... there are no coincidences when it comes to God's love for each and every one of us
934021
This book has several stories which simply remind the reader that there are no coincidences when it comes to God's love for each and every one of us.
2157941
Nancy Dorner captures the heart and imagination of every reader as she shares her life experiences with God. This is a woman who did not believe there even was a God and then comes to believe because of the ways he answers her prayers. We've used this book in several Bible Study groups and found it very helpful to discuss the difficult issues of faith. The author inspires all of us "ordinary" people to simply ask God and see what he will do. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, no matter where they are at spiritually.
4562331
The LOOP touches me and I feel Him speak to me each day I read it.
I have gotten many like devotions with the intention of reading, but they just didn't touch my heart, or minister to me, so I cancelled but The Loop; it's different. I look forward to what I will receive in it and it is ALWAYS exactly what I needed to hear and was going through. This is when I know it is God inspired.
Thank you LOOP!
4218126
Yet again I must say I don't believe in coincidences. All things happen for a reason. I just randomly chose to read this book to get back into my groove of reading and yet I was moved beyond my on understanding and comprehension.

The Book addresses the question that we don't want to ask God out of fear, feeling  ungrateful, and more importantly who questions God? But I do hurt, I've gone through trials and tribulations. I struggle. But why? Even when I feel I am doing God's will and being faithful to him and his word I get punched in the gut by "life". Why?

Well this books lays out Why, through the Word of God, through the author's experience and through everyday layman's terms.

Now not only do I know why, I have a sense of resolve about my life, the challenges, and my relationship with God.

Broken for a Purpose has given me hope, renewed my faith, and provided me with a better understanding of the purpose of being broken.

One of my favorite quotes:
"If I understand the truth and daily, consciously remember it, I will learn to view my trials, disappointments, persecutions and victories as opportunities for the Holy Spirit to build and mold my life."

I was provided with a free copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
3435159
People matter to God. All kinds of people matter. In fact, all people matter.

This book is a formula on how & why to love all people with Gods love. There is so much to say about love, but more importantly, as 1 John summarizes, there is so much more to do for loving people, that only talking about it, would be a crime.

Therefore, check out this book and be convicted, challenged and confronted on your comfort zone, your judgment zone, and your perspective on what Gods love really is and does to a person.

If there was ever someone who walked the walk and talked the talk, its this body of Christ in these pages that are ministering to people and as Paul stated, becoming all things to all people, that they might win some to the Lord, through loving them.

This book is filled with humor, sorrow, comfort, conviction, confrontation, but even more so with intentional kindness and love that overcomes barriers  both social and spiritual.

This is an inspiring read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
2469529
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Appointments With Heaven .This has been such a blessing to me. I too have experienced tragic loss in my life. I have wondered as well, the why's, as all of us do. I've also considered if not for having the promise through Christ that is offered to all of us the terrible fate that we would have. The gift of life is truly precious and our Heavenly Father has given us this gift to begin with. He created us in his image and his likeness. We have the same emotions he has, when Christ was on earth, he grieved with Martha and many others. I think of when Jesus - Yesuha our  Saviour was  dying of the  cross  how the Father allowed his sufferings . It was even foretold in the writing in the Holy profits. In the book of Isaiah 53: 10-12 But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life and the Lord's plan will prosper in his hands. When that is accomplished by his aguish he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make possible for many to be counted righteous. For he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.  I had a revelation while reading this book , how could we possibly know the overwhelming grief and anguish Christ suffered on our behalf to give us the gift of life forever in his presence ? And the precious gift of Heaven had we not had our own hearts broken from grief we might have missed the significance of it all. The magnitude of this profound love God has for us. Romans 8: 18-30 says Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even though we as Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently. This book has given me a glimpse of Heaven and we need to constantly remind ourselves and others of this future realty that is ours.
4783988
Throughout Christian history, we have paid lip-service to the message of Jesus humanity. We have honored it in the mystical trinity, have insisted upon it in the Creeds that we continue to use in the church, but we don't really believe that that humanity extended beyond a suffering and ghastly death. Our churchs Greek and Roman influence have separated God above us, and removed the simple intimacy that the Hebrew God enjoyed with his people; bartering, wrestling, dazzling, but always on earth, and always in the present. Behold and Here I am are both translations of the same Hebrew word that are the simple requirements God asks of us when he calls: be in the present, be in the now.

