Hosanna in Excelsis by David and Barbara Leeman

 

This is a beautiful devotional for Advent and Christmas. Featuring hymns of the season including the lyrics and scores along with a description of the Biblical truths expressed in each hymn, each reflection makes for a meaningful devotion on each day leading up to and after Christmas. Each reflection also contains the background on the hymn and its author.

Beginning on November 25 and continuing through January 6, this devotional gives the reader an extended time for reflection during the Christmas season. It would make a beautiful gift for anyone especially a music lover or anyone who loves the music of the Christmas season.

I received the book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks by Dustin Crowe

 

This thought-provoking book challenges the reader to rethink the object of our thankfulness. So often we talk about being thankful for blessings or things when the object of our thankfulness should move from something to someone. Biblical thanksgiving begins which identifying reasons we are thankful and then in turn express that gratitude to God.

The book begins by having the reader take a gratitude quiz. As you go through the chapters which include examining gratitude’s blueprint and a theology of thanksgiving, you will find a “putting it into practice” section at the end of each chapter. These sections provide meaning ways to put into practice what is discussed in the chapter. There are chapters that focus on the steps of biblical thanksgiving as well as giving thanks in difficult circumstances.

This very practical book is a guide to develop the discipline of thanksgiving and improve your outlook on life. It may energize your spiritual life as it encourages you to make the habit of giving thanks to God on a consistent basis. The book could also be used in a small group setting and would lend itself to great discussions.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.      

Dangerous Virtues by John Koessler

 This is a thought-provoking book about vice disguising itself as virtue. In society today often time, lines are blurred and evil masquerades as good. Each chapter focuses on one of the commonly understood seven deadly sins and examines how that that sin is masked as virtue. For example, lust is disguised as love; gluttony is disguised as satisfaction; and greed is disguised as prosperity. This book will aid the reader in discerning the seven deadly sins and how they are masked in our culture today. It also provides a biblical framework along with historical and societal views to help the reader identify sin when the world calls good evil and evil good.

There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter making it ideal for a small group discussion.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

 

The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks

 This is a fascinating book focusing on how brain science influences spiritual growth. A key component in spiritual transformation is true joy and love found through connecting in relationships and communities based on love and trust. One of the most interesting things I learned in reading this book was the difference between toxic shame and healthy shame. This book shares practical ways to lovingly correct others in a way that leads to spiritual growth and a connection to the community.  By connecting both spheres of our brain, both right and left, can lead to lasting spiritual transformation.

There are questions at the end of each chapter for discussion along with assessment questions and checklists at the end of the book making it a valuable tool to use in a group setting. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is serious about discipleship and encouraging others in spiritual transformation.

I receive this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Sent by Heather Holleman and Ashley Holleman

 The subtitle of this book is “Living a Life That Invites Others to Jesus.” That is really what this book is about, how to live your life in such a way that draws people to Jesus.  The authors describe the three core values of a Sent Life:  God is always at work to draw people to himself; God uses people to lead others to Jesus; and God continually invites us into the work of evangelism.

The three sections of the book are outlined to address in believing God has sent you, how to live like a Sent Person and the best practices for everyday evangelism. The book contains many examples from Scripture along with examples from the authors’ personal lives to illustrate how to live out and share your story and God’s redemptive plan. There are questions at the end of each chapter along with steps to apply what you have learned. This is a book for both personal and group study.      

I highly recommend this book. It has challenged me in the area of sharing my faith with others. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

On Waiting Well by Bradley Bourain

 

No one like to wait, myself included. In this book about biblical waiting, the author explores this concept along with explaining how waiting is a crucial part of following God. Usually when I think of waiting, I think of staying in place until an event occurs. I hadn’t thought about instead of waiting for something I am also waiting on the Lord. This concept refers to the sense of attending to or serving someone. In waiting on the Lord, the main element in waiting is simply being in His presence and a way to worship and find joy in our life and in the Lord. This changed the way I perceived waiting in general.

Some of the chapters include the myths and truths about waiting, what are we waiting for and waiting and patience. At the end of each chapter there are discussion questions which would make the book appropriate for small group discussions.

This is an important topic and I appreciated the author’s approach in exploring the concept of waiting. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to grow in their appreciation of waiting according what is taught in Scripture. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

 

  

What Now? by Mark Jobe

 So many times, we feel stuck in a particular season in life whether due to a change in our circumstances, a midlife crisis or unexpected global events which impact us. Mark Jobe shares ways in which we can move into our next season. He goes on to expound on the steps we need to do which include:  Quieting your soul to listen; Re-envisioning your life story; Adjusting your thinking; Inviting others to your journey and Taking the first bold step. Putting these five steps into practice will aid you in getting out of your comfort zone and into the new season God is calling you to. He shares many examples of how to live out these principles in his own life which is helpful in making the application to our own lives.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Pandemics, Plagues and Natural Disasters by Erwin Lutzer

 In the present day, nothing has impacted our lives more than COVID-19. We question whether things will ever be “normal” again. In this book. Pastor Erwin Lutzer helps explain the role of God in suffering.  Using examples of suffering and tragedy from the Bible, he explains how God uses such events to speak to his people.  He looks at the ways God asks us to trust him, to teach us, to understand that the world we live in is under judgment, that the worst is yet to come, and that God has provided a way of escape. Also shared is how we can respond to God in the midst of suffering. This book is helpful in understanding God’s eternal plan for our salvation from all suffering here and in the future.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

  

What If Jesus Was Serious? by Skye Jethani

This is an in depth look at the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:1 – 7:29. There is often a disconnect between Jesus’ teaching in this passage and how Christians live. The author has broken down the text into 72 sections which makes it ideal to study one section per day. Each section features an engaging illustration along with posing the thought to be considered. For example the first section is entitled, “If Jesus was serious…then we will focus more on his good news and less on religious to-do’s.” This could also be used in a small group study. Each section provides much food for thought and discussion. I highly recommend this look at the Sermon on the Mount and the challenging applications it presents.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.    

