Why Don’t They Just Quit!

“Why Don’t They Just Quit” is an astounding book written by Joe Herzanek that is a complete encyclopedia containing knowledge, personal insight and exhausted discussion for families and friends in need of hope, education and truth regarding addiction and recovery. His DVD Roundtable Discussion consists of 90 minutes within four sessions dealing with “Life Before Recovery, Dispelling Myths, All About Treatment and Life in Recovery.” Over thirty-five tough questions are explained and answered including “what works, what doesn’t and why, why a person does not have to hit rock bottom, why effective intervention doesn’t have to be a surprise” attack and many more. There is also a DVD with the 10 toughest questions answered and is a wealth of knowledge for anyone.

Of all the educational material I have  scoured and devoured over the past eight months, nothing has been as exhaustive in truth and information as “Why Don’t They Just Quit!” After reading the book, watching the “DVD Roundtable Discussion” and to the answers to some of the tough questions asked by family and friends I am convinced “Why Don’t They Just Quit” will leave you informed, educated and at peace about what to do next to help your loved one or friend.

The Changing Lives Foundation is committed to bringing to the public clear and concise information on substance abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism and compulsive behaviors. Perhaps more importantly, we focus on how individuals and families recover from these problems.”  http://recoveryarts.com/2009/06/18/recovery-site-review-changing-lives-foundation-why-don%E2%80%99t-they-just-quit/

The site was founded by Joe Herzanak who is the author of “Why Can’t They Just Quit”, is also a recovering addict and counselor for over twenty years. He is one of the most reliable and reputable sources to gain keen insight, absolute truth and invaluable help as you walk this journey of recovery with your family member or friend.

I have experienced the journey of addiction and substance abuse alongside a close family member and have found Joe Herzanek’s book and DVD’s to be helpful, comforting and empowering. Knowing the truth about addiction and substance abuse is of utmost importance in order to lend a helping hand without enabling, offer advice that is both truthful and can be highly effective in the life of the addict and can bring peace to your soul as you witness the life of someone you know being changed dramatically by drug addiction or substance abuse.

Joe Herzanek tells us “Addiction only gets worse.” No household should be without this life-changing literature. I firmly believe “Why Can’t They Just Quit! along with the DVD series can possibly save the life of your loved one or friend.

© 2012  Denise Spooner

No Clues No Shoes

No Clues No Shoes is another fabulous story sure to warm any child’s heart. Marsha Cook’s latest children’s story about two young detectives and Stanley, a furry friend like none other will have you in suspense within the first few pages. Marsha does a terrific job, as always, in bringing a whimsical adventure to life that every youngster will enjoy traveling on.

Emilina Hewitt is an eight year old on a mission to find a fellow student’s shoe using clues that she and her assistant, Anthony Apple, stumble upon along their journey to be the best young detectives around. Stanley, Emilina’s dog, has quite the character and verbal abilities to boot. When Emilina talks too much, Stanley performs his magic that has everyone begging for more. Anthony Apple experiences the loss of his canine buddy and Emilina takes full advantage of the opportunity to share her Grandmother’s words of wisdom while encouraging Anthony to always remember the great memories they had together.

This exciting and suspenseful, heartfelt and unique story, No Clues No Shoes by Marsha Casper Cook, is another spectacular children’s book that belongs in every child’s home. Marsha cleverly intertwines real life lessons with mysterious adventures never to be forgotten. Libraries and bookstores everywhere will be offering young children of all ages literature of great value featuring esteeming characters that highlight important values and lasting friendships with No Clues No Shoes upon their shelves.

© 2011  Denise Spooner

First Aid for a Wounded Marriage

First Aid for a Wounded Marriage written by Marilyn Phillips, is an account of the struggles, the irony and the victories experienced as she stood for her marriage after her husband had left her, was seeking a divorce and was making plans to marry another woman. When counselors offered Marilyn no hope and the couple was being advised divorce was their only option, the Lord proved faithful and came to her aid.

Join Marilyn on her journey through relentless pain and rejection, feelings of sheer hopelessness and astounding faith that “God is more than able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” as stated in Ephesians 3:20. While standing in the gap for her marriage, Marilyn learned that nothing was impossible for Jesus (Philippians 4:13). The steadfast power of the Lord was able to strengthen, encourage, comfort and heal Marilyn as she weathered a catastrophic storm in her life.

This book is for anyone who sincerely desires to see their marriage healed and restored. For those searching for hope and support, First Aid for a Wounded Marriage will unite you with the Creator of marriage and help you through the trauma of a broken heart and an empty marriage. Your marriage can be healed and restored with the power of God working in you and your spouse. Whether your spouse has a relationship with God or not, the Lord can and will do amazing things in your marriage as well as bring healing and wholeness to you. If you don’t yet have a personal relationship with the living God, today is the day of salvation. Invite Jesus into your life, give Him your heart and surrender yourself to His will. It will be the best decision you will ever make entire life.

If you believe in God and that He sent His only begotten Son to die for you, (John 3:16), that you may have eternal life, say this simple prayer- “God, I admit I am a sinner and am in need of a Savior. I believe in You Lord and that You sent Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for my sins through the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross. I receive this free gift of salvation and ask you to come into my life and make it new. You said old things have passed away and new things have come. I want this new life in You, Lord. Cleanse my heart, forgive me for my sins, those in the past, present and future. Thank you for saving me. I am now a new creation and ask for your guidance in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen”

If you prayed the prayer of salvation, congratulations! You now have eternal life with Jesus. No longer do you need to fear death, no longer do you have to persevere extreme trials and tribulations alone. God promises you in Hebrews 13:5, “He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is your advocate now and with God on your side who could possibly be against you?

For three long years, Marilyn Phillips stood with very little support from even the Christian community or close friends. But with the Lord’s help and supernatural support and through the power of the Holy Spirit, today, Marilyn can tell you the tremendous battle for YOUR marriage can be won. Standing for an estranged spouse is not easy, but neither is rebuilding your life after a divorce.

I have personally met Marilyn Phillips and served alongside my husband in marriage ministry through Marriage Ministries International better known as 2equal1 for many years and I have felt the pangs of divorce as a young woman as well as seeing the healing power of Jesus in my present marriage that was once on the road to becoming a current statistic of a bad marriage ending in divorce.  Believe me, allowing God to rebuild your marriage as you stand for the healing and restoration of your relationship no matter what condition it’s currently in, is well worth the effort.

As you read First Aid for a Wounded Marriage, and you place your trust in Jesus and have faith in God to do the work and provide the healing only He can do, you will be amazed at the outcome and have a remarkable testimony that will leave a legacy of love and firm belief that all things are possible with Jesus.

© 2011  Denise Spooner

Sala – More Than a Survivor

In Marsha Cook‘s most informative book, Sala – More Than a Survivor, you’ll discover undeniable truth amongst the Holocaust that words alone cannot fully express. Based on a true story, Marsha discloses one event after another in a sensitive yet profound manner that joins your heart with Sala’s during her most unforgettable journey.

The story unfolds during World War II ending in 1945, when a tenacious ten year old girl named Sala experiences the sudden loss of her parents and siblings, one by one, abruptly taken by Nazi’s. She was strong-willed and hopeful through her most trying circumstances but with sheer determination and perseverance, Sala was reunited with a loved one but not before suffering tremendous outcries unknown to most of us while fighting for her very life.

After reading the heartbreaking series of events Sala lived through, she has taught me surviving is useless without a purpose. Love and commitment were the glue that held every piece of Sala’s shattered life together until the necessary healing and forgiveness were found. Treading this journey with Sala through vivid and blunt accounts retold by Marsha,  birthed within me a deeper thankfulness for life itself. Upon realizing the extreme pain, utter humiliation and intense rejection experienced by those who have survived the Holocaust, I too have hope in any situation that God is with me and sees the bigger picture I have yet to envision.

Marsha Cook‘s book will touch your heart, move your spirit as the unforgettable truth of the Holocaust is shared from a most respectable survivor herself, Salucia Lewis. Upon closing Sala’s final pages you will never be the same.

© 2011  Denise Spooner

Luba – The Angel of Bergen-Belsen

Luba – The Angel of Bergen-Belsen, written by Michelle Roehm McCann, is a touching story of a brave young lady who was a prisoner at a concentration camp in Germany. Luba questioned why she was still alive and had been spared from the fatal wrath of the Nazi soldiers.

One night while lying in bed, Luba heard children crying unheard by the other women. Luba sat up and ventured into the cold woods to find the children who were crying in the night. As Luba trudged into the snow-covered woods, she found fifty-four children behind the barracks out in the field. Luna knew she could not leave the children in the woods to die so she rounded them up and brought them back to the barracks.

At first the other women in the barracks were far more concerned about their own welfare and feared they would be killed if the soldiers found them housing and feeding the children. But when they saw the love and compassion that Luba had for these children who were not even her own, the women’s hearts softened and they welcomed the children into the barracks as well.

Miraculously, Luba managed to get extra food for all the children but not without quite a bit of convincing and wise speech along the way. Despite the chance of being killed for caring for these children, Luba mothered them as if they were her very own.  She wanted to care for these children because they needed her, were hungry and were someone’s children. Luba thought of her own son that she never expected to see again. She hoped someone would be caring for Isaac the way she was caring for these abandoned children.

This story is thrilling and touching as Luba addresses the needs of fifty-four children who should never had made it through that night in Auschwitz. Luba’s courage and love for orphaned children and her deep compassion for them will bring tears to your eyes and warm your heart as she gives these children the gift of life. Luba’s story will be an inspiration to anyone and leave them questioning their own purpose in life.

© 2011  Denise Spooner

Snack Attack teaches children a valuable lesson in too much of a good thing

Snack Attack, written by  Marsha Casper Cook, is about a young boy named Addison Apple who has a big appetite for sweets. His typical breakfast of oatmeal never went down well and one day Addison decided to share his gooey oatmeal with his dog, Sammie. Pulling this clever stunt over on mom was just the beginning of his problems he would soon find out were not worth his efforts to avoid his oatmeal.

Written amongst beautiful illustrations and a lesson to be learned by all young children about listening to their parents, Addison finds relief in following after his sweet obsessions and must contend with the sickening consequences to his dismay. Marsha Cook is an author, a lecturer, screenwriter, agent and radio show host living in the Chicago suburbs. She has published several children’s books as well as  two novels and eleven screenplays. Marsha knows children and how they think. She shares a lesson in listening to parents through Snack Attack in a way that is both educational for children as well as delightfully expressive to parents.

Join Addison and his mom in his breakfast adventure from gooey oatmeal to extravagantly eating his choice foods and realizing his mom really did know best. Snack Attack is a fabulous story that will have your youngster begging for oatmeal at breakfast time and listening to your every word with anticipation and great eagerness. Marsha Cook‘s outstanding creativity makes Snack Attack an absolute must for every child’s library of worthwhile books.

© 2011  Denise Spooner

Exceptional book that blesses both giver and recipient

Any book junkie knows that other book junkies absolutely love getting books as gifts and there is one book that not only serves as a wonderful gift but is as encouraging and inspiring to read as it is to receive.

Max Lucado does a brilliant job in You Changed My Life, highlighting real stories about real people who make life worth living. Walk with him through these pages of hope and experience what humanity cries out for, unconditional love and concern for one another.

This book is about changing one’s life. How one act of kindness can impact someone in phenomenal ways and is a celebration of the love or concern you have for the one in whom will receive this book. It’s pages are beautifully illustrated and consists of over 188 pages including scripture, quotes and words of wisdom.

This is a gift that will keep on giving for generations to come. Be blessed as you become a blessing to that special someone whether he/she is a parent, sibling, good friend, mentor, teacher, neighbor or stranger that could benefit from an encouraging word or two. This book should rest on all of humanity’s shelves.

© 2011  Denise Spooner

A wonderful book highlighting real stories about real people

The Busy Bus is a work of art

Looking for a collection of children’s short poems? Look no further.  Marsha Cook’s The Busy Bus is chock filled with thirty-four wonderful poems that will delight young children from all walks of life. Her book has some of the most colorful illustrations I have ever seen in a children’s book. Marsha Casper Cook is an author, a lecturer, screenwriter, agent and radio show host living in the Chicago suburbs. She has published several children’s books as well as  two novels and eleven screenplays.

Her poems are crisp, humorous, exciting and written with the younger child in mind. Mystery, suspense and literally food for thought encompass her writing and enhance a child’s imagination while stimulating their linguistic instincts. The Busy Bus will take children through journeys of peculiar situations, adventure and events with fancy free farm animals sure to engage the most reluctant reader.

Join Marsha Casper Cook in her quest with Winona the Begonia, Uncle Edward’s Pig and Priscilla the cat. Find out who has the smelly socks, what it takes to make chocolate chop suey and what is a Bubble Gum Tree. This children’s book is a real work of art!

© 2011  Denise Spooner

Brushed by God

Some books you read and forget, some you absorb the information and use it later, and still others you devour what’s on every page and share the book with friends and family. Marrietta Wright’s book Brushed by God is one of those books that will have you dissecting every word as it penetrates your soul and renews your mind.

by Marietta Wright

Brushed by God is a simply fabulous read that absolutely no one should miss. Marietta is a gifted artist with a flair for encouraging new artists to explore their God-given talents as well as learning to draw, paint, etc.  step by step. She not only teaches art, she teaches about every day life, authentic  living and unconditional love through prophecy. With God as her sure foundation, Marietta creatively entices readers to allow themselves the freedom to dream big, press on  and reach beyond their greatest expectations.

Brushed by God is not only for the practicing artist but for those who have yet to discover the artist within. Its simple instructions were thoughtfully written and easy to understand. They will encourage even the novice artist with sound counsel while helping refine the gifts of those already serving in the prophetic arts. This book is one of the most life-changing books I have ever read and you will be blessed to have partaken of its rich, truthful, life-changing content. You can purchase Brushed by God in traditional form or as an e-book through Amazon as well as through Marietta’s awe-inspiring website.

Not only is Brushed by God a book all about prophetic art, it’s a manual for living an abundant life. Marietta shares her own extravagant love for God and God’s unconditional love for you, the reader. Her book is a real life account of how God speaks through art and empowers not only the believer but blesses the listener as well. You will be inspired, taught and loved beyond imagination while reading Brushed by God.

© 2011  Denise Spooner