When God Makes Lemonade by Don Jacobson

If you like the layout of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books but wanted something more inspirational and encouraging, you found it.  This book is composed of many short stories by different authors, each that have some form of positive and up lifting message to share.  The design of the book is done in such a way were you can read a few stories lay the book down and pick it up again without having to worry about if you remember the plot or the characters.  Most of the short stories are told from the point of view from the person it happened to.  You get to relive that story through understand their struggles, see the challenges they encounter and how they overcame the innumerable obstacles.  In this book you will find many stories that you can relate too and yet others you cannot fathom how they could do it.  This book is perfect for the person who does not want to invest a lot of time reading but is looking for something quick and full of encouragement. 

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

 

One Perfect Life by John MacArthur

One Perfect Life is a complete story of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have read many books that have claimed the same thing but this one was different.  The author pulls together key stories and teaching throughout Jesus’ life.  The information is gather into a single topic that provides a full understand of what is being told.  Not all of the topics are easy to understand that is where the author provides footnotes for each section of the Bible on that topic.  At first, this was a little over whelming but you find as you keep going the amount of good information drives you to want to read more.  If you are looking for one book to understand Jesus then you need to read this composite of the New Testament.  Passages from the Old Testament are also incorporated into the stories from Genesis to Revelations. 

If you have been looking for a better way to understand the Gospels, a verse-by-verse explanation, key passages connected to Jesus and trusted Bible translations go no further you have found it.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Fortress of Mist By Sigmond Brouwer

I’m always concerned when I read a book that is part of a series without having read the previous books. With the Fortress of Mist, the story does provide enough background that reading the first book is not necessary. The book provides a good stand-alone story regarding a King that grew up as an orphan. Like most kingdoms or nation, there is always turmoil. In this book, we find there is a secret society that is trying to force the king to side with them. The king has a secret weapon that only a few know that he has. He owns a library of books that cover many subjects including war. These books have helped in two cases to win two wars and yet not lose a single life. While this is a standalone story, I think you will also find yourself looking for the first book and the books to follow. The plot is quick, easy to read and brings a different viewpoint to the fantasies stories we have all read.

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for my honest review of the book.

 

The Story of the Voice by David B Capes with Chris Seay and James F. Couch Jr.

The Story of ‘The Voice’ is the background how a group of people strived for a new translation of the Bible, the results was ‘The Voice’.  Historically, the bible has been translated into many different versions for many different purposes.  The goal for ‘The Voice’ was the ability to reach out to the younger generation.  The group’s goal is to re-engage younger people in the teaching, meaning and understanding the Bible. 

The book goes through some of the key people who contributed to the book.  Background is also given how the title was decided, philosophy behind the new translation, contextual equivalence in practice and other background information showing the complexity behind doing a new version of the Bible.

Not being familiar with ‘The Voice’ I visited the website.  The website offers a free download of the New Testament.  You can review just how different this translation is from the NIV and NLT versions.  I can see were ‘The Voice’ would be very attractive to a younger generation of readers.  If the current Bible in your church has not captured the younger generation in your church I would suggest trying ‘The Voice’, it delivers the same Biblical messages but simply in a different manner. 

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Unglued Devotional by Lysa Terkeurest

This daily devotional to the book Unglued, by the same author, provides structure to help readers handle every day struggles. This includes a daily opening Scripture, Thought for the Day, devotion, and closing prayer.  The book provides the readers with a 60-day journey in learning to handle emotions like disappointment, being afraid and feeling guilty.  Unglued Devotional is easy to read and short enough to keep most readers attention.  The author shares many personal stories about her, her friends and others she knows.  Through their struggles in every day life, for example lost luggage and rude clerks, and declined credit cards, when life does not go as planned, jealousy and more.  Each day provides a Scripture verse, the thought of the day, a devotion and /or story you can relate to and a closing prayer.  The devotionals are short, around two pages. Each day captures short quick thoughts about the Lord, especially for when you become unglued.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking Susan Cain

Always wanted to understand why the outspoken person got the recognition, the promotion or the acknowledgement from others even though you did a better job.  This book is designed to help the introverts understand and manage around extroverts.  The author has taken into account years of research, studies and test cases where they introduced introverts, in all ages, into certain situations to see how they react and why.  With the background and studies, which the author has provided she indicates our society focuses and rewards the extroverts.  She also provided examples of great introverts and how they have changed the world.  They did not have brain storming session or group meetings but in many cases, they went off alone to work in quiet.  If you struggle as an introvert then this is necessary read.  Not only will you understand why you are an introvert and how to function better but also you will have a better understand the extroverts around you.        

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for my honest review of the book.

The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant by Terry Felber

Some people question their religious commitments and/or believes based on the fact they are not a member of the clergy.  This book covers both side of the equation through an easy to understand story about a relationship between a monk and a merchant.  They both started in the same way but in a critical point in their lives, they needed to make a choice, what they were better skilled.  For every church, there is a peoples, groups, merchants, etc. ready and willing to help and build, support and maintain a house of God.  The author does a good job in helping the reader understand everyone has a job and no matter which side you are on one side is just as important as the other is.  Since the majority of us are on the merchant side, the author has built in twelve key on how to live successfully.   The last part of the book is a study guide for groups or individuals.  The discussions are broken down into the twelve key for a successful life.  It is a quick ready but well worth the time for church study groups.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.