Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Primal: The quest for the lost soul of Christianity

I love reading. I love learning. I love learning by reading. I love Mark Batterson's new book titled Primal. There are few books that I remember reading that have had the power to impact me to such depths. To sit and read, but wanting to jump and do. To read a page, and realize 15 minutes later you are still on that page, because it has caused you to think and explore what those ideas look like in 3D life. This book sent me on a journey. One that I hope I stay on for the rest of my life. It helped me to explore what it means in my life, to love God truly with all my heart soul mind and strength. It renewed my passion for fighting for what is right, for getting close enought to alow my heart to break for the things that break God's heart, for loving with all that I have in me, for discovering all that there is to discover, and to give everything I have, to everything I do. Sorry, I know that is one long sentance & probably not "legal") This book has changed my mindset, and even more it has changed my heart-set. I challenge you to put this book at the top of your reading list for 2010. Read it. Do it. Go back to that Primal place. It's worth it.

As Mark writes, “Is there a place in your past where you met God and God met you? A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God? Maybe it was a sermon that became more than a sermon. Maybe it was a mission trip or retreat. Maybe it was a vow you made at an altar. In that moment, God birthed something supernatural in your spirit. You knew you’d never be the same again. My prayer is that this book would take you back to that burning bush—and reignite a primal faith.”

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah. Go order yours today at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/results.php

Friday, December 18, 2009

my dad....my hero

There is this unexplainable bond between a dad and his daughters....
at least there is with my dad and this particular daughter.
My dad has always been one of the strongest men I know.
He was my first knight in shining armor.
He held the hose and sprayed cold water on my foot when i dropped a brick on it. He asked me if I could wiggle my toes. I could, so he told me it's probably not broken and if I lay on the sofa a little bit, it will feel better soon.
He had the heaviest baseball bat I ever used. He used to hit balls out to my sisters in the evenings, and my goal was to one day be able to hit as far as he did. When I hit my first home run way out into center field, he was the first one I thought of.
He tried to tell me what x-rays are like the first time we thought I broke my ankle. (yes there were several times x-rays were needed.)
He grabbed me from the table and sat me in the sink of cold water, when hot gravy got spilled on me.
He took me to the ER when a dizzy spell and a conk on the head made me forget what I had done the last 2 days.
He taught me to parallel park, and apparently he taught me well. I passed my drivers test.
He went with me when I bought my car.
He has been there through sprains & strains & knee surgeries & heart issues. He taught me to explore, to figure things out, and to think for myself.
Yesterday my dad went for a stress test. They discovered that sometime in the recent past, my dad had a heart attack, and the left ventricle is only functioning at 17%.
So he is scheduled for a heart catherization, and more tests and doctor visits.
I wish I could rescue him like he has rescued me so many times.
I wish I could tell him to wiggle his toes and lie down a little and it will be OK.
But it doesn't work that way.
So, I'm putting my hero in the the capable hands of The Hero.
and it's all gonna be OK

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Book Reviews

More Than a Match by Michael & Amy Smalley

The 5 keys to compatibility for life.

Although this book seems to be geared more for a single person, or couples about to embark into a marriage, it holds a lot of useful information for me as a married person as well.

Although everything changes when you get married, don’t expect your partner to be changed. Marriage doesn’t alleviate prior relationship glitches. Marriage is not a fairy tale. These are just a few things I picked up from this book.

Michael & Amy use their many years as counselors, as well as instances from their own lives to bring out key points of compatibility in relationships. They show ways to work through conflicts that arise, and keep on the path to that fantastic marriage that you have always dreamed of having. What I love the most is that they underscore that all the compatibility issues can be overcome by a strong commitment to God and to each other. And their marriage is a testament to that fact.

99 Ways To Increase Your Income by Frank Martin

They say the big things come in small packages. The same is true for this little book. Only 102 pages & 7 chapters long, but it is filled and overflowing with a wealth of ideas.

Want to make a little spending money? Maybe you would like to rake in a substantial extra income, or need a little guidance on how to make your money grow. Frank Martin gives plenty of ways for all of those options. The great thing is they are simple ideas that don’t take a genius to figure out how to follow. I’ve tried a few of them, and they work!

Take a little time to pick it up and read it, and then follow through. With the help of this little book, you can earn some extra cash, and make your money work for you!

If you would like to add these books to your library, head on over to http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/

These books were provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Have Your way - Britt Nicole

Feels like I’ve been here forever Why cant You just intervene Do you see the tears keep falling And I’m falling apart at the seams But You never said the road would be easy But You said that You would never leave. And You never promised that this life wasn’t hard But You said that You’d take care of me. So I’ll stop searching for the answers I’ll stop praying for an escape And I’ll trust You God, with where I am And believe that You will have Your way Just have Your way Just have Your way When my friends & my family have left me And I feel so ashamed and so cold Remind me You take broken things And turn them into beautiful So I’ll stop searching for the answers I’ll stop praying for an escape And I’ll trust You God, with where I am And believe that You will have Your way Just have Your way Just have Your way Even if my dreams have died And even if I don’t survive I’ll still worship you with all my life So I’ll stop searching for the answers I’ll stop praying for an escape And I’ll trust You God, with where I am And believe that You will have Your way Just have Your way Just have Your way I know you will I wont forget You love me Have Your way. The song has struck a chord in my heart the past couple weeks. It amazes me how song lyrics can be so powerful. But then I guess words in general can do that. They can encourage, upbuild, bring comfort, or they can cause a death blow in one fell swoop. I need to make sure I choose my words carefully every time I open my mouth.