A Grand read

Monday, February 24, 2014

Treasuring the God of love

A Godward Heart

John Piper is an amazingly talented preacher, teacher and author. He has written many books to bring people to a deeper knowledge and relationship with God. His latest book is titled: A Godward Heart: Treasuring The God Who Loves You. This book contains “50 Meditations For Your Journey”. Some meditations in this book were very thought-provoking and insightful. Others seemed to be a random collection of thoughts that cover a variety of topics including such issues as suffering, voting, slavery, tweeting, nudity, Abraham Lincoln, ( which was the only down fall of the book). 
http://www.desiringgod.org/

A Godward Heart

Treasuring the God Who Loves You


    About the Author

    John Piper JOHN PIPER is founder and teacher of DesiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For thirty-three years he served as pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. He is the author of more than fifty books, including the contemporary classic, Desiring God. He and his wife, Noel, have five children and twelve grandchildren.

    Each chapter is very short (approximately 3-4 pages) and many of the chapters would be a great devotional. Some of the exceptional sections in this book included: I read  a chapter before I went to sleep each night! Yes, I could have read this book in a few days, but I took longer to contemplate the deep Biblical truths that are not always easy to grasp.

    Chapter 4 – Although many might claim that it was cruel of Jesus to let Lazarus die and put Mary and Martha through grief, Jesus’ goal was much bigger. It was to magnify the glory of God through that experience. Most people think that love is whatever puts human value and human well-being at the center. "Love is doing whatever you need to do, even to the point of dying on the cross, to help people see and savor the glory of God forever and ever." Regarding Paul's thorn, God told him that it was more loving for Paul to value the glory of His power than it was for Him to take away his thorn. God's love is not defined by what brings them relief or what they want but what brings out the glory of God in your life. That’s a powerful thought! 
    Do read this book! It really helped me rest at night!, "I received this book for free fromBlogging for Books for this review."

    Monday, February 17, 2014

    Baby book worth reading



    Now available in the popular board book format, Goodnight Angels is a beautifully written bedtime book for young children that presents a new spin on the bestselling, Goodnight Moon complete with the message of prayer and thankfulness.
    This charming bedtime story in the vein of Goodnight Moon will lull little ones to sleep with its soothing rhymes and gentle rhythms. Children will love the board book format, and parents and grandparents will love the quiet message of peace and gratitude for God’s tender, loving care.Goodnight to my wagon...Goodnight to the kitchen...Goodnight to my mommy.

    Goodnight, Angels is a sweet book that helps settle a child into bed for a good night's sleep. A little boy finishes his night telling each item goodnight as he adjourns to his bedroom. I thought it was a great idea! In fact I am giving it to my best friends six month old son. I have learned that kids love books about going to bed. I gave  a little girl Mazzy Mouse goes to bed and she loved it! This  board book Good night Angles has much better painting. Infact that is what made me want to have this book. Grand art work!

    . The words had an magical way of pulling the strings of the day together. By the end of the book it was natural to end the day and fall asleep. This just what I thought as I read it. I wished my little sister was a baby so I could read it to her!
    The illustrations unite with the words. 
    The 32-page book was a little cumbersome for me to hold with 11 1/4" wide pages. 

    Great kids book!
    To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, please mention as part of every Web or retail site review that BookLook Bloggers has provided you with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. For example:
    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Wednesday, February 12, 2014

    Amazing Book


    Jessie Wilcox Smith

    Prophet on the Run

    I have to say when I first picked up this book I thought " I know all about  Jonah but I will read it any way." I was in for a grand surprise!

    This little book became my devotional book , the week after I read it as I saw I need to take heart the lessons in it.
     I was motivated to read this book from  the first chapter! So intense is this work that I couldn't put it down and finished it in one afternoon. 
    True, the content is not for mere pleasure. I found the chapters fascinating.A devotional commentary on the book of Jonah, this is a new book by Baruch Maoz. A Christian of Jewish descent, and very familiar with the land of Israel and surrounding regions, this author brings to life the circumstances and lessons of this short book of the Old Testament with unusual clarity. 
     This slight book of 7 chapters was originally preached in Israel
    There were some very new facts  that I never even considered. One that Jonah was trying to flee a year away! And was the only Old Testament prophet sent by God to preach to a nation other than Israel or Judah.
    So many practical applications in this  volume that I would really recommend it to all. God put this story in the Bible for our benefit but unless we are Hebrew we miss out on the treasures. This book is translated from Hebrew so the nuggets jump out at us!
    This is a great study on the book of Jonah.  It covers in depth the book, with study questions at the end of each chapter.    This is a small but mighty book, it is uncomplicated in its writings, very easy to understand and a quick read.     I can appreciate how the verses are broken down, and given thought provoking questions.

    This book would make an excellent study for oneself or in a group setting. I cant wait to share with all


    I received this book free from www.crossfocusedreviews.com  . I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    prophet on the run cover courtesy Shepherd Press This is must read! So pick up Maoz, Baruch. Prophet on the Run: A Devotional Commentary on the Book of Jonah. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2013. ISBN 978-1936908-844. today!


    Monday, February 10, 2014

    Humility: An Unlikely Biography of America's Greatest Virtue by David J. Bobb



    At first the book looked interesting , just by the title but when I got it and saw who was on the front, you all know what my thoughts were. " Oh dear Lincoln." After all I am Southern, which enplanes a lot.
    Humility is broken into three parts. Part one, Early Life deals with the origin of the philosophical idea of humility. Part two, Trials and Temptations, is the heart of the book and traces humility’s effects on the lives of five historically significant people from early American history. Part three, An Age of Arrogance, briefly states the author’s opinions surrounding our current culture.

    The idea behind the book was a good one but his chose of people and words bothered me greatly.Part two was where I felt the book was really lacking. This  encompasses five chapters , one each for George Washington, James Madison, Abigail Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglass. . The author clearly knows his subject matter, but looking at the lives of these great men and women through the narrow lens of a single personality trait dilutes the power of the examples given..  Without a more rounded presentation of each person the reader is left with a sometimes overly positive view of the person profiled. You begin to think that all these people were perfect - even Benjamin Franklin.  Reality they were people with flaws and foibles like the rest of us.

     Nonetheless, I had a hard time following his theme throughout the entire book. All parts were interesting and informative, but at times Bobb seemed to strain to make connections to humility, and I think the book could have been more engaging if he included other character traits as well, and even stories, in an effort to highlight humility. I was a little lost at time so to speak. Not a book I will recommend.

    I thought it would help proud me become humble but it did not.

    The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

    Monday, February 3, 2014

    Kids book


     

    I  have just read Turn ho-hum story time into an amazing experience for inspiring your grandchildren to discover and celebrate God’s love for them! My Time with Grandma Bible Storybook is a wonderful way to treasure your moments together while sharing your faith and helping your grandchildren understand challenging concepts such as salvation, God’s plan for our lives, and what it means to be forgiven. Each story includes a powerful Love Note from God that kids can memorize and hide in their hearts forever. There’s also a sweet Love Note from Grandma that you can read to your grandchildren to help remind them of how much they are treasured and loved

    I am a little picky with religious material I want in my home, and this book is a little too shallow for me. I know that the main audience is grandmas and toddlers, but I do want my little one to be exposed to more Scripture. I do not like how this book is more like a fictional storybook than powerful true events of the Bible .  Also pictures of Jesus do not thrill me.

    It is to old for a seven year old but maybe one younger would like! I liked the idea but my siblings did not like the drawings very much .  They said the lamb looked like a baby .  I thought the front was cute but  they make David a boy and Daniel sit with the lions. Teaches wrong things to children.

    I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.