Thursday, September 16, 2010

On it's way: The Big Red Bible!

My 7 year old will be my review buddy on the next selection from Thomas Nelson!  On it's way to me now!  Here is what the publisher has to say about this one:

The same "Big Red" Bible that you've trusted for 25 years . . . now with updated, fresh, 3-D art for today's video-game generation. A full-text of the International Children’s Bible translation with bright Red cover and ALL NEW contemporary art, that was created especially for children ages 6 to 12. “Big Red” has been updated with an all new collection of beautiful full color pages, illustrating treasured Bible stories. Inside the type is big and readable for this age group. Kids will love having a Bible to take to church that’s easy-to-read and understand!

Searching for God Knows What


Searching For God Knows What by Donald Miller is a though provoking look at redemption.  His unique memoir-styled writing can take some getting used to, but when you glimpse the gold nuggets of truth in what he has crafted it is well worth the look.  Mr. Miller challenges the reader to think, look at things from a different perspective and challenges long held customs and attitudes held by "the church" in comparison to what the bible actually says.  It is a personal journey, when you read one of his books and this one no less.  Do you really know what you are searching for?  Do you even know why you are searching?  God does and he longs to share it with you!  Though it takes some discipline to stick with this book until it begins to pull together and make cohesive sense (at least for this blogger) it is well worth it. 

*Note: a copy of this book was provided compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for the honest review of this blogger.

Outlive Your Life

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado is a timely and powerful message to our generation.  Turn on the news and you are instantly overwhelmed by the good that you think you cannot do,but Max assures his readers otherwise.  His premise is that you and I can be the world to one person even though we may not reach the entire world.  What we do with our lives matters and wherever we are place is where we should wholly invest ourselves.  By beginning the book wondering what people will say at our funerals, he sets the stage for some life-changing pondering. 

Mr. Lucado's masterful retelling of well known bible stories within this context as examples really brings to home the timelessness of God's will for our lives- that we should be Jesus to others.  His voice, as always, rings true with grace and humor thrown in for spice.  I highly recommend this book to any person of any age who wants to make a difference in the life they are living without going off to search for a new one.  Making it real with scripture and recommended prayers at the beginning of each chapter really invited the reader to own the truths between these covers.  Check it out!  You will not be dissapointed.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to the blogger in exchange for an honest review.

Bittersweet


Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist was a delight to read.  The author has a unique voice that sticks with you long after the last page is read.  I found my self going back over her life narrative searching out the many quotes to highlight that had become such a definer of the less than simple nuances of the life that I lead and could read in between her lines.  The way that the author talks about her thoughts on many relevant themes shows a wonderfully fresh absence of worrying about what the reader thinks of her personally just so long as they get the idea behind her words.  Tackling such topics as miscarriage and job loss is not easy, to say the least, but Ms. Niequist does so with a sparkling twist of honesty and grace that does not lose her humanness.   Mixed in with her angst on marriage, parenting, family, friendships and being a woman is an undeniable truth that God is who he says he is and points us to himself in all the areas of our lives while faithfully loving us along the way. 

Note: This book was provided compliments of Zondervan publishers in exchange for my honest review.

The Devil in Pew Number Seven

The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo. This one kind of snuck in there, but I am so glad it did!  This book was an amazing testament to the power of forgiveness in the face of overwhelming odds.  I believe that anyone who is having trouble forgiving would greatly benefit from reading the account of the author and the horrendous things that one man did to her childhood and family.  There were times, when reading this book, that I so wanted to put it down and not read anymore!  It seemed as if things could not possibly get worse!  Tears were ready, but by the end of the book they were tears of amazement.  The author did a wonderful job in telling the WHOLE story without sounding as if there were any trace of a grudge being held.  I would readily give this book 5 stars and a round of applause. 

Note: this book was provided to me complimentary by Tyndale House publishers in exchange for my honest review.