‘Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God’s Grace’ by Deanna Nowadnick – Book Review and Giveaway

I enjoy the opportunity to learn about a person by reading his or her autobiography. That is the case with my latest ‘read,’ ‘Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God’s Grace’ by Deanna Nowadnick.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

Is there really a place in God’s heart for a defiant child? In His divine plans for a self-centered teenager? In His family for an adult who gets tired and impatient?

In a memoir of missteps and misdeeds, Deanna Nowadnick writes of the hugeness of God’s love and faithfulness. Reframing life in God’s grace, she discovers an indescribable, indefinable, inexplicable love that has encircled her without fail through joyous, sad, cringe-worthy, heartwarming, forgettable, memorable moments in life.

Fruit of My Spirit is for anyone who’s ever questioned God’s ability to love and forgive, who’s ever wondered about their place in God’s family or God’s place in theirs. Nowadnick offers hope for those who dare to question, who secretly wonder, and who fear to ask. Through stories of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, you will experience the enormity of God, too.

Here is the author’s biography:

This is Deanna Nowadnick’s first book. What started as short story for her sons quickly became a larger story. When not writing, she serves as the Client Service Coordinator for a financial advisor. She’s active in her church, playing the violin and editing the monthly newsletter. She loves to knit, adores chocolate, and most important, enjoys a blessed marriage to Kurt. Deanna and Kurt have two sons, Kevin and Kyle, and live in Monroe, WA.

Deanna is a terrifically gifted writer. Here is an example from her Preface:

….I know the important stuff’s on the inside, but honestly, I’m not so sure that the inside stuff’s any prettier. Perhaps I’ve been expecting God to act as my own fairy godmother, ready to pop into the scene any moment now with a twinkle in His eye and a wand in His hand. I’ve been waiting to be tapped ever so gently on the forehead and magically transformed into a loving, joyous, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled delight in His life, adorned in a nice white ensemble, cute shoes, and fresh nail polish. In thinking that, I’ve not only trivialized God’s love and forgiveness, but I’ve missed the magnitude of His mercy that’s been shared with me over and over again. I’ve overlooked the fruit of His Holy Spirit that’s already a part of my own spirit in all that I do and all that I am. (p. xiii)

I loved reading about Deanna’s wonderful marriage to her husband of 37 years, Kurt. Here she is sharing about what a wonderful man God blessed her with:

Despite the perceived failings of our premarital instruction, Kurt and I left with simple, yet profound advice: “Try every day to do something unexpected, something special, something unspoken, and unselfish for the other person.” Thanks to the pastor, not a day goes by that I haven’t been the benefactor of an act of kindness, as I enjoy life with a man who continues to shower me with his grace. Some days it’s a kind word; other days it’s a clean car with a full tank of gas. Some days it’s the patience to listen as I rant about the insignificant; other days, it’s a calm, sincere reassurance of my skills and abilities. Every day it’s something – just for me. (p. 41)

How sweet!

She shares the one constant through the trials of life:

Through it all, God has been the only constant. As life changed, as people came and went, as a small community quietly closed its doors, God’s love and grace were unwavering, caring for all humankind while never losing sight of a young woman and her family. In a world of disposables, in a time when something’s obsolete, if not new and improved, God remained faithful. To a girl who questioned and strayed and struggled and failed, God remained faithful. (p. 81)   

WOW – this book really spoke to me! Deanna has gone through some of the same things I did as a younger person, including obstinacy against a parent (my mother, in my case), plus an eating disorder. Also like Deanna, I have learned of the love and grace of God toward me! And God has blessed me with a wonderful husband (Fred), also. For those things, I am thankful for both of us!

You can order this book here.

You can download a sample from the book here.

This book was published by Rhododendron Books and generously provided by the author for review and giveaway purposes.

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Deanna has graciously offered a copy of ‘Fruit of My Spirit’ to one blessed reader of my blog; thanks, Deanna! There are several ways to enter:

1) ‘Like’ Deanna’s book page on Facebook.  Please leave a comment to that effect, and make sure you leave your email address in this format – name at domain dot com.

2) Follow my blog as either a Google Follower or a NetWorkedBlogs Follower. If you already ‘follow,’ that counts, too! Please leave a comment to that effect with your email address in this format – name at domain dot com.

