Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist

In this book the author writes about growing through her struggles as she experiences the natural occurrences that most of us experience as we begin our journey in adulthood. Shauna Niequist speaks openly about her experiences and thoughts as she shares her journey as a young adult.

The book is easy to read, many short chapters.  For me, I found myself remembering the earlier years of adulthood – the struggles, the confusion, the uncertainty and the moments of bliss. I recommend this book to younger women who are considering marriage and motherhood, or young women who are currently living in this stage of life.

I received this book as a give-away through Librarything.com and am not required to write a review, positive or negative. You can read more about this book through this link: http://zndr.vn/dl4aEt

A Leader’s Heart – John Maxwell

A Leader’s Heart by John Maxwell is a 365 day devotional journal designed to inspire the leader to grow in all avenues of leadership. This journal is designed to connect the reader to God, provide daily encouragement that inspires growth, and help keep the reader focused upon leadership while following God’s guidance in the Bible. John Maxwell teaches the reader that while respecting God’s position as our ultimate leader, those of us who are in leadership positions will grow in the Lord and help others to grow too.

I have found this book to be an incredible wealth of information. Having held leadership positions for years, I wish I would have had this book 30 years ago. Each page is a fresh experience in the presence of God and His divine direction for leaders. I am inspired to chart out a ‘growth map’ for myself and those whom I lead as a result of the information contained in this book. Looking back over the years as I read through the pages of this book, I can see so many places where I was in error, so many places where I was right on, and so many places where growth was necessary. I have always believed in inspiring my subordinates to be the best they can be, but sometimes lacked the proper tools to properly inspire others. This book offers those tools, and is a complete and well rounded volume of life lessons for leaders. I encourage anyone who is in a leadership position, or aspiring to hold a leadership position to obtain a copy of this book. This book is to be read daily, and I suggest it accompany your Bible as a daily “first read” along with prayer.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Power Thoughts – 12 Strategies To Win The Battle Of The Mind by Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer has put together a program using twelve steps to win the battle of the mind. Each step is described and explained, then followed up with questions to aid the reader in applying the principles taught. Joyce uses principles taught in scripture as a basis for her concepts and to aid the reader in using faith in the word of God to stand firm on winning the war that wages in one’s mind.

I found the book easy to read, and well written.  The book’s format took me through each step in a progressive manner that was easy to adapt.  I enjoyed the thought provoking questions proposed after each principle.  I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a system to apply in an effort to gain control of their thinking process.

I received a copy of the book through Goodreads in exchange for a review. I received no additional compensation and was not required to write a positive review.

Prayer for the week of October 4 through October 10, 2010

Heavenly Father, I ask You to bless us with an awesome experience in Your love. Lord, you say in Ephesians 3:20 that You can do anything exceedingly and abundantly beyond anything we could ask or think. There are many of us who have been waiting to see You move in our lives, some of us have been waiting a long time. Father, I know You have an awesome and incredible plan for each one of us, and it is my prayer that we see You move in our lives in a tangible way this week. I stand in faith knowing that You love us and it is Your desire to bless us and to see joy radiating from our faces. Father we thank You now for the wonderful blessings You have in store for us, and I ask You to help us to step into those blessings. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Bible)
20Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--