Take Root and Write

Review; Find Your Strongest Life, By Marcus Buckingham

Who among us does not want to find and live our strongest life? I know I do, so I when offered to review Marcus Buckingham's new book, Find Your Strongest Life, What The Happiest and most Successful Women Do Differently, I was ready! I already knew Marcus from a previous book I had read of his called, Now Discover Your Strengths; Strengths Finder. I have always been one that says, 'Soar With Your Strengths' instead of focusing on fixing what you not so good at. Both of these books help you to discover those strengths, maybe you did not even realize you had.

I always love a evaluation. I am not a big Facebook Quiz person, but I do love a reliable, well put together evaluation. Marcus Buckingham is a strategist. A Strength Strategist. For over 20 years. So just as in Now Discover Your Strengths, when reading Find Your Strongest Life, we start off with, 'The Strong Life Test'. It measures you on nine life roles: Advisor, Caretaker, Creator, Equalizer, Influencer, Motivator, Pioneer, Teacher, and Weaver. Marcus shows us how once we find our Lead and Supporting role, we can build our life around it. Leading us of course to Living A Stronger Life. 

As I read, I did find myself feeling like he focused a lot on the career woman, outside of the home. I have always been a stay at home mom, homeschooling my daughter for the past 11 years. I have also been a Praise and Worship Leader, Youth Leader, Homeschool Co-op Leader, Support Group Leader, self written curriculum for us and others and more. Recently in the past 18 months, I am now CEO of 2 companies. But all from home. Marcus does not mention women like me to often in the book. I still could read between the lines of his examples of women's lives and apply it to myself. Actually I found I could apply a lot to myself.

A Review of Fearless, By Max Lucado

Fearless. Can you imagine your life without fear?  With no...

Fear of Not Mattering. Fear of Disappointing God. Fear of Running Out. Fear of Not protecting my kids. Fear of Overwhelming Challenges. Fear of Worst-Case Scenarios. Fear of Violence. Fear of the Coming Winter. Fear of Life's Final Moments. Fear of What's Next. Fear That God is not Real. Fear of Calamity. Fear of Getting Out Of My Box.

Can you imagine your life without fear? You will begin to. In his new book, Fearless, Max Lucado brings us the perspective we so need to be reminded of in this time in history. Turning the page to each new chapter just continues to reveal the fears so many of us are carrying around with us today. Max includes a Discussion Guide in the back, where chapter by chapter, he helps us to Examine the Fear, Expose the Fear and of course leaves us with how to Battle the Fear.

Can I say, Book Study at my house! After, no, while I was reading this book all I could think of was how many women and men I know who need this book right now.

I dog ear pages. Yes, I know most people would hiss at me for taking off the dust jacket, dog earring pages, and highlighting key phrases. My memory does not serve me as well as it used to. So I make ways to get to what I want to come back to. Max had me dog earring half the book! I can say I did not fear messing up this book! He leaves us with so much to breathe in again and again. It begs to be marked, cornered and ripped from the jacket.

Feed your fears, and your faith will starve,

Feed you faith, and your fears will.

That's now on a 'post it' next to my mac. 

The Chronological Study Bible NKJV in Review

 
I was very excited to become part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Program for bloggers back in (ahem) October of last year. When I chose The Chronological Study Review Bible as my first book, I graciously emailed them and asked if I needed to read the whole bible before reviewing it. Obviously reading a book before reviewing is a criteria for the program. I would love to tell you it has taken me so long to write this review due to me reading this specific bible in its entirety. Judge me not, this is not the case.

In retrospect, I will tell you that I did not turn every page of The Chronological Study Review Bible. I did however go through every feature so I can give you a review you can depend on when deciding if this bible is for you. Did I just say, 'If this bible is for you?'

Explore God's Word In Historical Order
As my eyes got first glance at The Chronological Study Review Bible, I was certainly drawn to that phrase. I am a homeschooler. We are entering our 11 year and that just cried out, "Use me!" Everything in our house is a learning tool. It being in the New King James Version was a plus, making it easier for my 15 year old to pick up and peruse. Being in chronological order would keep it from being your only bible in the house, but it certainly opens your eyes to a new view. A view you most likely have never seen.

Dig Deeper into Cultures and People of Biblical Times
This bible is set up where you can get the full picture as you read about the people of bible times. Through the 'Background Notes', 'Daily Life' and 'The Cultural and Historical Topics' sections we gain incredible insight into their lives. Simple even as, Why was it that being the 1st born son, was such a privileged position in that of an ancient family?

Time Panels, Time Capsules, Time Charts, and Maps all paint out and complete the visual for us to grasp events, people and topics through out history as it pertains to the Word.

The Noticer, by Andy Andrews

 
One of the great ways to get new, hot off the press books is to become a book reviewer. I currently review books for three different groups: two publishers and one public relations person. And just like people, books and most things in life, they each have their own standard and process. One lets you choose from a variety of books, another is strictly book blog tours, and then my dear friend who is a public relations person does "wild card" tours. The wild card means just that, you never know what you're going to get to review.

Andy Andrews new book "The Noticer" is a work of love from his very personal life experiences. Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town but the impact of one person on the whole citizenship is amazing. We keep hearing that one person can make a difference, but Andrews actually put it in perspective so we can actually see how it can be put into practice.

The central character in the book is a man named Jones, just Jones, no mister or sir. He has an uncanny knack of meeting people at the just right time for just the right purpose, when they need a friend. That's someone we could all use from time-to-time.

We are introduced to several people along the way:

• The Wayward
• The Lover Lost
• The Worrier
• The Lustful Youth
• The Workaholic
• The Useless

Grandma D's Tree & Wreath Farm

This is my first review here on Take Root and Write. I am excited to bring you reviews of beneficial, unique, quality, items that you can relate to. It's December and most of us are getting out our Christmas Decorations. Mine are out, but not up! I will admit I love interior design and although I have not studied Design formally, I have been applying natural instinct since I was a young girl. Mom would come home to find the Living Room re-arranged, or later my entire room painted, changed around and customized.

Christmas is no different. Having kids did pose one problem at Christmas time. The Tree is mine. Did I say that out loud? I love my designer tree that I put together each year. I remedied this very early on. My Daughter has her very own tree. She always has. Was a small tree at first, and now that she is 15, she has the big one in the Family Room next to the Fireplace. She picks out and makes all her ornaments and designs her theme. And! I do mine in the Living Room! Ok, now, stop making faces and thinking I am being selfish! She loves her tree and we have a wonderful time decorating!

Both of our trees are fake. Yes, fake. Due to allergies we cannot have a live tree. This is great as we 'usually' put our trees up the day after Thanksgiving and leave up till Mid January. This brings me to my review!

I was so excited to receive my Wreath from Grandma D's Tree and Wreath Farm last week! Upon opening the very well suited packaging, I was filled with the immediate sence of Christmas. Or should I say, 'scent' of Christmas! The Evergreen aroma filled my kitchen! A smell I have only got at Christmas through burning oils. Now I could hang the wreath up and enjoy the smell all month. The wreath was very fresh and well put together. I did not ever feel like it was going to fall apart as I pulled it out and then hung it up on my wall. I am allergic to a whole tree, but this was perfect. I did not need to put it outside. No way I was letting that fresh evergreen scent leave my house! I think most would find that as well, even if you have allergies. Unless you are like super sensitive. Anyone using fake trees? You so need this wreath!