Just as I Am review

Admittedl this is not the most appealing book cover I have ever seen.  The face looks rather masculine to be a girl and the labret piercing kind of gives me the willies.  But I think that was the point.

Book description from Amazon:

When purple-haired Mayla Strong struts down the center aisle of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church, the bug-eyed congregation strains to get a peek at her pierced nose and lip. But Pastor Paul welcomes her with a huge, infectious grin and baptizes her on the spot. Determined to make her Heavenly Father proud, Mayla's sincere and often hilarious attempts to let Him change her from the inside out take her into some difficult places. Through it all she grows in faith and wisdom--sometimes through pain, sometimes through humor, but always in a way that is uniquely Mayla.

Have to say that I really didn't find any "hilarious" attempts to let God change her life, but I did find the book interesting.  The characters are a bit one dimensional and really could have been developed more, but the story line wasn't to bad.

The book opens with Mayla making the decision to let God have her life and she gets baptized, purple hair, nose ring, pierced lip, "pink hooker panties" and all.  She immediately feels like a different person and begins to notice changes in her choices such as not cussing anymore without even realizing she wasn't until a co-worker pointed it out to her.  She jumps into the Christian walk with both feet and begins to visit a friend of a friend in the hospital who is dying of AIDS because it is the Christian thing to do.  The new relationship causes her to question God in some aspects.

Her roommate is seriously upset by Mayla's new life and doesn't speak to her for months only to later reveal a devastating secret that has clouded her view of Christians.  Mayla helps her to see the light. 

For that matter Mayla helps lots of people to "see the light" from her co-worker, to the dying AIDS victim, her room mate and even people in the small church she attends.  While I really didn't feel like the author gave a reasonable rendition of real life in the book, she did expose how the actions of a single person who acts honestly and sincerely can affect others.

If you are looking for a quick read, and free if you have a Kindle or a Kindle device, this is a pretty uplifting book with a few good quotes in it.  If you are looking for something down to earth and real life, this probably isn't for you.

Slave by John MacArthur

Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ

"Author and pastor Dr. John MacArthur reveals one crucial word that revolutionizes what it means to follow Jesus.

Throughout the Bible, followers of Jesus are commanded to submit to Him as their King. They are told to obey and follow, faithfully and without hesitation. Every time Christians utter the word Lord, they make a subtle yet profound declaration—that God is their Master and that they belong to Him. In fact, the Bible describes believers as His slaves. They have been bought with a price and now live for Christ as a people for His own possession.

But go into most churches today, even flip through most Bible translations, and you won’t see or hear the word slave anywhere. That’s because it has been lost in translation. In this gripping book, Dr. John MacArthur uses deep Bible teaching and historical evaluation to expertly uncover the one forgotten word that restores the Bible’s definition of true Christian freedom."

The concept of being a slave to Christ was not a new one to me, I am fortunate enough to not belong to "the contemporary evangelical movement (that) has lost its interest in doctrine, (one that) is driven by pragmatic concerns, not theological ones, (one that) worries about what draws a crowd, not about what the Bible says." (pg. 74) My pastor has preached on many occasions a similar call to be a slave to Christ.  MacArthur, however does a phenomenal job of giving a picture of what this truly means.

MacArthur goes into detail of what slavery meant to those that the New Testament was written to, those living in an environment where Roman slavery was the norm.  He explains the difference between the modern view of slavery and that of Roman slavery so that we too can understand what the writers were truly talking about.

Slave is also FULL of scripture references to illustrate his points.  When he talks about how often Jesus used the image of slavery in his parables MacArthur gives you specifics.  In my book this is a definite plus. If you are going to make a point, back it up.

 I also like that MacArthur takes the time to explain what it is to be a slave to Christ and contrasts that with what it is to be a slave to sin.  We are a slave to one or the other and I believe it is important to understand the difference.

The only thing that I was disappointed in was that the Hebrew concept of slavery was never brought out.  The Jews also had slaves, however the Jewish law required that the slaves (sometimes referred to as indentured servants because of this law) be released every 50 years during the year of Jubilee.  This, for me at least, is a beautiful illustration of being a slave for Christ also.  We serve him because he paid our sin debt, but is a servitude with an end in sight, not a burden.  That end is spending eternity with God.

All in all, I felt like this was a great book with many truths in it.  It is one I plan to pass on to my pastor and then add to our church library so that others can learn from it as well.

