Books

  • Book: “You Were Born for This” by Bruce Wilkinson

    I recently finished the book “You Were Born for This”  Seven Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles by Bruce Wilkinson.  In his book Bruce shares several stories of how God was able to use him to encourage believers as well as lead others to Christ.  He goes through ways that you can be guided by the Holy Spirit to deliver a miracle to another person.  There are four main parts to the book:

    • Welcome to Everyday Miracle Territory
    • Four Keys to a Life of Miracles
    • How to Deliver a Miracle
    • Three Keys to Special Delivery Miracles

    Bruce Wilkinson puts in a number of examples and stories of how he was used to deliver a miracle.  Included in the back of the book is a Epilogue with more stories from readers of his book.  If you want to go through the book with a group he provides discussion questions for either a four week or seven week study.

    I thought the book had a lot of great reminders of how important prayer is in our life and to be in tune with the Holy Spirit because you never know when you have the opportunity to share with someone.  Bruce also addresses that we often fear speaking directly to a stranger about something personal and will question the prompting we feel or justify a reason for not stepping up with excuses such as “Who Me?” or “Do What?” or “What Will They Think?”

    The author gives several step by step ways to learn how to act on these miracle missions from prayer, having the heart for people, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you, and taking risks of faith.  I think we all have those moments when out of the blue we think of someone and fail to act on that prompting only to find out later that the person was going through a tough time; what an amazing blessing of encouragement we could have been if we had just called, written that letter, emailed or stopped by to see them.  Wouldn’t it be great living a life full of sharing blessings with those around you.  We do not know what the person next to us is going through at the moment.  A simple question like “I really want to help you.  What can I do for you?” can open the door for you to encourage someone.

    A handful of my favorite  quotes from the book:

    “I’ve noticed something reassuring. When we ask to be sent by God, He matches each of us with people we can help.”

    “A nudge is an inner push that directs us toward a person, a place, or an action.”

    “During a God arranged encounter you will know what God wants”

    “Knowing that we are sent, we take deliberate risks that place us in complete dependence on God for a miracle.”

    Rate my review & be entered into a giveaway: I reviewed this book for “Blogging for Books.”   By rating my review, it allows me to choose another book and enters you in a GIVEAWAY!   The rating is a two step process.

    Step 1:  Rate my review below (select the number of stars, enter your email, and hit submit).

    Step 2:  Check your email account for a message from Blogging for Books and click their link to verify your email.

    Once you rated my review AND confirmed your email, you will automatically entered in a giveaway for this book by WaterBrook Multnomah!!!  They will pick one person to receive a copy of the book for themselves!  WaterBrook Multnomah will contact the winner directly.

    Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher through the Waterhouse Multnomah.  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.”

  • Book: “Space – The Ultimate Guide To The Universe”

    One of our girls loves planets, space and astronauts.  A family member gave her the “Space: The Ultimate Guide To The Universe” book a few years ago and it has been a huge hit!  It has been carried all over the house and gone on several road trips with us.  The book has pictures and information about space travel, astronomy, universe, solar system, stars and galaxies as well as posters of the universe and glow in the dark stars.  It has a lot of information packed in the variety of descriptions and colorful pictures.  The recommended age for the book is for 8 and up but if you have a child that loves space, astronauts, and planets then I would recommend it for them even at a younger age.  You’ll have to read it to a younger child but if they enjoy space as much as Karlie does then it will be a hit, not to mention educational!

  • Book: “Farms ABC: An Alphabet Book” by B. A Hoena

    We read this book “Farms ABC: An Alphabet Book” by B. A. Hoena to the girls when they were really little and after the Grandparents were here visiting us from Kansas a couple weeks ago the girls picked this book out again from the library.  As we were reading it again I was impressed with how well the author incorporated many aspects of farming / ranching into the small book.  It is an excellent beginning readers book filled with information about farms (including Irrigation, Oats, Tractors, Planting Seeds, Repairs, Harvest and more).  The author goes through the alphabet highlighting each letter and describing the highlighted word in more detail.  In the back they add additional fun facts about farming for the kids to read.  For example:  “A dairy cow produces about 100 glasses of milk a day” and “Did you think that only cows eat grass?  Wheat is a type of grass that people eat.  It is used to make bread.”  Our girls know their ABC’s already but were fascinated by the pictures and descriptions.  This book would be a great addition to your library especially if you have  family in the farming business or your little one is fascinated by farm animals and equipment.

