Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Blind Hope An Unwanted Dog & the Woman She Rescued by Kim Meeder & Laurie Sacher

About the book: An unwanted Dog. An Emotional Rescue. Two Lives Forever Changed. Laurie's dreams had been shattered before she came to work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch - the ranch of rescued dreams - where broken horses and broken children encounter healing every day. In an attempt to soothe her aching soul, Laurie reached out to save a dog in need. And she soon began to realize that the dog was rescuing her. An inspiring true story told through the engaging voice of Kim Meeder, Blind Hope reveals poignant life lessons Laurie experienced through her ailing yet courageous canine friend. Despite the blindness of her dog - and her own heart - Laurie uncovered what she really needed most: authentic love, unconditional trust, and true acceptance, faults and all. As Laurie and her dog, Mia, both learned to follow the lead of a master they couldn't see, Laurie discovered the transforming power of God's grace even for imperfect and selfish people - and she experienced a greater love than she had ever known. My Opinion: Opening this book, I had decided it was just another one of those true life, cutsie, I saved an animal and feel better about myself story. What I found was an inspiring and soul bursting journey that had me in tears. The energy and fortitude it took for this experience to turn into a true journey to the heart of God, is amazing and encouraging. Those of us who feel let down by life and worse, by those around us, find that there is more to life than people. Sometimes the arms of God are packaged up in the life of an animal who trusted and lost. To see the human condition turned against the very animals that God ordained that we should care for, and yet that very animal turns out to be the saving Grace in the life of a human who trusted and lost instead. Laurie shares her heart and soul. A brave and courageous woman, who tried to hide herself away in the high desert, devoid of trees and social pressures, shows that God can find us no matter where we are or what we are experiencing. Even if you aren't a "Laurie", I recommend reading this. And then pass it on to someone who is! This books should be in every church library, every pastors/deacons/counselors office. An amazing journey with an amazing woman and her amazing dog through Amazing Grace! Below is the first chapter. Give it a read, then order your book as soon as possible...you won't be sorry! Blind Hope by Kim Meeder (Chapter 1) Please visit here and rate my review :) http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/17687/blogr:9528 **I was provided a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing through Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder


About This Book:
True beauty is not about how you look… but how you live. Women are constantly bombarded with the lie that how we look is far more important than who we are. It’s time for a clarion call back to the truth. Journey with gifted storyteller Kim Meeder as she encourages women to see that true value is defined by our Creator and that our worth has a purpose of eternal proportions. Real beauty isn’t a look, it’s an action. It can be found by making one crucial, life-defining choice—to lay down personal ambitions and selfish desires, pick up your sword of encouragement, and fight for those who are losing their battle for hope. As you do, fierce beauty is revealed—along with lasting value, fulfillment, and joy. In Fierce Beauty, Kim shares inspiring true stories from her own life of adventure, love, and loss—including her parents’ shocking death when she was nine years old and her struggles with self acceptance, knowing God, and standing for Him. Through it all, you’ll discover life lessons about trust, transformation, surrender, forgiveness, and genuine purpose. Ultimately, life comes down to one question: Will you serve yourself or your King? Includes discussion guide for individuals or groups. “You were not created to be a princess of entitlement but a warrior, fighting to bring love and hope to the world.” – Kim Meeder Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder (Ch. 1 excerpt)


My Opinion:


   Few Spiritual Encouragement books get my attention as strongly as Fierce Beauty did. I did not read this book once, but twice! Yes twice! Before I could sit down to write my review of this book, I felt compelled to read it a second time. It isn't a long book, but it is filled with such inspiring and encouraging words that I truly wasn't sure I had understood it correctly the first time. 


   Kim Meeder is an amazing woman. She share her own life experiences and how these things led her to where she is as a child of the living God. She not only encourages but challenges us at every turn. 


   Though this seems to be directed toward women, I think this is a book that can and should be read by men as well. Each of these inspirational situations, challenges and conclusions are all inclusive as children of God. Each gender having their own challenges and discouraging moments in life, can be redirected in a godly and positive manner through her writings.


   I laughed, I cried and I felt her struggles and her joys through her trials and triumphs in her journey. Inspiring just doesn't say enough of how her words helped me to see that my own beauty within is far more important and far more godly than my outside. I choose to take off my crown of entitlement and move on as a daughter of my Heavenly Father. Striving to be HIS and distancing myself from being the worlds.


   I highly recommend this book to anyone and, in fact, encourage you to purchase several copies and give them as gifts. This is one of those books that is sure to bless anyone. From young teens to the elderly in our lives, this is a book that needs to be read...more than once!







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**I was provided a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing through Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.