By Faith not by Sight

By Faith Not by Sight is the autobiography by Scott MacIntyre, American Idol contestant. Scott's story is so inspiring. What he has accomplished blind most sighted people never even imagine. I think the real story though is the story of his parents. His mother thought he was blind from an early age and the doctors kept telling her he was alright. Once the diagnosis was made she went beyond the call of duty to do what she had to do for her child. Once she realized that he had the gift of music she even went further beyond. The most memorable part of the book was when they took him and left him in England. I dread putting my teenager on the bus let alone leaving him blind in a foreign country. What love and will power those parents must have.

I have to admit the first part of the book was very slow for me. I had a hard time sticking with it. But the second part picked up and was a little easier to read and stick with it.

There is a reason that biographies are my favorite books. Other peoples story are the most interesting and the most inspiring.

I received this book from Booksneeze and was in no way required to give this book a good review.

Redemption by Bryan Clay

As I have stated many times....biographies are my favorites! This didn't let me down.Redemption is the story of Bryan Clay. A rebellious child whose parents divorce made him a bitter, challenged child. His mother never stopped praying for him no matter how rebellious he was. She was told by a counselor to put him in a sports program to keep him out of jail so a local track club was her only option.Little did she know that her decision would lead to two Olympic medals.Bryans life was a constant rebellion against God. His story and how he learned to surrender not only to God but to his coaches, family members and friends is an incredible and beautiful story.Being the mother of a rebellious teen, I could't put this book down. It also gave me hope that God does answer the prayers of a praying mother and cares about those hard to handle teenagers.I am giving this review in exchange for this book through Booksneeze. I am no way required to give it a good review.

Stand by Me by Neta Jackson

Never met a Neta Jackson book I didn't like and this one is no exception.  She has such a gift.  Her characters are so believable and I have to admit that I am Jody Baxter in real life.  I truly recommend that you start with the Yada Yada series and read them all.  But be prepared!  You will do nothing else but read once you start.  You can't put them down.  Then go to the House of Hope series.  Which leads us to Stand by Me, the first in the Souled out Sisters series.

Avis Douglas, principal of an elementary school and leader of the Yada Yada prayer group is reaching a critical point in her life.  Her and her husband Peter are at a crossroads and need to make critical decisions in their lives.  But Avis daughter and grandson are missing and then through in the mix the group of college kids who move into their building for the summer.

It moves me because the character is a leader and well thought of person but makes mistakes and has doubts just like we do.  God doesn't let her down though and sees her through.  You will love this book.....five stars!

Heaven is for Real dvd Based conversation kit.

After reading Heaven is for Real you can help but be very obsessive about heaven and how real it is. My junior high sunday school class have read the book and discussed it in great detail so when the dvd based conversation kit became available I jumped on it.

Pro's---You can't watch the Burpo family and not believe them. It erases all doubt. This is just a normal midwestern family who love Jesus and are very brave in telling their story. No doubt this has effected their lives.

Con's---The conversation kit is way too complicted. The dvd is conversation starter enough. If you followed the plan in the book it would just be boring and repeat itself. I think the whole thing just needs simplied and it would be so much easier on the leader of the class.

My junior high boys had mixed reviews but all in all kept their attention. That is quite a feat for 14 year old boys!

The Encounter by Steven Arterburn

All I can say is wow! I have read a couple of Mr. Arterburns novels but nothing prepared me for the powerful message of this book.

It is the story of a young woman, left heart broken, scorned and pregnant all alone in the world. She loved her son dearly but made the heart wrenching choice to leave him. Her son was adopted and grew up with wonderful parents but lived his life with the pain of wondering why his mother left him. His pastor talked him into returning to Alaska to search for his mother and for healing.

I was spellbound by the first page. I will be sending this to my stranged step daughter and I am sure that God dropped this book into my lap for a reason. I can't recommend this book enough!

I received this book free of charge in exchange for a review from Booksneeze. I was in no way required to give a good review!

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

Heaven is for Real is a wonderful book about Todd Burpo's son visit to heaven during surgery. I got this book at 6:00 pm on Sunday evening and had it done before I went to bed. Who can resist books on heaven? We all dream and imagine what it is like so any glimpses we get are awesome! I am not sure if scripturally all things are correct but for the most part Mr. Burpo has the Bible verses to back up his son's claims. Is it true, who knows? But we all need to have a little faith in this life and believe in what we don't know. If this book makes a difference in one person's life, so be it!The Burpo's story of hardship leading up to the events of their son's heavenly experience are relative in this day and age of financial and everyday life's struggles. You can relate and feel the pain that the parents go through when their son is sick.Warning! You won't be able to put this one down. I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for a review. I was no one required to give a postive review.