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.

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.

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.

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!!!

What Happens When I Die by Bill Wiese

I have had an interest in the things that Bill Wiese has written about. Things like near-death experiences, things people say before they die, visions people have as well as out of body experiences going to heaven and to hell. I am not a stranger to being at someone's death bed and have found these times to be both profound and life-changing. I have also had a vision personally of going to hell. My own personal experience was not for telling others to draw them closer to their own personal salvation but was more to show me that we, as Christians, have authority over satan and not vice-versa. I began to read this book following the death of one of my younger sisters who died on 11-14-13. The Lord revealed to me that my sister was going "home" before Thanksgiving of this year when we thought she really had more time. I had heard right. I had the honor to officiate my sister's Celebration of Life service. My first to do. I was humbled and honored. It was a good time for me to have read this book and I hung on every word. This book has many scriptures to back what Bill Wiese shares. There are many well known people who are quoted and many, many testimonies you will want to read. I live in a rural community where I often feel others look at me as being odd for believing in such things as near death experiences, visions and dreams, other ways the Lord speaks...so it felt truly well for me to spend some time with this author reading his book. I felt I was in like minded/spirited company and for this I am truly grateful. I pray you will also get this book for yourself and read it. It is comforting to read. That was my experience. I say thanks to the Lord for inspiring this man of God to write this book and for the experiences he gave him to share with us all. God bless you Bill Wiese!!! Thanks for obeying the Lord in your calling and for writing this book as well as the other...."23 Minutes in Hell." I recommend this book!!! I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Charisma House Publishing through www.bookteria.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

The Power of a Half Hour by Tommy Barnett

I really thought this book would help me to organize my time better and I agree that it could possibly do just that. However, this was not the thing that struck me the most when reading it. What did make an impact on my life were all the testimonies and experiences which the author shares throughout his book. Tommy Barnett is the senior pastor of Phoenix First Assembly of God which is a home base for more then 260 outreach ministries. This tells me that the man has experience and that he has learned how to manage his time well. He also founded the original dream center in Los Angeles which I had heard about from a friend who would minister there. I heard only good things and it always made me want to go there to visit and perhaps to also minister alongside of those ministering there. I loved this book and I think you will find many nuggets of truth packed inside which will help you as well in your walk with our Lord. Many good principles here plus scripturaly sound. I recommend it! God bless you!!! I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Waterbrook Press publishing through the Waterbrook Multnomah book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.