Books to Share

Do you have any that come to mind that really ministered to you or have helped you with your growth as a Christian, Woman, Man, or Teen?  This is the place to share!

Becoming a Woman of Excellence by Cynthia Heald

Society beckons us to succeed  - to achieve excellence in our appearance, our earning power, our family life, God Himself also beckons us to be women of excellence.  But what exactly is He asking?

Becoming the Woman I Want to Be by Donna Partow.  (recommended by montie_j03 - Autumn)

SYNOPSIS:

This encouraging, practical plan gives stressed and busy women a jumpstart on spiritual, emotional, and physical refreshment.

REVIEWS:

March 18, 2004: This is a book that will grow you in your walk with the Lord, in a mighty way! Donna Partow has allowed God to move her and work through her, as she leads her readers into challanges in areas of their lives that they have desired to make changes, but have not had the encouragement to do so yet. She will help you to become the woman God wants you to be if you walk with her and the hundreds of other women that have already done so and continue to.

March 13, 2004: This book will change you from the inside out. I would highly recommend this book, I am reading it for the second time, and it has changed my outlook and my pants size!!

 BIOGRAPHY:

Donna Partow is a bestselling author, Christian communicator, and a popular guest on more than two hundred radio and TV shows, including Focus on the Family. Her books include Becoming a Vessel God Can Use, This Isn't the Life I Signed Up For, and A Woman's Guide to Personality Types. She and her family live in Arizona.

Sacred Marriage: What if God Designed Marriage to Make us Holy More than to Make us Happy by Gary Thomas

I think so highly of this book, I JUST TODAY sent it to another member of our group!!! It is an amazing, counter-culture look at God's heart for marriage. The book is for men and women to read!!! The book has spoken to me over and over. Check out this link to googlebooks and you can see the table of contents, and just about any selection from the book you like. It's a great book!!!

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=TT 7nSy5BNQYC&dq=Sacred+marriage&printse c=frontcover&source=web&ots=fLq4MhtYC X&sig=vwevJy6sCUFOUc1G8D8IcqFk_xg&sa= X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=resu lt#PPA257,M1

Good morning everyone!  I first posted this in "Words of Wisdom" and was asked to place it here as well.  Hope you find it inspiring & motivating!

I've been reading a new book called Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45 by Christopher Hopkins, aka "The Makeover Guy".  Although I'm not there yet (I'm 43) I got the book to help me with my physical identity crisis.  I mean, here I am changing the outside of my body and I just want to reflect the inner beauty that Christ created on the outside.

So anyway, I highlighted some of the things the author says and thought it could apply to our journey here on CC.  Here are a few: 

• "Procrastination kills accomplishment and forces acceptance of the average"
• "The power of a made-up mind is one of the strongest forces in the human psyche.  Once you have decided, powerful forces are put into play to help you create your desire" (this one I think lines up with the "seek ye first..." scripture)
• "Affirmation allows you the power to take the ordinary to amazing"
• "As you improve, many will attempt to pull you down to their comfort level...Rather than encouragement, you might hear anything from 'You don't need to go to all that work' to the less subtle 'Who are you trying to impress?'"
• "It is important to first imagine ourselves accomplishing something before it can manifest itself as a reality.  In other words, you won't do anything you can't picture yourself doing first.
• "'Iwill' means it will happen in the future, but not now.  If you say 'I have' or 'I am,' however, it creates a sense of possession, a sense of now.  Your mind assumes that you have already have it, which helps you create that reality at warp speed."
• "Some believe we should just accept who we are, but I'd rather achieve my potential"
• "It's better to be a first-rate version of the person you create than a second-rate version by default"

So how's that for some motivation?  Let me know what y'all think!

Blessings & hugs, people!

Suzi,

Thank you for posting this.  I took a look at each of your points and will apply them to my lifestyle change.

Hugs and Prayers

\o/  Denna

Applied to my life:

\o/  Denna 

How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong by Leslie Vernick

Synopsis:

Experience the Blessings of an Imperfect Marriage. We all–at one time or another–have the opportunity to act right when our spouse acts wrong. There are no perfect marriages or perfect spouses. We know that having a good marriage requires effort and hard work. Yet we often don’t know how to continue to love when we are angry, hurt, scared, or just plain irritated. Nor are we sure what that kind of love is supposed to look like. Should we be patient? Forgive and forget? Do something else entirely?

