Marathon Book Review #3 Flight Plan the review

I wish they had written this about 15 years ago!  It was by the grace of God that we made it through the teenage years!  If your almost there right now this is the book you need. 

When this one was offered I was really excited because of the subtitle . . . Flight Plan your mission to become a man.      This book is written for the christian family that wants to grow their young sons into Godly men, husbands and fathers.   

It is written in a way that will catch the adult and the young boys attention.  

From the back cover:
This is the ultimate field guide for growing boys into men.  Developed by leading educators, and built on Biblical principles, Flight Plan shares how boys can:

• Make smart choices today that will impact their future
• Become responsible and accountable
• Handle changes in their body and their relationships
• Understand the risks of drugs and alcohol
• Develop a God-centered life

I agree with the cover claim  it is . . . Honest and practical, Flight Plan helps parents and leaders partner in a boy's growth at home, at school and at church. 

The authors  Brady (headmaser) and Burns (chaplain) at the Presybeterian Day School in Memphis, Tn. for more info. click on their names to read their bios.   And for more info. about the book go to the website.    I found another review here check it out. 

This book is available at Amazon.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&B Media Group 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.

Merry Christmas

Posing for photo's with a 2 year old... cracked me up!

He was trying to get settled 'just right'  I missed a couple of shots.

Cracked us all up!

Almost there . . . nope. . .  this is better!

Merry Christmas
Come back at 5:00
for an evening of enchantment . . .

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday hosted and created by Iris.
Today she got me to thinking about friendship. 
I am thankful for friends. 
Iris mentioned praying for a friend at work.  Not just any friend someone that she could talk to and share her faith.  Iris was greatly blessed not only to find a friend but what she didn't mention was she saw an answered prayer! 
I am Blessed when I actually see a true answer to a prayer. 
Do you sometimes wonder about prayer. Do you sometimes wonder about God's timing compared to yours? 
I have been there and done that!  (I wish I could have used a bigger font to express the vastness of that last statement)
God has answered my prayers many times.  But there have been many times when I have wondered where he was. 
This past year has been one of the hardest years of my life. 
But today I sit here with a computer, inter-net and electricity.  I am thanful. 
There is food in my refrigerator.   I am thankful
I am thankful I have a place to live.
I have a car that runs.  I am thankful 
I am thankful for past friendships.  I am thankful that God put certain people in my path at certain times. 
I am thankful that God gave me a friend that prayed for me everyday during those difficult times this spring.  And emailed me.
I could go on and on but I know you don't need to read more of my list. 
I pray that today you have a list of thankfulness.  And, I pray that you see God answer a prayer. 

Don't forget to check out the book give a ways on the sidebar.  The drawing is Monday.  You can enter everyday.  Click on the book photo's.

Wordfilled Wednesday Dec. 8th, 2010

Welcome to Wordfilled Wednesday created by Amy.

. . . That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

(paraphrased) Phillipians 2:9,10,11

May your day be blessed and filled with God's love.  

Updated Sunday December 12th . . . found this on you-tube it is beautiful.  I had to come back and add it.

Well they say it's my birthday . . . If You ASK ME

Updated: December 13th to extend the give a ways keep reading . . .
If I had to choose I would not have a December Birthday! . . .
Here's all you have to do to win the books.  Leave a comment on this post.  And, if you say Happy Belated Birthday I will put your name in one more time for each of the ten years I have been celebrating my December Birthday.  (hint that is 5 more times!)
All this because I think these are two great books and I know you'll enjoy.  Please indicate which book you want.  Leave a comment to enter.  Happy Belated Birthday and Merry Christmas!

And since it is my birthday I am doing something crazy.  Well actually I'll be gone all day taking my mother to the doctor and then she is taking me to lunch.  But to celebrate I am giving away two books.  Actually I am not; the author's are giving them away for my birthday. 
I read both of these recently and I thought they were both great.
But for completely different reasons. 
First is . . .

If you've read my blog you know I really love Betcher's series books.  This one is totally different.  You can read my review over
here. 

And the second offer is Flight Plan.  This one was great also but like I said for totally different reasons.  I haven't written my post yet but you can go over to the book website to check it out.  Here's my review.

