faith

Clout – Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given InfluenceClout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence by Jenni Catron

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clout – Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence by Jenni Catron
“You have Clout. Have you discovered it yet? We all long for significance, even as we fear we will never be good enough. We listen for God, but hear only voices of doubt and practicality. Listen again. There is a call that only you can answer.”

Who are you? And who has God called you to be? These are the questions posed by this author, Jenni Catron. By was of her life story, we are introduced to Clout. First by walking the reader through what Clout is actually all about and unpack some false assumptions and perceptions about it. In addition, she goes on to say that we, you and I, have a specific purpose, a calling that only you are qualified to fulfill. And those once we define, understand and acknowledge the seven Clout killers that are holding us back, we can move on to discover what our God-given influence looks like. Continue reading →

The Road To Mercy – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

The Road to MercyThe Road to Mercy by Kathy Harris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Tragedy, Love & Secrets meet on a journey of faith. Josh Harrison, a contemporary Christian singer, and his wife, Bethany, face a difficult decision that also tests their faith. A rupture in Beth’s carotid artery leavers her on the brink of death even as she’s pregnant with their first child. While Dr. Ben Abrams urges her to terminate the pregnancy to save her own life, she and Josh step out on faith and decide to carry the bay to full term. During the next few months, Josh struggles with his faith, and Beth hides a secret that may destroy their marriage. She also discovers a decades-old connection to Dr. Abrams that could change his life forever.”

I Loved This Book! Right from the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect, it clearly is a book that doesn’t fit the formula. Be warned, once you start this book, you will not want to put it down.

Love, forgiveness, sin, challenges, secrets, betrayals, redemption, mercy and most of all… a deep abiding faith in God and His Mercy. Don’t skip the prologue; it will all make sense at the end. The Road To Mercy… well there’s more than one meaning there for sure. This is a great read with a powerful message that you don’t want to miss.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads.

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This book is available online at
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Experiencing God’s Presence – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Experiencing God's Presence: Learning to Listen While You PrayExperiencing God’s Presence: Learning to Listen While You Pray by Linda Evans Shepherd

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“God wants to hear from you – but He also wants you to hear from Him.

What if every time you had a conversation, your best friend never got a word in edgewise? Your relationship would be less than fulfilling – for both of you! In the same way, a fulfilling prayer life is more than just regularly talking to God. And it’s more than checking items off a prayer list. God loves us so much that He wants us to draw close enough not only to talk but also to listen.” Continue reading →

Let Me Fall: The Love Story Between God and His Dimwitted Daughter – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Let Me Fall: The Love Story Between God and His Dimwitted DaughterLet Me Fall: The Love Story Between God and His Dimwitted Daughter by Beth Pensinger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Anyone who’s struggled with an addiction of some sort would agree that finding lasting contentment from the actual addiction is much like a dog chasing its tail – only a lot less adorable.”

“Let Me Fall is the love story between God and His dimwitted daughter.  I’m the dimwit in case you were wondering.”

“Let Me Fall is where my literal world figuratively collides with God as He shows me once more of who I am and who He is. My story isn’t a formula for falling in love with God. But I would be thrilled if it is a catalyst for others to do the same.”

I won this book through a Goodreads.com giveaway. I was so excited for it to arrive, as I was intrigued just from the title alone. I have to say, I was not disappointed!! I loved this book. Though the author states that this book is her story through her addiction… this book spoke to me in a very different tone. It spoke to me in the words that God knew I needed to hear. What a blessing this book was to me. It is not a book that I will read one time and put up on the shelf.

Thank you Mrs. Pensinger for being dutiful to that heavenly nudge and putting pen to paper.

*Disclaimer: I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads

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Pathways To The King – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Pathways to the King: Living a Life of Spiritual Renewal and PowerPathways to the King: Living a Life of Spiritual Renewal and Power by Rob Reimer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The Church in America desperately needs revival. We have fewer people attending church now (percentage wise) than ever before in the history of the United States. But how do we experience revival? How do we usher in God’s kingdom on Earth and see the next great spiritual awakening? It starts with you. God wants you to draw near to Jesus and to be a carrier of His kingdom, and He wants you to expand the kingdom to others – just like Jesus did. Pathways to the King provides you with 8 Kingdom pathways that you’ll need to incorporate and internalize in order to experience and expand God’s kingdom on Earth. When you begin you walk down these pathways, you will develop intimacy, authority, and power in Christ and become a kingdom-minded person living out the compelling life of the Spirit.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It served as both a wake up call and a reminder for me that I have been becoming complacent in my walk. I was “OK” with the way things were… instead of being hungry for more, and wanting all that God had for me – like it was all those years ago when I first met Jesus. Not only do I need revival, but also the Church needs revival.

