Cure For The Common Life

This is my 4th eBook from Book Sneeze and I'm totally loving these eBooks as it allows me to get the books quickly and read them.

The last book I read of Lucado's, I did not care for.  However, this book, I absolutely LOVE.  Since I got the eBook version, the copyright on this book is 2005.  The cover is different than the one displayed in this, which is what came from Book Sneeze.

I really loved the perspective with which he describes each of our unique lives, rather than seeing our lives often in the duldrums or showered with drama.  God gives us desires, talents and skills and every single person is unqiue and special.  We all have the ability to walk in the destinies that God has for each of us, which he says in "Our Sweet Spot".

In this book, Lucado focuses on each person's uniqueness and I love how each main and subsection covers this.  Amidst the billions of people, each is endowed with talents, gifts, skills that are unique, unlike anyone else's.  We each have a part in this world, and it is in a major part.

Lucado follows all his other books where it is about perspective and this book is no exception.  He strongly advocates what we are drawn to as well as our skills & talents.  He said that when we live in that "sweet spot", that's when we are most effectively utilized for God's Kingdom.  He backs up his illustrations with the Bible and expounds on what the Bible talks about.

So, not only are we to use what God gives us, all of it is to glorify God.  Everything points back to God, not in puffing ourselves up, rather showing people to Jesus.  This is to be our perspective, our eyes.

Other things are to be in community with God's people.  Community helps lifts us up when we're down, but we can do likewise for others.  It also inspires.  He also devotes a subsection to humility and when we are so full of ourselves, we can't be full of God.  Thus, in order to be filled of God, we must deflate.

The final section talks about our daily lives.  This section is broken in 5 subsections:  Jobs, Focusing on Purpose and not getting knotted up in all the minute things that keep us busy; Common Deeds (small gestures) do make a big difference to God; Allow our kids to grow as God sees them and not as we see them; Serve others.

This book also includes a Sweet Spot Discovery Guide.  It's about 40 pages.  I just skimmed through this section, but will be doing it.  I'm really excited about this book and think this is one of the best books I've read of Lucado's!!!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Max On Life

Max On Life was not what I expected from a book or from Max Lucado.  Maybe I like his books that concentrate on one subject rather than a multitude of topics:  Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her, Home, Haves/Have-Nots, Hereafter.  That's a lot of "H" topics.

He answers 172 questions on these topics, which are topics that we face in life in many cultures.  Okay, that's all well and great, and I thought as I read on, I could get into the book, but I couldn't.

In Lucado's other books, characters are developed throughout the book, which I love.  There are no characters here, rather topics with questions and answers.  I've read of number of his books and can see where he's coming from, but maybe I put Lucado on a pedestal to wow me with each book.

This book did not wow me or even come close.  It was really hard to get through this book.  I guess I like the longer version to answering tough questions in life rather than the short 1-2 pages typically for each question.  It didn't do anything for me.  Some answers to the questions, he did use Scripture.  I just don't find his writing in these short spurts all that great.  Disappointing.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Outlive Your Life

I earnestly enjoy Lucado's style of writing.  Love the short chapters, which tends to keep my interest without really dragging things out.  The Discussion Guide at the back of the book gives you the ability to be able to go more indepth with any of the chapters.

The more of Lucado's books I read, the more I realize he's ordinary just like the rest of us.  Rather, he is allowing God to use him in his giftings to bless many people, myself included.

I sort of had this book pegged incorrectly, but the title is descriptive.  It means to leave a lasting legacy for Jesus after you are gone fro this world.  This was an easy read and I was able to finish it in one day.  Thought it would take more, but I sort of focused and kept on track.

This book challenged me to think beyond myself in different ways for the Lord.  He stresses how God loves everyone, finds everyone valuable.  Yet, we often want to classify people in order to distance ourselves from them for whatever reasons. 

Lucado is great at giving example after example from not only the Bible of all types of different people from kings to peasants, from the healthy to the incredibly sick whom were totally sold out to Jesus.  He also gives modern day examples -- some I've heard of, others just learned.

He starts off Chatpers 2 -15 with verses from Acts of how to OUTLIVE our lives.  He ends every chapter with a prayer on the topic of that chapter, as well as verses from all over the Bible that share in that prayer.  I totally LOVED the prayers and prayed them.  This is the 2nd of 3 of the last books I've read have done this and I so like it.

I'm now challenged to take action upon what I've read.  Going to go to a hospital I live near and see if they need people to visit and pray over people.  Maybe I can do that a few times a week?  I may not be able to change the world right now, but I can do something in the world I live in in my own neighborhood. 
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Boy Who Changed The World

The illustrations in this book are so beautiful and the message is so sweet. It's regarding the Butterfly Effect, but made simpler so young kids can read and understand this.

The message is simple, "EVERY THING YOU DO MATTERS!"

This includes big things, small things, and everything in between. This reinforces that we are beautifully and wonderfully created for a purpose by God. Our lives are significant, they do matter.

