So right now I'm on Spring Break, or what is left of it. I've been working the last four days to help support a missions trip I'm going on this summer. So I woke up to a beautiful and warm spring morning, with the birds chirping, a light breeze, and a tree in the middle of our yard that was starting to bloom. Winter is almost over, which is the season I dislike the most and spring, which is my favorite season is almost here. Spring is my favorite season for many reasons, it brings life and warmth back to our planet and reminds me of just how much I miss the birds chirping when I wake up and watching the plants and flowers in our yard grow each and every day. God is an awesome God and I am so grateful for everything that He made, things oftentimes we forget about till we lose them. May we never grow into a state where the sunset becomes just another sunset, or a flower becomes just another flower. Let us take in with awe the beauty and splendor of God with everything He has made, not taking anything for granted.
"Tithing" by Douglas Leblanc is not a book written from the authors perspective, but a collection of stories from other people and why they believe tithing is important and how tithing has affected their lifestyles. Through eleven different stories Leblanc wants you to see different perspectives of tithing and how it has positively affected people’s lives. Leblanc then wants you to think about the different stories and then to arrive at a conclusion on whether or not you should tithe.
“Tithing” did not affect me as strongly as other books that I’ve read in the series. The author doesn’t seem to pressure you into thinking that tithing is an issue that is right or wrong, but something that you should try for yourself and see if it works out for you. However, several good points were made and you are exposed to several different reasons and perspectives for tithing. The reasons and perspectives, I found to be beneficial and something that helps you better understand why you should tithe and the benefits of tithing. Overall I wouldn’t say it is a bad book; however I wouldn’t say it was a book that really spoke out to me and really affected me. If you are researching, studying, or are just interested about tithing, it would be a great book to read. My one point of caution however would be is that just like any other book you read, to filter everything through the Bible, as the Bible is infallible and incorruptible.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com
“Sabbath” is about the Sabbath day, which for many would be Sunday. There are many views about how the Sabbath should be performed, from those who view it as another day of work, to those who view it as a time strickly for rest and for spiritual matters. Allender shows you through “Sabbath”, that the Sabbath day is a requirment, which is layed down in the Ten Commandments. Allender also shows you that the Sabbath is a day that is not meant strictly for rest and being focused only on things such as prayer, reading of the Bible, etc…; but that neither is it a time for you to go to church Sunday morning, have Sunday lunch, watch a football game, and go back to church possibly for a Sunday night service. Allender lays out that the Sabbath is to be a time that is not a break or a vacation from life or responsibility, but a time to connect and “play” with the almighty Creator of the universe through a variety of means. These means can include finding out what you are passionate by finding things that you are talented in, or things you just enjoy, another way is by enjoying creation whether it be through a walk, photography, etc… It is a day to enjoy what God has made and to also grow closer to Him by looking back at what He made and enjoying it with those close to us. This book showed me and opened up my eyes to what the Sabbath really is, before I read this book I never really thought about the Sabbath as having significant meaning, besides going to church. I definitely would encourage you to buy this book, as I can’t see how you cannot take at least one thing away from this book that would further your walk with Christ.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com
