SEARCHING FOR SUNDAY by Rachel Held Evans

“Millennials aren’t looking for a hipper Chrisitianity. I said. We’re looking for a truer Christianity, a more authentic Christianity.” These words found on page xiv of SEARCHING FOR SUNDAY by Rachel Held Evans not only grabbed my attention but sold me on the validity of the book. What I discovered through the 261 pages was a map towards a truer authentic faith.

What I like about SEARCHING FOR SUNDAY by Rachel Held Evans is the honesty of her words. The sub-title “loving, leaving and finding the church” appropriately describes the journey of many Believers particularly baby boomers and millennials. The authors words take away some of the traditional mindset as it relates to church doctrine including baptism and communion.
I cannot emphasize enough how refreshingly honest this book is. The reader, if you have ever been in church for a prolonged period of time, will be nodding his or her head when the chapter called “Dirty Laundry” is read. Fear not this book is not a list of problems within the church, quite the opposite.
SEARCHING FOR SUNDAY -loving, leaving and finding the church is a beacon calling all to the church. This book is a reason for church.
I would suggest church leaders read this book as a way of balancing God’s Word with today’s technology. I recommend this book to Believers who are becoming frustrated with church as usual in order to develop a new perspective on why he or she fellowships.  

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.”

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW

When I review children’s books I usually read to or with one of my grandchildren but since I did not have anything else to do I decided to read THE SHIP SHAPE SHOP by Frank Rodgers alone. Sad as the thought may be I was looking forward to reading a whimsical story about some type of store but that is not what I got.

As I read words like “the family’s snooty next-door neighbor” (kindle location 9 12%) it gave me pause. Did I want my grandchildren thinking calling neighbors names was acceptable, no matter how unpleasant they might be. Then I read how As I read more this feud between the neighbors led to the shop being condemned and despite efforts to restore and repair the government still bulldozed the building. - Really? Are we teaching children about the bad government?

The “happy” ending is a new building replaced the old unfortunately, this is not a story I will be sharing with my grandchildren and I do not recommend anyone reading it to theirs.   The one good- great graphics.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free. 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.”

NIV PROCLOMATION BIBLE Correctly Handling The Word of Truth -Zondervan Publishin

Sometimes there can be too many choices, I find this to be true when I am buying coffee, cereal and even a candy bar; this also can be true when it comes to purchasing a Bible. There was a time when everyone owned a red letter edition King James Bible now a person can become overwhelmed when choosing a Bible. Like coffee,cereal and candy bars deciding which Bible to buy is a matter of choice.
I decided to review the NIV PROCLAMATION BIBLE because of the title: Proclamation. Because I have read the NIV Bible on more than one occasion I am very much aware of the writing style and how it is translated. What I asked myself as I examined the books, comments and outlines within was:

• Is this book good for a new Believer?
• For a person who has read the Bible more than once would they benefit from owning this particular translation?
• Knowing that I have at least 3 different NIV Bibles would I purchase this one?

The NIV PROCLAMATION BIBLE is a different type of study Bible which may catch many Bible connoisseurs off guard. Don’t expect lengthy notes at the bottom of the page instead find notes regarding translations. Yes, the center column includes cross references- a study tool most use. What I find unique is perspectives presented at the beginning of the book as well as before each book.
Most Bibles include a “how to section” in which the reader can understand the Bible format, though the standard preface is there I would suggest you skip that and glance over the impressive list of contributors stopping at the first important study: “What Is The Bible?” Included in this chapter are subcategories: The Basis of Christian confidence in the Bible; The God-breathed character of the Bible; The sufficiency of the Bible; The truthfulness of the Bible; The clarity of the Bible; and The authority of the Bible.
The other chapters which serve as a preamble to actually reading Scripture are things I have taught, I have been taught or I have researched. In addition to each book of the Bible having an introduction which includes an outline and references there is also a very good concordance. Soooo..

• Is this book good for a new believer? Yes, particularly if he or she really wants to understand the Word of God.
• Would a person who has Bibles benefit from purchasing this one? Yes, even if you have a study Bible that has notes at the bottom of the page.
• Would I purchase this Bible? Yes.

If you have read any of my reviews you know that I love Bibles and I have so many that I usually give my review copies to individuals who are in need of one; I am keeping this one.  I recommend this Bible. xxx Marsha L Randolph

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.”

I Like Books -- a spoken word poem

The Art of Making a Book

Building a soda bottle garden.wmv

Please handle all electronics and sharp tools as directed by the manufacturers directions.

LET US TEACH by Caroline Alexander Lewis

As a grandmother who is very interested in today’s education system I found LET US TEACH by Caroline Alexander lewis very interesting. Written specifically for teachers it is a book that supports excellence in education.
“Just Back Off And LET US TEACH,” the complete title, presents information to the reader as to the variables that influence educating our children. By pointing out how home-life overlaps with what happens in the classroom a parent or grandparent reading this book should better appreciate what a teacher is up against when she or she has to teach the same thing to a room full of young people.
What is most intriguing about this book is the concept of S.C.O.P.E.  an evaluation tool that could work in any profession. S.C.O.P.E. - Sensitivity, Communication, Organization, Professionalism and Enthusiasm,  traits we all need, is presented so that educators can evaluate themselves in order to ensure they are doing all they can to promote education.
Mrs. Lewis suggest that in using S.C.O.P.E. good teachers can be come great teachers. Unfortunately, she also points out the two variables that is beyond the control of both parents and teachers- testing and unions. “Alas, student scores are sometimes weighted heavily as part of the “value-added” teacher evaluation protocols in several states. Critics suggest such measures many not be very reliable, especially for the middle of the pack teachers.” (page 15)   Most of us understand that Unions put a great deal of energy into preserving the jobs of even the worst of teachers. LET US TEACH spends less time pointing out the problems and more time sharing a solution S.C.O.P.E.

The book is a very easy read and only 114 pages which is why I recommend this book to everyone and in particular teachers.  

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.