Full by Asheritah Ciuciu

Many of us have a battle with food and get caught up in a cycle of dieting, overeating and dieting again. This book is not a book about dieting. Instead it gets to the root cause of our food fixation which a battle trying to find satisfaction. This book examines how to overcome our food fixations with turning to God instead of food, choosing healthy meal options, and filling our mind with truth.

At the end of each chapter there are helpful online resources to download as well as questions for individual or group study. There is a food fixation assessment to take along with twenty Scripture verses to overcome food fixation at the end of the book. This book is a great starting point to learn how to overcome food fixation and the added resources are extremely helpful. The book is practical as well as thought provoking. I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this unbiased review.

The Women of Easter by Liz Curtis Higgs

Liz Curtis Higgs does a great job of delving into Scripture and making the women of Easter come alive. The Women of Easter: Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene are the women described for the reader. As the author goes through the events of Holy Week, the crucifixion and the resurrection, you get a glimpse into the lives of these women as well as how Jesus bridged the gap between his female followers and his male disciples.

As the author reveals the truth found in Scripture new insights are gained. There is a study guide in the back of the book which would aid in studying the book in a small group setting. This would be a wonderful study to do during Lent leading up to Easter.

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

Kingdom Prayer by Tony Evans

"The divinely authorized methodology to access heavenly authority for earthly intervention" is how author Tony Evans defines kingdom prayer. After defining kingdom prayer, Dr. Evans goes on to discuss the concept of kingdom prayer, the context and kingdom prayer and the conditions for kingdom prayer.

Each section contains chapters which further expand on each concept by using Scripture and helpful illustrations. These truths begin with your relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Some examples of the truths discussed include practicing the lordship of Jesus every day; being sincere and honest in your prayers; acknowledging that your heavenly Father is in charge; praying often, specifically and expectantly; praying to benefit others and bring glory to God; obeying and practicing solitude; having a growing faith and  considering fasting in times of crisis.

This is a practical and thought provoking book on prayer which would be helpful for anyone desiring to grow in their faith and their prayer life.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review. 

Created For More by Jonathan Malm

This book is designed to spark creativity as a result of reading each devotional. Each devotional has a Scripture reading to start followed by a brief mediation on the passage. The next section is entitled "Prayer Starter" which leads you through a brief prayer. The next section is "Change the Way You Think" which gives you some new ways of looking at creating. The final section, "Challenge," encourages you to do something creative given the guidance suggested in the previous sections. This is designed as a 30 day devotional.

I would say this book is for those who are more creatively bent and looking for new ways to think and create. Although anyone who desires to expand their horizons and think and experience things more creatively and artistically would also enjoy this book.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.      

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

This is the second in the "The Amish of Summer Grove" series. If you have not read the first book, there is a synopsis of it in the beginning of this book and a list of the main characters in the back. Without those helps, it would be difficult to follow the plot in this book.

Skylar and Ariana were born on the same day and delivered by an Amish midwife in a Birthing Center. The Center caught on fire immediately after the babies were born and unfortunately they were switched and the mothers were unaware it. One baby was raised in an Amish family and the other by a single mother. 18 years later and the truth comes out about the switch. In order to keep the midwife from being sued, Ariana brought up in the Amish family is required to live with her mother and birth father in the "Englisch" society. Skylar is required to live with her Amish family or go to a rehab unit to deal with her addiction to prescription drugs.      

This book deals with how Skylar and Ariana deal with this upheaval in their lives. How they try to adjust and what they learn about the different life styles
makes for an enjoyable read. The ending is left up in the air to leave no doubt that there will be a third book in the series.

I usually do not read Amish fiction, but I did enjoy the plot in this book and found it interesting. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

A Torch Kept Lit by William F. Buckley, Jr.

This book is a collection of eulogies written by William F. Buckley, Jr., who is known as the godfather of modern American conservatism. His friends and acquaintances ranged from David Niven to Barry Goldwater to name a few. The eulogies are also written about those who were well known individuals and not so well known individuals of the 20th century.

The eulogies are divided into the categories of Presidents; Family; Arts and Letters; Generals, Spies and Statesmen; Friends; and finally Nemeses. Each offers a unique insight into the life of the individual and in most cases the person's relationship with Buckley.

The book is well written and informative for anyone interested in learning about a number of individuals as seen through the lens of the author.

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

Momentum by Colin S. Smith

Most of us are familiar with The Beatitudes, but do we really understand the meaning of each one and its application to our lives. In "Momentum," Pastor Colin Smith examines each Beatitude and gives practical guidelines to how each Beatitude can help you in your spiritual journey. Each of the first seven Beatitudes describes the life each Christian should pursue. The eighth Beatitude is different in that it describes the outcome of living the life described by the first seven.

What I really appreciated about this book is the Gaining Momentum in each chapter which gives practical ways to live out each Beatitude. This book greatly added to my understanding of The Beatitudes and would make for a great individual or group study.

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