Stumbling Into Grace by Lisa Harper

I am eagerly awaiting my trip to Women of Faith.  I am so excited that Lisa Harper will be one of the speakers for that weekend!  Lisa is a gifted speaker, but I recently found that she is an excellent author as well.  Her book "Stumbling Into Grace" was recently sent to me by Book Sneeze and Thomas Nelson Publishing. 
"Stumbling Into Grace" reads like a diary or journal, yet it's content is more of a devotional.  Lisa paints a beautiful picture of our walks with Christ.  Lisa mixes humor, Biblical encounters, and life application lessons throughout the three sections in this book.  The first section is "Real Life".  This section shares encounters with Jesus.  My personal favorite from this section is caled "The Very Real Problem With Pantyhose:  Jesus and Binding Things".  The second section is "Real Gifts".  This section leads us through encounters with Jesus and different gifts that he has given us.  The final section is called "Real Growth".  This section is about how Jesus helps us. 
I found this book to be excellent.  Lisa's insight provides the reader with teachable moments.  This book would be a great Bible study for a women's group.  At the end of each chapter is a section called "Living in the Light of His Story."  It is a prayer that is followed by a section called "Personal Reflection and/or Group Discussion Questions."  I liked how Lisa adds scripture references to the reflections.  At the end, is a starter for a journal entry.  This allow the reader to take the time to contemplate just what God is trying to teach them through this chapter. 
If you want to read a book, that as the introduction puts it "describe God's unconditional and miraculously accessible love for us through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ", please get a copy of "Stumbling Into Grace."  If you want to hear from Lisa Harper herself, I suggest you get yourself to a Women of Faith conference.  If you happen to go to the one in Indy, I'll be the girl standing in line at Lisa Haper's table.  I can't wait to thank her for this book. 

Thank you to Book Sneeze and Thomas Nelson books.  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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.



Look Out Indy - I'm Going to Women of Faith

I've attended Women of Faith many times. However, two years ago Women of Faith stopped coming to the St. Louis area. The other dates and cities just hadn't worked out for me. While Indianapolis is close, it is on the first day of school. What teacher misses the first day of school - right? Well, this year this teacher is. As part of Book Sneeze, I will be attending and blogging about my Women of Faith experience. If you've never attended Women of Faith, you are missing out. If you can't attend an event, then I urge you to purchase the DVDs, gather some women from your church together and hold your own mini-conference in your living room. Thanks to Book Sneeze, Women of Faith, and my school for letting me use a personal day on the first day possible. I promise I will be a better teacher for it - a weekend with Women of Faith has a way of making you smile for months to come.

Story Engineering by Larry Brooks

Story Engineering - Mastering the 6 Core Competencies of Successful Writing

As someone who hopes to have a published book someday, I chose to read Story Engineering with the hope that it would kick-start the courage to actually begin putting the story ideas that have been swimming in my head down on paper. While I haven't delved into the writing yet, I have stepped out of the boat and at least chosen the idea I want to work with. I believe that taking the time to study "Story Engineering" was well worth the invested time I spent reading it. It is not a book to be simply read, but one that must be studied. I had to read and take the time to really think about the chapters. I had to spend time thinking of how they would and should apply to my writing.

Story Enginerring is organized into 8 sections. The introduction gives an overview of the 6 core competencies and the reasoning the author states that they are important to good storytelling. The first core competency is concept. This section really helped me evaluate the story ideas I have collected and to prioritize them into which ideas might actually be worth exploring. The next section leads us to the second core competency which is character. As a instuctor at the local junior college, I can tell you that we spend a lot of time talking about character in the composition and analysis classes I teach. I found this section to be very well written and thought out. The author examines all of the various avenues that play a part in the development of character in a story. The next concept the author addresses is theme. While this section of the book is shorter than other sections, don't be fooled into thinking that theme isn't important. The information provided in this section of the book really captures the difference between plot and theme. The next section covers story structure. To me, this is the author's best work. This was the treasure I was hoping to find. This section isn't really a "how to" or "formula", but more of an inquiry into what makes a good story. It's taking those things, tearing them apart, examining them, and applying them to the story you are hoping to craft. The final parts are scene execution and writing voice. After the "meat" of story structure, I found these sections to be informative, but they didn't necessarily lead to that "aha" moment. The author finishes up the book with a closing section on the process of story development.

In all, I would recommend this book. This book is an investment - not something to be read quickly. Not a book you will devour. It's one you have to take in small bites and contemplate. Thanks to Book Sneeze for offering me the opportunity to read this book.

