Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

Max delivers a powerful message on outliving your life.

This is a book about ordinary people making extraordinary decisions to outlive their life. It’s overwhelming to think of all the problems in our world. It’s easy to think that we cannot make a difference. What can one person do? The secret is we are not one person. Together we are millions. We can make a huge difference.

God made us all to make a difference. No exception. It’s easy to dismiss the homeless guy. There’s a story behind every homeless person. There’s a story behind you. We all have a story. There is a plot to our story. We can affect the plot of another person’s life. How great is that? We could adopt a sponsor child. We could give them less than $100 and it would give them a cow. Awesome! We can pray for that child and their family. By outliving your life, you can affect another person who can then outlive their life.

Max Lucado is an exceptional storyteller. He’s able to retell the stories in the Bible and make them feel as though it’s happening now. He’s able to dissect the story and put it in an easy to understand format that all of us can understand.

Before each chapter, Max includes a scripture and a prayer. I must admit this is my favorite part of the book. It gives the reader a prayer to take to heart. You can take the prayer and make it your own. God looks at the heart and He will listen.

I recommend this book to others to encourage them to outlive their life by making a difference in others.

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 Adverti

The Boy Who Changed The World by Andy Andrews

This review is based on the e-book format.

I enjoyed this children’s book better than the gift book.

It’s a history lesson and tells a delightful story that I believe the kids will enjoy. It starts out with a boy named Norman who changed the world. As the story unfolds, we learn that it could have been another person who changed the world. Then another. Who actually changed the world? The answer is the Butterfly Effect.

We all are part of the Butterfly Effect in this world. Kids do not have to be adults to make a difference to the world. Children have a great impact on others. Who most? I would say the parents because we cannot imagine life without our kids. How we parent them can and will create a butterfly effect. Our kids are like sponges. It creates a template for their lives. Let’s make their template great by remembering that we are creating a butterfly effect on them.

I loved the children’s book because it teaches that we all matter in this world. Children will learn that they can make a difference. The picture they draw for their mom? Yes, it makes a difference. The song they sing? Yes, it makes a difference. Helping with the housework? Yes, it makes a difference. There are no exceptions. Everything they do makes a difference.

I recommend parents read this book to their kids. Why? Because it will make a difference!



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.”

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

This review is based on the e-book format.

This gift book is based on the Butterfly Effect. A butterfly can flap its wings and it can create an impact on the other side of the planet.

The book has snappy short sentences with background images that make the reader think, “Do I make a difference?” The answer is an astounding, “Yes!”

We all are created in God’s image. We are not a mistake. How we react today towards others can and will make a difference. I truly believe you can impact a total stranger. You could pass by a stranger and they could be on the verge of suicide and you’d never know. But, what if you made a decision to smile at everyone that you see? What if your smile made a difference? What if you bought the person behind you a cup of coffee? Random acts of kindness can do wonders. Not only that, it’s fun! And it creates a butterfly effect. I’ve seen it happen. The person is pleasantly surprised and decides to do the same thing to the person behind them.

Andy Andrews gives a history example of the Butterfly Effect. I’ll leave the example for the reader to discover.

This book reminded me of the TV movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” George Bailey didn’t think his life matter until he was shown. Let’s not wait until we need to be shown. Let’s live life today as if it matters. Because it does!

I would recommend this book as a gift book especially to someone who may not think they do matter. It’s a good reminder that we do make a difference in this life. Let’s make it count!


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.”

The Heavens Proclaim His Glory

I requested this book because my son loves to look up at the sky at night and tell me how beautiful it is. He will say, “Mom, look at the stars.”

This out of this world (pun intended) tabletop book is a beautiful illustration of God’s handiwork. It is a page-turner. Each flip of the page is another stunning photograph of the galaxies, stars, planets, polarized light, nebula, black hole, and the changing faces of Pluto. These are just a few of the photographs highlighted in the book. Quotes, scriptural verses, and commentary saturate the book.

I know God created the Universe. I know it’s vast and more than I could ever comprehend. I learned quickly how little I really did know after reading this book. I used to think galaxies and all the space stuff was boring. The explanations along with the beautiful photography snapped the boredom away. My attention was held until I looked at every single picture.

