Then Sings My Soul: The Story of Our Songs: Drawing Strength from the Great Hymns of Our Faith, Book 3

Long-awaited third installment has arrived!
It was an honor to review this special book for the simple reason that I love the great hymns.  Their stories have a depth that speaks to my soul.  Thank you, Robert Morgan, for continuing the series.

In 2003, Robert Morgan released what would become a future classic for over a million readers, a unique book entitled Then Sings My Soul.  This collection of the world's greatest hymns and the stories behind them stirred an entire generation to better understand the heritage of our faith through song.

Now, in the long-awaited third volume of this series, Morgan expands his material to include the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you've never heard, with lead-sheets included.

All of this is in addition to even more standard hymns and the stories of the composers behind them. 

Morgan's conclusion guides the reader into enjoying all of God's music, blending the old and the new into a symphony of praise that keeps the worship alive for a new generation.

I read this book in stages so I could digest the story of each hymn.  The book has a permanent place in my music library, as I teach piano and have had the privilege of singing and playing almost all of the hymns in this book throughout my lifetime.

Mr. Morgan's expanded stories of six hymns in Part 3 will bring a brighter appreciation for those songs.  Wait until you read more of the story behind "It Is Well With My Soul"!!!

Finally, I'd like to applaud the author's opinion of Why We Must Embrace Interwoven Worship.  I completely agree with his thoughts concerning how we will lose a heritage with a rich legacy of the "great cloud of witnesses" who have preceded us.  If you attend any church, and sing praise choruses or old hymns, please take the time to read his thoughts.  I would encourage all of us to extend an open mind to the new and the old songs of the church.

With that said, I recommend this book for all music lovers, so that you have a richer knowledge of an important element in music. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Fierce Beauty, by Kim Meeder

Choosing to Stand for What Matters Most is the topic Kim Meeder, author of "Fierce Beauty", shares with inspiring true stories from her own life of adventure, love, and loss.
Real beauty isn’t a look, it’s an action.

This is now one of my favorite books.  Why?  Kim has a way of writing that makes me feel as if she's sitting across the table from me and sharing each story she has written.

The story of sitting on the boulder "no matter how stable things in this life might seem nothing in this world is going to last - nothing" confirms that we each have a choice to make about our future with Christ.  No amount of beauty, popularity, power, wealth, or anything the world can supply can keep us from crumbling or prevent us from dying.  That's a pretty humbling statement.

Another chapter tells the story of the mama grizzly bear.  "Why do you think the Lord allowed us to be charged by a bear?" Kim asked her friends traveling with her through Yellowstone National Park.  Reflecting on their encounter, one of them replied, "I want to be just as ferocious as a charging bear toward anything that comes between me and God"  You'll want to read the entire story to understand how light and darkness cannot live in the same place. So true.

I hope you'll take time to read this book filled with well-told gems of true stories.

Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me a free copy of this book to review.

TJ and the Time Stumblers "Switched!", by Bill Myers

Still on their quest to teach TJ Finkelstein the life lessons she’ll need to be a great world leader, 23rd-century goofballs Tuna and Herby are brewing up even more trouble for the new kid in Malibu. As the boys try to repair their futuristic gadgets, a little glitch in their Thought Broadcaster Pen lands TJ in the body of her nemesis, TV star Hesper Breakahart . . . and vice versa. And the plot thickens when Tuna and Herby decide to put TJ’s new look and superstar power to use.  There's plenty of lessons to be learned when the characters have a little trouble with forgiveness . . . a lesson that TJ realizes she might also need to learn as she walks a mile in Hesper’s shoes—and body!


I would recommend this fantasy fiction for kids interested in time-travel or unique inventions.  It might be helpful if you were looking for a discussion time on the topic of forgiveness in a light-hearted setting.  The story does switch back and forth with the characters quite often, so a young reader might be challenged to follow the plot.  I believe this book might be good for youth not quite ready for serious literature.
I received a complimentary copy of Switched! from Tyndale House Publisher for my honest opinion.

No, We Can't, by Robert Stearns

The world is shifting.  It is dissatisfied, baffled and craving transformation.  

Once I read that intro, I was curious.  The world we live in today is bombarded with news of coexistence, wars, peace, and opinions.  What should we believe?  Does anyone know the truth?  How can we trust any source to be accurate?  These are all questions that begin to have answers in this latest book I've read, by author, Robert Stearns.

The book, "No, We Can't, Radical Islam, Militant Secularism and the Myth of Coexistence", provides the reader with a comparative religious overview of a coming perilous culture clash.

