WASTED PRAYER by Greg Darley

“WASTED PRAYER - Knowing When God Wants You To Stop Praying And Start Doing” by Greg Darley is one of those books you should read and the pass on to a friend however, I am not giving my copy away. I have quite a few books on prayer and they have really instructed me on general principles such as knowing God’s promises this book, however, is about your relationship with God.

Prayer is a conversation with God in which you must eventually listen and respond. “WASTED PRAYER” looks at behaviors as it relates to these conversations. Why would a believer think his or her prayer is wasted? Most believers do not think they are yet many people do not see the manifestation of the request.

“WASTED PRAYER” looks at individual behaviors, or lack there of; purposes and knowledge in this 181 page book. The concepts presented are not complicated to understand which makes this book easy to read and the use of Scripture throughout the book bolster the words written.

After completing this book I believe the reader, should he or she accept its’ thesis, will have a more directed and effective prayer life supported by a change in behaviors.

If you have never bought a book on prayer I recommend you start with “WASTED PRAYER- Know When God Wants You to Stop Praying and Start Doing” by Greg Darley. I recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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.”

OBSTACLES by Maria Federici Doyle

I was really excited about reading OBSTACLES BRING’ EM by Maria Federici (DOYLE) the synopsis regarding the authors near death experience caught my attention. As I began reading the 90 page book I noticed the easy to follow pattern of reconstruction not so much as to the authors recovery but her life in general.

It did not take long or me to tire of meeting the author’s family and friends and so by the time we got to her dog I was relieved the book was almost over. Now this does not mean I hated the book it. There are some redeeming qualities.

Within the pages of family recognition and antidotal stories the reader is presented with a glimps of what it means to recover from a traumatic accident. Since the author has no memory of what happened she is dependent on the recollection of others OBSTACLES BRING’EM shares a glimpse into the authors life as she continues to move past an event that caused not only physical but emotional trauma.

Though I recommend reading the book I would suggest obtaining a libray copy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WESTWIND BOOK MARKETING. 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.”

MONEY MYSTERIES FROM THE MASTER by Gary Keesee

“Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Romans 12:2 Contemporary English Version

There is a whole lot of misinformation about money out there! Based on my conversations with people most of the information is wrong, in addition to educating individuals about finances I also recommend a television program called “Gary Keesee-Fixing The Money Thing” (Daystar Network) the information is presented on a level that is what we all need to hear.

Christians often mix teachings from the pulpit with misinformation they receive from the world in MONEY MYSTERIES FROM THE MASTERS - Time honored Financial Truths from Jesus Himself the author, Gary Keesee, teaches in an almost painstaking step by step process what the Bible really says about finances. Because much of what people know about finances has been presented in such away that many people don’t know what to believe it is important that the reader lets “God change the way you think” (Romans 12:2 CEV).

By combining real life stories with Bible verses and subsequent principles the reader is able to digest the information presented at his or her own pace. There is no rush to read MONEY MYSTERIES FROM THE MASTER as you read the testimonies and study the Biblical concepts you will be able to eliminate the false teachings and misunderstandings which well help achieve financial success.

As with his other book, Fixing the Money Thing, I recommend this book. 

Although I receive many complimentary books in exchange for a review this book was not one of them.  I chose this book and purchased it with my own funds. As with all reviews the words written are my honest opinion. Marsha L Randolph

SIDELINED by Chuck Pagano w/ Bruce A. Tollner

This book is about football, it’s about cancer and it is about the importance of positive people when a person is going through adversity. SIDELINED Overcoming Odds through Unity, Passion, and Perseverance by Chuck Pagano with Bruce A. Tollner reveals what happened to Coach Pagano’s after he was diagnosed with Acute Promyeloctic Leukemia, APL for short.

You don’t have to be a football fan nor do you have to experience cancer in order to appreciate SIDELINED. Though the the reader learns of the difficulties Coach Pagano experienced as a cancer patient we also discover the importance family which goes beyond wife, children, parents etcetera. It is the story of how not only the immediate Pagano family was an encouraging factor in the author’s life but how other people including the Indianapolis Colt’s organization and the fans became a positive influence.

In the midst of reading about the difficulties Coach Pagano experienced and the love he was receiving he shared another valuable insight. “One time a nurse told me about an older woman whose condition was terminal, and I made it a point to talk with her for a bit.” (page 125) Even though you may be going through a difficult time it is important that you remember to not stop giving.

