The Noticer Andy Andrews

Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people. But like all humans on the planet, the good folks of Orange Beach have their share of problems – marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, as well as the many other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.

Fortunately, when things look the darkest – a mysterious man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. An elderly man with white hair, of indiscriminate age and race, wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and leather flip flops carrying a battered old suitcase, Jones is a unique soul. Communicating what he calls a little perspective, Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely, he says. Don’t squander your words or your thoughts. Consider even the simplest action you take, for your lives matter beyond measure…and they matter forever.

That was the synopsis from Andy Andrew’s newest book, The Noticer. Coming off the great success of The Traveler’s Gift, Andrews returns with a compelling new tale that focuses on an everyday small town and the struggles they face daily.

I must admit, I really loved this book. I felt like I could connect with several of the characters and the issues they were facing. Afterwards, I found myself wishing that a man like Jones would come into my life and help me gain a little perspective.

Clearly, there is a deeper message within the pages of this book. I felt that it was a call for one to take advantage of the life that God has given them and to use their time in helping those around you experience the wonderful world that He has created.

As Jones himself said, “Consider even the simplest action you take, for your lives matter beyond measure…and they matter forever.”

I encourage you to make a choice that matters. Get The Noticer Andy Andrews. See what a little perspective can do for your life.

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

For centuries, the debate has raged on concerning the existence of Heaven. Some of the most asked questions have included: Is there a Heaven? If so, where is it? What is Heaven like? Just what do you do in Heaven? Who all will we see in Heaven?

If you are like me, you have probably asked these questions and several more. While churches and theologians have debated this issue, no one has ever really put together a comprehensive guide on everything we know about Heaven…until now.

Randy Alcorn’s Heaven is a stunning and informative look at Heaven and answers some of the biggest questions surrounding our eternal resting place. Even non-Christians can read this book and find something valuable within its pages.

Now you may ask, how did Alcorn get this information? The answer is simple: from the Bible itself.

Alcorn’s Heaven is divided into three distinct sections.

The first of these sections is his theological research of Heaven. Admittedly, there are times in which the reading can be a task, but it is well worth pushing through.

The next part of the book was hands down my favorite. It is sort of a “questions and answers” review of some of the most talked about and asked questions regarding Heaven. I really enjoyed this section because there were several questions that I personally had concerning Heaven, and I feel that Alcorn did an exceptional job in answering these in an easy to understand and Biblically sound way.

The book closes with a section of how to live a Christian life. Since the reader now knows about Heaven, Alcorn gives advice on the best way to get there.

If you have ever wondered about Heaven, then this is the book for you. While you may get answers from someone else, they probably will not be as detailed and in-depth as Alcorn’s.

Without question, this is one book that Christians need to read as it will help you understand how to better explain and defend your belief in Heaven. So if you want to know more about God’s Kingdom, check out Heaven by Randy Alcorn.

Boundaries Henry Cloud

If you are a Christian, perhaps you feel like in order to be considered a “good” Christian, you should say yes to anything someone asks of you. Or perhaps you know someone that is so set in their ways that they come across as too judgmental or pushy when approached with something.

If either of these sounds familiar, it might be a good idea to check out Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No, to Take Control Over Your Life. Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. James Townsend have put together a great book that describes the need for establishing healthy and safe boundaries within our daily lives.

According to Cloud and Townsend, it is vital to set firm boundaries for each and every relationship and aspect of our lives. If we fail to do this, then we are opening to door for others to come in and start taking control over our lives. But thankfully, this book will show how to set good boundaries in every part of your life, from family, friends, God, work, your children and within yourself.

In one part of the book, Cloud and Townsend look at the various difficulties people face in setting boundaries in their lives, as well as methods to use to overcome these challenges.

As both men will show you, setting boundaries is not only good for you, but it will also benefit those around you as well. If people know what your limits are, they are more likely to respect them and to treat you fairly.

I know I’ve had trouble setting boundaries for myself, and even the smallest things can cause chaos if left unchecked. But after reading this book, I learned that if I want to be truly happy, I must determine what is right and wrong in my daily life.

If you need help in setting your own boundaries, then get a copy of Boundaries Henry Cloud. If you are willing to take the necessary steps, you will see that living with boundaries is a great way to achieve personal satisfaction.

The Shack by William Young

Perhaps one of the most popular and compelling Christian novels in the past decade, The Shack is a former New York Times Bestseller and has sold over 8 million copies.

Written by William Young, the Shack is a moving story about one man’s struggle to maintain his faith during an exceptionally painful period of his life.

The story follows the life of Mack Philips. During a vacation, his daughter is kidnapped and presumably killed. After hearing this, Mack falls into a period of depression and angst until he receives a mysterious letter. The letter, which is allegedly from God, invites Mack to a shack deep in the woods, the same shack that authorities believe his daughter was murdered in. While there, Mack will discover things that will forever change his life.

This book is a riveting story that has captured the hearts of readers all over the world as it attempts to answer the question of Where is God in a world filled with such unspeakable pain?

