Run to Overcome by Meb Keflezighi with Dick Patrick

A detailed autobiography of one of America's best long distance runners. Meb describes his life from early childhood, when he lived in Eritrea (a country that was at war with Ethiopia) and his journey to the United States, as a young boy who did not speak English. Meb details the dedication and hard work he spent growing up in the United States, learning English and always concerned with doing his best in academics. While in school, Meb encountered running as a sport and he chronicles his ups and downs in his career as a runner. Throughout Meb's autobiography, he describes how important God has been in his life. To get the most out of this inspiring autobiography, the author included discussion questions for each chapter and includes questions for the reader to reflect on his/her own life.

This book is very inspiring as it demonstrates the determination to continue in the midst of hardships and difficulties. Meb has been quoted as stating, "I am often at my best when things look the worst". While reading, I was truly inspired as I thought of myself in his situations and felt I would not have had the strength to keep trying. The book also demonstrates that you do not need to be number one to be successful. After many difficulties with injuries and illnesses over years, Meb did finish number one in the 2009 ING New York City Marathon. This was not only an accomplishment for Meb, but also for the United States as it had been many years since an American won the ING New York City Marathon (Meb had become a citizen of the United States).

Meb truly demonstrates dedication, commitment and hard work. Describing the demanding training and his determination to overcome injuries, one can see the importance of the title of the book, "Run to Overcome". Each chapter ends with training tips, as well as tips to overcome difficult situations and circumstances. I would not hesitate to recommend this book.

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


Meb will be competing in this year's ING New York City Marathon, on November 7, 2010

Note: Tyndale will be giving away one signed book per day from Nov. 1, 2010 –
Mar. 31, 2011. There will be monthly grand prize winners that will receive a signed copy of the book, other free Tyndale titles, as well as Sony and PowerBar products.
For more information on Run to Overcome and details of the contest go to http://www.runtoovercome.com

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

This book details the many instances of grace that God had given to people in the Bible. The author does an excellent job conveying the different aspects of grace and what grace truly means. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, the author examines people whom God extended grace - people who didn't even deserve grace. Throughout the book, the author explains how grace is not something God gives based on what we do, but is God's gift to us. The author does an excellent job explaining how and why grace does not reflect the extent of sin in our lives, but is truly an unearned gift from God.


This book was very enlightening for me. I have felt that the God of the Old Testament was different than the God of the New Testament. This book showed me that God of the Old Testament was indeed the same God of the New Testament. The author did an excellent job demonstrating that God showed so much undeserved mercy and grace in the Old Testament. There was so much destruction in the Old Testament when God got mad at His people that it can be difficult to see the true nature of God. Our God is and has always been a God that affords us grace. Through the author's discussions of the many incidents that God extended His grace, you will come to realize that God is the same today, yesterday and forever!


I highly recommend this book. There is no doubt that everyone will walk away with a greater understanding of God and His merciful grace. This book is so enlightening, I plan to read it again and again. The author's discussions include background on the characters of the Bible that is not revealed in the Bible. This also makes this book a true gem.

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 One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra

This book is similar to a devotional, except its focus is to encourage and inspire you. It contains the writings of many well known Christians who relied on Scripture during difficult times. This book is divided into easy to read and short passages by date, such as September 24. The subtitle accurately describes this book, "365 days of Inspiration and Wisdom for your Spiritual Journey". The book also provides insight to many topics, such as the depth of God's love and the difficulties of truly laying down your life to follow God. Each daily reading also includes a short prayer and a quote from the Bible.

Overall, I like it. The writings from well known Christians are helpful and encouraging. It, however, could be more useful if a topical index was included. It is difficult to find a particular daily reading that addresses a current struggle you face. While each daily reading is titled, the title does not fully describe the nature of the reading. For example, February 23, is titled "A Short Visit Here" and April 20, is titled "Into the Sunshine". Titles like these do not convey what the daily reading is about.

Although it does not have a topical index, I would still recommend it. Each day is new day with a daily reading that not only provides a source of encouragement, but gives insight into Scripture that can be enlightening. You may find yourself reflecting upon Scriptures in a different light, which could take your Bible study to a new level.

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

Bleeder by John Desjarlais

This a a fictional mystery involving Stigmata and the death of a priest who was able to heal. Was the priest really able to heal? Did the priest really have Stigmata? Was the priest's death a miracle or murder? These are all mysteries and each have unexpected twists and keeps the reader glued to the book.

