I Can With I AM Sheila M. Luck, a book review

Sheila Luck's book, I Can With I AM, is a wonderful book. It's small but filled with Biblical truths and practical helps. I received a preview copy of this book from Aneko Press in exchange for my honest review and it's my honor to give it a big thumbs up!

As I read Sheila's book, I was impressed with her optimism. She admits she didn't always feel this way but felt a deep desire to be somebody. It took her years to understand her definition of being somebody and God's definition of the same thing were vastly different. She says, "Simply by our faith in Jesus Christ, we are somebody. But it doesn't end there. With God, the Great I AM, we can become somebody by the way we live. We can make a real difference in the world around us."

Throughout her book, Ms. Luck helps the reader understand God is the One who sets the plans for our lives. She quotes Jeremiah 29:11 from the Holy Bible and reminds us God's plans are good for us. They are plans to prosper us and not to harm us. They are plans to give us a hope and a future. Ms. Luck includes an example of her daughter, Chelsy, and how she discovered God's plan for her life through stepping out in obedience. Chelsy had no idea why she felt the need to travel to Guatemala but as she surrendered to God's will, she found complete peace in her decision.

Sheila says we must do what we can. She says it's important to understand the concept, "start doing what I can where I am. What I can is something i can do today, with the time, materials, and skills I have today. It is step one. Maybe if I take step one, step two will become apparent, and the means to accomplish step two will become available."

I Can With I AM, is a book that helps the reader first grasp the concept of the great I AM by explaining a little more about God's character and plans for our lives. By using Scripture throughout her book, we don't have to assume Ms. Luck knows what she's talking about. The very Words of Christ give clear direction to the reader on how to live, how to love, and how to show compassion to others.

Each chapter of the book goes into great detail on understanding how we, as Christians, can learn to follow the example of Christ and live out that example in our daily lives. One of my favorite chapters in her book was titled Love God Out Loud. Ms. Luck says, in that chapter, "When we love, it causes us to do things for the one we love. We love out loud." I'd never thought about my love for others being displayed in action but as Sheila points out, "Love is a verb, a word of action."

Along with her practical instructions on how to walk in love, Ms. Luck also gives helpful tips on carefully loving. Using the example of her relationship with her daughters, Ms. Luck explains that sometimes, when she offers to help, her daughters see her wanting to help as criticism. She says, "sometimes unsolicited help is viewed in the same manner. Our daughters occasionally view my help as criticism. Their perception is that I don't believe they're sufficiently competent to handle the situation on their own. That is not my intent. In my heart, I'm trying to help make their lives more pleasant." As I read this, I felt like Ms. Luck was describing a recent situation with one of my children. I was impressed, as I continued to read, her next piece of advice - "To do love, in the most loving way, we must understand what the one we love wants us to do, and not just assume we know what's best." Wow! I'd never thought of that concept before. I would certainly implement it at the next opportunity to assist my daughters.

If I had to sum up the message contained in I CAN with I AM, I'd have to say Ms. Luck wants the reader to understand the capability to do anything rests in the strength God provides. As we understand who we are in Christ and how He equips us to love others, we can do anything if we are only willing.

Purchase the book here from Aneko Press.

The Overcoming Life by D. L. Moody, a book review

Dwight Lyman Moody was one of the greatest evangelists of all time. He was the sixth child in a family of nine children, and was born February 5, 1837, in the town of Northfield, Massachusetts. After accepting Christ, his passion for seeing others come to know and love the Lord consumed him and caused him to work diligently to see the gospel spread far and wide. 

In his book, The Overcoming Life, D. L. Moody presents practical information on how to live a life that not only pleases the Lord, but one that overcomes life lived in the world. He helps the reader understand we are constantly in battle. He explains how to recognize the battle and equips us to fight it. Not only does he equip us to fight, he provides detailed strategies on learning to live life abundantly.  

According to Moody, the Christian life is a life of conflict and warfare. We can only fight by living a life of faith in Jesus Christ. Moody says, "A young believer can often become discouraged and disheartened when he realizes this warfare. He begins to think that God has forsaken him, and that Christianity is not all that it claims to be. Instead, he should consider it an encouraging sign. No sooner has a soul escaped from his snare than the great adversary takes steps to ensnare it again. He utilizes all his power to recapture his lost prey. The fiercest attacks are made on the strongest forts. The fierce battles the young believer is called on to wage is the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in his heart. God will not desert him in his time of need any more than He deserted His people of old when they were hard pressed by their foes."  

