You First, Me Second by Pam Erickson

I loved reading this book! Before ordering this book, there were things happening in my life which brought to my attention that I was pretty selfish. This has been a troubling discovery for me. So when I saw this book's title I knew it was the one for me. The author shares lots of testimonies about how others have gone out of their way to help others in need. The author gives many ideas about how one can use their own gifts and talents to help others and it still be an enjoyable experience. The author gives many ideas about ways in which one can encourage or help another whether it be a small or a big thing. This has really got me thinking...which I need to be doing. The writing is easy to digest and the chapters not too long that you can't read one before going to sleep. “You have more to offer the world than you realize.” There are 16 chapters in this book and each one holds several nuggets from which one can glean from. I am inspired by this book. It has got me thinking that perhaps...I can really be able to do the things I believe the Lord is calling me to do. Perhaps. I know one thing...reading this book has made a distinct difference in my life. It seems my eyes have been opened to allow the Lord to bring before me needs of others and ways to fill those needs. I am seeing opened doors for ministry. They may be small things...but to me these are huge and I am thankful for the author having written this book and for the opportunity to have read it. Thank you Pam Erickson...thank you. You are making a difference in this world and it all matters!!! God bless you!!! I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Front Line Publishing through the www.thebookteria.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

A Lasting Legacy by Doug Hagedorn

This book is a solid paperback. More like a manual you can refer back to time and time again. It has got me re-thinking how I have been living my life and caused me to make some changes. Changes I am making now are goal setting in many areas of my life. For instance...my husband and I have been having a real hard time getting the get up and go to get our very old house scraped and painted. We know we want to do the work ourselves are are quite able to...that is not the issue. We have procrastinated for years. Now we are setting short and long term goals and for some reason...it has got us over the procrastination hump! I am a grandparent now and not rearing any of my own children at this present time but think this book would really be a good one to have if you were still raising kids at home. Lots of material to ponder and meditate upon. Not a quick read. Quite the opposite. A meaty book which is packed full of testimonies and teachings to learn from. I fully recommend this book to you! I received this book for free from the Future Foundation Builders through the www.bookcrash.com book review program in exchange for a free book review. I was not required to write a favorable review.

A Dream So Big by Steve Peifer

I love the fact that this is a hardcover copy. I love the size of this book and I even love the front and back cover which clearly shows what this book is all about. For some reason I am drawn towards things written about Africa and Africa’s orphan children. Reading this book helped satisfy my need to know more on the subject and from an American’s view point. It has got me wondering whether or not that someone like myself could possibly go to such a faraway place if the Lord were to send me? Could I survive? I have spent literally hours and hours saturated and immersed in the pages of this book. I did not want it to end it was such a good and well written book! I have also spent much time thinking following reading this book…about the poverty and lifestyle of those in Africa and comparing it to the lifestyles of those of us living in the states. Not a pretty picture! Reading this book has changed me…has changed my mindsets. Reading it has caused me to look at my own life and life’s priorities. Is the Lord calling you or I to Africa? Or to some other missionary adventure/ Only time will tell. Meanwhile…I have this incredible desire to know more. To talk to others who have “been there” and “done that.” Or even to talk to others who are even thinking about it as I am. God may just be preparing us. Do it. Read this book. See what happens to your own life and life’s views after reading it. I totally recommend it. I have received this book for free from Zondervan Publishing in exchange for a free book review through the www.booksneeze.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.