Perhaps it's time for a new story. That's what author Jan Silvious says in her book Same Life, New Story. Silvious takes women from the Bible and brings their story into our life. Each chapter addresses a different issue, using scripture, personal reflection and group discussion questions to help us grow stronger in our faith and our biblical knowledge. This book was written as a 10-week study. I can't wait to get a group started on this journey with me!
I learned a long time ago that your perspective is critical. I am ready to see my life change as I go through familiar bible stories and see them through the perspective of these women.


I recieved a copy of this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest
review. I recieve no compensation and my review is not required to be
positive.

Save the Date

I just finished reading Save The Date by Jenny B. Jones. The title kindof gives away some of the story, but Jones adds a few twists along the way. This is a tender hearted romance story that spends time developing characters. There are several examples of godly relationships throughout the book, as well as circumstances that challenged those relationships. Save the Date is an easy read that encouraged laughter and a few tears. The author did an excellent job of weaving prayer and Christrian value into the story without beating you ovr the head with the message. I would highly recommend this book for teens and young adults.

Disclosure: i recieved this book from Booksneeze, in exchange for my review. There was no other compensation and my review is my own opinion.

Do I need another Bible?

Truthfully, There is no way that I NEED another Bible.. However, I love to get new Bibles and this one was no exception. Being a big fan of Max Lucado, I couldn't wait to get into the "Life Lessons" he incorporated into this Bible. I typically turn to NLT or NIV translations for Bible Study, but had the opportunity to receive this Bible (The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible) for FREE from Booksneeze.com. At first glance, I was disappointed. I was expecting a true Study Bible with footnotes and such. Once I got past my initial disappointment and started really looking at the Bible, I was been pleasantly surprised at the translation and the format of the Bible itself. I enjoyed the standard Max Lucado devotionals, and found the Life Lessons to be very easy to read and informative. The real treasure of the book is at the very end, a section titled More Help For Your Spiritual Growth. This section of the book is broken down into five segments.

• He Did This Just for You Verses - verses to remind us of all the things God did for us.

• Spiritual Growth Verses - a topical assortment of verses to help us grow stronger in important aspects of daily living.
  

• 30 Studies for New Believers - 30 days of short Bible Studies with questions for personal application.
  

• The Big Picture: A 30 Day Overview to the New Testament

• "Where to Turn When" index

While I am not a "New Believer," I found the short studies to be very easy to read and neither assuming nor condescending.


This Bible will probably not become my "go-to" Bible, but I anticipate getting a lot of use out of it.

My biggest complaint about this Bible is that the pages are thin. I am going to get the pencil style Bible Highlighter and see how it works, but i am afraid it will still bleed through.

** I received this book FREE from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way, and they did not require my review to be favorable.

I am always looking for a "new" devotional, something that makes me WANT to read it every day. It took me a little while to read and review this book. I have read and re-read the daily readings. I love that Nettlehorst pulled scriptures strictly from the Old Testament and wasted no words helping us see the words of God have meaning for us today.

The back cover states that "God's words are real, and they are full of his love, wisdom, and direction." This devotional helps us to understand just how much love, wisdom, and direction there is to be found in the Bible.

The devotional is arranged according to the topic that is addressed in the chapter. I definitely see myself referring to this book when i need encouragement from a biblical source.

Although it wasn't a fluffy, feel good type of devotional, it certainly held my attention.



** i received this book courtesy of Booksneeze in exchange for a written review. I was not compensated in any other form and my review was not required to be positive..

Transforming church in Rural America.. breaking all the Rurals.. By Shannon O'Dell.

I struggled to read this book. That said, i will read it again before passing it on to my pastor.
There were so many great points made in this book. Some were so simple that you wonder why they were included, others so simple that you wonder "why didn't i think of that", and still others that i haven't been able to categorize. I could easily go chapter by chapter and hit the high points, but i am going to give you some teasers.. read the book yourself.. you will have your spirit lifted and your heart for ministry returned to you.. or you will know that you are not destined to lead in your church and that's okay too..

... A red-hot marriage is a must in ministry. (unless you are single)
... Leadership is resisting the urge to settle!
... V.A.L.U.E.
... have a Phillipians 2:5 attitude!
... his will, his way, will never lack supply..

By the time I got to the end of the book, i wasn't sure why I struggled with reading it.. It's full of God's Word, direction, and encouragement.. Whoe doesn't need a little bit of that in their day?


I recieved this book from Booksneeze.com. There was no other compensation and my review was not required to be positive or negative. My views are my own.

Define Faithful

Define Faithful.., September 11, 2010

By	Amy Goins - See all my reviews

This review is on: Faithful by Kim Cash Tate

Cydney Sanders was like every woman I know - she had a plan for her life. Nearing forty and not on track, she is forced to admit that maybe HER plan and God's Plan were not the same.

Add a mystery man, a friend's wavering faith, and her best friends failing marriage and you have a recipe for real life!

Amazingly, the book portrays how prayer and Christian fellowship among friends should be. Lighthearted at times, and tough at others but always honest and open. Instead of running from God at these tough times, these girlfriends turn to God and each other. The church and community come together to support and love their people. It's the way it should be.. God's love overcoming man's flaws.

I received this book from Booksneeze.com. I was not compensated in any way for the review.

Sandi Patty has truly touched my life with this book. I could quote line after line of it, but you need to read it for yourself! There is very little in this book that I have not heard before or that I couldn't find elsewhere. What this book has is tenderness coupled with honesty. Sandi shares her heart and her pain as she discusses her struggles with stress, and her weight.
At first I was afraid the book was going to be simply an account of her experience with lap band surgery. It soon proved to be so much more. As she shared her journey through life with us with brief glimpses into her past, she used scripture to define each phase/moment. One of my favorites was when she used John 10:10. .. that we might have life and have it more abundantly.. ..She went on to remind us that Jesus didn't suffer and die for no reason. . He died for us to have life. and to have it more abundantly..

Her story is one of sadness, struggles, and pain. But it is made beautiful by the hope, happiness, and triumph. I know that I would follow her anywhere, through anything because she is following the word of GOD..