D. L. Moody presents Biblical information throughout his book that equips the reader to not only understand how to live a life that pleases Christ but how to life a life that overcomes all obstacles the enemy presents on a daily basis. He gives a list of internal and external foes the believer has to constantly face and explains each one in great detail. Regarding internal foes, Moody says, "An enemy inside the fort is far more dangerous than one outside." As I read this statement, I realized how very true his statement to be. Some of the internal foes included in Moody's list are temper, covetousness, and pride. External foes, Moody explains, are found listed in the Bible in the first chapter of John chapter 2 verses 16-17. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away and the lust thereof, but he that does the will of God abides forever." A few traits from the list of external foes include pleasure, worldly habits, and persecution. 

Not only does Mr. Moody want us to understand our enemy and how to fight the battle, he wants us to learn valuable lessons from a life of repentance. By understanding how to ask for God's forgiveness and accept His free gift of grace, the reader learns all aspects of successful Christian living. 

I found this book to be a wonderful teaching tool on living an abundant life in Christ. Mr. Moody's evangelistic heart shone brightly throughout each chapter. His clear and concise explanations would prove helpful to not only the baby Christian, but also to the mature person of faith. 

I would like to thank Aneko Press for providing me with this complementary copy of  The Overcoming Life in exchange for my honest review. I was not encouraged to provide a positive review but it is my pleasure to give this book a big thumbs up. It is important for believers to walk in victory and the lessons included in this book will help them do just that. 

To purchase the book, click here. 

Free Ebooks from Aneko Press!

March 23 - March 27, 2016, Aneko Press is offering these free Ebooks for you! All you have to do is decide which ones you want and click on the link that corresponds to the book title you've chosen. Enjoy, and thank you, Aneko Press for your generosity!

The kings of Israel and Judah were in serious trouble with the Lord. Twelve years of worshiping Baal and golden calves, listening to Jezebel, and killing the prophets was catching up to them. Their earthly kingdoms were coming to an end, and the Lord would move quickly when he moved. What appeared to be harmless details to them was in fact rebellion in the sight of God. 

While the kings served the gods of this world, Elijah and Elisha did not. They were dedicated only to the Word of the Lord, and if the Lord didn’t speak directly to them, they didn’t move at all. And when they did move, it was with the authority of the Lord, resulting in dramatic calling down of fire from heaven, a three-year drought, people raised from the dead, and many other miraculous events. But did Elijah and Elisha take any glory? No, Elijah didn’t even accept Naaman’s token of appreciate – so completely was he relying only on the Lord’s provision. Your own life will be changed forever if you apply even one truth that the Lord reveals to you in this book. 

Click here to download your free ebook!

Many of us in the body of Christ are living below our privileges as sons and daughters of God. We yearn for more in our experience with Him but don’t know what’s missing. In A Widow’s Might, Judy Knox reveals the missing element and explains how to get it. 

Losing her husband due to complications following heart surgery could have been devastating. Instead, Judy’s ten weeks with him in the hospital ICU became a turning point, where she turned from her own strength to God’s. And when after fifty-one years, she suddenly found herself alone, she realized she was not alone at all. God was walking the path with her. 

Her stories illustrate these serious truths in a light-hearted way. Whether you’re a new believer or a seasoned Christian, the fresh insights in Judy’s message will energize your walk with God. 

Click here to download your free ebook!

Children around the world live in dire conditions without even the basic necessities of water, food, shelter, and love. They often suffer in silence, struggling just to exist among the unexplainable and irreversible conditions in which they find themselves. Many are so young they do not know what they lack – the love of a family and the comfort of a home. Survival is their only concern as they grow up in a world of adults who seem to have forgotten them or are so busy with their own survival that they really do not have time to care. 

These first person narratives are compiled from conversations with dozens of boys and girls in India. They put a voice to the suffering that they and thousands more like them endure every day. Children bravely share their stories of being caste bound, trafficked, beggars, witnesses to murder, unwanted, and of suffering great loss. Each child is a witness to his or her own story of survival. From their voices can be heard the desperate plea for someone to care, and if not for themselves, then for those even less fortunate whose voices have not been heard. 

