Day 7

If God designed me, and my purpose is to live a life that brings glory to God, then I need to continuously be learning who He is. How? Well...in previous chapters of this study, it mentions prayer and reading the Bible. But, today's lesson gives a couple of more tangible and specific examples:

1. Creation reveals our Creator. "The heavens declare the glory of God." (Psalm 19:1)
In nature we can see that God is powerful, enjoys variety, loves beauty, is organized, wise and creative.

2. Jesus Christ illuminates God's nature. So, when reading the Bible, focusing on Jesus is a good way to discover God and how to live a life that brings Him glory.

3. Jesus honored God by fulfilling his purpose on earth. (John 17:4) Therefore, we can honor God by fulfilling His purpose for us.

4. As we journey through life seeking and fulfilling God's purpose for us, we can be assured that our path will include following the commandments of Jesus. John records one of Jesus' commandments in chapter 13, verses 34-35, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this alll men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Spiritual maturity is becoming like Jesus in the way we think, feel, and act.

Days 5 & 6

How can we know God's will?
Let God change the way you think through prayer and studying the Bible...Then, you will be able to know the will of God. (Romans 12:2)

1. Start seeing life from God's point of view.

2. Know that God wants you to pass the tests of life, and "He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability to handle it." (I Corinthians 10:13)

3. God has entrusted his creation to us, and part of our purpose is to manage and take care of it. If we borrow something from a friend, we take special care of it, because it is not ours and we want to return it in the same condition. When we look at all that we are entrusted with as borrowed, we begin to look at it differently.

4. We are ambassadors for Christ; this is our temporary assignment. If we were U.S. ambassadors to another country, we would have to learn the language, adapt to customs, and learn cultural nuances in order to accomplish our mission. In the same way, we are to live in this world, but not forget where our loyalty lies. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

So, as the words of a current Carrie Underwood song states, "This is our temporary home...."

Day 4

Today's theme was that we were made to last forever. One verse stood out for me today, Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has put eternity in their hearts..." I have heard the first part of this verse many times, but the second part has escaped my notice until today. I think this is one of my favorite realizations, we yearn to immortalize ourselves because we were wired that way. We fear or resist death because we were made to live eternally. Fortunately, God provided. Death is not the end.

Day 3

1. Everyone's life is driven by something, be it guilt, anger, fear, materialism, the need for approval, etc.

2. But the greatest peace and happiness comes from a purpose driven life. Knowing God's purpose for your life gives meaning to it.

3. People who don't know their purpose try to do too much, causing unnecessary stress. Rick Warren warns to never confuse activity with productivity.

4. Focusing your activities on your purpose simplifies your life and provides motivation and passion.

So, I am going to claim God's promise, recorded by His prophet Isaiah, "You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." (Isaiah 26:3) 

Day 2

Here are the top 3 insights for today from Rick Warren's, The Purpose Driven Life:

1. You are not an accident. If there was no God, we would all be accidents, a result of random chance in the universe.

2. God created the world to be inhabited, (Isaiah 45:18) and it is uniquely suited for our existence.
Dr. Michael Denton, senior research fellow in human molecular genetics at the University of Otago in New Zealand confirms this statement, "...the cosmos is a specially designed whole with life and mankind as its fundamental goal and purpose."

3. God's motive for creating us is LOVE. God is love (1 John 4:8). Love is the essence of God's character.

So...if we were created on purpose, we can find that purpose by focusing on the creator.

Today, I started Rick Warren's 40 day challenge in his book, The Purpose Driven Life. I really enjoyed reading and studying and reflecting on what my purpose is in this life. I was able to spend about 45 minutes on it this morning, and I thought, "How in the world would I be able to fit this in if I was working?" It made me very thankful that I am able to be a stay-at-home mom with the flexibility and time to commit to studies such as this. And I thought, "You know, if I share a brief snippet of what I came away with each day on my blog, maybe someone out there who is a lot busier than me, can also benefit." So, if you feel so inclined, feel free to check in. My posts will just be the top 5 or so things that stood out to me. Here's what I took away today (and remember, I am speaking to myself):

1. It's not about you.

2. You were created BY God and FOR God's purpose. (Colossians 1:16)

3. You must DENY yourself to live for Jesus. Self-sacrifice, as opposed to self-help, is the answer. (Matthew 16:24)

4. God clearly reveals His purpose for us in His word and through His Spirit. Our relationship with Jesus allows His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and reveal to us the things of the Spirit, which those who are not followers of Jesus see as foolishness. (1 Corinthians 2:10,14)

5. God's purpose is designed for eternity.

I absolutely love Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers! It is a fabulous 19th century version of the story of Gomer and Hosea. It is vivid and heart-wrenching and gut-wrenching, non-stop action throughout. Towards the end of the story, I found myself thinking, "She's leaving him again?! After all the unconditional love he has shown?! How much more will it take to convince her?" And then I realized that that is one of the aspects of this novel that makes it so perfect...Rivers expertly reveals the same message that God tells through the prophetic life of Homer and his relationship with Gomer: God is always waiting with unconditional love, to receive Isreal (and us) back into His arms again, and again, and again.

