PREPPING ON A BUDGET by Morgan Barnrardt

Unlike most of the books I review PREPPING ON A BUDGET by  by Morgan Barnhart is from my personal collection. It is a FREE ebook available in all formats (epub, mobi-Kindle, PDF and other) on Smashwords (www.smashwords.com); this is where I publish my ebooks. I downloaded the PDF version, it is 7 pages total including cover, title page and additional information page.

The purpose of this book is to give the individual who wants to be ready for any emergency an affordable ideas as to how to do so.

I am a supporter of self-sufficiency and appreciate the idea of being prepared. In my research for both personal information and to research for my upcoming book “You’re Not Ready” I discovered a couple of books PREPPING ON A BUDGET was one of them.

Don’t let the word “Prepper” scare you. We all want to be ready for an emergency and there are all kinds of emergencies occurring today. Download this book and act upon the information available.

BEFORE YOU PRAY FOR ME by Marsha L F Randolph

AVAILABLE @SMASHWORDS IN ALL FORMATS 

Before  you pray for anyone you must first undestand why God will answer your prayer. BEFORE YOU PRAY FOR ME contains basic principles of faith that everyone should know yet rarely associate with unanswered prayer, 

FREE January 11 to January 18, 2016 

                  with coupon code: CJ64B

THE DANIEL PLAN by Rick Warren, Daniel Amen M.D., Mark Hyman M.D.

    The best way to explain The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life is a lifestyle makeover how to. I am not by any stretch of the imagination a “diet professional” thus it was the title that attracted my attention.  That said if I wanted to lose a few pounds this is the book I would choose to read.

    The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life reads more like a motivational book than a health and nutrition guideline. The first few chapters are dedicated to establishing the proper mindset for wanting to lose weight. Yet, these foundational words are more than preparation for weight loss it is the basis of changing the way the reader does life.

    Understanding the five “F’s”: faith, food, fitness, focus and friends help the reader realize the ultimate goal which is a lifestyle adjustment which will lead to a healthier person. 

    Admittedly I cannot tell you if the precepts were successfully for me since it takes more than  a day of reading to make the necessary adjustments. What I can tell you is that the basis of The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life  is solid and well worth investigating.  It is my intention to incorporate the principles introduced and the suggestions presented into my own life which means the book is well worth the read.

    I recommend The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life. For purposes of the review I was presented with an eBook which means that I will have to invest in a print copy for personal use.  My one hesitancy is personal,  I read numerous motivational material thus the first few chapters were a bit wordy HOWEVER  please do not let this discourage you.  xxx Marsha L Randolph

FOOT NOTE: There is a corresponding Study Guide

       

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion. 

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. 

UNSEEN by Jack Graham

     This is the book I have been looking for.  I have a number of books on spiritual warfare, angels, hell and even heaven all though informative seemed to be lacking. Unseen: Angels, Satan, Heaven, Hell, and Winning the Battle for Eternity BY Jack Graham is a practical, realistic, understandable book regarding spiritual forces.

Unseen: Angels, Satan, Heaven, Hell, and Winning the Battle for Eternity is not just a book on spiritual forces it is a facilitator for you the reader to develop a better understanding of what you know about God and Satan.  If you are a Conservative traditional Christian and do not consider such subjects as the Holy Spirit, angels and demons are relevant to your faith then I challenge you to read this book. If you are a skeptic and doubt the realities of Satan, demons and other unseen forces this book by Dr. Jack Graham will enlighten you. If you are an intercessor then reading Unseen: Angels, Satan, Heaven, Hell, and Winning the Battle for Eternity will help you take your prayers to another level. Assisted by the discussion questions at the end of each chapter you, the reader, will know that heaven and hell are very real therefore angels and Satan are too.

The book is an easy read, not all data and Scripture. Personal and practical stories are woven within its’ pages to make it possible for the reader to digest the information.  If you are familiar with Dr. Graham via his television program “Power Point” then you know the information he shares is practical, biblical and applicable to our daily lives.

