Living Things Books

I love this book so much that I bought 20 copies and gave them away to people who want to know more about God and who He is! There is no way to not learn about God, His love for us, and our relationship with Him by reading this book. Even if you think you know God pretty well, this book will teach you a thing or two.

I'd gladly buy 20 more copies and I know people would snatch them up!

I apologize for my friend's remarks on this book. He was using my computer and made some bad statements about this book. We had a quick talk about what God can't do and I told him that God can't replicate himself. He also told me that he never read the book and was sorry about what he said. Hope that this clears everything up.

It's impossible to think about 1 thing that God can't do. But to come up with 101 is ridiculous. I read the first couple of pages at a local bookstore and closed it immediately. It's not even worth reading for free. My advise is to not buy this book. I also noticed some of her other works like "101 things the Devil can't do to you" in the bookstore which I did not even bother to pick up.

I know Martha Stewart has had bad press lately but her ideas are still pretty cool (plus this book was from a few years ago). I'm having a blast with this book because I love to go antiquing and looking for stuff to make things with. Granted, you may not find the extact items she uses but you can certainly find the same general items (e.g. egg cups, button covers, vintage fabrics). I really like how the book is laid out in terms of glass, textiles, etc. Also, she has tips for caring and cleaning different types of items which is great since you generally need to clean things that you find at flea markets etc. The ideas are all really neat and really they are easy to do. Five stars all around from me. The ideas I've gotten from this book have really spawned my creativity to make other sorts of things too. Lots of fun!

I have never seen some of those things available when I've done some scrounging, but the ideas to use them are pretty interesting. My favorite is the linen cabinet made from the shutter doors; you'd have to see it to understand what I mean. Having met a man who is into collecting, I thought we could use it, but so far, not. Thumb through it, see if it's for you.

Try Second-Hand Style: Finding and Renewing Antique Treasures or Decorating With Flea Market Finds or Flea Market Decorating (Better Homes and Gardens Books). I love these three books.

All I can say is that anyone who has any deep understanding of Balinese culture will greatly appreciate this book.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Wikan dispells the idealized exoticism spun by previous ethnologists such as Mead and particularly Steve Lansing and Jane Belo. She shows us the real Bali, rarely if ever glimpsed by tourists, in which life is a constant struggle to protect oneself from evil magic, while maintaining one's personal appearance and attitudes to avoid being shamed or stigmatized.

The book begins with a narrative of Wikan's personal experience with a Balinese co-worker. As the girl laughed and joked about her beloved fiance's sudden death, Wikan found herself witnessing the truth behind stereotypes of Balinese grace and serenity. Instead of genuine peacefulness, she realized she was looking at a mask, enforced by peer pressure and especially by spiritual terror concerning evil magic. What appear to be natural actions are actually contrived postures enforced by social and moral mandate.

Most tourists never get out of the relatively affluent region of South Bali, which is both more fertile and more modernized. Wikan did her studies in northern regions, where Western influence is scantier and where there's a good chance that one is actually seeing something at least closely resembling original Balinese culture, values and attitudes.

Negative emotions cause physical discomfort and imbalance in one's personal energy, and also in the energy of people around you. This can lead to illness or demonic possession; the only way to put the energy flows back in balance is to forget what happened, and to stop caring. "What counts," Wikan says, "is to try not to feel" (p. 189).

Anyone who believes that the Balinese are happy art-obsessed spirits living in a relaxed paradise of beauty and splendor should read this book for balance's sake. Most anthropologists who study Bali seem to have focused on the gods, institutions and rituals to the exclusion of the Balinese people's own concepts about themselves, their thoughts, feelings and personal way of handling the vicissitudes of life.

This is one of the weakest anthropology books I have ever read. The book starts out fairly strong in the first chapter, describing misconceptions of the the West in viewing Balinese society and explaining the importance of Bright Face for the both the individual and all of society. Wikan should have stopped there. However, she felt the need to repeat herself for several hundred pages in a meandering discussion. My advice: go to the library, read the first 30 pages, then put it back on the shelf.

