Lasting Legacy - Doug Hagedorn

A Practical guide to secure your future, your family,  your finances, and your faith in uncertain times.    At over 475 pages, it is a daunting task to take this book at one sitting, it covers a lot of ground. When the reader considers 67 total chapters,  it does cover just about every aspect of a person's life.  The focus on this book is practical application. It is not a book to passively read and then put away.  It demands action. Checklists and tests are included to check your progress.
A unique feature of this book are icons that instruct the reader to take certain actions.  There are five unique icons that will tell the reader where to go for more information on the subject.  There is Mirror Moment - Look a little deeper, Selah- stop and take action,  Tune Tie - A song that relates to the subject. ( there are links to itunes in the ebook to the songs),  Generational Hall of Fame -- A story of an individual that made a generational impact, and Legacy Lesson - a summary that pulls it all together. These all enhance the chapters.
The author has also written a book called Ease the Squeeze,  concerning financial matters.  Of particular importance is the Milestones Moments chart and a decision tree to understand how your decisions affect generations to come, and what kind of legacy will you leave?  Subjects such as finances,  investing,  parenting, budgeting and faith are addressed.  A timely chapter on economics is important as it explains the U.S. debt, and what each of us can do about it personally.
I would recommend  this book to anyone who is concerned about the legacy the will leave, and how it will affect generations to come.

The Christian Parenting Handbook By Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller

 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child's Life. This book is a good read for any parent with a child of any age, from very young to older.  The authors take a "heart" approach, and the short 50 chapters, each one only 2 or 3 pages long,  one for each principle, are easy to read.  It is a grace-based, heart-based, Bible based framework to parenting. From the founders of the National Center for Biblical Parenting and biblicalparenting.info and biblicalparentinguniverstiy.com.
How are we to raise our children in today's society with so much advice coming at us from so many places?  The authors encourage us to "develop your own Biblical philosophy of parenting and use it to filter the many ideas that come your way."
There is a helpful index to find subjects addressed.    There are free email parenting tips by writing to parent@biblicalparenting.org.  Also, eight additional books are available to help parents through every stage of a child's development.  More information at takethefamilychallenge.com.
I would recommend this book to parents of children of any age, as any parent can use the advice given.  Published by Thomas Nelson, I have been provided a review copy at no charge.

I Still Believe - Jeremy Camp

A memoir. This is the story of  Christian musician Jeremy Camp growing up, getting married at an early age, his wife dying after only 3 months together, and how he found love again. He was a "twenty-three year old widower."   It is a very personal book, with many family details.  He documents his down times of doubt, as well as times of joy. One of the main themes throughout his life has been relationships, with God and with other people.
The last words of the book really sum it up he says:
 " This life is full of disappointments and pain, but God is faithful.  That is why even when I cannot see, I can stand and sing "I Still Believe."  And because of what God has brought me through, I will believe."
The author has a way of bringing the reader into the story to experience his life first hand.  From growing up and first getting into Christian music, through the recent past.  Intertwined throughout are lyrics to songs he has written, and the story behind the songs.
I would recommend this book to anyone who needs encouragement though the dark times or anytime to Still Believe, and God will work it out for good.
Visit jeremycamp.com for more.