She's Got The Wrong Guy

 About The Book:  The control freak. The angry man. The lazy guy. The unteachable guy. The promiscuous man. The unbeliever. The lone ranger. The unchurched guy. The new convert. The commitment-phobe.

For any woman who has struggled with failed relationships, this may seem like a familiar list. These are the men your friends and family have in mind when they think, "she's with the wrong guy." And while the reasons women choose these types of men are complicated and varied, ultimately, they will all let you down.

In She's Got the Wrong Guy, Deepak Reju offers a different kind of dating book, discussing the types of guys women should not marry and offering biblical reasons why they aren't suitable spouses. Writing from his years of experience as a pastor and counselor, Reju shares with women his perspective on how to assess a relationship's strengths from the beginning, how to identify possible pitfalls, and how to have the courage to wait for a relationship that will be a blessing for both of you. Using stories that single women can relate to and highlighting contemporary issues in the modern world of dating, Reju gives readers clear, biblical direction on how to have positive, life-giving relationships with members of the opposite sex.

With a strong, Christ-centered focus, women will better understand why they "settle" for less than what God intends for their romantic relationships and learn to put their hopes and find their happiness in Jesus, not marriage.

About The Author:  Deepak Reju, MDiv, PhD, serves as the pastor of biblical counseling and families at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) in Washington, DC, as well as president for the board of directors of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He is the author of several books and articles, including "Great Kings of the Bible: How Jesus Is Greater than Saul, David and Solomon," "The Pastor and Counseling," and "On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church." Deepak and his wife Sarah have been married since 2001 and have five children.

Find out more about Deepak at http://stores.newgrowthpress.com/.

My Thoughts On The Book:  As an ex-wife, of almost 25 years, I wish I had had this book before I got married the first time.   As a pastor I think this book is an excellent counseling tool for young almost married couples.  I have to admit that it was not my favorite book of all times, yet it was necessary.   It does seem to be a bit one sided and is geared more toward women than men.  It was not a book of do's and don'ts, it was a book of preparedness.  I believe so many times we step into relationships without waiting on the Lord's answer and we jump in head first not thinking of the results.  For young women....or second timers this is a great read if you are stepping out into the relationship game again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publishers. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Good Book

About The Book:  The Good Book

offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible's biggest ideas.

  

A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps readers understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the whole Bible.  Designed as a forty-day journey through forty key chapters of the Bible,  The Good Book will appeal to those who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who are just beginning their Christian journey.  The Good Book:  is a great evangelism tool for explaining the major themes of Scripture to those who want to know more about God, Jesus, and the core beliefs of Christianity;  gives new believers an overview of the Bible and lays a framework to help them understand Scripture passages;  helps longtime Christians rediscover the basic themes of Scripture and experience these truths in a new way; and encourages Scriptural literacy as it pushes readers to read both one chapter of the book and one chapter of the Bible each day for forty days. The Good Book is great for individuals, and it can also be used by small groups in an eight-week church-wide program or a forty-week journey that focuses on one Bible chapter each week.  The Good Book will help people understand and live by the transformative truths of the Bible. 
About The Author: 

Deron Spoo is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over the past 16 years, Spoo has guided the church as it transitions from being simply a downtown church to a regional church committed to urban ministry. Church members describe him as "down to earth" and "authentic." His television devotionals, "First Things First," reach 100,000 people each week. Spoo is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Paula, have three children.  Find out more about Deron at http://www.readthegoodbook.com.
My Thoughts On This Book:  As a pastor I found this book to be a great resource and a must in a pastors/churches library.  If you want to get a better understanding of the Bible this book is for you.  is a resource which will be helpful for many who seek to understand the Bible more fully. I loved the way Spoo set up individual chapters and then followed each one with reflection questions and ways for the reader to become more fully engaged in the Bible. 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Litfuse Publicity Group. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Simple Pleasures

About The Book: Simple Pleasures: Stories from My Life as an Amish Mother (MennoMedia, March 2016).  Young Amish homemaker Marianne Jantzi invites readers into her family's life on the snowy plains of Ontario.  The mother of four young children and wife of a storekeeper, Jantzi writes about her daily routines and heartfelt faith with equal measures of wit and warmth. Sewing, cleaning, cooking, gardening, and helping to manage the store take up most hours in her day, but Jantzi finds time to pen columns for the Connection, a magazine beloved by Amish and Mennonite readers across the United States and Canada. Never sugarcoating the frustrations of motherhood, Jantzi tells it like it is, broken washing machine and bickering children and all. But through her busy days, Jantzi finds strength in simple pleasures of family, fellowship with her Amish community, and quiet time with God.  Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1p0SQvJ
About The Author:  Marianne Jantzi is an Amish writer and homemaker in Ontario, Canada. Formerly a teacher in an Amish school, Jantzi now educates and inspires through her "Northern Reflections" column for The Connection, a magazine directed mainly to Amish and plain communities across the U.S. and Canada. She and her husband have four young children and run a shoe store among the Milverton Amish settlement of Ontario.