Journey in Prayer by Daniel Smed

Prayer is how Christians communicate with their Heavenly Father. Many times, it is difficult to know how to pray. Jesus’ followers also asked how they should pray. The author takes you through the journey of prayer, that Jesus taught his disciples in what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer. The journey is divided into seven days. Each day includes the sentence or phrase of the prayer that is expounded upon. The reader is then asked to share their thoughts in the section entitled “Prayerful Pondering.” Also included is a section that gives you prompts to pray and a section to guide you through your own personal prayers. This helpful book shows you the importance of prayer along with the necessary tools to pray on your own. This is a great way to enrich your prayer life by not only reading the book but applying its principles.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Becoming Sage by Michelle Van Loon

This is one of the best books I have read on dealing with midlife issues for Christians. The transition to the midlife stage is a process and as the author notes it is an invitation to become “sage – a way of life in which a person expresses experience, knowledge, insight and self-mastery.”  While it may look different for each person it is also a journey growing in wisdom through lifelong discipleship.

The first section of the book deals with what it means to become sage while the second section of the book addressed how one can develop spiritual maturity in the second half of life. Areas addressed in the second section include physical health, relationships, financial issues, church community as well as end of life issues. At the end of each chapter there are questions for both individual reflection and group conversation. This would be a great resource for individual as well as a small group study. I appreciated   this book as I am in the second half of life myself and found it as a helpful tool to look at some of the issues I am facing.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.   

Shepherding Women in Pain Bev Hislop, Editor

This is a valuable resource for any woman involved in ministry to other women. The first section is to help the reader understand the women in pain and what the woman in pain wants to know. Questions addressed include how can I stop the pain; when will life be normal again; what does healing look like; and where is God in pain. The second section addresses helping or shepherding the women in pain and what the shepherd needs to know.  Topics included in the section are depression, infertility, terminal illness, aging, addictions, domestic abuse along with many others. The last section of the book addresses communities in which healing can take place.

This book is a collaboration of many women who share their knowledge in helping women deal with specific areas of pain. This is not only a resource for women but for anyone in church leadership to understand how to help women in pain.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

The Value of Wrinkles by Isabel Tom

Looking at our views on aging and the elderly is the focus of this book.  I could identify with the author who shared her experiences growing up living with her grandparents and later working with the elderly population. I grew up with my grandparents close by and was drawn to working with the elderly early in my nursing career.  We have much to gain by appreciating and taking time to build relationships with our elderly neighbors, family and friends. Slowing down to listen and hear their stories and share in their experiences adds much to our own lives.

The author shared much practical advice in caring for and building relationships with the elderly. She also shares resources that can aid individuals as they try to navigate healthcare and social services for their elderly loved one.

I hope this unique and valuable book will encourage families to include the elderly in their lives and build relationships between generations.     

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Before You Quit by Doug Gehman

This is a timely book on perseverance. The author deals with various aspects of perseverance including difficulty involving loss, everyday endurance, and perseverance as a lifestyle to name a few. I really appreciated the chapter on moral courage. One of the thoughts included the statement, “When we have a why we can endure almost any how. Survival in suffering is rooted in our ability to find meaning in something beyond ourselves.”  As Christians our courage begins with God, it proceeds forward in obedience and is finished in God’s glory.  Our lives as Christians are rooted in the glory of God. God’s glory can also mean vision, something we see as we connect to God. But it is more than that, it is God’s incomprehensible identity, His rule over all the universe, and His completeness in in Himself.  It is the power of God Himself through Jesus Christ that gives us the courage to persevere.

This is an encouraging book for all Christians as they will encounter various situations in which they will need to persevere. I would highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Keeping the Faith (A Study in Jude) by Lianna Davis

Although the book of Jude is only twenty five verses in length, it is full of knowledge that will increase your understanding of God and encourage you in your Christian faith.  This six week study will take you through the book of Jude and provide you with thoughts of other theologians, pastors, and commentators as well.

The study is composed of lessons to be completed each day for five days of the six week study. Along the way you will learn more about Jude’s warnings and false teachers as well as theological topics such as Gnosticism and antinomianism.   Each day should take about 20 minutes of study which will reward you with greater knowledge of all of these topics previously mentioned.

This is a great resource for an individual study but can also be used in a small group setting.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

Uncovering the Love of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu

This is a Lenten devotional that is appropriate for use by individuals as well as families. Lent is not a tradition that is part of any particular denomination. A period of fasting and prayer was observed by the early church in preparation for Resurrection Sunday and it did not become a formal practice in the church until the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325. This book is an opportunity to focus on Jesus and His love for us in preparation for Easter Sunday.

The book is a collection of 40 daily devotionals which reflect on Jesus and His interactions with people from different walks of life. Each devotional includes a Scripture reading and prayer along with a challenge on how to apply what you learned about the love of Jesus that day.  There are also outlines for family celebrations at the beginning of each week as well as suggested individual and family activities.      

This book is a wonderful resource to use during the Lenten season, to reflect on the life of Jesus and prepare your heart in celebration for Easter Sunday.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.