Start!

Start! The Bible for New Believers
General Editor: Greg Laurie
This Bible is the NKJV which I’m not a huge fan of because it’s not in the easiest language for non-believers to understand. It did have great highlights throughout explaining things in simpler terms for a believer at any stage in their walk with the Lord.
I don’t believe for me it was too helpful but I am passing it on to a baby Christian and hope that she will get great use out of it.

A Leader's Heart ~ John Maxwell

As someone moving towards leadership I found this devotional inspiring. Each day is a section from one of John Maxwell’s books on Leadership. Maxwell relates to leaders, struggles, joys, frustrations, etc in this book. It is great that each day is to the point and applies principles from his other books and would be a great reference book.

It is a great book for a Pastor in your life or anyone in leadership. I would recommend reading this and using it as a tool to aid your devotional time.

You Were Made to Make a Difference

This book is a great one for teens to help motivate them to realize that they can make a difference, no matter what their age. We are brought back to the book of Acts and look at the first church, what they did and relate it to now, it is no different. We just have to be willing. This is an awesome book for teens to read. I encourage you to pick one up for your teen. Encourage them that they can make a difference; they are not “too young”. There are many people in the Bible that were “young”, for example, David. He was small and young and did amazing things for the Lord. This book was sent to me by booksneeze.com in exchange for a review.

The Butterfly Effect ~ Andy Andrews

This book I had to read online through booksneeze because they for some reason would not send a hard copy. I found, this book was a good motivator to take time to consider actions before making them. To pray and take them to God before acting on them and to realize the impact they would have on others around me.
This was an easy read due to its short chapters and small size. I would recommend this to anyone, believer or not. It was uplifting and encouraging! As well as challenging.

The Boy Who Changed the World ~ Andy Andrews

I was pretty excited to get this book from booksneeze after reading the description and hearing reviews of other Andrews’ books. As a children’s ministry worker I found it good but a little confusing at times. It basically told three stories in one to come to the main conclusion.
Don’t get me wrong, it is a good resource but not meant for younger kids who may not be able to follow or understand the story. I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Killing Time Before Church

As I sit here and slowly get ready for church I am so thankful for what God has been doing in my life. It is a bumpy ride as I put my trust in Him and know that what He is doing is right and the best way. I try not to worry about what might happen but trust that as I am trusting the One who created everything that the things I worry about, He has already worked out the details and He will come out glorified in it all.

I love my church...we are family that is open and honest with each other. We meet weekly to pray and for service but I miss them and although I know we all have our own lives, wish I could see them more. God is doing amazing things in my church and I'm so honoured to be part of it. As we take steps out into the community I know that God is going to keep us safe and that we have His hedge of protection around us. I pray that as we move out into our community that people wouldn't see a bunch of "Christians" or "religious people" but that the only one they would see is Jesus.

Well, I better sign off for now as I need to finish getting ready.

Over and out.

Wide awake at 3am!

Not sure why, but I am wide awake and it is 3am! I have to get up in 5 hours, and should be sleeping.

I figured...hey what a better time to write a blog than at 3am in the morning!

God has been working in so many areas in my life lately!It's been a crazy ride, fun, scary, exciting, stretching but most of all rewarding to see where God is taking me and realizing that He really is in control and nothing I do can change that, well wait, I can change that by going and doing my own thing but why...when someone else is in control and has the wheel and most of all, knows exactly what He's doing. Why would I want anything different?

I'm glad I'm not in control because I've been there and done that and messed it up!

I'm so thankful for amazing people God has put into my life, for a mom who supports me and provides for me when I'm needing help in certain areas, for friends that allow me to vent without coming back at me with advice about what I need and don't need to do in certain situations, a church that supports me 100% and speaks truth into my life. But most of all I'm thankful for a God who loves me and is there for me every minute of everyday, holding my hand and leading me through all things.

That's my rant for this early morning post. Hope all is well in the land of the internet!

100 Prayers God Loves to Hear, 100 Praise Songs ~ By Stephen Elkins

This is a great book for kids, of your own or if you are in children’s ministry. The prayers are easy for children to understand as well as the songs are upbeat and easy to learn.
As a children’s ministry worker this will be a great book to help kids learn how to pray and learn songs that relate to the prayers. It is a book I would highly recommend. Book review for booksneeze.com

Fearless by Max Lucado

Have no fear! It’s easy to say but a lot harder to do. I’ve heard it said that in the Bible it says some sort of “Do not be afraid” phrase 365 times, one for each day of the year. This book couldn’t have come at a better time. As I start a new job and a new chapter in my life from just finishing school there is a lot of fear that I am facing. Lucado does such a great job bringing in scripture and practical illustrations that convey the message he is trying to get across.
This book is great for anyone to read. It is one that you want to take your time to go through and let each chapter sink in. It has taken me a couple of weeks to read through it but it has been so worth it. Definitely get out and get this book, even if you are not a Max Lucado fan you will get something out of this. This review was submitted for booksneeze.com.

