Walls by Ryan Rush

Walls divide. Walls separate. Walls can be built, but walls can also be broken through.  That is exactly what Ryan Rush wants people to know.  People need to realize that they do not have to remain stuck behind the walls that have been erected in their lives -- walls that keep them from experiencing all that God intends for them to know and experience.

Often people think their problems and circumstances are the walls that hold them back, but Ryan Rush sees it differently.  He believes it's not the circumstances themselves, but rather the mind-set in those circumstances that really is the barrier.  Do we possess a mind-set of faith and belief in God's promises, or are we overcome by doubt, fear, anger, or resentment for example?  Those, Rush would say, are really the walls that need to be broken by using the promises of God that address those issues.  It's believing the truths of what God has said in His Word, that brings us through to the other side.

The author used the analogy of the Berlin Wall as well as his personal testimony of his experiences dealing with the difficult situations involved in raising a daughter who has special needs to illustrate his ideas. He directs his readers to focus on God's promises as they deal with life situations in order to be drawn to a closer relationship with God, rather than allowing walls to go up that will keep them from the very thing that would help them.

Personally, I felt the book was a little slow at the start, as he tried to explain exactly what the walls were not, but as I continued reading, I began to understand the point he was trying to make. He made mention, many times, about a website, http://www.faithbreakthroughs.com/, where more information and people's testimonials could be found, but I was a little disappointed with the limited information found there unless you registered (for free) and logged in, which I did not choose to do. Overall it was a fairly helpful book, though I wish there was bit more "practical" help in providing God's promises that relate to various walls people may be facing rather than continuously pointing the reader to the "testimonials" on the FaithBreakthroughs' website. It almost sounded like an infomercial at times!

If you are reading this book in a small group setting, there are discussion questions following each chapter for personalizing the concepts that were presented.

 
I was provided a free "advance reader copy" of this book from Tyndale Publishers in order to write this review.

Precious Moments Storybook Bible by Sam Butcher

The Precious Moments Storybook Bible, by Sam Butcher is a beautiful hardback book that can be used to introduce stories from the Bible to young children. The pastel illustrations using Precious Moments characters are an added treat.  The pictures, I believe, would capture a child's attention. This Storybook Bible is based on the International Children's Bible® so it is easily understood by children as it is being read to them, and would be equally easy to read by an elementary aged child.  Scripture references for each story are given under each title so children and their parents know where in the Bible this particular story can be found.

The book is divided into four sections: Favorite Bible Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom, More Stories of the Faith, and Songs and Prayers.  There is also a section in the front of the book, like in regular Bibles, to record family history and major spiritual events.

The Precious Moments Storybook Bible would be a delightful addition to your family library and a wonderful way to share God's Word with a child.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Mockingbird Parables by Matt Litton

The Mockingbird Parables, written by Matt Litton, is based on Harper Lee's classic book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Litton takes this masterpiece and gleans "parables" from its characters and life situations to instruct it's readers on the Christian faith.  The story of To Kill a Mockingbird had an impact on me that I didn't expect.  It's truths were clear and moved me.  However, I feel Matt Litton stretches things at times and other times falls a little flat in his attempt to take it's characters and assign them a biblical meaning.

Though I could appreciate what the author was trying to do, and found some merit in what he was saying, I didn't always agree with him theologically, and the "parables" didn't always capture my attention. On a positve note, the book was thought provoking as it points readers to consider how their lives should impact those around them, and how the Christian faith can and should be seen in every aspect of their lives and community. While Harper Lee's book inspired me to draw those moral and spiritual conclusions on my own, Litton's book seemed slightly more forced in designating Boo Radley as "God", or Scout Finch as portraying "The Role of Women in Ministry".  I feel the characters in the orginal book spoke for themselves.

Some may find this book interesting, but personally I don't believe To Kill a Mockingbird was intended to be a spritual allegory like C.S. Lewis', The Chronicles of Narnia, or Paul Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Captured by Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah

Captured by Grace, authored by Dr. David Jeremiah, did capture my heart. We hear so much about God’s grace, but perhaps never fully comprehend what a wonder it is. Once you are a recipient of God’s grace, you can do no less than extend that same that grace to others. Dr. Jeremiah weaves the stories of the lives of the Apostle Paul, and John Newton, with Newton’s most famous hymn, Amazing Grace, to produce a truly amazing picture of God’s grace. Though these two men lived centuries apart, they still had so much in common. A closer examination proves that we, today, also have much in common with both of them. We all need to experience and be captured by God’s grace.

