Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics By Alisa Harris Book Review

In Raised Right, Alisa Harris described the challenges she faced with politics and her Christian Faith. She grew up homeschooled and she eventually attended Hillsdale College and received her journalism degree. Her parents taught her the importance of standing up for what you believe in. In her early childhood, her parents protested at abortion clinics and she was picketing alongside them. Alisa Harris believed in standing firm against injustice and standing up for people who didn’t have a voice. One day at a coffee shop she witnessed a nanny degrading her employee. She yelled and screamed about how bad of a job she was doing. She called her fat and other rude comments. Alisa had a hard time sitting and watching this event unfold. She gets outraged and says something in the heat of the moment. Later she found out that it was for a TV Show called, “What Would You Do”. Her part didn’t make the final cut into the hit ABC TV show. She also shared about one of her protests against the Bank Systems. Bank of America hasn’t paid taxes for a number of years. But citizens have to always pay taxes or risk breaking the law. This book is about her beliefs about politics.

This book is enlightening to read about people standing up for what they believe in. They have to risk failure and the belief that it doesn’t really matter anyway. But many are still trying to stand firm on things they think need changed. It’s important to stand up for people who aren’t able to stand up for themselves. I would recommend this book to anyone who cares about politics and has some backbone. Sitting on the sidelines can become all too easy. Her book will encourage readers to live what they believe and stand up and use your voice! Adults and teenagers will enjoy the stories that Alisa Harris shared. They will feel not so alone in their beliefs about bringing change for the American people.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307729656/


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Read Chapter One:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/58103657/Raised-Right-by-Alisa-Harris-ch-1-excerpt

40 Ways to Get Closer to God: By Jerry MacGregor with Keri Wyatt Kent Book Review

In 40 Ways to Get Closer to God, Jerry MacGregor walks readers through how to grow deeper in their Faith. This book is a devotional book that is meant to be read and lived out in our daily lives. Each day has a quote that will inspire you. MacGregor has provided daily challenges to help you along your spiritually journey. It also has blank lines where you can journal about your process on paper. Some of the lessons are called Conquerors, Forgiveness, Take and Read, 'Fess Up, Simplicity, Prayer Warriors, Celebrate, and much more! This book will help anyone grow closer to Christ if you are willing to listen to the suggestions Jerry MacGregor gives.

One of my favorite quotes was:

"If you want to grow closer to God, you cannot focus only on what you believe, on what truths you claim, or what you say you know. You must also act on your beliefs. How you live matters as much as what you claim to believe." Jerry MacGregor (Page 119)

I would recommend this devotional book to teenagers and adults. It will guide readers on how to become closer to God. There are practical things readers can do to stretch their Faith. You will be motivated and challenged to read the word and memorize scriptures. We are called to help one another and be an example of Christ. We have to choose to live our lives and have a positive impact on one another. I encourage you to read this book and let it bring you closer to God than you have ever been before. Don’t just read the 40 days devotions live them out with your life! Take the challenges and work them in your life and you will see changes like never before. You can be a blessing to others by being everything God has called you to be!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers book review bloggers program.”

Read Day One and Day Two Devotions:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/61473704/40-Ways-to-Get-Closer-to-God

If you would like to purchase a copy of 40 Ways to Get Closer to God check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/40-Ways-Get-Closer-God/dp/0764209183

Why Men Hate Going to Church By: David Murrow Book Review

In Why Men Hate Going to Church, David Murrow exposed the truth to the gender gaps in churches around the world. Men are rapidly disappearing from the congregation. Men have decided to do different things on Sunday. Women have become the main people running and going to church. Men are leaving churches because they have fear losing their masculinity. Many churches are using feminine language to describe a personal relationship with Christ. Murrow feels like men associate the word relationship with male and female. Some men will get turned off by thinking about being close to another man. Hugging and hand holding also seem to scare some new visitors away. Dress codes are a big problem in the church everyone is expected to dress in their Sunday best in many churches.

David Murrow gives pastors, women, and men advice to draw men back into the church. Churches must keep messages real with examples of everyday life. Challenge men to become their very best they can be. Young men need to move around and take risks. We have to teach the messages with more adventure. Young men tend to not enjoy reading aloud and we don't need to force them to do so. We also need male teachers teaching young men. Women are needed for teaching young women. We need the same gender role models especially when we are younger. Murrow believes that churches need to work on changing the trend. We have to bring men back to the churches.

I would recommend this book to pastors, deacons, men, and women. Everyone can benefit from bring men back into the church. We need both genders to reach and spread the Gospel of Christ. I have personally seen young men and older men leave the church. It's always been a mystery to me as to why some men just disappear and they never attend church again. Sometimes it's not because they don't believe in God. They just can't get into going to church for a variety of reasons. This book will help readers understand where all the men are going. It will guide churches into how to bring back the men and how to keep them. David Murrow has revised and updated Why Men Hate Going to Church. It is completely up to date with the latest finding in data about men leaving the church. It is a worthwhile read if you are curious about how to get more men into your churches!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”

If you would like to purchase a copy of Why Men Hate Going to Church check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Why-Men-Hate-Going-Church/dp/078523215X

Game On: Find Your Purpose-Pursue Your Dream

In Game On, Emmitt Smith described the steps and process he took to accomplish his dreams. He had visions and goals he wanted to reach in life. Smith was a popular football player in the NFL. He has won multiple awards throughout his football career. He has appeared on Dancing with the Stars with dance partner, Cheryl Burke and they won the Championship. He had a dream to beat the NFL rushing record. He made goals to make that dream happen. He eventually accomplished his dream by running 18,355 yards. It took great determination and taking a step at a time to reach that enormous goal. Smith shared his experiences he has encountered to help readers with their own lives. He divided the book into ten steps. Some of the steps include seeing your dream, setting goals, sticking to your core values, having a team, and much more. Emmitt Smith tells readers to always have a dream and to keep sketching towards it.

