"Slave" - The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ by John MacArthur

Starting the year off with the "Life Changer" book, "Slave - the Hidden Truth about your Identity in Christ!" by John MacArthur  This book is so well written and the truths are life changers. I'll quote the book through out.

"We have been bought with a price.  We belong to Christ. We are His own possession."


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Learning what a privilege it is to be Slaves to Christ rather than Slaves to sin.  whew.  That's freeing!  The world looks down on the notion of living our lives for another.

"That God, and His grace, would free us from sin and make us His slaves is a wondrous truth to comprehend.  What a privilege for is to know and obey the Heavenly Master!"

In our world, we are taught to build ourselves up above others.  In Slaves, we can focus on giving back and serving Christ the one who set us free. I am no longer bound to this way of thinking.  I don't answer to the world.  As a Believer, I want to be an example and live above reproach.  However, my Master is my Lord.

"We are all, now, the slaves of Christ, called to obey Him and to follow in His example of love and self-sacrifice.  Consequently, we can serve one another in humility and gladness, no matter our ethnic, or socioeconomic differences, knowing that we are all accountable to the same Heavenly Master!"

I loved the Chapter "The Riches of the Paradox" where MacArthur discusses the Bible's paradoxical truths. "Salvation is free and costly. To be truly rich, one must be poor in spirit.  Scripture teaches that those who mourn will be comforted; those who give will receive... God uses evil for good.  He is three yet one.  Slavery has been gloriously transformed, in Christ, to signify honor, liberty, and eternal bliss!"


Are you hungry to read Slaves?  And to learn more about this life of belonging to Christ?  I highly recommend it.  The author says it best.  Check it out and God bless your journey in Christ.

5 Stars in my Book: "Slave" - The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ by John MacArthur

Warmly, Carolina Mama

*This book was reviewed as part of my participation in the Thomas Nelson Publishing book review program. I was provided the book, the opinion is expressly my own!  I am slave to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and want to share His good news.

"Knockout Entrepreneur" by George Foreman and Sweepstakes

Honestly, I was a bit intrigued with a guy who names all of his sons after himself, same name! Meet George Foreman! As in George Foreman Grills - the lean, mean grilling machines!

As a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger, I got to read the "Knockout Entrepreneur" by George Foreman. George Foreman candidly shares his story of almost "turning down more than $100 million!"

Love his ethic of "Make It Good - Competence Matters too!" No doubt. That from a very successful entrepreneur.

"Along with character, you and your business must develop a consistent track record of competence - demonstrating your ability to get a job done, a product delivered on time or ahead of schedule, with no gaffes or defects."

"Again and again, I have heard people say two priceless words about the George Foreman Grill: 'It works!' It Works!"

Commitment and hard work bring him the success he has attained. In the book he has awesome Knockout Idea to Stimulate Your Success! at the end of each Chapter.

Love that he says we need to "Dress for Success" in our individual career areas. "Know what the standard is and dress a bit above it." A great reminder for a casual society. And he also says to stay hungry. Always looking for the next opportunity.

Overall, solid, tried and true success steps from a man who knows! In the end, he thanks "the Good Lord, for loving me and teaching me everything I know about being a Knockout Entrepreneur."

Great Read! Motivational and encouraging. I love a feel good book from someone successful who has a tried and true track record. How about you? What are you reading?

Just for fun: You enter the win the George Foreman Smart Kitchen Sweepstakes here!  Good luck!

Warmly, Carolina Mama

*I am a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger - opinion is my own.

"Everyday Greatness" by Stephen R. Covey Review

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do!"


"Everyday Greatness" by Stephen R. Covey "Inspiration for a meaningful life." Thomas Nelson published. Covey works at facilitating you getting more out of life with his insights and commentary! This is a Reader's Digest recommended reading book. It is a nice coffee table or bedside table book. To clarify, the writings are not by Covey but the "insights and commentary" are and they are well done.

Believe me, I have been perusing it for a while and it is chock full of nuggets to get you focused. Covey challenges you to make three important choices everyday:

1) The Choice to Act - your energy
2) The Choice or Purpose - your destination
3) The Choice for Principles - the menans for attaining your goals.

Other topics and titles include, Creating a Dream, Teaming with Others and Overcoming Adversity. Be prepared there is a lot of information in this book. You can also use this book as a refresher or encouragement, reading Chapters or Sections at a time and still glean a lot of insight.


Warmly,

Max Lucado's "Fearless"

"If only we could order life the way we order gourmet coffee. Wouldn't you love to mix and match the ingredients of your future?

Give me a tall, extra-hot cup of adventure, cut the dangers, with two shots of good health." "Fearless" - "Imagine Your Life Without Fear" by Max Lucado

"Fearless" by Max Lucado

As a Christian, Jesus' teaching taught us to "fear not" and yet so often we find this emotion making itself known in some way. Max Lucado remarkably and calmly shares his own personal testimony of losing his own brother all too young. He walks you through many scenarios people are gripped with today: fear for our children, fear of death, and fear of global calamity. The fears are many.

And the solutions are singular. This book can be life changing. I enjoyed the practicality of it all. In addition, there is a Discussion Guide included that can be used individually and/or in group.

Now I have several people I want to share this reassuring book with, it's just a matter of how many copies I need. What about you - are you gripped with fear? Or just a nagging fear? Check out "Fearless" and learn how to let Christ calm your fears.

Warmly,

"The I Believe Bunny"

The I Believe Bunny

Recently, we had the opportunity to review the I Believe Bunny book by Thomas Nelson Publishers. What a treat! Our boys were pretty mesmerized by the gorgeous illustrations throughout and the story was classic and fresh all at once. Tish Rabe began writing The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library, a new series of non-fiction science books for early readers in 1996. She really delights with this simple story, I Believe Bunny

Children will love the beauty and the simplicity of the story. Well written and as one of the Tigers reminded me, "It's all about praying." That is the message our boys took from this sweet story. "Prayer works!" And I loved the reminder to help others. Children will love the age old lesson written here. Truly Tish Rabe is an author to follow. We're already looking for her next book or two.

We're Hooked on Friday's with Julia and this is our entry because we are hooked on "The I Believe Bunny" and Tish Rabe.

Warmly,

Perspective In Noticing The Noticer

The Noticer

"... it is Caleb's father who will lead him with the very example of his own life. Caleb will watch his father closely and duplicate everything his father does. Caleb will become what his father becomes... 'I'm sure your father did the best he knew, but he also expected you to add wisdom and understanding to what he was able to impart.'" Jones of "The Noticer"

As I read The Noticer I gleaned many insights - mainly remembering to keep my own perspective - I thought of my Daddy the great Noticer. He noticed life, every second. In fact, he lived more and had more of a lasting impact than many and most who live twice his life span.

The Noticer's lead character "Jones" was mysteriously stepping in to make a difference in the lives of those who most needed it. The main thing he gave them was perspective, a perspective that made all the difference.

perspective: the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed ; also : point of view b: the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance The Noticer .

Andy Andrews has a compelling way of writing as he weaves this story in a small, Southern beach town about what matters most - people. Over and over, Jones took the time to notice people. In turn, you finish reading with a bit of that mystery and love for people all the more.

Now I have my own list of Noticers. After reading The Noticer, you'll have your own. Who do you notice ? And who are your own Noticers? All it takes is a little perspective.

Warmly,

Good Media A Media Revolution

With a New Year comes new inspiration. Here are a couple of things I just wanted to share with all of my readers. For those of you who enjoyed my little book review yesterday, I wanted to invite you to join me. Yes, you.

Would you like to become a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger? Go ahead check out the details and let me know what you decide. It is an awesome way to spread the word about great Christian books at Thomas Nelson. I enjoyed it and it was fun and really quite simple. Read and write review.

Next, Mountain Man recommends this awesome book and he got to hear the author, Brian Fisher, speak recently about his book the Media Revolution. Apparently it is a real eye-opener.

Please tell me your thoughts on the Media Revolution.

p.s. Tomorrow really is "Win It Wednesday!" Come back to Win! Cheers 2009!

Warmly,