So Long Insecurity Beth Moore

August 2, 2010 at 9:33 am (book reviews, Books)
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When looking at our society, it is easy to see that being a woman is not easy. Society puts a lot of pressure on female to look, act, and live a certain way. Women all over the world face the same problems, including the battle against the media’s portrayal of the perfect woman; the need to gain a man’s acceptance to be considered beautiful and worthy; and being defined by the measure of one’s success, income and social status.

While these are just a few of the struggles that women constantly face, it should come as no surprise that many women all around the world battle fears of unworthiness and insecurity.

However, Beth Moore wants women to know that they are not alone in their fears, and that with the love of God, they can overcome these obstacles and live free of worry.

So Long Insecurity: You’ve Been a Bad Friend to Us is a combination of Moore’s own struggles with her self worth, prayers, and testimonies from her fans all over the world designed to help women realize that since they are a child of God, then they have nothing to be ashamed or afraid of.

Personally, I have struggled with several issues in my life. But reading Moore’s book helped me overcome some of my fears and reservations.I often looked to others for validation and security, but I neglected to run to the only one who could grant me peace.

As Moore points out, Psalm 29:11 states that “The Lord gives his people strength; the Lord grants his people security.”

When I read this, I broke into tears because I knew it was true and that if I had turned to God sooner, I would have not suffered as much as I have.

Ladies, if you struggle with personal self worth or trying to find peace in this hectic and crazy world, Beth Moore has given you a great tool to help change your life. If you are ready to live a guilt and worry free life, get a copy of So Long Insecurity Beth Moore and let her show you how God can change your life!

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Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

July 30, 2010 at 9:00 am (book reviews, Books)
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There is one question that everyone will probably ask over the course of their lifetime: What on Earth am I here for? While some may figure out their purpose in life, many often wonder if they are destined for bigger and better things.

While there are certainly no shortage of books that will tell us how to get what we want in life, almost all of them suffer from one major flaw. All of these books focus on getting what we desire from life and not what God desires from us.

Thankfully, Pastor Rick Warren has put together a 40 day devotional journal that will show us that not only do we have a purpose in this world, but that purpose is meant to glorify God.

The Purpose Driven Life is a former New York Times Bestselling book  that has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. In this book, Warren shows us how to live a life of purpose that honors the God that gave us life in the first place.

I really liked the format of this book because it allowed me to focus on one aspect of my life per day. I could then move onto the next day and learn something new while build off previous lessons. For those looking for a quick fix to life’s problems, look elsewhere. To fully live a Godly life will require years of dedication and hard work, but this book will help set you on the right path.

I also liked how Warren mentioned that several important Biblical events occurred in 40 days, including Moses’ time on Mount Sinai and how 40 days of rain led Noah on a  spiritual journey.

This great book starts out with a bang, as Day One’s verse is: “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible..everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” Colossians 1:16

I absolutely loved Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren so much that I read it once per year just to be reminded of God’s purpose for my life. Trust me, this is one book you will want to have.

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Mere Christianity Paperback

July 29, 2010 at 8:00 am (book reviews, Books)
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“I think if you look at the present state of the world it is pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistakes.  We are on the wrong road.  And if that is so, we must go back.  Going back is the quickest way on.”

If you are reading this for the first time, you would probably think that this was written within the past few months. You might think that these are the words of a current American pastor such as Francis Chan or Max Lucado.

Now what if I told you that these words were first spoken in the 1940′s and first published in 1952?

I find it astonishing that the brilliant observations of C.S. Lewis are still applicable to today’s world. Without question, it seems as though human beings are constantly making mistakes, and that when you look at the way the world is going, we seem to be on the path of no return.

I believe that the timeless message that Lewis brings is one reason that Mere Christianity has remained one of the most popular books on Christian theology over the past few decades.

Time and time again, Lewis has used his remarkable writing abilities to give the world a new perspective on the world of Christianity. In this book, Lewis shows that people have made believing in God way more complicated than it has to be.

