All posts tagged Reviews

Build a Better Blog: Write a Review

By | May 25, 2011 | 31DBBB, Resources | 1 Comment
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This week’s task in the Blogger Challenge (task #28) is to write a review.  Yeah!  One of the things I love about blogging is reading and reviewing — books, curriculum, experiences, you name it!  I have a huge stack on the bookshelf in need of reading and reviewing right now in fact!

Ideas for Reviews

In his workbook, Darren lists a few ideas for reviews:

Personally, I do a lot of books and curriculum resources.  Recently, we’ve been doing a unit on How to Use My Bible, so I’ve been trying to get reviews out on all the Cool Bible Tools we’ve discovered.  I also plan on doing a few reviews on classroom decorations we’ve found (easy on the budget and fun!).

Always Room for Improvement

Darren lists many tips in his workbook to improve your reviews.  Here’s two that I could improve on:

  • Visuals —anything that can help your readers visualize the product you’re reviewing will help. Use pictures, videos, screen captures, or diagrams wherever you can to add depth to your review post.
  • Details on How to Obtain the Item—if your review is about a product that can be purchased, give as much information on how they can buy it and how much it’ll cost.

What about you?

What kind of things do you review?  What would you like to be reviewing?  What are some tips for writing a great review? Leave me a comment!

 

 

Warning: This Book Will Not Change Your Life

By | February 2, 2011 | Prayer, Resources, Reviews | 3 Comments
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I just finished reading through Couples Who Pray by Squire Rushnell and Louis Duart.  I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed I was with this book.  The introduction was consumed with author self-accolades and ravings about the celebrity couples whose quasi-perfect marriages were improved by the 40 day prayer challenge.   After I trudged through that completely useless section, I was lucky enough to read about the “Life-changing Lovemaking” that results from the methods in this book.    The rest of the chapters followed in the same way, giving story after story of how the prayer challenge revolutionized marriages near and far.  Some of this is nice, of course, but seventy pages of it? Seems like a little much.

Finally, in section three, you think you’ve arrived at the prayer challenge only to find you have to read through a bunch of theology — some of it very faulty.  One example I found especially alarming was the woman who started “tithing” by promising her clients that 10% of her commission would go to a charity of their choice. Apparently, she felt pretty strongly that you could use this act of worship as a business tactic and God would be completely okay with that.

The book never actually outlines a 40 day prayer challenge — I guess you’re on your own for that.  If I were you, I’d skip this book and all its ridiculous testimonials and just start praying with your spouse.     Or pick up one of these resources:

The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage

The Power of a Praying® Wife

The Power of a Praying® Husband Deluxe Edition

The One Year Book of Praying through the Bible

Disclosure:  I received this book free from BookSneeze.  The opinions expressed are my own.

In Constant Prayer: Book Review

By | January 18, 2011 | Resources, Reviews | 4 Comments

When I picked up this book about a month ago, I read through the first thirty pages or so before putting it down and pronouncing it the most boring book ever.  Of course, this was a great disappointment for me, since I was really looking for a book that would help to deepen my prayer life.  I’ve been reading through Francis Chan’s Forgotten God and have been convicted lately about tapping into the only true source of power for my ministry.  It didn’t look like Robert Benson’s book was going to be the winner.

HOWEVER, with the lure of new Valentine’s themed books on the horizon from Booksneeze, I was again motivated to tackle this book about ancient prayer.  I don’t know what changed between last month and now, but I when I opened the book again last night, I was completely captivated.

Flying through the next ninety pages, I felt completely in sync with what the author was saying about the desperate need for prayer in the church today.  Benson became a bit more relational, dropping the historical background for personal stories and succinct explanations about the daily office of prayer.

In Constant Prayer gives the reader a great overview of the daily office (or daily hour of prayer), explaining its roots, purpose, and even gives suggestions for starter prayer books.  Benson addresses the common fear or avoidance of liturgy and clarifies the purpose of using liturgy both in corporate and personal prayer.

There are so many gems in this book, I could not detail them all in this one post.  Over the next few days, I’ll be highlighting my favorite parts, sharing some especially powerful quotes and sections, and explaining the practicing of the daily office according to Benson.  For now though, I will leave you with a hearty recommendation to invest in this book.

Related Resources:

The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life – The Ancient Practices Series
The Divine HoursTM, Pocket Edition
The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime (Tickle, Phyllis)

* Disclaimer: I received this book free from Booksneeze.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: The Grace of God

By | October 19, 2010 | Reviews | Comments Off

What a great read! This book, written by Andy’s Stanley, has truly captured my attention. Andy took the story of God’s grace and shared it in this book in a seamless and beautiful way. I loved the attention to background details and the way he framed all the stories within their context.

I wish I would have read the chapter about the Ten Commandments before teaching the Children’s Church lesson on it two weeks ago. As a read through those chapters, I was reminded of the situation the Ten Commandments were birthed from and why they were so important to the Israelites.

Moments like these happened again and again as Andy retold the captivating story of God’s grace in a way that truly came alive for the reader. A great book for those who need a little refreshing and want to see God’s goodness in grace in the way it was meant to be.

Check out another review at Religion Sucketh.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers program BookSneeze, and as such, was provided with a free copy of the aforementioned book in exchange for reviewing it on this website. 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.”

Same Kind of Different as Me: Book Review

By | October 3, 2010 | Reviews | 2 Comments

When I received this book, I was anxious to dive right in.  However, the first part of book drug along as I tried to get into the story line.  Maybe it was jumping between two seemingly unconnected stories and two very different writing styles every other chapter.  Maybe it was just a busy time in my life.  Either way, it took me over a month to make it through 100 pages.

Yesterday I buckled down and was determine to finish the book.  By this point the two authors lives had converged and things were starting to get much more interesting.  As I read through the second half of the book, a beautiful and touching story emerged between a modern day slave and international art dealer  -  coerced into becoming friends at the urging of Deborah, the art dealer’s wife.

Soon Deborah, the cornerstone of this story, falls ill and everyone’s true colors begin to show — colors that painting a exquisite picture of Christian love, support, and true friendship.  Turning page after page, I found my eyes growing watery as Deborah’s friends gathered around her to pray and wrestled with the answers God was providing.

Though a little tough to get started in, this book is well worth the effort! Pick up your copy below or leave a comment for a chance to win my review copy!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers program BookSneeze, and as such, was provided with a free copy of the aforementioned book in exchange for reviewing it on this website. 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.”

Jesus Calling: Book Review

By | August 2, 2010 | Reviews | Comments Off

I had just returned from helping out at a youth camp (great experience) and was looking for a good devotional book to really help me connect with Christ. I searched all my bookshelves (as a book addict, that did take a bit of time), but came up short. Then, this book arrived in the mail (I forgot I ordered it from BookSneeze!) — perfect timing. I am so impressed. 

I am wanting to grow closer to God through prayer, so my plan has been this: I spend some time praying first and then read the day’s entry. It is unreal how the day’s entry often seems to speak right to my need. This is truly a gem. The entries are short enough for you to read over and over to really meditate and concentrate on them. It is a little weird they are written from “Jesus perspective”, but keep in mind this is the author’s journal — which she published, so it’s not like a mainstream devotional book. It is completely refreshing and a wonderful resource. The best devotional book I’ve ever used (and I’ve used a lot!).  You can pick up your copytoday!

 

Other Book Reviews

Raising a Modern Day Joseph
Instant Games for Children’s Ministry
The Hole in our Gospel

Other Bloggers Review Jesus Calling:

Clark Chatter

Backseat Writer

His Lovely Creation

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