Book Review - Priceless Stones

I received my second free BookCrash book last week!
I ripped open the box like it Christmas!  Anyway, what a "present" this book is! 

Click to see it on Amazon!

Priceless Stones: 42 Days of Hebrew Promises for Kingdom Living
by James Revoir (Crosslink Publishing, 2013)

Dawn’s Recommendation: 5 of 5 Stars

Overview:
Journey with the author on a forty-two day quest to unearth the amazing goodness of God which lies hidden in the original Hebrew language of the Old Testament. (from back of book)

What I liked:
This book is “priceless”! Very powerful messages that include insight from the original Hebrew words, which helps readers understand God’s Word more fully and how we are to apply it to our lives.  This book will help you grow more spiritually mature. Each day’s reading contains a Scripture, the teaching on a Promise (aka a “Priceless Stone”), a prayer, a declaration, and thought-provoking questions. It is a powerful combination of reading, saying, and doing that can help folks get closer to God. I’ve seen prayer and questions in studies before, but the declaration section was neat because I felt compelled to read it out loud with feeling and heart (to God).

I enjoyed learning the Hebrew words and definitions that were woven into the study!

As a writer, I enjoyed the questions section. In my own journal, I jotted down the Day’s point and then answered the questions. This really helped me focus on God and assess my own faith journey. Here’s one of my favorite questions: “Can you think of a time when the Lord protected you from the onslaught of the enemy?” (from Day 3)

I liked the Glossary of Hebrew words at the back.

What I didn't like:
The book didn't include a photo and bio of the author. The blurb on the back only tells how long the author has been a Christian and that he has a Master in Divinity. You don’t get to know him.

The cover is nice, but the graphics and colors don't highlight the "priceless" information inside the book. The colors are muted tan/brown, which is blah. The title color does not pop and as a thumbnail on the internet, it can't even be read.

What I didn’t need:
At the end of the book, I didn’t need to see the Scripture Index, Bibliography or Endnotes sections, BUT because they were there I more fully appreciate the time and effort that the author put into creating this study. I also realize that some other readers may want to see this information and see that it is backed by the Bible and theological publications.

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review -- No Small Change

I've been reading books like crazy lately and I was so happy to find BookCrash! Here's how it works: You pick one free Christian book at a time (they mail it to you or you download it), you read it, and then post a review of it on your blog. Then you can pick another book.  Cool, huh?!

My first review for Bookcrash is "No Small Change" by Charles E. Johns. Mr. Johns is a minister and author of "Faith Matters", a monthly annual conference column.

Overview:
We often act as if God hides so well that signs of the divine presence are reserved for Hallejujah moments. Here are tales of people, places, and things that can either pass unnoticed or can become elemental moments to change the way we experience God. Each of the stories illustrates a way in which the ordinary can open the door to an engagement with the divine. No Small Change is an invitation to pay attention to the grace that envelops us, God's persistent presence which longs to be embraced. (taken from back of book)

Dawn's Recommendation: 2.5 of 5 Stars

What I liked: 
I really enjoyed the stories that shared concrete, specific examples and reflections from the author's life like in FLYING LESSON (about who you put your trust in). There is truth and wisdom in the author's words and he takes the time to meditate on ordinary happenings in his life. I liked the humor that is sprinkled in (like in UNNATURAL ACTS), the sweet memories of friends who have passed (like in JIMMY), and the author's vulnerability (like in UNWILLING). With each story, you get to know a little more about the author. Some of the author's reflections evoke rich images from his life like in TRUE COMPASS where he gets a compass for a gift and it is compared to the one true guide for his life. Some of the stories reminded me of devotionals.

What I didn't like:
I didn't like the layout of the book. It was laid out in the following categories: Advent/Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time.
--There were a few stories that felt like they tried too hard to tie into the their category.
--The book opens with Advent/Christmas. I prefer to read Christmas stories at Christmas time, so that was an immediate turn off. Also, this section confused me. I couldn't get the stories' points as they related to glimpses of God...or perhaps it was just my frame of mind at not wanting to read Christmas when it was 70 degrees outside.

Some of the stories were more general thoughts on a topic and that came across as preachy and vague to me. I much rather enjoyed the stories that gave concrete, specific examples from the author's life.