My Thoughts On The Book: I have always had a fascination with Amish life and read a lot of Amish fiction.  I asked to review this book because it was stories of an Amish mother and let me tell you, this book was spot on.  It was a actual visual of what Amish life is like. Marianne Jantzi shares stories of her personal life as an Amish mother in an Amish community.  Each detail of her book gives a vividly painted mental picture of simple pleasures found among the plain world.  I loved it.  The book reminded me of stories my grandmother would tell about her childhood.  A true joy to read!  
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publishing and Herald Press as part of their Blogging Review 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!    

The Sanctuary For Lent 2015

About The Book:  Devotions for each day of Lent. "Who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20).  The Scriptures refer to him using terms such as “The Word,” “the bread of life,” “Emmanuel,” “the light of the world,” “the Lamb of God,” and “the Son of God.” The references, descriptions, and titles all point to the one through whom God’s salvation plan for humanity was completed—Jesus Christ.  In The Sanctuary for Lent 2015, Sue Mink focuses on the names and characteristics of Christ in the Scriptures. The devotions—one for each of the forty days in Lent, plus Sundays—include a suggested Scripture reading, a Bible verse, an inspiring message, and a prayer to keep the focus on Christ during the journey through Lent.  This Lenten season, allow The Sanctuary for Lent 2015 to transform you and lead you in a closer walk with Jesus.  **When ordering for a congregation, churches often secure additional copies for nursing home residents, those in prisons, and other groups in need of encouragement but are unable to attend services. The small trim size, which fits in a #10 envelope, enables churches to include the booklet in their Lenten mailings.
About The Author:  Sue Mink creates artwork that explores the intersection between art and theology. She is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary and Carnegie-Mellon University, where she earned her design degree. She is the author of Preparing the Way: An Advent Study Based on the Revised Common Lectionary and The Sanctuary for Lent 2014. She and her husband in Leesburg, Virginia.
My Thoughts On The Book:  This was a wonderful devotional to use during Lent this year.  I loved the fact that each day was dated.  I enjoyed the scriptures, the prayers, and the devotionals that went with each day.  As a local, rural pastor my only regret is that I did not order these for my congregation in time to distribute them.  Next year I will be more prepared.  I know they would have loved them because I did share a few from my ebook with several of my congregation and their reactions were priceless.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Netgalley Publicity Group  as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  

Every Valley

 About The Book:  Handel's Messiah is one of the most beloved musical works of the western world, playing an especially sentimental role in many people's Christmas traditions. The libretto of the work, taken directly from the King James text of fourteen books of the Bible, has turned many otherwise forgettable phrases into memorable, singable, cherished lines of Scripture.  This gift-worthy book will delight and inspire classical music fans and those for whom Messiah is a beloved Christmas tradition with essays exploring the theological, historical, and pastoral implications of the Scriptures that make up Handel's Messiah.  Forty reflections journey in order through the oratorio, taking the reader deeper into less-often studied texts like Malachi 3:3 and bringing new light to oft-recited passages like Luke 2:9-14. Each reflection offers the libretto from Messiah, the same passage in NRSV, and a brief commentary on the text, written by a respected scholar or pastor. Readers can peruse the book at leisure or examine one reflection per day throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons.

My Thoughts About The Book:  Every year as Advent draws nearer I begin to look for an Advent devotional that helps me get into the mindset of the season.  I chose this book because there is nothing more beautiful than Handel's Messiah.  I was not disappointed.  Each chapter is titled, has some solid scripture and then there is a reflective piece from the scriptures used.  It was a wonderful way to begin or end the day.  I used it in the morning and chose to begin each day basking in the Word of God through Handel's Messiah.  Chapter 32 was my favorite because it was the Hallelujah.  When I finished my reading for that day I wanted to stand up and shout.  This would make a lovely gift for a special friend.  It is also a book you would want in your library.  Loved it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Netgalley as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you! 

