By Faith, Not By Sight by Scott Macintyre with Jennifer Schuchmann

A piano prodigy, a nineteen-year-old college grad, a Marshall scholar, and an American Idol finalist. This guy had it made. He could sing. He could ski blind. What couldn't he do?

     Even if you saw him in concert, you might not believe that Scott MacIntyre is blind, and you'd never guess that at nineteen, he faced a diagnosis that rocked his family and nearly took his life. So how did he do it? How did he overcome the odds?

     This is the story of how God used a dedicated family, a selfless acquaintance, hardship, and a host of characters to give him life, faith, determination, and experiences most can only imagine.

     Peek behind the scenes to see how he learned to overcome his disability, how he made it in the music industry, how he found the love of his life, and how God taught him that in all things, we can truly achieve our dreams By Faith, Not by Sight.

     I really enjoyed learning more of Scott's story by his family's faith and their encouragement of Scott's gift and his desire to bless people with his music was inspiring. What makes Scott MacIntyre an inspiration to so many is that he surpassed insurmountable odds by taking a leap of faith in God. By Faith, Not by Sight is the story of God in the MacIntyre's lives.
     This is a very great book that motivates you  to want to live life to its fullest and celebrate the little challenges as well as the big ones and praise God through it all.

     A moving story of hope, faith, persistence and the power of dreams. I have been blessed and challenged by reading this book and would recommend this book.

     I received a free copy of the book from Thomas Nelson as part of their Booksneeze Blogger program.

You are a Writer by Jeff Goins

The challenge to call yourself a writer before you feel like one, reminded me of a time a friend was talking about putting on his income tax, under occupation, that he was a writer.  I thought what a great idea to officially state your desire.  I believe the principles outlined in this book apply to any artist or occupation you want to excel in.

 A helpful reminder not to quit is this quote; “What it takes to start is not talent, but the willingness to finish, following through.”  I recommend this book if you need encouragement and to learn in practical steps about seeing yourself as the writer you want to be.

I enjoyed reviewing this book. It is an easy read, filled with inspirational and practical instructions. A challenge to begin today to create for yourself and to believe the rewards will follow.

Received copy of e-book for my review

The Witness by Dee Henderson

Police Chief Luke Granger met Amanda three years ago, and he hasn’t forgotten her. Amanda Griffin has been on the run for eight years from Richard Wise. Amanda holds the access to millions of ill-gotten funds, and a list of Richard’s contacts that she’s gradually turning over to the police. One mistake could snuff out her life; her family already thinks she is dead.

Trouble arrives when her sisters receive a huge inheritance from the father they never knew. Afraid that Wise will take revenge on Marie and Tracey, Amanda moves back to town to keep an eye on them; and let them know she is still alive, for now.

The Witness is a typical romance thriller. If you don’t mind the easy predicted script could be an enjoyable read about people dealing with murder, greed, lust and loss. If you like mystery with an offbeat romance…with conversations about God then you may like this book.

Received e-book from the publisher for review

The Good Life by Charles Colson

Thirty five years ago a White House cover-up shook the nation. In the midst of the national controversy were the individual lives that would never be the same. One of those lives is that of Charles Colson. After serving time in prison for releasing confidential FBI information, Colson underwent a transformation, a conversion. He told about his conversion in his popular book Born Again. More than three decades later he's telling his story again, but from a more developed perspective, in his recent book, The Good Life.

The premise of The Good Life is that a good life can be found in serving others and serving them in truth and not wasting your life satisfying just your own selfish desires. Do not serve others just to promote your own self-interest. Instead, we are challenged to serve others because of who Jesus Christ is and what He did for us on the cross at Calvary.

The Good Life isn't completely about Charles Colson. In fact, his is just one of many stories the authors share to explore the issues of purpose, meaning, and truth in this life. Reflections are offered on men who "had it all," such as L. Dennis Kozlowski (former CEO of Tyco International), as well as people who endured devastating pain and suffering, such as Nien Cheng (a women who suffered under Communist rule in China).

           Some of the important points, but not all, covered in the book include: 1. We acknowledge the evil to embrace the good. 2. When people are too idle, they lack purpose. We were wired to have a purpose in life. 3. Our own personal happiness must never be the ultimate goal in our lives. 4. Living independent of others is unhealthy - we are meant for community. 5. Integrity is more important than loyalty. Get that wrong and your world collapses.

           Highly recommend book to read, enjoy, and be challenged to make the most of the rest of your life for God's glory.

Received e-book for my nook for a review.

Child Like Faith

Nowhere is God’s listening ear more keen than when it comes to kids and prayer. When children pray, they open up their hearts to the One who knows them best, loves them the most, and accepts them unreservedly. Kids love from their hearts. That is, they believe without doubt, trust without reservation, live without reluctance, sleep without worry, and laugh without restraint.

I miss the simple faith that trusts so readily and lives so simply. But, if we will listen to the prayers of our children, we just might learn to recapture some of the laughter and love that was once so commonplace in our own lives.

— Excerpted from Whispering in God's Ear by Wayne Holmes

What can you do today to see the world through eyes of hope, love, and wonder?

Too Close to Home (Women of Justice #1) by Lynette Eason

When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, FBI agent Samantha Cash is assigned to help local chief Connor Wolfe to find the killer. Connor has two problems with that: her faith--in God and herself--and the fact that she looks exactly like his late wife.

          The book opens with Conner arriving at the scene of another dead body. She is young, obviously murdered and has one very unusual feature... she has been pregnant recently. A pattern is developing; girls disappear for an extended period of time and then show up dead. Each one murdered differently, but recently pregnant; no babies, just signs of pregnancy.

Both Connor and Samantha bring plenty of drama to the table. Connor has a teenage daughter of his own who is struggling with a daddy who isn't around and a mother who had passed away. The two are both missing her. Samantha has a sister, who suffered a tragedy, who hasn't fully recovered from and leaves Samantha feeling very responsible for her. Together they deal with their personal lives, fight the bad guys and start falling for each other. A good blend of suspense and romance, a lot of twists and turns to make an interesting read.

The back cover of this book says “Read this one with the lights on!” I wouldn’t go that far, there was definitely enough suspense to keep the pages turning. The characters were likable and realistic, and the romance was nicely done. Readers who enjoy suspense with a little bit of romance mixed in will probably like the story.

What part of the Gospel is optional?

You and I live in a culture where we gather in stadiums and around televisions for hours at a time to watch guys run around a field with a pigskin ball in their hands as they try to cross a white line. We express enthusiasm, emotion, and affection for football and other sports, and it begs the question, what would happen in our culture if the church prayed with such passion? What would happen if Jesus dominated our affections more than the superficial trivialities that garner our attention? What would happen if we spent hours before God praying on behalf of the church, the lost, and the poor around the world?
Of course, your Radical Experiment does not have to start in a stadium. It can start in your living room or prayer closet. Anyplace can be the place you begin to connect the practice of prayer with the purpose of God in the world.

— Excerpted from Radical by David Platt

How will you pray this Easter?