A very different review: A Study Guide and DVD

"Stuck" Study - the places we get stuck and the God who sets us free!

                           By Jennie Allen

  This review is on one chapter of the book and the DVD that accompanies the book. 

WHAT a marvellous study guide this is- meant for women of all ages and all walks of life!!

It would be a great group study, where women could discuss their views and feelings. The guide includes a section in which you write your feelings about each topic. You are provided with a Bible study and then examine your feelings with regard to it. The DVD has more to examine of each chapter and I will be honest with you, it really makes you think- with the author explaining more and the lovely graphics that hit you - in a meaningful way.

I was provided with the chapter entitled, "Mad" and it was most appropriate for me this week !! I was mad!! My daughter , who is a fourth year university student in nursing, was denied the right to complete her clinicals, due to a boyfriend situation , who ended in a legal battle. My daughter was declared innocent but not in time to get her clinical placement. Boy, was I mad!! How unfair!! The guilty walk free, and my child suffers!!!  I was furious, with the legal system, the university, the lawyer, etc. Then, I read this chapter, and watched this DVD. You know, I was wrong!! Yes, wrong. I have the right to be angry, but will it do any good? NO!!  God has to remove that feeling. He has the power to solve our problems and we don't need to get upset.  I have prayed about the matter, done the work provided in the book and watched the video and guess what??? I no longer feel angry, worried maybe, but that too, can be answered with faith in God's power.  Our problems can be taken care of  with prayer. As women, we feel things differently from our husbands, thus must handle them in our own way with God's help.

This book and DVD are a valuable resource and could be used alone, but I can see it being used with a woman's group, the discussion would be fantastic as you share what God has worked in your life.

I commend Jennie Allen, the author , on addressing issues that plague us, but are often not spoken of. We are embarrassed that we have these feelings. After all, we are Christians, aren't we?? Should we feel this way? YES!! But we need to deal with them, as the author explains. A fantastic tool to work with!! 

WOW , did it help me! Thanks, Jennie.
"Samplers of the Book and DVD have been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. DVD-Based Study available October 2011 at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson".  

Review of a book of Courage and the Strength of a Man and His Guide Dog

"Thunder Dog"
By Michael Hingson with Suzy Flory
If you are looking for a true story of inspiration, this is definitely the book for you. If you are an animal lover, this is for you, if you have faith or desire it, this is for you! Hey , I think this book is for everyone!! BUT , expect a few tears along the road .

Michael is blind, from birth- a tragedy , definitely, however, he and his parents turn this into a blessing and he becomes a successful business man with the aid of a guide dog. You can overcome challenges, I refuse to call this a handicap, because Michael does not see it as one! And he makes this very clear in his book. This book truly makes you thankful for what you have, but also makes you wish for the peace, contentment and determination, he has!


The story takes place in one of the towers on Sept. 11- yes, 9-11!!
Michael is at work on the seventy eighth floor of the tower, when the tragedy occurred.  He hears something disturbing and decides to let his guide dog lead he and his friend down the many flights of stairs to safety. This book allows you to experience the isolated, fume filled chamber of stairwell B . You feel the fear of hearing the shattering glass, explosions, but inability to see what is going on. Roselle, the guide dog, saved MANY lives that day. The peace that she and Michael exhibited was felt by all those with them. They gave the many panicy people peace and security that they would make it out of the building safely.


This book changes your spirit and perspective on life!  Thunder Dog highlights the  life of a person who overcame his extreme challenges with faith and success, in a sighted world. The rare trust between a man and his dog should inspire an unshakeable faith in all of us!!
What an inspirational book!! An excellent read!


This book was provided by Booksneeze in exchange for a review.

A Simple Life- Something we should all think about!

A most enjoyable book to review:
"Amish Values for Your Family"
By Suzanne Woods Fisher


This book has made a definite impact on my life. I have always greatly admired the Amish people, their beliefs and commitment to them, as well as their sense of peace which they portray, as well as their ability to forgive.
BUT , I didn't really think that I could apply their way of thinking and acting into my own life and that of my family, Not being Amish, I seemed to think it was impossible. I do have a strong faith and was brought up in an evangelical church which shares many common beliefs as the Amish, however , not to the same extreme or in the same dedicated way.
Suzanne showed me , in her book, that YES , I can do it !! And I CAN influence those around me!!


I was particularly influenced by the chapter entitled "God Doesn't Make Mistakes" and the Amish proverb , "My job is  to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible".  This is a VERY hard thing for me to do. We have had many  serious health problems within our family within the past year. My first impulse is to worry, worry and more worry and then pray and TRY to trust in God's power and accept HIS answer. The answer is not always yes or maybe, or even wait. In our case, thus far, we have had scares of cancer, actual cases of cancer that are now undergoing treatment and some family challenges. I had to learn to pray, accept the problem and then trust!  This chapter referred to a case where  a young mother was left to support a large family- how would she cope??? But she did with God's divine intervention and the help of the community. We all have our Christian community to come to  our aid- even though we are not Amish.
Suzanne has done a superb job explaining the Amish way of looking at life. We all can learn so much from them AND you do not have to BECOME Amish to practice this  faith. We can all do it on a daily basis.
A wonderful book that makes your really think of ways which are really quite simple to apply to our daily live
This book was provided by LitFuse in exchange for a review.

About the book:

It offers loving ways to bring your fractured home back to life-Amish style. Read it and apply generously! It's a beautiful book-funny, charming, soulful, and beautiful."
-Mary-Ann Kirkby, author of I Am Hutterite

For readers who long for strong families that know how to truly enjoy life together, there is much to learn from the Amish. Values like community, forgiveness, simple living, obedience, and more can be your family legacy--without selling your car, changing your wardrobe, or moving out to farm country.

In Amish Values for Your Family, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher shows how you can adopt the wisdom of the Amish when it comes to family matters. In this inspiring and practical book readers will find charming true stories interlaced with solid, biblical advice about parenting, marriage, and all aspects of family life. As readers get an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of real Amish families, they will learn to prioritize what's truly important, simplify decision-making, slow down as a family, safeguard time together, and let go when the time comes.

                                               Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of Amish fiction and non-fiction and the host of a weekly radio program called Amish Wisdom. Her most recent book, Amish Values for Your Family released in August. The Waiting is a finalist for a 2011 Christy Award. Amish Peace: Simple and Amish Proverbs were both finalists for the ECPA Book of the Year (2010, 2011). Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world.  When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth. Keep up on Suzanne's latest news on Facebook, Twitter and on her blog!