Andrew Smith's Blog

Book, Music, and Movie Reviews

The Minimum Method: The Least You Can Do to Be a Stronger, Healthier, Happier You by Joey Thurman Book Review

 



The Minimum Method is a new concept of a fitness book. He begins the book by apologizing for the miscommunication and how we were told every day to get up and to attach each day with a passion that it’s going to be a good day. He explained it’s okay to have bad days and not to give every workout our very best. We can even consume carbs. He shared how he grew up playing hockey and then moved on to lifting weights. He discovered his passion in becoming a certified personal trainer. He had a main goal of teaching readers to truly to show up for themselves. He explained how critical it is to focus on how we feel and not on the external benefits. This book is primary guided to teach readers the minimum method and to learn the essentials to transform our health. The book covered sleep, exercise, breathing, nutrition, stretching, and much more. 



 

 

 

One of my favorite chapters discussed the importance of sleep and resting. We have to learn to prioritize our sleep times. A lack of sleep can cause us to want to overeat the next day. There have been studies conducted to show we lose our lack of control when we are running low of sleep. It has been estimated that it can cause use to crave up to 20% more calories the next day. We will also experience problems with our cognitive reasoning and problem solving. He explained how he struggled with depression since he was a teenager and if we don’t get enough sleep this will affect our moods. It can lead us to developing metabolic syndrome. He looked at the different stages of sleep and included a helpful illustration describing each stage. One of my favorite tips he shared was how we need to record our favorite show and watch it later and not stay up late. I liked how he explored the different sleep chronotypes using animals. He explained how they relate to our internal time clocks and how we can figure out where we are most productive in our day. I enjoyed the discussion of supplement that can benefit us in helping us sleep. I also liked how he revealed how we can learn to wake up properly using light exposure. 



 

 

I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is ready to change their lives and they can do so by using the minimum method. I liked how helpful Joey Thurman is and I enjoyed in doing some of his workout programs and exercises. I have even saw a couple of his TV interviews and how open he is about his depression and how he wants to help readers to better their life. This book dives in and goes more in depth to provide tips and solutions to tackle our health head on. I immensely loved how each chapter enclosed helpful summaries and action steps we can take to transform our lives. One of my things, the book taught me was the importance of breathing properly and how we can all get 20% more oxygen. It contained steps by steps examples to guide us. The book is a very impactful book and I highly recommend it to benefit your overall health and wellbeing. 

 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, BenBella Books for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Minimum-Method-Stronger-Healthier-Happier/dp/1637742290

5000 Blankets Movie Review and Giveaway

 


Moms, this is a movie you won’t want to miss! Take your family to see this film, and be inspired to serve your community like this real-life mother/son did! 



• You don't want to miss this heartwarming story coming to theaters December 12 and 13. Get your tickets today! 




• It's incredible what can happen when you transform your heart to serve the people around you. Catch 5000 BLANKETS exclusively in theaters for two days only! December 12 & 13. 




• Phillip’s Wish is an organization that was founded by a little boy who saw a need in the world and decided to do something about it. Watch 5,000 Blankets, the film in spired by the incredible true story, exclusively in theaters for two nights only on December 12 & 13.



• "Mommy,” he said. “Are you warm?” “Yes, baby, I'm warm.” “Is Daddy warm?” he asked. And then the then 7-year-old son asked about everyone else – the people on the street and in the shelters. His mom told him the truth: “No, not everyone is warm.” 





• Synopsis: Inspired by a remarkable true story, 5000 BLANKETS is filled with hope and highlights the power of family and faith. When her husband has a mental break down and goes missing, a woman and her young son set out to find him on the streets, sparking a movement of compassion towards those in need and inspiring a city. 

 


My Review:

If you’re ready for an impactful film for the Christmas season, Sony Pictures has got you covered. This film was very heart touching and it contained special moments to make you want to cry. It was inspiring to learn about Phillip’s wish and how that organization was formed to make a difference in the homeless community lives. I loved the concept of giving away blankets to help keep the homeless warm during the winter months. They may not have very much material wise but we could greatly make them warmer with just a simple purchase or even a craft of a homemade blanket. It was eye opening to see Phillip asking his mother about his father and if he was warm and if everyone else was warm in the world. I also liked how this movie discussed mental illness and I don’t believe this is a topic you would imagine being presented in a Christian/Hollywood movie experience. I’m glad they did it in a way that showed some of what they made be facing daily and we don’t have any idea. I liked the way they also did the camera angles and effects when was having a mental episode. I also liked how they chose Anna Camp for the role of Phillip’s mother and how watchers can tell she actively believed the message of the film. People may recognize her from Pitch Perfect (all three films), The Help, Jerry and Marge Go Large. I also enjoyed watching Carson Minniear in the role of Phillip. Fans will remember him from the movie, Palmer. Another big surprise was in seeing Rob Mayer in the role of the father, Bobby. He has appeared in a few Christmas movies, Ice Castle, My Christmas Inn, The Christmas Edition, and A Golden Retriever 3. I actually love listening to him as a country artist. The acting on this film was wonderful and watchers will enjoy learning about the message of 5000 Blankets and may even cause you to want to be a blessing to others. What if we all come together and donated a blanket?

