What On Earth Am I Here For Book Review

I have just finished reading Rick Warren’s What On Earth Am I Here For? I have not read his other book The Purpose Driven Life but I had heard good things about it. That is what inspired me to read this one.

I was a little disappointed in the book. I wasn’t expecting to have to read about 400 pages to get the answer and that was probably very naïve. Rick also suggests spreading your reading out over 40 days (biblical references to why 40 are in the book and also a contract you can sign). So this took me a lot longer to finish then I am used to.

The first 14 days were easy to read and digest. His ideas here made sense and I could relate them to my own life. After that, the days’ readings started to sound very “preachy” to me, almost like a daily lecture. He tells us that we have an assignment and that we need to accept that assignment from God. I agree with this but I don’t feel that for all of us that assignment means going out and giving testimony to others.

He also is very big on having a small group that you share your mission with and also doing a lot of journaling. He suggests writing down a “Life Purpose Statement” to help point you in the direction of your life. This idea I liked and could easily do with the help he gives in the book.

He has also added in some technology. At the end of every day’s reading there is also a link to a video message from Rick that goes along with the day’s theme.

If you want some very serious and heavy ideas for understanding your life’s purpose this book is for you. Personally, I would rather have had a little shorter guide with some humor and lightness.

Stained Glass Hearts by Patsy Clairmont is a quick read. I could have finished it in one sitting but it’s one of those books that you need to read in small doses so you can reflect on her writing. Clairmont’s chapters are stories of her life. The end of the chapter gives you some art examples and often a prayer, poem or music that she feels goes along with the theme of that particular chapter.

            Starting out I was mildly amused by her life stories. She’s had some difficulties to overcome and she writes well of these. After awhile I wasn’t so interested in these stories anymore because this isn’t an autobiography but supposedly a book on how God helps mend struggling hearts. I got very distracted by her chapter on Poetry. It seemed out of place among the chapters of her life stories.

            I realize that Clairmont tries to use music, poetry, prayer, books,art and puzzles to carry the theme of “hearts” throughout her book. While I enjoyed many of the prayers she listed, I didn’t find the others very meaningful. I kept wishing she would have had some practical advice  or revelations to share with us about “how to see our lives in a new light” as her book jacket tease suggests.

            I would recommend this book if you just want to read some entertaining stories of the author’s life. If however, you are looking for more of a self-help book or book with some answers, I’d say pass.

Booksneeze has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book to review, all opinions are my own.

Latest Book Review

Save Your Marriage in Five Minutes a Day by Bonnie Jacobson and Alexia Paul is a book about strategies to improve your marriage.  The authors say that “a happy marriage is closer than you think!”Throughout the book the authors remind us that we cannot depend on others for our happiness.  

The book feels like it was written to help anyone struggling with their marriage. While the ideas in the book would certainly help a marriage in trouble, they are also pertinent for a healthy marriage. Dr. Bonnie Jacobson does say in her introduction that these strategies will help a marriage that is floundering or flourishing.

The chapters are short and to the point. You can easily read a chapter, put the book down and reflect on that particular strategy.  Then pick up the book  at a later time and read another chapter. A lot of the strategies are just using common sense but I feel it’s good to be reminded of that.

The content of the chapters is generally inspiring. However, the accompanying stories about (true?) couples I found to be rather corny. I think the strategies would seem more creditable without the stories. I also feel that if you are paying attention as you are reading the chapter, the summary is not necessary. At the end of each chapter is a list of the Five Minute Strategies to try out. Most of them would be easy for the person reading the book to follow. Some would require your partner to read and participate.

                I would recommend this book for anyone wanting ideas to strengthen a marriage. I’m not sure how helpful this book would be for someone in a struggling relationship .

Book Review:  The Power Based Life

"Do you know what you were born for?" This is the question that Mike Flynt says we need to answer in order to discover who God created us to be and then to discover the work we were meant to do.

While I think this is a good question for anyone to try to figure out, I don’t think Flynt’s book will be very instrumental in helping to do that. He starts out by telling his own life story. He was a tightly-wound young man ready to fist fight anyone and everyone. Consequently, he lost his college scholarship and wasn’t able to play football his senior year. He went on to hold various jobs until he was lucky enough to make a connection that got him his “dream job” of being an athletic trainer.

The story of his fighting days is told over and over in the book. It was interesting the first time he told it but did little to keep me interested in subsequent chapters. Along the way Flynt also throws in a few references to biblical stories and passages. They don't always seem to connect with the particular strategy he was discussing.

The book just did not hold my attention. I felt that it didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. I feel there are much better books by other authors that will get you more inspired to make life changes.

Please note that Thomas Nelson Publishing has provided me a complimentary copy of this book for my review; however, the opinions are my own. I have not been required to publish a positive review.

One Hand, Two Hands

In his classic style, Lucado gives us another treasure. This time he has written a book for children. Just like his other books, this one has a message about how to serve others.
One Hand, Two Hands is filled with catchy, rhyming phrases. The print is large and colorful. My five year-old granddaughter and 3 year-old grandson enjoyed listening to the story. They also enjoyed reading along and picking out the rhymes. The story is just the right length for little children.
The book’s illustrations are delightful and colorful. They show a little girl and her animal friends in every day situations using their hands. My grandchildren could relate to those. The illustrations add to the upbeat flavor of the book.
As a parent and grandparent, I am very pleased with Lucado’s work for little ones. It is fun to read and can spark a discussion on how we can each use our hands for service, both young and old. At the end of the book Lucado lists simple way hands can be used to help others. As a teacher of Sunday School for young children I can see where I could use this book to reinforce the message of service for others too.
I recommend this book for preschool-kindergarten age children.

Please note that Thomas Nelson Publishing has provided me a complimentary copy of this book for my review; however, the opinions are my own. I have not been required to publish a positive review.

A Way to Rediscover the Bible


I set out looking for a bible that would be easier to read and understand than my New American Bible. I found it in The Voice (New Testament). This version kept the perspective and unique qualities of the original gospel writers but used a style that was easy to follow.
The layout of this Bible is the same as others. It starts with the Gospel of Matthew and continues on with Mark, Luke and John, Acts and the Letters. What is different about this Bible is the format. While it retains the Bible narratives I am used to, it retells them in the language of modern times.
Each chapter and verse is written for ease in reading and understanding. Using modern day language helps to simplify the meaning. There are often inserted explanations of passages which I found to be very helpful. Sometimes passages were written in a “script” style, almost as if reading a play. This made for very interesting reading. I can see where this could be used in Bible studies, with children and teens and other times when you want to make the Bible stories come alive.
The Voice was written by a team of writers consisting of pastors, writers, poets, and other artists. This gives a balance to the interpretation and style of the passages. I found that it helped me to become excited about reading the Bible again. I would recommend this Bible to anyone who would like their Bible passages readable, enjoyable and understandable. I can't wait for their Old Testament version!

Wordless Wednesday


Moon over our backyard.