Chasing Emily Farther - Books

Chasing Emily Farther - Books & Culture

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This is an interesting exchange of "strong" opinion between a reviewer and the author. It is long but interesting.

Blissful Reading!

Community Chaplains - Winning People to Christ

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Q&A with Mark Cress, Founder and President of

Community Chaplains of America

 

 

Q:  Why do you think chaplains are able to win so many people to Christ?

 

A:  According to some of the research we've done, most adults who come to Christ (80%) do so during a time of crisis.  When those times of crisis come, many people don't have a relationship with a clergy member.  They may not want to go to a church, but they still need to talk to somebody.  A chaplain has the opportunity to be present with someone during that crisis, to be a listening ear and a support system, and to gain permission to talk with them about Christ.

 

Q:  Where and how are Community Chaplains already serving?

 

A:  Several hundred people have completed the Community Chaplains training.  There are commissioned chaplains now serving in 35 states and a variety of settings.  We have one chaplain in Atlanta , Georgia , who is serving a local swim team.  A church in Raleigh , North Carolina , has a strong chaplain program and encourages its leaders to take advantage of our continuing education services.  We also have a college professor who will soon be the first official chaplain for her university.  The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.  One of our Corporate Chaplains of America clients who owns a storage facility has requested someone to whom he can refer his clients, since people often rent storage space during times of personal upheaval.  These are just a few examples of places where chaplains can—and do—serve.

 

Q:  Describe the process of becoming a Community Chaplain.

 

A:  The process is simple, and you can get started today! Community Chaplains training is available online at www.commchap.com. If you prefer, the materials are also available in hard copy form and can be mailed to you.  Our training materials will prepare you to minister to people in crisis and approach every encounter as an opportunity to intentionally show God's love and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Once you have worked through the materials and received the approval of your pastor, you're ready to start serving as a commissioned Community Chaplain.

 

Q:  I would like to introduce the principles of caregiving as a church elective or discipleship course. Does Community Chaplains offer any materials for group study?

 

A:  Absolutely.  We offer a Community Chaplain group study kit with enough materials to facilitate a ten member small group class.  This course offers an overview of caregiving ministry (less intense than the course designed for commissioned chaplains) and is a great way for churches to extend their reach within their communities.

 

Q:  Who should explore the possibility of becoming a Community Chaplain?

 

A:  Anyone who wants to minister to others, who wants to take advantage of their everyday interactions with people as opportunities to build relationships that allow you to be granted permission to share the gospel should train to become a chaplain.  If you are already volunteering in your community in some way (i.e. room parent, coach, hospital volunteer, etc), you are perfectly positioned to transform that volunteer role into your ministry role.  Our training materials were written by experienced Corporate Chaplains of America, and they contain everything you need to become a qualified Community Chaplain.  No special background is necessary.  If you want to be salt and light to a lost and dying world, this is the program for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be out of pocket for a few days. My 6 year old granddaughter Celeste I'm afraid has the swine flu, as I type this she is in the emergency room at a local hospital with a 104 temperature.
My husband is in route to come back home (he works in Dallas during the week) because he is sick with a stomach virus.

Update: Celeste had a culture done, will know the results tomorrow. She does have the flu, but won't know until tomorrow if it is the swine flu.

Update: As of Friday at 6:30 the lab result office is closed and they did not call to let us know the result of Celeste test. My daughter in-law has a Tamiflu prescription for Celeste and she is going to go ahead and give it to her. Celeste still continues to run high fever at times, she is eating well, resting well. Celeste has been sick since late Tuesday  night. 

"All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you." Psalm 38:9

Review-"The Transformation Study Bible-NLT"

Review-"The Transformation Study Bible-NLT" General Editor Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe
NLT stands for New Living Translation
Published by David C. Cook a B&B Media Group
Published 2009

I will post a short review and then post the press release for this Bible.

Review--I knew little about the New Living Translation Bible, I'd never looked at it, never read it.
I have kept this Bible near my side constantly since receiving it, I use it for daily Bible reading, I have also been using it in teaching my Sunday morning Bible class. Often in my class I will read from another translation, then my class will want me to re-read the passage from the New Living Translation, they will smile and say how wonderful it is to have a more easy to understand translation of the Bible. Suffice it to say I have been impressed with the translation and with the added material in The Transformation Study Bible.
This Bible is a hardback, with a sturdy cover. The pages are thicker and more durable than the other Bibles that I have, I am happy that the pages do not curl on the edges.
There is a dictionary/concordance, and an index of preaching outlines in the back of the Bible.
The Foreword and Introduction to the New Living Translation is a must read for those new to this translation, many issues will be addressed.
The words of Christ are in red.
There is cross references, and also added study material at the bottom of the pages.
I of course did not read the entire Bible, but I did read the book of Psalms and James. When reading these books I compared them to other translations that I had, there is little difference.
I am aware and have heard much argument and strong opinions on certain translations of the Bible, often these opinions are on the snooty side.
I am pleased to have this Study Bible, and I recommend this Bible for everyday use, in studying, and even in teaching.