3) Follow Deanna on Twitter.  Please leave a comment to that effect with your email address in this format – name at domain dot com.

4) Follow me on Twitter. Please leave a comment to that effect with your email address in this format – name at domain dot com.


5) Tweet this tweet:

Enter to win 'Fruit of My Spirit' by @DeannaNowadnick from @andrealschultz. http://bit.ly/FOMSGiveaway Please RT. Thx!

You can tweet once per day. Please leave a comment to that effect with your email address in the above referenced format - name at domain dot com.

The deadline to enter is Friday, April 6, 2012 at 11:59 pm. The winner will be chosen on Saturday, April 7, 2012 by the Random Number Generator. The next to all of you!

‘More Beauty Less Beast: Transforming Your Inner Ogre’ by Debora M. Coty – Book Review

One of the most intriguing book titles that I have run into of late is the latest book on my review list, ‘More Beauty Less Beast: Transforming Your Inner Ogre’ by Debora M. Coty. Being that I, like the rest of the human race, allow my beast to emerge more often than I’d like, I knew I wanted to take a gander at this one!

Here is the synopsis of this book:

Is your self-esteem “souled”-ed out? Are you tempted by the Dark Side? (Talkin’ chocolate here, girlfriend!) Maybe it’s time for a healthy dose of truth gift-wrapped in humor.

With her own brand of off-beat with and near-wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora M. Coty addresses heart needs of women struggling to tame that out-of-control inner ogre that threatens to destroy the beautiful princess hidden within. Whether jaded by emotional wounds, unrealistic standards, or lack of confidence, these laugh-out-loud, girlfriend-to-girlfriend tips will help women transform their destructive inner beast into the exquisite beauty they were always meant to be.

Here is the biography of the author:

Debora M. Coty is a popular speaker, columnist, internationally published writer, and award-winning author or coauthor of dozens of books. Mother of two grown children, Debora wrestles her inner ogre in central Florida with her husband, Chuck, and desperately wicked pooch, Fenway.

This video shows Debora sharing her thoughts on ‘Calendar Constipation’! Although this video was produced for her previous book, ‘Too Blessed to be Stressed’ (another Barbour title), I think it shows you a couple things about Debora: 1) her sense of humor and 2) her love of hats (which she mentions in ‘More Beauty Less Beast.’ Please enjoy these funny words of wisdom!:

Mrs. Coty shares Godly wisdom on many topics of interest (usually to women in particular). The first two sections cover Outer Beauty and Inner Beauty, including Keeping Fit, Image, Discernment, Conquering Guilt, and Overcoming Adversity. She also devotes a chapter to each of the Fruits of the Spirit (not the Loom!) – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. The final section focuses on ‘Beautifying My World’ – through topics such as Friendship, Forgiveness, Marriage, Encouraging Others, Preparing for Heaven and Living Beautifully.

I was enchanted with this book by the first chapter, entitled ‘Beauty Can Be Such a Crock (Judging by Appearance).’ Here’s a great paragraph:

Yes, when we’re preoccupied with ourselves, we’re distracted from our one true focus: our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the people He has into our lives to be our special ministry. Our passion is directed inward rather than outward. Our bodies become like a god to us. But our Creator had something very important to say about that: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3 NKJV), the very first of the Ten Commandments. (p. 14)

Although that paragraph is not one of the laugh-out-loud funny ones, there are plenty of those. Here’s one, where she describes her body at her weight loss:

My weight loss occurred during the winter while I was swathed in sweaters. So when spring sprang, I didn’t recognize the pruney alien appendages extending from my armpits. Without sufficient meat to fill out their casings, my plump arms had shriveled like overgrilled sausages. And Dumbo ears had sprouted out their backsides! Sagging skin flaps undulated and rippled where triceps used to be. It made me seasick to watch them in a mirror. My daughter laughed herself silly the first time I reached into the cupboard and my jumbo Dumbos whacked me upside the head. I could imagine my ER diagnosis: flab-induced concussion. (p. 29)

Does she not have a way with words?! Mrs. Coty kept me laughing throughout this book!

