Posts

Showing posts from October, 2016

The 10 Myths Of Teen Dating

Image
I was interested in reading The 10 Myths Of Teen Dating: Truths your daughter needs to know to date smart, avoid disaster, and protect her future by father-and-daughter team Daniel and Jacquelyn Anderson because I have two daughters. They're not quite dating age yet (they're nearly 11 and 8, respectively), but I want to prepare early so I will be ready when the time comes. The back cover says: "There's no greater moment of panic in a parent's life than when their daughter begins to date. Due to their lack of knowledge about the world their teens face coupled with the scant dating information they received as teens, many parents feel ill-equipped to guide their daughters through the minefield that is teen dating. And by the same token, teenage girls crave information about dating and relationships. And left to their own devices, many will develop their own assumptions about dating by talking to their friends or watching the latest TV shows and movies. But that w

The Fatal Gift Of Beauty

Image
The Fatal Gift Of Beauty: The Trials Of Amanda Knox is the New York Times Bestseller by Nina Burleigh. Elle calls it "A compelling true-crime tale... about two women who were on dream trips abroad that went disastrously wrong." I was so excited to have a chance to read and review this book. I love true crime in general, and have recently become more interested in the Amanda Knox case. The book description says: "Award-winning author and journalist Nina Burleigh’s mesmerizing literary investigation of the murder of Meredith Kercher, the controversial prosecution, the conviction and twenty-six-year sentence of Amanda Knox, the machinations of Italian justice, and the underground depravity and clash of cultures in one of central Italy’s most beloved cities. The sexually violent murder of twenty-one-year-old British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, on the night of November 1, 2007, became an international sensation when one of Kercher’s housemates, twenty-yea

Experiencing God Through His Names

Image
Experiencing God Through His Names by Sheryl Giesbrecht is a new, dynamic 31-day devotional that focuses on the various names that God is referred to throughout the Scriptures. The book description says: "What's in a name? Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person's character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God's attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. In Experiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God's character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?" Experiencing God Through His Names is a small book that packs a big punch. When I first opened it, I was surprised by the small size of the book. However, once I opened it and began reading it, I real

Jesus Always

Image
Jesus Always is Sarah Young's latest book. She's previously written quite a few other books, including the popular Jesus Calling devotional, but this was the first book of hers that I have had the pleasure of reading. The book description reads: "Sarah Young’s first 365-day devotional since Jesus Calling. With scripture and new personal reflections, the #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Young, brings Jesus’ message of joy—for today and every day. Experience true joy—now and always. Life today is full of difficulties—loss, sadness, fear. In the midst of these challenges, joy often feels impossible or out of reach. But Jesus has more for His followers than a life of striving, pain, and discontent. He offers life abundant, life to the fullest, life brimming with joy! Jesus Always, the new 365-day devotional from bestselling author Sarah Young, was written as part of Sarah Young’s exploration of the promises of joy in scripture. Written as if Jesus Himself is s

Union With Christ

Image
Union with Christ by Rankin Wilbourne pulls from the rich history and tradition of the Christian faith and provides a contemporary, easy to understand exposition of union with Christ - what it is, what it means for us as Christians, and how to attain it. The book description says: "To experience why the gospel is good news and answer life’s most foundational questions about identity, destiny, and purpose, we must understand what it means to be united to Christ. If you are a Christian, the Bible says that Christ has united his life to yours, that you are now in Christ and Christ is in you. This almost unfathomable truth is the central theme of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Yet few Christians today experience or enjoy this reality. Union with Christ reveals the transformational power of this ancient doctrine while addressing the basic questions of the human heart: Who Am I? Why Am I Here? Where Am I Headed? How Will I Get There? Nothing is more practical for living

The Candidate

Image
I couldn't wait to read the second book in The Newsmakers series by Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart. I loved the first book, The Newsmakers, which introduced us to the dynamic and exciting character of Erica Sparks. I loved Erica's story and was super excited that it was continued in The Candidate. The book description reads: "How far will a candidate go to become president? Erica Sparks—America’s top-rated cable-news host—is about to find out. Mike Ortiz is a dynamic war hero favored to win the White House. Standing by his side is his glamorous and adoring wife, Celeste. But something about this seemingly perfect couple troubles Erica. Is Celeste really who she seems? And most importantly, what really happened in that squalid Al-Qaeda prison where Mike Ortiz spent nine months? But more than the nation’s future is at stake. Erica’s relentless search for the truth puts the life of her preteen daughter Jenny in danger, even as Erica’s own dark past threatens to overta

Love Unending

Image
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy of Becky Thompson's new book, Love Unending: Rediscovering Your Marriage In The Midst Of Motherhood. I couldn't wait to read this book - I've been married for fourteen years and we have four children. I'm often overwhelmed with housework, cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids, church activities, and more. I usually end each day exhausted and with nothing left to give. I loved the idea of the 21 day challenge with specific steps to take each day. The book description reads: "How can I remember how to be a wife when it takes all I’ve got to be a momma? Since becoming a mom, do you ever feel like your marriage no longer receives the attention it needs to thrive? Do you ever struggle to balance your roles of being both a momma and a wife? Do you ever wonder how you’re supposed to re-center your heart on your husband when you are so busy with everything else? Those feelings we experienced in the first da

Unreasonable Hope

Image
I decided to pick up Chad Veach's book, Unreasonable Hope: Finding Faith in the God Who Brings Purpose to Your Pain because I'm always interested in reading Christian self-help books, especially those about hope and faith. I liked that it mentioned that Chad searches beyond clichéd answers. The book description reads: "“Where was God when ____? How could God allow ____? Why?” These are the questions that flood our hearts and minds when the unimaginable happens. When things go horribly wrong and the world seems to be unraveling, how do you believe in God’s goodness? How do you cling to hope? Chad Veach directs readers away from clichéd Sunday school answers that fail to offer real comfort or provide faith-building insights. Instead, he draws from God’s promises in the Bible and from the story of his own daughter’s diagnosis of a devastating and debilitating disease to reveal simple, purposeful steps for dealing with pain. Resting in God’s love, remembering his past f

Jesus And The Beanstalk

Image
Abingdon Press brings us the uniquely titled book Jesus And The Beanstalk: Overcoming Your Giants and Living a Fruitful Life by Lori Stanley Roeleveld. At first I was hesitant to read this book due to the strange title, but you definitely can't judge a book by its cover (title)! Don't pass this one up due to the quirky title. The book description reads: "We live in unsettling, challenging times. Everywhere we look, we see giant problems: giant obstacles to sharing faith, giant barriers to peaceful lives, giant strongholds of fear. But what if you knew eight small secrets to unlocking a strength big enough to overcome whatever obstacle life may bring? Using allegory and a bit of humor, Jesus and the Beanstalk explores a passage in 2 Peter 1 to uncover eight truths that will help you unleash a larger-than-life faith: · Faith · Goodness · Knowledge · Self-control · Perseverance · Godliness · Affection for others · Love In this creative, refreshing perspective o