God’s Grace

From Good to Grace

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

From Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness GospelFrom Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness Gospel by Christine Hoover

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“God is calling you to something greater than good. So many of us feel as if we do not do enough and, in fact, are not enough. We try hard to be good–a good friend, mom, wife, Christian, employee, or ministry leader–hoping for that “atta-girl” from God, some heavenly assertion that we matter. In the process, we find ourselves living by a lesser gospel: the gospel of goodness. It’s a gospel without grace, and in the end, it’s good for nothing.”

While written mainly to women, From Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness Gospel by Christine Hoover is a book that will touch so many of us – men and women alike. How many of us feel that, though we have received forgiveness and new life that somehow we still must work for it… that we don’t deserve it… almost as if we “owe” for it. Continue reading →

Pilgrim’s Progress

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 1 Comment

The Pilgrim's ProgressThe Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Often described as something that would help him, evil accompanies Christian on his journey to the Celestial City. As you walk with him, you’ll begin to identify today’s many religious pitfalls. As you walk with him, you’ll begin to identify today’s many religious pitfalls. These are presented by men such as Pliable, who turns back at the Slough of Despond; and Ignorance, who believes he’s a true follower of Christ when he’s really only trusting in himself. Each character represented in this allegory is intentionally and profoundly accurate in its depiction of what we see all around us, and unfortunately, what we too often see in ourselves. But while Christian is injured and nearly killed, he eventually prevails to the end. So can you.” Continue reading →

Life Unstuck

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Life Unstuck: Finding Peace with Your Past, Purpose in Your Present, Passion for Your FutureLife Unstuck: Finding Peace with Your Past, Purpose in Your Present, Passion for Your Future by Pat Layton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Everyone has felt stuck at some point in life. Our inertia is gone, momentum is wiped out, and life trudges on devoid of passion. But God has so much more than this planned for his daughters. With passion and enthusiasm, Pat Layton invites women to imagine their world unstuck–a place where they feel at peace with the past, find purpose in the present, and revel in the possibilities that the future holds. With her rousing Unstuck Manifesto, she delves deep into the areas readers get stuck in the most–relationships, finances, ministry, career, and more–and, with the Scriptures as her guide, unveils the path to positive forward movement.”

Had I not gone any further than page 13 to what the author titled “Unstuck Manifesto”, I would already have been beyond blessed by this book. However, I kept reading. And oh how I was blessed. In Life Unstuck, the author, Pat Layton, so readily shares testimony from her own life where she was stuck, and allows us into her journey of freedom.
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When Mountains Won’t Move

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When Mountains Won't Move: How to Survive a Struggling FaithWhen Mountains Won’t Move: How to Survive a Struggling Faith by Jacob Hawk

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Standing in the midst of majesty and might, Jesus said that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can look at the mountains in the distance, tell them to move, and they will (Matthew 17:20). But what happens when our faith is smaller than the smallest of all seeds? What happens when the mountains won’t move? The purpose of this book is to equip and exhort Christians to survive the most difficult days of life, so that the mountains which won’t move will move before them.”

When Mountains Won’t Move; How to Survive a Struggling Faith by Jacob Hawk is not a big book both in size and number of pages, but it certainly is big on wisdom. Death of a child, loss of a job, foreclosure of the house, your spouse is walking out, the bills can’t be paid, a serious illness is diagnosed… those are the mountains that show up in the lives of believers and non-believers alike with more regularity than we want. They are mountains that seem impossible for us to move under our own strength. Continue reading →

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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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 →

Unveiling Heaven’s Agenda

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Hosting the Presence Every Day: 365 Days to Unveiling Heaven's Agenda for Your LifeHosting the Presence Every Day: 365 Days to Unveiling Heaven’s Agenda for Your Life by Bill Johnson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

”The Holy Spirit lives within you. This is a fact for every single Christian. The question is: Are you experiencing the power of the Spirit resting upon you? He lives within you for your sake, but He comes upon you to transform the world around you.

Experience deep intimacy with the Father, catch a fresh vision of Jesus, and discover how you can walk in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit as your new normal. Transform your world as you begin Hosting the Presence Everyday!”
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Empowered By His Presence

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Empowered by His Presence: Receiving the Strength You Need Each DayEmpowered by His Presence: Receiving the Strength You Need Each Day by Kevin G. Harney

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Receive God’s power for the journey ahead. Are you in need of strength, encouragement, and hope? Empowered by His Presence will set you free to face life head-on and follow God’s glorious vision. Kevin Harney weaves together biblical stories and modern narrative to form and stunning tapestry of grace and hope? In the pages of this book, you will find four surprising and God-given sources of strength: Suffering, Loss and Pain, Sabbath and Rest, Community, and Mission and Purpose. Discover how each of the power sources can help you live boldly, serve humbly, and overcome life’s obstacles.”

This book, as the author suggests, should probably be used as a four-week study whereby the reader can really uncover the wisdom and truths written on these 200+ pages. Or you can, as I did… devour the book in a couple of days.

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The Life You Are Longing For

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Life with a Capital L: Embrace a Bigger Gospel. Experience a Bigger Life.Life with a Capital L: Embrace a Bigger Gospel. Experience a Bigger Life. by Matt Heard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“What is it that you long for? Dream about? Hunger after? We all desire more than just the endurance of our daily routines. But often we feel limited and stuck — like we’re merely existing instead of living. That’s not the way it was meant to be. God intends the humanity in each of us to be deeply experienced, lavishly enjoyed, and exuberantly celebrated. In fact this is what the gospel is all about.

Yes, the gospel. Contrary to conventional thinking — inside and outside the church — following Jesus is not about denying our humanness but embracing it. Rather than acting more spiritual or being more religious, we’re called and enabled to become more fully human… and alive. Matt Heard escorts us on a journey of discovery: that Jesus didn’t come to save us from our humanity — Christ instead yearns to restore it to what God originally intended. Matt then explores ten key areas where everyday life can become extraordinary Life. Christ promised we could “live life to the full.” He didn’t just mean eventually. Life with a Capital L is the Life you are longing for. Now.”
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The Making of an Ordinary Saint

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

This is another of the books that is on my 2015 list of books to read again… digging deeper and going deeper – exploring each of these disciplines…   (that list will show up on this blog at the beginning of December. I hope that you will join me in reading through the list)

The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual DisciplinesThe Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines by Nathan Foster

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Nathan Foster was just a child when his father’s classic Celebration of Discipline brought the spiritual disciplines into the popular evangelical consciousness. More than thirty years later, Nathan made his own journey into the spiritual disciplines. As he sought day by day to develop habits that would enable him to live more like Jesus, he encountered problems both universal and unique. In this engaging narrative, he draws insights from saints of old to uncover fresh ways of living for the contemporary, postmodern Christian.”
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