Book Review: The Circle Maker

This book is great. Drawing circles around our prayers and dreams I think is a great way to deal with everything in our lives. My favorite quotes from the book was: "The only way you can fail is if you stop praying." & "Each prayer is a time capsule. You never know when or where or how God is going to answer it, but He will answer it." This book was very uplifting and made me look at life in a different perspective. 

Book Description
Publication Date: December 13, 2011
According to Pastor Mark Batterson in his book, The Circle Maker, 'Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn't just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It's a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.' Do you ever sense that there's far more to prayer, and to God's vision for your life, than what you're experiencing? It's time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker---a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Mark Batterson will help you uncover your heart's deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.

About the Author
Mark Batterson serves as the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D. C. Recognized as 'one of America's 25 most innovative churches,' NCC is one church with seven locations. Mark's blog (www.markbatterson.com) and webcast (www.theaterchurch.com) also reach a virtual congregation around the world. Mark is the author of several bestselling books, including In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. He and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children.andnbsp; You can follow Mark on Twitter: @markbatterson andnbsp; SPANISH BIO: Mark Batterson sirve como pastor principal en la Iglesia National Community en Washington, D.C. Reconocida como 'una de las 25 iglesias mas innovadoras de America', la INC es una iglesia con siete localidades. El blog de Mark (www.markbatterson.com) y la fundicion en la red (www.theaterchurch.com) tambien alcanzan una congregacion virtual alrededor del mundo. Mark es autor de varios libros exito de ventas, incluyendo En la fosa con el leon en un dia de nieve. el y su esposa Lora residen en Capitolio con sus tres hijos. Puede seguir a Mark en Twitter:@markbatterson

Biography
Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church (www.theaterchurch.com) in Washington DC . Targeting emerging generations, 73 percent of NCCers are single twentysomethings that live or work on Capitol Hill. Currently one church with three locations, the vision of NCC is to meet in movie theaters @ metro stops throughout the DC area. The theaterchurch.com podcast is one of the fastest-growing church podcasts in America . Mark is also a daily blogger @ www.markbatterson.com . Mark lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and three children.


    

Book Review: Christmas Is Not Your Birthday

This book is about the true meaning of Christmas. I really like this book because it is a great reminder why we should celebrate Christmas. It is Jesus's Birthday not yours and it isn't all about the presents. I know with all the hype from the stores for Christmas we get distracted with all the stuff you can buy and what a great deal it is but that is not what Christmas is about. This book was a wake up call for me. I definitely will do Christmas differently this year....... Thank you Mike Slaughter for a great book!

Book Description
Publication Date: August 2011
Every year, we say we’re going to cut back, simplify, and have a family Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season—Jesus. But every year, advertisements beckon, the children plead, and it seems easier just to indulge our wants and whims. Overspending, overeating, materialism, and busyness rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration. This Christmas, cut through the hype that leaves you exhausted and broke at the end of the year. Instead, experience the peace of knowing that God is truly with us, the joy of giving sacrificially, and the love of a Savior who gave everything he had for us. In five short, engaging chapters, Pastor Mike Slaughter inspires readers to approach Christmas differently, and be transformed in the process.

About the Author
Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, is the three-decade dreamer of Ginghamsburg Church and spiritual entrepreneur of ministry marketplace innovations. His life-long passion to reach the lost and set the oppressed free has made him a tireless and leading advocate for the displaced children, womenand men of Darfur, Sudan, named by the U.N. as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Under Mike’s leadership, Ginghamsburg Church has become known as an early innovator of small group ministry, the Church “media reformation” and cyberministry, with the Ginghamsburg website averaging 50,000 visits monthly from around the world. Since initiating The Sudan Project in January 2005, Ginghamsburg has invested over $5 million into humanitarian relief in Darfur. The resultant agricultural project, child development program and safe water initiative are expanding to reach a quarter of a million Sudanese refugees and villagers. As a mentor, Mike travels globally to speak and use his “gift of irritation” to equip ministry leaders to minimize brick and maximize mission so that they may fully deploy the mission of Jesus into the world. Mike is the author of multiple books for church leaders including Change the World, Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Real Followers, Momentum for Life, UnLearning Church, and Upside Living in a Downside Economy. For more information about Mike, visit www.mikeslaughter.com

