Book Reviews from the Hart

Out Live Your Life ~You Were Made to Make a Difference

2011-04-30T22:15:00.000-07:00

I recommend Out Live Your Life ~You Were Made to Make a Difference by Max Lucado. I like how he takes a book in the Bible like Acts and relates stories of every day life. The concept behind this book is excellent showing us how we need to live our lives to the fullest for the Lord.

The book was a little bit dryer for me than Lucado's other books but still an excellent read and I know that people like my Mother and Father-in-law also read and studied it and enjoyed it a lot. So it can be recomended for many ages.

MAX ON LIFE

2011-04-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

In Max Lucado's MAX ON LIFE Lucado does it again. This book has many in depth and common questions asked by Christians and non-Christians about God, the Bible, and every day life. He answers the questions to where the answers can be understood by nearly anyone...the believers and unbelievers.

I enjoyed this book. Lucado has always been one of my favorite authors and he writes in a way that is enjoyable to read and understand. I will use this book when I am confronted with the hard questions in life and am asked if I know the answers to certain things. I love that all these questions are in one place and they are answered by a reliable source.

The Edge of the Divine: Where Possibility Meets God's Faithfulness

2010-09-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to read Sandi Patty's book The Edge of the Divine: Where Possibility Meets God's Faithfulness. It is about her struggle with her weight and deciding to do weight loss surgery. Through many ups and downs in her life and her struggle with weight she and her family saw this was the right road to take. She explained that it wasn't a quick fix and she struggles every day.

More importantly Sandi showed many times in our lives that we have to come to the edge and trust God for His help when things are scary and seem impossible. Turning around and going backwards in our life shows unfaithfulness.

I have found during and after readng this book to distinguish the edges in my life and am learning to see where and how to put myself in God's hands.

Friendship for Grown-Ups What I Missed and Learned Along the Way by By Lisa Whelchel

2010-07-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

I had heard Lisa Whelchel was a Christian author and speaker but have not read any of her books and was really anxious to get to read Friendship for Grown-Ups
What I Missed and Learned Along the Way. I loved her on TV as a child and wanted to know how she was as an adult. I was not disappointed and very enlightened.

Lisa not only gives practical advice on the subject of friendships but shares her major struggles that help the reader feel more at ease. Even if what she went through is not the same as me there are pieces I could bring out to help me in my life. For example, learning to trust again after major disappointments and knowing that I am not a failure when others don't have the ability to be close friends and are probably not right to be friends with me. This book helped me to see God intends for us to have good friends we can trust and learn to get the toxic people out of my life if they do not benefit my growth in the Lord.

It took me a while to get through this book but it definately won't for probably any other person. I had to read, think, and digest the advice and apply things as I went.
I would recommend this book to any woman no matter how old.

Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God By Sheila Walsh

2010-03-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

I love books by Sheila Walsh and was very anxious about reading Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God. It did not disappoint!
This book addresses a lot of woman’s issues and I found it hit me where I needed it for help in spiritual issues. Sheila Walsh is very good at explaining to and encouraging women in her books. Sometimes I think she is in my head and can see my life and is helping me little by little, telling me to not be worried and showing me that no matter what I do God will accept me and love me no matter what. She uses a lot of her own experiences in her life with her family and her being a speaker at “The Women of Faith”.
Knowing there are others out in the world struggling with certain issues is reassuring and helpful to women in their every day walk. My books by Sheila are always wrote in and highlighted for later encouragement. I keep most pretty close and love to thumb through them and remind myself of things that will help and encourage me in my life.
I would recommend this book to any woman for many reasons and every season of their life.

NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible

2010-01-30T13:25:00.001-08:00

NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible is an absolutely beautiful book. I was excited to receive it and own it. The book contains 250 of the Bible's best known stories. It is a fun thing to read, keeping in mind though that it does not have all the stories of the Bible. Before each story each one is titled so as to say what is coming. It is definitely not like sitting down and reading the Bible through. It is a pretty easy read but when reading with my nine year old she got a little sidetracked. It didn't hold her attention very well. That being said it was night and she was tired usually. Her reading it aloud of course was a struggle. Each story can be read fairly quickly and works well for group times or devotionals for people who don’t have the time to read the Bible much or are new Christians

I think this book would be great for a family devotion time or bedtime stories. Keeping in mind that some stories are omitted if you want to "read the Bible through" with someone or your kids.

I would definitely recommend it to others and also to be put on display in a special place in your house or business. I would definitely recommend giving it for a gift for a new couple or family.

Letters to Darcy by Tracy Ramos

2010-01-14T12:13:00.000-08:00

Letters to Darcy by Tracy Ramos is a heartwarming and heartwrenching account of a mother who chooses life for her child even though doctors say she should end the baby's life. Through great faith this mother, with the support of family, husband and friends wanted to follow God's will no matter how bad the pain and suffering for her. The love that is felt from this mother is remarkable and so encouraging for others who don't know where to turn. Turning to God is the only answer. God spoke life in her womb and she was not to say if the baby lived or went to be with Him early. She gave this baby a chance when so many others wouldn't. God has a plan for every life no matter how fragile. He has reached so many through this little life and shows we are not to doubt His actions. Much faith can be restored after reading this little book even though there was much pain and suffering. It shows to choose God's will no matter what ours is.

Please check out this blog tour and other links to find out more about this story.

http://www.christianspeakerservices.com/css_ramos_tracy_ltrstodarcy_blogtour.htm

http://www.darcyanne.com/index.html

Disciple Like Jesus for Parents

2009-12-22T17:32:00.000-08:00

Disciple Like Jesus opened my eyes to the real meaning behind "discipling". The book showed how Jesus discipled by leading, showing, and explaining. 80% of our children leave the church after they graduate. We send our kids out to be taught and forget that the real teaching and guiding should be done by us, the parents. We should disciple them exactly the way Jesus did. We have to open our eyes to our children and see what they are being taught and who is coming in contact with them. We shouldn't allow anything against our beliefs to influence them. They shouldn't go find their beliefs on their own. They should be taught the true Word of God and that is our responsibility.

FEARLESS

2009-11-16T12:42:00.001-08:00

FEARLESS, Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado was an excellent read. I have always loved his books and this one does not disappoint. It brings out many of the fears Christans have and gives comfort from God's word. I did not realize how much the Bible speaks of fear and how comforting God is to his children in their time of trouble. I always knew He was there for me at all times but I realized God is concerned with my fear and wants to comfort me as a Christian and as a parent. This book explains good from bad fear and shows that comfort is offered and is given to us and how to receive it. Fear is not a sin, it is how we handle it. God should be our first place we go in times of trials and fear. I commend Max Lucado on how he handles this subject so well.

LET GO, Live Free of the Burdens All Women Know

2009-10-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

The book Let Go, Live Free of the Burdens All Women Know by Sheila Walsh lives up to her recent works that I have had the pleasure of reading. This is my third book and she enlightens me with each one. It really seems she can dig down and express what so many women probably wish they could say and express. I would recommend this book to do as a devotional in a church for studying. Many women will find it helpful. I found myself underlining and writing down quotes that would help me later on. The book helped me to realize the love of God is not conditional and that He will always love me no matter what I do. God will never love me any more or any less than He does right now.The book goes through many circumstances of our everyday life and how we should handle them the way Jesus did when He was on this earth. We have to "let go" to be delivered. He has fresh baked grace for me everyday. I know that this life "ends well for me" Sheila is a giften author and I am blessed to have read her books