Comments for Good Dirt - Matthew 13 http://www.gooddirt.org Christain Media Review - Books, Music, Podcasts Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:41:58 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 Comment on Look, No Hands!: The Inspiring Story of Brian Gault by Davy Loughran http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/look-no-hands-the-inspiring-story-of-brian-gault/comment-page-1/#comment-1611 Davy Loughran Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:41:58 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/look-no-hands-the-inspiring-story-of-brian-gault/#comment-1611 I went to school with Brian and I find this a gripping disclosure of his life. Like Brian, I am a Thalidomide and find his potral of life as very true. Great book by good friend of mine!! Rating: 4 / 5 I went to school with Brian and I find this a gripping disclosure of his life. Like Brian, I am a Thalidomide and find his potral of life as very true. Great book by good friend of mine!!
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> Comment on How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You by Eric L. Schulze http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/comment-page-1/#comment-1608 Eric L. Schulze Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:38:15 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/#comment-1608 As a husband whose wife does not go to church with him, I read this book from the perspective of a man having a similar problem but with his wife - the same spiritual truths apply to men! If a man would implement what this book instructs, he too could learn to operate in faith and allow God to move on his situation. Armed with knowledge of the scriptures and an understanding of the actions I can take, I have every expectation that my wife will soon be going to church with me! This book provided me with the hope and tools that not only this situation but any situation I may face can be turned around by God Rating: 5 / 5 As a husband whose wife does not go to church with him, I read this book from the perspective of a man having a similar problem but with his wife – the same spiritual truths apply to men! If a man would implement what this book instructs, he too could learn to operate in faith and allow God to move on his situation. Armed with knowledge of the scriptures and an understanding of the actions I can take, I have every expectation that my wife will soon be going to church with me! This book provided me with the hope and tools that not only this situation but any situation I may face can be turned around by God
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You by Susan Ashcraft http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/comment-page-1/#comment-1607 Susan Ashcraft Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:08:52 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/#comment-1607 As a single woman, never married, I was not sure how this book would apply to me. I found this book to be an outstanding account of "Faith in Action." The biblical references and examples of standing in faith for God's promises apply to all of us. I was moved by the honesty of the author to share her experience and the willingness of her husband to allow this story to be told. I also learned a lot about the importance of respecting your husband, standing on the promises of God (regardless of how the situation looks) and faith that the Lord will accomplish his plan for our life if we don't give up. It is a story of hope, perseverence and victory! I highly recommend it. Rating: 5 / 5 As a single woman, never married, I was not sure how this book would apply to me. I found this book to be an outstanding account of “Faith in Action.” The biblical references and examples of standing in faith for God’s promises apply to all of us. I was moved by the honesty of the author to share her experience and the willingness of her husband to allow this story to be told. I also learned a lot about the importance of respecting your husband, standing on the promises of God (regardless of how the situation looks) and faith that the Lord will accomplish his plan for our life if we don’t give up. It is a story of hope, perseverence and victory! I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You by Rhonda L. Crews http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/comment-page-1/#comment-1606 Rhonda L. Crews Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:54:59 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/#comment-1606 I ordered this book for my sister but decided to read it first. I doubt that I give it to her; I don't think it will help her to get her husband into church. FIrst, it was not carefully edited for typos and grammar which diminishes it's overall quality. Second, one could structure a personal devotion by using the Bible and a concordance just as easily as reading this book and gain just as much or more. It's premise is to look within, which I agree with, but you don't need this book to find that out . . . it has nothing new to encourage women whose husbands stay home on Sunday morning. Rating: 2 / 5 I ordered this book for my sister but decided to read it first. I doubt that I give it to her; I don’t think it will help her to get her husband into church. FIrst, it was not carefully edited for typos and grammar which diminishes it’s overall quality. Second, one could structure a personal devotion by using the Bible and a concordance just as easily as reading this book and gain just as much or more. It’s premise is to look within, which I agree with, but you don’t need this book to find that out . . . it has nothing new to encourage women whose husbands stay home on Sunday morning.
Rating: 2 / 5

