Called For Life: Audiobook Review

I received this book courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review.

Narrator thoughts: While this was not an author read book I did like the voices that they got to dramatize this book. The readers did an extremely good job of displaying the emotions that were written. I also enjoyed the two voices that played Amber and Dr. Brantley. They both did a great job capturing the spirit of this book. 

Book thoughts: Definitely this book is not for the faint of heart. Becuase you are talking about Ebola there's a lot of medical jargon and plenty of tough subjects discussed. 

But the heart and the story behind this audiobook is fantastic. I admire both Dr. Brantley and his wife for the sacrifice that they made in going to a foreign country and serving no matter the cost. They continued to believe in the mission that God called them to. I've admired their faith and the heart with which they served out the mission that God gave them. I enjoyed reading about their story. I enjoyed reading about their perspective. Like many so from around the world I had seen the reports of an American doctor working with Samaritans Purse that it come down with the Ebola and had heard a lot of different things about the doctor. But it's all it was great hearing it from Dr. Brantley's and his wifes  perspective. You hear what really happened, not just with the media told us. It was definitely neat to hear about how God brought him through and how God saw them through not only that but through the recovery process. 

As a hospital volunteer I'm accustomed to hearing some of the medical information, but it was still a little tough in places reading this book. Mainly because Ebola is a very nasty disease.

The neat thing that comes out of this is God saw him through. I think that's one of the things that comes out very clearly in this book is you see God's hand at work. Even in the little things. Even in the tough things. It worked for the good. To bring about Dr. Brantley's recovery. 

I would definitely recommend this book to friends but I would tell you that you should use some caution because it does go into a lot of the specifics about Ebola. Still, it's a fantastic book.  

You can get a copy of Called For Life by going to www.Amazon.com or at Christianaudio.com

Nobody's Cuter Than You: Audiobook Review

I received this book courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review.

Narrator Thoughts ~ I always like author read books. They add so much more to the book than anyone else could. Melanie has a nice clear voice with a beautiful southern draw. Living through these events, she is able to add a special tone to this reading. It was a good listen. 

Book Thoughts ~ Friendship is one of the things that is near and dear to my heart. 

I enjoyed hearing her stories and advice about friendship. It is so important to cultivate deep lifelong friendships. Her humorous and heartfelt storytelling drove this home. Her ending advice in the appendixes was very good. 

One thing that I didn't like was how hard she was on social media. I understand that it can become a substitute for the real thing. I understand that many people don't cultivate deep real friendships anymore. However I also have used Facebook to connect and stay in touch with many friends that I never would be able to. I think it's wrong to assume that social media is a killer of all friendships. It is a tool. You can use it for harm or good. I choose to use it for good. 

She does tell many heartwarming stories about her friends. However I would have like to have heard more about her salvation story. How it impacted the friendships in her life. How God moved the hearts of her friends. 

Despite some of the things that we might disagree on personally, Melanie is a good storyteller and a good speaker. She helps you to remember those good childhood friends, your daring high school friends, and the beauty of the friends that you have made now that you are an adult. This book did remind me of the great gifts I have in my circle of friends. 

You can get this book on Amazon and Christian Audio.

Five Years Later

Five years ago today I published my first blog post on Homemade Ministry.

It's amazing to me to watch and see what God has done not just in the blogging world, but in many other areas of my life.

In recent years I haven't blogged so much. Life and many adventures have prevented me from blogging regularly.

I'm happy to say that God has grown and shaped me so much in the last five years. When I think back to that 18-year-old who had so many big dreams and hopes, I smile. She had no idea how God was preparing to not only fulfill her dreams, but change  her to be more like Himself.

It's been a wonderful and exciting journey. As I enter this next phase of my life, I would like to get back into the habit of blogging. I miss posting thoughts and happenings for us all to share.

Looking back I can see all the amazing and awesome things that God has done for me. Looking forward I know He will continue to be faithful and guide me.

See you again soon, Rose

The Holy Bible: Audiobook Review

I received this book courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review. 

