The Purpose Drive Life By Rick Warren

Licensed in over 85 languages, The Purpose Driven Life is far more than just a book; it is a guide to a spiritual journey... Once you take this journey, you’ll never be the same again. On your journey you’ll find the answers to 3 of life’s most important questions: * The Question of Existence: Why am I alive? •The Question of Significance: Does my life matter? •The Question of Purpose: What on earth am I here for? Living out the purpose you were created for moves you beyond mere survival and success to a life of significance—the life you were meant to live. Five benefits of knowing your purpose: 1.It will explain the meaning of your life. 2.It will simplify your life. 3.It will focus your life. 4.It will increase your motivation. 5.It will prepare you for eternity. This new, expanded edition has been created for a new generation of reader. A New Edition for a New Generation! 4 NEW FEATURES •Video introductions by Rick Warren to chapters 1-40 •An audio Bible study at the end of each chapter, with over 30 additional hours of teaching by Rick Warren. •Two new bonus chapters on the most common barriers to living a purpose driven life. •Access to an online community where you can discuss your journey to purpose, get feedback, and receive support.

Well I've had this book in my collection for quite some time, but the new updated version is very eye catching. A new cover design and access to online content is great. The purpose driven life makes you wonder and think why God has put you here in the first place. He has a purpose for everyone and everything. There is a reason why some prayers seem answered in an instant and others we must wait longer for. It makes you ponder life and your purpose and increases your faith in God and trust in his guidance and timing. It's a big refresher to the soul and get's you deeper with God.

The Fantasy Fallacy By Shannon Etheridge

Erotica has invaded more than our minds – it has exploded onto our bestseller lists and into our bedrooms. Many are looking to sexual and emotional fantasies as avenues to fulfillment. Our fantasies, however, are not reliable guides into the future—they are actually rocky road maps from our past. Best-selling author Shannon Ethridge theorizes, “Fantasies are simply the brain’s way of trying to heal itself from unresolved tragedies and traumas. We mentally compartmentalize our pain to make room for pleasure.” Fantasies have deep psychological roots, and if acted on many of them can do deep psychological damage. Rather than let fantasies rule us, let’s take out the sting and bring them under God’s rule, allowing the Lord to heal us from the brokenness and insecurities that cause inappropriate fantasies to haunt us. Without being judgmental or condemning, Shannon helps us dissect several common and often-disturbing topics, such as: •a distorted fascination with pornography •the mental pursuit of multiple partners •the lure of gay and lesbian desires •bondage, domination, and sadomasochism (BDSM) With tips for controlling unwanted fantasies and resources for providing a safe haven for recovery, The Fantasy Fallacy helps us recognize and heal our emotional pain and equips us to help others do the same.

Porn and sex is so wide spread in the world today, it's almost as if we're saying, "here, go ahead, be promiscuous". But in the book, Etheridge shows us how God meant for sex to be a bond between Man & woman under the confines of marriage. It's all about the selling. Sex sells, porn sells. It gives men and women a false hope and false pretense of how sex "should" be between two people, or three, heck! even four!. Also, it tells men that it's ok to have relations with another man or woman with woman, although the Bible tells us different. The whole sexual concept is stemmed from movies/books/magazines and it poisons the mind and makes a peversion of what God meant to be a holy union. The author goes on to talk about fantasies and what is ok and what is not. There's also sections regarding addictions people face with pornography and polygamy and how it's not what God meant for us. Definitely a great read and reminded me of Lot's days in Sodom & Gomorrah. Would definitely reccomend.

Heaven Changes Everything By Todd & Sonja Burpo

Live every day with the hope of heaven!
A shattered leg, kidney stones, and a lump diagnosed as hyperplasia. Times were tough, money was scarce, and the bills and frustrations were piling up. It was into this kind of stressed out life that God sent Todd and Sonja Burpo the interruption of a life-threatening illness and emergency surgery for their almost four-year old son Colton. An interruption that included his unforgettable journey to heaven.
How did they cope? And how can they help us keep thoughts of eternity in mind in the midst of our own overly busy, stressed out lives?
In fifty unique inspirational readings based on excerpts from their story, Todd and Sonja share their family’s responses and reactions to the Heaven Is for Real experience. They answer questions about what it’s like to struggle with and question God, to doubt, even get angry with Him. And offer new insights into what God might be doing with those interruptions he allows into our lives. Each reading closes with a scripture to provide biblical reinforcement of the ideas shared and a take-away thought or action point to help readers incorporate the reading's inspiration into daily life.
Keep the hope of heaven alive in your life. Heaven truly is for real, and it changes everything!

My wife told me about the Heaven is for real book, so I decided to check this follow up out! I understand where they are coming from as parents and the doubting they suffered about whether or not this was all real or just made up. I like how they opened each chapter with an exerpt from the Heaven Is For Real book and then go on to explain what has happened since and scripture to back it up. This is more of a devotional book than a novel in how to deal with things from finances to miscarriage.
It's kind of a guide, along with the Bible, on how we should live our life here on earth while we are awaiting the Lord's returning or for God to call us home. It is a very good read!


