Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout: A Review

The author Dr. Rick Rigsby is President and CEO of Rick Rigsby Communications. The former award-winning journalist followed a television career with graduate school-and two decades as a college professor, most of those years at Texas A&M University, where he also served as character coach and chaplain for the Aggies football team. Dr. Rick’s dynamic presentations motivate, empower, and inspire worldwide—from Africa and Asia to the Americas, Europe and Canada. Rick’s audiences include fortune 500 companies, academic communities and service organizations. The internationally acclaimed speaker is a favorite among professional sports organizations, including the National football League and the PGA. Named twice as an outstanding professor in the College of Liberal Arts at Texas A & M, Dr Rick has numerous publications. Lessons from a Third-Grade Dropout is a USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Best seller.

Dr Rick’s dad was a 3rd grade dropout. However he taught Rick by precept and example so many lessons which made Rick what he is today! 

One of the main emphasis given by Dr. Rick’s dad involved being kind.

A Choice to be kind:

Is the lack of kindness killing your career? Does your lack of kindness affect relationships? Are you stuck in the basement of life? Has your rise to the top stalled? Are you passed over constantly when it comes to promotions? Are you finding yourself less than satisfied despite your position in the organization?  Are you unfulfilled in your present position? Have you discovered that status and sleek business cards fail to comfort feelings of inadequacy and insecurity? Do you find yourself just going through the motions? Are you merely stuck in neutral? Or, worse yet, in reverse? Are you watching others live your dreams? Are you making a choice to allow your season to pass you by? In your heart you know that receiving more training is not the answer. Developing additional skill sets of technological competency is not what is needed. You can receive the best training available, possess all the skill in the world, and own a wealth of knowledge, but still have a resume stamped “incomplete” or a life labeled “unsatisfied” or a dream marked “unfulfilled.” I have great news! Your noble quest toward living a complete, enriched life begins simply and unwittingly with a choice to be kind.

Kind Deeds Are Never Lost

The Positive Power of Kindness

At the very least, simple acts of kindness have the potential to produce some radical results such as:

A joyful attitude

A positive outlook

A peaceful mind

A pleasant disposition

A kind word

A helping hand

Other character traits covered in this book are:

Discipline, Helping Others, Excellence, Character, and Never, Never, Never, Never give Up!

Click here to watch one of Dr.Rick's moving speeches.

You can then look for this helpful book at your local book store or order on an online venue such as Amazon.com The isbn for this book is 978-1-5995-1000-2

Dansel, Arise: A Review

Brokenness is good.

Not good because suffering, oppression, abuse, and injustice and all the mutations of sin are good-clearly “an enemy has done this” (Matthew 13:28, NKJV)-but good because of what God does with our brokenness.

This book is about womankind-her creation, her fall, and her renewal in the Redeemer’s love. Though the enemy has exploited sin’s consequences; we are reminded that God is still mighty to save.

They all thought she was dead, “Damsel arise!” Jesus said. Life flew into the void left by death, filled the girl’s limp body, electrified every cell. She immediately rose to her feet and danced around the room. Mourning turned to unspeakable joy. Heaven touched earth, and earth couldn’t help but celebrate!

“Damsel, Arise!” Jesus says to you today. Get up! I have raised you to infinite potential in Me, Rise up! Let Me turn your mourning into joy.

You can read the first chapter free on line—Just click here.

Christmas in My Heart #27: A Review

Can  you believe for 27 years now Joe Wheeler has been producing a new volume of wonderful Christmas Stories?  #27 just  came off the press this season.

I have finished reading it and can enthusiastically say it is one of the very best collections of stories that Joe Wheeler has compiled and edited.

In case you are not acquainted with Joe Wheeler, here is a link to an article recently written  about him that gives a lot of fascinating details about what Joe has done with his “Story Ministry:”

Christmas in My Heart # 27

Dr James Dobson, Founder, of Focus on the Family says “Joe Wheeler is America’s Keeper of the Story.”