I know this book has its critics who question Young’s theological perspective, but all of those arguments aside, this is one great book.

I was also very impressed by the story of how this book came about.  Young has been writing all of his life, but mostly just for his family and friends. Eventually, those closest to him urged Young to try and publish some of his materials.

Shockingly, he was turned down by several major publishers and Young had almost given up on his quest. Eventually, he decided to create his own publishing company and distribute his book on his own.

Since Young had a small budget, he could not afford to spend a lot on promoting his book. But as great books do, The Shack eventually gained a following. Eventually, word of mouth spread so quickly that the book caught fire and skyrocketed up the charts, eventually landing at the very top and becoming one of the most talked about books in recent memory.

Without a doubt, The Shack by William Young is one of the most compelling books I have ever written. If you’ve ever wondered “why” when it comes to certain things in life, you should pick up this book and see what Young has to offer.

Love Dare Kendrick

A blessing! That is what I have to say about the Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. This New York Times topper has sold over 3 million copies and it is no surprise to me.

If you are unfamiliar with the Love Dare books, let me fill you in. The Love Dare originated in the movie Fireproof where a husband uses the book to understand and practice unconditional love with his spouse. It’s a 40-day challenge, but now readers like you can take it up.

At first I was hesitant about taking on the Love Dare. I was sure that I would feel crazy for following what a book told me I should do each day for 40 days.

I knew what to do in my marriage!…right?

When I finally chose to buy the book I read through the pages just to get some advice. A few days later, I got my husband to take on the dare.

What we thought would be a few days turned into weeks. We may have not done it every day, but we followed the book a lot!

As the days went by, I felt like we were bonding more. The Love Dare was our little thing to do. When we began, it was just for fun. I would hold back a negative comment and he would smile.

If one of us slipped up the other would exclaim “I won”. Childish I know, but it brought us close.

Our relationship has changed over the course of the time we took on the dare. We keep in mind the things we learned. We listen to each other, share with each other, and showed our love for each other more than before.

Although the readings were inspirational, I find that actively doing the tasks changed our marriage.

Everything in this book was common sense, but it reminded you of what it means to be in a relationship. It’s important to practice your vows that you took on your wedding day and place them in your normal, everyday life.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to make their marriage better…or simply great!

Would you ever take on the Love Dare Kendrick?

Your comments are appreciated!

Wild at Heart John Eldredge

In Wild At Heart, John Eldredge writes the following in regards to men: “He must have a cause to which he is devoted even unto death for this is written into the fabric of his being. Listen carefully now: You do. That is why God created you—to be his intimate ally, to join him in the Great Battle.“

Now, some of us may have trouble seeing today’s man having this sense of urgency and warrior spirit. It seems that when discussing the state of maleness in today’s world, the words lazy, uninspired, and careless are often brought into the conversation.

But this is exactly the reason that Eldredge wrote this book. He agrees that today’s man has become stale and emasculated. Long gone is the image of the dashing male hero coming in to rescue the damsel in distress. The idea of the Don Juan romantic lover has been replaced with the image of a neglectful husband.

Who is to blame for this lose of masculinity in our men? We all are according to Eldredge. In his mind, men have lost touch with their wild spirit. They have been sucked into believing that to be a Christian man, you have to be docile and quiet. He feels that our culture has forced men to be more domesticated and more feminine.

Because of this, men have strayed from the image that God created them in. Certainly, God is not quiet or reserved. He is a fierce and loving God who will do what He feels is necessary. So shouldn’t our men do the same?

Throughout this book, Eldredge gives examples that show how a man should live his life. He feels that men should always seek danger and adventure because it is in our spirit. He notes that God created man in His image to help fight the battles of evil, and that if a man truly wants to be a man, he must be willing to break free and unleash his true spirit.

From a woman’s perspective, I certainly would like to see more men take a stand for what they believe in. Our society needs strong Christian men to change the world and be positive role models.

If you know a guy in your life who needs a boost, get him a copy of Wild at Heart John Eldredge and see the change that God can bring in his life.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Do you often feel that you have troubles communicating with your spouse or significant other? Maybe you try to do something for that person, yet it doesn’t seem to completely satisfy them. Men, maybe you do all the dishes and clean the house for your wife, and while she is grateful, she still doesn’t seem completely happy. Or perhaps you give your husband a long back rub without being asked and he still seems distant.

While doing these things will often make your spouse happy, they may not always completely satisfy their needs. Their “love tank” may be running on empty, and only a certain thing will make it full again.

Now you may ask yourself, what is a love tank? It is the satisfaction level that reflects how much one feels loved and cared for. This idea comes from Gary Chapman, a renowned marriage counselor who has determined that each person has a different love language that needs to be met in order to fill their love tank.

In his book The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts,Chapman identifies the five love languages that make up one’s life. While one spouse may need Words of Affirmation, the other may seek Physical Touch. If you give your spouse Gifts of perform Acts of Service, it may make them happy, but won’t fill their need for Quality Time with you.

