by | Book Reviews
I received the opportunity to review a new book titled Reclaiming Lily. Unfortunately, I realized my schedule wasn’t going to allow me time to read it, but I wanted to make good on my commitment. When in doubt allow me to tell you the perfect person to call upon.
Mom…
She’s a sucker for a great novel, so I handed her the book and gave her the deadline. She wouldn’t put it down!
Some info about the book:
A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Dallas hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily.
Gloria’s relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman’s apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer…or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?
Here’s what Mom had to say:
This book is about a doctor, Kai, who was born in China. She is on a quest to find her adopted sister who may have the same disease that killed her mother. Her sister, Joy, was adopted by a preacher and his wife and has been very rebellious for several years. The two girls meet when Joy is arrested for shoplifting. They form a bond right away and go through a tornado together which begins to change Joy’s thoughts and perspective on life.
Kai starts showing signs of the disease and needs a kidney transplant to save her life but doesn’t want her sister to know because she doesn’t want to put her life in danger. The mother goes through a devastating sadness in her life and Kai helps her through this. Kai goes through several ups and downs also.
Throughout the book, the parents never give up on Joy or Kai, trying to show them both that God is the answer to all the questions they have.
The book leaves you wanting to know more and more. It is a heartwarming story of how they find each other, help each other and help the adoptive parents through the rough times that occur throughout the book. It tells how God was always there for them. It tells you about the hard times the girls endured while living in China and what their parents went through. I couldn’t wait to get to the end of the book to find out what happened.
She later told me that Reclaiming Lily kept her on the edge of her seat. Now I want to read it! What about you?
Great news…
The author, Patty Lacy is giving you a chance to win a Kindle. She’ll be giving the Kindle away at a Facebook party on October 20th. Click on the Reclaiming Lily icon to the left, or simply click here for more details. Good luck on winning!
What’s been your favorite book this year? Comment below…
by | Book Reviews
I’m taking a break for a day from the Restoration series. I’m processing slowly, and emotionally I need a break. I know – that was quick. Take it easy on me, k?
I wanted to break to tell you about a book I have had the privilege of reading that has given me some life-changing insight on what it’s like to be a Beautifully Gifted woman.
Beautifully Gifted
, Equipping Today’s Women for the High Calling of God, is a masterpiece for every woman, written by Dr. Angela Bisignano.
I have read many books this past year and not everyone of them I would recommend. However, for any woman who isn’t sure what the gift inside of them is, this book is a must.
Angela’s words challenged me to question what I am doing with my time, how I’m helping others with my gifts, how I deal with thoughts in my mind, and more. Every woman is in a spiritual battle with the enemy. He hates women! This book gave me great reminders of things I can do as a woman to tell the devil where he belongs.
She directed me to refocus my time on being in the presence of God; something I can quickly take advantage of. She made me cry too danged it!
One of the statements that brought me to tears:
God answered the question for me about how he would use my life for good. He took a little girl without her daddy, allowed her fearful heart to come out of hiding, healed and restored a relationship, promised eternal life to my dad and me, and gave me much hope for the future. My daddy is going to meet me inside of the pearly gates, and there we will be able to live, dance, and do all things together with the King of Kings. Now that’s a good story, because we serve a God who loves a good story. And how about you, is God whispering anything to you now about your story?
Here the tears come again.
If you are wondering today what you’re purpose is, perhaps you don’t know your passion, and you’re just tired of wondering, I highly recommend Beautifully Gifted. You won’t be disappointed.
Here’s some detail about the book:
Every woman yearns to know God’s high calling for her life. We all want to know that God created us for something meaningful. He designed us this way. Beautifully Gifted is for the woman who knows there is more to her life than she is presently experiencing.
Beautifully Gifted will encourage you to discover and pursue God’s high calling. We all have a role to play in God’s great adventure, to be His hands and heart to this world.
Beautifully Gifted will help you discover:
- Who God calls
- Why God created each of us according to His good pleasure
- How God uses your unique giftedness, passion, and life experiences for His plans
- What it means personally to live out God’s high calling in your life
I chose to work through the book myself, at my own pace, but there is even the option to do it as a group, or even a Bible Study. There are reflection questions at the end of each chapter that will certainly have you thinking deeper about your calling.