There are 15 stories in this latest book  and as in the case of most of the Christmas in My Heart books the last one is written by Joe Wheeler himself. 

The Stories are all good and are all value based.

Youi can read the first story from this book by clicking on this link and also you can order the book on line or else purchase a copy at  a book store. To find a book store near you   that carries Joe Wheeler’s books call 1-800-765-6955.

Gambling-Betting Your Life Away: A Review

Statistics abound that reveal the negative impacts of gambling. Incidents of addiction, bankruptcy, crime, corruption, domestic abuse, destruction of marriages and families, and suicide attempts are higher in the lives of those grappling with gambling than with any other addiction.

Discover answers to . . .

What is the root cause of a gambling addiction?

What attracts people to the gambling lifestyle?

What are the different types of gambling?

What stages are involved in compulsive gambling?

Once the exhilarating ecstasy of winning has captured the mind, will, and emotions, all bets are off on the likelihood that people will find freedom on their own. But don’t bet your life away! With the transforming work and intervention of the Holy Spirit, freedom from the grip of gambling is possible.

This book Gambling  Betting Your Life Away  by  June Hunt acknowledges that the Bible does not use the term gambling however  the author uses many texts from the Bible which shed light on the wrongfulness of gambling.

“Do not worship any other god, for the Lord…is a Jealous God.” Exodus 34:14.  People who are sucked in by gambling actually become worshipers of gambling.

The World of Gambling concentrates on selfish greed as the fastest way to prosper.

The Word of God concentrates on trusting God as the only way to prosper.

Proverbs 28: 25 says, “The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.”

The World of Gambling focuses on wagering to get “something for nothing.”

The Word of God focuses on working to give something to the needy,

Ephesians 4:28 says, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

The World of Gambling prioritizes making a living through luck.

The Word of God   prioritizes making a living through labor.

Psalm 128:2 says, “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”

I recommend this book for anyone who might have questions about whether they should gamble.

The isbn is 9781596366862. Check with your favorite book store to get a copy or order from Amazon.com

Christiana The New Amplified Pilgrim's Progress Part 2: A Review

If you have read Pilgrims Progress Part 1, the story of Christian traveling from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City you will have a good background for this sequel which is the story of Christiana, Christian’s wife, making the same journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City.

It is very fascinating how John Bunyan author of these two books takes us on a journey along the narrow way through the “wicket gate.” As you read this book, you will meet characters good and bad: Mr. Sagacity, Mercy, the Gate Keeper, Snake-eyes, Help, the Interpreter, Innocent, Old-honest and many more.

As a parable that echoes the magical realism of Alice in Wonderland, Christiana ranks up there with the best classic fairy tales. The language adaptation by Jim Pappas, Jr. is easy to read while retaining an Old World quality reminiscent of the King James era. Filled with illustrations, Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2: Christiana is an excellent means of introducing the faith to young children as well as new believers with a love for fantastical folktales.

I was inspired in reading this book. For more information and  to order on line please click here .

Tending Roses: A Review

The lessons that most enrich our lives often come at unexpected moments and from unlikely places. That’s what Kate Bowman learns when she moves temporarily—with her husband, Ben, and baby son—to her grandmother’s Missouri farm. She arrives at a time of crisis and indecision—struggling with the demands of a new mother, a not-so-new wife, and a well-meaning but often impatient granddaughter. The family has assigned her and Ben the job of convincing Grandma Rose, who’s becoming increasingly stubborn and forgetful, to move off the land that means so much to her and into a nursing home. Kate knows  such a change would break her grandmother’s heart. But what is right for her grandmother? And what is right for her family and herself?

This is a fascinating story, well written by Lisa Wingate.  It includes various members of the family who come together at Christmas time at Grandmother Rose’s home on the farm in Missouri.

It is a story of a family pulling together after having been very separated and dysfunctional.

