WHO IS MY SHELTER?

I just finished reading ‘Who Is My Shelter?’ by Neta Jackson. It is the story of Gabby Fairbanks. A middle-aged woman going through a difficult separation from her husband Phillip, after being thrown out of her own home. Gabby is making a new life for herself, raising her two teenage boys, and working at a job that gives her life meaning... running the House of Hope for homeless single moms and their kids. Gabby is a Christian who let the promise of romance and a better future distract her from God. But the trials in her life prove to be the very thing that leads her back to Him. And He shows her that He is the only Rock she can lean on.

I enjoyed meeting the various characters in this, the forth book in a series of House of Hope novels. Because I hadn't read the first three, I was worried I would feel left behind, unable to connect the dots, but I found myself able to jump right into the story with enough background information scattered throughout. The author moves easily from one character's situation to another, weaving pieces together in ways only God could arrange. I look forward to reading the next book, anxious to learn what happens next in the lives of these people I have come to know.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half

Steve and Annette Economides are known as America’s Cheapest Family and are recognized nationally and internationally as family finance experts. This particular book, Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half is just one perspective of how to live within and below your current income level. For more information and tips, you can check out their website, AmericasCheapestFamily.com

This book is more than just how to save money at the grocery store. Divided into twelve chapters, the Economides show quickly how to save a ton of money at the grocery store and then explain the power behind the working their plan. Along the way, they debunk the myth that the only way to save money at the store is to spend all day Sunday looking through mountains of newspapers and clipping coupons and finding store rebates and the like so that when you check out at the grocer, you have a War and Peace book of coupons (I first heard that phrase from a comedian) and the person behind you groans audibly.

They offer tips on how to cook that not only save time and money, but also frees up more time than you could have ever imagined. They even look at how to redeem dinner time so that it is not mass chaos.

A few other chapters proved to be very beneficial. Their tips on how to eat out for less and growing your own foods (can it be that easy?) saves money, time and even helps you to live a healthier lifestyle. They even offer a chapter with select recipes that their family enjoys and will help to get the ball rolling on your new lifestyle.

That's all it took... I have someone here who is giving out all kinds of information about saving money on groceries, but they are not assuming that what works for them is the only way. They don't take some patronizing attitude about how you have to wash out your ziploc baggies, or that you must switch to bulk cooking. I love that there isn't a one size fits all approach, and it made me far more interested in reading.

The book addresses way more than just couponing, planning ahead, and shopping sales. It includes bulk cooking, gardening, cooking in general, owning appropriate equipment, feeding infants, feeding teens, eating at restaurants... and more.

One really great aspect of the book is that each chapter ends with suggestions for what you can do now. And those suggestions are broken down by whether you are a beginner, whether you are wanting to jump in full-throttle, or something in between. So I can read a chapter on couponing and follow the advanced suggestions, but I can read the gardening chapter and follow the beginner options.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

THE FINAL SUMMIT

‘The Final Summit’, by Andy Andrews takes up from where ‘The Traveler’s Gift’ had left off. Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most: his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.
However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. Together, with the help of hundreds of his fellow Travelers, from Winston Churchill to George Washington Carver to Joan of Arc, he must work to discover the one solution that will save humanity. Time is running out, and the final summit of Travelers must work quickly to avoid dire consequences.
The Final Summit explores the historically proven principles that have guided our greatest leaders for centuries, and how we might restore these principles in our own lives...before it's too late.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

MAX ON LIFE

Max Lucado’s – ‘Max On Life: Answers and Insights To Your Most Important Questions’ is a book dealing with the most common questions that any individual has and the answers that Max Lucado, pastor, author, father and husband provides is based on a lifetime’s experience of have faced the same.

The most important aspect of this book is that the solutions that Max offers are actually not just solutions but more like advice that one can follow throughout life.

Max On Life: Answers and Insights To Your Most Important Questions’ contains 172 question divided up into seven chapters:

1. Hope

2. Hurt

3. Help

4. Him / Her

5. Home

6. Have / Have Nots

7. Hereafter

I feel that this book is meant for all of us, since the topics discussed her encompass the lives of each individual.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”