Read List
I have read several books that were a good read but do not have the time to write a review. So I thought I would share the title and author of some of the books that I started and finished :-) !
List
Smith Wigglesworth Apostle of Faith - Stanley Howard Frodsham
John G. Lake - His Life, His Sermons, His Boldness of Faith
Morning by Morning - Charles Spurgeon
Purging Your House, Pruning Your Family Tree -Perry Stone
Scarlett Threads - Perry Stone
The Best Yes- Lysa Terkeurst
The Art of Creative Living - Thomas Kincade
The Magnolia Story- Chip and Joanna Gaines
My Utmost For His Highest- Oswald Chambers
Hinds Feet on High Places - Hannah Hurnard
You can read a few of my past reviews at this link
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Faith of Leap, Embracing a Theology of Risk, Adventure & Courage
by Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch
I received this book from Baker Publishing Group for free in return for a review of the product.
There are many, many books, movies and authors referenced by the authors of The Faith of Leap. I agreed to review this book because of subject matter and title. They both caught my attention.
The book is written as a collective thought process garnered to reach many mind sets.
*Get ready to pay attention. This is a good read, but not an easy read.
Thought provoking on many levels. Are you ready to be challenged? Challenged to look at your gifting and your abilities? To gain momentum and lose your excuses?
Alright then, Ready, Set, Do.
The objective of the Faith of Leap is radical participation. And the best part is that the definition of radical will be your own version. Your everyday life turned into an adventure, lived from fear to faith.
I could go on...but then you wouldn't need to read it yourself. So I will close with one of the last paragraphs of the book.
~Debbie
© 2013 Debbie Turner Chavers
"We firmly believe that when a community of believers embraces the challenge to move out from within themselves, to serve others, to listen to others, to help build a home where God sends them, and to announce that the kingdom is at hand in word and deed, the true essence of what it is to be the people of God can be experienced in all the richness and beauty and messiness and joy as it was originally intended."
~Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Blessing
Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance
written by John Trent,PH.D. and Gary Smalley
This book is a blessing. Wow! A definite need to read for just about everyone. The time is now. Be a blessing. The importance of the blessing is seen throughout scripture and in the observation of individuals. Even babies look toward others for acceptance.
From the first time that they reach out on their own, their eyes turn toward others for the nod or look of approval. The blessing is basic to humanity.
The authors of The Blessing book have listed 5 basic elements to the blessing:
Meaningful touch
A spoken or written message
Attaching high value
Picturing a special future
An active commitment
Truly what relationship would not benefit from these 5 elements being practiced?
Are you ready to become a blessing champion?
To get started check out the website at http://theblessing.com/
~Debbie
I received this book from BookSneeze for free in return for a review of the product.
©Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, What You Say (and Don't Say) Will Improve Your Relationships
by Deborah Smith Pegues
This small book covers such a big issue. Scripture says that our tongue can be a blessing or create a world of trouble, so this was a needed read for me.
I enjoyed the presentation of scripture and a chapter for each day dealing with a different aspect of speaking...or not speaking. There are 30 readings for 30 days. Good common sense in the area of taming the tongue can be beneficial to anyone who wants to improve their relationships.
There are checklists to go over in the back of the book for the continued discipline of taming your tongue.
There is an additional work book available also.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
~Debbie
© Debbie Turner Chavers
`````````````````````````````````````````````
Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker
The budget secrets were common sense tips. I was raised by a thrifty mom who re-purposed before it became the "In" thing to do, or "Going Green" etc... She was creative in her financial sensibilities in most areas of our home life.
Ms. Craker's discusses new ways to share gift giving joy in Christmas gift giving. This is an area of spending that a lot of people fall into a debt trap. She shares many tips on how to avoid this money pit.
A quote from the chapter titled, Rethinking Gifts, " I don't know if I'm prepared to receive only a light bulb for Christmas...but I think we could all stand to dial it down about ten notches."
I heartily agree! My best gifts have always been those that were simple and spoke to me of the givers thoughtfulness not necessarily their abundant bank account.
I liked the book. It was an easy read and a doable process for most anyone. There is a list of bartering websites that would be helpful to most. After 14 chapters, you are likely to have picked up something that will help you in your quest to save money and enjoy the simple pleasure of saving more money and sharing with others.
