Book Review: The Dream Giver

The Dream Giver

by Bruce Wilkinson
with David & Heather Kopp
Multnomah Publishers, 2003


My hubby and I were trying to get on the proverbial same page as we considered launching a new ministry for ministers and their families when he handed me this older book he had completed. He felt it was my taste of writing and it was! I love that he knows me! Just one problem: The Dream Giver stirred hope deep inside.

When I've dared to dream a dream and it wilts, the roots of that dream can be watered with hope for life to spring back into it. But, when a dream dies, hope seems to die with it. 

"You were born for this" is the Dream Giver's encouragement to a guy named Ordinary, who eventually left his Comfort Zone in the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. The encouragement stirred up emotions so raw, I had to set the book aside to quietly pour my prayers into a journal... this would occur many times before I could complete the book. The Dream Giver gently brought wounds to the surface in the protection of Sanctuary where healing could begin and took much longer than I care to admit.

• Does your Big Dream seem hopeless out of reach?
• Do you feel like you don't have a Big Dream?
• Are you waiting for something or someone to make your dream happen?
• Then you're ready for The Dream Giver.

Author Bruce Wilkinson gives you -the reader- practical advice and biblical truths in overcoming obstacles toward pursuing and achieving your dream. 

Now, it's time to begin your journey.


Available in both hardcover and digital on Amazon.

Book Review: Think Differently, Live Differently

Think Differently, Live Differently: Keys to a Life of Freedom

by Bob Hamp
Thinking Differently Press, 2010
Thomas Nelson, 2011







While surfing the internet, one evening, and looking for new reads by Robert Morris, author of A Blessed Life, I happened on Bob Hamp's book being released that very evening. If memory serves, he was in countdown mode to its release. I opted-in figuring anyone who is on staff at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, and has forewords by Pastor Robert Morris and Kari Jobe must be a pretty good fella! He's just gotta be! He and I exchanged tweets during the downloading process.

The story of a child adopted by farmers and who, later, discovers his biological family wrangled my heart reminding some part of my younger self 's memories that I was made for more. I wish I had this book when I was a young adult.

Bob Hamp, a professional counselor, mentor to leaders and executive pastor, provides a casual approach to sensitive life-issues many people have buried deep in their soul, yet it affects their present behavior often chaining them from experiencing the real life they desire. 

What is lasting freedom? Is it attainable? How comfortable are you with being alone with yourself? What are counterfeits to freedom? Do I constantly question myself?

Reading this book must surely be like what it is to spend an hour having coffee with your best friend, Bob, as he pours truth (spiritual and knowledge) into your spirit offering hope from bondage and brokenness. If you feel "stuck and getting stucker," I encourage you to download or order this easy-to-understand resource.

Bob Hamp has written a new leadership book, Think Differently, Lead Differently, I cannot wait to dive into!

Visit Bob Hamp's website for more resources including the study guide and an audio book if you find listening to your book proves easier with your busy lifestyle.

Book Review: A Harvest of Joy

A Harvest of Joy:
A Mother - Daughter Memoir
by Tammy L. Webb-Witholt
Tate Publishing, 2012






No heroine of any historical fiction could quite measure up to the life's journey of real-life woman of courage, Dorothy "Dot" Webb, when the journey includes lives eternally effected. But, wait, this book is a mother-daughter venture. Most of this adventure is and continues to be shared!

Not only has Tammy Webb-Witholt written this book, but has lived it's pages in true living color with the main character. Many hours spent with her mother in the retelling of each event, Tammy has captured her mother's childhood in Alabama to life as a missionary family in Africa to "retirement" often with vivid, emotional details. Dot's humor shines through her daughter's words so naturally there is a seamlessness of literary voice.

The thread of God gloriously using the modest and willing soul for extraordinary service recurs with such consistency, any reader would be moved to offer their own lives anew.

Recently, my hubby and I visited with Dot. I watched as her eyes brightened with a funny story from the missions field and, then, would soften recalling God's provision. I left our visit uplifted in my spirit by this beautiful lady of grace and joy! 

A Harvest of Joy can be purchased on Amazon either as paperback or as a digital download.

Book Review: True Sisters

True Sisters
by Sandra Dallas
Mt. Martin's Press, 2012



Although not a Mormon (a.k.a. Latter Day Saints), I do appreciate the pioneering spirit of going west, no matter the religious or not-so religious preference, which helped to shape our nation. Land of the Free.

Most LDS emigrants (yes, with an "e") chose to push and pull handcarts over 1300 miles of prairie, sand, mountains and snow to reach their promised land. Families walked ...some right out of the soles of their shoes... to claim their freedom of religion and a new start.

The reader follows the lives, joys, losses and emotions of four women making the journey as strangers, but through daily joys and losses, they become sisters of faith.

Sandra Dallas is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. She does thorough research and crafts a beautiful story. As always, I enjoy her books.

