Book Reviews 8-9

So, I have just a few more weeks before my birthday and 3 more books to read before then! Do you think I can do it? I hope so!

Book 8-Elizabeth Smart, My Story

I started reading this book early one morning after Joseph had went to work and I finished it before bed that same day. So, that should tell you right there that I thought it was good reading and yet easy reading. The book didn't go SO deep that you felt like you had to stop and reread to make sure of what you really read or if you were understanding correctly. The writers painted a transparent picture of the control a person takes when they steal something precious from us. Some of the precious "things" that were stolen from Elizabeth don't need words and I appreciated how she was not graphic about what he (the man who kidnapped her) did to her. She kept the things that needed to be private-just that private. I also appreciated how she emphasized we all deal differently-its easy to say, "I would have..." but you never know until you have actually "been there". I believe that applies to all trials that we face. One of the things that stuck out to me after she had returned home is the "pep talk" her mom gave to her and the statement, "We often choose to let people steal our happiness..." What a simple and yet true statement that I myself, who has not been kidnapped needs to remember. I would definitely recommend this book for reading.

Book 9-Choosing to See

I admit I did not finish this book in one day; but over a period of several days. I starterd reading this book and one of the first things that grabbed my attention was this statement, "I believe God can handle my heart, my questions, and my anger." The reason this grabbed my attention so quick was that often Christians, myself included tend to sometimes even sugarcoat our feelings to God-yet He already knows what is going on-He sees our heart. From that point on I knew I was going to be reading some transparent reading. I appreciate transparency in writing. Mary Beth was very open about the struggles that she faced in the midst of the death of one of her children and the circumstances around it-well, are just wow. I don't want to give details away in case you want to read it. I want to share a couple of quotes I highlighted in the book:

..I've held on to certain expectations about life. But, Jesus has always loved me enough to show me that even when I push my own ideas and expectations, He is there to guide me back to green pastures."

"I have found that even during those times when the path is darkest, He leaves little bits of evidence all along the way-bread crumbs of grace-that can give me what I need to take the next step. But I can only find them if I choose to SEE."

How often do we as Christians talk about our expectations and try to make them out to be what God wants for our lives? Something to think about! Overall, I really appreciated this book and enjoyed it. I do wish that instead of taking excerpts from her blog for the final chapters that she would have just kept with how she had written the previous chapters. But, it wasn't enough to sway me not to finish reading it. I would read it again.

And, with all that being said, I better get reading!

Book Reviews 6-7

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Time is slowly running out for me to cross things off my bucket list. I haven't kept up with it like I wanted to and things I don't get accomplished will automatically shift to next years bucket list. However, I am crossing off books from the list and have a few reviews to share with you today. In advance I apologize for no direct links or pictures of the book covers-our keypad is not working correctly and I really don't want to deal with the hassle of it all today.

Book 6: The Upside Down Marriage by, Jim Keller

"One of our biggest challenges in marriage is to communicate through conflict in a productive manner..."

"It's interest to me that what we most want from others is sometimes so easy not to give in return."

"You are always on a slippery slope if you begin to compare your faults to the faults of your own spouse. Own what you need to own and stop the comparison game."

...if the marriage is suffering, parenting will also suffer or at best be extremely challenging."

"Having children is one of the biggest privileges we are afforded by God, but it is a total marriage makeover. Those beautiful babies are heavenly intruders, demanding of both parents' time and sacrifice.

To be honest, I don't know why I chose to read this book; but I did. It was a free book on my Kindle and I just like to read non-fiction books that just might have some helpful tips. I also realize that when a book doesn't necessarily line up with what I believe i need to be careful with what I take from it and while this book has many good points, I do NOT recommend it.

Book 7: The 7-Day Prayer Warrior Experience by, Stormie Omartian

"The Bible would not have told us to take up the whole armor of God in order to withstand evil if evil could have been withstood without doing that."

"Some people think that because Jesus accomplished everything on the cross, we don't have to do anything at all. But if that's true, why did Jesus teach us to pray..."

...we must choose to live God's way. We cannot be protected if we deliberately walk outside the ways and will of God."

Our obedience to God is evidence that we are in alignment with His will. The most important thing is not to get what we want in prayer, but to accomplish what God wants."

In the past I have read other books by Stormie Omartian, one of them being "The Power of a Praying Wife which I thought was excellent! So, I thought a short 7 day Bible reading supplement would be great. The title says 7 days, however, the closing chapter should have been day 8 because it was just as long as the other chapters. I know its petty; but its in my nature I guess to be annoyed with that long 'closing' chapter. A good book; but I am on the fence as to whether or not I would recommend it!

There we have it folks, two books to cross off the good ole bucket list and 5 more to go!

