Give Life to Your Dreams-8 Principles for a Happy Life: A Review

In the Introduction to this recent book, author Ricardo Bentancur refers to the fact that the United States is “the only country whose Constitution proclaims the right of all its people to the ‘pursuit of happiness.’”
Then he tells of some scientific studies:

Not long ago I came across several scientific studies that conclude that only 10 percent of our contentment depends on the pleasurable circumstances and pleasant situations that surround us. You may be aware that when scientists seek to establish the percentage of genetic and environmental factors acting in a particular human phenomenon, they turn to twins as their control specimens. Well recent studies on twins have found that 50 percent of happiness comes ‘prepackaged’ in the genes and is not dependent on external pleasures such as traveling, winning the lottery, or your favorite football team winning the Super Bowl. This ‘reference value,’ or initial set point, cannot be altered; it is an invariable constant. What can be altered is the remaining 40 percent, a margin of happiness that is important because it depends on what each one of us does, on our efforts to increase our happiness in a lasting way.

The author proceeds to write about what we can do with this 40% that we have the power to utilize to improve our lives.

Here are the traits that he says will help us in this endeavor:

Gratitude –not only the greatest of virtues-but the parent of all others.

Forgiveness-We only learn to forgive when simultaneously we come to see how much we need to be forgiven.

Joy-Joy and love are the wings to achieve great dreams.

Generosity-Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share.

Health- Health is not everything, but without health, everything is nothing.

Wisdom-We never stop learning, because life never ceases to teach.

Faith and Religious Practice- A growing current in the science of psychology suggests that religious people are happier, healthier and recover better from trauma than people who are not religious.

The Blessed Hope-Jesus is coming again

The author uses many stories to illustrate the truth in all of these principles that can help us have a happier life. You can read the first chapter of this book on line for free- click here.

Say No to Drugs: A Review

Sadly, Drug abuse continues to be a major problem in many places around the world. I am glad that this book has been written to help children to be able to Say No to Drugs.   Included in the book are 2 CD’s, first one with Drama and the second one with Songs and Sound tracks for the songs.
I am sharing a review of this book and author that was so well written by the publisher I felt I couldn’t make it any better or clearer:

Drug abuse continues to be a big problem in many societies worldwide. In this book, Saustin Sampson Mfune gives a refreshing and positive prevention message through original songs and a skit. By focusing on other health behaviors such as keeping one’s environment clean and self-esteem this musical drama gives a wholistic setting to drug abuse avoidance. The spiritual component of commitment to prevention makes this book unique. This drama which provides a great entertainment at home would be appreciated in a range of settings from school assemblies, church programs, children and youth organizations and public appearances. It is a great tool for evangelism.

Songs include:

It’s Time for Pro-Active Kids

Morning Prayer

A Helping Band

Keep Your City Clean

Children’s Plea

Please Come Back

Let All Children Know

Shorty-Shorty

Say No to Drugs

I Pledge to Keep My Body Pure

One word sums up Saustin Sampson Mfune and that word is “Children.” Saustin Sampson Mfune is a native of Malawi, Africa and is currently serving his second term at the General Conference of SDA as an Associate Children’s Ministries Director. Mfune loves children with a passion. Due to his small stature and a big voice, he is affectionately called “Little Giant” or “A small man with a big voice.” Mfune is a gifted drama writer and a prolific composer of children’s songs. He is a great story teller holding his audiences spellbound.

For additional information about this book and to order it online please click here.

Discovering Jesus in the Bible: A Review

Elizabeth Talbot, author of Discovering Jesus in the Bible, is a prolific writer. Her popular series Jesus 101 includes: Jesus 101 Matthew-Prophecy Fulfilled, Jesus 101 Mark- Good News, Jesus 101 Salvation for all, Jesus 101 John-God Became Flesh.

Her latest in this series is Discovering Jesus in the Bible, Jesus 101 4-Kids.

I like the way this book is put together with pictures to color and a short story about a Bible character that points to Jesus.

Here is a message from the author:

Hi, I am Mrs. Talbot. I’m the speaker/director for Jesus 101, a teaching and training ministry. I love telling people about Jesus on TV, the radio and in person. I like most of all to tell them about how much Jesus loves us and how He came and died for us so that we could be saved from sin.

In this book, you will be coloring pictures about awesome Bible stories which tell us how much Jesus loves you and me. He gave His life for us so that very soon we all can live together forever in a wonderful place called heaven. That’s exciting, isn’t it? Woo Hoo!

