The Legend of the Monk and Merchant is a book that I really was hoping would be better then it was. The back of the book has a line that states: “The Legend of the Monk and Merchant will change the way you see yourself, your job and your purpose.” I read the book and I don’t see where any change will take place. Maybe I didn’t read it right, maybe I miss the point of the book I don’t know. I really wish that I could say more about this book but there really isn’t much to say. The book is a simple read one that can be read in a couple of days. This is just my view of the book, I sure other will find its meaning and get what they want you to get from it. For me I miss it I guess. Thanks to Thomas Nelson and the Booksneeze program for my free copy of this book. The book was give to me free for an honest review and this review is mine alone.

I have always seen Rich Warren book The Purpose Driven Life at the book store. I never pick it up to see what it was all about. But when Booksneeze offered Rick update and revised edition I jumped at the offer. And I glad I did. Rick stated in at the first of the book “this is more then a book it is a guide to a 40-day spiritual. He also asked not to just read the book through like a novel but to read each day (chapter) and ponder on what you have read. That is just want I did. I took my time with this book and I would like to share a couple of day’s(chapter) that I really enjoyed reading. Day 11 “Becoming Best Friends whit God” He started the day with “God want to be your best friend.” I mean he could have very well end the day right there. God want to become my friend? How true that is. Best friend share everything together and help each other and there is not anger between the two. So it makes perfect sense that God would want to become my friend. Day 23 “How We Grow” Again he starts the day of with a simple statement “ God want you to grow up” God want us to mature and be more like Christ. Grow each day and make ourselves better in Christ. Take his name upon us and act and do has He would. This book is really good and I highly recommend that you read it and to what Rick tells you to read a chapter a day and ponder over it. It will change your life and it will bring you closer to God. Thank you Thomas Nelson for my advance copy of this book, and in exchange for the free copy I have written a review of my own accord.

The River

I think when you read The River by Michael Neale you can apply something that you are going through with the main character Gabriel Clark. At the Young age of 5 Gabriel, saw something that no 5 year older should have to go through. Because of this event Gabriel was never the same again. He love for the River was gone and he wished so much that it would be gone from his mind. But its not, it lived with him until his late teen years. Gabriel, takes on the River again and there he finds himself, but not only does he find other along the way that helped show him the way. This book teaches us, healing, the purpose of life and it teaches more about the power of forgiveness. This book was a fun read, one that I good not put down. Michael is a great writer, one that would remind you of an Andy Andrews. You would never guess this was his debut novel. If you are thinking about read this book, read it add it to you library and give it as gifts this holiday season. Thanks to Thomas Nelson for my free advanced copy of this great book. This review is mine and mine alone, I was not asked to give a positive review in order for the free copy.

Rudy

I still remember back in the 1993 when the movie Rudy was released. I didn’t know much about it at the time and little did I know that it would become one of my favorite movies of all time. In is autobiography Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger tells the story of his dream to play for Notre Dame. I like this quote that he puts at the beginning of the book. It says: “In life, it’s not about how hard you get hit. It’s about how many times you get back up and how hard you’re willing to keep fighting for your dreams.” Rudy talks about-and I am glad he did- about how he wanted to quit the team. He had busted his butt for what? Nothing!! But he wanted to quit he gave into every one telling him that he can’t. But Rudy meets up with another Rudy. Rudy the janitor. They had become good friends and so much so that Daniel doesn’t notice that some about Rudy the janitor. It just as great of story as it was in the movie. Little different but the meaning is the same. I love this book. I love the story of Rudy. I get chills every time I see the movie and now I know as Paul Harvey would say “The rest of the story.” I was given a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to give a positive review. This review was mine and mine only.

Fully Alive

If you like Andy Andrews then you will like Ken Davis. I have to admit I have not heard of Ken Davis, I happen to see on Facebook Andy Andrews recommend Ken Davis new book Fully Alive. If Andy was recommending it then it has to be good. And I was right. Ken Davis talks about how he himself was just living life, but not really living life. I like this part in the book when Ken says “ Shouldn’t we feel some of the excitement that comes from jumping off a fifty-foot cliff into the water when we jump out of bed to live as God intended.” This book will make you laugh, cry and just feel good after you read it. Much like Andy Andrews, Ken has lived life and has found what has worked for him. He found God and he lives his life as God intended for him to live. This is a great book I highly recommend this book and hope that you enjoy it as much as I have. Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for my free copy. This review is mine and I was not told that I had to give a positive review to received this copy.

Running for my life

I think we forget how good we really have it here in the USA. I would have never thought at the age of 6 to be taken from my family, to have to learn how to survive and to have to run for my life. I his autobiography Running for my Life Lopez Lomong tell the story of his life growing up in South Sudan. At the little age of six years old Lopez was taken from his family while they attend a church service. He was ripped from the loving arms of his mother by men that wanted to train young kids to fight in the Civil war that was going on in his country. Lopez made a decision one night that put him on the path to the live that he now leads. When you read this book you will not be able to put it down. Lopez survived because of his belief in God. God help him just like He helps us all. God has a plan for us and Lopez understood this and knew that if he would put his trust in God even when is was in the depths of hell he know that God would extended his loving hand and pull him out. That is just want God did for Lopez. If you know about Lopez you know that he went on to Olympics and not only that had the great honor to carry the country flag in the open ceremonies. What an honor for a boy that once was last and now if found. This review is my alone; I was given a free copy by the Thomas Nelson group in exchange for this honest review.

December 1941

I must say this book took me longer to read and get through. December 1941 by Craig Shirley take you through each day of december and give you an account of the days events. Days before the tragic events at Pearl Harbor the country was at peace. Thanksgiving had just ended a couple weeks back, the Christmas season was upon them and they thought all was well in the USA. They know and understood that the World was not at peace. Little did they know that Japan had already set sail for Hawaii and 7 days into the last month of the year the USA would change and change for good. This book is well written, Yes it is a little long but thinking back on it I not sure how you could not have put the information in there that Mr. Shirley did. As a advit fan of the WWII era, this book is a must have and one that I recommend to those that love to study WWII history. I thank Thomas Nelson for my free copy and in return I was asked only to give my honest review of this book.