Connection and kindness review
922214
I recommend this awesome bok. Connection and kindness is needed everywhere today and it is the key to changing the world.
1870822
Very good book for young children about treating each other with kindness and what it feels like to be excluded
3379507
Acts of Love and Kindness, A Kids Book! The Parable of the Good Samaritan by Maura Kempa is an engaging story that teaches important life lessons of kindness in an inviting and friendly manner. My children loved the author's depiction of the biblical  kind samaritan parable and I think got more out of it than the real thing! Loved the photos which sent the messages loud and clear. Definitely looking forward to reading more of Kempa's books in the future!
1815773
Random Acts of Kindness is a wonderfully uplifting book. I don't have much time to read so I was glad it was a quick read. The touching stories from everyone, including the author Rosalyn Kahn were filled with warmth and loving kindness. Truly an inspiring book that could be read by any age. I would love to see this book turned into a children's book. Because of it's loving inspiration.
4799127
The title caught my attention, the rest of the book held it. How to Pick up a Stripper and Other Acts of Kindness by Todd and Erin Stevens (Thomas Nelson, 2014) is a delightful read.  Todd pokes fun at himself throughout the book and in doing so points out how many Christians, on a regular basis, miss opportunities to model the message of love that Jesus left for all His disciples  not just Peter and Friends.

The Stevens serve at Friendship Community Church in Nashville, and Erin, after prayer and fasting felt a call to minister to Strippers in the area. This book chronicles their journey of ministering and showing love to people that often get ignored by the church because they function outside the realm of respectability. But the ministry works, and Pastors Stevens share their successes here.

This is a book about outreach, about evangelism, about sharing the gospel. Friendship Church does things a little differently than many other churches, but their intentional (NOT random) acts of kindness have made a lasting impact on many people in their areas of influence. Stevens gives lots of examples of acts of kindness: buying gas, buying lunch, doing laundry, washing windshields  and reminds the reader that the acts are done with no strings attached. This is just a way of demonstrating Jesus love.

A lot of what is in this book is common sense, something that many people seem to have only in limited amounts. Stevens talks about things we probably know, but often forget- things like meet people where they are, serve and love like Jesus did, and as Christians were called to love everyone, even that bunch of (________)s that we wish would disappear into thin air. But I need to be reminded from time to time of things that I already know.

The last chapter (other than the one that the reader is supposed to write) covers prayer. I was confused: why wasn't this at the front of the book? But as I thought about it, it makes sense to provide knowledge of what and who to pray for when starting out on a new journey.

Is this book a great theological treatise? Probably not so much. Is it enjoyable and entertaining? Yes. Is it informative and instructional? Definitely.

Somebody had to think outside the box to get the idea of heading to a strip club for outreach and evangelism. Thats good.mankind hasn't yet created a box big enough to contain God.  When we learn to love like Jesus, we find that the box isn't big enough for love either.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. I was not required to write a positive review.
1049736
I recieved this book from a giveaway and absolutely love it! I read it to my special needs class of 3rd and 4th graders as part of our Community Meeting. This book fit perfectly in our discussion about being a kind friend. This book provided a lot of great discussions for my classroom of kiddos. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to teach children about the importance of kindness and respect.
1800492
There are some rough story elements in this book - some very bad things happened to the lead characters and it's hard to read about them.  But despite that, what has stayed with me in the months since I read this book is kindness.  Kindness from a person who thought he'd lost it.  Kindness for a person that desperately needed it.  The power of kindness to triumph over so much pain and suffering.  I realize this is fiction, but I found myself being awed and grateful that such kindness exists in this often cold, cruel world.  I guess that kindness must come from the woman behind the characters, Shayne McClendon.  So thanks, Shayne, for showing that people (at least you and the characters you create) can retain their ability to be so, so kind, despite all the ways the world tries to strip that from us.  And for showing that the essence of who we are can trump our life's circumstances.  I have a feeling that's something you know a bit about, and while I'm sorry you had to endure, I'm so very very impressed and grateful that you did.
892597
This book provides some really good advice on how to connect with people.  I've met a few people that are good at using the techniques described in this book.  I think anyone can learn a few things from this book.
3526606
Loved this book.  It was a refreshing and wonderful reminder of the impact kindness has on us and our children.
1407618
Jesus message is for us to love one another by showing each other kindness. Kyle learns this valuable lesson in Kyles Smile as how a simple smile to a sad stranger can start a domino effect in kindness in making the world a better place. With a wonderful surprise at the end for Kyle and his wonderful smile!