~Debbie
I received this book for free in exchange for a review from Baker Publishing Group
© 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Purging you House, Pruning your Family Tree by Perry Stone
This was a very informative book. I did not agree with everything in it, but over all it was a great read. I learned many things that I was not aware of, but one of my favorite parts was at the very back of the book. Mr. Stone traces the gospel seed planting through many lives. The conclusion ends with "Building a Godly Legacy".The example given starts with Billy Graham an ends with a timid Sunday school teacher named
Mr.Edward Kimball who is recorded as starting the gospel planting process. Only heaven knows who shared with Mr. Kimball, and who shared with him, and so it goes all the way back to Adam and Eve.
Never discount your ability to change the world by living out and sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As a gardener I appreciated the the way the book was presented. Trees, branches, roots, vines, etc... were given to give a picture of the subjects discussed.
Example on page 82 was:
Four parts of a Family Tree-every tree consists of four different parts, all working together to produce a healthy tree:
1. The roots
2. The trunk with bark
3. The leaves and branches
4. The fruit.
Every family tree also has these four important parts:
1. The roots are the early foundation and beginning of a family.
2. The trunk is the strength of the family tree.
3. The leaves are the beauty and the protective covering of the family unit.
4. The fruit are the spiritual results and blessing that follow a family.
As you read, Mr. Stone shows you things to guard against in our lives as we build our own families. He gives examples from his experience and from scripture. Overall a good read. I will read it a second time to glean things that I missed the first time!
© Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey
Interesting read, it states on the cover, "A true story of death and life". Most people never realize how their life and story can be of benefit to others. Mr. Piper went through an awful ordeal of extreme physical pain and adjustment. He wrote the book to tell about his experience in heaven and his purpose in being made to return to earth.
His story is one of hope for those who have a loved one that is gone and for those who are suffering in their present circumstances.
I liked the last part of the book best. He is able to share his assurance of heaven and tell about the lives he has touched through sharing his testimony.
©Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
I read this book like it was a long letter from a friend. In this case a woman who has gone through much and learned many lessons to teach others. I can not say enough good things about this book. It is a Christian Classic to me.
As I grow in my walk with Jesus Christ, I appreciate the teaching of those who have tasted and seen that His word is good and "pass it down the table for me to try."
I will reread it through the years as I have Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It is abundantly clear in this book that there is a war being waged in our mind and Joyce Meyer shows us the way to freedom in this area.
I digested each page, choosing my favorite sentences, thought processes that ministered to me at the time and wrote my thoughts and responses to God's word and Joyce's writing.
To really absorb the teaching contained in this wonderful book, I suggest you do the same.
Read my entry below for the example of what I did as I studied.
~Debbie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My notes:
Chapter 2
Favorite sentence from Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer in Chapter 2 is on page 27.
You can not have a positive life and a negative mind.
~Joyce Meyer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joyce teaches that your thought life is vital to overcoming a negative mind set. Your thought life is controlled by YOU. Do not allow your mind to just wander. Self control is a fruit of the Spirit.Galatians 5: 22, 23When you are tempted to just let the negative flow freely like lava. STOP!Have you ever seen what lava does to the landscape? Lava destroys everything in its path.If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have been given the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
As you can see, God has given us every tool that we need to be over comers in this area.
Question: Will you take authority over your own thought life? Not someone else-yours. Most people want to be in a position of authority and yet refuse to manage their own mind! If you find this is difficult and that you have a tendency to not think on those things which are pure and lovely. You can change your mind. Here are a few things that help me. When life seems overwhelming I pick a scripture quote and meditate on it throughout the day. I purposefully look for positive, pleasant things. A kindness, a smile, etc.. I seek to do something good for someone else. This does not make the negative disappear yet it helps me to handle it. Think about it. What can you do today and everyday there after? Every change requires action. One step at a time. With God's word and our will, we can win the battle in our minds.
~Debbie
© Debbie Turner Chavers
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Book Review of Redefining Beautiful: What God Sees When God Sees You by Jenna Lucado with Max Lucado
Jenna's book is an insightful look into the heart of how a young woman views her beauty. Anyone, regardless of age, would benefit from Jenna's honest and at times humorous outlook on beauty. As a mom of two daughters, I appreciated Jenna's down to earth ability to speak to young women in an easy to understand heart to heart language. Her message is positive and uplifting and shows how our relationship with God redefines our outlook of inner and outer beauty. I enjoyed the book and would suggest it as a great read for everyone.
