Book Review: If God is for Us by Newbell

I was blessed to read Trillia Newbell's new Bible study, If God is for Us. It is a six-week study focused on Romans 8. However, as any good study would do, with all intentionality, we get to take a glimpse at the first 7 chapters of Romans to understand the proper context of how Romans 8 fits. Each section is skillfully written to include stories, questions to draw out the text, and reflection questions for personal application.

If you desire to understand God's word better and know God in a deeper and more meaningful way, this book is for you. It is such an aid to unearthing the beauty and promises of God's word. This study can be done alone or with a group.  I truly enjoyed it, was challenged and grew from it.

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

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

Book Review: The Soul in Paraphrase by Ryken

This is an impressive resource that was helpful for me in understanding the complexities that can be hard to explain in some selections of poetry. I am a reader who often struggles to understand and interpret poetry. This book was helpful to me because it exposed me to a vast number of poems that were written to stir our hearts toward Christ. I know this is probably a small selection but I found it to be a good one featuring various authors along with an impressive timeline. It is a great read due to this variety.

I believe the best way to read this book is to take in each poem slowly. Then glean the knowledge from the following commentary. This is good to stretch your imagination and give you the practice it takes to really understand poetry. If you are a natural at understanding poetry, this book will enhance your love for it. I'm grateful for this genre because the Bible uses poetry often. Learning how to wisely read it will also help you become a better interpreter of the genre in general.

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: Proverbs Commentary by Kidner

My family and I have been reading through the Proverbs this new year and as much as I love the book of Proverbs alone, a commentary is quite helpful for aiding in the deeper study of the Word. I really like Derek Kidner and his commentaries. This particular commentary is not difficult to read for the regular layperson. It is easy to look up a particular section of a Proverb because of the straightforward layout. It's definitely a good tool to have for enhancing your biblical studies. And as always, Kidner points you to the deeper meaning in Christ or the Bible as a whole.

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: Idols of a Mother's Heart by Fox

Wisdom in practical living is how I would categorize this book. This author will consistently point you to Christ in her writings. This book is no different. However, the focus is for mother's and how we often live with idols in our heart. We all struggle with idol making but motherhood brings a unique set of idols to the table. With grace, the author helps the reader try to discover what those are and then replace them with truth. 

This book has questions at the end of each chapter that would help with group discussion. You can read it alone but I recommend you grab a group of moms and really sit and think about what idols you are embracing often without even knowing. In community you can help one another see these and support one another in the process of letting them go. Plus, who doesn't need support and encouragement on the journey of motherhood?

I recommend this book as edifying for mothers. It will bless you. You can get a copy from Amazon.com here.

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

Book Review: Suffering by Tripp

This book is an incredible comfort to the suffering soul. Paul Tripp understands suffering in a way that is helpful to any fellow sufferer. He does have the ability to comfort those who are in distress with the comfort he has received from God. He does this through his skill with words in this book.

In many ways, I felt like he was speaking insight into my own personal season of suffering. It was extremely helpful and most importantly always pointed me back to hope in Christ alone.

This book is a staple for the church. Everyone will suffer in some way at some time in their life, therefore everyone needs to read this book.

This book is also beneficial to study together as a group. It has questions to ponder at the end of each chapter. Since community is a huge part of healing for the sufferer, a group study would be great for 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 on Amazon.com here.

Book Review: Unexpected Blessings by Peoples

When you receive a life-altering diagnosis, it changes everything. Grief hits. You must get to the place where you accept your normal. It is not an easy process. And the waves of grief may continue to hit your entire life but as you hope in Christ and trust His plans for your life more and more the challenges become opportunities for growth and in that growth you see what a blessing it is that your life has actually become.

Unexpected Blessings unpacks all of what I typed above and so much more. It is a must read for parents of special needs children or friends of those with special needs. It is grace-filled, packed with wisdom and Scripturally sound.

This book would be a great tool to use with a group. It is also fine to read it alone. Either way, it will bring growth and a desire to worship God to your life. This book is a great encouragement for your journey. It is worth taking the time to read.

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

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

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.