The book has grown me. I hope you allow it to grow you too.
Do you know what you’re calling is? Comment below…
by | Book Reviews
photo credit: church relevance
Have you ever come across that one book that you know you will read time and time again because something new will always pop out at you?
I have a few of those books in my life.
I now have one more to add to my collection.
Today We Are Rich – Harnessing The Power of Total Confidence
I actually won this book several months ago from Michael Hyatt. When I got it in the mail I added it to my stack of things to read. I actually picked it up one day and started to read, but couldn’t keep my mind focused long enough to stay with the story, so I put it down. A month later I picked it back up again. This time, however, I couldn’t put it down.
Tim Sanders, former Yahoo! executive, leadership coach, and best-selling author has written a life changing, powerful book that will change your life and open your mind to a new world of opportunities.
If…….you’re willing to let it happen.
This book isn’t just another self-help, look in the mirror and tell yourself you’re beautiful and everything will be okay publication. It’s an open your eyes, get your head out of the sand and do something with your life book.
Sanders was adopted as a little boy by his grandmother, Billye, after his father was murdered and his mother was unable to properly care for him. Not only did Billye raise him as her own, she taught him God’s wisdom about life, love, and everything in between. When his life started to go sideways, Tim took a trip back to Texas and was reminded of the truth his grandmother had given him.
It changed the course of his life, and it has indeed changed mine. I have no doubt that God put this book in my hands at exactly the right time.
Sanders shares seven principles in Today We Are Rich that helped him to become successful through confidence. Here are the principles.
- Feed Your Mind Good Stuff
- Move the Conversation Forward
- Exercise Your Gratitude Muscle
- Give to Be Rich
- Balance Your Confidence
- Promise Made, Promise Kept
Whether you struggle with selfishness, low confidence, entitlement, keeping your word, and more, this book open your eyes.
I’m so excited to share so many of the wonderful nuggets I got from this book in future posts. I have no doubt the words on each page will shift your view of life as it did mine.
To purchase your copy of Today We Are Rich, click here to visit the Amazon store. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
For the Kindle version, click here. 
Have you read this amazing book yet? What was your favorite principle? Comment below…
by | Book Reviews
Who grew up reading the Berenstain Bears? Me! I not only read their books, but I watched the cartoon also. I seriously don’t know how you could walk away from reading or watching them in action and not have that “I will make the world better” feeling in your heart. Okay, maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but you get the point.
I haven’t read a Bernestain Bears book in several years. I actually forgot about them as I grew up and got older. Okay, maybe as I got older. I’m still working on the growing up part. My favorite t-shirt is the Smurfs.
I was browsing around on Biblegateway one day and happened to see an advertisement for those inspirational bears. It was a Bible. The Berenstain Bears have a Bible! Do you think that’s as cool as I do? Well, I hope so because you’re going to get your chance to take one home.
I was very intrigued so I contacted Zondervan and asked them if I could give one away. They were happy to oblige.
It’s an incredible Bible really. I would keep it for myself if I hadn’t promised to give it away.
Here are just of the few great features included in the Berenstain Bears Bible:
- 18-full color pages with your favorite characters
- Large, readable print
- Dictionary for quick reference
- Reading plan to take you through step by step
- NIRV (New International Reader’s Version)
Another thing I love about the Berenstain Bears Bible? It’s written at a third grade level. Your kids can have fun reading the Bible, and learn about God and His Word in a BIG, FUN way.
Okay… so I’m super excited about giving it away. For your chance to win, you must do the following:
- Leave a comment below. Answer the question below.
- Fill out the form here.
- Like my Facebook page .
On Monday, August 1st I will select a winner. If you are one of those selected, I will notify you via email.
What was your favorite Berenstain Bears story?
by | Book Reviews
Max on Life
Have you been searching for answers to some of life’s toughest questions? Whether you are a new Christian or have been walking in your faith for years, Max on Life by Max Lucado will be a great asset to your book shelf.
After receiving thousands of questions from others, Max compiled the answers in this amazing book with the goal in mind to answer some of life’s toughest questions.