June Kerrs book Rabboni, My Love has restored my faith that people actually do see Jesus as fully human; one who loves as generously with his friends and strangers alike, as he asks us to do simply in the message he gives us. Christianity though, has been twisted and manipulated for so long to remove any possible thought that Jesus may have had a full, loving normal life as part of his deity. It astounds me, the lengths to which that twisted energy has been spent to de-humanize Jesus throughout history. It has been focused on edifices, wealth, art and music; all wonderful (sometimes) expressions of human inspiration, but always at the expense of Jesus message to love one another and to be truly human.

This warm and fluent novel expresses that simple humanity in a delightful way that had me laughing, crying, agonizing and rejoicing over life. The stories are familiar, but told from new perspectives that always emphasize the human. Miracles abound, but the response is to celebrate, throw a party, and be close to friends and family; to give thanks to God for the blessings of life. They recite psalms together, not because it is the appointed psalm of the 2nd Sunday in Lent, but because their hearts are bursting with emotion.  Miriams voice throughout is stronger than any apostles preaching, because it is based on real love and joy for her own blessings; her husband Joshua, her children, her siblings and extended family, and her friends.

Everyone with whom you are familiar in the Biblical stories is here, without the emphasis on numerology, mysticism and out-of-body experience. THIS is about the body of humanity, about what God asks us simply to do: to love and to live, and throughout I feel God smiling as broadly as Joshua and Miriam at one of their many celebrations, saying simply, Blessed are You, Lord God, King of the Universe, who brings forth wine, bread, life. I enthusiastically recommend this novel to all who have even a passing knowledge of Christianity, to give them a new perspective.
3356322
I found this book to be inspiring at a time when I needed to be inspired.  Most Christians have no trouble in thanking God for all He gives them during wonderful times; however, they are often tested, as were Biblical characters, during times of turmoil and stress.  I was going through a difficult time with a sick wife when I began reading this book. I have been praying for her for years--not just for months, weeks and days--and there were times I had to acknowledge my human weakness, sometimes feeling God was invisible.  After reading this book, I began to think of all the things that God has given me and continues to give me.  I immediately began thanking God and thought about the fact that I could go to Him in prayer as a privilege and blessing. There is comfort in reaching out to God for strength and feeling Him respond with love.  I believe my wife will be healed and have been thanking and praising God for this belief that He alone instilled in me.

This book teaches many things to readers who are willing to allow the Holy Spirit open their eyes to the truths of the Scriptures that Shanks quotes.  It teaches readers to be kind to others...that this should be routine; part of that kindness is showing gratitude.  I realize this review is personalized but this is only a glimpse of how this book affected me and opened my eyes to see past the temporary darkness.  I recommend it to all readers who continue to search for and apply Biblical truths to their lives. They need to rejoice and praise God!
3375715
Reading Josh's book, I was reminded at how GOOD God is, and how we don't have to deal with the fear that tries to rob us of a good life.

I was reminded of many instances of my life where miracles did happen.

I was reminded to believe the best of my labor and delivery (I'm reading at 9 months pregnant), and not be fearful of what I hear.

I was reminded that I can share hope and inspiration to others just as this book has shared hope and inspiration to me.

I was reminded that money is not an issue, that my desires are not in vain, and I can have an abundance to be generous.

Thanks Josh for the reminder!!
3580744
The people and stories in this book are real and so is Gods love. Once I started this book I could not put it down. Kevin does a wonderful job conveying Gods love through very diverse people and life situations. I was continuously reminded, but also amazed at the same time, at how strong Gods love is and how he personally touched all of the people that Kevin writes about. I read the book once and I will be reading it again and again as I felt Gods love running through me like I haven't had in a very long time. Not only did this book challenge me regarding whether I am actively choosing Gods love in all aspects of my life, but it challenged me in how engaged I truly am in my church community. There are so many people in our church communities that have experienced and felt Gods love, yet many times we may not even know it because we aren't engaged in authentic community. It reminded me how critical it is to share Gods story from our life because of how powerful his stories are. His stories are meant to be told and need to be told. This book can touch and draw in anyone who has a heartbeat.
1295389
In Proof of the Afterlife you are taken into the the experiences that Brother Joseph had after his near death experience. Each encounter takes gives you a hope, a peace, and the truth that GOD still communicates with HIS children. It doesn't just share that, in here you will feel the love, grace and mercy of OUR FATHER...who wants only for us to be with HIM and goes beyond then what we can imagine to prove that.

