Confessions of A Raging Perfectionist

Amanda is a raging perfectionist. She begins each day with a long list. “Keep the house picked up; limit myself to two Diet Cokes; spend special time with each of the kids; work out; pray; avoid sugar; read a chapter in a book about something very important; read my Bible; call my mom.” She determines each day’s worth, and ultimately her own, by keeping track of her stats—pounds gained or lost, stuff accomplished. 

That is, until God spoke into her life, waking her up to the true costs of her addiction to perfection. Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist is more than Amanda’s confession; it’s a journey of letting go of the subtle but destructive idols of her overactive inner voice and replacing them with God’s truth. Amanda hopes her journey can inspire others to let God dig in to their own lives, uncovering the subtle lies we unconsciously live by.

Minutes I spent working out: 45
Minutes I spent reading my Bible: 10
Number of kids who got my undivided attention: 2 outta 4
Number of rooms looking picture perfect: 2½
Number of Diet Cokes I drank to power through: 4


Eesh—room for improvement. Resolve to read longer, drink less caffeine, and clean more. And eat healthier. And call my mom twice a week. And finish what I start. And maintain what I finish. And . . .

I’m a raging perfectionist. A dent in my car drives me nuts, I don’t leave the house without mascara, and I hate it when my junk drawer isn’t organized. And I keep track of my Bridget Jones–style stats—pounds gained or lost, stuff accomplished, stuff not accomplished.

While on the surface those things are minor, at their root is my desire to be admired for being perfectly put together.

In the past few years, God has nudged me (more like shoved me) down a better road. Coming to terms with my addiction to perfection in all its forms has been exhausting, but freedom is on the horizon. The result? This book—a journal of sorts that tracks what I’ve been learning along the way.

I’m hoping my transparency will help pry away the things that have become my idols, loosening their grip on my heart and mind.

And I pray God will use my journey to further yours.

I am not a huge fan of non-fiction but this book is actually really good and a worthwhile read. For anyone who ever felt like they cant do anything right should read this book.

I was not made to write a good review, only to voice my opinion on the book; I received this book for free thru the publisher.  

The Gospel of Yes

By:Mike Glenn

God would like a word with you

What you believe about God affects the way you approach life—often in ways you don’t realize. Are you convinced that God limits you, or liberates you? Is he more interested in correcting you or connecting with you? And when you hit a rough spot and start looking for help, do you believe God is against you or on your side?

In The Gospel of Yes, Mike Glenn reveals God’s most powerful word, which opens our eyes to everything he does. That word is YES. God said “yes” to creating a world for us to live in and “yes” to inviting us into a relationship with him. No matter what we face in life, the best way to live is captured in one word: yes.

When you live in God’s “yes” you find your identity, your true value, and your unique purpose on earth. You can stop trying to be someone else and enjoy being yourself as you join with God in doing the work of his kingdom. When God looks at you he always says “yes.” It’s time to live like you know it.

Includes Discussion Questions for Personal and Group Use.

This book was suprisingly very good, as i am not the biggest fan of non-fiction i normal am not a fan!But this one is really good! I would recommend this book to Christiand on the journey to be more mature in their faith.
I was not made to write a good review, only to voice my opinion on the title.

Alana Candler, Marked for Murder.

By:Joanie Bruce

Alana Candler is on someone's hit list. But why? A stalker is breathing down her neck at every turn, hiding in the shadows, waiting for her to make a mistake to freeze long enough for him to make his hit. When the stalker kidnaps her from a hotel and leaves her to die, Jaydn Holbrook, CEO and owner of the largest company in Tennessee, saves her life and promises to protect her.   Jaydn's high school friendship with Brad, Alana's brother and the City's Police Chief, gives him incentive to protect Alana and shelter her from the growing danger. Alana's trust in God's protection intrigues him and compels him to explore her faith further, but when she mentions her aversion to rich, executive-type bosses, Jaydn keeps his position at his company secret trying not to destroy their fragile bond.   As tensions build, Jaydn and Alana are caught up in a dangerous web of hiding from the pursuer trying to kill them and fighting the attraction they feel for each other. While Brad scrambles to find her stalker and Jaydn struggles to keep her safe, Alana searches her memory to find the motive someone might have for murder.

This book is amazing! I loved every chapter and the great mix of murder mystery, romance, and drama that keeps the story going and you guessing at every turn. I think everyone would enjoy reading this and should read it. I would recomend this book to older teens and adults.
I recieved this book for review by the author and was not made to write a good review, only to voice my opinion.