Biography
About Mike Slaughter Mike Slaughter is Lead Pastor and Chief Dreamer of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Located in the struggling "rust belt," Ginghamsburg strives to be the hands and feet of Jesus, serving those in need from Dayton to Darfur. Under Mike's leadership, the church has grown from 90 worshipers a week to over 5,000. Mike's books include "Christmas Is Not Your Birthday," "Change the World," "Spiritual Entrepreneurs," "Real Followers," "Momentum for Life," "UnLearning Church," and "Upside Living in a Downside Economy." Learn more about Mike Slaughter at
http://mikeslaughter.com/ 

Book Review: Then Sings My Soul Book 3

This book tells the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you've never heard, with lead-sheets included.

Great book. I loved it. My daughter can use this to play songs on her piano.

Product Description The long-awaited third installment! In 2003, Robert Morgan released what would become a future classic for over a million readers, a unique book entitled Then Sings My Soul. This collection of the world's greatest hymns and the stories behind them stirred an entire generation to better understand the heritage of our faith through song. Now, in the long-awaited third volume of this series, Morgan expands his material to include the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you've never heard, with lead-sheets included. All of this is in addition to even more standard hymns and the stories of the composers behind them. Morgan's conclusion guides the reader into enjoying all of God's music, blending the old and the new into a symphony of praise that keeps the worship alive for a new generation.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review Books for Blogging 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. Positive or negative, this is my honest opinion of the product.

Book Review: The Christmas Singing

This book is about a girl named Mattie. She once was in love and the guy broke her heart so she moved away to start a new life. She opened up a cake shop and started dating someone new. The dating was mostly out of convenience and companionship. But when fire destroys her shop she goes back home and finds out that she still has feelings for the guy that broke her heart. She finds out the truth why he broke off their engagement. They end up realizing that they are meant to be together. Love conquers all!


This is a really cute book. An absolutely adorable love story. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I read this book in a day because once I started reading it I had a hard time putting it down.

Book Description: Series: Ada's House Series | Publication Date: October 4, 2011 After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes? Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak? Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.

About the Author: Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Her ability to authentically portray her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. Cindy lives in Georgia with her family. Visit her website at  CindyWoodsmall.com.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Press, I was neither paid for this review nor was I commanded by Waterbrook Multnomah Press to write a positive review. This review is my own personal opinion. This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx03/16cfr25503.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Can I get a Do-Over?

This book is about getting another chance. It talks about our Heavenly Father and how he loves us so much and that he would give us a second chance even if we don't feel we deserve one. It is a really great book.

Book Description Series: Circle of Friends | Publication Date: April 1, 2012 Can I Get a Do-Over?. .  The Grace of Second Chances offers a fresh perspective on God’s matchless grace. Short, easy-to-read chapters—overflowing with humor and insightful Bible-based encouragement—will inspire a new outlook, as you begin to embrace the love and forgiveness of your heavenly Father.
Availability: This product will be released on 04/15/12.

Book Review: Life is a Gift

Life is definitely a gift. This book made me cry and it made me laugh. It is about a mother that tells her life experience about having multiple miscarriages, having three little precious girls and about what she faces when all three little girls end up having the same genetic disorder. Jenny Miller is amazing for being able to share and write about it all. The happy and sad. She even writes about being upset with God. I can't even imagine how she felt and the pain she endured.

Book Description
Publication Date: September 1, 2011
Jenny counted her newborn's fingers and toes, amazed anew at God's tremendous gift of life-but the gift did not turn out as she hoped. Her precious baby girl, the fulfillment of her childhood dreams, had serious medical problems. As her dreams crumbled around her, Jenny wrestled with the God of her youth-a God she knew only as secure, faithful, and loving. Now her prayers rang hollow, and God seemed unpredictable, confusing, and distant. Didn't He see tears? In this tender and deeply personal story of dashed hopes and broken dreams, Jenny shares in vivid detail her struggle to accept the journey God chose for her journey of faith through which she reluctantly embraced the lessons God had set before her. Through brokenness, she gained peace, comfort, even joy and a far deeper understanding that life-all life-is a gift from God.