And so for a few rules.  You must comment on this post only to enter.  You must choose which book you want.  You can comment as many times as you want here.  And, if you say Happy Birthday in a separate comment I'll enter you again!  It's that easy.  I'll close this one on Monday again at 5:00.  

And, now I am off to eat cake!

Prayer for My Daughter

As I sit and write this post my daughter is in a 6th job interview. 
This one with the V.P. of the company.  She has been going through this process for over 8 weeks.   The interesting thing is she is not totally sure what position she is even interviewing for.  She began the process just trying to get 'a foot in the door' with this firm.  Each of the different department leads that she has met have all asked the same question about one of her answers in the initial interview.  It seemed like just a normal interview question but her answer was a marketing suggestion so, we are prayerful that she is moving up the ladder and will be offered a great position. 

As I think of her and all the dynamics involved and how much she really needs this position I think about her faith and trust in God. 
I think about how she knows that whatever happens that God is in control and if she puts her faith and trust in him and if she asks for his guidance that he will answer her prayer and show her the way.

Her faith and hope is in her Father God. 

As I think of her faith I also think of the youth that I work with.  And, I am reminded of last Thursday evening.  I was doing an activity night at the halfway house.  I had arranged to have Santa visit.  It was a fun evening.  All the girls sat on Santa's lap and told him what they want for Christmas.  It was all fun and silly one asked for fried chicken.  But it was this comment that got to me.  I can't remember exactly how she said it.  But in a quiet whisper she asked . . . "Do you talk to God?"  Santa answered.  "Of course everyday."  Even more quietly she asked him.  "Would you ask God to make everyone happy in this house?".  In that moment I felt the presence of God in that room.   Another girl told Santa she wants a family.  Cowboy talked to her later and found out that although she has an adopted family in her anger and frustration she has burned bridges with them.  She is 18 and has no family and no where to go once she is released.  She told Cowboy she had been in and out of foster care since the time she was a new born. 

This was not the post that I intended to write here today.  And, I don't even know how many of you guys will happen in but.  I hope that whoever reads this will pray for my daughter.  And the girls and boys that we work with.   There is so much need in our country.  There are so many people young and old that need to know about God.    They need to hear of his great love and they need to know that they can put their faith and trust in Him.  And that they don't have to ask someone else to talk to Him for them that they can do it themselves. 

This is your last chance to Change!

Give a Way ends today at 5:00.  You still have time to enter. 
Leave a comment on the official post.  You can get there by clicking on the photo in the sidebar. 
Good Luck!

Book One Marathon Strong by Jim Daly

From the back cover:
. . . With warmth and candor, Daly relates narratives from his childhood and adult life, and from his international travels for Focus on the Family. He tells engaging real-life stories that, although seemingly tragic, demonstrate the constancy of God's grace in the midst of disillusionment. Without outlining a step-by-step program, he shares spiritual and practical Biblical principles that demonstrate how to draw on our only source of enduring, powerful strength.
Stronger shows us that we can find strength in our weakness and that we can always continue to grow in
character and maturity.  Through Christ, our brokeness is redeemed.  Through Christ, we become stronger.


The list of endorsements for this book is long.  From other authors to pastors to CEO's everyone agree's that
Stronger helps the reader realize that even you go through trials in this world you can rejoice because you can be Stronger.

I like this on the front cover : Trading Brokeness for Unbreakable Strength

Daly uses life principles and personal stories and helps the reader answer questions like:  Is God to Blame? Is he punishing his people?  Daly successfully shares the profound truth that Christ offers strength us all--not because we deserve it.  but because Hi loves us.  Unless we choose to live in Christ's unbreakable strength, we will live lives broken by bitterness. 

Check out the first chapter here. 

This is  a book that I am putting on my list to purchase for Christmas presents.  Check it out. 
You can purchase at Amazon and Christian Book (dot) com.

Go over here to check out Book Two in this weeks marathon.  And, you can win a free copy leave a comment on the review post to enter.

Friday Blessings Marathon Book Review Begins Tonight

We are buckling up and . . .

Revving our engines this morning . . .

And heading off to a morning at the food bank with smiles on our faces . . .

But before we head out we wanted to leave you with a Blessing!

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
Establish the work of our hands

May you have a Blessed day and I am praying that you are Blessed today. 

