The Great House of God

With The Lord’s Prayer as a framework, Max Lucado’s The Great House of God: A Home for Your Heart infuses the reader with warm blessings.  A literary visit to this house takes us through the foundation, into the living room and up the stairs to the observatory.  We visit the study, the kitchen, and the Chapel.  We even see the hallway, the walls, and the family room.  Max uses the house metaphor to describe the amazing love and care of our Heavenly Father who indeed wants us to be in His eternal home. 

 Max Lucado writes in a clear and down to earth style. He relates stories of his own family; he tells of a shopping trip to buy two desks. His young daughter did not want to wait for delivery, so she implored her dad to load the furniture in the trunk.   Recalling his child’s request and relating this to God, Max states “He is not only willing to hear us, he loves to hear us.”   This well-known pastor and author uses humor effectively. His anecdote of the skiing lady who needed to visit the restroom made me laugh out loud.  And the kitchen table stories can be appreciated by everyone who has ever filled his plate.   The engaging stories help us to understand the great love of God and his house “where we feel safe and secure.”

The text also includes a substantial study guide for individuals or small groups.  I recommend this book highly; not only is it a credible treatise from a trusted servant of God, but it is also a delightful visit to The Great House of God.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.

 

The 5 Money Personalities

The 5 Money Personalities: Speaking the Same Love and Money Language by Scott and Bethany Palmer

Did you know that you can commit financial infidelity? Or that money fights are not about the money? Or that you have a “money personality”?  These questions and other marital and money concerns are addressed by financial planners and writers Scott and Bethany Palmer in their book, The 5 Money Personalities: Speaking the Same Love and Money Language.  This is an easy to read, enthusiastic how to manual that would benefit couples of all ages. The Palmers avow that everyone has a money personality; actually we have primary and secondary personalities.  An online address is given for you to discern your own Money Personality through a short quiz.  In another website, couples assess their money handling to find their Financial Relationship Index.  Citing examples of couples they’ve counseled for many years, the Palmers explain how a lack of financial communication and understanding can hurt a relationship.  The little daily decisions such as buying generic or name brand cereal can negatively impact a spouse who views purchases differently.  Thus knowing your and your spouse’s money personality will allow better understanding. The authors encourage us to “own” our own money personality in order to see our own errors. They advocate a “Money Dump” to get negative feelings out and “The Money Huddle,” a time to make decisions.  The 5 Money Personalities is a refreshing addition to the bookshelf of financial advice.  The reader will find himself saying, “Yes, that’s so true,” or “That’s me, all right!”  But the Palmers don’t just identify the problems; they give workable, practical solutions.  An enjoyable and instructive read, this book is highly recommended.

I was given this book free of charge by the publisher to review. I am not required to give a positive review and the opinions expressed here are only my own.