Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Heaven Is for Real

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by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

Read the Back:
“DO YOU REMEMBER THE HOSPITAL, COLTON?” SONJA SAID. “YES, MOMMY, I REMEMBER,” HE SAID. “THAT’S WHERE THE ANGELS SANG TO ME.”

When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren’t expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed – a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy’s trip to heaven and back.

Colton, not yet four years old, told his parents he left his body during the surgery – and authenticated that claim by describing exactly what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was being operated on. He talked of visiting heaven and relayed stories told to him by people he met there whom he had never met in life, sharing events that happened even before he was born. He also astonished his parents with descriptions and obscure details about heaven that matched the Bible exactly, though he had not yet learned to read.

With disarming innocence and the plainspoken boldness of a child, Colton tells of meeting long-departed family members. He describes Jesus, the angels, how “really, really big God is, and how much God loves us. Retold by his father, but using Colton’s uniquely simple words, Heaven Is for Real offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us, where as Colton says, “Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses.”

Heaven Is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child.

My Thoughts:

Read It! Simply put. This book was an amazing read. It took me only a matter of hours to get through it. I could NOT put it down!! I would recommend this book to EVERYONE! If you weren’t a believer before reading this book, you would probably reconsider becoming one after.

This book has forever changed my perspective on death and life for that matter. To hear the words of such a young boy and the beauty of heaven as he describes it is truly a blessing. I have always suffered with a fear of death (as most people, yes even Christians, do), but this book has renewed a longing for getting to see Jesus on my final day!

I love the simplicity of how God uses Colton’s experience to touch so many lives. There is an underlying message of hope and restoration for all the readers.
As a parent I found certain portions of the book difficult to get through. I was suffering right along side the Burpos as they watched their little boy becoming sicker. There were several times where I was crying while reading this book. I love when a book can stir such emotion in me as it means it’s well written and relatable.

Read it…share it…talk about it.

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Project Dad: The Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide for Becoming a Great Father

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By Todd Cartmell

Read the Back:
What does it take to build a great dad?

Men like to build things. We like to take parts and put them together to make a whole. Did you know that this do-it-yourself talent can help you become a great dad?
In his fresh, humorous style, Todd Cartmell takes you on an action-packed journey to help you become the dad God made you to be and that your kids hope you will be. You will learn the five key areas that every great dad needs to renovate, including how you look at, talk to, connect with, act toward, and lead your children.

Cartmell shows you that you already have the raw materials at your disposal, then gives you the blueprint for putting them together. Begin your Project Dad today. Your family will never be the same.


My Thoughts:
While this is a book written for men, I found it a useful tool as a mother too. There are many great suggestions to be a better role model for your children. I also thought it would be good to read it as my husband is not usually into the self-help type of books…not enough sci-fi in it for him :D Todd Carmell surprised me in this book. I was laughing and crying most of the way through. He reminds us that nobody is perfect and his humor (while probably more funny for the men) was the laugh out loud kind. I found myself looking around several times while reading to see if my laughing had drawn any sort of attention to me.

I really enjoyed the re-caps of the key points in each chapter. There is also a “Getting to Work” section that actively draws the reader to examine where they stand with God and their kids.

I recommend this book for any dad, but especially for Christian ones as it really digs into what God has planned for us and how to build our relationship with Christ in order to build our relationship with our kids.

The part of the book that struck me the most is: “Look at your children the way that God looks at them, and you will help them become what God made them to be.” How true is that? I plan to make a print out of it and post it where I can see it daily.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!
Thanks to the wonderful people at Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin, I have a copy of Project Dad to give away to one of my lucky readers. To enter is simple.

To Participate:
Leave me a comment stating one positive thing about one of the men in your life (i.e.: husband, brother, father, etc.) and include your email address. THIS ENTRY IS MANDATORY.

EMAIL MUST BE INCLUDED IN EACH ENTRY IN ORDER TO BE NOTIFIED IN THE EVENT OF A WIN.

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my RSS Feed at the top of this page and tell me about it.
2. Follow me (benjiesluv) on Twitter and leave me your user name.
3. Follow me with Google Friend Connect on the right hand side of my page and tell me about it.
4. Follow me on Networked Blogs on the right hand side and tell me about it.
5. Link to this giveaway on Facebook and tell me about it.
6. Tweet about this contest and give me a link about it (one entry per day).
7. Blog this contest and give me the link. (3 entries) – leave 3 separate comments with your link and email address.

DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL FOR EACH STEP. NO EMAIL MEANS YOU CAN’T WIN!

Open to Canadian Residents Only!

Random.org will be used to determine the winner. If you win, you will have 24 hours to contact me and give me your mailing address to receive your prize.

Deadline: End of the day on June 10th, 2011.