Thomas forces us to confront our bad habits and convicts us into seeing our overeating as selfish and sinful.  When we change our habits to include exercise and better food choices we are better able to serve where God has called us.  If our bodies are suffering due to poor eating and exercise habits, then our souls will also suffer.

Thomas challenges us to face or overeating and lazy exercise habits and make drastic changes so we can be better servants for God.  By confronting the real reason why we are overweight we can make positive changes in our life which will help us lose pounds and maintain a healthy weight.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of the “Every Body Matters” Blog Tour. 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.”

Have you been there? Are you there now?  Is there a solution?  In “Faking Church,” Schaeffer identifies the problem, assesses the causes and offers a solution, but in the process he forces you to take an honest self-evaluation.  You will have to be honest and truthful with yourself and others if you expect to receive a breakthrough.

It’s easy to get disenchanted with church when you make it all about you, but when you decide to make it all about God church can become for you what God created it to be.  The author does not offer the solution of just walking away from the church but finding a way to gracefully walk back in.

(Note:  I wrote this review because I liked the book; however, the book is only available in limited quantities from the author at www.danschaeffer.com or as a used book from Amazon.com. )

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free.  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.”

Not only do they open their hearts, they inspire with their words of encouragement and wisdom.  This is not just a devotional you will read and put down.  Each day offers an opportunity to use “Faith Steps” to enrich your time with God through questions to ponder or activities to do throughout the day.

Let Jesus challenge you through the inspiring words of seven women who will encourage you to draw near to the Savior.

GIVEAWAY:  I am giving away one copy of “Mornings With Jesus 2012″.  Comment below to win.  Winner will be chosen at random and notified on February 14, 2012.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Guideposts. 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 Daniel Fast” is based on the diet in the book of Daniel and is an experience for your whole person:  body, soul and spirit.  According to Gregory, “sometimes you are so hungry, the only way to be fed is to fast.”  The one thing that Gregory is adamant about is that fasting is always about food.  The very definition is “to restrict food for a spiritual purpose.”  The Daniel Fast is a partial fast in which certain foods are restricted.  It has become a very popular form of fasting and is based on Jewish fasting principles.

If you are hungry for more of God in your life and want to discover the discipline of fasting, Gregory’s book will show you the steps and provide recipes for you to try.  It is exhaustive and informative and will help you through your 21-day journey.  Having all of the information you need in one place will help you succeed and encounter God in a new and amazing way.

For more information, click here to visit Gregory’s website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House, as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”

Using her journal, she shares her experiences over the past 20 years with the words she has chosen and shares her thoughts and prayers.  She has been able to look back and see how that word was perfect for what she was going through and growing toward.  She was also able to look back and see how only God could have chosen that word for her.

Over the past several years, I have read blogs by others who have done the same thing choosing words such as “intentional,”  “purpose,” and “passion.”  Some have even chosen words like “organized” and “focus.”  The main ingredient to choose your word to focus on is prayer and listening to God’s Words.  “One Perfect Word” is an incredible reminder of our journey with God and a look into His wisdom and love for us.  Not only has He chosen us to live in relationship with Him, He has also chosen our path.

Macomber shares her heart and opens up about the difficulties in her life and how one perfect word from the Father changed her life in ways she never thought possible even before she could realize it.  Spending a year with one Word perfectly chosen will teach you about yourself and God Himself.

This year I have chosen “perseverance”.  I would love to hear what word you are going to focus on this year.  Please leave me a comment and let me know.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”

Combining the best of English literature with the timeless truths of God’s Word, Thomas Nelson is offering a unique approach to your quiet time through its new devotional series.  Two new devotionals were released this month.  “A Charles Dickens Devotional” an “A Jane Austin Devotional” both contain more than 100 devotions and scripture selections based on excerpts from their works which remind us of the importance of prayer, the use of faith to deal with our fears, unconditional love and forgiveness along with many other inspirational thoughts.

Combining timeless fiction with the eternal truth of God’s Word is both unique and thought-provoking.  These two beloved authors shared a wealth of Christian themes which are covered in these two devotionals.  A thoughtful gift or a treat for yourself, you will love how these devotionals offer a refreshing look at scripture and truth.  From Dickens’ “The Old Curiosity Shop” and Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” you will appreciate this unique approach to quiet time.  The book covers alone will inspire you to open and read them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from PR By The Book, as part of their book blogger 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.”

Her keys to defeating the devil and putting your spiritual house in order include avoiding compromise and ungodly tolerance and being able to discern between what is holy and what isn’t.  In today’s world it’s very easy to innocently allow in ungodly influences especially with television and the internet.   Our children are watching shows that promote religious ideology unheard of when we were growing up.  We are seeing more sex and violence than ever on television and in movies (even Disney movies). It is time we became the gatekeepers of our homes by sweeping up and uncluttering our homes of evil.  If you are unaware of what you have invited into your home, pray and ask God to show you what you are missing and what needs to be done.

Read Daniels’ book.  As a sought-after conference speaker, preacher and powerful prayer warrior, she is able to show you how to rid your life of satanic oppression and live the life God has called you to live.

Click here to read a sample chapter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Charisma House, a Strang Company, as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”

Honestly sharing her journey from brokenness to wholeness through prayer, meditation and being still before God, Lewis believes that expensive therapy and medication can be avoided by following the simple steps in her book.  She is living proof that wholeness is possible by turning to God.

Lewis hit rock bottom before finding the peace and clarity being still before God brought to her life.  The book is divided into four parts:  spirit, mind, body and freedom.  Each part is devoted to how to bring healing to each area with the section on freedom discussing what needs to be done to experience true freedom to live a healthy life.

Click here to visit her website to read and learn more about Blossoming Out of the Valley.  She also offers a CD called “A Breath~in Stillness” designed to assist you in establishing a life of peace and stillness.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from  the author. 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.”

Denise Hunter’s “The Accidental Bride” is more than just a romantic story of two people destined for each other.  The story is about what happens when we live our lives based on what others think.  Shay was full of pride and shame over her past that she was hindered from forging into the future.  Thinking only of herself, she forgot that the only One she had to please was God.  Seeking God’s will for her life meant forgetting about what others were thinking and saying about her.

Hunter’s goal of bringing readers to an awareness of how simple life can be when we please God rather than man is successfully achieved in this romantic story of a man trying to win back the trust of the only woman he’s ever loved and the woman trying desperately to save her heart by rejecting his.

“The Accidental Bride” releases Tuesday, January 3, 2012.  A great weekend read, you will enjoy Hunter’s characters and story.  Hopefully, you will discover the grand adventure of following God rather than listening to the prattle of man.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The B&B Media Group, Inc., as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 3,300 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 55 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.