40 VERSES TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH

Monday, April 22, 2019

40 VERSES TO IGNITE
YOUR FAITH
By Laurie Polich Short

OVERVIEW: In this powerful, accessible new book, author and speaker Laurie Short mines the Scriptures, revealing insights and promises from 40 verses we often overlook. Digging into these "in-between" verses, she unearths fresh wisdom, guidance, and encouragement that will help you seek and experience God in new, dynamic ways. From trusting God's timing, to not worrying about the future, to holding on to faith when things look dark, the deeper understanding gleaned from these verses will help you navigate the challenges that cross your path, breathe new life into your weary soul, and ignite your faith once again. (From the back of the book.)

AUTHOR: Laurie Polich Short is a popular speaker and author. She speaks at conferences, colleges, churches, and denominational events around the country and has been featured on PBS, Focus on the Family, World magazine, and more. Find out more at www.laurieshort.com.

MY REVIEW: The 40 verses That Laurie Polich Short writes about in this splendid book are lesser-known Scripture verses. But she unearths fresh wisdom and encouragement from each of them. I have been busy highlighting and underscoring these verses and making notes in the margins of my Bible. Before retiring I preached, taught Bible classes for the church and taught extension courses in Bible for Pepperdine University. In all that time, I didn't spend much time with these 40 verses. Laurie Polich Short has helped me to see what I missed. These verses and her insights have been a blessing to me.

I agree with comedian Kerri Pomarolli who wrote: "Laurie Polich Short has a way of making every reader feel as if they are having an intimate one-on-one chat with a friend. She writes with clear messages and thought-provoking questions that make us think and ponder biblical truths in a new, enlightening way."

You can look these verses up in Bible commentaries and be blessed by what theologians think about them. And I have done that with most of them. But I feel I have received a double blessing by having these insights from Laurie. I like what pastor and author, John Burke said, "Laurie's life experience gives her great wisdom in bringing insight to life from Scripture verses we often miss, and these insights will deeply encourage your walk of faith."

(I received this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review.)

WHAT IF IT'S TRUE?

Friday, March 29, 2019

WHAT IF IT'S TRUE?
A Storyteller's Journey With Jesus
Charles Martin

OVERVIEW:
With the same depth, sensitivity, and emotion that has made his novels beloved to millions, Charles Martin helps us engage the fundamental principles of our faith in new and inspiring ways.

Years ago, Martin cracked open his Bible and began wrestling with a few fundamental questions. He asked, “What if every single word of Scripture is absolutely true and I can trust it? How do I respond? Something in me should change, but what? How?” This book is the result of that exploration.

Writing as our guide, he uses a storyteller’s imagination to illuminate key moments from the Scriptures, primarily from the life and ministry of Jesus. In addition, Martin shares key moments from his own journey as a disciple—and bondservant—of Christ and a mentor to others. The result is a striking exploration of truth that helps us not just think differently, but live differently. Today.

AUTHOR: Charles Martin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twelve novels, including, The Mountain Between Us and Send Down the Rain. Charles and his wife, Christy live in Jacksonville, Florida. Learn more about him at charlesmartinbooks.com.

MY REVIEW: Excellent. Moving. True. I rarely if ever, begin a review this way. But this book is the exception. Did I say, "I like it"? I do. I like it a lot. Do I agree with everything Martin has to say in this book? No. But I agree with almost all of it and I think you will too.

However, if you do not enjoy reading Scripture do not buy this book. It is filled with the Word of God. Martin confesses that he is not a theologian. He is a writer. In my opinion, he is a writer with a good knowledge of Scripture. He uses a storyteller's imagination to illuminate key moments from the Scriptures, primarily from the life and ministry of Jesus. He also shares key moments from his life to help us live more like Jesus.

I agree with Ryan Britt, "Inside these pages, you will find the compassion of Jesus, the Father heart of God, and the endearing call of the Holy Spirit. Each chapter is a journey in and of itself, each prayer a healing balm to the wounded or wandering heart."

