Everyone Communicates Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently by John C. Maxwell - A review

The most effective managers and employers know how to communicate and connect well with their employees. I've learned this through my experiences communicating with others as well as my experiences with managers who do not do this very well. This is a book that can benefit anyone from a manager, to a pastor, even husbands and wives trying to learn how to communicate and connect effectively. Maxwell lays out keys to connecting. He talks about what connectors do and then highlights how we can do this effectively. He then summarizes by discussing how we can connect with individuals, groups, and in public speaking using the key we had just learned in that chapter. This was an engaging book that gave many tips on how to connect with others and use it to benefit yourself and others. I enjoyed how Maxwell included quotes about connecting within each chapter. The stories of people who embody each of these characteristics helped to show how effective they can be. John C. Maxwell is a great writer and I would love to see him speak as well if I ever get a chance. This book is very straight forward and full of a lot of insight. I recommend it!

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I receive these books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Day by Day by Robert J. Gentile - A Review

If I were to go solely on the description of the book, I thought this would be more of a daily reflection book. (More like Essentials for Life by Marcia Ford, a book I had reviewed earlier on my blog.) Instead, Gentile divided the stories of Jesus' ministry into different areas such as Miracles, Parables, Teachings Galilee, etc. This is one of those books that you have to read with another book in hand too. That book being The Bible. At the beginning of each reflection, Gentile lists a few lines from a song or a poem of praise. Gentile then lists a set of Bible verses to read. There is a meditation upon these Bible verses and a prayer. The closing is another praise poem or song. Each individual meditation is anywhere from 3 to 4 pages long. If you read this book day by day as it states and simply stuck to one meditation a day, there are enough meditations to get you through several months. It is not a good book for you if you just like to be able to open up a book and read it straight through. It is a good book for you if you want to read and reflect on Jesus' teachings and need a guide to help you do so.

I received a complimentary copy of Day by Day by Robert J. Gentile as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visitdorrancebookstore.comto learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Storm Warning by Billy Graham - a book review

This book focuses on the Book of Revelation in light of what is going on in today's world. We all know that things are not going great in this world these days and it just keeps going downhill. Billy Graham talks about the hope that we have as Christians and how we should live outside the world instead of being sucked in by it. This is a good way to look at things. Many times I watch the news and I am just disgusted by what I see. I want to do something about it too. This book spurs us on to action and talks about how churches are not here for programs and fun (though they can still be fun) but they are here to bring God glory and to bring his Word to people who need it.
The only thing I really didn't like about this book was how much time Graham spent focusing on all the negative things in this world. Describing what's on TV and things that children are learning in school. Saying that the family is going downhill and morality is almost non-existent for those without God's compass to guide them. Though it is important to realize this, I felt that he spent far too many pages simply complaining about all the negative things in our society. Yes. Things need to change. And Graham did spend time talking about how to change these things. But I for one do not like to read or listen to complaining for too long. Honestly, he reminded me of an old man..."Back in my day..."
The overall concept is great and it is true that change needs to happen and we need to heed the warning. I just could have done without so much complaining.

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I receive these books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Revelation in Plain English

The following is a book review of The Revelation in Plain English by J.E. Smith (published by Dorrance Publishing).



I decided to read this book in an effort to understand the book of Revelation more fully. I have read this book of The Bible on my own once and listened to an extensive sermon study on the book at my church. This in-depth look at the book of Revelation helped me to review information that I already understood and gain more understanding of parts that alluded me. J.E. Smith does not push anything on the reader. He sums things up very matter-of-fact and is sure to state "no one really knows" if it is something that remains a mystery. He encourages the reader to read The Bible and look for truth themselves, but also looks into symbolism that may not be apparent to those of us who do not have in depth knowledge of The Bible. It is very helpful when he relates back to other passages from other books in The Bible that back up the ideas he is expressing in regards to Revelation. Reading this book has definitely helped me to develop my understanding of Revelation even more. I recommend this book to anyone who is developing their understanding of The Bible. Even if you are a pastor or a scholar of The Bible, this book can be helpful to lead you to think about Revelation in ways you have never considered and contemplate how it relates to your life.


I received a complimentary copy of The Revelation in Plain English by J.E. Smith as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Revelation

Right now, I am reading a book about the Book of Revelation. This is going to take a while to read, but as soon as I've finished a review will be up. I'm interested in hearing this pastor's interpretation of this book of The Bible as I have only heard one interpretation so far. I know it's up to me to read and hear what God is saying to me through his word but it always helps to have a guide along the way. I feel like I am on my way to becoming a scholar of The Bible. That's a good thing because it means I will get to know The Bible better and therefore I will get to know God better!

Essentials for Life: Your Back-to-Basics Guide to What Matters Most by Marcia Ford - A Book Review

When I first began reading the book Essentials for Life by Marcia Ford, I was drawn in by its straightforward approach. So many books that claim to be spiritual guides just go on and on, but this one gets right to the basics and what is really important. I love how it is scripturally based through and through. I read the book straight through, but I plan on using it as a guide for spiritual meditation. If I have something that has been worrying me in my life or something that I need to work on as a Christian, this book can be a great guide for me to get started. Ms. Ford is not telling us her experiences to show us what matters most, but she is instead drawing upon the only teacher we need - God's Word. With her suggestions of where to look as a starting point, I can begin to explore more deeply and grow closer in my relationship with God. Thank you, Ms. Ford, for making it simple because it really is so simple. "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

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I receive these books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Cover of Darkness by Alex LeFevre - Book Review

They say you can't judge a book by its cover. This is usually used to say that the book is better than the cover makes it seem. In this case, it's the reverse. When I read the synopsis of the book Cover of Darkness by Alex LeFevre (published by Dorrance Publishing), it appeared to have promise. A vigilante Ninja fighting crimes on the street, out to thwart a terrorist plot to take over the country. It has merit. I was proven wrong, however. I was never really able to get into the book. By page 40, I lost interest, but I continued reading so I could give it an appropriate review and see if it turned out any differently. The book drags on and on, with very few significant events happening within the first half of the book. A part of the book that seems as if it would be very climactic fails to deliver and ends abruptly. I appreciate LeFevre's desire to be a writer, and I feel that with more practice he could become an excellent writer. Cover of Darkness could have been a better book if LeFevre had developed the character of Conrad Peterson instead of focusing on several different events that were going on in different locations. Supposedly, Peterson was driven to fight crime because of the murder of his fiancee. A much more interesting book could have been made if Peterson had instead been hunting for his fiancee's killer. LeFevre should not give up writing, but he should develop his craft to make a more intriguing and exciting story.


I received a complimentary copy of Cover of Darkness by Alex LeFevre as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.