Showing posts with label Daily Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily Inspiration. Show all posts

Saturday, December 06, 2014

Face To Face: Meeting God in the Quiet Places by Monte Kline

I enjoyed the forthright style of writing throughout the book. Page 18 provided an excellent list.This list gave Scripture to support our unrealized identity in Christ. This is a list I will refer to often. Author Monty Kline threaded nuggets of gold such as this list throughout. There were sections at the end of each chapter for further discussion and thought, which would be invaluable for a small group environment. The Notes section also a nice touch and an excellent point of reference.

The second paragraph of the Introduction in Face To Face in my understanding was the mission statement for the entire book. So important for the reader to read the Introduction, as the Introduction was clearly an exhortation to become more personal with God.

Face To Face provided quotes from famous Christians. I enjoyed Larry Crabb's quote (page 36) as well as the author's journal entries from previous Personal Retreats. I enjoyed the journal entries and very much related to what Mr. Kline shared. The writer clearly had a way of allowing me to feel that I was his friend, and his encouragement and gentle prodding to for me to pursue a personal retreat was quite endearing. His soft humor did not escape me and I appreciated his interesting comments throughout the book.

One criticism was I would rather not have to read Rick Warren's quotes (see Church of Tares). 

My biggest takeaway were "Track 5 Moments". I quote, "Track 5 Moments are noiseless moments, moments when God's voice shouts from his creation. They are intense, almost Edenic moments when  your connection with God is unhindered-when you are "face to face". Personal Retreats invite you to Track 5 Moments." Sign me up!!! 

More about Monty Kline
I received Christ as my Savior while in college in the late 60's -- about 45 years ago.  I have been connected with Christian ministry, more or less, since then, beginning with six years as a staff member with Campus Crusade for Christ, serving as an elder in my church, serving as a guest preacher, teaching men's Bible studies for many years, doing biblically based seminars on health and nutrition, etc.  I currently attend Grace Bible Church in Bend, Oregon.  I'm more doctrinally orthodox than about 99% of the professed Christians around!

My health practice, Pacific Health Center, is oriented around biblical principles of health, as reflected in my various books including BODY, MIND & HEALTH.  I also write the Historic Faith Blog on theological issues at historicfaith.wordpress.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Intermedia Publishing Group. 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.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Perfumed Letters by Robin T. Smith

Perfumed Letters, an anointed work by author Robin T. Smith was a pleasure to read each morning.Each day I read a new account of God's love for me. This book was beautifully illustrated and subtitles were helpful in summarizing each section. I love a parallel and this book's parallel was perfume and God's love. Scripture was included throughout. The author's writing style was clearly encouraging, positive and passionate. 

Miss Robin Smith loves God and His Word and is gifted in sharing through example God's love for each woman. I easily became emotional on page eight when she shared Scripture and inserted several women's names into the verse. I found this powerful and personal and sensitive. I have to admit, I added my name a few times to what she shared. This writing style helped me to become part of this journey into Perfumed Letters.

My favorite quote was found on page 10, " Your objective is to be proactive, and not reactive: Find out who God is in order to know who you are. This cannot happen by purchasing a necklace with a cross on it or imitating a celebrity. I can take it one step further. You will not find out who God is by believing every word of a preacher alone. Yes, for every reference to Scripture verbal or written, verify that it is indeed true. Get a Bible and read it." Amen! This was the direct exhortation with an encouraging spirit that I applauded.

A story stuck with me in which she was traveling alone with her infant son. I was convicted and will assist others more than I have in the past as a result. I can always offer to do something for someone within reason, especially in an airport. There were so many personal stories throughout Perfumed Letters which encouraged, inspired and exhorted me to be a more loving, Christ-centered and fragrant follower.  