My first impression as I began to read this book, was apprehension.  As I read further, I realized I need to be more informed about the three dominant world cultures and their value systems.  The presentation of each culture is quite detailed and factual.  Understanding how different belief systems and each culture's response to basic human needs was the major portion of this book.
After reading "No, We Can't, a believer of  Judeo-Christian beliefs and values will be able to respond to a world we thought would always stay the same.  That world is changing rapidly whether we like it or not.  Should you read this book?  Yes.  Should a believer of Islam or secularism read this book?  I think so.  Will we all be able to coexist?  After reading this book, probably not.  The age-old struggle for power and being in control hasn't changed.
One final thought.  I believe this book would be read by more people if it was titled, perhaps, "The Climax of Human Civilization", or "Coexistence Is A Myth".
"I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for this review."

The Harvest of Grace, Ada's House Series #3, by Cindy Woodsmall

It was easy to be swept into the life of Old Order Amish in this third book, "The Harvest of Grace", from the Ada's House series, by Cindy Woodsmall.

Reeling from an unexpected betrayal, can Sylvia find relief from the echoes of her past…or will they shape her future forever?
Although Sylvia Fisher recognizes that most Old Order Amish women her age spend their hours managing a household and raising babies, she has just one focus—tending and nurturing the herd on her family’s dairy farm. But when a dangerous connection with an old beau forces her to move far from home, she decides to concentrate on a new start and pour her energy into reviving another family’s debt-ridden farm.

I liked the determination and values of the main character, Sylvia.  She struggles with the same issues all of us face each day.  Being honest with others, wondering how our past mistakes can ever be forgiven, and finding hope in the simple things.  When Sylvia takes time out to rest under a tree in the hot summer heat, or notices the strength that comes from generation after generation working to build a dairy farm, or the tenderness she gives to the little kittens she finds in the barn loft, you can almost believe you are there sharing those moments.

Sylvia has to learn to trust her new friends, too.  Aaron, Grey , Cara, Ephraim, Trevor and the other families who all come to Ada's House, will bring you to appreciate traditional Amish events and the daily routines that are part of the Old Order Amish heritage.  I would recommend this book for those who appreciate the Amish community and for those struggling with the issues of forgiveness and God's grace.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of this book, just click here:    http://www.scribd.com/doc/58119222/The-Harvest-of-Grace-by-Cindy-Woodsmall-ch-1-excerpt

Author Bio

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline, in The Wall Street Journal, and in other media. She is the author of the Sisters of the Quilt series, The Sound of Sleigh Bells, and a nonfiction work, Plain Wisdom, which was written with her closest Old Order Amish friend. Cindy lives in Georgia with her family. Visit her website at CindyWoodsmall.com
 
 "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Then Sings My Soul, Book 3, by Robert Morgan

My passion is music, especially hymns of faith.  This future book to review, "Then Sings My Soul", will be a treat to read. 

The long-awaited third installment! In 2003, Robert Morgan released what would become a future classic for over a million readers, a unique book entitled Then Sings My Soul. This collection of the world’s greatest hymns and the stories behind them stirred an entire generation to better understand the heritage of our faith through song.
Now, in the long-awaited third volume of this series, Morgan expands his material to include the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you’ve never heard, with lead-sheets included.
All of this is in addition to even more standard hymns and the stories of the composers behind them.
Morgan’s conclusion guides the reader into enjoying all of God’s music, blending the old and the new into a symphony of praise that keeps the worship alive for a new generation.
 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Game One", by Emmett Smith

 After watching this "smooth moves" entertainer, it will be delightful to learn about the man behind the dancer.

Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher of the Dallas Cowboys, Dancing with the Stars champion, and successful real-estate investor, outlines the principles that helped him become a winner on and off the football field. In "Game On" he encourages you to live your God-given dream, now. Emmitt reveals that it’s not only vision and talent that propel us toward our dreams, but also a combination of determination, persistence, humility, courage, and faith. In this book, Emmitt gives readers the tools to pursue their dream with all their mind, heart, and soul.

The best part of "Game On" is author Emmitt Smith's ability to draw his reader into his plan (that works!) to dream, set goals, and then build on the strengths God has given you.

I found myself thinking seriously about dreams and goals I still want to achieve.  Not only dreams and goals, but a very important part of this book deals with principles that are determined by our character traits.  Chapter 3 "Follow Your Path", discusses the content of our character.  I was very impressed with this chapter as the author reminds us that in order to be of good character we put the needs of others first, not always an easy thing to do.  Well, I believe that is "Game On"!

Emmitt shares many football stories throughout the book, which would attract many sports enthusiasts to read his inspiring story.  In particular, stories of his time spent with football legend, Walter Payton, deserve to be read.

I have received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House