THIS BOOK IS CLEARLY IN RESPONSE TO THE PRAYER OF JABEZ. The dimensions of the cover, number of pages, and the promise of a simple formula for Christian growth. The book titled: Five Things Christian Needs to Grow is thinner and the print in the text smaller. Text print is smaller then other Sproul books. On the cover of the Prayer of Jabez is the line "Breaking Through to the Blessed Life". "To Grow" does not have the sound of immediacy as "Breaking Through" does. Both texts are aimed at the believer who feels something lacking in their Christian walk. The Sproul's work maps out five things a Christian needs to do to have spiritual growth. This work is more a brief outline what a Christian needs to have in his walk. Wilkerson's work more concentrates on prayer and having faith in whom one prays to.

Sproul urges the Christian to hunger for God's word. Biblical study is paramount in the Christian walk. It is important that the Christian read the whole bible, but in what sequence of books read will alter the edification of the person. The whole bible is a message from God. Sproul recommends the order, composition, and number of chapters Christian should read daily. He also recommends other ligonier resources that help a student of the bible understand God's word.


What type of prayer does R.C. Sproul suggest. He starts with the obvious the "Lord's prayer". The prayer Jesus used as example for the disciples. From there he broadens his suggestion of praying through the Lord's prayer; to use the exact words but to follow up with your own paraphrase and concepts. This is what Martin Luther taught. Martin Luther also prayed through the ten commandments and the Apostles creed. This discussion on prayer is prescriptive and descriptive. He also encourages the reader to seek out the work "A Simple Way to Pray". He encourages the Christian to understand prayer as more than supplication and intercession. The Prayer of Jabez is about praying for supplication and intercession. Very well because it is about praying how to serve God and being used by God.

The third thing is Worship.

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. (Psalms 122:1 AV)

R.C. Sproul stresses the seriousness of worship. Worship is for God. The ultimate aim is not for the participants enjoyment, enlightenment, or growth.

Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. (Leviticus 10:3 AV),

Does one come to worship for one's own well being or does one come to church to glorify God? Do you come to church to make friends? Do you come to fellowship with godly people? Do you come to have an emotional experience or to praise God?

True worship can only occur when truth is taught. Sproul argues doctrine divides, but it also unites those who truly want to know God. Referring to Romans 5:1,2 and Hebrews 4:16, it is only through Jesus that Christians can stand together and rejoice in the glory of God. Worship should have a positive effect on the whole body in obedience and appreciation to God.

In this work, Sproul makes clear the aim of bible study, prayer, worship, service, and stewardship is to further God's Kingdom - therefore to glorify God. These things can be thought of as means of grace. Tools and instruments used by God to strengthen and nurture the believer to grow into more conformity of Christ. In no way does the believer merrit, earn, deserve, or contribute toward one's Salvation based on these activities. The prayer of Jabez skips over other means and argues for shorter simpler prayer to build God's kingdom. Seeking a larger ministry seems to be the chief concern. Five Things seeks to instruct the Christian to grow closer to God through a more humble servanthood. Sproul argues that the book of Exodus describes how the people were freed from serving the Pharaoh into service of God. Through the power of Salvation one is redeemed from the service of Satan into God's service. Recommended reading is J I Packer about the joy of rendering obedience to God without giving a specific book title.

Sproul talks of talent, physical ability, opportunity and wealth as things from God. Ownership of these qualities are God's not yours. One does not have the right to use poorly. One should use these things to further God's Kingdom. Recommended reading is Resources for Deacons Tim Keller.

Sproul makes a distinction between stewardship and service. Referring to Romans 12:1,2 The Christian is to give his body as a living sacrifice. How is the Christian to use what God has given for a time to use? Christians are to be stewards of what God has given them. Ten is a fair portion for both the poor and wealthy to give God. Sproul goes into detail the importance of the believer to finance God's ministry. Sproul then goes into detail the importance of those trusted with running a ministry to be good stewards of the finances, maintenance of the buildings, equipment, and any other physical assets of said ministry. He also talks the importance of treating those put under your authority fairly.

