Muscular Faith by Ben Patterson

This nonfiction book discusses all aspects of strengthening your faith and strengthening the body of Christians. Christianity is being influenced by many secular factors. Once any aspect of Christianity becomes secularized, Christianity has taken a fall. Christianity is being subjected to many ideals that would minimize it's importance. There is a quote in the book that, in my opinion, summarizes this book as a whole: "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, if of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important." This is a quote from C.S. Lewis.

This book is like a pep talk - not a preachy sermon. It helps to get you more excited about your faith, your walk with God, and the Church. All aspects are covered as the author impacts the reader with the importance of a Christ-centered life.

The book is divided into four sections:
Part 1//The Call to a Vigorous Faith
To Fight the Good Fight and Finish the Race
Part 2//The Case for a Vigorous Faith
Why Does Jesus Speak with such Severity and Urgency
Part 3//The Obstacles
You Have Enemies: The Flesh, the World, and the Devil
Part 4//The Essentials
How to Fight the Good Fight

Throughout the book, the author has singled out comments, putting them in bold and outside of the paragraph. These comments emphasize the importance of the subject. For example, "All genuine Christian action begins with prayer because all genuine Christian action begins with God."

This book had me re-evaluating the strength of my faith. I learned how to strengthen my fight for the good fight and to finish the race strong.

I highly 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

Where Will You Go from Here? by Valorie Burton

An excellent self-coaching book! No matter what your setback is, you will find this book empowering, enlightening, and encouraging. You may have lost your job; you may have gotten divorced; you may have had a tragic accident - to say this book is useful for any setback is an understatement.

This is a thorough book, which includes how to catch negative thinking; how to recognize how your emotions factor, how to figure out your next move; and much more. The author includes wisdom from psychologists, as well as the Bible. Each chapter ends with a prayer that is devoted to the topic of the chapter. Even more, the author is not condescending, and is realistic and encourages the reader to remain realistic and flexible with goals.

This is not a book that simply addresses feel good Bible verses. This is truly a highly useful book to get your life back on track, no matter what your setback is. The author starts the book with 5 key commitments you need to make to yourself to start you on the road to recovery. Here are the commitments, which are explained and in the very first chapter:

1. I will not feel sorry for myself.
2. I will not stare at the closed door.
3. I will dig deep to unearth the courage I need.
4. I will direct my thoughts - my thoughts will not direct me.
5. I will choose to believe that all things work together for good.

Using real life examples from the author's life, as well as others she has coached, this book is fantastic. The author is very realistic as to how you will most likely feel during the process of your comeback - such as, why don't I feel better, now? I highly recommend this book to everyone.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. This in no way influenced my review.

The Little Book of Wisdom by Mark DeMoss

A short read on a variety of principles that will make for a better life. The author has divided the book into two sections: Wisdom For Your Professional Life and Wisdom For Your Personal Life. Overall, you certainly will get something useful - maybe a different perspective of how to handle situations or best seek out advice, but I was a bit disappointed in the book. For the most part, take what you like and leave the rest - and you will get a lot out of this book.

From topics like getting your priorities in order, finding and maintaining your focus on life, learning the importance of listening, to advice on little ways that flatter and positively influence people (such as the lost art of letter writing - not email) this book has bits of wisdom from all over the spectrum. Of course, topics you may expect like honesty and integrity are also covered.

Personally, I had issue with the his handling of the topic: "The Best Defense... Is a Good Defense: Why I Won't Ride Alone with Another Woman". It was certainly written from a man's perspective which makes me wonder who is the intended target audience of the book. Was it really written for men?

The book has good points, but much of it is really expounding on the art of common sense. I wasn't really impressed by the book, though I must admit the one topic mentioned above has soured my view of the book. I would somewhat recommend this book, yes, you can learn something from it. Women may want to skip his topic of Why I Won't Ride Alone with Another Woman. I intend on writing the author on what comes across as his negative and generalized view of women.

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 Quotable Roque, Edited by Matt Lewis

The secondary title is descriptive for this nonfiction book: "The Ideals of Sarah Palin in Her Own Words". As the main title suggests, this is a book of quotes from Sarah Palin. Quotes taken from the campaign trail, interviews, Palin's facebook page, etc.

