The Blessed Church: The Simple Secret to Growing the Church You Love by Robert Morris

Genre- Adult

Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 211

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- hardback, list price $19.99, ISBN 978-0-307-72973-6

Written for both lay members and church leaders this books looks at the different qualities that a healthy church contains.  Each chapter contains “Keys to a Blessed Church” which tie the chapters together and help readers to learn what goes into a healthy church.

Some sections in this book are:

• “The Gateway Story”
• “Blessed Vision”
• “Blessed Shepherds”
• “Blessed Leaders”
• “Blessed Government”
• “Blessed Church Culture”

About the author- Robert Morris has been married to Debbie for more than 30 years and have three children and grandchildren.  He has written a number of different books and is the founding senior pastor of Gateway Church.

My thoughts- I thought this book was spectacular. 

Robert Morris has a blessed church, which is evident from the growth of his church and the structure which has been set up to protect it.  As a lay person it is important, because I can learn how my church is doing.  The information in this book is even more important for pastors and elders, and those who are involved in the daily running of the church.

I never knew that a pastor didn’t have to do everything for everyone and that one of the most important parts was in preparing the sermon for the week.  I also thought the information about Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, telling Moses how to delegate his responsibilities in Exodus 18 was interesting.

I think this book is a must for everyone from the lay member to the pastor to learn how an effective church operates.  Please pick up a copy today. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Blessed Church by Robert Morris for free from the WaterBrook Multnomah “Blogging For Books” 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.

Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander by Paul Vickery

Genre- History/Military/General

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Series- The Generals

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 235

Age Group- Adult and younger

Description of Book- hardback, list price $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5955-5454-3

Andrew Jackson was a husband, bureaucrat, and general in the early 1800’s.

Paul Vickery uses quotes from various people in Andrew Jackson’s life which gives a better picture of his life.  This book focuses on Jackson’s life as a military leader from the War of 1812 to the uprisings against the Creeks, Choctaws, Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Seminoles.  As a general he always stood by his troops and did what they did.  He was a man who never changed his mind and could be quite unforgiving.

He was “Old Hickory.”

Author- Paul Vickery is an ordained minister, Professor of History at Oral Roberts University, and presents historical characters in a Chautauqua format.  He and his wife enjoy travel

My Thoughts- I liked this book better than some of the other books I have read in the series, because of the attention to using quotes from Andrew Jackson and the people he knew during his lifetime.  It was especially nice that Paul Vickery mentioned it in the prologue.  That was when I knew that I was going to enjoy the rest of the book and I did.

I must say that I really learned a lot about early American history from this book.  I didn’t remember reading about Jackson’s involvement with the removal American Indians in my history textbooks in school.  It mentioned that many still don’t like him and I don’t blame them.

I was really excited when I was looking in the back of the book and I saw a list of the other books in the series. 

I really enjoyed this book.  Go pick up a copy today! 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander by Paul Vickery for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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.

Aldo’s Fantastical Movie Palace by Jonathan Friesen

Genre- Juvenile Fiction/General

Aldo’s Fantastical Movie Palace by Jonathan Friesen

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 304

Age Group- 11 and up

Description of book- hardcover, list price $15.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72110-9

Chloe takes refuge in her family’s theatre, because no one can see the scars on her face and her father is not there to ignore her as he does at home.  Her father had accidentally caused them when one of his inventions failed.

She meets Nick, who is blind.  They form a friendship over a movie script Nick has been working on.  When they are together in the theatre, they are suddenly transported to the script where they have adventures with dragons, elves, and a strange vapor that wants to destroy everything.

About the author- Jonathan Friesen lives in Minnesota with his wife and three children.  He is an author, speaker and youth writing coach.

My thoughts- I thought this book was quite good.  I always enjoy fantastical stories and this fits the bill with elves, dragons and sinister characters.

I’m not sure the younger readers would see the connection between Vaepor and Satan, but it was something that I noticed when I learned about everybody going into the pool.  Vaepor was taking away all of their memories and giving them a new life, and that is what Satan can do if we let him.

I am not sure what to make of Nick.  He doesn’t play a major part in the story and his character is dark.  And for me, his death wasn’t devastating, because I didn’t know much about him.

I would recommend this book to children who enjoy fantasies.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Aldo’s Fantastical Movie Palace by Jonathan Friesen for free from Zondervan. 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. All links were current when posted.