There has NEVER been a doubt that GOD communicates to us, HE does differently for all of us. That my dear brother and sister is a gift and blessing, GOD loves us all so much and HE wants us to be happy, to know HIS truth, most importantly to be with HIM.

Not only is it conversations its on mercy, love, forgiveness, faith...ALL of these are so important...I LOVED it!! I think you will too!!

Many blessings,
Tina
275859
To insert someone's name into a book making it personal between God and I was simply wonderful.
It is also a reminder of how important we are to God and that he loves us. In the future, I will certainly
be ordering more for my family members. #BlessedLife
4220128
This CD tells of GOD's amazing love for us and His faithfulness to us.  GOD is constant even when we're not.  The songs on this CD will have your toes tapping and your hands clapping. The mix of songs has fast and slow.  Singing along to the songs puts a smile on my face and joy in my heart.  I highly recommend this CD.
4782633
I honestly haven't enjoyed a book this encouraging for a very long time. God used it to remind me that He still uses each of us for His work and comforting and loving in this world.  I love seeing Gods handprint everywhere, and I'm glad to read a bit and get fresh eyes!  Thank you so much for this ongoing gift.
602592
As someone who grew up as a people-pleasing achievement-driven person, I often find myself approaching my faith in the same way, working hard at Christianity, and missing the fact that connecting with God is an invitation to be still, not to do stuff, and that we can find refreshment and renewal for our weary souls.  For anyone who is feeling worn out and distant from God, this book will be a great reminder that striving to do the right things to please God isn't living in the truth of the gospel of grace.

Goggin and Strobel helped me think about and expose some of the unconscious expectations that I place on God, and point out some of the ways that we all tend to approach Godturning to conrol and meaning on our terms, rather than embracing who he is and seeking to conform to his image.  Goggin and Strobel then take the reader on a journey of learning what to do with those broken expectations, come to God with open hearts, and learn how to be with him, embrace him fully, and experience his perfect love.

There is no guilt, no quick fix, and no formula in this book, since I think that's how many of us got to where we are in the first place!  Instead, I felt that I was taken on a journey that provided me with a deeper understanding of some of the misconceptions I have about what connecting with God looks like, and then was finally able to seek freedom and joy in what connecting with God.

This is a refreshingly honest and beautifully written book.  By examining not only who God is, but also who we are in relation to him, we are able to properly connect with him.  This book helps us remember that God is a close, personal God who we can be connected to every day, and that he loves us dearly and wholly.  We can grow in our relationship and understanding of him and ourselves when we press into that relationship.
1617527
I recently lost my dog and wondered if he had just ceased to exist (as my pastor believes), or if he was with Jesus in heaven.  Jesus has unconditional love for us all and tells us, through the Bible, that we must love and forgive to reach Heaven.  My Lhasa Apso, Eli, had the purest heart and unconditional love.  I am 56 and have never felt love like that before, even though I am happily married with two grown children.  I felt that dog spelt backward was God was NO coincidence.  I felt that God sends dogs to teach us about unconditional love.  If this is true, then why would they just cease to exist?  This book has opened my eyes and heart.  It has helped heal my pain from the loss.  I read the Bible every year and have not noticed the truth right there in black and white.  Steven is right!  We have closed minds that only think of mankind and what happens to us. This book is backed up by  biblical scripture.  I was searching for the truth, whether it hurt or not.  The bible does not lie.  It is all there from Genesis to Revelations.  I now know that one day I will be with my little boy again.  JESUS ROCKS!
574381
My heart goes out to you and your family and to all the many others who had to go or are going thru this now.  You are blessed to have such a strong belief in God.. I never lost a child but I did lose a brother, so I can say appreciate each day for it is as beautiful as you choose to make it!!