I received this book from BookSneeze for free in return for a review of the product.
© Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Book Review of Crazy Good Sex putting to bed the myths men have about sex by Dr. Les Parrot
An interesting read since I am a woman. I found this book informative and helpful in speaking with others about marriage and the beauty of married sex.
Pornography and a wrong attitude toward sex has ruined many relationships.
Dr. Parrot discusses the harm that the current attitude toward sex is having upon society and couples.
Do not let the title throw you. It is not that spicy. As with all things a prayerful study of God's word should be your ultimate guide in all areas.
Dr. Parrot also has a web link for this book. It can be found at http://crazygoodsex.jlog.com/CH-4
Dr. Parrot is married and he and his wife Dr. Leslie Parrot have a relationship page at
http://realrelationships.com/
I received this book from BookSneeze for free in return for a review of the product.
© Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Girl Perfect by Jennifer Strickland
Girl Perfect is the story of a young woman seeking love and approval. And the good news...is the young woman finds it in the knowledge of the one who modeled her perfectly after His own image.
God, the maker and potter, that made each of us a vessel of beauty and usefulness.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Jennifer is candid about the not so "perfect model's life" that most young women long to experience. What young girl has not gazed longingly at the photos of others and wanted something different than the image they see in their own mirror?
Yet, God in His infinite wisdom has created a beauty that is uniquely yours.
Jennifer's testimony is about that unique, God created beauty that lies within each of us. The air brushed beauty of the breath of God upon us.
I enjoyed the book, and the happy ending!
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I found it to be an interesting read. There are numerous stories within the story of lives and people who intertwined to make an interesting family tree. Step by step you begin to see how the stone thrown into the proverbial pond caused waves of change.
I had no ideal previous to reading this book of the importance of this famous beer. Nor did I know about the positive, effective change that was accomplished by the family in helping others.
Overall, the book was interesting.
I received this book from BookSneeze for free in return for a review of the product.
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
I first read Hind's Feet on High places in 1988 and I have reread it several times since that time. I find a new insight concerning where I am in my walk with the Lord Jesus every time I have taken the time to read this Christian Classic.
You too, will probably see yourself on these pages. I know I did, and I wanted a new name and nature too! I love this book so much that I wrote a study guide for it.
© Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children by Stormie O Martin
The job of parenting is a rocky road at best, that tries your patience and draws love out of the depths of your heart. I am still amazed at the fierce and protective unction that parenting brings forth. I thought that as my children became adults that the struggle to protect and nurture would diminish through the process of time. Nada!
As my children have become adults the same dilemmas surface anew with a new generation. The world and its concepts would try to diminish the Word of God that has been planted in the soil of your child's heart. And though I stand on and proclaim the Word of God in the following scripture:
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,"
I realize that it is wise to protect the harvest until the Lord of the Harvest returns to claim His crop.
Our job as a parent never ends. Just as God's role as our Heavenly Father never ends.
So day in and day out our role as parents are renewed as we learn and confess our own dependence on God who teaches us that despite our failures, God never gives up on us.
Parenting is a job that we are well able to accomplish with God's word and help. So I continue to encourage my children in the precepts of God's word as I submit myself to His word.
The book, The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children by Stormie O Martin, has been a wonderful resource of encouragement and wisdom.
Although, it states it is for your adult children, its wisdom is helpful for children of all ages.
Obviously, there are different needs that your child will face at each stage and age of life. Yet, God's word remains the same and works wonderfully as we agree with His word through study, proclamation, and action.
Prayer-Proclaim His word, He has promised to honor His word.
Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
Let yourself be encouraged to still believe that the best is yet to come and that your seed can be watered by His Spirit and His Word and yield a wondrous harvest unto the glory of the Lord.
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TITHING Test Me in This by Douglas Leblanc
TITHING Test Me in This, is the title of a book by Douglas Leblanc. The book highlights the experience of many people and how they viewed tithing and how it affected their lives.
The stories were interesting yet as with any discipline of God's word, the proof so to speak lies in personal obedience not second hand knowledge.
Not just words, mine or yours, but action, personal,simple obedience to God's word.
God says in the Old Testament book of Malachi in Chapter 3 verses 10-12.
