RETURN TO ME by Lynn Austin

I have never read a Lynn Austin book, I chose to read Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles) because I wanted to read a good novel and I enjoy reading Biblical fiction.  I just could not get into this novel, the pace is slow and my busy schedule was not conducive to allowing my imagination to take me away into the land of Old Testament times.

Faith and obedience are an obvious theme within the story as it pertains to the characters. Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles)by Lynn Austin is as the title implies a novel about God’s children turning from their worldly ways back to Him.

This is a book that requires not only some Biblical knowledge but also time to explore the various concepts woven within each chapter.  What makes a good novel is one that is pleasurable and makes you think unfortunately Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles) was not as pleasurable as I would have liked.  

Perhaps if I had had time to read the first four chapters uninterrupted thereby developing the proper foundation I might have been able to appreciate this book a little more. Unfortunately, I had to reread the first chapter twice because of interruptions.

This is a book you are either going to love or find OK, which makes it a good book but not a great one.  I recommend this book; I would suggest you check the book out of the library. xxx Marsha L Randolph

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Related articles

• Return to Me by Lynn Austin
• "Return to Me" by Lynn Austin

INNOVATIONS DIRTY LITTLE SECRET by Larry Osborne

What is innovation? It is the introduction of something new be it an idea, a device, a procedure or such.  According to Larry Osborne there is  a little known principle associated with innovation and he shares this principle in his book Innovation's Dirty Little Secret: Why Serial Innovators Succeed Where Others Fail (Leadership Network Innovation Series).

As an individual who participates in multi-level marketing this Innovation's Dirty Little Secret: Why Serial Innovators Succeed Where Others Fail (Leadership Network Innovation Series) was and is a very helpful and informative book. I admit that some of the ideas presented I have, through experience, figured out for myself however it is good to know someone agrees with my theory.

If it is your intention of starting your own business Innovation's Dirty Little Secret: Why Serial Innovators Succeed Where Others Fail (Leadership Network Innovation Series) is a you really should read book. If you are thinking about or started a multi-level, network marketing, home based recruiting type, or follow the formula and you can succeed type business (whatever you want to call it they are pretty much the same) this book is a must read.

Every business is not for everyone thus it is necessary to enter into any venture with eyes wide open. This book will help you do this. If you started a business and things are not going well this book will help you make the one decision most recruiters will not discuss in a positive manor: an exit strategy. In addition to other principles important to contemplate Mr. Osborne discusses “the wall” something many have experienced. xxx  Marsha L Randolph 

I recommend this book. Purchase your own copy and give this to your team members as you recruit them.

I receive a complimentary copy of this book with the understanding that my review would be fair and honest. 

My Questions From The Book of Luke by M L Floyd

     It is a tough habit to break if you are accustomed to having someone tell you how to think. Most Bible studies assign a passage to read, a question to be answered and then the correct answer.  Not so with “MYQUESTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF LUKE” by M L Floyd

MY QUESTIONSFROM THE BOOK OF LUKE is exactly what the titles suggest a series of questions that were written  to challenge the readers traditional way of reading the Bible. 

For example: In Luke chapter 15 there is the story often entitled “The Prodigal Son”  M L Floyd directs the attention from the son to the father  when she ask:

"Do you believe God will meet you where you are?"

This question is followed by the verse Luke: 15:20 using the Expanded Bible.  Which includes a commentary within its’ text “[C-an undignified act for a family patriarch; evidence of his unrestrained love]”

Question, Bible Verse(s) and then a statement to Contemplate is the format for  this short eBook. In the above example the statement to contemplate is as follows:

"See above commentary: “an undignified act for a family patriarch; evidence of his unrestrained love”"

There is no right or wrong answer, the book is just a guide created to help  the reader discover Biblical truths. In not limiting herself to one particular Bible the reader engages in a personal Bible Study which will develop his or her own understanding.

This book is available via Smashwords in eBook format.

Related articles

• My New Book: 220 Days in Luke
• Never too young to: read your bible
• Who defines you?
• A Study Guide - "How to study the Bible" - Example

THE 30 DAY PRAISE CHALLENGE by Becky Harling

If you do something long enough it goes past being a habit and becomes a lifestyle. THE 30 DAY PRAISE CHALLENGE by Becky Harling will help you develop a life of praise and worship. 

As a firm believer of spending more time giving God glory than a list of complaints I agree with The 30-Day Praise Challenge 100%.  One of the reasons why I appreciated this book is because it was written by someone who has been there and done that. 

This book is an excellent response to those who are going through difficult times and believe that prayer and fasting is the solution. Read this book and spend your time praising not petitioning.

I am a firm believer in the power of praise reading The 30-Day Praise Challenge will help guide a believer in Jesus live a more satisfying life and develop a much better relationship with Father God.

I recommend you purchase this book and I would suggest you purchase a copy for anyone you know who is going through a difficult time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

WOUNDED BY GOD'S PEOPLE by Anne Graham Lutz

Sometimes the truth hurts and the truth is that Christians often hurt Christians. “Wounded by God's People: Discovering How God's Love Heals Our Hearts ” written by Anne Graham Lotz is an excellent lesson in how those of us who have been the victim of Christian opinion can move on while defining how Christians hurt other Christians.

One of my many ‘soap box’ issues is the judgmental nature of many Christians who believe they are the experts as to how a Christian should behave but think they should use Social Media to spread their opinions to as many people as possible. It does not occur to these individuals that their words cause more harm than good. In "Wounded by God's People: Discovering How God's Love Heals Our Hearts ” the author uses biblical examples of how people inadvertently hurt others.  

Using the story of Hagar as a focal point Mrs. Lotz is able to share her own memories of hurts caused by religious individuals. Daughter of  Reverend Billy Graham it is surprising to think that she and her husband were voted out of a church in which they had been associated with for more than 15 years. Like Hagar we can be placed in circumstances beyond our control subjected to the pain of rejection inflicted by religious leaders.  

Most people do not believe they are hurting others which is why this book is important for all believers. Like the members of the church in which Anne Graham Lotz and her husband attended, they believed they were doing the right thing.

I recommend “Wounded by God's People: Discovering How God's Love Heals Our Hearts ” it is a book worth purchasing and sharing.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a review.s