Book Review: Aching Joy by Hague

 This book was gold. I highly recommend it. It is about having dreams, expectations, and prayers that are too high for our situations. When I say prayers that are too high I am not saying God cannot work miracles and healings. He still does that today. However, often he also chooses to say no or not yet when we pray for things. This book takes you on a journey through that land of waiting.

Reading it you will be challenged. You will understand how to adjust your view of trials. You will see God more clearly as a good Father who does take care of us even in the desperately hard times.

Much of the journey in this book was about a father and his son with autism, however, it can be applicable to most any life that is dealing with disappointment.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon here.
I received a copy of this book at no charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

Book Review: Better than Eden by Guthrie

This book was fantastic. Maybe it's because there are just certain times in your life when you are in a certain place that a book really speaks to you? I have no idea but this one lands in my top ten of all time favorite books and for you, that means I strongly urge you to pick it up and read it.

This book not only takes a great look at the overarching story of the Bible but it focuses a lot on restoration. I haven't heard much taught on this topic so this book was intriguing but sound. It encouraged me to worship God as I viewed Him more fully. When the big picture of restoration is more fully known your worship for God and His goodness increases.

This book helped me grow in the Lord and in sanctification. I do recommend it for all Christians to read because we need the hope of what is to come. We live in hard times and often lose the focus of what is to come. This book helps you focus and run your race with endurance.

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

You can get a copy of this book at Amazon.com here.

Book Review: Made for Friendship by Hunter

This was an amazing book on friendship. I highly recommend it for all Christians. We really don't do friendship well if we actually sit and think about it. It's a rare gift. Sure we have lots of acquaintances but how many true friends? It has opened my eyes.

Jesus knew and understood friendship. We can learn from His example and many practical tips that this book provides. The book explains why we ache for friendship, why it's important, and how to cultivate it. It is written in a very practical manner that is easy to understand and implement.

I found this book to be beneficial to my understanding of friendship. It is also challenging because these instructions now need to be put into practice. What beauty there would be if God's people learned to be good friends!

The book includes questions to help facilitate group discussion. Reading this with a group would be helpful in implementation.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of review.

You can get a copy of this book on Amazon.com here.

Book Review: 7 Deadly Friendships by DeMuth

Mary has written a lot of books. All of the ones I've had the privilege of reading have blessed me. When given the opportunity to help launch this book I was thrilled.  The topic also intrigued me. I continually have a hard time understanding godly friendship so I knew this book would be instructive.

With vulnerability, honesty, and wit Mary shares helpful stories and practical wisdom. The characters that make up the "7 deadly" come from Proverbs 6:16-19 which states;

"There are six things the Lord hates—

no, seven things he detests:

haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that kill the innocent,

a heart that plots evil,

feet that race to do wrong,

A false witness who pours out lies,

a person who sows discord in a family."

Each chapter takes a detailed look at these kinds of friends and what to do if you have them or if you are one. It gives practical application which is helpful and healing. Once the author identifies each kind of deadly friendship, she takes us to the example of Joseph and finally Jesus. 

Ultimately Jesus is our only hope in navigating difficult relationships. He is the perfect example for us to follow because He befriended us.

This book was encouraging, challenging, and sanctifying. It was well worth the read because it was helpful. It will grow you in Christian friendship.

I received a copy of this book free of charge for the sake of review.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon on October 2nd but pre-order now here.

Book Review: Redeeming Money by Tripp

This was a great book. I am in the process of freeing our family of debt, however, this book helped me to have the proper mindset of not only being debt free but the true heart behind it. Everything we do in life is about how we worship Jesus--even how we spend our money. I could see how we did make mistakes with money due to some of the issues listed. It has been an educational and liberating read.

If you desire to worship Christ with your whole heart, this book is helpful in considering the area of money. I thought maybe it would be some sort of budget help but instead it was so much more. Everything we do comes from our heart. This book will help you look biblically at your heart and help you to see money in a healthy way.

I am hopeful for the changes this book will make in my life. It is worth the time to read. We all need to look at our views on money. It is part of survival in this world. How we view things helps how we live. Study this book with friends or yourself. Either way it is a needed book for our times.

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

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

Book Review: The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Butterfield

This book is a must read for all Christians. I found it extremely challenging at times but those which are the most challenging are how we know the best books because they affect long lasting change. The lasting change that is necessary for the sake of the glory of the gospel and Christ-likeness.

I am not naturally skilled in the art of hospitality but this book encouraged me to practice it anyway. It is mostly about welcoming those in (which I am good at). It is not about what you have or how fancy your home is. Of course it does require sacrifice to share your space, time and food but God provides in how you chose to honor Him in these things.

I was also happy to see that in the end of this book there were some practical tips available to those just starting out. It also stressed how everyone's practice of hospitality will look different depending on your family dynamic and constraints.

This book challenges your thoughts of hospitality even farther making you question, who would I allow into my home? What efforts do I make to really know my neighbors? Do I pursue them and offer the light of the gospel? It is thought-provoking and one book I would put on my must read list. You will grow from it as the Holy Spirit works in your heart.

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

You can get a copy from Amazon.com here.

