10 Days Without: A Book Review

"10 Days Without" is not the most inspiring read but is mildly interesting. The concept of the book follows the author, Daniel Ryan Day through different challenges of going 10 days without something. He went 10 days without his voice, touch, and furniture to name a few. WELL...it seems on almost all of the challenges there were exceptions, so he didn't really go 10 days without. 

The concept behind the 10 Days Without of focusing on an organization to help with each challenge is a good idea. 

Found: A Book Review...

Micha Boyett's "Found" will be a treasure for fans of Ann Voskamp. Boyett's writing style is similar to Voskamp's. Readers will not want to read in one sitting, but in small nuggets. Giving the necessary time for digestion and contemplation.  

When reading Boyett, it can resemble walking through soup-thick fog but the treasure is there. It is important the reader doesn't give up.  Boyett describes her own spiritual walk as 'trudging through' but worth the effort even with the struggles of what she had always been taught. 

"It's not that I believe Benedictine spirituality will be some magical answer to the spiritual sludge I've been drudging through. It's just that all the answers of my evangelical past...read more Scriptures, pray longer, try harder, serve more people...have become heavy burdens in my life."

Boyett further shares a story,told to her by a fellow traveler, "The Benedictines more than any other people...insist there is time in each day for prayer, for work, for study and for play. I thought, I ought to remember that. I thought, I need to believe that." 

The book explained it is may be easier to remember and believe this concept than to walk it out in day to day life. Boyett takes us on the journey of figuring out how to walk out this concept. 

Readers who enjoy the writing style of Ann Voskamp and/or stay-at-home Mom's will enjoy Boyett's voice in "Found." 

"The Road We Must Travel": A Book Review...

"The Road We Must Travel" is a compilation book with some well known authors and not so well known (at least to this blogger).  The book is a easy read, which can be read easily as a devotional or in small chunks of time. 

Gordon MacDonald discussing "Questions for Inner Conversation" will resonate with readers:

"The questions I (MacDonald) like most search one's heart...They are meant to test the inner space of one's life and prompt conversation that leads to light."

He further explores how each event in one's life is "often buried like gold or oil" that goes undiscovered. There are gold nuggets in this title and it will be dependent on the reader to search for them while reading. I believe each person's nugget will be different as God meets each of us. 

Eugene Peterson reminds us, "the bible is not a textbook, or a manual to be studied, mastered, and mechanically applied. Instead, we should listen to the Word of God and reflecting upon it...letting it filtrate our soul."  Charles Stanley says it this way, "We read and believe the Bible but we also need to absorb it." 

Some of my personal favorite portions are Eugene Peterson's "Reading the Spiritually", Ruth Haley Barton's "A Steady Rhythm" and Tullian Tchividjian's "Trouble Happens." 

Picking up a copy of "The Road We Must Travel" and spending a few minutes with each these wonderful teachers is definitely worth the time.

How I ended up seeing "Son of God"...

 "You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages." 

Yes, I did see the movie, "Son of God" Let me share how this adventure came about. A friend of mine works for a Christian retail store. She felt to adequately discuss the movie with her customers she needed to see it. She asked me to go with her and at first I wasn't going. Why? Because, I had no desire to see the movie. Especially, after some of the reviews I had read. I thought it was because of one of the reviews, which I shared on FB that made her hubby decide not to go with her. Therefore, when she offered to pay for my ticket, my Sweetie told me to go with her. Now, you have the long version, of how this blogger ended up at a Sunday afternoon showing of "Son of God" with her friend and a notebook in hand....

Here is my review on the movie, which I understand is suppose to be composed
 from the Book of John in the Bible.  

The movie is a cinematic portrayal of Jesus. In other words, don't go into this movie expecting
it to accurately depict THE Jesus of the Bible.  

During the viewing, my emotions went from sadly humorous to agitated to angry.

Sadly humorous that so many Christians are saying how wonderful and accurate the movie is. Those five pages were all the inaccuracies, I noted while watching. At one point, when the agitation set in, I quit writing and had some popcorn. Therefore, some inaccuracies were not listed in my notes. The anger set in at how gullible 'the church' is. But, that falls on us not Hollywood. Because we are the ones who don't know God's Word. We don't spend time in the Bible.

