Book Sneeze Women of Faith Review - Ft. Lauderdale, FL October 28-29, 2011

Pleased to announce I have been chosen by Book Sneeze to blog and review the Women of Faith venue of my choice this Fall. Best of all I will be receiving two complimentary tickets to the event venue of my choice. What a blessing.

I will be attending the Ft. Lauderdale Women of Faith Conference on October 28-29th.

I am honored and blessed to be given two tickets to this event. Please check back for a post event review. Can't wait! Check it out http://www.youtube.com/wofvideos#p/u/0/boD-lyXiHYk

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.”

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.

The Quotable Rogue by Matt Lewis

The Quotable Rogue was just that. Quotes by Sarah Palin written by Matt Lewis. In the Foreword, author Matt Lewis shared, "Before most Americans knew the name Sarah Palin , I blogged about this exciting conservative governor from Wasilla, Alaska."

Apart from the Foreword and Introduction the author steps aside, as this book is actually from Sarah Palin. In her own words, Ms. Palin reminded me of the exciting (and disappointing) time in which she came alongside John McCain as he attempted to become our President.

Having heard many "Palinisms" in the past, I wrongly assumed this book would just be more of the same quotations. I was impressed by how many media outlets Ms. Palin participated in interviews with and how many times she repeated what she said on the major networks, but in more depth. Seems the major networks would take one sentence out of many and repeat the same quotes over and over. From this book I realized there was no doubt so much more than the captions conveyed in the major media outlets.

I enjoyed hearing her speak about big government and warning the reader in a prophet-like fashion years ago - the problems we would be facing if the President and government did this and did that... Many of her predictions are now being fulfilled. As we know, a prophet is only as good as his/her predictions. Ms. Palin surely has made good on many of her predictions as stated in black and white in The Quotable Rogue.

This book was unique in its format. I learned about the Constitution actually as well as states rights and how states rights are being violated by big government today. The "chapters" (they weren't really chapters but sections actually) were brief and several quotes were included in each section. I read through the book quickly. However, this book will be one I will refer to again and again. I say this because it was meaty in the prophetic sense.

I did want Sarah Palin to become Vice President. I was so disappointed when things fell apart with John McCain. I hope she will consider running for President this season. In any event, this book confirms the fact that Sarah Palin knows her history, the Constitution, the Government and so much more. However, throughout this book it was also clear she loves her husband, her family and her country with reckless abandon. She is a rogue in many ways. Her quotes not only made me smile but cheer - - for we live in a country that allows all of us to be a bit rogue like in however we choose.

Well done Matt Lewis! Keep blogging and writing books for us Palin fans. The world can never contain enough Palinisms!
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.”

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.

Freedom from Performing by Becky Harling

This will be my last review for NavPress as this publisher has discontinued their blogger review program.

Anointed. Simply anointed best describes this book by Becky Harling. What I loved about this devo-conversational style book of encouragement and Bible truth was the down-to-earth way the author came alongside me. Often a Christian author will hit the wrong balance of speaking, teaching,exhorting and challenging the reader. Not so in Freedom from Performing.

The author hit the perfect note in regard to balancing Truth with faith, thus eliminating the irritating "legalistic" mumbo jumbo that so many devo style books deliver. There was much emphasis on a personal relationship with Christ (applause) as opposed to having to do many works to please God. The title was perfect for this book because every chapter in this book nailed the mission of the title. Freedom from legalism, bondage to having to be "good enough." The subtitle was Grace in an Applause-Driven World.

This was the first time I read a book by Becky Harling. I would jump at the chance to review another book by this author. Any Bible teaching church would benefit from this book. I will not loan this book out but will keep it in my bookshelf to refer to again and again as it delivered a Holy Spirit infusion each and every time I picked it up.

Well done! Applause in order for Freedom from Performing!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress 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.

You Were Born for This by Bruce Wilkinson

Having read Bruce Wilkinson's mega bestselling Prayer of Jabez and Secrets of The Vine, I anticipated a book which would inspire and intrigue from beginning to end. I was not disappointed!

Right away, the stories about people who put these principles into practice and connected with others to deliver God's love to those God directed them to helped me understand the mission of You Were Born for This. The mission upheld the fact that God wants all of His children to deliver miracles to others and to remind them of His love and desire to have a personal relationship with all of humanity.