Acting right when your spouse acts wrong will not necessarily guarantee a more satisfying marital relationship, nor will it automatically make your spouse change his or her ways–although both could occur. It will, however, help you see how God is stretching you in the midst of your marital difficulties, teach you to respond wisely when wronged, and lead you into a deeper relationship with Christ as you yield your will to his plan for your life and learn to be more like him.

Biography:

Leslie Vernick, ACSW, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who has her own private counseling practice and more that twenty years of experience counseling Christians from a biblical worldview. She received her master’s degree from the University of Illinois and is an adjunct professor at Philadelphia Biblical University. She is a popular speaker for women’s groups, couple’s retreats, and professional seminars, and is the author of The TRUTH Principle: A Life-Changing Model for Growth and Spiritual Renewal.She and her husband, Howard, live in Orefield, Pennsylvania, and are the parents of two grown children.

The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian

Synopsis:

The Power of a Praying Wife has sold more than 3,000,000 copies and has encouraged countless women to trust God for their marriages. Stormie Omartian's key insights are revealed through real-life illustrations, inspiring Scriptures, encouraging quotes, and sample prayers to help every wife pray for her husband'

• Spiritual walk
  
• Emotions
  
• Role as father and leader
  
• Security in work and finances
  
• Health
  
• Faith and future
  

Any woman who desires a closer relationship with her husband will enjoy receiving this refreshing look at the power of prayer in marriage.

Love Your Life: Living Happy, Healthy & Whole by Victoria Osteen

Synopsis

Do you ever feel like your life is moving at the speed of light? Are you constantly trying to keep up with all of your commitments and responsibilities? In this day and age when modern communication and technology cause our lives to move faster than ever, many people struggle to strike a balance between all the segments of their lives — family, friends, career, social obligations, and self.

As co-pastor of Lakewood Church — America's largest church — Victoria Osteen understands intimately how day-to-day responsibilities can pile up and at times feel overwhelming. As a wife and mother, she sets the tone for her household and acts as a role model for her family. As a minister, she reaches out to an enormous community of people who look to her for guidance, strength, wisdom, and encouragement. She knows as well as anyone that operating in so many different roles can be extremely demanding, yet she has managed to find balance, living her life in the unforced rhythms of grace. If you ask her, she'll tell you that she loves her life and she wants you to love your life, too.

No matter where you are in your life, no matter what responsibilities you may carry, you can find peace, balance, and enjoyment in every area of your life; but it all starts with you. You have more power inside you than you realize; all you have to do is learn to tap into what you already have! As you begin to recognize your own abilities and influence, and use them in healthy ways, all the other areas of your life will fall into order.

In Love Your Life, Victoria shares from her personal life experiences and her journey of faith the lessons she's learned that have made her the woman she istoday. As you read, you'll feel like you're in a conversation with a trusted friend as Victoria shows you how to tap into all that God has given you to live effectively — as a positive influence on the world around you. You'll be inspired by stories of victory and challenged to live at a higher level. You'll read about people who have accomplished incredible things by overcoming their fears, and people who have changed the world around them by simply recognizing their own value.

A life well lived does not come easily; you have to set out for it, look for it, and make it happen. Love Your Life shows how to turn the challenges of each day into opportunities to love and appreciate all that you are.

Biography

Victoria Osteen has always had an infectious passion and enthusiasm for life. A native Houstonian, Victoria began her career in her family's jewelry business and now works with the most precious treasure of all — people. She is an inspiration and mentor to women everywhere as she ministers alongside her husband, Joel, and sets a wonderful example for their two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. Victoria is active in her community and committed to helping women, children, and families discover their purpose and reach their highest potential.

Visit the Osteen website at www.joelosteen.com.

I'm going bonkers over a book I just happened to pick up for my trip to Dallas last week. I bought it at Walmart, and didnt' expect too much out of it. Holy Cow! This book is challenging, convicting, motivating and right on!

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

This guy knocks it out of the ball park. I'm almost done and I can't tell you how excited I am to share this book with my hubby and ALL the families in our small group. I'm actually considering asking my husband if we can buy a copy for every family in our group. I'm THAT jazzed about it.

"Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? ~ It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe - the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E minor - loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss."

"Whether you've verbalized it yet or not. . .we all know something's wrong."

"Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complaceny isn't working hard at a list of do's and don'ts - it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same."

"Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything."

What a small world.  I know of Francis Chan personally.  We were a part of eight couples that establishedthe Cornerstone Church of Simi Valley where he is senior pastor.  How exciting to see his growth.  I will have to pick up the book and check it out.  Thanks for sharing.

Here are some book recommendations I saw in the Calorie Count Newsletter in case you missed them.

For Compulsive Eaters

• Overcoming Binge Eating
• The Food and Feelings Workbook: A Full Course Meal on Emotional Health
• Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don't Work
• Why Weight? A Guide to Ending Compulsive Eating
• When Food Is Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Eating and Intimacy (Plume)
• When Food Is Food and Love Is Love: A Step-by-Step Spiritual Program to Break Free from Emotional Eating
• Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works
• The Emotional Eater's Book of Inspiration: 90 Truths You Need to Know to Overcome Your Food Addiction

The No-Nonsense Basics

• Joy's LIFE Diet: Four Steps to Thin Forever
• The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person
• Break Through Your Set Point: How to Finally Lose the Weight You Want and Keep It Off
• Change One Diet and Fitness: Updated and Expanded
• The No S Diet: The Strikingly Simple Weight-Loss Strategy That Has Dieters Raving--and Dropping Pounds
• Thin for Life
• Eating Thin for Life: Food Secrets & Recipes from People Who Have Lost Weight & Kept It Off
• The EatingWell Diet: Introducing the VTrim Weight-Loss Program
• The Step Diet: Count Steps, Not Calories to Lose Weight and Keep It off Forever
• The Way to Eat: A Six-Step Path to Lifelong Weight Control
• Dieting For Dummies
• The Rules of
• Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World
• What to Eat
• The Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan
• The Volumetrics Eating Plan: Techniques and Recipes for Feeling Full on Fewer Calories
• Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think
• Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating
• Eat This Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution
• Eat This, Not That! Thousands of Simple Food Swaps that Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds--or More!

How cool that you know Francis. I absolutely love his writing style. Very no nonsense. It is a very convicting book.

Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer is fast becoming a favorite book of mine as I continue with each chapter.  Right now I am reading about confronting my fears.  Have you ever felt fear about losing weight?  I know for me it has been a battle - my body thinks I am safer fat - wrong!!!

So here is some information I got from Barnes and Noble regarding the book:

Synopsis

Joyce Meyer is probably better equipped than anyone when it comes to never giving up. She overcame an abused childhood, a bad marriage and extremely limited opportunities to become one of the most popular author/speakers in the world. Joyce Meyer Ministries was the first ministry in America to be headed by a woman, and it's one of the largest in the world. If anyone knows how to hold on to a dream and realize it, it's her. Packed with examples of people who pursued their goals relentlessly, the book profiles nearly fifty individuals who prevailed against all odds. From the builder of the Brooklyn Bridge to the chemists who invented Post-It notes we meet people like Bessie Coleman, an African-American who had to go to flight school in Paris in order to learn how to fly. But she did, becoming the first woman in America to earn her pilot's license in 1920.

Biography

Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman; Look Great, Feel Great, the entire Battlefield of the Mind family of books, and many others. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday LifeÒ radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Gabriel Method by Jon Gabriel  -  Norma Jean had mentioned reading this in one of her post and I had never heard of it - so I had some free time tonight after work and stopped by the bookstore to check it out.  I ended up reading the whole thing at the store.  It had some familiar concepts that I had learned about a few years back but didn't put them all into practice.   I'm intrigued by the concept he presents in that "bodies are fat because the body wants to be fat". He gives an interesting viewpoint that it is an automatic response to different stresses in life that are for protection, and that in order to change it we need to apply different (or positive) stresses, like exercise and the way we think. And "bodies will be thin when it wants to be thin". That sounds simple enough - but is it that easy?

There is a lot of good nutrional information that he explains thoroughly as to why our bodies react the way it does to certain foods (and water) and the lack of both.  It semed like a simple plan to me, he said to concentrate on "adding" three things to each meal 1) protein 2) omega 3's and 3) "live" foods -like probiotics.  He promotes not eating late at night - so the 7:00 cut off seems like a good idea - and said to fill up with water before each meal and especially at night to replace night-time snacking.

Don't think he is a christian - nothing said in the book to indicate that he is - but he seems to have learned a lot about how the body works, and we know the Maker personally!  

The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter's 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan That Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds by Rip Esselstyn

Susan (swayne - our RN) recommended this book for me to pick up.  I have just begun to read it.

"I've known Rip for more than 20 years. In that time, he's been a great motivator for so many people. This terrific book will inspire all who read it to change their lives and optimize their health."-Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor, seven-time Tour de France champion

Lose weight, lower cholesterol, significantly reduce the risk of disease, and become physically fit--in just 4 weeks.

Professional athlete-turned-firefighter Rip Esselstyn is used to responding to emergencies. So, when he learned that some of his fellow Engine 2 firefighters in Austin, TX, were in dire physical condition-several had dangerously high cholesterol levels (the highest was 344!)-he sprang into action and created a life-saving plan for the firehouse. By following Rip's program, everyone lost weight (some more than 20 lbs.), lowered their cholesterol (Mr. 344's dropped to 196), and improved their overall health. Now, Rip outlines his proven plan in this book.With Rip as your expert coach and motivator, you'll transform your body and lifestyle in a month. His plant-powered eating plan is based on a diet of whole foods, including whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This invaluable guide features: **Dozens of easy, mouthwatering recipes-from pancakes to pizza, Tex-Mex favorites to knockout chocolate desserts-that will keep you looking forward to every bite **Pantry-stocking tips will take the panic out of inevitable cravings and on-the-fly meals **Guidelines on menu choices that will allow you toeat out, wherever and whenever you want **Rip's simple, firefighter-inspired exercise program that will boost your metabolism and melt your fat away.

Medically approved, easy-to-follow, and amazingly effective, this diet is designed for anyone who wants to make heroic strides in his or her health, weight, and well-being-all without heroic effort.

"Want to be as strong as a Texas firefighter? Or as healthy as a professional triathlete? Then follow the wonderful advice of Rip Esselstyn, who is both. His book can save your life--whether you're a man or a woman. Highly recommended!" -Dean Ornish, M.D., Founder and President, Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Clinical Professor of Medicine, U of CaliforniaSF, author, Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease

Rip Esselstyn was born in upper New York state and moved to Austin,Texas in 1982 to attend The University of Texas where he was an All-American swimmer. After spending 10 years as a professional triathlete Rip joined the fire department in 1997. For more information on Rip and THE ENGINE 2 DIET you can go to www.theengine2diet.com.

The beginning of 2009 I promised my son I would read at least 12 books for the year.  This is my list so farfor you avid readers:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.  Fantasy of the future that sheds a blazing crucial light on the present

You on a Diet by Dr.'s Roizen & Oz.  The book is about the biology of your body; enhancing your decisions about food and exercise.  Eating foods that help all of your organs and systems function as they should.

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk.  Needing to pay elder care for his mother, Victor pretends to choke on pieces of food while dining in upscale restaurants.  He allows himself to be "saved" by fellow patrons, who feeling responsible for Victor's life, go on to send checks to support him.

Judge & Jury by James Patterson & Andrew Gross.   This is a legal thriller that pits two people against the most vicious and powerful mobster since John Gotti.  (I am a big James Patterson fan)

Let's Do Lunch by Roger Troy Wilson.  He went from 425 pounds to tossing 230 of them away.  He eats a lot of fruit (says it cuts your cravings for sweets), vegetables and only one meal with protein.

Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin.  Rachel White, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan.  Always been the good girl until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend Darcy throws her a party.  After too many drinks, she ends up with Darcy's Fiancé.  She discovers the lines between right and wrong can be blurry.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.S. Salinger.  The coming of age story of one young man's funny and poignant experiences with life, love, and sex. The story is related by Holden Caulfield, who is undergoing a treatment in a sanatorium. Holden Caulfield can't stay in one school, doesn't apply himself self hence the reason for getting "the ax" from Pency Prep. a preparatory school for boys. Originally he was supposed to go home on Wednesday after his parents had already gotten the letter. Holden decides he isn't going to stay in that place until Wednesday, so, he sets out. Making encounters with, nuns, a prostitute, ex-girlfriends, 2 old professors and his little sister. Everything seemed 'depressing' to him. Although he had lack of enthusiasm towards life, his voice is incredibly funny and he used sarcastic expressions like "that killed me" referring to everything that made him laugh and calling "jerk", "bastard" of "phony" pretty much to everyone except his sister who he cared so much about.  Holden finds himself searching for his place in life just like every one of us.  He demonstrates his cynical views towards everything.   In the meeting with his sister, he reveals his fantasy of being a "Catcher in the Rye" meaning a savior of innocence.

Rodney Dangerfield *It's Not Easy Bein' Me.  A lifetime of no respect but plenty of sex and drugs.  Rodney comes clean about his brutal life and the unlikely triumphs he made out of it.  This book is like having a front-row seat to the ultimate Rodney Dangerfield performance, where the jokes come at a hundred miles an hour and the outrageous stories go on forever.

Never Give Up! by Joyce Meyer.  The book is a manual to use as you pursue the best in every area of your life.  Giving you inspiration you need to put one foot in front of the other when you grow weary on your journey and reminds you over and over gain:  you can do it, if you NEVER GIVE UP!

Has anyone seen the christian movie FIREPROOF?  I saw it a month ago and for my birthday my sister got me the book "The Love Dare."  This is the same book that the Father in the movie gave to his Son to try and save his marriage.  Well, my husband and I are newlyweds and we really have not had any trouble to speak of, but no marriage is perfect, right?  So, I started The Love Dare and am now almost done with day three.   I have been quite suprised about how hard it is for me to be passive and not say anything negitave to my husband for days at a time.    I get upset whe he leaves the bathroom in a mess or puts food in fridge the wrong way ( like not closing the sandwich meat properly!) This book is teaching me patience, something that I greatly need with him.  Today's dare was to call him at work and ask him if he needed anything.  I did that, and he said he did not need anything, but he came home with a present for me and some groceries.  HAHA Yesterdays dare was to get him a present ( I got him a new Bible)  guess he thought he owed me! ---how cute!

If you don't know anything about the movie go rent it! You will enjoy it... Then get the book  THE LOVE DARE and improve YOUR marriage!

Thanks for sharing about the book - The Love Dare

Check out the post:  Fireproof - Must See Movie

A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

Make His desire your own ... Become the woman of excellence God designed you to be.

Geniunine peace and joy come when women follow God in every area of their lives - and become women after His heart.  With passion and personality, Elizabeth George shares practical, scriptural insights on how you can pursue God's priorities concerning every area of your life:

• your walk with the Lord ~ grow through love of Scripture and in discipleship
• your husband ~ foster a deep commitment to serve and honor him
• your children ~ pray faithfully for them and teach God's Word
• your home ~ create a nurturing atmosphere and a tapestry of beauty
• your ministry ~ learn to reach out and become an encourager

There is peace and purpose for the woman who prepares her heart and mind to embrace God's plan every day.  Let God fulfill His greatest desire for you.  Allow Him to transform you by preparing your heart and mind to embrace His incredible work.  You'll find lasting joy and peace in a life of prayer, a life of priorities a life as A Woman After God's Own Heart.

Becoming A Woman of Beauty & Strength (Esther) by Elizabeth George

Esther was in the right place at the right time, but she didn't get there on her own.   God's loving, guiding hand was on her life.  Because she was a willing instrument, God could work powerfully through her.   When God's guiding hand made her queen over a foreign race, she used her influence to save her people. Women of every age and walk of life will discover how to:

• cultivate an abiding trust in God
• depend wholly upon God in prayer
• prepare for and persist in the assignments God gives

As women are obedient to God's leading, they will find strength and inner beauty flowing through them as they positively affect the lives of those around them.

(I found this to be interesting about Elizabeth George -did you know?  The reigning queen of the British mystery, it turns out, is an Ohio native living in Washington State. Best known for her Inspector Lynley series, Elizabeth George says that what drives her books is the psychological goings-on of her characters. She doesn't even mind, she says, if readers figure out the killer before the end -- the motive will always be a surprise.

"Many moons" ago I had the privilege of attending several Logos classes of hers when she was a member of Grace Communicty Church in Sun Valley, California.  I did not know she was a mystery writer as well)

They are fiction, but anything by Francine Rivers will challenge you in your faith. She wrote

• Redeeming Love
• The Mark of the Lion Trilogy
  • A Voice in the Wind
  • An Echo in the Darkness
  • As Sure As the Dawn
• The Last Sin Eater
• The Atonement Child
• More...