 This book was received for free from the publisher, however my thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Uncle Sam's Plantation

"America has two economic systems: capitalism for the rich and socialism for the poor. This double-minded approach seems to keep the poor enslaved to poverty while the rich get richer. Let’s face it, despite its $400 billion price tag, welfare isn’t working. The solution, asserts Star Parker, is a faith-based, not state-sponsored, plan.

In Uncle Sam’s Plantation, she offers five simple yet profound steps that will allow the nation’s poor to go from entitlement and slavery to empowerment and freedom. Parker shares her own amazing journey up from the lower rungs of the economic system and addresses the importance of extending the free market system to this neglected group of people. Emphasizing personal initiative, faith, and responsibility, she walks readers toward releasing the hold poverty has over their lives."

First, I am not black. Second, I have received in the past medical insurance for my children, temporary financial aid while I was on maternity leave from my full time job because my child's father refused to assist financially, and I have received food stamps in the past from the government. I am a stay at home mom married to a man who works full time. We didn't have cable, a new car, cell phones, or eat steak. I am happy to say that we no longer receive any assistance what so ever. My point to this is that I requested this book to review because I have been there. I have been at the bottom and felt that there wasn't going to be a way out. I wanted to see what another persons perspective on it was.

I was greatly disappointed. Star Parker spends 8 chapters, 220 pages extolling how evil our government is and how all of the assistance programs are designed to enslave people. According to Parker these programs undermine families by providing assistance to unwed mothers thus providing an out for deadbeat dads. Our government is at fault that our children can't tell right from wrong because our schools teach subjective values rather than objective virtues. Hello! Isn't it a parents job to teach virtues to our children? She claims "Uncle Sam" believes "individuals determine morality and values are relative to every new situation in which that individual finds himself. ... the student being trained under this notion is persuaded to believe he is his own god-and how dare anyone tell him what to do!" I disagree and statements such as that make it sound as if she supports state religion, which I firmly disagree with.

Her solutions lie all in one chapter of 21 pages. While Ms. Parker was very outspoken and blunt in previous chapters, this one is more subdued. I felt like she was meekly making suggestions after sitting through all of the previous ranting rather than actually putting forth ideas she believed in.

All in all I was rather aggravated by Parker's finger pointing and name calling. If this is how she approaches people who are currently "on the system" in an attempt to help them up, I can't imagine her being very effective.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Out Live Your Life

"We are common folk. We sit in the bleachers, eat at diners, change diapers, and wear our favorite team's ball cap. Fans don't wave when we pass. Servants don't scurry when we come home. Chauffeurs don't drive our cars; butlers don't open our doors or draw our baths. We are regular fold. And we wonder: Does God use people like us? He did. God stampeded the first-century society with swaybacks not thoroughbreds. Their (the disciples) collars were blue, and their hands were calloused, and there is no evidence that Jesus chose th"
em because they were smarter or nicer than the guy next door. The only thing they had going for them was a willingness to take a step when Jesus said, 'Follow me.' Are you more dinghy than cruise ship? More stand-in than movie star? More blue jeans than blue blood? Congratulations. God changes the world with folks like you." This sounds like you and me doesn't it? Normal everyday folks. We are the people that Max Lucado is trying to reach with this book.

This is not a book that tells you "go feed the hungry" or "provide shelter to the homeless", rather this is a book that reminds us that you don't have to be a "somebody" in the world to be a "somebody" to someone in need. It is a book that reminds us that while we may feel overwhelmed by the problem, we can't fix it if we don't do something. Even something as simple as actually looking that homeless person in the eye and acknowledging that he/she exists. This book is a look at Acts, with a call to action, a call to act, in today's world.

I admit, I cheated. I went to Max Lucado's website and checked out his video series about this book. Even though I was getting to read this book before it was released, I just really wanted to know what this was about. After having read the book, I have to say that if you get the book watch the videos too. If you watch the videos, get the book also. I had goosebumps as I read each chapter and having seen the video (especially the first one with the clamshell) I kept visualizing what I was reading. Mr. Lucado does a phenomenal job of illustrating how we can easily blind ourselves to the call to help others, how we can create excuses to not help. He demonstrates how even little actions can have a huge impact. The book includes a discussion and action guide at the end for each chapter (that I really wish I had found before I read the book). Before I even finished the book I had a need to get out of my shell and into the world. Not to outlive my life so much. I don't really care if people know my name 5, 10, 100 years from now. But I do want to make a difference. I don't want to be just another person wearing a christian label but not having a christian heart.

