Third Day Make Your Move Concert

I attended the May 5, 2011 Louisville, KY concert. Opening act, Tenth Avenue, was very good. I was impressed as they performed very well. No comparison, however, to the Third Day concert. Yes, I am a bit biased, being a huge Third Day fan - even a Gomer! Third Day sung a great selection of songs while focusing on their current release, "Move". I recommend a Third Day concert for everyone - it's simply the best! I also believe it would be a great opportunity to take non-Christian friends to witness and have a great time! I've seen Third Day five or six times and I have never been disappointed. Third Day truly puts on an outstanding concert! Love Mac Powell's moments of prayer - really feel even more connected to God! Out of five stars, Third Day Concerts rate ten stars!

Check out Thirdday.com for free live concert streaming! Still it doesn't quite compare to the experience of actually being at a Third Day concert!

Growing Up Amish, A memoir, by Ira Wagler

Have you ever wondered what Amish life is like? Have you ever wondered if Amish teenagers ever rebel? Can an Amish person leave the Amish life, and if so, what are the consequences? All of this and more is answered as Ira Wagler recounts his life story - growing up Amish.

Wagler's story is moving as he starts from early childhood and continues into his teenage years as he struggled, rebelled and left the Amish only to return a number of times. It's story of finding one's place in the world and the assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ. Wagler details his stuggles being torn between the world and the Amish belief that you must be Amish or you will be condemned to eternal hell.

It took Wagler ten years to find the peace he was so desperately searching for, while feeling "Confused. Half-scared. Trapped. Resigned. And, deep down desperately lost." Wagler recounts his decision to become a member of the Amish church; his regret; his excommunication; and his decision to return to the Amish church and have his excommunication lifted. Wagler discusses how his actions affected his family as well as the hardships he faced the times he left his family and the Amish. Yet, would Wagler remain Amish? You must read this book and find out. It is a great read and I highly recommend it. Every young person struggles with what road to take and their future. This memoir emphasizes such struggles in a unique way as Wagler struggles with being Amish. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially young people.

Tyndale House Publishers sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.

Put Your Dream to the Test by John C. Maxwell

This is a nonfiction book that helps the reader identify and realize his/her dreams. The secondary title is more descriptive: 10 Questions to Help You See It and Seize it. All of us have dreams, but how many of us are able to achieve our dreams or even goals? This book is a highly valuable tool with excellent advice for achieving your dreams. All aspects are covered, such as whose dream is it? Is it really your dream or your parents', for example.

The book is broken into ten chapters, each very enlightening. Chapter 1 - The Ownership Question (Is my dream really my dream?); Chapter 2 - The Clarity Question (Do I clearly see my dream?); Chapter 3 - The Reality Question (Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?); Chapter 4 - The Passion Question (Does my dream compel me to follow it?); Chapter 5 - The Pathway Question (Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?); Chapter 6 - The People Question (Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?); Chapter 7 - The Cost Question (Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?); Chapter 8 - The Tenacity Question (Am I moving closer to my dream?); Chapter 9 - The Fulfillment Question (Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?); and, Chapter 10 - The Significance Question (Does my dream benefit others?). This book also includes a companion guide: My Dream Map.

You cannot go wrong reading this book - in fact, you will most likely gain so much insight in your hopes and dreams. This book is very thorough and well thought out. I highly recommend this book to all high school and college students. Though, anyone with a dream will certainly benefit from it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

dot.comdating by Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott

This is a nonfiction book about the reality of today's dating scene. With the immense popularity of the internet, dating has certainly changed. More and more people are using internet sites to meet and date people. This book addresses all aspects of using the internet to date.

Times of changed - a lot! A lot of people who did not grow up with the internet may find it awkward to even think about using the internet to date. This book addresses that concern and many others. This book is divided in three sections: The Six Big Myths of Online Dating; Six Ways to Know if Online Dating Is for You; and, Five Questions You Absolutely Must Ask Before Signing Up. Each Chapter is titled to be very specific to the content, making it useful to look up specific questions.

I have been skeptical of online dating, but this book is a valuable resource. Read it and follow the advice and you will most likely find internet dating extremely helpful in meeting your mate. The authors are thorough and cover what seems to be every possible mistake that someone new to internet dating may make. It is very helpful.