The author brings out 8 pathways that we need to walk in order to bring about a fresh revival and renewal – both corporate and personal. We are called to internalize the pathways – personalizing our identity in Christ, pursuing God, purifying ourselves, praising, praying kingdom prayers, claiming promises, passing the tests, and persisting – in order to walk in continuous revival.

This book is filled with great information that just makes sense. There are probably 100 “blubs” (for lack of a better word) scattered throughout the book. They are wonderful nuggets of wisdom and truth that will certainly give you something to ponder through your day. A personal favorite – “If you believed the things that God believes about you, it would revive your soul”!! While this book is an easy read, I feel that this book deserves great attention and certainly more than just one reading to fully absorb the message that is so desperately needed in our Country.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, Goodreads, and to be featured on my blog at http://titus3.wordpress.com

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A Rooster Once Crowed – A Review

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A Rooster Once Crowed: A Commentary on the Greatest Story Ever ToldA Rooster Once Crowed: A Commentary on the Greatest Story Ever Told by Bryant Cornett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“We live in those few moments between the first and the second crow of the rooster – between decision and indecision, between knowing and being known. But do you even care? Small; decisions made today establish our path for all time and yet we people with a piece of this and a taste of that we diet on wisdom from antiquity and gorge on culture that is next month’s joke. This story is an opportunity to gorge on scripture – from Genesis to Revelation – in context it is the gospel of Jesus Christ and an opportunity to see for yourself what it actually is. Rather than what we mold it to be and to finally choose whether or not to care.”

“Through small stories and a modern context, this book will help you understand and decide what you believe about the greatest story ever told.”

A Rooster Once Crowed is truly a fascinating read. It challenged me, in a good way, from the first chapter by asking me to examine how much I really do know about God, Jesus, Heaven, Creation, the Trinity, the Gospels, the Crucifixion…

Using Scripture references, commentary and personal stories, the author placed me on a journey to either accept and re-affirm my faith or to deny it all together by giving me insight into God’s love for Man (me), the Fall due to sin, and the price/debt Jesus paid, His sacrifice, to bring mankind (me) into God’s plan.

In the last chapter, we are given an Invitation to the final and greatest “Dance”. Will you accept or decline? It is hoped that we accept, and if we do… what do we do until the dance? And how do we prepare? That is the crux of it all.

This is a powerful book that, in conjunction with Scripture, brings forth the truths of my/our belief’s and all that that includes. This book truly is nourishment for the soul.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, Goodreads, and to be featured on my blog at http://titus3.wordpress.com

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Castles of the Heart – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Castles of the HeartCastles of the Heart by Hale Meserow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“A Love story, a tale of immense personal courage, a gritty fight against entrenched racism, and a life lived in God’s care, all set in the beautiful back country of western North Carolina and the frenetic bustle of New York City…”

Castles of the Heart is a delightful book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. There were several strong female characters developed throughout the book, with the lead character as Starlight O’Bannion. The story follows the life – from the moment of conception – of Starlight. We are with her during her formative years, as she rises herself from the backwoods mountains of North Carolina to attend a most prestigious college to become a top ranked female attorney… something rarely heard of pre-world war 2. We are with Starlight at her marriage, her sudden young widowhood and the birth of her daughter.

As with most women of that era, Starlight is a strong and powerful woman, except when it comes to love. She again walks down the bridal aisle. We, the reader, can see where it is headed, but the young Starlight doesn’t.

With her professional life on a meteoric rise and her personal life in ruins, Starlight takes on the legal case of her life – to save the son of a lifelong family friend. I will stop this review there as much more will give away the entire ending.

