Chasing Charity by Marcia Gruver

Could anything be more humilating that to be left stranded at the altar and her intended groom walk out of the church on the arm of her best friend? Charity Bloom learns a lot of lessons from her experiences that perhaps all of us could take note. Marcia Gruver addresses several problems that haunt all of us at one time or another...how do we treat betrayal and deceit....how do we handle embarrassment our loved ones sometimes can cause..and on and on the problems come.

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to face. Charity's friend ,Emmy, learns the freedom it brings to those whonged as well as to herself. We watch as this character has a complete reversal of traits. She is transformed right before our eyes from a selfish, uncaring person to one who knows the value of a true friend and what happiness is all about.

Charity's sterling character comes through in all of the situations she confronts and I came away wondering if I could handle things half as well as she did.

While the book is not classified as Christian Fiction, it still portrays Christian virtues and values and it is certainly both entertaining as well as inspirational.

"The Noticer" by Andy Andrews

If you have ever known a "Jones" in your own life, you can definitely relate to Andy Andrews newest book "The Noticer". Jones is just Jones, not Mr. Jones but he seems to appear and disappear just like an angel. He seems to be ageless but also so timely in his appearances to help people with their problems. His main objective is always to help them with their perspective and to tell them he is a noticer and then tries to teach them how to become a noticer also. Her notices things that others seem to overlook even though they are in plain sight often.

Each person's story teaches us to much about ourselves and how we relate to those around us. Andy reminds us it is never too late to start planting seeds in the minds and hearts of those we touch.

Being an avid reader myself made me very conscious of the biographies that Jones asked Andy to read. I am determined to read the ones he mentions for myself for he has convinced me that not our experiences but it is other people's experiences that are the best teacher and that by reading about the lives of great people, we can unlock the secrets to what made them great.





This book is one I plan to give to my people but especially my grandchildren with the hope and prayer that God will use it to help them become "all they can be" especially with His help.

"Stand-In Groom" by Kaye Dacus

Kaye Dacus has me hoping she will write another book real soon. She has a delightful way of capturing one’s interest almost immediately and then holding it throughout the book. “Stand-In Groom” is a contemporary romance but is filled with laughs as well as suspense. When Anne Hawthorne meets George Laurence, she is so immediately attracted to him that she is convinced that he is the one she has been praying God would send her way. It seems he is just as attracted to her. The problem is that the situation is impossible as he is committed to his employer to secrecy and is only a stand-in for the real groom. When Anne learns he is engaged and that she is being asked to plan the wedding, she wonders if she can do it.

Both of the characters are believers and trying to find the person God has planned for them knowing that He has a plan for each of them that will be perfect if they are willing to be patient and wait on His timing. Overcoming great fears, learning to forgive and trust are all issues that the author explores in a Biblical way. It is easy to identify with many of the problems that these characters face and through it all I came away with my faith strengthened. It was very entertaining and I will be most anxious to have my friends read it as I am convinced they will enjoy it just as much as I did.

"His Name is Jesus" by Max Lucado is a beautiful gift book that helps one know Jesus in a wonderful way. The author has such a unique way with words. He has us smelling, hearing, smiling, sighing, listening as he takes us on journeys following in the sandal-prints of Jesus. I love the paragraph that is in the preface of the book:

"His story was extraordinary. He called himself divine, yet allowed a minimum-wage Roman soldier to drive a nail into his wrist. He demanded purity, yet stood for the rights of a repentant whore. He called men to march, yet refused to allow them to call Him King. He sent men into all the world, yet equipped them with only bended knees and memories of a resurrected carpenter".

About His birth he says "Jesus...He could hold the universe in His palm but gave it up to float in the womb of a maiden."

Other quotes "The greatest discovery in the universe is the greatest love in the universe" and "The life of Jesus Christ is a message of hope, a message of mercy, a message of life in a dark world."

Most of the book reads like poetry. His short sentences and catchy phrases make it so readable and interesting. The photographs in the book are breathtaking and many of the passages are from Lucado's books written over the years that we have all come to love.

At the end of the book he gives all who read it a soul-searching quetion: what will be do with this God-man Jesus? He urges us to love Him and accept His gift of salvation but states, in the end, the choice is yours and mine.

Next Generation New Testament

I am sorry that I have to say I did not particularly enjoy this presentation. It was well done I am sure. The all-star cast did their jobs well but I think their voices were just too juvenile for the subject matter and therefore, I did not relate as I think I would have with older voices.

There are over 23 hours of listening to their dramatic readings. I plan to give the cds to my granddaughter and feel sure that she will feel differently about it and will perhaps love it. I thought the music was unusually good and very appropriate.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE BRAIN

I have never read a book that I thought was worth the money as much as the book "This is Your Brain on Joy" by Dr. Earl Henslin. Because I recently lost my husband to a brain tumor and have a grandson who has ADD, I am very interested in learning about the brain. There is so much information in this book that is helpful, all the way from food recommended, supplements to try, as well as even movies to see. There are tests you can take to see what part of your brain is working best for you. The SPECT scans are being used more and more in the treatment of psychological, physical, and spiritual problems and Dr. Henslin has a Christian counseling group in Brea, California called Henslin and Associatges. For the past eight years he has worked with the brain imaging research pioneer Daniel G.Amen, M.D. whom he claims has been his mentor and friend as well as co-worker.

All of us are interest in experiencing more joy in our lives. Many of us have questions like
Why isn't my faith in God enough to ease my blue moods?
Why haven't I been able to conquer my anger and pray away my fears and worries?
Why can't I find freedom from secret obsessions and addictions?

Dr. Henslin explains in an easy reading and entertaining style just what happens to our brains if any one area gets out of balance. He tells us how to nourish our minds, balance our brains and in doing that discover real joy.

I have told several people about the book even before I finished it. I want them to know how practical and life-changing it is and how they can take advantage of the latest neuroscience research combined with biblical insights to help them have more joy and love in their lives.

What's Age Got to Do With It?

Robin McGraw's new book "What's Age Got to Do With It? is all about living your happiest and healthiest life possible. In an age where most of us are afraid of getting old, Robin tackles all those things we fear and gives some secrets for staying healthy and in shape so that we can look our best even as we age. She says "To me, aging gracefully isn't accepting what aging does to you. It means taking care of your health, wanting to look your best, and knowing that it is not conceited, egotistical, or selfish to do so".

Robin's husband is the famous Dr. Phil and when Robin appears on the show, thousands of viewers want to know how she looks and feels so fabulous at the age of fifty-five. This is what prompted her to write this book. She not only gives us her secrets but also provides information from a panel of top experts in the areas of fitness, nutrition, skin care, menopause, hair, makeup and fashion.

The last chapter is "What's Faith Got to Do with It? She reads and studies her Bible and tells us that her decision to accept Jesus Christ as her personal Savior changed her life forever.She also says that her faith has gotten her through many rough patches in her life. This was my favorite part of the whole book as I truly appreciate it when a famous person like Robin takes such a strong stand for the Lord. I highly recommend the book as it is not only full of wonderful information, it is inspirational as well.