Thursday, December 26, 2013

God's Beloved Daughters by Merrilynn Grodecki

Summary of this book:

Both a daily devotional and an in-depth Bible study, God’s Beloved Daughters is a tool “to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you in your faith” (I Thessalonians 3:2). Throughout her years serving in the ministry of Christian education, and as friend, mother, and mentor, Merrilynn Grodecki has championed her passion for seeing God’s daughters step into that grace-enhanced, mountain-moving, peace-filled life that is theirs in Him. Now, after decades of studying God’s ways of doing and being right concerning all of life’s issues, she has written this devotional to help each beautiful daughter of God walk in the fullness of life in Christ and discover the eternal truth of God’s promises. Wife, mother, student, teacher, lawyer, doctor, businesswoman, pastor—despite all of these titles, there is one role that takes priority over all others—daughter! Our heavenly identity not only defines and characterizes every other relationship we take part in, it prioritizes our daily motivation. God’s daughters; His ambassadors to the neighborhood, the workplace and the world. Do you see yourself that way? Do you open your door in the morning to step out into the day with that kind of vision? Do your heavenly credentials, your Kingdom citizenship, define for you your determined purpose? Each day offers an opportunity to practice our ambassadorship and extend God’s love. We awake each morning to love God, to serve Him and continue to be loved and known by Him… Walk out in that carefree graciousness that will compel the world to take a closer look at what makes you different. “I don’t know what she’s got,” they will say, “‘but I want it.”

Above is the publishers summary of this book.  I am including this because I really didn’t get anything from this book.  I have read far better devotionals.  Yes, it was nice to see a devotional and Bible study together, but I feel there are better ones out there.  This was easy to read, but I just never felt like it was a study/devotional for me.  Devotionals should have a connection with a person.  They should help you with your personal relationship with God and this one just didn't help me along my path.  It wasn't meant for me. 

I have to say that I would not recommend this book to others since I have read far better devotionals and studies that are made for women.  It was boring and just never attracted my interest. 


{I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via the Booksneeze program in exchange for this review.}

Blessings for the Evening by Susie Larson

Blessings for the Evening by Susie Larson is a book for the quiet times of the day where you just want to unwind.  I like this book because is offers a time of reprieve from all the daily tasks that I must take care of. 

When your day is done, sit down with this book and be reminded, through scripture and prayer, that you are loved.  God loves you no matter what you are going through or how great your day was, or wasn’t.

In hardcover format, Blessings for the Evening, is filled from cover to cover with amazingly beautiful images that will bring your life to a calm regardless of everything around you.  There are different blessings for times of the year such as Christmas or the Sabbath and there are a plethora of subjects that each blessing corresponds to.  If you are having a wonderful day and just want to read about how much God loves you there is a blessing for that.  If you are having a rough day and you need to find comfort there are blessings for that also.  There is a blessing, with scripture, for every type of day you may be having.

This is a great way to finish your day and spend some time with God. 

{I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for the purpose of this review.}


Thursday, December 12, 2013

Seasons of A Woman's Life Devotional Journal by Lois Evans

Are you working your way through the different seasons of your life?  Do times seem tough and never ending? The new journal called Seasons Of A Woman’s Life Devotional Journal by Lois Evans can help you find understanding in each of the different times of your life. 

This journal is beautiful.  The words that Lois shares with you on the pages are there to encourage you to write down all your difficulties, joys, and praise.  She also has engaging questions throughout that will get you thinking about the season you are in, which way you are heading, and how you are addressing all of what life has to offer, whether it be good or bad. 

The design of this journal is wonderful.  Each one of the pages has beautiful flowers on them.  When you open this journal it feels like your open a door to spring. So, no matter how cold or hot it is outside you can enjoy Spring indoors all the time, which is great since Spring is associated with new beginnings and this book is there to help you get through all of the different parts of your life to make it to your new beginning.  With lined pages, it’s easy for you to write out your deepest prayers to God, scripture, and even answer the questions that Lois asks.  

I think this would make a great gift, especially for Christmas or Mother’s Day.  If you have a loved one that is going through a hard time, you could give them this journal to help them write down their thoughts and work through to find that it will eventually end. 

{I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harvest House for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.}

Discering The Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer

In the newly revised and expanded edition of Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer you will be taught how to hear God’s voice and to follow His path for your life with His direction. 

If you are anything like me, you have a longing to hear God, but find that it isn’t always fulfilled.  The question is why not?  Why cant I hear God talking to me?  There are a few reasons and Priscilla will help you to address those reasons and find ways to get past them. 