Book Review: Willing to Walk on Water

Willing to Walk on Water:
Step Out in Faith and let God
Work Miracles Through Your Life
by Caroline Barnett
Tyndale Momentum, 2013


Obedient Faith may not be popular. Still, it is required when serving and pleasing our Heavenly Father. Obedient Faith is trusting Him when it does not seem practical, convenient or safe. Obedient Faith is like walking in a God-Fog, where each blind step taken is done so believing His Word as it takes courage to take another and realizing He's trusting you to help build the Kingdom!

Caroline is married to Matthew Barnett and together they co-pastor the Dream Center of Los Angeles, a "volunteer driven organization which finds and fills the needs of over 50,000 individuals and families each month."

Not only does this book relate history of a young, urban ministry, but it is a collection of faith-forward vision casting whereby the hopeless receive Jesus, acceptance, full bellies, skills and hope.

"Use your influence and initiate change where you see a need."

"When God puts something on your heart to do

 and you follow willingly, you can walk on water."

"There is no better confidence booster than knowing
 you are living aligned with God's Word."

"God is on your side. He wants you to accomplish more

 than you could ever imagine."

Why did I purchase this book? In the late 1990's, my honey and I took a small band of cream-of-the-crop senior high school students to serve at the Dream Center for one week. I still refer to and value faith lessons gleaned while I was there.

My life is enriched by the faith of Caroline and the countless volunteer stories, most of which we will never have the honor to read. Again, I am challenged to "find a hurt and heal it, [and] find a need and meet it." I believe your zeal to serve others and God will be renewed while you are reading. And, while you are reading, ask God to be involved in planting ideas to serve in your spirit.

"God does not want fear to dictate our steps of willingness.
He wants us to be obedient."  For more info, click here ---> Caroline Barnett

BOOK REVIEW: The Quilt Walk

The Quilt Walk
by Sandra Dallas
Sleeping Bear Press, 2012


I love when my favorite writers divert to a story which can be read to and by children. Sandra Dallas did just that with The Quilt Walk. Inspired by a true event of a quilt of memories, this story involves a young girl on a wagon train from Illinois to Golden, Colorado.

Emmy encounters everything you would imagine while making the trip with her family. New friendships are forged. Lessons learned about life in constant motion told from her perspective. Of course, there are snakes and Indians! Even tragedy accompanies their journey.

This book would be great shared with younger readers (9 years of age and up) like family or in a classroom setting. Downloadable teachers' guides are available at sleepingbearpress.com should it the book be used in a classroom. In fact, the website is an educational resource for teachers and parents.

I completed the story while vacationing in Colorado, which made the trip even more fun!

Book Review: Draw the Circle

In the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, the church where my family attends began a prayer focus. The goal was for each member of the congregation to voluntarily purchase and read a chapter daily from Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson in addition to reading the Bible and being intentional about praying. 

Each chapter is a quick read with a personal story to bring the reality of that day's reading to the forefront. The book is a spin-off prayer challenge to The Circle Maker written by the same author.

Our people were encouraged to pray. Prayer could be in the form of speaking aloud, journaling quietly, alone or with a group, done while kneeling, walking or sitting in bed before the light was turned out. If those members had Facebook and Twitter accounts, they could post the time they were praying followed by the hashtag "#LA40Days" like a classified code known only to the participants.

No matter the HOW or the WHEN, the idea was for people to pursue an intimate relationship with God, our living, loving, Heavenly Father. 

Wednesday prior to Easter weekend as the challenge was winding down, several of our church friends expressed they were sad this mutual activity would be completed. The camaraderie of lifting another person's name in prayer and genuinely caring for others' needs has increased faith and motivated faith into action! Here's the truth: Prayer doesn't have to end!

If you are looking to establish a habit of daily connecting with God AND to build faith AND to see your life transformed, look into Draw the Circle as an accompaniment to your spiritual disciplines personally, with your family and as a group.

Have you already read Draw the Circle? What're your thoughts?

Book Review: LIFE EQUITY by U. S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn

Life Equity
by Marsha Blackburn
Thomas Nelson, 2008

The life you've led

has prepared you for the life 

you dream of.

When I saw the title, I knew I'd love this book. We are born with innate strengths, talents, preferences. College may be a memory or a longing. As we weave our way through life, we begin to develop skill sets. Never before in time have we seen women move forward in fields of public leadership. Did they start out with that goal in mind?

With the foreword by Amy Grant, this book contains stories of young women starting out and women who worked in a specific field only to go back to school and redirect their lives when many would retire.

Strengths + Passions + Experience = Life Equity

• How do I make a difference?
• Do I have what it takes?
• When the children are out of the nest, what then?
• Do I have dreams, yet, unfulfilled? 
• Why do I undervalue myself?

This is one of those inspirational books which challenges you to take inventory and pursue your passions!

Rep. Marsha Blackburn is the U. S. Congressman for Seventh District of Tennessee. Most recently she was honored with co-chairing the Republican Party's Platform Committee and was our state's only elected speaking at the Republican National Convention in August.

Book Review: FRESH AIR by Chris Hodges

Fresh Air
by Chris Hodges
Tyndale Publishing, 2012

After entering a hotel room that smells stale, it's good to either open a window, to switch on the air conditioner or to turn around and walk outside for a gulp of air that is cool and clean.

