Stryker Goes National

Your Money, God’s Way

2011-04-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze Book Review program http://www.booksneeze.com Thank you

I love the stories of people deep in debt who turn their life around & then help others. Amie not only turned her financial life around but also her career - journalist to minister.

I am a Dave Ramsey fan & can see some of his influence inside. Amie gets to the root of the problems with some Christian financial thinking & sets them straight.

Thankfully, I have never experienced the crushing debt that some people have. I am always interested in improving my financial health so when this book was available for review I wanted to check it out. Amie describes the 7 “counterfeit convictions” that seem to plague many Christians. Not having them myself, it was hard to get through the book as fast as I normally do with financial books. But I can see how very helpful this book would be if you have the beliefs described.

I really like the end of each chapter, where there is a prayer, summary & action steps to guide people through. The biggest thing I did get out of it was a better understanding for others who do act this way & how to help them if I can

Max on Life

2011-04-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze Book Review program http://www.booksneeze.com Thank you

Max Lucado gives us insightful answers to our questions about God, ourselves & others. The questions are some that I’ve had & Max’s answers make sense & leave me feeling better. Other questions make me think more deeply about God & the Bible. Others are just interesting because I don’t have that issue but I can apply it to someone I know. Max answers with compassion but is matter-of-fact about what the Bible has to say about the issue.

Each question is brief with a 1 - 2 page answer. You can go straight through or pick a chapter on Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her, Home, Haves/Have-Nots, & Hereafter. Plus, what I like, is the topical index so you can go to a specific question you have. There is something for everybody in here

THE FINAL SUMMIT

2011-04-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze Book Review program http://www.booksneeze.com Thank you

We met David Ponder in Andy Andrews book The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success

He was in a car accident & traveled through time to meet several historical figures, each teaching him a lesson for success. It’s nice to have read the first book but not necessary. You get a brief overview of what he had learned the first time, but it is not key to this story.

This time, David is an old man, successful from what he had learned on his “travels”, & civilization is on the brink of being wiped out by an unhappy God. David & other travelers from history will meet at the summit to answer the question that will save the human race. “What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?”

David & the travelers come up with several possible answers. It is interesting how the author weaves the history of the travelers into the discussion for success in the present. You get to be a fly on the wall & learn the stories of some of the greatest people throughout time.

OUTLIVE YOUR LIFE

2010-09-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze Book Review program http://www.booksneeze.com Thank you

You want to do good. You want your life to matter.

Max Lucado shows how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He writes short chapters how we can live to make a difference which include stories from the Bible & more recent times.

Several thoughts that stood out for me are:
None of us can do what all of us can do. God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well (Rom 12:6 NLT). Open your table, open your circle. Really “see” people. Do good things - just don’t do them to be noticed. God has shown me that He doesn’t think anyone is unclean or unfit. We serve Christ by serving needy people.

Nothing new in this book about how to be a better person but it is still worth a read.

THE BOY WHO CHANGED THE WORLD

2010-09-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze Book Review program http://www.booksneeze.com Thank you

This lovely children’s book is about the butterfly effect.When a butterfly flaps its wings, it moves tiny pieces of air . . . that move other tiny pieces of air . . . that move other tiny pieces of air. In fact, on the other side of the world, they might be feeling a big whoosh of wind - all because a butterfly flapped its wings here just a few minutes ago!

The characters in the story have an important link to each other. If 1 person was not part of the next person’s life, who knows if the course of history would have been different. Just think about your own life where 1 event builds onto the next. We also have a butterfly effect in our lives.

This story shows us that every little thing you do matters: what you did yesterday, what you do today, and what you do tomorrow. God made your life so important that every move you make, every action you take, matters . . . and not only for you or the people around you. Everything you do matters for everyone and for all time!

The last line of the book - That means YOU can be the kid who changes the world! - is an inspiration & challenge for everyone who reads it.