About the Author
Jenny Miller lives in a little log cabin in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, along with her husband their daughters. She is passionate about connecting with other women, writing from her heart, and finding beauty in the ordinary. She enjoys her role as wife and mommy, as well as cooking, decorating, and teaching Sunday school. More than anything, she longs for God to use the story of her life to shine hope into the lives of others.

Book Review: Stuck Wtih You

This book is about two lawyers (Ross and Paige) that were hurt when there was a blast. They were taken to the hospital in an ambulance and on their way they could have possibly been exposed to the "love bug" virus so they had to be quarantined. They had to be in one room together Paige did not like Ross because he was a divorce lawyer. But because of this "love bug virus" they are becoming attracted to each other and they think it is due to the virus but come to find out they never were infected and they find out that they were just really attracted to each other.
This book is absolutely hilarious. It made me laugh and I absolutely love this book. If you want to read an awesome book that is funny this is the book for you.

Book Description
Publication Date: January 2, 2012
"Trish Jensen is a one-woman laugh riot." -Sandra Hill, NY Times Bestselling Author

"Trish Jensen is the undisputed queen of comedic romance." -Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

Two feuding divorce lawyers.
One infectious "love bug" virus.
The symptoms are hard to resist . . .

Paige Hart is blessed and cursed with a large, loving and. . .colorful Southern family. As the only lawyer in the clan, she can't say no when her cousin needs her help in a messy, no-holds-barred divorce. Tax attorney Paige squares off with Ross "the Snake" Bennett-one of the slickest divorce lawyers in the county. The case is going as well as an acrimonious, zinger-filled, wrangle of epic proportions can go until exposure to an infectious bug with an unusual side effect lands both lawyers in quarantine together.

The doctor was blunt. "There's a slight chance that the two of you came into contact with infectious materials when you were transported in that ambulance."
"A virus?" Paige squealed.
"What virus?" Ross demanded.

"The CDC believes it's a new strain of Tibetan Concupiscence Virus. Or TCV. The symptoms appear to be-somewhat unusual. Elevated heart rate, a warmth radiating under the skin, and heightened sexual awareness."
"Oh . . . my . . . God," Paige said faintly.
Ross crossed his arms. "I've never actually considered heightened sexual awareness a problem."
"That's it!" Paige said, pointing at Ross accusingly.
"That's what?" he and the doctor asked at the same time.
"The reason I was-was-never mind," Paige said, feeling her cheeks heat up. Like she'd ever admit she'd been making silent, non-lawyerly observations about the snake. Hospital gowns weren't supposed to look that good. Or deliciously skimpy.

Trish Jensen is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. Visit her at www.TrishJensen.com.

Biography
Trish Jensen never meant to become an author. Never aspired to it, in fact it wasn't even in the top ten of jobs on her, "If you could do/be anything, what would it be?" list.

But after seven years in corporate America, she recognized climbing that particular ladder wasn't what she wanted, either. So while she figured out what truly felt right, she decided to go back to school for her MBA. After one semester of THAT, she recognized it would still be the same ladder, just made of better wood, a better view from her office, and yet still a desk job.

So she made a leap to another, really rickety ladder, taking English and creative writing classes just to clear her head and make her brain work in a completely new way. When she tackled the final for her creative writing class, the first chapter of a novel, a crazed writer was born.

She loves this ladder, although she realized rather quickly that it never really becomes less rickety, and along the way there are many rungs that crack or break, making climbing a wonderfully scary, uncertain but never boring proposition.

Yet sitting here in her office -- admittedly with a beautiful view of mountains and wildlife rather than high-rises -- a horrible thought occurs to her. It's a desk job.