This sweet, sweet children's book by Sheila Walsh gives life and a visual interpretation to Psalm 91:11. Gabby is a guardian angel in training on her first assignment. She is sent to help protect a little girl named Sophie who is a fearless, spontaneous little girl after Gabby's own heart. Gabby takes her job to protect the one's that the Lord loves very seriously and she rises to the challenge.
Little girls will love the glittering, bright, and colorful illustrations throughout this story. They exude the sweetness and innocence of children and portray funloving children with angels watching over them. What a wonderful story to bring God's promise in Psalm 91:11 to life for little ones!
Thanks to booksneeze.com for a copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review.

What a great testimony of faith and survival by Michael Hingson in Thunder Dog: the true story of a blind man, his guide dog, and the triumph of trust at ground zero. Michael was on the 78th floor of the North Tower on September 11, 2001 and this is his tale of survival. I was thoroughly engaged in his story as he related his sensory experiences as a blind man, dependent on smells, sounds, and the guidance of his guide dog, Roselle. His harrowing tale details his trip down 78 flights of stairs, escaping the debris from the collapsing South Tower, gasping for air during the ensuing dust cloud, and the relief of safety he felt upon hearing the voice of his wife. Interspersed throughout, are his childhood experiences in which he found ways to overcome the challenges he faced as a blind person and how these experienced shaped him into the man his is today. This novel is a definite must read for those who enjoy tales of survival, heroic pets/service animals, and those who are encouraged by a testimony of a man overcoming obstacles by trusting in God's plan.
Thanks to booksneeze.com for providing a copy of this book for my honest review.

April Grace is a down home country gal who lives in Cedar Ridge, Arkansas. She lives with mom, dad, an older sister, and a dog, and grandma lives just across the way. I chose to read this book because it seems very similar to my family's current situation...we live in rural Blue Ridge with grandma and her three dogs next door. So, I invited my daughter to read In Front of God and Everybody: confessions of April Grace along with me. We very much enjoyed it. It was a hoot listening to April Grace share her experiences about her new citified neighbors, her too-old-to-be-dating grandma, and her urban wannabe older sister. The story brings to life the preconceived notions that some city dwellers have regarding country folk, and as April Grace learns, that some country folk have about those from the city. So, for young or old, I would recommend reading these Confessions of April Grace by K.D. McCrite. My daughter recommends this book, "because it teaches the lesson: show everybody that you care for them, especially if they need some help in life."  I think it's pretty great to be able to read a book with your child and have them learn lessons of Christian love in the process, and I look forward to reading the next book in the April Grace series with her.

I loved this book! Unsinkable, by Abby Sunderland and Lynn Vincent,  is full of aspirations, adventure, action, challenge, vibrant descriptions, hope, adversity, success, growth, and so much more. Sixteen year old, Abby, shares the journey of her attempt to sail solo around the world. She reveals her experience with her supporters and with those who offered great criticism. She describes her longing for the sea, the satisfaction she feels as she conquors it and the frustrations she encountered when it was overpowering. Abby's descriptions of the weather conditions while on her sail were vivid and so engaging, that although I knew she survived, I was on the edge of my seat while reading. I find great admiration for the Sunderland parents. They have found a way to raise not just a couple, but eight children to be intelligent, level-headed problem solvers. They have provided opportunities for their children that enable them to use their gifts and mature at their own rate. And the opportunities for Abby only became greater as her sail ended. She has since spoken at NASA, universities, yacht clubs, and more. And last but not least, she is now a published author! I recommend this book to all who yearn to be inspired by real people who face real challenges and who overcome with the blessings of a real God.

I would like to thank booksneeze.com for providing me with this complimentary copy of Unsinkable by Abby Sunderland and Lynn Vincent. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

The Band that Played On, by Steve Turner, is a recounting of the tragedy of the Titanic, focusing on the lives of the eight musicians who went down with the ship. Each of the eight musicians’ lives, prior to their voyage on the Titanic, is chronicled in their own chapter. They were all young, respectable men, leading relatively uneventful lives, who were passionate about their craft. Their deaths were hailed as heroic by surviving witnesses. This is the first biography to focus on the lives of these men, and for connoisseurs of Titanic history, it will be well received.

