Friday, December 9, 2011

The Sacred Meal: The Ancient Practices Series, by Nora Gallagher

This review is from: The Sacred Meal: The Ancient Practices Series.

I was very excited to receive and review this book. As mentioned on the cover, this book aims to address the ancient practice or sacrament known as the Eucharist, the Lord's Supper, or communion. I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com[...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I personally struggled to read this book. I found that I was confused from time to time and simply disagreed with certain comments and opinions that were presented. It was a hard read for me.

I must admit that being a part of the Ancient Practices Series, I expected more of a theology book rather than a story-based, personal opinion reading. I was also hoping for some historical context: such as, what the Eucharist meant to early Christians and how it was done, how it affected their lives and relationships with Christ, the symbolism it conveyed for them. It contained none of this. I also feel that this book lacked a strong biblical basis, citing few references.

Despite my discontent, I believe Ms. Gallagher is an excellent story teller and I feel that this book would be a great read for those who are new to the Christian Faith, those who are seeking to find/make a decision regarding what the believe about the practice of communion.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

A Sweet Book

A Christmas Prayer, by Amy Parker is a wonderful child read. My 2 year old loved looking at the pictures and listening to the story as we read through it many times during the Christmas season. I love how it focuses on the characters of the nativity rather than presents. It is refreshing. Kudos to Ms. Parker for such a great job on this excellent children's book.

(Disclosure of material connection: I recieved this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 :"Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising."

Sunday, September 12, 2010

A Girls Guide to Life (Book Review)

I recieved this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze book review program.

I was excited to recieve this book because I did not have such resources available to me in my teen years and honestly I was a little curious! Overall, I think that the material presented by Katie Meier in this book is relevant to girls ages 12-15 and beyond (depending on the maturity of the young lady).

Meier explores the average girls younger teen (tween) years by focusing on Mind, Body and Soul, which happens to be split into three different parts in the book. Meier writes in such a way as to draw the attention of her young readers, often even using their own special and techno savvy dialect!

I really enjoyed reading what she suggests and advises in regard to technology and sexual activity. She effectively explains why it is so important to control yourself on the internet and in texting/sexting and promiscuity. She is open and honest with her reader and sometimes blatent. I appreciate that she was willing to be honest with these girls regarding sex because in our society sex is so often #1. Foremost in most people's mind due to our leinient advertising and marketing laws.

As a person who works in healthcare, I feel that she did a decent job explaining to her audience the importance of seeking help; especially with very serious issues, such as eating and mental disorders to sexually transmitted diseases and the possiblity of pregnancy. THEN, she provides them with the information necessary to find/seek that HELP if they are in need of it. I also love that she always suggests to them, that being more open with their parents is a good thing!

Lastly, I greatly appreciated her focus on self-awareness. She touched gently on emotions and actions and strongly encouraged girls to start learning to be THEMSELVES instead of trying to keep up with our society and the people closest to them. Which leads to a false sense of self and belief.

I really feel that as a "Christian" title this book should have been more biblically based. Though I am aware that this is not a "study" style of writing, I would have appreciated a writing that was more interpretive of the bible instead of just hearing her opinion and what she thought about certain issues.

***Disclosure of Material Connection***
I recieved this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze.com <[...]> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinons I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Part 255. <[...]>:"Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Monday, December 28, 2009

My very first post.....

This is my very first post... Literally, the first one ever! Might as well make it memorable!