I recommend this book. It is ideal for Small Group Bible Study (there is a free online curriculum available) as well as personal growth and development. I strongly suggest you purchase a COPY.

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

Related articles

• "Unseen" by Jack Graham (fushiacat.wordpress.com)

MERCY PRAYER by Robert Gelinas

    The Mercy Prayer: The One Prayer Jesus Always Answers by Robert Gelinas was not what I expected based on the title. Headlined as “The One Prayer Jesus Answered” I expected to read about how to pray effectively when going through difficult times. What I read was a book on God's mercy throughout scripture.

    For a better understanding of God’s mercy reading The Mercy Prayer: The One Prayer Jesus Always Answers would be very helpful. The author walks the reader through a Biblical study of how Father God reveals His love for His children in their times of need.

    My hesitancy in really liking this book is the complexity of the concept as the author Robert Gelinas presents it. I have been taught and teach the simplest prayer is: “Help” no need to pray “Lord have mercy” as the author suggest (page 62).  I believe God’s mercy by definition has nothing to do with what we do or do not understand but more with His love and compassion for us, saved or unsaved. Therefore, it is important to understand that He is a merciful God (reading this book will help) however we have no control over whom He shows mercy to.

I will cause all My goodness to pass before you, and I will declare My name, the Eternal One, before you. I will show mercy to whomever I choose to show mercy, and I will demonstrate compassion on whomever I choose to have compassion. Exodus 33:19 The Voice

  The basis of The Mercy Prayer: The One Prayer Jesus Always Answers is to teach people how merciful God is, I don’t think we will ever in our humanistic mind be able to fully grasp this subject. It is easy to believe God will forgive our sins it is those individuals who are on the major sin list (ideologically speaking) that cause us to not fully accept the mercy of Father God. As believers all we can do is to trust Him and lean not to our understanding.

I recommend this book to my readers. I would suggest getting an eBook or borrowing a copy. xxx Marsha L Randolph

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

SEA SCRIBE by D. I. Telbat

     The key to an excellent action adventure book is one that starts out with more questions than answers; Sea Scribe is such a book.

• What happens when Laura believes she hits someone while driving under the influence of alcohol and decides to run? 
• What Happens when Troy starts out on a trip that he has planning for  years to carry out a God given purpose and not only encounters Laura but a few other individuals?  
• Will the underground network be revealed to the authorities?

You will be unable to stop reading,  compelled to read more as you try to connect all of the dots of this adventure in the Ocean. How does a man on a solo mission have so many visitors, including a cat?

Sea Scribe by D.I. Telbat goes beyond action, adventure and Christian Fiction which should capture the attention of anyone who craves a well written book.   If you have never read a book by D. I. Telbat you are in for a treat when you read Sea Scribe.

One of the reasons why I appreciate D.I.Telbat as an author is his ability to present a truth regarding religious persecution without being preachy. He is by far my favorite author and I always make room to review one of his books.  Sadly as with : Dark Hearted, Dark Liason and Dark Rule are in eBook form so is Sea Scribe , I would love to have these books in print on my book shelf.
I recommend that you purchase Sea Scribe.

I was given a complimentary copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review. 

DARK RULE

It is true that I have become bias when it comes to books written by D. I. Telbat, however, as with any book in a series there is an expectation from the reader that each book has to be better than the last and I have enjoyed the Coil Series thus far, though perhaps not as exciting as the first (nothing really is) it is still a good read.

“Dark Rule” the third book in the Coil Series by D. I. Telbat can better be appreciated if you have read” “Dark Liaison” and “DarkHearted” (books one and two respectively).  Since “Dark Vessel” will be released sometime this year I think it would be well worth the reader getting all three books now.

I have come to think of the Coil series as the “mission impossible” for Christians. The mission in this book  is to rescue Chen Li a COIL agent from the hands of evil.  Commission of International Laborers, a group of Christian individuals trained in to fight the powers of darkness in a non-deadly fashion use their skill on the most dangerous of places around the most violent people.

