The Prodigal by Brennan Manning and Greg Garrett Review

Book Description

From the inspirational author of The Ragamuffin Gospel comes a powerful contemporary retelling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Jack Chisholm is “the people’s pastor.” He leads a devoted and growing megachurch, has several best-selling books, and a memorable slogan, “We have got to do better.” Jack knows how to preach, and he understands how to chastise people into performing. What he doesn’t know is anything about grace.

This year, when it comes time for the Christmas sermon, the congregation at Grace Cathedral will look to the pulpit, and Jack will not be there. Of course, they will have seen plenty of him already---on the news.

After an evening of debauchery that leads to an affair with his beautiful assistant, Jack Chisholm finds himself deserted with chilling swiftness. The church elders remove him from his own pulpit. His publisher withholds the royalties from his books.

Worst of all, his wife disappears with their eight-year-old daughter.

But just as Jack is hitting bottom, hopeless and penniless, drinking his way to oblivion, who should appear but his long-estranged father, imploring his prodigal son: “Come home.”

A true companion piece to The Ragamuffin Gospel, The Prodigal illustrates the power of grace through the story of a broken man who finally saw Jesus not because he preached his greatest sermon or wrote his most powerful book, but because he failed miserably.

Jack Chisholm lost everything---his church, his family, his respect, and his old way of believing---but he found grace. It’s the same grace that Brennan Manning devoted his life to sharing: profound in nature and coming from a God who loves us just as we are, and not as we should be.

My Review:
I did not read The Ragamuffin Gospel, but I still really enjoyed this book. I know the story of the Prodigal Son.  My brother is the only boy and although we have joked and picked on him in the past, he is nothing like the son in this book. He is an amazing father and husband. As I read through this book I thought about how my parents always let us come home, no matter what. Jack is the kind of character that I really dislike. I was hit by drunk drivers, six months apart, that left me disabled. I lost my job, my income and almost my house. Jack deserved what he got. He even had an affair and broke up his marriage. What is even worse is that it was in the news and destroyed his wife. 
Jack finally woke up and decided to make things right. I thought that it was too little too late. He accepted an invitation from his father to go home. He had bad memories of his father and I thought that his father would be like Jack. However what I realized was that this story is more about family and forgiveness, then hatred and hurt. By the end of the book I felt different about Jack, and his father. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review from BookSneeze, however all opinions are my own.

Share the Bounty by Benita Long Book Review (cook book)

I love cookbooks that are not just recipes. This book definitely delivers a nice read, along with some great recipes! There are different sets of recipes that are grouped together with special scripture.

Description

When people come into your home, what do they see? Have you prepared for their visit? Are your gatherings imbued with the sweet spirit of charity? Whether you're celebrating a joyous occasion with your dearest friends and family, welcoming overnight guests, or comforting someone in need, your home can be a sanctuary of Christian fellowship. Discover the scriptural basis for hospitality through this compilation of menus, each designed to complement life's most important occasions with the people you cherish.
Beautifully photographed and styled, Share the Bounty will inspire you to open your home and reflect God's grace to all who sit at your table. Serve Grilled Chicken & Wild Rice Salad with Coffee Mousse at a casual luncheon for your closest friends. Usher the new neighbors into your dining room for an elegant dinner of Sunday Rib Roast, or greet your out-of-town guests with Blueberry Peach Coffee Cake on their first morning in your home. Broaden your family's understanding of other cultures with Pollo San Miguel, a meal that reflects the flavors of another country. Scattered among the recipes is a selection of Scriptures, prayers, and poetry that will focus your heart on praise and thanksgiving as you prepare to share with others his provision in your home.

My Review
I really enjoyed reading this book. Growing up I could always go over my grandparents for a surprise visit, and they taught me what it means to be hospitable. There is a chapter of recipes for the very young that I thought was a nice addition to any cookbook. There is also a chapter on Prayers of gratitude.
The recipes were easy to read and easy to follow. I tried the strawberry rhubarb bread and it was so yummy. The coffee mousse was so easy to make and it tasted Delicious. It was a nice way to have coffee without drinking it. I also tried the candied yams, they were very yummy as well. There are so many more recipes that I can not wait to try! I really enjoyed the quote on page 15 "No act of kindness , however small, is ever wasted. (Aesop, 620-564 BC)"
I also wanted to mention that the pictures in this book were absolutely amazing. In my opinion they were pretty enough to frame and put on the wall. The Photography is by Sammy Anderson.
I was sent this book in order to do a review, all opinions are my own

You Be Sweet Book Review ! Get in time for holiday baking!

I was given the opportunity to review this book by www.booksneeze.com However all opinions are my own!

I Love baking, and I love cookbooks that give you ideas and helpful hints! This book is cool because it focuses on Amy Lyles Wilson telling stories while Patsy Caldwell shares desserts . The desserts and stories meld together so well that you will want to have Sunday brunch just like in 1 of the stories!
 I especially liked the Rice Pudding recipe. It was easy to follow, easy to make and was very yummy!
I also want to try the candy bar cookie pops for this years cookie swap!
I loved the super easy peach preserves (3 ingredients) with no pectin!!!!!
the watermelon pops were super yummy for the kiddos, and wicked easy to make!
These are just a few of the ones that I wanted to try! 
I definitely recommend this book to any baker!

