Best Question Ever

I really like Andy Stanley's style  of writing. His books are easy to read (not always as easy to APPLY) and straight to the point. He uses personal examples that lets the reader know Stanley's right alongside us in our struggles to do what's right.

"What's morally and culturally permissible is often not what's best for us" (32).

"I don't know too many adults who are living their dream.... We rob ourselves when we make decisions in the moment with no thought of how these decisions will impact our future" (53).

"You are not the only one affected by your choices" (156).

"Private decisions have public consequences" (157).

Throughout the book, Stanley dares you to ask one simple question: "What is the wise thing for me to do" (179)? Based on your past, present, and future hopes and dreams, is the relationship/career/financial decision wise? In addition to asking yourself, he challenges you to seek counsel from a few wise friends and to bring the question before God.

Like Stanley, I am sure that this simple question will forever change how I make life decisions. Thankful for his book.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Spark: Transform Your World One Small Risk at a Time

The first thing I noticed as I opened the book was that the font was not Times New Romans! Good choice. As I read the book, I laughed a lot. That does not mean I did not think about and evaluate where I am in life right now. Jason Jaggard is highly relateable through his writings. I would like to think that if we were to meet face to face, we would be friends.

 

The main question Jaggard asks throughout the book is "'What's one risk I can take this week to make the world a better place?'... 'What's one way I can serve others?'... 'How can we reflect the character and impact of God' (52)?

 

"You can spend years talking about risks, but your life won't change until you start taking risks. It's not enough to know the information. It's not enough to have the conversation. You have to move on to application" (68). 

 

My favorite chapter was eleven. I relate to the girl he mentioned in a story who said "I just don't feel like I have anything to offer" (129). He proceeded to list several things that made her unique. His challenge is to use what you have.

 

Jaggard, about speaking in front of thousands of people, said, "I wanted the opportunity, but I was afraid I wasn't capable.... There's a tendency in many of us to just stay where it's safe to avoid opportunities that would demand something from us that we're not sure we can give. And that, if anything, defines a life without God -- a life that doesn't need Him to exist" (167).

 

After telling a story about a jr. high overnight retreat, Jaggard says, “Sometimes people need just a little bit of hope. They need to have someone believe that their lives can be better tomorrow than they are today. That they can be better tomorrow than they were today (203).
 

I really needed this book... and chances are someone else does too! I highly recommend it.

 

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

fiesty missionary

I read this book the week before I turned 28. What was the rush? Mary Slessor was 27 when she prayed to God to become a missionary. I love reading these books... they are for young teens, but I enjoy the story as if we were actually right alongside these amazing people. 

Mary was a fiesty young Scottish woman who loved people in Africa. She was a trailblazer for sure and like Gladys Aylward had her fair share of struggles.

Mary was actually engaged for a bit of time, but because she was expected to move to a different city and work with other people than who she felt called to, she broke off the engagement.

These women encourage me in my life. I may not know what God is up to these days, but I definitely sense that he has a plan for me. The two people groups I feel called to are Italians and middle school kids. I would be fine working with either and have had the opportunity to interact with both. 

So thankful to God for a great cloud of witnesses and their testimonies of how God worked in their lives. 

Unstoppable

Nick is at it again. This book is a book of hope. It reminds people that they have a life purpose and meaning. 

"I've found that when I'm most confused about God's plan for me, when I'm seriously struggling to figure out what I should do to serve His purpose, He will place someone in my path or create a situation to reveal that purpose or to test whether I walk the talk" (19).

I like that Nick was real about his own struggles and wanting to help others get back on track. "If you feel yourself sliding into despair, drained of energy, and depleted of faith, ask yourself, 'What matters most to me? What gives me joy? What drives me and gives my life meaning? How can I get that back" (46)?

"When God calls you to do something, you may not understand or be enthusiastic at first. But you should always be passionate about Him, which means you will do anything for Him" (80).

I really liked reading about how Nick met his wife in chapter three. He shared his own insecurities about finding true love and it is so beautiful to read about how God planned it all out for him and Kanae. 

I am thankful for the testimony Nick Vujicic continues to share through his ministries and books.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Unstoppable:Preview

I just got the book Unstoppable by Nick Vujicic and I am super excited to read it! My review will come soon, but I wanted to show you where to read chapter one for free and a short clip about the book.

You might be discouraged right now, but this man gives me hope.

Review coming soon. Book will be out October 2, 2012!

Summer Chick Lit

I don't know what it is, but occasionally, I cannot get enough of reading! It has been like that for the past few weeks. Even though I have mountains of unread books at home, I can't help browsing the libraries around town in hopes of a good read. In one such adventure, I came across Kate Klise's In the Bag. 

A story of two single parents and their teenagers traveling in Europe and their interactions with each other. Interesting enough story line, I guess. Very simple chick lit, but I liked the setting of the book and she wrote it from four different perspectives, switching people each chapter. 

Heart of the Matter was not as good as Giffin's other books, but I have to say I like her style of writing. She writes in first person and like Klise, switches perspectives with every new chapter. I like that Giffin is not afraid to write about real life: the good, the bad, and the ugly. She has approached subjects, such as not wanting to have kids in today's culture and how we view such couples, martial affairs, adoption, single parenthood. Given that, her books do have sexual content and language (one reason I prefer young adult fiction to adult fiction). But I really do like her books for the most part. Her earlier books were better, possibly because her style was so refreshing. These two books by Giffin I recently read felt a little long. 

I really like that in both of these books, Giffin makes connections from her previous books. Some of the major characters from previous works are secondary characters in these books. It was fun to recognize them! 

Where We Belong just came out at the end of July. I finished it last night. One of my favorite characters was the main character's dad, Jim. Maybe it was something about the way she wrote about Marian and Jim's interactions that remind me of my own dad. He is just a very likable man. Anyway, yea for summer chick lit. 

When Bad Christians Happen to Good People

I really appreciated Dave Burchett's authenticity throughout the book. I could relate to him on so many levels as being the one wounded by other Christians as well as inflicting pain. He was honest and shared personal examples from his own life.

My favorite chapter was Chapter 15: Blindsided by God -- Never Saw it Comin'.

Burchett divided the book into three parts:
 1. Silencing the Lambs: The Indefensible Things We Do to One Another
 2. Why Won't Those Heathens Listen? Thoughts on How We Lost Our Audience
 3. Reality-Based Faith for Survivors: Being Real in an Artificial World

Having had a few conversations with friends lately, I have realized what a huge problem other Christians can present in blocking others to God's grace. It saddens me to see once-strong Christians bitter about the Church.

"Relationships exclusively outside the faith might not be the best for your spiritual health. But believe me, relationships exclusively within the faith will put you in violation of the Great Commission (Matthew 28.18-20)" (56).

"I have never... caught a fish without going to the water where the fish were located.... [Y]ou cannot fish for people without going to where they are located. But understand that sometimes they will be in polluted water" (125).

"If you are tired enough, discouraged enough, and wounded enough, maybe you are not ready to scream, 'I can't do this anymore!' And if you are, then I have good news: you are ready for grace" (211).

I could keep adding my favorite quotes, but I'll just let you read the book... and I highly recommend that you do.