Fun New Store!

A few posts ago, I mentioned a great new online store that was opening soon.  Well, McKinney Peaks is now up and in its Beta Testing stage.

McKinney Peaks currently offers home décor, NCAA products, Melissa & Doug, outdoor gear, toys and more!

 

Here are some of my favorite products up for grabs: (click the picture to go directly to site location)

How precious is this “I See the Moon” figurine?

 

The 23rd Psalm kitchen set, including towel, oven mitt and pot holder.

 

 

Shabby Chic Corner  Cabinet

 

Cottage Garden Candle Stands

 

 

I love birdhouses and this Noah’s Ark Birdhouse is adorable!

 

   Here’s a great tool to teach both shapes and telling time, as well as number recognition!

How cute is this sun hat for your little one?

And let’s not forget Christmas…it’s just around the corner!

 

These are just a few of my favorites.  There is much more at McKinney Peaks.  Go check them out!

Coming Soon!

I wanted to give you the heads up to a great new company that will be launching very soon:

              

McKinney Peaks will be offering a fantastically diverse line of products ranging from toys, Melissa & Doug products to home decor. The products will be available for individual purchase through the online store OR (and this is the good part) you can use them for your church's/organization's next fundraising event!  These are some quality products I am talking about, not the cheap flea-markey stuff. 

I know the owners personally, so I am super excited about their newest venture and am proud to be the first to announce their arrival. 

Stay tuned for the final details!

Book Review: Unleashed

Time for another book review.  This time I read Unleashed:Release the Untamed Faith Within by Erwin McManus.  As before, this book was provided free of charge by BookSneeze for review and I was not compensated in any way, nor expected to write a favorable review.  All opinions are 100 percent mine.


I must say this was a tedious read for me. I appreciate the underlying theme of supreme devotion to God; of not being afraid to go where He sends you and how; of having a sincere and excited passion for Christ and sharing the Gospel. In this sense, it was a very inspiring book.

HOWEVER, I quickly grew tired of the use of the word "barbarian" and the phrase "barbarian way". I understand this was the point of the book, to challenge Christians to live and think outside of the "civilized church" and to be on-fire for God and not religious tradition. I get that. I got that
the first chapter. I did not have to have "barbarian" repeated to me a zillion times.

I also enjoyed the personal stories and how he (the author) showed the ways in which the original Christians were consumed by their passion for God and Christ(John the Baptist, Paul and Peter to name a few). I do have to say, though, that I do not agree that we all should be striving to live this outrageous life for God. We should be living according to the purpose He has for us as individuals, with our unique personalities. Paul reminds us we all have different gifts of the spirit. We obviously all have different personalities. The kindly lady who quietly cleans the church bathrooms each week, if
doing it out of sincere service to God, is as pleasing to God as the most boisterous evangelist or enthusiastic missionary. The Truth has set us free and we all should take advantage of it according to how God has called us. After all, the quiet, consistent Christian is of much value too (thinking of Timothy's mother and grandmother).

The title includes the words: "Release the untamed faith within". I can understand the point the author was making. We are to worship and serve God with abandon and total trust in Him. We need to shake off stuffy tradition and get back to the meat. This I agree with. I just feel as though the author did not know how else to relay his theme outside of one word: barbarian. Perhaps more thought needed to go into it.

In short: great theme, tedious repetition to make the point of that theme.

Stanley’s Orange Wonder

Yesterday we visited Hubs’ parents for church and then lunch.  Long story short: E drizzled vegetable soup down her hall, all over her beige carpet.  My mother-in-law had taken the big kids to a nearby playground.  So my sister-in-law and I scrambled to find something with which to clean up the tomato-y mess.  She found an old bottle of Orange Miracle by Stanley.  I was not very hopeful.  Tomato juice and white carpet just don’t make a great couple.  Wouldn’t you know, it worked!  Just a dab on a moist cloth and voila!  No sign whatsoever of tomato juice ever being spilled on that carpet. 

