Brenda Wood

I am definitely not a sports fan but I can see that the layout of this book, Living Life in the Zone ((Kyle Rote Jr and Dr Joe Pettigrew) would appeal to all who are.The layout according to sports terms is very clever.
What man wouldn’t be interested in The Coach’s Corner, The game Plan, Play Makers, Time Out and Home Field Advantage.
For the first time, I understand why men don’t generally do Bible Studies. The layout is all wrong for them. Bible studies are generally written for women. In fact devotionals generally are too.
I thought that I wrote my new book- Heartfelt, 366 Devotions for Common Sense Living for everyone, until a man pointed out that this was not so! It was for women only!
A book written for men, to men, to appeal to their way of thinking, can only be a good thing!
It is a reasonable length (40 days). The studies are thought provoking
and will give readers a fresh perspective on the Word.
I would give it as a gift

Finding Purpose Beyond our Pain

by Paul Meier, MD and David L. Henderson, MD

That’s the big question isn’t it. Is there any purpose for the awful things we go through?

Is there any purpose for the terrible things that happen to us?The authors strive to lay out the truth for us. Yes, indeed. The answer is YES! Pain is not our enemy because Light (that is, Christ) shines beyond our darkness. Our pain seems to overwhelm us because we have a:

1. misplaced focus
2. misplaced fear
3. forgetfulness-of God’s earlier goodness to us.

I have learned that no matter what the question, Christ is always the answer. This well –written book backs me up! It does take a bit more concentration to read. As well, most chapters contain Q & A sections which I found quite helpful.

I must confess that I spent most of my time in Chapter five. That’s the one on discipline. It is my personal area of struggle. The authors urge us not to become comfortable with less than what God wants us to have. If we get too comfortable, He will begin to discipline us Himself. (Ouch!)

It was an eye opener to hear that complacency with ‘little sin issues’ robs us of God’s higher plans for our life. They use Lot’s life to point out how easily this can happen.

This book will stay in my library and be used again and again for reference and teaching.

I expected only the best from this book because I am already familiar with the authors.

I was not disappointed. Brenda Wood

Grandmothers’ Necklace is an anthology created in honour of grandmothers. Over 60 award-winning male and female professionals, and some gifted non-professionals, writers and poets of multiple racial and socio-economic backgrounds from across Canada, the United States and Ireland have donated gems to it. Joyous and wistful, hilarious and serious, the collection is too rich to be scanned all at once. It is divided into three units: About Grandmothers, Being A Grandmother, and Aging and Intergenerational Relationships. Appreciate it a few treasures from its three at a time.

To name a few names of persons not pictured on the cover:  Phil Callaway, L. June Stevenson, Kathe Rogers, Ann Ritter, Marcia Lee Laycock, Denis Taillefer, Judy Maddren, Sandy L. Hazell, Ruth Zaryski Jackson, C.G. Mordaunt, Ruth Smith Meyers, Matthew Reesor, Carolyn Wilker, Bella Mahaya Carter.

Through Patricia Anne Elford, a member of the Petawawa Grannies , the Editor and Compiler, ALL profits go to Grandmothers to Grandmothers, a branch of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, www.stephenlewisfoundation.org , to assist the grandmothers of Africa, aged anywhere from their 40’s to their 80’s who have lost their adult children and are raising their grandchildren, alone, under unbelievably impoverished circumstances. These children have been orphaned due to the death of their parents from Aids and Aids-related illnesses.

Release: Early February.

The first book launch:  Saturday, February 20, 2010, at the Petawawa Library, Petawawa, Ontario from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.,

The second launch:  Monday, February 22^nd, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at The Bean House Café , Deep River, ON, followed by readings, signings, launches in Pembroke, Ottawa, Belleville (Greenley’s Bookstore, possibly February 27th), Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo and other Southern Ontario communities. Plans are also being made for Grandmothers’ Necklace events in other provinces, in the USA and in Kenya.

Grandmothers’ Necklace Patricia Anne Elford, B.A., M.Div., Compiler and Editor

ISBN 978-1-5542-468-6    Essence pub., Epic imprint,   200 pp              $20.00 Cdn, incl. taxes

Where to buy: various independent stores (e.g. Greenley’s Bookstore, 248 Front Street, Belleville, ON, Coates Laser Engraving, 3584 Petawawa Blvd., Petawawa, ON), on-line:  1) www.essencebookstore.com,  or 2) www.presbyterian.ca/bookroom/pcc/pcc.html ,  3) The Church Bookroom http://bookmanager.com/churchb/. More outlets to be announced.

Although the Stephen Lewis Foundation will benefit most from books bought at the launches, readings and signings because no percentage is charged for handling, not everyone can get to these events and orders placed on line will buy a rich read and still benefit the African grandmothers through the SLF.

Monitor  the media to learn of other launches, reading nights and signings; opportunities to hear some of the first- class writers, new places to buy a copy or two of the book and help the grandmothers of Sub- Saharan Africa as they selflessly, determinedly, fight to meet the daily challenges.

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“According to organisers, Sub-Saharan Africa had an estimated 13 million children orphaned by AIDS in 2006; this number is expected to reach 18-20 million by 2010. Amidst the overwhelming needs, grandmothers have stepped up to take on the care of children left destitute and alone. With hardly any resources, the grandmothers of Africa are at the heart of the community response to the AIDS pandemic. In some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, between 40% and 60% of orphans live in grandparent-headed households; the vast majority of them are cared for by grandmothers. “

From the Communication Initiative Network

Take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwein and Todd Hillard and Posted by: size10hopefil on: October 19, 2009 * In: Uncategorized * Comment! “God wants to use YOU!” It’s a pity most of us take so long to get this message. Austin figured it out by age nine and has been going along with God’s plan for his life ever since.

