Book Review -- Limitless

Click to see on Amazon.com

I just got finished reading Nick Vujicic's new devotional called "Limitless, Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life".

I saw Nick last year at Creation Fest and he is a powerful and fun motivation speaker. I was excited to get this book for free (in exchange for reviewing it) through Blogging for Books! 

Dawn’s Recommendation: 5 of 5 stars

Overview:  

Nick Vujicic is an evangelist, motivational speaker, author, and director of the Life Without Limbs organization.

“Nick Vujicic knows there is no greater hope than trusting in God’s plan for your life. Born without arms or legs, Nick has experienced both the peak of hope and the depth of despair. But he has overcome his circumstances and physical limitations by embracing his faith and understanding the limitless love and power God has for every person.

Now he wants you to experience that same reassurance of hope. In these fifty inspirational devotions, Nick shares his most compelling hard-earned wisdom to help you face obstacles with confidence and courage. Whether you struggle with faith, relationships, career challenges, anger, health concerns, self-esteem, finding balance, or doubt in your dreams, Nick’s biblical encouragement and positive attitude will transform your life and show how you can overcome limitations because God is limitless.”  (taken from book jacket)

What I liked: I heard Nick Vujicic speak in person. He is engaging, encouraging, fun and slightly mischievous. His refreshing take on life and his personality comes through in this book! As I read, I even imagined his Australian accent! The devotions are stories about him or stories from people he has met in his travels. They are interesting and quick to read. In fact, I didn’t want to stop reading! I read almost straight through, but I am looking forward to going back to read on a daily basis so I can soak in each Scripture and devo’s wisdom!

I really enjoyed the Scriptures choices. Many of them are lesser known Scriptures, so I found myself reading them carefully. Each one fits well with its associated devotion.

I loved the “Limitless Life” section at the end of each devotion. It gives readers a chance to apply what they’ve read to their own lives. For people who journal or for writers, the “Limitless Life” section could be taken further and used as writing prompts to further contemplate their own life experiences, struggles, goals, etc.

What I didn’t like: There were one or two devotions out of the 50 that I found myself skimming because they didn’t share a concrete personal story and were more general in nature. These couple, though, did not take away from the overall book because the rest were powerful, specific stories from Nick or someone he met.

Overall: A great book to keep on your work desk or night stand to read every day! The devotions uplift, encourage, and motivate you to come closer to God and to be all you can be.  If you struggle with any of obstacles mentioned in the overview, you will be encouraged by Nick in this book. There will probably be certain devotions you will want to share with friends and family to encourage them.

For more about the book and Nick Vujicic, click on the below links:

• Author's Website
• Nick on Facebook
• Nick on Twitter
• More Info
• Read Chapter One
• Author Bio

Disclosure - I received this book for free from  

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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.

Book Review – Jesus Calling

Click to go to Amazon.com

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence 

by Sarah Young

Dawn’s Recommendation: 5 out of 5 Stars

Overview (from back jacket): Jesus is Calling. Do you hear Him? Sarah Young began listening to what God was saying. With pen in hand, she wrote down the words and scriptures that Jesus laid on her heart. Words of reassurance, comfort, hope. Words that have made her increasingly aware of His Presence and allowed her to enjoy His Peace. Each day gives a devotion and scripture reading.

Why I like it: I really believe that Ms. Young has sought God’s words for us and through her, she has written down just what we need to hear each day. I’ve been reading this book daily for a month and every day, the words seep into my heart like a love song. Mother Teresa said, “I am a little pencil in the hands of a writing God, who is writing a love letter to the world.” Ms. Young is one of God’s little pencils. Thank goodness for her faithfulness to listen to God's messages and to write them down to share. 

Read this book. God wants you to know how much He loves you and how much He wants to surround you in His peace. Also, make sure you read the intro by Sarah Young – it is her story on how she came to Christ and how she came to write the book.

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.