Transforming Prayer

"Take your prayer life from ordinary to extraordinary." That is what the book Transforming Prayer is all about. Daniel Henderson focuses on a very vital part of the Christian life: prayer. In this book he helps the reader understand the difference between praying a list and praying a worship-based prayer. Henderson shows you how to: "Overcome common barriers to praying effectively, awaken your prayer life with simple, biblical patterns of prayer, [and] enjoy Spirit-led prayer sparked by Scripture passages." In other words, the reader is shown how to seek God's face rather than His hand. This is a very practical book for any Christian to read, especially new believers. Henderson writes in a way that is easy to read and understand. He helps the reader realize how rewarding a Christian's prayer life can be by giving Biblical guidance and a practical plan for taking their prayer life from "ordinary to extraordinary." While praying worship-based prayers is not new to me, there are many people who do not understand. This is a great tool to offer to Christians who are struggling in their prayer life. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Strategically Small Church

Brandon J. O'Brien uses his book, The Strategically Small Church, to show that the size of a church does not necessarily indicate the success of the ministry. He focuses on the fact that a small church often has more to offer than a mega church. In today's society we have been trained to think that bigger is better. O'Brien seeks to retrain our thinking when it comes to the local church. He gives examples of small churches and their unique ministries and how those ministries have great potential for advancing Christ's kingdom. Specific dos and don'ts are not the purpose of this book. Every congregation is different. O'Brien uses the words "strategically small" on purpose. Even large churches can accomplish having a "small" church. These large churches need to analyze and learn from the strategies of small churches.

I found this to be a very interesting book. Having been in small churches all my life, I can identify with the mindset of wanting to grow numerically. I appreciate the real-life examples of small churches and how effective they are because of their size. I also like the fact that there are examples of large churches that have learned to become "strategically small." While I don't necessarily agree with everthing in this book, I can agree that Christians need to retrain their thinking. Bigger does not always mean better. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

City On Our Knees

Toby Mac has used the words from his song City on Our Knees as the theme for his book City on Our Knees. The book has four sections and each section's title comes from a phrase in the song. In each section Toby Mac has written short stories of men, women, and children who have given of themselves, their time, resources, or money in order to further Christ's Kingdom. These are stories of real men and women like us that lived hundreds of years ago as well many who are still living today. All of these people have made a difference by using the talents, positions, and resources that God has given them. Some of the stories had huge widespread results, while others worked to change one small corner, but throughout each story the reader can see how God uses ordinary people to help change the world. At the end of each section Toby Mac uses that sections theme to challenge the reader.

This is a very inspiring book. It was interesting to read the many different stories and the effects these people had in many ways and places. It will help you realize that there is so much more we as individuals can do to advance the kingdom of Christ. I appreciate the challenge at the end of each section. Toby Mac causes you to think about what you are already doing or what you can do to make a difference in the lives of others. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews explains how even one small movement or decision can have a huge effect. He first explains the actual "butterfly effect," and then he describes how people can have that effect as well. He begins with a man named Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Chamberlain's actions on the battlefield on July 2, 1863 changed the course of history. After explaining how this happened, the author reminds us that everything we do matters. Andy then tells about men named Norman Borlaug, Henry Wallace, George Washington Carver, and Moses Carver and how their actions impacted billions of people. Andy helps us understand how our actions can also effect billions of people.

I found this book very interesting and thought provoking. I had never heard of the "butterfly effect" before I read this book. It is definitely an interesting concept that became very easy to understand after reading The Butterfly Effect. This book is a perfect gift-giving size. Each page in the book has illustrations or background colors. It is not a long book, but the message is very clear. I really enjoyed reading it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Booksneeze blogger program for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Let's Do Lunch

What an unexpected book! Let's Do Lunch is an eating plan (not diet) designed to help you lose weight. Roger Troy Wilson has taken his success with weight loss and developed an eating plan that allows you to eat as many calories and carbs as you want and still lose weight. Roger Troy Wilson first describes his many attempts and failures at weight loss before he found something that actually worked. It all started with frozen grapes. In this book he effectively explains how and why his plan works. There is also a 14 day meal guide with recipes to get you started.

I was not sure this book would be very helpful, but decided to get it and see what the author had to say. I was pleasantly surprised. I have never had a weight problem, but my husband is trying to lose a few pounds. When the book came in the mail he actually read it first. By the time I had finished it he was waiting to get started. Knowing the biggest obstacle he struggles with on a diet is always being hungry, I am looking forward to using this plan since he will be able to eat until he is full. The idea is simple and easy to follow. The recipes he has tried so far have not tasted like "diet" food. I am excited to see how well this works for him. I will certainly recommend this book to others.

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of the Booksneeze blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer, by R.T. Kendall, is an excellent book. Dr. Kendall has taken this most well-known prayer and broken it down line by line in order for the reader to better understand what the Lord is teaching. Not only do we need to pray the actual prayer, but we need to use the Lord's prayer as a model. Dr. Kendall uses Scripture to support all that he writes, and has obviously spent many hours searching the Scripture for understanding. By helping us understand this prayer, the reader is encouraged to have a deeper prayer life and walk with God.

This is a book that I highly recommend. It is well-written and easy to understand. There is a lot of information to be grasped, so it should be read more than once. I will definitely be reading it again.

I received a free copy of this book from Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Love is a Flame

Love is a Flame was such an encouraging book to read. James Stuart Bell compiled a group of marriage stories to encourage and inspire. The book contains stories about couples who were recently married to stories about couples who have been married for years. The issues in these stories affected couples who are in full-time Christain service, couples who are self-employed, and couples who work in the regular job force.