Also, the back cover blurb is a little misleading.
--Based on the back cover blurb's last sentence, I thought the book would show me how I could better pay attention to God's grace. The author shares his reflections, but it doesn't tell readers how to do this for themselves.
--The blurb says, "Here are tales of people, places, and things" - I took this to mean stories from and about different people, but the stories are all from the author.

Even though there were some things I didn't like about the book, I still enjoyed many of the stories. There are some sweet gems in this book and I'm glad I stuck to it to find them (one of my favorites was GROWING MEDIUM)!  

Once I began to see the stories as "devotionals", I was able to enjoy them and understood the book's purpose -- to share the author's glimpses of God through his experiences and reflections.  I think the book's format would have worked so much better marketed as a book of devotionals! 

Disclosure - The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of the book 

through BookCrash in exchange for a review of the book.

What Could I Do?

Writing Exercise: Search on-line for a magazine that accepts submissions. Write and edit an article to submit.


What Could I Do? [submitted to Pockets, a Christian Child's Devotional, Upper Room] 

by Dawn M. Hamsher

Everybody was talking about it. A really powerful earthquake hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. The news said 316,000 people died and 300,000 more were injured. 

Even though I’d never been to Haiti, I, Gillian, felt I had to do something for all those people who were hurt and had lost their homes. But I’m only ten years old, so what could I do?

I decided to ask my mom for ideas on ways to help, but most of the time she frowned and tried to change the subject. Once though, she did tell me a news story about a boy in England who did a bicycle race, which raised thousands of dollars for Haiti. 

Hmmm…good idea. 

“Could I do a bike race?” I asked her.

“No,” Mom said. “Riding on the streets with traffic would be dangerous.” 

Sigh.

“What about a scooter race instead?”

“No, Gillian,” Mom said. “Not everyone has a scooter and it could also be dangerous.”  

Shot down twice.

So, I started thinking safety.  What would be safe from cars and could be done on sidewalks? Walking. That’s it! I could get lots of people to walk through town and we could earn lots of money to give to Haiti! This one was going to work, I just knew it.

“What about a walk?” I asked Mom.

“I don’t know. A big walk through town would require police to help people cross at intersections and someone could still get hurt.”

“How do you get hurt walking?” I asked.

She didn’t really answer me, but started talking about a big word: “liability”.  I don’t know what that is, but I know that Mom is afraid of it.

Rats. Do you see where this is going?

I was beginning to think that my mom wasn’t going to give in. I knew though that we were supposed to help people in trouble. It says so in the Bible:

Luke 3:10-11 (NLT) The crowds asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

So, I wasn’t going to give up. Here’s what I did.

     I told my mom that Jesus would want us to help Haiti. Then, I begged her every day until she gave in. Once mom was onboard, things got moving.  

• We planned. We did decide to do a walk, but instead of walking through town, we picked a local park that was closed to traffic.

• We researched charities and found the one we wanted the money to go to.

• We asked for help. I got my best friend, Megan, my Girl Scout troop, and my church to help (and God even helped by giving us a warm day for the walk). We made posters, baked cookies, and collected money.

• We did it! On Mar. 17, 2010, we walked for Haiti. By getting sponsors, selling baked goods, and setting up a donation table at church, we raised over $2,000!

Mom says she’s proud of me for not giving up. She says I helped her faith grow by seeing us kids make such a big difference. I think she’s right. Kids can do awesome stuff, buy they might have to do a little begging and not give up!

So, now that I figured out what I could do, I ask you, “What can you do?”

Girls pose beside poster they made and the bake sale table

Stretching before Walk for Haiti

Interview With a Pirate?

Writing Exercise: Write a short article (150-250 words) about any topic. Short articles can be very challenging. Can you say what you need to in few words?  To start, write down the points you want to get across. Then write and edit. Did you stick to your points? My 250-word article below has the topic "Are You a Pirate?". I've added my points at the end.

Interview With a Pirate?

Interview by Dawn M. Hamsher [submitted to devozine, teen devotional, Upper Room]

DMH: Are you a pirate?

