Book Review: How’s Your Soul?

Full Title:
How’s Your Soul?: Why Everything that Matters Starts with the Inside You

You may have asked yourself: “Where do I go when life overwhelms me? Where do I go when all I want is an escape?” You’re not alone. Here, you will discover how to have a quiet soul despite all the noise and distractions around you. Do yourself a favor by getting a copy of this book. Feel free to share it with many others, too.

I didn’t expect that a book (with a cover like this one) about the condition of our souls would make me chuckle for countless times. This book may contain God-glorifying wisdom but smack dab in the same book is funny stuff that you can’t resist. Ps. Judah Smith is just hilarious!

Speaking of comical stuff, the part of the story that involves Pastor Jude is my favorite! Nyahaha… Future readers, watch out! I highly recommend you don’t read it in a library. You’ll surely be sent out.

I love the author’s transparency. He’s just so honest and generous to share even his mishaps, which most normal people won’t have the audacity to bring into the open.

I’m so delighted to have known some personal facts about Ps. Judah Smith. Know of an author who doesn’t read much? Ps. Judah Smith, it is! And this makes me wonder why he writes oh so well. God works in mysterious ways really.

The author has his admirable way of making things comprehensible.

This book doesn’t only have the power to touch hearts but is also founded on the Word of God, so you can never go wrong by picking up this one.

This amazing book also reveals a few misconceptions we have but sometimes are not aware of; it corrects them by pointing us to Jesus Himself.

This book also made me fall in love with Jesus all over again, which makes it perfect for those who have lost their “first love.” This will help you get it back. You’re welcome!

This book reminded me of the wonderful things God has done for me.

I have lost count of how many highlights I have made on the book. I would love to share everything if that were possible, but let me quote a few:

“Our souls are home when they return to God.”

“Your feelings come and go, but God remains the same, and you will praise him again. It’s only a matter of time.”

“There was a time not too long before when you thought you’d never make it, that the storms and waves were going to win. But you held on, and God got you through.”

“I want more of Jesus so that I can love the way he loves.”

“Quietness and rest are found not in control but in surrender.”

“A quiet soul is far more valuable than fame and fortune. A level soul, a balanced soul, a genuine soul— that is a gift from God.”

“Whatever you do, don’t give up. You have a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, and he will see you safely to the other side.”

Pick up a copy of How’s Your Soul through the following links:
How’s Your Soul Official Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Book Review: The Power Of A Half Hour

 

Full Title:
The Power of a Half Hour: Take Back Your Life Thirty Minutes at a Time

For weeks, I’ve been looking for a book which could help improve my prayer life, and I think I found it in THE POWER OF A HALF HOUR by Ps. Tommy Barnett.

Reading it might be boring at first, but as I read further, oh what a gem of a book I found—chapter after chapter. I’ve highlighted more than 89 sentences on the book, and this is one of my favorites:

“Love is limitless. You can never lose love by giving it away.”

It’s great that the book is able to cover life’s many facets and is not only filled with wisdom but is also sprinkled with humor!

The author is generous enough to share even his intimate moments with his family. I admire his great faith for taking big risks. He even encouraged me to start writing my own book in the process!

This book made me realize how powerful a half hour can be to impact our lives, change our life paths, strengthen our faith, build our character, advance our dreams, improve our relationships, and change the world. This taught me to be intentional in using even the least amount of time.

This book spurred me on to be more grateful, to love more, and to serve more.

Pick up a copy of The Power Of A Half Hour through the following links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

[I received a copy of this book from the Blogging For Books program in exchange for this review.]

Hopeless in Life but Hopeful in Christ

Our car (parked just in front of our house) got its driver’s side window cracked, and worse it got holes. We do not know who did it. Probably, it happened while almost my whole family was away and I was dozing. (Tsk, tsk..) We thought it was the car’s battery the culprit was trying to get. Well, this kind of stuff is prevalent here in the Philippines, so to speak.