 

 

 

• Buy tickets today to see 5,000 BLANKETS exclusively in theaters December 12 & 13 only! 

Trailer:

 

Movie Website: LINK 

Buy Tickets Link: LINK 

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card 

 

(Note: This is limited to US winners only)



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  


Many thanks to Sony Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. 

Releasing Miracles: How to Walk in the Supernatural Power of God by Kynan Bridges Book Review


In Releasing Miracles, Kynan Bridges explained how miracles are provided as a way to display God’s love in action to the world. He beings the book by sharing the powerful impact of the man located at the pool of Bethesda. He was paralyzed and he struggled and was unable to move closer to the healing pool for many years- say close to 37 years. He was commanded to take up his bed and walk. He was instantly healed by God and we see how God performed a miracle for an undeserving man. He explained the meaning of Bethesda and how this means, “a house of mercy”. He explained how this was a miracle that changed his entire life. He defined miracles as, “an intervention in or an overriding of a nature law or process”. He emphasized the importance of understanding that miracles are a part of our spiritual inheritance provided to us from Jesus because of Him dying for our sins. 



 

 

In the book, he revealed a personal story from his wife about how she received a miracle. She was diagnosed with a cyst on her ovaries. She would daily declare that the cyst would be removed. She felt a warm sensation on her ovaries and she described as feeling like it was on fire burning up. This occurred for a few weeks until she went back to the doctors to get a check-up. It had totally disappeared completely. He explained how no one else land hands on her to pray for her. She was healed a different way and she strongly believed for her own miracle. 



 

 

I would recommend this awesome book about miracles to anyone who is ready to increase their faith and to believe that God is able to do anything. I immensely connected with the topic on how our miracle can be discovered in our mouths. We have to watch the words we are speaking. I liked how he explained the power of binding things and loosing things in earth as it is in Heaven. This is a very potent chapter about the power of our words, proclamation, and releasing supernatural power. I enjoyed the chapter on action and how this activates miracles. He shared stories from the Bible on how they had to complete an action out of faith to accomplish what God wanted them to do and to receive their own miracle. I also loved how the book had summary questions and a miracle activation prayer to assist readers into claiming what is theirs in Christ. I loved how he included a few scriptures about the Bible has declared about us and these are wonderful sayings to speak over our lives and families. This will greatly help you to fight the feelings of being unworthy. 

 



 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com: 

 

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Releasing-Miracles-Walk-Supernatural-Power/dp/0800762606

 

10 Prophetic Values for Today: Hearing, Glorying, and Restoring God’s Voice by James Levesque Book Review





In 10 Prophetic Values for Today, James Levesque has written a powerful book covering what he has witnessed is lacking in believers lives right now. He opened up first about how dark the world is becoming. In December 2020, he received a vision from God about how the earth was covered in darkness and he heard a voice from Heaven and it told him how God is going restore His voice upon the earth. He explained the importance of how God spoke the world into existence. We always have that same power available to us from God. He looked at Paul and how he explained to believers the gift of prophecy and how we all desire to hear from God. It’s imperative to be actively in God’s written word and to living in His presence. 



 

 

The book discussed the power of our words and to watch what we are declaring over our lives. A big scripture to remember is Proverbs 18:21 and this stated that our words are powerful and can bring life and death and a talkative person will suffer the consequences from it. He shared some examples such as if we say we are poor or if we believe that all men are dogs. What we say and focus on and believe determines what will be true. He explained how the devil uses our words against us and how this causes us harm. He opened up about his own declaration he has started with his own family. This stated how we are a leader, head and not the tail, lender, blessed, and how we will make a different in the world. I immensely loved this simple declaration and believed it contains powerful wording and actions to refocus our lives and to transform our lives. He shared how many people will come to him seeking a pastor to help their failing marriage, financial troubles, other issues and he told them to change their words. He has witnessed dramatic changes occur when they focus on the words they are speaking over their lives. 



