When Helping Hurts Review

The reason I wanted to listen to “When Helping Hurts” was a completely selfish one. After losing my family when I was younger, I noticed that when anyone suffers a loss (whether I know them or not), I not only relive my own pain, but I hurt DEEPLY for them. I was hoping this book would provide guidance on how NOT to hurt. After listening to the first chapter, I realized I was WAY OFF BASE. My next thought was “How selfish I must be!” After I got past my human-ness (one more time!), I continued to listen to this thought provoking book with an open mind. This book’s focus was on helping poverty stricken nations, while allowing them to keep their self-esteem. Their focus is completely different than anything I have ever been taught or thought.
While listening to this book, we received our first letter from a child we sponsored through a world-outreach program last fall (my daughter and I). I was SHOCKED to read that she didn’t receive any gifts for child’s day (I assume she meant Christmas). Why would she tell me that? My first thought was sadness, then guilt (for being so blessed!). But what do I do with that information?
While recently attending a Christian conference in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to speak with another outreach organization (who has been following THIS author’s recommendations for many years). She told me children are TAUGHT to ask for gifts from Americans. The personal written confirmation made my heart ache (but I still had to mail a couple of little Christian gifts). I now know I MUST continue to mail Christian information (and even a Bible – as I was told they are not supplied by the sponsor organization) to help really SAVE this family!
I’m not sure what the future holds for me – as far as support to foreign countries. I do know I want to purchase a hard copy of this book so I can re-read (and highlight) the helpful information…I KNOW I revert to my “old way of thinking” more than I’d like to admit. I do know that PRAYER is a must!
christianaudio Reviewers Program provided a download of this audio book. This did NOT affect my opinion of this review - http://christianaudio.com.

Coming Soon......

ONE of my next title reviews....I can't wait! What a phenomenon!

May 6, 2010

Day begins 4:40 am (slept in)
Left home 6:30 am
Awesome Training event in Virginia Beach - arrival time 7:30 am
Approximately 10:00 am - won Starbucks Gift Card (YEA!!!!)
FABULOUS lunch at the conference
Left conference at 3:45 pm heading for home - valuable time with family!
Drive home - noticed sign reading 7 mile backup at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT)
Tried to exit interstate and "go around" traffic
Got lost
Called co-worker to get directions
Got back "on-track"
Car getting warm - 4:15 pm
Car needle in the "RED zone"
Called my son
Turned off car
Waited for cars to move - pulled to side of road
Called my son again
Took a brief nap while I waited for traffic to thin out (sweat dripping from my head woke me)
Called my son again
Read a fabulous book-The Slow Fade-by Reggie Joiner, Chuck Bomar and Abbie Smith
Sent text messages to numerous people (mostly family)
Called my son again
Traffic NOT thinning, getting late - approximately 6:30 pm
Called my son again
Sent text to my supervisor - she called - she locked her keys in her car (while running)
Asked my son to come find me - getting scared - I wasn't sure where I was!
Asked nearby car (MANY available) what street we were on
Told me, but I didn't think he was right - walked to the corner to check (he was right)
Son couldn't find me
Son got some water for my radiator and stopped at store to ask for directions
No one knew where the street name - he checked a map in the store
Noticed no cars coming - Son NOT happy! Told to WAIT for him (agreed)!!!!
Accident blocking road to me - he had to "create" a detour!
HE FOUND ME!!!!!!
He put water in the radiator!!!!!!!
Norfolk assistance vehicle stops to help (AFTER we're done!) - 8:15 pm
On the road - son calls to tell me one of the rear lights is out!
Son asks if I want to fix it when we get home - I say SURE (why not?)!
Make it to HRBT - ALL TRAFFIC STOPPED!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!
It's 8:30 pm - I left my house at 6:30 am!!!!!!
FINALLY get to move and arrive at Advanced Auto at 30 seconds to 9:00 pm
Get bulb - go to son's house to fix light
He offers a yummy sandwich - I was a little hungry!
Head home
Arrival time - 9:45 pm!!!!!
Got up this morning - start all over again!

I remain blessed! What would I do without my family!?!?!?!

Will the World End in 2012?

Let me begin by saying this is a fabulous book for someone like me! You see, I made the decision long ago to stop watching the daily news and reading the local newspaper. There is so much negative press that it is no wonder our world remains in a constant state of depression and fear. I have made the effort to routinely listen to the world news on National Public Radio every afternoon on my commute home from work.

After reading this book, I felt I had been provided a fascinating overview of the predictions of how our world will end on December 21, 2012. I thought the book was extremely informative; so much so that I felt a sense of intelligence when the topic of the Large Hadron Collider was explained at a recent Christian Conference I attended.

In the introduction to the book, Dr. Raymond Hundley states: “The rise and fall of interest in predictions of the end of the world appear to follow the same rise and fall of stresses, dangers, and exasperation over the actual conditions of human life.” And isn’t our world in a state of constant stress and danger?

I agree with Dr. Hundley’s conclusion that none of us know when the world will end. We don’t even know what will happen on our drive home from work (TRUST ME)! What matters at the end of the day (and at the end of the world) is that we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! It is our responsibility as Christians to share the good news so every person on earth can spend eternity in Heaven (whenever the time comes)!

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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

Teacher Appreciation - Orange Style....

Another Book to Review....

When you send a request to submit book blogs for a publisher, if you're selected, you have the opportunity to select the books you would like to review. THIS is the book I was privileged to select this time and I can't wait to get it, read it and submit my review!

When I arrived in Atlanta last Tuesday night, I was already burdened by what God has in store for me to do next. My youngest daughter will be completing 5th grade and moving on to middle school (OH MY GOSH, where has the time gone?!?!?!), which creates big changes for me in schools and Church. I have been leading a 4th & 5th grade small group at Church that will come to a close this month (Children's Ministry). I have also been co-leading a 4-H club at the elementary school, which will come to a close (should I start a new club at middle school?). So God, what's next for me? I also teach the 5th grade Sunday School group every other month (do I continue with that)? What would you like me to do?

Orange and Andy Stanley have helped me answer this question. I should rephrase that, I don't HAVE the answer, but I know where to go to find it! Thanks to Andy Stanley's book "Visioneering" and Reggie Joiner's conference - regarding making a difference in the lives of others. Andy's book outlines the steps to make these kinds of decisions - and I NEED someone to show me how to do that!

I have a feeling I know WHAT I want to accomplish for Him (the passions inside me), but not the exact WAY He wants me to do it...so prayer, research, reading and time will help provide the direction...please pray for me as I walk this path over the next few months....I am so extremely blessed!