]]> Comment on How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You by L. Stearns http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/comment-page-1/#comment-1605 L. Stearns Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:39:18 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/#comment-1605 Reading this book has helped me to grow in the area of faith and patience. All of the concepts delivered in this book are practical and applicable to any Christian woman desiring the unity of husband and wife attending church together. The Lord is faithful to our prayers and He has used this author to convey powerful truths from His Word. As a result of applying these principles to my marriage, I now enjoy the company of my husband in every church service. Thank you for sharing your story and giving me guidance that has made a difference in my life! Rating: 5 / 5 Reading this book has helped me to grow in the area of faith and patience. All of the concepts delivered in this book are practical and applicable to any Christian woman desiring the unity of husband and wife attending church together. The Lord is faithful to our prayers and He has used this author to convey powerful truths from His Word. As a result of applying these principles to my marriage, I now enjoy the company of my husband in every church service. Thank you for sharing your story and giving me guidance that has made a difference in my life!
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You by K.J http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/comment-page-1/#comment-1604 K.J Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:52:49 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/how-to-get-your-husband-to-go-to-church-with-you/#comment-1604 How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You was a power packed read for me. I had been praying for a few years for my husband to start attending church with me and our daughter. I so wanted to have us go to church together so that we could grow up in God's Word together. I hungered for my husband to be the spiritual head of our household. He has always respected my choice to go to church and my belief in the whole Word of God and the power and authority that comes when you receive God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Sunday mornings we would leave for church and my husband would be on the sofa with his coffee watching the History Channel or Speed Vision and I thought if only he would come with us and experience what happens with you open up your heart to receive from God. I prayed and prayed. Upon reading How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You and reflecting on the chapter about casting over to God the care I had about changing the heart of my husband. I prayed God's Word over my situation and I was very specific. I said to God, my husband and his salvation are a huge care of mine Lord and I know that you want me to cast this care over to you because you love me. I actually visuallized holding my husband in the palm of my hand and lifting him up to God. After this prayer, I started thanking God everyday for working on my husbands heart and Praise God it was not long after this that my husband got up one morning and took a shower and got in the car with us. He has been coming to church for almost 2 years now, he was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. God is a faithful God all the time and He is a God that hears the prayers of His people and is willing and able to perform His Word! Rating: 5 / 5 How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You was a power packed read for me. I had been praying for a few years for my husband to start attending church with me and our daughter. I so wanted to have us go to church together so that we could grow up in God’s Word together. I hungered for my husband to be the spiritual head of our household. He has always respected my choice to go to church and my belief in the whole Word of God and the power and authority that comes when you receive God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Sunday mornings we would leave for church and my husband would be on the sofa with his coffee watching the History Channel or Speed Vision and I thought if only he would come with us and experience what happens with you open up your heart to receive from God. I prayed and prayed. Upon reading How to Get Your Husband to Go to Church with You and reflecting on the chapter about casting over to God the care I had about changing the heart of my husband. I prayed God’s Word over my situation and I was very specific. I said to God, my husband and his salvation are a huge care of mine Lord and I know that you want me to cast this care over to you because you love me. I actually visuallized holding my husband in the palm of my hand and lifting him up to God. After this prayer, I started thanking God everyday for working on my husbands heart and Praise God it was not long after this that my husband got up one morning and took a shower and got in the car with us. He has been coming to church for almost 2 years now, he was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. God is a faithful God all the time and He is a God that hears the prayers of His people and is willing and able to perform His Word!
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on The Bedazzling Bowl by Jack W. Regan http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/the-bedazzling-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1603 Jack W. Regan Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:29:00 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/the-bedazzling-bowl/#comment-1603 Take a young girl heroine like Aly M. Bellisher and combine that with an imaginative author like Wendy Lynn Decker and you get an amusing and clever story filled with adventures and childhood fantasies. Is Aly's new teacher really a cannibal? Is she responsible for the disappearance of Aly's best friend Sandy? <br /> <br />In this funny and applicable story of faith in the midst of change, Aly must learn to cope with undesirable circumstances and venture outside her own comfort zone in order to make new friends, even those who may not be the most popular kids in school. <br /> <br />"The Bedazzling Bowl" is a great book that I'd recommend to any parent looking for quality, character-building literature for their children. Four stars! Rating: 4 / 5 Take a young girl heroine like Aly M. Bellisher and combine that with an imaginative author like Wendy Lynn Decker and you get an amusing and clever story filled with adventures and childhood fantasies. Is Aly’s new teacher really a cannibal? Is she responsible for the disappearance of Aly’s best friend Sandy?

