Tag Archives: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Desperate by Sally Clark and Sarah Mae

By Ordinary Servant | Published January 13, 2013

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 8, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400204666
ISBN-13: 978-1400204663
Price: $15.99
Purchase: Amazon | BN | CBD

desperatemom.com

 

 

 

Description

Desperate is for those who love their children to the depths of their souls but who have also curled up under their covers, fighting back tears, and begging God for help. It’s for those who have ever wondered what happened to all their ideals for what having children would be like. For those who have ever felt like all the “experts” have clearly never had a child like theirs. For those who have prayed for a mentor. For those who ever felt lost and alone in motherhood.

In Desperate you will find the story of one young mother’s honest account of the desperate feelings experienced in motherhood and one experienced mentor’s realistic and gentle exhortations that were forged in the trenches of raising her own four children.

Whether you are a first time mom, or an experienced mom, Desperate will inspire you to be a part of the ultimate goal of the book, to be a part of the no-more-desperate-moms movement.

Review

I do not typically read books on parenting or motherhood. It just isn’t one of my interests, even though I’m a mother.

I was pleasantly surprised at how good this book is. I would have loved to read this helpful and encouraging book after I had my first child.

I enjoyed how each chapter begins with correspondence between Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson. After you read about each one’s personal experience on a particular topic of motherhood.

I gleaned a lot from this book even though my children are not babies anymore.

Desperate is informative and a unique read; balancing two perspectives: Sarah’s experience as a young mother versus Sally’s years of experience and wisdom.

I also learned the value of younger women having older women as mentors from this book as well.

I did not have any help when I had my children. My husband and I did it all ourselves.

I look back now and know it was by the grace of God we survived and got through very difficult times.

Desperate offers biblical wisdom and practical advice which I recommend for mothers, especially, young mothers.

Sarah Mae (sarahmae.com), listed as one of the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “Six Women Leaders to Follow on Twitter,” is an influential blogger, conference host, and author of the best-selling ebook 31 Days to Clean: Having a Martha House the Mary Way. She makes her home in the beautiful Amish country of Pennsylvania where she celebrates life with her husband and three children.

Sally Clarkson (itakejoy.com) is the author of several books, including The Ministry of Motherhood, Seasons of a Mother’s Heart, and Dancing with My Father. She and her husband, Clay, are the cofounders of Whole Heart Ministries, which encourages and equips Christian parents. The Clarksons live in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, CO.

 

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The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

By Ordinary Servant | Published November 23, 2012

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031032906X
ISBN-13: 978-0310329060
Price: $26.99
Purchase: Amazon | CBD | BN

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

Ten years ago, Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, which became the bestselling hardback non-fiction book in history, and is the second most-translated book in the world, after the Bible. PDL has inspired and changed tens of millions of lives … more than any modern book. NOW, Rick has updated and expanded the book with new chapters on the greatest barriers to living your purpose, plus 42 video introductions to each chapter theme, and 42 additional audio messages that go deeper into each chapter. He has also created a new small group curriculum and new sermon series for pastors, and new follow-up events to conserve the evangelistic and discipleship results you will experience. In the original 40 Days of Purpose campaign, churches averaged 28% growth in attendance, and over 100% growth in small group Bible study! People WANT to know their purpose in life! The Purpose Driven Life will enable a new generation in your church to discover God’s purposes for their lives and empower your church with a fresh new wind of hope, joy, and vitality!

Review

Wow! I can’t believe it’s been ten years already. I first heard about The Purpose Driven Life in March 2005. It was when this woman was held hostage. Her name then was Ashley Smith. She’s married now and goes by Ashley Smith Robinson.

Her story is amazing because as a result of reading excerpts of The Purpose Driven Life to her captor, he let her go and turned himself in.

When I read this story in the news, I went out and bought the book right away. I was fascinated to know what The Purpose Driven Life was all about.

I read it back then and started telling everyone in my circle about it. I even bought copies and gave them out to people.

I love everything Pastor Rick Warren preaches and writes about. He has a brilliant way of breaking things down and making difficult concepts easy to understand. He keeps your interest and he is never boring.

The anniversary edition of The Purpose Driven Life is even better. There are two new chapters added: “The Envy Trap – I must be like you to be happy” and “The People-Pleaser Trap – I must be liked by you to be happy”.

Also, what I totally think is fabulous, is there are QR codes and web links incorporated providing a video intro and 30-minute audio message by Pastor Rick Warren for each chapter.

If you are not familiar with Pastor Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life is a great introduction. This is one of my favorite books ever. I highly recommend it to everyone.

In conclusion, I want to thank both Zondervan and Thomas Nelson for sending me a complimentary copy of this book to review.

 

As founding pastor of Saddleback Church, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000 member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As a theologian, he has lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, University of Judaism, and dozens of universities and seminaries. As a global strategist he advises world leaders and has spoken to the United Nations, US Congress, Davos Economic Forum, TED, Aspen Institute, and numerous parliaments. Rick has also founded the global P.E.A.C.E. plan, which Plants churches of reconciliation, Equips leaders, Assists the poor, Cares for the sick, and Educates the next generation in 196 countries. www.purposedriven.com

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