Please come back this afternoon for weekend book reviews
I have a give a way going on too it isn't to late to enter for this . . .

Click Here to enter.

Thankful Thursday Thanksgiving Busyness

I spent a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.   I am thankful.
It all began Wednesday when I went to our daughters lugging a big 'ole turkey.   We got the 'big ole bird in the oven then we went for
Donuts.  In 2 year old language that is pronounced like the word 'do' not 'dough'. LOL.  And btw dawng I forgot the camera!  We had a great day preparing.
And then on Thursday it started like this . . . (I remembered the camera)

Cowboy aka 'Pa' making jalepeno poppers.  He had a little help. 
The baby stired the cheese. 

Then we all ate the poppers and quacamole. (did I spell that right?)
While we waited for the entertainment to start.

Here's the main act about to warm up.  Sorry I didn't get any action photo's but we were asked not to take photo's during the performance because the camera flashes distract the entertainer. 
(actually I don't know how to change the setting on my camera and he moved to fast to capture.  But that sounded good!)

And here's the beautiful table our daughter set.

Iris is hosting today stop over and join!

The Lord is my strength and my shield.

I (my heart) cry(s) out to Him and I am helped.

My heart leaps for Joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. 

Psalm 28:7

            ~I pray today that you have a song ~

Before you go you might want to check out the give a way for this

To enter for this give a way go here

Don't Forget about the give a way book!

Since I changed to a more festive look last night I wanted to share this photo again because it was just so cute.  I am thinking of putting it on my sidebar.  It makes me smile everytime I see it. 

If that didn't make you smile then maybe winning this will!  Don't forget to go over to the Review and leave a comment for a chance to win this great book.  The last day to comment is on Monday and I'll announce on Tuesday.  It'll be my present to you on my birthday! 
Go over and leave a comment to enter!

WordFilled Wednesday Dec 1,2010

Please join Amy for more illustrations of God's word.   Amy offered a great illustration today that you can download to use as a background.  Thanks Amy for sharing your beautiful work!

Before you go I am giving a way a book on Tues. Dec. 7th.  Check this out!

I am drawing on Monday the 6th.  To enter go here.

A little something to make you smile

If this doesn't make you smile I would just have to assume you are not a dog lover. I hope your day is blessed!

Before you go check out the give a way!

I am giving this book away on December 7th.  Go here to enter.

I Dare You To Change! Book Review & Give A Way

I chose a number and the winner was V.Westmyer.  Congrats!

A give a way copy is available.  I will draw on Tuesday Dec. 7th  to enter leave comments here.  Each post till the 6th will have a link here so you can enter. 

Pastor and Author Bil Cornelius challenges the reader  (from the back cover) . . . Do you ever say, "I just want to be happy" or "I just want a better job" or I just want to be able to pay all my bills this month:?  Are you fed up with where you are?  In order to make the changes that will make a difference in your life, you need to do something unexpected, bold and, at times, risky. 
  Let's journey together.  Let's learn to take courage and see God's best for our lives.  Let's discover how we can live that second life-the "unlived" life- that we so desire to bring into reality.  I Dare You to Change!  is a hands on, how-to-action plan for life.  I'm daring you to get to work right now and start on your plan.  I'm telling you the honest truth:  Taking the God-given principles in this book and applying them to your life will help you find the strength to change and to understand that there's a difference between dreaming of a better life and living it. 

I don't have a lot to say about this book.  Because there are others that say it so much better. 

Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church says . . . "Bil Cornelius lays the foundation for how to make change happen and experience the most out of life."    I live near Fellowship Church.  Actually my daughter is a member and I get to go to Fellowship frequently and personally I think if Ed Young recommends the book it is enough for me. 

But, in case you need more info.  check out these reviews:
Robert  . . .Pastor Bil has managed to take what some people believe to be complicated and made it simple. His writing is easy and the concepts are simple, but the message is powerful: you CAN change. It's hard not to get caught up in his energy and enthusiasm, so I recommend this book to anyone who has felt stuck and unable to get off the couch and do something meaningful in their lives.

JosephC - This is a great book. Bil uses great biblical principles and awesome business princples to create change. Do the excercises and you will start to change. Don't just read it, act on it.

