Review – Blue Like Play Dough

Ever feel “squished and stretched” by the demands of motherhood?  Then Blue Like Play Dough is for you.  In this book, Tricia Goyer explores how God has used the ups and downs of motherhood to shape her.  We are allowed into Tricia’s life to see her inauspicious entry into motherhood as a frightened teenager and see the glimpses of God working her “like play dough” through the years of mothering her children as toddlers, school age children, and teens.  Through all of it, we get to laugh and cry with her, but always see that God is the one working the clay and molding her life to make her more like Him – and encouraged that God is doing the same with us, if we will let Him.  I found this a very pleasant book to read and definitely recommend it to the moms in your life!!  Go here for more information on purchasing this book.

Tricia Goyer is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including Generation NeXt Parenting and the Gold Medallion finalist Life Interrupted. Goyer writes for publications such as Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family, speaks to women’s groups nationwide and has been a presenter at the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) national convention. She and her husband, John, live with their family in Montana.

We Have A Winner!!

First of all, my apologies for not doing the drawing for the book on Friday as planned.  Things got a little derailed by a migraine last night.  But, we had two entrants, one on Facebook and one here on the blog.  And, the winner of the book, A Perfect Mess, is Jean!!!  Jean, I’ll get you your copy ASAP!

A Perfect Mess – Book Review and Giveaway

A Perfect Mess – yep, that’s my life and that’s the title of Lisa Harper’s new book.  In this book, Lisa shows us from the Psalms how God loves us and wants to stick with us to transform our messiness into His beauty through His grace.  Using a selection of 12 Psalms, the author samples the richness of the psalter while weaving in stories from her own life experience.  In addition, there are interesting sidebars with tidbits of information about the Psalms, such as their classification or insights from theologians.  The end of each chapter includes some questions for personal reflection and/or group discussion.

Lisa Harper has given us an excellent book to help study several of the Psalms as well as encourage us in our walk with God.  I read a chapter of this book each night and enjoyed it.  Not only that, I found myself challenged by her insights.  I was particularly struck by her chapter on Psalm 51 and our need to confront our sin as well as the chapter on Psalm 23 and God’s rest for His people.  My one qualm with this book is that Lisa’s writing gets a little “flowery” for my taste.  I tend to prefer that author’s use a more simple vocabulary when possible.  Frankly, that’s a minor issue in an otherwise outstanding book.  I very highly recommend it.

As a funny little aside, Lisa Harper notes in one chapter that she used to be a lifeguard at Lake Swan Camp in Central Florida.  From what I can figure, she may have been a lifeguard there one of the years that I went to Lake Swan in high school!  Pretty cool, huh?  Well, because it’s summer time and there’s that really cool coincidence about summer camp, if you would like to win a copy of this book, just leave a comment, preferably telling me something about summer camp to do with you or your kids (or, you can just be boring and say hi).  Fair enough?  I’ll do the drawing on Friday, July, 24, when my son comes home from camp – how’s that for a theme?

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this book, check out Random House.

Lisa Harper is a master storyteller whose lively approach connects the dots between the Bible era and modern life.  She is a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker whose upcoming appearances include the national Women of Faith Conferences. A veteran of numerous radio and television programs and the author of several books, she also is a regular columnist for Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Lisa recently completed a master’s of theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She makes her home outside Nashville.

Book Review – Clutter-Free Christianity

Are you frustrated with all the “extras” that have become part of your Christian life?  Do you feel like you’re trying to follow the rules but aren’t getting to know God?  If so, this Clutter-Free Christianity is for you!

Dr. Jeffress does a great job of helping us understand why we need to cut the clutter from our spiritual lives and get back to the simplicity of following Jesus and then outlining some practical ways of doing just that (WITHOUT just giving more rules and regs to follow).  We are reminded that the heart of our Christianity is not having the most correct theology or espousing the most important cultural causes, or even doing the most socially useful tasks, but is having a heart that is transformed by God.

This book is not a difficult book to read, but it is important.  He cuts through all the garbage that tends to get in our way as Western Christians to point us back to the cross of Christ.  He reminds us that we are to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” and that can only come by our cooperation with God.  I really highly recommend this for any and all Christians.

Author Bio:

Dr. Robert Jeffress is the senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, one of the most historic churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. The author of sixteen books, he is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, live broadcasts of Dr. Jeffress’ weekly messages reach millions of listeners and viewers each week, while his daily sermon series airs on 1,100 television stations and cable systems nationwide. Dr. Jeffress and his wife, Amy, are the parents of two adult daughters.

If this book looks interesting to you, leave me a comment and you could win a copy at my giveaway next Thursday!!

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

Book: The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

Author: Steven K. Scott

Summary:

In The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Scott guides readers in a step-by-step application of the life-changing principles, skills, and methods that Jesus used throughout his earthly life. Although believers may spend a lifetime learning from Jesus’ teachings, it’s easy to overlook the powerful lessons demonstrated in His life. But when these incomparable lessons are learned and put to use, they enable ordinary people to achieve extraordinary success and happiness.

From Jesus’ earthly life readers will learn:

• How to break through the barriers that prevent them from achieving extraordinary success at work and relational success at home.
• How to experience a level of happiness and fulfillment that nothing the world offers can duplicate.
• How to use adversity and opposition as a springboard for greater success.
• How to love others in a way that increases their love as well.

No matter what a person’s area of expertise and in what setting a person influences others, living by the principles of Jesus’ life on earth produces extraordinary success, unprecedented achievements, personal fulfillment, and blessings for others.

Author Bio:

Steven K. Scott is the best-selling author of The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, and Mentored by a Millionaire. After failing in nine jobs, he started reading a chapter of Proverbs every day—and the wisdom of Scripture changed his life. Scott and his business partners have built more than a dozen multimillion-dollar companies from scratch, achieving billions of dollars in sales. He is the co-founder of Max International, Total Gym Fitness, and The American Telecast Corporation. He is a popular international speaker on the subjects of personal and professional achievement and the application of biblical wisdom to every area of life.

And the Winner Is . . . .

Dana Nelson!

Dana, you are the winner of the book, The Echo Within!  If you are the Dana Nelson that I know in real life, drop me an email and let me know how I can get the book to you.  If you’re not the Dana Nelson I know in real life, send me your contact info at pcmartin@charter.net.  ‘Cause I don’t want to make any assumptions.

Thanks everyone who entered the drawing.  Keep an eye out for another book giveaway in a month or so!