Spirit Fighter by Jerel Law book review

I was given the opportunity to review Spirit Fighter by Jerel Law. I was given the book for the purpose of this review but all opinions are my own.
This is the first book in the "Son of Angels: Jonah Stone series". This books claims to be a "fantasy story with a supernatural twist". I totally agree. The author was able to include a fantasy world within the book different from the regular world that the story takes place in. This is done in such a thoughtful way, that the 2 worlds mesh well together and you can easily switch back and forth while reading.

The story is about an average seventh grader, or so he thought. Until he is told the truth, that he is one-quarter angel! His mom gets kidnapped. Jonah and his sister have to fight fallen angels to save their mother! All while learning their new roles as one-quarter angels!.

I also enjoyed the fact that this book was based on scripture in the the book of Genesis. As a catholic, I think that the bible was portrayed very nicely, and by the end of the book, I definitely understood that God played a big roll in the book.

Brush of Angel's Wings by Ruth Reid book review

This is not normally the type of book I read. However my mom loves these books, and she read a copy of this book the same time I did, and I thought it would be fun to have a mini book group. I also wanted to see how we each review the book. I received this ook on behalf of booksneeze, but all opinions are my own.
I really liked the story because it had an angel in it, and was a very nice romantic story. I also found it interesting that there was also a devilish spirit that tried to go against the angel. I liked this because it reminded me of the truth that everyone has a conscious that tells you good or bad. This was a heaven on earth book and I would have loved to read the first in the series. However this book stands on its own.
I also found it interesting to read about the Amish life style. I also liked how there was an outside visitor that wanted to become amish. It was interesting to see his struggle to leave electricity and the world as I know it.
There were so many things going on in this book. One of the main themes was the loss of the son of the house. The main character is his sister. She struggles to help on the farm and help her dad as best as she could. Like every good story a baby is born and someone dies. I did not expect a second person to die in the book. I understand that it made for the ending of the book. I just wish that it didn't have to happen.
I also thought that the use of Pennsyvania Dutch was a little too much. There is a glossary that tells you what the words mean. I just wish that there was a little less of it in the book.
The book also states that it "Includes reading group guide". I wish that the guide was longer then 13 questions.
All in all I think that it was a very nice story.

Book Review~ From Blah to Awe by Jenna Lucado Bishop

I choose this book to review because I was interested in the part of the synopsis that stated "you'll discover how to keep your faith fresh and vibrant and alive". I am a Godmother, I have been for four years. But now my sweet little Goddaughter is starting to understand a lot more about holidays. Just the other day I said to her, Easter is not just about Easter eggs, it is about Jesus and Heaven. She said "Poppy is in Heaven". At that moment I thought to myself, how am I going to stay "vibrant" when there are so many different things to teach her, and not all of them are happy. That is why I choose this book.
I really liked the layout of the book. There are places to write your responses to particular passages and or scriptures. There is also a review at the end of each chapter. What I also liked was that there is not to much scripture versus. There are a lot throughout the book, but they are small and to the point. It is the perfect amount. There were also real life accounts from people sharing their faith.
What I didn't like was that this book is for a juvenile. The book talks about going to school and being popular. The book made it seem to me that if you are popular, then you have too much pride, and therefore you are not that close to God. If you are the popular kid that picks on the other kids, then yes you are not that close to God. However I believe that God has a plan for every one of us. Some of us have to be the popular ones.
If I could sum up this book in one sentence it would be.... You need to look for faith and you need to work hard at it, because it is not just given to you, but once you find your faith you will be in complete awe.

This book was given to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Love lifted me by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck book review

This is a story about a woman's love for her husband and a child. It is not her child, but the love is so strong that it does not matter. She is totally and utterly the mother of this child, in every way, but genetically. This is also a story about how a husband messed up, and changed his wife's world forever. But in messing up, he unleashed the powerful christian woman that his wife knew she was meant to be. Through love, forgiveness and mutual respect, love can overcome anything.
This book was written by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck. They have written a few books together and seem to be a very good team. Through affairs, DNA tests, change of careers, and moving, this couple still manages to make the best of their life, for them and their child. Jade, the main character and woman in the book, is truly an amazing person. She is such a strong character. I am curious to know if she is in their other books. If anyone has started over, or needs to start over, then this book is for them. There are so many different twists and turns in this book, that you really have to read it to truly understand it. I really liked it!

This book was given to me by www.booksneeze.com for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Love & Respect Experience Book Review!