Priscilla explains that there are times when we hear God, but just say that it was a hunch or gut feeling.  Those thought will keep us from ever having close, personal relationship with Him.  She gives us three ways to help pull us closer to Him and to hear Him more clearly: worship, prayer, and meditation because He wants us to hear Him.  He wants to challenge us to live for Him, to know all the truths He can give us, and to offer us peace through a relationship with Him.

Now, I have not read the previous version of this book, but I have to say that I love this version.  The questions at the end of each chapter (which are new) helped me to work towards a better understanding of when God is talking to me and helped me to hear Him a little better.  She addresses every issue you can think of to help you clear away all blockages that might be holding you back. 

My favorite part about this book is that Priscilla write with such authority, like she KNOWS she can help you, but with such kindness that its like having a conversation with your best friend, talking over a cup of tea.  Her writing is warm and welcoming.  She knows what she is talking about, but she doesn’t talk down to you.  She honestly wants to help you.

She wants you to have one of the greatest gifts there is…hearing God and having a personal relationship with Him.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts are my own.*

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Stripped by Lina Abujamra

We have come to believe that when we hear God’s call it will be an amazing and wonderful time to serve the Lord.  The heavens will part and the rays of light will beam down, but that's not quite the case.  What we don’t know is that God will test, try and strip us before we are ready to fully serve.  In Stripped: When God’s Call Turns From “Yes!” to “Why Me?” by Lina Abujamra you will see that as much as we long to follow God’s plan for us, it just might be a painful one to follow.


Lina Abujamra is a pediatric ER doctor who sees her fair share of pain, but the pain you will have when following God’s calling isn’t like that of an ER patient.  It’s not always physical pain.  You will experience more mental, emotional and spiritual pain as God prepares you for the work he has for you.

She explains that being a Christian doesn’t mean you will have an easy life.  Times will be hard and the more you follow what God has in store for you the harder it will get.  But there is a reason for this stripping process…To make sure your dreams and your calling line up.  God wants you to follow your dreams if they are in line with His calling and this book is the manual on how to do so without losing your mind.

During the hard times you will often wonder “Where is God?”  Lina even addresses that and says:

God hasn’t forgotten you.  He isn’t busy solving other people’s problems while neglecting yours.  He is always perfecting that which concerns your life.  He loves you.

That love is the reason you will go through so much pain and this book hit home for me so much more than I could have imagined.  I feel like I have been going through the stripping process for the past year and never really understood what was happening to me until now.  There were times when I questioned where God was and thanks to this book, I never will again.

I am so happy I found this book and had the chance to review it seeing as I asked for God to show me what He wanted from me and have been living in a pain filled year.  Now, I know that it’s just part of the process of fulfilling God’s master plan.  I highly recommend this book for those of you who think that God’s calling will be an easy one.

Read this book and prepare yourself for the most painful time of your life...but also one of the most rewarding ones.  I wish I had this book a year ago.  Things might have been a little easier when dealing with the events of this past year.

{I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.}

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Wayfinding Bible

The Wayfinding Bible from Tyndale is your ticket to traveling through the Bible with ease.  In the easy to read NLT translation, you will find yourself with three options on how you would like to travel.  Each one, a different reading plan, making stops throughout the Bible according to the route you chose.

If you are wanting a broad summary of the Bible with very few stops you would chose the Flyover Route.  Over a short 54 stops you can get a chronological view of the stories and events of the Bible.  This route would be the best for someone who is just starting out on their christian journey or for someone who has very limited time, but still wants to read some of the Bible.

Now, the next route you can take is the Direct route.  This route has 215 stops along the way and would make a great route to dig a little deeper and see a little more of the sites and events that the Bible has to offer. 

The longest route you can take is the Scenic route and this route will take a you a little over a year to complete it’s 386 readings.  The best part of this route is you will see all the sites.  You will stop everywhere through the Bible and be a part of the most beautiful stories ever told.  You will experience all of what the Bible has to offer. 

Included in this full color Bible are small fact and tidbits of information that will help you along your journey.  They are called Observation and Exploration points.  They are like your tour guide, explaining and expanding on what you are reading and studying. 

I like this Bible because, when you are reading it, you feel like you are taking a journey, not just reading a story.  It’s like having a ticket to go back in time to when the world began.  You are traveling through stories that shaped how the world is today.  So, go get the Wayfinding Bible and you will have your ticket to the most wonderful adventure ever. 

{I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.}