Regrettably, The Band that Played On, was not well received by me. Most of the tale was written in the style of a monotone history book. These men did not have noteworthy lives prior to their experience on the Titanic, and as such, did not make for interesting reading material. The interesting parts of the book were near the end, and unfortunately, contained much speculation as to what the musicians must have been doing during the sinking. Granted, there were many accounts reported of witnesses hearing the band’s music while disembarking to the lifeboats, but they are very contradictory. The author attempts to sort through these accounts and come up with a best case scenario as to the actual occurrences, but in truth, just overstated the possibilities. I felt like if I read the phrase, "Nearer my God to thee" again, I was going to have to throw in the towel. Ultimately, Turner ends the book with a sort of obituary tribute to each of the men. Ironically enough, this is the part I found most interesting. Contrary to the relatively uneventful lives of the men before the Titanic, some of their surviving family members went on to have some entertaining experiences.

So, while I will not recommend this book to my friends as an entertaining biography, I do recognize it’s merit as a worthy historical compilation. Steve Turner was very thorough in his research and retelling of a familiar tragic tale, with a unique perspective.

Hope for Your Heart, by June Hunt, is one of the best inspirational, self-help books I have encountered. Her conversational style draws the reader in and provides inspiring and practical advice through real-life situations. Continually referencing God's promises, Ms. Hunt offers testimony to that gift that is freely offered to all. And while the title seems geared to the hopless and hurting, the contents are uplifting for persons in all seasons of life. ( )

No Safe Haven by Kimberley and Kayla Woodhouse was a great read! It was a fast paced, suspensful, and inspiratioinal story. I absolutely love the fact that the authors were a mother/daughter team. It made the story even more special to me. The authors were able to make me experience the cold of the Alaskan mountains, the gripping fear of flying in a plane without a pilot, the agony of death defying hikes through the mountains, the innocence and strength behind child-like faith, the pride of feeling the need to be in control, and the peace of releasing that control and surrendering to love and forgiveness. I look forward to future novels written by this duo!

I am not a sports fan, but I enjoy biographies. I am not a sports fan, but I am the mother of one. I am not a sports fan, but after reading this book, I am a Pujols fan.

Pujols: More than the Game by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth shares the story behind the amazing career of Albert Pujols. We meet Albert as a youth in poverty, in the Dominican Republic. His exposure to baseball, poverty, alcoholism, violence, and eventually, the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, shape the man we see today. Beating the odds, he overcame the encumbrances of his youth and landed one of the most lucrative professional baseball contracts in history. This biography relates his career stats in great detail and also offers glimpses into his ministries beyond the field. And while this story ends with the question of whether Pujols will continue with the Cardinals beyond the 2011 season or branch out as a free agent, Pujols' story is far from over. His astonishing baseball career, along with his ministries to the Dominican Republic and families of Down Syndrome through the Pujols Family Foundation, are still going strong.

As stated earlier in this post, I am not a sports fan. However, as a mother to a sports fan, and as a lover of books, I chose to read and review a book that I would not normally have picked up. I will say that I am glad that I read it, but at times, it was a challenge. I would guess that 70 percent of the biography was baseball statistics--truly, a beating for me. On the other hand, I have been enlightened to a sports figure that provides a good, Christian influence in the sports arena. The remaining 30 percent of the book relates Pujols' faith, the driving force behind everything he does. This book allows the reader to see into Pujols' heart and his motivations. His actions are providing a lasting influence for future generations. I look forward to my son reading this book someday because as young people look to famous figures for examples of what they want to become, Pujols is a sports icon that I would be proud for my son to emulate.

I would like to thank booksneeze.com for providing me with this complimentary copy of Pujols: More than the Game by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

The Book Thief

Fabulous! Beautifully written story. Markus Zusak is poetic in his prose. A very gifted writer! The Book Thief tells the story of Leisel Meminger, a German orphan who experiences the horrors of Nazi Germany. Her perspective reveals the fear and angst experienced by Germany's impovershed. There is an irony in her story as she relates her compassion for the plight of the Jews while suffering miserably herself as well, despite her position as one of Hitler's "chosen." The ultimate beauty of the story comes from the voice of the narrator: Death...

The Promises She Keeps

What are The Promises She Keeps? This novel by Erin Healy was good. It peeked my interest. I am now thinking about the symbolism I may have missed in the first reading. All positives, in my mind, as I finish a satisfying read.