Malachi 3:10-12
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delight some land, saith the LORD of hosts.
This is a promise of provision and protection from God. Yet, obedience is required for the blessing.
It is not about how much, a 10Th and 90% for you, because He gave all, for you, 100% .
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
How does one argue or justify disobedience when giving back to the Provider a small portion of what He gave you?
It comes to the New Testament scripture of 1 Timothy 6:10
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Where does your affection lead you? It is not so much the dollar amount, yet a heart attitude with action following, that says "It is all yours Lord and thank you for providing.
Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Prove Him and see.
~Debbie
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Women At The Well
In everyday life there are so many instances where we need to take the time to refresh our out look. Life's demands can drain your best intentions. There are 32 short devotionals from assorted women who each share a moment in their life to enrich ours spiritually. A brief story, scripture, a life application, Drawing from the well of prayer, a prayer for help and understanding. I have been impressed with Betty Robinson and her gentle spirit. The book was similar to Betty, gentle and to the point. A good read.
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List
Smith Wigglesworth Apostle of Faith - Stanley Howard Frodsham
John G. Lake - His Life, His Sermons, His Boldness of Faith
Morning by Morning - Charles Spurgeon
Purging Your House, Pruning Your Family Tree -Perry Stone
Scarlett Threads - Perry Stone
The Best Yes- Lysa Terkeurst
The Art of Creative Living - Thomas Kincade
The Magnolia Story- Chip and Joanna Gaines
My Utmost For His Highest- Oswald Chambers
Hinds Feet on High Places - Hannah Hurnard
The Leadership Handbook- John C Maxwell
The 5 Love Languages - Gary Chapman
Sacred Marriage - Gary L. Thomas
The Blessing ( Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance ) John Trent,PH.D and Gary Smalley
God's Chosen Fast ( A Spiritual and Practical Guide To Fasting) - Arthur Wallis
Sex, Love and Romance (Sex Education from the Bible) -Hugh F. Pyle
100 Days of Favor and Unmerited Favor - Joseph Prince
Flash ( The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances) - Rachel Anne Ridge
The 5 Love Languages - Gary Chapman
Sacred Marriage - Gary L. Thomas
The Blessing ( Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance ) John Trent,PH.D and Gary Smalley
God's Chosen Fast ( A Spiritual and Practical Guide To Fasting) - Arthur Wallis
Sex, Love and Romance (Sex Education from the Bible) -Hugh F. Pyle
100 Days of Favor and Unmerited Favor - Joseph Prince
Flash ( The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances) - Rachel Anne Ridge
War Room - Chris Fabry
The Battle Plan for Prayer- Stephen and Alex Kendrick
Fervent, A Woman's battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer - Priscilla Shirer
An Extra Ordinary Life- George and Betty Jackson
Audacious - Beth Moore
So Long, Insecurity- Beth Moore
Purpose-Discovering God's Purpose For Your Life-Beth Moore
Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry - Lisa Bevere
Lioness Arising-Wake Up and Change Your World - Lisa bevere
Fasting, The Key To Releasing God's Power In Your Life- Derek Prince
The Battle Plan for Prayer- Stephen and Alex Kendrick
Fervent, A Woman's battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer - Priscilla Shirer
An Extra Ordinary Life- George and Betty Jackson
Audacious - Beth Moore
So Long, Insecurity- Beth Moore
Purpose-Discovering God's Purpose For Your Life-Beth Moore
Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry - Lisa Bevere
Lioness Arising-Wake Up and Change Your World - Lisa bevere
Fasting, The Key To Releasing God's Power In Your Life- Derek Prince
God's Medicine Bottle- Derek Prince
Blessing or Curse..You Can Choose - Derek Prince
God's Remedy for Rejection -Derek Prince
Praying For Your Prodigal-Kyle Idleman
100 Ways To Simplfy Your Life- Joyce Meyer
Blessing or Curse..You Can Choose - Derek Prince
God's Remedy for Rejection -Derek Prince
Praying For Your Prodigal-Kyle Idleman
100 Ways To Simplfy Your Life- Joyce Meyer
You can read a few of my past reviews at this link
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Faith of Leap, Embracing a Theology of Risk, Adventure & Courage
by Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch
I received this book from Baker Publishing Group for free in return for a review of the product.
