The 21 Day Dad's challenge- Carey Casey Book Review

Twenty million kids in the US live in father absent homes, so that means roughly more than a one to four ratio. That is staggering, and the effects of it on the kids and our society is telling. This book sets up a 21 day dad challenge to help fathers improve their relationship with their kids. Are there radical, ground breaking, or larger than life challenges it presents? Would this book make a difference? Carey Casey has gotten a number of fathers to contribute articles and challenges to this book. It is a meat and potatoes type book that will stir fathers to do the basics...if they do that, it WILL be groundbreaking and radical.

The challenges, by and large are practical, down to earth, anyone can do this basics that create bonds and enhance communication. The articles are largely based on biblical principles and common sense wisdom(the tow DO go hand in hand). I like that there are additional “enhancements” such as videos you can go to, and use your smartphone to lead you to additional resources, so it appeals to the tech aspect in most guys.

The results are only as good as the effort you put in, but the book provides good inspiration, encouragement and is set up in a way that will reach the busy man of today, and help provide some tools to help them grow in fatherhood.

A good read for a Christian father and also something you could give your nonchristian guy friend who is a father as it is not a preachy book, but points out the wisdom found in the Bible and applies it in a straightforward manner that should appeal to men’s desire for practical, sound and active applications.

This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Healing is a Choice Stephen Arterburn- Book Review

Ten decisions that will transform your life and ten lies that can prevent you from making them.

Sounds like a typical formula of self help rhetoric...but this is much different!

I am VERY impressed with this book and the truth and practical nature of it. It is firmly grounded in the fact a relationship with God is of utmost importance, the use of scripture is throughout it and well presented, it is steeped in practical wisdom to walk a person through becoming more complete, more in the image of Christ, healing from past hurts, big or small. This updated version has a study guide that is inserted after each chapter, EXCELLENT! This is not designed to be a quick read, quick fix, but for you to take time to reflect, get counsel from others, journal, and take steps towards healing.

I was not in any particular crisis or unhealthy state when reading this, and I still found value and worth in it and look forward to going back and digging deeper into some of the areas and exercises presented. It would be a valuable resource for a counsellor or pastor to have in their office, and an excellent resource for ANY Christian who is looking to grow and second have a resource on hand that could help them as they have friends etc that are walking through challenging times.

The steps are logical, progressive, not easy, but are grounded in truth and explained in detail to equip and encourage the individual to make strides in each area, then to move onward.The lies are equally exposed in powerful,clear ways making this a powerful one two punch towards healing, if you make the choice to take that path.
This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

It's your kid not a gerbil by Kevin Leman Book Review

I thought, how can an author fill up a couple hundred pages off the one point to just stop cramming your schedule so full so you can actually be a healthy family?!Well, this book is about so much more than just that, and it is a great read, lots of topics covered, lots of good practical advice, given with humor, and understanding so you feel encouraged and ready to give it another crack. When my two and a half year old saw the cover of a mini van in a gerbil wheel she said,” They were in an accident”, it is a fitting summary of what WILL happen to families that just don’t bring margins in, and stop dashing here there and everywhere so there is space to actually do the things that build into and don’t take away from family.

As I said before, there are lots of topics covered,I won’t even begin to list them, suffice to say there will be something there for any family. It will be of maximum benefit for those with younger family, but those with teens would still get at least a third of the book’s wisdom and value.

I found the start lagged a bit at the start, but after that it was very good read right through to the resource pages at the end of the book. It doesn’t have tons of biblical references, but is full of wisdom, and would be good resource for ANY family, regardless of their religious beliefs.

This book given to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which was given.

Thank you, God, for blessing me Max Lucado Book Review

This small but wonderful little book is a blessing. Max Lucado has created some endearing characters with the Hermie “franchise” and with nice artwork accompanying it, it is wrapped up in a nice solid truth from the Bible. It is set to rhyme, and is a board book, that is in a nice little package. My two and a half year old enjoys the story and the art, the length is good, she usually has me read it a couple times a sitting. Ideally I would say age 4-7 will get the best target audience for this book.

I enjoy the way Max sculpts a story. whether long or short and to apply that gift to kids stories is such a gift for parents and their kids. I have read a couple of these books for his and an anxious to get the rest he has and will do.

This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review,which was given.

More Lost than Found: Finding a way back to Faith by Jared Herd

If you are fortunate to find this, you have gained a book that is both good for those who have walked away from their faith, as well as for those who are still solidly walking in faith.

The author covers a wide and diverse array of topics in a way that communicates he understands, he is not judgmental, nor preachy, yet offers some good food for thought.

He explores the discussion on secular versus sacred lines, imagination, illusion and reality, purpose of pain, myth and truth, and a lot more. Each chapter, almost, can be read as an entity unto itself without apparent connection to the next. However each one builds on the other in subtle ways to conclude in a very strong way with a clear call that it is all about Jesus and your relationship with Him. He then adds at the end a wonderful chapter on renovating not demolishing in regards to the church. These closing chapters really puts a mind at ease that this is NOT someone who is some hard edged emergent church person or church hater.

That said, this book is thin on its use of the Bible. Stories are a strong point, but can be subjective, so more use of scripture would make this much more solid.

The author paints a realistic picture of the church and the people in it(and uses a very cool illustration about sketch art versus drip art...VERY nice, won’t spoil it in the review...).

For someone who is disillusioned with “the church” there is some good food for thought. For those still firmly walking in faith, this book provides good challenges for us as well and gives a good insight into some of the issues a LOT of folks are working through so we can seek to be a part of the solution not further exasperate the situation.

