Trusting God: A Girlfriends in God Devotional

By: Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith & Mary Southerland

Trusting God is written by three women that are part of a ministry called Girlfriends in God.  I was not aware of this ministry prior to reading this book but am grateful that I was introduced to it.  This book is a twelve-week devotional that includes a Bible-study guide, as well as, journal pages.  What I loved about this book is that you can either study it on your own or make it part of a group study.  As I read through this book it was like I was sitting among friends.  I enjoyed the contribution of all three authors as they described both personal stories and stories of others.  The stories are relatable and encouraging.  Each devotional contains the following: Today’s Truth (a scripture), Friend to Friend (a story) and Let’s Pray (a prayer).  Each week has five devotionals and the sixth day is called Now It’s Your Turn.  This day contains the study guide for the week, a journal and a scripture. 

 I really enjoyed this book and rate it among one of my favorite devotionals.  If you would like to read the first chapter you can do so by clicking on the following link:  Chapter One

I have also included some other links below that may be helpful.  The one link contains weekly videos done by the authors for each chapter of the book.  I highly recommend this book! 

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Additional Links:

 

Girlfriends in God Weekly Video for Trusting God

Press News - Girlfriends in God

Grieving God’s Way: The Path to Lasting Hope and Healing

By: Margaret Brownley and Haiku by Diantha Ain

Grieving God’s Way: The Path to Lasting Hope and Healing by Margaret Brownley is a 90-day devotional.   This book was born out of a tragic loss experienced by the author.  She lost her oldest son to an illness.  Three years after her loss she penned this book.  I am grateful that through her own pain she has chosen to bring healing to others.  This book was written to assist people during the grieving process and is broken into the following four parts: healing the grieving body, healing the grieving soul, healing the grieving heart and healing the grieving spirit.  I thought this book was very well written and it was easy to read.  Each devotional consists of two pages.  Although short, the pages are packed with powerful information.  The brevity of each devotional allows time for reflection and provides just the right amount of information.   Although this book was written for the grieving soul, I believe people who are experiencing other forms of loss may benefit from this book as well.  I say this because as I read this book I thought of people who are going through really difficult times right now.  They may not be grieving a person but they are grieving a loss.  I believe some of the lessons learned in this book could help them while they are on their road to healing.  This book may not be for everyone as we all grieve differently but I do recommend it as I believe it will help many.
 
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

         

50 Days of Hope: Daily Inspiration for Your Journey through Cancer

By: Lynn Eib

50 Days of Hope: Daily Inspiration for Your Journey through Cancer is daily encouragement for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and those who are traveling on this road with them .  The author, Lynn Eib, describes this little book as being most helpful for those who have been recently diagnosed with cancer.  However, anyone who is fighting this battle will be able to receive from this book.  This book is full of encouragement, prayers and stories of other survivors.   

As a cancer survivor, Lynn understands what it feels like to be informed of a cancer diagnosis.  She also understands the journey of doctor visits, waiting for test results, deciding on a treatment option, being hooked up to a machine which is administering chemo and wondering if she would get to see her children grow up.  Lynn was thirty-six when she was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer in 1990.  In 1991 she started The Cancer Prayer Support Group.  This group is believed to be the longest-running faith based group of its kind in the country.  Through her own journey with cancer Lynn wanted to help other people so she started working for her oncologist in 1996 as a patient advocate.

I have had several family members and friends who have been diagnosed with cancer.  I understand that helpless and scared feeling that is so often felt by loved ones.  I have also experienced sitting in a hospital room while a loved one is receiving treatment.  I have had the privilege of speaking with many of the brave soldiers sitting in that same hospital room who are fighting their way through this battle.  I believe this book would be an encouragement to those traveling on this journey.  It is not a book that promises that everything is going to be fine but it is one that provides hope.  From my experience, I can say that hope is what most of the people I have spoken with are seeking.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.          