The book is physically a nice big book. The pictures are like mini-paintings and thoughtful. The expressions on the people's faces are tender & loving.

There is great hope in this book. Both my kids read this book and loved it. It's a must to share with your children, grandchildren, young people. This book also gave me time to speak to book of my children about making wise choices and to know that nothing they do is insignificant.

This book helps greatly convey in a simple manner that a person does have great value & worth. Great job Andy Andrews!

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

The Butterfly Effect

This is the second book I've read by Andy Andrews. The first was the The Traveller's Gift, which was an wonderful fiction book that had a great message and has really changed how I view things. The Butterfly Effect also has the same poignant impact on me.

The jist of the book is to not place judgment on whether an event, something we do or say is of greater or lesser important, rather that ALL that we do has a consequence and is important. We do not know whether any consequence at any moment in time can result in something really impactful and significant or not occuring.

Sometimes seemingly insignificant events can ultimately result in HUGE things happening. He gives a couple examples in history that ONE person was able to impact the lives of millions and billions of people - countries, nations. However, when each person acted in whatever manner they deemed best in that moment, it set about a chain reaction that has greatly made a difference.

The conclusion of this is MY LIFE IS SIGNIFICANT. I really do matter. This isn't only for myself, but for every single person ever born.

When thinking about the impact of our words & actions can have for all eternity, it's a very sobering thought and makes me want to make wiser choices, be more courageous, be a person of integrity, a better person. Excellent book and very easy to read.

I had both my children read this book and they loved it.

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

Fearless by Max Lucado

I finally finished this book when I set my mind to it. Had had the book for at least a couple weeks and read only a chapter or 2 of the fifteen chapters in the book. Read the 13-14 chapters in a matter of a little over 3 hrs. Amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it and am undistracted with children and other things.

The language of Fearless is consistent with how Lucado normally writes. He brings Biblical scenarios and mixes them with modern terminology and settings to perhaps help the reader be able to relate more. He also relays personal stories of "Fear" in his own life, as well as gives examples of how other people have either succumbed to fear or risen above fear to walk in faith & victory in Jesus Christ.

As usual, I read with a highlighter and could write a super long review with the things I thought were important. What I love about Lucado, and this book is no exception, how he comes up with short little, very powerful sayings. "Feed your fears, and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will."

Throughout the book he has quotes Scriptures & their references of how God worked, what Jesus did with fear, His interactions with people & fear. He gives practical advice on what we can do with fear, overcoming it. It all begins with a resolve in our minds and wills to redirect our attention.

In each chapter, the various fears he talks about:

• Fear of Insignificance
• Fear of Disappointing God
• Fear of Running Out/Not Enough
• Fear Regarding Our Children
• Fear of Overwhelming Challenges
• Fear of Worst Case Scenarios
• Fear of Violence
• Fear of the Seasons in Our Lives
• Fear of Life's Final Moments
• Fear of the Future
• Fear That God Isn't Real
• Fear on a Global Level
• Fear of God Not Being Who We Want Him To Be

This really is a boatload of fears, but in each chapter, Lucado gives wonderful examples on how to combat each of these. One of the ones that speaks to me regarding "Worst Case Scenarios". So many of those things have happened to me and much worse, but as I practice the presence of God, delve in His Word, pray, surround myself in godly Community, this really dispels and replaces fear with courage and faith.

This book was encouraging for me. Though it was a quick read, he does sort of go on in some areas where he could've been more succinct. However, my favorite things are his poignant little sayings that are so clear & concise. It speaks to me right now in what I'm going through.

Oh, when I began some of the chapters thinking a particular fear wasn't an issue for me, I found out I was wrong as he gave examples or elaborated on these fears. The true simplicity of the message of this book is as you commit yourself to living in the Presence of the Almighty God, this evil fear cannot be present. The only fear we ought to have is a reverential fear of Him.

Lastly, at the end of the book is a good Discussion Guide, if you want to do this book as a study.

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

Hermie: Who is in charge anyway?

This is my first review for BookSneeze and the funny thing is I didn't get a book. I got a DVD instead. A children's DVD to be exact. If you think I "..doth protest too much" I'm not, I just found my first review to be somewhat amusing.

I just wanna say Kudos to everyone who has a heart to convey Biblical principles to children in story form. There is something about story that captures the heart. And yes, even bad stories can have the same effect. But this is not the case here. I'm just sayin...

The graphics on the DVD reflects current CGI technology to date. It was colorful and very detailed.

The story is about hearing from God (the voice from the sky) and how he is involved in our lives and cares about us. It may sound simple but it is often the most simplest of truths that offers most comfort during the dark times in our lives.

The DVD will capture the attention of Toddlers but older kids will find it boring I think. Don't get me wrong, it is not torturous to watch, it was very well written. It's just that the developmental reality that children's attention are captured by different things in stages of growing.