I like the fact that it is a little book that is short and to the point - a very fast read. I also like how Chapters are titled to be very specific to content, making it easy to find a particular topic quickly. All chapters also have the important points emphasized at the end. This is a Christian book, so it's target audience is Christians. I believe everyone can benefit from this book, though. I highly recommend it.

Tyndale House Publishers sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.

Max on Life by Max Lucado

This is a nonfiction book that covers a variety of questions concerning God and God's involvement in our lives. The book is literally a question and answer session divided in seven sections. Taking questions from people, the author answers popular questions with sensitivity and biblical backing. The sections of the book are:

Hope - God, Grace, and Why am I here?; Hurt - Conflicts, Calamities, and Why me?"; Help- Prayer, Scripture, and Why Church?; Him/Her- Sex, Romance, and "Any chance of a second chance?; Home- Diapers, Disagreements, and Any hope for prodigals?; Haves/Have-Nots- Work, Money, and Where's the lifeline?; and, Hereafter- Cemeteries, Heaven, Hell and Who goes where?

The author covers highly sensitive questions, such as homosexuality, making this a very enlightening book. The author uses examples from the Bible or refers to actual Scriptures to back up his answers. It may not cover your specific question, but chances are you will gain insight from answers to other questions. The author covers the entire spectrum of questions regarding God and life.

While I have not read every question and answer, I have read some controversial questions and answers, such as on homosexuality. I felt the author addressed the topic of homosexuality in a Christ-like manner. Specifically, the author stresses it is a sin that disappoints God, but we, as Christians, need to build a bridge - loving, not condoning. The author points out that there are a multitude of other sins that are more acceptable in our society, but just as disappointing to God. We should not treat homosexuals differently.

I liked the book because the author backs up his answers with biblical examples and/or Scriptures. There is also a topical index and an index to Scripture. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Not everyone may agree with all of his answers, but everyone can certainly gain insight from his explanation of his answers. The author even addresses the topic of writing your own books, from which he has also received many questions.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 Final Summit by Andy Andrews

This is a fictional novel with an important messaage. The author uses a character from a previous novel who was involved in time travel. The particular time traveler, David Ponder, is now called on a mission by the archangel Gabriel, to save civilization. David Ponder is called to a meeting that includes many other time travelers who are familiar people from the past, such as Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Joan of Arc, King David and many others.

David Ponder has five chances to find the answer, with the assistance of other time travelers, that will save civilization. Keeping the novel suspenseful, David Ponder is under a time constraint - an hour glass filled with sand. The author uses historical facts with some spectulation to develop the character of each famous person from the past. The book is engaging and you cannot help but try to guess the answer yourself. Each answer is deliberated upon making wrong answers helpful for creating a better society, too.

This is one of the best fictional books I have read. I like the fact that the author answers questions that will come to the reader at the end of the book. For example, one time traveler is far from being well known. David Ponder receives information about this time traveler, but being a fictional novel, it makes you wonder whether this time traveler's life story or even existence is true. The author answers this and other questions, including the source of information, at the end of the novel, allowing the reader to learn of historical events that are not recorded in history books. This is a must read novel!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 Fight of Our Lives by William J. Bennet & Seth Leibsohn

This is a well researched book about how America's views about radical Islam have gone from justified anger of 9/11 to a highly tolerant and even apologetic manner towards all of Islam, including radical. The book details events such as Fort Hood masacre by Nidal Hassan, who proclaimed extremist Islamic views. Despite the warning signs and complaints against Hassan, Hassan was left to continue serving in the military while spewing radical Islam. There were plenty of warning signs as the authors point out that were ignored. Why were the warning signs ignored? Politcal correctness and religious tolerance has devolved America'a justified anger toward radical Islam into appeasement in all forms of Islam.

The facts in the book are backed up with endnotes, making it authentic and something that certainly should be taken seriously by Americans. The authors are very brave and pull no punches in citing incidents of poor judgement by American leaders who are more attuned to appeasement and political correctness than the real lurking dangers. The author's research into the Fort Hood masacre set the tone for this must read book. America is in serious danger if our leaders continue to choose to ignore warning signs of radical Islam that have and can continue to errupt into terrorism and slaughter.

I liked this book becaause it demonstrates just how America's views have drastically changed over the past ten years. It is an eye opener and every American should read this book. I hope our leaders certainly read it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”