In this funny and applicable story of faith in the midst of change, Aly must learn to cope with undesirable circumstances and venture outside her own comfort zone in order to make new friends, even those who may not be the most popular kids in school.

“The Bedazzling Bowl” is a great book that I’d recommend to any parent looking for quality, character-building literature for their children. Four stars!
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> Comment on The Bedazzling Bowl by Jaime Zapata http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/the-bedazzling-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1602 Jaime Zapata Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:28:53 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/the-bedazzling-bowl/#comment-1602 The author, Wendy Decker, has created a warm and "kid-friendly" world, where young girls and young boys can read about the adventures of Aly M. Bellisher. <br /> <br />Our young heroine's adventures serve as the basis for faith and life lessons in a gentle and engaging way. Different, and sometime difficult, personalities come into play as we are introduced to Aly's friends. How Aly deals with and resolves these verious situations can generate hours of parent/child discussions - truly a blessing! <br /> <br />Lets have more of Aly's adventures! <br /> Rating: 5 / 5 The author, Wendy Decker, has created a warm and “kid-friendly” world, where young girls and young boys can read about the adventures of Aly M. Bellisher.

Our young heroine’s adventures serve as the basis for faith and life lessons in a gentle and engaging way. Different, and sometime difficult, personalities come into play as we are introduced to Aly’s friends. How Aly deals with and resolves these verious situations can generate hours of parent/child discussions – truly a blessing!

Lets have more of Aly’s adventures!

Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on The Bedazzling Bowl by Sonshine http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/the-bedazzling-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1601 Sonshine Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:25:56 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/the-bedazzling-bowl/#comment-1601 This book is wonderful! A true delight!! I would strongly recommend it for all parents to get for their children. It teaches good wholesome values and acceptance. Rating: 5 / 5 This book is wonderful! A true delight!! I would strongly recommend it for all parents to get for their children. It teaches good wholesome values and acceptance.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on The Bedazzling Bowl by Lynda Schab http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/the-bedazzling-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1600 Lynda Schab Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:18:41 +0000 http://www.gooddirt.org/2010/03/the-bedazzling-bowl/#comment-1600 I enlisted my nine-year-old daughter's help in reviewing Wendy Lynn Decker's book, "The Bedazzling Bowl." I honestly don't know who liked the book more--my daughter or me. I do know that we both made a wonderful new friend and her name is Aly M. Bellisher. <br /> <br />Aly M. Bellisher is experiencing change. And change is not something Aly embraces with open arms. Besides entering the fifth grade, her final year as an elementary student, Aly discovers on the first day of school that her best friend, Sandy, is not there to share it with her. <br /> <br />Initially, Aly suspects Sandy may be ill, but upon meeting Mrs. Canible', her new (and somewhat strange) teacher with the giant alligator teeth, Aly decides Mrs. Canible' is really a cannibal who has eaten Sandy. But Aly soon realizes the truth: Sandy is now being homeschooled and won't be coming to public school at all anymore! <br /> <br />At first, Aly is a little lost without her best friend. Sandy is the only other Christian she knows at school. Then Aly meets Cassidy, a girl who came from a special education class. Although they hit it off right away, Aly struggles with befriending someone so "different," especially when popular but not-so-nice classmate, Kimber, strongly disapproves of Cassidy and let's everyone know it. <br /> <br />School/friend problems aside, Aly is desperately trying to figure out the mysterious meaning of the Bible verse she is being forced by her parents to memorize. Throughout the story, Aly comes to learn exactly what the verse means and realizes just how it applies to her life at the moment. <br /> <br />"The Bedazzling Bowl" is expertly written. I would go so far as to compare Aly with Beverly Cleary's character, Ramona Quimby. Aly is real and honest, and kids like her can likely be found in elementary classrooms all over the world. Children between the ages of 7-12 will identify with Aly's struggle to discover just how she fits in and how to let her Christian light shine to those around her, particularly in the midst of fifth-grade peer pressure. <br /> <br />Wendy Lynn Decker does a marvelous job of weaving messages into Aly's story without sounding preachy. Subtle lessons include: not judging someone based on appearance alone, accepting those who aren't "normal" by the world's standard, and standing up for what you believe is right. <br /> <br />In conclusion, "The Bedazzling Bowl," is a delightful and entertaining read that is sure to be enjoyed by all--kids and parents alike. With easy-to-read dialogue that kids can understand, a touch of humor laced throughout, and the take-away value, Aly M. Bellisher is a character you'll remember for a long time to come; a character you'll be glad to call your friend. My daughter and I both give, "The Bedazzling Bowl" an A+ grade and agree that this book belongs on shelves in every library. Immediately after finishing the book, my daughter asked when the next "Aly" book is coming out." <br /> <br />Let's hope it's soon. Rating: 5 / 5 I enlisted my nine-year-old daughter’s help in reviewing Wendy Lynn Decker’s book, “The Bedazzling Bowl.” I honestly don’t know who liked the book more–my daughter or me. I do know that we both made a wonderful new friend and her name is Aly M. Bellisher.

