"Overrated" book review and giveaway

Have you ever heard a speaker who was so dynamic, so convicting that you thought, "Nuts...now I need to change."

"Overrated" by Eugene Cho called to me because, for a long time now, I've been slowly coming to grips with the notion that I too can be counted among those who love the idea of justice more than I love justice. I love the idea of being like Jesus more than being like Jesus. And while I have definitely made life changes in the right direction, I was hoping this book would give me a shove in the right direction.

Mr. Cho and his wife made some pretty radical life changes to be able to help the poor and it is both admirable and inspiring. One thing that really hit my heart that Mr. Cho said was, "Don't ask others to do what you aren't willing to do. Don't ask others to pray if you aren't praying. Don't ask others to give if you aren't giving." etc. Whoa. Yep, I'm guilty of that. I suppose I asked others to pray because I know I don't pray as I ought.

The other part of the book that was a great reminder what when Mr. Cho spoke of John the Baptist needed to be reassured that Jesus was in fact the Messiah because He wasn't acting the way everyone expected the Messiah to act. If I am to be like Jesus, I am going to be weird in the eyes of others. But if I keep my eyes on the goal, it won't matter one bit. And, along the way, people will see what true Christianity looks like.

This was a good book. It didn't grip me like "Crazy Love" did but it was still worth the read which is why (drum roll please) I'm having another sweepstake. If you want your name put into the draw for a copy of "Overrated" let me know. Draw will be held October 8th, 2014. Good Luck.


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"Created for Influence"

Every once in a while, a book comes along that has the power to change your life.

"Created for Influence" by William L. Ford III is that book. I can't say it's written by a dynamic wordsmith. It isn't a book that waxes eloquent but at least every other page or so, I found myself thinking, "Oh, I've got to write that one down." Mr. Ford does a great job of bringing out the truth about our relationship with Christ; namely that it's real!

I loved the part of the book where he talks about God gazing at us like one does when they are infatuated. It really struck a chord with me to think that when I "gaze back" through worship, it's like when two people make eye contact across the room - gazing into each other's eyes. There's fireworks in the heart. We have such a romantic God.

Make sure you read this book. And have a pen and paper ready to jot stuff down.


BTW, I got this book free in exchange for an honest review.

"The Princess Within" review

When I was in my teens, my best friend Mindy had a subscription to 'Seventeen' magazine. As soon as they arrived each month, we would devour them. One regular piece in the magazine was always the first to be read; the quiz. Are you a flirt? Are you a good friend? Is he into you? The quizzes never failed to entertain us. One month there was a bonus quiz section! So great!

While reading "The Princess Within" by Serita Ann Jakes, I tried really hard to put myself in the shoes of the intended audience. The first thing about this book that caught my inner 14 year old was the quiz every other chapter. (I think I would have liked this book.)There is also a snippet of an ongoing real-life style fairytale as well as some bible teaching and practical application.

The teaching by Mrs. Jakes is sound and practical. Some of the issues she mentions are upsetting but, then again, so is life. A couple of times I had a slight knee jerk reaction to the content. Upon pausing to think, "Is this appropriate for teens?" I always came back with a yes. To think that my teen doesn't know about body issues, rape or cutting would be ridiculous. It's better to meet the issue head on than act like an ostrich.

The big question, after making sure that the teaching is sound, is to ask, "Yeah, but will my teen read it?" I suppose I can't really answer that since I'm not your teen. But, while this is a book, is has a magazine feel to it in that the chapters are short and the teaching parts are interspersed among life stories and fictional bits. Right now my daughter is only 11 but I will definitely be keeping this book for when she's a few years older. It's a book many young gals would benefit from reading.

BTW, I got a free copy in exchange for an honest review.