I had to come home and look this stuff up.  The bottle she had was old, and Stanley must have since changed the name to Orange Wonder.  Note: What we used put off a very strong citrusy odor, so good ventilation is required.

Here’s what the website says:

Orange Wonder All Purpose Spot & Stain Remover
Formerly called Orange Miracle™
All Purpose Spot & Stain Remover
The powerful natural orange formula deodorizes as it cleans. Strong to remove gum, tar, oil, grease, ink, lipstick, shoe polish, food and pet stains. Great for grass stains! Safe for no-wax floors, appliances, chrome, tile, glass, most machine washables, colorfast shoes and handbags.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE: On hard surfaces, apply small amount to cleaning cloth, rub surface, rinse. For carpets and upholstery, try first on an inconspicuous area. Blot completely with damp sponge, shampoo. Contains BITREX--which has such an intensely nasty taste it is practically impossible for a person or pet to ingest.
8 fl.oz.
SKU Number:A3845

Price:
$7.99

This is definitely going in my cleaning closet (way up high of course)!

Go to their website to learn more about Stanley Home Products.

Book Review: The Final Summit

Two days ago I received in the mail a copy of The Final Summit by Andy Andrews. Once again, this book was provided free of charge for review by Booksneeze. I am not compensated in any way, nor am I expected to write a favorable review.







The description on the back cover reads, “This is humanity’s last chance. Centuries of greed, pride and hate have sent mankind hurtling toward disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship-and that answer is only two words……Andrews (shows) us the one thing we must do when don’t know what to do”.


Here is my summation: David Ponder is a man of great wealth and, what the world would deem, as success. We learn that several years ago he was escorted through time by the archangel Gabriel, where he met and spoke with seven notable historical figures. Some of these include Anne Frank, Abraham Lincoln and Christopher Columbus. Each person he meets leaves him with a bit of advice, which he clings to upon his return to his present time. The advice is coined “The Seven Decisions” and his decision to follow them is what leads him to become successful in life.

Eight months after his wife dies, David is feeling lonely, despondent, depressed. Gabriel appears to him once again and tells him he is to lead a summit that will determine the fate of mankind. God is “fed up” with the direction that mankind is hurtling toward and is about to put an end to it all.

David’s job is to answer a question. The question is what humanity can do to restore itself on the pathway toward a successful civilization. The answer, Gabriel tells him, is two words. He will be assisted by Winston Churchill and can request assistant from one other “Traveler”, or historical figure, at a time. They get five tries to get it right or the world will come to an end.

Okay, here’s the good news. As a work of fiction, this book is well-written, engaging and moves at a comfortable pace. The characters are well-defined and believable. The historical references, as far I know, are accurate. Sure, it is a bit of a fantasy considering a man is plucked out of time and placed into a room filled with people long gone and told by an archangel that the fate of mankind rests upon their answer to a simple question. But like I said, it is fiction. It is also enjoyable within that context.

I do however have one major theological grievance against the book. Let me say it this way: if you read this in hopes Mr. Andrews will reveal to you some great solution to the world’s problems, please don’t bother. You MUST remember it is fiction. I wouldn’t even call it Christian fiction, though I am sure some would categorize it as such. It is true that it emphasizes some admirable virtues and good morals, but those alone do not a Christian make. This brings me to my….irritation…if I may.

Jesus is referred to only once in the entire book, page 166, and even then is mentioned only as “the Boss’ Son”. Something simply cannot be Christian without Christ. There is talk of God and even King David and, as I said, Gabriel are important supporting characters, but no reference to Jesus and what He did for humanity.