As with the other books in the series “Dark Rule” by D. I. Telbat is entertaining, suspenseful and suitable for all readers. It does not contain sex or extreme violence. Because this is the 3rd in a series the end becomes anti-climatic yet unlike the other books I was able to reflect on the bigger picture which is the plight of Christians throughout the world who do not have the freedom to worship openly.

 Despite my obvious bias I do recommend you read this book.  Though the reader will be able to follow the story without purchasing the first two in the series there will be a better appreciation for the essence of the series (the difficulties of Christian missionaries) if each book is read.

Though the book is available via Amazon I would highly recommend you download this eBook via SMASHWORDS

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

YOUR ROAD TO DAMASCUS

WOW!  I am so impressed with “Your Road to Damascus: 6 Biblical Secrets for an Effective Job Search by William Y Higgins. Generally speaking I give my recommendation at the end, why wait,  I recommend this book and would definitely purchase it.

Your Road to Damascus: 6 Biblical Secrets for an Effective Job Search is not about a how to find a job outline but a book on the journey a person takes on the road to finding purpose as it relates to career.

If you are familiar with the Apostle Paul’s Damascus road experience (Acts 9) you know that Paul’s career change was that of lead persecutor of Christians to being one of the great leaders of Christianity. This was not an easy transition for Paul yet it is because he did things God’s way that he was so successful despite the bumpy roads, pit stops and so on.

The author, William Y Higgins, incorporates many Bible verses to guide the reader into making the appropriate decisions on the road to the correct job choice. I hesitate to use such terms as ‘job’ ‘career’ or even employment because I believe this is the book that will help the reader discover what his or her God given purpose is. The six secrets are six biblical principles that will help the individual understand how life experiences and current opportunities can be used to discover the correct path on the road to his or her destiny.

As the author stresses, the road to the right career is a process that will take time however I believe if these principles are followed it will lead to a purposeful life in a satisfactory career.  As I read the book I realized these are the very principles I inadvertently followed to get to discover my purpose and current career. Thus for me and for others who read Your Road to Damascus: 6 Biblical Secrets for an Effective Job Search by William Y Higgins this book will validate decisions made that others may have thought were bad ideas.

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

THE DISILLUSIONED BY D. J. WILLIAMS

    Some books you should not start unless you have time to finish it without interruption “The Disillusioned” by D. J Williams is one of them.  I declined an invitation from my husband to go out so that I could finish this book. Yes, it is better than good.

“You don’t just wake up one morning and decide to die.”

    What an ominous statement. (page 52 of my copy)  To answer this question Sam and Danny had to understand their mother’s will. How do you make sense out of something that does not make sense? Particularly when you believed you knew everything there was to know about your parents. How do you ascertain the truth when you do not know where to look? What would the truth look like; particularly after discovering that you believed in  an illusion?

     “The Disillusioned” is truly a well written novel filled with intrigue that just so happens to involve a church. Now there are jabs here and there about traditional religion and I think they were very appropriate, under the circumstances.  If you attend a mega-church put your sensitivity aside, no one is talking about you! The book is fiction.  If you hate big churches, please remind yourself that the book is fiction; this really did not happen even though it reads like a true life story. Get past the church thing and enjoy this very well crafted story of the individual journeys of 3 people who were destined to meet despite the circumstances.

Of course I recommend this book, it is to good to pass up! And I would suggest you purchase your own copy, don’t wait for it to come to a library.   MARSHA L. RANDOLPH 

I received a complimentary copy  in ebook format in exchange of an honest review.

THROUGH THE CRIMSON MIRROR

     I was sucked into the zone of “Through the Crimson Mirror” from the first sentence. As a reader I was able to appreciate the somber philosophical writing style of author Daniel Alexander. As a writer I understood the need to put his emotions into words and as a reviewer I appreciated his parenting observations.