Never Ending Spring

By: Darrell Case

When his daughter and pastor son in law are murdered, Jack Johnson’s fragile peace is shattered. Raised in poverty, Jack builds his farm into one of the most prosperous in Sullivan County, Indiana. Jack is financially secure; nevertheless, his soul is in turmoil. He blames God for the accidental death of his five-year-old son, Ricky. Now with the murder of his daughter his anger burns at the God he believes hates him. Jack becomes more and more restless driving himself to forget about the loss of his children. Yet he cannot forget Kristy’s last words, “Dad I love you. Jim and I will be waiting for you, mom, and Emily on Heaven's shore.” They are like a fish hook in his soul. His four-year old granddaughter Emily is a constant reminder of God’s love. His wife Ruth prays for her husband’s salvation believing God can give him peace. As Ruth and Emily pray for Jack, he becomes more troubled. Frustrated with the slow progress the police are making Jack launches his own investigation. His actions result in the tragic death of an innocent man. However as he continues his quest for the truth the murderer, feeling trapped, sets his sights on Jack and his family. The killer makes an attempt on Jack’s life almost killing Emily. Yet as Jack hunts for the murderer, he is being pursued by another. The Holy Spirit will not let go of the one who is the object of so many prayers. Will God answer Emily and Ruth’s prayers in time to save Jack’s life and soul? Jack Johnson’s life is in shambles. When his is daughter and son in law are murdered his anger at God reaches its zenith. The investigation grows cold. Jack begins following leads resulting in another death. Feeling trapped the killer sets his sights on the remainder of his family. Jack is being pursued by another. The Holy Spirit will not let go of the one who is the object of so many prayers. Will God answer Emily and Ruth’s prayers in time to save Jack’s life and soul?

This book was very well written and is an amazing book to read. I think it was to gory at the part where they were murdered for my taste put that is my opinion. But other then that it was really good, and how you can't even guess who really did it until the end, even though i had my suspicions and they were right but it was still suspenseful. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy thrillers and mysteries.
I was not made to write a positive review, only to voice my opinion, i was given this book for review thru the Author for free.

Noah Webster: Father of the Dictionary

This story of the farm boy who worked his way through Yale and lived through one of the most exciting periods of American history to write the first American dicitonary is in its own way as thrilling as that of any frontiersman hero.
A Connecticut Yankee whose relatives were among the earliest settlers, the author of Webster's Spelling Book and the first American Dictionary was passionately patriotic. But where others gave the new country laws and government, he provided schoolbooks glowing with the American spirit. Twenty-five million copies of Webster's Spelling Book went out to the little red schoolhouses throughout the land during his lifetime.
The American Dictionary, which he sat down to write when he was fifty, was, of course Webster's greatest achievement. This book took more than twenty years to write. It was completely American in spelling and pronunciation, and gave first recognition to homespun words like whittle and tackle, shaver and chore.
Aside from his crowning achievement, Webster was an advanced thinker on all the questions and issues of his day and was practically as many-sided as Benjamin Franklin.
His influence has been unique and enormous and young people will find his life absorbing reading.

 

A very informational book about the life of Noah Webster the father of our modern day dictionary.  I would recommend this book to those who enjoy an informational book on famous people in our history.

 I was not made to write a good review but to express my honest opinion. I recieved this book for review from the publishier for free.

Unbreakable

Mennonite Romantic Suspense Sure to Thrill Readers 

Gentle and unassuming Hope Kauffman has never been one to question or try to make changes. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal her father arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite Hope's and other Kingdom residents' attempts to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, and when one of Kingdom's own is threatened by a mysterious outsider, Jonathon is one of the first to push for the town to arm itself. Hope's fiance, Ebbie, is at the forefront of those demanding the town stay true to its traditions of nonviolence.

When strange incidents around town result in outright attacks on several townspeople, Hope can't help but question what she's always been taught. As the town that's always stood so strong together is torn apart at the seams, Hope is caught between opposing sides, both represented by those she has come to care for. With tensions high and lives endangered by an unknown threat, Hope fears Kingdom can never survive in one piece.