Topis include: Aborotion, Real America, Living in Alaska, the Goodness of Americans, Barack Obama, Being Governor of Alaska, Being Sarah, Foriegn Policy, Crime, Faith, Taxes, etc. This book is a short read, for obvious reasons. This is strictly a "pro Sarah Palin" book that only uses quotes, or even part of quotes, that put Palin in a favorable light. The media -or "elite media" has been accused of taking statements Palin made out of context. This book is more of the same.

I have an idea. This book claims to be Sarah Palin "in her own words". Instead of reading bits of quotes from this book, such as from the Katie Couric interviews, why not watch the entire Couric interview - it can still be found on the internet. Not only would you hear Palin speak in her own words (All OF THEM), but you can also evaluate her by her body language and demeanor.

I would not recommend this book to anyone. It does little to give an accurate account of Palin's quotes - just being edits from interviews and speeches that show Palin only in a favorable light. In fact, to even suggest this book is a book of "quotes", implying a book of great quotes, is ridiculous and certainly misleading.

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.”

Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die by Bobby Conway

Applause! Applause! Applause!!!! Bobby Conway does an excellent job proving Rob Bell's recent best seller, "Love Wins" is nothing more than unbiblical wishful thinking. Bobby Conway completely resolves questions regarding hell and what happens when people die, as well. Backed with Biblical references, Bobby Conway demonstrates the false hope that Rob Bell has spewed in "Love Wins".

Many people are being deceived and mislead by Rob Bell and others like him who water down the Gospels. This is a must read for anyone who truly wants to follow Christ and the Great Commission and challenge those who have false beliefs about hell and what Christianity is really about. The Emergent Church must be challenged and exposed for the false hopes and beliefs it promotes.

"Hell, Rob Bell and What Happens When People Die" not only challenges and exposes Rob Bell for his unbiblical views that promote false hope, but can also be a resource to expose other authors who, unfortunately, have gained a lot of ground in spewing unbiblical theology and false hope. For example, this book can show how the best seller, "The Shack" is perversed, misguded and simply false.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a must read that is short and to the point. No fluff in this book- only the Gospel truth!

I received this ebook for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. This in no way influenced my review.

40 Days Without Food: Divine Goodness to a Starving Soul by Russ Masterson

This is basically a diary of a man's journey to fast for 40 days. Honestly, I felt the first three quarters of the book was dominated by negativity. I kept thinking, "they always say, if you do not give joyfully, then don't give at all". Masterson's constant complaining about not wanting to do the fast he felt God called him to do overshadowed bits of wisdom he wrote about from the Bible and from others. It was hard to do, but I managed to finish the book.

I did not like the book for a variety of reasons. First, as I explained above, the first three quarters were dominated with negativity to the point I felt the author was literally whining about doing a fast he did not want to do. The end of the book discusses fasting. It would have been better had he taken the postitive attitude he conveyed when he discussed fasting and Chrisitianity.

Second, the book seems to convey that if you fast for 40 days all of your hearts desires will be fulfilled. The author got his dream job; fabulous vacationing; apparently the money and means to do whatever he wanted. I don't know if the author believes he was rewarded by God this way for his fasting, but the author does not address this in his discussion about fasting and Christianity.

I would not recommend this book. Tyndale House Publishers provided a complimentary copy of this ebook for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.

Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero by Michael Hingson and Susy Flory

The true and phenominal story of Michael Hingson's experience escaping the World Trade Center as the World Trade Center was destroyed by terrorists on 9/11. Moreover, Hingson has incorporated his life stories, as it was certainly "flashing before his eyes" while he escaped, wondering if he would make it out alive. Mr. Hingson is a truly fascinating, talented and determined man. Born blind, Hingson explains how he grew up without feeling disabled. This book is not only a first hand account of 9/11, but of living blind without being limited or defined as disabled. Very inspirational.

The writing style makes you feel as if you are there during the 9/11 events. This has become one of my favorite books for a variety of reasons. Mr. Hingson has his own quote at the beginning of the last chapter, "God does not present insurmountable problems. Instead, he give us challenges, waits for us to overcome them, and then rejoices." This quote goes a long way in describing this fantastic book. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Not only for those who would like to know what it was like to be in the midst of 9/11, but for everyone who experiences challenges in life - challenges that can become discouraging. This book is inspiring and shows courage and determination to defy being labeled as disabled. My gosh, he actually taught himself to ride a bicycle!!! and much more!!! I've never read anything that really demonstrated how you can overcome anything!

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.”