Bucket List-Book Review #5

I am still alive-I think this is the longest I've ever went without blogging! And to welcome me back I am doing what may be considered a boring post as its another book to cross off my 12 books to read from my bucket list!

I just finished, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman!



As I have stated before just because I am doing a book review does not mean I am endorsing the book. I am simply informing you about what I liked and of some interesting thoughts from the book:

...the divorce rate for second marriages in at least 60 percent, and rises when children are involved.

Mark Twain once said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment."

...verbal compliments are far greater greater motivators than nagging words.

The object of love is not getting something you want but doing something for the well-being of the one you love. It is a fact, however, that when we receive affirming words we are far more likely to be motivated to reciprocate and do something our spouse desires.

Encouragement requires empathy and seeing the world from your spouse's perspective. We must first learn what is important to our spouse.

"...I don't know if I can ever forgive you." Those are not words of love but of bitterness and resentment and revenge.

The book offered real life scenarios that were easy to relate to. Sometimes it could look extreme to the situation; but to some its their reality and it was a good reminder that I DON'T want the extreme of marriage issues! We all have areas in our marriage that need to be worked on and the most important person to involve in our marriages is GOD!

Bucket List-Book Review #4

Well, another book to check off the list and 8 more still to read!

Not a Sparrow Falls, by Linda Nichols



I enjoy fiction; but tend to be picky about it as time goes on. I have read Karen Kingsbury and enjoyed her books; but have grown tired of them. Lori Wick is another favorite of mine, I especially enjoyed Pretense and Sophie's Heart. It seems to me that Karen Kingsbury and Lori Wick have the same tendencies in writing and I wanted to try a "different" style; but was hesitant-know what I mean? Well, I was pleasantly surprised with this selection, I was able to download it for free on my Kindle Fire!
I enjoyed this book from start to finish! The author did a wonderful job painting each scene and each character jumped out of the pages into "real life". I was captivated by real life struggles and the love and redemption that God offers! I would definitely recommend this book and would like to read more of her work!

Bucket List-Book Review

Well, here's to checking off another book from my bucket list, goal 4-Read 12 books I've never read before! And with this book under my belt I have now read 3!

I read, Beyond Ordinary···When a Good Marriage Just isn't Good Enough by, Justin and Trisha Davis.



What I appreciated is how honest and transparent the couple was in documenting and sharing their marriage struggles. Most people in general are not willing to be transparent and then to be transparent on paper and publish it?! That rarely happens because, "what will people think?!"

I found myself relating to Trisha and that made me want to keep reading even more! There were a lot of good points; but does not use the King James Bible I just don't feel like I can 100% endorse it. I also was not fond of the final chapter and found myself briefly skimming it.

Points I took from the book...just a few:

·It is a dangerous prayer to pray-God change me. You know why it's dangerous? Because this is a prayer God will always answer. God longs to transform you. As much as you want to change your spouse, as much as you try to modify your behavior, God wants to change your heart. This prayer is where lasting change starts.

·Marriage is physical and emotional, but more than anything else, marriage is spiritual.

·None of us has the capacity to change a human heart. We think that by trying to change our spouse's behavior we are changing their hearts, but that isn't true. By trying to change our spouse's behavior we are actually damaging their hearts.

·Oneness in marriage is possible. It isn't easy, but it is possible. And it only comes as each spouse individually pursues God.

·Less than 8% of Christian couples say that they pRay together on a regular basis.

·Distorting truth and compromising truth often seems innocent and harmless, but it always comes with a price.

·We fear the consequences of confession because we have yet to realize the consequences of concealment.

·If God is powerful enough to do so many miracles, it seems reasonable to conclude that He will also be good with directions.

Book 2 of 12

Bucket List 2013-Read 12 books I have never read before.

31 Days of Forgiveness: through the eyes of grace. Written by, Tracie Stier-Johnson

This book is meant as a daily devotion and it has tons of scripture. But, since it doesn't use the King James Bible I didn't use it as a devotional, I just read it as if it were a regular book.

It did have some good truths; but I'm iffy on giving a good recommendation. However, here are a few quotes that I really liked.

Those who have served God for a long time have been kept from gross sins have a great deal to be humbly thankful for, but nothing to proudly boast about.

Matthew Henry

If sin continually remains in our lives and we don't repent and turn from that sin, God may require His divine discipline. If He didn't, He wouldn't be a loving and concerned Father.

Forgiveness does not mean excusing.

Just because we've decided to forgive someone doesn't mean we allow the behavior to continue. In fact, it's very important we do all we can to help the person stop his/her destructive behavior.

Are you sorry you got caught? Or are you sorry for what you've done?

Ultimately, forgiveness is a choice. A choice to live bound. Or a choice to live free.