    The eBook is less a do’s and don’ts of parenting and more of a consider this when you do that collection of very important ideas.   As the subtitle implies “Through the Crimson Mirror” is a biographical reflection such a complicated way of saying “how I got to be me”.  Daniel Alexander’s story is a reminder that there is no set formula to raising the perfect child yet there are some things that we as parents can do to not raise a troubled child. 

    If you are one who likes to pick up a book and read progressively, step one do this step two do that, you may have difficulty digesting the information in the book. There are “Symphonies” and “plays” and “scenes” in lieu of chapters. Don’t put the book down. I suggest you find a quiet space, take a deep breath and read one word at a time. 

“Through the Crimson Mirror” is a direct reflection of the author Daniel Alexander’s personal experience and it therefore reflects such.  In terms of parenting the reader may find some areas in which he or she is in 100 percent agreement and other areas in which he or she may strongly disagree with. Hopefully, upon completion of this book you will grow not just as a parent but as an individual.

I recommend this book and would strongly suggest you purchase it.

I receive a complimentary copy of the book in order to provide and honest review. 

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

I downloaded the book, “Spiritual Warfare” by Marvin McKenzie, because I am interested in the subject.  The book cover indicated that 1) the book was a study of 1 & 2 Samuel and  ) the book was part of a Bible study series.    After reading the first chapter “The Battle for the Home” I enthusiastically continued reading. I

As wonderful and on-point as chapter one may have been everything, at least for me began to go down ill midway of chapter two. What promised to be a very good study of 1 & 2 Samuel as it related to spiritual warfare, something that I have not read or heard discussed, became an opportunity for Marvin McKenzie to vent.  Apparently he has a problem with individuals dedicating their children in one church and then changing churches.  He also seems to have difficulty embracing biblical teaching preferring to preach.

“So far I have just not been able to bring myself to make that switch; from Bible preacher to Bible expositor.  (Kindle Location 751-58)

This statement is evident in his writing.  “Spiritual Warfare” as written by Marvin McKenzie moves from teaching spiritual warfare to preaching information not valid to the discussion. Perhaps when behind the pulpit this minister of the gospel likes to venture off of his message, a practice preachers and professors have been known to do, this is not advisable to those who choose to teach or write.

 In the introduction the author states there may be errors in spelling or grammar within the pages of his book. He indicates that the manuscript was inspired by a sermon which he decided to incorporate in a printed bible study series. This is not his first book, he has been publishing since 2010. With 14 publications listed on Amazon readers novas writing errors should not to be present.

I cannot recommend this book. Because this is a book that I purchased  Amazon will allow me to loan this book to anyone with a Kindle, I will not.  I did not receive a complimentary copy of this book for review. 

A RABBI LOOKS AT THE LAST DAYS

       If you have ever wondered what happens to the Jews during the end times “A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days” by Jonathan Bernis  will present a ideology that you may deem plausible. 

The author presents a detailed discussion of the end times using Scripture to explain how the Jewish people play an important role in the Messiah’s return. The book details the numerous erroneous predictions of the end times presented throughout history which lays a foundation for his end time philosophy.

It is clear that Rabbi Jonathan Bernis is very proud of his Jewish heritage; his support of Israel is admirable. The arguments he presents as to the role Jews play in the end times are understandable and for some will be believable.

      “A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days” is an excellent tool to use when evaluating the basis of one’s own beliefs regarding the return of Jesus. With the increased number of end times prophecies it is important to know what and why you believe. It is equally important for Christians to not repeat the embarrassing errors of the past which included the false persecution of Jews.

      Though I learned quite a bit from the book there were a few doctrinal concepts that I am not ready to endorse. I am not one of those who believe Jews are going to hell; they are still God’s chosen people. However the book did not convince me that everything I was taught regarding the end times is wrong.

I recommend this book, I would be more inclined to check the book out of the library though it would not be a bad idea to purchase a copy.  XXX Marsha L. Randolph

Note: Publication date is January 2013 advance orders are being taken. 

I received a reviewers advance copy of the book in ebook format.