In this kind of situation, I find it oh so easy to speak words that are not so much wonderful to hear as an outlet for disgust. Some people (actually, many of them) are really desperate to make a living and more often than not it’s at the expense of others (too bad that this time, it’s at ours).

This fact saddens me enough and made me realize how perverted our world has been, and this would remain as such if Jesus would not intervene. This happening also reminded me of what I recently told the young people I do Bible Study with:

“We can do almost nothing to change people who are very much older than us because at their age, they’ve already made up their minds–to either continue doing good or bad. However, we can still do something (actually a lot of things) to lead the young people of today to the right path—JESUS, which is also possible through only Him.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that we can do absolutely nothing for those ahead of us agewise. We have God on our side and nothing is impossible with Him (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37), and that I still and forever will believe. However, we also have to accept the fact that the time wherein the minds of those people were still open for change has already passed. Perhaps we have not done what should have been done. Had we had, they wouldn’t have been as wicked as they are right now—doing evil things in order to live not realizing that this only makes them lose the life they think they will obtain by doing so (Matthew 10:39; 16:25). At some point, we have to admit that we were not able to wisely use whatever God has given us for this matter. And the worse thing is that: we can’t turn back time; the damage has already been done and much damage is still to be done. However, God says nothing is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:17b). And I think that’s what we should be holding on to from now on.

With what’s happening around and inside of us, we should focus on Jesus more lest we become hopeless and do something that would bring shame to Him. Let’s continue praying and doing at the same time!

What are your insights? Surely, I’d be more than thankful to hear your opinion.

May you realize how blessed you are today! 🙂

Related articles:
Day 51 – Matthew 9:35-11:1; Mark 6:6-13; Luke 9:1-6
HOPE VS. SELF-DESCRUCTION
Capacity For Hope
Hope in Christ
Christ Our Only Hope
In Christ alone my hope is found
Do you Hope in Christ?
Hope in Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

A Prayer for Mr. Steve Blanchard

Steve Blanchard

Mr. Steve Blanchard is the owner of the website www.youthministryideas.net. To know more about him, check him out here.

I received an email from him today and I’ve just read it a while ago. On the email, he’s asking for prayer because he’s in a difficult situation right now. This was why I thought of posting a prayer for him to encourage other people to pray for him as well. Let’s pray.

“Father in heaven, I know You’re listening to me now like You’ve always been. I ask for Your righteousness at this moment for I want my prayer to produce wonderful results. Father, You know what Mr. Steve Blanchard is going through right now. I don’t know him personally but You do. To be praying for him is a great opportunity for me, and I know that’s what You want us to do every day; to pray for one another (James 5:16). Doing ministries is hard work. We are tempted in every way every day especially to give up or put an end to what we do. Despite these things, we continue working because we know that it’s all for You, and it has always been our privilege to be working for You. Father, right now I fervently ask you for help, comfort, guidance, wisdom for Mr. Steve and Mrs. Erynn Blanchard. Don’t let hardships derail their relationship. Let Your Word be their basis for all the decisions that they are to make. I know and I believe that You are powerful (Job 9:4) and nothing is impossible with You (Luke 1:37 & Matthew 19:26). God, please turn things around for them. In the end, not my will nor Mr. Blanchard’s will but Yours be done. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Thank You, God!

PHOTO: Courtesy of Roger Coles

I thank God for countless things. I thank Him for the great things down to the things we usually ignore. I thank God for the air I breathe, the internal organs I have (chuckles), the ability to think, hear, see, and appreciate. You should also thank Him for such! Instead of focusing on what’s lacking in you, why not thank Him for what you have? I thank God for having someone use my brother’s laptop a while ago. For hadn’t he done that, I wouldn’t have written this. I would have done other things. I thank God for the music of Hillsong United. Their songs are currently my favorite. I’m listening to them as I’m writing this.

“I thank You, God, for making me who I am right now. I’m not perfect. I actually am way far from that, but I know You and I feel You. For me, that’s more than enough. Really, it’s more than enough…”