Face to Face by Jayme Hull with Laura Captari

Faith is a journey and at times it can be a difficult one. One that is best not taken alone. We need to have the strength and courage to ask tough questions. We also need to have the wisdom to discern where God may be leading us. Also we know as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. It is important to also have a safe person, a mentor, to come along beside us to help us on our journey. Not to give advice necessarily, but to help us sort out the messiness of our questions, doubts, and confusion. The mentor can also help to sort out what our true identity is in Christ and how it looks to live that out.

This book is an excellent place to start on what to look for in a mentor and how the mentoring relationship works. It is geared for a younger woman looking for a mentor. It is also a call for older women to be there for younger women, The author shares many personal stories along the way with truths she has learned both as a mentee and a mentor. There are many helpful questions at the end of each chapter to get started on the mentoring journey. This would  be an excellent resource for any women's ministry group.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.

Night Driving by Addie Zierman

Wanting to escape the cold of Minnesota in February and the silence she experiences from God, Addie Zierman loads up her minivan along with her two sons (ages 2 and 4) and heads to Florida. Her account of her traveling, her expectations of the trip, and her response to the events along the way make for an engaging story.

Addie experienced a faith filled youth in which she felt God's presence and was on fire for Him. Over the years after that, she lost that feeling and is looking to regain the faith she once had. Instead of the emotional faith of her youth, she begins to find her way back to God in the quiet and the darkness with all of life's ups and downs along the way. I appreciated her vulnerability and honesty as she related her journey. It is a reminder that sometimes God speaks to us in a still small voice and other times he may be silent in the darkness
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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Habits for Our Holiness by Philp Nation

Taking a new look at spiritual disciplines, Philip Nation takes the focus off of our needs and desires and focuses on God. As the author puts it, "The disciplines can increase our intimacy with God so that we can work to extend His reign in the lives of those around us." It is not about doing more, but rather fulfilling God's desire that we reflect His love.

Instead of using the word discipline, the focus is on developing some spiritual practices which include worship, Bible study, prayer, fasting, fellowship, rest, simple living, servanthood, submission, spiritual leadership, and disciple-making. I found the information very practical as well as challenging. This book could also be read and discussed within a group setting
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I would recommend this for anyone interested in growing spiritually in their relationship to God. I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.  

The Gift for All People by Max Lucado

The gift for all people is the gift of God's Grace through Jesus Christ. In this inspirational collection of thoughts on this gift, Max Lucado weaves Scripture passages with stories to illustrate this truth.These short passages are arranged under the headings of The Gift of a Savior; Ransom for Sinners; Bounteous Grace and The Choice.  

This book could be used as a devotional to read each passage one at a time. It would make a great gift to someone going through a difficult time who needs some encouragement and hope.

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

Oneness Embraced by Tony Evans

Racial reconciliation, the Kingdom of God and unity within the church are the themes running through this important book by Dr. Tony Evans. Often the contributions of Blacks have been omitted from American history and the history of the church. These contributions are highlighted by Dr. Evans. He also shares his own story of being in both the black urban culture and white mainstream evangelicalism and the struggles as he tries to reconcile the two. .

Balancing the issue of social justice that is the emphasis in the Black Church along with the personal response to Christ and living morally that is the emphasis in the White Evangelical Church is discussed throughout the book. Dr. Evans reminds us that what is important is the witness to the world of a Church that is supernaturally united and living out the Gospel. When we have Biblical social justice we can truly be a light in a world of darkness.

I highly recommend this book for all Christians to read and take note of the actions listed at the end of the book. We can no longer ignore racial injustice that is still
evident in our churches today.

I received this book from Moody Publishing for this review.