We can be His delivery agents as long as we are willing to be the hands and feet to do the work. Subtitled 7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles, this book was delivered in a How To format. My only objection in this entire book was that at times it did feel a bit "methodical" as if God would need His people to approach His Word in a certain way. I know the author did not intend to replace God's directions but some sections could have been left out or abbreviated. One example of this critique was a sort of "infomercial" about the author and his previous books.

This book was an exhortation to live your life as never before. Page 15, "You Were Born For This is a bold initiative to reclaim the miraculous as normal way of life. Through biblical insights, true stories, and practical  how-tos, I'll show you what that new normal could look like for you."

It was written to the born again believer who already has a desire to serve God and be a part of an exciting journey to help others see God. It would be difficult to get through this book if you did not already have a passion for Christ and His Word.

So many great stories which I liken to parables. The stories stuck with me especially the story on page 20 about easter eggs! My all time favorite quote which I will never forget was found on page 102 in the section entitled Getting to the root of fear. I quote, "All of us feel fear when we are about to do something that involves considerable risk. Risk, after all, means there's no guarantee of success. And usually when we feel fear, we don't  proceed. But fear is a fruit, not the root. The root is unbelief in our hearts.  That's why the greatest obstacle to a life marked by miracles is not fear but unbelief."

Yikes. I enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. I feel I am better prepared to go into all the world and make fishers of men. I am reminded to pray daily to be available and always ask, "What can I do for you?" Then wait for God to do the work!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging For Books 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.

Trusting God for Everything: Psalm 23 by Jan Johnson

Trusting God for Everything: Psalm 23 was subtitled "A Personal Retreat Guide." I was quite excited to realize this book would be a guide for getting time alone with God to grow in my faith. Finding tools to slow down and allow God to quiet my mind are important to me as learning these concepts allows me to help not only myself but many other women as well.

Each chapter confirmed the previous chapter's message, which was basically growing closer to God through understanding His Word and letting it seep into your soul in a way that that Scripture had not previously done. Psalm 23 was the main Scripture presented.

I enjoyed the history of Psalm 23 as well as the explanation of the individual words and their original meanings. I also appreciated the consistency of each chapter: Opening to God's Message, Immersed in God's Message, Responding to God's Word and Resting with God in the Message. I also found the many questions for personal exploration interesting and helpful for personal introspection.

This book would be a good start for someone who needs to take a break from life and get back to God. The guide may also be good for a few women to use together if even just for a walk in the park as the guide suggested.

There were several areas of the guide I found concerning. I noticed a few references with a New Age undertone. One was to imagine God speaking to me and what color would I imagine during that interaction? I liken that visualization exercise with the New Age concept of Chakra. Imagining a conversation with God and having to visualize a color is not a biblical concept. God does not need anything added unto Himself as He is the epitomy of color.

Also, I was to imagine an empty chair next to me and God sitting in it. I remember that exercise from my "embrace your inner child" days before I came to Christ (I was a sold out hard core New Ager). And yes, the chair exercise was a New Age concept and still is today.

This book is marketed to "Christians" however in order for any person to commune with God, one must be "born again" (John 3:7). I was disappointed an Invitation to Salvation (Romans 10:9-11) was absent. Having the invitation or explanation of being born again provides essential clarification to the reader how to have a personal relationship with Christ. I say this because I was a 'Christian" all my life and talked to God, but it was not until I understood what the Bible had to say that I realized God did not hear my prayers until I became His child through Romans 10:9-11. John 9:3 (I do not review books from a religious standard).

Without separating the sheeps from the goats, the question then is, 'Who are you talking to? God or the enemy of your soul?" Being a Berean, I not only read the back cover of the book but the About the Author section. I saw the reference to Ms. Johnson having a DMin in Ignatian spirituality and spiritual formation not on the back cover but inside the book. I learned she writes primarily about spiritual formation topics. I googled Ignation spirituality http://ignatianspirituality.com/what-is-ignatian-spirituality/10-elements-of-ignatian-spirituality/. Had I only read the back cover I would have missed this important element of Ms. Johnson's theology.

Overall, I would recommend this guide to be used as a tool. I would treat it merely as a walk through a buffet line, taking just those best and useful tasty morsels that would benefit me, my soul and my walk with God. On the other hand, The Bible in its entirety I would eat as a nine course meal and more. All of Psalm 23 is a confidence psalm as the author shared. Spend each day in Psalm 23 and you will enjoy white glove table service for the rest of your life. You will be so satiated you will want to share your bounty with all who pass by your table.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress 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.