This book reminded me of God’s magnificent glory. We have our own image of what heaven will be like. I venture to bet we are off the mark. It is more beautiful than we can ever imagine. We have a film over our eyes and one day the film will be removed. We will be unable to speak. We may have to cover our eyes from the blinding beauty. But, then God will adjust our world to meet His and it will be the best reunion that you will ever have. It will be a time that you will wonder why we worried about the things of this earth.

I highly recommend this book. This is one that you will want to keep out ~ on our tabletop for all to see. His magnificent creation should not be missed!


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.”

Unburdened by Chris Tiegreen

God clearly tells us to give Him our burdens but do we?

Chris delves into the heart of burdens that we are plagued with. It’s easy to say, “Trust God.” How do you do this when something dramatic happens such as illness or job loss? We forget that in Biblical times, it was no different. What about Job? It’s easy to think that Job is a character in a story. It’s real. His family really did die. It’s not pretend. I’m confident that I will accept my life over Job’s any day.

Chris brings up some interesting stuff. One thing that peaked my interest is hearing God’s voice. He talks about how ‘we think we need a certain amount in savings’ for our old age. I believe we should do our part. Guess what? God might have other plans. We do not see the same way He does. There’s God’s voice and then there is ‘our voice.’

These are hard times especially now with the economy. Jesus reminds us that we will have trouble but He has overcome the world. Amen!

If you are feeling burdened by life, pick up this book. There is a ton more stuff that Chris talks about in his book. You will clearly see that what may be a ‘burden’ in our life may turn into a ‘blessing.’

**Disclaimer: I have been given a free copy of this book from Tyndale for review purposes**

Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller

Donald Miller has a unique style of telling stories of faith that is thought provoking but not simple by any means.

Reading his stories is like a peek inside his mind. He tells of the 9-1-1 events and how losing three thousand people in the United States is small in comparison to the thousands that are killed each day in the Middle East. He tells how the Arabs were treated in the United States after that event.

I remember watching the horrible news that fateful day. It was surreal. All different emotions were evident throughout the day. Some were in shock and numb. Others felt community with others and talked about it. Still others cried. Some businesses went on as if nothing happened. Others closed.

I love to know what’s going on in the mind of others. Donald Miller holds nothing back. He tells you like it is. His book reminds me of a diary. It’s an inside view of how he thinks and perceives the world. It does seem to jump around a bit. I start get interested in what else he’s going to say about a particular subject and he’s moved on.

We relate to stories. Jesus told stories. Donald tells the story through his eyes. It’s up to us how we perceive it.

If you love Donald Miller’s previous books, this one will be no exception.

**Disclosure: I have received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers for free for review purposes**

Life in Defiance by Mary DeMuth

Who killed Daisy?

I have followed Mary since the beginning. I started with Watching the Tree Limbs and have been hooked ever since.

I’m not sure if this has changed, but I heard that no one has guessed who the killer is. I thought I figured it out. Lo and behold, I was wrong. She kept me guessing. To make sure I was the one who cracked the code, I picked more than one person. Nope. No can do. The best books are the ones that keep you guessing. This book does that. If you do guess it, you are the exception.

Secrets. We all have them. Some we share. Some we keep to ourselves. This book will touch your very core.

Ouisie knows who killed Daisy, her son’s best friend and she’s not telling. Married to a Pastor, she struggles to be the best wife, friend, and mom she can be. But, she fails. No matter what she does, it’s not good enough. Will it ever be?

Not only does Ouisie have dark secrets, she has another secret. She has dreams. It’s a reminder that we all have dreams. A God-given dream.

This is the last book in the Defiance series and there’s a satisfying ending.

Do you have a secret? Mary has a blog that you can share your secrets. Not only do you get to release it, other readers may respond. Hop on over to http://blog.myfamilysecrets.org/ and read a few of the stories. You will find that you are not alone. I think that’s the biggest myth. You are alone. Bring light to the darkness.

To check out this book and other books Mary has written, check out:

marydemuth.com or

amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310278384


Disclosure: I have been given this book for free from the publisher for review purposes.