66 Love Letters ~ Dr. Larry Crabb

I have to admit, I didn’t read this book to its entirety due to time and the fact that this book is one that you need to read slowly. It is a unique book with the fact that it is like a conversation between Dr. Crabb and God, but you also need to remember that what God is saying is from Dr. Crabb’s point of view. It is a good book to read alongside the Bible in order to get a clear picture of what Dr. Crabb thinks God is saying to us through that specific book in the Bible. It is a great book for anyone to read and helps to see God in a different way as well as how He may have wanted us to view the Bible. This book was reviewed for booksneeze.com

A Time to Dance ~ Karen Kingsbury

A story about new life in the Lord and marriage but also real struggles and doubts; Kingsbury captures it all in A Time to Dance. A quote that caught my attention in this book is “The eagle is the only bird that doesn’t run from trouble. Instead it uses the storms of life to take it to a higher place.” A Time to Dance helps us to see that we can’t run but we need to run into the arms of God.

Well, Kingsbury has done it again! She has an amazing way of grabbing the reader’s attention from the beginning and keeping it until the very last page. I received this book at about 1pm and was done twelve hours later (with a few short breaks). Kingsbury has been given an amazing gift to write but she is also sincere in her relationship with the Lord and listens to what the Lord is teaching her and calling her to write about and that comes across in her books. A Time to Dance is a must read! Book received from booksneeze.com

Searching for God Knows What ~ Donald Miller

Searching for God Knows What ~ Donald Miller

Miller captures God the way the Bible does. There is no sugar coating Christianity. He speaks the truth and not what we want to hear as Christians but what we need to hear. This book may make you uncomfortable at times but it is an example of why we believe what we do and God never called us to be “comfortable Christians”.

Miller says “Being a Christian is more like falling in love than understanding a series of ideas.” This is so true, and what it is all about. We get fed ideas all the time about how a Christian “should” act but Miller is challenging us to get back into the Word and be real with God. This is the first book I have read by Donald Miller and certainly won’t be the last. He has a way of drawing the reader in while speaking honestly. This book was received from booksneeze.com

the end of another chapter

Well, it has finally come to an end. By "it" I mean by Bible College career. I have written every paper, exam, and assignment and reached the end. I am graduating and so excited.

As I look to the future, I have no idea where God is going to take me but I know it will be a ride. I am planning on taking a year off from school and working and then possibly going back to school, but it is all in God's hands.

This is one of those times I wish my dad was here to celebrate with me. I know deep down he is celebrating in Heaven and saying, "yeah! that's my girl!"

I'm off for now.

Keep it real,

Jenn

You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be

You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be
By Max Lucado

I was so excited to receive this book from booksneeze. I opened it up and it was hardcover and a smaller book. It is a great book for graduates! I was impressed by the different topics in the book and how relevant it was to my life as a graduate. Some of the topics Lucaudo are: finding your uniqueness, your work matters, putting a smile on God’s face, Heaven’s custom design, studying your story, being the best you can be, relationships, purpose and taking risks for God.

This is an easy read but feel it is better used more like a devotional book. It is definitely a book you would give someone as a gift. There are some pictures in the book as backgrounds and they enforce the message of that particular chapter or devotion. Like I said, it is a great book for graduates and anyone that like Max Lucado.

How Should a Christian Live?

This is an incredible book for a personal or group setting. The topics covered in this devotional are: abundant life, promise by God, His people, Faith, how God gives, good things, humbleness, God’s truth, trust, goodness, living in His love, and enjoying expectant life. It also has definitions which help to get a better understanding on what is being discussed. The book also consists of a word search or crossword; fill in the blank assignments as well as a few pages at the end of each lesson for journaling.

I would suggest this book to anyone in ministry or looking for a book to help them grow spiritually. With the book comes an mp3 of Bible reading audio which is a great way to hear God’s word. It seems like in our lives there are so many “things” that can get in our way and lead us in a different way than where God calls us and the direction we should be going in as a Christian. I was given this book by booksneeze.com

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John C. Maxwell

Maxwell speaks very clearly on connecting with people and how to engage beyond a simple “hi, how are you?” He breaks the book up into two sections “Connecting Principles” and “Connecting Practices”. In the first section Maxwell shares with the readers how connecting increases our influence in every situation, how it is about others; it goes beyond words, always requires energy and is more a skill than a natural talent. The second section of connecting practices talks about connecting on a common ground, doing the difficult work of keeping it simple, creating an experience everyone enjoys, how connectors inspire people and how we as connectors need to live what we communicate.

This book is a great read for anyone. As someone preparing for ministry it is a good book to understand how to connect with people on a personal level where people feel a connection; whether it be personal, or in a church. Maxwell captures the importance of connecting with people in such a powerful way. I give it five stars and a must read! I was given this book to review from booksneeze.com.

Wow!

It has been so long since I have updated!! It's been a rough year. My dad passed away Dec.26/08 very suddenly. I am in my last semester at Briercrest, actually, last 2 courses. God has been teaching me so much!!

I am going to get back into this blogging thing. I promise....that is, if there are people out there that read it.