WHAT'S YOUR LIFE WORTH?

Monday, June 26, 2017

THE BUFFER ZONE DIET
By Fred Cuellar

OVERVIEW: In this groundbreaking book, Fred Cuellar analyzes the scientific underpinnings of why so many of us struggle with weight. He explains the science behind weight loss and weight gain, while debunking several myths about what we should or should not eat or drink. Using himself as a guinea pig, and with much trial and error, he devised a method to lose weight and maintain a healthy body, all without deprivation, hunger, or will power. Now, he's sharing the results of his research with you.

AUTHOR: Fred Cuellar has distinguished himself in various fields. He is one of the world's top diamond experts, a three-time Guinness Book record holder in jewelry design, a consultant to investment and financial firms, and a best-selling author. His clients include the Dallas Cowboys, the Denver Broncos, the Detroit Redwings, plus celebrities associated with Lionsgate and the Rubik's Brand. His personal commitment to making a difference in people's lives has taken him on a journey into the world of obesity, and his discoveries not only saved his life but can save yours.

MY REVIEW: Author, Dr. Nina wrote, "The discovery of The Buffer Zone Diet is a significant achievement and contribution to the field of weight management, and it will be your last stop on your path to weight loss and good health." She said, "your last stop on your path to weight loss and good health." Now, that's quite a statement. It's one that made me want to read and review this book. Dr. John Philip Nesic, MD wrote, "Of all the books about diets out there, The Buffer Zone Diet is the only one I put in the hands of all of my friends, clients, and patients." Another bold statement. I have started my review with these quotes because they are from doctors. I am not a doctor and although I have tried many diets over the years. I am far from an authority on the subject and know no more than the average person about being healthy.

My opinion is that this is a good book for anybody needing to lose weight or interested in improving their health. Is it the best book on the subject? I don't know. You will have to decide. Here are some important sections of the book: *Top Ten Lies We've been told about our diet. * Science between weight loss and weight gain. *How to create nutrient-dense meals to keep physical hunger at bay. *Five distinct blueprints for designing the new and healthiest you. *Strategies for breaking through weight loss plateaus. *And most importantly, the formula that regulates weight for the human body!

The Big Idea of the book is—It's Not Just What You Eat, It's When You Eat. Cuellar is saying, "When you eat can be as important as what you eat." What do you think? Do you need this information? It could save your life.

(I received this book from The Cadence Group in exchange for an fair and honest review)

A JOURNEY THROUGH ANXIETY

Friday, June 09, 2017

ON EDGE
A Journey Through Anxiety
By Andrea Petersen

OVERVIEW: ON EDGE is Andrea Petersen's personal story. It is a fascinating look at the biology of anxiety and the risk factors for anxiety disorders—from overprotective parenting to childhood trauma. She compares psychoactive drugs to non-drug treatments, including biofeedback and CBT. Along the way she surveys the sometimes bizarre treatments for anxiety of past eras. She also explores the role that genetics plays in mental illness, visiting top neuroscientists and tracing her family history—from her grandmother who plagued by paranoia once tried to burn down her own house, to her young daughter in whom Petersen sees shades of herself. And she describes groundbreaking research that could point the way to new treatments—from MRI neuro-feedback to the use of ketamine (also known as the street drug Special K).

AUTHOR: ANDREA PETERSEN is a contributing writer at the Wall Street Journal, where she reports on psychology, health, and neuroscience. She is the recipient of a Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and daughter.

MY REVIEW: "One in three Americans will have an anxiety disorder at some point during their lives." I have. And I expect I will again. During my forty-seven years as a preaching minister, I counseled many who were suffering from this disorder. I was pleased to find this book so honest and helpful. I agree with author, Maria Konnikova who wrote: "On Edge is a beautiful, often heartbreaking, often funny, always moving account of what it means to experience a degree of anxiety most of us cannot imagine. Andrea Petersen has crafted an engaging blend of memoir and science that will open your eyes—and heart—to a condition that is usually invisible but deserves a broader spotlight. Truly a must-read for anyone who wants to understand mental illness and the effect it can have on our lives."

As I read through the book I kept coming to story after story that made me say, "I've experienced that. Either in myself or somebody else." In chapter one Petersen defines anxiety and then the next seven chapters brings meaning to that definition with story after story. The last chapter is Learning To Live With Anxiety." This is a book you may need yourself but if not, without a doubt you know somebody who does.

(I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

GRANDE AMORE—A GREAT LOVE!

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

THE MEDITERRANEAN LOVE PLAN
7 Secrets To Lifelong Passion In Marriage
By Stephen & Misty Arterburn
with Becky Johnson

OVERVIEW: In The Mediterranean Love Plan, New York Times bestselling author Steve Arterburn, and his wife, coauthor, and ministry partner, Misty, uncover seven mysteries of passion from the world's most romantic countries: Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and Israel. These seven secrets nourish intimacy that will only grow richer with time. The Mediterranean Love Plan will transform your marriage into a romantic adventure for two.

AUTHORS: STEVEN ARTERBURN is a New York Times bestselling and multi-award-winning author with more than 10 million books in print. In addition to founding the New Life organization and hosting the live call-in talk show New Life Live. Steve is best known for creating the Women of Faith conferences, attended by more than 5 million women. Steve and his family live near Indianapolis, where he is the teaching pastor at Northview Church. MISTY ARTERBURN is the author of books and devotionals in the Life Recovery Resources and Lose It for Life series. She is the general editor of both The Five Minute New Testament for Busy Moms and The Five Minute New Testament for Busy Dads. In addition to working as a writing partner with her husband, Steve, she is a women's Life Recovery group facilitator at Northview Church in Carmel, Indiana. Misty's videos and other materials for women in recovery can be found on her organization's website, recoverygirls.com. She and her husband are proud parents to their five children. BECKY JOHNNSON  is the author, coauthor, or collaborator of more than forty books.

MY REVIEW: Who doesn't want more joie de vivre, more la dolce vita in their marriage? In this book the Arterburns write about this: the joy of living and the sweet life. Is it attainable? They say, "Yes"! I agree with them. Read this book and you will be on your way to experiencing a truly grande amore or a great love.

Steve and Misty uncover seven mysteries of passion from five of the most romantic countries in the Mediterranean: Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and Israel. These countries are known for romance and all that goes with it: great food, amazing art, beautiful scenery, creative conditions for vibrant, all-encompassing passion—and you don't even need your passport to get there. Through research, insight, and personal stories, Steve and Misty share easy, practical ways to apply these secrets to your own relationship. The Mediterranean Love plan will help every couple—just married or married for decades—to discover and nourish the great adventure of love.

When I read the first secret—the secret of attunement, I thought this must be the best one. Yes, this is it. And then I read the second secret—the secret of playfulness and I thought maybe this was the best. And then as I read on through the book I realized there is no best one. They all are important. Put them together and you have a great love. That's good. That's very good!

(I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

CHAZOWN—Discover and Pursue God's Purpose For Your Life

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

CHAZOWN
Discover and Pursue God's
Purpose For Your Life
By Craig Groeschel

OVERVIEW: In this practical energizing guide, pastor and author Craig Groeschel shows how to live life fully by finding, naming, and achieving your unique God-given goal. The secret: knowing your chazown, a Hebrew word for "vision," "dream," or "revelation." You'll see how to identify your own chazown by taking a fresh look at your own core values, spiritual gifts, and experiences. You'll understand the big picture—and the vital details.

AUTHOR: Craig Groeschel is the New York Times best-selling author of The Christian Atheist, Weird, and #Struggles. He is also founding pastor of Life Church, one of America's largest and most innovative multicampus congregations. Craig is a well-known speaker at major conferences like Catalyst and the Global Leadership Summit. He and his wife, Amy, have six children and share a passion for leading people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

MY REVIEW: This is a revised and updated edition with a brand new introduction from the author. Goeschel gives step-by-step instructions to uncover your chazown which is your vision or dream. He is a splendid story teller and gives personal stories that show how to live life fully. This book is a lively, thought-provoking study guide for individuals or groups

I agree with pastor Robert Lewis who wrote: "Need help hitting the bull's-eye of life? A better life? A more meaningful and purposeful life? Help is here...Craig Groeschel is a master at opening up life and letting light in. So if you want a clearer, sharper sightline, Chazown is the book for you."