I received this book through Book Sneeze, a part of Thomas Nelson Publishing. The opinions expressed here are my own and were in no way influenced by the publisher. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Fedral Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Reggie by Reggie Dabbs with John Driver

You Can't Change Your Past, But You Can Change Your Future

I do not know Reggie Dabbs and before I read this book, I didn't even know he existed. It was with some reservation that I chose this book to read. However, I am so glad that I did. It is filled with messages of hope, hope that often comes out of despair. Reggie has risen from a past that could have destroyed him. As the book states, "You can't change your past, but you can change your future." The book is a nice mix of personal anecdotes, Biblical accounts, and inspirational messages. This is a message that is so timely for young people today. This book would make a great graduation present. The ten chapters in the book contain information that encourages the reader to know ten things: to know your story, to know your truth, to know your pain, to know your choice, to know your voice, to know your name, to know your passion, to know your future, and to know your Father. At the end of each chapter are questions for individual and group discussions. Thse would be great for a mentoring program or even a small group of college students. Reggie has traveled the world sharing his message. Take a look at this book and let him share this message with you. I am confident you won't be disappointed.

I received this book free from the publisher as part of the Book Sneeze book review bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accorance witht he FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Max on Life by Max Lucado

When you consider that Max Lucado has over 100 million products in print and that he is one of the most beloved Christian authors of our day, it is not surprising that he is sought out for answers to many of life's difficult questions. Finally, Max has turned those questions and the answers he shares into his latest book. Max on Life contains the answers to over 150 questions that have been posed to Max Lucado over the years. The answers found within the pages show that Max Lucado is a man who has gained a great deal of wisdom through study and prayer. The book is divided into seven sections: hope, hurt, help, him/her, home, have/have-nots, and hereafter. Max on Life is written in that gentle writing style that is so characteristic of the author. It is as if you are sitting down for a cup of coffee with Max Lucado and spending the afternoon "picking his brain".

I found this book to be an excellent read. I also think it will prove to be an great "go-to" book when trying to find the answers or trying to find words to encourage those in need. The book contains both a topical and a scriptural index, which make the book a nice resource for such times. A bonus to the book is a section with Max's advice about writing and publishing. As someone who would love to someday step into those waters, it was nice to hear from someone who has swam the channel quite successfully. I hope you will give Max on Life a try. I am glad I did.

Thanks to Book Sneeze for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

According to his website, every single minute a book by Andy Andrews is sold in the world. After reading his newest book, The Final Summit, I now understand why.

The Final Summit, A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity is the first fiction book I have reviewed. Inside the book is a scripture from Psalm 39:12 which reads, "For I am but a Traveler upon this earth." Just as David realized when writing the Psalms, life is a journey and reading this book is a journey in itself.

David Ponder is a 74 yeard old widower. As to be expected, we find that he is contemplating the reason he must go on living without his wife. His grief is heavy. However, his grief is interrupted when he receives a visit - not just any visit, but a divine visit. God has sent on eof His messengers to entice Ponder into a journey that will send him on a quest to save the world from the greediness and evil that it is drenched in. With the angel Gabriel as a travel guide, Ponder goes in search of a two word answer to the question, "What must humanity do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?" Ponder goes in search of an answer knocking at the door of the wisdom of such greats as King David, Winston Churchill, Joan of Arc, and Abraham Lincoln. These Travelers share principles that have stood the test of time in history. As a reader, I found that I too was on a quest. My quest was to determine how these same principles could shape my own life.

Andy Stanley is a master at combining suspense with a great cast of characters and sprinkles in just enough drama to hold it all together. Although I have not read the predecessor to this book, The Traveler's Gift, I was able to understand and enjoy this book with the author's provision of the necessary background information. I had only known Andy Andrews as a gifted speaker at Women of Faith conferences. I am now glad to know him as a gifted author. The Final Summit hits bookstores tomorrow - I am sure they will be flying off the shelf every minute.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accorance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Conversation with God By Alton Gansky

This cover of this book has the question "If you could ask God anything, what would it be?". This book is like sitting down with God each morning and having a chat session. It's about asking those why and what about questions? Not only do you get to ask these questions, but the author has gleaned from the Bible the answers to such questions. While any of us could look in the Bible for those answers, the way the author presents them makes it seem as if you are having a conversation with God - thus the title. I found this book to be a useful tool for a morning devotion. While none of the answers were new revelations to me, they were refreshing. Some of the questions that are addressed:

*Creation

*Authenticity of the Word of God

*Abortion

*Preparing for the end of the world

There are many more questions included in this treasure. I encourage you to take a look yourself and have a conversation with God.