There are many, many books, movies and authors referenced by the authors of The Faith of Leap. I agreed to review this book because of subject matter and title. They both caught my attention.
The book is written as a collective thought process garnered to reach many mind sets.
*Get ready to pay attention. This is a good read, but not an easy read.
Thought provoking on many levels. Are you ready to be challenged? Challenged to look at your gifting and your abilities? To gain momentum and lose your excuses?
Alright then, Ready, Set, Do.
The objective of the Faith of Leap is radical participation. And the best part is that the definition of radical will be your own version. Your everyday life turned into an adventure, lived from fear to faith.
I could go on...but then you wouldn't need to read it yourself. So I will close with one of the last paragraphs of the book.
~Debbie
© 2013 Debbie Turner Chavers
"We firmly believe that when a community of believers embraces the challenge to move out from within themselves, to serve others, to listen to others, to help build a home where God sends them, and to announce that the kingdom is at hand in word and deed, the true essence of what it is to be the people of God can be experienced in all the richness and beauty and messiness and joy as it was originally intended."
~Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Blessing
Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance
written by John Trent,PH.D. and Gary Smalley
This book is a blessing. Wow! A definite need to read for just about everyone. The time is now. Be a blessing. The importance of the blessing is seen throughout scripture and in the observation of individuals. Even babies look toward others for acceptance.
From the first time that they reach out on their own, their eyes turn toward others for the nod or look of approval. The blessing is basic to humanity.
The authors of The Blessing book have listed 5 basic elements to the blessing:
Meaningful touch
A spoken or written message
Attaching high value
Picturing a special future
An active commitment
Truly what relationship would not benefit from these 5 elements being practiced?
Are you ready to become a blessing champion?
To get started check out the website at http://theblessing.com/
~Debbie
I received this book from BookSneeze for free in return for a review of the product.
©Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, What You Say (and Don't Say) Will Improve Your Relationships
by Deborah Smith Pegues
This small book covers such a big issue. Scripture says that our tongue can be a blessing or create a world of trouble, so this was a needed read for me.
I enjoyed the presentation of scripture and a chapter for each day dealing with a different aspect of speaking...or not speaking. There are 30 readings for 30 days. Good common sense in the area of taming the tongue can be beneficial to anyone who wants to improve their relationships.
There are checklists to go over in the back of the book for the continued discipline of taming your tongue.
There is an additional work book available also.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
~Debbie
© Debbie Turner Chavers
`````````````````````````````````````````````
Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker
The budget secrets were common sense tips. I was raised by a thrifty mom who re-purposed before it became the "In" thing to do, or "Going Green" etc... She was creative in her financial sensibilities in most areas of our home life.
Ms. Craker's discusses new ways to share gift giving joy in Christmas gift giving. This is an area of spending that a lot of people fall into a debt trap. She shares many tips on how to avoid this money pit.
A quote from the chapter titled, Rethinking Gifts, " I don't know if I'm prepared to receive only a light bulb for Christmas...but I think we could all stand to dial it down about ten notches."
I heartily agree! My best gifts have always been those that were simple and spoke to me of the givers thoughtfulness not necessarily their abundant bank account.
I liked the book. It was an easy read and a doable process for most anyone. There is a list of bartering websites that would be helpful to most. After 14 chapters, you are likely to have picked up something that will help you in your quest to save money and enjoy the simple pleasure of saving more money and sharing with others.
~Debbie
I received this book for free in exchange for a review from Baker Publishing Group
© 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Purging you House, Pruning your Family Tree by Perry Stone
This was a very informative book. I did not agree with everything in it, but over all it was a great read. I learned many things that I was not aware of, but one of my favorite parts was at the very back of the book. Mr. Stone traces the gospel seed planting through many lives. The conclusion ends with "Building a Godly Legacy".The example given starts with Billy Graham an ends with a timid Sunday school teacher named
Mr.Edward Kimball who is recorded as starting the gospel planting process. Only heaven knows who shared with Mr. Kimball, and who shared with him, and so it goes all the way back to Adam and Eve.
Never discount your ability to change the world by living out and sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As a gardener I appreciated the the way the book was presented. Trees, branches, roots, vines, etc... were given to give a picture of the subjects discussed.
