Beyond Orange County by Lydia McLaughlin

Lydia McLaughlin is the managing editor of Beverly Hills Lifestyle magazine and is the author of Beyond Orange County. She resides in California and manages three businesses while raising three boys with her husband Doug. In her book, she shares her experience and wisdom about the strength and grace it takes for each of us to choose a life of purpose. She also shares the lessons she had learned both on and off screen and exhorts the readers to examine their lives by answering to the call that God has for each person. She has some great advice for married people. For instance, the five A’s helps Lydia and her husband manage their conflict and work through their differences without exploding and demeaning each other. The five A’s are affirm, ask, apologize, affection, and amen. Through affirmation, we are to tell our spouse something that we love about her. Then, ask each other how they have offended each other. This open conversation allows for both the husband and wife to see where each person is coming from and allows them to be empathetic towards each other. Then, apologize and ask for forgiveness. Never forget to show affection after the apology has been uttered. Finally, pray together and ask God to guard and protect your marriage. This is just an example of wisdom communicated in this book.

The Miracles in You by Mark Victor Hansen

In The Miracles in You, Mark Victor Hansen attempts to help the reader recognize God’s amazing work in you and through you. Hansen is the co-creator of the well known and widely read Chicken Soup for the Soul book series that has sold more than 500 million books worldwide. In this book, Hansen states that though most people believe that miracles happen, they don’t know when, how, or why they happen. He points out that there are other kinds of miracles that are not necessarily supernatural. These miracles happen multiple times a day all over the world. These might be simple actions or words that enter people’s lives and change them for the better. But what is not clear is if miracles happened all the time would we still call them miracles? Or should we adopt a different word to describe these events. There is no doubt that God works in miraculous and mysterious ways that are beyond our comprehension. But should we be using this word to describe virtually every phenomenon around us? The book is essentially divided into three parts: (1) Believe the Miracles; (2) See the Miracle and; (3) Be the Miracle. And there twelve chapters that make up those three parts.

God of the Big Bang by Dr Leslie Wickman

Can faith and science coexist? That has been the perennial question that has haunted skeptics, seekers, and saints alike. In God of the Big Bang, Dr Leslie Wickman makes the case that scientific evidence strongly supports that our universe had a beginning. She explores many different and difficult questions. Can anyone prove that God exists or is it based on probability? How should the creation account of Genesis be interpreted in light of modern scientific evidence? Is Christianity rational or is it just another leap into the dark? Can it stand the scrutiny of science and logic? How should Christians respond to the environmental problems? Is there a reason that the universe is rational, understandable, and orderly? Does that have any impact in our philosophical reasoning? Wickman is clear and concise in her explanation as she tries to ferret through the “extreme” positions held by materialists and young earth creationists. This is a valid critique because the real arguments are often obfuscated and undermined when people of these two extremes tend to hi-jack the debate. Read this book to be informed about the issues that surround this fundamental question of human existence - namely the existence of God.

13 Women you should Never Marry by Mary Colbert (A Must Read)

I’m actually looking for a wife right now so this book is a God-send for me. I have been praying for a Proverbs 31 wife and there couldn’t be a better time for the arrival of this book. In 13 Women you should Never Marry, Mary Colbert introduces us to 13 types of women or personality types in such a way that anyone could easily spot, recognize, and stay away from. Colbert is clear, concise, and practical in her advice as she explains each of these 13 types of women and how we need to back away.

 What is most beautiful about this book is that Colbert weaves in biblical insights and principles along with her own experiences to drive home her points. The chapters are short and yet they are powerful enough for you to get the message.

The thirteen personality types everyone needs to stay away from are:

Beware of blinded Brenda;

Ditch dominating Donna;

Hasten from Holy Holly;

Turn away from trophy Tina

Take a Pass on Prideful Patty;

Chase Away Critical Cathy;

Avoid Addicted Annie;

Back away from Broke Betsy;

Mind your Manners with Married Mindy;

Leave behind Lying Linda;

Let go of Lazy Lucy;

Stay Away from Sad Sally;

Navigate away from Nervous Nellie

You can catch a glimpse of each of those women just by reading the title but you need to read each of those chapters in its entirety to fully catch the import of the message she tries to communicate. Even if you are not looking for a wife, you still need to read this book so you can be informed to convey this information to someone else.