I highly recommend this book and will refer to often. I read it as a devotional, but it would be wonderful for a woman's Bible study book as well.This was a wonderful tool for sharing with a non-believer as well - the perfect pairing with a bottle of perfume for your mother, sister, friend's birthday. I hope to read more from Miss Robin T. Smith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. 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.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Walking In Trust: Lessons Learned with my Blind Dog by Gayle M. Irwin


I confess, I procrastinated posting this review long after reading this book because I did not want to say goodbye to the author and her special blind dog Sage!! Walking In Trust was all about the journey of accepting and overcoming not just a dog's physical limitations, but for those who struggle physically, emotionally, or spiritually (that'd be me + you =everyone!!).
                                                                                  
Ms. Irwin had a way of telling a tale and then wove Scripture in a lessons learned type formula. Each chapter included annointed conversation which stimulated each of my senses. I heard the leaves crunch under Sage's feet as her nose sniffed the damp earth in search of a squirrel. I heard the birds chirp outside the window just as Sage did. I smiled knowing Sage enjoyed many years in the warmth of her owner's snuggly buggly sweater. She may not have been able to see - but she knew she was loved. Only an animal lover would understand the special bond that developed between Sage and the author. Therefore, I do recommend this book to any animal lover whether in search of Scripture or not - this book blessed me and reminded me not to complain about the little things in life that often seem to be so big at the time.

Sage was an overcomer! She was an inspiration and so filled with life. I loved hearing her adventures and how she taught others about learning to overcome challenges. The author's style was warming and personal. The setting was enjoyable as it was clear the author loved not only animals, but her husband and the great outdoors.

Possible spoiler alert: I cried with Ms. Irwin as she said goodbye to her best forever friend and I teared up long after reading the last chapter. I thought of my own dear 19 year, 7 months young dog Karamel, whose heart fought to beat on Valentine's Day five years ago xoxo. 

Purchase Walking in Trust today www.cladach.com! After laughing, crying, smiling and then some more tears - -  pass this gift to someone you love. I was blessed and continue to be blessed by Sage's journey. I pray we all come to love and be loved by a "Sage" - at least once in a lifetime. That is my prayer.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cladach Publishing as part of their  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.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles

Quite quickly after diving into this artistically covered (the lime green Adirondack chair located half on sand and half on surf made me smile as well as the conchshell next to the author's name was a nice touch along with the texture of the cover and the matching black and white photos in each new chapter) work by Tracie Miles, the theme was clear. We all have stress. We all will have stress. But there is a solution. Jesus Christ. With more focus on Jesus and less on us and our situations, we can have less stress and more victorious living!

I enjoyed the beginning of the book, but beginning on page 146 was when I rolled up my sleeves and started taking notes.The subtitle Running by Faith was an an Aha! moment for me. The author's account of running with her eyes closed was intriguing, inspiring and to me a wonderful challenge for all of us. Close my eyes and take a jog on the beach? An addition to my bucket list for sure!

Another poignant tale was of a woman in a wheelchair (don't want to be a spoiler) and though I guessed the ending for some reason (most likely I saw myself more as the woman who looked the part of someone who "had it all together but didn't" oops I may have been a spoiler after all) I was touched. This was just one example of the many unexpected endings in this book. I considered these "takeaway" stories a sort of parable which I will not soon forget. Priceless.

Chapter 8 offered up Kaitlyn in the attic - oh my goodness! Although I am not a Mom, I held my breath and nothing existed in my world until I finished that story. Also in that chapter, I so very much appreciated the description of the four types of adrenaline junkies. I saw someone I knew in one of those categories but am still trying to figure out where I fit in those categories. I have concluded I have a little bit of each of those traits in me and possibly need to have a fifth category created just for moi ;)!

Loved the Biblical discussion of Martha and Maty as well as Scripture throughout. Also everyyone everywhere would lead a stressed-less life by heeding the six action items which were supported by Scripture. They were: realign your life, recognize your need, adjust your focus, be filled with the Spirit, be faithful in your prayer life and believe God is who He says.

Tie for my favorite quote was (page 229), " We just need to bear in mind that, no matter how good those things feel in the moment, they will always bring temporary peace, while real peace, the serenity that changes the course of our lives, will come from Jesus alone", and (page 230) "Friends, your life is not going to change because you read a book about stress. Your life is going to change when you realize that the absence of God in your life is intensifying the presence of stress in your heart." Amen!