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

2010-09-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze Book Review program http://www.booksneeze.com Thank you

This lovely book is about the butterfly effect. When a butterfly flaps its wings, it moves molecules of air, which would move other molecules of air, that move other molecules of air. In fact, on the other side of the world, there might be a hurricane happening - all because a butterfly flapped its wings here just a few minutes ago!

The author’s note in the beginning describes a conversation with Jones who we met in “The Noticer” which was another book that I loved. “With a little perspective, you can live a life of permanent purpose. When you know that everything matters - that every move counts a much as any other - you will begin living a life of permanent purpose.” We are part of our own butterfly effect.

He tells 2 stories of people who have changed the world. The first one was about a little-known Civil War leader who, when faced with the choice to do nothing or do something, decided to do something. We could be living a totally different kind of life had he decided to do nothing. The characters in the second story have an important link to each other. If 1 person was not part of the next person’s life, who knows if the course of history would have been different. Just think about your own life where 1 event builds onto the next.

These stories show us that every little thing you do matters: what you did yesterday, what you do today, and what you do tomorrow. God made your life so important that every move you make, every action you take, matters . . . and not only for you or the people around you. Everything you do matters for everyone and for all time!

The last line of the book - Your life ... And what you do with it today ... MATTERS FOREVER - is an inspiration & challenge for everyone who reads it.

I’LL MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE REVIEW

2010-08-26T22:13:00.001-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze Book Review program http://www.booksneeze.com Thank you

This book gives business tips with an interesting twist. It takes the usual success tips of traditional business & compares them with business in the mob. It’s Machiavelli vs Solomon. The ends justify the means & defeat your enemies at all costs is the mob way of life. He shows us with stories from his past how this thinking will eventually destroy people from within. He implores the reader to use Solomon’s solution of honesty, integrity & hard work to achieve real success in life.

Most of his tips are commonplace if you read any business success books, but the chapter on gambling was a first for me. I did not realize how much crime is committed inside businesses, from owners & employees, to repay gambling debts. Millions of dollars stolen & lives ruined because of this. Many businesses become partners with the mob if they can’t repay. His advice to be on the lookout for signs in your employees may save your business.

If you are looking for new insights, you will not find much here. But it is definitely a different outlook on them. It was very disheartening to read about the corruption of legal businesses & politicians by association with the mob or just thinking like the mob. I am proud of Michael Franzese for deciding to turn his life around & inspiring others to do the same.

The Doctor

2009-12-05T17:40:00.000-08:00

I was listening to Michael Clouse & he brought up this movie. Even though it's almost 20 yrs old, I often recommend it to people. I don't really remember if it was any good, but the storyline stuck with me all this time. Essentially, he is an a-hole surgeon who also ridiculed his anesthesiologist for talking/singing to his anesthetized patients to comfort them. Then, The Doctor becomes the Patient & has his own a-hole doctors. Of course, when he has to have surgery, he realizes that he really wants & needs his anesthesiologist to talk to him. It was just a great reminder to put yourself in other's shoes because you never know when you might be there. What goes around, comes around.

Fearless Review

2009-09-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

FEARLESS

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program http://brb.thomasnelson.com to review before the release date. Thank you

This book covers many different kinds of fears so most people will see themselves in there at least once, if not multiple times. Life is full of fearful things but we seem to be more afraid of the threats made up in our minds. Realizing this can often be the death of the fear.

“For fear of the worst, they never enjoy life at its best.” Some people live so cautiously that they avoid most of life. They think they will be safe if they do nothing, but then they just end up with nothing. Facing your fears & living to tell about it is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” It’s OK to be afraid. We just can’t let it stop us. Jesus gives us strength we didn’t know we had. If He is protecting us, we can do anything.

There is a discussion guide at the end with questions & exercises about each chapter to let the lessons sink in further. Reading through a book the first time doesn’t always pass along the wisdom, but going back over a chapter in detail to find the answers really solidifies it.