The recounting of certain historical events is fascinating and entertaining, but I found it very disheartening that Jesus is really not even an afterthought in the theme of the book. Mr. Andrews paints God, and through the brief mentioning of Jesus as the Boss’ Son, as being unconcerned observers and enforcers. If the participants of the summit produce the right answer, then all is saved. If not, all is lost. There is way too much emphasis on what humanity can do to save itself and completely disregards what God Himself, through Jesus, already did some two-thousand years ago.

This book may very well be an example of how even Christians can get caught up in the grandiose ideas of humanism and feel-good ideas such as, “pulling yourself up by your own boot straps” and similar mentalities. It does offer some snippets of biblical truth, but since it leaves out The Truth, it holds no weight for me.

In closing, if you want to read a book merely for its fictional value then The Final Summit is a good choice. However, if you want something that reflects Truth, I’d advise you look elsewhere.

Book Review: A Conversation with God

I was recently given the opportunity to read A Conversation with God for Women by Marcia Ford. 

The purpose of the book is to answer the most asked questions by women concerning spiritual issues.  The format is quite interesting in that the answers are given in conversation/prose style.  Instead of giving a broad answer with scripture references, the answers are written as if God Himself is speaking to you.  He refers to His Word with examples.

Some of the questions include:

God, why don’t you just reveal yourself? What about women in ministry?  How can we stop worrying so much? How can evil coexist with your love? What’s up with the teaching on submission? and What’s so bad about gossip?

A total of 55 questions are answered in simple, easy-to-read prose from the perspective of both God and Jesus.  While I find it somewhat presumptuous to “speak for God”, the answers are Biblical and can probably be trusted as much as any commentary written by man. It offers an interesting perspective and the answers are quite thorough.

The best way to find the answers we need, however, is to read the literal Word for ourselves while praying for the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and understanding.

 

This book was provided free of charge, for review, by BookSneeze.  A favorable review was not expected, nor was I compensated in any way.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Book Review: Beneath the Night Tree

Beneath the Night Tree by Nicole Baart is the final installment of a series including After the Leaves Fall and Summer Snow. Having not read the
first two, I cannot comment on the flow. I did not, however, have any trouble reading this title as a stand alone book.

I must admit that I was a bit, well, slow getting into the book. For some reason, it did not grab my interest the way others do. However, around page 70, the pace started to pick up for me and in the end I must say I love this story!

The gist of the storyline is this: Julia DeSmit is a single mom of both her son and her very young brother, who was abandoned by their mother. They live with Julia's grandmother on a farm in Iowa. Between working full-time, being a mom, managing a household, making time for her out-of-town boyfriend and attending college at the local tech school, Julia is a very busy girl for her age of twenty-four. Her world is shaken when her son's absent father suddenly reenters her life and wants a relationship with his boy. Can she forgive him for leaving her all those years ago? Has he really changed? To add another twist, her boyfriend proposes marriage. She is overjoyed but cannot help but wonder how it will affect her boys, grandmother, her life. All the while, Julia wonders if God really is listening to her prayers or has He decided to remain silent?

With themes pertaining to God, forgiveness, prayer and family it is a must read for Christian fiction lovers or anyone who enjoys a clean romance.

**********I received this book for review free of charge from Tyndale Blogging Network. All opinions are 100% mine and I was not expected to write a favorable review.********

