Messed-up Mustard Seeds and Broken Want-to’s
These are a couple of chapter titles in a book that I just finished reading – Heart Wide Open by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson.
The title sound benign enough… ah…. but it’s the sub-title that says it all:
Trading Mundane Faith For An Exuberant Life With Jesus
And then I will take it one step further… The opening page of Chapter 1:
“Jesus, I know I don’t love You like I should, but I want to want to love You!” Continue reading
Crash the Chatterbox: Hearing God’s Voice Above All Others by Steven Furtick
Recently I became aware of a GodTube video of Pastor Furtick that I, as an evangelical Christian, find truly offensive. For that reason, I will not promote any products of Pastor Furtick and have removed my reviews of his books from my blog.
To understand this post, please visit:
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FFCM2CNU
Can a person be a born-again, blood-bought, Jesus-loving, child of the Most High King and still struggle with strongholds in their life? According to a book that I just finished reading by Pastor Bobby Davis – yes,… they can.
Here is an excerpt that I found so amazingly telling…
“As I said when we began this chapter, salvation is a journey. It is a process. True salvation is not a one-time event, as most people think. You go the the altar; you accept Jesus as Lord of your life; you get up and go on with your life. Sure, at that moment you were transferred from one kingdom to another, (I love that line!) but the same strongholds you stuggled with before kneeling at that altar are the same one you will struggle with when you get up.” – Saved But Still Enslaved – page 20 Continue reading
There are books, and the there are BOOKS.
As many of your know, I am blessed to be able to read and review books from several different publishing company’s. Over the last few months, I have recieved and read some amazing books. And the one I am writing about today is no exception.
The Power Of A Half Hour by Pastor Tommy Barnett is AMAZING!!!
I’ve stuggled for some quite a while with own use, or waste, of my time. I sometimes feel like I lack focus and meaning to each of my 24-hours and that sometimes I’m just going through the motions of my days. Sure I do get alot done, actually I accomplish quite a bit… but it’s all just so much busy work. Continue reading
Where Courage Calls: A When Calls the Heart Novel by Janette Oke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan – A special companion story to Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart TV series.
“Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected. Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outing her father’s wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching positing in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister’s visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she’s had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?” Continue reading
Stop Waiting… Start WINNING!: 10 Steps to Living Your Vision NOW! by Teresa Hairston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“God created you to be visionary! You may not feel like one. Or maybe you are completely burnt out on vision because you’re had so much of it – and nothing has happened… yet. In Stop Waiting… Start Winning! Dr. Teresa Hairston shares ten life-changing principles that you can apply to see your dreams become reality.”
When this book arrived, I thought… oh here we go, it looks like the cover for a 3AM infomercial! I read the back of the book… “Live Your Vision Now!” “God created you to be a visionary!” “ She ran with vision in sprite of the obstacles…” I am so pleased to report that I was sorely mistaken.
This book is a joy to read and is so enlightening. Ms. Hairston just breaks it all down and lays it all out… so profound. This book captured me from the first chapter. The essentials that she lays out chapter-by-chapter are not just ten principal spread out over four phases. They are nuggets of wisdom and knowledge, utilizing biblical truths, as well as processes and prayers that Ms. Hairston herself employed in fulfilling the destiny that God had planned for her life. Continue reading
Determination — So this is week 2 of the Made To Crave Online Bible study. I am so glad that this is the the Word of the Week. Because it is taking everything inside me to stay focused. It’s crazy how easily we can get side-tracked. Oh I’ll read that chapter after I make the bed or do the dishes. Oh Look…. there’s a movie on that I wanted to see. There are nights, like last night, in fact for the entire day, that I was so focused… nothing could get me off track… and then there was today. Yikes!!!! But I am determined. Determined to do something with all of this. Determined to recognize my weaknesses, and to recognize that where I am weak, HE is strong. Determined to accept that it doesn’t matter what “they” say, I am made for more. That where I am right now, is not all there is. Scripture says that He came that we might have life, and life more adundantly. I don’t want just an abundant life. I want all that He has planned for my life and I don’t want my life without HIS hand guiding it. I want more of Him. I want the blessing of God on my life and my family. Continue reading
Experiencing 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
Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray by Gina Duke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“A recent survey revealed that 48 percent of the Christians surveyed were unhappy with their prayer life, 34 percent admitted that they did not know how to pray, and 31 percent were not sure that God ever responded to their prayers. The truth is we all want to grow our prayer lives, to be closer to Christ, to see prayer change things, and to make a difference. This books help you begin.
Organizing Your Pray Closet is part organizer and part record-keeper; it’s a new approach to revitalizing your time alone with God. Using Scripture, inspirational quotes, and space for journaling, author Gina Duke highlights the importance and power of prayer as the best connection to the source of all strength.”
I was intrigued when I read the title of this book. I have kept a journal for many years; nothing fancy, mostly a spiral notebook where I drop my thoughts, prayers, problems and blessings. I’ve never really found a way to organize my thoughts, until now.
Ms. Duke has brought it all together for me in a clean, concise and organized manner. There are 10 sections that are covered in the book with each section/chapter building on the last, culminating in a wonderfully organized plan. As each section is defined and discussed, Ms. Duke offers suggestions and helpful advice to make the most out of your newly organized prayer closet and your one-on-one time with Jesus.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to take their precious alone time with Jesus to the next level; to really witness and understand His hand at work in their life and to see the real effects of their petitions and prayers.
*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.
This book is available online at
Deeper Shopping Books and Bibles:
52 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
View all my reviews
This book is available online at
Deeper Shopping Books and Bibles:
Saved Because of His Mercy 