 

 

I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is ready to learn about the 10 prophetic values that are about to change your life for the better. I liked how he broke the values down into easy-to-understand language to make it easier for readers. I liked how he explained peace and how we can obtain emotional health. It was shocking to read about all the negative effects happening in the world today: suicide, depression, drugs, and much more. Most of what they are trying to treat is just the symptoms of the issue not the root cause. I thought it was very bold in the way he explained how demons love to torment and how they can be found at the root cause of mental illness. The answer for healing is only discovered in Jesus’s blood. My favorite chapter was on power of words and how we can learn to speak words that matter over our lives and others. The declaration is extremely powerful and I believe this will greatly benefit us. 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com: 

 

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Prophetic-Values-Today-Glorifying-Restoring/dp/0800799348

CSB Explorer Bible for Kids Book Review and Giveaway




Purchase your copy of the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids today!  





• INTRODUCING THE NEW CSB EXPLORER BIBLE FOR KIDS! WITH FUN FACTS, TIMELINES, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND MORE, KIDS WILL SEE THE BIBLE AS REAL, EXCITING, AND LIFE-CHANGING TRUTH. QR CODES EVEN BRING ENGAGING VIDEOS, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITY PAGES TO LIFE, APPLY ING THE TRUTHS AND IMAGERY OF THE BIBLE TO KIDS’ REAL WORLD EXPE RIENCES! AVAILABLE IN HARDCOVER AND (4) LEATHERTOUCH EDITIONS. 


• Get 50% off your CSB Explorer Bible TODAY by using the code EXPLORERGIFT50. Valid for 50% off retail price for up to 1 copy of the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids. This is only available at LIFEWAY.COMVALID THROUGH 12/31/22, CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, LIMIT 1 COUPON PER PERSON. 


• The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids helps kids place God’s Word in the middle of God’s World.  

• Engaging features, easy-to-read 8.5 point text, and full-color design connect with kids’ natural curiosity and help them experience the wonder and truth of the Bible.  

• From the two tables of content — one in order and one sorted alphabetically — to the topical concordance and index of Bible stories, each detail is designed to give kids the tools to find their way around God’s Word.  

• The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids invites young readers to investigate both the world and words of Scripture, including the history of real people and their cultures.  







Alongside the CSB text, special features help readers understand the central message within each book and discover how all books of the Bible fit together. 







• Get 50% off your copy of the Explorer Bible for Kids today off at Lifeway.com using the code EXPLORERGIFT50! 

 

Check out their Website: LINK


My Review:

 

I would recommend this awesome children’s Bible to any child aged 4-13. I think adults would even enjoy using this Bible. The Bible contained colorful pages, pictures, and maps to appeal to children into wanting to learn more about God’s Holy word. I enjoyed how the Bible shared the story of Luke 10 and how they included how much it would cost us in today’s times if we were the Samaritan man taking care of our neighbor. It broke it down to bandages, olive oil, first aid kit, two nights in a hotel, two day’s wages, and two days of food. They totaled the estimated cost would be close to $500 dollars. I beg to differ that it could even cost more with prices increasing daily. I also loved how the Bible enclosed special sections: charting history, discovering the truth, excavating the past, character field guide, exploring creation, just to name a few. I loved how the Bible had QR codes throughout the Bible to help children to dive deeper into the message. I immensity loved the concept of the fun activities on online that children can print out to complete. These included matching games activities, trivia, crossword puzzles, definition match, and much more. I also liked learning about the beehive houses of Haran in Abraham times and how these houses are made from mud bricks and located in Turkey. The pictures of the bee style houses are very interesting. I loved the exploring creation section and how fun it was in learning about different creatures such as the peacock mantis shrimp and how they can break even glass with their claws. This shrimp are very bright colorful creatures. I honestly haven’t ever heard of them. Another thing I liked was how much it would take of special object to fill up the ark. For example, it would take 771,882,353 cell phones to fill up the ark. I also loved how they included an introduction explaining the background about the book of the Bible. I am also so glad they enclosed a red ribbon in the Bible to make it easier to mark your spot in the Bible. 

 


 

Giveaway: 1 (one) copy of the Lifeway Explorer Kids Bible 

(Note: This is limited to US winners only. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Disclosure:  


Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.




Check out an official interview: