Who Are You to Judge by Erwin W. Lutzer

Who Are You to Judge?: Learning to Distinguish Between Truths, Half-Truths, and Lies by Erwin W. Lutzer shows how to judge according to God's word, without being judgmental. 

Today's world says so many things are ok that God says plainly in His  word isn't ok. The question is who do you listen to? The world or the word of God? As for me, I want to make Heaven my home, this world is just a stopping place until HE calls me to come home. So I will follow His word, the Holy Bible, to lead me on the path to home. 

With Chapters titled..

 1.  Why Are We Afraid To Judge?

 2.  Judge Not,That You Not Be Judged

 3.  When You Judge Doctrine

 4.  When Judge False Prophets

 5.  When You Judge Miracles

 6.  When You Judge Entertainment

 7.  When You Judge Appearances

 8.  When You Judge Neopaganism

 9.  When You Judge Ghost, Angels, and Shrines

10. When You Judge Conduct

11. When You Judge Character

Pastor Lutzer explains, using Biblical scriptures, what God has to say on each of these subjects compared to what the world has to say on them. 

Some of my favorite quotes from this book are...

"The love with in the church attracts the world; the holiness within the church convicts the world." page 29

"Even Jesus did not change the world through miracles but through HIS suffering." page 97 

"Let's ask ourselves some hard questions: Are we satisfied with the way we spend our time last year? Let's evaluate the return of our investment for the number of hours we sat in front of the television set during the last twelve months. Did the time spent make us a better person?  Did it improve our character? Imagine what we would be like if we had spend all that time, say, reading our Bible" page 134

"We must clean up our own act before we can help others" page 135 

"Yes, as have learned, there are times when we must judge, but let us be sure to judge ourselves first" page 207 

You may not agree with everything the author has to say, but I personally think he brings across some very great points taken from the Bible, that show us how to judge without being judgmental. Showing how we should live according to the word of God. 

I highly recommend this book to all Christians 

I received a FREE copy from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review, rather it be good or bad. Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book, it is one I will be returning to again. 

Heaven Touching Earth by James Stuart Bell - my review

I just finished reading Heaven Touching Earth by James Stuart Bell, I absolutely LOVED it!  It is filled with true stories of miracles. Basically each chapter is a testimony by a different person who has experienced a miracle, angels helping out, or some type of Heavenly encounter that can not otherwise be explained. A car that drives itself, an Angel that prevents a wreck, and pulls another out of a wreck, prays for a married couple who are having problems. A woman who was expected to die from uterine cancer but goes on to have three more children! These are just some of the stories that you will read about. Forty-three different accounts of miracles, Angels,and/or Heavenly encounters!   I tremendously enjoy hearing or reading testimonies of God still working miracles today. Some people may find it hard to believe all the different stories that the author and others have shared, but I know that such things do still happen.  

I have had experiences of my own with miracles or things that others would have a hard time believing. So yes I am believer! Jesus is still performing miracles today and God is sending his Angels to help out where needed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to hear (read) testimonies of miracles and Angels. Or anyone who is curious about these things. Would also make a great gift.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Look for this book on September 16, 2014

Immediate Obedience by Rod Loy - my review

Immediate Obedience: The Adventure of Tuning in to God by Rod Loy is about becoming more sensitive to hearing God speaking to you and being obedient by listening and obeying his commands. I enjoyed reading the numerous stories that others have shared in this book of times they have heard God speaking to them and their encouraging outcomes. Yes some people will think you are nuts when you say God speaks to you. But what a wonderful blessing when he tells you do something and you follow through with it, giving him all the glory! At the end of each chapter are questions to give you something to thing about. There is a 90 day challenge at the end of the book to help you learn to open your spiritual ears to what God is trying to say to you. I will be taking the author's challenge over the next 90 days.  

I received a free copy of this book from Assemblies of God and Net Gallery in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

50 Things You Need to Know about Heaven by Dr. John Hart - my review

I received a copy of 50 Things You Need to Know about Heaven by Dr. John Hart, a very easy to read book full of questions and answers that also give you reference for further Bible study for the answers to the questions so many have about Heaven.

Some of the questions that you will find answered are.
What will Heaven look like?
Where is Heaven?
What will we do in Heaven?
Are there marriages and families in Heaven?
Will we eat and drink in Heaven?
What will we do in Heaven?
Do Christians go to Heaven immediately after they die?
Do people in Heaven know what is happening on earth?
How can I be sure I'm going to Heaven?

This is a book you can read from cover to cover, just look through and read the answers to your questions, or use it as a study guide along with your Bible, to learn more about the answers to Heaven.

I liked that the author doesn't merely answer your questions but also gives Bible scripture under each section (question and answer) for further reference that you can personally read for yourself.  

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Heaven, or would make a great gift.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Billy Graham: Candid Conversations With a Public Man by David Frost - my review

Just finished reading Billy Graham: Candid Conversations With a Public Man by David Frost.

I learned some interesting things about Reverend Billy Graham that I didn't know.

Some of the questions that are answered in the book...

Learn how and when he accepted Christ as his personal savior.
How long did it take him to ask Ruth out for the first date?
And how long before he fell in love with her?
What do the Graham Family have on Christmas morning as part of their tradition?
If the Lord hadn't chosen for him to be an evangelist what line of work would Reverend Graham have went into?
Why does God allow pain and suffering?
What temptations if any does the devil use on Billy Graham?
How would you describe Heaven?
And Hell?
Do you think there will turn out to be life on other planets?
Plus many more questions and answers.

I was amazed at some of Reverend Billy Graham's answers. A very thought provoking book. I enjoyed it tremendously.


I received an ARC of this from NetGallery in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.

Child of Mine - My Review

I loved Child of Mine by Beverly Lewis and David Lewis! I have been a fan of Beverly Lewis for quite sometime. This is the first I have read anything by David Lewis but look forward to more by both authors.

This was not the usual Amish type book that I am used to by Beverly Lewis. Although we do see a bit of the Amish in this story through the nanny, Laura.  
A heart wrenching story of love and loss. A true test of forgiveness, when Kelly's baby is stolen and sold on the black market.  I fell in love with the characters, especially nine year old Nattie. I laughed and cried as I read this story, it really made me feel what was happening. 

This took several unexpected twists and turns to keep me guessing on the outcome. I did like the ending but won't talk to much here about it. 

I highly recommend this book, it is a very interesting story. 

I received an advanced copy of this from the publisher in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad. 

How to Start a Riot: Support Your Local Jesus Revolution - My Review

I just finished reading  How to Start a Riot: Support Your Local Jesus Revolution by Jonathan Storment.

First let me say I loved the title and cover, may end up with people reading about Jesus looking for something else. (Great idea)

The author, who is a pastor, uses the book of Acts to try and explain what it means to be a child of God. To explain how Christians and the Church should live today.

The Church is not a building where you go for an hour on Sunday, put a few dollars in the plate and you are good for another week. It is so very much more than that, as is being a Christian as well.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to study more about the book of Acts.

I received an advanced copy of this in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.

My Review of - The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis

I enjoyed The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis. It is book # 5 in the Hickory Hollow Series, but also a stand alone book. It had me hooked from page one until the end, as all of her books on the Amish do.

Tessie Miller & Marcus King elope when her father is against them getting married. Her Father has someone else in mind for her to marry.  They come back and live as singles thinking they can change his mind. Then when a tragedy happens, she is left to face her parents and the Amish Church who all think she needs to confess her sins before the entire Church.

Tessie's sister - Mandy (and husband Sylvan) longs for a baby, as so many of her family and friends have.

Beverly Lewis does an awesome job in writing about the Amish/Mennonites. I have learned a lot about their traditions and believes through her books. The Amish put the will of God in everything they do. Because of the independence I have always had some of their traditions are hard for me to relate too, but I can understand why they believe that way.

I highly recommend this book if you like books about Amish.

I received an advanced copy of this in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.

My Review of - Pleasure of His Company : A Journey to Intimate Friendship With God by Dutch Sheets

I enjoyed reading Pleasure of His Company: A Journey to Intimate Friendship With God by Dutch Sheets tremendously. It has 30 chapters full of ideas to bring you closer to God.

Yes I LOVE the idea of God being the life of the Heaven's Party and dancing at the return of a lost soul.
I too want Jesus to be my friend and walk with me daily, sharing in the good and the bad. Laughing and crying along me.

This book will help you get to know the Lord on a more intimate level. In this fast paced world we live in we need to take time to slow down and hear what God has to say. The author gives you ideas on how to do this and steps to set up your own place to meet with God.  Several bible verses are mentioned to help you in this journey to get closer.

Also some humor thrown in, which is always good. I would like to add that I too like tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches, yes it is a southern thing.

On a more serious note if you too would like a more intimate walk with God I definitely recommend this book. Watch for it! Will be available January 2014!

I received an advanced copy of this in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.

A Simple Faith - A Simply Beautiful Story

I love reading Amish books but had never read one by Rosalind Lauer, after reading A Simple Faith I will have to say this won't be the last time I read her books.

Have the kleenex ready, as there are both sad and happy times in a Simple Faith. And how we use the strength of God to get through these times.

A tragic car accident brings the Amish and English together in the start of this story.

I love the way Rosalind Lauer shows that faith, hope, forgiveness, and love bring people closer together.

She does a great job of telling the love story of both an Amish (Elsie/Ruben) and an English couple (Haley/Dylan). I enjoyed all of these characters, not sure if I have a favorite of the characters, they are all great.

I learned about Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome (EVC) which Elsie has, and Ruben shows a very tender side and big heart when it comes to Elsie.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, rather it be good or bad.