Press Release:
"As pastors seek to make the Word of God more understandable in an age that is unfamiliar with the bible, and as growing disciples seek to discover the truth of Scripture in a skeptical culture, there is a great need for guidance in both the preaching and study of God's Word. Whether you're a pastor, a seminary student, or a truth-seeking disciple, an understanding of the
Bible can be made clear to you with the help of one of the most influential, in-depth, and practical Bible scholars in modern history.
For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe's "Be" Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe's commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God's Word with the goal of life transformation. According to Dr. Wiersbe, "It isn't enough for us simply to read assigned portions of the Bible each day, as helpful as that is. A truly transforming experience involves meditating on what we read (Ps. 1:2) studying it carefully in the light of other verses, and then obeying what God tells us to do(Joshua 1:8)." Now available for the first time, The Transformation Study Bible offers the full text of the highly readable New Living Translation with accompanying notes and commentary from the 50 books in Dr. Weiersbe's "Be" series.
One of the most anticipated and comprehensive study Bibles of the year, The Transformation Study Bible has been a lifetime in the making by a man who is widely known as a prolific and trusted writer and theologian. The former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, an internationally known Bible teacher, and someone who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God, Dr. Wiersbe lends his vast experience and scholarly insight to the most beloved and revered book of all time. This effort is to encourage believers of all levels to know and love the Bible and to experience the same transformation that has radically changed his life. The result is a Bible that is clear, understandable, and applicable to the lives of its readers.
Dr. Wiersbe writes, 'The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength.' By providing a new set of tools for Bible students of all levels, David C Cook and Warren Wiersbe have partnered to provide an essential tool to help bring the "perspective" and "renewed strength" that comes from a life transforming study of God's Word. This fantastic and long awaited resource will bring more clarity than ever before to the study of God's Word."

Review-"If God Is Good" by Randy Alcorn

Review-"If God Is Good... Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil" By Randy Alcorn
Multnomah Books, A Division of Random House, Published 2009
512 Total Pages--494 Pages of Reading

Websites for Randy Alcorn:
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
and Eternal Perspective Ministiries

To Purchase the book online or to read more about it visit WaterBrook Multnomah, the book is listed on the main page.

Review: "If God Is Good" is a phenomenally excellent read!
The book faces the question that many in the Christian community do not want to discuss; why do bad things happen if God is good? Why is there pain and suffering? Why does God allow this?
Randy Alcorn not only addresses these questions, but he also addresses the comments and books written by several atheists.
Randy Alcorn writes a contemplative and convicting book.
The book makes a Christian face and think, and come to a realization of those hard questions that are prickly-uncomfortable to answer.
There was heavy research and interviewing for the book, much time was spent by the author.
The author writes an easy to understand message, he organizes well, the chapters are short yet a wealth of information, the many applications and real life stories are timely and memorable.
The book is long on pages, I had a goal of 100 pages per day, this was easily achieved and gave me a chance to think about each section that I'd read for the day.

This book has done more than coax me to examine myself, it has convicted me of my own selfish, wrongly guided, pitiful thinking. I will only say that since my own mothers 18 plus years of Alzheimer's, and then her death in 2008 that took 3 weeks to complete. I have had loose threads of grief and how else can I explain it, but unshed tears of why? Randy if you read this review, thank you, with tears in my eyes, thank you. I feel as if a weight has been lifted.

I have read 86 books so far in 2009, "If God Is Good" by Randy Alcorn I consider it the best read--the most important read (with the exception of the Bible) of any other book I've read this year!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Hoots Up With Me!

On our first day of autumn we had a cold front that came through that dramatically dropped the temperatures and brought more needed rain. Our highs this week have only been in the upper 60's and the upper 50's at night.
My husband is sick with a stomach virus. Our granddaughter Celeste age 6 is sick with the flu (possibly swine flu.) I am hoping that dad and I can stay well amongst the growing number of those with the big bad pig flu.

Yesterday I made a delicious pot of chicken noodle soup. I felt that some of my readers may enjoy having the recipe.

Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup

1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning
6 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
4 cup peeled, cubed potatoes
1 tsp. salt
2 cup cubed, cooked chicken breast
2 cup uncooked yolk-free wide noodles
1 cup fat-free evaporated milk

In dutch oven or soup kettle, saute onion, carrots, celery and garlic in olive oil for 5 minutes or until tender (stirring constantly.) Stir in flour, oregano, thyme and poultry seasoning until blended; saute 1 min longer. Gradually add broth, potatoes, salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in chicken and noodles; simmer for 10 minutes or until noodles are tender. Reduce heat. Stir in milk; heat through and do not boil.
Yield 8 servings.

I used a rotisserie style chicken--if you live in Texas I bought the H.E.B. honey mesquite rotisserie style chicken.
I used 2 cans of sliced new potatoes--Walmart brand 15 oz each, drain the cans of liquid. I added the 2 cans of potatoes just before adding the noodles.
I used 1 tsp of poultry seasoning because I like the added flavor.
I omitted the oregano.

This recipe is one that you can play around with; adding or omitting per taste.

Roundabout

This weeks noteworthy blogs are:

At the Well...In Pursuit of Titus 2
Encouraging Husbands During Financial Trials posted 9-24 by Kimberly

God's Writer Girl
Book Review-A Review of Silent Savior by author A. J. Gregory--review by God's Writer Girl, posted 9-23

Novel Matters
Oh Please Don't Go We Love You So! posted 9-23 by Kathleen

One Day At A Time
Today's Devotion by Sandy posted 9-24

Patterings
Through The Eyes Of Christ posted 9-24

The LPM Blog
Just One Word posted 9-23

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Review-"You Were Born for This" & Book Giveaway

"You Were Born for This, 7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles" by Bruce Wilkinson with David Kopp
WaterBrook Multnomah Published 2009, 228 pages

Bruce Wilkinson website www.BruceWilkinson.com
www.YouWereBornForThis.com
www.Facebook.com/LastingLifeChange

Follow link below to purchase the book online.
http://www.randomhouse.com/gm/results.pperl?x=0&y=0&title_subtitle_auth_isbn=you+were+born+for+this

http://bit.ly/wGT7l Link for the video of book


Review:
I love this book!
"You Were Born For This" is a clearly understood, practical, uplifting, motivating approach to partnering with God in a miracle.

I have to admit I'd never thought about my part in a miracle, in any miracle.
If God chose to use me as a tool for someone else I was willing. Since reading this book I am taking a more active part in "asking" God to use me, not just "waiting" for God to use me.

The book has short chapters and has only 228 pages. The book is full of practical applications, and a straightforward and easily understood approach. The book moves along at a steady speed, introducing ideas, the book is not rushed, yet does not stay long in any one approach.
This book would be great for small groups, including book discussions.

Bruce Wilkinson states that as believers "we were born for this." We were born to take an active part in a miracle. This is exhilarating!

I ask you my readers is this a concept you had thought of before? It certainly is a statement worthy of discussion.

I have a hardback beautiful copy of this book to give away to a reader. Just post a comment and on September 30 I will post the winner.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Review-"In The Arms Of Immortals"

"In The Arms Of Immortals, A Novel of Darkness and Light" by Ginger Garrett
"Chronicles Of The Scribe Book 2"
David C. Cook B&B Media Group, Inc.
Published 2009
291 pages of reading, plus additional pages in the back of the book: Q & A with Ginger Garrett, Discussion Questions, information on Black Death, author information.

Another wonderful story from Ginger Garrett!
It is A.D. 1347 Sicily, and we are introduced to the fearsome Black Death.
This is a story of a group of people that lived on the island of Sicily: people that were merchants and tradesman, a priest, a wealthy baron and his proud daughter, a knight, an outcast healer that many believed to be a witch.
There is also an angelic presence called the Scribe that weaves the story to another woman that is of our time period.
There is a mysterious ship that docks at the harbor and shortly afterwards people become horribly ill and die.
The people are ignorant of what to do, or why they have been stricken with this disease.
They panic and do not know where to turn to for help. Innocent people are blamed out of ignorance.
I love how the writer told a story with a bit of everything: mystery, drama, love story, family problems, horror, and inspirational story.
I love the depth and variety of characters. The descriptions of the characters made me believe that they lived and breathed in my visual presence.
I love how the story builds and builds never letting the reader even blink an eye.
This second book as was the first book has a lovely photo cover, and an enticing title and medieval looking typeface.
The story goes back and forth from present time to A.D. 1347, yet I never had a problem keeping up with the story.
I was enthralled by every scene, and every act of the characters.
The everyday life of people that lived during the 1300's were written in such a way that I feel more knowledgeable about them: how they made their living, their daily lives, their dependence on the Church, illiteracy, and the stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor.
The descriptions of the Black Death were gruesome and heart wrenching.
Ginger Garrett has written a savory tale.