Question 27 – Is God willing to use anyone to change the world? Even people who’ve lived ungodly lives?
“God restores the broken and the brittle, then parades them before the world as trophies of his love and strength.”
Question 41 – I was sexually abused as a child, and I’ve honestly tried to forgive this person. But I continue to suffer the effects of the abuse, both mentally and physically, so the pain and anguish keep me on a crazy cycle. One day I feel that I can forgive, and the next I feel I can’t.
“Forgiveness breaks the chain of abuse. Forgiveness resolves the past and protects the future.”
Question 66 – I applied for a job and got rejected. I asked my grandmother for a loan; she turned me down. My boyfriend says we should split up. I’m having a hard, hard week. Is God even listening to me?
“God hears our requests. But his answer is not always what we’d like it to be. Why? Because God knows more about life than we do.
Question 98 – What is the big deal about pornography? Why make such a big deal out of what is natural? Some men say they are controlled by pornography. Not me. I can sample without struggling. So I do.
“You will live tomorrow the thoughts you tolerate today.”
Question 121 – I’ve put my family in a dangerous financial bind because of my mistakes. I’m too proud to ask for help, but on the other hand I am scared of ruining my marriage and my family.
“Pride is a stubborn, sticky mess of self-preservation. God never, ever approves of it.”
Question 139 – Things are getting really dicey at work. With all the layoffs, my colleagues are redefining integrity. Some are claiming sales they did not make. Others are padding their expense accounts. I empathize with their actions. In fact, I’m tempted to hedge my bets a bit myself.
“Don’t make a decision in a storm that you wouldn’t make in calm weather.”
Question 163 – To be honest, heaven does not excite me — this idea of clouds and harps and endless singing. What am I missing?
“The best of this world is a postcard of the next.”
Note: I have only pulled a small nugget from each of the answers to the above questions.
Lucado covers hope, hurt, help, marriage, home, haves/have-nots, and the hereafter in Max on Life. I believe you won’t walk away disappointed with the Godly wisdom packed into this wonderful book.
Get the answers and insights to your most important questions in Max on Life. Check it out on Amazon here…
What is one of life’s toughest questions you are currently struggling with?
by | Book Reviews
Life of John Newton
“I see in this world to heaps of human happiness, and misery; now, if I can take but the smallest bit from one heap, and add to the other, I carry a point. If, as I go home, a child has dropped a half-penny, and, by giving it another, I can wipe away its tears, I feel I have done something. I should be glad, indeed, to do greater things, but I will not neglect this.”
In the Life of John Newton, he was described as as a man whose “benevolence was always active, and he was always ready to do good, no matter how small the occasion.”
If you were to ask those involved in his life during his younger years you may get a different story.
Who is John Newton you ask? He was a young kid who didn’t want to find a job. He partied like there was no end. He was in love with Mary from the first moment he met her. He tended to start fights without reason. He was a human trafficker. He became a minister of the Gospel.
Oh yeah… and there’s one more thing…
He wrote one of the greatest songs known to man, “Amazing Grace.”
In the Life of John Newton, a book originally published in 1831 by the American Sunday-School Union, and republished by Attic Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group, you’re taken through the trials, tribulations, and temptations of Newton. Watch his story unfold through the pages of history as he goes from libertine to annointed preacher.
It’s a great book to read whether you’re a history lover, or intersted in watching a love story develop between John Newton and Mary.
The hardest part about the book? The language definitely dates back to 1831. It took me a while to adjust and I did have to get the dictionary out a few times. Don’t let that scare you away though. It’s a great biography and worth the read.
Newton asked that these words be written on his tombstone:
JOHN NEWTON, CLERK
Once an infidel and libertine,
A servant of slaves in Africa,
Was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior
JESUS CHRIST,
Preserved, restored, pardoned,
And appointed to preach the faith he
Had long laboured to destroy,
Near 16 years at Olney in Bucks;
And — years in this church.
On Feb. 1, 1750, he married
MARY,
Daughter of the late Geroge Catlett,
Of Chatham, Kent.
He resigned her to the Lord who gave her
On the 15th of December 1790.
To purchase the book or learn more about this great redemption story, click here..