This story revolves around the question of life and the source that powers that force. Chase, a young man with autism, draws his visions of that force. His representations are pictures of trees and his verbal descriptions are of potent Biblical verbage, delivered matter of factly, as a person with autism would deliver it. Porta, an aged curator of art, looks for life in mystic forces and the quest for immortality. Promise, a budding vocal talent with cystic fibrosis, aims to prolong her life through fame. In the end, the characters find life in love and sacrifice.

I recommend The Promises She Keeps. It was a satisfying drama with compelling characterization. I especially liked reading about Chase. I believe the author portrayed his autism very realistically. It was in his nature, due to the autism, to take things very literally, to not let emotion cloud his reasoning, and to approach people with the innocence of a child. We could all benefit from a little more of that innocence and deliberateness about delivering the truth as we know it.

I would like to thank booksneeze.com for providing me with this complimentary copy of The Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

Callie by Dave Sargent

Dave and Pat Sargent author many books located in my children's elementary school library, and by many, I mean more than 50. I never really knew anything about these authors, but after Dave Sargent visited my son's school, he came home with Callie, the story of Mr. Sargent's grandmother. Wow. This was the most engaging non-fiction for children that I have ever read. This story, while told in very kid-friendly language, let the reader feel the trials and harsh realities of early Colonial living. I appreciated that. Kids appreciate that. This biography related the meat of 70 years of her life and maintained the reader's interest throughout. Highly recommended!

I originally picked up Forever... by Jude Deveraux because it appeared suspensful and paranormal. However, it turned out not to be quite what I expected. The story is about a man who, in trying to discover what caused his parent's disappearance, employes a virgin who is able to "see" the future and past in a magical mirror. Along the way, both discover that they have similarities in their orphaned childhoods and they develop a relationship that goes beyond professional. Joining them later is the long lost father and sister who come in and help save the town from a coven of witches, and then they all end up one big happy family.
Overall, it took me a while to get through this book because the suspense factor just wasn't there. The storyline was mediocre, but I did appreciate the twist on the classic fairy tale. And just when the story began to climax, the author jumped "one year later..." and cut off the suspense. So, although I did think it worth finishing, I am not in a hurry to recommend it as a great read. It was just okay.

This book was mesmerizing. Thoroughly enjoyable read. Fans of Stephenie Meyer will enjoy this book if they are looking for something similar. If I had read this book before I read the Twilight series, I would have awarded it 5 stars. However, I could only give it 4 stars due to the glaring similarities with the Twilight story. Grace and Bella are strong female characters who are rescuing their true loves from "Hell." Grace and Bella essentially parent themselves and they both turn to cooking for comfort. I could go on. My final critique, however, will have to be about the quiche scene with Isabella. Too corny and far from the established characterization of Sam and Grace. Yet, overall, a dreamy book to curl up with.

I very much enjoyed reading Tamar. It was a sophisticated read for a young adult novel. This story reveals how the evils of Hitler's Nazi regime infected not only Germany, but many countries and even members of the Resistance.  I appreciated the authenticity of the wartime situations and I was moved by how the author was able to relate the generational effects of the tragedy of the holocaust.

Toby Alone was good, and Toby and the Secrets of the Tree was even better! With just the right amount of action, drama, and suspense, this was a feel good story from start to finish. I would recommend the novel for ages 10 and up due to some graphic fighting scenes (appealing for boys, especially) and there was even enough romance to broaden the appeal to female readers as well. I commend Francois Place for excellent translation--idioms and phrasing were very natural and appropriate.

This novel was full of mental despair. Mom was despairing over her uncommunicative husband, grandma was fretting over daughter's angst, daughter was laboring under the weight of carrying the family, father was silently brooding or despondant....and the list goes on. I read to the end thinking that there must be a happy ending, but there wasn't. The only reason I am granting two stars instead of one is the fact that the story did make me want to read to the end. Yet, the end brought naught but more of the same.

The Vigilante's Bride is a fast-paced historical western with a little faith and romance thrown in. Although it kept my interest, I am discovering that I am not a particular fan of westerns. Much of the story involved cowboys and indians, frontier cattle drives, and roping and shooting. My favorite parts of the story had to do with the budding romance, yet some of the anticipation was spoiled since the title of the book gives away the ending. Overall, I am happy to have experienced Yvonne Harris' debut into historical romance.

I love Dee Henderson's recipe for a good Christian, suspense romance. A little bit of faith and reliance on the unchanging character of God, a strong female character who can hold her own, intense crime drama, and a man of God who takes the lead in a romantic relationship.