Example on page 82 was:
Four parts of a Family Tree-every tree consists of four different parts, all working together to produce a healthy tree:
1. The roots
2. The trunk with bark
3. The leaves and branches
4. The fruit.
Every family tree also has these four important parts:
1. The roots are the early foundation and beginning of a family.
2. The trunk is the strength of the family tree.
3. The leaves are the beauty and the protective covering of the family unit.
4. The fruit are the spiritual results and blessing that follow a family.
As you read, Mr. Stone shows you things to guard against in our lives as we build our own families. He gives examples from his experience and from scripture. Overall a good read. I will read it a second time to glean things that I missed the first time!
© Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey
Interesting read, it states on the cover, "A true story of death and life". Most people never realize how their life and story can be of benefit to others. Mr. Piper went through an awful ordeal of extreme physical pain and adjustment. He wrote the book to tell about his experience in heaven and his purpose in being made to return to earth.
His story is one of hope for those who have a loved one that is gone and for those who are suffering in their present circumstances.
I liked the last part of the book best. He is able to share his assurance of heaven and tell about the lives he has touched through sharing his testimony.
©Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
I read this book like it was a long letter from a friend. In this case a woman who has gone through much and learned many lessons to teach others. I can not say enough good things about this book. It is a Christian Classic to me.
As I grow in my walk with Jesus Christ, I appreciate the teaching of those who have tasted and seen that His word is good and "pass it down the table for me to try."
I will reread it through the years as I have Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It is abundantly clear in this book that there is a war being waged in our mind and Joyce Meyer shows us the way to freedom in this area.
I digested each page, choosing my favorite sentences, thought processes that ministered to me at the time and wrote my thoughts and responses to God's word and Joyce's writing.
To really absorb the teaching contained in this wonderful book, I suggest you do the same.
Read my entry below for the example of what I did as I studied.
~Debbie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My notes:
Chapter 2
Favorite sentence from Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer in Chapter 2 is on page 27.
You can not have a positive life and a negative mind.
~Joyce Meyer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joyce teaches that your thought life is vital to overcoming a negative mind set. Your thought life is controlled by YOU. Do not allow your mind to just wander. Self control is a fruit of the Spirit.Galatians 5: 22, 23When you are tempted to just let the negative flow freely like lava. STOP!Have you ever seen what lava does to the landscape? Lava destroys everything in its path.If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have been given the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
As you can see, God has given us every tool that we need to be over comers in this area.
Question: Will you take authority over your own thought life? Not someone else-yours. Most people want to be in a position of authority and yet refuse to manage their own mind! If you find this is difficult and that you have a tendency to not think on those things which are pure and lovely. You can change your mind. Here are a few things that help me. When life seems overwhelming I pick a scripture quote and meditate on it throughout the day. I purposefully look for positive, pleasant things. A kindness, a smile, etc.. I seek to do something good for someone else. This does not make the negative disappear yet it helps me to handle it. Think about it. What can you do today and everyday there after? Every change requires action. One step at a time. With God's word and our will, we can win the battle in our minds.
~Debbie
© Debbie Turner Chavers
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Book Review of Redefining Beautiful: What God Sees When God Sees You by Jenna Lucado with Max Lucado
Jenna's book is an insightful look into the heart of how a young woman views her beauty. Anyone, regardless of age, would benefit from Jenna's honest and at times humorous outlook on beauty. As a mom of two daughters, I appreciated Jenna's down to earth ability to speak to young women in an easy to understand heart to heart language. Her message is positive and uplifting and shows how our relationship with God redefines our outlook of inner and outer beauty. I enjoyed the book and would suggest it as a great read for everyone.
I received this book from BookSneeze for free in return for a review of the product.
© Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Book Review of Crazy Good Sex putting to bed the myths men have about sex by Dr. Les Parrot
An interesting read since I am a woman. I found this book informative and helpful in speaking with others about marriage and the beauty of married sex.
Pornography and a wrong attitude toward sex has ruined many relationships.
Dr. Parrot discusses the harm that the current attitude toward sex is having upon society and couples.
Do not let the title throw you. It is not that spicy. As with all things a prayerful study of God's word should be your ultimate guide in all areas.
Dr. Parrot also has a web link for this book. It can be found at http://crazygoodsex.jlog.com/CH-4
Dr. Parrot is married and he and his wife Dr. Leslie Parrot have a relationship page at
http://realrelationships.com/
I received this book from BookSneeze for free in return for a review of the product.
© Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Girl Perfect by Jennifer Strickland
Girl Perfect is the story of a young woman seeking love and approval. And the good news...is the young woman finds it in the knowledge of the one who modeled her perfectly after His own image.
God, the maker and potter, that made each of us a vessel of beauty and usefulness.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Jennifer is candid about the not so "perfect model's life" that most young women long to experience. What young girl has not gazed longingly at the photos of others and wanted something different than the image they see in their own mirror?
Yet, God in His infinite wisdom has created a beauty that is uniquely yours.
Jennifer's testimony is about that unique, God created beauty that lies within each of us. The air brushed beauty of the breath of God upon us.
I enjoyed the book, and the happy ending!
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield
I found it to be an interesting read. There are numerous stories within the story of lives and people who intertwined to make an interesting family tree. Step by step you begin to see how the stone thrown into the proverbial pond caused waves of change.
I had no ideal previous to reading this book of the importance of this famous beer. Nor did I know about the positive, effective change that was accomplished by the family in helping others.
Overall, the book was interesting.
I received this book from BookSneeze for free in return for a review of the product.
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
I first read Hind's Feet on High places in 1988 and I have reread it several times since that time. I find a new insight concerning where I am in my walk with the Lord Jesus every time I have taken the time to read this Christian Classic.
You too, will probably see yourself on these pages. I know I did, and I wanted a new name and nature too! I love this book so much that I wrote a study guide for it.
© Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The job of parenting is a rocky road at best, that tries your patience and draws love out of the depths of your heart. I am still amazed at the fierce and protective unction that parenting brings forth. I thought that as my children became adults that the struggle to protect and nurture would diminish through the process of time. Nada!
As my children have become adults the same dilemmas surface anew with a new generation. The world and its concepts would try to diminish the Word of God that has been planted in the soil of your child's heart. And though I stand on and proclaim the Word of God in the following scripture:
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,"
I realize that it is wise to protect the harvest until the Lord of the Harvest returns to claim His crop.
Our job as a parent never ends. Just as God's role as our Heavenly Father never ends.
So day in and day out our role as parents are renewed as we learn and confess our own dependence on God who teaches us that despite our failures, God never gives up on us.
Parenting is a job that we are well able to accomplish with God's word and help. So I continue to encourage my children in the precepts of God's word as I submit myself to His word.
The book, The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children by Stormie O Martin, has been a wonderful resource of encouragement and wisdom.
Although, it states it is for your adult children, its wisdom is helpful for children of all ages.
Obviously, there are different needs that your child will face at each stage and age of life. Yet, God's word remains the same and works wonderfully as we agree with His word through study, proclamation, and action.
Prayer-Proclaim His word, He has promised to honor His word.
Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
Let yourself be encouraged to still believe that the best is yet to come and that your seed can be watered by His Spirit and His Word and yield a wondrous harvest unto the glory of the Lord.
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TITHING Test Me in This, is the title of a book by Douglas Leblanc. The book highlights the experience of many people and how they viewed tithing and how it affected their lives.
The stories were interesting yet as with any discipline of God's word, the proof so to speak lies in personal obedience not second hand knowledge.
Not just words, mine or yours, but action, personal,simple obedience to God's word.
God says in the Old Testament book of Malachi in Chapter 3 verses 10-12.
Malachi 3:10-12
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delight some land, saith the LORD of hosts.
This is a promise of provision and protection from God. Yet, obedience is required for the blessing.
It is not about how much, a 10Th and 90% for you, because He gave all, for you, 100% .
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
How does one argue or justify disobedience when giving back to the Provider a small portion of what He gave you?
It comes to the New Testament scripture of 1 Timothy 6:10
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Where does your affection lead you? It is not so much the dollar amount, yet a heart attitude with action following, that says "It is all yours Lord and thank you for providing.
Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Prove Him and see.
~Debbie
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Women At The Well
In everyday life there are so many instances where we need to take the time to refresh our out look. Life's demands can drain your best intentions. There are 32 short devotionals from assorted women who each share a moment in their life to enrich ours spiritually. A brief story, scripture, a life application, Drawing from the well of prayer, a prayer for help and understanding. I have been impressed with Betty Robinson and her gentle spirit. The book was similar to Betty, gentle and to the point. A good read.
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