Book Review: Graciousness by Crotts

This was a great book on balancing truth and love. It was convicting and helpful. It took the reader through stories of how people sometimes do one end well and are weak on the other. It was nice to see how too much truth without love is hurtful yet too much love without truth did the same exact thing.

The book also walks you through the Scriptures and examples of truth in love done well, God's way. Jesus, of course, is the perfect example of this and we studied His approach as well.

It is an easy read. A short book. It is beneficial to read and ponder then ask God for the grace in your life needed to walk this out better. We all need that!

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

You can get a copy of this book at Amazon.com here.

Book Review: Kiss the Wave by Furman

As a chronic pain sufferer, I found this book to be extremely encouraging. As a biblical counselor, I found this to be a helpful resource. This is a needed book for our time. There are too many resources out there about suffering that are not beneficial. This author is balanced. He takes a clear and honest look at suffering and the sovereignty of God.

He writes as if you are talking over coffee in a practical manner. It is an easy read while packed with edifying truth. It challenged me to draw nearer to God through my pain. Dave shares stories that are relate-able to other sufferers. But most importantly he guides us through the scriptures for courage in Christ through the hard times.

I highly recommend this book. It is worth your time to read if you are someone who is in the middle of some sort of suffering or if you know someone who is suffering. This book paired with his first book, Being There, would be the perfect set of books to offer to anyone in your life who is hurting.

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

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

Book Review: True Feelings by Mahaney and Whitacre

Have you ever considered that God uses our feelings as opportunities to point us to Him?

This book was a helpful tool to show the reader how our emotions are indicators of where we are with God. Emotions are not bad but God-given. They are part of every human. Jesus felt them. Jesus had a big range of emotion. The Bible does not irradiate the emotions that the characters feel. Emotions are part of being human. Some people feel them in a big way, some feel them in a smaller way. It all depends on how God made each unique individual.

How we interpret our emotions is important. It will matter to the well-being of our soul. Different emotions are different occasions for us to be directed to God. For example, if you are feeling self-pity, you are focused on self. This feeling shows us where our hearts are focused. We can evaluate, is it on God or self? It is time for joy when our hearts are drawn back to God through repentance and faith.

This is a book that all Christians should read. It sheds light on something complicated like emotions but makes it simple to understand biblically. You will benefit from reading it.

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

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

Book Review: Alive in Him by Furman

This is a great companion book to read alongside your study of Ephesians. Gloria is witty and clear in her writing. She helps biblical truths become practical for our everyday life. This book will enhance your bible study time.

The book of Ephesians is helpful to enrich your study of doctrine and practical walk. The book is interesting and easy to read. It is helpful for any student of the word. It is worth your time and will be a tool that God can use to help draw you nearer to Christ.

I was encouraged personally and grew in depth of my understanding of Ephesians after reading this. One thing I especially like after reading Gloria's books is her increased understanding of different cultures and points of view. This increases understanding of the word which she passes on to the reader. She lives in the culture of which the bible was birthed. There is something about that that enhances her writings but also makes it practical enough for the western reader. That is a great gift.

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

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

Book Review: How Does Sanctification Work? by Powlison

I respect David Powlison and his work in bringing Christ back to counseling. I like reading anything by him and this was no exception. He, again, speaks to us with wisdom that comes from a life of walking with God and His people.

This book is instructive for the reader because it helps you think through progressive sanctification. It helps us see that as humans, we are complex, so the sanctification process is not simple. God uses many things to work and draw people to Himself. He continues this work through our life as we are conformed more and more into His image.

Christians could benefit from reading this for a good understanding of how people change. It is helpful for learning how to do life together. It is a good read.

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

You can get a copy of it from Amazon.com here.

Book Review: Reformation Women by VanDoodewaard

Biographies are always encouraging reads. This one in particular was encouraging to me because it focused on the long left out women of the time of the reformation. It is unique to have a book that recorded the importance of women in the events of the reformation so this is a much needed resource.

I love to give my girls a resource that will show them that women have equally important roles in their Christian walks. God places and purpose our lives and times to bring Him supreme glory. It doesn't matter who you are, if you are His, He is at work in you and using your life to bring glory to His name. This book brought this thought home for me.

The book is written in an interesting way that keeps the reader interested. Some biographies are dry and hard to digest but this book was not like that. It will keep you desiring to read all about each life included. It will spur your faith and encourage it. It is worth the time.

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

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

Book Review: He Calls You Beautiful by Brestin

Dee Brestin is a mentor and friend. She has been used in huge ways to grow me in my faith. I always praise God for her work. This is no exception. The book continues to bless and use God's word wisely. She tackles a hard to understand book, The Song of Songs, and makes is accessible to the everyday reader. Yet, keeping God as center view. You can tell she was passionate about this work. It comes through her writing.

I think this book would benefit the reader the most if it was done with someone else so you can discuss what you are learning. It truly is a Bible study and at the end of each chapter there are questions to take you deeper into the word and application. This can be done alone (which was how I read it) but a group of women would be best.

If you ever wanted to look into the Song of Songs in a balanced, God-centered way, get this book. It will bless you immensely.

