The Money Answer Book

I had the pleasure of reviewing Dave Ramsey’s, “The Money Answer Book”. This book is filled with many questions and answers on personal finance. The book is broken into various topics (debt, saving, investing, stewardship, insurance, real estate, etc…). Each question has a brief answer. I really enjoyed the bible verses that were throughout the book. Ramsey also includes various quotes and inspirational thoughts from an assortment of sources throughout the book. I appreciated the” Money Action Worksheets” that were placed in the book. I was able to complete them and gain a better perspective of my finances as I was reading this book. This book is not very big, and does not take long to read. It does give an introduction to finances, and how to be smart with money. This book would be perfect for a teenager or someone in college. I think we need to teach children from a young age how to handle money. While also teaching them about debt, credit scores, and how to avoid the traps of credit cards.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 Chronological Guide to the Bible

I really enjoy reading from the Bible, its events and how I can relate it to my life. I felt however, that by understanding the history surrounding the events, it would be clearer to me the depth of the Bible. For this reason, I received the Chronological Guide to the Bible.

The Chronological Guide to the Bible serves as a great reference for those who want to get greater knowledge of the life and times of those in the Bible. I appreciated the vast number of charts and maps which help explain the timeline of events and where they took place. This book is not meant to be a devotional, but more of a supplement.

I think that the Chronological Guide to the Bible could have been laid out better. It seems to be jam packed with information, sometimes with four different focus points on one page. That I feel is the only setback to the book. The index is helpful and all in all I definitely see pros than cons in this book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to put on the sandals and walk a little deeper into the history of the Bible.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 Word of Promise

I am very excited about receiving and reviewing the NKJV format audio Bible called The Word of Promise. Though this is only the New Testament, there is so much that I continue to pick up and learn every time I listen to it. It is performed in dramatic audio theater, meaning that it is not read by one narrator in a monotone voice. Through the use of different actors and background noise/music it draws you into the New Testament immediately. It gives a depth to the pages of the Bible. It contains 20 CD’s including a Behind the Scenes DVD.

I would love to get the Old Testament also on CD from The Word of Promise. It is a great tool for me when I am commuting to work 45 minutes away. I personally feel that the Bible could be read/heard over and over again, and each time would be uniquely different. Whether it be where you are in your life, or the information you pass over previously which now has new meaning, whatever the case I would recommend this great tool to anyone. It is an awesome way of keeping yourself in the Word, while keeping your eyes on the road ahead.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible

The Greatest Stories of the Bible has been a great addition to our library. The Bible is written in a storybook New King James Version format. It does not include the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, but 250 of the greatest events in the Bible. The reason I like it so much is that I have both an eight and three year old that like reading stories. With this book, I can take the lesson they learned in Sunday school from the Bible, and expand on it with this Bible. There is a table of contents and an index, so finding specific events are easy to find. Now I don’t have to worry about which chapter in what book did Jacob dream about the ladder to heaven. Greatest Stories of the Bible are listed according to their order in the complete Bible, so there is no real skipping around. That would have been a little too confusing, mixing New and Old Testament. I commend Thomas Nelson for putting together such a good quality book. The paper stock used and the cover added to the high quality of the book. This is a great book for anyone looking for a family devotional or a good bedtime read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 Tallest of smalls

Max Lucado has done it again. With a simple storyline, Lucado touches on some very deep stuff. The Tallest of Smalls is about Ollie. Ollie so much wants to be part of the “in” crowd. These people, lifted high on stilts, looking down on those below casting judgment. Ollie is tired of being looked upon dejectedly, wishing that he would be picked to wear a pair of stilts. His moment arrives, only to find that it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Soon he loses his stilts, but finds friendship in the One who cares for him no matter how tall, making Ollie the Tallest of Smalls.
The book is wonderfully illustrated by Maria Monescillo. The setting takes place in the town of Stiltsville. Every day at 6, those on stilts come into the town square and pick someone to receive a pair of stilts. The book is written in rhyme, so it is easy for my sons to get into and follow.

I think The Tallest of Smalls speaks to so many who think that they are somehow less worthy than others. Whether they think they are not pretty enough, rich enough, smart enough, even funny enough, we often place others on pedestals; those we look up to. This book brings to light that what we are in search of is much greater than looks or smarts, but acceptance. Trying our best to please the world only makes us less pleased with ourselves. However, when one finds friendship in Jesus, they find the acceptance for who they really are. Jesus doesn’t want us to be more beautiful or more intelligent, He just wants us. He is our dearest friend, one who can look past all our imperfections and see through to the very heart of all of us. Knowing this lifts us to new heights, far surpassing our wildest imaginations.

Called to Worship

I would have to say after reading the book, Called to Worship, that I have my new favorite book. This book, written by Vernon Whaley, was masterfully done. It is hard to find a book that is both compelling to read and is personally directed at you.

Called to Worship, according to the book, is exactly what we are. It is the reason God created us. Mr. Whaley’s book goes from creation in Genesis, to the Last days in Revelation, all while revealing different ways that we can worship Him. As I read this book, I realized how little I really give to God. I’ve been, too often, going through the motions, until a need arrives. I hate to say it, but one of those Sunday worshipers. What I failed to realize, which this book brought to light, is that God is not looking for the next Moses, or Abraham, or Paul. He is looking for me, and in turn you. His plans are to work through all of us, towards each other. By stopping with our daily lives, our busy schedules, our routines, and spending more time with Him, our relationship deepens and grows. Believe me, it is contagious. As your relationship with God grows, so does your relationship with your spouse, your children, your friends, and loved ones.

Worshiping God does not mean keeping kneeling before Him with your face on the floor, even though He deserves it. Just looking at Adam in the Bible gives us a glimpse of the perfect worship. Worship before sin. When both God and Adam would walk through the Garden together, Adam was not prostrated before Him. They shared an intimate relationship, one without fear, regret, shame. Eve experienced the same friendship and companionship with God and Adam. This is the reason that we all were created. To experience that same companionship with the One who “wonderfully made you… Psalms 139:14”.

Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions

I reviewed Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions, and I found this book amazingly done. I, myself, am Christian. However, I always wanted to know why others believe what they do. The Guide to Religions does an excellent job of not only going into detail of each religious sect, but does so with great respect for each and every religion. Never in the book does it belittle or degrade other religions compared to Christianity. This I thought was very respectful.

It not only gives a greater understanding of the religions of the world, but for myself, it gave me a deeper appreciation for my own. It is easy to find myself going through the motions, saying I am a Christian more than “being” a Christian. By reading this book, I am able to better reflect on my own beliefs and understandings. Through this process, I grow deeper in my relationship with my Lord and Savior. I want to thank Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions for doing very extensive and, I would imagine, exhausting research that was required to put a 640 page book on religions together.

I would recommend this book for anyone who always wonders why others believe what they do. But I would also recommend this to anyone who wonders why I believe what I do.