I bought this book to see if it would be suitable for use in a new believers class - I was looking for something that would ground them in the basics of Christian practice. So, the title "Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow" certainly caught my eye.

What are the five things? They are Bible Study, Prayer, Worship, Service, and Stewardship. These five things are essential to Christian growth. They are precisely the topics I was looking for in a book.

Upon reading the book, I discovered that the book is prescriptive, not descriptive. In other words, the book tells one what to do, but fails to tell one how to do it.

Each of the chapters could have been about half its length. Much of the verbage was story to exemplify the point. We understand the necessity and importance of these five aspects of the Christian life. It is the "how-to" that people have trouble with. In many cases, mentoring is the answer, but it helps to have something written to use as well.

So, if you're looking for a "how-to" book, this probably will not completely satisfy you. If you're looking for a book that will help you to understand the importance and necessity of these five aspects of the Christian life, this book will serve you pretty well (though I believe differently than Dr. Sproul on where the tithe is to be given).

One major benefit is that all five aspects are discussed in only 88 pages. The book can be read in one sitting, or as a one chapter a day supplement to one's devotional time.

Knowing Jesus Christ can be as simple as receiving Him personally as your Lord and Savior. Without Him there is no power for Living, not only the Christian life, but the overcoming life in a lost confused world of a fallen creation.

This book explains simply the direction a person seeking the truth can follow. Along with this simple direction are examples of historical people who share their support for the power that will come when truly believing in Jesus Christ as the only path to an eternal life of value. A life with the Son of God. He said, "I go to prepare a place for you..."

That you can be there with Jesus Christ makes this book a valued source to verify a testimony of evidence both Biblical and personal from historical witnesses and scriptural truths related in simple format for a new believer or seeker of truth.

This book is a good Christian-oriented elaboration on certain points of the Bible, with short bios of eight people who were well-known or popular at one time, each of whom were Christians (and presumably still are). Roger Staubach, the quarterback, was one. Charles Colson, the Nixon associate, was another.

But the inclusion of these eight people, of course, dates the book. Young people would not be familiar with any of them.

Otherwise, what you find here is a pretty straight shot from the Bible, not too much different than other Christian-oriented books.

Some people may find answers to their problems in this book, that is, "power for living." I didn't. I hate to sound uppity, but I guess I need something with a little more cachet. A Course in Miracles, for example, which one reviewer called "religion for intellectuals," which is true in one sense. It's actually a mystical Christianity.

Diximus.

The comment states that this book is for 4 to 8 year old children. This book is not appropriate for toddlers. I would even hesitate to show this book to an eight year old child. I think that for child that is 10 or older, it would be appropriate. The material (reading and pictures) is much to graphic for a four year old child.

I think this book is appropriate for children ages 4-8 and maybe even older, depending on their maturity (or lack thereof). If you are generally open and honest with your children and usually explain things to them in a no nonsense, matter of fact way -- this book will assist you with the "tough" questions. It VERY briefly covers the whole "sex" thing -- but explains it in simple terms that children will accept easily -- without shock or embarassment. The pictures are NOT too graphic, in my opinion. Great book! Very useful and really very sweet.

People who compared this to (or expected) Sex & The City didn't really get it...

It's completely whimsical. The main characters are sympathetic, but not really identifiable for most of us. They are shopping their way through life, even shopping for boyfriends, with almost limitless means & free time. It almost reads like a chick lit daydream (not intended to represent real life). I giggled throughout the book, at the shallowness of it all.

It's light, fun, and entertaining. This is not Hemingway, not Oprah Book Club material, and has no social message. So if you're expecting that you'll be disappointed. But if you're ever in the mood for some cheap laughs, this may be worth picking up. I categorize this as a "beach read".