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

DECODING YOUR DREAMS

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

DECODING YOUR DREAMS
What the Lord May Be Saying to You
While You Sleep
By Jennifer LeClaire

OVERVIEW: In Decoding Your Dreams, Jennifer LeClaire demonstrates how God does indeed speak through dreams and why it is so important to understand what He's saying. Jennifer begins with biblical stories of mothers and fathers of the faith who experienced God through dreams at some of the most critical junctures of their lives. Jennifer is convinced God is still doing the same today, if we will only listen. Decoding Your Dreams teaches how to recognize the way God speaks through dreams by *showing how heroes of the Bible acknowledged dreams, *revealing the true source of dreams, *explaining dream classifications, and *pointing to scriptural and cultural dream codes.
(Taken from the back of the book.)

AUTHOR: Jennifer LeClaire is an internationally recognized conference speaker and prophetic voice. She is the senior leader of several prayer networks, including Awakening House of Prayer. Jennifer is a former editor of Charisma magazine and has authored more than twenty-five books, including Mornings with the Holy Spirit. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is active online at www.Jenniferleclaire.org.

MY REVIEW: Let me begin by saying Decoding Your Dreams is well written and easy to read. Jennifer LeClaire knows a lot about dreams and what she thinks they mean. I wanted to read and review this book because I do not know anything about how to interpret dreams. I would love to know more and I was hoping this book would help. It didn't. I'm sorry to say that. I like to give positive book reviews and most of the time I am happy to say that I can and do. I did enjoy this book and I think others will also. And others may gain a better understanding of how to interpret dreams by reading this book. More so than I did.

The part of the book I found most useful was: Conclusion: 20 Answers to Questions Every Dreamer Wants to Know. I think most readers will find this part of the book interesting because most of us have these same questions. I'm not going to tell you that LeClaire does a great and satisfying job of answering these questions. I simply don't know. I will keep this book on hand and I am sure I will refer to it again when puzzled by a dream.

So, if you like me, would like to know what the Lord may be saying to you while you sleep, you may want to check out Decoding Your Dreams. Just because I'm still "in a fog" on this subject it doesn't mean you will be. This book may be a great blessing for you.

(I received this book from Book Look Bloggers for a fair and honest review.)

HOLY ROAR

Monday, January 07, 2019

HOLY ROAR
7 Words That Will Change
The Way You Worship
By Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead

OVERVIEW: In Holy Roar, Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead share a fresh perspective from the worship practices of the ancient world. Grow in your understanding of praise as Darren offers unique insights. be inspired as Chris shares how those insights take shape in the stories behind some of your favorite worship songs, including "How Great is Our God," "We Fall Down," and "Good Good Father."

AUTHORS: Chris Tomlin has 12 albums, 16 #1 radio singles, a Grammy award, 21 Dove awards, and two platinum and five gold albums to his credit. He is among the most well-known and influential artists in music. It is estimated that each week 20-30 million people sing one of Tomlin's songs in worship. More than anything, Chris loves being a husband to Lauren and a dad to Ashlyn and Madison. Darren Whitehead is originally from Australia. He founded Church of the City in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2013. Each weekend around 6,000 people worship at one of the five locations across the metro area. Darren holds both his masters and doctorate degrees in ministry, with his dissertation research focusing on Millennial engagement in the Western Church. He lives with his wife, Brandy, and their three daughters, Sydney, Scarlett, and Violet in Nashville, Tennessee.

MY REVIEW: Holy Roar is a well written and easy to read book that will provide insight and encouragement to deepen your practice of praise. Being eighty-four years of age and having been a pastor for forty-seven years I feel I know quite a bit about praise. I agree with Louie Giglio who said, "I can't think of two more powerful voices to call us to a vibrant life of worship than Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead." However, I also feel that their book appeals more to Millennials than to those in my age group.

This is a small book with seven encouraging and uplifting chapters. Max Lucado wrote, "Chris and Darren have written an inspiring, insightful, and practical book on worship." After you read Holy Roar you will want to worship God with everything you have. This is an important book and one that needs to be read by every worshipper.

