Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly - Reviewed


Anthony Granger - 2014
    along with a glossary of the important characters and terms used in the original book. Just in case that’s not enough for you, I’ve also included a list of possible study questions (book club discussion topics) and quotes from the book that I found interesting.Wrapping it all up is a discussion of the critical reviews for Killing Jesus as well as my overall opinion of the book. Plus much more!Whether you’re reading this for a book club, school report, or just want to get a quick preview before diving into the full length book, you can use this book review and study guide to get the most out of your experience reading Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly.I hope you enjoy this review summary book...~ Anthony Granger ~

The Heart That Grew Three Sizes: Finding Faith in the Story of the Grinch


Matt Rawle - 2021
    We just know he did. In this new Advent study, Matt Rawle explores the faith themes in the Christmas classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! including, how did the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes come Christmas morning? How did Christmas save the Grinch? Could it be that the very thing we think we hate is the one thing that changes our lives? This Advent and Christmas season, look at a familiar classic through the lens of faith and see how Christ speaks to us through our culture.

Helicopters, Drill Sergeants and Consultants


Jim Fay - 1994
    Enjoy being a parent again!

Teen Brain


David Gillespie - 2019
    What few parents will know is that what we think of as the most typical addictions and problematic teen behaviours - smoking, drinking, drug-taking, sex leading to teenage pregnancy - are on the decline.The bad news is that a whole raft of addictions has taken their place. Whereas once the dopamine-hungry brain of a teenager got its fix from smoking a joint or sculling a Bundy and coke, it is now turning to electronic devices for the pleasure jolt that typically comes from playing online games (if you're a boy) and engaging with social media (if you're a girl).What is even more troubling is that, unlike drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, electronic devices are not illicit. Quite the contrary. They are liberally distributed by schools and parents, with few restrictions placed on their use.However, all is not lost. In Teen Brain, David sets out clear, reasonable and effective rules to help you confidently manage your kids' use of screens at this critical point in their lives.

The Making of Men


Arne Rubinstein - 2013
    For this to happen, it’s vital we understand their world, their challenges, and how our relationship with them must change as they become young men.Using real-life examples, parenting expert Dr Arne Rubinstein clearly explains the risks teenagers face today, including drugs, alcohol, technology and peer group pressure. He then shows how you can equip your son to make safe and sensible choices.Whether you’re a single mum of a happy-go-lucky eight-year old, or the parent of a troubled teen, The Making of Men is a practical, commonsense guide to helping your son transition from a boy to a young man who is motivated and inspired.‘Funny, encouraging, gritty and real.’Steve Biddulph, bestselling author of Manhood and Raising Boys

The Book of Isaiah: The Vision (The Passion Translation)


Brian Simmons - 2018
    The book of Isaiah is an enormous collection of prophecies described as “The Vision.” It is not simply a teaching or a historical record; it is the overarching vision of the heart of God revealed to His seer-prophet. This vision spans the ages and touches every nation on earth, becoming a collective overview of all that God has planned. The prophecies are vast and their grand themes are unrivaled in all of Scripture. With panoramic insight, Isaiah preaches about the virgin birth of Christ, the Bride of Christ, and the New Jerusalem. These prophecies also present a description of the cataclysmic judgments, the survival of a holy remnant emerging in Zion, and the canopy of glory that is coming to earth. The poetic message of Isaiah is one of victory, hope, comfort, and restoration of all things. Explore the vision of a man who saw the glory of God and spoke with burning lips, for true prophetic ministry flows from this “vision” until it grows into a burden.

Transfigured: Patricia Sandoval's Escape from Drugs, Homelessness, and the Back Doors of Planned Parenthood


Christine Watkins - 2018
    Donald Calloway, MIC, say that the world, especially Catholics, need to read this story of redemption? Why would he claim that Transfigured is one of the most powerful conversion stories ever written? Because Patricia Sandoval’s life story is an unusually gripping, hard-to-put-down ride along a journey that leads to an extraordinary triumph of God’s mercy—the mercy that waits patiently for all of us. Patricia came from a broken home, good and bad boyfriends, three abortions, a job at Planned Parenthood (where she was told never to reveal what she saw), followed by methamphetamine addiction and homelessness. The way that Jesus came to her in the streets will leave you breathless, as will the heights to which God has since carried her. If you know of someone who believes they cannot be forgiven, or return to Church, this is the book to give them. (Watch the video of reader comments below.) Read Transfigured. Be Transfigured. Patricia now travels the world as a pro life speaker, sharing her story with millions in packed stadiums and on radio and television shows, such as EWTN’s Bookmark, Life on the Rock, Women of Grace, At Home with Jim and Joy; and in Spanish, on EWTN’s Cara a Cara, Nuestro Fe en Vivo, Ellas lo Dicen—and now on her own show with Fr. Víctor Salomón: De Dos en Dos. Transfigured, endorsed by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, and Bishop Michael C. Barber, has been translated into Spanish (Transfigurada) and French (Transfigurée). Patricia Sandoval's story is available, as well, on a critically acclaimed, life-changing DVD, as seen on EWTN. See PatriciaSandoval dot com.

