book review

The Prosperous Soul

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 1 Comment

The Prosperous Soul: Your Journey to a Richer LifeThe Prosperous Soul: Your Journey to a Richer Life by Cindy Trimm

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and letter life than they ever dreamed of.” “Prosperity comes from within. You were created to enjoy prosperity on every level – from a rich spiritual and intellectual life, to richness in your relationships and professional pursuits! The problem is that prosperity has often been reduced to a single measure: A dollar amount. Truth is, financial abundance is just one expression of what it means to live a rich life.”

I wondered when I asked to review this book if it was going to be another “do this and you’ll be rich… prosperity gospel” book. Oh how wrong I was. This book by Dr. Cindy Trimm is amazing! It truly spoke to my heart.
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When You Need Peace

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The Beauty of Grace: Stories of God's Love from Today's Most Popular Writers“The Beauty of Grace: Stories of God’s Love from Today’s Most Popular Writers by Dawn Camp

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

” This is your invitation . . . to slow down, take a deep breath, and know that you are loved “

“In this hectic life, it’s easy to forget that God is always near at hand, even though He sends us frequent reminders. The beauty amid the mess, a well-timed word of encouragement from a friend, the memories that won’t let go of our hearts–they’re all ways God extends an open hand to us. But if we’re not paying attention, we can miss it.

Combining heartfelt stories from some of today’s foremost writers with Dawn’s stunning photography of God’s incredible creation, The Beauty of Grace is your haven of calm contemplation amid the chaos. This inspiring collection includes stories of cultivating friendship, waiting on God, choosing joy, staying connected, learning to trust, and much more.”

This book, The Beauty of Grace, is just… peaceful. It is a wonderful compilation of stories written by women from all walks of life. They are stories of Grace. Grace in our Purpose, Our Surrender, Our Trust, in Our Hope and Encouragement, in our Lessons Learned and in Our Worship. These are more than mere stories written by some of the most popular writers, they are stories that almost make you feel that they are right there with you, sharing their words. Continue reading →

hand in Hand

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Hand in Hand: The Beauty of God's Sovereignty and Meaningful Human ChoiceHand in Hand: The Beauty of God’s Sovereignty and Meaningful Human Choice by Randy Alcorn

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

“If God is sovereign, how can I be free to choose? But if God is not sovereign, how can he be God? Is it possible to reconcile God’s sovereignty with human choice? This is one of the most perplexing theological questions. It’s also one of the most personal.

In hand in Hand, Randy Alcorn says that the traditional approach to this debate has often diminished our trust in God and his purposes. Instead of making a one-sided argument from select verses, Alcorn examines the question in light of all Scripture. By exploring what the whole Bible says about divine sovereignty and human choice, hand in Hand helps us… • Carefully and honestly examine the different views on this issue; Gain a deeper understanding of God; Appreciate God’s design in providing us the freedom of meaningful choice; See the value in better understanding what we cannot fully understand; Learn how to communicate about the issue in clear and compassionate ways; More fully experience the unity Christ intends for his Church” Continue reading →

What Am I Supposed To Do With My Life

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God’s Will Demystified?? Part of me understands exactly what the author is saying in this book… perhaps the other part of me does much life the way it’s put out there.  I will let you decide for yourself.

 

What Am I Supposed to Do with My Life?: God's Will DemystifiedWhat Am I Supposed to Do with My Life?: God’s Will Demystified by Johnnie Moore

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“For nearly two thousand years too many Christians have embraced a lie. The lie is cast in spiritual tones and seems, on the surface, to be innocent enough.

Yet, it’s a lie so deceptive that even the most pious believe it without knowing it, and its widespread practice has robbed the world of a thousand types of good that would have been hers had Christianity followed God’s path. It’s a lie so clandestine that it has weaved its way in and out of Christian history nearly undetected.

It’s a lie so sinister that it has robbed millions of people of their souls. What is the lie? It is that “God’s will” is hard to find. It isn’t.”
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Own Your Life

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Own Your Life: How to Grow a Legacy of Faith, Love, and Spiritual InfluenceOwn Your Life: How to Grow a Legacy of Faith, Love, and Spiritual Influence by Sally Clarkson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

God has made you with the capacity to live courageously, to have great faith, and to become a person of influence. Will you follow hard after Him and live into your potential? Will you choose today to own your life?

Learn to live each day with spiritual intention—and see how your moment-by-moment decisions add up to a breathtaking life story that shines with God’s love. You’ll come alive with confidence, energy, and purpose as you discover His fingerprints in your most ordinary days. Your life will become a lasting legacy that points others to Him—and He will honor your decisions beyond what you ever imagined.”

