Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Fear and Faith by Trillia J. Newbell

Fear is something most of us struggle with. From an anxious feeling in our stomachs to our hands clenched tightly, fear can have a powerful effect on us not only physically but also spiritually. Fear can be a bully that taunts us with thoughts of illness, tragedy, worries about the future and not measuring up to others to name a few.

Trillia Newbell shares her own story and reflections on Scripture to help us to battle those fears that plague us. She shares examples of women who have walked the road of fear or who  are still on the journey who have found their security and strength in their relationship with the Lord.  He is the One who can replace our fear with faith.

Both thought provoking and encouraging, this book can help us begin to deal with the fears that continue to nag us and gives hope to help us replace fear with faith.

I received this book from Moody Publishing for this review.
 

Monday, March 28, 2016

Writing My Wrongs by Shaka Senghor

Heart wrenching and compelling are the words to describe Shaka Senghor's journey from being a drug dealer in the midst of the 1980's crack epidemic in Detroit to 19 years in prison to becoming an activist and mentor to young people facing similar circumstances like his. His experience in prison leads him to re-examine his life and he begins the journey to healing and hope from a life of anger and despair.

His work in the community and by sharing his story has giving him opportunities to speak at events and also led him to fellowships at the MIT Media Lab and the Kellogg Foundation. He encourages others to view crime, prison, and prisoners from a different perspective.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

A Martyr's Grace by Marvin J. Newell

This book is a compilation of 21 brief biographies of Moody Bible Institute Alumni who were killed for their faith while on the mission field in various parts of the world. These inspiring stories are about ordinary men and women who chose to go to different cultures to minister to the people there not realizing that they were going to be giving the ultimate sacrifice.

It is a good reminder to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives in service to Christ and their fellow man. It also challenges Christians to examine their own lives to see if they would be willing to do the same.

I received this book from Moody Publishing for this review.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

(Un)Qualified by Steven Furtick

In general we judge people qualified on the basis of competence and character. In understanding how God qualifies us we have to understand that God looks at our heart, not on what we do. Being transparent with God allows us to be free and have the self confidence we need to live life fully.

We don't change so God can love us more. Because God loves us, we have the power to change. He alone is our qualifier. We cannot qualify ourselves when the solution to being unqualified is to know Jesus. It is to live our lives with all our challenges knowing that our confidence is in Jesus.

We can be open and honest with ourselves and stop comparing ourselves to others when we allow God to work in our lives through His love and grace.

This book makes for thought provoking reading. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. 

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Make It Zero by Mary Frances Bowley with Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Children are the most vulnerable among us and need the protection of the adults in their lives. Too often, though children suffer from neglect, abuse, poverty, and hunger. In this powerful book, Mary Frances Bowley shares stories that will challenge and inspire you.

The book highlights the areas of poverty, hunger, isolation, abuse and trafficking. Each topic covered includes stories of individuals who as children experienced the pain of suffering in those areas. The stories are heartbreaking but encouraging as individuals stepped up to help those children at risk. Included at the end of each section are practical ways the reader can help children at risk in their own communities.

This book provides much food for thought when it comes to children whose needs may not be apparent but are real none the less.  "Start by doing what is necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." by Francis of Assisi challenges me to do what I can to make a difference in the life of a child. All it takes is for each one to do one small thing and together we can make a difference.

I highly recommend this book. I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.