Book Review: Soul Keeping by John Ortberg

I love John Orberg's books.  He might just be my favorite author.  I have read almost everything he has written.  When I saw a new book out called Soul Keeping, I picked it up right away and began reading it.
I love this book!  This book talks about caring for the most important part of of you.  Many people take care of their bodies but Ortberg claims that the most important part of you is your soul.  Your inner life.
I agree.  We must care for the part that will live forever.
The chapter that resonated with me the most is chapter 11: the soul needs rest.  I needed to hear that chapter and I think we all should too.
I highly recommend this book if you feel like your soul is bone dry.  God will use the teaching in this book to heal your soul.  I give it 11 stars out of 10.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from booklookbloggers.com..thanks to them for the book

When we were on fire book review

I have to be honest, I was reminded of my childhood when I read this book, granted I am a man not a woman like the author.  I was on fire for God during school.  but that meant I was in a christian sub-culture that meant little to real life in the real world.  This book is a memoir of a young woman looking back at her jr. high and high school years in being on fire for God.
If you like a good memoir, this is a good book.  If that is not your thing, dont pick this up.
I believe we can learn from other peoples stories.  
Pick up this book to bring the passion in God back to where it should be.
I recieved this book for free in exchange for an honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah books.

Book Review: The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey

I'll admit I am a fiction junkie.  I read all sorts of fiction these days.  When I had the chance to pick up this book for review, I jumped at the chance.  I have read Mr. Coffey's other book, "When Mockingbirds Sing," and loved it.
    When I began reading this book, I loved reading it immediately.  But to be fair, I must say that it isnt your regular action packed story where many things are happening.  This book takes the layers off slowly like peeling an onion.  It can be slow for some, but for me as each "layer" was peeled, I wanted to keep reading.  It was that good.
   I hate giving away plot in my reviews so let me be brief: Three people are affected by their past and it affects their lives.  Now they are all being haunted by their past and must face forgiveness and redemption.
   Long story short, it is a story of redemption and forgiveness of ones past.  We all need that and this book illustrates it beautifully.
I received this book for free from http://booklookbloggers.com/  in exchange with an honest review.


Check out this book at http://www.amazon.com/Devil-Walks-Mattingly-Billy-Coffey-ebook/dp/B00GUTB0B8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396895397&sr=8-1&keywords=the+devil+walks+in+mattingly

Seek First God's Kingdom

For just a moment I want you to do a thing that may seem morbid.  I want you to think of your own funeral.  It may be at a cemetery or a church building.  A group of people are gathered around your casket crying and celebrating a life lived.  The pastor opens up the microphone for people to talk and they begin to tell others how you lived your life.
What would they say?  At the end of your life what do you want remembered about you?  "They were all about money and riches" might not be the thing you want to be remembered by.
You know what I want to be remembered by?  Not perfection, or the right car, or the right house.  I want people to remember me as someone who seeks first the Kingdom of God.  I want people to know without a shadow of a doubt that I was about the business of God.
Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first the Kingdom of God..."
What does that look like everyday?
-What are you focused on in your life?  What rules your thought life?
- Do you worry?  Turn your worry into prayers.
- Read your bible as a love letter from God Himself.
- When you are out in the community, live as a missionary.  Ask God what He would have you do in your community.
- Trust God with all your heart


At the end of my life I want to be remembered as someone who put Jesus first.  How about you???

Book Review of book: Thrive by Mark Hall

My favorite band is the band Casting Crowns.  The lead singer is a man named Mark Hall and when I saw that he wrote a book, I picked up a copy to read.  His book is called "Thrive: Digging deep and reaching out."
This book was the perfect book to me.  As a pastor and follower of Jesus Christ I am always on the lookout for books that help me grow in Christ and to become a better "Evangelist."  This book will help you grow in Christ and help you share Christ.
Jesus said that we are to love God and love others.  This book is a great resource for you in those two areas.
My favorite chapter was chapter 6: but God.  This chapter helped us through the book of Ephesians and helps us see God's responsibility with salvation and our response to it.  We are all sinners...but God is so rich in mercy.
I recommend this book to all who want to grow in Christ and to learn how to reach out.  Pick up a copy on amazon right now!!!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from BookLook Bloggers review program...Thanks for the copy!

Highly happy marriages

Wow!  I love this book.  Every time I get to review a book on marriage I jump on the chance to do it.  As I ripped open the package for this book, I begin to read it immediately.  Now this book is not meant to be a "pleasure book."  It is meant to instruct and challenge.  It definitely did that.  But it did not bore or put me to sleep.  Shanti Feldhahn writes in a way to keep you engaged.
Some chapter topics of this book are: Go to bed mad, keep score, boss their feelings around, have factual fantasies, get in over their heads, don't tell it like it is, and don't look to marriage to make you happy.
Obviously those titles are to get you drawn in but they are great chapters and help you think.  This book is also easy to apply to your marriage right now.  If you care about your marriage or if you want to help the marriage of a close friend get the book: Highly happy marriages by Shanti Felhahn.
I recieved this book for free in exchange to an honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah Books.  

Rick Warren's new book "The Daniel Plan" a review

First of all, I like Rick Warren.  I listen to his sermons, I have all his books.  I was excited to read this book.  I assumed it would be a diet book but I was wrong.  It definitely brings in the food part of health but it is so much more.  Warren points out 5 parts of the Daniel plan: Faith•Food•Fitness•Focus•Friends.  Warren contends these 5 things are essential to a healthy life.  I love that he begins with faith.  If this were a diet book, I wouldn't have read it but this is drenched in faith which is great.  I highly recommend this book if you are ready to get healthy in your body, mind, soul, and spirit.  This is the book for you.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from the publisher and booksneeze.com