I wish I could give this "waste of ink on a page" less than 1 star. Someone, please make this woman stop writing! The book was given to me as a small gift because I love New York and stay there often. The cover and title seemed appealing. NEVER judge a book by it's cover!!! How many times have we heard this? The writing is pre-kindergarden level, monotonous, boring and shallow. I can't finish this "thing" and I am an avid reader. Normally, I would not spend time writing a review of something so not deserving, but trust me on this one...don't waste your pennies, or your precious time on this junk.

... if you're into that sort of thing. I usually don't write reviews, although I do like to read them. After finishing this book, I logged onto Amazon to see what others thought, expecting a 4-5 star review since that's about what every book has on Amazon, no matter how well I liked it. When I saw so many one star reviews I was surprised. By picking up the book and looking at the cover, you know from the get-go what you're getting into. Fluffy, fun, happily ever after, etc. I started on one day and enjoyed it enough to finish it one day later. I think a book that can keep my attention enough to finish it so quickly deserves a slightly higher than average rating. Hope you like it, too!

This book was an over dramatization (hopefully) of what you'd picture Paris Hilton and her friends to live by. It's about a group of girls who are friends on the surface, but live a very strange, materialistic life. All the girls want fiancé's but only because it's in style and none of them truly intend to marry them. It's basically about a couple of rich girls shopping their way through life, not really working, and going through men - until, of course, the happy ending. It was readable but a little too cheesy and over the top.

Don't waste your money, unless you really, REALLY like your dentist. "Bergdorf Blondes" is so over-the-top sugary that I feel like I have a dozen cavities just from reading the first chapter.

The writing, which is a notch above par, could have saved the book from the lack of plot. Unfortunately, the entire thing was sunk by "Moi," a shallow, self-centered, beyond-spoiled whiny twit who cares only about clothes, make-up, and being seen. I would say she cares about men, but I would be lying. She cares about them as accessories, and dubs herself as being so, SO in love -- until they leave her, she goes spastic, and twenty minutes later, she's fine and with another man. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

The entire book was drastically annoying. It was transparently trying to be "Sex and the City," and failed miserably.

Don't waste your intelligence, or your time. My copy is in the trash.

A good read for secular people, who think Christianity is closed minded. Author Ryan Dobson in plain everyday language makes a strong statement in favour of good old fashioned morality. I will be a bit more blunt when it comes to the "everything is permissable" attitude of liberals today; one can be so open minded that one's brains will fall out. Mr Dobson points out that the Bible says that Jesus is the only way to get to God. This will infuriate those who say there are "many paths to God". I believe it was Nehru who said to Billy Graham, "if what you preach is not true, then it doesn't matter. If it is true, then it is the ONLY thing that matters".
So, to conclude, Ryan Dobson plainly states that is the duty of every Christian not to cave into the pressure to accept moral relativism, for fear of offending someone. The truth must be told, period.

This book is a gross oversimplification of history, philosophy, ethics, religion, environmentalism, etc. If this book is to be believed, there are only two kinds of people in the world. On the one hand are people who agree with James and Ryan Dobson's politics and interpretation of the Bible completely, and on the other hand, those who have no belief in right and wrong and who are on the side of Satan. He portrays anyone who is not the exact right kind of right-wing fundamentalist Christian as having absolutely no moral values, sense of right and wrong, or relationship to Jesus and to God. Much of the book consists of Ryan setting up and knocking down straw men. It's also odd that one of the things he rails against in the book is a culture of victimization, when he portrays himself and all right-wing fundamentalist Christians as being "hated" by the entire world. It's hard to think of someone who is less victimized than a young man who grew up with a famous, wealthy, politically well-connected father, attended a private university, lived in a condo purchased by his father in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the United States, used his father's name to get speaking engagements & book deals, etc. Also, why would a true Christian use a term that, despite his claim that he isn't a bigot, is historically tied to racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, etc.? The only possible reason I can think of is that he cares more about selling books than about following the example of Jesus.