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To have found God and still to pursue Him is a paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too-easily-satisfied religious person, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux stated this holy paradox in a musical four-line poem that will be instantly understood by every worshipping soul: 

We taste Thee, O Thou Living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still:
We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill. 

Come near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God. Let A. W. Tozer’s pursuit of God spur you also into a genuine hunger and thirst to truly know God. 

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Often disguised as something that would help him, evil accompanies Christian on his journey to the Celestial City. As you walk with him, you’ll begin to identify today’s many religious pitfalls. These are presented by men such as Pliable, who turns back at the Slough of Despond; and Ignorance, who believes he’s a true follower of Christ when he’s really only trusting in himself. Each character represented in this allegory is intentionally and profoundly accurate in its depiction of what we see all around us, and unfortunately, what we too often see in ourselves. But while Christian is injured and nearly killed, he eventually prevails to the end. So can you. 

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In the Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB), the usage and context tends to define each key word so you won’t need to depend on theological dictionaries or reference materials. Careful attention has been made to properly translate the first usage of each key word, and through to the last occurrence. Then, as the word makes its way across the Old Testament and if we make the correct match with the corresponding Greek word in the New Testament, an amazing pattern emerges. The Jubilee Bible is the only translation we know of today that has each unique Hebrew word matched and mated to a unique English word so that the usage (number of occurrences and number of verses where the word occurs) sets forth both a very meaningful number pattern and a complete definition of what God means by each word. 

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The Book of Daniel is a study, a commentary, of the book of Daniel in the Bible. Each verse and each sentence is dissected to unveil great prophecies which are coming to fruition today. It cannot be over-emphasized how relevant this book is to our current generation. The book of Daniel covers everything from the sorry state of today’s denominations, to corrupt governments who will not be changed before the end of the world as we know it. The author defines words and phrases typically ignored and expounds on the prophetic times and seasons well documented by Daniel. Many devastating things which will come to pass are clearly defined in this book. However, Daniel doesn’t stop here. We, the children of God, are shown the beautiful way of a true Christian’s life, as modeled by Daniel himself. We truly are blessed and must give all glory to God for His generous gift of salvation, through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

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The book of Revelation should be of intense interest to today’s Christian. It describes not only the persecution that originates from Satan, but also announces the day when God will intervene and cleanse the earth. This is definitely something to look forward to if we are right with him. Not so much for those living for themselves. 

Sadly, many commentaries on Revelation ignore the need to have a clean heart in order to survive what’s coming. In this edition, we dig deep into the signs, the wonders, and the genuine Christian’s role in the soon-to-be-fulfilled book of Revelation. We even go back to the prophets to help clarify what is the most important message to Christians today. 

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We were told it would be easy. We thought it was the best choice; but now we suffer with the consequences, the regular reminders, a sense of guilt, and a sense of shame. Through abortion, we now face the death of our babies, death by choice. We try to hide our choice and we try to escape the emotional pain. We seek forgiveness, acceptance, and consolation; yet, we find no solace. Our fears drive us into a life of secrecy, hiding our loss. We suffer a secret loss. 

My Secret Loss will: 
• Enable the reader to accept the truth about abortion 
• Provide permission and encouragement to grieve the loss of your baby 
• Validate your emotional and psychological harm that has been caused by abortion 
• Discover the path to peace, healing that is only possible through the saving grace of Jesus 

Click here to download your free ebook!

Reasons to Believe - a book review

Ryan P. Whitson

Recently, I was given a complimentary copy of the book, Reasons to Believe written by Dennis B. Moles and Ryan P. Whitson, by Aneko Press. I was excited to receive this selection because it is a very timely book. Today, as people face such uncertainty in their lives, this book offers answers that will provide a reason for certainty and hope.

The authors of Reasons to Believe focused on ten very important questions about Christianity. Each question was answered in great detail and with careful thought. Scripture references were given to provide the reader with additional information. Some of the questions presented in the book include:

Dennis B. Moles

• Is the Bible Trustworthy? 
• Do All Religions Teach the Same Thing?
• Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?
• Why Would a Good God Allow Suffering?