Aly M. Bellisher is experiencing change. And change is not something Aly embraces with open arms. Besides entering the fifth grade, her final year as an elementary student, Aly discovers on the first day of school that her best friend, Sandy, is not there to share it with her.

Initially, Aly suspects Sandy may be ill, but upon meeting Mrs. Canible’, her new (and somewhat strange) teacher with the giant alligator teeth, Aly decides Mrs. Canible’ is really a cannibal who has eaten Sandy. But Aly soon realizes the truth: Sandy is now being homeschooled and won’t be coming to public school at all anymore!

At first, Aly is a little lost without her best friend. Sandy is the only other Christian she knows at school. Then Aly meets Cassidy, a girl who came from a special education class. Although they hit it off right away, Aly struggles with befriending someone so “different,” especially when popular but not-so-nice classmate, Kimber, strongly disapproves of Cassidy and let’s everyone know it.

School/friend problems aside, Aly is desperately trying to figure out the mysterious meaning of the Bible verse she is being forced by her parents to memorize. Throughout the story, Aly comes to learn exactly what the verse means and realizes just how it applies to her life at the moment.

“The Bedazzling Bowl” is expertly written. I would go so far as to compare Aly with Beverly Cleary’s character, Ramona Quimby. Aly is real and honest, and kids like her can likely be found in elementary classrooms all over the world. Children between the ages of 7-12 will identify with Aly’s struggle to discover just how she fits in and how to let her Christian light shine to those around her, particularly in the midst of fifth-grade peer pressure.

Wendy Lynn Decker does a marvelous job of weaving messages into Aly’s story without sounding preachy. Subtle lessons include: not judging someone based on appearance alone, accepting those who aren’t “normal” by the world’s standard, and standing up for what you believe is right.

In conclusion, “The Bedazzling Bowl,” is a delightful and entertaining read that is sure to be enjoyed by all–kids and parents alike. With easy-to-read dialogue that kids can understand, a touch of humor laced throughout, and the take-away value, Aly M. Bellisher is a character you’ll remember for a long time to come; a character you’ll be glad to call your friend. My daughter and I both give, “The Bedazzling Bowl” an A+ grade and agree that this book belongs on shelves in every library. Immediately after finishing the book, my daughter asked when the next “Aly” book is coming out.”

Let’s hope it’s soon.
Rating: 5 / 5

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