Walk with Me by Bill Mowry

 

This book is a very practical guide to walk with others, connect with them and help them to go deeper in their relationship with Christ. Each chapter focuses on various principles including to walk heart to heart, walk simple, walk slow, walk deep, and walk on mission. Practical examples are included to illustrate how to live out these principles in relationship to others.

I appreciated The Navigators Wheel which illustrates how Christ is the power in the hub of the wheel which motivates us to love Christ and to live that out in our lives and our relationships with others. In our fast-paced world I also appreciated the acronym in the chapter on walk slow which is Serve excellently, Love accordingly, Observe to learn, and Wait for God’s timing (SLOW). I highly recommend this book for anyone who desires to go deeper with another to encourage them in their Christian journey.

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

When Faith is Forbidden by Todd Nettleton

 

This book is created as a 40 day devotional focusing on the testimonies of persecuted Christians around the world. Each daily devotional begins with a Scripture verse and then shares the account of a persecuted Christian from a country where you can suffer persecution or imprisonment for being a Christian. Also included are questions for reflection and a space for you to record your own thoughts. Lastly each day includes an entry from the author’s journal as he met with the person who shared his or her experience.

These testimonies challenge those of us as Christians who have no idea what it means to suffer for our faith. These stories will challenge the reader to think about the persecuted church and to reflect on their commitment to Christ and to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith in Christ.

This is eye opening, inspiring and challenging journey for 40 days. I highly recommend this devotional for anyone wanting to learn more about persecuted Christians and how to pray for them.

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

  

Turning of Days by Hannah Anderson

 

This is a beautiful book with beautiful illustrations by the author’s husband, Nathan Anderson. Organized around the four seasons, there are individual reflections about nature and related Scripture readings to go with each reflection. It is a celebration of the beauty of nature as well as God’s handiwork on display. In the back of the book is a field guide to aid the reader in learning to listen to what God is saying through nature. It encourages the reader to slow down and appreciate the details of the natural world. It has challenged me to look at the little things around me in nature and to slow down to appreciate the beauty and majesty of God’s creation. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to see God in the world around us.

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

Discovering God Through the Arts by Terry Glaspey

 

In reading this book, I discovered a new appreciation of the arts which includes paintings, film, music, sculpture and other kinds of art. Appreciation of a work of art is more than just as a distraction or a useful decoration, as it can take on a different meaning allowing us to experience God in it. The author discusses various ways this can happen including helping us to pay attention, to dig for deeper meaning, to bring the Scriptures to life, and to discover and experience a sense of wonder, to name a few.

The book describes many works of art and the author shares his own personal story and that of others in discovering God through the arts. What is especially helpful is a chapter at the end of the book entitled “Soul Food: Resources for Your Spiritual Journey.” This chapter includes lists of books, films, music and other works of art along with artists to discover on your own. This book provides a way to grow closer to God by learning to appreciate beauty and creativity. I highly recommend this book.

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

       

75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know by Terry Glaspey

 

This book is a wonderful introduction to some of the great artistic achievements of artists whose faith has enriched and inspired their works in a number of ways.  These works of art, music, writing, and films extend from the very beginning of the church to the present time.

This newly revised version in paperback includes 20 more pages that the first edition and expands some of the pictures of the artwork featured.  These works of art are not advertisements for Christianity, but are simply recording the truth as the artist saw and felt it. As the author puts it, “Art can reach places in the human heart that reasoned argument can never penetrate.”

Each masterpiece and the story behind it can be read as a daily devotional, as a reference book when wanting to refer to a particular work or straight through the entire book.  However you choose to read it, the stories are as fascinating as are the great works they describe.

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

 

 

Creative God Colorful Us by Trillia Newbell

 

This wonderful book for children explains how God created each of us with diversity in His family with many colors and differing gifts and talents. In God’s colorful family, each individual has something to offer and heaven itself will be filled with believers of all different colors and nationalities.

The book is divided into chapters, each focusing on a different concept from Scripture such as creation, the fall, the rescuer found in Jesus Christ, and the principles involved in living in unity in God’s family. At the end of each chapter there are questions for the child to answer to reinforce the material presented in the chapter. There is also an activity for the child and adult to do together.

At the end of the book there is a section for the adults emphasizing the need to be “colorsmart” instead of using the word “colorblind.”  Being colorblind is not realistic and misses the opportunity to celebrate God’s good design. After all, the gospel is for all nations and we will rejoice in color forever.

This is must reading for all families in explaining the beauty of diversity. Children from elementary school through middle school would benefit from this book.

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

 

 

The Great Cloud of Witnesses by Trillia Newbell

 

The focus of this Bible study is Hebrews, Chapter 11. This is a 6 week Bible study which can be adapted to an 8 week study as well. Each week includes an overview for the week and 5 days to explore and reflect on the focus of the week. You can do this study on your own or in a group setting.

This study will strengthen and deepen your own faith and you explore the lives of Abel, Noah, Rahab, Abraham and many more who remained faithful while undergoing challenges to their faith. By examining the great cloud of witnesses, you will also be encouraged to look to the Lord as you run the race He has set before you. I appreciated this study and the encouragement it offered to help me persevere through my own challenges and to remember that God is faithful.

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