At its very core, Lewis strips down all of the walls that society puts up and focuses on the true heart of Christianity. Since Lewis is a former atheist, he has been on the other side of the argument, and uses this book to dispute the claims that he once held dear.

Throughout this book, Lewis writes with a level of grace and elegance that I’ve rarely seen in authors. He does a fine job of explaining things that others find complicated, and is without a doubt one of the most influential Christian writers of all time.

If you want to see the true beauty of believing in God, pick up the Mere Christianity paperback and experience one of the brightest writers in history.

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Don Piper 90 Minutes in Heaven

July 28, 2010 at 8:30 am (book reviews, Books)
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I’ll admit, I have a thing for the supernatural. Ghosts, time travel, and other worlds are things that draw me into books and movies. When I saw a book that discussed one man’s journey into Heaven, I just knew I had to give it a shot.

When I first read 90 Minutes in Heaven, I was slightly disappointed because I was thinking the whole book would go into great detail on Don Piper’s experience in Heaven. While he does spend some time describing what he saw, a majority of the book was focused on his life after his experience and the struggles that he encountered while trying to recover from his accident.

Admittedly, I felt deceived by the book title because I wanted to know about Heaven! But after contemplating the story, I began to see that it was never intended to provide a look into Heaven, but instead show the world about the healing powers of our Almighty God!

Without question, Piper’s story is truly amazing. One night, Piper was coming home from church when he was involved in a horrible accident.  A semi truck crossed into his lane and hit him head on. Doctors say that Piper died instantly and the author recollects a journey into Heaven. While there, he recalled seeing several familiar faces and could hear angels singing.

Despite his condition, medics worked frantically to save his life, and after a minister prayed for his safety, Piper was brought back to earth.

Unfortunately, Piper suffered severe injuries from his crash and found himself struggling during his recovery. After falling into bouts of depression and anger, Piper began to distance himself from his family.

However, they would not relent, and through prayer and love, Piper began to see that God was looking out for him and helped him recover.

Perhaps you are like me and want to know about Heaven. If so, don’t let your hopes overshadow the importance of this book. Don Piper 90 Minutes in Heaven is a moving tale of one man’s journey and desire to overcome life’s obstacles. It changed my life. I bet it can do the same for you.

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Tim Keller Reason For God

July 27, 2010 at 7:03 am (book reviews, Books)
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For Christians, one of the biggest challenges can come when someone asks you to defend your faith. Although you may be firm in your beliefs, there are countless theories and arguments as to why God can’t and doesn’t exist.

For centuries, various cultures and societies have debated the God question. Within this conversation, there are several questions that often arise when discussing Christianity.  Can there really be one true religion? How could a good God allow suffering and even send people to hell? Does Christianity cause injustice?

Determined to give Christians a powerful tool in the fight for God, author Tim Keller put together a book that looks at the idea of God and shows why He must exist.

In Reason for God: Belief in the Age of Skepticism, Keller addresses the subject of God and sets out to quell any doubt as to the presence of a Holy Creator.

I felt that one of the most powerful and emotional quotes from Keller came when he said “I ask you to put on Christianity like a pair of spectacles and look at the world with it. See what power it has to explain what we know and see.”

Without question, nothing on Earth has the power or evidence to answer some of life’s greatest questions as does Christianity. When looking at the world, it is hard to imagine that everything “just happened” without the help of a Creator.

Still, Keller knows that people will have doubts and he understands where both sides are coming from. Given this perspective, Keller manages to look at the issue from both sides of the debate. I feel that this adds to his credibility because he is willing to acknowledge another view when others will simply ignore it.

If you have ever feared that science has disproven Christianity, or simply wondered if the Bible is still applicable today, then you must read this book.

Keller isn’t perfect, but he gives an honest and open argument as to the existence of God. If you want to know more, get a copy of Tim Keller Reason for God and find the answers for yourself.

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Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

July 26, 2010 at 7:02 am (book reviews, Books)
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According to Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, the secret to maintaining a strong and healthy relationship is found in Ephesians 5:33. This verse states that: “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

In his book Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs, Eggerichs focuses on the fundamental needs of each gender in relation to marriage. He feels that women need to constantly feel loved while men need to feel respected. When these needs are not met, then a communication breakdown occurs and couples begin to experience conflict in their marriages.

