Monday, January 30, 2012

A fresh perspective on our Physical and Spiritual growth


“Every Boby Matters” by Gary Thomas explains to us from the Apostle Paul’s writings, that we are called to be, “instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good works.” Gary speaks of souls of silver from Zechariah 13:9, “I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.” For most Christians we have this mindset of strengthening our souls, but no emphasis is made on our bodies, this lack of physical discipline can rob us from strengthening our spiritual walk with Christ. Gary mentions all this to make the connection between the physical fitness and spiritual fitness; they both go hand and hand. As I read through this book I kept thinking of the lyrics to “Refiner’s Fire,” as I was reading and thinking of these lyrics it spoke volumes to my soul.

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within

Gary’s book has given these lyrics a new meaning to me. Now when I sing them I don’t just think of the spiritual, but the physical as well. Lord not just my heart, but my body as well. I will treat it as a holy temple, set apart and ready to do good works. I will no longer abuse it with irresponsible eating that will only serve to weaken me to the point of laziness and sloth. To the point that I I’m too weak to even fight against sin. Gary has given me a new resolve: I will strength and condition my body as well as my soul and mind that we may work in unison, not to be admired by other, but to glorify God and be “instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good works.”
If you feel you are missing something in your Christian walk I strongly encourage that you give “Every Body Matter” a try. This book will give you a fresh perspective and equip you with the tools you need to begin conditioning you body, soul and mind.

This book was given to me by the wonderful people at Zondervan in exchange for an honest review

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Heroes & Villains of the Bible

Heroes and Villains of the Bible is a collection of 50 bible stories.  This is not a story style book, the stories are actual text from the International Children’s Bible with wonderful digital Art. I would have liked to have seen more of this art to keep the younger kiddos engaged in the stories, but this book is aimed toward the older kids.  This book could be used as a read aloud with your younger ones, which is what I intend on doing. I really enjoyed this book and I liked the simplicity of it. With each story there is a brief introduction that will give the kids a little background knowledge, then at the end of the story there is a commentary to help the kiddos relate the story to life. Which, I thought was a wonderful tool for parents who don’t know how to interpret and relate the situation in the story.

I received this book for free from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Thank you, God, for blessing me By Max Lucado

Thank you, God, for blessing me is an adorable book for toddlers by Max Lucado. Little Hermie loves to thank God for all his blessings, such as his home, food, and his little bug friends. Little Hermie takes notice of all the things God has blessed him with and this little padded book is a great way to teach our little ones of all the blessings in our life. After reading this book to your toddler you can say a little prayer with them like, “Thank you, God, for giving me a home, parents and family who loves me, and for blessing me with your wonderful love, Amen.” 
We really enjoyed this book, and the message is written for ages 2-4 years. My oldest is five and he wanted me to continue reading when we reached the end. Once I explained that was the end of the story he asked me to read it again. This book is aimed for toddlers, but can be read to the older kiddos, just be prepared to read it a few times and it’s such a cute book that you won’t mind.

I received this book for free from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review

Monday, September 12, 2011

100 Songs and Devotions

100 Read & Sing Devotions is absolutely wonderful, what better way to share the word of God with your little one, than with a devotional. It’s richly illustrated by Tim O’Conner and the devotions are created by Stephen Elkins. With each devotional, your child will love learning about bible stories and teaching, to hide God’s word in their little hearts and a prayer. Also, included are two CD’s full of music that goes with each devotional.
This devotional can be used anytime during the day, my four year old daughter like to leaf through the pages while she is listening to the music, some songs she already knows and others she is learning. I read one devotional to my five year old son before we get into his reading in the evenings, because he starts kinder really early in the morning and I don’t like rushing through the devotions. It’s a very special time for us to spend together and reading the word of God. We are absolutely thrilled to include this devotional into our daily reading.

 I received this book for free from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review

Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Sweetest Thing By Elizabeth Musser

Anne “Perri” Singleton is a young girl who has everything going for her; she attends an exclusive girl’s school and has a desirable social life, nothing short of a privileged life. But, just as Perri’s life takes a turn for the worst she is befriended by Marry Dobbs Dillard, a minister’s daughter and a passionate individual. Perri and Dobbs are opposite in every way, yet their friendship blossoms in the mist of the Great Depression.

I truly enjoyed this book. I chose to review this book because I wanted to read something about friendship. Friends make the biggest difference in the world, to have someone who knows your struggles and will pray for you and encourage you. That is what this book is about, true friendship. The title speaks for itself; friendship is “The Sweetest Thing.”

I received this book from Bethany house for the purpose of an honest review

The Waiting Place

The Waiting Place is a collection of essays of Eileen Button’s life. The theme that is carried throughout her memoir is the waiting place or what she calls life’s little delays and opportunities that she uses to trust God. Her book has the traits of an insightful and intelligent woman with an added humor and spunk that will have you laughing as she shares her life experiences.
I love the way she is so transparent and honest with her readers, in one way or the other you will see yourself in the author’s shoes. We all experience the waiting place in our life and this book will encourage you to trust God through your trials.

I received this book free from BookSneeze for the purposes of an honest review.