Marcus has an amazing way with words that teaches children kindness and caring for others but also a beautiful story that children will want to read over and over again. Inspiring and motivational perfect for children 3-8 however as someone who has worked with children with special needs I found this an exceptional tool in helping special kids to understand kindness. I also recommend for Sunday school teachers teaching little ones Gods lessons on being kind to one another. Not only is this story exceptional Marcus also includes a coloring book to download that matches his stories wonderfully making this a storybook that children will learn a valuable lesson as well as be delightfully entertained.  A wonderful addition to any childs library that parents will love too.
1501262
This was a good quick read.  It dealt with how to establish relationships.  It provides five major connectors that are in the majority of friendships.  Some of these are just natural, but having the knowledge of them is helpful.  In a people business, having these skills, or maybe the knowledge of these skills can be highly helpful.  You will learn how to connect at a deeper level with people through the level of communication.  You can create better "click" through how you talk to people.  You also will learn that adversity will build relationships, and of course similarity.  This was a excellent book on relationships.  It is not going to give you new earth shaking news if you have a background in communication, but will give a wonderful refresher on the basic components to connections with other people.  This is a perfect book for preachers.  Also, this is a good back for those trying to make friends in life.  I believe I will do a sermon on "why you have no friends at church."  This is a good read everyone.
4873105
This book should be in the hands of everyone who has contact with a child! It is beautifully written. It made me laugh and cry and was a wonderful way to connect with a child about how s/he is appreciated in the world. I also liked that it is about how the child responds to others with kindness as well. I cannot recommend it enough.
1004344
I have read a lot of books about business. And I have read a lot of books on spirituality. I put Connected to Goodness up there with the best books I have read on either topic. Connected to Goodness reminds us that the same rules apply whether we are in the office or at home- dealing with coworkers or dealing with family members. When we do good, we feel good. When we do bad, we feel bad. Dave Meltzer speaks from experience and he does so in a manner that allows the reader to feel as if they know him personally. very relatable.
2067043
I loved the connection, care and love shown to students who have lost hope and are sinking into the slough of despond. Mike Hicks, as a teacher, coach and father gives many wonderful ideas in this book for us, who also care about kids,to reach those we see in our classrooms and counseling offices.

DH Licensed Professional Counselor &  Family Counselor
441648
I like the section about using compassion as ones compass. There are good points about using humility for health and how humility is a strength.
I appreciate how the author talks about connection and the power of forgiveness.  The author makes important points about gratitude and how we can improve our lives with a practice of focusing on gratitude daily.
The author emphasizes that every human being is an artist. Similarly, I note that often great artists have a similar realization that every human being IS an artist.
Another useful section invites people to connect with how they want to feel and to have a plan or map to bring valuable experiences into their lives.
Theres an uplifting section about developing your Higher Self. The author includes quotes from Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., the Dalai Lama, the Bible, Albert Einstein and more.
Additionally, theres powerful section on creating 3 Income Streams.
I appreciate the authors emphasize on Act It Until You Become It! This is much better than the terrible idea of fake it until you make it.
This book can be a great resource for you to create a better year than ever before.
1659609
He teaches step by step exercises to practice connecting with loved ones. I truly enjoyed the book and found comfort in learning to being receptive and aware of subtle signs from the other side.
3894411
Write Back Soon is a generous, warm, charming, uplifting, and deeply useful book. It is a book about connection. Karen Benke, with heart and playfulness, invites us to step out of our hurried lives, slow down time, and connect with people we love and people wed like to know better through letters, notes, and postcards written by hand. Over the past several weeks, I have gratefully started my morning with a 1-2 page chapter from this lovely book. There are imaginative and simple writing prompts, a recipe for homemade invisible ink, a list of interesting objects to send through the mail (I once received a coconut from Hawaii), a field trip to find the perfect pen, and notes passed to you from writers ranging from Wendy Mass to Gary Snyder. May you feel the world grow closer, cozier, and friendlier, she writes. Think of this book as a long letter Ive written to you. I have loved being welcomed in to Karen Benkes world.