Book Review: Blessed are The Meddlers-Confessions of a Serial Matchmaker by Christa Ann Banister

ISBN-13: 9781600061783

Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4

Cover: Paperback

272 Pages

Publisher: NavPress

Blessed are The Meddlers – Confessions of a Serial Matchmaker is Christa Ann Banister’s second installment in the story of Sydney Alexander. We previously met her in Around The World in 80 Dates – Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater which I also reviewed.

This time, though, she is married to Gavin. Now that she’s in the state of “happily ever after”, she is motivated to help a few of her friends find their own marital bliss. Is she being a big help or is she just plain meddling in others’ lives? Well, you need to read the book to find out.

This is another feel-good story by Ms. Banister. What makes this book interesting for me is the way the relationships in the story are developed. You’ll read about a couple who truly value each other, a girl who keeps dating a man who loves himself more than he loves her, and how sisters who love each other so much can fight but are able to work out their differences in time.

Overall, this book offers much hope in the relationships that we have. In this world where evil and suffering are always placed in the forefront, there are still families and friends who love and respect each other.

Blessed are The Meddlers – Confessions of a Serial Matchmaker by Christa Ann Banister is available at:

NavPress

Christianbook.com

Barnes and Noble

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Around The World in 80 Dates – Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater by Christa Ann Banister

ISBN-13: 9781600061776

Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4

Cover: Paperback

288 Pages

Publisher: NavPress

Around The World in 80 Dates – Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater by Christa Ann Banister is a wonderfully, funny book. The lead character, Sydney Alexander is a single Christian woman who works as a travel writer. She is able to laugh at herself and finds humour in the circumstances she’s in. It’s a look into the world of single Christians. Young, single adults all go through some of the same things when it comes to dating and relationships. Around The World in 80 Dates shows how a Christian single deals with issues while staying true to their Christian faith.

I believe that Sydney Alexander is a good role model for single Christians to follow today. Especially in this time where sex, drugs and drinking is the norm. Sydney Alexander has chosen to enjoy her life while still being righteous in God’s eyes.

Christa Ann Banister tells a good story. It is lighthearted and easy to read. However, the way the characters deal with specific issues can be a guide for all single Christians to try and follow. The book is not preachy but has an important message to tell all those single Christians looking for their “happily ever after”.

Around The World in 80 Dates – Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater by Christa Ann Banister is available online at the following:

Navpress

Christianbook.com

Barnes and Noble

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Toys Review: Schleich Animal Figurines

 

Chimpanzee Horse Okapi Young Lion Piglet

Last December 2009, we received for review five pieces of Schleich Animal Figurines from Schleich N.A. Inc. We received a horse, an okapi, a piglet, a chimpanzee and a lion. My children, especially my son, was very excited to start playing with them. I’ve had the figurines for six weeks with my son actively playing with it. He throws it around, pushes and pulls.

The animal figurines, while made in China, came with a copy of their Certificate of Conformity from the Bureau Veritas Laboratory, showing that the product complies with all rules, bans, standards, or regulations applicable to the product. I’m taking this to mean that though it is made of hard plastic, there is no danger for the child who is playing with this toy.

So far, we love it! Like I mentioned previously, it is made of hard plastic. It is well-crafted and are very realistic. Each piece is beautifully handpainted. Despite the fact that Flashboy has been throwing it around, it’s still good. It’s starting to have a few scratches but these figurines are good for keeps!

*I received these products for free in exchange for an honest and free review as a part of the TOS Homeschool Crew.

Book Review: A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston

Book Cover Size: Medium
Page Count: 336
Paper Edge Description: Plain
Size: 5.5 wide x 8.5 high x 0.9 deep in. | 139 wide x 216 high x deep 22 mm
Weight: 0.75 lb | 339 gms
Available: May 2009
World
Publisher: Zondervan

Rebecca and Daniel Kaufmann live a quiet and satisfying life in an Amish community. Their life is simple and happy. The only glitch in their life is Rebecca’s inability to conceive. But when Grace, Rebecca’s sister whom she has not seen since she left the community to live in the western world, dies and leaves her two daughters to Rebecca, she believes that this is the answer to all her prayers.