I absolutely recommend reading "In The Arms Of Immortals" and if you have not already read book 1 of "The Chronicles Of The Scribe Series"---Read the first book "In The Shadow of Lions."
There will be a book 3 in this series....and I cannot wait!

Visit the publishers website at www.tbbmedia.com
The author's website is www.gingergarrett.com

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Review-"In The Shadow Of Lions"

"In The Shadow Of Lions, Book 1 Chronicles Of The Scribe" by Ginger Garrett
David C. Cook The B&B Media Group, Inc. Published 2008
310 pages of reading, plus bonus material-epilogue, notes to the reader, discussion questions.

Absolutely a fascinating and enjoyable read!
The opening line catches the reader in a grip and does not let go until the end.

"Tomorrow, someone else will die in my bed....."

The reader is told the tale through an angel, yet not an angel that resembles preconceived ideas of what an angel looks like.
Ginger Garrett has written a gripping tale of the days of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Thomas More. She weaves in a story of a fictional woman named Rose, a sad and despondent young woman.
The story moves back and forth from present time to the historical past during the reign of Henry VIII. I never had a problem keeping up with the characters, nor the time period.
It is a complex book and plots build with crescendo, I kept in constant focus while reading it.
The picture on the cover of the book and type face of the title is stunning.
The type face of each chapter heading inside of the book carries on the mood and setting of the time period of Henry VIII.
The additional author's notes on the story and the personal notes to the reader gave deeper explanation for the basis of the book.
The imagination and creativity that went in to the story was phenomenally entertaining, and unlike most of the other Christian Fiction books I've read.
The characters were all described with such detail that I felt they lived and breathed in my presence.
I have read many books on Henry VIII and his wives, including Anne Boleyn. Many authors have come to their own conclusions about Anne and often with a sensationalistic approach.
Ginger has given her own unique and satisfying story of Anne.
The fluid wording is articulate and evocative.
I am excited to be able to review Ginger Garrett's books in this series, they are entertaining, stimulating, unique, and haunting.

~~I will be posting soon Ginger Garrett's next book in the "Chronicles Of The Scribe" series,
"In The Arms Of Immortals"~~

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Blogger Appreciation Week

One time a year in September a Book Blogger Appreciation Week is held. This years appreciation week is September 14-18, 2009.
Over at My Friend Amy is where I keep tabs on how the week is going and about the contest.
There is also a blog specifically entitled Book Blogger Appreciation Week.
Book Blogger Appreciation Week is more than voting and then giving out awards for best blogs; it is a time to celebrate and bring attention to all of the hard work and creativity, and of course the tons of books that are read, by all of the bloggers out there that read and post reviews.
Book reviews once upon a time was done by "professionals" those that were professors, teachers, editors, other authors, etc.
Book reviews by the lay reading community brings the review to me in to much better focus. Most of us in the reading community are not book editors, we are everyday people that love to read.
Those of us that blog about books are the dedicated bibliophiles---meaning we are passionate and zealous about reading!
Book blogs come in all kinds of sizes, colors, and reading genre's.
Some bloggers have new blogs, and some bloggers have blogs that they've had for several years.
Some bloggers are only able to post monthly, some weekly, and there are those that are able to faithfully post everyday some tidbit, maybe about a book they've read or something more personal from their life.
Having a blog to me is more than a hobby or passing fancy, it is apart of my everyday routine of life---I must often check on my site, answer comments, visit blogger friends blogs, read and as professionally and honestly and tactfully as possible post a review. I must also remain teachable and pliable in changing my blog and keeping up with trends (even if I choose to not go with the flow, I must see what others are doing.)
I have been enriched by becoming friends with other readers and bloggers, I have been enthralled to become friends with authors.

This has been a task that has benefited me in many ways:
1. The experience of writing and all that writing entails.
2. Expressing myself creatively through a blog.
3. Meeting new friends both bloggers and authors.
4. Reaching out to others that need to hear of books that I've read that have touched me, or that may help them with an issue.
5. Hearing of books that I'd not heard of before, not come in contact with, and also in branching out in my own reading interests.

