A Marriage Carol

I received a copy of A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman from Net Galley for an honest review. Jake and Marlee, a typical couple, are about to call it quits. Over time they have drifted apart; the sparks are dead. Marlee is convinced she married the wrong man and Jake feels tied down to the wrong woman. Jake is distant and tired of being controlled while Marlee is tired of being the only one trying to save their marriage.

They go to bed Christmas Eve, in seperate rooms, each rationalizing...life is too short to be miserable...love shouldn't hurt like this...their marriage must end for the happiness to return.

But their lives are about to take a turn. The ghosts of Marriage Past, Marriage Present, and Marriage Future reveal to Jake and Marlee how past chioces, present realities, and their potential future might look if they don't change their "stories".

Jake and Marlee experience a Christmas gift that will radically change their thinking and cause them to look at marriage not for what they can get out of it but for what God can do in and through their marriage.

This book made me think about my marriage. I'd say I have a good marriage but can it be better? This book makes me think that any marriage can be better than it is now. This is a good quick read for anyone in a relationship.

It Is Dangerous to Be Right When the Government is Wrong

I recieved the Kindle version of It is Dangerous to Be Right When the Government is Wrong - The Case for Personal Freedom by Andrew Napolitano from Booksneeze for an honest review. Judge Andrew P. Napolitano examines the concept the government hates and fears the most: Freedom. The United States of America was born out of a bloody revolt against tyranny. Yet almost from its inception, the government here has suppressed liberty. In his sixth book on the Constitution and human freedom, Judge Andrew P. Napolitano asks: Where does freedom come from? How can government in America exercise power that the people have not given to it? What forces have collaborated to destroy personal freedom?

In this back-to-basics on freedom, Judge Napolitano addresses hard questions:

Do we still have a Constitution?

What are the limits to government power in a free society?

Why does the government attack, rather than defend, our rights?

If our rights are inalienable, how can the government take them away?

Do we really own private property?

I picked this book because I don't consider myself to be very knowledgable when it comes to the government. I had not heard of Judge Andrew Napolitano before. He is very knowledgeable about the government and how they are trying to steal our personal freedoms without us even realizing the extent of it.

I didn't enjoy this book. Napolitano writes in a way that I don't enjoy reading. The book is full of very useful information but is a dry read.

One Click

I received a copy of One Click Jeff Bezos and the Rise of Amazon.com by Richard L. Brandt from NetGalley for an honest review. Amazon's business model is deceptively simple: Make online shopping so easy and convenient that customers won't think twice. It can almost be summed up by the button on every page: "Buy now with one click".
Why has Amazon been so successful? Much of it has to do with Jeff Bezos, the CEO and founder, whose unique combination of character traits and business strategy have driven Amazon to the top of the online retail world.
Richard Brandt charts Bezo's rise from computer nerd to world-changing entrepreneur. His success can be credited to his forward-looking insights and ruthless business sense.
I was disappointed with this book. It has more negative than positive in it. It seems that Brandt was out to show what has gone wrong for Amazon more than what they've done right to get to where they are.

Nearing Home

I received a copy of Nearing Home by Billy Graham from Book Sneeze for an honest review. In this moving narrative, Billy Graham once again takes up the pen not only to share his personal experience of growing older but also teach us some important lessons on how to view our time here on Earth. He says that the Bible makes it clear that God has a specific reason for keeping us here. So what is His purpose for these years, and how can we align our lives with it? How can we not only learn to cope with the fears and struggles and growing limitations we face but actually grow stronger inwardly in the midst of these difficulties?

In what may be his most powerful message of the last decade, Billy Graham speaks to all on his side of Heaven as he covers the improtance of four key areas: Building strong foundations and understanding the gift of years, Facing life's transitions, including the passing of years, retirement, and when loved ones die, Making wise decisions, and Understanding our glorious hope.

Graham's sermons, books, travels, interviews, speeches, and ministry have changed the world. He speaks about influencing the younger generation and leaving a good memory and example. There is a lot of great advice within the covers of this book.

Money Secrets of the Amish

I received a copy of Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker from NetGalley for an honest review. Author and journalist Lorilee Craker was just like the rest of us, feeling the pinch from the financial fallout of 2008. As a freelancer, her income was going the way of the dodo-family dollars seemed like an extinct myth, the bank account some archeological evidence of past prosperity.

Then, inspired by a news segment covering her people, the Amish, and how they emerged from the economic crisis unscathed, she realized it was time to get back to her roots and learn a thing or two about their time-tested approach to personal finances. While the middle-class was wringing its hands over the family budget and the wealthy were weeping over their slashed portfolios, the Amish were content as always, spared from the cares of the world and worldliness. They not only had financial health to support their lives, they exuded a wholeness that eludes so many when the financial bottom drops out.

If you want to go on an "Amish money makeover" read Money Secrets of the Amish. Craker gives examples of how her family has changed after her visits with the Amish. She also provided steps in each chapter that will help you to change your family as well. This is a good book with many examples and real life stories that will help you change your mindset about our culture.

Start Something That Matters

I recently received a copy of Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie from NetGalley for an honest review. Love your work, work for what you love, and change the world - all at the same time. This sentence sums up the book.
In Start Something That Matters, Blake Mycoskie tells the story of TOMS, one of the fastest-growing shoe companies in the world, and combines it with lessons learned from such other innovative organizations as method, charity: water, FEED projects, and TerraCycle. Blake presents the six simple keys for creating or transforming your own life and business, from discovering your core story to being resourceful without resources; from overcoming fear and doubt to incorporating giving into every aspect of your life. No matter what kind of change you're considering, Start Something That Matters gives you the stories, ideas, and practical tips that can help you get started.
This is a great book that shows you how an idea was transformed into a national brand. And that giving is the bases for what we all should be doing.

Heaven is for Real

I recently read Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. I received the book from Booksneeze for an honest book review. Heaven is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters Heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.
Colton said he met his miscarried sister whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.
The story is amazing to say the least. I'm amazed by how much Colton said he saw and happened in the short time he said he was there. I just can't get over Colton saying he saw Satan while he was in heaven. That's not one of the people I'd expect to see there. This is a great book.