Mr. Hook: Why, yes, I’m a pirate! Why ye be askin’ me that? Don’t I look like a pirate?  Don’t I talk like a pirate? Arghhh! Don’t I act like a pirate? Why just the other day I was tellin’ me first mate, Smee that we ain’t had much fun lately. It’s time we did a little drinkin’, plunderin’, and keelhaulin’, you know – piratey things. 

DMH: Well, I thought you gave that stuff up when you became a Christian.

Mr. Hook: Oh, well that (looking down at his boots). I um, ummm. Well, you know, It’s cool to be a pirate. Everyone looks at ya like you’re tough, like you’re somebody special. 

DMH: Yeah, some might call you a bully.

Mr. Hook: No, no, they look up to me. They want to be like me - the “pirate” me.

DMH: You can’t have it both ways. You can’t follow two masters.

Mr. Hook: I know it! I follow my way, ‘cause I’m the captain!

DMH: That’s what I mean. As a Christian, you should be following Christ; letting Christ be your captain.

Mr. Hook: I don’t really like followin’ others.

DMH: I’m beginning to see that. But, what about believing in Jesus as your Savior and starting over again as a new creation? 

Mr. Hook: (frowning) I can’t have it both ways, huh?

DMH: No, you’re either a Christian or a pirate.

Mr. Hook: I’ll need some time to think about it.


Are these point clear?

• You either are a Christian or not (in name only doesn't count)
• When you are a Christian your life changes drastically.
• The old sinful self can come back if you let it.

Sticks and Stones

Writing Exercise: Write a Devotional.  Devotions have different formats depending on what the publisher wants.  For this exercise, follow this format:

• Include 3 scriptures (listed or typed out)
• Devotion should be 250-550 words
• Include a "Life Application" and/or "Questions for Reader" section at the end.

My devotion below was submitted to "Write From the Heart - Devotions for Writers", a future e-book by Pam Williams.

Sticks and Stones
by Dawn M. Hamsher

Scripture Readings: Proverbs 12:6, Proverbs 16:24, Job 4:3-4

The girl handed a small folded note to her friend, who read it and snickered. She passed the note to a boy, who read it, whined, “Waaahh” and then slid it to another boy. He passed it to another kid, who passed it… Before the teacher took the note, the damage was done. I was labeled the cry baby of the 4^th grade.

Never mind the fact that my mother had just had a nervous breakdown. We had to abruptly move back to the states in the middle of the school year; we had no home yet, so we lived with my grandparents; I had no friends; I was failing math. My young life was in turmoil.

Yes, I cried at school during math class and the note was circulated. Those thoughtless words, “The new girl’s a cry baby” defined and defeated me. Those kids didn’t know me. They didn’t know my situation - the stress I was under. They didn’t care. I felt alone, rejected. I got through the rest of the school year without crying.  In fact, I didn’t cry again for 13 years. That’s how much those words affected me.

The old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is a lie. Most physical hurts, heal, but emotional ones tend to linger and inflict pain over and over again as the mind replays the scene.  And, it’s not just kids that do the damage. We’ve all blurted out comments without thinking.

As Christian writers, no matter what we write (whether it’s articles, devotions, fiction, or poetry), we have a responsibility to Christ. The Bible tells us to build others up, not tear them down. One way to accomplish this is to seek God’s wisdom before we write. 

·         What is wisdom? It is the ability to discern or judge what is true and right.

·         What does the Bible say about wisdom?  Proverbs 3: 21-22 says “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.”

Using wisdom as a guide to life means that we think before we speak and write. Because words have power, we should not use them carelessly, but be deliberate when choosing them, so that our words reflect Christ. If the world’s words are used to hurt, then our words should be used to heal. 

Prayer: Thank you, Holy Father for enveloping me in your love. Past hurts, written or spoken, no longer sting in your embrace.  You are the healer of my heart. Lord, help me to use my words in a way that will glorify you and encourage others.

Life Application Writing Prompt

Write about words that had a strong affect on you, either negatively or positively. It could be a hurtful word from your childhood, a note of praise from a teacher, or a careless comment from a co-worker.

When finished, consider these questions:

• What can you learn from the words and your experience?
• How can you use that knowledge in your writing?
• How can your writing glorify God (re-read Job 4:3-4)? 

Proverbs 12:6 (NLT) The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Job 4:3-4 (NLT) In the past you have encouraged many people;  you have strengthened those who were weak. Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees.