5 Minutes for Books — Unlimiting God

by Jennifer Donovan

When I picked up Unlimiting God, the subtitle made me a bit uneasy: increasing your capacity to experience the divine. It seemed a little mystical to me, and in the expression of my faith, I’m a bit practical–probably a bit too practical. But I noted that it was written by Richard Blackaby, and I thought, “Richard Blackaby–I know him. Experiencing God. He’s not too ‘out there.’” As soon as I read the first chapter I realized that Richard Blackaby is not Henry Blackaby, but his son. He did in fact team with his father to write Experiencing God Day by Day, but had nothing to do with the book I associated with the Blackaby name.

The message of Unlimiting God is simple. We limit God by neglecting His word, losing the joy of worship and fellowship with Him, letting the pressure and busyness of life crowd it out. unlimiting-god.jpgBlackaby begins the book by reminding us that if we are far from God or experiencing limited power in our lives, it is always our fault. We are too easily satisfied with spiritual mediocrity.

The questions for reflection included at the end of each chapter prod the reader to move from, “Yes, I’ve noticed that in my life,” to “What can I do to change that?” which causes life-changing application, as opposed to feeble nods of recognition. Throughout Blackaby walks that fine of convicting the reader without inflicting her with discouraging guilt.

Do you want to go deeper in your walk with God? Do you want to experience more joy and satisfaction? Do you want to be used by God to execute His plans? If your answer is “yes,” or “I don’t know how,” or even “maybe,” do yourself a favor and read this book.

If you would like to win one of three copies (to ship to U.S. or Canadian addresses), please leave a comment here. Don’t forget to check back next week to see if you’re one of the winners.

The winner of last week’s book, Just Tell Me What to Say,

is #275 Kam A.

To find out more about the author or the book, visit her website, JustTellMeWhattoSay.com or Collins’ Gather site.



Email Author    |    Website About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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{ 137 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Wendy February 4, 2008 at 12:49 am

I was in a small group Bible study using Experiencing God a few years ago with my husband. It definitely had a deep impact on both of us. I’d be very interested to see what this book has to offer.

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2 Jennifer February 4, 2008 at 1:00 am

Sounds like a great book!

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3 Tara Robertson February 4, 2008 at 1:00 am

this sounds like a book I should read :)

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4 Diana February 4, 2008 at 2:25 am

Sounds awesome! Best kind of New Year’s resolution would definitely have to be a spiritual kick in the pants!

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5 kelly February 4, 2008 at 8:16 am

I loved Experiencing God. This book sounds good too!

Kelly

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6 Michelle February 4, 2008 at 8:20 am

I loved Experiencing God. I would be very interested in reading this book as well.

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7 Carey February 4, 2008 at 8:48 am

I would love to be included! Thanks.

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8 Michelle Pendergrass February 4, 2008 at 8:51 am

I’d love to win a copy!

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9 Blessed February 4, 2008 at 8:59 am

This sounds like a great book.

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10 Jenn February 4, 2008 at 9:02 am

I would love to win this book!

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11 LeAnne February 4, 2008 at 9:06 am

Sounds like a book I need!

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12 Susan February 4, 2008 at 9:08 am

This sounds wonderful!

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13 monica February 4, 2008 at 9:27 am

pick me

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14 Donna February 4, 2008 at 9:30 am

Definitely a buyer , IF I don’t win.

Sounds like a good read.

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15 Michelle February 4, 2008 at 10:03 am

Sounds good- count me in, please!

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16 Meg February 4, 2008 at 10:04 am

I adored Experiencing God….and this book sounds like exactly what I need to read right now. Thanks… meg.wilson@gmail.com

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17 Jen February 4, 2008 at 10:10 am

I would love to win one.

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18 Brenda Prentice February 4, 2008 at 10:11 am

Oh, yes please!! Count me in.

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19 gretchen magruder February 4, 2008 at 10:28 am

sounds great – I’d love to be entered in the drawing!!

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20 Capturing Today February 4, 2008 at 10:48 am

I’d love to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

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21 Sara February 4, 2008 at 10:56 am

I’d love to read this book.

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22 Dori February 4, 2008 at 11:02 am

WOW — I can’t wait to read this book!
I’d love to win it, but definitely plan to buy it if I don’t!!

Dori

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23 Bebemiqui February 4, 2008 at 11:03 am

Count me in ;0)

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24 Ginny February 4, 2008 at 11:05 am

I would love to read this.

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25 Edward Durbin February 4, 2008 at 11:18 am

I would love to win this…

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26 Tara B February 4, 2008 at 11:33 am

The term “spiritual mediocrity” is SO TRUE…as soon as I read that I realized it’s so easy to slip into that pattern. I’d love to read this book!

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27 Sara February 4, 2008 at 11:36 am

Sounds like a book I would enjoy!

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28 Amy February 4, 2008 at 11:37 am

I know I limit God all of the time. I think that is usually because I choose to “do my thing” instead!

Would love to get a copy of the book.

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29 Jill T. February 4, 2008 at 11:54 am

This sounds like a book I really need right now in my life. I know the stress and busyness of my life as a stay-at-home-mom sometimes gets in the way of my relationship with God.

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30 Rachea February 4, 2008 at 11:56 am

thanks again for the chance to win count me in please

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31 Rachea February 4, 2008 at 11:57 am

thanks again for the chance to win

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32 Bree February 4, 2008 at 12:01 pm

This book looks really interesting! I’d love to read it!

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33 Laura February 4, 2008 at 12:02 pm

I’ve not seen this one before, sounds interesting.

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34 Beth Ingersoll February 4, 2008 at 12:05 pm

Oh, the Blackaby’s are great! Count me in!

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35 Cory February 4, 2008 at 12:14 pm

I would love to win one of these books. This falls right in line with my desire to increase my bible knowledge and my time in prayer so that I may come to know God more intimately. Thank you for offering them. Take care and God bless, Cory

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36 Karla Meachem February 4, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Yes please! Thanks for the entry!

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37 Jennifer Lambert February 4, 2008 at 12:20 pm

Sounds like a great book!

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38 MLong February 4, 2008 at 12:50 pm

This sounds like an awesome book.

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39 Christine Stewart February 4, 2008 at 12:52 pm

I love to read, please consider my entry!

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40 Sheri February 4, 2008 at 12:52 pm

Sounds great! I’d love to win.

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41 Cindi Hoppes February 4, 2008 at 1:01 pm

What a wonderful sounding book! I know I would enjoy reading it! Please enter me in your giveaway drawing.
I appreciate it. Thanks,Cindi

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42 Laura P February 4, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Wow, what a great book. Count me in please!

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43 jenna February 4, 2008 at 1:06 pm

I’d love to have a copy of this. Thanks for the great giveaway, as usual!

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44 Rachel February 4, 2008 at 1:20 pm

sounds like a great book. i had some serious growth through his experiencing god study.

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45 Jen February 4, 2008 at 1:26 pm

This sounds like a great book to study through!!!

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46 Alexia February 4, 2008 at 1:29 pm

I would like to be entered for this book, it sounds like a good book to read.

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47 Morning Rose February 4, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Sounds like an interesting book. Please enter me.

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48 Karen February 4, 2008 at 1:36 pm

Sounds like a great book that I would
love to win!

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49 Hope February 4, 2008 at 1:45 pm

I was just sharing with my Sunday School class what I learned when I took the Experiencing God class way back when. Some of the truths in that study have stuck with me years later as I walk along with the Lord. Now that is a good study! I would love to read this book and continue to learn more from the Blackaby family.

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50 Pam Hricenak February 4, 2008 at 1:52 pm

This sounds like a fantastic book for me! Please enter me in the chance for one of the books.

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51 Crystal T February 4, 2008 at 1:56 pm

love to win

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52 jessica February 4, 2008 at 2:16 pm

count me in!

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53 Katrina (Callapidder Days) February 4, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Sounds great. Please enter me.

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54 denise February 4, 2008 at 2:45 pm

By the title, I can tell this is a great book. I’d love to win! Thanks!!

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55 Julie Robinson February 4, 2008 at 3:00 pm

I would love to read this book – I always feel that the busyness of life can really steal our important priorities!

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56 Beth February 4, 2008 at 3:01 pm

sounds like an awesome book! Count me in!

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57 Janine February 4, 2008 at 4:09 pm

Yes please; who couldn’t use more direction and reality in life. :)

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58 Susanne February 4, 2008 at 4:44 pm

I would LOVE to read this…Thanks so much!!!

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59 Charlsie February 4, 2008 at 4:48 pm

Sounds like an interesting read! Count me in.

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60 Anita Yancey February 4, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Nice book. Enter me.

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61 Erna February 4, 2008 at 5:15 pm

Oooh! I would love a copy! It sounds great! :0)

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62 Vida February 4, 2008 at 5:28 pm

This looks like a great read!

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63 fan February 4, 2008 at 5:34 pm

Sounds interesting, I’d love to read it.

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64 Annette February 4, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Please enter me. Thanks!

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65 Cascia February 4, 2008 at 5:56 pm

This sounds like a great book. I am always looking for good books to read. I need to work on my relationship with God during this difficult time in my life.

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66 Fruitbearer February 4, 2008 at 6:09 pm

Please count me in. Thanks!
serving_theKingofkings@yahoo.com

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67 Shelby ViTaris February 4, 2008 at 6:10 pm

We are just having our first baby, and I think this would be a wonderful time to read a book like this!

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68 Jenn in AZ February 4, 2008 at 7:11 pm

This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for this opportunity!

Jenn

http://azhometeachin.wordpress.com

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69 DARIJA February 4, 2008 at 7:49 pm

This looks like a book that would be put to good use.

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70 Carrie February 4, 2008 at 7:54 pm

Pls enter me. Thank you!~

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71 Jill February 4, 2008 at 8:16 pm

I loved Experiencing God. Count me in.

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72 marcella hugentobler February 4, 2008 at 8:30 pm

a VERY GOOD BOOK FOR US TO READ TO THE GRANDCHILDREN.PLEASE

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73 Kim February 4, 2008 at 8:59 pm

Enter me pretty please…

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74 Brandy February 4, 2008 at 9:17 pm

I would love to read this. Please enter me. Thanks!

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75 Andrea February 4, 2008 at 9:42 pm

Sounds great! please count me in! :)

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76 Kathy Conley February 4, 2008 at 10:06 pm

perhaps

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77 Sarah February 4, 2008 at 10:52 pm

Count me in! :D I’ll read it then pass it to my MIL!

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78 Joanna February 4, 2008 at 10:58 pm

Sounds like a wonderful read! Enter me, please.

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79 Jane February 4, 2008 at 11:03 pm

I’d love to win this book!

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80 Cindi Hoppes February 4, 2008 at 11:08 pm

I have read and heard many good things about this book! Please enter me in your drawing. I appreciate it. Thanks, Cindi

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81 Jessica February 4, 2008 at 11:13 pm

Please count me in! Thanks.

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82 Coralee G February 5, 2008 at 12:02 am

sounds like a great read!

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83 Deborah February 5, 2008 at 12:06 am

I’d love to win! Hooray! I have a U.S. address!

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84 Kristina February 5, 2008 at 12:21 am

I would love a copy of this!!

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85 Shay February 5, 2008 at 12:32 am

This sounds fabulous. Thanks!

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86 Misti February 5, 2008 at 12:41 am

Sounds like a book I need. Thanks for entering me!

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87 Amanda February 5, 2008 at 1:02 am

please enter me thanks

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88 Jennifer H. February 5, 2008 at 1:23 am

I so need this book right now! Please count me in! Thank you so much! Have a great week!

Jennifer :-)

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89 Valerie Mitchell February 5, 2008 at 1:49 am

fabulous!

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90 ukrainiac February 5, 2008 at 2:42 am

Please enter me in — it sounds very practically heart-searching…

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91 melody is slurping life February 5, 2008 at 4:43 am

Please enter me. Thanks.

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92 Mama Zen February 5, 2008 at 8:09 am

I loved Experiencing God, so I’d like to check this out!

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93 Deborah Sigrist February 5, 2008 at 10:20 am

I have been on a quest to expand my relationship with God and welcome any media that can assist me with this.

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94 bee February 5, 2008 at 10:45 am

I would love to win a copy of this!

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95 Susan February 5, 2008 at 10:58 am

What a helpful contest idea!

I, too, read Expereincing God and was positively impacted.

Please consider me entered. :-)

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96 Gayle Runyons February 5, 2008 at 11:20 am

Yes, enter me to win the book!

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97 Melissa February 5, 2008 at 12:22 pm

Please count me in!

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98 Qtpies7~ February 5, 2008 at 1:14 pm

That sounds like exactly what I need and would love to read.

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99 Heather February 5, 2008 at 1:24 pm

Sounds like exactly what I need. Thanks for the chance!

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100 Donna February 5, 2008 at 2:23 pm

I would love to read this book!

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101 Danielle S February 5, 2008 at 3:14 pm

Awesome!
dansan826 at yahoo dot com

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102 Lisa Oguin February 5, 2008 at 3:17 pm

This sounds like a really good book!

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103 Shannon February 5, 2008 at 4:25 pm

This book sounds like a great read and any book about God is sure to be great.
Thanks
palmersf@comcast.net

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104 stacy berg February 5, 2008 at 5:24 pm

This would be so great- I love to read and am always looking for new authors!!!

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105 Abbey February 5, 2008 at 7:34 pm

Sounds like a good read!

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106 Mary February 5, 2008 at 11:16 pm

Thanks for the entry!

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107 Shakeia Rieux February 5, 2008 at 11:54 pm

please enter me

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108 Kaleb February 6, 2008 at 7:18 am

I definitely want to read this book. Our youth pastor spoke a couple of Sundays ago about the same thing and how we put God into “safe” mode and just think/ask him for the things that we think that He can do. We don’t ask or necessarily want Him to take full control of our lives like we should because He might ask us to do something that is too hard or too “big” in our minds.

Thanks,
Kaleb

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109 Heather K February 6, 2008 at 12:31 pm

I was somewhat startled to see this here as I think this seriously applies to me right now… I’ll be checking this book out whether I win or not. :)

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110 Brynna February 6, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Please count me in!

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111 chrissy February 6, 2008 at 2:42 pm

Sounds like a great read!

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112 Sandra February 6, 2008 at 2:48 pm

Would love to read this book.

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113 Miss Heidi February 6, 2008 at 3:05 pm

Sounds nice. Please enter me. Thanks so much.
Heidi
sweet_soul_sistermi@yahoo.com

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114 Lisa O February 6, 2008 at 6:29 pm

Thanks for the chance!

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115 Nikki Evans February 6, 2008 at 9:10 pm

Please consider me for the prize!

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116 Angie February 7, 2008 at 12:15 pm

enter me please!

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117 Vickie February 7, 2008 at 3:40 pm

Please count me in.

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118 Angela Thompson February 7, 2008 at 6:01 pm

Sounds wonderful

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119 Jenny February 7, 2008 at 9:42 pm

Wow! I could really use this book. I am a new mother with a husband overseas in Iraq. I need something to help me deepen my faith while he is away!

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120 John MacDonald February 8, 2008 at 9:46 am

Very nice. Please enter me.

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121 Nicole Price February 8, 2008 at 10:47 am

I would love to have this book. Enter me please.

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122 gina February 9, 2008 at 12:05 am

As a Christian, I am always seeking ways to improve my spirituality and my relationship with God. This book seems to be another way to do just what I seek. Thanks!

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123 Caryn Bailey February 9, 2008 at 8:55 am

Count me in please!

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124 bryon shaffer February 9, 2008 at 12:04 pm

hope i win

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125 Marilyn February 9, 2008 at 2:43 pm

I haven’t heard of this book. Thanks for posting the review!

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126 philip halter February 9, 2008 at 5:43 pm

enter me please

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127 Sweetpeas February 9, 2008 at 7:51 pm

Count me in!

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128 Noralee February 9, 2008 at 11:58 pm

By reading your discription of this book I realized that I limit God. Would love a copy of this book to read. Thanks for the giveaway!

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129 Nina February 10, 2008 at 12:05 am

I’d love to win this…thanks!

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130 Laura McLendon February 10, 2008 at 1:21 am

Would love to add to my home book collection

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131 Kristi February 10, 2008 at 3:07 pm

I would love to read this book!

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132 Reeva February 10, 2008 at 3:29 pm

I’d like to read this book :)

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133 Vicki Weisshaar February 10, 2008 at 4:58 pm

I would very much like to read this book.

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134 Taryn February 10, 2008 at 11:48 pm

Sounds like a great book!

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135 Chris February 20, 2008 at 8:37 pm

I;m glad I found this site. Having difficulties finding a job this past year, I have pushed God out of my life as it becomes longer and longer, interview after interview. I am sure this will help me get back to where I need to be.

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136 shelley March 18, 2008 at 10:30 pm

looks like a good one to check out

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137 Linda January 27, 2010 at 3:08 pm

My son and his wife are using this book in a Bible Study. I am excited for them; I read and reread Experiencing God 4 times, leading it as a study once. IF this book is as practical, it will be on my shelf as a reference for years to come. (People know me as the resource lady!) I would love to have a chance to win it in a drawing. Thanks!

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