Is is just me are has the world become ALOT more liberal. I have no problem with it UNTIL it intervenes with my life. The many people who have negatively commented about this book have failed to realize that this book reveals the hypocrisy of todays so called "open minded" people. The very people who cry woe is me for being homosexuals aka sinners(sin is sin) and being discriminated ARE the very same people who HARASS Christians. You guys are so narrow minded. But its expected. One thing I ask of you. STOP boxing in the life of Jesus. He was loving and forgave, but he was FIERCE too. People dont want to mention ALL the sides of Jesus. The Lord brings a SWORD, not a hug people. I dont have to judge you. THE BIBLE does that already. So get over yourself

I highly recommend this book for someone with a short attention span, little or no training in philosophy and has trouble reading in-depth material. Pretty much a short read (took about an 40 minutes) that offers introductory ideas of the very basics of apologetics with a modern theme that appeals to teenagers.
I think this would be a half decent book for 12-15 year olds, maybe even some 16 year olds but that is about as high as I would go before someone would be thinking "and then...?"
The stylized text and tone of the author had me thinking he was a 20-something writing verses a 40-something year old, I will give him props for having a message that reaches the youth but I would expect more from such a book with a engaging title.

Another shallow book about how Christians should be different from the world and not compromise. Only in this book written by Ryan Dobson, son of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, we get good examples on how to be intolerant of others in the name of Jesus. And do it being smug, intolerant and superior. I'm sure that's what Jesus would do. (WWJD) The fact that Ryan Dobson is divorced from his first wife (I thought divorce was a sin) and now on marriage #2 (another sin, adultery) seems to be of little conern when it comes to giving advice on judging the sins of others. This is just plain stupid, like this book.

I am a personal fitness trainer and as such, am always in search of a new piece of inspiration or source of ideas. There are plenty of good ones here, but nothing cutting edge. While I am a big fan of the FIRM workouts series, I didn't find that this book added much to my repertoire. It basically recaps on paper the same program seen in most of their videos, but in a much less appealing way. The nutrition advice is sound, though not very thoroughly explained. The testimonials were very motivating, but I would skip the section on personal aesthetics. I found that portion to be especially hokey with such unrealistic "tips" as to maintain one's manicure daily and advice on feminine waxing and what kind of underwear to buy. It seems obvious that the authors of this book are not in touch with your average "working mom" or even mother of small children and the time constraints, despite the fact that they are a large buying market of said workout products. If this book were to be re-done, I think it should be in color, not b/w and the self-care advice could be a little more encompassing that "follow my personal routine". Overall, the testimonials are the best part, but the videos are much more interesting that the book.

Although this book has received so many bad reviews, I personally thought it was pretty good. If you are a big fan of the workouts - I recommend this book - it is a great companion. True, there is a lot of bashing of other workout instructors in the first part, but the Benson sistes and the Firm were so critized in the beginning - they were just way ahead of their time. The rest of the book is very motivating and includes some good diet and exercise information. It's a fun and easy read and it's a great way to learn about the background of The Firm.

buy one of their videos instead, as many others have said.there is nothing new in here about fitness. Firm lovers may want it for its "historical " value, or hysterical value, depending on your point of view. By the way, I do the Firm almost every day and highly recommend the tapes!

Let me begin by saying that I love the Firm. I've been using their workouts since 1992 and the old Firm tapes by the Bensons (pre-1999)truly are the best on the market. The book, however, leaves much to be desired.

While the chapter on nutrition is somewhat helpful and interesting, the rest of the book is a total disappointment. As many other reviewers have said, the Bensons are SHAMELESS in their bashing of other fitness instructors. They are even quite mean about it, which flies in the face of the later chapters on manners and politeness. (The reference to celebrity instructors was particularly rich, since their second tape featured Janet Jones Gretzky. There is no mention of her, nor the other 'actress/dancer' leads from the classic tapes.) You have a great product, ladies! There is no need to be bitter and defensive.

Much of the extraneous, out-of-place information on grooming, dress and reading material seemed trite and silly in a book, not to mention constricting. It's ok to leave the house with a few grey hairs and without manicured nails! Not all of us want to look like Barbie. Their attitude seems to be, 'this is how we are, thus all of you should be like us,' right down to their particular interest in Ancient Greece. Perhaps the Bensons would have been better served by skipping the book and starting up a magazine. A lot of this material would have been better presented in that type of forum. I am sure many dedicated Firm Believers would have subscribed willingly.