The book is divided into three parts: Grace For The Past, Grace For The Present, and Grace For The Future. Each chapter focuses on a line of the hymn, Amazing Grace, and ends with a summation in devotional form called “Moments of Grace,” where Dr. Jeremiah allows you to personalize and put into action the thoughts of the chapter. Throughout the book one can see how God has pursued these men and sense how He still desires to pursue each of us and capture us by His grace.

I highly recommend this book as it made me appreciate the goodness and grace of God and reminded me that NO ONE is beyond God’s reach of grace.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.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

Out Live Your Life -- by Max Lucado

It is a fact of life.  We all will die one day. But we can choose to "out live" our lives by the choices we make each day. Renowned author, Max Lucado, encourages his readers to do just that in his newest book, Outlive Your Life. We were created to make a difference in the world in which we live. Max Lucado attempts to help us see that we can make a positive difference in the lives of a hurting world around us. The things we do today will have an impact that can last years into the future. Even after we die, what we have done will live on.

Outlive Your Life opens our eyes to the physical and spiritual needs that sometimes make us feel uncomfortable. Lucado wants us out of our comfort zone and in the trenches, trying to make a difference. Each chapter ends with a verse of Scripture and a prayer, to help solidify the emphasis of the chapter.  The end of the book contains a Discussion and Action Guide which helps facilitate discussion in a small group, (or give you things to contemplate in a personal study), and then gives some practical ideas on how these concepts can be put into practice. To me, this enables the reader to become a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.

If we each begin to be that positive influence in the communities and cities we live in, and then reach out to our state, nation, and beyond, will eventually make the dramatic impact on the whole world. You may do something big or small, but God can use each thing to make a lasting impact.

Max Lucado wants to be an example of putting into practice what he is encouraging his readers to do, so he is donating one hundred percent of his royalties from this book to "benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion."

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Boy Who Changed the World -- by Andy Andrews

The Boy Who Changed the World, written by Andy Andrews and beautifully illustrated by Philip Hurst, is a story written to show children that everything they say or do, whether it's big or small, can make a difference in the world around them now and in the future. Andy Andrews takes the same theme and story from his book, The Butterfly Effect, and translated it into a book that children can understand. The illustrator also includes pictures of butterflies throughout the book to emphasize this fact.

The book recounts the story of the life of Norman Borlaug who developed "super seeds" of corn, wheat and rice that saved 2 billion people from starvation. Even though he was credited with this great accomplishment, there were many people, including Henry Wallace, George Washington Carver, and Moses and Susan Carter, who played a part in who he became and what he did.

This book would be appropriate for children ages 6-10. Younger children would enjoy the pictures, but may need help understanding the people mentioned in this story. Children of all ages can learn that God made them special and everything they do is important.

This book encourages children to understand that everything they do matters and can and will have an effect not only on their own life, but on the lives of others.  This book shows them that God made them special and even as a child, they can make a difference. Who knows....one day THEY may change the world!


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Butterfly Effect - by Andy Andrews

Have you ever wondered if your life really matters?  The newspaper is filled with reports of important people doing spectacular things. Perhaps you see yourself as ordinary.  You do not hold an important position. You're not in a position to influence great numbers of people. Does what you do even matter?  After reading the book, The Butterfly Effect, you'll see the answer is YES!  You will see how everything you say or do can have an effect on those around you now and in the future.

Andy Andrews builds upon the theory called the butterfly effect.  This theory states that "a butterfly could flap its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which in turn moving more molecules of air -  eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet." Andrews expands that idea to include people.  His premise is that everything you do matters.  It may be a small, ordinary act, which starts in motion, events that eventually turn out to be of great importance. One ordinary act, can make all the difference in the world -- literally!

In The Butterfly Effect, Andrews recounts the stories of two people whose lives forever altered world events.  Joshua Chamberlain, an ordinary school teacher, fighting in the Civil War, made one decision that had a profound effect on the future of the United States. Norman Bourlaug, was honored for producing hybrid high yield and disease resistant seeds which have saved the lives of billions around the world -- but he did not do this alone. You can trace his success back to various people, who were simply living their lives. These people's actions influenced situations, that ultimately produced events that changed the world through Norman.

This book is an attractive gift book which can be read easily in one sitting.  It will inspire and encourage you to look at yourself and your life in a new light. As Andy Andrews writes, "Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world."

God can take your ordinary life and make something extraordinary out of it. Reading this book will help you realize that everything you do really does matter.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.