Mondays with My Old Pastor

By: Jose Luis Navajo

Mondays with My Old Pastor is about Jose Navajo, a pastor, who was burned-out from years of serving in the ministry.  On the verge of giving up he began meeting with his old pastor every Monday.  This book chronicles twelve of their Monday meetings along with an unexpected meeting.  Through stories and personal experiences this old pastor shares his wisdom gained from years of spending time with the Lord.  This is truly a heartwarming story that will make you laugh, as well as, shed some tears.

I absolutely loved this book and learned so much by reading it.  I know this book will be one that I reference often.  The life lessons were simple yet powerful.  Jose wrote the book in such a way that you felt like you were sitting right there with him and his old pastor.  I believe Jose was truly blessed by having this man in his life.  This book illustrates how much one life can impact the life of another.  Although people in ministry may be drawn to this book I believe that people who are not in ministry can also apply these principles to their lives.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

She's Got Issues

By: Nicole Unice

I had never heard of Nicole Unice before but something about the introduction and summary of this book made me want to read it.  I am so glad that I did!  This book is about how many of us try to live a good Christian life but the same issues, that have tormented us for years, try to keep us from living life to the fullest.  These issues include insecurity, fear, comparison, anger and control.  Nicole explains these issues in a very relatable way.  She also includes quizzes, prayers and other self-assessment tools such as journaling exercises and group discussion questions.  I found these tools to be helpful and think that this book would make an excellent small group study or a study to do on your own.

I am so glad that I choose to review this book as it really spoke to me.  I enjoyed Nicole’s style of writing as I felt like I was sitting with a friend who really knew me and what I was going through.  Many times I found myself re-reading a sentence because it was like a light bulb went off when I read it.  This book also served as a gentle reminder of things that I know but so often overlook.  I definitely recommend this book.     

  

*Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

 Additional Resources:

Author Site: http://www.nicoleunice.com/
Video Clip: http://www.tyndale.com/video/369

Wildflowers from Winter

By: Katie Ganshert

The book Wildflowers from Winter is a wonderful debut novel written by author Katie Ganshert.  I could not put this book down.  It captured my attention from the beginning.  Please click the following link to read the first chapter.  Read Chapter One 

This fictional story is about the journey of Bethany Quinn.  She is an architect at a prestigious Chicago firm and has built a life this is far from the life that she lived growing up in Iowa.  One day she receives a call from her estranged mother regarding a tragedy that her friend, Robin, has suffered.  Although Bethany has distanced herself from Robin over the years, she decides to return to Iowa to support her friend.  Bethany plans to return to Chicago as fast she can but an unexpected inheritance ties her once more to the place she would most like to forget. 

 

I highly recommend this book.  It was well written.  The author sprinkles clues throughout the book that eventually lead you to the pain that Bethany had to endure as a child.  This book has a lot of twists and turns that will keep you wanting to read on to find out what happens next.  Along with the element of sorrow this book also contains a romance story.  It is definitely worth reading.  Also, in March 2013 there will be a second book called Wishing on Willows which will be Robin’s story.  The author mentions this in the Acknowledgements section of the book, as well as, on her website.  Please see below for additional links that you want may to check out.

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Additional links:

• Author's Site
• More Info
• Author Bio

He Chose the Nails

By: Max Lucado

He Choose the Nails is another insightful book by Max Lucado.  The cover of this book drew me in. There is a picture of a cross made out of nails and a crown made of barbed wire.  Max explains how someone left a cross on his desk years ago along with a note.  This cross is what is pictured on the front cover.  It is an interesting story that you can read about in the “Acknowledgements” section.   I really enjoyed reading this book around Easter time as it was a good reminder of what Jesus did for us.  In this book Max describes the details of the crucifixion by breaking it down into the promises of God.  Each chapter describes God’s promise such as “God’s Promise in the Soldiers’ Spit, God’s Promise in the Crown of Thorns, etc.”  I thought the whole book was good but the last chapter titled “What Will You Leave at the Cross?” and the “Final Words” really impacted me.  I found them to be very powerful and encouraging. 

I cannot say enough good things about this book.  I have always enjoyed Max’s style of writing as it really speaks to me.  I enjoy the personal nature of his books as he draws from his personal experiences to drive a point home.   I encourage you to read this book to gain another perspective on how much Jesus loves you.      

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”