The theme of the book was reiterated int the last chapter with Isaiah 26:3 which says, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"

I heard her heart beating on many occasions, especially when she sat in her car and wondered what was she supposed to do. She felt stuck on so many levels! So many of us can relate to feeling lost and trying to fill that hole in our heart with all kinds of stuff. Nothing worked for me, except when I sat in the lap of my Jesus and poured out my soul to the author and finisher of my life (who knew me before the foundation of the earth might I add!). Tracie Miles got the coming-to-the-end of her "doing and being rope" and decided to bless her readers by sharing her story. Her lessons learned rang loud and clear in Stressed-Less Living.

My only negative comment was the mention of Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa and promotion of Yoga Journal. I reviewed his website www.drdharma.com and surfed around and stumbled upon a concerning statement by Dr. Dharma as purported to be quoted in his book The End of Karma, "Rather than a debt owed from a past life, karma is what's happening right here, right now. Karma is both action and the consequence of that action; it is cause and effect all in one go." The reviewer of his book goes on to say, "Moreover, according to Dr. Dharma, your best self is to live your dharma, which means that your ultimate destiny is to always remember that God and you, you and God are one. Doing this will help you end your karma and experience peace and oneness." http://www.drdharma.com/Public/Books/TheEndofKarma/index.cfm

If I were offered the opportunity to review the above book by Dr. Dharma, being the Berean that I am, I would provide the evidence to support or dispute my concerns above. However, this inclusion of the author above was unfortunate as well as unnecessary in my opinion. I still enjoyed the book and will recommend it. No doubt this man has done great things, but God reminds us in His Word that "apart from Me you can do nothing." And this Truth was the thread woven throughout Stressed-Less Living so I could not leave this negative comment out of my review.

Having gotten my one negative point off my proverbial chest, I have to say that this book was a dayspa for my soul. Everything from the feel of the cover, the image on the cover and throughout allowed me to glean from the authors experiences and also to dig into the Word. I felt loved reading this book because the tone was caring and not preachy or condescending. I truly felt Tracie Miles bared her soul on many levels throughout the book.

Stressed-less Living would be great for a Woman's Bible study as it included discussion questions at the end of each chapter as well as Scripture verses which would be great to challenge participants to memorize. Check out her website www.stressedlessliving.com. So many free devo's and a chance to sign up for her 10 Day Stress Detox. So many choices to suffer less stress and experience more of Jesus!! Now that's better than any day at the spa, isn't it?!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Leafwood Publishers as part of their 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.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Abundant Life Day Book: 365 Blessings to Begin Your Day by Nancy Guthrie

Beautiful, Holy-Spirit inspired - a hug each and every day. Abundant Life Day Book asks many questions in each day's devotional. I love questions because the questions allow me to spend introspective time with God.
So many other daily devotionals suffer from wordiness with more preaching and less exhortation. I found the questions thoughtful and refreshing. Each day began with a theme, and then a Scripture verse to support the statement. However, my favorite part was the conversation that followed. The conversation was not written from author Nancy Guthrie. The author has posed the conversation as if it were from God to the reader!!!

How special to pick up a beautiful devotional book such as this and flip open that day's devotional and let God through His Holy Spirit ask questions and share modern day struggles, challenges, ups and downs with me? Having each day written this way allowed me an element of expectation. What will tomorrow's devo contain? (yes, I flipped ahead and I know many readers will read the next day's devo the day ahead because it is that good!) No doubt, each day will take less than five minutes to read. However, the takeaway and the feasting throughout the entire day on what the reader read that morning will be so helpful in fighting the good fight (Ephesians 6)!

Nancy Guthrie has given her reader not only a devotional book but a resource to last many years and beyond. It will be a perpetual reminder that anyone who cracks it open can glean more of God's goodness and learn personally about God's plan for him/her (Jeremiah 29:11.)

This book is abundantly filled with many reminders to live a life pleasing to Him! A wonderful Christmas gift. Perfect to carry in your purse or keep on your nightable. Before you put your feet on the floor in the morning, be reminded of how much God loves you and wants a personal relationship with you. Well done Nancy Guthrie!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers as part of their 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.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com/.