Max Lucado's Outlive Your Life Review

Max Lucado has written another great book! Reflecting on 120 people of ancient Israel, he shows how God can use common, ordinary individuals to do amazing things. Lucado poses the question of whether God can use the people of modern days in the same way He used His first followers to affect the world in a profound way. Wonderful examples are used to explain how we can make a difference. These stories are presented in such a way they are sure to touch your heart. He discusses habits, attitudes, prejudices and more that keep us from acting the way we should. Persecution is something you may run into when going against the grain and the author addresses this as well.

If you are looking to make an impact on those around you and maybe even the world itself, this book is a great read and a good way to get you on the right track.

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.

The Boy Who Changed the World

I too had a chance to review The Boy Who Changed the World. This is a great book for children to read. It shows that any little thing they do can make a big difference in the world. Their actions can start a chain reaction of events that can have good or bad consequences. This book describes some famous people who made little choices that affected the world in a positive way.

My children enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! With a great a message and wonderful artwork, you can't go wrong with this book.

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.

The Boy Who Changed the World

I was not prepared for the beautiful art work in this book. I am a huge fan of water color and the pages are filled with bright, colorful, and detailed work. the pictures themselves would enthrall a child. But the story......How many times have we labored to water the idea that what you do makes a difference? It can make a difference for good or for bad. This story concentrates on the good of a man, Norman Borlaug, who accomplishes his dream of feeding many hungry people in the world by growing "special" seeds that will have a greater harvest. But Norman was mentored and helped by someone, who was helped and mentored by someone...and on and on.
Mentoring is not a new idea, but it is certainly not a purposeful goal for many adults. It takes time, resources, patience, and a burden to help. the story will speak to adults as well as children.
When reading this book to younger children, it make take a few times of hearing the story for them to make the connection. This story goes backwards in time and that might be confusing to them. I would suggest drawing a stick figure timeline to make that visual and backwards connection.
The "butterfly effect" is explained on the last page ( with beautiful butterflies all over the page!). It is a Scriptural principle and you can use verses to support this idea to give this effect a more Biblical foundation rather a philosophical one. Imagine being able to talk about this every time you and your child see a butterfly!
In bright red letters is the sentence: That means every little thing YOU do matters. And how true. What a difference this could make in your child's life if they really grasped this concept.
Kudos to Andy Andrews for giving us a beautiful book that covers art, history, science, and Bible in a wonderful story!
~ Shannon
FFYB

Highly Recommended Book for Boys

My son, who turned 12 this year is in that in between time of still being a boy yet wanting to be considered a man. As a mother, it is impossible for me absolutely know what he is going through and to understand all the emotions that are just under the skin because I am a woman and have never felt all that he has. His father helps to guide his way when he is home from work and His Heavenly Father is helping to guide his path as well. For personal devotions, it was harder for me to find the right Scriptures and correct words to help him study it out further. I researched out devotion books for boys and decided to purchase a few so that I may read them to make sure they were doctrinally sound, age appropriate, and interesting for my son.

I found all of those things and more in the book "Boyhood and Beyond" by Bob Shultz. It is a book that covers a myriad of subjects pertinent to a well rounded young man. He gives great anecdotes, personal stories, and Scriptures that your son can understand and identify with. Mr. Shultz has done more than I can do with certain subjects, because I really just don't understand all the thoughts, actions, and emotions of men but he does.

I have to highly, highly recommend this book to any pre-teen, teen, or young man out there! I think this book can be read from 8 years of age to 20. As I read it with my son, the Lord speaks to my heart about the awesome responsibility on me to help mold this precious creature. He reminds me that most of these lessons can be adapted for me and that I need to do better in many of these areas as well!

Here is a list of the Chapter Titles in BOYHOOD AND BEYOND:

A Grand Book-(appreciating the Master's world and nature)

Admit It

Authority

One Degree at a Time-(how change takes time)

A Man

Be of Good Cheer

Coveting

Temptation

Education for Life

Forgiveness and Dirty Diapers

Get Up Again

Where Do I Belong?

Mr. Industry vs. Mr. Sloth

Inventions

Justice

Leadership

Learn to Like It!

Life is Doing

Meeting God in the Morning

Misunderstood

No Rest Without Work

Overcoming Fear

Pain

Preparing for a Wife

The Best Book

The Morning Watch

The Value of an Old Man

A Time to Kill

Worship

Letters

Preparing for Your Children

These all being listed, please note that Mr. Shultz always writes in an appropriate manner. Sensitive subjects will be covered but they are done in a way that is never offensive or questionable! He also has Practical Happiness: A Young Man's Guide to a Contented Life and Created for Work available for you to read. Both are on the list to be used as Bible Devotions through the 2010-2011 school year. You can find these on Amazon at very reasonable prices even though what you will be getting by reading them is priceless!

If you've read this book, we would love to hear what you think about it! Post a comment!

My Review of MamaRoo Baby Seat - Pink

Originally submitted at Toys R Us

Weve never seen a parent vibrate their child like a bouncy seat and hardly seen one swing a baby around like a swing. But, weve seen thousands of parents scoop their little ones up in their arms and bounce and sway. And thats what the MamaRoo does. It moves like you do. Some seats claim two motions...

MamaRoo Baby Seat - Pink

Awesome product!

By Mom of 3 from Morgantown, WV on 8/12/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Comfortable, Stylish, Strong Construction, Easy Use

Cons: Heavy

Best Uses: Newborn, Infants, Daily Use

Describe Yourself: Parent of Two or More Children

This is one of the greatest pieces of baby equipment ever created! I use this in place of all the other things like bouncy seats, swings, etc. With 5 different types of movements, you are sure to find one or more that soothes your child. The nature sounds and mp3 jack is an added bonus. I have put classical baby music on my mp3 player and plugged it into the mamaRoo to play.
My daughter has been in her mamaRoo since the day she was born. I did however did have to put a Snuggin Go support system in there until she was old enough to lay by herself. She takes her daily naps in it and it has been a life saver for my arms.
It is a little heavy and not something you are going to want to move around the house. That is the only downside. It plugs into the wall and you don't have to worry about batteries dying. One of the best features is that the seat zips off and can go in the washing machine. I have had to do this and the seat washes up great, retains it's shape, and looks like new.
I would highly recommend this product to anyone having a baby. Yes, it's a little expensive but you will get lots of use out of it.

(legalese)