power of God in one with great faith. It's convicting and uplifting. The only drawback I had was that the first half of the book flew by while the second half left me wanting more. Denver is drastically changed from a hardhearted man with no hope to a loving and loveable creature, but the last part of this book focuses on coping with their loss, Ron and Denver's growing friendship, and vising places from Denver's childhood. I was left simply finishing the book instead of unable to be torn away from it. I will recommend this book to others.

Booksneeze

You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be

Max Lucado

Realizing that we hold the key to our own success and have within us the power to choose a career and be happy with our decision are the focuses of this easy, empowering read. Lucado presents scripture, stories, insight, and tools useful to everyone – job searchers, job holders who want to be more joyful with their career, employees who are happy with their jobs already, those who choose a path of home making or child rearing.

Max gives great advice that is contrary from what the world teaches. God designed us to work – why fight what we can't change. Why fight If we happy with our jobs, why accept promotions for higher pay that will decrease our joy? We can't be anything we want to be, if what we want to be is not what we were designed to be. God has given us desires and talents that we shouldn't fight - “our duty is to become more ourselves, not less”. Evaluating our strengths, passions, optimal conditions, and relationships are vital to a fulfilling future.

While reading this book, I tried to think about who I could give this book to when finished. In the end, I just can't give it away! Lucado presents information, quotes, and stories that I want to be able to access in the future. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I do recommend reading it slower than I did. Take time to make lists and evaluate your life will help you get the most out of this read.

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