I truly did take pleasure in reading this book. Though the length of the book did take me back a bit at first, I found the story to be an easy and enjoyable read. While there is clearly a Christian aspect to the entire story, I did not find it preachy or pushy.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads

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This book is available online at
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52 Reasons to Believe – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

52 Reasons to Believe: Concise Thoughts on the Christian Faith52 Reasons to Believe: Concise Thoughts on the Christian Faith by Gregg Farah

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Have doubts about the Christian faith? 52 Reasons to Believe is a devotional theology book, offering concise thoughts on the Christian faith. It will help you confront your questions and disarm your doubt. You’ll learn what the Bible says about itself and the character of God, and discover how they relate to contemporary life. Learn on your own or with a group, but expect to develop a stronger faith as you arm yourself with 52 Reasons to Believe.”

52 Reasons To Believe is divided into 4 sections. “The Bible is…” “ God is…” Jesus is…” “The Holy Spirit is…” Each section focuses, reveals, identifies and shares the characteristics, traits and descriptions and evidences of each particular topic. The author invites the reader to “dig in” and confront your questions, disarm your doubts and strengthen your spiritual life.

Within each of the 52 chapters, you will find: a reason to believe, a key quote, a “did you know” section, a “link to your life”, small group discussion questions, a Key verse and a short prayer.

Whether you decide to read this book all at once, or use it as a chapter a day or week, this book is a great resource for Christians of all spiritual levels, and would be perfect for groups focusing on new believers.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads
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A Melody for James – A Book Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

A Melody for James (Christian Romantic Suspense) (Song of Suspense)A Melody for James (Christian Romantic Suspense) by Hallee Bridgeman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Solitary strangers meet during a stormy stopover. Hours later, their hearts hum a harmonious duet.

Melody Mason has the hottest female voice in the country music scene. But the cheers of throngs of adoring fans mean little in the absence of the handsome stranger who rescued her years before. Widower James Montgomery has never forgotten her. He prays God can bring her back.

Incredible events finally bring them face to face again. Together at last, they realize the bond between them has miraculously risen to a crescendo, melodiously marrying them like strong symphonic chords. Uncannily, they learn they share more in common than they could have ever imagined. They know God reunited them for a purpose.

Sinister forces threaten to destroy their newfound happiness. The couple must work in close concert, placing all their faith in God as they solve the deadly mystery that ties their lives inexplicably together.

Fire, loss, and bloodshed cannot shake their faith in God to see them through as they face a percussive climax that leaves hearts and lives forever changed.”

A Melody for James is a wonderful Christian suspense story of a chance-encounter, a new love, a broken heart, sweet romance, and repentant hearts along with dread, secrets, intrigue, unimaginable loss and bloodshed all wrapped up in an unshakable faith in God that guides and protects Melody and James and those they love.

This book is a great story that will get its hooks in you from the very beginning with its twists and turns and suspense. You do not want to miss this book.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping,and GoodReads

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Uniform Decisions – A Book Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Uniform Decisions: My Life in the LAPD and the North Hollywood ShootoutUniform Decisions: My Life in the LAPD and the North Hollywood Shootout by John Caprarelli

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“February 28, 1997, Los Angeles, California – After a botched robbery at a Bank of America branch in North Hollywood, two robbers, armed with fully automatic assault rifles and wearing full body armor, fired more than 1,100 rounds as they battled police.

Eleven officers and two civilians were wounded. The two robbers, Emil Matasareanu and Larry Eugene Phillips Jr., were killed by gunfire. Officer John Caprarelli was one of the first officers at the scene.

Before a national TV audience, he confronted one of the robbers, provoking a gun fight and exchanging numerous shots before the gunman fell. Officer Caprarelli was awarded the LAPD’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, as well as a National Top Cop Award.”

I have members of my family that serve as police officers, firemen and first responders. I have always admired them for their dedication to their chosen fields. It takes a certain type of person to do those jobs; they is not for everyone. And after reading this memoir, I now have more admiration for them. These are dangerous and thankless jobs. They are the ones that run towards the trouble, when we are running away from it. The stories and anecdotes written by the Author give us a small, yet rare, glimpse into the life of a 27-year career police officer – both his personal and professional life.

It is the last half of the book, though, that totally captivated me. Without divulging much of the story… It is the detailed minute-by-minute account of the infamous North Hollywood Bank Robbery. I was totally captivated by the retelling of the account and could hardly put the book down. If you are a fan of police crime drama shows, as I am you will enjoy this book.

“It is said that working the streets as a police officer is hours of boredome sprinkled with econds of terror.  I can vouch for that.  It was quite a ride.” –  John Caprarelli

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, GoodReads and Deeper Shopping

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