And a little from an interview I found on the Guideposts (the publisher)  website . . .
 So many of the faith messages we hear today fall into the trap of helping you run into the arms of Jesus, but don’t explain that those arms also are there to stand you up, brush you off, offer a word of encouragement, and get you back out there to living life. Cornelius asks that you not buy into a passive theology like that, and instead take the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus’ forgiveness for the times you fall short, and dare yourself to keep moving, growing, and finding your way to new blessings.
If I was considering buying the book and I wasn't convenienced by Ed Young's endorsement the words above in bold would have been what I needed to check it out myself and to take the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus' forgiveness and to keep moving, growing and finding my way to new blessings.
 
Here's a link to the authors site and here's a link to read a chapter of the book. 
 
I Dare You To Change! is available at Amazon,  Barnes & Noble, Borders and  Books A Million. (Click on the red words for a direct link
 
I Dare You To Change! was released in September 2010 and has already become a USA Today and Wall Street Journal National Best Seller with over 60,000 books in print! The author, Pastor Bil Cornelius, is the founder and lead pastor of Bay Area Fellowship, which is one of Outreach Magazine’s Top 100 fastest-growing and largest churches.  
 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Caffeinated B Marketing  as part of their I Dare You To Change!  blog tour. 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.

Mission 4 Monday Quilts and more Quilts

Today for Mission 4 Monday I thought I would share a few archived photo's of quilts made at Mission Makeover.  I was looking for blue to post for Blue Monday over here.  So I thought I would share them for Mission 4 Monday too.

 This great dining room table is where much of our ministry happened.  Each week day afternoon this table was filled with boys and girls.  We learned very early in the ministry that the meal that the kids got to eat with us that evening was the best meal most of them had in a long time.  So instead of sandwichs we prayed God would provide meals.  And he did!  Every evening we served a home cooked meal.   Most days the boys and girls ate seperately.  But occassionally depending on the group and the devotional we were doing we would all eat together as one big family.

And now on with the blue quilts!

 These are just a few examples of the hundreds of quilts that we produced.  I especially liked the combo of blue and orange. 

All the fabric was donated.  Some of it was quilt quality some was not.  I figured out a way to use the less desirable fabric and we began making pillowcases.  I have a couple made from polyester fabric and I love them. 

We always made simple straight line sewing so the girls could feel the accomplishment of finishing the project very quickly.

And, now I want to share how you can help our ministry without spending a dime!

Yes you can.  All you have to do is sign up at Good Search and instead of using google us this search engine.  It is powered by Yahoo and is completely safe.  I am now using it all the time.  But I know it is hard to make a change.  And so if you would consider just a couple of searches a day it would help us out. 

Need more info. about our ministry.  Here's the links.

Mission Photo's is where you can find the  archived photo's.

Automissionmakeover is our blog with current photo's and programs. 

And our website is here

Check us out and then check out Good Search!

Ready now to start GoodSearching and helping out Auto Mission?  Just click here and where it asks if you want to help a charity type in Auto Mission Bedford Texas.
It really is simple and it will really help us out.  And, after you start Good Searching you can also Good Shop and a % of your purchases will be donated to the ministry too.  Check it out!

And the Marathon Continues . . .

This weekend.  Come back here, here and here on Friday to read the latest book reviews.
I had such a great time doing it over the weekend and I got such great response that for a while at least I will be posting all my reviews on Friday evening and Saturday. 
I hope you enjoy.
You'll still be able to click on the 'Book Reviews' page located on the sidebar (for now) to visit the book reviews any day, any time.   And occasionally you'll find posts during the week because I do have a few assigned days coming up.
So visit often and get some great book ideas for Christmas.
And don't forget if you haven't signed up with Good Search would you consider it?  Each time you search our ministry receives a few cents.  It all adds up.  But the biggest thing is when you 'Good Shop' we can get a percentage of your purchase!  Check out the side bar and sign up at Good Search and help a worthy cause!
See you Friday. 

The Marathon Continues a little later!

Opp's I didn't know this was going on.  So, I hope you don't mind I am taking a couple of hours off from my Marathon Book Review Weekend. 