  • Yard Sale Deals: Children’s Books

    I only had the opportunity to go to a few yard sales this summer with all the traveling, however, a couple of the ones I went to were awesome!  Our family LOVES books!  I have always encouraged the girls to read both with us and without us.  They enjoy reading and we do our best to read to them every day as well.

    One Saturday I went to a yard sale that was being given by a retired elementary school teacher.   I didn’t get there until about mid-morning and she still had a couple big boxes of books.  I picked up 49 children’s books for $3.50, making them 7 cents each.  Most of the books were paperback, one was a Veggie Tales Devotional, a few hardbacks, and several beginning readers ones that are perfect for the girls as they continue to improve their reading skills.

    The girls were VERY excited about the book on top, “Apple Trouble” because it was a book we read together a couple years ago from the library that they really enjoyed.  Of course it was the first book I read to them when we got home from the yard sales.  Other than removing the stickers with the teachers name on it and a few disinfectant wipes the books were as good as new.  I purchased a couple crafts and some brown paper bags for activities from that yard sale as well which have come in handy over the summer with the girls. What great deals have you found at yard sales recently?

  • Magazine: “Family Fun” Magazine

    We have been receiving the “Family Fun” Magazine for awhile now and love it!  The girls have enjoyed picking out a variety of crafts and fun activities from the magazines.  Each issue contains information and “how-to” demonstrations on crafts, recipes, activities, parties, family friendly articles and much more.   If you are looking for a great family magazine packed full of ideas for the kids check this one out.

  • Free Audio Book: “Prayers: A Personal Selection” by Michael York

    FREE Audio Book Download

    For the month of September Christian Audio is offering a free download of their audio book .  This month the audio book is “Prayers: A Personal Selection“ chosen and narrated by Michael York.  Michael has chosen a variety of popular Christian prayers to be part of this audio book.  If you have been wanting to listen to prayers during your devotionals or while driving then this is a great opportunity to listen to the book for free when you download it from Christian Audio in September.   Make sure to submit your order by August 31, 2011  to get your free audio book.  Thanks Christian Audio!

  • Book: “Who Do You Love?” by Margaret Wang

    Several years ago my parents gave the girls  Who Do You Love? by Margaret Wang and they still love it.  I have read the book to them many times and now they can read it on their own.  The book is encouraging for the kids because it goes through the variety of people in their lives that love them.  This is a terrific book especially for younger kids as they are learning about the family members, (including siblings, parents, and grandparents).  When the girls were little after reading the book we would talk about their grandparents and share memories.  It is now great seeing them read it together and share memories with each other.

  • Book: “Heaven is For Real” by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent

    A couple months ago my Mom left a book that she had recently finished for me to read called “Heaven is for Real”  by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent.  “A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back” retold by his family.  Colton was a little boy when he under went several touch and go surgeries.  For several months after his release from the hospital he revealed things he saw in heaven during his brief trip there, including descriptions of heaven, characteristics of God, he even met family members he never knew on earth and many more neat pieces of information regarding heaven.  It was fascinating and encouraging to read the book.  The book shows the real struggles families encounter when their are going through a tough time.  The Burpos family had a tough few months with a miscarriage, broken leg, kidney stones, a child in the hospital and more challenges along the way.  I appreciate the openness from the family as they share their story and glimpse of heaven in the book.  If you want a short and positive book to read regarding heaven you may want to check this one out.

  • Book: “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell

    The girls are super excited to read their new book with Daddy “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell.  The book is part of the “Treasury of Illustrated Classics”  book set which we are reading to the girls.  They recently started this book and are already hooked.  On one of our recent road trips they watched a mini series DVD on “Black Beauty” so they have been very excited to read the book.  One chapter at night is not enough for them, they keep begging Daddy to read more!  This book is about a spirited horse named “Beauty” who has had a challenging life as a horse.  The book teaches about empathy and kindness towards animals.

     

  • Book: “Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne

    Daddy just finished reading “Journey To The Center Of The Earth” by Jules Verne to our girls.  It is part of the “Treasury of Illustrated Classics” book series we have been picking up for the girls.   The story is about Professor Hardwigg and his nephew Harry who discover an ancient parchment and explore the world together.  Professor and Harry encounter many adventures during their travels including a volcano and ocean sea life.  The book encourages the child’s imagination.  Karlie especially thought the book was amazing.  She is into rockets, planets, space and traveling so the title of the book intrigued her from the beginning.  Both girls enjoyed the book and always love it when Daddy reads “chapter” books to them.  If you are looking for an adventure book to read to your kids check this one out.