I was given a copy of this book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs for the purpose of this review from www.booksneeze.com . However all opinions are my own!
While reading the recap about the book, I decided to read it because my husband and I went to church a lot in the past. I figured that this would be good for both of us to reconnect. The book states " A Husband-Friendly Devotional that Wives Truly Love". I totally agree. The advice is evenly given for men and women throughout the book. The advice is given in a respectful way, and is given from a married man. (Easier to connect to the readers).
The format of the book makes the book extremely easy to read. There are 52 chapters that are meant to be read once a week. I can totally see couples going to church, then coming home to read their weekly chapter. Each Chapter also has an "insight". The insight is basically a one sentence recap of the main theme of the chapter. At the end of ever chapter is a prayer section and an action section. I also thought that this was a great idea because the couple then gets to pray together and act upon what they have read.
There was so much good information in the book that related to the bible. However the book was more about your marriage with religion, rather then a religious marriage.
These are some of the memorable quotes that I hope to never forget:
"INSIGHT: One verbal punch usually begets a verbal counterpunch. Use words wisely." page 34
"INSIGHT: What "seems right" can ruin everything. Get the facts!" page 62
"An offended friend is harder to in back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars (NLT)." page 173

There are also discussion questions for each chapter at the end of the book. All in all I really enjoyed this book, and feel that it had useful information.

Where Has Oprah Taken Us Book Review

I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review. All Opinions are my own.
Well what can I say. I didn't like it. This book is about Oprah, her religious beliefs, and her followers. There is also a lot of information about Oprah that I did not know before. The book was well written and very informative. I feel as though it lacked an ending. Oprah is not done yet, and is still taking us places. I also feel as though Oprah is just like any other baby boomer, in regards to religious beliefs. She is different because she is famous, and people tend to listen to her, no matter what she is saying. No doubt that she is extremely talented and well known. However who is really following her? Are people really following or are they just going along for the ride? I also feel as though this could have been a book about Oprah, rather then about her religion.
Stephen Mansfield is the author. He starts the book by stating that he is catholic, and that there may be some bias involved. I respect that he told me this, but it made me think that the bias is big enough to have to tell his readers. Wherever Religion is concerned there usually is bias.
All in all the book was a good read, It just did not keep me interested. I learned a lot about Oprah and religion. I also feel that the main theme of the book was that Oprah has the power to reach people. No matter what she is doing.

"Has God Spoken Book" Review

I recently finished the book "Has God Spoken" by Hank Hanegraaff. I chose to read this book because as a Catholic, I do not always make it to church every weekend, and I wanted a different insight to the Bible.
I have read excepts of the Bible, and heard excepts at church, but I have never had the chance to look into the Bible this deeply. I have read and seen "The DaVinci Code", and I like that sort of Indiana Jones kind of archeology. That is what You will find in the first half of this book.
The first half of this book is dedicated to proving the truth of the Bible through other accounts of history. Including the Dead Sea Scrolls. There is evidence in this book that proves Noah's flood, and Jesus rising on the third day. I was really interested, and at times could not put the book down. I think that if every Catholic read this, then they would have a renewed lease on their faith. As did I.
The second half of the book describes different ways to prove that the Bible is truly the word of God. Including Typology, and Prophecies.
I also liked the format of the book. There are Memorable Snapshots at the end of every chapter, to help you remember what you have read. There is also an Appendix called "The Legacy Reading Plan". The acronym LEGACY ensures that you read the whole Bible within a years time, by reading certain pages each day. I am 29 and have not read the whole Bible. This is going to be my New Year's Resolution next year (4 months away, time flies). I also encourage everyone to try it with me.

To quote what this book proves, he says on page 104 "As such, what was concealed in the soil corresponds to what is revealed in the scriptures".

In closing, I also found something that I really want to quote, and I would like to try to use this quote more in my own life. On page 224 he states "Set goals. He who aims at nothing invariably hits it".


The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through BookSneeze®. All opinions are my own.

Weekly Review~ The Quotable Rogue~

The book that I choose to review is "The Quotable Rogue~ The Ideals of Sarah Palin In her Own Words" Edited and with a foreword by Matt Lewis.
I picked this book because I have run for office before, and I, like many, liked Sarah Palin. Therefore I was interested in hearing what she had to say.
This book is actually very easy to read, in fact it consists of quotes by Sarah Palin and there are chapters that group the quotes together for streamline reading. Sarah Palin wants her readers to know that she is politician, of course, but also a mother, a wife, and a resident of Alaska. She speaks about the election, her grandchild, and her disabled son. She also set the record straight on some misquotes.

I was a fan of Sarah Palin when she first started, as were many people. I watched Tina Fey, and laughed, and I saw the tabloids attack Sarah Palin and her family. But none of that prepared me for what I found in this book. It was like watching the whole election campaign unveil itself within hours. I learned more about Sarah with this book then I did during her debates. Maybe its because the debates are timed and you can't reread what was said, or maybe its because the newness of it all has passed. Either way I believe that the way the chapters are grouped together also helped. Sarah Palin says "What makes America exceptional isn't her politician's; it's her people" (page 5). That truly inspired me, as a previous candidate, and as a citizen. This book inspired me that Everyone makes a difference, not just those in office. The book was a good read, and I really enjoyed it. I didn't like the chapter where other people say things about Sarah, not because it was negative, but because it is a book about her, in her own words. If you like Sarah Palin or not, if you follow politics or not, if you like Alaska, then you will find some interest in this book.
I would like to end this review with one more quote from Sarah Palin "Only dead fish go with the flow." (page 26)

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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”