I think this is an excellent book and I recommend it to my readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.xx Marsha L Randolph

ADVENTURE BIBLE FOR EARLY READERS, NIrV

After going through the technical aspects of NIrV ADVENTURE BIBLE I sat down with my 6 year old grandson to do a Bible Study. I chose the book of Proverbs.

Our first impression of the book; cool! It’s special edition 3-D cover quickly attracted my grandson who wanted the Bible instantly. I personally played with various angles intrigued by what I saw. Getting past the pleasure of the book cover design I read the information presented about what an NIrV was, this was important for me because I have read the NIV Bible but not the New International Readers Version. Of course there was the section on “How to use this Bible written in very simple, large font, terms; perhaps grown up Bibles should do the same. The overall opinion of my grandson, his sister, their mother and myself was this is indeed a good Bible.

I chose the book of Proverbs because I knew I could explain the verses easily to a six year old. As with every book in the NIrV Bible the overview contains what individuals studying the Bible need to know: who wrote it, when was it written and why was it written. It also points out verses that are relevant to children. I used the recommendation to read Proverbs 3:5-6 which happens to be one of my favorites.

The two verses generated an excellent discussion between myself, my grandson and his 10 year old sister. It was clear to me that they both understood the verse and could apply it to their own life, which is what we want when our children, grandchildren, read God’s word.

There are quite a few Bible nuggets presented in the NIrV ADVENTURE BIBLE. However, I suspect that one of the attractions for young people is the adventure theme woven throughout the book. There are pictures of: elephants, parrots, frogs, and monkeys that ask “Did You Know” tells us to “Live It!” and share various treasures. “Life in Bible Times” signs teach various historical information.

The NIrV ADVENTURE BIBLE is written on the level of an early reader age 6 -10 years old. Yet I will be sharing some of the information in it with my adult Bible Study group.

I definitely recommend this Bible be purchased.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.xx Marsha L Randolph

SHARING CHRIST WITH THE DYING by Melody Rossi

I have mixed emotions about SHARING CHRIST WITH THE DYING perhaps because I had such high expectations based on my activities within the church and the various classes I have taken as a Bereavement Support Team Member. I was hopping to learn something I did not know unfortunately I did not.

SHARING CHRIST WITH THE DYING is a well written book about that journals the authors experience with death of loved ones. Anyone who has had to deal with hospice understands how well versed in the nuances of each member of the care team who works with the family as well as the patient. Melody Rossi presents an overview of almost every aspect of hospice care.

This is my problem with the book: I expected to read about sharing the gospel with someone who was dying I was not looking for a book on hospice care.

Her chapter on Spiritual Warfare seems incomplete almost amateurish. She presents 10 questions for the reader to ask him or herself the first two are as follows: What is God trying to accomplish right now? 2) Would Satan have any reason to interfere? Dear readers the answer is found in John 10:10 (paraphrased): Jesus declared that the enemy (Satan) came to kill steal and destroy but I (Jesus) came that you may have life and more abundantly. Whenever believers pray for someone Satan is going to oppose it thus there will be a battle.

It has been my personal experience, you share Christ with the dying the same way you do with the living - by first praying and secondly choosing your words so the individual receives them.

There are other things within the book that I could not fully appreciate however this would be a good book as a reference for anyone who would like to know what to expect when a loved one is placed on hospice care. I would suggest you check this book out of the library.

I received a complimentary copy of in exchange for an honest and fair review.

KING RULES by Alveda King

The forward to King Rules: Ten Truths for You, Your Family, and Our Nation to Prosper by Alveda King begins with a forward written by the Honorable J. C. Watts which establishes such a level of expectation for the reader that anything less than a great read would make the 189 page book not worth the paper it was printed on. Reading the forward, which set the tone of this hopefully great book, I was ready to sit down and read a story about the King family. This is not another book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that King Rules: Ten Truths for You, Your Family, and Our Nation to Prosper was not just another book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is a collection of faith based generational lessons that anyone can apply to his or her life.

The King family stories serve as a foundation for the ten rules,life principles, that Alveda King presents to the reader. As a a nation we know the sacrifice the late honorable Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr made on behalf of this country and we are familiar with the contributions of other members of the King family. By incorporating the behaviors of these great American’s within the pages of the book the reader is able to understand the importance of each rule.

I was sharing with my daughter the contents of this book for two reasons: 1) I felt validated as a parent because my philosophies agreed with the words I found on this page and 20 I want her to read this book as she raises my grandchildren. Not only did I recommend this book to my daughter I also recommend you purchase a copy of this book.   Marsha L Randolph

I received a complimentary copy of in exchange for an honest and fair review.  

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