Hello, I Love You: Adventures in Adoptive Fatherhood


Ted Kluck - 2010
    Repeatedly. In this humorous and honest memoir, Ted Kluck—father, writer, and sports fan—details his adoption of his two sons from Ukraine. While not always self-flattering, his complaints and struggles will provoke laughter, some fear, and self-examination.In the first part of his memoir, Ted reveals the chaos the Kluck’s first international adoption, the adoption of his son Tristan. He includes stories of:Loads of paperwork, inspections, and prayer in the United StatesTraveling to Ukraine with tens of thousands of dollars in cash tucked in his beltUnexpected waitsConsuming uncountable numbers of Snickers bars and sodaSickness while still in UkraineLetters written to his soon-to-be sonGod’s unending faithfulness and reflections on His adoption of believersIn the second part of his memoir—the story of Kluck’s second international adoption—new struggles arise, causing Ted to process with his readers:Infertility—in a church full of pregnant women and large familiesStruggling in silenceTravel, againMissing the comfort of the United StatesA small amount of electrocution—the result of foreign electrical engineeringSpiritual depression and struggle to provide for his familyComplaint and trusting that God’s provision is sufficientThe blessing of the body of ChristIn each section of Ted’s memoir, you will feel deeply, laugh out loud, and learn. Whether you’re an adoptive parent, seeking to be an adoptive parent, or unmarried, you will enjoy and appreciate Ted’s humorous and honest stories of his adventures in adoptive fatherhood.“While Hello, I Love You is about the stories of two adoptions,in reality, the stories serve to show the trustworthiness of God despite impossible circumstances and the need to find contentment in his providential care.”-Book review by John Starke on The Gospel Coalition An Excerpt from the Book’s Introduction:            This book began as a journal—some spiral-bound notebooks that came with me to Ukraine the first time, and which contained letters that I wrote to Tristan during the experience. In the first half of the book, it reads like I’m addressing Tristan directly, while the second half is a more straightforward narrative of Dima’s adoption. They’re both love letters to my boys, and the whole thing is a love letter to Kristin, my wife.            You’ll also notice lots of frank, often sarcastic prose about cultural differences—usually with the author as the punch line, as it was my inability to deal with these differences that provided a lot of humor (in retrospect) and anger (at the time).            There’s also some tough content regarding infertility. If this is something you’ve struggled with in your marriage, I hope this chapter encourages you, and I hope you feel less alone in your struggle. If you’ve been blessed with biological children, please don’t feel guilty for having them, or in any way judged or made fun of by the observations in that chapter (see also: It not being you, but me).            Finally, the book contains lots of stories of God’s faithfulness—stories that we thought were too meaningful not to be told. Little “piles of stones” along the way that remind us of God’s goodness, love, and faithfulness. We hope that you’ll read them and not only be entertained, but be motivated to think of Christ and our adoption as His sons and daughters. It is only the love of Christ, and our hope in Him, that got us through the first, the most difficult adoption in the history of our agency’s work with Ukraine, then infertility, and finally a second adoption. And it was these adoptions, more than any other events or events in our lives, that truly taught us to find our peace, comfort, and identity in Christ.

Don't Miss It: Parent Every Week Like It Counts


Reggie Joiner - 2016
    

Exceptional You!: 7 Ways to Live Encouraged, Empowered, and Intentional


Victoria Osteen - 2019
    She says, "If you're going reach your highest potential in life, you're going to have to develop the ability to see beyond where you are right now." Through empowering, uplifting stories and biblical teachings, Victoria will encourage you to set your mind and intent towards the important things in life with seven exceptional practices:Keep your memory box full of encouragementLift up your eyesKnow that you are chosenLove wellKeep your accounts shortLive in your space of gratitudeStart your day off rightLive encouraged, live empowered, and live intentional, and see the new and exciting things God has in store for you.

Divine Revelation of Deliverance


Mary K. Baxter - 2007
    A Divine Revelation of Deliverance exposes these schemes of Satan. Through Scriptures, visions of warfare, and personal encounters with evil spiritual forces, Mary K. Baxter discovered powerful truths to help you:Overcome your fear of the enemyRecognize and conquer satanic trapsExperience victory over sins and failuresBe free from unexplained attacksIntercede for the deliverance of othersThis is a war that must be fought with the supernatural power and weapons of God.