I loved her description of what happened to her on a long-overdue spiritual retreat that she took all by herself; I just love the descriptive language:

By the second day, my inner deep freeze began to thaw through the healing magic of solitude; my sluggish senses were awakened on long prayer walks: I marveled at every shade of green imaginable in the thick forests, sunbeams warmed my skin through leafy boughs, I tasted the tangy sweetness of blueberries and blackberries popped right from wild bushes into my mouth. A pony nuzzling my neck and the bass baa of a wooly ram at the farm across the creek made me smile. I drank in the scent of a bouquet of wildflowers picked from a sun-drenched meadow: cheerful daisies, purple asters, hearty yarrow, black-eyed Susans, delicate Queen Anne’s lace. (p. 70)

She ends the book with this prayer for her readers:

My prayer for you, dear sister, is that you will realize how enthralling your unique inner beauty truly is to the only One who counts: your Father, the King! Allow Him to transform that ugly inner beast into the beautiful princess you were meant to be! May your life be filled with joy, love, and fulfillment. (And barrels of Godiva!). (p. 215)

This book is hilarious! Prior to being contacted by Barbour Publishing to review thisbook, I was not familiar with Ms. Coty. Now I will be keeping an eye out for her titles! If you’re looking for a fun read or a gift for a favorite girlfriend, look no further! I am quite sure both of you will love it!

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Barbour Publishing and provided by them for review purposes. Thanks to Kelsey for this copy!

‘How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Centered Reading of Scripture’ by Michael Williams – Book Review

This semester, the Lord opened up the door for me to return to Moody Theological Seminary to continue working on my Graduate Certificate in Bible after a lengthy hiatus. One of the important things I have learned while I have been in seminary is that Jesus can be found in every book of the Bible. That was a revelation to me. So when the blog tour for ‘How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Centered Reading of Scripture,’ I knew I wanted to join the tour!

Here is the synopsis of this book:

Discover how each book of the Bible points readers to Christ. If you sometimes feel as if the Bible teaching you receive comes as a small puzzle piece you do not know how to fit together, this book is for you. All these pieces connect in Christ to form a coherent picture, and author Michael Williams shows you how in this tour of each book of the Bible.

In addition to showing you how relevant each biblical book remains today, Williams enlivens other Christian disciplines such as Bible reading, Scripture memory, and evangelism. An excellent tool for Bible teachers, ministry leaders, and students, How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens is an invaluable guide for reading, studying, and understanding the entire Bible.

Here is the biography of this author:

Michael Williams (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) is Professor of Old Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary and a member of the NIV Committee on Bible Translation. He is the author of Deception in Genesis  and The Prophet and His Message, and editor and contributor of Mishneh Today. His passion is to equip students with knowledge of the Old Testament and its languages so that they may grow in their comprehension and appreciation of redemptive history and be adequately prepared to promote and defend the faith through word and action. Michael resides in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife, Dawn.       

Here is Dr. Williams discussing the purpose of his book:

And here is Dr. Williams in an online webcast talking about this great book; he is so down-to-earth and funny!:

Dr. Williams makes this important point in the Introduction, ‘The Beginning Matters:’

The simple truth is that all of the Scriptures – Old Testament and New Testament – testify about Jesus seems to be often overlooked. For modern readers, the picture of Christ in the Old Testament can be obscured by veritable whiteout conditions of chronological, sacrificial, architectural, geographical details, so that all that can be made out after spending some time in the snowstorm is a mound of white where the car used to be. To an admittedly lesser degree, the problem exists for the New Testament as well. Names of apostles and disciples, travelogues, letters to forgotten churches in obscure locales regarding confusing theological issues – all of this can seem like so many differently shaped jigsaw pieces without a picture on the box to help us to put it all together. This book is intended to help believers make out the picture on the box. And it is a picture of Jesus. (p. 9)

The book takes all of the 66 books in the Bible, and in four pages per book, provides the theme of the book, a memory passage, shows Jesus in each, and shows its contemporary implications. Each chapter ends with several hook questions.

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Ecclesiastes (I’m weird, I know!). I had never really thought about what the ‘Jesus Lens’ view would be for that Old Testament book. Dr. Williams explains it very well in this paragraph:

In Christ alone is found meaning, purpose, and direction in life. When we, like the Teacher, try to find meaning for our lives in anything else, we also will be forced to conclude, “Meaningless! Meaningless!... Everything is meaningless!” (1:2; 12:8). Only by being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ (“the way”) can we finally find what it is we’ve been looking for (“the life”). (p. 84)

I really love the chart at the end of the book, in which Dr. Williams gives us a handy reference showing how Jesus is in each book; it has the following columns: Biblical Book; Theme; Christ-Focus; Implications; and Hook. It brings some sense to the book of Leviticus, for instance!