He was motivated by the sight of a small suffering child. He thought, “If it could happen to her, it could happen to me. And he got involved. That thought was the begining of his journey.

He insists that a world changer doesn’t have to be  strong, smart, popular, or of a certain age. All they  have to do is need a broken heart and be willing to take action.

He encourages us to share Gospel living with those who have less. So he began to raise money by shooting hoops. (See www.hoopsofhope.org)

There are excellent Q&A answers for each chapter. I would encourage everyone to read this book and pass it on to someone else.

We don’t have to be extraordinary just willing! He adds that child sponsership works. We personally know that this is true. Do you?

Brenda Wood

I expected great things of this book. I wanted it to be everything I needed to learn how to let go. At first I was excited by the read. Ms. Walsh seemed to have had many of the same problems  I did. The chapter questions were helpful. I appreciated her honesty.

  There were interesting quotes. Most of them were new to me. They were deep and philosphical, encouraging.  I later began to see that all those quotes from other people are the real strength of the book.

Then I must admit that the preachy attitude of the book put me off. I got tired of hearing the word ”you’ (that is the reader, me!)

I wanted to hear less disjointed, fragmented bits and I wanted Ms Walsh on side with me in a ‘we’ place.

The book did reveal previously unknown authors to me , (example -writer, Smedes)

Over all, I don’t think the information lived up to the book’s title. Let Go

Brenda Wood

After a long 3-4 day session of making complicated curtains for our church nursery, I feel like throwing in the towel…or the curtains so to speak…Sigh

A Case of the Wackiest

They are not only wacky but also wild and weird! Yes, it could describe some of the folks we know, but it also is true about the animals in Jack Hanna’s delightful new book, The Wackiest, Wildest, Weirdest Animals in the World.

Which animal licks it’s own ears? (No, it is not Uncle Bertie.) Which smells like popcorn? (Now that would stir up a theatre crowd!) You’ll have to read Wackiest to find out!

Did you know that the emperor penguin can stay underwater for up to twenty minutes at a time?Or that a platypus has a venomous spur near its back leg, and can use it, while a wallaby weighs less than a paper clip when it’s born? Me neither.

This book is full of such delightful facts. If that weren’t enough to sell you on it, it comes with a DVD of blunders, bloopers and behind the scene action. It is a sure crowd pleaser. I suppose you could say the book is for children, but I think it’s highly entertaining for all age groups. Try out that DVD at your next boring party. Watch the crowd loosen up, laugh and enjoy themselves while Jack and his animals cavort across the screen! Highly recommended!

Brenda Wood

What a charming little book! The cover alone, with its faux diamond crown, will grab the attention and the heart of gals of every age. The Bible stories are among the most loved and the lessons are excellent. I really like the role playing and review questions. However the book seems geared to the incorrect age group. I believe 7-10 is more realistic. While a 4-year-old might enjoy hearing the stories, the role playing parts are out of reach of a non-reader.The book limits sales by only interacting with ‘mom” and occasionally dad. Many a child has neither. It would be great if it said something like ‘mom or another adult.’ Over all, though it is a great book and a wonderful idea. Perhaps Ms. Walsh might consider writing a full-fledged Bible version for for teenage girls and even one for adult ones! I would buy it! Who doesn’t want to be a princess??

Be Prepared! You’ll be swept from the sands of Egypt to the California coast, then through the lives of the desperately poor as they intertwine with those of the outrageously wealthy, and to those who know nothing but Islam, into the hearts of those who know the Christ as personal Saviour. Mohamed’s Moon tells the story of twin boys, separated at birth and raised in completely different cultures. And they fall in love with the same girl! Will love or hate win out? Does faith always triumph? Does God’s grace really extend to everyone? Will the best man really win? Conflict flies in your face at the turn of every page. I’m not going to tell you how it ends. You’ll want to read it yourself. Great book.

Gourmand or Gourmet?

“I ate a bunch of chocolate bars because I couldn’t get my hands on a bottle of whiskey. I stopped overeating because it gave me the same effects as the booze.” ( A Recovering Alcoholic)

That statement opened the eyes of this long-time gourmand.  A gourmand is a greedy, ravenous eater, a glutton, a slave to appetite, eating only because food is available. Such was I. Cold turnip, gravy by the quart or delicate desserts were all the same to me. Like my alcoholic friend, I learned that food was a drug. It calmed and satisfied me with its quantity, seldom with its taste.

When I asked Jesus into my life, he began to sort out my eating issues. Gradually he wooed me from 16 years of bulimia. Gently, he spoke to my lack of self-control. He whispered that everything was permissable, but that not everything was beneficial. He explained that he alone would be my master. (1 Corinthians 6:12-13)

When I tried to ignore my physical health while steeping myself in the spiritual, God pointed out that I do not have the right to neglect my bodily health.

‘He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavours to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide’ (Proverbs 18:9,AMP).

Oh.

So then you might well ask, “Brenda, are you thin?” No, I am not, but I am thinner. (Anyway, the sin is gluttony, not overweight. The Bible says we are ‘light’ in the Lord, Ephesians 5:8)!  Little by little, God is changing me. I no longer binge and purge. I think of myself now as a gourmet, a connoisseur, one who carefully selects and savours every bite. Most of the time, I’m in command of my taste buds and hunger because I have self-control. The Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control but we have to live them out in the physical. The fruit of the Spirit is………………  self-control (self-restraint, continence). (Galatians 2:22-23, AMP)

The gourmand me used food as my comforter. The gourmet me delights in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. I want him to fully enjoy his home. My body. His temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Brenda Wood, Innisfil, Ontario brenda.w@nextcom.ca

Author-God, Glutton and You, a Bible study

-Heartfelt, 366 Devotions for Commonsense Living.