 I will not list all five pages of inaccuracies but a few:

~The female (Mary) portrayed as a 13th disciple.
~Wise men coming to see newborn baby Jesus (go check it out)
~Parable of Tax collector being the way Matthew became a disciple
~ Jesus acting as if He was going to stone the adulterous woman
~Lazarus being raised from dead. Yes, he was raised from dead but NOT as they portrayed....Jesus entering the tomb and kissing Lazarus' forehead is not how it happened.
These are just a few of the inaccuracies in my notes. With all this said, I am not going to tell you do or don't go see this movie. Why? Because, the majority of you reading this are adults. It is not my job to tell you what to do. My review's purpose is to put the facts out there.
Decide for yourself what to do....
"Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world." 1st John 4:1
One last caveat for you: My friend who took me said this on her FB status:
"Went to see the Son of God movie...not impressed! If you watched the bible series that was on the history channel. Don't waste your money you've already seen it."

Here are some other reviews:

Movie Review: 'Son of God' is most certainly not the Son of God

The "Son of God" movie is NOT what we think

"Son of God" more about faith than filmmaking

Bounce Back: A Book Review

"Bad brainwashing is when someone attempts to control your thinking...Good brainwashing is when you invite the Lord to instruct and guide your thinking. Good brainwashing is submitting your own brain to God's Word so the Lord might cleanse the thoughts of your heart through the inspiration of His Spirit"---Julie Clinton

The practicality in Julie Clinton's new release, "Bounce Back" is spot-on. She shares in-depth how to rebound when we feel as if all is lost. If you had said 'brainwashing' could ever be a good word, I would have written you off as loony. However, the above quote shows exactly how brainwashing can be good. I finished reading this book in January and actually went back to refresh my memory...not a spring chicken anymore. It surprised me how many sections that had been highlighted in my ebook version. 

I leave you with one final quote before letting you go grab your own copy:

"No woman is ever too broken to be of value to the Lord. Now woman is ever beyond God's ability to fill her empty heart and to make her a blessing. I believe in God's ability to help you 

BOUNCE BACK"

Power of A Half Hour: A Book Review...

The author, Tommy Barnett shows how a span of 30 minutes can change our lives. At times it is for the good and at others it can be heart breaking. The author mentioned the book could be read in 30 minute increments.  His desire is for the reader to finish the book, because many books are never finished.

The book is one that I am reading in spurts instead of straight through. I am seeing lots of stories about Barnett's half hours but not as much of how the half hour increments will work for me. If approached from the view of Barnett's life and experience the reader will be satisfied. 

Redeemed: A Book Review

Who have all heard the song? Probably even belted it out during a worship service.

"I am redeemed. You set me free, 

So, I'll shake off these heavy chains, 

Wipe away every stain, 

Now I'm not who I used to be,

I am redeemed."

Now, we can have the devotional based on the #1 K Love Fan Award winning, "Song of the Year"

Each devotional chapter includes the devotion, scripture, more of God's Word, A prayer for today, and a place for your own thoughts. 

This volume is great for a gift. Plus, don't forget one for yourself. 

Happy New Year and My One Word 2014...

Goodbye to Christmas 2013

As we say "Goodbye to Christmas 2013", lets not pack Jesus away with all the Christmas decorations. 

We must remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season but He is not only available to us during the Christmas Season. He is available and wants to have relationship with us each and every day. 

Stepping into 2014, I want to say, "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

May this journey be one of many blessings for each of you.

At the beginning of a new year, it is always good to look at the previous year. 

Jesus is with us every day and we just need to look for Him.

  

My One Word in 2013 was Diligent. 

Diligent would become a reality as we:

~ Rebuilt my parent's home

~Walked with Mom through heart stint surgery

~ Continued to build photography skills

~ Worked my way through two injuries (on the same little toe)

My One Word for 2014 is RESPECT.

God has shown me that I don't understand RESPECT. 

As with each word, this will be a journey. 

However, God has shown me (yes, already by January 4th)

 that this journey with RESPECT will require quite a bit of refining in me. 

"If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand."

Philippians 2:1-4 The Message

May you have a blessed New Year. 

What is your One Word for 2014? 

Don't have a word and want to know more? 

Check out My One Word below:

MY ONE WORD