Thus, while a wife may enjoy a man’s Acts of Service by cleaning the house, she may truly need Quality Time with her spouse. And while a husband would certainly enjoy a good back rub, his language might be that of Words of Affirmation, in which he needs to be reminded how much he means to her.

This wonderful book is a great tool for married couples and daters alike. Everyone wants to make that special someone happy, and the best way to do so is to focus on their love language.

If we do this, Chapman suggests that we will be happier in our daily lives and in our relationships. An empty love tank will affect every part of our lives, but if we are full, we will become better partners, workers, parents, and friends.

Maybe you are having issues connecting with your spouse. If so, check out The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and learn how to fill your partner’s love tank.

Get Out of That Pit Beth Moore

Let’s be honest, we are all human beings. We are all prone to our bad moments, and these moments can sometimes linger. If you have ever allowed something negative to maintain control over your life, perhaps you have found solace in Psalm 40.

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Christian author Beth Moore has also seen her share of struggles. Yes, even Christians have trouble getting out of life’s ruts on occasion. But by building on this Scripture, Moore has managed to put together a wonderful guide that will help anyone get out of life’s pits and back on the road to happiness.

Get Out of that Pit: Straight Talk about God’s Deliverance is a great collection of Beth’s personal testimonies about how God helped her overcome several obstacles in her life.

But have no fear; this isn’t another shoddy self help guide that is built on one person’s opinions. Beth uses teachings of the Bible to show how God has changed not only her life, but the lives of others as well.

It should come as no surprise that when we get stuck in the pits of life, God is our only means of true escape. While some seek solace in other forms of escape, they often find themselves falling deeper into their pit.

Fortunately, God has promised to aid those that call on His name and deliver them from any trouble that comes their way. All one has to do is confess that they are lost and ask God to save them from their mistakes.

Throughout this book, Beth shows us the many ways we often allow ourselves to fall into bad situations and how these incidents negatively impact our lives. She then shows us how we can not only climb out of the pit, but also how to avoid them in the future altogether.

With Biblical backing and several guides to help one overcome their struggles, Get Out of that Pit Beth Moore is one book that everyone should read. Because let’s face it: life is tough, and we can’t do it on our own.

Francis Chan Forgotten God

Fans of popular Pastor Francis Chan will be thrilled to know that he has written a follow up book to his immensely successful Crazy Love.

In Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, Chan looks at focuses the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Holy Trinity that Chan feels Christians often neglect. While the Father and Son are staples of daily worship, Chan feels that we often put the Holy Spirit on the back burner.

If you are like me, you may forget about the Holy Spirit at times too. Just what is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the guide that Jesus promised to send to guide His followers after his ascension to Heaven. Not only have we forgotten this Holy Spirit, we  neglect using its awesome power.

Chan’s motivation behind this book is to get us to know this Holy Spirit and to take advantage of God’s amazing gift to us.

To sum up what this book is about, allow me to share some of Chan’s wisdom: “From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and, for all practical purposes, forgotten. While no evangelical would deny His existence, I’m willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year. And many of them do not believe they can.”

When I read this, I was floored by its honestly and truth. We do neglect the Holy Spirit, even though it is the one thing that allows us to truly feel the love of God.

Chan is one of America’s most popular ministers, and this book is a great testament to his faith and knowledge of God’s Word.

If you want to learn how to connect to the Holy Spirit, I highly recommend Francis Chan Forgotten God. It will open your eyes to the beauty of the complete Trinity and help you become closer to the Holy Spirit.

Velvet Elvis book

Popular Christian author Rob Bell’s newest book, Velvet Elvis, is certainly an interesting read.  If you are new to Bell’s work, you should probably know that his  style isn’t traditional and may rub you the wrong way. Yet if you are willing to see what he is trying to say, it becomes obvious that Bell is willing to take a stand on certain issues that others will avoid at all costs.

In Velvet Elvis, Bell uses a combination of historical evidence, Biblical passages, and personal reflections to show that a healthy Christian life is one that is full of seeking answers to life’s biggest questions.

He argues that by seeking the truth, we will grow into a stronger sense of self and of the God who made us in His image.. These questions will also cause us to consider and seek out a better relationship with God.

Now, as I mentioned earlier, Bell’s style is somewhat unusual. But Bell is the real deal.

For traditionalists, Bell’s thoughts and theology may seem sketchy. But at his very core, Bell is simply trying to persuade his readers to open their minds and seek a deeper connection with Jesus.

I found a lot of thought-provoking theology in this book. One of the most intriguing quotes from Bell’s book is :

“Christian is a great noun but a poor adjective. Too often, the church of the previous generation has been too accepting of mediocrity in a plethora of areas because the label “Christian” has been slapped on the package.”

Honestly, I felt that this distinction was dead on. It seems to me that just because something is labeled as “Christian”, it is automatically assumed to be the standard for all Christians. I can’t tell you how often I get upset at seeing the Christian name being destroyed by a few extremists.

Thankfully, Bell shows us that by seeking the true God, we can overcome these negative labels and be the blessed children of God that we were destined to be.

If you are looking for a new experience, get a  copy of Velvet Elvis book and start asking the hard questions.