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

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

Book Review: 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Reinke

This is a must read for our times! This little book is informative and helpful. It is informative because it exposes information about how technology really changes us--not just our phones. It also gives a brief history of technological changes and the effects they had on society. It is helpful by being convicting and offers solutions to help one be certain they are wise in the use of today's technology.

We are made to be worshipers. We all worship something. The age of the smartphone displays the priorities we value in our times. I am thankful for this resource for the way it is balanced in view and approach. It was life-changing for me because it aided me in the thought process of what our phones are doing to us and others by perception and the time we use on them. It can be productive or wasteful. Technologies always come as a two sided coin, one for good and the other for bad. I wonder how many people really just take the time to think about their smartphone uses and how it really is changing our minds, relationships, and worship?
 
Do read this. It is timely. It is needed. It is good.

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

You can receive a copy of this book on Amazon.com here.(aff. link)

Pray About Everything by Tautges

 This was a good info-packed, yet concise and easy-to-read book on prayer. It gave a good practicality to prayer which is important. It was presented in a gospel-centered way. For all of those reasons, I really enjoyed this book. More books are needed like this on prayer. You will benefit from reading it.

The book also included practical resources on prayer in the appendix. It helps put the theory to action. This is also a great added bonus. I have found many people need this direction when it comes to intentional prayer. This book will be a great help for that.

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

You can get a copy of this book at Amazon here. (aff. link)

Book Review: This Changes Everything by Crowe

I wanted to review this book because it was geared toward teens. I am a mother of two teens and I know that there is a lack of strong biblically sound resources out there. They are really hard to find so when Crossway published this book; I had to read it.

I loved it! It touched on all things that teens need to know and be encouraged in. It is written in a friendly manner by someone who is close to their age. It is biblically sound in doctrine and life. It is a great resource to give to a teen you love or read along with them. There are great discussion points.

The book also encourages the youth to not waste their youth. They are to live for the sake of the gospel now. They don't have to wait. They can serve wherever God moves them now. As this is addressed there is sound advice regarding authority and life choices.

It addresses clearly issues of identity, the over arching story of the bible, community, sin, discipline, growth, time, and relationships.

I highly recommend this book for any teen in your life.

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

You can get a copy of this book at Amazon.com here.

Book Review: Crossing Cultures in Scripture by Newell

This is an incredible book that is a helpful aid for deeper Scriptural knowledge and study. One key to reading Scripture is to understand the original hearers context. Only after this can we rightly begin to apply it to our own lives. This book does an incredible job at relating the Scriptures to the original cultures for whom they were first written. I have grown greatly in my study of the word through reading this book and using it as a tool to aid in my deeper study.

The book begins in Eden, at the beginning, and spans the redemptive historical timeline of the Bible ending in Revelation. It is beneficial to read and helpful to any student of the word. It is important to understand the culture to rightly understand the word. This book also helps you understand how the Scriptures can be applied to similar cultures today. The stories are engaging and helpful.

I think this book would be helpful for any Christian. It will help you understand the word better. I received a copy of this book free of charge from publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon here (Aff link)
 

Book Review: Modern Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal

This is very much a comprehensive guide because it is packed with lots of information! I found it to be an interesting read because it takes an Integrationist approach to Christian counseling. What that means is they mix Christian faith with secular counseling methods. This guide was written to help a Christian counselor properly view or apply Christian approaches to a variety of counseling issues and diagnosis's.

I am not an integrational counselor so I do not agree with this approach in every way but found this book to be very helpful. It is well done for someone in that camp of Christian counseling. And it really does cover tons of information. I think if this is your field of study you will not be disappointed in this book.

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

You can get a copy of this book from amazon.com here. (Aff. link)

Book Review: No More Faking Fine by Fleece

Lament. It is an important concept that the Christian needs to understand. Esther Fleece explains it well in this title. She uses her wealth of personal stories to practically explain what the art of lament looks like. 

She has lived a hard story but her dependence and love for the Lord is encouraging and evident to the reader. I was encouraged by watching the process of growth in grace work in her life. It is eye-opening when you can see theology walked out practically.

This takes a good look at a theology of suffering and the proper response of lamenting. I believe this would be helpful for others to understand. Lament is a lost art that many neglect to this day. There needs to be more stories that show others how to live this. Living out lament truly sets the sufferer free in Christ.

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

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

Book Review: Love, Henri by Nouwen

Sometimes it feels a little like trespassing when reading another person's intimate letters. It makes me think about my own letters or emails and how I would feel if people were reading them in a book. That is a scary thought for me. However, if they could help someone learn to be more encouraging or a better friend, then it would be worth it. What an honor that we have a collection like this from a faithful saint.

This book is a small glance into the life of Henri Nouwen. These letters are helpful to us because they give us a glimpse of Christian fellowship and friendship.  They are authentic and real. They encourage others to follow the Lord.

Prior to each letter, there are explanations so you can understand why it was written. This helps the reader understand the context of the letters.

This was a book that was well ordered. The hardback is sturdy and made with thick paper. It was made with good quality.

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

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon.com here. (Aff. link.)