A Song for Sunday - You Are

I can't help but belt this song in the car as I listen to the radio (Word FM)! I can imagine standing in front of Jesus on that day and shouting His endless glory and grace!

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.

Question For The Day - Not as Planned

When things don't go as planned, how do you handle it?

We all have something that "doesn't go as planned". I've got one going on right now and you probably do too. Mine has been on my mind a lot lately. It's not a constant worry, but it is a bad feeling about work. Last night as I prayed, I finally laid it out to God, but I didn't even know what or how to pray. Then the answer came to me, just pray God into the situation. That's it. Pray God there. So I did, and I immediately felt at peace.

I pray. How do you handle when things don't go as planed? 
 

Book Review - The Black Book of Secrets

Here's another Middle Grade Book Review.

It's called "The Black Book of Secrets" by F. E. Higgins

Dawn's Recommendation: 4 out of 5 Stars

Click to go to Amazon

Overview:

A boy arrives at a remote village in the dead of night. His name is Ludlow Fitch, and he is running from a most terrible past. In this village is the life he has dreamed of: a safe place to live and a job, as the assistant to a mysterious pawnbroker who buys people’s deepest, darkest secrets. Ludlow transcribes the confessions in an ancient leather-bound tome: the Black Book of Secrets. He yearns to trust his mentor, who refuses to disclose any information on his past experiences or future intentions. But what the pawnbroker does not know is, in a town brimming with secrets, the most troubling may be held by his new apprentice. (from Amazon)

Show more

Show less

What I liked – I thought the book might be a little dark, but I was pleasantly surprised to find goodness in the Secret Pawnbroker. He helped people in a strange way, unburdening them and helping them financially. I liked his assistant, Ludlow Fitch who escaped from abusive parents, all of the townspeople, quirks and all, and Saluki, the tree frog. The bad guy, Jeremiah Rachet, was great too. A great little book! A nice bonus at the back of the book included real-life blurbs that told of life back then in England (1800’s) like coffins with air tubes and bells in case you were buried alive.

What I didn’t like – The ending (when they travel to a cave) was far-fetched and seemed “stuck on”, almost like a different story. The book could have ended after climax and story of town/townspeople’s problems were resolved.  Even so, I would still recommend this book! Up until that point, it was great and the resolution for the town/townspeople was very satisfying.

I was excited to see there are more books in the series: The Bone Magician, The Eyeball Collector, The Lunatic’s Curse. I am looking forward to reading them! F. E. Higgins also has a new book called The Phenomenals (new series). Here’s the author’s website:

http://www.panmacmillan.com/gobstoppers/fehiggins

A Song for Sunday - 10,000 Reasons

I love to belt this song in worship (in my car, of course)! Here is Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)".