Monday, December 12, 2011

Three Cups By Tony Townsley with Mark St. Germain

Three Cups is a simple book for children and parents to share together. It teaches the principles of giving, saving, and spending, and opens the door to discuss financial basics, such as saving money at a bank and interest; saving money in order to give; and saving money to spend. It is not in depth, but gives just enough to pique a child’s curiousity to ask the questions that a parent can answer, at their own age level. This book is appropriate for all ages; a small child can understand the simple concept of the three cups, while an older child, while they may initially consider this juvenile, can still begin to understand the purpose behind the three cups concept.

I read this with my 8 year old daughter, and it immediately sparked a discussion about interest and taking money to the bank. The principles are ones we have instilled in our children already, so it was fun to reiterate it in a different light, but to also present a new level to the aspect of saving.

I downloaded this book to my ipad, and perhaps it’s only because I am a new ipad user – but my only complaint was the pictures did not seem to match up to the words. I’d read, and then the picture would come later, or the picture would tell the story before we got to the words.

I appreciated the two pages at the end where the authors share a little more information with the parents to prompt discussions, and ideas, on how to implement The Three Cups system within your own home.

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.”

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Encounter by Steve Arterburn

The Encounter by Steve Arterburn is a sweet story that the author based on a couple of situations he knew of. Finding that out at the end made it a little more bearable. The premise is that a man has struggled to understand and thereby, forgive his mother for abandoning him as a child. Once the truth was revealed, I have to say, I was disappointed. He ends the book with a teaching on forgiveness, the effect of unforgiveness, and the road to take to be freed from this poison. While his truth is valid, it lacked the full force of the gospel that makes it real and effective. The story, I felt, was more a parable used to teach the lesson he was trying to get across; to that effect, it was done fairly well, if not a little too neatly. For a strong, intriguing, heart pulling read, however, this book will certainly disappoint. However, if you are looking to start pursuing wisdom and healing in the area of forgiveness, you may find this book a good introduction to that often hard path. 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.”

Monday, October 31, 2011

Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan

Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan was gripping, revealing, and honest. He starts from age 19, and follows his descent into the world of satan and a spiritual realm that many of us are comfortable not knowing about; but his account opens up the readers eyes to its reality, and therefore allows the reader to become more keenly aware that we’re not alone; we’re indeed surrounded by dark, as well as light, in this world. I have to commend Mr. Leehan for the tact he uses in sharing details of his life that could easily turn one’s mind to impure thoughts; he is able to do it in a way that the reader feels protected, and yet still aware of the message he is trying to get across. One area of difficulty was when he would diverge from the ordered timeline of events and bring in happenings from the past or the future to further explain an experience or series of experiences. I found these times to be confusing to the storyline. However, it did not dissuade me from thoroughly enjoying this book. I appreciated the honest testimonies written by people from his life during his darkness, as well as people who have become a part of his life after his salvation. 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.”

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Stumbling Into Grace by Lisa Harper

“So today I’ve been thinking…” and thus begins a light, delightful book that reminds me of sitting to chat with a friend who is able to share her life with me in such a way that I walk away a little more uplifted, a little more thoughtful, and a little more appreciative of this Jesus I follow. Each chapter begins with that same opening, and leads you into, as the back cover describes, “part diary, part devotional....hilarious and poignant stores from Lisa’s own life”. I had no idea who Lisa was before, but I can honestly say now she is a woman I admire. In a world where so many woman are too afraid to be single, too afraid to be alone, it is refreshing to have this insight into a woman who is living that life and following her Lord, even as she stumbles through that walk, as so many of us do. This is a great book to read when you may not have the mindset to devote to an in depth study for the moment; a great book when you are traveling and want something not too heavy; a great book for vacation devotions by the beach or a warm fire; or as I found, a great book for a mom who just needs a quick moment of peace in a hectic and crazy day! Fun, delightful, and just enough insightful! 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.”

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Christian Encounters:J.R.R. Tolkien

The Christian Encounters:J.R.R. Tolkien by Mark Horne is a short, easy to read in an afternoon book. It gives a through overview of the life of Tolkien, without dwelling too long on any one area. A unique feature is that it ties in the potential and real relationship of Tolkien’s life to that of his storylines in his most famous publications, The Hobbit, and Lord of the Rings. Most of the information appears to be drawn from several previously written biographies, but there is a bit of speculation throughout by the author himself. The end, following Tolkien’s death, is a little bit too much of a commentary in relating his influence on the more modern fantasy stories such as Harry Potter and Dungeons and Dragons; and while that may be true, given the controversy of those stories within the Christian realm, I think a few more references may be appreciated. I did enjoy learning more of his relationship to CS Lewis, however. Having personally read both of Tolkien’s most famous stories, but never a published account of Tolkien’s life, I found this book to be a wonderful insight, and enjoyed knowing more of his Christian background and how it may have played into his stories. This is also a great reference for young people who may just now be discovering the wonderful world of the shires.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Psst....I'm tired of waiting for "Someday"....

I want to start DOING all those things I have always said "well, someday...."
I want to redo my kids bathroom...
I want to hang current pictures....
I want to play games with my kids more...
I want to stop working at 5ish like it's a normal job...
I want to start exercising every day again...
I want to lose the weight I've been saying I would lose since my last baby.
I want to know what it's like to be a skinny minny! (within the reasonable range that I can be with a body that's born 4 kids...
I want to be a gardener.
I want to take more pictures of my daily!
I want to organize my files online!
I want to redo my kids playroom!
I want to wake up early, and grab hold of the promises God offers.
I want to go deeper that I ever have with Him.
I want to stop feeling guilty for stuff that really has nothing to do with me!
I want to LIVE the FREEDOM my Jesus promised! (And figure out what that means!)

Saturday, July 2, 2011

A Place Called Blessing by John Trent & Annette Smith

A Place Called Blessing

A Place Called Blessing is about a young man who has lived a life of difficulty, and lived under the false presumption that it is a result of his own actions rather than seeing the truth of it as an unfortunate result of accident. Therefore, when taken into a family who loves him more unconditionally than he realizes, he begins to understand what true blessings are, and the powerful impact of love, and ultimately, forgiveness.

It was a simple story, a very easy read, a little gripping. As a novel, I desired more to it; but knowing it was more an illustration of a spiritual lesson being taught based on John Trent’s Book The Blessing, I can honestly assume that it fulfills that purpose. However, if I am looking for a novel to just sit and enjoy without pondering the deeper lessons, I do not recommend this book. If you are looking for a simple read, even one to share with your family, this is a great book. If you are familiar with John Trent’s The Blessing, which I am not, then I am assuming that this would be a wonderful supplement to that teaching. At the end, there is a chapter by chapter group of discussion questions that bring the lessons to better light; having not read The Blessing, I found them to be helpful in understanding the ultimate purpose.

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.”