Unoffendable by Hansen

I must confess, I chose to review this book because I really like Brant Hansen so of course I was biased before I read this, however, this book did not disappoint. This book is about its title, being unoffendable. It is filled with great stories and scripture in a brilliant balance.

It is also an easy read and the kind of book you can pick up and read when you have a moment here or there. It is written in such a way that it seems like you are sitting with the author over coffee. I love this style of writing because it is easier to take in especially when dealing with a tough subject. Let's just be honest, we don't always like to be unoffendable. We like our anger, especially what we consider "righteous" anger. However, that is not what wins people over. Loving people like Jesus loved is what is most important. One of the best ways we can show love is by not taking offense from those who oppose us.

This book challenged me, made me laugh, and made me think. I enjoyed it immensely and I think you will too. We are way to ready to take offense and we don't need to be. This book reminded me of this while pointing me to Jesus along the way. It is a great book. Take the time to read it.

You can get a copy of this book here from Amazon.

 I received a copy of this book free of charge for the purpose of an honest review.

Book Review: Blind Spots by Hansen

This book is like taking a long look at Matthew 7:5, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." This is something that we often don't want to be confronted with but Hansen does this with grace. It is brilliantly written in a way that helps the reader see blind spots they deal with and how to live in unity with those whom they may typically avoid to make a complete picture of Christ for the watching world.

The author looks at three types of Christian groups that we tend to flock to. However, in joining with one of these groups it is easy to only focus on strengths and criticize the other groups weaknesses. This book is here to help us see our differences and embrace them to work fully together for the unity of Christ.

Personally this book was helpful to me in seeing my own blind spots. It helped me make sense of why certain groups who should be united in Christ are not. We all have blind spots and it is by grace that we can actually see them then work to remove them. This book is helpful for all Christians so that we can live more unified before the watching world. I highly recommend it.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon here.

I received a copy of this book from Crossway for the purpose of an honest review.

Movie Review: NOBLE

I was invited to watch a screening of the movie, Noble. It was about a woman who found the courage to follow God to the unknown. It is a true story of the life of Christina Noble. It proved to be an inspirational movie. I enjoyed it and was encouraged by her tenacity even at life's hard and unbearable blows thrown her way. She rose above and I like movies like this. I think we all do. We want to believe we are brave and when we watch brave stories it encourages us to march on in that braveness.

It did deserve its PG-13 rating because it truthfully dealt with life's hard issues like assault, the sex-trade industry, and death. These issues were not graphic but require a level of maturity in the viewer to understand. It portrayed the challenges well that one faces when they start trying to help others without hurting them by entering into the messy situation to make a true and lasting difference. Christiana is an example of what it takes to make a difference in the place she believed she was called. That takes faith.

This movie debuts in theaters May 8th. If you are going to see a movie then this one is worth the time. Encouraging stories of those who defy the odds instill courage and I think we need more of that in the world. I hope you check it out! Here is the trailer:

Book Review: Uncovering the Life of Jesus by Pippert

This was a simple and straight forward book that looked at several vignettes from the life of Jesus. It was a very easy read. The Scripture passages from the Bible were in the book so they are easily accessible. The book gave readers a better understanding of who Jesus is.


The book also included several questions to help the reader think through the Scriptures and address what they really are saying. It also features plenty of room for notes.

Overall this book would be good for a new believer or someone just curious of who Jesus is.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon here.


I received a copy of this book at no charge for the purpose of an honest review.

Interview, Book Review, and Give-away: Fear and Faith by Trillia Newbell

This review was super fun for me because I got to ask Trillia Newbell some questions about the book. I love when you get to hear straight from the author so this is what she had to say.

Interview

Q-What was the inspiration for writing a book on the topic of fear?

A-I wrote Fear and Faith because I know what it’s like to struggle with paralyzing fear and I knew that I wasn’t alone. I wanted to write it so that women would also know that they are not alone. Fear is incredibly common. I’ve also experienced the power of the gospel that helps me fight that fear with faith. Through my struggles, I’ve gotten to know God more deeply and I also wanted to share how the Lord has met me.