“What will be the legacy of your life? What story will the day of your life tell? Will you invest your life for eternity, or spend it, wasting the days on things that do not matter, on issues that will quickly fade away?” (Page xv) Those are the first words in the opening of this book and they are powerful. They are the words that challenged the author, Sally Clarkson, all those years ago. They are the basis for this thought-provoking book, a book written to challenge you to ponder your life, and own it. Own and take responsibility for your own behavior, decisions, and attitudes. Continue reading →

The Diabetes Solution

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The Diabetes Solution: How to Control Type 2 Diabetes and Reverse Prediabetes Using Simple Diet and Lifestyle Changes--with 100 recipesThe Diabetes Solution: How to Control Type 2 Diabetes and Reverse Prediabetes Using Simple Diet and Lifestyle Changes–with 100 recipes by Jorge E. Rodriguez

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Proper management of diabetes from the earliest stages is essential. If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, this authoritative guide to preventing, reversing, and managing the disease provides the help you need right now.

In The Diabetes Solution, Dr. Jorge Rodriguez and dietitian nutritionist Susan Wyler tell you everything you need to know about this increasingly common disease—from diagnosis to treatment—including the difference between prediabetes and diabetes, ways to prevent serious complications, and the most effective medications and when to start taking them.”
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Fight Back With Joy

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Fight Back With Joy: Celebrate More. Regret Less. Stare Down Your Greatest FearsFight Back With Joy: Celebrate More. Regret Less. Stare Down Your Greatest Fears by Margaret Feinberg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Great Joy Waits in Life’s Greatest Battles. Joy is stamped on coffee mugs, sewn onto decorative pillows – even displayed on dish soap. But what if there’s a deeper power and purpose to this mighty virtue? Through vulnerable story telling, a difficult diagnosis, and a good dose of humor, Margaret Feinberg revels how joy is more than whimsy. Its’ the weapon you can use to fight life’s battles.”

This is an extraordinary book that will take you by surprise. When I read the first few pages of the first chapter, I though to myself… here we go, another book that is going to try to teach me the how’s and why’s of being joyful. And then came chapter two. Continue reading →

Keep It Shut

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 6 Comments

Do not just read this book….   study it and live it.  This is another on my list of second read 2015.  Truly loved the book.

Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at AllKeep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All by Karen Ehman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“From Bible times to modern times women have struggled with their words. What to say and how to say it. What not to say. When it is best to remain silent. And what to do when you’ve said something you wish you could now take back. In this book a woman whose mouth has gotten her into loads of trouble shares the hows (and how-not-tos) of dealing with the tongue.

Beyond just a “how not to gossip” book, this book explores what the Bible says about the many ways we are to use our words and the times when we are to remain silent. Karen will cover using our speech to interact with friends, co-workers, family, and strangers as well as in the many places we use our words in private, in public, online, and in prayer. Even the words we say silently to ourselves. She will address unsolicited opinion-slinging, speaking the truth in love, not saying words just to people-please, and dealing with our verbal anger.”

This book – Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman– arrived just before Christmas and so I was able to read it before the onslaught of the holiday madness. Oh am I so ever grateful that this book arrived when it did. While it did require some serious work on my part to Keep It Shut, the madness became a bit less maddening and my need to lash out at the perceived crazy was tempered by Karen’s words that came to mind quite often. Continue reading →

War in Heaven

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War in Heaven: Taking Your Place in the Epic Battle with EvilWar in Heaven: Taking Your Place in the Epic Battle with Evil by Derek Prince

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

“A cosmic view of God’s plan-from start to finish! The Bible says that when God laid the foundations of the earth, the angels were watching. In time, one of those angels would be the main player in a rebellion to wrest God of His magnificent creation. Thus began a battle of epic proportions that leaves today’s believer with many questions. -Why did God allow evil in the first place? -If evil was defeated at the cross, why does it continue to exist? -Does spiritual warfare really make a difference? -How are we to await the end of the age?”
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Step Into Your God Given Dream

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This is another one of those books that you don’t just read and put it away.  This is a book requiring a reread to study and absorb all that it has to offer.  I have added to my “second read 2015”. (complete list coming soon!)  Loved it!

The Joseph Blessing: Change the World with Your God-Given DreamThe Joseph Blessing: Change the World with Your God-Given Dream by Jordan Rubin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Step into God’s divine blessing and fulfill your dreams! Are you ready to see your dreams go from vision to fulfillment? To see God’s promised blessings revealed in your life? Join Jordan Rubin and Dr. Pete Sulack as you discover how Joseph endured incredible opposition and persecution, only to be elevated to a key position of influence and watch his dream come to pass before his very eyes.

You’ll unlock the powerful secrets that will take your dreams from birth to fulfillment. In this easy-to-follow process, you will learn how to protect your dream during seasons of adversity, resurrect vision when you believe it is dead, have hope even when you feel like your dream is impossible, and watch God miraculously fulfill your life purpose through your God-given dreams.” Continue reading →