Alabama Pastor Chris Hodges' life and ministry seemed pretty successful and busy and fruitful, but he felt stale not even knowing when nor how it could have happened. Not even his family knew of the stagnancy that choked his spirit.

I follow Chris on Twitter and saw his book was to release, last month. So, I decided to be one of the first to download it from Amazon. I could have written this book! His words could have easily been taken from a page of my own life at one point. I thought this would be a read only for ministers attempting to  jazz up their pulpit delivery, but Fresh Air is for anyone needing to inhale hope, life, a new start or a deeper walk.

If you, like me, use a Bible-reading plan on YouVersion, a Bible and Devotional app, you'll be happy to know a 14-day devotional became available, this weekend!

~"Sam"

BOOK REVIEW: The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

The Story of Beautiful Girl
by Rachel Simon
Grand Central Publishing Hachette Book Group, 2012

Never once when selecting this book would I realize how much of an effect the content would have on me. As I submerged into the story, the ugly truth was laid out with regard to the treatment, care and understanding of a precious community many individuals feel uncomfortable acknowledging. Believe me, my emotions ran the gamut.

Setting: rural Pennsylvania, 1968. 

The story is in its second printing with a new cover. The original cover may have had a silhouette of a young lady. A Reading Group Guide with Discussion Questions is provided.

Please join me at 2pm for 2-on-Tuesday's Recipes. Yes, recipesss. FOOTBALL FOOD!

Book Review: Pathway to the Impossible

Pathway to the Impossible
By Huldah Buntain
India: Devtech Publishers & Calcutta Mercy Ministries, 2009

Always I have loved missions. It seems I have always raised funds for missions. Missions will always be close to my heart. Closer, still, are missionaries --my heroes-- always. Apart from the Bible, if I could encourage you to purchase a book which practically and marvelously demonstrates just how much our loving, living Heavenly Father loves us, it is this collection of memories and miracles fondly recounted by Huldah. For example:

Little Bonnie's Christmas Surprise
Construction of the Hospital: Waters Recede
Vegetable Garden Miracle
Meningitis Healing Miracle
The Blue Dodge Station Wagon & Speed the Light

"It was easily understood that if one only looked at the negative side of Calcutta with its high pollution, disease, poverty and poor living conditions, that staying in Calcutta would definitely be a hardship. ... Calcutta will always remain our greatest challenge, but also our favorite task." --Huldah "Aunty" Buntain

Increase your faith to believe God for the impossible! Proceeds from this book enable Calcutta Mercy Ministries to feed, educate & medically-assist those in need. 

BOOK REVIEW: PIE by Sarah Weeks

Searching for anything to do with "pie" which could possibly complement my pie-themed blog, I discovered PIE by Sarah Weeks. This is a pleasantly lighthearted read from the perspective of a little girl despite the fact she lost her favorite aunt. Aunt Polly baked pies for the entire town winning awards for pies she never entered into contests. Now that she's taken the secret piecrust recipe to her grave, it seems everyone in town wants to be the next prize winner for pie stardom!

There are pie recipes between each chapter with little notes from "Aunt Polly." If I had a young daughter, granddaughter or niece (who lived nearby), we'd read the chapter and make that pie each week during summer! This is such a sweet book to be shared with someone younger!

~"Sam"

P.S. Today is 2-on-Tuesday! At 2pm, watch for #2 blog featuring a pie recipe from PIE!

BOOK REVIEW: Waitress, I would like some Sky-in-the-Pie…a la mode!

You know those dreams?

The kind you hope to come true in your astrological expanse of imagination?

That dream you’d reveal only to your closest friend after you forced her to pinky-promise not to tell a soul?

Those wild-eyed dreams whereby caution is abandoned because you cannot fail?

Uh-huh, it’s at the forefront of your thoughts, isn't it?

One such personal dream would be to write a book. There, I said it. I would love to author a best-selling novel sending me on a whirlwind book-signing tour across the nation and winning the title of “Most Downloaded e-Book EVER” on Amazon.com. My dream doesn’t stop there. NO! My book (or multiple books) is translated and published in several languages with proceeds benefiting missions and humanitarian efforts globally.

Dare I share more of my ridiculously pie-in-the-sky dream?

I am blessed with friends who actually have produced books with rich subject matter and great titles. They’ve seen the fruition of their dreams. For them, no longer is there a pie-in-the-sky dream, because sitting on a bookstore’s shelf is the materialized sky-in-the-pie!

So, this blog entry represents my enthusiasm for those friends who -- intrepidly walking in their calling -- have a gift to share with you, dear reader. Should you nosh down their offerings, a decadent slice of the “pie” awaits you!

As for me, not one word have I penned to a manuscript. I have plenty of creative titles. The fact there is no idea of content is of little importance…for now. ;)

The Dessert Menu:

• REGGIE  by Reggie Dabbs & John C. Driver
• STOKED  by Daniel Day
• Daddy, Do My Socks Match?  by Toby Swager
• Weekend with God  by Matt Anderson