Q-What is the most challenging thing personally for you when you are in the midst of fear?

A-The most challenging thing for me when I am fearful is simply to believe the truth. I think fear is ultimately rooted in unbelief.  When we are fearful we question God’s wisdom and goodness, for example. So, for me I have to fight to believe that the God of the Bible is who he says he is. He always proves to be faithful.

Q-Practically how would you encourage readers who feel like their lives are stuck in the throes of fear?
A:

1)      Be honest or transparent to God: You don’t have to hide this fear. God has grace for you to fight and he is not surprised by your fear. Go to him and confess your fear. God’s word says that if we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to purify us (1 John 1:9). Run to the throne of grace and receive help in your time of need.

2)      Be honest or transparent to a friend: I am thankful to have a good community (a great local church) where I can go and share my fears and struggles. Find a trusted friend who can help point you to the truth in God’s word.

3)      Preach to yourself more than you listen: Preach the gospel to yourself. Remind yourself of the truth in the Scriptures. Remind yourself of the character of God. Sometimes getting out of your head helps.

Book Review:
Just being completely transparent here, fear probably has to be the biggest issue of my sin struggle on this earth. If it is not in one area, it just creeps back up in another and the most wonderful thing about a fear battle is that you do not have to fight alone. This book helps the reader see this.

The next best thing in considering a fear battle is knowing there is hope! The author conveys the hope of Christ through the good news of the gospel all throughout. She uses great practical examples of fears in various areas that most women struggle with from time to time.

The author is such a sweet spirit (I have heard her talk before and her speaking is as authentic as her writing) who makes a tougher topic of sin struggle easy to digest. She walks you through this book in such a welcoming and loving way you will not want to put it down. It is definitely worth your time.

I personally was challenged and have grown from reading it and that is what I consider makes a book good and worth your time to read so this is a win. I hope you take the time to read it too!

Give-Away
You can get a chance now because you could win this book! Just leave a comment of a fear struggle you have and I will randomly draw a winner.

You can purchase a copy from Amazon here.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

Book Review: Bedeviled by Duriez

This was a great book about the life of C.S. Lewis and his friends in the group called The Inklings. It is an in-depth look at certain titles written by these authors and how they relate to the world around them. Story always points to bigger things and this book helps connect those stories to that. In particular this book looks at the problem of evil and how the authors handled it through story.

I really enjoyed this book because I like to hear the back story of how things came to be. This book gives much information on many of my favorite stories written by C.S. Lewis and his friends. It helps the reader to understand the stories better when they know what inspired them.

This is an interesting and good read if you enjoy the works of The Inklings. It was an easy to read yet informative book.

You can get a copy of the book from Amazon here.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

Book Review: Everyday Grace by Jessica Thompson and Give Away

There are books that are memorable. Books that are helpful. Books that are strategic in your growth in Christ. There are books on grace. However, there are not many who hit all of these markers. I am quite picky in calling a book my favorite. That term needs to be reserved for the very best of books, the books that are useful for true and lasting heartfelt change in Christ. With that said, this book is on my top ten books of all time.

Oh my goodness, there is too much good about this book to even properly give you words about it. From chapter one all the way until the end the author gives you exactly what you need for life in Christ. It is not another "how to" book which are overflowing in bookstores today but don't help facilitate true and lasting change. This book is a practical, flesh out your walk by glimpsing at the Savior throughout all of life. It is a must read.

The book is about "infusing all your relationships with the love of Jesus." Each chapter deals with different kinds of relationships we have in life. The author however has an amazing gift of helping you see Jesus in each of those relational places rightly. As we are able to see Him better He equips us to live more like Him thus comes the grace. Grace is needed each moment of every day and God is working it within us all the time.

The author writes in a way that is easy to read and is filled with personal application stories on each topic. Anyone can read this.

This book is just complete gospel goodness. You would really be better off and stronger in the Lord after reading it. It is a must read for all Christian. Seriously you will want to get this one.

You can get a copy of this on Amazon here.

I received a copy of this book at no charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.