Book Review: An Amish Love

For some reason I have always avoided not just Amish-themed, but Christian fiction all together.  Seems odd, right?  I mean, I love to read and I am a Christian with very old-fashioned values.  I guess I just thought they would not be able to hold my interest.  I don’t know.
Anyway, when BookSneeze made An Amish Love available for review, I bypassed my usual Christian-help/encouragement nonfiction and chose outside my usual genre.  I am so glad I did!
An Amish Love is a compilation of three novellas, written by three different authors.  It is compiled of “A Marriage of the Heart” by Kelly Long, “What the Heart Sees” by Kathleen Fuller and “Healing Hearts” by Beth Wiseman. Although there are three stories and three authors, the stories are connected.  Each is set in the same Amish community and a few of the characters are mentioned in each story.
“A Marriage of the Heart” is a charming love story about falling in love with your spouse AFTER marriage.  Hoping to get out from under her father’s thumb, Abigail conspires to have a marriage of convenience by accusing a local boy of inappropriate behavior at a community picnic.  Much to her surprise, the boy goes along with it and preserves her honor by not revealing her lies to the community.  I had a lot of fun after that, reading as their relationship developed after marriage and they slowly fell in love.  Very sweet and innocent story.
“What the Heart Sees” is about a young woman named Ellie.  We learn that she went blind as the result of car accident which occurred several years before.  Ellie’s best friend died in the accident and her friend’s fiancé never got over it.  This story deals heavily with forgiveness and honesty.
This brings me to “Healing Hearts”.  It opens with the return of Levina’s estranged husband Naaman.  Naaman went to visit his cousin in Ohio and did not return for nearly a year.  Thus, Levina and Naaman must try and find their way back to each other emotionally.  Additionally, Naaman’s adult children must find a way to forgive their father for abandoning the family. Just when the couple begins to mend their relationship, an out-of-town sheriff shows up and threatens to take it all away.

An Amish Love, and its charming novellas, has introduced me to an all new genre of reading.  I found each story charming and relatable.  The authors write with a fluidity that makes each novella an enjoyable read, leaving me wanting more.


This book was provided for review, free of charge, by BookSneeze.com.  I was not compensated in any way and all opinions are 100% mine.

Spread some cheer with the help of Pier 1!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

Pier 1

Do you have a place to shop in which you feel like a kid in a candy store?  I do.  For years I have loved the style and affordability of Pier 1.  I really wish I didn’t have to travel 40 plus miles to get to one.  Wait a minute…I don’t; not with their fabulous web site just a few keystrokes away!  I’m serious.  I love their products.

This time of year you can find some gorgeous stuff to help decorate and make your home feel welcoming and charming and, well, in the Christmas spirit!

Here are some of my favorites:   

 

 I love this neat reindeer candle center piece.

 

And how cute are these gingerbread men soaps?!

I LOVE this beautiful table runner!  This may be my favorite must-have this year!

 

They also have some great gift ideas too!

How about a luxurious Pashmina for a special lady? (Mom, if you are reading this, it’s on sale for just $24.65! hint hint :))

There are also some great bargains for gift-giving on a budget:

Like these whimsical pens for the golfer in your family! Only $5!

and every female I know loves bath products

These come in a cute stocking and for only $3.50!

And let’s not forget I have two young children at home, so this wooden cup and ball game is PERFECT for hand-eye coordination

 

Pier 1 has everything you may need (or just want) to make your home beautiful this Christmas.  ALSO, they participate in Toys for Tots which is a wonderful way to show Christ’s love.  In fact, check out Pier 1 on Face book and with every “like”, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots.  They Twitter too! 

Now I’m all psyched and think I’ll have to make the drive to the nearest store.  What is your favorite product from Pier 1?holiday gifts

 

 

      

Review: Maybelline Age Rewind Foundation and Powder

I rarely wear makeup.  The mood has to strike me or I have to go somewhere "special" and want to look nice.  Well, my sister is getting married this weekend, and I am matron of honor, so I guess that warrants a "special occasion". :)
I literally cannot remember the last time I shopped for new foundation.  It took me forever because I was looking for something specific and relatively inexpensive.  My skin has still not recovered from my pregnancy with E.  I have discoloration and an uneven skin tone.  Plus, I am not 21 anymore so I wanted something for early signs of aging, ahem, crows feet and smile lines.

Enter Maybelline Age Rewind.  More specifically, Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup.

