Sunday, March 23, 2014

The Making of a Prophet by Jennifer LeClaire

I am so blessed that it was this book I chose to order. I was talking online to another prophet and he had shared how this book described him to a “T.” I was like...HEY I just ordered that SAME BOOK! So felt this was a confirmation to me from the Lord that I was to read this book in this season. Actually, it would have been so NICE to have had this much sooner! It would have helped me in the things I have had to walk in previously but am hoping it will help me move forward in my calling as a prophetess. The author, Jennifer LeClaire, gives sound, practical and biblical advice for developing your prophetic voice. She goes on with one chapter after another teaching things to beware of and how to deal with certain things that prophets deal with. She can only know these things by having walked them herself and by Holy Spirit directing her as to what to write in order to help us all. Just a few of the topics addressed: “Silencing the Voice of Rejection” “Overcoming Fear of Man” “Shunning Control and Manipulation” “How to avoid Spiritual Deception” “When Your Pastor Persecutes You” “Checking Your Motives” Those are just a hand full of topics listed directed to those who are called to the prophetic. I can see that this is one of those books that I will be referring back to time and time again as I cannot take it all in at one time. This book has been very insightful and helps me to understand why I go through the things that I do. God bless you Jennifer LeClaire for having the courage and boldness to write this! Thank you! I wholly recommend this to those who are called to the prophetic and to others who are wanting to understand those called to the prophetic. I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Chosen Publishing through their book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Holy Fire by R.T. Kendall

I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Charisma House publishing through the www.thebookteria.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.
This book by R.T. Kendall is written on the topic of the HOLY SPIRIT. God's Spirit. The author speaks about the different belief systems and their view of the Holy Spirit's work in our current lives as well as how he, the author, used to believe up until he had his own experiences with the Holy Spirit which caused his thinking to then change. This is a “Balanced and Biblical look at the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.” I liked it because it is also the same way I believe in that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and that the gifts of the Holy Spirit did not end as the cessationists believe they did. The author make things clear as to the works of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He uses sound biblical teachings which expounds on the understanding of the Word of God. He also shares about other books He has written of which there has been quite a few. He talks about the Spirit and the Word together and how the Holy Spirit leads us in two ways, directly and indirectly. He shares on the different types of fire. Many quotes are used which I tend to love. I am glad I got this book and glad I read it as it has further grounded me biblically in my own beliefs as to the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. I recommend this book to you.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World DVD study pack by Joanna Weaver

This review is for Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World DVD study pack. I initally felt led by God to request this set following a woman wanting us to get together to study the bible. We had no leader to guide us and were just going to “wing it.” The bible study idea fell through but I am still glad I ordered and received this set. I have to tell you that I also ordered 2 of the hardcover copies of her Jan. 2nd, 2007 copies as well as her 2004 book on CD. I began listening to the book on CD first as downloaded it onto my MP3 player and took it to work with me. (cleaning business) I am sure that probably most of us women could relate to being more like Martha, the one who was work, work, work...but our hearts are wanting to be more like Mary...the one who spent time with Jesus and washed His feet with her tears and anointed Him with costly perfume. This book will show you the value of taking the time out for the Lord and discuss ways that we can do this in our very busy lives as wives, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, co-workers and friends. Quoting a section in the book, “I discovered what it meant to have a Mary heart toward God. Suddenly my eyes were open to what true devotion is. It is not a duty. It is a delight. It is not an exercise in piety. It is a privilege. And it is not so much a visit as it is a home-coming.” (end of quote) “ So many times in my life I have often wanted to go back in time...to go back home. I have come to realize that my true “home” is with the Lord and that if I want to go back “home” then I need to get back to my intimate times with Him and there I will find it..I will find HIM. There is no place like home! The DVD would be perfect to watch before discussing with a group. I am going to hang onto this material and wait on the Lord for who to share it with. Meanwhile will continue to reach for it to encourage me to keep taking time out for those intimate times with our Lord. This book is a more conservative in nature then what I prefer but I think it would be excellent for those new to the idea of intimacy with our Lord and for reminding those who have fallen away from such practices. I receive this book for free in exchange for a free book review from the WaterBrook Press publishing through the www.bloggingforbooks.org book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. 11/19/14 UPDATE Since writing this book review I have begun a women's ministry group. This book is the material the Lord dropped in my lap basically to use to begin it. The women have LOVED the materials presented in this study as well as the worksheets I printed out from the author's website. I have gone on to order the next two books and have printed out the worksheets that go along with these studies. I have also MET THE AUTHOR personally while in attendance at a women's retreat (Called2 Conference in Kearney, Nebraska) and I will tell you that she is the "real deal." I whole heartedly recommend doing her materials for your women's group! We have all loved her materials from the new believer to the seasoned believer. Lord bless you!!!