While I am gone you can read the other reviews . . .
Book One a Tender Vow is here
Book Two Hatteras Girl is here
Book Three is Jump is here
Book Four  is Tales of the Heart is here

And just to keep you interested these are on deck
A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann
A Higher Court by John L. Betcher
Kosher by Design 20 Somethings by Susie Fishbein
Me, Myself and Paris by Ruth Yunker

And later tonight I will be announcing a gift a way.  Every comment on every post counts. 

Thanks for visiting my Marathon.

The Marathon Book Review Weekend Book 3 Jump

I have to apologize . . . I have little to say about this book.  Because they say it so much better! 
Here's the trailer . . .

I even downloaded this to use Sunday morning at chapel to introduce the book and a song that came to mind when I saw this. 

I am puttin' this one on my list of fav's.  I think you'll like it too.  Need more convincin? 

And here's a link to the first chapter.   I enjoyed the authors blog and website go there for more info. 

Sounds great you ready to buy it? . . . I found where you can buy it.   If you haven't already checked out Good Search and Good Shop would you mind doing that?  If you happen to decide to buy this book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble our ministry will get a % of your purchase.  Or, you can go to Borders or Christian Book (dot) com it is available at all four.

I did notice when I was looking for links and the cover photo that there are a lot  of  blog reviews for this book.  I didn't read any of them but if your not convinced and want to check it out just go to Good Search you'll find links to the reviews. 

Here's the book info. from David C. Cook:
Jump is a powerful guide to becoming a vehicle of compassion, reconciliation, and transformation in our world.


Life is all about jumps. We jump from high school to college, school to the professional world, dating to marriage. Each leap launches us to new levels.

Even though we can't see what's on the other side of the wall, our faith jumps are about trusting that God is there. We experience the liberation when we jump into the arms of our Savior, then into a church family, and then into a world desperately in need.

Efrem Smith presents fresh insights into how Christians can say yes to the jump that takes them deeper into a loving, devotional, intimate life with God.

Publishing Details
Publisher: Cook, David C. Publishing Company
Date: September 01, 2010
ISBN13: 9781434764577

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&B Media Group, Inc.  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 Best Plans Sometimes go . . .(TSMS)

. . . way different than you imagined.  I managed to get two posts up and then I had a text from a teenager and spent the rest of the night diverting a crises.  All is well now and I am having my morning Dr. Pepper. 
The next agenda item today is taking the dog out.  And, then I will be back here (My Journey Back), here, and here to write some posts about some great books.  I want to give you guys lots of ideas for Christmas because you know once Thanksgiving is over Christmas is just around the corner. 

I have something I found last night I want to share with you though before I write my first post this morning.
I thought this was really nice and today is Saturday and that means Then Sings My Soul is going on over at
Amy Wyatt's.

Enjoy!

Tender Vow by Sharlene MacLaren-Book Review

I couldn't help but start my marathon of reviews with one I really enjoyed...

I really enjoyed this.  Yes I do have to admit it was somewhat predictable.  But it was a romance and as I have said before that is what we really like about these types of books.

I felt like this one was well written.  The characters are enjoyable. They are all well developed.  The plot is understandable.

I felt a part of the story of the struggles that the characters Jason and Rachel dealt with in the death of 'his' brother and 'her' husband.

This is the first book that I have read by Sharlene MacLaren and, I will definitely love to read more!

This was very easy to read and it was appropriate for the adult or teenage reader. 

A little sneak preview from the Prologue:

Icy breezes whistled through the trees in Fairmount Cemetery, prompting the faithfuls gathered there to pull their collars tighter and button their coat fronts higher, as the tent that had been set up for the occasion did little to protect them from the elements. Just two days ago, northern Michigan had experienced a warm front, unusual for late November, but today’s temperatures made a mockery of it. Twenty-nine-year-old Jason Evans shivered, no longer feeling his fingers or toes, and wondered if the numbness came from the dreadful cold or from his deliberate displacement of emotion. He still couldn’t believe it—it was just two days after Thanksgiving, and his brother, John, two years older than he, was gone. Gone.

Here's the link to the authors website.

It is available at: Amazon and Christian Book (dot) Com.   

Product Information

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 432
Vendor: Whitaker House Publishers
Publication  Date: 2010
Dimensions: 9 X 6 X 1.38 (inches)
ISBN-13: 9781603740982


Thanks for visiting my Black Friday marathon review.  Go over to Sherry Reads N Writes for the next review.  Here's the link.