A. L. WILLIAMS "DO IT" SPEECH 1987

2009-08-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

Sell Your Used Books Online

2009-05-25T19:31:00.000-07:00

THE NOTICER REVIEW

2009-04-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program http://brb.thomasnelson.com to review before the release date. I made the mistake of starting to read it later in the evening. I could not put it down until I was done, yet I didn’t want it to end - I felt like Jones had more wisdom to share.

Jones is a mysterious old man who just happens to show up when people need him the most & helps them change their life for the better by giving them a new perspective - the running theme of the book.

I loved the book in that I could see myself in the different stories yet see it as an observer. It’s very encouraging when Jones says, “even your worst times have value and can become, in retrospect, your best times.” He offers so many different perspectives on life, that someone will see themselves or someone they know in every chapter. There is a reader’s guide at the end with questions about each chapter to let the lessons sink in further. I especially like the question “how can you begin to make changes in your life to be more like Jones?” I think it will be a great way to start each day.

THE GIFT OF PSALMS REVIEW

2009-04-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program http://brb.thomasnelson.com Thank you

This is a beautiful book of 50 psalms with a brief summary of the psalm followed by a related prayer that we can use. Three CDs are also included in which 30 psalms are read by well-known actors and the summaries & prayers are read by the same narrator.

The book itself is physically beautiful and I really enjoyed having the summary to deepen my understanding of the psalm. I appreciate the prayer to make it more personal. But I was not as impressed with the CDs as I thought I’d be. I enjoy audio books to enrich my commute, but hearing some of these over dramatic actors made it unbearable at times. The narrator had a comforting voice most of the time, but occasionally he got caught up in the drama too.

I will enjoy this book for a long time, but I will give the CDs to someone who can better appreciate them.

THE FUNDRAISER THAT PAYS YOU BACK

2008-10-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

This may not be for you, but just in case you have a small entrepreneurial spark inside, we want to give it the chance to shine. We’ve started a fundraising project that makes money for rescue groups AND the people in them. Does that sound interesting? Here’s a quick overview how you can find some extra money in your mailbox every month while helping FieldHaven Feline Rescue

Would you be willing to do the same things you’re already doing, just a bit differently, if it could help others while helping yourself?

Oxyfresh is a network marketing company, which means that they pay people who use & recommend their products. They also pay for the people they refer & so on. Everyone just buys SOME of their daily products from Oxyfresh, instead of the local store. Oxyfresh then sends a check to their mailbox every month.

We have started a new group that does this to make more money for FieldHaven Feline Rescue. We can feel good knowing that we are helping more cats just by using high quality exclusive products. We all take a bath & brush our teeth, so why not buy from ourselves and get paid for it? The pet products obviously are our favorites!

Have you been looking for a way to make some extra money each month, but just didn’t know how? For more details, check out “making money” at http://www.Oxyfresh.com/CindyL or call the 24/7 recording 800/765-7657 and then check back with me

If this isn’t for you, but you have been looking for better health for you & your pets, we always welcome new customers. Visit “products” at http://www.Oxyfresh.com/CindyL or ask for a catalog

Thanks for your time,
XOXOXO

P.S. If you work with a rescue group that could use more money, we can show you how to help them like we’re helping FieldHaven.

Read The Alchemist For Free

2008-05-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

Thank You Harper Collins

Browse Inside this book

Get this for your site

Browse The Valkyries For Free

2008-05-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

Thank You Harper Collins.

Browse Inside this book

Get this for your site

2008-02-03T18:54:00.001-08:00

Buy Posters at AllPosters.com

2008-02-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

Laugh- Ralph Waldo Emerson

2008-01-26T22:07:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Patty!

2008-01-26T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is our first post. We have a plan to visit all the National Parks. Stryker is our dog - almost 4 yr old FS Catahoula mix - and she goes with us. She can't go on the trails but she still has a good time on the road trip.

We are learning how to blog by using the following

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

The best blogging techniques.
How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

check us out later to see how we do