This splendid book is divided into five parts and a concluding end matter: PART 1: SEEING CLEAR TO THE END‑Why you need a new kind of vision. PART 2: CIRCLING THE TRUTH–Where to look for your own Chazown. PART 3: A DREAM IN DEED–How to name your Chazown and where to start. PART 4: THE FIVE SPOKES OF CHAZOWN–Where you need to succeed "small" so you can succeed big. PART 5: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY–Why you can't realize your Chazown alone. I like that under each part there are several great ideas or challenges that are only one or two pages long. It makes for easy reading and easy retention.

This is a good book and one that I would recommend to all—especially young people.

(I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

ONLY LOVE TODAY

Monday, April 24, 2017

ONLY LOVE TODAY
Reminders to Breathe More,
Stress Less, and Choose Love
By Rachel Macy Stafford

OVERVIEW: Stafford's inspiring words fill this beautiful book of short pieces constructed around the seasons of life. This flexible, non-dated, moment-to-moment resource of encouragement can be picked up whenever you need to find meaning in the meaningless...when your soul is weary...when your heart is heavy...when your connections are weak.

AUTHOR: Rachel Macy Stafford is the New York times bestselling author of Hands Free Mama and Hands Free Life. Rachel provides readers with practical, motivating methods to let go of worldly distractions and live authentic, fulfilling lives. Rachel has been featured in USA Today, Reader's Digest, and on CNN, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. Rachel lives in the South with her husband and two daughters who inspire her daily.

MY REVIEW: When you purchase this book—and I want to encourage you to do so, be sure to read the introduction. After reading it you will be eager to jump into reading the opening page. It begins with, "Today matters more than yesterday. Who you are becoming matters more than who you were." This is good stuff.

Rachel "equips readers to breathe life into what really matters: the ordinary moments in our routine lives and the people in them." I agree with these words from the back of the book: "Only Love Today's life-giving words remind you of the tools you already possess and the insights you already have to guide you back to what matters most. Regardless of what you're experiencing or what season you're in, you'll find wisdom and encouragement to move each day in a positive direction."

The book is divided into four parts: I. Spring: Opening Up...Renewal, New Habits, and Growth; II. Summer: Shining Through...Authenticity, Connection, and Acceptance; III. Fall: Wrapping In...Gratitude, Grace, and Awareness; IV. Winter: Holding On...Hope, Encouragement, and Introspection. There is also a conclusion and an epilogue.

I recommend this book. After reading it you will feel more aligned with your heart so love can move you forward.

( I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

AS KINGFISHERS CATCH FIRE

AS KINGFISHERS CATCH FIRE
A Conversation On The Ways Of God
Formed By The Words Of God
By Eugene H. Peterson

OVERVIEW: As Kingfishers Catch Fire offers a never before published collection of Eugene Peterson's teachings over his twenty-nine years as a pastor. This is one man's compelling quest to discover not only how to be a pastor but how to be a human being. Peterson felt these messages were needed because he discovered a chasm had developed between the way he was preaching from the pulpit and his deepest convictions on what it meant to be a pastor. His strikingly beautiful prose and deeply grounded insights usher us into a new understanding of how to live out the good news of the Word made flesh.

AUTHOR: Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, is professor emeritus of spiritual theology at Regent college, British Columbia, and the author of more than thirty books. he earned his master's degree in Semitic languages from John Hopkins University. He also holds several honorary doctoral degrees. In 1962, Peterson was the founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland, where he served for twenty-nine years before retiring in 1991. He and his wife, Jan, live in Montana.

MY REVIEW: For years I have been reading books written by Eugene H. Peterson. I have appreciated each one of them. As Kingfishers Catch Fire is a collection of his sermons. I haven't read them all yet—but I will. One or two of the ones I have read were outstanding. One or two good. None were bad.

I loved the preface. In the preface Peterson shares the thinking behind these messages. He writes about his relationship with his congregation and tells about bringing these sermons together in one place. Very interesting.

I may be the only one, but I had difficulty understanding the title, As Kingfishers Catch Fire which was taken from The Poems of Gerard Manly Hopkins. He writes that the sonnet gave him metaphors to identify the distinctive heart of pastoral work. Sometimes Peterson's writing is too deep for me to understand.

This is a book of sermons that will educate, uplift and inspire every serious, Christian reader, some that are not so serious—and maybe even some non-Christians. I recommend it.

(I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.)