Here's what Maybelline has to say about it: 

Rewind the years with Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup



Smoothes and evens skin tone


Goji Berry and Caffeine visibly firms and improves skin's condition


Contains SPF 18 Sunscreen to help protect skin from sun damage

            I also purchased Instant Age Rewind Protector Finishing Powder

Here is what Maybelline says:  Instant Age Rewind Protector Finishing Powder with SPF 25 and anti-oxidant Goji Berry goes beyond basic powder to fight the signs of aging as it delivers flawless-looking skin.



Weightless formula feels comfortable and doesn’t dry out skin leaving it soft and smooth


Broad Spectrum Sunsreen with SPF 25 provides protection against UVB and UVA radiation that cause signs of aging


Glides on smoothly and evenly


Oil Free & Fragrance Free


What I Think:
Maybelline follows through on its word.  The foundation leaves my skin looking smooth and with an even firm tone.  It also leaves my face feeling soft.  The powder is indeed weightless, and goes on smooth and evenly.  It is a nice accessory to the foundation.  I also LOVE the SPF inclusion. 
I may have to wear it on a more normal basis, cause hubby says I look "better" wearing it!  LOL-that is a huge compliment from him!

Outlive Your Life-Book Review

I’ve recently had the pleasure to read Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado.  He never disappoints. 
In Outlive Your Life,  Mr. Lucado challenges all Christians to step it up.  He says we have “an opportunity to make a big difference during a difficult time”.
He opens his book outlining “our once- in- history opportunity” to be like the first church which was a misfit group of people who had nothing more than “fire in the belly to change the world”.  They lived for Christ. They died for Christ.  And what a difference they made!
Mr. Lucado also dives into subjects such as humility, remembering Who holds us, shaking off prejudice, compassion and a reminder of the power of prayer. 
He reminds us that “Jesus had a target audience. The poor. The brokenhearted. Captives. The blind and oppressed.” (p.101) As His followers, His Body, we are expected to carry on His message. One of my favorite passages says, “Those who suffer belong to all of us. And if all of us respond, there is hope” (p.49). We can all help someone. When we help, we are serving Jesus.  Sometimes this help can come in the form of giving monetarily, through activism, through teaching or through “simply” prayer.

I find this book to be inspiring and uplifting.  Mr. Lucado writes with simplicity and sincerity, incorporating stories as examples to further his point.  It is an easy read and one that I will read again and probably again, to serve both as a reminder of my call to serve Jesus and an encouragement. 


This book was provide to me for review, free of charge, by Booksneeze.com.  I was not compensated in anyway nor expected to write a favorable review.

Barbie Loves Glitter Blow dryer Doll Review

 

As mentioned in my last post, Beauty received the Barbie loves Glitter doll for her birthday.  It was the first Barbie she has ever seen in a circular and wanted.  She is just now developing an interest in dolls.  Anyway, since she actually asked for it-we had to get it for her.

I was really excited about it and couldn’t wait to try it out!  It comes with its own blow dryer that blows either air or glitter and a straightening iron that is supposed to color Barbie’s hair.  She also has her own salon chair, hair gel and of course a comb.

Now for the review.

I give this toy  an A.  Now before you think, Great!, let me explain why I do not give it an A+.  The “instructions” say that if you fill up the iron with cold water, it will change Barbie’s hair color to pink or purple.  If you put in warm water, it will go back to blonde.  No matter how cold or warm I got the water, her hair did not change. (Note: some of her hair was already pink and purple, so that’s cool.) The blow dryer works fine with two AAA batteries.  One setting blows just air and another glitter that is supposed to stick to her hair, if you’ve applied the gel first.  More glitter ended up on my table than in her hair.    If you have a daughter that knows what the accessories are supposed to do, she may be a little disappointed.  Since Beauty did not know, she doesn’t care.  That is why I give it an A.  She still loves it and has had fun “fixing” Barbie’s hair.  One other thing:  I expected the salon chair to be flimsy and basically nonfunctional; it is not.  Barbie sits very nicely in it and does not fall out while playing with her hair.  That’s an improvement from my Barbie-playing days!