Coming Home: Uncovering the Foundations of Psychological Well-being


Dicken Bettinger - 2016
    In Coming Home you will be gently guided toward your own realizations of the fundamental principles that underlie all human experience. These insights will raise your overall level of psychological well-being. They will help you realize your spiritual and psychological nature and allow you to live in harmony with life more fully. This book is a heartfelt tribute to Sydney Banks, who uncovered the foundational Principles that create and shape all of our psychological experiences. This understanding that is known as the Three Principles is now being shared worldwide in the fields of education, business, community renewal, policing and criminal justice, addictions, prevention, psychology and psychiatry. Coming home is realizing the truth of what it is that is creating all of your experiencing, and then being at ease with all the different experiences that life brings you. It is waking up to this always-existing inner world, and as you do, you will experience a shift in your level of well-being so that your feelings are uplifted and your thinking is helpful and inspired.

40 Days to Lasting Change: An AHA Challenge


Kyle Idleman - 2015
    Drawing on the example of the Prodigal Son, Idleman shows us why each of these three elements is essential to lasting spiritual transformation and gives us practical tools to live them out.

Too Blessed to Be Stressed: Inspiration for Climbing Out of Life's Stress-Pool


Debora M. Coty - 2011
    . . Are you imprisoned by the joy-sucking dully-funks? . . . Maybe it’s time for a healthy dose of truth gift-wrapped in humor.Kick back a moment and take this revealing true-or-false stress test for women: T F I am frequently grumpy and I don’t know why. T F I used to enjoy cooking, but now it’s only a necessary chore. T F I don’t feel appreciated for all the tasks that I do. T F I’m embarrassed if caught relaxing or being "unproductive." T F The volume in my voice increases to MAKE MY POINT! T F I feel like I live in my car. T F I can’t remember the last time I laughed till I cried. T F A "free" day is exhausting because I must complete all my home duties. T F I tend to eat when feeling tense or overwhelmed. T F I feel like I’m constantly on the defensive. T F I often have unexplained headaches or stomachaches. T F My to-do lists have footnotes. Now count the answers that you marked "true" and check out your status: 4–6: Yellow Alert! You are at risk of becoming stressed out. 7–9: Orange Alert! Look out, girlfriend, you’re at toxic stress levels. 10–12: Red Alert!!! You are a bonified Stress Mess and need immediate help! If you often find yourself struggling with the stresses of finances, health, career, relationships, self-image, or family, then this humor-filled volume is just what you need. With simple, practical tips for attaining the peace you crave—the peace that passes all understanding—you’ll discover healing, refreshment, and revitalization for your spirit, body, and mind.<!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /-->

Surviving Ophelia: Mothers Share Their Wisdom in Navigating the Tumultuous Teenage Years


Cheryl Dellasega - 2001
    From handling the often delicate situations surrounding academic performance, athletics, friendships, sexual activity, and drug and alcohol experimentation to instilling (or restoring) a healthy body image and providing a strong role model, mothers often feel alone in their struggle to find ways of coping with all that they must do for their daughters. To provide the community that these women so desperately crave-and all that comes with it: the guidance, the solace, the inspiration, and the hope -Cheryl Dellasega has written Surviving Ophelia, a book of profound wisdom and compassion. Dellasega's own story of raising her teenage daughters is punctuated by the collective experience of hundreds of other mothers, from all walks of life, who have been there or are there, in the trenches, experiencing and chronicling the daily joys and trials of raising their teenage girl. Enlightening, heartfelt, and hopeful, Surviving Ophelia is a must-read for "Ophelia's mother."To find [this book] is like an answer to a prayer. I've had a hard time finding someone who understands what I'm going through, and knows the kind of pain a mother feels when her child is hurting herself."-Jane, Reno, Nevada"This is for all the mothers who sat at coffee break with their peers passing pleasantries while trying to sedate their feelings…[of] anger, rage, disappointment (sadness)…. While they share information on Ivy League colleges their children will be attending in the fall, I just pray that my daughter stays alive."-Lori, Detroit, Michigan"The realization stung me as if I'd been slapped hard across my face: I'd been betrayed. My seventeen-year-old daughter Sara had lied to me, and, in needing to believe her, I lied to myself."-Amanda, Albany, New York"It's always assumed you want your kids to walk in your footsteps. For me, it's the last thing I wanted. I raised my girls to be everything I was not: outgoing, brave, bold, and independent."-Sandra, Marblehead, Massachusetts"As the mother of an anorexic, I have spent the past four years reliving the choices I have made in my life, searching to find the cause of my daughter's life-threatening illness."-Carolyn, Amherst, Massachusetts