I was also interested in how Dr. Williams interpret the only book in the Bible in which God is not mentioned by name – Esther. Here is his ‘take’ on that book:

The Father provides Christ to deliver his people “when the set time had fully come.” Jesus accomplishes this salvation in a way similar to what we find in the book of Esther. The threat of death is removed, we are given the means to defend ourselves (by the power of his Spirit), and the chief architect of our planned destruction has himself been sentenced to the same fate he desired for God’s people. The Jews initiated a new feast day, called Purim, to commemorate their deliverance. It was a time of celebration and joy. Christians have such a day as well. We call it Sunday. (p. 67)

This is a wonderful book to complement Bible reading. I think it will be invaluable for people to read the particular chapter on the book of the Bible which one is reading, then go on to read the chapter; it will illuminate and enlighten with the help of the Holy Spirit.

In one of my seminary classes, one of our textbooks was ‘How to Read the Bible for AllIts Worth, which is also a Zondervan title and in the 'How To' series. It is in the same series as this book, so I knew I would appreciate this book. And I definitely did! I think this is the perfect book for anyone who needs to see Jesus’ story woven throughout the Bible –and that would be every human on this planet! I thank Dr. Williams for making the point - that the Bible is Jesus’ story - even more clearly to me by writing this important and worthwhile book. It is written in easy-to-read language; it is refreshing when I read a book by an academic when he doesn’t feel the need to show how intelligent he is by using ten dollar words when a smaller word will do!

One of Dr. Williams’ goals is for believers to share his book with non-believers, and that they will come to faith in Christ using any of the books in the Bible! That’s a worthy goal! I think it will be especially impactful to our Jewish friends, who may not otherwise see Jesus in their Scriptures. I am glad this tool is finally available!

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Zondervan Publishers and provided by them for review purposes.

‘Mornings with Jesus 2012: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul’ by Various Authors – Book Review and Book Giveaway

I can think of no better way to start your morning than to spend it with Jesus. ‘Morningswith Jesus 2012: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul’ offers a fantastic tool to help readers to grow closer to Him.

Here is the synopsis of this wonderful book:

        Invite Jesus into your Day.

“Be Still and Know That I am God” is one of the most beautiful verses from the Bible. But it’s not easy to practice in this busy world. Mornings with Jesus 2012 will help usher you into the quiet that you crave, where you can experience more of Jesus’ beautiful and powerful presence.

In a year’s worth of devotions, Mornings with Jesus 2012 offers a fresh perspective of who this Healer, Comforter, Good Shepherd and Son of God is, and gives a deeper understanding of what that means for you.

The warm and friendly voices of seven women reflect on the character and teachings of Jesus, and encourage you to draw near to Him and invite His presence, truth and relevance into your life. Each devotion includes a Scripture verse, an insightful reflection on Jesus’ words, wisdom, compassion and comfort, and a faith step that will inspire and challenge you.

Spend time with Jesus in the morning, and experience His nearness and peace throughout your day.

Here is a short biography of each author:

Judy Baer was born on a farm and grew up in the prairies of North Dakota. Judy is married, lives in Minnesota, and has two daughters and three stepchildren. She is the author of more than seventy-five books.

Gwen Ford Faulkenberry lives and writes in the mountains of Ozark, Arkansas. She and her husband, Stone, have three children. Gwen teaches English at Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus and is the author of two novels and three devotional books.

Tricia Goyer is a best-selling author who has written more than twenty-seven books. Tricia’s intention is to serve ordinary women by encouraging extraordinary things with God’s help. In addition to writing, she enjoys sharing Jesus’ love through volunteering as a mentor for teenage moms in her community and ministering in the Czech Republic on missions trips. Tricia and her husband, John, have four children and live in Arkansas.   

Sharon Hinck is a wife and mother of four, who loves spending mornings – and all day – with Jesus. She has a master of arts in communications and her award-winning novels explore ordinary women on extraordinary faith journeys.

Keri Wyatt Kent is the author of many devotionals, including Simple Compassion and Oxygen. She writes and speaks to help people slow down, simplify, and rest so that they can listen to God. She and her husband, Scot, live with their teenage son and daughter in Illinois.