This book was amazing!!! One of those can't put it down books and keeps you up late at night till you finish it. There is the perfect amount of suspence and drama that keeps the story going. It isn't at all predictable like some mysteries are you are held in suspence until the very end. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian mystery and amish type books.
I received this book for review thru the publishier and i was not made to write a good review, only to voice my opinion on the title.

The one good thing

For as long as Halley Steen has known her husband Nathan, he has carried a handful of stones in his pocket. Each day he uses those stones to remind him to follow the Golden Rule, moving a stone from one pocket to the other with each act of kindness. So it's not unusual that Nathan stops to help a stranger on the side of the highway while on his way to his son's football game one Friday evening. But that one act will change all of their lives forever, when a car hydroplanes off the road, killing Nathan instantly.

As Halley and her children Ty and Alice struggle with their grief, Nathan's spiritual legacy lives on. A Facebook page appears, where countless stories about Nathan's selfless acts are shared. But among them is one that stands out, from a woman who says that Nathan saved her life. Neither Halley nor her children have ever heard of Madeline Zuckerman. But soon Halley discovers years of e-mails from this woman to her husband on his computer that refer to "our little girl." How could her husband have kept the secret of this other child for their entire marriage? Why had he lied to her? Was he not the man she thought he was?

Only thirteen-year-old Alice maintains unwavering faith in her father. She knows there's an explanation. When she sets out to find Madeline and learn the truth, she will start to unravel the complex story of The One Good Thing Nathan Steen did that had the greatest impact of all.

I loved this book and i would recommend this book to anyone to ready, but have your tissues ready for the first half of the book especially.
I was not made to write a good review, i recieved this book for review thru the publishier and was not made to write a good review.

The Story Shell

The story Shell is the second story of the friendship bog series. I think the story line is a little to predicable, like how pibblin is always the one saving people and saving the day, i think the stories should change a little so other people in the story would be the main person who saves the day. It Is a great story though all in all. I would recommened this story for younger kids who are just beginning to read.
I was not made to write a good review only to voive my opinion on the book, i recieved this book form the author for review.

To Honor and Trust

By: Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

More Bestselling Fiction from Coauthors Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

Callie DeBoyer is unsettled as she arrives at Bridal Veil Island with the Bridgeport family. She's just received a letter from her parents, missionaries in coastal Africa, stating they are in dire need of more personnel. Should Callie give up her governess job and join her parents in their important work? Is God calling her to the mission field, or does she just want to escape the emotional scars of being jilted by her former beau?

When she enrolls young Thomas Bridgeport in golf lessons, Callie meets Wesley Townsend, who urges Callie to take lessons, as well. During their time at the golf course, Callie comes to care for Wesley--until she discovers hidden secrets about his past.

Then expensive jewels go missing from various homes on the island, and suspicion is aimed in Callie's direction. As the investigation continues, Callie wonders if she should escape it all by going to Africa. After the secrets he kept about his past, will Wesley ever be a man she can honor and trust for the rest of her life?

I LOVED this book! After reading another book in this series and i loved this one just as much as the first one i had read. This series is a well loved one of mine and i am sure it will be for you too!   I would recammened this book to those that enjoy Christian fiction. 

I was not made to write a good review only to voice my honest opinion about the title. I recieved this book for review thru Bethany House Publishers. 

Pibbin the small By: Gloria Repp

Pibbin the small By: Gloria Repp is the story of a small frog and his courage to risk it all to help his friend who is in trouble. As a small frog Pibbin is not sure how he can be helpful when his friend Sheera the turtle gets hit by a truck and gets hurt. He ends up having to take a long trip to silver sea to get a plant to help her leg to heal. He will face many dangers along the way and almost losses hope more than once, yet still pushed on until the end.

This book and series is great for younger readers, or to be read aloud to ones who can’t read. I even enjoyed the book even as a teen. I would recommend this book to any young child.

The forever stone by: Gloria Repp

The forever stone is an amazing story of forgiveness and the power of friendship. I Loved this book, it a perfect amount of drama and suspense to keep the story going and the characters are well balanced and they all show their different characteristics thru out the book, in the way they acted, talked, and how they felt on different subjects. Also how they treated the different kinds of people showed their personality and their souls. The book was well balanced and not to fast paced or to slow paced, the more “exciting” parts where there was a lot going on where well spaced so you weren’t bored thru the “slower” parts of the book. All in all I really enjoyed the book and I liked the plot and the underlining meaning of the story. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy longer book as this title is a whopping 385 pages long so this one will take longer to read but is well worth it!