Behind The Stage

About The Book:  Follow Christian minister Josh Allen’s harried life as he struggles to rescue his family and his church from the pitfalls of desire and intolerance in Anne Sanders’ new book, Behind the Stage. As his world falls apart, Josh must build a new life in a Southern town where temptation takes hold of his daughter and his congregation. On the church’s stage he leads his flock, but what will happen behind the altar?
About The Author:  Anne Sanders is an author, blogger, teacher and researcher. Her first articles were published in 1992. After working as a research consultant and teacher, she returned to writing in 2002 with the birth of her son. She began by crafting articles for a local newspaper and was picked up as a regular features contributor by the Pensacola News Journal.  She found herself writing features about people who made a difference through their life work or volunteering and wanted to help others see how they could do the same thing, especially Christians.

My Thoughts On The Book:  I am a pastor and pastor's wife and loved this book.  I understand the moving concept and it is difficult to pick up your life and move somewhere new every few years.  This book is about a year in the life of Pastor Josh.  The former pastor had been at the church for over fifteen years and when Josh comes in there are many congregants who are not happy with his views and his method of doing things.  Most pastor's know that when you are moved to a church it takes a year to learn how things run.  On top of learning the new church in a small town....he finds his own family is falling apart.  This is an easy and good read.  It was raining here and I sat and read the book.  Loved it!  Good job Anne Sanders on this debut book. 

Disclaimer: This book was given to me to review as part of Thomas Nelson Publishing Company's BookLook Blogging Program in exchange for an honest review.  The thoughts are entirely my own. 

Twirl

 

About The Book(from the back cover of the book):  Patsy Clairmont loves a good twirl.  The kind that will make a child fall to the ground, squeal with laughter, and then want to get up and spin in circles some more!  However, there is a twirl where busy schedules and urgency create a different and unwanted variety of dizzy in ouir lives.  Though hurry-up is part of human dilemma and certain seasons bring more of it than others, if it becomes a lifestyle you might find yourself on the slippery slopes of bitterness, sadness, and depression.  Patsy's hope is to help her readers maintain a dynamic view on life with activities and choices that lead to renewal and peace.  So take a little stroll with Patsy  Clairmont through Twirl, and allow her unique perspective and deep well of biblical wisdom to realign your spin on life.

About The Author(from her website):  Patsy is a bookish woman who loves words and has a penchant for dark chocolate sorbet. Since spelling bees in grade school, childhood Scrabble games, right up to her current addiction with Words with Friends she has been known to spell it out, to say it like it is. Much to her surprise Patsy has written a stack of books that continues to light her passion for the printed page. And nothing pleases her more than to share her faith through laughter and tears and to encourage others to flourish.  A former agoraphobic Patsy never imagined the expansive plans God had in mind for her. She just wanted to make it to her neighborhood grocery store and safely home again. Instead, for the past 35 years she has been traipsing throughout the U.S. and Canada, interspersed with trips to Israel and Africa and she has even spoken at the Pentagon for the Flag Officers Bible Study. Patsy has spoken to millions of women (and men) offering spiritual and emotional hope.Patsy has written books in several genres including devotional, fiction, children’s, and gift offerings. She is one of the founding speakers at Women of Faith and trains people for the platform. Patsy’s latest passion is helping people shake loose the stories from their own lives to use in communicating more personally, effectively, and memorably, whether from a stage, a board meeting, a Sunday School Class, or over the back fence with a neighbor. We were designed to invest in each other, sharing our stories is one way to do that.  Patsy recently moved from her home state of Michigan to Tennessee and confesses it fits her “like a cozy pair of cowgirl boots.” She delights in telling others, “Franklin is like living in Mayberry.” Her husband Les, affectionally know as the Porch Mayor, has taken over the wicker rocker where he greets friends and strangers alike with an invitation “to sit a spell.” Patsy takes delight in her spunky grandsons Justin and Noah…as well as her sons, Marty and Jason, daughter-in-law, Danya, and her highly-opinionated grand-dog Sammie.   Patsy is the author of the best-selling books “God Uses Cracked Pots”, “Normal is Just a Setting on Your Dryer”, “Under His Wings”, “Sportin’ a ‘Tude”, “Tea with Patsy Clairmont”, “It’s About Home; Creating a Place to Cherish”, “I Love Being a Woman” and “Stepping Stones; A Garden Path”, “Mending Your Heart in a Broken World, “The Hat Box”, “The Shoe Box”, ‘I Grew Up Little’ and ‘Pillow Prayers’, ‘All Cracked Up’, ‘Dancing Bones, Living Lively in the Valley’,’I Second that Emotion’,  ‘Catching Fireflies’, ‘Kalediscope’ and ‘Stained Glass Hearts’. She authored 5 children’s books now published under one title of ’5 Cheesy Stories’. Patsy wrote a fiction book of short stories, ‘Stardust on My Pillow; Stories to Sleep on’ and most recently added to her Children’s book writings with ‘Sleep Sweet’, published in August of 2012.