The stories of your favorite Bible characters-Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Esther and others-point to Jesus and teach us that He wins in the battle against evil. The Bible is one big and exciting story. And it is a very special story because it tells us right from the beginning how the conflict between good and evil is going to end! How exciting is that? At the end of the Bible, God announces the eternal good news—JESUS WINS! That’s the end of the story!

Say it with me: JESUS WINS! Now open the book and let’s get started.

To find out how to order this new Kid’s book click here.

Transforming Grace: A Review

Jerry Bridges, author of this recently reprinted book was a well-known Christian writer and speaker. His numerous books have sold over 3.5 million copies. He served on the staff of the Navigators for more than sixty hears before his death in 2016. Jerry is survived by his wife, Jane, two children and seven grandchildren.

I like books about grace mostly because I need it so much.

From the preface to this book:

The grace of God is one of the most important subjects of Scripture. At the same time it is probably one of the least understood.

All Christians by definition believe in grace. Many of us frequently quote Paul’s well-known words in Ephesians 2:8-9: ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.’ And john Newton’s beloved hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ is said to be the all-time favorite in the United States. Why then do I say the grace of God is one of the least understood subjects in the Bible?

When we think of grace, we almost always think of being saved by grace. The Bible teaches we are not only saved by grace, but we also live by grace every day of our lives. It is this important aspect of grace that seems to be so little understood or practiced by Christians.

Here are some of the important points that Jerry Bridges talks about in this book:

We all need grace:

Here is a quote from R.C. Sproul that Jerry Bridges quotes,

Perhaps the most difficult task for us to perform is to rely on God’s grace and God’s grace alone for our salvation. It is difficult for our pride to rest on grace. Grace is for other people—for beggars. We don’t want to live by a heavenly welfare system. We want to earn our own way and atone for our sins. We like to think that we will go to heaven because we deserve to be there.

Grace does not do away with God’s law. Jerry Bridges reminds us that His laws are commands for how we should live; the definition of what love is which is the fulfilling of the law.

Bridges emphasizes that God’s law is not just a request it is a command. So we really do need God’s grace.

I would encourage anyone who would like to study a good book about grace to check this one out. Visit your book store or click here to order it on line and for more information about this book.

The God Beyond Your Wildest Dreams: A Review

An excellent review of this book I find no need to replicate states as follows:

James Berglund author of this new study guide has served for 36 years in pastoral ministry. At 16 years of age, he discovered Jesus as not only his Lord but his Friend. As a convert to Adventism, he loves to teach God’s Word from a relational perspective. He says, ‘Today, a new generation needs to have not just logical facts but also a personal experience to embrace the faith of their fathers.’

The 28 fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are far more than just a list of doctrines, rules, and proof texts. Each belief tells a powerful story of the God of indescribable love. This personal and small-group study guide unpacks each one and brings the God beyond your wildest dreams to life like never before.

To read more about this new study guide and for information on ordering it click here.

Incredible Answers to Prayer- How God intervened when one man prayed: A Review

Incredible Answers to Prayer by Roger Morneau is an exhilarating spiritual experience. It will send chills down your spine and make you rejoice that you too serve the ‘Lord of the impossible.’

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.

Roger Morneau believed that God had called him to pray for people. Read this book to be inspired with remarkable stories of answered prayer. Check with your favorite store to purchase a copy or click here for information to order this book on line.

The Story-The Bible as one continuing Story of God and His people: A Review

There are lots of ways to read the Bible! You can start with Genesis and read right through to Revelation. You can start with Matthew and read through the New Testament, right through to Revelation. Every chapter every verse every word is important.

For a wonderful overview of the Bible I recommend The Story!

              The Greatest Story ever told is more than just a Cliché.

God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about- the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible Characters and events from Genesis to Revelation.

Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. And like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption-and this story’s true!

As you read through The Story. You will find that this includes the main stories from the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Where the compilers of The Story have skipped over sections of the text of the complete Bible you will find a short synopsis of what is skipped.

The Story is like a Bible Story book for adults!

If you have not ever done much reading in the Bible or if you want to be inspired about how God has dealt with his people throughout history The Story is a great way to get an overview  of  The Story .

This book should not replace your complete Bible. However, this is a tremendously inspiring read,

I would encourage you to take a look at The Story at your favorite book store or for more information and to order on line click this link https://www.zondervan.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=9780310950974