Looking for a way to reach out to others after reading this book? Here are a few of my favorite ways
God's Tiny Angels
Caps for Good
Food for the Hungry

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Butterfly Effect

The concept of the story is that even the small seeming insignificant things that we do in our life can have a huge impact on others, either directly or indirectly. Andrews illustrates this with the story of Norman Borlaug, nobel prize winner for hybridizing corn, wheat and rice to grow in arid climates. This led to an estimated 2 billion people being saved from starvation because they could now grow crops. However, if you go back a little bit Andrews shows you that perhaps we should give the credit to the VP who instituted the program that hired Borlaug to research a way to do this, or perhaps we should give credit to the young man who fostered in the VP a love and respect for plant life and taught him that plants can save lives. Or maybe we should give credit to the family that sacrificed to save the life of the young man who taught the VP who hired Borlaug who saved starving people from death. Or maybe.....

This book also includes the story of how a teacher in a small town and his determination to do what he was asked to do created the country we have today. Historians say that without this one mans actions, our country and even our world would look entirely different! However, you probably don't even know this mans name or what he did.

This had been a standard part of Andrews speaking engagements. He had received so many requests for the stories that he has put them in this book.

This is printed in gift book format with beautiful illustrations. I think it would be a wonderful gift to give to a dear friend and have plans to do so in the future. Andrews writing style has always been among my favorites and this book doesn't disappoint. The book also comes with a web address to view Andrews talking live about the stories covered in this book.

The only drawback to this book is that the story is already available on youtube in it's entirety. If you are wanting to read the book for yourself only then search it out. However, if you are looking for a wonderful reminder gift of just how important our actions are to others and the world around us, then this is the book for you!

This is also available in a children's version under the title The Boy who Changed the World.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Boy Who Changed the World

This is the children's version of Andy Andrews The Butterfly Effect which I have also reviewed. The concept of the story is that even the small seeming insignificant things that we do in our life can have a huge impact on others, either directly or indirectly. Andrews illustrates this with the story of Norman Borlaug, nobel prize winner for hybridizing corn, wheat and rice to grow in arid climates. This led to an estimated 2 billion people being saved from starvation because they could now grow crops. However, if you go back a little bit Andrews shows you that perhaps we should give the credit to the VP who instituted the program that hired Borlaug to research a way to do this, or perhaps we should give credit to the young man who fostered in the VP a love and respect for plant life and taught him that plants can save lives. Or maybe we should give credit to the family that sacrificed to save the life of the young man who taught the VP who hired Borlaug who saved starving people from death. Or maybe.....

I have to say, I love this book! It is set up in such a way that my first thoughts while reading it to my children were that it would be perfect to base Sunday School lessons around. Each persons life and actions could be a single lesson. My kids, ages 12, 10 and 2, enjoyed the illustrations and the storyline. My older children quickly comprehended the message. The only thing that I felt was lacking was the point that God has a plan in everything and that He is able to take our small actions and turn them into something wonderful. However, Andrews does include references to God such as "remember God made you to make a difference," and "God made your life so important that every move you make, every action you take, matters..."

This book has a gift page, which is a plus for me because I can see this becoming a go to birthday gift or kindergarten graduation gift for many children in the future. The book also includes a web address for free downloadable curriculum based upon this book for teachers.

This is Andrews first children's novel and it definitely isn't a disappointment!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One hand, Two hands

This is a book written for preschool age children as a way to show them the wonderful things their hands can do, from "scratching, latching, and petting a pup..." to "wash dishes with Mommy. Put toys in the box." This book is being released as the same time as Max Lucado's adult book Outlive Your Life which I will be reviewing in a few days. That timing is intentional as this book teaches preschoolers about how they can use their hands to help others and to show love.

My 2 year old woke up from her nap and discovered this book and was enraptured with the pictures that were illustrated by Gaby Hansen. She spent quite a bit of time flipping through the book looking at the various animals, flowers and children. As I speak she has taken the book from me to look at again. When we sat to read it she enjoyed the rhyme scheme of it. As a parent I enjoyed the teaching aspects of it such as how many hands we have, fingers, thumbs. Naming parts of the hands etc. The book also includes two pages towards the end where preschool age tasks are listed under headings that include Helping hands and Loving hands. Not that there was a lot of discussion with my 2 year old about these tasks, but they did remind me as a parent to point out that she is using helping hands and loving hands when she does those things to encourage her to continue. I also was pleased to see a very simple prayer at the end of the book as my daughter prays A LOT! It isn't unusual for her to just walk up and tell me, daddy, big brother, or big sister to pray with her. I like that this illustrates other children her age praying as well.

If you have a preschooler, this is a great book. It has a gift page at the beginning as well making this a great present to give.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”