The Pleasure of His Company by Dutch Sheets

The Pleasure Of His Company by Dutch Sheets is a powerful book that can also be used as a devotional. It is a smaller book and hardcover which is my favorite type. I also LOVE the front and back cover and the title fit the hidden treasure inside. I chose to use it as a devotional and am glad that I did. I was so touched by the Lord due to what I read that I was left in tears and in the presence of our Lord at the end of every single chapter. I like the sincere and being real style the author writes in. This is the type of person I would want to have for a close friend. He writes from his heart and from GOD'S heart. The goal of this book is to draw you into a closer, more intimate, friendship with GOD. Reading this book has done this for me. In the past I have read one other book by Dutch Sheets and it was good as well. I fully intend to gather together more of his writings after reading this one. If I had one thing I would change about this book it would be to add a ribbon to mark the pages. That seems to be missing. A beautiful book, beautifully written! The fragrance of the Lord all over it...no doubt it is highly anointed. I love it and will keep it by my bedside. Now that I know I plan to keep it instead of giving it away will be free to highlight all the places where the Lord spoke to me personally. I would rate this one higher stars if I could!!!! Keep writing man of God Dutch Sheets!!!! God bless you readers!!! I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Bethany House publishing through their book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

The Judas Goat by Perry Stone

This is my first time reading any of Perry Stone's material and I must say that I quite impressed! Perry Stone seems to have a gift for Bible teaching and sharing it in a way that is easy to digest! This particular book is about "How to deal with false friendships, betrayals, and the temptation not to forgive." When you first begin to read the introduction of this book you will be referred to Chapter 4 "Who is Sitting in Your Third Chair." Reading this chapter helped me to understand what Perry was referring to when he mentioned first, second or third chair persons. He shares that people in our lives will fit on one of three places and how to be careful not to allow people in where they do not belong. He gives a perfect example through an experience his wife went through to help you understand better. Perry shares testimonies his father experienced in the ministry regarding "Judas Goats" within his congregations. On the back cover Perry writes, "A Judas goat is an actual goat that is raised with the sheep in the field--eating with them, sleeping with them, and generally gaining their trust. When the time comes to lead the sheep into the slaughterhouse, the sheep will follow the Judas goat into specially marked pens, the back of trucks, and in some instances into the slaughterhouse itself. The Judas Goat makes a strong correlation between this goal and the people in your life who are operating with ulterior motives, helping you understand." This book gave me a warning or a heads up to the possibility of this happening for future ministry but also gave me an understanding of what has already taken place in what I thought was a true friendship from my past. I was also convicted personally. This book was written with excellence and true anointing of our Lord! I recommend this book to you! Especially for those in the ministry. I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Charisma House publishing through the www.thebookteria.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

All Heaven Will Break Loose by Joy Dawson

The first thing I would like to tell you about is the front and back cover of this book. It is strikingly beautiful in a simple and yet profound way and reflects the beauty of the words written inside of the book as well. It hit me again and again as I read this book how much the cover "fit" what was inside. I had not heard of this author before and am so glad I decided to give her writings a whirl. There is a depth and perception contained in her words that I feel could only come from our Lord. Joy is not a novice and the wisdom of her life experiences bleeds through her words. It touched me that she dedicated this book to her son who is also involved in the ministry. Joy also mentions her late husband, Jim, who she says released her to prioritize her time in the project of writing this book meaning he would have to take on a heavier load in other areas and all the while not complaining. Jim passed away before the book was published and I imagine the pain of his loss went into the writing of this book. If I were to tell you what the main jest of this book is I would say it would be about UNITY and FORGIVENESS. The author shares brilliant ways in which unity and forgiveness can be achieved. Some I have already tried and I can tell you it has worked for me. Something she suggests is, " We need to ask God to give us His supernatural ability to love and forgive everyone who has wronged us, and then receive it by faith." Joy offers practical ways of getting free and keeping free from all resentment. Who of us could not use such advice? Not me. I know I need this and will implement her ideas further. I like how Joy shares a nugget about what the upcoming chapter or even paragraph holds which alerts as to what to pay attention to. For example: "The next chapter illustrates the greatest team work in dynamic action that I have found anywhere in the Bible." Strong points she has made is that we are not meant to be so independent of one another and I quote," ...no one is meant to have it all. God evenly distributes it out to others so that we may be interdependent on Him through one another." This makes a whole lot of sense to me. I cannot even begin to tell you all that this book holds for if I were to do so it would spoil your joy in reading it for yourself. I have meditated upon much that I have read and highlighted it all over the place. I intend to keep this copy for my own personal library to refer back to. I recommend this book highly! I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Chosen Publishing through their book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

When Will The Heaven Begin? by Ally Breedlove

I came across this book while straightening shelves in the library where I work. It grabbed a hold of my attention and went home with me that night. Once I got started reading this book I could not put it down! The words written and the story told in this book spoke to me so clearly and so personally it was as if the Lord Himself had tossed this book onto my lap and said, "Here, read this!" It is quite the story. A story of a young man who fought the good fight of faith and won victoriously! A story of a young man who had a special assignment for his life which was fulfilled. Really...it's a whole lot more then that. The author is an excellent writer...and easy to read. I was quite shocked for such a young person to be such a good writer and I've no doubt that there will come further titles flowing from her pen. I can't help but think that part of the reason for Ben's life and death and all of the in between was to launch Alley out into writing. God works like that! I loved reading everything in this book. I feel close to the family and close to Ben and know that one day in heaven we will all meet. This book is for everyone! Reading it has changed my life and caused me to re-think my priorities. I will never be the same again. I wholly recommend you read this one as well and also do know that Ben Breedlove has his story on youtube so you may want to give that a look as well. Lord bless!!!