This book is page turner. The plot does not get boring. In fact, a new twist develops when you least expect it, making it suspenseful. The author's style of writing and his development of characters also kept my interest. The author is able to come full circle in unraveling a complex mystery that is solved by the main character, who was falsely suspected of murdering the priest. It was tempting to turn to the end to see who "did it"! It is highly entertaining and kept some mysteries open for your own thought and interpretation.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries - there is more to it than the who done it of a murder. It keeps you thinking long after about intriguing mysteries in the book that are not solved. For the author to leave some mysteries unsolved, makes the book very unique and thought provoking. This sets it apart from most mystery novels.

Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.

The Art of Being a Good Friend by Hugh Black

This is a book about realizing and cultivating true friendships. It's impressively thorough, meaning it's not just fluff. It describes various types of "friendships" - from acquaintance, other types of relationships to true friendship. It offers much insight into such topics as cultivating friendships and using discernment when choosing friends. In today's age of "friendship" this book demonstrates the benefits of true friendship and examines how to be a true friend. It distinguishes between one-sided friendships, using people, what can ruin friendships, and the limitations of friendship.

I really like the book. It does warn about being cynical about the possibility of true friendship, which is another way I can benefit from this book. One of my pet peeves is facebook and "friends". I do not take the word "friend" lightly and you cannot convince me that someone has over five hundred friends on facebook. The majority of these five hundred friends most likely are not true friends. (How can you even cultivate and maintain over five hundred true friendships?!).

That is why this book is so valuable in today's age. This book delves deep into the concept of true friendships and, in my opinion, facebook just serves to erode the concept of friendship. Maybe, this is part of being cynical, but with facebook being the huge social network it is, what are people really learning about friendship? I have to also note, this book was written well before facebook came into existence. I wonder what the author would say about facebook.

Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.

Seeds of Turmoil The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East by Bryant Wright

This book presents a compelling argument that traces the the current crises in the Middle East back to Abraham of the Bible (Old Testament). From Abraham and Sarah's sin, that was meant to "help God" by allowing Sarah's servant, Hagar, to bear Abraham's first son to the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that Sarah will bear him a son: Ishmael and Isaac; Jacob and Esau; the "birth" of the chosen people, Israel; Israel's struggles and becoming a nation; Israel's loss of its nation (and the Jews were scattered among other nations); Israel's becoming of a nation again in 1948; Israel's wars with the Muslim nations since 1948; coupled with the explanations of the beginning and rise of Christianity and Islam.

The author makes a very insightful and compelling biblical and historical account for the current Middle Eastern Crises. I wasn't sure if I'd like this book, as I assumed it would be based on bible prophesies that are hard to understand. This book is not about bible prophesy, though some is cited and is easily verified with the Bible. This book is fascinating. I read the book practically nonstop, it was so hard to put down. Everything, including Islam, can be traced back to Abraham.

I highly recommend this book. It well thought, thorough and includes a time line of events. It may seem far fetched, but the author describes a biblical, historical and chronological account of events that makes it hard to deny a strong correlation with the present Middle East.

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 Decline & Fall of the Catholic Church in America, by David Carlin

This book is a historical account of the sociological trend of the Catholic Church in America from pre 1960 to 2003, when the book was published. It is a thorough study that can be summed up as how the factors of Vatican II, the end of the Catholic "ghetto" (or, the end of the US Catholic Church's separation from outside influences, such as Protestantism and culture) and the cultural revolution of the 1960's and early 70's led to the great decline in the Catholic Church in America. Actually, the author is so thorough, he explains the factors the influenced the identity of America before it became a nation through the emergence of secularism. Going from Christan to Judeo-Christian to what is now (not specifically identified), but is most certainly non-Christian.

Although it is a sociological study, it is easy to read and for me, it was hard to put down. Even more, it seems to parallel what is going on in mainstream Protestant Churches that is leading to the decline of Christianity as a whole. The author demonstrates what happens when churches try to become ecumenical, which results in a loss of particular beliefs and compromise that washes away Christianity. This is also the result of identifying denominations and accepting all denominations as equal. The Catholic Church cannot survive when it accepts denominations that are in complete opposition or in any degree of opposition to their beliefs as being equal. It's a recipe for disaster and results in loss of membership as well as the loss of true Catholics - those that firmly believe and practice all aspects of Catholicism.

The author even covers the sex scandals - this is truly a thorough and eye opening book on the decline and fall of Catholicism in America. Trying not to end on a negative note, the author suggests how the Catholic Church in America can recover and become a great church again. This part of the book is also an enlightening eye opener.

Easy to read and well written. I highly recommend this book to Catholics as well and Protestants. We all can learn important lessons from this book.

Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review.