I DO recommend this toy for the Barbie-lover in your family, just be aware that the iron may not work as it claims.

Book Review: Joey's Big Adventure

I have been given the opportunity to review this book for the Dorrance Book Review Team.




Joey's Big Adventure by Yvonne McCarthy Scorcia is a fun adventure story for boys and anyone young at heart.

Synopsis: Joey is a rambunctious, energetic twelve-year-old boy full of curiosity and imagination. In fact, his imaginary adventures often leads him, and his group of friends, into trouble! One day, after being scolded by an elderly neighbor for running through his tomatoes, Joey, his brother Billy, and their friends began to wonder as to the purpose of the old man's small building behind his house. Joey's imaginings and spying eventually lead him into an adventure bigger and more dangerous than he could've ever bargained for!



I would recommend this book for boys between the ages of 9 and twelve. Although I am a woman in her thirties, I still enjoyed reading it and look forward to sharing it with my young son. Adventurous little girls may enjoy it too!  Purchase this book directly from Dorrance Publishing by clicking here!
 
I received this book free of charge for review.  I was not paid for my review or its content.  I reviewed this book as part of the Dorrance Book Review Team, part of Dorrance Publishing.

Review: William F. Buckley by Jeremy Lott

It is book review time again.  This time I had the priviledge of reviewing a biography on William F. Buckley.  Presented by the Christian Encounters Series, Jeremy Lott argues that Buckley's religion played a major role in his life.
General Summary
Though his mother was Anglican, Buckley was raised Catholic in a respectable, well-to-do family of immigrants.  Lott suggests that Buckley's career and political views were emeshed in his religious convictions.
Buckley's first book, God and Man at Yale catapulted Buckley's series of controversy in the public eye. Though he was a conservative, Lott points out that Buckley's opinion on the issues of the day were genuine and uninfluenced by his primary political party.  In fact, the controversy surrounding the man were not limited to offending those of differing opinion.  He often shocked and insulted those of similar mindset.  He was a man devoted to his ideals and conveyed these ideals in all of his endeavors, whether it be in print in his books, his columns, the articles in National Review or his highly successful television program, Firing Line.

My Review
Having being born in the late seventies, I had only heard the name William F. Buckley but had no idea who he was, and, quite frankly, didn't care to know.  I chose to review this book because, now as an adult, I find it very interesting to learn more about public figures.  I have become very interested in what the late Paul Harvey would dub, "the rest of the story".  Before reading Lott's biography on Bill Buckley, I had no idea the subject of the book was someone I may have admired had I been born a decade or two earlier.  I am not saying I would have agreed with all of his views or his methods by which he supported them, but he is someone with whom I find myself having a lot in common, at least politically.  I also have a great deal of respect for someone who isn't afraid to speak his mind, and intelligently while doing so. While I am certain there are two sides to every story, and that I could find a book or two with a very different opinion of Buckley, I found this biography to be very informative and enjoyable.  Lott did a proficient job of supporting his argument that Buckley's religious background was the foundation of the man who, pretty much single-handedly, redefined conservatism through National Review and organizing Young Americans for Freedom, as well as going to battle with the left on his popular show Firing Line.

While there may be a more exhaustive work on the life of Bill Buckley, I found Lott's work to be a great summation, an easy read, and definately worth the time.


    I received this book for review by Book Sneeze.  I was in no way compensated for this review nor was I expected to write a favorable one. To purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, click here.

Review: The House of Unknown Mysteries

Once again I am pleased to be offering a review. This time it is for a work of fiction, The House of Unknown Mysteries by Chris Hawe.

This is a great short story. The characters are interesting and realistic and the plot engaging. I do have a bit of a problem with the title, as it seems redundant to me. However, once I realized the title was chosen by a child, it made more sense.