Erin Keeley Marshall is the author of Navigating Route 20-Something and The Daily God Book. She was raised in Chicago’s western suburbs and graduated from Taylor University in Indiana. In her spare time, Erin enjoys exercise, outdoor activities, lake living, decorating, traveling, reading and hanging out with her husband, Steve, and their two children, Paxton and Calianne.

Camy Tang grew up in Hawaii and now lives in San Jose, California, with her engineer husband and her rambunctious mutt, Snickers. She is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads one of the Sunday worship teams. Camy has authored many novels.

I like to review devotional books by focusing on significant dates in my life – February 21 (my birthday), my anniversary (June 10), and my husband, Fred’s, birthday (June 12).

February 21’s devotion was written by Judy Baer and feature Hebrews 6:17-18. I love this paragraph:

In God there is no variation or shadow due to change. There are no discrepancies or inconsistencies in God. People are fickle, changeable and unpredictable, but God is exactly the opposite. He never changes or takes back His offer of grace and salvation. Difficult as it is to imagine this great generosity, we can hold it as true. God does not – cannot – renege on His promises. What a comfort that is. Our salvation does not depend on a fickle God but one whose promises endure forever. (p. 52)

That is one encouraging paragraph!

June 10 was written by one of my favorite authors, Tricia Goyer and features Luke 5:18-20, about the paralyzed man. This inspired Tricia to write about her friends and her Lord:

I know now that when I’m facing a struggle I don’t want anyone to know about, that’s the time I need to seek support from the people God has brought into my life. It’s hard to admit weakness, but true friends are those willing to carry us when we’re too weak to take a first step. (p. 162)

The Faith Step (which is included each day) for June 10 is very impactful – and wonderful advice:

Think of a private struggle you haven’t shared with your friends. Consider a way you can confess to them and ask them to help you find Jesus even in your weakness. (p. 162)

Tuesday, June 12 features Exodus 3:14: “I Am Who I Am” (NIV). Erin Keeley Marshall asks the question, ‘Who does God think He is anyway?’ She provides her answer to this question:

After spending thousands of years showing His awesome character, God the Father introduced His Son, Jesus, to the world. Jesus, in turn, proved that He is just like His Father – knowing exactly who He is and what He is about. He said He has the authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6), He would be in the grave for three days (Matthew 12:40), He commands angels (Matthew 13:41), He is the Messiah, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16-17), and He would rise from the dead (Luke 18:31-33).

Imagine if any Person of the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – were not wholeheartedly confident of His identity. What kind of God would He be? Not one we could trust, that’s for sure.

Today be confident that Jesus will continue to be Himself. (p. 164)

I love finding a worthwhile devotional book; ‘Mornings with Jesus 2012’ is certainly that. I encourage anyone to spend the rest of their mornings in 2012 with Jesus and this heartfelt and encouraging book.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Guideposts and provided by them for review and giveaway purposes.

As part of the LitFuse blog tour, I have a copy of this wonderful devotional to give to one person! In order to enter, please leave a comment telling me if you’d keep for book for yourself or to whom you would gift the book.

Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – yourname at domain dot com.

The deadline to enter is Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.  The winner will be chosen by the Random Number Generator on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. The best to all of you!

‘Finally Free: Breaking the Bonds of Depression Without Drugs’ by Patty Mason – Book Review + Giveaway!

As is the case with a multitude of people in this country (and worldwide, for that matter), I have had bouts of depression. It is so debilitating. My lovely friend, Patty Mason, has written a book about her journey with depression – and her deliverance from it – in ‘Finally Free: Breaking the Bonds of Depression Without Drugs.’

Here is the synopsis of this impactful book:

If you are suffering from depression there is HOPE! Millions are suffering, facing an onslaught of pain and despair that seems unending. Countless individuals are trapped under the weight of depression. Where is help? Where are the answers? Can freedom ever be theirs again?

Patty Mason knows the pain and devastation of depression, but she is no longer in that dark place! Her passion and deep-seated conviction to help others learn the truth and break the cycle, compelled Patty to extend hope by earnestly sharing her story of how she became Finally Free, Breaking the Bonds of Depression Without Drugs.