Overall, I found this to be a very well written and helpful look at the issues that cause trouble in marriages. According to Eggerichs, there are three cycles that couples occasionally go through during their marriage.

The first cycle is the Crazy Cycle. During this time, couples lose sight of what their partner needs and trouble begins to arise. To avoid this cycle, we must constantly strive to attend to our partner’s needs and put effort into making our marriage work.

To do this, we must enter the Energizing Cycle. This section of the book focuses on the different ways that one can help restore the communication breakdown in their marriage. Using acronyms, Eggerichs details what each spouse needs to feel complete.

For women, they need COUPLE. The elements of this step are: closeness, openness, understanding, peacemaking, loyalty, and esteem. On the male side, in order to feel respected, men need CHAIRS. This is a combination of: conquest, hierarchy, authority, insight, relationship and sexuality.

Eggerichs suggests that by focusing on these areas, couples can then enter the Reward Cycle. During this time, couples are living the way that God intended them to be and are reaping the rewards of marriage.

While this book is not perfect, it is a good resource for those who are struggling in their marriages. Eggerichs has studied couples for a long time, and he and his wife both believe that by focusing on Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs, your marriage can be a long and successful one.



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Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

July 23, 2010 at 7:45 am (book reviews, Books)
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If you read my blog, you know by now that I am an avid fan of books. While I am willing to give any book a chance, there are certain authors that I will stop everything for and pick up their book.

One of these writers in Francine Rivers. For years, Rivers has provided her audience with several memorable books and stories that have not only tugged at one’s romantic heartstrings, but shown readers the amazing power of God.

One of my favorite books by Rivers is Redeeming Love. This touching novel is a retelling of the story of Hosea, only set in the 1850′s during the Gold Rush.

As one could imagine, that period of American history was full of greed and lust for having money and power. Men were driven by the need to establish their superiority and often times women faced the brunt of this desire.

Enter the story of Angel. Having been sold into prostitution as a child, Angel has hardened her heart towards anything good in life. Because of her circumstances, she has rebuked the idea of God and has grown to distrust any man that comes into her life.

However, God has a plan for her life and has selected Michael Hosea to show her that God’s love can overcome anything.  Already a devout Christian, Hosea receives instructions from God to find Angel and save her from her torture. Although initially reluctant, Hosea accepts God’s calling and eventually convinces Angel to marry him.

Eventually, her heart softens and she begins to love Hosea, yet her fears get the best of her and she runs away in search of her old life. Determined to get her back, Hosea takes off to reclaim the love of his life, and most importantly, show her the love of God and how He is determined to not give up on her.

This book is a must read for the romantic in your life. It is a sweet, touching tale of struggle and redemption. This book shows that with God’s love, anything can be accomplished and any obstacle overcome.

If you are looking for a sensual, deep and moving book, have a look at Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Not only is this a tale of the power of love, but also the greatness of God.

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Screwtape Letters CS Lewis

July 22, 2010 at 10:28 am (book reviews, Books)
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While younger generations may know of C.S. Lewis through his Chronicles of Narnia series, there is an abundance of great literature from the man many regard as one of the best Christian writers of all time.

One of my personal Lewis favorites is the Screwtape Letters. Not only is this an amazing story, but it is filled with Christian allegory and contains several messages that reflect the Christian lifestyle.

I also really liked how Lewis presented this book. Instead of writing a traditional novel, Screwtape is designed to look more like a collection of thirty-one letters between two individuals. In this case, the two letter writers are not humans, but demons.

Screwtape is an elder demon. Widely considered one of the best tempters in Hell, Screwtape is now assigned the task of guiding his nephew in his training as a tempter. Wormwood is new to the position, and must try to persuade his test subject, known as the Patient, into falling away from his Christian values and committing several sins.