This is located in Dorrance Publishing's Bookstore under "Fiction: mystery/suspense/horror" but should be more accurately filed under "Juvenile" since it is obviously written for a "tween". Nonetheless, I still found the story enjoyable even as an adult. I have a 12-year-old cousin whom I think would thoroughly enjoy this book and intend to pass it along to her.

The writing is simple, to the point and easy to follow. The author does a proficient job in creating an image in the reader's mind and an affection towards the main characters. As I said, it is best suited for an older child, but there is one thing that may or may not be a hindrance to a young reader. The scene is set somewhere in England, or the United Kingdom, and thus is written in the English vernacular. The children say things which are uncommon in American culture and common items are referred to by different names and/or spelling (ie: aeroplane, portacabins and rubbish). However, it is my assumption that this would not create enough confusion in the reader so as to take away from the enjoyment of the story.

As far as mysteries go, I found the plot to be "curious". I was curious as to what was yet to be discovered. However, a child up to the age of 12 may find it mysterious indeed.

Recommended for ages 8-12 or even adults who want a quick and simple read.




I received a complimentary copy of The House of Unknown Mysteries as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

The Edge of the Divine-Review

Once again I am delighted to be reviewing another book.  The Edge of the Divine by Sandi Patti just might be my favorite so far.
Written in first person, Ms. Patti speaks to the reader about how her journey in weight-loss parallels being on the edge, looking over, and deciding to take that leap of faith into a new beginning.  She writes with sincerity, humor and an insight that I found to be so applicable and relevant to my own life. 
Ms. Patti helped me to see that I am not alone in this journey called womanhood.  Even the most devoted Christian can still struggle with things such as depression and uncertainty.  This book made me realize that such moments should be viewed as an opportunity to step over the edge; to take that leap of faith and allow God to catch us and bring us under His wing and into a life He has purposed for us. 
She also confirmed that, though we may make some whoppers of mistakes, God never leaves us and is there, waiting to teach us and mold us to be more like His Son.
I found this book to be very inspiring, heart-felt and encouraging and recommend it to my fellow imperfect women who find themselves under constant fire from the enemy and their own emotions and thoughts.






This book was provided free of charge by Book Sneeze.  No monetary transactions took place, nor was I expected to write a favorable review.

Review: Jesus Manifesto

I am very pleased to be a writing a review on Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola.

Based upon my own experience, and from what I've heard from others, the Church (the body of Christ) has fallen asleep and/or lost its passion for the Gospel.  This is very sad.  There is an epidemic of apathy among Christians as to the state of this country and world.  We've become comfortable with the status quo and have taken to an occasional "tsk-tsk" shaking-of-the-head followed by a "what is this world coming to", yet do very little to change things.  This is tragic.

Jesus Manifesto attempts to remedy this by reminding Christians of their first love.  Jesus Christ.  The dominant theme is quite simply a reminder that Christ is All.  The authors point out how many believers get caught up in man-made traditions and doctrines yet completely forget what they are really all about.  Namely Christ.  We are losing our compassion and joy.  Many congregations encourage leadership and mission work to a degree of legalism, implying one cannot worship the Lord without an abundance of work.  Obviously working for the Lord is important, but sometimes believers forget that is not what saves us and do it out of duty, tradition or guilt.  This book reminds us we need to work for the Lord out of joy, gratitude and love.  Most importantly it drives home the point that it is ALL about Jesus.  Everything.  He is the Alpha and Omega.  The author and perfector of our faith.  If we only remember Jesus daily, everything else will fall into place.  It is a call to action.  The action?  Surrendering our hearts and lives to Christ, remembering He Is and Will Be, out of love and not duty or, certainly not, habit.
In short, as you may can guess, I HIGHLY recommend this book to all believers who may find themselves in a rut and are asking why?.  The back cover reads:  "It is a prophetic call to restore the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ in a world-and a church-that has lost sight of Him".  This is essential for all Christians so we may do what we were put here to do, bring glory to God and spread the Good News to a sick and dying world.
This Independence Day, let we, as Christians, reclaim our lives, homes and country for Christ.
















