10 Christians Everyone Should Know

Lives of the Faithful & What They Mean To You, by John Perry, editor, is a biography lover's book.

Jane Austen, Sergeant York, Saint Patrick—What did they have in common?  “It would be almost impossible to imagine ten people more different from each other than these,” editor John Perry says. “This [is] the first truth of Christian living: anybody, anywhere can be a champion of the faith, an example and inspiration to all who follow.”

There’s no dry biography here, though. Each story teems with fresh insight. D. L. Moody did some of his most powerful evangelizing by befriending ragged street children in Chicago. William F. Buckley never delivered a sermon, yet a Christian worldview informed his erudite, witty, output in print and broadcasting. To compose her poems, Anne Bradstreet had to understand science, history, the Bible, and literature, not to mention the political scene in both Massachusetts and England. You’ll look with new eyes, also, on the lives of George Washington Carver, Jane Austen, Galileo, Johann Sebastian Bach, Sergeant York, John Bunyan, and Saint Patrick. You might think you know their stories . . . but you don’t. Not yet.

So after reading their stories, these 10 folks had a common thread - their faith in God.  The lessons learned in how they chose to live their lives may help you find the determination, the courage, the energy, to devote your life to living the way God needs you to live.  We need more books to share the simple, condensed stories of people that set the example of never giving up, of helping others before themselves, of making a positive difference wherever we live.
I did like this book and will recommend it to all ages.  I would also recommend this nifty little book for homeschool or study groups, or for anyone seeking encouragement in the Christian walk.
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.” 

Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day

I've wanted to read a simple, concise book to reference the many religions of the world.  Here is the opportunity to read a brief description of forty short readings, and I was able to absorb it quickly and update my understanding of the world's beliefs.

What religions are represented in your neighborhood, your workplace, and your children's school?  Things seem to be changing every day, and it can be hard to keep up.

In Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day, a cross-cultural expert and professor Garry Morgan explains the key beliefs, histories, and practices of more than twenty religions, including the familiar - Christianity, Judaism, Mormonism - and some of the lesser known - Baha'i, Sikhism, and New Age religions.

The book's format presents an easy-to-read description of a particular religion and includes "An Extra Minute" that I found interesting.
I recommend this book to all those who are curious about what others believe.  It would also be a useful tool for those who need a quick reference if you're teaching a Sunday School class, or leading a bible study.  I think the author's goal to always be respectful was achieved.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Books as part of their blogger review 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Fully Alive Lighten Up and Live - A Journey that Will Change Your Life

Be prepared to get up and get moving!

I first heard the name Ken Davis while listening to his daily radio spot, "Lighten Up And Live" - and his humorous stories remind us to not take life so seriously.
Now, the message he brings in Fully Alive is a real life-changer, if you decide to make that choice.
A fine speaker and author, Ken Davis, has presented a positive challenge for all of us, if you're in your 20's or your 80's, to overcome our fears, "function at the capacity we were created for in every area of life, and not squander what God has given each of us."

With that summary, let me share how this book has encouraged me with the hope that I can still accomplish the dreams I've had and that I can still explore and achieve new experiences.  At an age when many consider it time to "slow down" or "retire", I know that is not the case, especially when Ken Davis tells us he is 65 and he's going to continue climbing mountains, finishing triathlons, or building a tree house for his grandchildren.

There are more self-help books and articles on the market than I want to count,  so when Ken invites me to walk with him on a journey, along a road of heartache and adventure to a place he calls "the land of the living,"  and discover what may be missing in our lives, I promise you'll want to get up and get moving.

A poignant and entertaining storyteller, Davis points out the practical steps necessary to live this way – everything from lightening up to taking a quality of life assessment, to overcoming trials – while also revealing the power of Christ's resurrection available for each of us.

Ken offers to take care of ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually.  So many books and speakers focus on one or two of these aspects of caring for ourselves.  This book covers it all, and it reads quickly.  In fact, I need to finish this review and get going - it's time for my hour of physical care.  

One final note.  Ken's book is one to read, give as a gift, and tell others how it gets you up out of your chair and moving.   I give this a full 5 stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."Fully AliveFully Alive

Mondays with My Old Pastor

Mondays with My Old Pastor has been a real treat to read and so my review will reflect positive thoughts.  The book is the true story of a a totally burned-out young pastor who reignites his faith and gathers wisdom for life while spending successive Mondays with an eighty-three-year-old pastor.

"Deep inside in some uncertain part of my soul persisted this strange exhaustion that was difficult to explain and hard to endure," writes pastor and author José Luis Navajo. Thinking of quitting the ministry, Navajo doesn't know where to turn until he begins meeting with a seasoned man of the cloth—his "old pastor"—who, through successive Monday visits, offers a legacy of wisdom in the form of 15 unique principles."

I believe this book will benefit anyone who questions their purpose in life, or feels the frustrations experienced daily.  It's a wonderful book to inspire and restore hope.   

With 15 Monday visits shared in this brief little book, I believe my favorite is on the 10th Monday.  His Old Pastor shares this:  Simply make room for Him in your daily life.  I like that.  When I act on that simple statement, my day  goes well.  
I'll share one more thoughtful treasure:  Sit everyday at the feet of Jesus, and then Tell the world what you have seen.  That would make the world brighter.  
I hope I've shared enough that you'll want to read this moving, beautifully written account of Navajo's journey from desperation to rejuvenation.  In lyrical prose, he shares the personal anecdotes, fables, and deep spiritual insights offered by the old pastor and his wife.   By turns funny, heartbreaking, and thought provoking, Mondays with My Old Pastor is a comfort to anyone who struggles in his or her walk with God.   
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.”

The Coming Revolution, by Dr. Richard G. Lee

With an intensity of stirring emotions, this next BookSneeze review has drawn me to a stronger degree of interest in our current American political stage.
Dr. Richard G. Lee has written "The Coming Revolution",   describing America’s powerful past and then revealing a nation of people who  are willing to stand up for the original principles of our country and how to protect our own personal and national freedom.

Using this country's rich heritage of liberty and democracy as a roadmap toward where we could be headed, Dr. Lee brings thoughtful clarity to the ever-growing probability of such a revolution in America; illuminating the important reminder that the voices of every revolution have been-and always will be-the ordinary everyman.

"A powerful reminder about why America is great and worth fighting for."

-Lt. Colonel Oliver L. North, USMC (Ret.)

"Within this book Dr. Richard Lee clearly reveals how the intolerable conditions being forced upon the American people by Washington's current administration will lead to a certain and powerful explosion of predictable consequences."

-Michael Reagan

What impressed me as I read this book, was Dr. Lee's description of our public education system's negligence and failure to teach our children the complete facts of our country's heritage.  This is a strong statement and yet I have actually witnessed it first-hand as I questioned the lack of American history taught in our public school.


Another section of the book may challenge your knowledge on how the legacy of The Great Awakening shaped the patriots of the American Revolution.  You can read the 14 principles in detail in Chapter 4, "The Birth of the American Spirit".  


Throughout the book are details of how this country began originally, what our country's current trend could be moving toward (socialism?), and finally what we can do as individuals to restore and inspire patriotism and pride in America!  The American Spirit is what makes this country so great.  I would recommend this book for anyone living in this country, whether you are an American citizen or not.


Remembering what our forefathers endured, I know this book can inspire each reader to take a positive approach and not be afraid to stand up and protect our freedom.  Reading The Coming Revolution confirms the belief that protecting our personal and national freedom comes with a price.  


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.” 

From the Library of C. S. Lewis by James Stuart Bell.

A book worth my time - who influenced one of my very favorite authors, C.S. Lewis!  I'm eager to read this new book!

Discover great truths from C. S. Lewis’s mentors

C. S. Lewis was perhaps the greatest Christian thinker of the twentieth century. He delighted us in The Chronicles of Narnia, intrigued us in The Screwtape Letters, mystified us in The Space Trilogy, and convinced us in Mere Christianity. His influence on generations of Christians has been immeasurable. 

But who influenced C. S. Lewis? What were the sources of his inspiration? Who were his spiritual mentors? Who were his teachers?

Drawn from Lewis’s personal library, annotations, and references from his writings, the selections in this book bring us into contact with giants such as Dante, Augustine, and Chaucer, as well as introduce us to more contemporary writers such as G. K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, George MacDonald, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Over 250 selections provide a vast array of inspiration from those who have shone forth as messengers of light in Lewis’s own thinking, writing, and spiritual growth.

A rare glimpse into the intellectual, spiritual, and creative life of one of literature’s great writers, From the Library of C. S. Lewis is a treasury of insight and wisdom.

BELOVED ENEMY Battles of Destiny BULL RUN I

This captivating historical novel, written by Al Lacy, immediately snatches the reader into the war that separated a nation which divided their loyalties, but not their hearts.

Faithful to her family and the land of her birth, young Jenny Jordan covers for her father's Confederate spy missions.  But as she grows closer to handsome Union soldier Buck Brownell, Jenny finds herself torn between devotion to the South and her feelings for the man she is forbidden to love.

When I began reading the first chapter, I realized this wasn't the usual historical romance novel.  The author provides extensive detail into the first battles of the Civil War to the point that I'm now curious and want to research some of the information he provides.
Meanwhile, the heroine, Jenny Jordan, finds herself in a real dilemma when she falls in love with a Union officer while her father helps to establish a Confederate spy ring.  I would not have wanted to be in Jenny's position to face a decision of loyalty to her southern heritage or if she should follow her own feelings of love for someone she truly loves.
If you find the Civil War and it's many issues involved with this part of American history, I promise you a suspenseful book to read.

Al Lacy is an accomplished fiction author who has written over fifty historical novels and westerns.  I want to add that I found it quite interesting to learn that Mr. Lacy has upheld his standards for writing which are based on the Bible.  Since he has been writing for the Christian publisher of Questar Publishers and Multnomah Books, he has been blessed.  I'm glad to be introduced to a new author!

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".