Learn to:

·         Find hope and freedom from emotional bondage

·         Let go of a painful past and move forward

·         Get to the root of depression pain

·         Recognize that your pain has purpose

Here is the biography of this author:

Patty Mason is an award-winning author, speaker, and the founder of Liberty in Christ Ministries. She has been teaching, mentoring and inspiring women of all ages through her writings and her talks. Patty has reached audiences all over the world through Sisters on Assignment, ChristianTV, Salem Communications Network Channel Light Source, and as a co-host on WLGT Blog Radio Live.

Patty was recently on the ‘700 Club.’ Here is her amazing story:

In the Preface, Patty shares what she hopes for her book and its readers:

As you read my story, my hope is that you will discover renewed strength, courage and determination – that you will find hope and freedom from your emotional hurt. Let my experience inspire you to let go of a painful past, to move forward, and to get to the root of your depression. Permit my story to bring you to comfort in the midst of your suffering. (p. 3)

One paragraph in particular in the book could have been written by me; I could definitely related to Patty’s struggle:

The consequences of my suppressed emotions surfaced for the first time when I turned thirteen, and for years I lashed out at everyone around me, even those I loved. In what seemed like a flash, I went from being a sweet, shy, soft-spoken child to an angry teenager full of resentment. I was very sensitive, so my feelings were easily hurt, which I released through fits of fury. I could no longer contain all those years of fear, hurt, and abuse. Like a dam breaking, the raging river burst through my broken heart, and wiped out anyone or anything in its path. (pp. 9-10)

Another area where I could relate to Patty’s journey is her belief in the world’s lies:

When I assumed the world’s way of doing things would define me as a person, and who I was meant to be, I set the stage for the ultimate sense of unhappiness. It felt awful to have put all of my hopes and dreams into something I thought would deliver great reward, only to find out that the rug had been pulled out from under me.

What should have been my greatest journey toward satisfaction, turned out to be my worst nightmare. Nothing made me whole; nothing gave me the sense of life, love and purpose I was frantically searching for. From the time I was 18, I searched for life, love and happiness in all the wrong places. In an attempt to find myself – I lost myself. I didn’t have a clue where to turn. I didn’t know where to look anymore. (pp. 28-29)

Patty gave her life to Jesus one day, and she shares how He changed her life:

From the day Jesus came into my life, the relationship we share has continued to grow closer and deeper. As a result, I have found meaning in life and a reason to live. I found purpose. My life has direction; a true sense of determination that is leading me down paths I never dreamed I would take. For example, if you told me, prior to the depression, I would one day be an author and speaker, and be involved in women’s ministry, I probably would have laughed. Even though I didn’t see myself this way, God did. He knew the plans he had for me long before I was born. He knew what he desired to accomplish in my life, and he knew the path I would have to take to find my way to those purposes. God knew, from the beginning, how to win my heart, draw me close to him, and bring me into the plans he had for me. (pp. 59-60)

After salvation, we aren’t immediately transformed; it is usually an ongoing process. One area that we need to focus on is forgiving those who have hurt us:

Harboring any wrongdoing in your heart will eat away at you like a cancer. Harboring an offense, carrying it in your heart like a bitter memory, will keep you locked in an emotional prison. So, even though none of this may be your fault, forgiveness is an important step toward finding freedom and being released from the past. (pp. 76-77)

I found this book to be powerful and geared to help heal people by pointing them to the only real source of complete restoration – Jesus. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has suffered from depression or who have friends and loved ones who are or were suffering – and that includes a high percentage of the population. I appreciate Patty for baring her soul this way, and using her trials for the good of others.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Patty in Nashville last April along with our mutual dear friend, Charlotte Hunt and the equally lovely SherylGriffin (both of whom are mentioned in her book and its Acknowledgement pages). You can read my review of Charlotte’s ‘Damaged Goods’ here, and Sheryl’s ‘Scarlet Cord of Hope’ here.Here is a photo of the five of us (my husband, Fred; me (please disregard my unfortunately placed fanny pack….), Charlotte, Patty & Sheryl). It was a lovely morning, and I look forward to meeting the three of them again someday!

You can order this book here.

This book was generously provided by the author for review and giveaway purposes.

Patty has generously offered a copy of her amazing book to one blessed person; and she will personally autograph it for you if you’d like! In order to enter, please leave a comment telling us why you’d LOVE to win this book. Please also feel free to ‘write’ to Patty, as she will be visiting the blog during the giveaway period to read comments.

Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – yourname at domain dot com.

The deadline to enter is Monday, February 27, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.  The winner will be chosen by the Random Number Generator on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. The best to all of you!

‘7 Money Rules for Life: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future’ by Mary Hunt – Book Review

I like the timing of this latest review! As most of us are hopeful for a better year in the New Year we’re entering, one of the big topics is improving our finances. That is certainly true for me and my husband, Fred. Revell has a new release, ‘7 Money Rules for Life: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future’ by the wonderful Mary Hunt.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

Simple Rules. Big Payoff. In her warm and encouraging style, financial expert Mary Hunt shows you how to master the essentials to get your money under control and prepare financially for the rest of your life. She shows you how to master the essentials to get your money under control and prepare financially for the rest of your life. She shows you how to apply each of the 7 Rules, starting today, as well as how to recover from past financial mistakes. With Mary on your side, you’ll learn how to

·         Spend less than you earn

·         Save for the future

·         Give some away

·         Anticipate your irregular expenses

·         Tell your money where to go

·         Manage your credit

·         Borrow only what you know you can repay

Money mastery isn’t hard when you know the rules. Let 7 Money Rules for Life change your future from uncertain to rock-solid – no matter what your income level.

Here is the biography of the author:

Mary Hunt is founder and publisher of Debt-Proof Living, a highly regarded organization consisting of an interactive website, a monthly newsletter, and personal finance tools. Since 1992, DPL has been dedicated to its mission to provide hope, help, and realistic solutions for individuals who are committed to financially responsible and debt-free living. Her books have sold more than a million copies, her syndicated daily newspaper column is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of everyday Cheapskate readers, and her articles appear in such magazines as Women’s Day, Guideposts, Christianity Today, and Bottom Line. Hunt speaks on personal finance and has appeared on shows such as Oprah, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil and Focus on the Family. She and her husband live in California.

Here is Mary explaining her concept of Debt-Proof Living:

In the Introduction to this book, Mary explains the predicament she found herself in:

I banked on the fact that the US economy all but guaranteed an upward spiral of increasing prosperity, better-paying jobs, and appreciating home values. There would always be plenty of jobs, plenty of credit, unending supplies of loans to pay for kids’ education. If we worked hard, bigger and better cars and homes would always be within reach.

And I got away with that kind of attitude for years. But our lifestyle was built on a house of cards that could teeter only before it came crashing down.

I came to the end of the line and had to face just how ignorant and illiterate I was about money, or lose everything. Learning and applying simple, sound principles of money management saved my life. (p. 14)

I can’t say that our straits are that dire, but we definitely need help in this New Year!

I will focus on two of the rules that impact our lives the most: Rule 1: Spend Less Than You Earn, and Rule 7: Borrow Only What You Know You Can Repay.

I loved this section from Rule 1 (Spend Less Than You Earn):

What follows may be the single most important thing you will read in this book, so I hope you are paying attention: choosing contentment as a way of life is the only way to win this battle between needs vs. wants. Contentment is choosing to be happy with what you have, while not always desiring something more. Contentment is not something we achieve, it is a choice we make. It is an attitude we learn. It’s a decision we make to buy what we need and want what we have.

Prosperity does not bring contentment, and poverty cannot take it away. Read that again. If prosperity were the secret for contentment, Hollywood, the NBA, and the National Lottery Winners Association (I made the last one up) would be the happiest places on earth. (pp. 54-55)

I have to admit that discontentment is one of my problems. It is a sin to God, and I want to learn to live with contentment. I am getting there!

The subject of contentment is prevalent throughout the book; it is addressed again the chapter on Rule 7: Borrow Only What You Know You Can Pay:

Debt promotes discontentment. Debt is often what happens when you’re not satisfied with what you can afford to have right now. And once you start pursuing “more,” you’ll always be unhappy with what you have at the moment because, face it, there will always be something more out there that captures your attention. It’s easy to use debt as the antidote for feelings of dissatisfaction and discontentment. Then it become akin to drinking a glass of salty water. It makes you thirsty so you want to drink more, and the more you drink the thirstier you become.