Grandmother Rose’s journal helps Kate to understand so many things about Grandmother and what is important to her.

If you like a good story I encourage you to get this one and read it.  If your local bookstore does not have a copy it is available from various on line venues including Amazon.com

Incredible Answers to Prayer: A Review

Roger Morneau, author of this incredible.  Book was a man of incredible faith. When he prayed things happened. And it was exciting!

It was five degrees below zero, and Roger Morneau was out of gas. If his toes froze, they would have to be amputated. The man bowed his head in prayer. “It was almost as if something hit the back of my automobile and it shot forward,” he says. “Then the motor started to accelerate and hummed like never before” He drove the 27 miles to safety without a drop of gas!

This is only one of hundreds of miracles Roger Morneau has witnessed. Some saved him from an early death. But most were in response to prayers for others. People dying in a hospital get well. A man pronounced dead by his doctor lives. A woman’s shattered relationship is suddenly filled with love and acceptance.  Another man’s life and business turn around within days.

I really enjoyed rereading this book recently. I like the personal relationship that Roger

Morneau practiced in his prayer life with God. I love how Roger Morneau referred to God as “the great Monarch of the galaxies.” Roger knew that when he prayed he was talking with Someone who could make things happen.

I would like to encourage you to click here  and learn more about this book and either order on line or find a book store that has a copy in stock. To locate a book store near you call 1-800-765-6955.

We All Have Problems/Solutions

Roger Hernandez uses the bible character Moses to illustrate the lessons he is bringing to us.

We all have problems—that is a fact of life. But in spite of any problem you may face there is hope. The purpose of this book is to give you real answers, from a real God, to your real problems through a practical and encouraging message.

The author draws divine solutions for your human problems from the infinite Word of God. With vivid illustrations and clear language, this book will lead you to the Source of wisdom and enrich you with enduring benefits that will guide you for the rest of your life.

No matter what challenges you are facing—tight finances, poor attitudes, feelings of failure, deep hurts, or family problems—reading this book will open your mind to new possibilities and the beginning of positive life changes.

The author talks about problems of Impatience, Failure, Finances, Pain and Suffering, Family and Disconnection.

He also talks about that there is hope available to us to help us in our; Trouble, Connection, Priorities, Dollars and Sense, Hurt, Transformation, Failure, Rest, Life, and Faith.

Here are some realities which the author talks about:

There are some things we will never be able to change. Therefore, we must leave them behind.

There are some things that change only slowly. Therefore we must have patience.

Of course, there are some things in life that need to change immediately. We must have the bravery to change them.

Click Here to read the first chapter on line and  you can also order this book on line at the same website.

Devotionals for 2019: Recommended titles:

As usual, the Pacific Press is promoting a selection of Devotionals books and this time especially for 2019. Follow the link below for more information on the devotional books and you’ll see links for each book you can follow to take you to a page with specific information on the particular book you’re interested in reading more about. The link for each book brings up the first chapter of the book you follow its link and you’ll be able to read it on line, except for a couple or so that do not have this feature available. However, for the ones that have the links you can read the first chapter, doing so will help in making an educated decision on which devotionals to order for yourself and possibly for gifts for friends and family members.

https://www.adventistbookcenter.com/books/devotionals/2019-devotionals.html

Adult Devotional--- Authentic—by Shawn Boonstra

Adult Evening Devotional—God’s Amazing Grace—by Ellen G. White

Women—In His Presence—This one is edited by Carolyn Rathbun Sutton and is written by many different women especially for women.

Young Adult—Conviction – by Troy Fitzgerald

Junior/Earliteen—Sensational “Quotational “ Devotional—by Kim Peckham

Primary—God’s Amazing Creation—by Vicki Redden, Joelle Reed Yamada, and Dee Litten Reed

Preschool—Little Hearts for Jesus—by Sally Pierson Dillon

These are all excellent Devotionals. A Daily Devotional is a wonderful way to nurture one’s relationship with God.