I believe I first began blogging in 2006 over at WordPress.
In 2007 I began a blog on Blogger and then later in 2007 I began a second blog on Blogger.
I had heard of blogging on Shelfari, not really knowing what they were talking about I visited a blog and was enticed to begin one of my own.
WordPress was not as user friendly as Blogger is, it took me while to get the hang of it. I became more computer savy though because WordPress was a little more difficult.
I have no plans to end my blogging, although my blog @ A Well-Watered Garden is my more faithful posting place. I plan to keep my other blog which was my first blog on Blogger
Miss Daisy Anne Garden.
I remained hidden in mystery behind the name Miss Daisy Anne for a long time, after all I am a private kind of gal.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Hoots Up With Me!

I have 5 books that I will be posting reviews on in the next 2 weeks.

"In The Shadow of Lions" by Ginger Garrett
"In The Arms of Immortals" by Ginger Garrett
"You Were Born for This" by Bruce Wilkinson
"If God Is Good" by Randy Alcorn
"Learn to Study The Bible" by Andy Deane

I have recently started reading a book by Beth Moore, "Praying God's Word". This is a book on breaking free from spiritual strongholds; I am enjoying it immensely, it is a book that I am sure I will reflect on often.
I am about 1/2 way through "The Ways of God" by Henry T. Blackaby and Roy T. Edgemon.
And as is the case of most bibliophiles I have stacks of other books to read!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Roundabout

I follow 42 blogs and I try and visit each one every week, this week the noteworthy blogs that I found are the following:

Cathy Bryant @ WordVessel the post on "Walking By Faith" dated September 13.

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance the blog tour is on Michelle Sutton's new book "Danger at the Door".
Michelle Sutton has a great blog over @ Edgy Inspirational Author Blog

Already Not Yet a post on September 11, "Gospel Centeredness" from Joe Thorn. The blog is by Peter Cockrell.

Over at Becky's Book Reviews from the post on September 11, on one of Jane Austen's little known works "Lady Susan".

Jane Austen's World the post from September 12, "The Postal Service in 18Th Century Britain: Post Roads and Post-Boys". Ms. Place has a thoroughly researched and visually intoxicating site devoted to all things Jane Austen.

If you are a devotee to Beth Moore Bible studies, her Living Proof blog is an intimate look at her life and her ministry. Her daughter Amanda updates often as well as Beth herself.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Review-"Trading Fathers"

"Trading Fathers, Forgiving Dad, Embracing God" A Memoir by Karen Rabbitt
315 pages WinePress Publishing

Karen Rabbitt contacted me on my blog this summer leaving a comment on one of my posts, then later asked me if I would like to read a book she had written and post a review.
I gladly accepted as the subject of her book has affected my family as well.
It is a subject that once upon a time was not discussed, it was kept private, guarded, and even shamed.
The subject I am speaking of is child molestation. The hair on the back of my neck is standing up, these words make me afraid, I want to scream and shed tears.
It is only because of courageous women such as Karen Rabbitt that have come forward and have shared painful shreds of truth from their past, that others are then able to also come forward, and in time begin the journey of healing, recovery, and forgiveness.
Thank you Karen for your life story that you have shared, I pray that I in my humble attempt will be able to write an adequate review.
Karen shares from her earliest memories of growing up on a farm, in a large family, in the mid-west. She came from a hard working farm family, each had duties to perform on their farm. School and the Catholic Church, and a rare trip to town were the only other outside influences.
Karen's father started molesting her when she was 4 years old, he continued this travesty until she was a young adolescent. She was victimized, scarred, yet she buried these memories that would begin to emerge when she became an adult. Karen finished public school, college, she went to work, married, had a child, attended Church. She tried to perform her duties as wife and mother. It would be many years until Karen would painfully and with much patience and prayer, emerge on the other side to be able to forgive and proclaim joyfully that God is her Papa-God .
Karen writes with raw honesty of her life, and I admire her courage.
I never felt she wanted to seek revenge in writing her story, her focus was in helping others and most of all in sharing how God had worked in her from this abuse from her dad.
The book is a hard read, meaning that it is uncomfortable, distressing.
It is also a book of inspiration and the power of forgiveness.

To God be the glory!
Thank you Karen.




https://www.winepressbooks.com/product.asp?pid=2012

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Give A Big Applause

Congratulations to Becky at Becky's Book Reviews!
She was the August winner in the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance book tour. The book she reviewed in this win is "The Frontiersman's Daughter" by Laura Frantz.
http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2009/08/cfba-blog-tour-frontiersmans-daughter.html