Love and Respect For a Lifetime by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33

Love and Respect For a Lifetime by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Love and Respect For A Lifetime is a condensed version of Dr. Eggerichs' Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs.  It's a great coffee table book that has great quotes and a nice layout.  This is not the in-depth Bible study resource.  Instead, I see it can serve two great purposes.  One is that it is a great reminder for someone who is familiar with the teachings in this book.  The second is a great introduction to the material for someone in need.  Either one is a great start.

Dr. Eggerichs' main point is to look at marriage from a Biblical standpoint.  To boil it down:  Women need love and Men need respect.  In looking at this truth, he uses several great anaologies as well as personal stories from his own marriage and that of others.  It is a reminder of how God made us to be different, and to celebrate that fact.  It is also a reminder of how our spouse has been created.  When we remember their core need, it helps us to overcome communication differences in the midst of conflict.  It also helps to remind of how we can express our love in a meaningful way.

As I said, this is a condensed book.  It took me about 25 minutes to read.  I did like it.  However, I wish their had been just a few more pages with meat.  The quotes are timely and good reminders.  The illustrations make the points understood.  I was still hoping for something to hit a little deeper.  Still I can see this as a great book for someone to use to start to see God's true design for men, women and marriage.

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.”

Faith Comes By Hearing

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

We have been given the biggest gift in the world.  Salvation.  The Gospel.  Truth.  I say this for those who follow Jesus, those who just know Jesus, and those that reject Him.  Regardless of which of these three categories you fit in, you have heard.  How did that happen?

In Romans, Paul is talking about the importance of knowledge and understanding before one can believe.  How can we believe in something that no one has ever told us about?  We may have some elementary understanding based on things around us, but no concrete details.  It's like our cars.  Some people have a great understanding of how a fuel injected, computer controlled, internal combustion engine makes their car move.  Others just know that you hit the gas pedal and it drives.  Think of the Gospel as that in-depth knowledge of an engine.  You always knew it was there because you could drive your car.  Until someone gave you the details, you never knew why it worked.

So, have you told someone of the gift of Jesus to our world?  The way to eternal life?  The freedom we have in Jesus Christ?  Don't get caught up in thinking the only way to share is preaching from a stool or asking people directly.  God is glorified as we glorify Him.  As we do this, others will notice.  To God's glory, He has given each of us unique gifts to be able to share the Gospel with others.  My challenge to you is to ask Him to tell you how.  Maybe its handing out Gospel tracts, showing a movie, doing acts of service, offering to pray with someone, or something else that is uniquely you.  God knows.  Ask Him!

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? Matthew 25:37-39


Outlive Your Life By Max Lucado

Outlive Your Life is a book to stay away from.  It's pure truth.  An honest look at the book of Acts and how it calls to the heart of Christians.  I say stay away because it is a book that will haunt you.  It will change you.

In unpacking a few key points, Mr. Lucado points you to a simple truth.  We, as Christians, were made for more than ourselves.  That's the concept of outliving your life.  Your impact on others in the world around you can be lasting, eternal.  However, we often hide from this awesome gift.  We sit in our "clamshell" and shield ourselves from the hurts and need of those around us so that we do not need to become involved.  How sad that is for us.   But our story doesn't have to end there!  We can change!

I enjoyed this book.  I was serious when I said it haunts you.  It's the kind of book that will open parts of the Bible in ways you may not have seen before.  It offers quiet conviction for choices in your life and empowerement through Jesus Christ to make big changes.  It's all to be for the glory of God, not ourselves.  Trust me.  Read this one with your Bible right next to you.  Let God speak to your heart.  Be changed.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40


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.”

One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado

One Hand, Two Hands By Max Lucado

One Hand, Two Hands is a fun children's book.  A fun story with fantastic illustrations and an application at the end.

The theme behind this children's story is what things can we use our hands for.  Hugging, washing, playing, having fun.  It's a fun read my 3 year old enjoys.  The part I like most about the book is the application at the end.  The bulk of the story focuses on using our hands for good things.  Our hands were given to us as gifts from God, and we should treat them as such.  The application section at the end focuses on 4 major topics and give examples of each (Loving, Kindness, etc.)  The last question in the book is directed to the children asking something they can use their hands for.  It really is a great message in a fun story.


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.”

15 Feet of Faith

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. Joshua 3:13

Faith.  Take a minute and think of this story.  Joshua has been given the invasion plan from God.  He is taking the soldiers of Israel to conquer the people in the land God had promised to Israel.  40 years earlier th people had distrusted God so He did not let them enter.  Now, God has given the order.  The attack is to commence.  There's only one obstacle.  The Jordan River.

At this time of the year the Jordan River is flooded.  It's moving fast and has created a barrier.  God is going to have His people cross it by stopping the flow of water.  To do this, the priests will be carrying the Ark of the Covenant.  When they get into the river, it will stop running and dry up.  It won't start again until the priests leave the river.  What a grand start to the battle!  What an awesome God!

So what about the 15 feet?  Think of the Ark.  It's big and heavy.  The Ark is about 3.5 feet long and really heavy.  God's instructions had the Israelites place two 15 foot poles, one on each side, to carry the Ark.  So, when we read the passage from Joshua, God says all the priests have to be in the water before the river will be cut off.  So its 15 feet between the first guy in and the last.  15 feet into a flooded, rushing, cold river.

Think about the guys at the lead.  The water is rising up to your chest.  The footing is difficult.  The Ark itself is catching the flow of the water.  It's rough.  And yet, there is faith.  God said the water was going to stop.  So, they kept walking.  Would you?  Do you believe God's word, or trust your instincts and stop?

Think about it.  15 feet.

The Butterfly Effect

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  Galatians 6:7-8


The Butterfly Effect By Andy Andrews

The Butterfly Effect takes a look at a popular cultural saying.  The idea is that a butterfly flapping it's wings can so excite the air that eventually a hurricane is formed.  The bigger picture the book looks at is what is the effect our lives have on those around us.  What is our impact?  Not necessarily our great discovery, but us.

The way Mr. Andrews approaches this is fantastic.  The perspective is not telling us to go out and do great and mighty things.  Instead, the perspective is to be diligent about the things we do now.  The people we talk to, the choices we make, the roads we travel.  The author uses some very compelling examples to look at the impact one person has on an entire world.  When you read these stories it is quite humbling.  I don't want to spoil anyone's read by telling you the examples.  It is amazing.  The thought I am left with God uses one man to do so much.  What if we all lived our life, as Andy says, with "permanent purpose".
I really enjoyed this read.  It was quick (maybe 15 minutes), but so much punch.  I think of how Jesus used 12 men to spread his message to the world.  The 12 he took were not the best and the brightest.  They were the ordinary.  Like you and me.  What will be our hurricane?


But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  1 Corinthians 1:27 
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.”