Guarded By Christ by Heather Holleman

This book is filled with creative and fresh insights in presenting the not only the truth of Scripture but how it applies to everyday life. Jesus used everyday images and all the senses to create mental images to relay information about Himself.  Heather Holleman encourages the reader to not only treasure God's Word, but to understand how vital and life giving it is to every part of our lives. Some of the reasons we need to internalize God's Word are to awaken and build faith, to give us hope, to mature us, to teach us God's promises, to sanctify and cleanse us and to lead us to Jesus Christ to name a few.

The beautiful cover of this book is Tintern Abbey, an image of worship, peace and refuge. It also helps the reader to begin to focus on developing mental cues of the catapult, the moat, the window, the arm and the win shot of Jesus. The author describes each of these images and is vulnerable in sharing her life struggles and journey along the way.  I especially appreciate the way Scripture is interspersed throughout the book. The author does a wonderful job of creating beautiful images and demonstrating how to apply those images along with Scripture in everyday living.

There is a list of questions at the end of each chapter entitled,, "Stirring the Soul" which lends the book well for individual, one on one, or group study. This is a beautifully written book.. I highly recommend this book for any believer in Christ who desires to feel the love and peace of Christ in new ways.   

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.    

In Such Good Company by Carol Burnett

For anyone who is old enough to remember the Carol Burnett show, this is a great book highlighting the show's 11 year run from 1967 to 1978. This book gives you a behind the scenes look at the workings of the show and glimpses of the staff and crew that helped make the show a success. The guests who appeared on the show during those years are mentioned as well from stars such as Jim Nabors, Lucille Ball, Betty White, Bing Crosby, and Jimmy Stewart to name a few.

Insights into the regular members of the cast includes Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway. Also included are descriptions of some of the sketches done over the years with some of Carol's more notable characters such as the Charwoman, Stella Toddler,  and Eunice to name a few. Who could forget the "West With the Wind" sketch as Carol appears as Starlett O'Hara dressed in the famous "curtain rod dress."

This is a description of a golden era of television when shows were done in front of live audiences and variety shows were popular. It is an entertaining look back at a show that brought joy to many people and continues to do so today through YouTube and DVDs.

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

Keeping Love Alive As Memories Fade by Gary Chapman, Deborah Barr, & Edward Shaw

This is a practical and informative book for anyone who is involved in caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. There is a lot of information about the disease itself in diagnosing the condition and the stages of the disease. While the medical information is helpful, what is even more helpful is the sharing of personal stories of those who are caring for spouses and loved ones with dementia along with the application of the five love languages. There is a personal profile to determine what love language fits the care partner and the person with dementia along with practical examples of how to apply the five love languages which are words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, gifts and quality time. 

There is also helpful information for those who are closest to the care partner to help them know how to affirm the care partner as they care for their loved one. The stories shared are inspiring. Although no one would chose to travel the journey with someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia this book offers encouragement and hope for those who are on this journey. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is in the midst of this difficult season.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.

Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson

This is a beautiful book that compares the beauty and workings of nature with the pursuit of peace and humility. In the beginning, the author states "You're not God. I'm not God. None of us are God." We may say we know this but do we really understand that all that we need to do is seek God and let Him take care of the rest.

Each chapter compares thoughts on plants, growing and nature in general and compares them to an aspect of humility, There were so many wonderful thoughts in this book. One I particularly resonated with was, "Humility reminds us of our limits; Humility teaches us that we are physical beings existing in a broken world." Thoughts about vineyards, local honey, healing herbs, vine ripened tomatoes, and thorns and thistles are some of the analogies used when addressing humility.

This is a book I will refer to again and again when seeking rest for my soul and just to enjoy the descriptions of nature and its beauty. I highly recommend this book for everyone seeking to grow in grace, knowledge, and in the humility of Christ. 

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.
 

Shaken by Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow seemed to have everything going for him completing a successful college football career at the University of Florida and then winning the Heisman Trophy. His dream of playing in the NFL became a reality after he was drafted by the Denver Broncos. All did not go as he would have liked as he was traded after a playoff run with the Denver Broncos to the New York Jets. He only played one season with the Jets and had a brief preseason with the New England Patriots before being released.

While playing in the NFL he received a lot of media attention and criticism. He begins the book by sharing some of the lessons he learned during that time and what it means to stay grounded amidst fear, doubt and criticism.

He also shares how one can move forward, focusing on how a person can impact others as he or she moves forward in a purposeful direction grounded in faith in Christ. His stories as well as others shared in the book encourages the reader to move forward taking on whatever storms may come. Tim Tebow's honesty about his own struggles in his faith journey is inspiring as well.

There are many quotes throughout the book. Some of my favorites are "God will never waste your pain when it is offered to Him" and "We are blessed to be a blessing."   

I would recommend this book for anyone who is facing challenging circumstances. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.