Book provided by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review

The Gaither Homecoming Bible By Bill & Gloria Gaither

The Gaither Homecoming Bible will make the Bible come alive for those seeking truth in the twenty-first century, even for those who think they already know it. For years, Bill and Gloria Gaither have reached millions of people across generations with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Their music of joy, thanksgiving, and praise ushers people into the presence of God so that He can do His wondrous work in their lives. Featuring inspirational and insightful Scripture devotions by the Gaithers and other favorite Homecoming artists; articles on beloved hymns, gospel songs, and Gaither classics and the inspiration behind them; original poetry by Gloria Gaither to enlighten and inspire; and quotes by greats of the faith, reflecting on the importance of music in the life of believers, this beautiful Bible featuring the New King James Version® (NKJV) is one that readers will treasure for years to come.
 



I've been waiting for this one for a few months now. Bill & Gloria did a great interpretation and included stories from their homecoming friends as well as devotions among the scripture. There were many people who contributed to this Bible such as some of my favourites, Joyce Martin & Dallas Holm. I've enjoyed listening to them sing and watching the homecoming shows for many years now. Bill & Gloria sure have a marvelous talent and God uses them in many ways.
It does have a section in the front with a messagefrom Bill & Gloria as well as little blurbs about each person who contributed something to this Bible. There's also a family history section for you to fill in as well.
 I will definitely reccomend and thinking about purchasing one for my Mother and Mother in Law for Christmas, it sure will be a welcome gift!

Book provided by booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

The River By Michael Neale

 

“You were made for The River . . .”

Gabriel Clarke is mysteriously drawn to The River, a ribbon of frothy white water carving its way through steep canyons high in the Colorado Rockies. The rushing waters beckon him to experience freedom and adventure.

But something holds him back—the memory of the terrible event he witnessed on The River when he was just five years old—something no child should ever see.

Chains of fear and resentment imprison Gabriel, keeping him from discovering the treasures of The River. He remains trapped, afraid to take hold of the life awaiting him.

When he returns to The River after years away, his heart knows he is finally home. His destiny is within reach. Claiming that destiny will be the hardest—and bravest—thing he has ever done.

 

First of all, I have to say I absolutely loved the presentation of this book. The pages looked worn and rugged and drew me in right away. As for the book itself, well it didn't disappoint. The story tells of Gabriel and how he cope's with the loss he's experienced. It does show true heartbreak and helps us reflect on our own lives in how we try to deal with things ourselves instead of letting God handle it.

 This story is also about forgiveness and how Gabriel comes to terms with things of the past and learnsto let go and embark on his new way of life, kindof like how a sinner let's go and embraces God in the Christian walk.

I would reccomend this book as I think it's for a variety of people. If you are new in the Christian walk, it helps strengthen your Faith is God, if you're not currently in a walk with God, it can help you too.  

Call Of A Coward By Marcia Moston

The problem with promising God you'll follow Him wherever He leads you is that you just might have to go.

When her husband returned from a church mission trip and disrupted her tidy, middle-class afternoon with the conviction they should pack up and move to a Mayan village in Guatemala, Marcia Moston had to wonder: faithful or foolish?

On a journey that leads from the highlands of Guatemala to a small Vermont village, Marcia follows God's call for her husband even though it seems to conflict with her own dreams, requires credentials she lacks, and demands courage she doesn't feel she has.

Written with humor and insight, Call of a Coward is a candid account of a modern-day seeker and a very real God who makes cowards courageous, ordinary lives purposeful, and dried-up dreams fruitful.

This was a great read and I would definitely reccomend if you love reading about missionaries and the work they do for God. We have a general idea of what their work entails, but we never know the struggles they face amongst other cultures as well as within themselves. In this book the author talks about the ministry work her husband was involved in and how she was to trust God's plan, once she did, oh what a plan it was!
I enjoy reading true stories from people like me and you and would definitely read another by this author!
Read more about Marcia, her life and her books at http://www.marciamoston.com/.

Globe Quake By Wallace Henley

Biblically based, practical strategies to stabilize your life, church, home, school, government, and business during global turmoil.

People across the globe sense something big is shaping up. The anxiety is over the fact that they don’t know what. Global collapse? Fiery wars? Worldwide depression? It’s as if the tectonic plates of society and culture are being reshaped right under our feet! Turbulence and change have gone viral, and can only be described as a “globequake.” How can we be stable personally and anchor our families, schools, governments, churches, and businesses in the middle of such upheaval? People wonder:

How can I protect my children from all the thunderous change? 
Who can I trust for leadership in the pulpit, in the schoolroom, in the courthouse, in the CEO’s office?
Where is God in the middle of this upheaval? 

The good news is that behind the anxiety-stirring uncertainties about the future there are wonderful, strong certainties given by the Lord of history himself! Globequake presents answers to the troubling questions with solid biblical truth on which we can ground our lives when the times are shifting at what seems like light-speed.

The point of the whole book is to teach us to trust Jesus, especially in these uncertain times of the last days. He talks about how to prepare for the things taking place and for us to rise to the challenge as believers and help conquer and overcome.