A Place Called Blessing by John Trent

A Place Called Blessing by John Trent is a semi-true/semi-fictional story following a boy's life that illustrates the universal need children have to be blessed by adults in their lives.  We see the main character (Josh) go from a difficult early childhood with his parents, enter the foster care system with all it's ups and downs, become a struggling young adult, and finally achieve success in life after being around a woman who takes time to invest in him and bless him.  Trent writes in an easy to read, flowing style that draws the reader in and keeps the pages turning.  

Originally I was drawn to this book as a soon to be foster to adopt parent who was looking for information as to how I can better help future children in my care, but as I started reading through it I found that it resonated more deeply within me by making me think through my own personal history.  I genuinely enjoyed reading this book - so much so that I finished it all in one afternoon - and I would reccommend it to anyone interested in understanding more about how important it is to bless your children and/or other people in your life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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.”

Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love By Brennan Manning & John Blase

"Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love" by Brennan Manning and John Blase is a very colorful, well illustrated book for preschool or early school aged children.  The story centers around the generousity of two neighbors as they host the children of the neighborhood and teach them about how HUGE God's love is.

This book held the attention of my five year old daughter and reinforced a message she loves hearing: God is BIG and loves her so very, very much.  She loved looking at all the different colors on the page, seeing all the pictures of all sorts of children, and even the cultural references helped her to see that even children who don't look just like her love the Lord.  

While this isn't a book I would necessarily rush out to buy for all of our friends, it is a book I enjoyed reading with my child and a book I have no doubt we'll read again from our bookshelf.

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.”

Women of Faith 2011

I'm so excited to have been chosen to attend the Women of Faith conference in Dallas this month as a part of the Book Sneeze reviewer team!  After reviewing the speaker/singer line up for the conference in DFW, I'm even more excited than I was when I first found out I was going to get to go!!  I'm really looking forward to some time away from the hustle and bustle of my every day life - time to focus in on my relationship with the Lord.  I hope to leave refreshed and renewed spiritually... as well as encouraged and revived as a wife and mother.  Stay tuned for my after conference post!

In case you've never heard of Women of Faith or you're interested in learning more, check out this video:

Max on Life by Max Lucado

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In Max Lucado's newest book - Max on Life - he tackles a HUGE range of faith based questions in a practical, patient, and knowledgeable manner.  Following suit with his other books, this was a very easy to read and understand book that has the potential to make a profound impact on the reader's understanding of the Lord and of their own personal relationship with him.

I loved so many of his thoughtful and scripturally based answers on so many of the more 150 questions posed, but one of my favorites was concerning if Christ chooses us to be in relationship with Him forever or if we choose Him.  This is something I've wondered about for quite a while.  Max quotes the passage of Matthew 22 about the wedding banquet.  After a few brief explanations of that passage, he simply sums up the question by answering it's BOTH - the King chooses who to invite, but the invitees must make their own choice about whether or not to accept the invitation!  I've never heard such a simple, concise response to a very complicated (and at times divisive) question before.  And his book has over 149 other answers just like it!  I highly recommend it to anyone looking for quality, Scripture based answers to their faith questions.

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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Couples Who Pray by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt

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Couples Who Pray by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt (a married couple) was a fairly easy read.  The basic premise was a challenge for couples of any age and any length of relationship to spend a few minutes praying together daily.  Several different couples' experiences were shared - many whose names are easily recognizeable - and that really helped to personalize and give different perspectives on what can happen when a couple commits to praying together.

My husband and I do pray regularly together, so I don't have a life changing type story to relate after reading this book.  However, I definitely agree with the authors that prayer with your spouse daily does bring you closer relationally and spiritually.  Prayer unifies me and my husband as we strive to move in one direction together, it helps me to know what is on his heart, and it helps me to understand that he hears and knows what's on my heart. 

There were a few ideas in this book I didn't feel 100% on board with, but my biggest struggle overall with the book is that I don't think that prayer is the magical medicine to heal all relational issues and solve all interpersonal struggles.  Praying together is one HUGE step in the right direction, but sometimes there are other steps also necessary in order to establish relational peace and intimacy.

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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”