Narrator Thoughts: To be honest I found this narrator rather flat. His voice was very rich and deep. Perfect for reading the Bible. Yet his voice lacked the emotion and beauty found in the scriptures. I will give him that his voice was very nice and kept me listening for a while. Maybe it was just me, but I felt like it left some to be desired. 

Book Thoughts: Obviously it goes without saying that I am a deeply devoted Christian and as such, the Bible is very precious to me. I enjoy audio Bibles, but this one didn't measure up to some of the others that I have read. For me one of the things that makes any audio Bible is the music and sound effects. Two things that were sadly lacking in this audio Bible. It felt like there was something missing. The narrator was fairly good, but on the whole I felt it lacked quite a bit. 

To get a copy of The Gospels or to see another review, Please go to Christianaudio.com or Amazon.com. 

Ordinary: Audiobook Review

I received this audiobook courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review.

Narrator Thoughts: He had a good voice for reading this book. It was calm and steady. Although I would have liked to have heard a little more emotion, it was read well.

Book Thoughts: this is one of the best books I have listened to in a while. It dovetailed with what God has been teaching me.

In this book Tony makes a good case that God calls us to live ordinary lives for God. It's not in doing the huge amazing things that we change the world. It's in doing the simple everyday things in the love and spirit of Christ. Loving those that God calls us to love. Taking care of the hurting. Strengthening the weak.

For me this book was a call to love and serve in normal life. Stop looking for something big to do. Look at the little things that God has already given me to do and do them in love.

I was very challenged by the chapter on advocacy. Speaking up is not one of my strong points. But God calls us to speak up for the oppressed and voiceless. We who have a voice are called to speak for those who have none. To me this means that I need to remember those who can't speak and speak for them. God is helping me find my voice. It's not easy, but worth it.

This is an excellent and challenging book. I was encouraged and challenged by the message.

You can buy this book on Christianaudio.com, Amazon.com, and CBD.com 

Tortured For Christ: Audiobook Review

I received this book courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review. 

Narrator Thoughts: Normally even when you are listening to a book about people in a different country, most narrators don't adjust their voices for the place where the author came from. I thought that Alex did an amazing job of speaking distinctly and speaking in a German, Russian, or Romanian accent depending on the place in the book. It was very good. He gave a depth and meaning to the book that was very helpful. 

Book Thoughts: I had heard about this book for many years. Now I know that the reports were not exaggerated. I found this book challenging and convicting. 

It clearly details the struggles and tortures of the underground church around the world today. It exposes the communist party and how their "churches" are nothing more than a front to hide the fact that there really is no religious freedom. 

I wouldn't recommend this for younger readers because of some of the graphic content. All true and very powerful. 

This is very powerful book. It reminded me of my suffering brothers and sisters around the world. I need to pray for them and help them. 

You can buy this book on Amazon or Christian Audio    

Chose Love: Audiobook Review

I received this book courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review.

Narrator Thoughts: Another author read book that was fantastic. Stormie does an excellent job of bringing the pages to life. The emphasis and passion that she gave to this book were very nice.

Books Thoughts: From the first chapter I found Choose Love to not only be an informative book about the love of God, but also a call to love God and others. As I listened I my soul was  not only impressed with a sense of how much God loves me, but also a sense of how that compels me to love others. When you have been loved, you cannot help but love. This book was very encouraging to me. It reminded me of the Father's love for me.

The only thing that I didn't like about this book was that at one point she said that if your earthly father was abusive it is very hard for you to understand God as your loving Father. While I know that this is true, I also know that blaming others for our struggles is not the answer. Awakening to the reality of His love is a struggle no matter what your childhood looked like. But letting God and His love come in and heal us from the scares of the past, that is the real key. Again this is just my personal thought.

Through personal experiences and stories, Stormie shares her heart about the love that has captured it. At the end of each chapter she had prayers and verses tying in with what she talked about in the chapter. I found them very refreshing.

You can buy this book on Christian Audio or Amazon