Rebecca and Daniel’s life is turned around with the coming of Grace’s teenage daughters to their home. However, the two girls face more struggles as they adjust to a new life in their Amish community.

I think of Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good for all those who love God and those who are called according to His purpose” as I read this book. This is a story of four people whose lives are totally turned around because of a tragic death. While Rebecca desires to honor the wishes of her sister, her two nieces struggle living the Plain life. Not only that, Daniel has his own problems to deal with that puts their marriage under great strain. Through it all, Rebecca strives to honor and obey the Lord.

A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston shows how a woman faces her challenges in life while still obeying God’s will. The family values are also beautifully presented and the realities of adjusting to a new life are described very well.

This book is available online at:

Zondervan

Christianbook.com

 

Book Review: From Bondage to Bonding: Escaping Codependency, Embracing Biblical Love by Nancy Groom

(This is not the cover of the locally-printed book, I got this online.)

From Bondage to Bonding by Nancy Groom aims to explain codependency in an easy-to-understand manner. However, it goes further and teaches the readers how to process codependency and move on from it. It also takes the Twelve Steps and explains it further.

Having been in an abusive, codependent relationship myself, I find myself being helped a lot by this book. I have been processing my abusive relationship for years with my sister who also happens to be a professional psychotherapist. Reading this book has helped me to understand myself better.

It’s more than just defining what codependency is - the author diagnoses how the abuse started, what our needs are, what it resulted into. The second part analyzes the Twelve Steps Program and how it applies to the person trapped in codependency.

I think that it was from the combined efforts of the years of therapy and the understanding that I gained from this book that I was finally able to confront my abuser. It’s not yet over, my struggle with the abuser, but I’m getting there.

From Bondage to Bonding by Nancy Groom is published by NavPress Philippines and distributed by the following:

Navigators Ministries Inc., Diliman, Quezon City, Tel. Nos. 410-0253, 410-0545

Phil. Christian Bookstores (PCBS) – all branches

Christian Literature Crusade (CLC)

OMF Literature, Inc.

Back to the Bible Bookstore

* This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for writing a review about it, also free of charge.

Thanks to My Faithful Entrecard Droppers!

1.   Make Money Blogging
2.   Business and Life Success
3. Learning Corner
4. Lakbay Philippines 
5. Just Too Little Time
6.  http://www.nsauottawa.com/
7. Deep Sea Creatures
8. ANGEL The Cheeky Terrapin
9.  http://www.yroma.com/
10. The Sweet Life

 

Fasting Day 3 – Jan. 10, 2010

Along with finishing the devotionals for the day on wisdom, I am also reading Joey Bonifacio’s The Mystery of the Empty Stomach. I have seen this small book several times before but have never taken much of an interest in it. However, in the VCF website, it is recommended reading. So I decided to pick it up and study it this week. I have not regretted that impulsive decision.

Pastor Joey Bonifacio’s book is small – only 81 pages in all. It has 10 chapters with 7-8 pages per chapter. It makes use of a lot of white spaces. It’s very easy reading. It looks simple but its size and simplicity is deceiving. Within the pages of this small book is a world of understanding. As I read every chapter, I have come to understand more about fasting. This book spurs me to keep on going. It showed me what fasting is truly about. It took my focus away form the food and hunger and directed me to focus on God alone.

We are midway through our week-long fast. If you find yourself growing weaker and facing the temptation of breaking the fast earlier, read The Mystery of the Empty Stomach. You will know and understand the power of fasting.

If you are encouraged to join this fast, Victory Christian Fellowship has uploaded the manuals and devotions on their website. You can find it here.

This book is available for sale at any VCF bookshops for only P220.00