Book Sneeze Review: Plan B by Pete Wilson

See Amazon.com review

This book was about what we do when life does not turn out exactly as we had thought it would. The author refers to this situation as "Plan B" throughout the book. The overall topic was the author Pete Wilson coming alongside his reader in a casual manner, asking many questions and sharing his own struggles with being a Pastor and experiencing Plan B situations in his own life as well as the lives of those he has encountered.

Initially, the whole concept (explained in the trailer) interested me. However, after easing into the book I was disappointed by the author's use of "we" as a broad brush stroke assuming all of his readers relate to each question or situation. I did appreciate some of his personal experiences. For example the story in Chapter 1 of the story of Todd and Angie and their stillborn baby Audrey (Chapter 12) moved me as I related to their struggle with asking God, "Why?" but not getting an answer. The story on page 70 was excellently explained. Page 134 "Bring Your Problems" was a concept I understood. I appreciated the author's honesty about the lack of transparency in the church.

However, there were doctrinal inconsistencies. I appreciated the use of Scripture references but it would have been more beneficial to also include version translation. Because I review each book  from the perspective of "What does the Word of God have to say about this?" I have to question the theology introduced which does not meet up with 1 John 2:20-21. I am reviewing from the pure teachings which come directly from the Bible. Any other perspective ends up focusing solely on "self, which we we know to be the very reason for the Fall in the Garden. 1 Corinthians 15:3.

A sampling of Biblical inconsistencies/questionable content:
* Page 52 just one example of flawed theology. The second paragraph talks about fear and us not being in control and refers to "experts" debating whether we are born with fear or not. This is a mute point. Psalm 139 explains our need to not have to be in control as God is always in control and surrendering to Him will set our fear to rest.Using this example to explain a lot of talk that need not be uttered as we have the Word of God. We can skip all this chatter. Just go to the Word of God not psychology.

* Page 92 Peter Scazzaro's Christian/Catholic Contemplative Meditation theology and quote on page 92 about feelings. Our feelings change but God's Word never does. His method introduces Christian principles delivered by spiritualists. If you want to dine at a "Christian type" buffet - take a bit of this and a bit of that then you may be interested. If so, Google Mr. Scazzaro's books. No thanks.

* Page 102 I quote, "One particular phrase I seemed to hear over and over was this: "God will never give you more than you can handle." It sounds so sweet and biblical., like something my grandmother would have done in needlepoint and hung on the wall in her house. The problem is, nothing could be further from the truth. Where in the world did we get such a whacked theology? Where's that verse in the Bible? Hallucinations 4:32 maybe?" end quote.

I respectfully submit 1 Corinthians 10:13. Man ("self") has re-verbiaged Scripture. When man repackages that which God presented in it's pure form confusion enters. 2 Corinthians 12:7 is then listed along with the Apostle Paul. The problem is that there is a disputing of Philippians 4:13 indirectly but a supporting reference of 2 Corinthians 12:7.

* The author's son's penis was mentioned twice in this book. Possibly this topic was supposed to inject humor, however I did not understand the lesson or the humor in either reference (page 221 with modeling clay and peeing in a public pool in another chapter).

I am not a Theologian by any means, but I have the Holy Spirit, concordance, dictionary and the Word of God to help me see the red flags waving throughout Plan B. If you decide to pursue this book to enjoy some of the content in this book please do so with the wide-eyed perspective of a Berean.

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

FITNESS: DVD "Walk Away The Pounds Ultimate Collection" by Leslie Sansone

See Commercial Review on Amazon.com  click here

Living in steamy South Florida one can understand seeking an indoor workout solution in the summer. I found  Leslie Sansone's "Walk Away the Pounds Ultimate Collection" DVD to be an excellent tool to get in shape and lose weight. This truly is an Ultimate Collection.

Besides filling the bill of being "an indoor workout solution" this DVD is a deal at $9.99. I avoid the monthly gym membership fee by being creative in my fitness routine.  However, I have wasted money in the past purchasing DVDs even after reading great reviews. Sadly, those exercise faux pas collect dust or end up in the Goodwill donation bag. I think we can all relate to this disappointment.

 This collection gives you 4 choices: 1 Mile Get Up & Get Started, 2 Mile Brisk Walk, 3 Mile Advanced Walk, 4 Mile Super Challenge.  I walked all four episodes and my favorite is the 3 mile walk. This is my fav because Leslie uses the purple resistance band (comes with your DVD). I like the variety of walking (side to side, shimmying forward, leg lifts, leg kicks, and arm raises). If I feel particularly challenged after walking 3 miles while still walking I fast forward to the 4 mile walk (skipping the warmup) and then just keep going til I decide to stop.


All exercise DVDs I have used have had one thing in common. Maybe you can relate. The person leading the workout starts to irritate me about the 3rd or 4th time I watch the DVD. Maybe you can relate to this? Sometimes the reason simply is too much of the person and not enough focus on the actual exercise. Basically, the big personality steals the show.

 Leslie has the opposite effect on me, personally. She is an encouragement in that she allows me to feel that I am just not viewing the DVD, but I am a part of her group getting in shape, enjoying the camaraderie of the girls (oh sorry there is one guy in the group). I wear an Ipod shuffle now cause how many times can you listen to her repeat what she says? When I do decide to listen in I smile because she is so uplifting, and humble in that she is coming alongside her walkers and relating to them. She shares that she agrees we all may eat too much but it isn't the food that is causing us to gain weight (then she adds - well - maybe it is) but then goes on to inject us with some reminders to hydrate and turn on the DVD whenever we want to feel better about ourselves. 

And I love this! She reminds us that the walking does work and not to give up. And none of this talk is patronizing or infomercial-oriented. She is the girl next-door - someone that would teach a women's bible study in her home and meet you for tea just because you needed a friend in your hour of need.

Call me crazy but the only flaw in this DVD is that I may just wear it out from playing it too much! Save your money and skip each individual DVD workout she has out there up until the Ultimate Collection. Toss that membership discount and free trial ad that arrives in your mailbox every month. We all know that costs more than we need to spend these days. This exercise method works and is enjoyable to watch.

Go grab your sneakers, turn down the air, work up a sweat and.....Walk Away the Pounds! You knew I had to give this product one last plug. I know Leslie would thank me for my kind review. I can hear her girlie girl giggle - the same one I hear everyday for 3 miles ...but whose counting....just counting the pounds that walk away each day.

  
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