Debt limits your options. This is true of any type of debt, even a secured home mortgage. Debt is like a lead balloon that hold you in one spot…. (p. 130)

I love Mary’s point in the chapter entitled ‘Getting It All Together:’

Once you write a goal, no matter how simple it is, it takes on a power of its own. You have something specific on which to focus. Your thoughts point to it like a laser beam, which leads to another powerful benefit of your human brain: you become what you think about most of the time. (p. 148)

Great point; awesome wisdom!

Another good thing about this book is that she gives each reader the opportunity for a 6 month free membership in her website, Debt Proof Living. I took advantage, and hope to glean a lot more from her after the book has long been finished.

I thank Mary for what she shares with us from her own personal experience. I plan on reading it with my husband, Fred, who has been hounding me for what seems like years to be a little more attentive to financial matters…. I highly recommend this book. Mary’s style is engaging and warm, and she makes financial issues as warm and fuzzy as they can be! She writes from a solid, Biblically based perspective, which is the way I want to live.

You can order this book here.

Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This book was published by Revell and provided by them for review purposes.

                  

‘The Names of God Bible’ by Ann Spangler, General Editor – Book Review

Anyone who knows me or has followed my blog for any length of time knows that I love different version of the Bibles. When I learn of new ones, I run toward them! The latest one on my list is ‘The Name of God Bible,’ with God as the author and Ann Spangler as the General Editor. The Names of God Bible is in God’s Word Translation.

Here is the synopsis of this Bible:

One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know his names and titles as revealed in Scripture. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus uncovers the richness of God’s character and love found in his names right within the Bible text.

The Names of God Bible restores more than 10,000 occurrences of specific names of God –like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay – to help readers connect with the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith and experience a deeper understanding of God’s character. Perfect for personal study, prayer, and reflection, The Names of God Bible includes these specific features:

·         More than 10,000 names and titles of God restored to their Hebrew equivalent and printed in brown ink to stand out within the biblical text

·         Names of God reading paths lead readers to the next reference of the name so they can pray and study the names of God throughout Scripture

·         Calling God by Name sidebars shed light on the relationship between biblical people and the specific names they call God

·         Name pages feature

-      background information associated with the most important names and titles of God

-      key Scripture passages in which the name is revealed

-      devotional readings for each of the featured names

-      specific Bible promises connected to each of the featured names

Here is the biography of the general editor:

Ann Spangler is an award-winning writer whose fascination with the Bible has resulted in books that have opened the Bible to a wide range of readers. She is the author or coauthor of several bestselling books, including Praying the Names of Jesus, Women of the Bible, and Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus. Together, her books have sold 3 million copies. She has held senior positions at two Christian publishing houses and lives with her two daughters in Michigan.

Here is Ann explaining this Bible:

As would be expected, this Bible includes an alphabetical list of names and titles of God. Surprisingly, this list is more than a full page! I was unfamiliar with many of them, including Holy One of Israel (Qedosh Yisrael), Jealous God (El Kanna), and the Lord’s Spirit (Ruach Yahweh).

The Publisher’s Note explains what most modern translation do with the names and titles of God:

While most modern translations obscure the names and titles of God by replacing them with just a few terms like “God,” “Lord,” or “LORD,” this Bible reintroduces the transliteration of ancient words to help readers understand the rich distinctions made in the original Hebrew and Aramaic. The translation into which these transliterated names and titles of God have been inserted is God’s Word Translation, which has itself been translated by biblical scholars to reach a twenty-first century reading audience by accurately rendering the text in clear, everyday language.

I like to review Bibles by focusing on some of my favorite verses. The ones I will focus on today are Genesis 1:1-3 and Philippians 4:6-7. As you can imagine, the very first book of the Bible is full of the names and titles of the Creator:

        In the beginning, Elohim created heaven and earth.

The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The Rauch Elohim was hovering over the water.

Then Elohim said, “Let there be light!” So there was light. Elohim saw the light was good. So Elohim made the horizon and separated the light from the darkness. Elohim named the light day, and the darkness he named night. There was evening, then morning –the first day. (Genesis 1:1-3)

Here is Philippians 4:6-7:

Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Yeshua.

It is interesting to see how often God’s different names are referenced in His Book. My eyes were definitely opened to His many attributes! I think this would make for a terrific Bible for anyone who wants to know God in a deeper way.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Revell Publishers and provided by them for review purposes.