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

FEEL BETTER FAST AND MAKE IT LAST

Thursday, November 29, 2018

FEEL BETTER FAST
AND MAKE IT LAST
By Daniel G. Amen, MD

OVERVIEW: In Feel Better Fast and Make It Last, you'll discover powerful brain-based strategies to quickly gain control over anxiety, worry, sadness, stress, and anger, strengthening your resilience and giving you joy and purpose for a lifetime.

AUTHOR: Dr. Daniel G. Amen is a physician, a double board-certified psychiatrist, the founder of Amen Clinics, a 10-time New York Times bestselling author, and an international speaker. Together with Pastor Rick Warren and Mark Hyman, MD, Dr. Amen is also one of the chief architects of Saddleback Church's Daniel Plan, a program to get the world healthy through religious organizations. Dr. Amen has written, produced, and hosted many popular public television shows about the brain that have aired across North America. He has spoken for the National Security Agency, and his work has been featured in outlets, including Newsweek, Time magazine, HuffPost, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and Men's Health.

MY REVIEW: Most of us know people who need to overcome negativity, anxiety, anger, stress and trauma. Maybe not all of these, but at least one or two. I wanted to get this book hoping to help my friends. I found out that I could be a friend to myself by reading it and following Dr. Amen's wise counsel. I agree with him that "No one feels joyful all the time, but with an understanding of how your brain, mind, and attachments work—and of strategies to enhance their functioning—you are more likely to love your life and feel better every day.

The book is divided into seven different and helpful parts. An example is part 5 about nourishment. Dr. Amen talks about the feel better fast diet and then lists foods that help you feel great now and later. I especially liked part 7 about love. He states that doing the right thing is the ultimate act of love for self and others. I agree. Yes! We need to know and do the right thing. We will feel better!

I agree with Andrew Newberg, MD who wrote, "Fascinating and important neuroscience information on how to boost your mood, quiet anxiety, and increase your overall brain health, I highly recommend it."

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers for a fair and honest review.)

FINDING FAITH IN OURSELVES AND SOMETHING BIGGER

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

THE HUNDRED STORY HOME
A Memoir of finding faith in ourselves
and something bigger
By Kathy Izard

OVERVIEW: In The Hundred Story Home, Kathy Izard invites us to live out our own stories more fully. She wrote The Hundred Story Home not to convince you to solve homelessness in your community but to help you solve the homelessness in you. This beautiful memoir reminds us that not only can we help change the world, but in doing so we change ourselves. Following an insistent whisper, Kathy quit her job as a graphic designer and began to do what seemed unimaginable: build a home for Charlotte's homeless. Kathy was a mother of four, in the second half of her life, and the task didn't make any sense, yet it proved to be her first step in finding her way home.

AUTHOR: Kathy Izard was an award-winning graphic designer for twenty years in Charlotte before launching the pilot program Homeless to Home for the Urban Ministry Center in 2007. She successfully demonstrated this Housing First program could succeed and led the city-wide effort to build Moore Place, Charlotte's first permanent supportive housing for more than one hundred chronically homeless men and women. For more information, please visit KathyIzard.com.

MY REVIEW: If you have a heart for the plight of the chronically homeless, this is  a book you will want to read. If you know, are related to or feel deeply concerned about someone with bipolar disorder, you will be interested in this book. Most of all, this book will help you find faith, strengthen your faith, find faith in yourself or something bigger.

I was immediately interested and drawn into this book when I discovered what it was about. As a minister for over forty-seven years I knew that Jesus had a heart for the homeless and so did I. I just never knew what to do about it. I still don't know how to handle the homeless situation in my own city of Phoenix. But I now know more than I did before reading this book. I was also drawn in because like Kathy's mother, who was mentally ill, I have a niece who I love dearly that has a bipolar disorder.

I agree with author Courtney Westlake who said, "Compelling and convicting, The Hundred Story Home is a powerful testament to the way one person can affect transformation at the deepest levels. Kathy's beautiful storytelling propelled me outside of my comfort zones...It's impossible to read The Hundred Story Home and walk away unchanged."

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