I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults who need encouragement for their dreams. If you enjoyed his football career then you will enjoy this book! This book teaches readers to never give up on their dreams. But you also have to work hard to make your dreams happen. Emmitt Smith has accomplished a lot in his lifetime and he isn’t done yet! He keeps working and dreaming even after his football career. He has started a construction business to follow his dream of developing buildings. Emmitt Smith is a wonderful example of someone who is determined and dedicated to living the best life possible. His story inspired me to dream big and to work hard for my dreams! I have to believe that I can accomplish my dreams and go after them with everything I got! The game is on to succeed your dreams get going!

One of my favorite quotes:

"You will have your doubters too. When they come around, tell them what I told mine: Game on! Where you start doesn’t matter. It's where you finish that counts. And how you end up in life depends on what you do every day to accomplish your goals. Each day is a step toward building a legacy, a life of meaning and fulfillment." (Page X)

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Game On then check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Game-Find-Your-Purpose-Pursue-Dream/dp/1414349815/

Read Chapter One:

http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-1-4143-4981-7.pdf

Emmitt Smith Childhood Dreams Video:

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=emmitsmith_gameon_dreamerkid-tyndale.flv

Emmitt Smith Introduction Video:

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=emmitsmith_gameon_introduction-tyndale.flv

Emmitt Smith Where You Finish Video:

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=emmitsmith_gameon_whereyoufinish-tyndale.flv

Emmitt Smith With All Your Heart Video:

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=emmitsmith_gameon_withallthineheart-tyndale.flv

Start Here, Go Anywhere By Richie Hughes Book Review

In Start Here, Go Anywhere, Richie Hughes explored the choices individuals make daily. People can choose to go down this path or they can go another way. He shared a number of personal stories that took courage to share to the world. His brother, Eddie made a choice that changed his life. Eddie loved to sing, act, and make people laugh. He got involved in the wrong crowd when he was reaching for his dreams. He went down the path of homosexuality. He eventually got diagnosed of the AIDS virus. His family made a choice to love him through it. Richie Hughes will walk readers through the process of our choices in life. The choices we make today we have to live tomorrow. Hughes has made the choice to always be there for his daughters and his family. Choices are big and choices are small. So choose wisely.

This book also included testimonials from lead singer of Third Day, Mac Powell and former Atlanta Braves pitcher, John Smoltz. They had to make choices in their own lives and they shared some of them.

I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults. Everyone needs to learn how to make great choices. We have to live with our decisions we make. It’s important to read this book and choose the right paths for our lives. This book will help readers to choose to follow God and his ways. We shouldn’t make excuses for our choices we chose to take. Richie Hughes teaches stories from the Bible that gives us hope when we mess up and make mistakes. The stories will lead readers to believe the truth of God’s word. Everyone has to make decisions every day and we need to make the right ones. It’s not too late to turn around and change your choice making process. This book can guide you to a better life.

Charisma House has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Start Here, Go Anywhere then check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616382112  

Start Here, Go Anywhere By Richie Hughes Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEQeuT8KIWc

Thunder Dog: The True Story of A Blind Man, His Guide Dog and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero By Michael Hingson with Susy Flory Book Review

September 11^th, 2001 was a day that changed the United States and the world forever. Michael Hingson went to work like any other day. He didn’t have a clue what the day would bring. He worked on the 78^th floor on the North Tower of the World Trade Center. An airplane hit the North Tower unexpectedly causing uncertainty. A few minutes later another airplane attack hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Michael Hingson had to climb down massive staircases to reach safety. He never could have guessed the impact and dangerous situation he was in.

Michael Hingson survived the attack at the World Trade Centers. He is also blinded and has a guide dog named Roselle. Roselle is afraid of thunderstorms and loud noises. She had to handle the noises from the attacks. She remained calm in the face of a terrible storm. She had to help her master Michael escape the Trade Centers.

A major part of the book is his story about surviving the attack on September 11^th. He also shared his story about being blind and how people treat him like he can’t do things others can do. He understands that people are trying to help but sometimes he wants to be treated as anyone else. He is able to accomplish things just like anyone else. As a child, Michael was able to ride a bicycle around his street. He described his neighbors calling his parents and warning them about Michael. They were worried about his safety. But his parents didn’t let it bother them. They told Michael he could do anything he set his mind to do and wanted to do.

I would recommend this wonderful book to teenagers and adults. This story will captive with each page. Michael Hingson has been through everyone’s worst fears. America had no idea how to handle the September 11^th attacks. He has lived firsthand the attacks and survived. Many people lost their lives that day and the days after the event. It has changed America. Hingson leads readers through his days and years after the attack. His story gives me hope about someone who became someone great and didn’t give up. He didn’t listen to the voices of other people. He set out to accomplish his dreams! He didn’t let his blindness stop him from living! He kept going and he learned that we must all work together as a team. If you love a story about dogs then this is a remarkable one to read. But you don’t have to be a dog lover to enjoy this book. This book will encourage you to stand in the storms of life and to keep the Faith! Always remember to work as a team. We are better together than we are apart!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”

If you would like to purchase a copy of Thunder Dog check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Dog-Story-Triumph-Ground/dp/140020304X

Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGUIGvhvoUk

Michael Hingson on Larry King Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8toQOVLVsDk