My Thoughts On The Book:  I am a huge fan of Patsy Clairmont and this book is one that I will definitely keep in my library because it is the kind of book that will help you remember exactly what is most important in your life.  As a child of the twirling days....hoola hoops and all I was excited to see this book on the review list.  This book was an eye opener for me.   I discovered I had pushed some of life's important things onto the back burner of life and forgotten them.  This book, like every Patsy Clairmont book I have read, was thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining, with a life lesson given within.  I could so easily be Patsy Clairmont's best friend  and would love to have her as my mentor.  When I am struggling with life....she seems to always have the words to make my problems manageable.  I loved this book. It was so refreshing and the humor in it was wonderful.
Patsy is the Queen of Word Smith's. Her quick wit and vivaciousness shine throughout each page and story.  She has a way of giving us so many great nuggets of information that you find yourself reading with a highlighter and making notes in the side bars.  I know I did.  My book is not quite dog eared and marked.  I would definitely give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book through Litfuse and their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*  

Embraced By God Blog Tour

ISBN - 139781426741340

Publisher:  Abingdon Press

Price:  18.95

About the Book:  “Have you ever wondered, “Does God really love me?  Do I really matter to Him?”  Rest assured that each and every question you have is of great concern to God.  He is not far away or unconcerned.  He has not forgotten about you.  He is concerned about what’s going on in your life, and He is as close to you as your very next breath.  He loves you.  As a matter of fact, God loves you just as much as He loves His own Son.   In the pages of this heartwarming, thoughtful, and life-affirming 21-day journey, award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and teacher Babbie Mason reminds you, when you know you are loved by God and that you are in His eternal plan, you’ll never again wonder if your life matters.  You can start off heading in the wrong direction and still end up in the right place because you are embraced by God!

About the Author:  Babbie Mason is a Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominated gospel singer, songwriter, author, creator of the Embrace: A Worship Event for Women ministry, professor of songwriting at Atlanta Christian College and Lee University, and a television talk-show host. She was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and has appeared on numerous national television and radio programs. Babbie has been honored perform for Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell, Steve Forbes among many others. Babbie performs a holiday special at Carnegie Hall every year. Babbie lives near Atlanta on a farm with her husband Charles.

Click here for more information.

Click here to buy the book!

Embraced by God is a 21-day encounter that shares the unconditional love of God. "If you watch what the media says as to where we should find our identity--" says Babbie, "--money, beauty, power and technology--you'll just be confused about who you are and what your purpose is. As a culture we are trying to buy or sell what can only be administered to the soul by Jesus."

Celebrate with Babbie by entering her Nook Tablet Giveaway!

One beloved winner will receive:
A Brand new Nook Tablet with Wi-Fi
Embraced by God by Babbie Mason
Babbie's Embraced by God Music CD
Babbie's Embraced by God Notecards

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/5/12. Winner will be announced at Babbie's "Embraced" Facebook Party on 3/6. Babbie will be hosting an evening of chat, music, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, Embraced by God music CDs and Notecards, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club.)

So grab your copy of Embraced by God and join Babbie and friends on the evening of March 6th for an evening of fun.

Want to check out what other readers are saying?  Visit the blog tour dates by clicking here.

My Thoughts:   I love a good bible study for my personal use, but I don't like do use them  for review on my blog, mostly because I have so little time and read non-fiction books regularyly dealing with my class.  When I do get the chance to read I want something that is light and mindless.   But when this invitation to join this tour I knew I had to join this tour.  I love Babbie Mason.  I have seen her in concert.  I have been touched by her powerful witness.  I was all in on this one.  I just prayed that they would choose me to be a participant, and they did. I did not get the book in enough time to do the 21-day challenge, but I becgan as soon as it arrived and I have loved every minute I have spent in it.  I am really looking forward to finishing this book and applying it to my life. It was so very encouraging to me to be told that I am an heir and loved by God, just like He loved Jesus. Then, to EMBRACE those words–that was so very humbling!!  I want to warn the readers that this excellent book is not a mere short devotional book.  It is a 15-20 page study.  It is not something that can be done lightly at all.  It is a powerful book and very well-written.  Thank you Babbie Mason for enlightening me....and allowing me to be Embraced by God.

Disclaimer:  I received Babbie Mason's Embraced by God for free from Abingdon Press to give an honest opinion of what I read.  The opinions I stated were 100% my own.