Instead of being patient and taking his time, Wormwood shows his inexperience by trying to make the Patient commit horrible, gaudy acts while Screwtape prefers the traditional slow fall approach. The two clash over their differing opinions on how best to corrupt a man’s soul.

In the end…well..nevermind. You’ll just have to read it yourself.

Throughout the book, Lewis brings to light several issues that continually plague Christians, including pride, war, sex, gluttony and love. While being tempted, the Patient becomes the perfect image of a Christian trying to maintain a Godly life in a world full of sin and tempation.

If you’ve never read C.S. Lewis, this is a great book to start with. Personally, I tend to believe that his writing skills are unmatched, and his skill with words is something of true poetic beauty.

Screwtape Letters CS Lewis makes for a great summer read that will keep you entertained and hooked throughout. Who knows, you may even sense a connection between your life and the Patient.

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Joyce Meyer Battlefield of the Mind

July 21, 2010 at 7:58 am (book reviews, Books)
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Do you find yourself struggling with anger or depression? Does worry and doubt control your life? If so, Joyce Meyer wants you to know that you can overcome these issues, and her new book, Battlefield of the Mind, can show you how.

Lets face it; we are human beings. We are have our share of bad moments. Sometimes life can tear us down and get the best of us, and these troubling times cause negativity to build up in our lives.

Thoughts that create depression, worry, and disapproval are common strongholds on our mind, but we need to do something about them. Often times, Satan is the cause of these anxieties in our lives.

Just as the Bible says, Satan is always trying to  fill our heads with lies and making us doubt God’s role in our life. He wants us to feel horrible, because these feelings take us away from God.

However, we must be willing to fight for our mental freedom. Thankfully, Meyer’s book is a great resource that shows us how to rid ourselves of negativity and live in God’s freedom.

There have been several times when I have let negativity into my life and to be honest, it made me downright miserable. After reading this book, I began to realize that  negativity was only hurting me in ways I never imagined. It would never help my situation, so I began looking to God for help.

Make no mistake; it is okay to be down sometimes. It is part of life. But if we let these feelings control our lives, we are essentially ignoring the power of God’s love. We should always try to think positively and trust that God will guide us through anything that happens in our lives.

Joyce Meyer Battlefield of the Mind has helped me realize that I can always change my attitudes about life.. I found comfort that  Joyce Meyer faced and overcame her own personal trials and was willing to share them with audiences around the world.

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Donald Miller Blue Like Jazz

July 20, 2010 at 9:00 am (book reviews, Books)
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If you haven’t figured it out by now, I really love books. So when I heard about Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, I figured I should give it a shot.

No, its not the best book I have ever read. But it was a very interesting look on Christianity, and more importantly, Christian spirituality.

One of Miller’s biggest strengths is his writing style. Like many authors today, Miller relays his thoughts through a mixture of personal reflection and Biblical truths.

Make no mistake; Miller is not a spiritual know-it-all. But his writing reminds me of a conversation with good friends, sharing stories of one’s youth and the trial and error methods that shaped you into the person you are today.

Miller is a very funny writer and he manages to capture those “that has happened to me” moments perfectly. Miller is always willing to point out his own flaws and mistakes and will be the first to admit that he is not perfect.

On page 152.  Miller says that he is “something of a recluse by nature. I am that cordless screwdriver that has to charge for twenty hours to earn ten minutes use.”

When I first read that, I couldn’t help but  laugh because I myself have felt that way at times.

Despite his likable writing style, Miller has been criticized for not entirely focusing on the subject of Christian spirituality throughout the book.

Ultimately, these criticisms are very unfair. I believe that most people are just used to the “this is how you live your life better” approach to writing.

While they won’t find that in Miller’s book, they will see that his experiences have made him realize the importance of knowing God and keeping him in your life.

After I Blue Like Jazz, I realized that I shared some of Miller’s experiences and thoughts on life. While he may not be perfect, Miller does a great job of saying what is on his mind and that is something I found truly honorable.

If you are looking for an interesting read, check out Donald Miller Blue Like Jazz. He may not have the depth of C.S. Lewis, but he is certainly worth a look.

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