These stories covered topics such as pornography, unexpected illness, death of a child, adultery, discontent, and well as many other issues that can plague a marriage. In some of the stories the issues were with the husband and in others it was the wife that struggled. In spite of the seeming hopelessness of each situation each couple realized the value of their marriage and worked to resolve their issues using God's word, recognizing the power of prayer, and seeking human counsel and help when needed.

I appreciate the openness with which each story was told. I'm sure it was not always easy for each couple to write their personal struggles for everyone to read. Even if the reader is not struggling with any of these issues right now it is encouraging to know that when these storms of life come there is hope. We can emerge from these struggles with a greater love for our spouse and our God who carried us through.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for review purposes.

No More Christian Nice Girl

What a refreshing change from the last book (Captivating) I read for review. No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin and Jennifer D. Degler tackles the problem with just being "nice." Not only do they show why just being nice is wrong, but they teach us how to change. They do that by using many Biblical examples.

The emphasis of the book is placed on the fact that Jesus was not always nice. He did not always tell people what they wanted to hear; he told them what they needed to hear. He did things that made other people angry, and he even showed anger himself. The authors call him the "360-degree Jesus." Since, as Christians, we want to be more like Christ, we can't just pick and choose the aspects that we like or feel comfortable with. We need to emulate all of Christ, the "360-degree Jesus."

This book also uses the phrase "speaking the truth in love." The authors remind us that in every situation we have to speak the truth even if it is not what people want to hear. But, not only do we speak the truth, we must speak in love. We are also reminded that there are times when the wisest response is to say nothing at all.

I loved the fact that Scripture is abundantly used throughout the book. At the end of each chapter there are questions as well as Scripture passages to study. Real life examples and other modern examples are used, but God's Word is the foundation for all that is written. I enjoyed reading this book, and was given a lot to think about. Although I don't necessarily agree with all that the authors said, I believe there are truths to be gleaned from reading No More Christian Nice Girl. I do recommend this book to others. Just remember God's Word is the final authority, and this book is written by humans. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you discernment as you read this book or any other book.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for review purposes.

Captivating

I was very excited to receive a copy of the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. The title and subject really drew my attention, and I was very interested in what the Eldredges had to say. My excitement soon turned to dismay as I read. In order to keep this a review and not another book I will not go into great detail the problems I had with the book. There were some good aspects which I will list first, and then I will briefly describe some of the problems.

Before I even started reading I liked the idea of both John and Stasi authoring the book. I thought it would be very beneficial to get a man and womans point of view. A lot of times I just didn't know who was writing so that got a little confusing. They made several interesting observations about Scripture that I had never thought about and thus made me search those Scriptures to see for myself. For example, on pages 48 and 49 they are describing the scene in the Garden of Eden where Eve is being tempted by the serpent. On page 49 they write, "Now, to be fair, Adam doesn't exactly ride to her rescue." Definitely food for thought.

I appreciated the fact that Stasi was willing to open her heart and share a lot from her personal life. I'm sure it took a lot of courage to actually write her struggles, fears, and past sins in a book for all to read. I could tell she has a genuine concern for women and wants to do all she can to help.

The best part of the book was found on page 126. I believe this is precisely what the authors are trying to help us understand is the heart of the issue. They write, "Jesus says the first and greatest commandment is 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' (Matt. 22:37)... It is from hearts filled with love for him that all good works and acts of love flow." I believe the authors are trying to help us understand that for a woman to be truly captivating and beautiful she will love God with all that she is. I absolutely agree, but this brings me to the problems I have with the book.

Instead of introducing this passage of Scripture and taking us to an understanding of how that looks for a woman today, they start the book by generalizing how all women think or what they want. Little girl dreams of princesses and fairy tales, dress-up clothes, and tea parties are expounded upon. Too many movies are quoted. (I have never even seen half of the movies they mentioned.) The first part of the book seemed totally unnecessary. Why do I need to be reminded of how I felt or acted as a child. All of that is right and good in its proper place, but how do princesses and tea parties help me to love God with all that I am?

The biggest issues I have with this book are over God's Word. I had hardly starting reading when on page 6 Stasi criticizes the Proverbs 31 woman! Then on page 45 Stasi (I think) writes, "Eve was given to the world as the incarnation of a beautiful, captivating God-a life offering, life-saving lover, a relational specialist, full of tender mercy and hope." WHAT?!?!?!? The incarnation? Someone please tell me I read that wrong! Song of Solomon was quoted occasionally and there again liberties were taken that I do not believe were accurate. On page 197 the author again writes, "Ladies, you are the Bride of Christ." Now I understand that this is a book written to women so the author could have just been using the word ladies, because as Christian ladies we are part of the church. However, since there are other theological issues with this book I'm not quite sure how to read that statement. Then on paage 220 the author again writes, "He [Jesus] is captivated by your beauty." I'm sorry, but I can't agree with that statement either. There is a lot I could say just on these few quotes, but this is a review not another book. These quotes are just a few examples of why I have problems with this book.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book to anyone. There are too many theological issues. If you do choose to read it, be very careful. The authors make there ideas sound very good and Biblical. That is the problem! They are THEIR ideas! Have a copy of the Bible beside you if you do read Captivating and compare what you are reading with what God's Word says. You will find that Captivating does not line up with the Scriptures. Follow God's Word (not me or the author of any book) and you will find the truth.

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishers for review purposes.