These questions and six more are included in Reasons to Believe. Each question was well researched by the authors. Footnotes and definitions are included in each chapter as well as a conclusion and discussion questions. Many of the questions presented are ones I have asked myself over the years. To give an example of how the questions are answered in the book, I will expound on one question, Why Would a Good God Allow Suffering. 

The question, Why Would a Good God Allow Suffering, is presented in the book as being an age-old problem. The author says, this question is called the "problem of evil" and presents another question that relates to it, "If, as the Bible teaches, God is in control and loving in character, then why do evil and suffering still exist in the world? This question has served as the most compelling argument for atheism throughout human history and to this day has persuaded people to doubt God's existence." After presenting those questions, the author poses an if-then answer. He states "If there is no God, all that remains to explain the reality of evil (and the suffering that results) is the physical world. But mere bits and pieces of matter such as atoms, molecules, dust, and rocks have nothing to say about mortality, evil or pain. As a result, nothing is available to explain what is called evil. Yet this is not a satisfying answer because most people cringe at sights such as the slave trade or barbarous murder scenes from terrorist networks around the world. Most people know realize evil exists and are able to identify it, but without God it is hard to explain the cause of this savagery. For this reason, people who experience deep suffering usually look to God, either as the rescuer from their pain or as the one responsible for it." The author presents statements used to justify this way of thinking such as "God is not in control" or "God is not loving." But the author gives another viewpoint, too, and gives reasons the reader should believe. The author says "Acknowledging that evil exists and causes real suffering best explains reality and is a helpful tool for rationally believing God exists." After arguing both sides of the question, the author presents a solution to the problem by stating the truth and offering the Biblical content to substantiate his claims to the correct way to answer the question. At the end of each chapter, a conclusion and discussion questions are presented. 

The book, Reasons to Believe, would be a good book for small groups and Bible studies. It would also be a good book to use in preparation for sharing the gospel with others. By understanding common questions and gaining knowledge backed by Scripture, the reader would be well equipped to face challenging and poignant questions any time and any place. I would highly recommend this book. It was well thought out and well presented. It is easy to read and filled with great insight. 

If you'd like to purchase the book, you may purchase a paperback copy by clicking here.  If you'd like an ebook copy, click here. 

Queen Esther and the Ring of Power

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aneko Press and would like to thank them for allowing me the pleasure of reviewing it.

The book, Queen Esther and the Ring of Power by Russell M. Stendal, is filled with exciting revelations about this Biblical account of a woman's faith. Mr. Stendal weaves past and present events with symbolism into his book. His writing style is very easy to read and understand.

I was impressed with the verse by verse and chapter by chapter analysis made by Mr. Stendal. I have read the Bible story of Esther many times but have never delved as deeply into it as I was able to thanks to Mr. Stendal.

The book opens with Chapter 1 of Esther, at the feast of King Ahasuerus. In the third year of the king's reign, he holds a 180 day banquet for his royal staff followed by a seven day banquet for the other people of his kingdom.

Esther, a Jewish young woman, finds herself amid those chosen for the king's pleasure. For twelve months, the young women are required to endure a period of purification. Mr. Stendal helps us understand the importance of the number twelve and explains it is not only the number associated with childhood, but it is also the number linked to divine order. He goes into great detail with his explanations and continues throughout the remaining chapters.

Esther is a story of faith and courage. Not only does Esther vow to be obedient to the Lord's will, she asks for the Jewish people in her village to commit to fast and pray for her for three days before approaching the king.  Amazingly, her people commit to do this for her and Esther is able to fast without drawing attention to herself. As she readies herself to approach the king, Mr. Stendal helps us see the importance of being led by the Spirit of God.

The story embodies both good and evil. Esther represents a God fearing woman who seeks to do the Lord's will while Haman, the king's right hand man, represents pure hatred and evil. "Queen Esther is dedicated to saving humanity and having it restored to the image of God, but humanity cannot return to the image of God while Haman exists."

The book takes an in depth look at each character of the book, each verse, and each chapter. Mr. Stendal has worked diligently to provide us with a detailed account of symbolism but also about prophetic meanings and how they relate to our current world.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys digging deep into God's Word. Mr. Stendal is very knowledgeable and has gone to great lengths to make this book clear and concise. His expertise as a missionary and follower of Christ have given him great insight. I am thankful he was willing to share that information with us through his new book.

Purchase Queen Esther and the Ring of Power on Amazon by clicking here

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