The Bensons sold the Firm a few years ago and the new workouts are a SAD follow-up to the great ones of the past. The new Firm is now glutting the market with cheap, plastic 'must-have' gizmos, while Anna Benson is making new, interesting workouts under the name 'Fitprime'. This book is the only blight on what has been a great contribution by the Bensons.

I'd already been working out with the FIRM Body Sculpting Systems 1 & 2 for a year when I ran across this book. So I was already convinced of the FIRM's awesome track record. At first, I thought the negativity toward other workouts was in poor taste, but then I thought about how we're reading the book in a different time than when it was written. When it was written, in teh mid-to-late '90s, it probably still took some convincing on the part of the Bensons to get people to listen to their workout philosophy. I know I didn't even hear of the FIRM until 1999 or 2000. Until then, I was plugging away with Kathy Smith's workouts and getting admirable results, but nothing like I get with the FIRM. So when you read the part of the book when the Bensons go off on other workout gurus, just let the negativity go. It's not relevant anymore. Research has proven what the Bensons were barking about back then. Don't let it turn you off from the rest of the book, or from the FIRM workouts.
There is some solid nutrition advice, such as if you want defined muscles, eat lots of protein and have a protein "survival kit" that you take with you every day. Then they have more extreme nutrition advice like pretending that there's no such thing as cheese and dessert. Okay. So just take the advice that you know will work for you and chalk the rest up to the Benson Sisters being on their soapbox. And as other reviewers have pointed out, there is more than one instance where the Bensons do get up on their sassy horse about all things from spirituality to thong underwear to what you should be reading.
Remember that the Bensons built their empire, the FIRM, on these serious, awesome cardio + weight training workouts, not on being experts on etiquette or fashion or literature or spirituality. If you're searching for a workout that works, give the FIRM vids a whirl (there absolutely are not enough exercises in the back of this book), get this book to supplement what you learn from the workouts and the firmbelievers club(should you choose to become a member of that), and let the rest just filter through your brain like so much plankton.
One feature of the book that I loved was seeing the profiles of some of my favorite instructors and reading about their roads to fitness and why the FIRM works for them. They're real women, not fitness celebrities. They're all heights, ages, and body types. One instructor is an English teacher in real life. Another is a courtroom lawyer. Some instructors started with the FIRM in their 20s and are now in their 30s and they look even more fabulous in the new videos than they did in earlier ones. It's awesome to read about their struggles and how the FIRM helped them to overcome.
I would definitely recommend Firm for Life to anyone who is searching for a workout program that works and won't bore them in the process. But this book isn't enough on its own. Get yourself a Fanny Lifter and a Body Sculpting System and give the workouts a try, because when it comes to fitness, a video is worth a shelf full of books.

I was doing a study of the life of Abraham, and bought this book. I discovered that it's not about Abraham, but about Henry Blackaby. I should've known better, having heard him give a seminar that was also mostly about himself. My copy ended up in the trash.

I was appalled to read on page 49 that "a girl with a Catholic background was saved in our church." I was always taught to respect others in their religious beliefs, and that you do not have to belong to a particular religion to be SAVED.I really cannot understand how a man of God can write in this manner.

This is an excellent study guide of Abrams (Abrahams) life in God shaping his spiritual life to be known as God's Friend. Very direct and easy to understand communication of God's principles of faith and obiedence.

Other books read by Henry Blackaby; Experiencing God and Experiencing God Workbook

This book provides some of the very best insights into Godly faith - what it really is and how God blesses those who truly live by faith.

THIS IS NOT A BOOK ABOUT ABRAHAM, NOR IS IT A BOOK ABOUT HENRY BLACKABY OR HIS FAMILY. THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT GOD AND HOW GOD MOLDS A PERSON'S LIFE TO BECOME HIS FRIEND. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GROW IN CHRIST YOU NEED TO READ TIS BOOK.