Transforming Church in Rural America-Shannon O'Dell

I recently recieved a copy of Shannon O'Dell's Transforming Church in Rural America, breaking all the Rurals, and it couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. My husband was recently hired as a youth pastor of a very small rural church much like the one described in O'Dell's book, so I was interested in his take on how to transform such a church.

Using the acronym V.A.L.U.E, vision, attitude, leadership, understanding and enduring excellence, O'Dell shares his struggles and humble beginnings of transforming a small rural church desiring change but not wanting to let go of the past to get there. With humor and bits of sarcasim he shares exactly what it's like to worship and live in a rural community but also how using his VALUE system and listening for Gods ultimate timing a church can go from rural to virtual. He states the key is not in growing a congregation but growing the congregants, which I'd have to agree with.

This was a very interesting and well written book with alot of great ideas for rural churchs wanting change. Though I don't think some of these methods would work with alot of rural church's there were many methods in the book that would benefit church's of all sizes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

DVD-The Way Home

I had the privilege this week of reviewing "The Way Home" a DVD based on the inspirational true story, starring Dean Cain. The Way Home is the story of a husband and father torn between the demands of his job and commitment to his family, something alot of husbands and fathers today struggle with. But when asked to watch their 2 yr old son for a few minutes, Randy is distracted by work and 2 yr old Joe disappears. What follows is their desperate search alongside hundreds of  friends, family and churches in the community. It is the story of Randy's powerful spiritual journey back to love, faith and a Godly understanding of what must always take first priority in a man's life-his family.

My 16 yr old daughter and I loved this movie. The way Home shows what happens when we let the demands of life interfer with our family life and how God can point us back in the right direction. Great family movie that can be watched by all ages, just have the kleenex standing by. The film also includes several special features to enjoy. Will recommend this to friends and family looking for good, clean, christian viewing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

100 Prayers God Loves to Hear 100 Praise Songs-Stephen Elkins

I love, love, loved this book for children! It is packed with 100 days of prayers; from scripture including David, Moses, and Jesus, from famous and well known people like Chales Wesley and Abraham Lincoln and beloved childrens prayers like Now I lay me down to sleep. Reading through this book will teach your young children how, what and when to pray while making praying fun.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the, My Little Prayer Reminders at the end of each prayer with quotes or bible verses. These would be perfect for copy work for homeschool children to use, which we plan on doing. Also included is two cd's with 100 praise songs that kids will want to listen to over and over reinforcing the prayers in the book. All in all this is a simple little childrens book that is packed full with great little treasure you are sure to enjoy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Out Live Your Life-Max Lucado

Out Live Your Life is a book about making a difference. These are devastating times: 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, one billion are hungry. Lonely hearts indwell our neighborhoods and attend our schools. In the midst of it all here we stand: you, me and our one of a kind lives. We are given a choice...an opportunity to make a difference during a difficult time. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope?

In 16 short chapters Lucado gives scriptural backing on why we should and are required to make a difference. Each chapter along with scipture uses real life stories and illustations on how some people are already using what they have to impact the world around them. Accompaning each chapter is a discussion and action guide that can be used to dig into the Word and see what it has to say on each subject tackled in the book, and an action section to push you out of your comfort zone and into making a difference to those around you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 Lord's Prayer by R.T.Kendall

The Lord's Prayer is R.T. Kendall's attempt to "uncover the transforming truths contained within each line of this familiar prayer, including when and why to pray the Lord's Prayer and how unanswered prayer can by a sign of  God's favor".

This book starts off with glowing reviews of author Kendalls teaching and writings, maybe a few to many for my taste, but he's a very well respected teacher and it shows. The Lord's Prayer contains 5 parts with 3 chapters in each part, and each chapter focusing on a different aspect on the Lord's Prayer. Many people know the prayer and can recite it by rote but often we don't really stop to focus on what we are saying and why and when we should say it. R.T. Kendall goes in to great detail and depth to explain the who, what, when and why's of the famous prayer using lots of inspiring quotes of well respected Bible scholars.

While it starts out a little slow it picks up and is well worth the read. It will have you using The Lord's Prayer in a more intentional way in your daily private and public prayer times.

I recieved this book from Chosen Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group as a part of their book review program. All views expressed are my own.

Flight to Heaven-A Pilot's True Story by Capt. Dale Black

This is definately an edge of the seat kinda book! This is one that you can't put down long enough to go fix dinner, you just have to read one more chapter and then one more.

Flight to Heaven, written by the man who experienced it Capt. Dale Black, is the true story of the authors near brush with death in a plane crash. It cronocles the painful recovery that followed along with the later realization, due to memory loss, that during his ordeal he'd visited Heaven, and how he chose to deal with that knowledge.

The thing that endeared me to this book was the fact that the heavenly visit while beautiful and not to be underscored was not the main point of the book. Capt. Black wanted to show how his life was changed by this experience and how he's tried to help others because of it. He wants others to experience their own heavenly journey and not just focus on his. Thanks to wonderful advice from a godly grandfather he's lived his experience, not just lived to tell about it.

This book is full of drama, sadness, happiness, and as I said edge of your seat excitement. It contains pictures of the planes mentioned, and crash site photos to help you envision the story as you read. It will leaving you wanting your own 'flight to heaven'.

I recieved this book from Bethany House Publishers as part of their book review program. All views expressed are my own.

Unburdened by Chris Tiegreen

The subtitle of this book is what caught my eye, 'the secret to letting God carry the things that weigh you down', as my family has been going through numerous things of late that have really gotten us down I thought this book would really hit the spot. And that it did!

In the introduction, author Chris Tiegreen states, "This book won't come across as a how-to manual. No, this is more like a series of personal reflections on what it's like to struggle with heavy baggage and, more important what it's like to release that baggage to someone more capable of handling it." It doesn't give you step by step instructions on handling burdens and trials, such as do this and this and then your burdens will magically disappear. But it does make you think about what your burdens are and why they are in your life and he then takes you to 'the source' for unburdening yourself.

I enjoyed this book, it didn't solve all my problems but it did remind me of who can solve all my problems, something that gets pushed aside when you are weighed down with the stresses of life. My copy of Unburdened is now colorful with lots of highlighting and underlining so I can go back when I need more reminding, and many quotes I copied in my Bible for future reference.

I recieved this book as a part of Tyndale House Publishers, book review program. All opinions expressed are my own.