This book was provided free of charge, for review, by Book Sneeze.

Chlorine-Free Diapers

I have fallen in love with Seventh Generation's Chlorine-Free Diapers. 











"Features and Benefits:



Wood pulp processed without chemicals containing chlorine


Hypoallergenic


Fragrance and latex free

Premium fit and absorbency"  Click here to learn more!
 
According to the package, "most diapers are made with absorbent materials that have been bleached with chlorine-containing substances, which creates dangerous toxins such as dioxin. Studies have shown a direct link between dioxin exposure and cancer, birth defects and environmental and reproductive disorders."
 
Another great plus:  it does not aggravate E's diaper rash like the others.  In fact, since I've been using these, his rash is almost gone!  I've tried all the other brands, thinking maybe he was allergic to a certain brand, but no difference.  My mom found these at a Kroger in a nearby town.  Our local Kroger does not carry them, but to me it is worth the drive.  Another great plus: they are made in USA.

Book Review: A Parenting Guide for Families of Children with Disabilities

I have been given the opportunity to review A Parenting Guide for Families of Children with Disabilities: Developing Social Skills Towards Independent Living  by Patricia Keiling and Patricia Lenzo. We have always taken one day at a time, but this book helped us to realize we must create a "Family Action Plan" to determine where we want to go in the future. It does not give a one-size-fits-all solution, but simply encourages and outlines ways for families to customize their own action plan based upon their individual and specific needs.


Since she has a language disorder, I found the chapters on communication very useful. It outlines ways we can help our daughter initiate and participate in a conversation as well as convey her wants and needs. Also, the section on Touch is very relevent since she is inclined to, not only hug and touch everyone she sees, but to do so with too much force. This book also is an excellent guide to helping us teach her to be independent in the areas of self-care, preparing food, shopping etc.

I recommend this book to anyone who may need an outline to raising a disabled child to someday live as independently as possible.
 
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of A Parenting Guide for Families of Children with Disabilities as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.
 
Click here to order directly from Dorrance. Or click below to order from Amazon.

Review: Storm Warning, Revised, by Billy Graham

I am delighted to have the opportunity to review Brother Billy Graham's newly revised Storm Warning.
I'm certain I'd be hard-pressed to find any adult in America who has not heard of Billy Graham, whether they share in his faith or not.  He first wrote the book in 1992, but in light of recent events, decided to print a revised version. 

Storm Warning discusses a topic about which I feel very strongly: Bible prophecy and how it relates today.  Therefore, I am inclined to discuss the book in great detail.  However this is a book review, not a book report, so I'll keep it short and simple.  The purpose of a book review is to express whether or not I liked the book and if I'd recommend it to others.  But first, I will list of few highlights so you may decide if it is a book you'd find interesting.

The underlying theme of the book can be summed up in these two lines:  "Just as a laser pen helps focus attention on vital aspects of a business presentation, in this book I hope to use God's Word-His laser beam-to shed light on His revealed plan to save the human race from the explosive clouds rumbling through our world.  Benevolent hands reach down from heaven to offer us the most hopeful warning and remedy: Prepare to meet your God." 

Brother Graham writes with passion and simplicity.  His "tell-it-like-it-is" approach is honest, insightful and engaging.  He addresses such topics as "signs of the times", "inside the Apocalypse", a summary of sorts of Revelation 6 and wraps it up with the Christian's blessed Hope, "The Savior reigns".

Mr. Graham assures us that, though we cannot know the hour of Christ's return, we can recognize the season.  He uses the metaphore of an approaching storm to reveal how we can take notice of the changing winds and signs of the impending tribulation and ultimate Glorious Appearing of the King of Kings.

This book is for anyone who may have an interest in "end times" events and prophecy and for all who are searching for answers to this chaotic and uncertain age in which we are living.





 
 
I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze.com.