3 out of 5. The lack of scripture is "excusable" to a degree considering the authors main target audience,BUT discerning readers need to stay alert to not let good stories lead to points that might not be scriptural.The fact he quotes Rob Bell at points leads me to mention that. (I didn't find anything "off" in those quotes, but Rob is not the greatest source material, and will just leave it at that.)

This book was provided as a complimentary copy by the publisher Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

Hermie a Common Caterpillar- Max Lucado book review

LOVE IT!!! Wow! Super! Great Art! Great Story! Powerful Message! Timely Message!

When I first received this level 2 reader e-book, I thought it was going to be the same message as story of the Wemmicks, from Tell Me Your Secrets.There is a similar THEME, but the story, imagery of the caterpillar to butterfly is POWERFUL and there are other layers of story and truth presented in the story in subtle ways. Hermie talks about being able to talk to God and hear from Him, and how some other kids thought that was strange, yet we read of God's loving assuring communications to Hermie, impressing to kids THEY can talk and hear from God-EXCELLENT!

I also liked the undertone of Hermie having to wait to see that God did indeed have something special ahead for him. A nice sublesson on waiting and patience(dealing with a 2.5 year olds impatience makes me wish SHE was a level 2 reader right now LOL).

I will be buying this in paper version for when she is able to appreciate it more, I am that impressed with it.HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

This book was provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers as a complimentary copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Night Night Blessings- Amy Parker Book Review

This is a quick read book which would connect well with ages 6-9 year olds.It is set to rhyme, which is something I love, it makes it easy to remember, kids love rhyme, and having a rhythm to it helps draw in kids who may not enjoy reading but love music.

The overall message reminds kids as they go to bed to count their blessings and know that God is with them, watching from above and is the provider of the blessings they have.

Food, games, pets, sunlight, toys and family time are listed among the blessings. The art is nice, subtle colors, compared to bright and bold, appropriate for a book set to be read at night time.

In today's society of self entitlement it is a GOOD reminder to impress on our kids that we need to be appreciative and thankful for the BOUNTIFUL blessings we have.

I can see after a few readings this book being imprinted in their minds and having the kids say the rhyme along with you and working it into a bed time prayer. So I give it a high recommendation to check out.

This book was provided complimentary to me from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, in exchange for an honest review.

Love You More The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter By Jennifer Grant

As an adoptive parent, I am glad to see more materials being put out that shares the realistic story of adoption, the gift, the loss, the biblical mandate to care for the orphan in various ways that is all wrapped up in the eyes of a precious child needing a family.

The author, who is a journalist, jumps between telling her story of adopting, to giving the reader some other related information about adoption, at the beginning the transition was a bit jarring, but once she got into the heart of her story the switches were not noticed, and the information given was valuable.

I was touched by the retelling of their story of meeting with their new daughter. I appreciated the way the author painted a realistic picture of adoption. Care for the orphan is something we ALL are called to, and adoption is part of the solution, but is something a couple has to feel called to as there are challenges mixed into the blessing there is, so it is good to get a balanced view. Adopted children experience loss, deep loss, couples often face loss due to infertility, adopted children get a family, couples get children, wonderful provision. The author communicates this well.

I also enjoyed the frankness she expresses in dealing with being a “conspicuous family”. There are definitely challenges, connected with that.

This book didn’t blow me out of the water, but it was an enjoyable read and would be that for someone whether they are adopted, adopting, or not connected with adoption. It is this last group that I think needs the exposure to help educate them so they can be supportive and informed so they can help those around them who adopt, while still being challenged in a very careful way about what THEIR role is in the care for the orphan.

This book was provided as a complimentary copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Smack-dab in the middle of God's love Brennan Manning and John Blase Book review

This book falls smack-dab in the middle.

The art, for me, is in the middle, certainly not bad, but not 100% my style.
The readership to most benefit from this is kids smack-dab in the middle of elementary(and above).

The truth about God it presents,however, is smack-dab top notch!

It clearly communicates that we can be right in the middle of God's love and that He has so much love, he can love the big things, the small things, and everything smack-dab in the middle! ALWAYS a good truth to be reminded of!

Another nice aspect of this story is the introduction of Mexican culture. The art and main characters reflect this and there are numerous references to Mexican food, the art shows clothing and landscape of that land.

The main couple are childless, but have a great love for kids,so there is opportunity for side discussion about that. The story also comments about how in love they are as a couple and they are shown as a strong, vibrant couple married and later in life, so a nice image contrasted to the breakdown of marriage seen all around us.

Overall the book falls high on the recommended list. This book was provided as a complimentary copy to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for a fair,honest review of the product.

Rumors of God-Experience the kind of faith you’ve only heard about by Darren Whitehead & Jon Tyson

The rumors are true, God can and does live and move and work in His people and faith can be real enough to be seen and experienced.

The authors do a great job in covering 10 major areas of living out the Christian life/ living by faith. I was skeptical that they could cover enough of each topic(such as the concepts of abundant life, generosity, love, grace, freedom, commitment, community, justice...) in a chapter to make it real, or deep enough to move and inspire or challenge the reader. They did it.

It is written in an easy to read and understand form, they use scripture well, and I love how their goal is to move people to act/respond on each given topic. They do a wonderful job of leading the reader to want to apply what they have just learned in a natural way(as compared to a blunt, “here is the concept- what cha gonna do about it?” approach).

I found personal insights and got new information from most of the chapters, which was great, and unexpected. Usually if I get a handful of insights, or inspirational quotes I feel the book was time well spent.

I am confident you would find that to be the case too!

This book was provided to me free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review of the materials.